Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 373 - 374 Brother Monkey, You’re Missing the Point

Chapter 373: Chapter 374 Brother Monkey, You’re Missing the Point

"Junior Brother Sand, you must trust Master. With Master’s skills, he surely won’t let the king advantage of him!"

Zhu Bajie heard Sand Monk’s words and couldn’t help but chuckle, then burst into laughter.

Sun Wukong also couldn’t help but clap and laugh, saying, "This fool is right. I think so too."

"Besides, when our Master was in Great Tang, he distinguished himself among many high monks at a grand Buddhist Assembly and eventually became the scripture seeker. Speaking of eloquence, he is truly exceptional!"

"Since he could persuade the King of Tang, naturally, this minor king of Bhikkhu Country will be no challenge!"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang showed little reaction, but Sand Monk continued to worry, saying, "If it’s just about preaching and discussing the dharma, I wouldn’t worry since Master has studied Buddhist Law since youth. But advising kings is not exactly Master’s strong suit!"

"Amitabha Buddha, well spoken, well spoken. Sha Wujing is right. I fear that this humble monk indeed lacks the prowess to persuade that king," Xuanzang then said with his hands pressed together, shaking his head involuntarily.

"Eldest Brother, please stop teasing Master. Moreover, that National Abbot has bewitched the king and even wants to consume the hearts and livers of children. This must be the work of a monster!"

Sand Monk said with a bitter smile.

Although their Master was skilled in universal salvation, dealing with this combination of a king and a monster would likely be somewhat restraining.

Sand Monk naturally did not want his Master to take such risks.

"Junior Brother Sand is just concerned for Master and doesn’t want him to face danger!"

Zhu Bajie snorted, then looked towards Sun Wukong and said, "Brother Monkey, what do you plan to do?"

Even though he had just agreed with his Master advising the king, it was only in jest.

Xuanzang also looked towards Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong glanced at the three of them, eyes twinkling, and said with a smile, "According to Old Sun’s thoughts, first, let’s whisk away those children, leaving that foolish ruler and demon with no hearts and livers to eat. Then we can figure out how to deal with that demon and foolish ruler."

Sand Monk nodded and said, "Eldest Brother, this plan is brilliant. Let’s secure those children first to prevent them from further harm."

Xuanzang nodded and then said, "Since we’ve decided to handle this, we should see it through to the end, ensuring that the roots of this evil are utterly eradicated."

"Of course!" said Sun Wukong, nodding in agreement.

After a moment of thought, Zhu Bajie said, "I heard from the Posthouse Manager that tomorrow at noon, the king plans to harvest the children’s hearts and livers for his ritual. So we must act quickly."

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "After we have eaten our vegetarian meal and night falls, Old Sun will make his move."

"Mhm!"

Xuanzang, upon hearing this, also nodded with satisfaction. Although the thought of those children being mutilated was tragically pitiful.

Soon, a constable from the Posthouse came and invited the honored guests from Great Tang to partake in the vegetarian meal. Xuanzang and the others went to dine and then returned to their guest room to rest.

By then, the sky had completely darkened. After drinking a cup of tea, Sun Wukong stood up and said, "Now that it is dark, Old Sun is going to perform a magic act and save those children from their cages."

As Sun Wukong spoke, he transformed into a streak of golden light and left the posthouse, leaping into the sky. He then began chanting an incantation, summoning the City God, Land Deity, Community Order, and the True Official, all to his side.

"I wonder why the Great Saint has summoned us all. Is there something important?"

The Land Deity looked around at the others, somewhat puzzled.

The others were also surprised, unsure of why Sun Wukong had called them this time.

"Are you unaware of the changes in this city? The children here are locked up in cages, awaiting their bellies to be sliced open for their hearts and livers!"

Sun Wukong looked at them and spoke slowly.

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, they all looked at each other in dismay.

They were obviously aware of what was happening in the city, but as celestial immortals, they naturally could not meddle in mundane affairs.

"What would the Great Saint have us do?"

The Land Deity knew that since Sun Wukong had called them, there must be something he wanted them to do.

"It’s quite simple. I want you to whisk away those children."

Sun Wukong stated bluntly.

"The task is simple. Rest assured, Great Saint."

Hearing that the task was so simple, none hesitated.

"Since that’s the case, I will wait here for your news."

Sun Wukong nodded and said.

The deities immediately performed their magic.

A cold wind blew through the city.

In an instant, all the cages containing the children were swept up into the sky.

In just a moment, those cages filled with children vanished into the distance, carried off to a secluded valley outside the city.

Afterward, the minor deities each returned to report to the Great Saint.

Sun Wukong instructed them to protect the children, making sure they did not starve or become frightened.

"We await your command."

A group of Minor Deities, upon hearing Sun Wukong’s order, quickly received their commands to protect the children.

