By midday the next day, Monkey's group arrived at the capital of Cartwright Kingdom.
It was a small city nestled amid a dense cluster of houses on a vast, open plain. Cartwright Kingdom’s climate was cold, with half its territory grassland and half mountains, so the people lived both as farmers and as nomads—two completely different ways of life.
During the lush season, tents sprang up all around the capital, and cattle and sheep filled the fields. In the dry season, the place seemed sparsely populated.
Because the population fluctuated so much with the seasons, the so-called capital didn’t even have extensive city walls. Most of the homes were exposed outside the walls.
The time they arrived happened to be during the dry season.
Along the way, residents in thick quilted robes and fur hats passed by, each casting a strange look at Monkey’s group.
Marshal Silver, out of habit, had already transformed himself into human form.
Monkey kept his original appearance, without using any magic to disguise himself. His features were human-like, his height much like an ordinary person, and apart from his furred face, he hardly drew attention.
As for Barry Bear, to avoid unnecessary trouble, he had already taken human form early on.
By rights, a party like this traveling the east-west trade road shouldn’t be considered unusual.
Puzzled for a while, Monkey gradually realized that the locals’ pointing and whispering were all aimed at Tripitaka. He couldn’t help but sigh softly, "Looks like the trouble we’re due for still can’t be escaped."
"Trouble? What do you mean?"
"Nothing serious—just a bit of trouble you all can handle. Once you’re settled, I’ll be on my way."
A man who looked like an officer stepped forward, hand on the long sword at his waist, and pointed at Tripitaka, shouting harshly: "Brazen demon monk, how dare you defy His Majesty's decree!"
Seeing Tripitaka was like seeing a plague god.
He finally found someone willing to speak. The man, visibly nervous, blurted out, "Little master, I advise you to leave quickly. The city guards are probably already on their way. If you wait too long, you might not be able to leave at all!"
"The authorities?" Tripitaka was stunned.
The man wanted to say more, but his companion had already grabbed him and dragged him away, muttering as they left, "Why meddle in other people’s business? Harboring monks is just as criminal as being one—don’t you know that?"
Seeing this, Marshal Silver frowned slightly.
"Get the picture?" Monkey asked.
Marshal Silver slowly shook his head.
After a long moment, Tripitaka finally gave up trying to ask for directions and returned to the group, visibly crestfallen.
He glanced at Marshal Silver and Monkey, sighed, and said, "This is my first time here. I heard Cartwright Kingdom is full of temples and incense burns strong. I thought I’d pay my respects and perhaps stay a night... but I can’t even get directions."
Monkey chuckled, "You’re looking for local monks?"
Tripitaka nodded slightly.
"Don’t worry—you’ll be seeing them very soon."
At the end of the passage, the group saw a squad of armored soldiers, weapons at the ready, advancing toward them.
At the end of the corridor, the group saw a squad of armored soldiers, fully armed, heading straight for them.
Tripitaka tried to step aside, but Monkey grabbed him.
"They’ve come for you. No point in dodging."
"For me? But I’ve done nothing wrong—why would they want me?"
Before Monkey could answer, dozens of soldiers had already surrounded them.
The townsfolk watched from a distance, as if they were already used to such scenes.
Monkey dragged his Golden Staff forward and stepped ahead.
At those words, everyone looked bewildered.
Monkey dragged his Golden Staff forward and stepped up.
Just as Monkey was about to act, Tripitaka quickly stopped him, whispering, "We don’t know right from wrong yet—how can we hurt the innocent? Let me handle this."
Monkey considered for a moment, then nodded and stepped back.
Tripitaka shook out his sleeves, stepped forward, joined his palms, and bowed respectfully to the officer. "Good sir, my Dharma name is Tripitaka. I come from the East and am new to your land. May I ask what decree you mean, and what offense you accuse me of?"
"What offense?" The officer sneered, "Judging by your look, you really might be fresh from abroad. No matter—His Majesty’s decree covers all monks. Since you’ve entered Cartwright Kingdom, you must obey our laws!"