Chapter 426: Master, why are you so clever today?

In the White Tiger Ridge region, indeed the population is sparse, one could even say it is deserted.

The terrain is treacherous, with jagged rocks, towering ancient trees, winding vines; a faint eerie aura pervades the air, and traces of mountain spirits and demons are visible everywhere.

Having left the Great Immortal of Wuzhuangguan Town, Xuanzang and his disciples trudged here, exhausted and their horses weary.

Xuanzang's stomach growled painfully, so he halted the horse and said to Sun Wukong: "Wukong, your master is a bit hungry. Go look around for any village and bring back some vegetarian fare to stave off hunger."

Sun Wukong heard this, grinned, his fiery eyes scanning the desolate surroundings, and pointed, saying:

"Master, aren't you talking nonsense? Look at this place—birds don't even defecate, beasts don't tread paths, not even a ghost's shadow can be seen. Where would any villagers be? Even if they had money, there's nowhere to spend it!"

Xuanzang heard this and instinctively wanted to say, "You lazy monkey," for he knew Sun Wukong could cover a hundred and eighty thousand li in a single somersault, and gathering alms was merely a matter of lifting a leg for him.

But before speaking, recalling how his words had hurt Wukong before and remembering Yu Lin's reasoning, he swallowed the rebuke and gently advised:

"Since you have some skill, go and try, look farther away; perhaps there are villages elsewhere where you can obtain some vegetarian food."

"If you truly cannot find any people, just pick some wild mountain fruit; it will suffice to fill the belly for now."

Sun Wukong saw his master no longer scolding directly, his tone softened, and he nodded.

"Alright, alright. Bajie, Sha junior brother, you two perk up, watch over Master carefully, don't let any mountain cats or beasts startle him! Old Sun will be back in a flash!"

Having said that, he slipped the Golden Cudgel into his ear, leapt onto the clouds, and scanned the surroundings with his hand on the cool railing.

In the distance, atop a peak, a few bright red specks dotted the green, resembling ripe peaches.

His heart rejoiced, and he rode the clouds toward that peak.

Just moments after Sun Wukong departed, within a concealed cliff cave nearby, a figure silently stepped out.

She looked down at Xuanzang, who was being guarded by Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng, seated on a stone to rest, a faint, composed smile curling her lips as she whispered, "I'm here."

Then, with a flicker, a faint radiance flashed and she transformed into a young village woman in a hemp‑spiked cloth skirt, her natural beauty, snow‑white skin, and painterly features unmistakable.

She carried a bamboo basket covered with blue cloth, from which a faint aroma of food wafted.

She made no pretense, walking straight toward the direction where Xuanzang and his disciples were.

Xuanzang's eyes were sharp; from afar he spotted the woman emerging from the forest and felt a sudden doubt:

"Bajie, Sha Seng, didn't Wukong just say this place has no inhabitants? How did a female benefactor appear?"

Zhu Bajie was lazily leaning against a tree; hearing this he looked up, and upon seeing the woman's looks, his eyes widened, saliva nearly spilling, caring little about reason, he hurriedly said:

"Hey! Master, this desolate mountain—perhaps it's from a nearby hunter's family? Old Pig will go ask right away!"

Having said that, without waiting for Xuanzang's instruction, he puffed out his belly, rubbed his hands, and cheerfully rushed forward.

Xuanzang only saw Zhu Bajie shuffle up to the woman, saying something unknown, then returning with a goofy grin, hopping back while shouting loudly:

"Master! Master! Not a demon, not a demon! It's a 'Beautiful Bodhisattva' who came specifically to deliver vegetarian meals to earn merit for the monks!"

Xuanzang: "…"

He looked at this lecherous disciple, speechless.

Even though his mortal eyes lack magical sight, common sense tells him that in such treacherous woods, a lone beautiful woman appearing with a basket of vegetarian food is bound to be suspicious!

He sighed and said to Zhu Bajie, "Bajie, your master advises you to move that spark of wit in your brain next time you act."

