The story begins with the bride marrying off her daughter, and the woman, at the age of one hundred,

The monkey was overjoyed, scratching its ears and cheeks with delight, its eyes sparkling with laughter, and it couldn't help but dance and make a huge commotion.

The serene and mysterious atmosphere vanished instantly.

As for Sun Wukong, the culprit.

The immortals looked displeased.

The disciples who had not yet attained immortality glared at him angrily.

In fact, Changshou would also feel displeased if others made a fuss.

After all, this feeling is like "you bought a lottery ticket, are checking the winning numbers, and you've matched all the numbers so far, but then the battery suddenly goes out at the most crucial moment"—it's frustrating.

A plant with a bad temper can be cursed.

But it was the monkeys that made the commotion.

Chang Shou quickly calmed down.

It's normal for one's own child to become overconfident and proud after hearing something from a sermon.

Yes, Changshou is indeed hypocritical.

But then a thought struck him, and he seemed to be pondering something.

Although monkeys are lively and often seem to have ADHD, unable to sit still, they can distinguish between different situations.

They have genuine respect for their ancestors, in particular.

In the past, whenever he listened to a sermon and gained something, he would try his best to suppress the overwhelming joy in his heart and not be disrespectful during the sermon.

Now it's like this, could it be?!

Thinking of this, Chang Shou's spirits lifted.

It seems that enough has been accumulated, and the seed deep within the monkey's heart has finally sprouted, and the story may be about to unfold ahead of schedule.

as predicted.

What happened next was slightly different from what he remembered, but largely the same.

The patriarch asked the monkey why it was jumping and dancing wildly in the classroom.

The monkey honestly admitted that he was overjoyed upon hearing the beautiful music and couldn't help but jump for joy.

The patriarch asked the monkey how long it had been in the cave.

The monkey honestly replied that he had eaten his fill of peaches three times on Rotten Peach Mountain and had been in the cave for three years.

Then comes the classic question.

The patriarch said that there are 360 ​​side schools within the Daoist school, and each school has its own path to enlightenment. He asked the monkey which one he wanted to learn.

The monkey said that he would obey his master's orders wholeheartedly.

As a result, the patriarch mentioned various schools of thought, such as the characters for "technique," "flow," "stillness," and "movement," which were all refuted by the monkey.

The patriarch was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at Sun Wukong. He scolded Sun Wukong a few times, then picked up a ruler and hit Wukong on the head three times. He then put his hands behind his back and was about to leave.

"Master, please wait!"

---

The old master was slightly taken aback. Hearing the sound, he stopped and looked up in the direction of the sound.

Suddenly, Chang Shou, the usually quiet steward of the Scripture Pavilion, grabbed the monkey and, with two thuds, they both knelt on the ground.

That sound was painful to hear.

"The patriarch's transmission of the Dao and the teachings is a great opportunity, how could we allow a monkey to interfere and challenge it!"

He yearned for immortality, and despite the numerous dangers and hardships he faced, he remained steadfast in his determination. To this day, immortality has become his obsession. He once vowed that he would not practice any method other than the one for immortality, otherwise he would rather die of old age than have wasted his efforts.

Those of us who cultivate the Tao must not go against our true nature.

Wukong was not unaware of the Patriarch's good intentions, nor was he ignorant of right and wrong; he simply did not want to betray his original intentions. Otherwise, even if he accepted the Patriarch's teachings and diligently cultivated himself, he would ultimately fail to overcome his inner hurdle and be unable to deceive himself. In the end, he would achieve nothing and waste the Patriarch's painstaking efforts.

Left with no other choice, I had to bite the bullet and refuse.

"I hope the Patriarch will consider the circumstances and forgive the monkey's offense."

Then he led the monkey and bowed in worship.

The monkey, who had been hit three times with a ruler, was deep in thought.

Caught off guard, Changshou pulled him to kneel and beg for forgiveness. He had no choice but to temporarily suppress the turbulent thoughts in his mind and beg for forgiveness along with him.

We can't let Old Man Chang's good intentions go to waste.

The patriarch snorted twice and said irritably:

"You're quite good at being a good person."

Although there were reasons and extenuating circumstances, a mistake was made and punishment is necessary.

But since you've shown up, then let me ask you a question.

The patriarch stared directly at Changshou:

"Are you willing to take the blame for him and bear the consequences in his place?"

Chang Shou replied without hesitation, "This junior is willing."

The patriarch treated the monkey differently and would never drive him away. As long as he could stay in the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave, he would take responsibility.

Who told me to treat monkeys like grandsons!

He also wanted to stand out and become another conspicuous figure, just to increase his importance in the monkey's mind, while trying to reduce the consequences of the monkey incurring the wrath of the crowd.

Don't let yourself be tricked by everyone like you were in your past life, and be kicked out by the patriarch for showing off.

Even after mastering the art, one must still act with integrity and dignity.

