Chapter 454: Is This Also a Difficulty?

"Dharma Master Xuan Zang! Hold a step!"

Just as Dharma Master Xuan Zang and his three disciples were silently descending the mountain, a clear, smiling voice suddenly rang out ahead.

The group looked up and saw at the bend of the path a person standing with arms crossed, smiling gently at them.

If it's not Yu Lin, then who is it?

Sun Wukong, upon seeing him, was first stunned, then his face broke into a brilliant grin. He darted forward in a single bound, warmly patting Yu Lin's shoulder: "Hey! Yu Lin! Good brother! So it's you! I, old Sun, should have thought of this long ago! Who else could deliver such a precious scripture to the Master and possess those divine powers, if not you?"

"All along the way, you helped in secret and enlightened the Master; truly… thank you!"

He clasped his fists, his golden eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

"Eh~ you're being too polite, aren't you?" Yu Lin laughed and gave Sun Wukong's arm a friendly pat.

"What's our relationship? Saying thanks feels distant. Looking at you all like this…"

"…You must have just come down from Ling Shan's Great Thunder Sound Temple, right? Judging by the atmosphere, could it be that your merits are complete and you have received the true sutra?"

Just as Sun Wukong was about to speak, Xuan Zang stepped forward, palms together, and bowed deeply to Yu Lin:

"Amitabha. I, humble monk Xuan Zang, thank Yu Benefactor for your guidance along the way and for repeatedly gifting scriptures and enlightenment. Without you, I could scarcely have attained today's insight."

His gratitude was clearly not only for the "help" but also for the "enlightenment" that guided him to see the road ahead and examine his heart.

Zhu Bajie shuffled over, his belly puffed, chuckling: "Yu Benefactor truly is handsome and kind, with vast divine powers! Old Zhu admires you! I admire you to the point of prostrating! If there's ever any place that needs old Zhu's help, just command me!"

Sha Seng also set down his load, nodding earnestly: "The Master and senior brothers are right! Thank you, Yu Benefactor!"

Yu Lin waved his hand, smiling: "Alright, alright, no more formalities. I see you've been traveling dusty and weary from Ling Shan, and probably haven't had a proper vegetarian meal, right?"

"Perfect timing. Today I've prepared a respectable vegetarian feast, with fine vegetarian wine just ahead, not far. May I ask if you all would honor me by following, sharing a few cups? It would also be… a Wash of dust to welcome you, celebrating the success of your westward journey."

"That sounds great!" Sun Wukong was the first to respond, scratching his ear and chin:

"To be honest, I, old Sun, was so angry on Ling Shan that I didn't eat anything! Let's go, Yu Lin brother is treating; there's no reason not to go. It's also a good chance to chat with you about the events along the way!"

Xuan Zang paused briefly, then nodded: "In that case, I shall trouble the humble monk."

"No trouble, no trouble! Please follow me!" Yu Lin's smile broadened, he made a welcoming gesture and waved his hand.

The group felt the scenery flicker, as if they merely blinked, and found themselves moved from Ling Shan's pine path to a refined, tranquil little pavilion.

Inside, the furnishings were elegant; looking out the window, the outside was not Ling Shan's realm but resembled a secluded corner of a Human World town.

On the table, a dazzling array of exquisite vegetarian dishes steamed, fragrant, with several pots of wine beside them, the wine's scent crisp and clear.

"Come, come, don't be shy, all sit, all sit!" Yu Lin welcomed warmly, yet he remained standing instead of taking a seat.

Sun Wukong, impatient and unceremonious, pulled Dharma Master Xuan Zang to sit at the head seat, sitting beside him. Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng each found seats, eyes fixed on the feast, fingers twitching. The White Dragon Horse had not yet taken human form and was tethered outside.

Yu Lin watched them settle, his gentle smile unchanged, though the curve at his mouth's corner seemed subtly deeper.

Suddenly he reached out—

"Snap!"

A crisp table‑slap rang out, halting Sun Wukong and the others, who looked up in astonishment.

Yu Lin's smile remained; he cleared his throat and said:

"Everyone! It's not me criticizing you; when traveling the world and visiting friends, there are certain rules… you can't ignore them!"

"Huh?" Good brother, you… what's gotten you riled up? Or who offended you without opening their eyes? Tell old Sun, I'll go punish them for you! I'll beat them so badly their own mother won't recognize them!

Yu Lin seemed not to hear his concern, turned his gaze to Xuan Zang, and lightly tapped a finger in the air:

"First, Dharma Master Xuan Zang! As a teacher, you are virtuous and highly respected, that's true."

"But I, Yu, have at least repaid you with guidance, assisting you in secret all the way, right? Today I'm the host, arranging the feast; shouldn't the head seat be mine? That's basic hospitality, a minimum respect to me, isn't it?"

Xuan Zang heard this, slightly startled, and quickly rose, saying: "Yes."

"What Yu Benefactor is admonishing is that this matter is the humble monk............."

Yu Lin didn't wait for him to finish, continued to press the point, pointing at the untouched wine cup before Xuan Zang: "Also! With food and wine ready, shouldn't the Dharma Master rise and offer me a toast? To show gratitude, and it's proper etiquette!"

Xuan Zang: "…………"

Yu Lin shifted his focus, pointing at the lifelike "steamed vegetarian fish" dish before Sun Wukong.

"And you! Great Sage! Don't you know the rule at the table? Once the fish head is placed, it must be oriented toward the most honored guest, or the host! You're so ignorant of etiquette!"

Sun Wukong: ".............."

"Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng, don't think your past of eating humans is over; after this scattered meal, you'll have to reincarnate and start from the beginning again."

Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng: "................"

Could this also be one of the Eighty‑One Trials?