Sun Wukong was just trying to buy time for Xuanzang to get away.
However, the Female Demon noted that Xuanzang seemed lively, wondering why his reaction was so dull.
Nonetheless, the demon persisted patiently, "Of course, it’s because you and I are to be married!"
Sun Wukong quickly pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha Buddha, such a sin, such a sin. I am a monk, how could I possibly marry a Female Bodhisattva!"
"What’s wrong with being a monk? Apart from having less hair, how are you different from other people? Besides, even monks can return to secular life," the Female Demon shook her head, declaring confidently.
Sun Wukong intended to tease the demon, yet he dared not act too presumptuously, fearing she would grow suspicious, so he quickly said, "I have already devoted my heart to Buddhism, how could I lightly break my vows and return to secular life?"
"If I say it can be broken, it can be broken! If brother refuses, I can only force you," she said.
As she spoke, the Female Demon leaned her head on Sun Wukong’s shoulder, looking utterly dependent on him.
Sun Wukong frowned slightly, putting on a troubled expression, and hesitantly said, "Well... let’s eat first! I’m a bit hungry."
The Female Demon was not in a hurry at that time. Hearing Sun Wukong’s suggestion, she nodded and said, "Then let’s follow brother’s words and eat the feast before we discuss this matter."
In the midst of their conversation, the two arrived at a refined place, where the Female Demon had indeed prepared a large table of vegetarian fruits and dishes.
The table was laid with olives, lotus seeds, grapes, Chinese torreya, Chinese crabapple, hazelnuts, pine nuts, lychees, Dragon Eyes, chestnuts, water caltrops, dates, persimmons, walnuts, ginkgo, kumquats, oranges, and other various fruits.
There were also tofu, gluten, black fungus, fresh bamboo shoots, mushrooms, fragrant mushrooms, yams, Solomon’s seal.
Rock tripe, daylilies, and stir-fried greens; green beans, cowpeas, wax gourds, bottle gourds, ginkgo nuts, turnips, and so on, in several dozen varieties, each different from the next.
A huge table was filled to the brim, with bowls, cutlery, wine jugs, and cups beside it.
The Female Demon said with a laugh, "Brother Xuanzang, please take a seat."
"Thank you for your generous hospitality, Female Bodhisattva," he said.
Sun Wukong said so and, without any hesitation, took his seat with a casual air.
Seeing Sun Wukong sit down, the Female Demon also quickly sat next to him with a smile, stretched out her delicate hand, and picked up a wine jug from the table.
With her other hand, she picked up a wine cup, filled it with wine, and smilingly said to Sun Wukong, "I know Brother Xuanzang does not eat meat or drink wine. But this is a vegetarian wine brewed from grapes, there’s no harm in drinking a cup."
With that, she handed the cup of fine wine to Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong felt somewhat emotional; this demon was really putting in a lot of effort to obtain Xuanzang’s Yang Essence.
Indeed, the monster was very considerate, having gone to great lengths to prepare so much.
As a monk, Xuanzang of course would not drink wine lightly. However, Xuanzang now already doubted the path of Buddhism, so his mindset was different from before.
But this monster evidently didn’t know that.
Sun Wukong didn’t care and lightly smiled, taking the wine cup without any fuss and glancing at the wine in the cup.
The Female Demon smiled again and picked up another wine cup, filled it to the brim, and laughingly said to Sun Wukong, "Brother Xuanzang, how about we drink cross-cupped wine in this beautiful moment?"
Sun Wukong said in an awkward tone, "Female Bodhisattva, we have no such relationship; how could I drink cross-cupped wine with you?"
"Brother Xuanzang, since we can meet here, do you think you still have a chance to leave? Just listen to me and don’t spoil my mood, otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude!"
The Female Demon uttered coldly, appearing quite discontented.
"Female Bodhisattva, please don’t eat me, don’t eat me!"
Sun Wukong pretended to be afraid while inwardly sneering.
The Female Demon, seeing Sun Wukong , couldn’t help but show a smile and then said laughingly, "Brother Xuanzang, I was just teasing you. I’ve admired you for a long time and thus invited you here!"
"All I hope for is to fulfill a relationship, how could I bear to swallow you whole! I’m more worried that you might not be able to restrain yourself and swallow me whole later," she said teasingly.
Wenyan, Sun Wukong, couldn’t help but laugh and said, "My lady, you jest. My mouth is only so big, how could I swallow down someone as large as you, Female Bodhisattva?"
The Female Demon said with a smile, "Brother Tang Monk should understand what I mean, why pretend to be confused?"
Sun Wukong merely smiled slightly, saying nothing more.
Seeing that Sun Wukong had fallen silent, the Female Demon quickly said, "Brother Xuanzang, let’s drink this cup first before we talk."
Saying this, the Female Demon reached out to pick up the wine cup.
How could the Female Demon fail to see that this Xuanzang in front of her was somewhat reluctant? However, she was not in a rush, planning to get him drunk on a few cups first, and then with a little temptation, surely Xuanzang would fall into her trap.
However, the Female Demon, with all her careful scheming, hadn’t realized that this Xuanzang before her was actually a fake, and it was impossible for her to get Sun Wukong drunk.
Sun Wukong, having heard the Female Demon’s words, also reached out to pick up the wine cup, just as he was about to put it to his lips, the Female Demon quickly reached out to stop him, pouting and saying discontentedly, "Didn’t we agree just now to drink cross-cupped wine? Brother Xuanzang, why are you leaving me behind to drink alone?"
Feigning propriety, Sun Wukong said, "I am a monk; this doesn’t seem appropriate!"