No More Cigarettes

Sun Wukong was a bit stunned to suddenly hear Zhu Bajie say something like that.

What did that mean?

What did he mean "forgetting is better," was he implying that he, Old Sun, had forgotten something?

Perhaps. For some reason, he always felt like something was missing.

Tang Yu gave Zhu Bajie a deep look. This dumbass seemed to understand more than Wukong.

"What are you saying, you idiot?" Sun Wukong asked.

Zhu Bajie shook his head, clearly not wanting to say more.

It seemed this dumbass was somewhat dissatisfied with both the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect.

An opportunity to exploit this.

Tang Yu thought to himself.

A great river appeared ahead, its waters surging, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Nearby stood a stone tablet.

Flowing Sand River!

Eight hundred li of quicksand, three thousand li of weak water deep, goose feathers cannot float, reeds will sink to the bottom.

So, they had unknowingly arrived at the Flowing Sand River. San Lengzi was here.

Speaking of San Lengzi, he was merely a victim of the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism.

Exiled to this godforsaken place.

He was originally the Curtain Rolling General, responsible for rolling the curtains for the Jade Emperor.

Don't underestimate this position; he was a favored official in front of the Jade Emperor.

It was akin to a trusted eunuch by the emperor's side.

However, just because he accidentally broke a Glazed Lamp, he was banished to the mortal realm.

This was merely using an excuse to act.

In short, he was a sacrifice.

Looking at Wukong, then at Er Daizi, and as for this San Lengzi...

Kill him!

"Wukong, Er Daizi, let's rest here for a moment." Tang Yu dismounted.

Sun Wukong looked at the stone tablet and said worriedly, "Master, how are we going to cross this river?"

Remember, the journey to the Western Heaven required taking it step by step.

This river was eight hundred li wide, and even goose feathers couldn't float on it. Crossing it wouldn't be easy.

"Can't you fly?"

Tang Yu said irritably.

Why couldn't this Wukong think outside the box?

"If we can cross, we cross. If not, we'll set up camp here and sleep."

Tang Yu spread his kasaya on the ground and lay down on it.

This would surely annoy those scoundrels from the Buddhist Sect.

"Master, you're right."

Zhu Bajie threw down his rake and sat on the ground as well.

The monkey's eyes rolled, and he finally understood.

"Heh heh, Master, I get it."

"You don't get anything," Tang Yu sat up and said, "I'm telling you two, there's a demon in this Flowing Sand River."

Huh!

Sun Wukong immediately became alert, holding his Golden Cudgel. However, he was a bit puzzled. He hadn't smelled any demonic energy, nor had he seen any demons. How did Tang Yu know?

"Alright, come here and listen to me." Tang Yu whispered in both their ears, then asked, "Understand?"

"Understood, understood." The two demons nodded repeatedly.

This made Tang Yu nod with satisfaction, lamenting that he really couldn't carry them alone.

"Master, don't worry, Old Sun knows what to do." Sun Wukong chuckled, swinging his Golden Cudgel a couple of times.

A monkey is a monkey, always in a hurry.

Moving a few steps away from the riverbank, Tang Yu instructed, "Wukong, get me something to eat. I saw wild rabbits in that small grove we passed."

Tang Yu was very particular about food, always keeping an eye out.

Although he didn't get hungry, he couldn't resist cravings.

Moreover, eating is a form of enjoyment.

Sun Wukong responded with a sound and vanished into a beam of light.

Western Heaven.

The group on the Journey to the West was being closely monitored by them.

Seeing that the master and disciples had arrived at the Flowing Sand River, once they accepted Sha Seng, this group would be complete.

They could only hope that no more unexpected events would occur.

The continuous string of accidents and changes had caused Tathagata Buddha's state of mind to fray.

Hm?

No.

I need to bum one.

To properly consider the upcoming issues.

He took out his cigarette case, but the three cigarettes inside were long gone, leaving only an empty box.

After finishing a cigarette, the more one doesn't have them, the more one craves them.

Everyone understood this principle.

He held the cigarette case and examined it closely, even trying to shake one out. Only a small amount of loose tobacco leaves came out.

After some thought, Tathagata Buddha picked up the tobacco leaves, put them in his mouth, and began to chew.

He swallowed them down with a gulp.

He didn't feel anything. It seemed he still needed to smoke.

But there were no more cigarettes, what should he do?

Oh, Tang Sanzang.

Right, find Tang Sanzang.

The various Buddhas looked at the Buddha, bewildered, not understanding what their leader was doing now.

Shouldn't they be paying close attention to the Journey to the West right now? Yet, he had taken out his cigarette case and fiddled with it for a long time.

As the Buddha's gaze fell upon them, they all straightened up, awaiting his command.

He surveyed them all and felt something was off.

"Hm? Where is Lingji Bodhisattva?" Tathagata Buddha asked.

"Reporting to my Buddha, Lingji Bodhisattva said he felt unwell today," Manjushri Bodhisattva replied.

Unwell?

What nonsense. How could a Bodhisattva feel unwell?

Tathagata Buddha calculated with his fingers, and his expression changed slightly.

At the same time, in a meditation room, Lingji Bodhisattva, wearing only his underpants and revealing his pale, fleshy body, was in the room, picking his toes with one hand and smoking a cigarette with the other...

Hiss...

Hah...

Satisfying.

Fortunately, he was clever enough to hide some of the cigarettes and enjoy them secretly.

This thing was a treasure.

However, the thought of giving three cigarettes to Tathagata Buddha pained him, as he didn't have many left either.

"Lingji Bodhisattva, you have quite the nerve."

Suddenly, a loud shout echoed in the room.

Lingji Bodhisattva shivered, and the cigarette in his hand fell to the ground.

Without even looking up, he knelt and paid respects: "Greetings, my Buddha."

It was over. He had been caught smoking by the Buddha.

However, Tathagata Buddha did not blame him. Instead, he said calmly.

"Where's the merchandise?"

Lingji Bodhisattva was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted. He hurriedly took out the remaining two cigarettes and handed them over with a pained expression.

"Your Buddha, please understand, only these last two remain."

Tathagata Buddha's eyes immediately lit up. He placed one of the cigarettes in his mouth and was about to light it when he saw the cigarette Lingji Bodhisattva had dropped on the floor.

He then took the one from his mouth and set it aside. Afterward, he picked up the half-smoked one from the ground and took a puff.

With that single puff, Tathagata Buddha felt refreshed and invigorated.

He had initially been somewhat displeased with Lingji Bodhisattva. With the puff of smoke, the Buddha calmed down: "Get up. I am not blaming you."

Lingji Bodhisattva shakily stood up, head bowed, not daring to look at the Buddha.

"I have some important matters to entrust to you."

These cigarettes weren't enough for a day's supply, so the Buddha planned to have Lingji Bodhisattva get some from Tang Sanzang.

"Please speak, Buddha."

Lingji Bodhisattva hastily replied respectfully.

"You are a person I value and trust."

Hearing this, Lingji Bodhisattva was almost moved to tears.

"I've decided that you will go find Tang Sanzang to exchange for some cigarettes, and also find out where he got them."