Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 333 - 334: Even if He Cures to Death, It Doesn’t Matter

Chapter 333: Chapter 334: Even if He Cures to Death, It Doesn’t Matter

"Oh, perhaps it’s another one of the Holy Monk’s disciples?"

The King of the Zhu Zi Country inquired with some curiosity. After all, it was naturally impossible for Xuanzang to travel such a distance by himself, traversing mountains and rivers to arrive here alone.

Xuanzang still frowned and shook his head as he said, "I will not deceive Your Majesty, those scoundrels of mine are but common talents from the wilderness, capable only of carrying luggage and leading horses, accompanying me through mountains and rivers, or in dangerous places, they may subdue demons and quell devils, but there is not a single disciple among them who understands the nature of medicine!"

The King of the Zhu Zi Country, upon hearing what Xuanzang said, still didn’t believe it and said with a smile, "The Holy Monk must be too modest. Today, as I ascended the throne, I encountered the Holy Monk’s arrival, which truly feels like serendipity!"

"If the eminent disciple does not understand healing, how could he possibly have responded to my notice document, prompting me to personally go and welcome him? There must be genuine talent!"

As he spoke, the King of the Zhu Zi Country turned to the gathering of civil and military officials and said, "Civil and military officials alike, my body is weary and I certainly dare not travel by sedan chair. Can you replace me and go invite Elder Sun to examine me?"

"When you see him, you must not neglect him, and meet him with the respect due between sovereign and subject!"

Having received such a decree, the officials, along with the eunuch and the Colonel who had come to report, headed to the Huitong Inn to pay their respects together.

Xuanzang originally intended to stop them, but he was also curious as to which disciple of his was so capable that he could also heal.

Therefore, he did not stop them.

Meanwhile, inside the Huitong Inn.

Zhu Bajie saw the impressive entourage that had arrived and couldn’t help but grow nervous, promptly hiding himself in the side room.

If he were unable to treat the condition successfully, beheading would surely follow.

Sand Monk also went into hiding.

Although they both possessed extraordinary strength, they had no desire to harm the common folk recklessly.

As for Sun Wukong, he remained seated with dignity in the main hall.

Sun Wukong acted this way to help Xuanzang gather offerings. For Buddhism, offerings are of great importance; if Xuanzang were to compete with Buddhism, he needed those offerings.

The best way to gather offerings would naturally be with the support of the King.

Now that the King of the Zhu Zi Country had encountered such an issue, if it could be treated successfully, the King would certainly be grateful.

At this point, they had become pawns of the Immortals and Buddhas, unable to resist, but there were still some things they could do behind the scenes.

To others, it seemed they did nothing at all.

And Buddhism couldn’t really say much.

Just then, countless footsteps started to echo at that moment.

"Elder Sun, the Emperor could not come himself; he is seriously ill. Nevertheless, he has sent numerous civil and military officials to greet you, hoping Elder Sun will be understanding!"

The eunuch who was responsible for hospitality said this and then gave a signal to the Colonel standing beside him.

The Colonel opened the door, and at that moment, countless civil and military officials filed in respectfully.

"We pay our respects to the Divine Monk Elder Sun. We are the officials of the Zhu Zi Country, and today, by decree of the King, we hope Elder Sun will enter the court to treat him," they said, bowing in unison.

Zhu Bajie watched this unfold, and couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

"Big Brother has really stirred up trouble this time. Although the King has not come, so many officials have! If the treatment fails, how will we get out of this situation?"

Sand Monk, also concerned, nodded and said, "If the treatment fails, I’m afraid we won’t be able to leave this country easily."

"Brother Monkey really knows how to cause a stir. Now we’re in for it!"

Zhu Bajie shook his head secretly, feeling very gloomy inside. The master had already gone to prepare the Guan Wen, and now this matter had arisen, making it impossible for them to leave.

After a while, Sun Wukong finally demonstrated the ultimate in poise. He looked at the officials before him and then spoke, "Why hasn’t your King come?"

The officials, not daring to neglect, quickly replied, "Our King is weak and exhausted. He dared not come personally, so he sent us in his stead to perform the ceremonial greeting, hoping to invite the Divine Monk to proceed!"

"Yes, indeed, if our King could have come, he would have spared no effort, and we hope the Divine Monk will go to save our King!"

"..."

All the officials stood united.

Sun Wukong stood up, nodded, and said, "If that is the case, then you go ahead, and Old Sun will follow shortly!"

"Very well, very well!"

After hearing Sun Wukong’s words, the officials showed smiles of relief and began heading together toward the Imperial Palace.

Sun Wukong also straightened his clothes.

Zhu Bajie, who was hiding in a nearby side room, watched this scene unfold and murmured to himself in worry, "Brother Monkey, please don’t drag us into this!"

But just then, Sun Wukong entered the side room.

"Brother Monkey, you’re the one who caused this mess, don’t drag us into it!" Zhu Bajie said anxiously, fearing Sun Wukong would involve them.

Sun Wukong smiled and shook his head, saying, "I won’t drag you in, but I need you both to assist me in collecting the medicine!"

Sand Monk, surprised, asked, "Big Brother, what medicine are we collecting?"

Sun Wukong answered, "Any medicine that is offered to me, accept it all, I will make use of it when necessary!"

Hearing that it was only about collecting medicine, the two nodded in agreement, as this was no issue at all.

Subsequently, Sun Wukong and the civil and military officials made their way to the Imperial Palace.

The numerous officials went ahead to inform the King.

The King, overjoyed, exclaimed, "Quick, bring him in!"

Sun Wukong then entered.

And there, Sun Wukong saw Xuanzang, and Xuanzang saw Sun Wukong.

