Chapter 8

"After you left, Cuilan also left."

The old Gao Taigong trembled as he wiped his tears. "He said he needed to go out to heal his emotional wounds and won't be back for a while.

Poor us, we only have this one child to retire with, and now we don't even have one anymore. "

Wukong glanced at a submissive young lady standing beside him. She was dressed in gold and silver and didn't look like an ordinary servant girl. She looked like a young married woman.

Is this the reason why you married another woman?

He was about to ask when Xuanzang tugged at his hand, indicating that he shouldn't speak.

Wanneng couldn't believe it. "Cuilan left?"

"She left."

Gao Taigong sighed and looked at him sadly. "You should leave too. If it weren't for you, our family wouldn't have fallen to this point.

Let's go, let's go! "

If he hadn't brought a helper who looked like he could fight and a monk who seemed to be hiding his strength, he would have already asked people to chase Wanneng out.

Wanneng stood there in a daze, not knowing what to do. Xuanzang secretly glanced at him and found that his eyes were red.

He didn't expect things to turn out like this.

It was completely different from what he had imagined. He didn't come back to subdue Cuilan and kidnap his lover. He didn't even have a chance to see her.

It turned out that Cuilan wouldn't wait for him in the same place.

"Father-in-law."

Wanneng was stunned for a while before he knelt down and bowed twice. "I'm willing to stay and take care of you in your old age. This is my duty."

Xuanzang: "?!"

Wukong moved closer to Xuanzang and sneered. "Look at him. He's still talking about his duty. What a joke."

Xuanzang said sternly, "Wukong, don't always laugh at Shidi. Look at how pitiful he is. If he really wants to stay, we can ask Bodhisattva for mercy." He lowered his head. "Don't hit me. The two of us can also learn the scriptures."

Wukong asked, "Have I ever hit you?"

"Our family doesn't need you anymore."

Gao Taigong snorted and pointed at the young woman that Wukong noticed. "This is Ah Qiao, a concubine that Cuilan took in after he became a man. She's already pregnant with Cuilan's flesh and blood. Our only wish now is to raise our child and nothing else."

He added, "If you're willing, you can draft a divorce letter. I'll accept it on behalf of Cuilan, and we'll have nothing to do with each other in the future."

Ah Qiao, who was named, obediently bowed to Wanneng. "Greetings, sister."

Wanneng was completely dumbfounded. He had no reaction at all.

What?

Not only did Cuilan leave, but he also had someone else?!

Not only did he have another woman, he even had a child with her?!

He didn't know if he was angry or what, but he felt a pressure in his heart. It was so uncomfortable that he couldn't breathe.

Not only was Wanneng shocked, Xuanzang and Wukong were also shocked.

Xuanzang had an expression that said, "See, I told you not to talk nonsense." He wanted to speak up for Wanneng, but Wukong stopped him.

Wukong said respectfully, "Your Highness, since they've already said so, you shouldn't feel guilty anymore. The right thing to do is to quickly go back and inherit the throne."

Xuanzang: "… …" Did he have to play with him like this?

Wanneng: "?"

The two of them helped Wanneng out under Gao Taigong's shocked gaze. Xuanzang even kindly let him ride his horse.

*

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Wanneng sat on the horse and looked up at the sky. "I don't know which direction he went. Maybe we'll meet again."

Xuanzang handed him a neatly folded plain handkerchief.

Wanneng opened the handkerchief and covered his eyes. He didn't want others to see his current appearance. "Shifu, why are you so sissy? You even brought a handkerchief. It's because there are too many things that the luggage is so heavy."

Xuanzang said, "I brought it with me. It doesn't weigh up the luggage."

Wanneng said, "Even more sissy."

Xuanzang lowered his eyes. "My mother left it for me."

Wanneng said, "Shifu, since you have an old mother at home, why don't you take care of your old age?"

Xuanzang said softly, "She's not here anymore."

After leaving Gaojia Village, they continued their journey to the west. It was much livelier and more prosperous than before. Even the wild animals in the mountains were lively. Intelligent fawns followed them from a distance. Once someone looked over, they would quickly jump away and burrow into the lush bushes.

