Xuanzang couldn’t help but give Zhu Bajie a look when he heard him speak. Sun Wukong went up and grabbed Zhu Bajie by the ear, chuckling as he said, "You fool, you’re usually quite the smooth talker, especially good at pleasing our master. How is it that today you’ve turned into someone else, not seeing that our master is in high spirits? To say such things and dampen his mood, aren’t you just asking for trouble?"
Zhu Bajie pushed Sun Wukong away, rubbing his ear and saying, "They say that honest advice is often unpleasant to the ear. What I, old Pig, say is nothing but the truth."
Sun Wukong couldn’t be bothered to argue with the fool anymore and turned to Xuanzang, saying, "Master, don’t listen to this fool’s rambling. On our way here, we were constantly beset by demons and ghosts, spending more time dealing with them than traveling. By the time we return from seeking scriptures, the journey will be peaceful, familiar roads will make it quick, at most another two or three years and we’ll be back in Chang’an. If master is in a hurry, I, old Sun, can first take the scriptures back to Chang’an and report to the King of Tang. With my speed, I could return in just an hour or two."
Xuanzang was delighted to hear this and laughed, "I knew that when times are tough, Wukong is the one to rely on."
Zhu Bajie sidled up to Sand Monk, rather sourly saying, "Heard that? We’ve both been hauling the load and taking care of the horse, enduring hardships along the way. Even if there’s no credit, there should at least be hard work acknowledged! But in master’s heart, it’s always Brother Monkey who has done the greatest deeds."
Sand Monk, smiling, replied, "If it wasn’t for eldest brother subduing demons and eliminating evil along the way, how could we have safely reached the Western Heaven? We might have been steamed and eaten by monsters midway through our journey. Eldest brother’s contributions are naturally the greatest."
"You really think so too?"
Zhu Bajie sighed in disappointment and obediently closed his mouth, saying no more.
As they were speaking, a Taoist suddenly appeared at the mountain gate with a flash of golden light. He was dressed in a brocade robe, a frequent guest at opulent feasts in the Yaochi Treasure Pavilion; he shook a jade scepter, sweeping away the dust of the purple foundations daily. With fairy scrolls hanging from his elbows and wearing celestial shoes on his feet, he floated like a true feathered gentleman, incredibly handsome and absolutely fantastic.
Having cultivated longevity, he resides in a victorious realm; having achieved eternal life, he has shed the dust of mortality. The holy monk fails to recognize the Mount Meru guest, the Golden Top Immortal from years past.
Upon seeing Xuanzang and the others, the Golden Top Immortal greeted them with a smile, "Are you, by chance, the scripture seekers from the Eastern Land?"
Sun Wukong recognized the Golden Top Immortal and quickly said to Xuanzang, "Master, this is the Golden Top Immortal from the Jade True Temple at the foot of Mount Meru, come to welcome us."
Xuanzang quickly adjusted his robes and stepped forward to salutations.
The Golden Top Immortal laughed heartily, "Holy Monk, you’ve only arrived this year. I was deceived by Guanyin Bodhisattva. She had taken the Buddha’s order to find the scripture seeker in Chang’an and told me it would only take two or three years to reach Mount Meru. I’ve waited year after year with no news. Today, we finally meet."
Xuanzang brought his palms together quickly, "I’m grateful for the great Immortal’s kindness, truly grateful!"
The Golden Top Immortal smiled lightly, nodding his head, then said, "Please come to my humble temple to rest for the night. After you’ve bathed and changed your clothes, you’ll ascend Mount Meru to meet the Buddha Ancestor in the morning."
Subsequently, the Golden Top Immortal invited everyone into the Jade True Temple, ordering the Daoist Boy to serve fine tea, and then quickly instructing servants to prepare hot water for Xuanzang and his companions to bathe and change their clothes.
Two figures faced each other seated, none other than Sun Wukong and Wang Yang.
"Brother, our Journey to the West is nearing its end, could it be that..."
Sun Wukong paused here, clearly worried.
His relationship with Buddhism wasn’t exactly friendly, and on the journey to the West, they even tried to kill him, only failing in their attempts.
Now that everything was over, to commit an act of ’discarding the millstone after the grinding is done’ was not impossible.
Moreover, Xuanzang wanted to express his own understanding of the Buddhist Law; what exactly would happen, Sun Wukong didn’t know, hoping his mentor could provide some guidance.
Just as Wang Yang was about to speak, he suddenly paused, and Sun Wukong couldn’t help feeling puzzled, looking at Wang Yang.
"Since our esteemed guest has arrived, why not show yourself?"
As Wang Yang spoke these words, Sun Wukong was taken aback.
Someone else had come here, but he had not noticed at all.
A person clapping emerged from a shadowy spot on Mount Huaguo.
Sun Wukong and Wang Yang both involuntarily looked over.
They saw a man clad in a Daoist robe with a middle-aged appearance but whose aura was incredibly vast and seemingly endless.
"What a formidable presence!"
Feeling such an aura, even Sun Wukong grew solemn, realizing that he might not be able to contend against such a person.
"Who would’ve guessed that a Saint would skulk about concealed!"
Wang Yang slowly addressed the middle-aged Daoist.
Sun Wukong was startled, he too had encountered Saints before, especially Grand Elder of the Supreme Way.
But none had an aura as powerful as this person’s.
Not only Sun Wukong was surprised; even the middle-aged Daoist’s eyes flashed upon hearing this.
"I’m impressed, Fellow Daoist, that you could so easily discern my background, which is somewhat unexpected; however, it also saves me some explanations! This time I’ve come to ask you for a favor!"
The middle-aged Daoist looked at Wang Yang as he spoke.
"Oh, to think it’s the Supreme Celestial Venerable of the Numinous Treasure!"
Wang Yang uttered with seeming nonchalance, but inwardly he was shocked. Wasn’t the Supreme Celestial Venerable of the Numinous Treasure confined by Hongjun? Why would he appear here, and was his visit with friendly or hostile intent?
"Indeed, you’ve guessed correctly; I am pleased that Fellow Daoist has recognized me so quickly, but that also means I can talk less nonsense! This time, I came to you because I need your help with a matter!"