I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

Pigsy was already as fat as a ball, and with this kind of rush, he couldn't hold back any longer.

One day, as they passed a barren slope, Pigsy threw down his rake, plopped down on the ground, wiped his sweat, and cried out, "Master! I, Old Pig, can't walk anymore! This journey is like fleeing for my life, my fat body is about to fall apart! Ten days, six thousand li, my hooves are blistered! Look at this, this is no journey to the West, it's clearly a market!"

Tang Sanzang reined in his horse and turned around, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. His voice, though gentle, carried an undeniable authority: "Bajie, you lazybones! The journey to the West is inherently arduous and fraught with hardship. How can you, with your gluttony and laziness, be worthy of being a disciple of Buddha? Get up and continue on your way!"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy curled his snout and muttered, "Master, now that your cultivation is high, you ride your horse so leisurely, while we laborers suffer."

"I may be fat, but this is way too fast! We can't reach Lingshan Mountain in one go, can't we at least take a break? Otherwise, if this old pig falls headfirst, don't blame me!"

As he spoke, he rubbed his belly, his eyes fixed on the wild fruits by the roadside, his desire clearly evident.

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing paused slightly in his carrying pole.

He was originally the Curtain-Raising General, reincarnated on the banks of the Flowing Sand River. Deep in his heart, he harbored a hidden worry about Mount Ling—that the golden Buddha position was probably not for his sinful body.

He was unwilling to arrive too quickly, lest old grievances be brought up and he be doomed.

Seeing Bajie complaining so loudly, he took the opportunity to speak, his voice as deep as a river: "Master, what Brother Bajie said makes some sense."

These past few days have been rushed. My fellow disciples are all mortals, so a short rest is necessary to conserve their energy.

If there are villages or temples ahead, you might as well stay the night and continue your journey tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's gaze lingered on Sha Wujing's face for a moment. Sha Wujing lowered his head to avoid it, the secret hidden in his eyes like an undercurrent at the bottom of a river, unknown to anyone.

Sun Wukong was secretly anxious at this moment.

Although Laozi's breeding drug was not as violent as the Heart-Stealing Pill, it burned like a hidden fire. After ten days without release, the monkey's body was unbearably hot and its muscles and bones ached.

On the surface, he was trying to smooth things over for Pigsy, but in reality, he was using the opportunity to escape and find a secluded place to get rid of the lingering poison.

Upon hearing this, he paused with his golden cudgel, jumped in front of Tang Sanzang's horse, and said with a grin, "Master, Brother Sha is right! I, Old Sun, think that Pigsy's pig head has gotten thinner and thinner. If we keep pushing him, he might not even be able to carry the rake."

We can rest for a night without delaying our plans.

"My disciple, how about you go ahead and scout out the way, and find a place to stay for the night?"

When Tang Sanzang saw that Wukong had also spoken, he knew that Wukong was quick-witted and reliable. Also, out of compassion, he couldn't bear to see his disciples too tired, so he nodded and said, "Alright, we'll do as you say."

"Wukong, go and return quickly, don't delay."

Upon receiving the order, Wukong somersaulted and soared into the sky.

On the surface, they were scouting ahead, but in reality, their monkey-like eyes scanned the surroundings and found no trace of the house.

He thought to himself, "If the effects of this medicine don't wear off, how can I, Old Sun, protect my master in peace? I need to find a way to vent my anger!"

Following the wildness of the wind, he caught the clamor of monkeys in the distant mountains and forests. His eyes lit up, and he transformed into a golden ray of light, rushing straight towards them.

The troop of hundreds of monkeys frolicked in the mountains, and cheered with joy when they saw their monkey king return.

Wukong didn't say much. Taking advantage of his monkey instincts, he found a secluded cave and, while the monkeys were playing, he released the pent-up heat.

After about an hour, he finally stopped. The monkey felt much more comfortable, and the effects of the medicine had mostly worn off.

He wiped his forehead, secretly relieved: "I've finally recovered."

Master and the others are still waiting; I need to hurry back and make up an excuse.

Below on the barren slope, Tang Sanzang reined in his horse and waited, already filled with worry.

A considerable amount of time had passed, and Wukong still hadn't returned. He gently stroked his prayer beads and murmured, "That monkey Wukong, could it be that he's encountered demons again? Alas, all my disciples have hidden worries; what am I, as their master, to do?"