Wanneng folded the handkerchief again. "Since it's such a valuable thing, Shifu should keep it well."

"Things are only alive when used. If you don't use it, it's dead."

Xuanzang said, "Wanneng, since you're no longer in the secular world, just focus on Buddha. Your heart is not calm. Shifu will recite a scripture for you. Maybe you'll feel something. You can recite it with me."

Wanneng: "…" After hearing this, he wanted to cry even more.

Along the way, one person was whimpering and suppressing her cries, while the other person was humming scriptures without arrogance or impatience. Wukong was very impatient and couldn't stop the sound even after stuffing two balls of cotton in his ears. He walked faster and faster, almost leaving their line of sight.

Xuanzang ran behind him. "Wukong, slow down. I can't catch up with you."

"I'll take a look around. Maybe I can find your male daughter-in-law."

Wukong said. Then he laughed at Xuanzang. "Shifu, if your horse doesn't work, I'm afraid we won't be able to walk for three months."

Xuanzang: "…" His education was really useless.

"This is a horse?" Wanneng stopped crying. He lowered his head and touched the horse's mane. "It's so slow. I can't tell."

He poked the horse's butt. The horse was stimulated. It neighed and ran wildly, kicking up clouds of dust. Soon, it disappeared without a trace.

Xuanzang: "!!!"

He chased after it. But he was born weak. After running for a while, he stopped panting. He then realized that he had entered the deep and dark Black Pine Forest.

Xuanzang wanted to cry but had no tears. He didn't know if he should move. At least one of them should stay!

He knew how tempting it was to eat a piece of immortality. Once his disciples were a little further away, there would definitely be monsters who would follow the smell and find him.

Wukong and the others said that night. Now all the big and small monsters in the world were spreading the news that if he ate it, he would be able to live forever. Maybe there was someone watching in the dark …

Sure enough, before he could even stand firm, more than a dozen strange looking little demons jumped out from all around him. They were holding wooden sticks, wooden forks, and other similar weapons. They shouted, "A monk is coming!" Then they grabbed his head, grabbed his feet, and carried him away.

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These monsters did not look as romantic as Wu Neng. There were no flowers or plants in the cave either. Along the way, they only saw skeletons strewn all over the place. The chilly wind blew, carrying with it the stench of blood and other foul smells. Occasionally, there was the aroma of meat, but it made Xuanzang want to vomit.

Finally, the little monsters put him down and discussed, "He looks delicious. Should we steam him?"

"It's better to boil him." Another little monster was drooling. "It looks very nutritious to boil soup stock."

"I like to eat barbecue …"

"Don't move."

A more stable monster stopped them. "The king said that all monks must be kept for him to see."

Xuanzang's heart skipped a beat. Since they paid so much attention to monks, they must have heard the news that Tang Seng meat could make one live forever.

If Wukong and Wanneng didn't realize that he was missing, he might die here!

The little monsters gathered around him to study him.

"So this is a monk!"

They took off Xuanzang's Buddha crown and touched his bald head curiously.

Xuanzang: "…"

Have you never seen a monk before? Have you never seen a bald man?!

Are you monsters so good at protecting your hair?

Xuanzang felt aggrieved as he let them touch him. His scalp was about to be rubbed off. From their conversation, he learned that the king usually stayed in the water and would only come ashore to teach them when he had nothing to do.

He was actually an amphibian …

He hoped that the king could stay in the water for a longer time. It would be best if he could sleep for a while. He also hoped that his disciples wouldn't be so careless. A master was very precious and fragile.

However, in less than a minute, a little monster reported, "The king is here! The king is here!"

The little monsters dispersed, leaving Xuanzang behind. The last little monster that ran away even kindly put the Buddha crown on him.

Xuanzang looked up at the amphibian. After being ravaged, he looked very pitiful.

"My King, we've caught a monk!" The more mature demons presented their treasures.

"Well done."

The king nodded. "We have to be careful. Bring back all the monks. Don't let any of them go. If anyone else gets one, inform me immediately."

The little monsters acknowledged.

Xuanzang looked at the king and trembled even more. He was big and burly, with messy hair and a fierce gaze. He had a gloomy appearance and a full beard. He didn't look like a good person at first glance.

