Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 442 - 412: Trouble with Riding the Tiger_2

Chapter 442: Chapter 412: Trouble with Riding the Tiger_2

Xuanzang nodded and said, "Since that is the case, that’s all we can do. But you two must be careful, lest you fail to subdue the monster and instead bring about some disaster."

"You can rest assured about that," responded Sun Wukong confidently. "It’s just a trifling evil spirit; I, Old Sun, can surely handle it."

When dealing with demons, Sun Wukong was naturally brimming with confidence.

Only then did Xuanzang feel relieved, turning to Sun Wukong, he said, "Sand Monk, come with me to the palace to change the documents!"

"Alright, alright, Master, let’s go!" Sand Monk eagerly agreed.

Sun Wukong nodded and reminded, "You go ahead; remember not to pass through the crossroads. Firstly, throwing the Embroidered Ball there is bound to draw a crowd, and secondly, it would be troublesome if the evil spirit throws the ball at your head."

Xuanzang quickly replied, "Alright, I won’t go through the crossroads then, I’ll just detour through the alleys."

With that, he led Xuanzang out of the posthouse, rushing hurriedly towards the Imperial Palace.

No sooner had Xuanzang left than Zhu Bajie ran up to Sun Wukong with a grin, his wide mouth pouting as he asked, "Brother Monkey, when do we set off?"

Sun Wukong, a bit surprised, said, "You fool, why such a hurry this time? Are you so eager to become a Prince Consort?"

Zhu Bajie straightened his face, speaking seriously, "Look at what you’re saying. Am I that kind of person? I’m in a hurry to subdue demons, so once the monster is subdued, I can continue with Master to the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures without delaying our journey. Otherwise, Master might blame me again."

"Oh ho, I didn’t expect this, but Bajie you seem quite diligent today."

Sun Wukong sneered, "Fine! Today, let’s go out and have some fun. But you can’t possibly meet the fake princess with that mug of yours! If she sees you like that, why would she want you?"

Zhu Bajie chuckled and replied, "I’ve never been chosen as a Prince Consort, you’re right. I’ll change into the part."

Zhu Bajie then shook himself and transformed into the appearance of a plump, fair-skinned scholar.

Although Zhu Bajie was not interested in becoming a Prince Consort, and the matter of becoming one had never crossed his mind, he thought it might be an experience worth trying this time.

Sun Wukong looked Zhu Bajie up and down and, laughing, shook his head. "Your appearance has improved, but you can forget about attracting a Prince Consort."

Frowning, Zhu Bajie quickly asked, "Oh, how then can I attract a Prince Consort? Brother Monkey, do you have any insights?"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "It’s not hard; just transform into the appearance of your Master, you’ll surely get your wish to become a Prince Consort."

"Transform into Master’s appearance? But Master is a monk, if the princess sees I’m a monk, why would she choose me to be a Prince Consort?" Zhu Bajie said, frowning.

"That’s something you don’t know," Sun Wukong laughed and explained. "Think about it, what do demons like the most? When you assume Master’s appearance, it’s sure to be flawlessly right."

Zhu Bajie, although dubious, still followed Sun Wukong’s instructions and truly transformed into Xuanzang’s appearance.

He then rummaged through the luggage, found a set of Xuanzang’s robes, and carefully dressed up. After that, he followed Sun Wukong out of the posthouse, heading straight for the crossroads.

As they walked, Sun Wukong quietly instructed Zhu Bajie, who was very attentive this time. Fearing he might forget something, he memorized every word of Sun Wukong, desperate to become a Prince Consort.

From afar, they could already see the towering elegant building, with more and more people on the streets. Many locals were there to watch the excitement, and several young men were eager to gain the princess’s favor and ascend to greatness. They were desperately pushing forward, hoping to get closer to the elegant building for a better chance.

"My goodness! Why are there so many people?" Zhu Bajie exclaimed with his mouth wide open.

"Who doesn’t want to be a Prince Consort, to rise to prominence overnight? Of course, there are a lot of people," Sun Wukong said laughing.

