Chapter 4

This was a spacious and deep cave. It was not like an ordinary cave that was dilapidated and cold. Instead, it was clean and tidy. There was not even a single spider silk in sight. Lush Chinese wisteria flowers hung from the ceiling of the cave. Petals often fell and covered the ground with a layer of lavender flower carpet. The walls were decorated with green vines. It was obvious that they were carefully trimmed and arranged. Occasionally, there would be one or two small flowers among the green leaves. Some were white and some were purple. They were neither too bright nor too monotonous. The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of jasmine flowers.

Other than that, there was also a simple stone table, stone stools, and an exquisite tea set.

If it were not for the strange wind, Xuanzang would have thought that he was in a fairyland.

A handsome scholar with a white face stood in front of him and looked at him with a smile. His amorous peach blossom eyes were shining as if he was thinking of the most beautiful words of love in the world.

Xuanzang was a little confused. He could not figure out his situation. If the scholar in front of him was a demon, then he was an interesting one. Maybe he could do a good deed by talking some sense into him.

He did not look like a barbaric demon that ate people …

Thinking of the Monkey King who was supposed to protect him on his journey to the west, he could not help but feel sad. Could it be that he could not walk without others?

He was not bound by anything. He asked the scholar, "May I ask, where is this place?"

The scholar said affectionately, "This is where I first met you."

Xuanzang was stunned. "Of course. May I ask, what is the name of this place?

How far is it from the Two Boundaries Mountain? "

The scholar's expression changed when he heard the words "Two Boundaries Mountain". However, he quickly composed himself and continued to say words of love in an affectionate tone, "Not far. It is the distance from where you entered my heart."

The little monk was confused. He felt a chill in his heart. He had studied for more than ten years in vain. He did not understand the profound meaning of the scholar's words. Fortunately, he was modest and eager to learn. He lowered his head and bowed. "I am slow-witted. I hope you can give me some advice."

The scholar smiled and picked a fragrant and pure jasmine flower from the wall. He extended it to Xuanzang's temple. "Flowers should be matched with beauties."

"What?" Xuanzang was even more confused.

"Oh."

The scholar was as calm as ever as he withdrew his hand. His expression did not change at all. "So the beauty is a monk. What a pity."

Xuanzang explained patiently, "Benefactor, I'm not a beauty, but a man."

The scholar smiled and said, "Beauty has nothing to do with gender. As long as it's beautiful, it's a beauty.

Men have men's beauty, and women have women's beauty. It doesn't stop me from admiring them. "

Xuanzang was at a loss for words. He couldn't find any words to respond to this, so he could only say, "Thank you for your concern, but I still have scriptures that have yet to be collected. I have a heavy responsibility and cannot eat or sleep in peace. I hope you can show me the way and let me go to the West."

"Whether you take it or not, the scripture is in your heart. It's just a formality."

The scholar smiled and said, "You're so beautiful that I'm tempted. Why don't you marry me here and now? Why don't you put on a show?"

Knot, knot what?

Couple?!

Xuanzang didn't care about being angry at this lecherous man in scholar's skin. He only paid attention to the last sentence. Although he was a little unhappy, he still argued with him, "Benefactor, you're wrong. I'm willing to go to the West to collect the Mahayana Dharma. It's not a show, but for the sake of the people of the Tang Dynasty and to ensure the stability of the Tang Dynasty …"

"Stop, stop, stop!" The scholar suddenly looked frightened. "Tang Dynasty?!

What did you say?!

You're a monk from the Tang Dynasty who came to collect scriptures?! "

Xuanzang felt a little strange. "Yes."

"You were instructed by the Bodhisattva Guan Yin who saved people from suffering?"

Xuanzang hesitated for a moment. "Yes, how did you know …"

"Master!!!" The scholar suddenly fell to the ground and kowtowed. He hugged his leg and cried, "Master, I've been waiting for you!

I didn't expect you to be so elegant and outstanding. I can't control myself! "

The change was too fast. Xuanzang was completely dumbfounded.

He bent down to help the scholar. "Get up … What's going on?"

The scholar held his hand and stood up. He first looked around to make sure no one was around. Then he carefully asked, "Master, why isn't there a monkey beside you?

I didn't even recognize you. "

Xuanzang's heart ached. "Are you talking about Wukong?

He, he didn't want to go with me. He left … "

"Gone?" The scholar was stunned for a moment before he burst into laughter. "Good!

Good! "

He freed an arm and hugged Xuanzang's shoulder. He leaned on him and said in an ambiguous tone, "Master, don't worry. Without that monkey, there's no more. In the future, I'll protect you and won't let any monster bully you."

He knew from the grapevine that the notorious monkey was going with him. He was worried for a long time that he had to accompany a boring old monk. At first, he was so worried that he didn't want to eat or drink.

But now, the monkey ran away by himself and the old monk became a handsome gentleman. It was simply the right time, place, and people. It was no longer to his liking. He even began to look forward to the path of Buddhist scriptures.

Xuanzang was very uncomfortable being approached by this lecher. He refused and said, "Who are you?"

The scholar let go of his shoulder and distanced himself from him. However, he didn't give up holding his hand. He cleared his throat and said loudly, "I'm the former Marshal Tian Peng of the Heavenly Court. Under the order of Avalokitesvara, I'm willing to be your disciple and protect you in your journey to the west."

He continued, "Avalokitesvara has given me the name Wanneng. My surname is Zhu. Master, you can call me Wanneng."

