An Ill-Fated Fall into Pansi Cave (17)

Meanwhile, Bajie ran to deliver the good news to Tang Sanzang.

Seeing this, Wukong suppressed a laugh and gave Tang Sanzang a meaningful look.

Tang Sanzang asked, "Bajie, what good news is there?"

Bajie said, "I was leading the way Old Pig I saw that it was getting late and there was nowhere to stay. If Master were to sleep in the open, he would be cold and hungry. How could that be the behavior of a dutiful son? So I found a good place ahead and invited Master to come over."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Where is that?"

Bajie to cover it up, saying, "They come from a kind family and are particularly fond of Vegetarian Offering monks."

Sha Wujing said, "Could this be some kind of Demon in this desolate wilderness?"

Bajie said, "They kindly invited Master to stay overnight, how can you call them Demon?" With that, he pushed past Sha Wujing, helped Tang Sanzang onto his horse, and led the horse forward.

Tang Sanzang felt a little worried and turned to look at Wukong.

Wukong covered his mouth and chuckled, saying, "Master, don't be afraid, it's good to go and take a look."

Sha Wujing said to Wukong with some worry, "Elder Brother, what if we fall into the Demon's trap?"

Wukong laughed and said, "It's alright. I've seen those Demon; they're nothing special, just a bunch of weak and feeble Female Monster."

Sha Wujing was relieved to hear this.

The two then followed.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Zhu Residence.

Tang Sanzang dismounted from his horse.

A Wasp Spirit stepped forward and took the reins.

Because it was dark, Tang Sanzang didn't see clearly at first and mistook it for a doorman, so he bowed slightly to thank him. But when he looked up, he saw the Wasp Spirit's pair of large, Steel Saber- like teeth. Tang Sanzang was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he turned and ran. Because his legs were weak, he couldn't muster any strength and staggered unsteadily, frantically calling for help, "Demon! Wukong, there's Demon!"

The Wasp Spirit said, "Elder, please do not be afraid. My mother has instructed that you elders reside inside."

How could Tang Sanzang not be afraid? He hurriedly hid behind Wukong, only then feeling slightly relieved.

Bajie said, "Master, don't be afraid, this is a kind family. Let's go in and stay the night, and ask for Buddhist vegetarian meal."

Tang Sanzang pointed at the Wasp Spirit and said, "Bajie, this is clearly a Demon, not some kind of good family!"

Bajie said, "Master, do you care if he's a human or Demon? As long as he can provide us with shelter and Buddhist vegetarian meal, isn't that enough?"

Tang Sanzang still dared not move.

Sha Wujing stood protectively in front, holding his staff.

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, don't be afraid, I, Old Sun, am here for Old Sun! Let's go in and see what that fool has to say!"

After hearing this, Tang Sanzang dared to cautiously enter.

The four of them went inside and encountered many more spirits and monsters along the way. These were all kinds of insects, leeches, Mountain Spirits and Tree Monsters, tree monsters, and wandering ghosts, with strange appearances that were not human-like. Tang Sanzang was trembling with fear and felt uneasy.

One of the Little Demon demons led the four to a pavilion on the west side, saying, "Elders, please stay here for now. Buddhist vegetarian meal will be served shortly."

Tang Sanzang dared not speak.

Sha Wujing looked wary.

Wukong didn't care at all.

Only Bajie exclaimed happily, "Good! Good!"

So the Little Demon pushed open the door, lit the candles inside, and then left.

Bajie went inside to take a look and saw that it was a fine house, beautifully furnished, with all the necessary furniture and utensils.

Bajie boasted, "Master, look how nice this room is! Please come in and rest!"

Tang Sanzang, however, dared not enter, saying, "Bajie, why did you lead me to Demon's lair? The road ahead is full of Demon; how are we supposed to get out?"

Bajie said, "Master, don't worry, the Demon here don't eat people. You can stay here in peace."

