Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 302 - 303: The Monk Will Convert You

Chapter 302: Chapter 303: The Monk Will Convert You

The court ladies paid no heed to Xuanzang.

They initially thought Xuanzang would become their king, but they had not anticipated how obstinate he would be.

Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, the Pipa Spirit’s figure flashed with light as she whisked Xuanzang away and disappeared.

Walking ahead, the court ladies and the palace maids, who all bowed their heads, continued on. It was only after some time that they realized Xuanzang had vanished.

"My lord, the Imperial Uncle Grandpa is missing!"

At this moment, a palace maid finally noticed the situation and blurted out in a panic.

The Imperial Uncle Grandpa was the Queen’s most treasured one, and now with Xuanzang suddenly missing, they feared several heads would roll if the Queen were to find out.

Turning around, the court lady indeed saw that Xuanzang was nowhere to be found.

It was as if he had vanished into thin air; no one had heard a sound from Xuanzang, as though he had disappeared out of the blue.

"Imperial Uncle Grandpa, Imperial Uncle Grandpa!"

The court lady called out while turning back.

However, there was no response.

After walking a distance, they still saw no sign of Xuanzang.

"Quick, get some people to search the palace, I’ll go inform Her Majesty!"

The court lady hastily instructed.

"Yes!"

Following the court lady’s orders, the palace maids hurriedly nodded and scurried off, causing a stir throughout the palace.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is terrible trouble!"

The court lady rushed into the Queen’s chambers.

At this time, the Queen of the Woman Kingdom was still feeling gloomy, regretting having sent the Imperial Older Brother away, her mood was complicated.

But just then, she heard the court lady, who had escorted the Imperial Older Brother back, rushing in and saying things were not right.

"What’s the matter? Why such panic?"

"Has the Imperial Older Brother been sent back?"

The Queen asked with a frown, but her first concern was still for the Imperial Older Brother.

"Your Majesty, it is my negligence, the Imperial Uncle Grandpa has disappeared on his way back!"

The court lady was somewhat afraid to look at the King, fearing blame!

"What?"

The Queen stood up abruptly, her face filled with fury.

"The Imperial Uncle Grandpa has disappeared?"

The court lady repeated the sentence.

"Search quickly, have everyone in the palace look for him!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing these words, the court lady hurriedly went to assemble a search party.

Meanwhile, Zhu Bajie, Sun Wukong, and others were still in the room, watching Zhu Bajie eat with relish.

"Should we invite the Little White Dragon to come in and eat something?"

Sun Wukong watched Zhu Bajie gorge himself, his mouth dripping with grease, while the White Dragon Horse was grazing, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Just then, there started to be some commotion outside.

"What’s going on?"

Sun Wukong glanced outside.

Sand Monk also got up and went to the door, puzzled, "Big Brother, Second Brother, it seems something has happened!"

"Elder, Elders!"

Just at that moment, a palace maid came running over in a great panic.

"What happened? What’s going on?"

Sand Monk, upon seeing the maid’s distress, couldn’t help feeling that something was amiss.

"What’s the problem?"

Sun Wukong frowned and looked her way.

"What’s all this ruckus? Didn’t you see your Grandpa Pig is still eating?"

Zhu Bajie spoke with displeasure, annoyed at this interruption of his mealtime.

"It’s terrible, the Imperial Uncle Grandpa is missing!"

The palace maid blurted out urgently; she had run so fast she was panting heavily, clearly exhausted.

"What?"

Hearing this, the food in Zhu Bajie’s hand dropped into his plate as he stood up and approached.

Hadn’t Big Brother just said the Master was on his way back? How could he just disappear?

The palace maid hurriedly explained, "Just now, the Imperial Uncle Grandpa started walking back in this direction after leaving, but on the way back, he suddenly vanished, and no one saw how the Imperial Uncle Grandpa disappeared!"

Hearing the maid’s words, Sun Wukong immediately understood what had happened; evidently, the demon he had driven off earlier had not given up and had now kidnapped their Master.

"Big Brother, what do we do without the Master?"

Sand Monk asked, his voice filled with panic.

He was probably the most concerned about Xuanzang’s whereabouts in the scripture-seeking team.

"Junior Brother Sand, the Master has likely been captured by that Pipa Spirit!"

Sun Wukong was puzzled. Logically, having already clashed with the Pipa Spirit, there was no need for her to court trouble by targeting Xuanzang again, especially today.

"It seems the Master was destined for a calamity!"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said.

"We understand, you may leave!"

Sun Wukong waved his hand, signaling the palace maids to step down, looking unfazed.

"Big Brother, what should we do?"

Sand Monk voiced his concern anxiously.

"Why worry? With our master’s skills, what is there to fear?"

Sun Wukong was noncommittal in his response.

"But what if master is eaten by the monster? What then?"

Still very worried, Sand Monk pressed on.

"Junior Brother Sand, don’t fret. With our master’s capabilities, when has he not escaped danger on his own? You’re underestimating him!"

Zhu Bajie chimed in.

"The key point is, Junior Brother Sand, do you know where that monster is?"

Sun Wukong sat on the ground, looking completely unconcerned.

"This..."

Sand Monk was helpless; he hadn’t expected his two senior brothers to be so indifferent to their master’s fate.

