Calamities in Journey to the West? My heart and form are both void.

Summary

In this excerpt, a monarch discusses an impending war with an old official, initially dismissing foreign affairs documents. Despite the potential conflict, the monarch remains confident and calm, believing their nation's strength is not superficial. Xuanzang and his companions are preparing to continue their journey westward, with the monarch providing travel documents and seeking a credential for future diplomatic relations. At the palace gate, a beggar in a tattered dragon robe dramatically claims his kingdom has been usurped, revealing a complex political situation filled with tension and potential betrayal.

Full content