The king brought him into his room. Xuanzang understood that he wanted to enjoy immortality alone.

The king's room was just a hole. Upon entering, Xuanzang's legs turned to jelly. The decorations inside were only bones. There were no less than ten human heads piled up. Those empty eyes seemed to be alive as they looked at him, calling for him to become one of them.

There were stone tables and chairs in the room. The monster didn't eat him immediately. Instead, he invited him to sit down.

Xuanzang sat down fearfully and faced him. Only then did he realize that there was a necklace of skulls around his neck. There were nine skulls strung together.

"I have a wish, which is to eat ten monks and string their skulls together." The monster stroked his necklace and sized up Xuanzang. "Including you, I have all of them.

These are all monks that I cooked and ate. They're your kind. "

Xuanzang: "… What a coincidence." Did he have to greet him?

The monster sneered. "I'm lying. These are all fugitives passing by. Moreover, they're roasted to be eaten."

… She really was a monster with a sense of humor.

And why did he have to sneer when he was telling a joke? It's very scary!

Because it's a lame joke!

Speaking of roasted to be eaten, he really missed the steamed buns that Wukong baked for him …

Xuanzang thought sadly. His disciple was useless at such a crucial moment.

"Where are you from?" the king asked coldly.

Xuanzang tried to calm down. He definitely couldn't say that he was from the Tang Dynasty. "I'm a monk from a small country in the east. I'm here to visit my relatives and friends …"

He was just trying to protect himself. This didn't count as breaking the precepts. It didn't count …

The king said, "Oh, you're not from the Tang Dynasty. You can eat them."

Xuanzang: "???!!!"

Wait, wait, this is different from what we agreed on!

Is this monster trying to trick me into admitting that I'm an immortal monk?

But what's the point of doing that?

I'm going to be eaten anyway …

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion outside. The little monsters ran in crying. "King, bad news!

An especially scary monkey broke in from outside!

He said he wants his master!

He killed a lot of us … "

Xuanzang was overjoyed and almost jumped up. Wukong didn't let him down!

The king looked at him. "You're Tang Seng?!"

Xuanzang gathered his courage and nodded. "You, you can't eat me. My disciple is very powerful. He's going to hit you …"

The king fell silent and stared at him. He thought that he was an old monk.

"Bang!"

The cave outside exploded into pieces. The Monkey King broke in with the Jingu Bang. When he saw Xuanzang, he was relieved and started fighting with the king without any explanation.

The king used a staff to block with no intention of fighting. "Stop!

We're family! "

Wukong only sneered and didn't say a word. He was even more ruthless, probably because he was angry.

Only then did the king say, "I've been instructed by Avalokitesvara to wait here for the person who wants to learn the scriptures!"

Xuanzang: "…?"

Only then did Wukong stop, but the Jingu Bang was still on his staff. He looked at Xuanzang.

Xuanzang said weakly, "He really didn't eat me just now …"

Wujing took off the messy wig in front, revealing a bald spot in the middle. Only the hair around it was still stubbornly growing. His gaze was deep. "I've already converted to Buddhism. This was personally shaved by Avalokitesvara."

He had been bald for many years.

It was also proof that he was a monk.

Wukong didn't say anything. In this day and age, it was a shame for demons to be bald. Even if they were bald, they would definitely try their best to grow it back. If they couldn't use decorations, they would be willing to show their bald head as proof of sincerity and goodwill.

He pulled Xuanzang's hand, patted the dust off his body, and straightened the Buddhist crown. "Let's go and see where that pig went."

Xuanzang corrected him. "Don't say that, Junior Brother …"

"He's not a pig." Wukong was indifferent. "He didn't even realize that his master was missing."

Xuanzang thought silently, Aren't you the same?

However, Wukong thought that Wanneng would be watching him, so he couldn't be blamed.

***

The new disciple didn't talk much. He only said that his secular surname was Sha, and Avalokitesvara gave him the name Wujing. He didn't say anything else and dismissed the crying little demons.

Xuanzang saw that Wukong had killed a lot of people and there were many white bones in their cave, so he chanted some sutras and left.

Then, they went to find Wanneng together.