"In that case, you should leave!"

The patriarch's next words were like a blow to the head, not only interrupting Changshou's thoughts but also stunning him.

What?

What is this?

What is this thing?

Is this departure the departure I understand?

Was I kicked out?

Do I need to leave Xieyue Sanxing Cave on my own?

Chang Shou was incredulous and couldn't help but widen his eyes, staring intently at his ancestor.

Seemingly amused by his expression, the patriarch's face revealed a half-smile. He tried to suppress the upward curve of his lips and stroked his beard in a seemingly serious manner, saying:

"It's exactly what you think."

He blinked and said mischievously:

"If you're not willing, it's not too late to back out now."

Chang Shou was immediately conflicted.

All the immortals and disciples turned their attention to him.

Sun Wukong was also looking at him.

Everyone wants to know what he will choose.

They just had different expressions.

The immortals and disciples who disapproved of him were just enjoying the spectacle, their faces full of schadenfreude.

The immortals and disciples who were not particularly close to him remained indifferent, showing no concern for his affairs.

His close friends and disciples looked worried.

Sun Wukong's expression was the most complex. He kept secretly glancing at Changshou. His face and eyes showed worry, unease, a hint of hope, fear, and guilt. His hairy hands, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched tightly together.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the entire hall.

After much hesitation, Changshou quickly made up his mind, turned to look at the monkey, and took in its expression.

Forcing a smile to calm the uneasy monkey, Changshou turned to the patriarch, his voice aged and slow yet resolute:

"I have no regrets."

I was fortunate enough to reach Fangcun Mountain because of the monkey, and I also benefited from the monkey's presence. In addition, thanks to the compassion and mercy of the patriarch, I was able to enter the Xieyue Sanxing Cave.

Leaving for him today can be considered a culmination of cause and effect, a beginning and an end.

Bodhi Patriarch turned away, seemingly unwilling to witness this sorrowful scene, and simply said:

"Then you may go!"

---

This statement came out.

The monkey's expression changed drastically.

All his anxiety, hope, and fear vanished, leaving only guilt and unease. He repeatedly kowtowed, saying:

"Master, please forgive me, it's all my fault."

I'm willing to learn, and I'll listen to whatever you say.

I'll learn whatever you're willing to teach, without hesitation. I only ask that the patriarch show leniency and not send Elder Chang away...

"Don't send Fellow Daoist Changshou away."

Zhenli, Ruchang, Xingwu, and Ke Da, who came to listen to the sermon, all knelt down and begged for mercy.

However, the patriarch had made up his mind and said coldly:

"Anyone who pleads for mercy will leave with me and will no longer be my disciple."

Once these words were spoken, the matter was settled and could not be changed.

Chang Shou abandoned his last shred of hope.

Seeing that the monkey was unwilling to give up and wanted to go its own way, he continued to plead for mercy.

Chang Shou reacted quickly, grabbing the monkey's wrist and holding on tightly with all his might. In the monkey's view, he slowly shook his head.

His eyes were more determined than ever before.

He used unprecedented force in his hands.

Sun Wukong was stunned.

The words of pleading stuck in his throat. Even though he hadn't been under any spell, he was like a mute, unable to utter a single word.

He understood Old Man Chang's temperament.

That old man is more stubborn than a donkey; once he's made up his mind, he'll never change it.

Seeing that the monkey had been persuaded to stop.

Chang Shou breathed a sigh of relief.

He was afraid that the monkey would become stubborn.

If we were to truly anger the patriarch and be expelled along with him, it would be far too unworthy.

Even though the probability is extremely small, almost impossible, he dares not gamble.

I gaze at the back of the patriarch.

Chang Shou rose and knelt down again.

He respectfully performed a full three-bow and nine-kowtow ceremony, and said with heartfelt sincerity:

"This junior thanks the patriarch for his care and teaching over these three years. I will remember my cultivation experience here and never forget it."

Today we part ways, and I don't know when we will meet again.

Wukong was then entrusted to the care of the Patriarch.

I also hope that the patriarch takes good care of his health.

The words were spoken.

Changshou got up.

He walked out of the main hall, holding his cane.

Every step felt incredibly heavy.

He walked into the shadows of the outside world, his back view exuding an indescribable loneliness and desolation.

After Changshou left.

Bodhi Patriarch walked into the depths of the Jade Terrace, closed the central gate, abandoned the crowd, and disappeared.

The current situation.

No one blamed the monkey anymore.

Even though some people had their complaints, they didn't openly rebuke the monkey or kick it when it was down.

Firstly, the monkey has already learned its lesson.

He must be feeling extremely bad right now.

Secondly, it is indeed understandable that the monkey refused the patriarch.

We are all practitioners, so we naturally understand the importance of the Daoist heart, especially the initial aspiration.

Although the monkey's behavior was infuriating, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Most people cursed their bad luck and hurriedly left.