Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Outside Jin'ao Island, chaos surged.

The Jade Emperor's cloud boat had long since sailed away and disappeared into the gray mist.

The three thousand disciples gradually dispersed from in front of the Jiejiao Hall.

Each should return to their proper place and fulfill their proper duties.

Tongtian stood on the edge of the island, his hands behind his back, gazing at the chaos.

His green robe fluttered in the wind, and his long hair flew in the air.

He was silent for a long time.

Suddenly he spoke:

"Fellow Daoist, do you think the Jade Emperor will accept this?"

Kong Xuan stood beside him, the small white flower on her lapel swaying gently.

"I'm not reconciled."

"But he dared not move."

"Because he knows that to move is to die."

Tongtian nodded:

"Too."

"This person may be a scoundrel, but he has one redeeming quality."

"Be pragmatic."

Kong Xuan's lips curled slightly:

Those who don't know what's good for them are long dead.

Tongtian was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

The smile was faint, yet it conveyed a sense of relief.

"Fellow Daoist, do you think I was too out of touch with reality back then?"

Kong Xuan looked at him:

"Yes."

Tongtian was taken aback.

He didn't expect Kong Xuan to be so direct.

Kong Xuan continued:

"Back then, when the Four Sages joined forces, you insisted on setting up the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation."

"Knowing they can't win, they still insist on fighting."

"What else could this be but being out of touch with reality?"

Tongtian smiled bitterly:

"Fellow Daoist is right."

"I was too arrogant, too stubborn, and too ignorant of when to advance or retreat."

"I always felt that the Zhuxian Sword Formation could not be broken by any of the Four Sages, and that no one could rival the Jie Sect with its myriad immortals paying homage."

"And the result?"

He shook his head:

"The Jie Sect is gone, its disciples are dead, I kneel in surrender."

Nothing has changed.

Kong Xuan said calmly:

"But you've changed now."

Tongtian turned to look at him:

"It's changed?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"You knew how to endure, how to back down, and how to wait for the right opportunity."

That's enough.

Those who have suffered losses remember the pain.

Tongtian remained silent for a long time, then slowly nodded:

"Fellow Daoist is right."

Those who have suffered losses remember the pain.

He turned and walked towards the Jiejiao Hall.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

He turned back and looked at Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist, where have the monk and the monkey gone?"

Kong Xuandao:

"After crossing the Two Realms Mountain, we entered the Western Regions."

"A new Sha Wujing has joined my side."

Tongtian was taken aback:

"Sha Wujing? The Curtain-Rolling General?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"Sent by the Jade Emperor."

"Originally, I was a pawn in the Journey to the West."

"Now that Journey to the West is gone, that chess piece has become a discarded piece."

"The Jade Emperor handing him over to Xuanzang can be considered an explanation."

Tongtian frowned:

"Is that person reliable?"

Kong Xuan thought for a moment:

Whether it's reliable or not, I don't know.

"But the monk must have had a reason for accepting him."

"That monk may have been kind-hearted, but he wasn't stupid."

"He never makes a mistake in choosing someone he's chosen."

Tongtian nodded:

"Too."

"That monk has reincarnated ten times; he should be more accurate in judging people than we are."

He turned and walked into the Jiejiao Hall.

Kong Xuan stood on the edge of the island, gazing at the chaos.

I thought of that monk, that monkey, and that newly recruited Sha Wujing.

A team of three.

A monk, a monkey, and a former general.

Though the pace was slow, it was steady.

Every step is firmly planted on solid ground.

.......

The western foothills of Liangjie Mountain.

The yellow sand is gradually decreasing, and the greenery is gradually increasing.

Xuanzang walked ahead, his monk's robes covered in dust.

The injury on my foot has healed a lot; new flesh has grown, and walking is no longer so painful.

Sun Wukong followed behind, carrying his golden cudgel on his shoulder and chewing on a blade of grass.

