Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Is it really true? Bodhisattva, do you really have another one!?" Jiang Liu's eyes widened in surprise as he spoke.

"Indeed!"

Internally sighing in resignation, Guanyin maintained a composed expression, nodded, and then produced another hoop by flipping his hand.

This hoop looked very much like the one previously put on the Black Bear Demon. Guanyin said, "This is a Golden Hoop. I have a mantra for you as well, which functions just like the Tight Hoop. Come closer and listen!"

After receiving the Golden Hoop, Jiang Liu leaned in close, and Guanyin transmitted the mantra to him.

The mantra was not difficult; it was just a single incantation. To control the hoop and make it work, one simply had to recite the incantation repeatedly.

"Disciple has remembered!"

Having received the mantra from Guanyin, Jiang Liu nodded and secured the hoop.

"Well then, keep that Monkey King by your side. When you find an opportunity, place this hoop on his head, and recite the incantation when needed. His headaches will be unbearable, and he won't be able to hurt you. With this, there's no need to fear him on your journey to the West!" Seeing Jiang Liu putting away the Golden Hoop, Guanyin sighed internally and spoke.

After finishing speaking, he showed no intention of staying further. With a swift movement, he left the vicinity of Yunzhai Cave.

Having previously presented the Mystical Mirror and now the Golden Hoop, Guanyin was not in a good mood.

"Farewell, Bodhisattva!" As Jiang Liu watched Guanyin's departing figure, he called out loudly, his voice filled with merriment.

Jiang Liu was naturally joyous. Through a fortuitous coincidence this time, he learned the truth about the True and False Monkey King. Taking a cue from the original story and directing a play himself, he not only successfully diverted attention and erased the issue of the Dragon King of Jing River's soul being rescued but also managed to make Guanyin reveal another hoop, which delighted Jiang Liu.

Put the hoop on Sun Wukong's head? How could that be possible?

After all, Sun Wukong would stand side by side with him in battle, overturning the heavens and the deities. If the hoop were put on him, what use could Sun Wukong be when Guanyin and the others recite the incantation?

"Alright, Wukong, your master has understood now. It seems that all of that was just a misunderstanding; no harm done!" Having returned, Jiang Liu, smiling, spoke to Sun Wukong.

"Hmph!", or rather, after taking a glance at Jiang Liu, Sun Wukong snorted unhappily and deliberately turned his head away.

Seeing Sun Wukong's defiant attitude, Jiang Liu smiled knowingly and said, "Alright, I admit my fault just now. What would you like to eat tonight? How about I cook for you personally?"

"Really!?" As soon as these words were spoken, Sun Wukong's eyes brightened, and he turned his head back, looking at Jiang Liu with surprise.

"Of course!" Jiang Liu nodded emphatically.

On the surface, it seemed he was apologizing for his earlier words, but in reality, Jiang Liu was gratified to reward him. The act of the True and False Monkey King was so perfectly executed that while Jiang Liu gave himself a perfect 10 for his acting, he scored Sun Wukong a solid 9 as well.

In high spirits, Jiang Liu was very willing to cook to celebrate.

Zhu Bajie had long awakened, and after observing Jiang Liu and Guanyin converse a few words and then make amends, he shook his head somewhat helplessly.

It was settled then. This monkey wasn't going anywhere, and he would again be at the monkey's mercy. Thinking of the long scripture seeking journey of 108,000 miles, it seemed like a dark time lay ahead.

Maybe it was best to sneak away?

"Second Sister Luan, I will cook personally today; you should join us as well, as a thank you for your hospitality these past few days!" At that moment, Jiang Liu turned to Second Sister Luan nearby and spoke.

Although it was all an act, the only ones who truly knew the script were he and Sun Wukong. When he was attacked, Second Sister Luan had rushed to help, and even though she hadn't been much help, Jiang Liu was hurriedly grateful, and since he was cooking, he would not forget her.

"Really!? Thank you, Holy Monk! Allow me to assist you in cooking. It would be an honor to cook alongside you!"

Hearing Jiang Liu's words and that he would personally cook for her, Second Sister Luan's eyes lit up, her gaze soft and tender as she spoke quietly to Jiang Liu.

Meanwhile, Zhu Bajie, who was originally contemplating leaving the scripture-seeking team, saw Second Sister Luan speaking affectionately to Jiang Liu, and any inkling of leaving vanished instantly: "No! Since I've already promised the Bodhisattva to journey to the West, I'll do as I said!"

However, Sun Wukong seemed even more delighted when he heard that Jiang Liu would let him choose the dish.

After a brief pause to think, he said earnestly, "Master, I, Old Sun, would like to try the braised pig's ears! You said they were delicious, but I, Old Sun, have yet to try them!"

"You plague-stricken monkey, you could eat anything, but you just had to choose pig ears!" Sun Wukong's request nearly made Zhu Bajie explode as he retorted unhappily.

...

"It seems, everything is fine now, isn't it? That's great!"

