Journey to the West: Please Call Me the White Bone Demon

After listening, the White Bone Demon feigned a sorrowful expression and recounted the story given to her by Yun Zhao.

"Elder, I was originally from Baoxiang Kingdom, but because the exorbitant taxes and levies were like a fierce tiger, making it hard for people to breathe, my whole family moved to live at the foot of Baihu Ridge, a place where snakes and beasts fear."

This statement is reasonable and well-founded, leaving no room for criticism.

Tang Sanzang understood that he lived under the rule of the Tang Dynasty emperor, where the people lived in prosperity and peace. Although he had never experienced hardship, he knew about the suffering of the people.

Faced with various taxes, ordinary people are terrified, and it is normal for them to flee to the mountains to avoid taxes.

Then he asked, "If that's the case, why did you come into these mountains? Have you perhaps gotten separated from your family?"

The White Bone Demon said, "I didn't get lost. I went into the mountains to find medicine for my father."

These words aroused the curiosity of the group.

Pigsy's eyes gleamed with desire as he asked in a gentle voice, "What medicine is the female benefactor looking for? Why don't you tell this old pig, and I'll help you look for it?"

He meant well, but the White Bone Demon pretended to be afraid, shrank back, and said tremblingly, "No...no need."

Tang Sanzang frowned: "Bajie, stop with your ugly face!"

He then looked at the White Bone Demon and said softly, "Female benefactor, do not be afraid. I wonder what illness your father has that requires you, a woman, to go into the mountains to find medicine?"

The White Bone Demon said, "My parents were both good people. They fled to the mountains to avoid taxes. In order to cultivate a few acres of land, they injured their bodies and only have me as their daughter."

That year, my father's health deteriorated. I heard that there were miraculous herbs in the mountains that could cure all diseases. Unable to bear seeing my father suffer, I secretly ran away into the mountains without telling my family, and unexpectedly encountered an elder.

After hearing her story, Tang Sanzang was deeply moved: "What a filial daughter! Your filial piety is truly admirable."

The White Bone Demon smiled, exuding a captivating charm.

"I was frightened by this elder just now. It was all my fault. Please forgive me."

Her gaze fell on Pigsy, and her charming smile was enough to steal your soul.

"It's alright, it's alright. I, Old Pig, may be ugly, but I know my place!" Pigsy said in a gentle voice, acting like a sycophant.

The White Bone Demon smiled again and said, "I've taken up the elders' time, so I'll take my leave now."

As he spoke, he tried to stand up, but he stumbled and almost fell over.

Tang Sanzang was quick-witted and nimble-fingered, managing to catch him.

"What's wrong, female benefactor?"

The White Bone Demon's face showed worry: "I...I think I twisted my ankle just now, and now I can't even walk."

His voice was so sorrowful that it evoked pity in those who heard it.

Sure enough, Pigsy quickly said, "Master, this is also my fault. Why don't I carry the female benefactor on my back and take her home?"

Just as Tang Sanzang was about to nod, the White Bone Demon said, "I appreciate your kindness, Elder, but I'm truly frightened by your appearance. I'd better not..."

"How can this be? We're in the middle of nowhere, leaving a weak woman like you here..." Pigsy wished he could stay with this beauty a little longer. His eyes darted around, and he looked at Tang Sanzang, saying, "Master, why don't you let your white horse carry her home? That would be a good deed!"

Tang Sanzang thought about it and realized it was true, so he said, "Female benefactor, although my disciple is a bit ugly, what he said is true. If you encounter jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards while you are alone in these mountains, wouldn't you lose your life for nothing? Why don't we take you home?"

Upon hearing this, the White Bone Demon was overjoyed.

Just as Yun Zhao said, not competing is the real competition.

Throughout the entire process, although she deliberately approached Tang Sanzang and his disciples, she never mentioned anything about them.

She merely displayed her vulnerability, which fooled several people into actually sending her home.

Hidden atop the clouds, Yun Zhao listened to their conversation, and his heart stirred slightly as well.

The best way to deal with Tang Sanzang is to take advantage of his kind and benevolent nature, which gave him some ideas for his later simulations.

The White Bone Demon feigned hesitation: "Wouldn't this be too much trouble for the elders?"

"No trouble at all!"

Before Tang Sanzang could even speak, Zhu Bajie started singing and dancing, clearly delighted.

I'd gladly give up ten years of my life to be with such a beauty!

Tang Sanzang smiled and comforted her, "Female benefactor, there's no need to worry. We are all kind-hearted people, and we were also heading west anyway. Sending you home is just a small favor."

"Then thank you very much, Elder."

Having said that, seeing that Tang Sanzang and his companions were still standing there, not moving for a long time, the White Bone Demon asked curiously, "Aren't you elders going to leave?"

"My eldest disciple has gone to beg for alms, so we'll have to wait a while."

"I see. But I've heard there are demons in these mountains, so we'd better get down before dark!"

Upon hearing the White Bone Demon's "reminder," Tang Sanzang felt grateful once again.

Little did he know that the demon the other party spoke of was the harmless woman in front of him.

Now they consider him a good person and have no suspicions about him.

After a while, laughter suddenly came from the horizon: "Master, we haven't seen any houses for dozens of miles around. I only picked some wild fruit; how about that to fill our stomachs for now?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the White Bone Demon saw a monk with a hairy face and a thunderous mouth, wearing a tiger-skin skirt, carrying a large pile of wild fruit in his skirt as he approached.

He was clearly smiling, but his eyes were full of scrutiny as he looked at her.

Tang Sanzang, not understanding, simply said, "It's good for monks to have wild fruits to eat, it's alright, this benefactor..."

Before he could finish speaking, the monkey suddenly sprang to life, casually throwing wild fruit on the ground. He then raised his golden cudgel, ready to strike the White Bone Demon.

"You impudent monkey, why are you committing violence as soon as you get back?"

Fortunately, Tang Sanzang grabbed him and shouted sharply.

Seeing this, the White Bone Demon pretended to be weak and frightened, hiding behind Tang Sanzang, and timidly said, "Elder, what crime have I committed that your disciple wants to kill me as soon as she arrives?"

Although no direct accusations were made, the subtle and suggestive remarks were almost overflowing from the screen.

Pigsy was so touched by what he heard that he immediately comforted him.

Even Sha Wujing looked at his senior brother in confusion.

The monkey was startled.

While you were begging for alms, your house was robbed?

Why does everyone seem to think he's not a good person?

Enraged, Sun Wukong was furious, yet helpless as Tang Sanzang held his arm. Though he could easily break free, Sun Wukong still explained, "Master, she's a demon in disguise, trying to harm you! It'd be best if I, Old Sun, killed her as soon as possible!"

"Nonsense!"

Tang Sanzang had been tolerating the monkey for quite some time, and now, after repeated disobediences and even falsely accusing a "good person" to his face, he could no longer hold back. He immediately shouted, "This female benefactor was merely gathering herbs in the mountains to save her father when she was frightened by Pigsy and sprained her ankle. How could she have become the demon you speak of?"

"Exactly, you monkey must have misjudged it."

Pigsy, blinded by lust, was only concerned with the beautiful woman's company and didn't care whether she was a demon or not, echoing Tang Sanzang's words.

"You, all of you!"

The monkey's expression changed in anger. He didn't understand why everyone was blaming him when the other side was the demon.

The mighty Monkey King, how could he have ever suffered such humiliation?

He broke free from Tang Sanzang and pointed at the White Bone Demon, saying, "You despicable monster, how dare you deceive us!"

"You're asking for it!"