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

Inside the guest room, Sun Wukong slowly and methodically put on the fine monk's robe.

He straightened his clothes and his gaze fell on the monk's hat placed on the table.

Sun Wukong reached out, took the monk's hat in his hand, and casually twirled it twice.

He had no intention of putting that hat on his own head.

He didn't intend to use magic to create a fake hat and switch it out with the real thing.

After all, this thing is shrouded in seals and restrictions placed by the three Bodhisattvas Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra.

Whenever he used his magic to touch or replace something, the three of them would notice something amiss.

This unnecessary step actually made things worse.

As long as he holds the hat in his hand and doesn't put it on his head, those people outside will definitely be anxious.

He wanted to see what would happen when Guanyin and the other bodhisattvas jumped out on their own.

Sun Wukong casually grabbed the monk's hat, pulled over a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and waited quietly.

……

A moment later.

In the main hall of the manor, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing had changed into brand-new monk robes and were sitting upright in chairs.

Tang Sanzang, dressed in a well-fitting monk's robe, appeared even more refined and elegant.

Pigsy and Sandy also changed into clothes that fit them well. Although they looked the same, they seemed much more energetic.

The Old Mother of Lishan and the two bodhisattvas who had transformed into her daughters sat to one side, chatting idly.

The eldest daughter, who was actually Guanyin in disguise, was getting anxious as the time was almost up but Sun Wukong had not yet appeared.

She turned her head and glanced in the direction of the guest room where Sun Wukong was, then called out to the door.

"Elder Sun, have you finished changing your clothes?"

"Mother and the elders are waiting in the main hall. The auspicious time is almost here."

Guanyin's voice was soft and melodious, and she acted very convincingly.

Sun Wukong replied casually.

"Alright, alright, stop rushing me, I'm coming out now."

He pushed open the door, stepped over the high threshold, and swaggered out.

"Please lead the way, female benefactor."

Guanyin greeted him with a smile, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Sun Wukong's head.

Upon seeing this, the smile on her face froze instantly.

Sun Wukong's fluffy monkey head was bald, with his golden fur swaying slightly in the wind.

He held the monk's hat in his hand, casually playing with it.

Guanyin's heart sank. Sun Wukong wasn't wearing a hat?

Did he realize there was something wrong with the hat?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Guanyin immediately suppressed it.

Absolutely not.

The way she concealed herself with the hat was a joint effort between her, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra.

Sun Wukong's cultivation level is currently sealed at the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. Given his level of cultivation, it is absolutely impossible for him to see through the restrictions set up by the three of them together.

Perhaps this monkey is just naturally unruly and doesn't follow these rules.

Guanyin composed herself and put on a gentle smile.

"Elder Sun, today we are performing a Buddhist ritual to help my father pass on to the afterlife. The ceremony is solemn and respectful."

"Why is the elder holding that monk's hat in his hand instead of wearing it on his head?"

Sun Wukong casually tossed the hat in his hand into the air and caught it steadily.

"Oh, lady, you are unaware of this."

"I, Old Sun, have been used to rolling around in the deep mountains and forests since I was a child. I've always been a bald guy and can't stand being restrained."

"When this hat is put on my head, it's so tight that it makes my scalp itch and it's so uncomfortable."

Sun Wukong grinned, revealing two rows of gleaming white teeth.

"I think it won't be too late to put it on after we enter the courtroom."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin frowned slightly, stepped forward, and gently offered her advice.

Elder Sun is mistaken.

"My father's memorial tablet is enshrined in the Dharma Hall. The Holy Monk and the others must have already made preparations by now."

"If the elder goes in with his head shaved, and Mother sees him, she will definitely think that the elder is not sincere and is disrespectful to the deceased."

"Since you're going to wear it sooner or later, Elder, you might as well put on this monk's hat now, so you don't forget it later and break the rules of the manor."

Sun Wukong stood there looking at Guanyin's earnest and persuasive appearance, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Instead of continuing Guanyin's words, he took a half step forward and stared intently into Guanyin's eyes.

"Female benefactor, this hat is in my hand, not on yours to run away."

"Whether to wear it or not is just a matter of raising your hand."

"Why do you insist on urging me, Old Sun, to put on this hat again and again?"

Guanyin was taken aback by Sun Wukong's question.

When she met Sun Wukong's gaze, a sense of unease and restlessness inexplicably rose within her.

Guanyin silently reminded herself not to lose her composure, then looked away and explained with a smile.

"Elder, you've misunderstood."

"This ritual requires proper attire to show respect for the deceased."

"You are so casual. I was just afraid that you would lose your composure in front of the main hall and upset my mother, so I said a few words of advice."

"Since the elder insists on waiting until the ceremony begins before wearing it, I naturally dare not insist."

"It's getting late, Elder, please follow me. The Holy Monk and the others are waiting in the front hall."

Guanyin stopped trying to persuade her, fearing it would arouse deeper suspicion.

She led Sun Wukong forward, but her heart was pounding with anxiety.

Things have gotten a bit out of control.

But the die is cast, and there's no turning back now.

Guanyin gritted her teeth inwardly, hoping that she was just being paranoid and that the monkey was simply acting out of its wild nature.

……

The two walked through the corridor and arrived at the main hall.

The three members of the Tang Monk's group were sitting in chairs, drinking tea and waiting.

The old woman who was transformed from Lishan Laomu sat in the main seat, with Manjushri and Samantabhadra standing on either side.

Guanyin led Sun Wukong into the hall, and taking advantage of everyone's inattention, quickly gave Lishan Laomu and Manjushri a subtle wink.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra understood each other's glances, their gazes falling on Sun Wukong's bald head, and they were slightly startled.

The headband wasn't on?

Although the Old Mother of Lishan had promised not to get involved in the subsequent consequences, the play had to be finished.

She immediately put down the celadon teacup in her hand, feigned surprise, and looked at Sun Wukong.

"Oh dear, Elder Sun, why aren't you wearing your monk's hat?"

The Old Mother of Lishan sighed and turned to look at Tang Sanzang, who was sitting upright.

"Holy Monk, the auspicious time is almost here."

"This eldest disciple didn't even put his hat on properly; walking into the courtroom so casually is hardly in accordance with the rules, is it?"

These words were spoken very tactfully, but to others, they were a veiled criticism of Tang Sanzang for not disciplining him properly.

Tang Sanzang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and he looked up at Sun Wukong standing in the hall.

Since leaving the Five Elements Mountain, and having spent more than a year together, Tang Sanzang has a very clear understanding of the situation.

Although Sun Wukong may occasionally speak frivolously and act impulsively, he never falters when it comes to serious matters.

What happened today was clearly out of character for Sun Wukong.

Since he deliberately held the hat in his hand instead of wearing it, he must have had his own reasons.

Tang Sanzang did not blindly follow the words of the Old Mother of Lishan to scold Sun Wukong, but instead looked at him gently.

"Wukong, what the old benefactor said makes sense."

"Why aren't you wearing your hat properly? Is there something wrong with your clothes or hat?"