After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

The spot on his chin that had been touched felt like it had been scratched by the tip of a feather, leaving behind an unfamiliar itch and heat that seeped into his heart, making his heart pound like a drum, impossible to suppress.

The heat in my ears not only didn't subside, but it seemed to be getting worse.

He suddenly raised his hand, vigorously wiped his chin, and then rubbed his burning ears in frustration.

"This is outrageous..."

He cursed under his breath, but his voice didn't sound angry; instead, it sounded somewhat disheveled.

This mouse...

really...

He couldn't find the right words to describe his complex feelings. Annoyed? A little. Helpless? More so. And a strange flutter in his heart.

He looked up at the now empty cave entrance, as if he could still see her eyes, which had been shining brightly just moments before, and her flushed cheeks.

After a long while, he lowered his head, looking at his empty palms, and then at the spot where the short gun used to hang at his waist, which was now empty.

In the end, he just snorted, his voice revealing neither anger nor annoyance, nor anything else.

Flames erupted beneath their feet, and crimson streaks swept across the snow-covered landscape, heading towards the horizon.

Only the two rows of footprints left on the snow in front of the cave in the Trapped Mountain were quickly covered by new snowflakes.

...................

Heavenly Court, Cloud Tower Palace.

Just as Nezha suppressed his irritation and was about to go to the martial arts hall to practice his spear, the celestial official respectfully reported from outside:

"Your Highness, a decree has been issued from the Lingxiao Palace; His Majesty summons you."

Jade Emperor?

Nezha's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he had already guessed a few things.

"understood."

He responded, and the fiery wheels beneath his feet spun with flames as he headed straight for the Lingxiao Palace.

The hall was filled with celestial energy, and the assembled immortals stood solemnly. The Jade Emperor, seated high on his throne, nodded slightly as Nezha entered and bowed.

"Nezha, the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures has already begun. Tang Sanzang, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, will soon leave Chang'an for Mount Ling. This matter concerns the eastward transmission of Buddhism and the fate of the Three Realms, and cannot be lost."

Nezha listened with his head bowed.

"The journey to the West is fraught with peril, with demons lurking in the shadows. While the Heavenly Court cannot directly intervene, it must keep a close watch to prevent any unforeseen events and ensure the safety of the pilgrims."

The Jade Emperor's gaze fell upon Nezha, his tone gentle: "You are familiar with the situation in the mortal realm. I hereby order you to secretly accompany the journey and monitor the westward route. Unless absolutely necessary, you must not reveal yourself or interfere. Your only task is to ensure that the pilgrims do not perish and that the overall progress of the westward journey remains stable. Do you understand?"

really.

Nezha wasn't particularly surprised. The journey to the West involved both Buddhism and Taoism, and while the Heavenly Court outwardly welcomed it, it couldn't completely let go of the reins.

Sending this killing god to keep watch in secret shows trust in his abilities, but it also likely serves as a way to send a warning to those people.

"Your subject obeys the decree," he replied, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.

The Jade Emperor nodded in satisfaction: "Hmm, you can decide for yourself how to proceed. If there is any urgent matter, you may act as you see fit."

This grants them a great deal of autonomy.

Nezha bowed again: "Yes."

"Go then," the Jade Emperor waved his hand.

Nezha turned and left Lingxiao Palace, continuing straight back to Yunlou Palace without stopping.

The decree had been issued, and he needed to make some preparations. The so-called covert surveillance was nothing more than concealing his whereabouts and following the pilgrimage team from a distance. With his cultivation level and the speed of his Wind-Fire Wheels, it shouldn't be too difficult.

only......

He paused in front of the quiet room, and the image of smiling eyes in the fine snow outside the Trapped Cave flashed before his eyes again.

That mouse, perhaps unable to contain its curiosity, wanted to join in the fun.

The thought, once it arose, became difficult to suppress. With her limited cultivation and tendency to cause trouble, what if she ran into something...?