Xuanzang saw Wukong's sullen face and could imagine what would happen to Wanneng. He was afraid for him, so he nagged, "Don't be too angry. I'm not hurt."

It was just that the skin on his head was almost broken. "Ba Jie is seriously hurt by love. His mind is not on learning the sutras. We have to understand him. Have you found his male wife?

It seems like you haven't … Why are you staring at me? "He complained slightly." Didn't you also leave me behind?

It's not Ba Jie's fault alone … "

Wukong said, "Shut up."

Xuanzang felt wronged and scolded him … The new disciple was here, so he didn't give him any face …

Wukong also realized that he was not right, so he softened his tone. "I won't do it again."

"Hmm?" Xuanzang was still thinking about how to continue persuading him and didn't react.

"I won't leave you alone in the future," Wukong said.

Xuanzang felt inexplicably embarrassed and said, "Hmm."

"You're really biased."

Wukong suddenly came to him. "You've been trying to make excuses for your disciple, and you've been pushing all the blame to me, right?

Hmm?

Am I in your way? "

"What nonsense are you talking about?!"

One second, he was soft-hearted, and the next second, he changed the topic. Xuanzang was angry. "How can you use that to figure out the relationship between master and disciple?

You … "

"Then why are you on his side?"

"Because he's weaker, he can't beat you …" Xuanzang said matter-of-factly. The more he spoke, the softer his voice became. Then, he realized that he was really biased towards Ba Jie.

"The weak are right," Wukong said.

"Okay …" Xuanzang compromised. "I won't side with him in the future …"

Wujing, who was following closely behind, was thinking about life. Were there too many disciples of the master, and they had to compete for his favor?

Just as he finished speaking, he saw Wuneng carrying a load and riding a cloud to look for them. When he saw Xuanzang, he turned pale with fright. "Master, it's not good. Your horse has been stolen!"

Wukong scattered his cloud with a blow of his stick, causing him to fall to the ground and roll twice. "You dare to come back?!"

Wanneng hurriedly ran to Xuanzang's side to seek protection. "Master, is Senior suffering from the monkey plague again?"

Xuanzang hardened his heart and said, "You took my horse away, and I was taken away by a monster …"

Wanneng, "?!"

He didn't have time to ask if Xuanzang was alright. He took out his nine-toothed rake and blocked Wukong. "Brother, it's my fault. You can kill me or scrape me later, but let me take my revenge first!"

Wukong, "?"

Wanneng finished speaking and turned his rake to Wujing, who was silently in the background. "Give me back Cuilan!"

Wukong and Xuanzang, "?!!"

The legendary Cuilan?

It seemed like a good show!

The two of them stood aside and watched them fight. Wukong didn't make a move, and Xuanzang didn't stop them either. Two people had to solve their problems.

Wujing also recognized him and was furious. "You heartless man, you still want to find Cuilan?"

Then they started fighting. The scene was very exciting, and the process was very intense. It took a very long time.

Xuanzang was tired of watching. He leaned on Monkey King's shoulder and yawned. He rubbed his eyes. "Wukong, let's go find a horse. Without a horse, we can't move forward."

Monkey King agreed. He held Ba Jie's hand and went to find a horse. He asked Ba Jie about the horse's location, and Ba Jie took time out of his busy schedule to answer.

Following Wukong, he sped up. After walking for half a day, Xuanzang found his familiar horse leisurely grazing on the edge of a cliff.

However, he didn't expect his big white horse to be intimately close to a black wild horse. It ate a mouthful and rubbed against it twice, and ate a mouthful and rubbed against it twice.

Wukong crossed his arms. "Master, your horse has been kidnapped. It looks like it won't accompany you to learn the scriptures."

Xuanzang was stunned. "But, but it's a male horse …"

Wukong walked over and checked the black horse. The black horse was very obedient and obediently cooperated with him. Then he walked back and said with a smile that wasn't a smile, "What a coincidence, this is a male horse. It's intact."

After experiencing Ba Jie's conflicted feelings, Xuanzang instantly understood what was going on. It was as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.

"Let's stay away from Wanneng in the future." Xuanzang cried. "You can't be infected by him … Is Longyang contagious?"

He regretted it. He actually learned bad things from riding it!

