"Hey, Abbot, you're joking. Just look at the three of us—our clothes are ragged. Do we look like people with any treasures? Besides, if your temple counts as a remote, impoverished place, then Chang'an must be no better."
Ye Chen's flattery practically sent the Abbot soaring into the heavens. By now, the Abbot even felt that his temple was the finest in the world and that he himself was Buddha in Western Heaven.
Ye Chen knew his words had thoroughly charmed the Abbot. The old Abbot should have lost any urge to compare himself with others. After all, he now believed that his own possessions were the best.
"We've had the tea and the vegetarian meal, so we won't trouble you any longer, Abbot. We'll take our leave and go rest." Seeing the Abbot lost in his imagination, Ye Chen immediately stood up, intending to lead Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong out of the hall.
"Please wait, all three of you. You've come from far away, and I've heard that Master Sanzang once received a reward from His Majesty. Surely you must have some treasures with you?"
The old Abbot clearly had no intention of letting Tang Sanzang go just like that. Tang Sanzang had been personally sent out of the Imperial City by the Emperor, and practically everyone in the world knew about it. The Abbot refused to believe the Emperor had given him nothing.
"Abbot, we really don't have any treasures with us. The only thing of value is that White Horse. It was personally bestowed by the Emperor, but no matter how much you like it, we can't give it to you."
Ye Chen put on a troubled expression, deliberately making himself look deeply conflicted. The Abbot, however, smiled and walked over to him. "Young Master Ye,