Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 372 - 373 Let’s Think of Another Way

Chapter 372: Chapter 373 Let’s Think of Another Way

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s nonsensical ramblings, Xuanzang couldn’t help but frown and say, "Do not speak nonsense, there must be a reason behind all this."

Sand Monk also furrowed his brows and said, "We’d better ask someone about it later."

The group nodded in agreement, knowing they wouldn’t guess the result here!

At that moment, Xuanzang pointed ahead and said, "Look, there is the Posthouse ahead. We can rest there for a while and at the same time, inquire about the situation."

Upon reaching the entrance, they explained their situation to the government officer guarding the gate. The officer immediately went inside to report, and not long after, the Posthouse Manager came out, hurrying to welcome Xuanzang and his companions into the Posthouse.

The Posthouse Manager led them to the guest hall to entertain them. After tea,

Xuanzang politely asked with a smile, "May I ask if it is possible to have an audience with the ruler today and exchange our pass permit?"

The Posthouse Manager replied, "Not today; you must wait until the morning court session tomorrow to meet the ruler. You elders may comfortably stay here tonight."

Xuanzang quickly thanked him and then, with a furrowed brow, asked, "Sir, there is something I don’t understand; I’m not sure if I should speak of it?"

The Posthouse Manager responded with a smile, "Elder, feel free to speak if you have any questions."

Xuanzang then asked, "Regarding the way children are raised here, may I know how it is done?"

The Posthouse Manager looked a bit surprised but still replied, "There can’t be two suns in the sky, nor two truths among men. Raising children here is no different from anywhere else: with the essence of the father and the blood of the mother, after ten months of pregnancy, they are born when the time comes. After birth, they suckle for three years and gradually grow into their physical form. Do the elders not know this?"

Hearing the Posthouse Manager’s words, Xuanzang felt his face heat up slightly as he spoke, "From what you’ve said, it seems there is no difference from our own country."

"But when I entered the city, I saw every household had a goose cage, concealing children inside, which puzzled me and made me wish to ask about it."

The Posthouse Manager’s expression changed subtly upon hearing Xuanzang’s words and he quickly gestured with his hands, saying, "Elder, there’s no need to ask further or concern yourself with these matters. After you exchange your travel documents tomorrow morning, just focus on your journey."

Seeing that the Posthouse Manager was not forthcoming, Xuanzang’s curiosity deepened, and he insisted on getting a clear answer.

At that point, Sun Wukong jumped over and said to the Posthouse Manager with a laugh, "Old fellow, every household having a goose cage doesn’t seem to be a secret, so what’s the harm in telling us foreigners about it?"

"Exactly, I’m also curious. Why must you keep the children in goose cages? If you don’t explain yourself clearly, old man, don’t think about leaving this room," Zhu Bajie added as he approached.

The Posthouse Manager saw Zhu Bajie’s intimidating and ugly appearance and was quite alarmed.

Xuanzang too held onto him, refusing to let him leave, and with no alternative, the Posthouse Manager had to send the servants out of the guest hall and close the room door.

When it was sure that there was no one around, the Posthouse Manager spoke quietly to Xuanzang and the others, "About the goose cages you asked earlier, it’s all due to the current King’s lack of virtue. Why do you bother asking?"

Xuanzang said, "How is the King lacking virtue? Please explain clearly."

The Posthouse Manager heaved a deep sigh and then continued, "This place is called Bhikkhu Country, but lately, there’s a popular saying, renaming it Little Children City."

"The cause of this dates back to three years ago when an old Daoist brought his sixteen-year-old daughter here to Bhikkhu Country. That girl was beautiful as a fairy, as graceful as Guanyin."

"The old Daoist presented his daughter to our ruler. The King, enamored by her beauty, favored her in the palace, granting her the title of Beautiful Queen."

"Since the Beautiful Queen entered the palace, she has bewitched the King’s soul, causing him to cast aside the Three Palaces Lady and the Six Courts of Concubines, favoring only the Beautiful Queen. He indulged in wine and pleasures day and night without distinction."

"After three years, the King’s body was utterly worn out, and now he lies sick in bed, with the Imperial Medical Bureau unable to cure his illness."

The Posthouse Manager paused to sigh deeply once again.

Unable to wait, Sun Wukong asked urgently, "And what happened afterward?"

"Right! What does this have to do with raising children in goose cages?" Zhu Bajie also asked, clearly puzzled.

"Don’t be impatient, you elders; let me explain slowly," the Posthouse Manager resumed his tale. "Later on, the National Abbot, who is the father of the Beautiful Queen, obtained an Immortal’s Prescription from overseas, claiming it could cure the King’s illness and even extend his lifespan by a thousand years."

"Amitabha Buddha, if that’s so, then that Daoist King doesn’t seem like a bad person," Xuanzang said, relieved.

"What do you mean he’s not a bad person? Elder, you should listen until the end before making judgments!" the Posthouse Manager replied, slightly irritated. "The National Abbot might have acquired the prescription from overseas, and all the required medicinal ingredients were prepared, but the demon path then said,"

"For this Immortal Elixir to work, one requires the hearts and livers of one thousand and one hundred children to brew a decoction to serve as a catalyst for the medicine, which when taken together can allegedly grant one a thousand years of unaging life."

"The children in those goose cages were all pre-selected and raised inside, waiting for the Hour to come when they would be used as the Foolish Ruler’s catalyst."