"Even if it's a pig's brain, it shouldn't just be a decoration; learn from your senior brother."

"In such perilous terrain, even seasoned hunters travel in groups; how could a frail woman dare come alone?"

Zhu Bajie, stung by the remark, muttered, "Master, old Pig advises you not to read that broken book any more; look at that mouth of yours, it's getting more poisonous…"

Just as Xuanzang was about to speak, the woman gracefully approached, and upon hearing the words, said:

"The elder is right; ordinary hunters naturally fear this treacherous forest. But I am not afraid."

Her voice crisp and demeanor calm, she explained, "My husband is a true cultivator who attained Dao in these mountains, protecting travelers and expelling spirits for countless years, accumulating great merit."

"When my husband was young, he received enlightenment from a high monk, a kindness he has always kept in mind."

"Today he happened to be away on business, not in his cave; I thought to come on his behalf, bring some vegetarian meals, as a modest token of gratitude to repay the Buddhist Sect's kindness."

Speaking, she seemed afraid Xuanzang and his disciples wouldn't believe, so she tilted the bamboo basket, lifting a corner of the blue cloth.

Indeed, the basket held neatly arranged clean earthen jars and porcelain bottles, lids half open, revealing steaming, fragrant white rice, vegetables, and flatbread—clearly a carefully prepared home‑style vegetarian meal.

The aroma spread, and Zhu Bajie's mouth watered uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Xuanzang's doubts dissolved considerably.

It turned out to be the family of a hidden mountain cultivator, coming to repay an old favor.

He quickly clasped his hands, apologetically saying, "I see! How virtuous! It was my excessive worry, having neglected the lady benefactor; please forgive my offense."

"However… I still have a disciple out picking peaches who hasn't returned; may I trouble the lady benefactor to wait a moment?"

"When he returns, we will all share the meal together, lest we disappoint the lady benefactor and her esteemed husband."

Having said so, Xuanzang stood solemnly aside, quietly chanting Buddhist mantras, waiting patiently.

Zhu Bajie, however, was already so enticed by the aroma that his soul drifted, and he shouted:

"Why wait for that monkey? Master, you're being too particular! Isn't it fine for three of us to share and eat? Yet you insist on waiting for that hairy‑faced thunder‑mouth to return! If you don't eat, old Pig can't wait any longer!"

Saying that, he reached out to grab the flatbread from the basket.

Just as his pig hoof was about to touch the flatbread, a thunderous shout rang down from the heavens:

"You fool! Stop!"

A Golden Light descended, and it was Sun Wukong returning with a sack full of fresh peaches!

His eyes sharp and movements swift, he kicked Zhu Bajie off balance, then with a "swish" drew the Golden Cudgel from his ear, swung it through the wind, and without a word, struck the food‑delivering woman head‑on!

"Monster! Look, I'm beating you!"

Xuanzang, shocked, rushed forward to intervene: "Wukong! Wukong! What are you doing?! Stop at once! Do not hurt this kind lady benefactor!"

Sun Wukong, blocked by Xuanzang, frantically scratched his ear and cheek, "Master! Don't be fooled! This is not a lady benefactor; it's clearly a shapeshifted monster here to harm you!"

Xuanzang, however, shook his head and insisted, "The lady just explained clearly; her husband is a true cultivator in the mountains, protecting travelers, and came to deliver the meal to repay the Buddhist Sect's grace."

"Perhaps… perhaps her husband has certain preferences, being a union of human and spirit? It doesn't necessarily mean he's a harmful monster."

Monkey King: "........"

He was momentarily choked by Master's expansive notion of "human‑demon union" and "some preferences", and didn't know how to rebut.

He could only, in a fit of anger, point at the basket on the ground: "Master! Take a look! What good thing she gave!"

Speaking, his fire‑eye golden sight flashed, and he pointed at the food in the basket.

In Tang Seng's eyes, the delicate vegetarian meal that had just been steaming hot and fragrant instantly turned, as if faded and rotted, into maggot‑infested rotten meat, wriggling earthworms, bulging‑eyed frogs, buzzing flies… enough to make one vomit!

