After Xuanzang instructed the Three Demons to cultivate earnestly on the mountain, Sun Wukong escorted Xuanzang back to Ci Yun Temple.
At this time, Ci Yun Temple was bustling with activity. The prefectural emissary from Jinpingfu, along with a group of officials and local gentry, had prepared various gifts and came to express their gratitude to the Tang Dynasty’s Holy Monk for subduing the demons.
The Nine Spirits Yuan Saint clearly didn’t like such occasions and went back to his room alone seeking some peace.
Those people listened to Zhu Bajie’s account of subduing the demon on Qinglong Mountain, but the simpleton deliberately omitted the fact that he had nearly turned into roast pork.
He only spoke of how valiantly he fought, how the monster fled in total disarray, and how he ultimately subdued the demon.
The officials and citizens of Jinpingfu were overjoyed upon hearing this news.
After all, the demon had finally been subdued, and they would no longer need to set up the Golden Lamp, saving them the trouble and expense. For Jinpingfu, this was indeed a cause for celebration.
Thus, the emissary instructed his subordinates to prepare a sumptuous banquet to generously entertain Xuanzang and his disciples.
Moreover, the twenty-four households in Jinpingfu that annually contributed sesame oil also came one after another to invite Xuanzang and the others to their feasts.
Xuanzang could not refuse and could only agree. So today they dined at one house, and tomorrow they would dine at another.
Distracted for several days, Xuanzang couldn’t help but worry. If they kept delaying , who knew when they would set off.
In the middle of the night, he woke up his three disciples. Zhu Bajie, groggy and disoriented, asked, "Master, what do you want with me, Old Zhu, at this hour? Won’t you let a pig sleep?"
Xuanzang said seriously, "Stop dawdling, quickly pack up and ready the horses."
"Why pack and ready the horses in the middle of the night if we’re not sleeping?"
Zhu Bajie asked, puzzled.
At that moment, Sun Wukong hopped over and said with a smile, "Is Master urging us to hit the road?"
As soon as Bajie heard this, he suddenly became fully alert and, widening his eyes, said, "Why are we hitting the road? Master, you’re not being reasonable. All of the two hundred and forty households want to treat us to a meal. We’ve only enjoyed a few hearty meals, and now you’re making Old Zhu suffer hunger again."
Xuanzang couldn’t help but chuckle and scolded him, "You gluttonous and lazy pig, go pack up quickly and get the horses ready. We must rush on our journey without alerting the major households in the city; if we do, I fear we’ll be unable to leave."
"You stupid pig, stop talking nonsense. Otherwise, I’ll let Wukong give you a good lesson and teach you what’s more important!"
Zhu Bajie said with tears in his eyes, pitifully, "Master, you’ve changed. Usually, you care for me and love me, and if Brother Monkey bullies me, you’d speak up for Old Zhu. Why are you letting Brother Monkey punish me today?"
Sun Wukong, with a laugh, said, "You blockhead, can’t you see? Master is blaming you for delaying our journey with your gluttony. Go pack and ready the horses quickly, or you’ll be in for a beating."
Fearing a real beating—Sun Wukong seldom spared him—and now with Xuanzang’s sanctioning, Zhu Bajie obediently shut his mouth and hastened to pack.
Satisfied, Xuanzang nodded and then said to Sun Wukong, "Wukong, go and call the Nine Spirits Yuan Saint. When Bajie and Sha Wujing have packed their luggage and readied the horses, we should set out as soon as possible without disturbing the monks in the temple, or, if they’re roused, we may not be able to leave."
"That’s unnecessary," said the Nine Spirits Yuan Saint as he entered from outside and sat down in a chair, casually stating, "My ears aren’t as ineffective as yours. With such a commotion, even if I were deaf, I’d have heard it."
Xuanzang frowned and said, "Everyone keep your voices down and don’t disturb the monks in the temple."
Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "Master, don’t worry. This Old Lion’s divine skills are vast. He could probably detect every move made in the entire Jinpingfu while those monks are merely common mortals. If we’re careful, they won’t hear a thing."
"Besides, even if a monk did overhear us, I, Old Sun, could send a sleep bug to give them a good long sleep for three days and two nights."
Relieved by these words, Xuanzang finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That’s best. We have already delayed too long in Jinpingfu; it’s time to depart."
Soon Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk had packed their bags, and the horses were ready, so the group quietly left Ci Yun Temple, circumventing Jinpingfu’s city walls, and continued their Journey to the West along the main road. They were very cautious, thus didn’t alarm anyone.
After leaving Jinpingfu and traveling for some time.
One day, riding on horseback, Xuanzang couldn’t help but speak, "Although we are not far from Mount Meru, the monks mentioned that the capital city of Tianzhu Country is still two thousand li away. I wonder how much farther it is to Mount Meru."
Sun Wukong replied with a smile, "Master, just keep travelling. One day we will surely reach India!"
Zhu Bajie also nodded and said, "Brother Monkey is right; reaching India is just a matter of time, as is Mount Meru!"
As they were talking, they saw a temple in the distance. Xuanzang, full of joy, said, "Wukong, look ahead, there’s a temple. Can you see what it is?"
Sun Wukong quickly looked up, indeed saw a temple, took a careful look, and then told Xuanzang, "Master, the entrance says Bujinchan Temple, and hanging from it is a plaque with the words ’Ancient Ruins’."