"With so many people, and we are so far back, how can we attract a Prince Consort?"

Worriedly knitting his brow, Zhu Bajie fretted that if they failed, they wouldn’t be able to help their master.

"That should be easy, just elbow your way through," Sun Wukong looked at Zhu Bajie and said.

"Indeed, my strength is my greatest asset. Not to mention this crowd, I could even push down the Southern Heaven Gate," Zhu Bajie laughed.

Zhu Bajie chuckled and said.

"Be mindful, remember that you are now Xuanzang, not Zhu Bajie."

Sun Wukong softly reminded.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Mimicking Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie chanted the Buddha’s name then rolled up his sleeves and squeezed his way forward effortlessly, making a path through the crowd.

Looking at Zhu Bajie, Sun Wukong said discontentedly, "You’re really putting your back into playing the fool."

He then followed Zhu Bajie, moving ahead.

Soon, Zhu Bajie had pushed his way to the bottom of the elegant building. At that moment, Sun Wukong tugged at Zhu Bajie’s robe to remind him.

Remembering Sun Wukong’s earlier instructions, Zhu Bajie quickly shouted loudly: "Benefactors, please make way, this humble monk has been sent from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land to Western Heaven to seek scriptures from the Buddha. I need to enter the palace to obtain the transit documents. Please, let this humble monk pass. I’m not here to compete for the Prince Consort; please make way!"

Sun Wukong glanced at the elegant building, squinted his eyes slightly, and a hint of a cold smile played on his lips. While others may not know, he was aware that the princess was actually a demon; the throwing of the Embroidered Ball to select a Prince Consort was merely a pretext. Her true intent was likely aimed at Xuanzang.

"This humble monk, sent from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, is on a pilgrimage to Western Heaven to seek scriptures. We need to enter the palace to exchange the transit documents. Please make way!"

Zhu Bajie’s yelling attracted the attention of the demon on top of the elegant building. This demon was originally the Jade Rabbit from the Lunar Palace who, in revenge for a slap from the Su E Immortal, had descended to the lower realm.

Took the reincarnating Su E Immortal away with a gust of wind and disguised herself as the Princess of Tianzhu, enjoying the wealth and splendor.

The demon had set up this decorated pavilion, ostensibly to find a Prince Consort, aiming to attract Xuanzang as a partner to harvest his Primordial Yang Energy to become the Great Immortal Taiyi.

Zhu Bajie’s shouts surprised the demon who stealthily peeked down, indeed finding Zhu Bajie disguised as Xuanzang mixed among the crowd, and the demon was naturally overjoyed. She then began to incense with her palace maids, praying to heaven and earth.

Seeing the princess’s actions, the crowd below started yelling: "The Princess is about to throw the Embroidered Ball!" As the saying goes, "A single stone stirs a thousand ripples," the moment they heard the shout, they became more tumultuous, each using all their might to push forward.

"Everyone step aside! The Princess is mine!"

"No one better compete with me; I’m set to be the Prince Consort!"

"Everyone keep away from me, whoever dares to compete with me for the Prince Consort will feel my wrath!"

The restless crowd surged towards the elegant building like a raging tide, every person fixated on becoming the Prince Consort, their eyes flashing red in frenzy. If not for the Imperial Guards desperately maintaining order, the exquisite pavilion might have been trampled by the uncontrollable mass.

It’s no wonder either, as whoever could be fortunate enough to be chosen as Prince Consort would indeed turn from a salted fish into a phoenix. None wanted to give up such an opportunity.

Thus, these people exerted all their energies, frantically squeezing forward, just hoping to get closer, thereby increasing their chances of catching the Embroidered Ball.

Despite Zhu Bajie’s exceptional strength, being squeezed amongst the crowd proved tough, after all, there were too many people.

"Being a Prince Consort isn’t easy at all!"

Zhu Bajie sighed inwardly, realizing that earning the title of Prince Consort came with such bother.

If only he had known, he would have let his master come himself.

But now that he was here, even if Zhu Bajie wanted to beat a retreat, it was already too late to back out.