Chapter 438: When Everything Is Over, Let's Walk the Journey to the West Again

Sun Wukong watched Tang An eating so deliciously that he felt a bit tempted himself.

"Brother Nezha, could you give me some too?"

Then, he saw Nezha's gaze, which was filled with resentment.

"Ahem~" Sun Wukong scratched his cheek in embarrassment, "I suddenly don't want to eat it that much anymore."

"Hey, Brother Yang Jian, I'll come help you."

Now that Sun Wukong had left, only Tang An and Nezha remained in the living room.

"Is it good?"

"It's good." Tang An, that big foodie, ate with one hand and watched with the other, her eyes full of longing for the TV drama; she didn't even turn her head to look at Nezha once.

Nezha took a deep breath, crossed his arms, and sat turned to one side, a few lotus flowers appearing above his head, unwilling to peel any more for her.

Tang An reached out and groped empty air several times without touching any food, only then turning her head to look at Nezha.

"Eh?"

"Why are you acting all sulky? Are you angry because I ate some of your lotus seeds?"

She took a pack of spicy gluten strips for Nezha, "Then I'll give you some spicy strips in return; these are delicious, have a taste."

Nezha just stared at Tang An with that resentful look, his prideful, sulky mood fully engaged—the kind that couldn't be coaxed away.

"Hiss~"

Seeing that one pack wouldn't do, Tang An took out several more. Seeing that even several packs didn't work, she simply pushed the entire cart of snacks in front of Nezha.

"They're all yours, okay?"

The corners of Nezha's mouth lifted slightly, yet he still turned his head to the side. That little expression was clearly him deliberately waiting for Tang An to keep coaxing him.

"If that really won't work..." Tang An was worried; she was human, and lotus flowers wouldn't sprout from her head, so she had no way to pay him back in kind.

"Then tell me, what can I do to make you happy?"

Nezha thought about it, but he hadn't decided yet. "Then we'll talk about it next time when I've thought it over."

"Deal." Tang An tossed him a bag of milk tablets, "These are good, think about it slowly."

In the kitchen, Yang Jian and Sun Wukong, who had seen this scene, had the corners of their mouths stretched almost to their ears.

"I never expected Brother Nezha to have learned those little human tricks."

Who said lotus roots are solid? His heart has so many hidden chambers.

Yang Jian leaned against the stove, a soup ladle still in his hand; his long legs and slim waist paired with his shirt and dress trousers were super easy on the eyes.

"Did you think he spent all these days watching those CEO short dramas and romance TV shows with Master for nothing?"

"If it weren't for his sulky personality and his fear of being chased and beaten by Master, he probably would have already used those CEO tactics to deal with Master."

Sun Wukong completely agreed with what Yang Jian said; after all, applying those plots from storybooks to the two of them looked out of place no matter how you looked at it, and it always seemed to end with Nezha being chased and beaten.

"Sigh, Brother Nezha really has it hard."

"Forget it, let him fuss as he pleases." Sun Wukong turned to look into the pot, "What soup did Brother Yang Jian stew today?"

"Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup."

"Ah?"

"To nourish our third brother."

"Oh? Heh, hehehehe..."

It's over; Brother Yang Jian has already been led further and further astray by Master.

Still, his cooking skills are quite good, so lotus root soup it is.

Night fell, and the starry river filled the sky with brilliance.

The four of them, master and disciples, sat on the roof; Yang Jian played a game of chess against himself, while Nezha and Sun Wukong drank.

Tang An, meanwhile, lay comfortably, feeling the breeze and listening to the music in her earphones—it was so pleasant.

This kind of retired, immortal life should be lived every day; why bother with fighting and killing when there's nothing to do?

"Master, would you like to play a game of chess with Yang Jian?"

"No, lying down feels just right."

"Master, come drink." Sun Wukong also beckoned Tang An over.

Tang An sat with her legs crossed, tapping her toes, her left hand pillowed under her neck, and she raised her right hand to wave, refusing their suggestion.

