"Indeed. This commoner thanks Your Majesty for your gracious favor." Ye Chen bowed deeply to show his respect for the emperor. The emperor said nothing, so Ye Chen slowly straightened up.
"My subject, the demons wreaking havoc in Chang'an City must have been at it for some time, correct?" The emperor didn't ask Ye Chen first. Instead, he turned to the "coachman" beside him.
"Your Majesty, it has indeed been quite some time. More than half a month has passed since the first disappearance, and these two demon men were truly a great scourge."
"Fortunately, this young man named Ye Chen stepped forward and subdued them. Now Chang'an City has returned to its former peace, and the people no longer live in constant fear."
"Very good. Ye Chen, you have distinguished yourself by killing demons. What reward would you like? A hundred acres of fertile land, a thousand taels of gold, or an official title and noble rank—I can grant you any of them."
"This commoner... This commoner has only one request." Ye Chen clasped his hands and lowered his head, looking at the ground as he spoke softly to the emperor.
"Why don't you tell me what it is?" The emperor looked at Ye Chen, wondering what sort of request the young man wanted to make. Ye Chen sounded troubled, which piqued the emperor's curiosity.
"This commoner only asks to accompany Master Xuanzang on his journey west to obtain the true scriptures," Ye Chen said firmly.
As soon as Ye Chen finished speaking, silence fell over the hall. The emperor said nothing, nor did the "coachman" beside Ye Chen. Even the monks in the hall remained motionless.
Ye Chen's heart sank. Each passing second seemed to stretch on forever. He could feel the emperor watching him, and sweat began