"In that case, if you don't mind, come along with us."
"But the road is long and fraught with hardships. You must prepare yourself."
"No problem!"
The child immediately returned to his lively self and bounded happily over to Tang Sanzang.
"I'm not afraid of hardship or exhaustion."
"I'm sticking with you, Elder!"
As he spoke, he naturally took hold of the hem of Tang Sanzang's robe, as though they truly were relatives reunited after years apart.
Tang Sanzang looked down at this child who called himself "Taishang's son," a jumble of emotions churning within him.
He knew that, from this moment on, the Preaching Squad's troubles had only just begun.
We've clearly taken on a living ancestor we can't afford to offend!
"Let's go."
Tang Sanzang sighed and waved to the others.
"Onward."
Sun Wukong walked at the front with the Golden-Hooped Staff over his shoulder, occasionally glancing back suspiciously at the skipping child.
Zhu Bajie wore a worried expression, silently calculating as he walked how he would explain this "illegitimate son" if they met Supreme Pure Laozi in the future.
Sha Wujin and Little White Dragon silently guarded Tang Sanzang and the child on either side, their eyes brimming with vigilance.
Yet they had barely taken a few steps when the child suddenly cried, "Ow!" He stumbled and plopped straight down onto his backside.
"What's wrong?"
Tang Sanzang hurriedly stopped and asked with concern.
The child raised his head, his little face scrunched up. Pointing at the rugged mountain path ahead, he said pitifully:
"Daoist Master, my legs are weak."
"I was strung up for three days and three nights. I'm hungry and exhausted. I really can't walk anymore."
"Could you... carry me for a while?"
"..."
Dead silence fell over everyone once again.
Sun Wukong's mouth twitched