The Posthouse Manager grew more and more indignant as he spoke, changing his references, the National Abbot became the "demon path," and the King became the "Foolish Ruler."

"How can there be such absurdities in this world," Xuanzang exclaimed in shock: "Those children are born and raised by their parents, how can their parents bear it?"

"What can they do if they can’t bear it? The Foolish Ruler has already issued the Imperial Decree, anyone who disobeys the Imperial Decree, refusing to hand over their children, or secretly hides them will have their entire families executed. The citizens, fearing the royal law, can only hand their children over," the Posthouse Manager said with a face full of sorrow and anger.

Xuanzang and others were dumbfounded with astonishment. At that moment, the Posthouse Manager sighed deeply again: "It is because of this that the people within the nation are panic-stricken, and resentment is boiling. However, the citizens dare not speak out and can only secretly spread children’s rhymes, calling the Bhikkhu Country the ’Little Children City’ now."

"The King is foolish, the demon path disrupts courtly order, and in the end, it’s the citizens who suffer! When the Elder meets the King tomorrow, he need not say much, just pretend to be unaware, quickly exchange the Pass Permit, and leave at once to avoid courting disaster."

Xuanzang spoke indignantly, "How can such a Foolish Ruler exist, and are there no virtuous officials or good generals in the court to admonish him?"

"How could there not be! Ever since that Beautiful Queen entered the palace, there have always been ministers advising the Foolish Ruler not to indulge in the pleasures of women, neglecting the Six Courts of Concubines, leading to unrest in the country."

"However, the Foolish Ruler would not listen to any advice. Those who advised him were either killed or captured! Recently, due to the issue of the children of the goose cage, officials who advised him ended up executed with their entire families; just a few days ago, several hundred were killed."

"Nowadays, the court is filled with corruption, with only wicked sycophants left; no one dares to offer advice anymore."

The Posthouse Manager sighed deeply and said: "That’s why I remind the Elder that when you see the Foolish Ruler tomorrow, it’s best not to mention this matter to avoid courting disaster."

After saying this, the Posthouse Manager stood up and said, "Please wait a moment, Elders. I’ll order someone to prepare vegetarian meals and clean the guest rooms for you, so you can rest."

Saying this, the Posthouse Manager turned and walked out of the living room.

"Who would have thought such a thing could happen."

Zhu Bajie could not help but complain.

"Big Brother, Second Senior Brother, we should do something about this matter."

Sand Monk said, frowning.

"Do something about what? This is the affair of the country of others. Didn’t you hear the Posthouse Manager say not to meddle in others’ affairs? We should exchange the Pass Permit tomorrow and continue on our journey, without involving ourselves!"

Zhu Bajie said, turning to Sun Wukong, obviously seeking his agreement.

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Now we are in the countries of the Western Direction; naturally, we should take care of this matter and help our master gain some benefits."

At this moment, Xuanzang suddenly nodded and said, "This is a Foolish Ruler! Indulging in pleasure and beauty to the point of illness, how can he hurt so many children’s lives? It’s incomprehensible that such a Foolish Ruler could do such an absurd thing; it’s an outrage against the heavens!"

Zhu Bajie frowned and said, "Master, you really are idle! You like to meddle in others’ affairs. Isn’t this just asking for trouble?"

"They say, if the King wants his minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die. He’s hurting his own citizens – what does that have to do with you? Better to wash your hands, eat the vegetarian meal, and go to bed early. Tomorrow morning, after exchanging the Pass Permit, we should leave early!"

Zhu Bajie did not understand why Sun Wukong suddenly liked to meddle in affairs, but he had no interest in it.

Xuanzang shook his head and said, "Bajie, as monks, we value the accumulation of virtue and good deeds, and we should have a compassionate heart. Seeing the King’s foolishness, harming so many lives without reason, and now intending to use the hearts and livers of one thousand one hundred children for medicine."

"I’ve never heard of eating human hearts and livers to extend one’s life; this is an unrighteous act. How can we stand by and do nothing?"

Sun Wukong also nodded and said, "This Foolish Ruler is unrighteous; it’s an outrage against the heavens."

"What nonsense about a minister having to die if the King commands it – it’s simply absurd."

"Don’t they know the people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat? Water can carry the boat but can also overturn it."

"With such a foolish and unrighteous King, acting recklessly, it will sooner or later lead to the people rebelling against the government. Sooner or later, not only will he lose his empire, but he might even lose his life."

Xuanzang nodded and said, "If this were any other matter, we might not interfere, but since we have come across it today, we cannot ignore it. At the very least, we must save the lives of those one thousand one hundred children."

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but laugh and said, "What’s so difficult about that? Early tomorrow morning, when the master enters the court for an audience, by speaking to the King with empathy and reason, surely we can make him retract his order and release the children."

Xuanzang nodded.

It was Zhu Bajie who couldn’t help but say, "Brother Monkey, do you want the master to court death, so we can go our separate ways? The Foolish Ruler has been bewitched by the demon path and won’t listen to any advice. Didn’t you hear the Posthouse Manager say that many officials have been executed with their families for advising the King? Even if the master is eloquent, I doubt he can persuade the King!"

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Xuanzang showed no change of expression. On the other hand, Sand Monk started to worry and said, "That’s right, isn’t this tantamount to sending the master to his death? We need to think of another plan."