Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 228 - 229: Old Pig Refuses to Steal the Ginseng Fruit

Chapter 228: Chapter 229: Old Pig Refuses to Steal the Ginseng Fruit

Zhen Yuanzi established his base with the Spirit Root and the Earth Scripture as the foundation.

He had anchored his Hunyuan Daluo Dao Fruit entirely upon these two items.

Although today’s world had undergone changes, the opportunity to achieve saintliness had long since vanished.

Given the power of the Two Sages of the West, they should not have been concerned about Zhen Yuanzi, but even the slightest possibility could not put them at ease.

The opening of the Calamity of Measurement of Journey to the West was a perfect opportunity. With Zhen Yuanzi’s connection to Golden Cicada, they could devise a scheme to severely damage Zhen Yuanzi’s chances of achieving saintliness.

Additionally, Buddhism could offer help by winning over Sun Wukong and others, as well as Zhen Yuanzi.

It was truly a case of killing three birds with one stone.

However, the first step of this seemingly flawless plan failed.

"What? Xuanzang accepted it? He ate it? A monk like him would actually eat something like that?"

Buddha Juriyunsun couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

"Whether he ate it or not, we don’t know!"

Qing Feng said helplessly, as it would have been awkward for them to watch Xuanzang eat.

"No matter, when his disciples go to eat the Ginseng Fruits, you can take the opportunity to eat a couple too!"

Juriyunsun told the two.

Though Qing Feng and Mingyue didn’t know much, they were certainly interested in eating Ginseng Fruits.

After all, having watched over Ginseng Fruits, they knew these were superior goods. If they could eat them, even though they might not reach the level of a Daluo Golden Immortal, their cultivation level could still advance.

As cultivators, they naturally wished to become increasingly powerful.

After Juriyunsun left, they reported this matter to higher authorities.

Sakyamuni Tathagata slightly frowned, considering it a major issue for Buddhism.

"Since the first step was unsuccessful, apart from Qing Feng and Mingyue, we can only discuss it with the Great Celestial Venerate!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata muttered to himself.

Although the Great Celestial Venerate didn’t seem to have a good relationship with Sand Monk, even sending him to the lower realm as a punishment,

they were not fools. As the Great Celestial Venerate, how could he not retain some contingencies, easily giving them opportunities?

Therefore, the Great Celestial Venerate and Sand Monk must have connections.

And for their cooperation, the Jade Emperor would necessarily agree.

Sure enough, under the persuasion from the West, the Jade Emperor agreed to help, sending Sand Monk to convince Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to steal and eat the Ginseng Fruits.

After setting things on two fronts, the West quietly awaited the unfolding of events.

...

On another side, Xuanzang looked at the two Ginseng Fruits, observing his three disciples.

"Who among you wants to eat this fruit?"

Xuanzang spoke slowly, being a monk, even though he knew the Ginseng Fruits were fruits, he was also hesitant due to their appearance.

However, since Qing Feng and Mingyue had given him the fruits, he naturally hoped to benefit his three disciples with them.

It was just unfortunate that there were only two.

"No need for the disciple!"

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "This Ginseng Fruit was sent to Master by Zhen Yuanzi, and it’s not intended for us, what right do we have to eat it!"

"Exactly!"

Zhu Bajie also said with a laugh, "Such a fruit isn’t very useful to us given our cultivation level, we’d just be tasting it, but for Master, who has not yet reached the Immortal Realm, eating these fruits would surely advance his cultivation significantly!"

Although Zhu Bajie said so, his mouth still watered; after all, the effects of Ginseng Fruit were superior even to that of Flat Peaches.

However, seeing Sun Wukong being so cautious, he naturally couldn’t ask for it either.

Sand Monk, on the other hand, looked at the fruit and drooled, but since his elder brothers had already declined, he felt it would be inappropriate to insist on having it.

"You guys..."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang also frowned, at a loss on how to deal with the two fruits.

Sun Wukong was always cautious and vigilant. Knowing Zhen Yuanzi’s power from how he merely paid respects to heaven and earth, he did not want to unwittingly provoke such a formidable being.

Though he too had some desires for the Ginseng Fruit, to avoid exposing that his presence was merely a clone, it was better to avoid excess complications.

"Since Master finds the appearance of the Ginseng Fruit somewhat difficult to approach, how about this?"

Sun Wukong opened his mouth and blew a breath.

A stream of Immortal Qi rolled out, and as the wind passed, the Ginseng Fruits transformed from their original humanoid appearances into the shape of apples.

"Apples?"

Xuanzang blinked.

"Go ahead and eat, Master, it’s just an apple now!"

Sun Wukong said with a smile.

Zhu Bajie, looking at Sun Wukong, naturally followed his lead, "Exactly, Master, just eat it!"

Following that, Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong turned to Sand Monk.

Although Sand Monk wanted to eat it, since his elder brothers had spoken thus, he felt he must conform and spoke similarly.

"Since you all say so, then as your teacher, I will... reluctantly do so!"

Seeing the three disciples refrained from eating, Xuanzang sighed.

In front of them, he ate the Ginseng Fruits that had been transformed into apples.

As the Ginseng Fruit went down, Xuanzang, who had already grasped an understanding of Buddhist Law, felt an enlightening baptism at that moment.

