Mount Longevity.
Li Miaoci fled all the way to the foot of Mount Longevity. Nezha stopped teasing her, as something else came to mind.
“I remember Zhenyuan Great Immortal’s training grounds are at Wuzhuang Temple,” Nezha said.
Yang Jian nodded. “That’s right.”
Zhenyuan Great Immortal often ascended to the heavens, especially maintaining good relations with the Three Pure Ones and Four Emperors. Though he belonged to the Taiyi Mystic Sect, he also had close ties with Western Buddhism.
“Senior Brother,” Nezha eagerly ran up to Sun Wukong. “Have you ever seen Ginseng Fruit?”
Sun Wukong immediately perked up. “I’ve only heard that Ginseng Fruit is also called Grass-Returning Elixir, and eating it grants longevity. I’ve never actually seen it, though.”
“What a coincidence!” Nezha grinned. “Not far ahead, there’s a Taoist temple where the Ginseng Fruit Tree grows.”
“Nezha, what are you planning?” Yang Jian had a bad feeling, suspecting Nezha was trying to stir up trouble with the monkey.
“Nothing much. I’ve never seen Ginseng Fruit either, so I thought I’d go with Senior Brother to broaden our horizons.”
Li Miaoci trailed behind, thinking to herself, Mount Longevity’s Wuzhuang Temple?
Without Zhu Bajie, could it be Nezha who’s egging Sun Wukong on to steal the fruit and destroy the celestial tree?
“Senior Brother, as people, we shouldn’t be too curious. What’s important is that we keep moving,” Li Miaoci pleaded anxiously.
Nezha pushed her aside. “No need to rush.”
Once Zhenyuan Great Immortal was angered and he personally dealt with Tang Sanzang, there would be no need to continue the scripture retrieval!
With Tang Sanzang gone, everyone could disband—far better than being trapped day after day at Flowing Sands River.
Nezha couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t complain as they trekked over mountains and ridges; instead, he was spirited and brimming with joy.
After walking for half a day, they caught sight of Wuzhuang Temple in the distance.
Amidst the clouds and mist, majestic palaces and towering pavilions stood tall.
Li Miaoci was filled with apprehension. “This place looks like a deep, secluded estate owned by someone hard to reason with. Shouldn’t we find somewhere else to stay?”
“Hey,” Nezha led the way forward. “Buddhism and Taoism are one family. How could they be difficult to talk to? Come on.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the temple gates swung open, and two young Taoist disciples stepped out.
“Honored guests, by our master’s orders, we have been waiting for you for some time.”
Tang Sanzang dared not be negligent and hurried forward to return the courtesy.
Li Miaoci steeled herself and followed the others into Wuzhuang Temple.
It had to be said that the temple was nestled against the mountains, adorned with exotic flowers and rare herbs, and surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Hiding was futile. If she kept hiding, she would never complete the 81 Tribulations.
Summoning her courage, she stepped through the main gate.
Upon entering the main hall, Qingfeng and Mingyue first served them tea.
They exchanged a few pleasantries with Tang Sanzang.
They recognized Yang Jian and Nezha, and they also knew of Sun Wukong—these three were among the most troublesome figures in the Celestial Court.
Before their master left, he had specifically instructed them not to provoke these three.
Though he was the Patriarch of Earthly Immortals and possessed formidable power, who would want to be entangled with three such troublemakers?
Before long, Qingfeng and Mingyue entered, carrying four Ginseng Fruits.
The fruits were shaped like infants, gleaming golden, and truly a rare sight.
“Honored masters, these are Ginseng Fruits. Before our master departed, he specifically instructed us to offer them for you to taste.”
Nezha was just looking for an excuse to cause trouble. There are five of us, why only four fruits?
But when he glanced up at Li Miaoci, he noticed she was lost in thought, her mind completely elsewhere.
At that moment, Li Miaoci was thinking, I’ve actually seen fruit shaped like this before—it’s sold in supermarkets for twelve and a half yuan per jin.
When Tang Sanzang saw the fruit they brought up, he was immediately horrified. “Isn’t this a newborn baby? Amitabha, how can this be eaten?”
“Is this the thing that can make you live 360 years just by smelling it, and 47,000 years by eating one?” Sun Wukong questioned.
“Exactly.”
“Put it down, put it down, thank you.”
Upon hearing his words, Qingfeng and Mingyue directly set the fruit down. “Then, masters, please rest well. We will go prepare the vegetarian meal.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Sun Wukong returned the courtesy.
