Chapter 446: Chapter 446

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "Master, rest assured, although the monster has some skills, Bajie is no ordinary person and can handle it."

"Besides, don’t we still have us? Dealing with a female demon will be a piece of cake. However, since the demon has disguised herself as the Princess of Tianzhu Country, if we act rashly, it may bring about complications. Our best course of action is to adapt as the situation evolves."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang sighed lightly, his face expressing helplessness as he said, "Given the circumstances, that’s the only thing we can do now."

Just then, the Posthouse Manager walked in hurriedly with respectful words, "Sirs, someone from the palace has come, saying that the noble guest from the Tang Dynasty has been chosen by the Princess as the Prince Consort, and now invites you to the palace for a banquet."

Xuanzang’s face changed dramatically when he heard this, but Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Understood, wait outside for us. We’ll prepare and follow to the palace shortly."

"Yes!" The Posthouse Manager hurriedly complied and then turned to leave.

At this moment, Xuanzang, somewhat anxious, blurted out, "What should we do now? If this poor monk enters the palace again, won’t my cover be blown?"

Sun Wukong hopped over and said cheerfully, "Master, don’t worry. What’s so difficult about this? Since Bajie has taken your appearance, you just need to take on Bajie’s appearance to enter the palace."

Frowning, Xuanzang asked, "Will that work?"

"It will work! It will work!" Sun Wukong said confidently, "Now that it’s come to this, it’s the only way, although it’ll be a bit uncomfortable for Master."

Left with no choice, Xuanzang agreed, and Sun Wukong used his divine skills to transform Xuanzang into the appearance of Zhu Bajie, after which the group left the posthouse and followed the palace officials toward the Imperial Palace.

The Posthouse Manager watched Sun Wukong and the others as they each climbed into their sedan chairs, and his eyes widened in astonishment. He rubbed his eyes and exclaimed in shock, "Could there be something wrong with my eyes? Just now, Elder Tang was sitting inside, but when he came out, he vanished, only to be replaced by a monk with big ears and a long mouth; I don’t recall seeing him inside just now!"

Even though the Posthouse Manager was puzzled, he assumed he had just seen incorrectly and paid it no further thought.

Moreover, even if he had his doubts, a mere Posthouse Manager had no chance to meet the Princess and therefore need not worry about leaking any information.

Guided by officials from the Ministry of Rites, Xuanzang and the others entered the Imperial Palace and were summoned by the Emperor. Among the three, only Xuanzang, transformed into Zhu Bajie, bowed in greeting, while the other three stood proudly in the hall.

When the King saw the three disciples, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sand Monk, with their hideous appearances resembling monsters, he was so frightened that his soul nearly fled his body, collapsing onto the Dragon Throne as he shouted, "Demon! Demon!"

Zhu Bajie, transformed into Xuanzang, hurriedly reassured, "Your Majesty, do not be afraid. These three are not demons but disciples recruited along the way by this poor monk. Though they may look unsightly, they have kind hearts. This poor monk has relied on their protection all the way from the Great Tang."

"So they are the distinguished disciples of Saint Prince Consort," the Emperor said, feeling somewhat relieved, although still fearful, but for fear of losing face, he mustered the courage to keep up appearances.

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and turning to Xuanzang, he whispered, "Master, look at this fool; calling him ’Your Majesty’ now, he really thinks he’s the Prince Consort!"

Xuanzang simply gave a wry smile and shook his head, refraining from further comment. When Zhu Bajie saw Sun Wukong whispering in front of the hall, he couldn’t help but scold loudly, "Wukong, you impudent monkey, show some respect! Kneel before the Emperor at once. If you continue to be insolent, I, your master, will skin you, macaque!"

Sun Wukong immediately became furious, ready to burst out right there, but Sand Monk grabbed him and whispered, "Big brother, let him be pleased with himself for now. There will be plenty of opportunities to settle scores later."

Although Sun Wukong had to suppress his anger for the moment, he still refused to offer his respects, for what status did Sun Wukong possess?

Even when facing the Jade Emperor, he would merely bow and chant a greeting. Although the Emperor of Tianzhu was a true Son of Heaven, he was merely a mortal, certainly not worthy of Sun Wukong’s salutation.

Zhu Bajie, seeing this, quickly explained to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. My disciples are rustic villagers who do not understand propriety. Please forgive any rudeness on their part."

The Emperor, not daring to blame them, quickly replied, "Never mind! Never mind!"

