Chapter 381: Chapter 381

Hearing the words of the minister of Bhikkhu Country,

Zhu Bajie said impatiently, "That’s good, we can’t delay this matter any longer, please post the announcement at once and start the selection of the new king. However, we must strive for fairness and aim to complete the voting within one day!"

"We need to leave Bhikkhu Country as soon as possible!"

"Alright, Holy Monk, we will make the arrangements immediately!"

The Prime Minister promptly added, "We shall not disturb the rest of the Holy Monks any further!"

Zhu Bajie waved his hand.

Those civil and military officials hurriedly acknowledged and respectfully left the Posthouse, led by the Grand Tutor and the Prime Minister.

Subsequently, the Grand Tutor and the Prime Minister assigned tasks, and each returned to their Government Offices to prepare for the election of the King.

Sun Wukong and the others all looked towards Zhu Bajie.

"Why are you all staring at me ?"

"You nitwit seem rather righteous and bold!"

Said Sun Wukong in annoyance.

But for them, indeed, they needed to act quickly.

To elect a king, this was certainly unprecedented in Bhikkhu Country.

Looking across the Four Great Continents, though there had been selections of new rulers, there had never been a case where all the citizens personally voted for a monarch.

Mainly, it was because Sun Wukong and the others wanted to enable the citizens to elect a king that would satisfy everyone.

Under the supervision of many officials, Xuanzang, and others, matters progressed very smoothly.

Voting began the next day, and it took a full day’s time; counting began that evening. To the surprise of many, the one who received the most votes was neither a civil official nor a military general from the current regime, nor a member of the previous royal family, but an ordinary civilian.

This person belonged to a family of medical practitioners in the city, with a well-off household. Usually known for his charity, he offered medical treatments for free and was referred to as a Living Bodhisattva.

He was indeed popular with the people and deeply loved by the citizens.

Thus, as soon as the citizens learned that they could vote for anyone, many of them did not hesitate to cast their votes for this medical family.

After the results came out, the Grand Tutor and the Prime Minister quickly presented the outcome to Xuanzang and the others.

After Sun Wukong and the others inquired about this person’s character from the present civil and military officials, they felt he was suitable and directly declared, "He who wins the people’s hearts, wins the world! Now that the results are out, you all should immediately usher the new king into the Royal Palace. Tomorrow is an auspicious day, perfect for holding the coronation ceremony."

"Your servant obeys the command!" All of the officials present hurriedly responded.

That night, led by the Grand Tutor and the Prime Minister, civil and military officials, along with the Imperial Guards and the King’s ceremonial guard, went to the home of the medical family. The man had never seen such a procession and was still unclear about what was happening.

He was suddenly draped in a dragon robe by several senior officials, who then knelt down and hailed him with shouts of "Long live the King!" which scared the man so much that he was beside himself with shock, bewilderingly carried onto the royal palanquin, and, under the protection of the Imperial Guards, escorted into the Royal Palace.

Following Sun Wukong’s instructions, the new king held his coronation ceremony the next day. As he ascended the throne, he faced south to assert his sovereignty and received the worship of all the civil and military officials as well as the citizens of the entire city.

Xuanzang personally crowned the new king, who, after ascending the throne, renamed Bhikkhu Country to Holy New Kingdom and issued a decree to pardon the whole country.

At the same time, he decreed to build temples within the city to worship the golden statues of the four Journey to the West companions. All citizens and officials across the country were tearfully grateful to Xuanzang and revered him as divine.

After a busy day, the Martial Tang Monk and his disciples returned to the Posthouse to rest.

The new king had intended to arrange better accommodations for them, but Xuanzang politely declined.

Sha Wujing smiled and said, "I also personally inquired about the new king just now, and the citizens are all praises for his kindness. I think this new king will surely become a great sovereign."

Zhu Bajie replied offhandedly, "That may not necessarily be the case, people change. Who knows, this fellow might turn bad after becoming the king?"

Sun Wukong smirked and said, "After the previous incident with the King’s execution, the execution ground outside Wumen has been renamed as the Execution Platform!"

"This execution ground is specially designated for executing foolish rulers, and with the whole city’s citizens overseeing it, no one who becomes king would dare to be reckless."

"I believe this person won’t act recklessly either!"

Xuanzang said with a smile, "Now that the new king has been crowned, and we have already exchanged the travel documents, we should think about getting on our way as soon as possible to reach Mount Meru."

Zhu Bajie sighed and said, "Master, can’t we stay a few more days?"

"You blockhead, always thinking about eating and drinking, if we keep staying , there will be no end to it!"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Now that the new king has been enthroned and all is going well, although there is much to be restored within the country, our supervision here is no longer needed. After we say farewell to the new king tomorrow, let’s continue on our journey!"

Xuanzang nodded in satisfaction, turned to Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, and ordered, "Bajie, Wujing, pack your belongings. Tomorrow morning, we will enter the palace to pay our respects and bid farewell to the new king before quickly leaving the city."

"Alright! I shall pack the belongings right away."

Sha Wujing promptly agreed and turned to pack their belongings.

Zhu Bajie, though reluctant, did not voice any objections and muttered to himself before joining Sha Wujing to pack.

The next morning, Xuanzang and his disciples went to the Royal Palace again. As they approached the palace gate,

they saw the new king personally leading civil and military officials out to meet them with great courtesy, welcoming Xuanzang and his group into the Royal Palace, to the Golden Throne Hall where the new king quickly ushered them to the seats of honor and ordered tea to be served.