Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 291 - 292: It Must Be Golden Cicada

Chapter 291: Chapter 292: It Must Be Golden Cicada

The four travelers on their Journey to the West saw from a distance an imposing pavilion up ahead.

The pavilion occupied a vast area, covering nearly half of a high mountain, clearly indicating it was out of the ordinary.

Zhu Bajie rubbed his belly, seemingly hungry, and said, "Master, such a grand household, if we go in to beg for alms, it’s certain to be full of rare delicacies. What we want, they’ll have. Let’s hurry over."

Sun Wukong slapped his head and glared at him, "Fool, after all the demons we’ve encountered on our journey, you’re still so naive. Don’t you think there’s something eerie about this pavilion; it doesn’t seem like it belongs to honest folks?"

Zhu Bajie was somewhat surprised and spun his eyes, saying, "Brother, do you mean this place belongs to a monster?"

Sun Wukong nodded, "Though I’m not afraid of demons, I surely won’t willingly walk into death’s jaws knowing this is a demon’s lair!"

Upon hearing of demons, Xuanzang’s eyes instantly lit up, "Disciples, what are we waiting for?"

Throughout the journey, he had converted many demons. If there were indeed frictions with the Western Direction, he feared this little manpower would not suffice.

Converting more demons would naturally be ideal.

Xuanzang pointed at Sun Wukong, and then said, "Wukong, go beg for alms farther away, and do not return before nightfall."

Sun Wukong seemed to have realized and said with a wry smile, "Master, are you thinking of converting demons again?"

Xuanzang nodded earnestly, "A demon capable of creating so many pavilions is certainly a Great Demon. If we can convert it, we may achieve Perfect Merit."

As for his thoughts about creating a new branch of Buddhism after converting demons, naturally, he couldn’t let that slip, lest the watching Immortals and Buddhas become aware.

Hence, Xuanzang paused, then continued, "You have quite a reputation, and many of the journey’s demons know you. If you came along, I probably wouldn’t have to lift a finger before you scare them off!"

"Master, is there a need for such trouble? If you wish to convert, we could all go together and do it. Why must I leave?"

Sun Wukong couldn’t help feeling somewhat frustrated.

Xuanzang shook his head, "Since it’s a demon, there will certainly be no food here, and your second disciple is already hungry. Take this opportunity to bring back some alms for us to eat; by then, we may have already accomplished our task!"

"Master, you’re quite intent on subduing demons and eliminating evil now!"

Zhu Bajie also couldn’t help shaking his head.

"I can’t help it—the closer to Mount Meru, the more concerned I become," Xuanzang proclaimed.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong nodded, understanding the perils that Mount Ling of the Western Paradise might hold, who knows what awaited them.

"It’s decided then!"

Xuanzang nodded and declared.

Sun Wukong said, "I have no objections, but do be cautious, Master."

Sun Wukong truly wasn’t worried; after all, the Immortals and Buddhas of heavens would not allow Xuanzang to die, so no matter how recklessly Xuanzang acted, it’d be fine.

Furthermore, Xuanzang confronting demons himself saved him a great deal of trouble.

After Sun Wukong left, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help expressing his doubts, "Master, aren’t you afraid the demon will devour you now that Brother Monkey has really left?"

After all, Xuanzang’s flesh was known to grant Longevity, and likely all the demons on the path knew this.

"I’m reasonable too," Xuanzang began, "If the demon does no wrong, I naturally won’t sell it out. But if the demon attacks, then I will seek its conversion. However, if Wukong were here, I guess no demon would dare to strike at me!"

Xuanzang brought his palms together, "Amitabha Buddha!"

"Master, you seem to be forcing the demon to commit evil," Zhu Bajie said, glancing at Xuanzang before adding, "It’s like placing a fat piece of meat before a wolf. If it doesn’t eat, is it even a wolf?"

"Once it acts, I’ll convert it," Xuanzang calmly said.

Sand Monk paid little attention to their conversation, content as long as Xuanzang wouldn’t die; he wasn’t concerned with anything else.

So after a bit of preparation, Xuanzang mounted the White Dragon Horse, accompanied by Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk as they chose to move forward.

After struggling along a section of the mountain road, the three of them managed to get a clear look of a pavilion ahead.

This was a grand estate facing south with its back to the north.

The exterior featured an imposing pink wall with an inverted hang lotus-shaped arch over the gate, all adorned in five colors.

The gate was half-open.

Sand Monk set down his luggage while Zhu Bajie tied the White Dragon Horse to the grooved stone drums beside the gate.

They then helped the feigning frail, dismounting Xuanzang, who struggled to get off the horse.

To make it more convincing, Xuanzang shivered, "The cold has been harsh on the journey, and my health worsens with each passing day."

As Xuanzang acted, he slyly observed his surroundings, only to be disappointed by the complete absence of any signs of life.

Zhu Bajie surveyed the area and said, "Master, this must be the abode of a duke or a marquis, or at least a family of great counsel; otherwise, the estate wouldn’t be so large."

