But now was not the time to complain.
The urgent matter was to find a way to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
Xuanzang hurriedly asked, "May I ask, elder, is there a solution? This humble monk is a man of the cloth. What kind of propriety is there in walking around with a swollen belly?"
The old woman smiled. "There's certainly a solution."
Xuanzang was overjoyed and quickly pressed, "What solution?"
The old woman said, "This Child-and-Mother River is the sacred river of our Kingdom of Women of Xiliang. Drinking its water makes one pregnant. Since it can make one pregnant, there's naturally a way to abort the fetus."
"On Jieyang Mountain, in Child-Breaking Cave, there is a Fetus-Aborting Spring. Drink the spring water there, and the fetus in your belly can be expelled."
"May I ask where the road lies?"
The old woman shook her head and poured a basin of cold water over Xuanzang's excitement. "Don't be happy too soon. The Fetus-Aborting Spring in Child-Breaking Cave on Jieyang Mountain is controlled by our kingdom's royal house. If any pregnant woman wants to abort her fetus, she must go to the government office, explain the reason, and receive permission before she can obtain a bowl of Fetus-Aborting Spring water."
"Even if I told you, your trip there would be in vain. The place is guarded by heavy troops. Don't tell me a refined, scholarly monk like you could force your way in?"
Xuanzang: "..."
It was not exactly impossible.
But Xuanzang would not do something that broke the rules like that.
Xuanzang glanced at the towering great city not far away.
That was the capital city of the Kingdom of Women of Xiliang.
"Permission from the government office?"
"That's simple enough."
Among Xuanzang's luggage, there was still