Bajie, who was dozing against a tree stump, opened his eyes upon hearing this and chuckled: "Master, don't worry. I think that Monkey King must have gone to beg for alms on his own! Maybe he found some wild fruit ahead and is hiding to steal some."

Why are we waiting for him? I'm hungry, I'm going to take a nap!

Sha Wujing remained silent, only lowering his head to carry the load. He listened to Zhu Bajie's teasing, but thought to himself, "It's good to rest. Every day of delay gives us more breathing room."

When Wukong returned, it was getting dark. He landed, bowed, and smiled broadly: "Master, your disciple has scouted the place! There is a temple thirty miles ahead, with flourishing incense offerings. We should be able to find lodging there."

The vegetarian meal inside was plentiful, enough to fill Pigsy's pig-like snout between his teeth!

Upon hearing this, Pigsy leaped up with a whoosh, ignoring his rake, and patted his belly, saying, "Hey, Brother Monkey is really generous! It's good to have vegetarian food. I, Old Pig, will be on my way right now! Master, let's get going!"

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang smiled helplessly: "You glutton, you get all excited as soon as you smell food."

Let's go. "

The four travelers resumed their journey, with Sha Wujing bringing up the rear. His gaze fell upon the faint silhouette of the temple in the twilight, and he felt somewhat at ease.

The temple is named Yunlai Temple, with ancient trees reaching the sky and the sound of bells echoing far and wide.

The abbot was overjoyed to hear that the monk was a holy monk from the East. He arranged for him to stay in a superior room and served him vegetarian meals, one table after another. The vegetarian dishes were fragrant and the rice was steaming hot.

Pigsy buried his head in his food and ate voraciously, his snout glistening with oil. As he chewed, he exclaimed, "Wonderful! The monks in this temple are quite skilled; this is a hundred times better than the cornbread we eat on our journey!"

Wukong picked up a piece of food and said with a smile, "Bajie, eat slowly, don't choke."

Master, I'd like to take a stroll in the garden behind the temple to digest my food.

Tang Sanzang nodded, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes—Wukong's behavior today seemed a bit strange, and the weariness in the monkey's eyes seemed to hide an unspeakable secret.

He was compassionate and did not want to delve into the matter, so he simply said, "Go and get some rest."

As the night deepened and all was quiet, the lights in the temple gradually went out.

Tang Sanzang sat cross-legged on a futon, half-asleep and half-awake, when suddenly he felt a chill creep over him. He opened his eyes and saw the candlelight flickering in the room, and a figure quietly appeared.

The ghost was soaking wet, water droplets dripping from its pale face, its eyes bloodshot, and it murmured, "Holy monk...save me...see justice..."

Tang Sanzang was startled, but remained calm. He clasped his hands together and asked, "Who are you, benefactor? What are your past karmas, and why do you visit me so late at night?"

Upon hearing this, the ghost knelt down with a thud, its voice filled with sobs and lamentations: "This humble monk... no, this humble Taoist is the King of Wuji Kingdom! I was harmed by a demon, pushed into the well in the royal garden, and drowned there! That demon usurped the throne, and the people of the kingdom are suffering terribly. I beg the holy monk for mercy to redress my grievances! My bones in the well are not yet decayed, and the evidence is still there..."

As he spoke, he reached out his wet hand and grabbed at Tang Sanzang's robe, the coldness biting to the bone.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was greatly alarmed. His Buddhist heart surged, and he quickly recited scriptures to comfort him: "Your Majesty, do not be anxious. This humble monk will do his best."

Where are the demons? Details to follow.

The ghost wept, “That demon was the White Bone Demon in disguise. She colluded with treacherous officials in the palace and poisoned me during the banquet, pushing me into the well! The country is now without a ruler, and demonic winds are rising everywhere… Holy monk, you will pass through Wuji on your journey to the west. I beg you to enter the palace, investigate the well, and retrieve my remains!”

After speaking, the ghost's figure gradually faded, turning into a wisp of black smoke and disappearing into the candlelight.

Tang Sanzang awoke with a start, drenched in cold sweat. He pushed open the door and went outside, where he saw the moonlight as clear as water and the chirping of insects outside the temple.

His heart sank, and he thought to himself, "Another injustice has been added to the journey west."

Wukong and the others must help tomorrow… Poor king, his soul is restless.”

