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

Sun Wukong stood aside, looking at the Old Mother of Lishan and her three daughters who were wiping away tears with their heads down, and stroked his chin.

He sneered inwardly.

According to the elder brother's previous statement, this ordeal was merely a test by the Buddhist sect to gauge the determination of the four disciples to obtain the scriptures.

Now that last night's test is over, and even Pigsy has flatly refused the marriage proposal, this ordeal should be over.

Now, out of nowhere, another request has appeared, asking them to join in a ritual for blessings.

This whole thing is strange.

Sun Wukong rolled his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the group.

This is absolutely not some kind of prayer for the deceased husband; it is clearly a backup plan arranged by the Buddhist community, aimed at him.

Sun Wukong saw through the scheme, but he said nothing.

He wanted to see what tricks these bodhisattvas were up to.

When the Old Mother of Lishan saw that Tang Sanzang had agreed, she immediately stopped crying and started laughing.

"Thank you, Holy Monk, for granting my request."

"Since the Holy Monk has agreed to perform the ritual, please follow me to the back hall to change into the monastic robes used for the ritual."

Tang Sanzang waved his hand, politely declining.

"There's no need for you to go to such trouble, sir."

"When reciting scriptures and praying for blessings, sincerity is key to success."

"The Buddha sees my heart that yearns for Buddha, not the clothes I wear."

"We will be content to simply wear these monk robes and chant scriptures while traveling."

Old Mother Lishan sighed, her tone somewhat troubled.

"Holy Monk, you may not know this, but it's an old custom in our village."

"The monks who come to perform the rituals every year must change into clothes provided by our family as a sign of respect for the deceased."

"This rule has been passed down for generations, and it really can't be changed."

"The monks I invite every year do the same thing."

"Please, Holy Monk, understand our filial piety as an orphan and widow, and do not refuse."

Tang Sanzang frowned slightly, unsure how to respond.

He disliked these formalities in the first place, but since they brought up ancestral rules and filial piety towards the deceased, it would seem unreasonable for him to refuse if he insisted on doing so.

Sun Wukong stepped forward at the opportune moment and patted Tang Sanzang on the shoulder.

"Master, the old benefactor is right."

"Since it's their custom, we should just do as they say."

"It's just changing clothes, it won't take much effort."

"Master, you are so kind and compassionate. Please accept this as a way to fulfill the old benefactor's filial piety."

Pigsy also chimed in from the side.

"Yes, Master."

"Monkey King is right."

"The old lady provides us with food and lodging, so we'll just do her a favor and follow her wishes."

"The sooner we finish the ritual, the sooner we can set off for the Western Paradise."

When Tang Sanzang saw that both of his disciples were trying to persuade him, he pondered for a moment.

"Fine."

"This humble monk is not insisting on declining, but I feel that such an extravagance is unnecessary."

"Since this is the old benefactor's rule, this humble monk will comply."

The Old Mother of Lishan was overjoyed and thanked Tang Sanzang repeatedly.

"The holy monk is indeed a reasonable person."

"Daughters, quickly go and fetch the prepared monks' robes, and take the elders to change."

Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra responded in unison.

Before long, they each came out carrying a set of neatly folded monk's robes.

The Old Mother of Lishan also carried a set and walked up to Tang Sanzang.

"Holy monk, please follow me here to change your clothes."

Guanyin, holding a set of monk's robes, walked up to Sun Wukong and spoke softly.

"Elder, please come with me to change your clothes."

Sun Wukong's eyelids twitched suddenly as he watched the approaching figure.

Four people, each taking one to change clothes. If there's nothing sinister about these monk's robes, then the sun must rise in the west.

Sun Wukong sneered inwardly, then stepped forward, waved his hand, and shouted loudly.

"Wait, wait."

"Madam, my two junior brothers and I don't need to change our clothes."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this, and their gazes all focused on Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong grinned, pointed to his own nose, and then to Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing.

"Madam, you may not know this, but I, Old Sun, am a wild monkey born of nature, and I have no idea how to chant scriptures."

"My second junior brother only knows how to eat rice, and my third junior brother is also a taciturn fellow."

"The three of us brothers know nothing about Buddhist scriptures. When the ceremony is about to begin, it will all depend on my master to recite the scriptures for the deceased."