A rich aura enveloped him even more.

Afterward, Xuanzang sat down by Panxi, entering a realm of sudden enlightenment.

"A master is indeed a master; even eating a fruit can lead to enlightenment. Let’s all go out and do our own things!"

Subsequently, the three of them went their separate ways.

Sand Monk went to feed the horses and after taking care of the Dragon Horse, he planned to return to his room to rest. Although he coveted the Ginseng Fruit, he only dared to think about it, not taking any action.

After all, he was still burdened with a task from the Jade Emperor and didn’t dare to neglect it.

Just as Sand Monk was turning the corner, a white-bearded old man was already waiting there.

"Star Lord, what are you doing here!"

Sand Monk was startled to see Taibai Jinxing.

"Could it be that His Majesty has a task? I have been monitoring them these past few days and haven’t noticed anything unusual!"

Sand Monk said with some surprise.

Taibai Jinxing stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "His Majesty thinks you are doing well and hopes you will do something beneficial for you!"

"Oh? I wonder what His Majesty wants me to do? I would climb mountains and plunge into seas to achieve it!"

Sand Monk continued to express his loyalty, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

"It’s quite simple, no need to climb mountains or plunge into seas. His Majesty just wants you to get Sun Wukong to steal some Ginseng Fruits. Your master ate Ginseng Fruits, but you didn’t. Isn’t Zhen Yuanzi being too stingy? It’s only right that you steal some!"

Taibai Jinxing said with a smile.

Hearing Taibai Jinxing’s words, Sand Monk was stunned and said with surprise, "Why does His Majesty want us to steal Ginseng Fruits?"

Hearing Sand Monk’s words, Taibai Jinxing frowned and said, "Some things are better left unasked!"

Sand Monk nodded, his face showing a frightened expression as he said, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Then Taibai Jinxing’s voice softened as he said, "His Majesty naturally has his reasons for this matter. You just need to go and do it, and His Majesty will cover for you afterwards!"

"Yes!"

Sand Monk nodded.

Give a beating and then offer a sweet date, Taibai Jinxing knew this tactic well.

"Go ahead!"

Sand Monk then left, but for a moment, he did not know whether to find Zhu Bajie or to find Sun Wukong.

After thinking about it, Sand Monk decided to look for Zhu Bajie.

After all, Zhu Bajie had a big appetite and since his Cultivation Level had weakened due to reincarnation, not eating such a good thing in front of him was naturally out of consideration for his master’s feelings.

Now that they were going to discuss it privately, things would likely be much easier.

Thinking this, Sand Monk found Zhu Bajie in the kitchen, who was indeed sneaking some food at the time.

Although Zhu Bajie was once Marshal Tianpeng, reincarnation hadn’t spared him from busying himself for his stomach, and stealing food was naturally unavoidable.

"Brother, you’re sneaking food again!"

Sand Monk caught him red-handed.

Zhu Bajie touched his rounded belly and said, "Can’t help it, who made me reincarnated as a pig. Junior Brother Sand, have you come to find me for something?"

Zhu Bajie ate a steamed bun before curiously looking at Sand Monk.

Sand Monk looked around to make sure no one was there, then said, "Brother, I’ve been thinking hard, and I feel Zhen Yuanzi is unreasonable. How can he not give each of us brothers one, isn’t that looking down on us?"

"It’s fine for our master to have two, but shouldn’t we at least get one by showing respect for the monk’s face, if not the Buddha’s?"

Sand Monk said with a frown.

"Junior Brother, are you talking about the Ginseng Fruit?"

Zhu Bajie looked at Sand Monk, surprised that he had brought up the Ginseng Fruit.

"Exactly, Brother, don’t you think Zhen Yuanzi is looking down on us?"

Sand Monk spoke indignantly.

"It’s quite normal for someone on the same level as the Three Pure Ones to look down on us!"

Zhu Bajie said matter-of-factly, though he was also somewhat interested in the Ginseng Fruit.

But he was also naturally curious about the taste of the Ginseng Fruit.

Having been Marshal Tianpeng, he had tasted many delicacies,

but had never eaten a Ginseng Fruit.

However, having been with Sun Wukong for some time, he had become much more cautious in his demeanor.

Before even entering the Calamity of Measurement, he was cautious; now, asking him to take a risk was simply out of the question.

"But, Brother, don’t you want to taste the Ginseng Fruit, even just a little?"

Sand Monk looked at Zhu Bajie, unable to believe that someone who was once Marshal Tianpeng wouldn’t want to try the Ginseng Fruit.

"While I may want, I don’t wish to undertake such an action, unless you can convince our Big Brother. Otherwise, it’s better for you to give up as well!"

Zhu Bajie shrugged his shoulders; although the Ginseng Fruit was tempting, he understood the great dangers associated with it. If not handled well, it would cause big trouble.

"Then I’ll go find Big Brother!"

Seeing Zhu Bajie adamant about not stealing the Ginseng Fruit, Sand Monk had no choice but to find their Big Brother, believing that a monkey like him would agree immediately; it shouldn’t be difficult.

Watching Sand Monk’s retreating figure, Zhu Bajie shook his head, "If your big brother agrees so easily, I, old pig, would go a day without food!"