Latterly, Sun Wukong returned to the Posthouse, where Xuanzang hurried up to him and asked, "Wukong, how did everything go?"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "When Old Sun makes a move, how could it not succeed? I have already sent all those children outside the city, guarded by the protector various gods, ensuring their safety."

Only then did Xuanzang relax, smiling as he said, "That is indeed very good."

Zhu Bajie smiled and said, "Now that’s just the first step. What should we do next?"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "A mere demon path poses no problem. If we were dealing with a monster of true prowess like the Roc, it would have swallowed all the civilians in the city in one gulp. Why bother with such complexities? It seems this monster can’t be too formidable! We’ll subdue it when the time comes."

Sand Monk nodded and remarked, "That’s a sound point, but even so, big brother shouldn’t be careless. As the saying goes, it’s easy to dodge an open spear, hard to defend against a hidden arrow."

Sun Wukong’s eyes twinkled as he nodded and said, "Junior Brother Sand speaks wisely. In that case, Old Sun shall put in some effort tonight, personally scouting the Royal Palace to gather intelligence, and take this opportunity to delve deeper into the demon path’s background."

"That would be best! But it’s best not to act rashly, lest you startle the snake," Xuanzang hurriedly cautioned.

"Old Sun understands. As such, master and brothers, rest early. Old Sun departs!"

Saying this, Sun Wukong left the Posthouse again, transforming into a flying bird and heading toward the Royal Palace.

Xuanzang and the others thereafter returned to their rooms to rest. Come dawn, Xuanzang got up early; burdened with worries, he couldn’t sleep well, and hence woke earlier.

Sand Monk had been watching Xuanzang all along, after all, Xuanzang was his chance to return to the Celestial Court.

Seeing Xuanzang rise, he too quickly got out of bed and went out.

Sand Monk smiled and asked, "Master, why have you gotten up so early today?"

Xuanzang replied with a wry smile, "I couldn’t sleep due to some worries, so I got up early!"

Sand Monk nodded and asked, "Are you hungry, master? Would you like to eat something for breakfast?"

"No need, I’m just a bit concerned!"

"What worries you, master? With big brother’s strength, there shouldn’t be any trouble!" Sand Monk reassured, assuming Xuanzang was worried about Sun Wukong.

Xuanzang sighed softly and said, "I’m not worried about Wukong, but I have a bad omen, as if a disaster is imminent, hence I can’t sleep."

Upon hearing this, Sand Monk chuckled and said, "Master worries too much. With us around, what calamity could there be?"

Just as Sand Monk finished speaking, a golden light shot in. When the golden light dispersed, it revealed Sun Wukong.

Upon seeing them, Sun Wukong spoke urgently, "Master, there’s big trouble approaching!"

"What’s happened?"

Xuanzang, already laden with worries, was startled upon hearing Sun Wukong’s proclamation of an impending disaster.

Sand Monk, too, was puzzled, wondering what could make Sun Wukong speak so.

He then looked at Sun Wukong and asked, "Big brother, what calamity is this?"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Master, let me explain slowly!"

At that moment, Zhu Bajie heard the noise outside and came out, fetching a cup of water for Xuanzang.

Zhu Bajie came over with the water, smiling as he said, "Master, have a drink to calm your nerves!"

Sun Wukong quickly said, "Old Sun went to the palace last night and straight to the King’s sleeping chamber. Guess what happened?"

"What did you see? What did you hear?" Xuanzang asked hurriedly.

Sun Wukong continued in a cheerful tone, "I heard a woman’s coquettish cries. When I went in, I saw that the King was completely bewitched by that woman!"

"Brother Monkey, weren’t you supposed to gather intelligence? Why are you bringing this up? Now that you mention this, I’m not sleepy at all!" Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but laugh.

Xuanzang, being a Monk, blushed and gravely chastised, "You impudent monkey, I sent you to gather information, why are you talking about this? Sinful, sinful!"

Sand Monk also quickly said, "Big brother, please focus on the important matters!"

With a mischievous laugh, Sun Wukong then continued, "Old Sun didn’t want to see more, thus was about to leave."

"Just then, a eunuch came to report that patrol soldiers had discovered that all the goose cages had been blown away by the wind. Not daring to delay, they immediately reported it to the palace."

"However, at that time, the King was resting, and no one dared disturb him."

"Yet at that moment, an Old Daoist arrived, and it seemed he already knew about the incident!"

"Listening to the reports from these people, his expression did not change in the slightest, remaining calm and composed!"

Sun Wukong paused for a moment, then added, "Old Sun took a good look, and indeed, that demon path is a monster, not a human."

"Brother Monkey, you’re not getting to the point!"

Zhu Bajie, getting a bit impatient, reminded him.

"Next, that Old Daoist..."