Xuanzang nodded. It turned out that he was a disciple given by Avalokitesvara. However, this disciple was too strange. He tried to pull his hand back. "Wanneng … Since I'm your master, I need to teach you the etiquette of respecting your master. It's not appropriate for you to be like this." His cheeks were red, not out of embarrassment but out of anxiety. "Moreover, you and I are both men …"

"Master, have you ever heard that after being single for a long time, even a sow would be beautiful?"

Wanneng said with a smile. "Moreover, I've been with a beauty like you all the time. How can I control myself?"

"It's okay if you don't want to now. After a long time, you'll be moved by my sincerity one day."

"I'll give you my heart and my life."

Xuanzang realized that he had met a hooligan. He had heard of the matter of Longyang but had never experienced it. He was so anxious that sweat dripped from his forehead. "I don't want your life or your heart. I, I …"

Wanneng saw that he was nervous and comforted him. "Master, although I want to sleep with you, I won't do that. Firstly, you're my master. Secondly, you're a monk. Of course, I'm also a monk now. Thirdly, I admire beauties. As long as I can hold your hand and be intimate with you, I'll be satisfied."

Xuanzang's face was full of tears. It was too scary!

It was too scary!

He didn't want a gentle disciple anymore. Give him a disciple who was silent and respectful to his master!

He hoped that Avalokitesvara would appear soon and take Wanneng back.

However, Avalokitesvara didn't appear. A yellow figure with tiger stripes flashed in. Xuanzang saw a yellow light and Wanneng let out a shrill scream. "Ah —"

His hands were red and swollen. They didn't look like human hands, but like a pair of braised pig trotters that had just come out of the pot.

Xuanzang's body loosened and he hurriedly dodged to the side.

"I'll beat you to death for disrespecting your master!"

This voice was earth-shattering. Wanneng was so scared that his body trembled. Xuanzang, on the other hand, felt as if he had heard heavenly music. He looked at the tall figure and cried with joy. His heart was filled with all kinds of feelings. He choked with sobs. "Wukong!"

*

*

*

Monkey King held the Jingu Bang and hammered Wanneng's body. Hit after hit, the handsome scholar swelled three times his size. Even though Wanneng had an extraordinary body, he was left with half a breath. He lay on the ground without any strength to resist. At first, he was cursing loudly, but now, he could only beg for mercy in a hoarse voice.

Xuanzang was scared witless. Something bad would happen to that Korean. "Wukong, it's about time. He didn't actually do anything …"

Monkey King glared at him, but he still stopped and bowed to him. "Master, I'm unfilial. I'm here to ask for forgiveness. I hope you'll punish me."

Xuanzang was flattered. "Who, who are you?!

Give Wukong back to me! "

Monkey King said, "I was immature this morning. I know my mistake and won't do it again."

Xuanzang stammered, "It's good that you're back. Wukong, it's good that you're back." He suddenly felt bitter and wronged. "That hat, I really don't know …"

Everyone in the temple knew that he was sincere and kind. They had never doubted his words. This was the first time he had been wronged.

Wukong paused and softened his tone. "Yes."

He thought for a while and said, "Avalokitesvara is crafty. If she secretly asks you to do something in the future, remember to tell me."

Xuanzang only nodded. He didn't dare to say, "But Bodhisattva said that you're crafty."

Wukong then pulled Wanneng, who could only whimper, by the ear, and threw him in front of Xuanzang. He shouted, "Evil creature!

Do you recognize who this is?! "

Wanneng's breath was weak. "It's, it's Master …"

"How did Avalokitesvara teach you?!"

"She taught me to protect Master and listen to her teachings …"

Wukong sneered. "Not only are you disrespectful to Master, but you also have a dirty heart. You're worse than an animal!" He then asked Xuanzang, "Master, how should this evil creature be punished?"

Xuanzang was already enlightened. He couldn't help but feel touched. Wukong was establishing his authority in front of Wanneng. If Wukong also ordered him around without respect, Wanneng would also look down on him. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to live anymore.

He saw how miserable Wanneng's appearance was and felt compassion. "Since Wanneng has no intention to follow Buddha, you should return to Avalokitesvara's side."

Before he finished speaking, Wanneng screamed, "No, Master!

I can't go!

I was bewitched and made a big mistake. I have already repented. Please let me stay! "

Wukong crossed his arms and looked at him coldly.

Xuanzang hesitated. He might be punished severely when he returned. He looked at Wukong. "Why don't you stay?"

Wukong said, "I'll listen to Master. If I do it again, I have my own ways to punish."

Xuanzang was overjoyed because of Wukong's change in attitude. "In that case, Wanneng, you need to recite sutras with me morning and night. The sutras can cleanse your mind. I will check your homework. Don't be lazy."

He thought of something. "In Buddhism, there's a Ba Jie. Your desires are too deep, so I'll give you another name, Ba Jie. I hope you always remember and do it as soon as possible."

Wanneng didn't dare to object. He agreed obediently.

It was already late. They stayed in the cave. Wanneng was recuperating at the side. The Monkey King chatted with Xuanzang.

Xuanzang looked at him. His eyes were as bright as stars. He didn't blink, afraid that everything he saw would disappear in the blink of an eye.

He was happier than he imagined when Wukong returned. Maybe because they were master and disciple, he protected him.

The Monkey King asked, "Other than holding your hand, what else did this evil creature do?"

Xuanzang hesitated. "I don't think so … He just hugged me …"

"I know." The Monkey King said indifferently. He asked an irrelevant question. "Did you eat?"

"Yes." Xuanzang nodded. "Are you hungry?

I still have some food. "

"I don't need vulgar food." Wukong said. "What did you eat?"

Xuanzang said, "A biscuit. The old man made it this morning."