The White Dragon Horse watched Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong roughhousing, and felt a sense of relief in his heart.

As long as nothing went wrong with the scripture-seeking team, he would feel at ease.

That evening, Jiang Liu's mood was good; he went all out to prepare a huge table filled with delicious dishes, inviting not just his disciples but also Second Sister Luan to join them.

"Holy Monk, I'll toast to you first. I hope you'll forgive my poor hospitality these past days. I had no idea that you indulged in meat and wine!", after everyone sat down, Second Ms. Luan raised her cup and said apologetically to Jiang Liu.

Seeing the table full of fine wine and food, and then thinking about the plain vegetarian meals she usually served, Second Sister Luan felt a bit embarrassed.

"You're too kind, Second Sister!", Jiang Liu also lifted his cup and after drinking it all, he said, "Meat and wine pass through the guts, Buddha stays in the heart. On this trip to the west, I never abstained from meat and alcohol. As long as it doesn't harm the Buddha in my heart, it's fine!"

"What the Holy Monk just said is truly admirable!" Hearing Jiang Liu's spontaneous Zen adage, Second Sister Luan sincerely remarked.

"Right, I, Old Pig, also like what Master said! Eating vegetarian every day is too much for me, Old Pig. Master, your dishes are really delicious!"

Munching heartily, Zhu Bajie devoured his food like a whirlwind, his mouth dripping with oil. After listening to Jiang Liu's words, he loudly praised.

"Absolutely, Master's cooking is indeed tasty, especially this braised pig ear. I, Old Sun, finally got to try it. Bajie, you should try some too?"

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie naturally did not get along well. Hearing this, he also spoke highly and even specifically picked up a plate of braised pig ears, urging Zhu Bajie to try.

"You damned monkey!"

Zhu Bajie cursed under his breath in response to Sun Wukong's words and then turned his head to speak to Jiang Liu, "Master, I think monkey brains might taste good. Next time, could you prepare a dish of monkey brains for me?"

"I remember I once heard that preparing monkey brains isn't difficult. Just confine a monkey, leaving only its head exposed, and then, while it's still alive..."

"Squeak, squeak, squeak! You fool, it looks like you don't want to live anymore!" Hearing Zhu Bajie not only speak of wanting to eat monkey brains but even carefully describing how to make them, Sun Wukong got so angry that he stood up.

"You can order dishes, can't I, Old Pig? Just because you like braised pig ears, does that mean I, Old Pig, can't like monkey brains?"

Bang, bang, bang...

Outside Yunzhai Cave, the White Dragon Horse quietly lay on the grass, listening to the lively scene inside the cave. He raised his head to look at the sky, observing the vast starry sky and the bright full moon, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

In his mind, he thought of the Western Sea. It had been so long since he left, he wondered what it was like there now. The lonely moon made it easy for homesickness to surge.

He also thought back to the day of his own wedding when Princess Wansheng had an ambiguous relation with the Nine-Headed Serpent. The anger of being betrayed welled up within him when he thought of that.

Of course, he also thought of his uncle, the Dragon King of Jing River, who had always taken good care of him over the years. Unfortunately, his uncle had died under mysterious circumstances, and he didn't know how he was faring now in the Underworld.

Once he completed his journey to the West and received his official title, his status would be different. By then, he definitely had to investigate the true cause of his uncle's death.

Thinking of this, the White Dragon Horse felt a firm resolve in his heart!

"Xiaobai, what are you thinking about?"

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the White Dragon Horse's reflections.

It turned out to be Jiang Liu, who came over with a plate of food and sat down beside the White Dragon Horse on the grass.

"Master!" Seeing Jiang Liu sitting beside him, the White Dragon Horse spoke.

"Alright, no need to get up, just eat. I've brought you some food!", Jiang Liu said as he placed the plate in front of the White Dragon Horse.

The White Dragon Horse looked at the plate in front of him, filled with meat, vegetables, and fruit, appearing very sumptuous, and felt somewhat touched.

Although he had joined the scripture-seeking team, the White Dragon Horse was very aware that he was merely a beast of burden. To put it harshly, he was like a beast, a servant.

Yet, he never expected that, while everyone was dining together in Yunzhai Cave, his master would still remember him and personally bring some food over for him.

Reflecting on the present and recalling when he first met his master, the contrasting emotions made the White Dragon Horse suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of happiness.

With a thousand words stuck in his throat, all the White Dragon Horse could do in the end was express his thanks. Then, he lowered his head and began to eat.

Sitting beside him, Jiang Liu also looked up at the full moon in the night sky and casually said, "Xiaobai, back when I was in Chang'an City, I actually met your uncle, the Dragon King of Jing River, once..."

(On the night of the full moon, at the Summit of the Forbidden, a sword comes from the west, beyond the sky... Oops, sorry, wrong set, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival with a full moon. I wonder what Sister Chang'e is doing? Whether she's watching over Jiang Liu and his group from halfway up the sky? Happy Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, everyone...)