"Monkey, where are you from?"
"I come from Huaguo Mountain Water Curtain Cave, and I am the Monkey King there!"
After speaking, he stood up proudly, puffed out his chest, and then continued to squat down to drink porridge.
The young man believed him, as this was the first time he had seen such a clever monkey.
"Then why did you leave being the Monkey King to seek immortality?"
"Because there's a very annoying three-eyed one."
These two lonely males thus became mutually recognized friends after a night of chatting and sleeping side by side.
The next day, Zhang Chu bought a lot of food with his newly acquired silver and then continued to go out to chop wood. Shi Hou tagged along purely out of boredom. While Zhang Chu was working, Shi Hou was entirely playing around. However, Shi Hou's strength was formidable and by the end of the day had chopped six or seven times the wood Zhang Chu did. If it weren't because he couldn't carry any more, he could have chopped even more.
Zhang Chu was also very happy to have his first friend. He thought that even if the monkey didn't succeed in cultivation, he could make a living chopping wood in the future.
"Let's carry this wood back first and sell it tomorrow, then I'll give you your share."
"No, no, I'm just a monkey, what do I need money for?"
"No way, how could I take advantage of you for free?"
Returning home at night, the old woman had already prepared meals for the two of them. Perhaps because there was a guest, Shi Hou noticeably found the food to be much less plain than yesterday. Salt was quite expensive in those times.
Shi Hou, being naturally thoughtful, noticed the human mother and son's kindness towards him from these small details, and Zhang Chu was now considered a true friend.
Meanwhile, because she heard Shi Hou was weak, the old woman altered an old piece of Zhang Chu's clothing for the monkey. So for the first time in decades of wandering in the mortal world, Shi Hou had his own clothes, and feelings of happiness and excitement surged in his heart.
"Xiao Shi, do the clothes fit? If not, I'll alter them again," said the old woman.
"They're perfect, thank you, grandma. I have clothes now too," Shi Hou said.
The old woman didn't overthink Shi Hou's excited tone, only feeling this was also a pitiable soul.
Shi Hou treasured the clothes so much that he would take them off and fold them neatly even when going to sleep. Zhang Chu found this curious: "It's just an old piece of clothing. With your abilities, if it gets worn out, just buy a new one."
Zhang Chu shook his head.
"This is the first outfit someone tailored specifically for me; how could it be the same?"
Though Zhang Chu had a tough childhood, he had never lacked his mother's love, unlike Shi Hou.
A few days later, at dawn, the two got up early, had breakfast, and walked outside. One went in search of an Immortal Pill to cure his mother, while the other intended to become an apprentice to master skills and defeat Three-eyed.
They arrived early at the main street, but it was already crowded. These were people coming to pay respects and seek blessings from the Immortals. Soon drums sounded outside the city gates, and a group of people, dressed as Daoists, arrived. Behind them, several powerful warriors carried a statue of a kindly smiling deity with a broad forehead. The most update n0vels are published on novèlfire.net
The crowd spontaneously parted the way, fearing they'd offend the Immortals. The Daoists placed the statue in Little Guang City, and a more elaborately robed Daoist stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Wu Liang Heavenly Venerate, I am Dan Yangzi, the temple master of Longevity Temple, following the decree of the Wu Liang Immortal to bless all beings. If you seek blessings, follow the Immortal Rules."
He then cast a few Dharma Seals, and several chunks of earth and rock emerged from the ground ahead, making the crowd orderly. This slight display amazed the onlookers, whose eyes sparkled with admiration. The Daoists behind him lined up, some handling medicine, some collecting money, all very professional.
Zhang Chu informed the monkey before quickly squeezing forward to the line to get medicine for his mother. Shi Hou continued to observe the Daoist for a while. The move just now was indeed spellwork, but this Daoist seemed too weak. With his current martial arts skills, Shi Hou could easily defeat him. Could this Daoist truly make him stronger?
Nevertheless, this was his only real encounter with extraordinary power over the years, so he decided to try his luck. Shi Hou used his strength to force his way through the crowd.
"Immortal Master, Immortal Master, I have come seeking the Way."
Dan Yangzi was startled by the sudden appearance of a talking monkey and instinctively drew his treasure sword, exclaiming, "What kind of demon dares attack the Human Clan in broad daylight?"
Shi Hou quickly waved his hands and repeated, "No, no, I'm here seeking the Way."
Dan Yangzi, possessing some spells and seeing Shi Hou's respectful demeanor, felt afraid but did not show it on his face. He gave a signal to his disciples, then asked, "Are you truly here to apprentice?"
"Truly," Shi Hou nodded eagerly.
Dan Yangzi glanced at the surrounding crowd and suddenly laughed heartily.
"Very well, I see your sincerity, and today I will take you in! Zheng Kun, Zheng Kan, take your little junior brother to the back."
After signaling for a few disciples to lead Shi Hou away, they cautiously tested him and, seeing he did not resist, immediately guided Shi Hou to the convoy behind the statue.
Shi Hou curiously looked at the wagons behind, which contained not only valuables but also some young children, and the inexplicable cheers from behind.
"Two senior brothers, why are there children in this wagon?"
The Daoist Zheng Kan answered, "Of course, it's to..."
Before he finished speaking, Zheng Kun interrupted.
"Wu Liang Heavenly Venerate, the master saw these wandering orphans as pitiful, hence plans to bring them back to the Daoist Temple for upbringing."
Shi Hou glanced around at the children in the wagon, their shackles hidden under their clothes, his eyes flickering, but he said no more.
The Daoists from Longevity Temple only stayed for a day. Without the chance to bid farewell to Zhang Chu, Shi Hou followed Dan Yangzi back to Longevity Temple. It's the largest Daoist Temple within a thousand miles. In these times of frequent wars, people's beliefs in demons and ghost gods were strong, and coupled with Dan Yangzi's few spells, Longevity Temple's incense thrived.