"There’s no one out front; they must all be inside keeping warm by the fire. Shall we go in and take a look?"

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s suggestion, Sand Monk also looked towards Xuanzang.

Xuanzang nodded and said, "The biting cold wind is fierce outside, let’s go in and see, perhaps we can find a place to lodge for the night."

Although they were fairly certain that the mansion was a trap set by a demon, they were there precisely for the demon. Knowing the demon’s preparations, they would proceed with caution.

As the three of them walked, Xuanzang instructed, "When we meet the householders, be mindful of your manners and do not offend them."

"Harmony is most precious when we are away from home; after all, there are times when we must rely on the kindness of others. If they are unwilling to take us in, it’s no matter, for without Wukong, we are no match for others."

"The master is right; we will be careful," they agreed.

Zhu Bajie also responded with a smile, hoping that this was indeed a wealthy household so they could enjoy some good food.

They talked as they made their way deeper into the place.

At the heart of the pavilion lay a set of three grand halls, draped with lofty curtains, eerily silent, with not a shadow in sight.

The courtyard was desolate, devoid of tables and chairs.

Passing through the screen door and walking further, they came upon another hall.

Behind the hall stood a large building, its windows half-open, barely revealing a canopy of yellow silk.

Surveying the surroundings with curiosity, Zhu Bajie looked ahead and said, "There seems to be no way forward. If there are people in this wealthy family, they must be inside!"

Sand Monk grew nervous and cautioned, "Master, we must be cautious. If anything goes wrong, we must escape quickly!"

Xuanzang nodded, looking toward the windows, "There’s no need to worry. Given the grandeur of this estate, the master here must surely be a person of great kindness and charity!"

"The owner must be inside; let’s go and have a look."

After saying this, the three of them continued on, climbed to the second floor, and pushed open the door, only to be stunned at the sight.

In the room lay a large ivory bed, upon which sat a pile of bones with particularly long leg bones.

Looking at the skeleton, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but feel moved, and he spoke to the bones, "Who knows from which era or country’s marshal these remains are, once having defended the nation and ensured its peace, only to be abandoned and exposed here today!"

"Not even a spouse or children to tend to you in death; it truly is a sorrowful and lamentable sight!"

Zhu Bajie glanced back at Xuanzang, still not encountering any demons. Perhaps his performance was not convincing enough?

Just then,

Sand Monk exclaimed, "What is that?"

Zhu Bajie also turned to look and drew back the mosquito curtain.

"Perhaps the householders are inside here!"

Moving forward, they saw a colorfully painted table with several brocade robes carelessly strewn upon it.

Zhu Bajie turned to Xuanzang and said, "Master, there’s no sign of life here, it seems to be a Mansion of the Dead."

Sand Monk approached and examined them, finding three brocade vests.

Zhu Bajie had been worried about demons and hadn’t looked closely before, but now, seeing Sand Monk holding them up, he saw them clearly and exclaimed with delight, "Master, there are three vests here, how beautiful!"

Xuanzang turned back to look and said, "Exactly three vests, no more, no less. Isn’t that too coincidental?"

Zhu Bajie’s thoughts stirred, and he said, "Master, do you mean... could it be?"

"The weather is quite cold now. Since there are clothes here, put them on," Xuanzang suggested.

Bringing his hands together in prayer, though Zhu Bajie felt something was amiss, given the chill, both of them donned a vest each.

To their surprise, the two vests fit perfectly, as if they had been tailor-made for them.

Meanwhile, deep in the cave dwelling,

"Great King, Great King! The big fish has taken the bait!"

A little demon shouted excitedly.

Inside the cave, a green-skinned minotaur looked over, "Quiet down, what are you shouting for?"

The little demon immediately lowered his voice, "Great King, we’ve caught something."

Another little demon said, "Great King, your plan is simply perfect. We don’t even need to venture out; people fall into our trap every couple of days."

The Green-Skinned Minotaur laughed heartily, "Humans may be clever, but they cannot overcome their greed. As long as they are greedy, they are destined to fall."

Having said that, the Green-Skinned Minotaur turned to the little demon who had reported first, "Tell me, what kind of ’fish’ is it this time? If it’s only ordinary people, beat them to teach them a lesson and then throw them out."

The little demon said, "Great King, this time it’s different; we caught three monks!"

Upon hearing this, the Green-Skinned Minotaur sat up straight and asked, "Three monks? Where do they hail from?"

The little demon replied, "We don’t know, we’ll have to ask them."

The Green-Skinned Minotaur’s brow raised, "Could it be Xuanzang?"

He found himself here, having become a part of the Calamity of Measurement, within the scope of Journey to the West.

Calculating the time, it seemed that it was indeed the moment for Xuanzang and his companions to arrive.

"We’re not sure, but they seem to have come from the East, having just crossed the Tongtian River not long ago," the little demon added.

The Green-Skinned Minotaur smiled, "Then there’s no mistake, it must be Golden Cicada, but who would have thought that after ten lifetimes of cultivation, he would end up on my territory, he’s truly seeking death!"