"Ah!" Tang Seng shouted, his face turning pale, and he instinctively stepped back half a step.

Pigsy, seeing this, rolled his eyes and hurriedly fanned the flames beside him:

"Master! Look! This Monkey King is using an illusion to deceive you! The fine vegetarian meal has been turned by him into these pickled, filthy things!"

"He simply doesn't want you to eat the good vegetarian meal that the female bodhisattva gave! Your mortal eyes can't see clearly!"

Because he had been ridiculed by Monkey King many times before for his blunders, sowing a festive‑season grudge, he naturally would not miss this chance in the current situation!

Tang Seng, hearing this, felt doubt rise again, and looked at Monkey King: "Really?"

Monkey King retorted angrily: "Master! Can my fire‑eye golden sight still be wrong?!"

Pigsy, stretching his neck: "Really! Master, trust old Pig's words!"

Tang Seng nodded: "Pigsy, you say this is an illusion, the real vegetarian meal turned into a fake appearance, so you must not fear this 'illusion'?"

Pigsy was startled: "Ah?"

"Then, Pigsy, take a couple of bites of this real vegetarian meal, and show me, proving your words are not empty."

Pigsy: "........"

He opened his mouth wide, looking at the spread of "rotten meat and earthworms" on the ground, his face turning green.

How could he dare eat? He merely wanted to stir the fire, watching the Monkey King and Master argue!

Why is Master suddenly so hard to fool today? He even learned to turn the tables? Strange!

Seeing Pigsy stammering, unable to speak and too afraid to step forward, Tang Seng already understood in his heart.

He sighed inwardly: "Alas, truly it is: 'Master's heart is linked with yours, and you play mind games with Master'!"

He no longer looked at Pigsy, turned to Monkey King, his expression returning to calm, and spoke slowly:

"Wukong, the Lunyu says: 'Strange strength and chaotic spirits.'"

Monkey King, ever so clever, understood at once!

His face instantly broke into an approving, delighted smile, his golden eyes flashing sharp light:

"Alright! Master, disciple understands!"

Before the words finished, his Golden Cudgel, already bearing wind‑and‑thunder force, mercilessly smashed toward the "village woman", who had long been pale with fright and kept retreating!

"Demon! Meet your death!"

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the beautiful woman didn't even have time to scream before the blow revealed her true form—a skeletal frame in tattered clothes collapsed on the ground, dead beyond death.

However, neither Tang Seng nor Monkey King noticed that within the shattered breastbone of the skeleton, an inconspicuous teal Jade Ring also quietly cracked.

It turned into fine powder, drifting with the wind, leaving no trace.

Monkey King sheathed the Golden Cudgel, weighed it in his palm, and grinned at the nearby stammering Pigsy, showing his stark white teeth:

"Pigsy, Pigsy, if Master hadn't been so sharp‑eyed and clear‑sighted today, seeing through your clumsy trick, you would have actually set a trap for that monster. Hehe…"

His laugh carried a hint of mockery and also a warning: "In front of Master, this time old Monkey won't argue with you further; let's turn the page here."

"But… on the road westward, if such 'forgetful' or 'recklessly stirring' incidents arise again… hmph!"

He hummed twice, a flash of golden light in his eyes; though unsaid, the threat was evident.

Pigsy, swept by that gaze, felt a chill down his neck, quickly tucked his chin, and plastered a flattering smile on his face: "Yes, yes, senior brother's lesson! I, old Pig, was momentarily clouded by pig‑fat, babbled nonsense; thanks to Master and senior brother's keen insight! Thank you, senior brother, for your magnanimity!"

He was sensible enough to realize he'd lost today and dared not be stubborn any longer.

The little disturbance was temporarily set aside.

The master and disciples shared the fresh peaches Monkey King had picked, ate hastily to stave off hunger, then packed their gear, continued leading horses and carrying loads, and headed west along the rugged mountain path.

Beside the cave entrance.

A nearly transparent phantom was slowly coalescing, becoming clear.

