Chapter 5: Reward Settlement
That very night, the County Magistrate, filled with fear and trepidation, respectfully invited Tang Sanzang and his disciples out of the prison. He humbly apologized to Tang Sanzang, claiming he had misunderstood the holy monk from the Great Tang. He also ordered his subordinates to serve the finest vegetarian meals and fruits and melons, and prepared the best guest rooms for Tang Sanzang and his disciples to enjoy.
Seeing this, Tang Sanzang could not help but chant Amitabha Buddha, sighing that it was Buddha Ancestor’s blessing.
The next day, the County Magistrate charged Guangzhi and Guangmou with false accusation and ordered them beheaded, clearing Tang Sanzang and his disciples of all wrongdoing.
Guangzhi and Guangmou naturally cried out their innocence, claiming that Venerable Ananda had instructed them to report to officials. But with no proof, and since the Venerable Ananda they spoke of never appeared, no one believed their words.
Only Sun Wukong paid extra attention.
After the two monks were executed, the matter was settled; Tang Sanzang called for Sun Wukong and prepared to set off on the Journey for Sutras.
The County Magistrate, however, led all the officials of his household and blocked Tang Sanzang’s path, pleading:
“Holy Monk of the Great Tang, the common people of this city suffer many hardships and hardships in life. We beg the holy monk to take pity on the common people, perform a few days of water and land Buddhist mass, recite holy sutras, and pray for blessings. The entire city’s common people would be endlessly grateful.”
Unable to resist the County Magistrate’s sincere pleas, Tang Sanzang asked: “How many days of mass would that be?”
The County Magistrate said: “We beg the holy monk to perform a full Thirty-three Heavens for the common people to dispel disasters and resolve difficulties.”
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang repeatedly said it was impossible, stating:
“This poor monk is under orders from King Tang to go west for sutras; the road ahead is uncertain, and the sutras are not yet obtained. How can I linger in a foreign land for so long? Absolutely not.”
The County Magistrate earnestly persuaded him.
But Tang Sanzang insisted that Thirty-three Heavens was too long, and no matter how the County Magistrate pleaded, he would not agree.
Seeing this, the County Magistrate dared not reveal the truth and had to settle for the next best thing, proposing only seven days of mass.
Tang Sanzang thought it over; seven days was not too long, so he agreed.
Thus, over the next seven days, the County Magistrate held a continuous feast of a thousand tables, inviting the holy monk Tang Sanzang of the Great Tang to perform the water and land Buddhist mass. All the common people of the city came to eat and drink; it was a scene of universal joy throughout the city.
Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised; he had seen that day that the County Magistrate was a greedy man, so how had he become so generous? But since the County Magistrate had no intention of harming Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong did not investigate further.
Soon, seven days passed, and Tang Sanzang wanted to leave again.
Just as they reached the city gate, they saw all the common people of the city kneeling at the gate, begging the holy monk to stay a few more days.
The common people’s pleas moved heaven and earth; every household tried to keep them, and no one wanted them to leave.
Helpless, Tang Sanzang agreed to stay another seven days.
So the next seven days were filled with preaching the Dharma and grand banquets with alcoholic beverages.
On the night of the fourteenth day, Tang Sanzang said to Sun Wukong:
“Disciple, if this continues, tomorrow the common people will likely obstruct us again. In my view, go now and pack the luggage and horses; we shall leave tonight.”
Sun Wukong laughed: “Master, the common people adore you; what harm is there in staying a few more days?”
Tang Sanzang said: “You monkey, when we set out, I promised His Majesty I would return in three to five years. We have just left the country, and we do not yet know if we will obtain the sutras. How dare I linger here for so many days? If we do this, when will we ever obtain the true sutras?”
Sun Wukong said: “Very well, very well; I will fetch the horse, and we shall leave tonight.”
Sun Wukong went out the door, ran to fetch the horse, and as he passed the side room, he overheard the household servants talking at night:
“Is everything prepared? Tomorrow arrange for the common people to block that monk from the Great Tang.”
The other said: “Of course, of course; everything is ready. Hey, it’s strange! Our County Magistrate is usually so stingy, but lately what’s gotten into him? He insists on keeping that monk to perform the mass and holds such a long continuous feast, all for the benefit of those mud-legged commoners.”