At the same time, a phantom flickered within the hidden realm.

Jiang Wang sat cross-legged in the void, surrounded by chaotic energy. He was originally a transmigrator who came with a system to stir up the grand scheme of Journey to the West.

Suddenly, the system's cold voice sounded in my mind: "Host, the Journey to the West process has been accelerated. Emergency mission issued: postpone the progress of the pilgrimage."

Option 1: Assassinate the lesser demon, delaying the master and disciple by one day. Reward: One mid-grade elixir.

Option Two: Freeze the well in the royal garden of Wuji Kingdom, trapping Zhu Bajie and delaying him for three days. Reward: Invulnerable to Weak Water Physique. Option Three: Fake a Heavenly Tribulation, hindering the master and disciples for five days. Reward: A superior-grade magic weapon.

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, weighing the pros and cons—one was too weak, three was too risky, while the second, though conventional, hit the nail on the head. That invulnerable constitution was just what he needed for his future travels through the Nine Netherworlds.

"Choose option two!"

He had a sudden thought, and the system approved: "Task confirmed."

Teleportation initiated.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Wang's figure flashed and he arrived at the King of Wuji's Royal Garden.

A gentle night breeze rustled through the flowers, and cicadas chirped by the well. He was secretly delighted. He made a hand seal and transformed into a plump cicada, perching on the vines along the well's edge, waiting for his chance.

System intelligence indicates that the king's ghost will appear tonight, and the master and disciples will enter the city tomorrow to search for the body. Pigsy, being greedy, will surely take the bait.

He patiently lay in wait, listening to the palace guards patrolling and their hurried footsteps.

The next morning, the four travelers set off, following the guidance of the ghost, heading straight for the Kingdom of Wuji.

The city gates were imposing yet heavily guarded; a new king had ascended the throne, and an eerie aura lingered.

Tang Sanzang dismounted, preached Buddhism, and sought an audience with the new king, Cha Jing.

The palace guards made excuses, but Wukong, with his fiery eyes, saw through their scheme and, with a flash of his staff, burst into the imperial garden.

Pigsy followed behind, his nose twitching: "Brother Monkey, this garden smells wonderful, there must be treasure! Is the king's remains in the well? I, Old Pig, will go down and take a look!"

Wukong pondered for a moment, knowing that Bajie was lustful and fond of drinking, so he took out a fake elixir from his pocket and waved it, saying, "Bajie, look at this treasure! Go down the well to retrieve the corpse, and I'll give you half!"

Pigsy's eyes widened, and with a leap, he plunged into the well with a splash: "Alright! Here I come!"

The well was three zhang deep. Pigsy sneaked in and searched for the remains.

Upon seeing this, Qiu Chan shuddered, transformed back into human form, disguised herself as a palace guard, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Thief! A pig demon is stealing the king's corpse!"

The roaring sound immediately alerted a large number of guards, and torches, like dragons, surged into the Imperial Garden.

Upon hearing this, Wukong was startled, knowing that if he persisted, he might be wanted by the authorities, ruining the journey to the West. He had no choice but to retract his golden cudgel, pick up Tang Sanzang and Sha Wujing, and shout, "Bajie, hurry up! Retreat!"

Bajie cursed and swore in the well, barely managed to climb out, and followed him, soaking wet. The master and his disciples retreated in a panic.

Seeing that the opportunity was not to be missed, Jiang Wang took advantage of the chaos to leap to the edge of the well, took out the Ice-Sealing Talisman from his sleeve, and poured it into the center of the well.

With a loud crack, the well instantly froze, forming a three-foot-thick, crystal-clear layer with a hardness comparable to a top-grade innate spiritual treasure! The water in the well was completely frozen, and when Pigsy finally climbed out, his lower body was already trapped by the ice, unable to move.

The guards arrived and were overjoyed at the sight. The head guard patted Jiang Wang on the shoulder: "Good brother! You shouted just in time and froze this thieving pig in the well perfectly! The new king will surely reward you handsomely!"

Jiang Wangqian smiled, about to reply, when he suddenly felt a great chill behind him.

The head guard's figure flickered, his face contorted, and he transformed into an old man—the Bodhi Patriarch! He wore stone gloves, shrouded in extremely yin and weak water, and grinned maliciously: "Boy, dare to disrupt the Journey to the West? Prepare to die!"

