The monkey discovered that the new Xuanzang's tenacity far surpassed that of the previous Yamato, and gradually began to look at him with new respect.
Since his battle with Guanyin, he had been on his journey to the West for almost half a month, but this Yamato was no longer as delicate as before.
They rise with the sun and rest with the sunset every day, and apart from the daily evening routine, there is much less nagging and sighing.
The unwavering resilience that emanated from his very being made Xuanzang resemble a wandering ascetic at this moment, which made Wukong feel a little fond of him.
'Not all bald monks are bad; at least this guy is alright.'
After wandering around for a while, the group soon arrived at a mountain forest.
In the distance, mountains rose one after another, and a magnificent temple could be faintly seen.
Xu Xiao smiled slightly, "Here comes the pillow."
However, he didn't reveal anything, but pretended not to know anything, and turned to Xuanzang to speak:
"Master, there's a temple ahead. Would you like to stay there for the night?"
Xuanzang, whose clothes were covered in dirt, was taken aback upon hearing this, then silently nodded and said:
"If they are willing to do me a favor, this humble monk will have no choice but to trouble you tonight."
For days, they have been trekking through the mountains and forests.
Xu Xiao and the monkey are both immortals, naturally untouched by worldly dust.
Xuanzang was just a mortal, and even though he cleaned himself carefully every day, some filth inevitably remained on his body, which he could not wash off completely.
Moreover, it has always been customary for wandering monks and travelers to stay at other temples, so Xuanzang had no doubts.
"Alright, then the two of us will escort the monk to the temple. We'll come back to pick him up tomorrow after he's rested." Xu Xiao nodded.
Xuanzang had no objection to this.
The celestial official before him was easier to talk to than he had imagined, but since he had clashed with the Buddhist Sect before, he dared not let the official rest inside the temple.
Soon, the three of them climbed the mountain and entered the temple, arriving in front of a magnificent Buddhist temple.
" Guanyin Monastery! It's actually a place of worship for that bald thief monk, ptooey!" The monkey looked at the plaque of the temple in front of him and spat out the curses without any politeness.
Xuanzang's face flushed red and then turned pale; such coincidences do happen in this world.
" Wukong, don't be rude." Xu Xiao pretended to scold the monkey, but then turned to Xuanzang and said:
"Master, the temple is just ahead. I'll go and stay for a while. We'll come back to pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Thank you for your trouble, celestial official. I will take my leave now." Xuanzang bowed, stepped forward, took the white horse carrying his luggage, and headed towards the courtyard gate.
"Master, if you need anything, just call my name in your heart, and I will come naturally." Xu Xiao said this as he watched Xuanzang walk away.
The hardship was just a test; he didn't want the monk to actually die inside.
"This humble monk understands." The man and his horse quickly arrived at the temple gate.
Watching Xuanzang knock on the courtyard gate alone, and then be welcomed into the Zen monastery by the guest monk, the monkey couldn't help but turn to look at Xu Xiao.
"Brother, aren't you sure something might happen if you leave that monk alone like this?"
"What, are you worried about him?" Xu Xiao asked, looking at the monkey.
"No, it's just that I'm a little uneasy... I'm afraid I'll miss the mission and cause my brother to be punished." The monkey scratched his head. Although he didn't cultivate the Dao of Cause and Effect, as a chosen one, he still had some sense of foresight.
The Guanyin Monastery in front of him looked peaceful, but for no reason he felt displeased, and it wasn't just because of Guanyin.
"It's nothing, we're just watching a good show from the shadows."
As he spoke, Xu Xiao concealed himself, and the monkey beside him cleverly followed. The two quietly appeared in the courtyard and silently followed Xuanzang.
Now, Xuanzang knocked on the door, indicating that he was a monk traveling Journey to the West and staying overnight. The guest monk checked his ordination certificate and casually asked:
"Master, you have come from afar, and your journey must have been arduous. May I ask from which venerable temple you have come from, and where you intend to go to propagate the Dharma?"
Xuanzang returned the greeting. "This humble monk comes from the Great Tang Eastern Land, on the orders of the King Tang, intending to travel to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek the true scriptures. I have come to your esteemed temple to stay for the night, and I apologize for any inconvenience caused."
"Oh my! A venerable monk from the Celestial Empire!" Upon hearing this, the guest monk's face brightened, and a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
" The Great Tang is surrounded by great powers, and it is truly a blessing for our small temple to have met the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master has come alone, and his perseverance is truly admirable!" As he spoke these flattering words, his gaze seemed to casually sweep over the white horse carrying Xuanzang's luggage behind him.
" Amitabha Buddha, I dare not accept such praise. In order to seek the true Dharma, I will certainly strive forward." Xuanzang said humbly, though as a fellow monk, he did not notice the other's unusual behavior.
"Since you are a venerable monk from the Great Tang Dynasty, please accompany me to the back courtyard to settle in."
The monk greeted Xuanzang with a bow, then led him through several imposing courtyards to a secluded side room in the backyard.
"Venerable Master, because there are many people in the temple, we will have to trouble you to rest here again today."
"No need for that. For a monk to have a place to rest while traveling is already a great blessing." Xuanzang nodded. The days of travel had indeed left him physically and mentally exhausted, and he only wanted to settle down as soon as possible to chant sutras and rest.
"Then please come in first, Venerable Master. Let me help you carry your luggage inside." The guest monk didn't give Xuanzang a chance to refuse, and immediately pulled the horse over and reached out to untie the bundle on the horse's back.
Xuanzang instinctively felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't outrun the other person's quick hands and feet, so he could only push open the door of the side room first and wait for the other person to come in.
In that short time, the nimble monk had quietly opened a corner of the package, and then, using the action of unloading the package, he forcefully ripped it open.
"Splash!"
Several ordinary monks' robes and scriptures were scattered on the ground. At the same time, a neatly folded object, radiating precious light, was also partially revealed—it was the Brocade Kasaya bestowed by Guanyin.
Although it was only a corner, in the dim environment of the side room, the robe faintly exuded a radiant glow, and the exposed gold threads and jewel embellishments made it clear from a glimpse that it was no ordinary item!
The monk's smile froze instantly, his eyes fixed on the robe, a surge of greed rising in his heart.
Xuanzang realized his mistake and quickly stepped forward, carefully and swiftly putting his robe back on and gathering up his belongings, saying, "Thank you, senior brother, I can do it myself."
Only after the Brocade Kasaya was put away did the guest monk seem to wake from his daze. He suppressed the greed in his heart and forced a fawning smile, "Master, please don't be offended. It was... my hand slipped. My apologies!"
"It's alright, my senior brother meant well." Xuanzang hugged the bundle to his chest and nodded slightly.
He could sense the other person's desire, but he remained outwardly calm, only sighing inwardly.
"Then... then Venerable Master, please rest. This humble monk... this humble monk will go and prepare some vegetarian food and hot water for you." The guest monk finished speaking hastily and turned to leave almost as if fleeing, leaving Xuanzang somewhat conflicted, watching his departing figure and sighing.