Wukong folded his arms across his chest, and the chair's rear legs settled gently back onto the floor.
Tap.
"Old benefactors, it isn't that Old Sun is being difficult."
"I have one more question."
Chen Cheng hurriedly wiped his face with his sleeve.
"Please ask, Elder."
Wukong stared at him, his gaze unwavering.
"Old benefactors, with all this wealth, why haven't you left?"
"What sense is there in waiting for that fiend to come every year, draw lots, and eat people?"
"Keeping your children and descendants safe is what matters."
"Without descendants, what use are a thousand acres of fertile fields and grand, splendid houses?"
At these words, both old men suddenly choked up.
Leaning on his cane, Chen Cheng said in a trembling voice, "Our families have lived here for generations. It is hard to leave our native soil. Our ancestral graves are here, our fields are here, and our clansmen are here. We truly... cannot get away."
He paused, then his knees suddenly buckled, and his forehead struck the floor hard.
Chen Qing dropped to his knees right after him. A dull thud sounded against the floor tiles.
"We just heard that you Elders possess great powers and can subdue demons and vanquish evil. Please save our children. We two old brothers are willing to offer a thousand taels of silver. Please save our Chen Family Village."
Wukong sprang from his chair and sidestepped their bow.
He bent down and looked at the two old men weeping prostrate on the floor, his eyes as calm as before.
After a moment, he smiled and waved a hand.
"So that's how it is. Very well, very well."
"Bring your son and daughter out. Let me have a look first."
Meanwhile, in the guest room.
Sanzang sat at the edge