Journey to the West: Man in heaven, working nine to five

#1479 - Dalang, take the medicine.

Chu Hao, seemingly oblivious to Guanyin Bodhisattva's thoughts, led Sun Wukong and the others to the Pipa Cave outside the Daughter Kingdom.

Inside the Pipa Cave.

Tang Sanzang's eyes were vacant. His once muscular physique had been completely depleted, leaving him looking gaunt and emaciated.

Lying on the bed, Tang Sanzang remained motionless, lost in contemplation.

The Scorpion Demoness approached, holding a bowl of medicinal soup in one hand as she gently helped Tang Sanzang up.

"Come, darling, it's time for your medicine."

Tang Sanzang stubbornly pushed away the soup, resisting, "Thank you, but I won't drink it."

Tang Sanzang didn't suspect it was poison. In fact, he thought it might be better if it were poison.

Yet, the Scorpion Demoness didn't give Tang Sanzang any chance to refuse, forcing it down his throat in one go.

Tang Sanzang swallowed, immediately feeling uncomfortable.

He never imagined he would be reduced to this state, a monk at the mercy of others. The more Tang Sanzang thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt.

The Scorpion Demoness grinned as she approached Tang Sanzang.

Tang Sanzang felt a chill run down his spine, fearing that his kidneys wouldn't survive the day.

Just as Tang Sanzang was in despair, he suddenly heard an angry roar from outside.

"Halt! Demoness, hand over my master, or you'll regret it!"

For a fleeting moment, Tang Sanzang's dark world seemed to be illuminated!

Even pinned to the bed, held down tightly, Tang Sanzang used his feeble voice to shout:

"Wukong, save me!"

The Scorpion Demoness, annoyed, waved her hand and left, muttering as she went:

"After all this time, I thought they wouldn't come. Damn it, the child could have been conceived in a few more days. Couldn't they have waited a bit longer?"

The Scorpion Demoness sullenly walked out of the Pipa Cave.

As soon as she stepped out, the Scorpion Demoness saw a white-veiled woman standing high in the air, while Sun Wukong and his two junior brothers stood on the ground, watching her intently.

Sun Wukong shouted:

"Demoness, be wise and quickly hand over my master, or else, heh heh!"

"Or else what?!" the Scorpion Demoness retorted, displeased.

Sun Wukong pointed at Guanyin Bodhisattva in the sky, "See that old hen? I'll have her peck you!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva: "!!!"

The Scorpion Demoness, greatly annoyed, shouted at Guanyin Bodhisattva in the sky:

"Old hen, why is it always you? If you have the guts, come and fight me!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva gritted her teeth. Why were these people so annoying now!

If Guanyin Bodhisattva could intervene herself, she would have done so long ago. How could she have waited until now?

Only those involved in the Journey to the West were qualified to resolve this tribulation. Although Guanyin Bodhisattva was called an old hen, she could only grit her teeth and shout at Sun Wukong:

"Sun Wukong, this demoness is very powerful. Her three-pronged fork is actually two pincer-like legs. They cause excruciating pain when they stab. She also has a hook on her tail, called the 'Inverted Horse Poison'.

She is originally a Scorpion Demon. She listened to the Buddha preach at Leiyin Temple. When the Buddha saw her, he didn't want her to hear the Dao, so he pushed her. She turned her hook and stung the Buddha's left thumb. The Buddha was in unbearable pain and immediately ordered the Vajra to capture her, but she escaped and came here."

Sun Wukong immediately became displeased, "So, it's your Western Paradise causing trouble again?! And it was that damn Tathagata who let her loose? Besides, isn't it supposed to be that all beings are equal? Why didn't you let her listen to the Dao?"

The Scorpion Demoness, upon hearing this, also said angrily:

"Yes, that shameless Tathagata, he himself preaches about the equality of all beings, yet he drove me away. Don't you think he's a hypocrite!"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's anger flared up.

"Well said! That Tathagata has always been so shameless. Damn it, he even conspired with that Taishang Laojun to harm us before!"

Sandy also nodded in anger, "Indeed, I, Old Sha, was also fooled by that Tathagata back then."

Guanyin Bodhisattva was stunned. How did Sun Wukong and the others end up being on the same side as the Scorpion Demoness?

What are you even here to do?

Guanyin Bodhisattva, with a gloomy face, gritted her teeth and said:

"Don't forget what you came here to do!"

"If you want to save Tang Sanzang, you must ask someone else for help. I cannot get close to her."

Guanyin Bodhisattva wanted to wait for Sun Wukong to ask for guidance, but instead, she was met with the Scorpion Demoness and Sun Wukong's trio standing together against a common enemy.

Guanyin Bodhisattva twitched her lips and could only force herself to finish speaking,

"Go to the Eastern Heavenly Gate and seek the Pleiades Star Lord in the Bright Palace, only he can subdue her."

Having said that, she transformed into a golden light and returned directly to the South Sea.

She slipped away, knowing that these people were bound to be dishonorable.

Sun Wukong sneered,

"Old hen, too self-righteous."

"Demoness, you can return our master to us now."

The Scorpion Demoness didn't waste any more words, "Alright, I've used him up anyway."

Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had already flown far away, almost stumbled and fell.

This was a powerful demon capable of stinging even the Tathagata Buddha, and now even the Scorpion Demoness had been swayed?

However, Guanyin Bodhisattva was pragmatic and resolutely endured this situation, knowing that she could soon replace the entire Journey to the West team, making the journey smooth and easy.

After Sun Wukong rescued Tang Sanzang,

The three disciples looked at the emaciated Tang Sanzang and exclaimed in unison, surprised:

"Who are you?"

Tang Sanzang was originally fine, but upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but cry.

"Disciples, it's your master, your master has suffered so much!"

Pigsy looked distressed, "Master, what exactly did that Scorpion Demoness do to you? Could it be that you have…"

However, Tang Sanzang burst into tears again.

"I, I… she, she!"

Tang Sanzang cried loudly, his face filled with despair, choking back sobs, unable to even speak.

Sun Wukong and his brothers exchanged glances and could only shake their heads with bitter smiles.

Alright, it was clear that Tang Sanzang had been through a lot recently. They didn't want to ask any further questions, lest they touched a sore spot in Tang Sanzang's heart, and could only continue on their journey.

Along the way, Tang Sanzang ate meat and drank wine, wanting to replenish his muscular physique.

However, to Tang Sanzang's dismay, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get his muscles back.

It was then that Tang Sanzang realized that his weakness might not be physical anymore.

Along the way, Tang Sanzang spoke even less.

His disciples enjoyed the scenery of the Dragon Boat Festival, idly passing the midday hours, when suddenly they saw a high mountain blocking their path.

Tang Sanzang recalled the fear of being captured and hurriedly reined in his horse, turning his head and calling out, "Wukong, there's a mountain ahead, I fear there may be demons again, quickly go and investigate!"