High Mountains and Treacherous Roads

After Sun Wukong finished speaking, the old man couldn't listen anymore and immediately said to Sun Wukong:

"You must trust us. We will definitely repair this mountain road so you can get through safely, otherwise we will feel guilty."

After pondering this for a long time, Sun Wukong continued speaking to the old man:

"This mountain road is very long. You're not a divine soldier of Dayu, so how would you know how to carve a road through mountains? If my master were to go there, we would be needed. You're all of no use."

"Besides, crossing the mountain right now is indeed very difficult. If we were to open another road, it would be even more difficult. It's better to go through this old alley, even though no one will provide meals."

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's words, the old man immediately said to Sun Wukong, "What are you saying, elder? We can easily feed the four of you. Who said no one will provide food?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong pondered seriously for a moment and then said to the old man:

"In that case, you'd better hurry up and prepare some rice, or bring us a few steamed buns. Once my junior brother has eaten and drunk his fill, he'll turn into a big pig."

"He'll clear the whole road with his mouth, and my master, on horseback, and we'll help him across."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie immediately became displeased and said:

"Brother Monkey, all you want is a clean environment, why do you insist on making me do all this dirty and tiring work?"

At this moment, Tang Xuanzang suddenly spoke up to Zhu Bajie, saying, "Bajie, if you can open up this alley and lead us across this mountain, I will give you the greatest credit."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie laughed and said to Tang Xuanzang:

"Master, all the benefactors are here, please don't laugh at me. Although I have thirty-six transformations, I really can't transform into anything fancy."

"If you asked me to turn into an animal or a plant, I could do both."

"But I have one condition: if my body gets bigger, my intestines will also get bigger. I can only do things if I'm full."

Upon hearing this, everyone said to Zhu Bajie:

"You don't need to worry about that at all. We have things with us; we always carry them with us. We were originally planning to give them all to you after you left."

"Since you put it that way, I'll take them all out for you to eat now. Don't rush while you eat; we'll have someone go back and cook more to bring over later."

Zhu Bajie was overjoyed upon hearing this, so he dropped his Nine-Toothed Rake and said to everyone, "When you see my transformed appearance later, please don't laugh at me."

As soon as Zhu Bajie finished speaking, he transformed into a huge pig, so fat it was practically dripping with oil. Everyone who saw it was full of praise.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong immediately said to the others, "Quickly give all the food to my second junior brother so he can eat it all and then get to work."

Upon hearing this, everyone piled up all the food together, and after a while, it was as high as a small mountain for Zhu Bajie to eat.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Bajie was overjoyed and, without caring about anything else, stuffed both hands into his mouth.

A short while later, Zhu Bajie immediately ran into the cave and charged forward with all his might.

At this moment Sun Wukong told Sha Wujing to carry the load, while his master rode the White Dragon Horse. Sun Wukong also jumped onto Zhu Bajie's back and turned to the crowd, saying:

"If you really want to repay this kindness, then hurry back and cook something to give to my second junior brother so he can have something to eat."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately did as instructed. There were nearly several hundred people who came to deliver the food; some rode horses at breakneck speed, while others walked slowly.

Seeing that Tang Xuanzang had already gone far away, but still reluctant to leave, the group rode their fast horses to catch up, calling out:

"Elder, please wait a moment, we've come to bring you more food."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang was immediately filled with gratitude and slowly said:

"Thank you so much! You're so kind and thoughtful."

Upon hearing Tang Xuanzang's words, the old man immediately smiled politely at Tang Xuanzang and Tang Xuanzang:

"You're being too polite. When you helped me rid myself of the Yaomo, I knew I had to repay you properly, otherwise all your efforts would have been wasted."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang was overjoyed. After eating a little food, Zhu Bajie continued on his way, and soon the mountain path was cleared by Zhu Bajie.

After bidding farewell to the old man, they continued on their journey.

After the four travelers had been walking for a while, they suddenly came across a river. Upon seeing this Zhu Bajie jumped in immediately, and Tang Xuanzang didn't have time to stop Zhu Bajie.

Zhu Bajie was frolicking in the water when, after a while, he suddenly remembered that Sun Wukong Sha Wujing, and Tang Xuanzang were still on the shore. So Zhu Bajie politely said to the three of them:

"Master, why don't you all come here to take a bath in this hot weather? The water is so refreshing."

After saying this, Zhu Bajie sank down again. After a short while, Tang Xuanzang finally couldn't bear it any longer and jumped in as well. After the four of them washed off the dirt, they embarked on their journey to the Western Heaven to obtain the scriptures.

After traveling for a while, they suddenly came upon a city. Tang Xuanzang reined in his horse and said to Sun Wukong:

"Wukong, look at what's that place!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong focused his gaze, and after a short while, he said to Tang Xuanzang:

"So Master is still illiterate even after all this time. How exactly did the Emperor of the Great Tang send you to the Western Heaven to retrieve the scriptures?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang immediately explained to Sun Wukong, "I have been a monk since childhood and have read many books. How can you say I am illiterate?"

After hearing what Tang Xuanzang said, Sun Wukong smiled and said to Tang Xuanzang:

"Master, since you can read, why don't you recognize the three big characters on the apricot-yellow flag on the city wall? Instead, you come here asking me what this place is?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang felt a strange surge of anger and reprimanded Sun Wukong:

"Don't talk nonsense. That apricot-yellow flag is already swaying in the wind; even if there were words on it, I couldn't see them clearly."

Sun Wukong then deliberately said to Tang Xuanzang, "Master, your eyes must be failing you. Why can I see it?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang did not want to pay any attention to Sun Wukong.