The onlookers were instantly dumbfounded. Even the soldiers guarding the royal proclamation froze.
"Where did this old man come from? What demon monk? How dare you spout lies here to mislead the people! If you delay the princess's rescue, can you bear the consequences?"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, a soldier rudely shoved the old man aside.
"That demon monk is Tang Sanzang from Great Tang! He's a demon monk! I must see His Majesty... we cannot let that demon monk enter our Treasure Elephant Kingdom, or our kingdom will be destroyed!"
The old man shouted and screamed, even clinging to the soldier as he begged to see the king.
"Where did this old man come from? Get out of here! You think you can see the king whenever you please...?"
The soldiers merely took him for a mad old man, roughly drove him aside, then brought out the royal proclamation and posted it again.
"Don't believe this lunatic. This is an eminent monk from Great Tang. His Buddhist Dharma is outstanding, and he is richly blessed with good fortune. He will surely help us find Her Highness."
"Anyone who spots him will receive a reward."
After carefully instructing the guards nearby, the squad leader headed to the next location.
"No, you mustn't invite a wolf into your home! If that-that demon monk comes to our country, our country is finished! Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you mustn't invite a wolf into your home!"
The old man continued howling from the sidelines.
"Old man, what's all this talk of a demon monk? His Majesty said he's an eminent monk from the great nation of Great Tang. How could he be a demon monk?"
The strange old man still drew some curious attention, and someone in the crowd immediately asked