Ao Tu's words left Tang Sanzang standing speechless.
Only after a long while did Tang Sanzang say, "River God, if a great bridge were to be built, how long would it take you to finish it with your divine power?"
Ao Tu said, "With my divine power to aid the work, it could be finished in two or three months."
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang felt that was not slow at all and said:
"Wukong, let us stay and help them finish the bridge."
Wukong said, "If you wish to stay, Master, we disciples will naturally follow."
Overjoyed, the imperial envoy bowed. "Thank you, holy monk! Thank you, Dragon God! This truly is a blessing for the countless people of our Huoluo Kingdom!"
Ao Tu said, "Wait. Before the bridge can be built, there are three more things to be done."
The imperial envoy hurriedly asked, "Lord Dragon God, what three things?"
Standing with his hands behind his back, Ao Tu said, "Building this bridge will benefit your Huoluo Kingdom, but not necessarily its people. I seek the people's incense offerings. If they receive no blessings, how will they have incense to offer me?"
The imperial envoy hastily said, "Why do you say that, Lord Dragon God? If the kingdom profits from the bridge, it will surely use those profits to bestow favors upon the people, repairing official roads, controlling floods, and reducing taxes. How could the people receive no blessings?"
Ao Tu said, "Empty words are no proof. I do not believe them. The words of immortals and gods are recorded by Heaven; the words of mortals are recorded on paper and silk. If you wish to build the bridge, your sovereign must personally write an Imperial Proclamation, stamp it with the National Seal, and announce to all under heaven