Step by step, Monkey walked through the Dragon Palace’s treasury, glancing around in a daze as Tina Ao followed close behind.
Golden floor tiles, vermilion pillars, scattered gold everywhere, and gems glittering under the glow of night pearls on the walls—everything here was dazzling to the eye.
A few centuries ago, Monkey would hardly have spared these worldly treasures a glance, but now, he examined each item closely, lost in thought.
After six hundred and fifty years, the whole world had changed. This Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, untouched by war, should have been the least changed place. Yet for some reason, Monkey felt that everything before his eyes—even a single brick or pillar—was different from what he remembered centuries ago.
Perhaps he himself had changed too.
Everything seemed so unfamiliar it made one want to cry.
"Great Sage, the armor is stored over here."
"Oh." Monkey quickly gathered himself, as if waking from a dream, and blinked awkwardly. "Got it."
Leading Monkey, Tina Ao slowly guided him along a narrow path carved through mountains of treasure, heading deeper into the vault, while several shrimp soldiers followed at a distance, peeking at them.
Before they reached the armor vault, the Turtle Chancellor hurried over, bent nearly double as he jogged to catch up.
Seeing Monkey, he threw himself to the ground in a flying leap, kowtowing, "I did not know the Great Sage was visiting. This old minister failed to greet you from afar—truly a crime worthy of death! Please forgive me, Great Sage!"
The shrimp soldiers behind them stared in shock at the scene.
Even toward the Dragon King, they had never seen the old chancellor—second only to the king himself—show such reverence.
Watching the Turtle Chancellor’s grand gesture, Monkey only glanced back coolly and waved his hand. "Get up."
At this, the Turtle Chancellor said loudly, "If the Great Sage does not forgive me, I dare not rise."
"I’m tired. I don’t feel like talking. Do you understand what I mean?"
Monkey’s words were light, but the Turtle Chancellor shivered, swallowed nervously, and shrank back. Only when Tina Ao quietly signaled to him did he stand up, trembling, his head still bowed, occasionally sneaking cautious glances at Monkey.
After a brief pause, he bowed and said softly, "Great Sage, I bring greetings from our Dragon King."
"Your Dragon King?" Monkey blinked, rubbing his temples as if suddenly realizing something. "That’s right, I haven’t seen your old Dragon King yet. I’d like to take a few things from your treasury—your Dragon King won’t mind, will he?"
"How could he mind?" The Turtle Chancellor quickly put on a fawning smile. "Our Dragon Palace belongs to you, Great Sage. Whatever you want—even if you plucked his whiskers—he would have no complaint."
"As long as he doesn’t mind."
As Monkey was about to turn away, the Turtle Chancellor hurriedly added, "Also, Great Sage, our Dragon King has prepared a banquet in the main hall. After you’ve chosen what you want, please come to the hall so our Dragon King can fulfill his duty as host."
Before Monkey could reply, the Turtle Chancellor’s eyes darted around and he quickly added, "And, our Dragon King said, if there’s anything you want that our Eastern Sea Dragon Palace treasury doesn’t have, just say the word—he’ll search Heaven and earth to find it for you."
With that, the Turtle Chancellor gazed at Monkey with a fawning smile, but Monkey remained expressionless, a hint of fatigue still in his eyes.
After a long moment, Monkey turned to Tina Ao and said softly, "We’ll talk about it later."
Tina Ao nodded in understanding and continued leading Monkey down the corridor, leaving the Turtle Chancellor standing dazed behind them.
After a moment’s hesitation, he followed after them.
......
At dawn, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
Tripitaka rode his horse, half-squinting as he slowly made his way along the rugged mountain path. The rain soaked his clothes through and through.
Gradually, the road ahead became muddy and slippery, and the rain grew heavier.
In the distance, he spotted a broken pavilion by the roadside. Tripitaka spurred his horse forward, riding straight into the pavilion and unloading his pack to take shelter from the rain.
Gazing up at the gray sky, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
At that moment, in the distant forest, Manjusri and a young monk watched Tripitaka from afar.
After a long while, the young monk slowly smiled and said softly, "That demon monkey isn’t traveling west with him. With just this, can he reach Spirit Mountain’s Thunderclap Monastery? I doubt he’ll even pass today’s trial."
Manjusri did not reply, only brushed aside the leaves and continued to observe Tripitaka carefully.
......
Entering a low vault, Monkey saw nearly a thousand suits of armor arranged like a military formation. Though these weren’t quite the equal of those worn by Heavenly generals, they were more than enough compared to ordinary celestial troops.
Tina Ao turned and bowed, saying softly, "All the armor our Eastern Sea Dragon Palace holds is here, but to find one worthy of the Great Sage’s status may be difficult."
"No need. I think these armors are just fine." Monkey waved his hand. "In the end, it’s just something to keep from going naked. If someone could actually injure me, not even the Dragon Palace—nothing in all Heaven and earth—could provide armor strong enough to protect me."