The man said: “Who knows? But I heard the County Magistrate say that even if he has to give up this official robe, he must keep that monk for Thirty-three Heavens.”
The other said: “That’s truly strange!”
Outside, Sun Wukong listened, his eyes rolling.
Give up the official robe, but still keep Master for Thirty-three Heavens?
Sun Wukong realized something was wrong.
He hurriedly transformed into a small insect and flew to the County Magistrate’s home to investigate.
At that moment, the County Magistrate’s wife was making a huge fuss.
“That’s it, I can’t live like this anymore! Why give away all our family’s possessions to feed those mud-legged commoners? One day of praying for blessings would be fine, but you’ve done it for half a month now. If this continues, the family’s money will run out. If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll take my son and go back to my parents’ home!”
The County Magistrate, with a bitter face, said: “Alas! I feel the pain too, but what can I do? Don’t ask; I cannot say.”
Seeing this, Sun Wukong knew the County Magistrate was hiding something important; he immediately revealed his true form, grabbed the County Magistrate, and demanded:
“Speak! Why delay my master? Are you colluding with monsters?”
The County Magistrate’s wife was terrified and trembling at the sight.
The County Magistrate stammered:
“Elder Sun, what are you saying? What monster?”
Sun Wukong said: “You won’t shed tears until you see the coffin; you deserve a beating!”
With that, he pulled out the Golden Cudgel from his ear, shouted “Grow!”, and thrust it into the roof, sending half the roof flying off.
At that time, Ao Tu was hiding in the clouds, watching the situation below.
His system progress had already reached twenty-four days, enough to obtain the True Dragon Pearl reward, and the next stage’s Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Five-Fire Divine Flame Fan, was not far off.
Unfortunately, it was at this moment that Sun Wukong noticed something amiss.
Ao Tu felt regret in his heart, but his actions showed no hesitation; he fled directly into the distance.
The True Dragon Pearl reward was already excellent; it would allow him to quickly advance to the Golden Immortal realm and transform into a true dragon. Once successful, he would be a decent combat force on the Journey to the West.
At this time, the County Magistrate below was utterly terrified and, under Sun Wukong’s martial threat, spilled the whole truth like beans from a bamboo tube.
Sun Wukong frowned upon hearing it: “Venerable Ananda again?”
Recalling what Guangmou and Guangzhi had said before their deaths, Sun Wukong thought: “This Venerable Ananda must be a demon in disguise, waiting for a chance to harm my master!”
Thinking this, Sun Wukong jumped out of the room and scanned the surroundings with his fiery eyes, noticing something unusual in the air.
“Monster, don’t run!”
Sun Wukong leaped up and flew into the air.
By now, Ao Tu had already fled, leaving only some clouds in the air.
As the saying goes: Like sounds respond to each other, like energies seek each other. Clouds follow dragons, winds follow tigers; when sages act, all things are revealed.
Seeing those lingering clouds, Sun Wukong guessed it was left by a dragon, so he cursed into the air:
“Demon Dragon, come out if you dare, and face your Grandpa Sun!”
Ao Tu had already left, so naturally he did not return.
Sun Wukong cursed for a long time with no response and had to return empty-handed.
In the time that followed, Ao Tu stayed hidden in the shadows without emerging.
To his delight, the system’s progress did not stop but continued to increase.
The reason was that although his plan was exposed, Tang Sanzang and his disciples still needed to travel normally to leave the Guanyin Monastery Area, and the time spent traveling would count toward the system’s progress.
Thus, another three days passed, and when the system’s progress reached twenty-seven days, Tang Sanzang and his disciples finally left the Guanyin Monastery Area.
The system task began to settle.
【Ding, rewards settling, total obstruction of twenty-seven days.】
【Ding, obtained reward Art of Moving Mountains.】
【Ding, obtained reward Six-Revolving Golden Elixir.】
【Ding, obtained reward True Dragon Pearl.】
【Ding, excess twelve days automatically carried over to next side quest; next side quest: Gao Lao Village Demon Extermination.】