Just then, an official entered hastily, bowed deeply, and reported, "Your Majesty, the wedding date has been set for the sixteenth day of this month, a fortunate and auspicious day, perfect for marriage ceremonies."

The Emperor nodded and responded, "Very good. What hour is it now?"

The official hurriedly responded, "Reporting to Your Majesty, today is the 8th day of the month, marking the Earth Monkey Hour. It is the optimal time for macaques to present fruit and an auspicious moment to welcome the virtuous and accept good fortune."

"Very well, then let’s set the grand wedding for the 16th of this month!" The Emperor said with satisfaction, nodding his head.

The Emperor was overjoyed, and immediately ordered his officials to clean the Imperial Flower Garden and its pavilions and kiosks, while asking the Prince Consort and his entourage to rest for the time being. He planned to arrange a marriage banquet later and direct the Princess to match with him.

All the ministers accepted the decree, the King adjourned court, and the officials dispersed without further mention.

After court was adjourned, the Emperor of Tianzhu Country ordered a banquet to be prepared in the palace to entertain the Prince Consort and his entourage. Having been frightened by Sun Wukong and the others, the Emperor didn’t dare to join them and instead sent word for the Ministry of Rites to send someone to dine with the Prince Consort, while he hurried off to rest in the Inner Palace.

At the banquet, Sun Wukong sidled up to Zhu Bajie with a grin and said, "You big oaf, you were quite impressive just now! Even daring to berate Old Sun here."

Zhu Bajie quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Brother Monkey, don’t be angry; Old Zhu had no choice! Being the Master now, I had to maintain some semblance of a Monk’s dignity in front of the Emperor! It would have been terrible if our cover was blown."

"Enough with the nonsense, it seems like your hide is itching for a beating! Do you want Old Sun to help loosen your bones?" Sun Wukong said in a cold voice.

Frightened, Zhu Bajie quickly got up and hid behind Xuanzang, whispering, "Master, save me! Look, Brother Monkey is bullying Old Zhu again!"

Xuanzang turned to look at Zhu Bajie, nearly bumping into his face with his big long mouth, because Xuanzang had now taken on the appearance of Zhu Bajie, while Zhu Bajie had taken on the appearance of Xuanzang; the two had swapped roles.

Seeing Xuanzang in his current guise, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but burst into laughter and said, "Now Master can’t laugh at us for being ugly anymore!"

Xuanzang frowned and scolded, "Bajie, you dare to laugh! You’ve made me suffer, be careful lest your Brother Monkey beats you to death in his agitation!"

"Master, please calm down!"

Zhu Bajie quickly said, "Calm down, Master! Old Zhu’s death is trivial, but the Emperor has already decreed to take Xuanzang as the Prince Consort. If Old Zhu dies, only Master will be left here as the Prince Consort, and how will we continue on to India to seek the Scriptures? Wouldn’t that ruin everything?"

After hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Xuanzang’s brow furrowed deeply, and he fell silent for a moment.

But Sun Wukong cared little for all that, grabbed Zhu Bajie, and said with a sneer, "Master, don’t listen to this fool’s nonsense. Even if the Emperor truly wants to keep Master here as Prince Consort, Old Sun has plenty of ways to ensure Master’s safe departure from these treacherous lands."

Zhu Bajie quickly said, "Brother, there are so many strangers here; be careful not to give us away."

"Enough! I’ll remember this beating he’s earned!" Xuanzang said helplessly, "I’ll just spare him this time. Once we’ve resolved things here, it won’t be too late to settle the score with him."

"The pressing matter is to subdue the demon quickly and distinguish good from evil."

Only then did Sun Wukong let go of Zhu Bajie and said in a low voice to Xuanzang, "Master, I took a good look at that Princess from afar today and have already figured out what kind of demon she is."

Zhu Bajie’s eyes rolled and he suddenly asked, "What kind of demon?"

"You blockhead, pretending to be clueless again, are you looking for a beating?" Sun Wukong said irritably. Zhu Bajie, though he came to The Mortal Realm, had not weakened much in strength, so how could he possibly fail to see anything at all.

Xuanzang sighed deeply, turned to Sun Wukong, and asked softly, "Wukong, what should we do about it?"

Sun Wukong said nonchalantly, "The demon is disguised as the Princess. If we act rashly, we’re bound to cause trouble. This task must fall on Bajie."

Zhu Bajie pointed to his own nose with a puzzled look and asked, "What can Old Zhu possibly do?"

"You need to properly carry out the wedding ceremony with the Princess!"