After a few breaths, the phantom solidified completely, revealing Huang Wan's figure.

She watched the departing silhouette of Monkey King and his disciples, especially the Monkey King bearing his staff, walking with wind at his heels; a flash of awe and admiration flickered in her beautiful eyes.

"So this is the famed Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong? Truly… boundless magical power, fire‑eye golden sight, the name lives up to its fame."

She murmured to herself, recalling the lightning‑fast, precise, ruthless strike just now, feeling a chill of respect.

"Fortunately the young master had already made arrangements; otherwise, I fear we wouldn't even get past the first hurdle."

She steadied herself, casting aside stray thoughts.

"I won't dwell on this; completing the task the young master assigned is urgent."

She flickered again, light and shadow swirling around her, her joints emitting a faint "crackle", and her form shifted swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, the youthful spirit‑fairy Huang Wan transformed into an elderly woman with white hair at the temples, a wrinkled face, stooped figure, leaning on a cane—a true old crone.

She adjusted her breathing and gait to appear more like a stumbling, searching‑for‑relatives elder, then, trembling, she followed the direction of Tang Seng and his disciples as they left.

High above.

The hidden Guanyin Bodhisattva, standing on a lotus platform, held a yak‑fat Jade Pure Bottle, taking in everything that unfolded below.

Her usually compassionate, serene jade face now bore a rare hint of strangeness and doubt.

"How strange indeed…" she frowned slightly:

"How could that demon be so easily seen through and slain by a single strike?"

"Logically, since she is both calculating yet careless, her transformations are exquisite, and she excels at beguilement, she should at least have caused some friction between that Monkey King and Tang Seng, a little trouble, to fulfill the notion of 'calamity.'"

"Now it's like this… it's perhaps too smooth, lacking some trials that temper the heart."

She silently counted on her fingers, yet she could figure out nothing.

"If we don't use this matter to temporarily drive that monkey head away… I'm afraid it would be hard to achieve completeness, and their master‑disciple bond would miss a layer of honing…"

Guanyin Bodhisattva pondered.

The calamities on the westward journey each carry deep meaning—some to exterminate demons, some to temper the heart, some to reveal the Dharma, some to increase faith.

This White Tiger Ridge trial, as it stands now, seems to be lacking something!

She thought for a moment, her gaze falling on Tang Seng walking below.

She saw that the monk, though he had just endured danger, seemed to have handled it well and seen through the demon, and a few more strands of confidence appeared in his brow; there was no rift between him and Sun Wukong.

"Fine, since a variable has arisen, we need to guide it slightly, steering it back onto the proper track."

Guanyin Bodhisattva formed a plan in her mind.

She extended her delicate jade fingers, drew a dripping emerald willow branch from the mutton‑fat jade Jade Pure Bottle, gave a slight flick of her wrist, and sprinkled a drop of clear, crystal‑bright sweet dew toward the direction where Xuanzang stood below.

The drop of sweet dew passed through the clouds silently, bearing a hint of cool, purifying scent, and fell precisely on Xuanzang's crown.

While Xuanzang walked, he suddenly felt a slight chill atop his head, as if a drop of cold mountain dew had struck him.

Instinctively he raised his hand to touch, but felt nothing; he dismissed it as forest mist and paid it no mind.

Yet, as he looked up, his gaze fell exactly on the bend of the mountain road ahead.

There, at an unknown moment, another figure had appeared.

An elderly woman with white, ashen hair, leaning on a cane and shuffling, was walking toward them, glancing left and right as if searching for something.

Xuanzang felt a stir; although the earlier "village woman" matter had been clarified, this old crone's appearance still seemed suspicious… uh, perhaps Sun Wukong really misread the situation?

Are there really people living here?

Xuanzang's thoughts, for some reason, drifted off, and the more he thought, the more he felt it might be so.

He halted his steps and said to Sun Wukong beside him:

"Wukong, look ahead; there's another old woman traveling alone in this perilous place."

"Go forward and ask her who she is, why she's here, whether she has family at home, whether she needs assistance—ask in detail."