On the road to the West, beneath the setting sun, a party of travelers slowly made their way along a winding mountain path.
Having climbed the towering mountain, Tripitaka dismounted and gazed into the distance, where wisps of smoke rose from a village far away.
"Let’s stop in that village tonight. After days on the road, our rations are nearly gone—I must beg for alms."
Monkey drawled from the side, "If you want food, isn’t it simple? We’ll just go find some. What mountain delicacy can’t we get?"
Tripitaka shook his head and said, "This journey west is not only scripture-seeking, but also cultivation. Begging for alms, chanting sutras, meditating, and contemplating Zen—all are essential. Begging is part of our training; if we never enter among the common folk, how can we resolve their suffering?"
With that, Tripitaka turned and smiled faintly at Monkey.
"Fine, whatever. I don’t understand any of this Buddhist stuff anyway—whatever you say goes." Monkey shook his head, resigned.
Turning away, Tripitaka reached for his horse and slowly walked on.
The path down the mountain was steep; they could only go on foot.
Monkey was about to follow when he turned and saw Prince Adrian standing behind him, gazing longingly toward the village.
Marshal Silver and Barry Bear had already gone ahead, but Prince Adrian still stood rooted to the spot.
Monkey couldn’t stand it any longer and urged, "Still not moving? Waiting for the village to come to you?"
"Great Sage, do you think my wife might be in that village?"
"You’ll only know once you get there." Monkey was growing impatient, grumbling, "How many times are you going to ask that? Enough already! Look at you, all worked up over a woman."
At that, Prince Adrian shot Monkey a look and retorted, "And you’re any better? Didn’t you overturn Heaven for a woman yourself?"
"You—!"
Monkey raised his hand as if to strike, making Prince Adrian quickly step back, eyes wide and ready to dodge.
They stared each other down for a moment before Monkey lowered his hand, shot Adrian a glare, and strode off. "That was for a promise—a promise worth a thousand gold! Damn it, you’re getting more and more cheeky. Is it because you know I won’t hit you? People like you shouldn’t get too familiar; I should’ve seen it back on Flower-Fruit Mountain."
Prince Adrian let out a sigh of relief, cheerfully following after and whispering, "Great Sage, when we get to the village, remember to help me look for my wife."
"Yeah, yeah. You’re hopeless."