Li Miaoci scratched her head. Was this scene so harmonious? When Qingfeng and Mingyue brought the Ginseng Fruit, they didn’t even avoid others?
“Li Miaoci, this is for you.” Nezha picked one up and threw it into her arms.
Yang Jian said, “I won’t eat it either.”
Her Magical Power is low… no, she has no Magical Power. Eating this would be beneficial for her health.
“Old Sun doesn’t like it either. You can have them all.”
Li Miaoci, holding four Ginseng Fruits in her arms, asked somewhat dazedly, “Wait, are you giving these to me to eat as a meal?”
Tang Sanzang glanced again at the fruit in Li Miaoci’s arms, frightening him into closing his eyes once more to chant sutras.
Li Miaoci refused to eat and placed the fruit back.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to eat it, but she felt a bit embarrassed.
After the vegetarian meal, Tang Sanzang returned to his room to meditate in a seated position.
Sun Wukong also went back to rest with his eyes closed.
Yang Jian, however, did not rest. He went to the back mountain to watch the waterfall.
Li Miaoci took a stroll around the back garden. Seeing the garden full of melons, fruits, and vegetables, she sighed, “We Chinese really love growing vegetables.”
After her walk, she returned to her room to sleep.
Before falling asleep, she sighed inwardly, “What a wonderful day.”
Ever since Tang Sanzang’s disciples were replaced, the journey had been peaceful, with few Demons and no calamities.
When she opened her eyes again, she suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
The mountain wind blew cold and piercing.
“Who knocked down my Ginseng Fruit Tree?”
A Daoist with an immortal aura and imposing presence stood on the steps, looking down at the… group.
Li Miaoci belatedly realized that while she was sweetly dreaming, someone had still knocked down the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
Wait, it really has nothing to do with her. She was cautious and didn’t even dare to eat much for dinner.
Indeed, when you follow the right people, you get the most beatings.
Why wasn’t I included when dividing the fruit, but when it’s time for beatings and punishment, I’m tied up at the very front?
As soon as Zhenyuan Great Immortal asked, Nezha hurriedly spoke up, “It was our master who ordered us to do it. He said your fruit was newborn babies. Your attendants can testify.”
Tang Sanzang was horrified. “Disciple, how can an ordained person speak falsely? Amitabha.”
“I’ll ask one more time…” Zhenyuan Great Immortal didn’t seem particularly angry, more like going through the motions.
“If you don’t speak up, each of you will receive fifty lashes.”
“You old Daoist are so unreasonable. It’s the master who failed to teach his disciples properly. If there’s to be punishment, he should bear it on their behalf.” Nezha argued with him.
Li Miaoci looked at the bound group: Sun Wukong grinning cheekily, Yang Jian calm and composed, and Nezha intent on shifting the blame to Tang Sanzang.
Let me just say, I remember in the original story, there were scenes of escaping and fighting.
Are we skipping those parts and going straight to the beatings and then the oil pot?
“Then let’s start with the woman beside Tang Sanzang…”
“Why?” Li Miaoci asked, puzzled.
“Great Immortal, it really wasn’t me.”
She explained somewhat desperately. With her abilities, knocking down the Ginseng Fruit Tree? She’d need Shandong’s specialty just to knock down a weeping willow.
“Then why are you trembling and looking so suspicious? You must be guilty.”
“Attack!”
“Wait, wait.” Sun Wukong, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up. “Great Immortal Zhenyuan, don’t blame the wrong person. Knocking down the celestial tree really has nothing to do with my junior sister.”
The three secretly gathered their true energy, preparing to break the Immortal-Binding Rope.
“How about this, Great Immortal? Release us first, and we’ll find someone to help you revive the celestial tree,” Yang Jian said.
He thought Nezha’s idea was completely foolish. Great Immortal Zhenyuan didn’t want to trouble Tang Sanzang at all—he didn’t even want to hit him.
“Fine, then seven days it is.”
“Agreed.”
With a wave of his Taoist robe, he untied the ropes binding everyone.
“Master will stay as your hostage—no need to treat him kindly.” Nezha sped away on his Wind-Fire Wheels.
Before leaving, Yang Jian didn’t forget to take Li Miaoci with him.
Sun Wukong glanced at Tang Sanzang, then somersaulted into the clouds and soared away.
Above the clouds, Nezha laughed heartily. “Hahahaha, seven days as a limit? Let him keep the old monk as a hostage for a lifetime!”
“I’m heading back to Heavenly King Hall to steal the pagoda!”