Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 413 - 398 The Weapon is Missing

Chapter 413: Chapter 398 The Weapon is Missing

How could the three princes not see that these few monsters, with their terrifying appearances, were clearly extraordinary beings?

After kneeling, they called out, "Divine Master, Divine Master! We, mere mortals, failed to recognize Mount Tai and humbly request you to demonstrate your abilities so we may pay our respects and learn."

Sun Wukong, although he had become more cautious, couldn’t help but show off a little when he saw these people. Hearing the words of the princes, he said with a smile, "This place is too cramped for Old Sun to show off. Let’s go outside and find a more spacious place where Old Sun can demonstrate properly."

The three princes were overjoyed and hurriedly invited Sun Wukong out, while Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk were respectively invited out by the Second Prince and Third Prince.

Xuanzang paid no mind to his three disciples and continued eating his meal on his own.

A group of people came to an open area, where Sun Wukong performed a somersault into the air, standing on Auspicious Colored Clouds, wielding the Jingu Bang and displaying a set of staff techniques that were indeed awe-inspiring.

"What a staff technique!"

Zhu Bajie shouted in admiration from below, then picked up his Nine-toothed Rake and said with a laugh, "Old Pig also wants to have a turn."

No sooner had he finished speaking, clouds formed under his feet, and he floated into the sky. This simpleton, full of vigor, brandished his nine-foot rake, causing a whistling wind, his display formidable indeed.

The Sand Monk, unable to contain his itch to perform, laughed and said, "Old Sand wants to give it a go, too!" With the Demon-Subduing Staff in hand, he also took to the sky and danced out a routine with the staff, displaying boundless power.

When the three princes saw Sun Wukong and his brothers display their divine prowess, they were so astounded they fell to their knees, knocking their heads on the ground continuously, shouting, "The three Divine Masters truly are immortals!"

After Sun Wukong and his brothers had performed for a while in the sky and had sufficiently astounded the three princes, they withdrew their weapons and, still smiling, returned to continue their meal.

The three princes didn’t dare trouble them further and huddled together to discuss their plan, before rushing off in haste to seek their father the king.

The three princes, having witnessed the divine display of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sand Monk, immediately regarded them as divine beings.

Subsequently, the three of them discussed and prepared to take Sun Wukong and the others as their masters to learn martial skills.

However, in ancient times, taking a master involved various ceremonies and rituals, and these three enlightened princes were well aware of such decorum. So, at that moment, they said nothing and hurried to seek their father’s consent, as it was customary to seek parental approval before choosing a master. Moreover, to have King Hua himself request it would be even more fitting.

King Hua, upon seeing Sun Wukong and his companions, was startled, as he was resting at home at the time. Suddenly, the three young princes burst in, shouting from afar, "Father, a grand joyous event!"

Confusion washed over King Hua. Where did this joy come from?

He had just been frightened by three monsters, and now there was cause for tremendous joy?

These three rascals.

As King Hua was lost in his thoughts, the Eldest Prince barged in first, foregoing formalities, and exclaimed excitedly, "Father, did you see the phenomenon in the sky just now?"

King Hua nodded and said, "I heard from others and hurried out to look. Indeed, I saw the sky filled with rainbow lights. So your mother and I quickly offered incense and worshipped, though we did not know which immortals had descended."

The three princes said with excitement, "Not just any immortals, they are the three unsightly disciples of the Scripture Seeking Monk from the Great Tang."

"One wields the Golden Hoop, one the Nine-toothed Rake, and one the Demon-Subduing Staff; they overshadowed the three of us completely."

"We asked them to demonstrate, and they said the ground was too cramped for their abilities, so they ascended the clouds and displayed their Divine Skills."

"In an instant, the sky was filled with drifting Auspicious Clouds and a mist of good fortune. They have just descended and are now sitting in Bao Sha Pavilion. We are overjoyed and wish to take them as our masters to learn their abilities and protect our realm, a deed of immense merit! What do you think, Father?"

King Hua looked astonished and exclaimed, "I was blind indeed not to recognize divine beings. I never imagined that these three possessed such Divine Skills."

At that moment, the three princes said in unison, "We wish to take them as our masters to learn their skills, and hope for Father’s gracious permission."

King Hua quickly responded, "Truly, this is a cause for immense joy. It is hard to come by such eagerness to learn from you three. As such, I shall personally request the Divine Monk to accept my sons as disciples."

"Thank you, Father."

The three princes were thrilled and expressed their thanks immediately.

Consequently, King Hua bathed and changed his clothes, took his three sons, prepared gifts, and hurried to Bao Sha Pavilion, where Xuanzang and his companions had finished their meal.

At that time, they were changing the travel permit, and Xuanzang was instructing his three disciples to pack up, ready to hit the road.

Suddenly, they saw King Hua with his four sons approaching, and upon entering, they immediately prostrated in worship.

Xuanzang quickly knelt down to return the gesture, exclaiming, "Your Majesty bestows too great an honor upon this humble monk!"

He then hurriedly helped King Hua to his feet.

King Hua spoke up, "Elder, I have a favor to ask. I wonder if your three esteemed disciples might be agreeable."

Xuanzang promptly replied, "You need only command, and my disciples will not dare to disobey."

King Hua said, "Earlier I mistook you for mere itinerant monks from the Tang Dynasty, not recognizing the true immortals. Therefore, I inadvertently showed a lack of proper hospitality, for which I ask forgiveness."

Xuanzang hastened to respond, "Blessed by Your Majesty with a meal, we are already deeply grateful and wouldn’t dare to blame you."

King Hua nodded and said, "You, Divine Monks, are truly magnanimous. Just now, I, too, saw Elders Sun, Zhu, and Sha dance in the sky, and it was only then that I realized you were Immortals and Buddhas descending to the mortal world."