She was at her most comfortable right now and didn't want to move a muscle.

"Master, if the Three Realms are peaceful in the future and everything is settled, what do you want to do?" Yang Jian continued to ask.

"Me?" Tang An had never really thought about it before, "If I had a choice, I'd probably choose to live the life I have now."

"This kind of leisurely and carefree life is better than anything to me."

"It's just that..."

Sun Wukong followed up and asked: "Just what?"

"It's just that the three of you each have your own affairs, and I'm afraid you won't have much time to keep me company in the future."

"It's fine, just come and visit this lonely old person often."

Tang An knew deep down that no one could truly accompany a person for a whole lifetime. Moreover, they were immortals, and a lifetime was even longer, much longer.

Yang Jian and Nezha held heavy responsibilities, and with Yaoji resurrected, Yang Jian also needed to spend more time with his family.

As for Nezha, she didn't know when he would be willing to see Lady Yin in the future. If they reconciled, he would likely prioritize his own family as well.

Even Sun Wukong had a mountain of monkeys and grandchildren to manage, and likewise could not be by her side every day.

She had been afraid of loneliness since she was a child; if she went back later, she would have to spend every day accompanied by loneliness.

Who said immortality is good? Enduring loneliness while immortal is, to someone who fears loneliness, even comparable to a vicious curse.

Forget it, don't think about it; living comfortably in the moment is enough, why think so much.

Nezha tossed a flask of wine to Tang An, "After everything is over, let's retrace the path of the Journey to the West; once we finish, we'll return to Huashan to live in seclusion."

"The land has already been turned, and I've planted melons, fruits, and vegetables. Later, I'll plant some lotus flowers, and then there will be no shortage of lotus seeds to eat."

Tang An sat up with a spring, her eyes shining; clearly, she liked Nezha's proposal very much.

"Fine, by then those little demons probably won't even know the name of Tang An anymore."

"We shall walk the Journey to the West once more, and I will surely restore the name of Tang An throughout the Three Realms!"

The three of them looked at each other, nodded with a smile, and had no objections.

It's just that when Tang An goes to bully the demons then, there truly won't be a single demon who can kidnap her.

Thinking of those scenes, the corners of Tang An's mouth lifted involuntarily. Those past memories were what supported the only place in her heart that still held joy.

Carrying those memories, Tang An entered a sweet dream. Tonight, she would finally be able to get a good night's sleep.

At the hour of the Rat.

Tang An was originally having a beautiful dream when suddenly, the Houtu Divine Ring in her hand erupted with a strong, earthy-brown light.

The scenes in her dream seemed to shift in an instant; not knowing what she had dreamt of, she actually shed tears.

"No..."

"No!"

"Pfft—"

Tang An sat up abruptly and turned to the side to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"What's wrong?" Nezha flashed to her side, looking at her with anxiety and worry, "How could you spit blood?"

Tang An hurriedly grabbed Nezha's wrist, nervously checking to see if he had any injuries or the like.

"Master?"

Yang Jian put down the unfinished game in his hand and also came over. "What's wrong?"

Tang An wiped the sweat from her forehead, panting heavily, her eyes seemingly already clear, "It's nothing, I had a nightmare."

"Pfft—"

No sooner had she finished speaking than she turned and spat out another mouthful of blood. Within a few breaths, her complexion was as pale as paper, and she looked extremely weak.

"Master!" Yang Jian was shocked by this sudden scene.

"Has the backlash injury not healed yet? How could you spit blood for no reason?" Nezha was flustered, helping Tang An up.

Tang An shook her head to indicate she was fine, then looked toward the southwest in the distance.

"It seems it is time to deal with the final matter."

She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and, leaning on Nezha's arm, rose from the ground.

Sun Wukong, who had fallen asleep after drinking, also woke up with a start at this moment.

"What's wrong, Master? Where is this smell of blood coming from?"