When the Apricot Immortal heard Ao Tu's words, she cast a glance at Tang Sanzang and Bajie with her lovely eyes.
Tang Sanzang hurriedly averted his gaze.
Bajie, however, stood rooted to the spot, his soul hooked away by the Apricot Immortal's glance.
The Apricot Immortal turned to Ao Tu and said coyly, "Your daughter was born of your blood and essence, Father. I leave the great matter of my marriage entirely in your hands."
Hearing those coy words, Bajie felt his heart melt.
Ao Tu pretended to look Tang Sanzang and Bajie over, as though choosing a son-in-law.
Seeing this, Bajie hurriedly said, "Father-in-law, there's something you don't know. My master only escaped the thorns because I, Old Pig, wielded my Rake all along the way. For seven days and eight nights, my strength never failed as I raked aside the thorny brush. That was how we reached this place."
Ao Tu nodded at his words.
The moment Tang Sanzang heard this, he knew Bajie had succumbed to worldly desires. Before Ao Tu could speak, he hurriedly cut in:
"Old Benefactor, please say no more about taking a son-in-law. My disciple and I have received King Tang's command to travel west for scriptures. First, we cannot break our promise and betray our sovereign's kindness; second, we cannot violate the precepts; third, we cannot forsake our Buddha. How could we dare marry here without leave and cling to the mortal world?"
Ao Tu replied, "Elder, don't say that. This place has no connection with the outside world, so what talk is there of a sovereign's kindness? Outside, there is nothing but thorns, and no way to leave. Even if your resolve to travel west is firmer than stone and harder than iron, once you fall into that boundless sea of