The gloves pressed down like a mountain, and the weak water corroded the void. Jiang Wang was terrified and hurriedly made a hand seal to retreat, but he was already surrounded.

In the Imperial Garden, the moonlight reflected in the icy light, and a murderous intent arose everywhere.

Bodhi had been secretly observing for a long time and knew of Jiang Wang's unusual movements. This time, he disguised himself and appeared to kill him with one blow.

Jiang Wang's heart pounded wildly: "What's this old monster doing here? System, help!"

With no response from the system, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and summon his protective magic weapon, barely managing to block the attack.

The weak water seeped into his body, causing excruciating pain. He dodged like a ghost, his mind racing with plans to escape.

In the distance, in Wuji City, the four travelers temporarily sought refuge from the storm. Tang Sanzang was filled with worry: "The king's wronged spirit has not yet been dispelled, and the demonic atmosphere here is even stronger."

"Wukong, why is the well frozen solid?"

Wukong scratched his head, his monkey eyes narrowing: "Master, don't be anxious."

I, Old Sun, sense something amiss; I fear an even greater monster lurks behind.

See you again tomorrow! "

Pigsy rubbed his pig leg and muttered, "I almost froze into an icicle! This Wuji Kingdom is really weird!"

As the night deepened, numerous clues intertwined like spider silk.

Jiang Wang struggled against the Bodhi Palm, the Weak Water Gloves chilling him to the bone. He barely managed to activate the remaining power of the system, creating an ice shadow clone that disappeared into the flower bushes.

Bodhi sneered: "Youngster, you can run away, but you can't hide!"

He flashed and chased into the shadows.

The ghost of the King of Wuji lingered on the palace walls, his spirit even more desolate, murmuring, "Holy Monk...come quickly..."

Inside the camp of the master and his disciples, Tang Sanzang chanted sutras and prayed for blessings, while Wukong kept watch at night. Although the effects of the medicine had worn off, new worries arose in his heart.

Gazing at the starry sky, Sha Wujing sighed inwardly, "Delaying is good, but this situation is becoming increasingly complicated..."

Pigsy snored loudly and even in his dream he was shouting for vegetarian food.

Panting, Jiang Wang hid behind the artificial hill, with Bodhi relentlessly pursuing him.

He knew that although the mission was successful, he had incurred the wrath of a master-level enemy. Although his invulnerable constitution was within reach, the danger was surging like a tide.

In the distance, the well was frozen solid, and the faint sound of Pigsy's angry curses could be heard—though they were not deeply trapped, they had already delayed the master and his disciples' progress.

Three days passed quietly, adding another twist to the journey to the West.

On the day Wukong returned to the team, the sun was rising and a mountain breeze was blowing.

He leaped out of the cave, his monkey fur shaking off the dust. Although the heat had subsided considerably, the lingering effects within him still felt like tiny ants gnawing at his heart.

He secretly rejoiced that the monkey troop had lent him a helping hand. The monkey brothers, laughing and joking, were unaware of the monkey king's secret. They only thought that with the king's return, the mountain village would be even more lively.

Wukong smiled bitterly to himself: "Laojun's medicine is extremely vicious! My golden body is intact, yet I've been poisoned by it."

He somersaulted back to the barren slope, where he saw his master and the other two waiting anxiously. Tang Sanzang lightly tapped his whip, Pigsy looked around, and Sandy lowered his head and muttered to himself.

After ten days and six thousand miles of travel, Tang Sanzang's horse hooves shattered countless specks of dust.

His white horse was as white as snow, and he seemed to be protected by a Buddha's light, as if he had no fatigue.

But the disciples were different. Pigsy's pig body, with layers of fat swaying under the scorching sun, made every step feel like walking on cotton.

As he complained, his voice trailed off, tinged with the grunts of a pig: "Master, I, this old pig, am utterly impressed by your impatience! Back in the Milky Way, at least I had peaches to eat, but now? I'm eating the wind and sleeping in the open, and even my pig kidneys have gotten thin!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's eyes flashed with compassion, but he said sternly, "Bajie, true cultivation is found in finding joy even in hardship."

If you continue to be lazy, this humble monk will recite the Tightening-Headband Mantra!

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's pig ears twitched, and he quickly lowered his head: "Master, please calm down, I'll go, I'll go..."

Sha Wujing's suggestion was like a gentle breeze, easing the tension between master and disciple. (End of Chapter)