Chapter 448: Chapter 448

Sun Wukong saw that Xuanzang still wore a worried expression and smiled, saying, "Master, you worry too much. Although the Monster is formidable, Zhu Bajie is no ordinary person. If she wants to absorb Bajie’s Yang Essence, would Bajie just compliantly let her do that?"

"Besides, the Monster’s real target is you. Once the fight starts, the Monster will naturally realize that Bajie is an impostor. Absorbing Bajie’s Yang Essence would bring no benefits to the Monster, and moreover, Bajie would not just let her do it. Therefore, the Monster naturally wouldn’t risk forcibly absorbing Bajie’s Yang Essence."

"Rather, it’s us who can take advantage of this opportunity to subdue the Monster once and for all so it would stop harming people here."

Sun Wukong paused, then continued, "Alright, rest assured! If Bajie truly encounters any danger, we would definitely not stand by and watch."

Reassured by Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang finally relaxed. With the Princess’s grand wedding only a few days away, the Imperial Palace also started to become busier, as the Emperor’s only daughter’s marriage was a major event.

Not only within the Imperial Palace but also outside, the Prince Consort’s Mansion was working overtime day and night to prepare for the Princess’s grand wedding.

This Prince Consort’s Mansion was originally an estate the Emperor used when he was the Crown Prince. Now, it had been granted to the Prince Consort and the Princess as their mansion, which showed how much the Emperor doted on the Prince Consort.

In these days, Xuanzang and his companions had been living inside the palace, with people specially taking care of their meals. When they had nothing to do, they would leisurely stroll around the Emperor’s Imperial Flower Garden, enjoying their days leisurely and carefree.

However, one thing was causing Xuanzang a great deal of concern. Initially, he had planned to meet with Zhu Bajie to remind him to be careful, but he was turned back. The imperial guards of the palace simply wouldn’t allow them to see Zhu Bajie, saying that the Prince Consort was preparing for the grand wedding and had many matters to attend to, preferring not to be disturbed.

Unable to see Zhu Bajie, Xuanzang naturally became very worried, so he turned to Sun Wukong and Sand Monk, imploring them to find out about Zhu Bajie’s situation.

Sun Wukong said with a laugh, "That blockhead is probably indulging in pleasures somewhere right now; why worry about him?"

Xuanzang quickly said, "That Fake Princess harbors malicious intentions. I am worried that Bajie might be harmed in secret. Wukong, please go find out what’s happening. If Bajie is safe and sound, I would be relieved as your teacher."

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "The imperial guards won’t let us see Bajie, but actually, this is a good thing. It must be the Fake Princess who gave such orders, which means she has not yet spotted anything amiss and still believes that Bajie is Xuanzang."

"The Monster is worried that we will take Xuanzang away in secret, which is why they won’t let us see him. Wukong, go see how Bajie is doing now to ease your master’s worries. But be very careful, make absolutely sure you don’t let the Monster realize."

Seeing how concerned Xuanzang was, Sun Wukong no longer said much, but nodded and replied, "If that’s the case, then Old Sun will go and check."

Having said that, Sun Wukong left behind a dummy body, and his Primordial Spirit exited his body, transforming into a small insect and flew out.

About fifteen minutes later, Sun Wukong finally returned. As soon as he returned, he could not help but burst into hearty laughter, "Haha... it’s just too funny. Guess what that blockhead Bajie is doing now?"

Xuanzang furrowed his brows slightly and hurriedly asked, "Bajie is alright, isn’t he?"

"He’s fine, he’s fine! Quite alright!" said Sun Wukong, laughing heartily. "But that blockhead is certainly in for a hard time. Even Old Sun feels somewhat pity for him."

Listening to Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang’s frown deepened, his worry intensifying as he quickly inquired, "What exactly is happening to Bajie right now?"

Seeing Sun Wukong return, Xuanzang asked anxiously, "Wukong, what exactly is happening with Bajie right now?"

Sun Wukong, rocking with laughter, said, "Master, you don’t know; that blockhead Bajie is being taught etiquette by a group of palace maids and eunuchs! That blockhead has no clue about etiquette, and with so many rules in the inner courts of the Imperial Palace, he’s making a complete fool of himself, totally disgracing himself there!"