Xuanzang cast a puzzled glance at Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong gave a slight smile, indicating that there was nothing to worry about.

Although Xuanzang was somewhat concerned, at this moment, it was clear that nothing more could be said, so he just watched to see what kind of trick Wukong wanted to play.

"May I ask which one of you is the Divine Monk, Elder Sun?"

At this moment, the King of the Zhu Zi Country looked over.

His voice was somewhat weak.

Sun Wukong stepped forward slightly and shouted loudly, "Old Sun is right here."

When the King heard this voice and then saw Sun Wukong’s sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked, and incredibly ugly appearance, he was startled and nearly fell off the dragon bed in a fearful shudder.

"You’ve scared me to death; you’ve really scared me to death!"

The court ladies and eunuchs hurriedly came to his aid.

Seeing this scene, the many officials couldn’t help but complain to Sun Wukong, "You, monk, are really too crude. How could you dare to answer the call with such behavior!"

"Exactly, if you scare our King like this, what are we supposed to do?"

"..."

Listening to these complaints, Sun Wukong wasn’t angry but smiled and said, "If you all think like this, I’m afraid your King’s illness will never heal, not even in a thousand years!"

On hearing Sun Wukong’s words, the ministers shook their heads and said, "How many years can a person live? It won’t heal even in a thousand years!"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Right now, he’s merely an ill Emperor, and if he dies, he’ll still be an ill wronged spirit. When it comes time for reincarnation, he’ll still be an ill person. Wouldn’t that mean his illness will never be cured even in a thousand years?"

Hearing Sun Wukong talk like this, as if cursing their King to death, the court officials were instantly outraged.

"You monk really have no respect, spouting such nonsense!"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "It’s not nonsense at all. Listen to me explain one by one!"

"There are four methods in medical practice: observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking. One cannot do without any of these. First, observe the spirit and complexion; second, listen for clarity or murkiness of voice; third, inquire about the origins of the illness and diet; fourth is when you actually take the pulse to understand the flow of energy."

"If Old Sun cannot observe, listen, inquire, and take the pulse, how can he treat the illness? Wouldn’t it mean that his illness will never heal?"

Among the civil and military officials, there were Imperial Medical Officers who, upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, nodded and said, "This monk does make some sense."

"Even immortals treating patients must observe, listen, ask, and take the pulse in order to diagnose the condition," they admitted.

The officials, hearing this, motioned to a servant to report.

The eunuch serving the King of the Zhu Zi Country hurried to the Emperor’s side and said, "Divine Monk Elder Sun needs to observe, listen, inquire, and take the pulse in order to understand Your Majesty’s condition properly before he can prescribe any medication; otherwise, treatment cannot proceed."

The King was lying on the dragon bed. At this time, his condition seemed more severe as he closed his eyes and waved his hand saying, "Let him leave; I cannot bear to see the face of strangers!"

After the eunuch responded, he came out and said, "Monk, His Majesty dictates that you should leave; he cannot bear to see the face of strangers."

Hearing the eunuch’s words, the many officials sighed, convinced that it was impossible for the Emperor’s illness to be healed this time.

Just when everyone thought that the illness was definitely incurable this time,

Sun Wukong stroked his fuzzy chin and said, "If he cannot bear to face strangers, I can perform Silk String Pulse Diagnosis."

Upon hearing this, the many officials couldn’t help but feel secretly elated, "Silk String Pulse Diagnosis?"

"I have heard of Silk String Pulse Diagnosis, but I’ve never witnessed it!"

"I never expected Elder Sun to actually know Silk String Pulse Diagnosis!"

"Quick, go and inform His Majesty!"

Hearing this, the eunuch hurriedly went to report!

"Your Majesty, that Divine Monk Elder Sun said he doesn’t need to see you face to face, he can perform Silk String Pulse Diagnosis!"

The King was surprised to hear this, though he had his doubts about its effectiveness.

After all, he had been sick for three years. If there was a possibility, perhaps it could indeed help him.

"Summon him to come in."

The eunuch quickly went out and announced, "His Majesty has granted permission for Silk String Pulse Diagnosis. Quickly summon Elder Sun into the palace to examine him."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang hurried over.

"Wukong, do you really know how to heal?"

"Master, don’t worry; just watch!"

Sun Wukong looked at Xuanzang with such concern and couldn’t help but smile as he spoke.

"In all these years following me, I’ve never seen you treat anyone’s illness. I fear you don’t even know the effects of medicine, nor have you studied medical techniques. How can you dare to treat His Majesty?"

Xuanzang couldn’t help but become anxious.

Sun Wukong, seeing Xuanzang’s nervous reaction, laughed and said, "Master, you don’t know that I have a few prescriptions here that can cure serious illnesses!"

"And what’s the best thing about it? Even if my treatment ends up killing him, at most I’d be charged with the crime of a quack doctor causing death. I wouldn’t deserve death for that. Don’t be afraid; just rest assured, rest assured!"

"Master, rest easy and watch me perform Silk String Pulse Diagnosis!"

At this moment, Xuanzang felt as if he was meeting Sun Wukong for the first time.

Sun Wukong paid no more attention to the choices at hand, lifted his arm, and plucked three whiskers, turning them into three golden threads.

Each was twenty-four feet long, corresponding to the Twenty-Four Energies, held in hand.

The eunuch, eager to have Sun Wukong treat the Emperor, added, "Holy Monk, please enter the palace to examine His Majesty without further ado."

Sun Wukong bid farewell to Xuanzang and followed the eunuch into the palace to examine the patient.

"All you need to do is tie the three golden threads around His Majesty’s wrist!"

The eunuch was somewhat puzzled but did as instructed.