Sha Wujing said, "Second Senior Brother, how can we believe the words of Demon? What if this is Demon's scheme? Wouldn't that put Master in danger?"

Upon hearing this, Bajie glanced at Sha Wujing and said, "You're always making a fuss! There's food and drink here, and even fine houses to live in. What kind of danger could there be? Do you want Master to sit in the wilderness, starving and freezing, do you?"

Sha Wujing said, "That's not what I meant..."

Tang Sanzang said, "Bajie, Wujing is right. Even if I were to camp in the wild, it would be a thousand times, ten thousand times better than living in this Demon's den! What if those Demon get evil intentions if we stay here?"

Bajie, unable to refute this, thought for a moment and prepared to tell a lie to cover it up. He said:

"Master, don't worry! I, Old Pig, guarantee that the Demon here won't dare to harbor any evil intentions!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong smiled and asked:

"What, Bajie, how can you be so sure the Demon here don't have bad intentions? Could it be that these Demon are related to you?"

When Bajie heard from Wukong that he was related to Demon, he immediately felt guilty and quickly denied it:

"No relatives! No relatives!"

Tang Sanzang asked, "What happened?"

Bajie lied, "When I, Old Pig, was clearing the way, I saw this group of Demon. I originally wanted to kill them with my rake, but I remembered my master's teachings that monks should have a kind heart, so I didn't use my rake. I said that I was Marshal Tianpeng descended to earth, a disciple of Reverend Monk from the Great Tang. After hearing this, these Demon were so frightened that they knelt down and begged for mercy, calling me Pig Ancestor! Pig Grandfather! Begging for their lives. So I told them to prepare a superior room and cook Buddhist vegetarian meal, and invited my master to come and stay."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and said, "So that's how it is! I misunderstood you!"

Sha Wujing asked in confusion, "Second Senior Brother, since you've already subdued those Demon, why didn't Demon come out to greet us?"

Bajie, somewhat annoyed, retorted, "Why do you care so much!"

Wukong laughed and said, "I'm afraid it wasn't that you subdued the Demon, but rather that you called her 'sister' so affectionately that you agreed to marry into her family, which is why you got a nice room to live in."

Upon hearing this, Bajie was greatly alarmed. He wondered how this Monkey knew so much. Could it be that the Bimawen had overheard his discussion about marrying into the family?

Tang Sanzang asked, "Bajie, is what Wukong said true?"

Bajie cried out in a panic, "Master, don't believe this Monkey's nonsense! He... he's spouting lies!"

Wukong laughed and said, "Who's spouting nonsense? Didn't you just discuss everything with those female Demon, even the vegetarian banquet tomorrow? What else are you afraid to admit?"

Upon hearing Bajie, Pigsy knew that the Monkey knew everything, but he still dared not admit it, saying, "I didn't do that! I didn't do that!"

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, if you don't believe me, this fool gave away his Rake as a gift. Tell him to bring it out, and you'll know if it's real or not."

Tang Sanzang said, "Bajie, take out your Rake and let me see it."

Where could Bajie possibly get it? He stammered and made excuses.

Tang Sanzang, however, refused to let him off the Rake.

Having no other option, Bajie lied again, saying, "Master, my Rake has been used for many years and has become a bit dull, so I found a sharpener to take it to be sharpened. I'll bring it back tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang immediately realized that Bajie was lying, Earthly Way with great distress:

"Bajie, Wukong said you were thinking of marrying into a mortal family, and I didn't believe it, but it turned out to be true! You even lied to your master, you deserve a beating!"

Upon hearing this, Bajie quickly replied, "Master, this is only a temporary measure. I agreed to the marriage so that Master would have a place to stay and it would be easier for you to cross the mountain."

Tang Sanzang angrily said, "You are a monk, how can you be attached to worldly affairs? Go and cancel the engagement!"

Bajie said, "Master, it's getting late. Let's discuss breaking off the engagement tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang realized that Bajie was reluctant to break off the engagement, and he became even angrier.