"Since we don't know how to chant scriptures, why waste your fine monk's robes?"

Sun Wukong looked at Tang Sanzang and smiled.

"It is enough for Master to change into new clothes alone, representing us master and disciples to chant sutras and pray for the deceased husband of the old benefactor."

Pigsy nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Yes, yes, Brother Monkey is right."

"I'm too big for those new clothes, so let Master go."

Sha Wujing echoed this sentiment.

"This disciple is indeed unfamiliar with the scriptures and dares not act recklessly."

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang also felt that it made sense, and turned to look at the Old Mother of Lishan.

"Old benefactor, my three disciples truly do not know how to chant scriptures."

"I will put on this robe myself."

The old woman of Lishan remained calm and quickly stepped forward to explain.

"Holy Monk, the elders are overthinking it."

"It doesn't matter if the three disciples can't chant scriptures. The point of a religious ceremony is to have a lot of people, make it lively, and create a good atmosphere."

The Old Mother of Lishan looked at Sun Wukong with a kind smile on her face.

"As long as the three elders change into clean clothes and sit with the holy monk, adding some incense and festive atmosphere to the deceased husband's temple and joining in the fun, this merit will be fulfilled."

"Without the three elders, this Dharma Hall is deserted and seems to show that the elders are not sincere."

Tang Sanzang saw that the Old Mother of Lishan insisted on the matter, and considering that this was indeed a religious ceremony, it would be more solemn to have a few more people accompanying her.

He turned to look at Sun Wukong and the other two.

"Wukong, Bajie, Wujing."

"Since you say so, old benefactor, then you may put on your monastic robes and sit quietly to the side to keep your master company."

"At that time, you will not need to recite scriptures aloud. Just close your eyes, sit quietly, and guard your mind. I will take care of everything else."

Sun Wukong looked at the eager look on the face of the Old Mother of Lishan, who seemed afraid that he wouldn't wear it, and sneered inwardly.

He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a hearty and bright smile.

"Since Master has spoken and the old lady is so hospitable, then I, Old Sun, will naturally comply."

Old Mother Lishan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile.

"Then please follow us to the various rooms to change your clothes, elders."

After saying this, the Old Mother of Lishan took the clothes and led Tang Seng to the east wing.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra each led Pigsy and Sandy to the other two rooms.

The eldest daughter, who was actually Guanyin in disguise, walked up to Sun Wukong carrying the problematic monk's robe.

"Elder, please come with me."

Sun Wukong followed Guanyin with a smile and entered a secluded guest room.

Guanyin placed the monk's robe and hat on the table and turned to look at Sun Wukong.

"Elder, your clothes are all here. Please change. I will wait outside the door."

Sun Wukong stepped forward, glanced at the clothes on the table, and bowed to Guanyin.

"Thank you for showing me the way, lady. I'll change right away."

Guanyin withdrew and closed the door behind her.

The room fell silent instantly.

Sun Wukong stood in front of the table, his smile vanished, and his eyes became incredibly sharp.

His magical power circulated rapidly within his body, and a dazzling golden light faintly appeared in Sun Wukong's eyes.

Open the Golden Eyes of Truth!

Under the gaze of those golden eyes that could see through all the illusions of the world, the seemingly ordinary monk's robes and hat on the table immediately changed.

The garment was indeed just an ordinary silk monk's robe.

But that monk's hat was shrouded in an extremely thick layer of Buddhist magic.

This layer of magical power intertwined and formed a hidden barrier, completely isolating the aura inside the hat.

Sun Wukong sneered.

Guanyin and the others thought this cover-up was flawless, but they didn't know that he had the Golden Eye of Truth, which could see through these tricks.

With his gaze piercing through the magical barrier, Sun Wukong clearly saw what was hidden in the lining of the monk's hat.

It was a gleaming gold metal ring.

The circle is covered with dense Buddhist Sanskrit characters.

Tightening band.

Sun Wukong took a deep breath and concealed the golden light in his eyes.

"It really is this thing."

"These bodhisattvas really went to great lengths, trying every possible way to put this thing on my head."

Sun Wukong turned around, looked at the closed door, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Trying to outsmart me, Old Sun?"

"Okay."

"Since you've brought this to my door, don't blame me for playing along."