Chapter 411: Chapter 411

Xuanzang said with a smile, "Disciples, this is the Government Office. I will go in to pay respects to the King and present our documents before we can continue on our journey."

Sun Wukong replied with a smile, "Master, are you saying you’ll meet the King of Yuhua and just leave us waiting here?" Xuanzang pointed to the side and said with a smile, "Look over there. Doesn’t the sign say ’Guest House’?

"You can wait there. After I meet with the King of Yuhua, if the king offers us a meal, I will come and call you to join in."

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "Master, please go ahead. Old Sun knows what to do."

Afterwards, Xuanzang took the Pass Permit and entered the Royal Palace. Zhu Bajie tied the White Dragon Horse to a post at the entrance, and they all went to the Guest House. The staff there, seeing how ugly the three of them looked, dared not ask more or provoke them. The three of them made themselves at home and sat down at a table without waiting for an invitation.

To their surprise, no one came to serve them!

Zhu Bajie shouted, "Why is nobody taking care of us?"

Only then did a reluctant waiter come over.

The waiter approached and asked in a low voice, "May I ask where the gentlemen are from?"

Sand Monk replied with a friendly tone, "We come from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land. We dare not impose without invitation, and our master has entered the Royal Palace to exchange our Pass Permit."

"So it’s the masters from Great Tang. Please command us as you wish," said the innkeeper with a polite tone.

"A pot of tea, please! Thank you!" Sand Monk said politely.

"Master, please wait a moment!" said the innkeeper before turning around and leaving.

At this moment, Sun Wukong asked, "Elder, why aren’t you sitting with us?"

Soon, a few attendants brought over a pot of fine tea and several plates of fruits and pastries to Sun Wukong and his companions. They smiled and said, "Please enjoy, masters. If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Hmm! Thank you, we don’t need anything more, you may go on with your duties," said Zhu Bajie, waving his hand dismissively.

Respectfully, the few attendants bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Bajie, looking delighted at the food before him, quickly picked up a plate and tucked in heartily.

"Second Senior Brother, how can you eat everything yourself without leaving some for us?" Sand Monk said discontentedly.

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "Let it be. I’m guessing that later on, the King of Yuhua will invite us to a banquet. The feast at the Royal Palace will be a hundred times better than what is here!"

"Ah! So you are all saving your appetites for the Royal Palace’s feast! No wonder you aren’t eating," Zhu Bajie said loudly, his face showing that he felt tricked.

By this time, Xuanzang had already arrived at the Royal Palace and met the King of Yuhua.

Xuanzang quickly stepped forward to bow, and the King of Yuhua hurriedly said, "High Monk, there’s no need for formalities. May I know where you come from?"

Xuanzang immediately responded, "A monk from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, sent to the Great Thunderclap to pay respects to the Buddha Ancestor and seek scriptures. I have come to your treasured land to exchange my Pass Permit and respectfully pay my respects to you."

The King of Yuhua, overjoyed, said with a smile, "So it is a High Monk from the Great Tang. Please, have a seat quickly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," replied Xuanzang as he hurriedly expressed his gratitude and cautiously took a seat.

The King of Yuhua took the Pass Permit from Tang Monk, saw the seals from various countries, and quickly used the Treasure Seal to affix his stamp.

He had it handed back to Xuanzang, who promptly stood up and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The King of Yuhua smiled and said, "No need to be so courteous, Elder. I understand that you have traveled through many countries coming from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land. How far have you journeyed?"

Xuanzang quickly replied, "As I am solely focused on my journey, I haven’t kept track of the distance. However, Guanyin Bodhisattva once appeared before my king and mentioned that the Western Direction is a hundred and eight thousand miles away, and I have been traveling for fourteen years now."

The King of Yuhua nodded and commented, "Fourteen years, it must be because there were delays on the road."

Xuanzang thought about his past hardships and shook his head slightly, saying, "It’s a long story. I’ve been through countless dangers and suffered much to be fortunate enough to reach this Treasured Place."

The King of Yuhua nodded and said, "You’ve had a tough journey coming from afar. But why is it that you travel alone, without any attendants?"

Xuanzang replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, along the way I have taken in three disciples and sworn a brother. If it were not for their dedicated protection, I could not have made it to India."

"I see," said the King of Yuhua, nodding.

"Since that is the case, why not invite your noble disciples and sworn brother to dine in the Royal Palace? I would like to show a bit of hospitality as the host," said the King of Yuhua.

After saying this, the King turned to a nearby Attendant Officer and commanded, "Send the order immediately, prepare the finest wines and dishes to entertain our distinguished guests."

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. I am most grateful. Since that is the case, I will now go and call my three disciples in," said Xuanzang as he promptly stood up.

The King of Yuhua said with a smile, "Elder, there’s no need for you to go personally. I will send someone to invite them. Just inform me where they are."

"That would trouble Your Majesty. Since arriving at the Royal Palace, we did not dare to enter uninvited, and the four of them are now waiting outside at the Guest House," said Xuanzang politely.

"Hmm!" The King of Yuhua nodded, then turned to an officer and ordered, "Go to the Guest House quickly, and invite the four guests from the Tang Dynasty. Remember to treat them with all due courtesy."

"By your command!" The officer accepted the order without delay and quickly left the Royal Palace.

The officer arrived at the Guest House and announced loudly, "Which of you are the esteemed guests from the Tang Dynasty? My lord commands your presence for a meal at the Royal Palace."

Zhu Bajie, who was always fond of sleep and felt bored sitting around, had been dozing off in his chair. Hearing the invitation to eat, he immediately perked up.