Sha Wujing walked at the back, holding the Demon-Subduing Staff in his hand, his eyes looking around.

He was on guard.

This is his habit.

A habit formed when he served as a general in Heaven.

Sun Wukong turned around and glanced at him:

"Brother Sha, don't be so nervous."

"With me, Old Sun, here, I'll kill one if one comes, and two if two come, I'll kill them both."

Sha Wujing shook his head:

"Senior Brother, it's best to be careful."

"Although the Western Regions are Buddhist territory, there are more monsters than in the East."

"Some demons are beyond the control of even Buddhism."

Sun Wukong pouted:

"Can't handle it? I, Old Sun, can!"

Sha Wujing smiled bitterly and said nothing more.

Xuanzang walked ahead, listening to the conversation between the two, a slight smile playing on his lips.

These two disciples are quite different; one is arrogant, the other is steady.

They complement each other, though.

They walked for about an hour.

A small town appeared ahead.

The town is small, but it's very lively.

The street was bustling with people, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares filled the air.

At the entrance of the town stands a stone tablet with three characters engraved on it: Compassion Town.

Xuanzang stopped and looked at the stone tablet.

Compassion Town.

That's an interesting name.

Sun Wukong came closer:

"Monk, what's wrong?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"It's nothing."

"I just think the town has a good name."

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"Compassion? What's so good about it?"

"I hate those two words the most."

"Back then, the old Buddha said he was merciful and imprisoned me under the Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years."

"Then Guanyin said she had mercy and put a golden headband on me."

"Compassion, compassion, what a load of rubbish."

Xuanzang looked at him:

That is not compassion.

That's hypocrisy.

True compassion is not something you just talk about.

"It was made."

Sun Wukong was stunned:

"Made? How?"

Xuanzang did not answer, but walked into the town.

Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing followed behind.

The town was bustling with people.

Xuanzang walked for a while, then suddenly stopped.

A group of people were gathered in front of them.

In the center of the crowd, an old woman was kneeling.

The old woman, dressed in rags and with a full head of white hair, was crying her heart out.

Several burly men stood before him, the leader being a fat man in brocade robes with a face full of scars.

The fat man held a document in his hand, beaming with pride:

"Old lady, it's all in black and white. Your son owes me one hundred taels of silver. It's only right that he pays off the debt with this house!"

The old woman cried out:

"My son doesn't owe you any money! You framed him! He lost the bet and you forced him to sign!"

The fat man sneered:

"It's all in black and white, are you trying to renege on your promise?"

He waved his hand:

"Guards, throw this old woman out! Take the house!"

Several burly men rushed forward, ready to attack.

Xuanzang stepped forward:

"stop."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was clear.

Everyone turned around and was stunned to see that it was a monk.

The fat man looked him up and down:

"Monk, mind your own business."

Xuanzang put his hands together in prayer:

"Benefactor, this humble monk is not one to meddle in other people's business."

"But this old woman is all alone and destitute. If you take her house, where will she live?"

The fat man sneered:

"That's her business, what does it have to do with me?"

Xuanzang said:

"Benefactor, one should be lenient when one can."

"You've already won the money, why be so ruthless?"

The fat man's face darkened:

"Monk, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."

"Nobody in this town dares to interfere with my affairs."

Sun Wukong stepped forward and scratched his head:

"I, Old Sun, dare to interfere? So what?"

The fat man was taken aback:

"What are you?"

Sun Wukong grinned:

"I, Old Sun, am a scoundrel."

"I am the Monkey King."

The fat man's expression changed drastically.

Who hasn't heard of the Monkey King?

The one who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago!

He retreated repeatedly:

"You...you're that monkey?"

Sun Wukong nodded:

"It's me."

The fat man knelt down with a thud:

"Great Sage, spare me! Great Sage, spare me!"

Sun Wukong didn't look at him, but instead looked at Xuanzang:

"Monk, what do you suggest we do?"

