Xuanzang nodded.
"Rest for now."
Bajie had just finished his third bowl of plain rice porridge.
He peered into the basin with his wooden spoon in hand. Seeing some still left at the bottom, he reached out for another serving.
But Xuanzang pushed the porridge basin aside first.
"You must not eat any more today."
Bajie's hand stopped in midair.
"Master."
"I've only had three bowls."
"You had severe diarrhea earlier. Your digestion is still weak."
Xuanzang glanced at his belly.
"Though you're all right now, you must not eat too much."
"Rest for the night first."
Bajie looked down at the porridge basin.
Then he rubbed his belly, which had already deflated.
His lips worked for a long while, but in the end, he put down his bowl.
"All right."
"I'll listen to you, Master."
He had truly been put through the wringer that evening.
While sitting, he could still force himself to keep going. But once he lay down on the bedding and his head touched the pillow, he could not even be bothered to speak.
Before long, snores rang out.
Xuanzang also went to bed.
Sha Wujing gathered their luggage together again and sat down by the door.
Little White Dragon sat cross-legged opposite him, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing.
A-Hu lay beneath the bed, wings folded against his sides.
Wukong leaned by the window, half-reclining on a straw mat with one leg bent.
True Immortal Ruyi lay just to his right.
The lamplight outside the window gradually receded, and the main room soon fell quiet.
In the backyard, the old woman slipped out through a small gate by the wall, holding an earthenware jar in both hands.
Her two daughters followed.
One carried a lantern, while the other had a short spade over