He frowned, his irritation growing stronger. He had just told her to stay out of trouble, and now he was going to keep an eye on the pilgrims, which meant he was actually closer to her.

This is incredibly troublesome.

....................

Meanwhile, there is Trapped Mountain and Bottomless Cave.

Bai Yeying was holding the short gun, fidgeting restlessly in the quiet room.

My fingers traced the flame pattern on the gun. The image of that embrace and kiss involuntarily flashed through my mind.

"Bai Yeying, oh Bai Yeying, you really are..." She covered her face and wailed softly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

Shy as I was, my heart was pounding with sweetness.

He didn't push her away, nor was he truly angry. Although his words remained stubborn, his bright red ears and darting eyes betrayed him.

He cares about her. He must!

This realization made her so happy she wanted to roll around on the stone bed. She hugged the pistol and laughed for a while before she could finally calm down.

My thoughts quickly drifted elsewhere.

The journey to the west has begun. Tang Sanzang should have already left Chang'an, right? Judging by the days, the Great Sage should have left the Five Elements Mountain by now.

She longed to see it for herself, to witness firsthand how the Great Sage embarked on his journey to the West.

And what kind of person was that monk who went on his pilgrimage to the West, the legendary reincarnation of Jin Chanzi?

Curiosity, like a kitten's paw, gently scratched at her heart.

However, Nezha had just instructed her to stay in Xiankong Mountain and not to go out too much.

She looked down at the pistol in her arms. He had given it to her because he was worried about her and afraid something might happen to her.

If she secretly goes to join the fun, and he finds out...

Bai Yeying bit her lower lip, her mind in turmoil.

Go ahead, but what if you really run into trouble? Wouldn't that betray his good intentions? Besides, the initial stages of the journey to the west may seem peaceful, but who knows if there are demons lurking in the shadows? Her abilities are indeed insufficient.

I shouldn't go! I'm really itching to go.

After hesitating for a long time, she suddenly slammed her hand on the stone bed.

"Just take a look! From a distance, hide and watch! Come back as soon as you're done! Absolutely no trouble!"

She set a rule for herself. Yes, that's it! Be careful, everything should be fine. Besides, the Great Sage is right there. If anything really happens, wouldn't he help her out, considering she's a familiar rat?

Having made up her mind, she immediately took action. She changed into coarse cloth clothes, used her demonic power to shrink the short gun, and hung it at her waist.

"Cui Luo," she instructed the most reliable vine spirit in the cave, "I'm going out for a bit to take care of some business. I'll be back in a couple of days. Keep an eye on the house and tell Huang Wu and the others to be cautious lately."

Seeing her serious expression, Cuiluo was somewhat worried, but knowing that her mistress had made up her mind, she nodded in agreement: "Madam, please be careful in everything you do, and return as soon as possible."

Bai Yeying patted her shoulder, turned around and left the cave. After transforming into her original form, she determined the direction and sped off towards the west.

She concealed her presence, choosing secluded mountain paths, her figure moving like a faint shadow through the forest.

...................

Following the scent, Bai Yeying reached a slightly higher hillside, parted the grass, and looked down.

On the riverbed lay several bandit corpses, each one a gruesome sight, clearly killed with a single blow.

Sun Wukong, wielding his golden cudgel, was stepping on a bandit leader who was crying and begging for mercy.

"Grandpa, spare me! Grandpa, spare me! I'll never do it again! I'll never do it again! Please, Grandpa, give me a way out!"

The bandit leader kowtowed repeatedly, until his forehead bled.

Sun Wukong's golden eyes were filled with disgust, but he remained unmoved: "Spare you? Spare you to go and harm the next person? Today you've run into me, it's only right that you die here!"

Just as the staff was about to fall, a monk rushed forward; it was none other than Tang Sanzang.

His eyes were filled with compassion, and he clasped his hands together, saying, "Wukong! Stop! He has already begged for mercy, why must you kill him? Heaven cherishes life, and monks should be compassionate. Please release him quickly!"