Chosen Evolution: I can load the protagonist template

Chapter 797 The Real Journey to the West Gang

The group of Tang Sanzang and his disciples were covered in dust and grime, which was not only due to the effects of their journey, but also due to the problems brought about by the surrounding environment of Chechi Kingdom.

The drought, which lasted for more than twenty years, made the climate around Chechi Kingdom extremely harsh. Not only was it dry and rainless with yellow sand everywhere, but it was also extremely difficult to find a place to rest in the shade or something to moisturize one's lips.

Moreover, compared to the original work, the number of minor demons in the Journey to the West: The Legend of the Monkey King who would actively attack any passerby is much greater than in reality. The number of monsters and beasts that died at the hands of his disciples along the way is also countless.

However, it was precisely because of the consumption of the pilgrimage team by these little demons that everything the team could eat had been exhausted.

Of course, with the Great Sage and his companions' supernatural powers, getting food and drink would be a piece of cake. If they didn't have it in Chechi Kingdom, they could just get it from other places.
The problem is that the Tang Dynasty monk, who is the leader of the team, is stubborn. He is determined to experience all the tribulations himself and forbids his disciples from using their supernatural powers to go to other places to obtain resources for survival. Therefore, Chechi Kingdom, with its towering city walls, has become their only way to obtain living supplies.

However, when they arrived at the city gate, Sun Wukong, who was dragging his golden cudgel at the front and squinting to avoid the sandstorm, keenly noticed a series of problems.

When the guards at the city gate saw their group, they frowned noticeably. Then, a younger guard, who looked fierce, tried to take a few steps forward but was pulled back by an older guard.

He then forced a smile onto his face and quietly watched the pilgrimage team approach.

The Great Sage was certain that the other party's gaze was fixed on them.

Then there's the issue of pedestrians at the city gate.

Although Chechi Kingdom was a small country, it was still a vast territory for ordinary people. It served as a gathering place for various prefectures, counties, and villages. The official roads were also well-maintained, and the flow of pedestrians at the gates was quite abundant. However, these pedestrians reacted much more strongly to the sight of Tang Sanzang and his disciples than the guards at the city gates.

They deliberately avoided them almost without any attempt to hide it, and would even huddle together in twos and threes to whisper among themselves.

The Great Sage had keen ears, and he heard things like, "What bad luck! How could they be monks!" and "These hairy-faced, bald men are probably going to be captured and made farmhands."

Something was strange. They were newcomers to this place, so why were they being treated with such hostility?

Little did they know that this was a new decree issued less than a day ago, which to some extent eased the attitude of Chechi Kingdom towards monks. If it had been the day before yesterday, these soldiers would not have cared whether you monks were outsiders or not, and would have arrested you all to do labor!

The pilgrimage team successfully entered the city, but the atmosphere of being treated differently never truly disappeared. All the pedestrians avoided them like the plague, afraid of getting involved with them.

There was no way around it; the atmosphere of Taoism dominating and Buddhism rejecting Buddhism had already taken shape in Chechi Kingdom. Soldiers would choose to carry out new orders, but the people's mindset couldn't be changed overnight.

While pedestrians can avoid it, the various vendors and shops that open on the street cannot immediately run away.

After being turned away by several vendors who refused to cooperate and ignored him, Sun Wukong finally learned the general direction of Chechi Temple, the only temple in the country, from an old vegetable seller.

"I advise you foreign monks to leave here as soon as possible."

He must have been genuinely kind-hearted; the old man picked up his vegetable basket, left a message, and immediately departed.

Watching the old man walk away quickly, Sun Dasheng scratched his head, lost in thought.

"Brother Monkey! Why are all the people here reacting like this!?"

When Pigsy blew his big ears down, even his usually bloated belly deflated, and all he could do was complain.

They had experienced all sorts of things along the way, but this was the first time they had ever been hated by an entire nation. "...Let's go to the temple first and find out what's going on from the local monks."

When they arrived at Zhiyuan Temple, they hadn't even seen a soul yet, but they were already struck by the temple's dilapidated state and desolation, with weeds growing everywhere.

It's quite strange, but houses, as long as they are inhabited, can usually remain intact for a long time without any problems, even without deliberate cleaning or repairs. This is what is known as "human presence."

However, once a house is uninhabited, it will deteriorate at an incredible speed, which is especially evident in old houses in rural areas.

At this time, Zhiyuan Temple clearly looked like it had been uninhabited for a long time.

As expected, the fat-headed, big-eared Pigsy immediately started to throw a tantrum, and his already hungry stomach joined in the protest.

"We've been wandering in the wilderness for days! We finally came across a temple, and we were looking forward to having a good meal, but there's no one here!"

"That's it."

Sha Wujing, carrying his load, chuckled and echoed, saying nothing more. He no longer possessed any of the fierceness he had during his time at the Flowing Sand River, when he wore a necklace of human skulls around his neck.

The white dragon horse, whose master was no longer on its back, snorted, its eyes revealing helplessness.

But at that moment, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the temple gate.

"Wukong~"

"master!"

"have a look."

Carrying his stick, Sun Wukong hopped along towards the source of the sound, and then saw a very strange scene.

A group of people dressed in Taoist robes, covered in dust and dirt, but each with a shiny bald head, whose identities were unclear whether they were monks or Taoists, were gathered together with another group of people who were also covered in dust and dirt but still wore tattered monk robes, heading towards the location of Zhiyuan Temple where they were.

There was a very subtle atmosphere between them.

Without hesitation, the Great Sage jumped out of the weeds, startling the people. Some even started shouting "monster!"

"What are you shouting about! I'm asking you, are you monks from Zhiyuan Temple?"

Without a doubt, the astonished and uncertain Taoist monks before the Great Sage were the original monks who had recently abandoned their original Buddhist faith and converted to Taoism, as well as the monks who remained true to their original faith and refused to change their beliefs.

At the same time, Cheng, who was inside the Sanqing Temple, whose eyes were closed but whose third eye was clear, immediately opened his eyes.

"The rightful owner has arrived."

On the large pile of prayer mats in front of Cheng, sat more than a dozen unfamiliar new players.

(End of this chapter)