Journey to the West: The gods and Buddhas panicked when the monkey was trapped inside him.

These words immediately created a somewhat awkward atmosphere in the main hall.

Tang Sanzang frowned slightly, immediately put his hands together, and firmly refused.

"Female benefactor, this humble monk is a monk who has long since severed all worldly ties, and is single-mindedly devoted to obtaining the true scriptures to save all sentient beings."

"I appreciate your kindness, but this marriage arrangement is absolutely unacceptable."

The old woman of Lishan seemed to have expected him to say that, and instead of being discouraged, she smiled and advised him.

"I admire the steadfastness of the holy monk's faith."

"But if the holy monk is unwilling, why should he make the decision for his three esteemed disciples?"

"The journey to the Western Paradise is long and arduous, and not all of them were as enlightened as the holy monk, having seen through the illusions of the mortal world."

"Why not ask them what they want? If any of them wish to stay and enjoy worldly riches, why should the holy monk hinder their future?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang fell into deep thought.

These three disciples were all arranged for him by Guanyin Bodhisattva. They may not have embarked on the journey to the West voluntarily, but they had to say that they were voluntary because of the Bodhisattva's instructions.

If I were to forcibly sever their worldly desires in the name of my master, it would indeed be asking the impossible.

He had said when he accepted his apprentices that they could leave at any time if they were unwilling.

If someone truly has not yet severed their worldly desires, staying here to live a peaceful life might not be such a bad way to find liberation.

Thinking of this, Tang Sanzang nodded.

"What you say makes sense, benefactor. It was I who had misunderstood."

He turned to look at his three disciples behind him, his expression gentle.

"Wukong, Bajie, Wujing, you all heard that too."

"Your future is your own to decide. If anyone wants to stay, I will never stop them."

Sun Wukong let out a strange laugh and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Master, please don't tease me. I am a spiritual stone from heaven and earth that has transcended the three realms, and I am born without the understanding of love and affection."

"If we're going to keep him, why not let Pigsy stay? He's strong and sturdy, and he's a great farm worker."

Pigsy was startled and quickly jumped up from the embroidered stool, waving his arms wide.

"Monkey King, stop trying to harm me, Old Pig!"

"I, Old Pig, am now wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism, hoping to complete this journey to the West, save all sentient beings, and attain enlightenment as soon as possible!"

"All the pleasures of love and wealth are fleeting, I, Old Pig, have long seen through them!" "Not a drop of water!"

He kept thinking to himself, "This monkey is really cunning. He knows it's a trap, but he still wants to push me into it."

Am I the kind of person who can't resist women? I'm on my way to the Western Paradise to attain enlightenment and reshape my true form!

Sha Wujing stepped forward and spoke in a muffled voice.

"Your disciple is solely focused on escorting your master on his journey to the west; I have no other thoughts."

Seeing the three people's resolute attitude, a hint of approval flashed in her eyes, but she remained expressionless.

"These elders are all men of great ambition, and I admire them greatly."

"However, there is no need to rush to reject this matter."

"Tonight, you should rest well in the manor and make yourselves at home. There's no need to be reserved."

"My words will remain in effect until you depart tomorrow."

"If anyone changes their mind, they can come to me anytime."

After saying this, she instructed the servants to lead the four of them to the guest rooms in the backyard to rest.

Sun Wukong walked at the back, and as he passed by Tang Sanzang, he even lowered his voice and teased him.

"Master, I see that the old lady is quite fond of you. Why don't you just go along with her? We, your disciples, can also benefit from it."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was both amused and exasperated. He merely glared at him and quickened his pace.

Once inside the guest room, I closed the door.

Sun Wukong leaned against the door, looking at Zhu Bajie sitting at the table, and couldn't help but tease him.

"Bajie, what you said in the hall just now was so righteous and awe-inspiring."

"You've been spouting nonsense about saving all living beings; I almost believed your lies."

Pigsy picked up the teacup, took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and rolled his eyes.