Xuanzang looked at the fat man, then at the old woman.

With a soft sigh:

"Sir, do you still want this house?"

The fat man shook his head frantically:

"No more! No more!"

Xuanzang nodded:

"That's good."

"From now on, never gamble again, and never harm anyone again."

"otherwise......"

He paused:

"It's not always possible to meet this humble monk."

The fat man kowtowed repeatedly and led his men away in a sorry state.

The onlookers cheered.

The old woman knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Xuanzang:

"Thank you, Venerable Master! Thank you, Venerable Master!"

Xuanzang helped her up:

"No need for such formalities, sir."

"Go back quickly."

The old woman wiped away her tears and walked away shakily.

Xuanzang watched her retreating figure in silence for a long time.

Sun Wukong came closer:

"Monk, you're meddling in other people's business again."

Xuanzang shook his head:

"It's not meddling in other people's business."

"Now that we've seen it, we can't just ignore it."

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"With so many injustices in this world, how can you possibly manage them all?"

Xuanzang said:

"Managing one means one less to manage."

"If you can't manage everything, then manage what's in front of you."

Sun Wukong looked at him, then suddenly grinned:

"Okay, whatever you say."

Sha Wujing stood at the back and watched from beginning to end.

He watched Xuanzang's retreating figure, a feeling he couldn't quite describe welling up inside him.

When he was a general in Heaven, he was used to indifference, scheming, and the aloofness of the gods who turned a blind eye to the suffering of mortals.

But this monk is different.

Although he was poor, he was willing to help others.

Although he was weak, he was not afraid of trouble.

Although he was a mortal, he did things that even gods would not do.

Sha Wujing suddenly realized that following this monk was the right decision.

......

The three continued walking.

We passed through the town and exited through the west gate.

Ahead lay a field.

The wheat fields rippled in the breeze, and farmers were busy at work.

Xuanzang walked along the ridge of the field, his steps becoming much lighter.

Sun Wukong followed behind and suddenly spoke:

"Monk, do you think that fat guy will change?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"have no idea."

"It might be changed, or it might not."

That's his own business.

Sun Wukong said:

"Then why did you let him go?"

Xuanzang said:

"What else can we do but not let him go?"

"Kill him?"

"If we kill him, will the old woman's house be returned?"

"If we kill him, will there be no more evil people in the world?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"So you mean, evil people can't be killed?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"It's not that you can't kill them."

"Kill when it's time to kill, and give them a chance when it's not."

"That fat man is wicked, but he doesn't deserve to die."

"Give him a chance; if he corrects his mistakes, he will have accumulated good karma."

"If he doesn't change, there will be consequences."

Sun Wukong pouted:

"Cause and effect, cause and effect, I, Old Sun, don't believe in that at all."

"I only believe in fists."

"Might makes right."

Xuanzang looked at him:

"So, are your fists hard enough?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback.

Xuanzang continued:

"When you wreaked havoc in Heaven, weren't your fists hard enough?"

"And the result?"

"He was imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years."

Sun Wukong remained silent.

Xuanzang said:

"A strong fist is useful."

"But you can't go far with just your fists."

"You also need to have brains and compassion."

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"Monk, I don't quite understand what you're saying."

"But I know you're doing this for my own good."

Xuanzang smiled slightly:

"Let's go."

"The road ahead is still long."

The three continued on their way.

In the distance, atop an ancient tree.

A figure was hidden among the branches and leaves.

Dressed in white as snow, with a handsome face, yet exuding a chilling aura.

Snake spirit.

He has cultivated for three thousand years and possesses profound Taoist attainments.

She stared at the three figures, a glint of greed in her eyes.

Jin Chanzi.

A good person who has cultivated himself for ten lifetimes.

Eat a piece of meat, and you'll live forever.

That monkey is powerful; she can't beat it.

Sha Wujing is no weakling either; she might not be able to win.

