The vegetarian meal was laid out in the guest room in the west wing.
The table was laden with vegetarian dishes-shiitake mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, tofu, wheat gluten-more than a dozen plates in all.
In the center sat a large basin of steaming vegetarian noodles, topped with a thick gravy made from wild mountain mushrooms. The savory steam wafted straight into their noses, stirring their appetites.
Zhu Bajie stared, his eyes fixed on the food.
He swallowed, pressed his palms together, and mumbled a careless "Amitabha Buddha" before eagerly snatching up his chopsticks and digging in.
The elderly monk in charge, Yongde, personally kept them company.
He did not eat, merely kept that warm smile on his face, rising now and then to serve Xuanzang himself.
"Try this, holy monk."
Yongde placed a thick shiitake mushroom on Xuanzang's plate.
"These winter mushrooms are a specialty of the mountain behind our temple. We soaked them in spring water for a full day and night. They're wonderfully savory."
"And try these bamboo shoots, holy monk. They were dug up at dawn with the dew still on them, so tender you could pinch water out of them."
Xuanzang politely declined the elderly monk's attentions, setting down his chopsticks to thank him.
"Venerable abbot, we need only eat our fill. Such lavish hospitality is more than we deserve."
Yongde waved both hands, the fat on his face wobbling along with them.
"What are you saying, holy monk! Your visit is a blessing upon our temple. This humble fare is scarcely worthy of you, scarcely worthy!"
Then he turned toward Wukong and the others seated on the other side and urged them warmly:
"And you distinguished disciples, eat plenty too. Please don't stand on ceremony!"
Sun Wukong sat in his chair with one leg propped