"Brother Monkey, stop being sarcastic."

"I'm an honest man, but I'm not stupid."

"If Old Pig doesn't go on his pilgrimage, he'll have to live with this pig's head for the rest of his life, and that would be truly terrible!"

Sha Wujing, wiping his demon-subduing staff, replied in a muffled voice.

"Second Brother is right. When we travel west to seek the Dao, we must not have any distracting thoughts."

Tang Sanzang sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at his three disciples with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"I am relieved that you all have such a strong sense of the Dao. Rest well, we have to travel early tomorrow morning."

......

Meanwhile, in another inner room of the manor, candlelight flickered.

The Old Mother of Lishan shed her kind and gentle womanly appearance and reverted to her usual aloof and ethereal demeanor.

She looked at Guanyin, her tone indifferent.

"Venerable Guanyin, you have witnessed the attitude of these four people today."

"The four of them, master and disciples, were determined to obtain the scriptures, and nothing could shake their resolve."

"As for Tang Sanzang, needless to say, even his three disciples were not people who coveted worldly desires."

"In my opinion, this test has been sufficient, and there is no need to continue it."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded slightly, but her expression did not show much relief.

"What my mother says is true; it certainly seems that way at the moment."

"However, we'll find out tonight."

"A lot can happen in one night."

Guanyin looked at the Old Mother of Lishan, her expression turning sincere.

"However, there is one more thing I need my mother's help with right now."

The old woman of Lishan looked puzzled.

"Oh? What is it?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke calmly.

"I would like to ask my mother to invite the four members of the Tang Monk's group to chant sutras and pray for your deceased husband early tomorrow morning, in the name of the head of the family."

Upon hearing this, the Old Mother of Lishan gave Guanyin a deep look.

According to their original plan, all she needed to do was help test the Tang Monk and his disciples' determination to obtain the scriptures.

Now that the test had basically yielded results, Guanyin suddenly introduced an unexpected complication, suggesting that the four disciples chant sutras for blessings.

Having lived for countless years, she immediately sensed that there must be other motives behind this seemingly reasonable request.

But Guanyin didn't say it explicitly, and she couldn't directly point it out and ask for details.

Moreover, inviting monks to chant sutras is really not a big deal, and she couldn't refuse Guanyin's request in person.

Old Mother Lishan nodded in agreement, but then changed the subject, her tone becoming very serious.

"I can handle the matter of chanting scriptures and praying for blessings."

"However, we need to make this clear beforehand: if any consequences arise from this matter, I will not be held responsible, and the three of you will bear all the consequences."

She wanted to completely absolve herself of any involvement in the subsequent events.

Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra exchanged a glance; they were well aware of the concerns of the Old Mother of Lishan.

But this was a perfect opportunity to legitimately put the golden headband on Sun Wukong, and they would never give it up.

As for the potential consequences of this matter, the three Buddhist bodhisattvas can naturally bear the responsibility.

Guanyin Bodhisattva agreed.

"Don't worry, Mother. We three will bear all the consequences of this matter."

Seeing that they agreed, Old Mother Lishan said no more.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile finally appeared on Guanyin Bodhisattva's face.

With a flick of her wrist, four sets of neatly folded monk robes and hats appeared out of thin air on the table.

The monk's robe was made of the finest silk and satin, gleaming softly under the lamplight; it was clearly not an ordinary item.

"Tomorrow morning, all my mother needs to do is tell them that these are clean clothes specially prepared for the religious ceremony."

"Have the four of them, master and his disciples, put on these monk robes and hats, and then chant sutras and pray for blessings."

The old woman of Lishan's gaze swept over the four sets of clothes and hats, finally lingering for a moment on the second set of monk's hats.

Although the hat had been concealed by Guanyin and the other two, with her level of cultivation, how could she not see the hidden secret within the hat?

The old woman of Lishan immediately understood, but she did not reveal it. She simply withdrew her gaze and calmly glanced at Guanyin.

"it is good."