Chapter 335: Chapter 335

Little White Dragon did indeed urinate a few drops.

Zhu Bajie took one look and clicked his tongue, saying, "Little White Dragon, do you think your pee is golden juice or something? Squeeze out a bit more!"

Sun Wukong saw that there was actually quite a bit and said, "That’s good, that’s enough!"

"Brother Monkey, that’s just a tiny bit!"

Zhu Bajie still felt it was too little and frowned as he spoke.

"Enough is enough, you think this is a meal or what!"

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but roll his eyes as he spoke.

The three of them returned to the hall, then mixed the previous herbs together and rolled them into three large pills.

Looking at the three large pills, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but say oddly, "Idiot, aren’t these a bit too big?"

Zhu Bajie picked one up to look and said, "It’s only about the size of a walnut. For me, it wouldn’t even be enough for one bite!"

Speaking of which, Zhu Bajie put them in a small box.

Sun Wukong and Sand Monk exchanged glances, then said no more. After all, as long as it cured the disease, it was fine.

All the civil and military officials once again gathered at the Huitong Inn.

"Elder Sun, is the medicine ready?"

The civil and military officials kowtowed, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

"It’s ready, it’s ready!"

Sun Wukong nodded and said.

Sun Wukong instructed Zhu Bajie to fetch the box containing the medicine and lifted the lid.

The numerous officials saw the elixir inside and showed expressions of surprise and delight. The leading official took it over.

The leading official asked, "What is the name of this medicine? So we too can report back to our king."

Sun Wukong’s eyes turned slyly, and he said, "Just call it the Black Gold Pill."

Standing to the side, Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk heard this and couldn’t help but stifle their laughter.

It was just pot ash mixed in, what black gold.

However, the officials, upon hearing this, had no doubt whatsoever, instead asking, "What should we use for the pill guide?"

Sun Wukong thought for a moment, then with a smile on his face, said, "This pill guide comes in two types, the easy to obtain and the not so easy to obtain!"

"What is the not so easy to obtain?"

The official asked, as their country could find even the most difficult-to-obtain items.

"The not so easy to obtain consists of six items, which must be boiled into a soup and consumed!"

Sun Wukong smilingly spoke.

"May I know what these six items are?"

"It’s the butt gas of a flying crow, carp pee from well water, the Queen Mother of the West’s face powder, the ash from the Grand Elder of the Supreme Way’s Alchemy Furnace, three pieces of a broken headscarf worn by the Jade Emperor, and five strands of entangled dragon whiskers!"

"Boil these six items into a soup to accompany the medication, and your king is sure to be cured!"

Sun Wukong spoke eloquently.

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, all the officials couldn’t help but be secretly astounded.

"These items are impossible to find in this world, let’s ask what the Elder usually uses for the pill guide?"

Sun Wukong replied, "The simple one just requires rootless water to be consumed!"

Upon hearing this request from Sun Wukong, the officials all breathed a sigh of relief.

"This one should be easy to get!"

Sun Wukong said with a half-smirk, "Really, how do you figure it’s easy to get?"

The officials spoke up, "We say that to get rootless water, one only needs to take a bowl to the well or river, scoop the water without letting it touch the ground or even their hands, and then immediately serve it to the sick at home!"

Sun Wukong, however, shook his head and said, "Water from wells and rivers, all have a source; that’s not the rootless water I’m talking about!"

"Then what kind of rootless water does Elder Sun mean?"

Hearing this, the officials nervously spoke up.

"The rootless water I’m talking about falls from the sky and is consumed without touching the ground; that is true rootless water!"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, the officials breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This doesn’t seem hard; we just need to wait for a rainy day to take the medicine!"

Afterward, they thanked Sun Wukong, returned to the Imperial Palace, and presented the medicine to the king.

The king looked at the pill and asked, "What kind of Dan Elixir is this?"

The officials said, "The Divine Monk Elder Sun said this is the Black Gold Pill, and it must be taken with rootless water."

The king immediately commanded his servants to fetch the rootless water.

An official hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Divine Monk Elder Sun said this rootless water isn’t from wells or rivers; it needs to be rainwater that hasn’t touched the ground!"

"How could it rain just like that, at any moment?"

The king also wrinkled his brow at this point.

"We can only use it when raining on a cloudy day!"

One of the officials said somewhat helplessly.

The king could only nod his head.

Meanwhile, back at the Huitong Inn.

Zhu Bajie looked at the sky, still clear for thousands of miles.

"Brother Monkey, you just said that we need Rootless Water to use the medicine, but given the current situation, it doesn’t seem likely that it will rain from the sky!"

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "I find this King rather virtuous and wise. You and I will help him by making a little rain so he can administer the medicine."

Zhu Bajie asked, "Brother Monkey, how do you plan to help him?"

Sun Wukong’s eyes twinkled as he said, "You stand on my left, and Junior Brother Sand, you stand on my right. Just wait for Old Sun to help him bring down some Rootless Water!"

Immediately, Sun Wukong shouted, "East Sea Dragon King, come forth!"

The voice instantaneously traveled from the edge of the sky.

"Great Saint, the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang is here to see you!"

Soon after, the East Sea Dragon King appeared before the trio of Sun Wukong.

"Dragon King, I wouldn’t dare to disturb you if there were no matters at hand, but I ask you to bring down some Rootless Water for the King’s medicine!" Sun Wukong said courteously.

