Chapter 40: Sha Wujing

The salesman Shaseng.

Xiaobailong carried Tang Seng to the side of a wide, great river. Looking at the river, which was dozens of meters wide, Tang Seng said, "Wukong, go see what the name of this great river is. It is so wide that it wants to block my path. I must record it; when I succeed in obtaining the scriptures in the future, I will recount how I crossed this great river."

Hearing this, Kong Xuan had to say to himself, "What a fucking shameless man. You haven't even crossed the river yet, and you're already thinking about singing your own praises. Besides, you won't be able to obtain the scriptures."

Upon hearing Tang Seng's words, Sun Wukong walked over, took a look, and said loudly, "Eight Hundred Liusha Boundary, Three Thousand Weak Water deep; a goose feather cannot float, and even a reed flower sinks to the bottom."

Tang Seng heard this and said, "Wukong, throw your hat down and see if it sinks to the bottom. If it sinks, Master will compensate you with another one. If it doesn't sink, it means that truly nothing can float on it."

Hearing Tang Seng's words, Sun Wukong gritted his teeth so hard they made a clacking sound. Tang Seng asked Sun Wukong suspiciously, "Wukong, what is wrong with your teeth?"

"I'm freezing," Wukong said emotionlessly.

"Is it very cold? Why do I not feel cold at all?" Tang Seng continued to ask.

"Perhaps it is because you are not afraid of the cold. I will test right now whether it can sink." As he spoke, he conjured another hat and threw it into the river; it indeed sank to the bottom.

Tang Seng's expression became grave. "What should we do? The hat sank to the bottom. Throw a strand of your hair down and see if it floats."

Wukong followed Tang Seng's instructions and threw down a strand of hair, but it still sank to the bottom.

Tang Seng became anxious. This river could not let anything float across it. It seemed we could only use our secret weapon: Wukong, carry me and fly across.

Kong Xuan widened his eyes upon hearing Tang Seng's words. This was the legendary, strong-willed Tang Seng? Who the fuck made that up?

"Master, how can you ask me to carry you across? Your journey to obtain the scriptures requires tempering. If we encounter a difficult pass and you just have me carry you away by flying, why not just have me carry you all the way to the Western Heaven?" Sun Wukong advised.

Tang Seng began to ponder after hearing Wukong's words.

At this moment, a person dressed in gorgeous, clean, and bright clothing emerged from the river.

Looking at Wukong and Tang Seng, a professional smile appeared on his face: "Are the two of you looking to cross the river? I have a way to let you cross."

Tang Seng heard the words of the person who emerged from the river and hurriedly asked, "I do not know what method the benefactor has to help us cross this river. Please tell us; we would be very grateful to you."

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sha Wujing. I am the manager and employee of the Liusha River Transportation Company, in charge of the transportation work for the Liusha River, specifically managing the transport on the Liusha River," Sha Wujing said politely.

"Then hurry and send us across," Tang Seng said hurriedly.

"No rush. We have many types of services here. There is the 'General' type, where safety is not guaranteed; the 'Safety' type, though it only allows one person to cross, and you have two people and a horse; and then there is the 'Luxury' type, which can get you all across without any turbulence. It won't make people seasick, and the interior is luxuriously appointed. I suggest you use the 'Luxury' type," Sha Wujing introduced.

"Oh, good, we will use the 'Luxury' type. Please take us across, thank you," Tang Seng replied hurriedly after hearing Sha Wujing's words.

"Very well, please pay the bill first: one hundred taels of gold," Sha Wujing said with a smile.

"We have to pay money? But we have no money. Can you help us out?" Tang Seng said upon hearing that money was required.

"I am sorry, this company is a small business and does not offer credit," Sha Wujing said professionally.

"But I am a monk, where would I get money? How about this: when we return after obtaining the scriptures, we will definitely pay you. Just take us across first, okay?" Tang Seng said, trying to negotiate.

"Why waste words with him? If he dares not help us cross, I, Old Sun, will beat him to death with one strike of my staff and see if he dares to care or not," Sun Wukong suddenly interjected.

"Wait, did you say you are on a journey to obtain the scriptures?" Sha Wujing asked hurriedly.

"Yes, why?" Tang Seng replied suspiciously.

"Disciple pays respects to Master. Disciple Sha Wujing, having received the guidance of Guanyin Pusa, came here to wait for the scripture seeker and then escort him to obtain the scriptures from the Western Heaven to wash away my sins," Sha Wujing said as he knelt down.

"Oh, is that so? Then let us cross the river." Once Tang Seng heard that he was a person sent by Guanyin to protect him, his tone immediately changed to one of command.

"Yes, Master." Sha Wujing threw out a necklace made of skulls, which kept growing larger until it finally became a huge boat, ferrying Tang Seng and the others across the river.

"Wujing, you must perform well in the future and strive to achieve Buddhahood early to wash away your original sins," Tang Seng lectured.

"Yes, I will definitely reform. Rest assured," Sha Wujing hurriedly pledged his determination.

Just like that, only Zhu Bajie was missing for the group to be complete on the Journey to the West.