"Land Deity, show yourself!"

Sand Monk stomped on the ground with his foot.

Boom! At that moment, the earth shook violently.

Suddenly, smoke rose from the ground, and a Land Deity emerged from beneath the surface.

"I don’t know why Great General Who Lifts the Curtain would call upon this little immortal!"

Upon seeing the presence of Great General Who Lifts the Curtain, as well as Sun Wukong and Marshal Tianpeng, the Land Deity shrank back and spoke in a low voice.

"I want to know about the nearby monsters!"

The Great General Who Lifts the Curtain bellowed.

"Ah, Immortal was asking about that?"

Upon hearing Great General Who Lifts the Curtain’s question, the Land Deity heaved a sigh of relief and hastily replied, "In the direction of the northwest, there is a Mt Poison Ivy, and within it lies a Pipa Cave where the Pipa Spirit resides!"

"Oh? What else do you know?"

Upon hearing this information, Sand Monk also let out a sigh of relief.

"This Pipa Spirit usually doesn’t come out, so this little immortal doesn’t know much more!"

Seeing that the Land Deity wasn’t aware of much more, Sand Monk let him go. However, Sand Monk was somewhat certain that it was this Pipa Spirit who had taken away his master.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, should we go check out the Pipa Cave?"

Sand Monk looked towards Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie.

Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong exchanged a glance, both displaying helplessness in their eyes.

They didn’t want to rescue Xuanzang, but they couldn’t make it too obvious—after all, Xuanzang was their master.

Reluctantly, Sun Wukong stood up, "Now that we have a lead, let’s go have a look, whether or not there’s news of our master."

Zhu Bajie also nodded in agreement, "Indeed, that’s what we should do!"

Hearing that his Big Brother and Second Brother had said so, Sand Monk’s face relaxed.

If he had to go by himself, it was uncertain whether he could save his master.

Right away, the trio of Sun Wukong soared through the clouds, heading northwest. In no time, they were blocked by a large mountain. Sun Wukong, looking at the mountain ahead, said, "This should be Mt Poison Ivy."

With that, they descended toward the mountain, landing their Auspicious Clouds.

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk also landed one after another. Sun Wukong looked around and ordered, "Hurry up and find that Pipa Cave."

The three split up to search for Pipa Cave, and soon Sun Wukong found the entrance and quickly notified the others.

Zhu Bajie, looking at the demon cave, charged up immediately, ready to smash the door with his rake.

Sun Wukong urgently stopped Zhu Bajie, "Don’t rush, brother."

Zhu Bajie asked confusedly, "If we don’t break open the cave door and rescue master, then what are we waiting for?"

Sun Wukong quickly explained, "For one, we don’t yet know if master is inside. Although the demon is not formidable, we need to be cautious, as master may still be in its grip!"

"Big Brother is right, but what should we do?" Sand Monk asked, frowning.

"I’ll go in and take a look first. If I’m sure master is inside, then we’ll figure out a plan!"

Sun Wukong suggested with a twinkle in his eye.

Sand Monk could only nod in agreement.

Then Sun Wukong transformed into a bug and flew through the crack of the stone gate into the cave.

In no time, he was inside Pipa Cave.

Indeed, the Pipa Spirit had captured Xuanzang and brought him to Pipa Cave. The interior was another world, with a garden in the back meticulously and beautifully crafted. At that moment, Xuanzang was seated on a stone chair in the pavilion.

The Pipa Spirit sat beside him. Had it not been for the fact that she could not eat Xuanzang’s flesh, he likely wouldn’t be seated there anymore.

She smiled reassuringly, "Imperial Older Brother, no need to fret. Though this place can’t compare to the grandeur of Queen of Xiliang’s palace, it is peaceful and comfortable. It’s perfect for chanting Buddhist scriptures. If I become your Dharmic companion, we can grow old together; wouldn’t that be better than the arduous journey to Western Heaven to seek scriptures?"

Xuanzang uttered, "Amitabha Buddha!"

"Demon, lay down your butcher’s knife and at once attain Buddhahood. There is still time for you to turn around!"

Hearing Xuanzang’s words, the Pipa Spirit couldn’t help but shake her head, "Imperial Older Brother, such words disappoint me!"

"Let us not speak of Buddhist Law. Imperial Older Brother, I’ve prepared some snacks for you; how about you eat some to calm your nerves?"

The Pipa Spirit didn’t wait for Xuanzang’s response before turning to the female demons dressed as maids waiting outside and instructed, "Go fetch some food quickly. I want to have a late snack with Imperial Older Brother."

"As you command." Two female demons bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

Before long, they returned each carrying a tray, and said with reverence, "Great King, the food is ready. One plate has meat-filled buns, and the other has red bean paste buns."

The Monster nodded its head, and the two little demons placed the two plates of buns on the table. The Pipa Spirit smiled at Xuanzang and asked, "Imperial Older Brother, would you like to eat meat buns or vegetarian buns?"

When Xuanzang heard the Monster mentioning that the meat buns were filled with human flesh, his eyebrows furrowed, and he thought to himself: It seems you refuse enlightenment, Demon. I must convert you.

With that in mind, Xuanzang began reciting scriptures, and simultaneously, Buddha’s light began to appear around him.

The Pipa Spirit’s expression changed.