Chosen Evolution: I can load the protagonist template

Chapter 800 Monkey King recounts the war that occurred five hundred years ago.

With a light leap, Sun Wukong landed right next to Cheng Tian and began to look him up and down.

With the conjunctivitis honed by Laozi's alchemy furnace... the Fiery Eyes of Truth, the eldest brother could naturally see at a glance that the Erlang Shen before him was a form created by a mortal as a medium, combined in a manner similar to divine combat. He could be said to be Erlang Shen, but he could also be said to be a derivative incarnation.

It wasn't a pet, nor was it an imposter; the three-pointed double-edged sword and the Heavenly Eye were genuine.

"Great Sage Sun, how have you been?"

After suppressing the unusual emotions revealed by the template, Cheng Tian took the initiative to greet him.

This greeting is mainly spoken on behalf of someone else.

"Of course, of course~ It's been a long time, Erlang Shen is much more polite~"

Sun Wukong's memory of Erlang Shen was basically still from the time of his havoc in the Heavenly Palace. At that time, Erlang Shen used derogatory terms like "monkey demon" and "mischievous monkey" all the time. Now, his sudden respect for Erlang Shen made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Five hundred years has passed, which is a full five hundred days in the heavens. That's a long time, enough to change many things.

"On the contrary, there are very few people in this world who are worthy of my politeness."

Cheng Tian delivered this remark with an extremely arrogant and aloof attitude, practically pointing at the sky and cursing the incompetent.

This one sentence immediately made Monkey King, who doesn't like to hide his emotions, beam with joy and find Cheng Tian more and more pleasing to the eye.

"Tianpeng, roll up the curtain."

Cheng Tian's gaze swept over Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing in succession. Relying on the majesty of his transformed true form, the two old colleagues who were called out couldn't help but tense up.

Bajie, in particular, swallowed the words "get something to eat" that were in his mouth.

Then Cheng Tian looked at Tang Sanzang, who was still chanting Buddhist prayers with his eyes closed, fighting his appetite, with a slightly strange gaze.

...Could it be that this bald man is trying to use Buddhist scriptures to resist the aura of the Taoist temple?

Cheng Tian couldn't help but think of Tang Sanzang, the playable character in "Journey to the West: The Legend of the Monkey King 2".

He was truly skilled with his staff, capable of physically exorcising demons even without his disciple, giving one the illusion that he was a reincarnation of the legendary Jin Chanzi.

It's just unclear whether this holy monk from the Tang Dynasty is following the original story or has simply inherited the fighting power from the sequel.

"So, what is the purpose of the Great Sage's visit here?"

Cheng Tian was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

"Since Yang Erlang is now in charge here, then I, Old Sun, will not stand on ceremony."

"Travel permit stamp, some food, and necessary travel expenses—"

Monkey King paused, because he saw the pleading look in his master's eyes, who had already reopened his eyes.

"And those monks at Zhiyuan Temple who are doing hard labor, give me, Old Sun, some face and let them all go~"

Although he said that, Monkey King's expression wasn't as firm as one might expect.

Because of Cheng Tian's early intervention, the pilgrimage team did not witness the monks of Zhiyuan Temple being enslaved and forced to work immediately. Therefore, all their knowledge so far is based on oral accounts. In addition, the monks have been divided into two groups: bald Taoists and monks, leading to disagreements.

With Cheng Tian, ​​the incarnation of Erlang Shen, personally overseeing the operation, the pilgrimage team didn't harbor any hostility towards the Daoist sect's dominance in Chechi Kingdom. Sun Wukong, in particular, felt a stronger sense of nostalgia after five hundred years. While it wouldn't be accurate to say the Monkey King felt pity for the monks, his current status as Tang Sanzang's eldest disciple dictated his stance, forcing him to express his opinion on certain matters.

"Travel permits, stamps, food, and travel expenses—all these things are fine. Just have my three apprentices say a word to the king."

After a moment's hesitation, Cheng Tian gave a straightforward answer, but then he mysteriously called Monkey Brother aside and whispered something in his ear.

"I have already withdrawn all the arrest warrants for the monks by virtue of my status as the teacher of the Grand Preceptor. However, for now, it only applies to the area within the city walls. The surrounding towns and villages outside the city walls will definitely be delayed in receiving the news and will not be able to find out immediately. So you can tell those monks to wait a few more days before trying to escape. By then, the chances of them being caught will be much smaller."

Upon hearing Cheng Tian's whisper, Monkey was taken aback at first, then he and Cheng Tian locked eyes and exchanged knowing smiles.

At this moment, everything is unspeakable.

"However, I also have one condition."

But soon, Cheng Tian changed the subject.

Tell me about it~

"A battle of wits."

The two words that Cheng Tian uttered made Monkey King's expression change.

"You and your disciples, come and fight us at the altar."

"Fighting?"

Monkey King looked Cheng Tian up and down suspiciously again, his gaze involuntarily scanning the surroundings.

"Is that old man Laozi hiding somewhere again, waiting to give me, Old Sun, a good whack?!"

Monkey King touched his hairy head, still feeling lingering fear, and spoke to Cheng Tian with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's mutterings, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing instinctively looked at the clay sculptures of the Three Pure Ones currently enshrined in the Sanqing Temple. Although the leftmost sculpture differed considerably from the original, those familiar with it could easily discern the unique characteristics of "Taishang Laojun."

Monkey King has not completely let go of that great battle.

You know, during the great battle with Erlang Shen, if Laozi hadn't ambushed him with his Diamond Bracelet, instantly smashing the bronze-headed, iron-armed Erlang Shen so hard he saw stars, that battle might have dragged on for who knows how long!
During the five hundred years he was imprisoned under the Five Fingers Mountain, Monkey King replayed that battle in his mind more than once.

Monkey King had few regrets, but being ambushed by Laozi was definitely one of them.

"Don't worry, there will be absolutely no one else involved this time, and the only one worthy of being Sun Wukong's opponent is me."

Cheng, who was trying not to laugh, made a promise on the spot.

It can only be said that Monkey King was indeed afraid of being ambushed... But from another perspective, given Laozi's seniority and status, the fact that he would choose to ambush Monkey King under such special circumstances also proves, in a sense, just how troublesome Monkey King was back then, who could wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and that he could not be subdued by conventional means.

"Alright, alright~ You decide the time and place, I'll be waiting!"

Having received Cheng Tian's promise, Sun Wukong was somewhat excited at this moment.

The mental replay that has been repeated countless times over the past five hundred years is finally coming to fruition!

(End of this chapter)