But she had other options.

The snake spirit's lips curled slightly, and with a sway of her body, she transformed into a wisp of white smoke and vanished into the treetops.

At the end of the field.

Xuanzang suddenly stopped.

He turned around and glanced back.

There was no one behind him.

Only the wheat fields ripple in the breeze, and only farmers are busy at work.

Sun Wukong noticed something was amiss:

"Monk, what's wrong?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"It's nothing."

"I just feel like someone is watching us."

Sun Wukong frowned, his fiery eyes scanning his surroundings.

There was no demonic aura.

No exception.

He scratched his head:

"Monk, are you too tired?"

"Are you hallucinating?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"Maybe."

"Let's go."

He turned around and kept walking.

Sun Wukong followed, but secretly became more vigilant.

This monk's intuition is always very accurate.

He said someone was watching, so there must be someone watching.

That person was too well hidden; even the most discerning eye couldn't see through him.

Sun Wukong gripped his golden cudgel tightly.

Whoever it is.

If you dare to come, kill you.

The sun is setting in the west.

The three of them arrived at the foot of a mountain.

The mountain is not high, but it is beautiful.

The forest is lush and green, and the stream flows gently.

At the foot of the mountain, there is a dilapidated temple.

The temple gate was crooked and the walls were mottled, clearly indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

Xuanzang stopped:

"Let's stay here tonight."

Sun Wukong nodded and pushed open the temple door.

Inside the temple, cobwebs were everywhere and dust covered the ground.

In the center stands a Buddha statue, half of its face collapsed, yet it still sits serenely.

Xuanzang gazed at the Buddha statue, his hands clasped together in prayer:

"Amitabha."

"This humble monk requests lodging for the night; I apologize for the inconvenience."

He put down his bundle, sat cross-legged in front of the Buddha statue, and closed his eyes to chant sutras.

Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing sat on either side, silently guarding each other.

Night was falling.

Outside the temple, insects chirped.

Moonlight streamed in through the broken window, falling on the ground like frost and snow.

Xuanzang's chanting echoed softly, creating an indescribable sense of peace within the dilapidated temple.

suddenly.

Footsteps could be heard outside the temple.

It's very light, yet very clear.

Sun Wukong opened his eyes.

Sha Wujing gripped the magic staff tightly.

The temple gate was pushed open.

A figure stood outside the door.

Under the moonlight, the figure was slender and tall, dressed in white as snow.

It was a woman.

Very beautiful.

She was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly.

She gazed at Xuanzang, her eyes filled with resentment:

"Master, save me..."

Xuanzang opened his eyes and looked at her.

Sun Wukong stood up and stood in front of Xuanzang:

"stop!"

"Take one more step, and I, Old Sun, won't stand on ceremony!"

The woman stopped, tears welling up in her eyes:

"Master, I am not a monster."

"I am a villager from the foot of the mountain. I was being chased by bandits and fled here."

"Please, Master, take me in for the night."

Sun Wukong stared at her, scanning her with his fiery eyes.

There was no demonic aura.

No exception.

But he felt something was wrong.

Where would a woman come from in this desolate wilderness?

It's the middle of the night again, where did these robbers come from?

Xuanzang gazed at the woman and remained silent for a moment.

He slowly opened his mouth:

"Please come in, benefactor."

Sun Wukong was taken aback:

"Monk!"

Xuanzang raised his hand to stop him.

He gazed at the woman, his eyes calm.

"Come in."

"It's cold outside."

The woman nodded and went into the temple.

He sat down in the corner, curled up, shivering.

Sun Wukong stared at her, his golden cudgel gripped in his hand, ready to strike at any moment.

Sha Wujing stared at her, his demon-subduing staff resting on his lap.

Xuanzang closed his eyes and continued chanting the sutra.

The temple returned to silence.

There was only the sound of chanting and the chirping of insects.

And the woman's faint breathing.