"Old Sun couldn’t stand to watch any longer, so I came back to have a laugh. I’ll go back once I’ve laughed enough."

Upon hearing that Zhu Bajie was alright, Xuanzang couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Thinking of Zhu Bajie, the blockhead, learning etiquette, Xuanzang also couldn’t help but feel like laughing and said, "Letting that blockhead learn some etiquette is good."

Sand Monk also chimed in, "Now Second Senior Brother is really in for a tough time."

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "If you ask me, the one who’s really suffering is Master. He’s been walking around with a pig’s head while pretending to be Bajie, turning a handsome monk into such a sight."

Xuanzang said with a smile, "No matter, the body is but a stinking skin sack after all. It doesn’t matter what it looks like; what’s important is the heart."

Sun Wukong nodded and said with a smile, "Master is truly wise. In that case, how about I perform a Technique and keep you looking forever?"

"You impudent monkey, spouting nonsense again. If I were to also transform into something as ugly as you fellows, who would provide us shelter in the future? Are we to sleep in the wilderness forever?"

Xuanzang said with a stern face, speaking seriously.

"No problem, we too possess the Art of Transformation. When the time comes for us to seek lodging, we’ll just transform ourselves. Are you really worried we won’t find a place to stay?"

Sun Wukong said with a smile.

Just then, the princess arrived at the Emperor’s bedchamber, requesting an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor of Tianzhu was extremely pleased and swiftly summoned the fake princess to his side, exchanging a few pleasantries.

It was then that the fake princess suddenly spoke, "Father emperor, your daughter has something to report."

"What is it?" the Emperor asked hastily.

The fake princess quickly said, "I’ve heard that the Prince Consort has three disciples, all of whom are hideously ugly. Yesterday, they even frightened you, Your Majesty. Is this true?"

The Emperor’s expression darkened upon hearing this, and he spoke with some displeasure, "The Prince Consort you’ve chosen indeed brings with him three disciples, all so ugly that they could be mistaken for monsters. I took one glance at them and was struck with fear, not daring to look a second time."

The fake princess was overjoyed at these words and quickly said, "I heard from the Prince Consort that they are monks on a journey to the Western Heaven seeking Scriptures, and tomorrow is the day of the wedding meeting."

"If you, Father Emperor, don’t wish to see them, why not let them finish the wedding banquet and send them on their way westward as soon as possible, leaving only the Prince Consort to marry me?"

"That way, those three hideous fellows won’t cause chaos at my wedding. I will only marry once in my life, and I don’t want any mishaps."

As the Emperor already found Sun Wukong and the others’ appearance repulsive and did not wish to see them again, hearing the fake princess’s suggestion seemed like a good idea to him—to send them off early.

However, the Emperor had reservations and, frowning, said, "Those four individuals have come with the Prince Consort and are considered his family. It seems inappropriate to chase them off before the wedding."

"What’s so inappropriate about that?" the fake princess pouted and said, "I think it’s very inappropriate to keep them here. I have already discussed this with the Prince Consort, and he has agreed. It would be better to send them off early, to avoid any trouble later on."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’a last trace of concern was dispelled, and he nodded, saying, "Since the Prince Consort has agreed, let’s do as you say."

"Tomorrow, I will send them away so that nothing untoward happens. I truly don’t want to see them again."

The next day was the wedding meeting day for both sides, and a grand feast was laid out in the palace to entertain the Prince Consort and Xuanzang and his company.

The Emperor sat high on his throne and said, "I have already changed your travel permits. Today, I have prepared plenty of travel expenses to send you to Mount Meru to see the Buddha."

"If you return with the True Scriptures, I will reward you handsomely. Only the Prince Consort will stay to marry the Princess; don’t worry about him," he said with a casual wave of his hand.

Two eunuchs approached, each holding a wooden tray, one filled with gold ingots, and the other with silver ingots.

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, thinking that they were being rushed away!

Clearly, this was the fake princess’s doing, afraid that they would ruin her plans. Since that was the case, it would be sensible to go along with her plan.

Sun Wukong stepped forward with a smile and said, "Then we thank Your Majesty greatly."

After finishing his words, he turned and gestured to Xuanzang and the others.

"Since that is the case, let us depart from this place today!"