They rested and recuperated on Blossom Mountain for a full half month.
During that half month, everyone who'd been poisoned—including Tripitaka—had already fully recovered. Under Monkey's leadership, Blossom Mountain was bustling with activity, and life grew steadily more vibrant.
Though the mountain was still covered in yellow sand and bore the marks of ruin, at least the 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' banner now flew high. Whether gods or demons, anyone wanting a piece of Blossom Mountain would have to think twice. Meanwhile, celestial craftsmen sent by Heaven worked day and night planting trees, determined to restore Blossom Mountain to its former glory—it was only a matter of time.
With these assurances, the little demons could look forward to much better days ahead.
Still, these days on Blossom Mountain could only be considered a rare vacation for the Westward Quest party.
The Dao remained unrealized; the journey west had to continue.
On the night before departure, the Blossom Mountain demons threw a lavish banquet for Monkey. Little Seven got drunk, clinging to Monkey's hand and crying out, "King, you must come back... you must come back, don't abandon us!"
Hearing these words, Monkey suddenly felt an urge to cry.
This was the second time Little Seven had said those words. He didn't call him 'Great Sage,' but 'King.'
Eight hundred years ago, a troop of monkeys saw him off at the Eastern Sea shore, shouting the same plea. Back then, he promised them he would return to Blossom Mountain and give them days free from fear and worry.
Yet eight hundred years had passed, and all he'd brought back to Blossom Mountain was scorched earth. Of those monkeys he once made that promise to, only this one remained before him.
He remembered that back then, a lovely canary was still by his side...
After eight centuries, everything had changed. Whether himself or others, all were utterly transformed.
Marshal Silver strolled over, swirling his wine cup and asked, "What's on your mind?"
Monkey gave a helpless chuckle and sighed, "I'm thinking... scorched Blossom Mountain can, with effort, be restored, but those who've been lost can never truly return."
With that, he snatched Marshal Silver's wine cup and downed it in one gulp—only to immediately spit it all out.
"Is this... water?"
"Yes," Marshal Silver nodded.
"Isn't there wine? Did you finish it all?"
Monkey, tipsy and swaying, got to his feet and started fumbling around the low table with bleary eyes. Marshal Silver quickly reached out to stop him.
"There's plenty of wine. I just chose not to drink it."
"Why aren't you drinking? The wine I brought back from the Dragon Palace is top-grade."
Marshal Silver replied, "If I get drunk too, who'll handle trouble if it comes?"
Monkey burst out laughing at Marshal Silver's explanation.
Marshal Silver shrugged. "I don't care about pride."
With that, he turned and walked toward Tripitaka, leaving Monkey standing there, scratching his head in confusion.
This pig-head must be sick. Why won't he fight me? Fighting would be much better. So boring." Then Monkey turned to Daisy Grass beside him: "Have you had any wine?
Monkey banged his cup on the table, refilled it, and gazed at the swirling wine. "Seize joy while you can," he said. "I've suddenly realized I was wrong."
You've had some, so why isn't your face red?
"Everything. I've been wrong about everything." Monkey pursed his lips, shook his head hard, and scratched his ear. "All wrong... I kept thinking I could finish everything, lay down every burden, and only then enjoy life. But in the end..."
Turning aside, Monkey watched Little Seven snoring on a stone slab and said, "In the end, even if everything gets done, there's no one left to drink with me. Worse yet... I haven't managed to do everything right."
At that, Marshal Silver started laughing too.
But when Marshal Silver laughed, Monkey stopped, glaring up at him. "What... are you laughing at?"
"Can't I laugh?"
"Are you laughing at me?"
Marshal Silver just smiled, saying nothing.
"Fine, you dare laugh at me! I'm the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you know? Come on, let's duel! Right now!" Monkey flew into a rage, struggling to his feet and grabbing Marshal Silver's hand, trying to drag him outside.
At this, the little demons nearby were terrified. Only Tripitaka watched in silence, smiling.
Daisy Grass covered her lips, laughing. She stepped out from the side and blocked Monkey's way.
"Great Sage, you've had too much to drink."
"I haven't had too much, not at all!" Monkey shook his head and waved his hands. "Today I absolutely have to duel this pig-head. If he won't apologize, I'll duel him for sure. I'm going to knock his teeth out!"
Daisy Grass gave Marshal Silver a long, meaningful glance.
Marshal Silver understood, sighed helplessly, and said, "Alright, I apologize."
The apology left Monkey stunned. He let go of Marshal Silver's hand, frowned at him, and stammered, "Hey, you're... Marshal Silver. The dignified Marshal Silver, commander of six hundred thousand Heavenly River troops. I made you apologize... and you just did... Where's your pride?"
Marshal Silver shrugged. "I don't care about pride."
With that, he turned and walked toward Tripitaka, leaving Monkey standing there, scratching his head in confusion.
