Beneath the Ancient Bodhi Tree at Pure Heart Temple.
Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie squatted side by side, a jade platter piled high with sliced watermelon between them.
"Smack, smack..."
The sounds of their munching rang crisp and clear through the courtyard.
Xuanzang stood nearby watching the pair, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly. "Wukong, Bajie, now that you have attained enlightenment and taken your places upon Lotus Thrones, you ought to show some regard for the dignity of the Buddhist Sect. You endured all those bitter days on the road to the Western Heaven and finally earned the faithful's offerings. You should present solemn, majestic countenances and set an example for all beings. Just look at yourselves, with watermelon pulp smeared all around your mouths! What sort of conduct is this?"
After hearing him out, Zhu Bajie tossed aside the rind he had gnawed clean.
"Master!"
"Back when we made our Journey to the West, we ate in the wind and slept beneath the open sky. We couldn't even get a hot meal, let alone enjoy watermelon in comfort like this! Now that we've finally become Buddhas and patriarchs and earned some leisure, shouldn't we eat our fill and make up for it? How does eating a few watermelons count as breaking the precepts?"
Sun Wukong squatted beside him without a word, keeping his head down as he continued working on the watermelon flesh.
To him, taking a few more bites of sweet melon beat listening to his master chant scriptures.
Zhu Bajie had just picked up another half of a watermelon when he caught sight of Sha Wujing out of the corner of his eye. He hurriedly waved him over. "Junior Brother Sha, don't just stand there watching. Come on! This was just chilled in Mountain Spring Water.