Who is the prototype of Tang Priest in Journey to the West?

The prototype of Tang Priest is Xuanzang. The Tang Priest, also known as Master Sanzang, is one of the protagonists in The Journey to the West, and also the initiator and leader of the journey to learn from the scriptures. The historical prototype is Xuanzang, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty. Master Xuanzang was born in Luoyang, Henan Province in 602 AD. He became a monk in his early years and was proficient in Buddhist scriptures and Sanskrit. In 629 AD, Master Xuanzang set out alone, passing through Gansu, Xinjiang, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other places, which lasted 19 years, walked more than 10,000 miles and retrieved 657 Buddhist scriptures. In 645 AD, Master Xuanzang returned to Chang 'an, where he was cordially received and rewarded by Emperor Taizong. He recorded in detail the customs and Buddhism he saw and heard on his way to learn from the scriptures. Master Xuanzang died in 664 AD at the age of 63. He was honored as the "Sanzang Sage" by later generations and listed as one of the "Top Ten Monks".