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, the Dragon King felt somewhat troubled and said, "When the Great Saint called just now, there was no mention of rain, and the Little Dragon came alone without any rain-making equipment. I have neither wind, clouds, nor thunder and lightning – how can I possibly bring down rain?"

Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but laugh and said, "You old dragon are not flexible at all. It’s just a little Rootless Water we need, there’s really no need for wind, clouds, and lightning, nor a downpour of rain!"

"If Marshal Tianpeng means that just a little will do, then alright. I’ll sneeze a few times and spit out some saliva, and that should be enough for the King to use the medicine," said the Dragon King, fully understanding now.

Sun Wukong was overjoyed and exclaimed, "That would be splendid, truly splendid!"

"Hurry up, then!" Zhu Bajie also urged.

After being hastened by the two, the Dragon King flipped onto a cloud, and in an instant, dark clouds gathered above the Imperial Palace.

He then sneezed mightily, transforming the action into a sweet rain.

Seeing it rain under a clear sky, all the officials cheered.

"What great joy for our King, the heavens have bestowed sweet rain!"

Overjoyed, the King exclaimed, "Quick, fetch containers to catch it! There’s no need to be selective, inside or outside the palace, officials of all ranks must store the rainwater to save my life!"

Subsequently, numerous civil and military officials as well as the concubines from the Three Palaces and Six Courts, along with eight hundred beauties, each took up cups, bowls, and platters to collect the sweet rain.

The old dragon in the sky earnestly channeled the saliva.

The sweet rain poured down for an hour before the Dragon King stopped. After bidding farewell to the Great Saint, he returned to the Eastern Sea.

The many ministers gathered their cups, bowls, and dishes, managing to collect some of the water.

Combined, they had about three bowls’ worth, which they presented to the King.

A wondrous fragrance spread, filling the entire Golden Throne Hall.

The King took one Dan Elixir and drank a bowl of sweet rain. After taking it thrice in succession, all three Dan Elixirs were consumed.

He also finished all the sweet rain.

As he drank the last of it, he felt a rumbling in his belly and quickly made his way to the privy.

After returning, he felt refreshed, with his energy and blood harmonized, his spirit lifted, and his legs fortified.

He stepped off the dragon bed, dressed in his court robes, and immediately went to the hall to meet with Xuanzang. Then he promptly prostrated in gratitude.

Xuanzang quickly helped him up.

The King then ordered his officials to invite Sun Wukong and his companions, for he intended to host a banquet in their honor.

Zhu Bajie, upon hearing that the King had sent for them, commented, "Brother Monkey, your elixirs truly work wonders. The King’s invitation is all thanks to you!"

Laughing, the Sand Monk said, "What are you talking about, Second Senior Brother? We all made the pill together; we’re all deserving of credit. Now let’s quickly go enjoy the feast without any further ado!"

"Junior Brother Sand is right; let’s all head there together!"

The three companions entered the court where they were met by numerous officials. They ascended to the Eastern Pavilion where Xuanzang, the King, and the elder statesmen were already arranging the banquet.

Upon seeing their master, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and the Sand Monk asked after his wellbeing, then joined the officials at the table.

Zhu Bajie’s mouth watered at the sight of the delectable dishes spread out on the table.

The King raised his cup, wishing to drink with everyone.

Xuanzang waved his hand and said, "Your monk does not drink alcohol."

The King replied, "It’s just simple wine; could the Holy Monk not have this one cup?"

Xuanzang nodded and said, "I couldn’t possibly refuse your majesty’s generous offer."

Xuanzang’s understanding of Buddhism had already diverged from the original teachings.

In his view, Buddhism signified the ultimate truth. With great wisdom in one’s heart, there was no need to be constrained by external substances. To practice Buddhism meant to transform and break free from the Three Realms, not to be shackled by strict precepts.

All beings have Buddha within them and have the opportunity to attain Buddhahood.

It makes no difference whether you were born within Buddhism or not.

Seeing Xuanzang drink, the King was delighted. Then he turned to Sun Wukong and said, "Divine Monk, Elder Sun, your kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and I am eternally grateful. I have something to say."

Sun Wukong smiled and responded, "Speak your mind, Old Sun will then have an excuse to drink more cheerfully."

Laughing, the King said, "I’ve been ill for several years, but thanks to the Divine Monk’s miraculous pill, I am cured."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Yesterday, upon observing his majesty, I knew it was a disease born of worry and anxiety. I just didn’t know what caused such distress."

The King sighed deeply and said, "They say not to air one’s dirty laundry in public. However, since Divine Monk, Elder Sun has rescued me from peril, I can certainly tell you all. I only hope you won’t mock me."

"Speak freely; we would never mock you," Sun Wukong assured him earnestly, shaking his head.

After hesitating for a moment, the King continued, "You have all traveled from afar and must have passed through many countries. I wonder, how do other countries address their Queens?"

Sun Wukong paused briefly before replying, "We have indeed passed through five or six countries, where a ruling queen is usually referred to as the Main Palace, East Palace, or West Palace."

The King explained, "My kingdom does not use those titles. We call the Main Palace the Golden Holy Palace, the East Palace the Jade Holy Palace, and the West Palace the Silver Holy Palace. Presently, only the Silver and Jade Queens are in the palace."

Quickly, Sun Wukong asked, "Why is the Golden Holy Palace absent from the palace?"