The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 228 More Thoughts

"Hmm," the stone monkey responded, nodding.

A little unfamiliar.

This is the original, true appearance.

The man and the monkey were not actually familiar with each other. In fact, if it weren't for the stone monkey's sudden outburst, they wouldn't have even crossed paths. And in that situation, their interaction should have led to hostility.

However, one was accidentally awakened by maternal instincts and gained a bit more patience, while the other had experienced too much malice and falsehood, so much so that even such ordinary treatment was seen as rare. Thus, the two who should have been enemies actually got along harmoniously. But in essence, it was just a product of momentary emotion combined with impulse, and this relationship was abnormal from the root.

Sentiment can only last for a moment, and impulse is fleeting. Once the falsehood is exposed, the awkward relationship will naturally become difficult to maintain.

However, it wasn't all for nothing; at least after this ordeal, the initial hostility has vanished.

The stone monkey stood up and looked around. Everything in this secret realm was the same, filled with spiritual mist, so it was really hard to tell the difference. His eyes fell on the seven fairies and lingered for a moment.

His expression turned serious, and his smile vanished.

In the end, it was just a chance encounter.

"Let's go."

The Seventh Fairy said, she supported herself on the ground with her hands and slowly stood up. Since she could not use her magic, her blue dress rubbed against the ground, making her less ethereal and more real.

The stone monkey instinctively opened its palms, wanting to raise its arms, but then, as if remembering something, it restrained its impulse and only moved two fingers.

This time, the Seven Fairies did not fall down again, nor did they need him to help them up.

Stone Monkey's face was taut, and the feeling in his heart... was somewhat similar to when he left Fangcun Mountain, only it was not as lasting or unforgettable as it was. Instead, it was shallow, like a spring drizzle, barely perceptible.

how come?
In what ways does she resemble her master?

The stone monkey exhaled and blinked. The seven fairies had already stepped outside. He remained standing in place, his eyes following their movements. His eyes narrowed. Although unwilling, the stone monkey had to admit that the feeling he got from this fairy was completely different from any woman he had ever seen before.

She was approachable enough, yet not as coarse and weak as a village woman; she possessed a gentle, refined air. She was beautiful enough, but not as alluring and seductive as those female demons; she had a different kind of elegance. Her cultivation wasn't high, but unlike the underlings of Flower Fruit Mountain, she wasn't timid in his presence; she had an inexplicable confidence that supported her pride. This displeased the stone monkey, but fortunately, it was just pride, not arrogance.

Most of the time they knew each other, she was impatient and perfunctory, but there were also rare times when she would patiently talk to him a lot, which was what attracted him the most. That feeling... was hard to describe, but it always made him involuntarily fall into it.

The stone monkey, of course, did not know that this feeling was maternal instinct. His sometimes childlike behavior, demeanor, and tone of voice, coupled with the monkey's naturally small stature, would subconsciously remind the Seven Fairies of their own two children. He, on the other hand, was born and raised in nature and had never experienced maternal instinct before, so he naturally became attached to and infatuated with it.

Since he had never experienced it before, the stone monkey couldn't tell the difference; he only felt that he was extremely comfortable when he was enveloped in this atmosphere.

"Don't go?"

The seven fairies turned to look at the stone monkey and found him staring at them with a strange look in his eyes. "You're still willing to come with me?" The stone monkey was taken aback.

"Hmm?" The Seventh Fairy was puzzled. She was just a little more wary of the monkey. She made up her mind not to say anything more. There was nothing else to it. It was just an accidental acquaintance. Why would she have so many thoughts?

"You said before that we were friends, does that still count?" the stone monkey asked, his voice a little uneasy, as he was reluctant to part with the feeling he had with the Seven Fairies.

“Just friends, not just me. You will have many more friends in the future,” the Seventh Fairy said, her answer perfectly reasonable after careful consideration.

"We're still friends?" The stone monkey found it hard to believe. His head buzzed, and a huge joy of regaining what he had lost filled his heart.

"What's wrong?" the Seventh Fairy asked. Children's thoughts are hard to fathom. She didn't know what the monkey had thought of, nor did she want to know. She just asked casually.

"It's nothing." The stone monkey hopped and skipped to the side of the Seven Fairies, becoming cheerful and lively again. "You still haven't told me your name!"

“I am the seventh child according to my mother’s lineage. The elders all call me Little Seven. You…” Looking at the immature appearance of the stone monkey, the Seventh Fairy said, “Just call me Seventh Sister.”

"From your mother... then your father must have had no status at home, was he a live-in son-in-law?" The stone monkey grinned, feeling as if the storm had passed and the clouds had parted to reveal the moon, and he had returned to his true nature, becoming talkative and chatty again. He quickly shook his head, "Seventh Sister... no, don't think I don't know, your soul age is obviously younger than mine. How about this, I'll call you Little Seven from now on!" When it comes to not being taken advantage of, the monkey has it all figured out.

"Whatever you want," the Seven Fairies said without objection.

"By the way, which palace do you work in? I'll come visit you when I have some free time," Sun Wukong said. He could sense that the Seven Fairies must have some kind of background, but to show his friendliness, he added, "If anyone bullies you in the future, you can mention my title as the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses!"

"弼马温..." The Seventh Fairy's expression was a little strange. She had already made up her mind not to talk to this monkey anymore, but she still couldn't help but remind him, "In the future in the Heavenly Palace, you'd better..." The Seventh Fairy hesitated for a moment, "...it's best not to keep the words '弼马温' on your lips all the time."

“Stop talking,” the stone monkey reacted immediately, and said thoughtfully, “What you said makes sense. I am not the same as before, and I should be more composed.”

The Seven Fairies said no more.

"You still haven't told me which palace you're in?" the stone monkey pressed.

“You can’t get in,” the Seventh Fairy said.

"Tell me, which one? Is there any place in this Heavenly Palace that I, Old Sun, cannot go?" the stone monkey persisted.

"Yaochi." The Seventh Fairy sighed. She felt like she was back to the way things were before. The Monkey King was too talkative. Just dealing with him made her feel tired. She regretted it a little. If she didn't want this 'friend' now, she wondered if it would be too late.

"Jade Pool, that's the Queen Mother's territory. I've never been there, but I know you work there. No wonder..."

The stone monkey suddenly realized the source of the Seven Fairy Maidens' pride. He was about to point it out when he seemed to suddenly realize something and stopped talking.

(End of this chapter)