"I don't know if it's contagious or not." Wukong said. "But we have to stay away from him. Do you believe me now?"

Xuanzang nodded and sighed. "Let's go. Since it's its choice, let's not force it."

Wukong understood that he wanted to let the horse go, so he pulled him back. "This is great. We can't travel a thousand miles in a day. If we rely on walking, we can only travel a few dozen miles in a day. How long will it take?

Master, can you calculate it? "

Xuanzang was so ashamed that his face turned red again. He stared hard at him.

*

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When they returned to their original place, Ba Jie and Wujing were still fighting. However, they were obviously tired. They held their weapons and faced each other, neither of them giving in.

Xuanzang then came out to smooth things over. "Stop fighting. Ba Jie, this is your junior apprentice-brother Wujing. Wujing, this is your senior apprentice-brother Wanneng."

Ba Jie was speechless. Another one?!

Or an enemy?!

Wujing was more obedient. He put away his weapon and walked behind Xuanzang without saying a word.

Xuanzang patted him and then asked Ba Jie who was in a daze, "Ba Jie, why did you hit him?

Is it related to Cuilan? "

Ba Jie was originally very dispirited. However, when he heard Cuilan's name, his spirit was lifted. He pointed at Wujing and said, "The lover that Cuilan found that day was him!"

Wujing said angrily, "Don't slander me!

Cuilan and I have been friends for many years. Last time, he asked me for help, so I went to teach you a lesson. It's not a lover! "He also pointed at Ba Jie." On the other hand, Cuilan is deeply in love with you, but you found a female demon behind his back?

If it was before, he wouldn't have cared, but now that you're married, you're still like this!

Do you know how sad he is?!

Tell me, what's wrong with Cuilan? How did he treat you? How did you have the face to find him?

How dare you run away?! "

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. It was as if he was going to pour out all the words he had accumulated in his life. "Do you know what he did for you? What he sacrificed!"

Wujing suddenly seemed to realize that he had said something he shouldn't have said. He silently retreated behind Xuanzang.

Wanneng listened to him in a daze. When he opened his mouth, his voice was a little hoarse. "Where did he go now?"

Wujing said, "You can't see him.

Unless he wants to see you. "

"What do I have to do to make him want to see me?"

Wujing didn't speak again.

Wait until you recognize him.

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Without the fine steed, Xuanzang couldn't move an inch. He discussed with Wukong the possibility of him doing acrobatics to earn money to buy a horse, but Wukong rejected him on the spot.

The sun set in the west. They didn't see a single house. Xuanzang walked slower and slower. He was so slow that Ba Jie and Wujing almost caught up with him. He muttered to Wukong, "Wukong, I'm hungry."

Wukong asked Ba Jie to check their luggage. They didn't have any food at all. When they arrived at Gao Lao village, they didn't have any supplies.

Wukong said, "Let's beg for alms."

However, they couldn't find anyone for the time being. They couldn't leave when it was dark. He glanced at Ba Jie, who was in a daze, and finally ordered the newcomer. "Wujing, go and beg for some food for Master."

Wujing readily agreed. "Okay."

After a few minutes, he came back with a bloody deer in his hand. Its internal organs had been ripped open. Wujing was chewing on a deer leg in his other hand. He threw the deer in front of Xuanzang.

Xuanzang almost fainted. He said in a trembling voice, "Wujing, we are monks. We can't kill, and we can't eat meat …"

Moreover, it was raw! Ahhhhh!

Wujing's mouth was full of blood. Xuanzang saw him chewing raw meat and felt that the deer leg in his hand was his own leg. He was dizzy and didn't dare to look.

Wujing said, "Oh." He threw the deer leg away and smiled. He revealed a mouthful of bloody white teeth, which complemented the skull bracelet on his chest.

Xuanzang subconsciously wanted to touch his head. He pointed to the skull bracelet and asked, "Do we have to keep this thing?"

Wujing lowered his head and touched it. "This is useful. Keep it."

In the end, Wukong couldn't stand it anymore. He cleaned up the deer carcass and went down the mountain to find food for Xuanzang.

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

It was too scary!

He didn't want a quiet disciple anymore!

Give him a normal disciple!

As long as he was normal!