This pig-head must be sick. Why won't he fight me? Fighting would be much better. So boring." Then Monkey turned to Daisy Grass beside him: "Have you had any wine?
"In reply to the Great Sage, yes, I have."
"You've had some, so why isn't your face red?"
"I... I have no idea, sir."
You don't know? You're definitely lying to me. No way, I have to watch you drink. Today's my farewell party, you can't refuse. If you don't drink, you're disrespecting me." Monkey, stumbling, dragged Daisy Grass toward his seat, muttering, "Don't think I don't know—you always avoid drinking. Today, I'm going to make sure you do!
Watching from afar, Tripitaka sighed softly, "If only the Great Sage would remember what he said when he wakes up."
Marshal Silver popped a peanut into his mouth and asked casually, "What do you mean, Master Tripitaka?"
"Live in the moment, cherish what's in front of you."
Marshal Silver looked at Tripitaka in surprise.
"Isn't that right?" Tripitaka met Marshal Silver's gaze and sighed, "He's just too stubborn—he won't give up until he gets what he wants. Even this westward journey is the same. In the end..."
"Don't worry, he'll remember. A cultivator of the Da Luo Hunyuan Immortal Realm won't forget something just because of a little wine—who would believe that? But... whether he'll admit it is another story."
Tripitaka nodded helplessly.
After an all-night banquet, Monkey and the little demons were thoroughly drunk.
Sobering up isn't a difficult technique—any Spirit-Refinement Stage cultivator can do it. In fact, if someone at that level doesn't want to get drunk, even soaking in a vat of wine wouldn't affect them.
Yet, despite his cultivation approaching the Heavenly Dao, Monkey was drunk.
Maybe, even he wanted to be drunk.
The next day, when the sun was high, Monkey finally opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Daisy Grass.
At the sight, he was so startled he jumped up from his bed, quickly shrinking away.
"What's the matter, Great Sage?" Daisy Grass blinked and asked.
She was already beautiful and refined, but now, with her cheeks flushed red, Monkey's heart skipped a beat.
No... nothing.' Monkey checked himself and saw he was still wearing his old leather armor, and Daisy Grass was fully clothed, just sitting by his bed.
That helped him calm down a bit.
He swallowed nervously and asked, "Nothing happened last night, right?"
"What do you mean?"
I mean... I mean..." Monkey gestured awkwardly but couldn't get the words out.
Daisy Grass frowned in thought, then said, "Last night, after you got drunk, Marshal Silver and Curtain-Raising General carried you back. Then they left me here to take care of you."
So nothing happened. Then... why is your face red?
"Didn't you tell me to drink? Maybe I drank too much—the wine hasn't worn off yet." Daisy Grass touched her cheek with the back of her hand.
Monkey finally relaxed. "As long as nothing happened... that's good. By the way, how long have I been asleep?"
Just a little over an hour. You only fell asleep when dawn was breaking.
What about everyone else?
Master Tripitaka, Curtain-Raising General, and the others are fine. They told me to let them know when you woke up so we could set out early. But right now, everyone's still asleep. I'll go...
No! Don't wake them. If they're up, it'll just be a bunch of crying and fuss—I'm terrible with that. It's better to slip away quietly.' With that, Monkey jumped out of bed and hurriedly started packing his things.
Daisy Grass sat quietly to the side, watching.
Just as he was about to step out the door, Monkey suddenly turned and asked, "I really didn't do anything last night, right?"
You did.
W-what did I do?
You kept calling Sister Anna's name. And...
A-and... what else?
You called out for Windchime, Canary, Shortbeak, Shadow, Isabel Su, Rhino, Old White Ape, Big Bull... lots of names. I can't remember them all.
Monkey pursed his lips and blinked twice. "Got it. Don't tell anyone."
With that, he darted out the door.
Daisy Grass hurried after him, but by the time she reached the door, Monkey's figure had already vanished at the end of the tunnel. His voice lingered in the air: "I'm counting on you to take care of Blossom Mountain! I'll be back—!"
"Got it, Great Sage—!" Daisy Grass shouted back with all her strength.
...
In no time, Monkey had left Cascade Cave and, adjusting his wrist guards, hurried over to Tripitaka and the others.
Marshal Silver sighed, "We thought you weren't leaving."
Why wouldn't I leave?
Blossom Mountain is wonderful—free and easy living, beautiful companions. And from what you said last night, it sounded like you weren't leaving.
Huh?' Monkey was stunned, then gave an awkward laugh. 'Did I say something last night?
Marshal Silver and Tripitaka exchanged a helpless smile.
And so, the long journey began once more.
Barry Bear carried Tripitaka on his back, while Curtain-Raising General, Monkey, and Marshal Silver guarded from three directions. The group soared into the sky.
High above, they slowly made their way toward the Women's Kingdom.
Standing outside the door, Daisy Grass lifted her head slightly and quietly watched them go.