Tang Sanzang and his three disciples took the child with them and headed for Chen Family Village.
Little Shitou sat on the load Bajie carried on his shoulder pole.
At first, Little Shitou had been most unwilling, afraid that a monster would eat him once he went outside.
But after Bajie had carried him some distance, Little Shitou discovered that there really were no monsters outside. His reluctance soon melted away, and he began looking forward to going home instead.
What child his age would not miss home?
Along the way, they met several villagers who were Little Shitou's uncles, and he greeted them happily.
Wukong said with a laugh, "See, child? With Old Sun here, what demon or monster would dare come near?"
Little Shitou said happily, "Thank you, Uncle Monkey!"
Wukong said, "You little rascal!"
Bajie laughed. "You've got it wrong. You should call him Uncle Bimawen!"
Wukong said, "Get away, you blockhead!"
Little Shitou asked, "Uncle Big Pig, what's a Bimawen?"
Bajie said, "You child! Calling me Uncle Pig is one thing, but why add 'Big'? Old Pig was Marshal Tianpeng back in the day!"
Wukong and the others all laughed.
When the laughter subsided, Tang Sanzang said from horseback, "Wukong, Bajie, Wujing, we still don't know what unspoken hardship this child's family faced that made them hide him in a ruined temple. If it is within our power, let us lend them a hand and do a good deed. It will count as an act of merit."
Wukong said with a laugh, "Don't worry, Master. Whatever their trouble may be, how could it stump Old Sun?"
Bajie said, "What trouble could it be? I reckon the family is poor and has to pay a head tax, so they hid the child. That's easy enough to solve.