Just when Bajie was struggling with Sanzang's abnormal behavior, the woman gave him a blessing: "Thank you all for saving my life. I will repay you after you let me go home."
Xue Tianqing asked: "Where is the donor's house? I will take you home tomorrow."
The woman nodded: "It's in Baoxiang Kingdom."
Xue Tianqing scratched her head and said, "Should the donor know where Baoxiang Kingdom is?"
The woman was stunned when she heard this: "When you arrive at Baoxiang Country, you will naturally come to my home."
Seeing that Xue Tianqing was puzzled, Sanzang said: "Female donor, does Baoxiang Kingdom have only one city?"
Seeing the woman nodding, Sanzang said to the two brothers: "According to records, many countries in Xiniu Hezhou only have one city."
At this time, Xue Tianqing also remembered the description in the novel. Many so-called countries in the West are indeed just city-states.
However, a question arises: Xiniu Hezhou is so vast, why do these countries only have one city? Is it because the king is not enterprising or is there another reason?
Sanzang then told him to rest early and go to Baoxiang Kingdom to exchange official documents tomorrow and send the woman home by the way.
Seeing that the woman was pitiful, Xue Tianqing transformed into a hut for her to rest, which made Bajie very dissatisfied.
There was no conversation that night, and early the next morning, Sanzang gave the horse to the woman, and he and Xue Tianqing walked westward along the main road.
In the evening, a small city finally appeared in the eyes of a group of people.
When the woman saw this, she said happily: "Thank you to the three elders for escorting me. I'm home."
Xue Tianqing said: "Master, it's getting late today. Should I go and change the official documents tomorrow?"
Sanzang nodded: "That's fine, let's go to Guanyi to rest for the night, and then go change official documents for the teacher early tomorrow morning."
While several people were talking, the woman ignored them and urged her horses to rush towards the city gate.
When Bajie saw this, he was shocked and said, "Senior brother, doesn't the female donor want to kidnap our horses together?"
Xue Tianqing smiled and said: "Don't talk nonsense, she was just frightened and wanted to go home early."
At this point, Xue Tianqing paused: "Bajie, did that woman say she was abducted by a monster last night?"
Bajie nodded: "I told you, does senior brother still want to subjugate the demon?"
Xue Tianqing nodded: "Since I'm here, I'll help the people get rid of the harm. According to what the woman said, the monster cave is not far from here."
Bajie pondered for a moment and said, "Master, senior brother, there is something I don't know whether to say or not."
Sanzang smiled and said, "You and I, master and disciple, are of the same mind. Is there anything we can't talk about?"
"Master once said that we never encountered monsters in the Tang Dynasty. But when we entered Xiniu Hezhou, there were countless monsters on the main road alone. Calculated in this way, the number of monsters in a remote place is probably unimaginable. Nanfanbu Xiniu and Hezhou are both one of the continents in the world, why is there such a big gap? Xiniu and Hezhou are closer to Lingshan, shouldn’t the Buddha’s feet be peaceful?”
Bajie's words made Sanzang not know how to answer for a while. It took him a long time to say: "The female donor has gone far, let's go into the city quickly."
At this time, the woman had arrived at the city gate. After the city guards saw her clearly, they immediately surrounded her.
Seeing that Sanzang was a little worried, Xue Tianqing comforted him: "Now that we are all home, what big thing can happen? It's just a routine check."
Sure enough, after a few words with the leader of the soldiers, the woman rode into the city and disappeared without a trace.
Upon seeing this, Sanzang didn't delay any longer and strode toward the city gate.
Bajie looked at Sanzang's back and scratched his head: "Senior brother, do you think Master can still change?"
Xue Tianqing said: "Do you think it's not good for Master to be like this?"
"It's just too sudden. How can Master, like this, be able to go up to the Holy Mountain and meet the Buddha? Buddhism pays attention to sweeping the floor without harming the lives of ants, and cherishing moths and gauze lamps."
Xue Tianqing smiled: "Whether you can climb the Lingshan Mountain or not, the Tathagata has the final say? It is difficult to distinguish between good and evil in the world. Good in the eyes of others may not be good, and evil in the eyes of others may not be evil."
Bajie snorted: "Buddhism is so ridiculous. It talks about saving the world while at the same time turning a blind eye to the monsters and ghosts at its feet. Such Buddhism will sooner or later become the laughing stock of the world."
After speaking, he spat towards the west, picked up his luggage, picked up the rake and chased after him.
The master and apprentice were still more than ten feet away from the city gate, when they saw several soldiers approaching them.
The leading soldier was still far away from them, so he clasped his fists and said, "Three elders, the post has been prepared. Please follow me."
The three of them looked at each other in confusion after hearing this, and finally Sanzang said: "Master Jun, have you recognized the wrong person?"
The soldier smiled and said, "I've made a lot of mistakes, but I won't admit them. Elder, please don't embarrass me. Just go into the city."
As the soldiers walked into the city gate and looked at the crowded streets, Sanzang couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect Xiniu Hezhou to have such a prosperous place."
The soldier smiled and said: "To be honest with you elders, Baoxiang has strong soldiers and strong horses, a rich land and abundant people, and no one dares to challenge it near or far."
Bajie smiled and said, "Brother, this is a bit exaggerated. I heard that there are monsters nearby, and they even kidnapped the people in the city yesterday."
The soldier was stunned at first, and then slapped his thigh: "I got angry when I talked about this. Originally, the monsters had no problem with Baoxiang Kingdom, but something happened. Yesterday, they suddenly kidnapped the people in the city. Because he offended the power of heaven, my Majesty is preparing to send troops. Horses to clean up."
Although the soldiers spoke impassionedly, for some reason they always gave people a feeling of guilt.
When they arrived at Guanyi, they led the three of them to the best room, and the soldiers said goodbye.
Before leaving, the soldiers specifically ordered the post officials to entertain the distinguished guests well, and pulled the officials aside to bless them before leaving.
Just when Sanzang was wondering why Baoxiang Kingdom was so hospitable, he suddenly heard the sound of drum music.
Through the window, I saw a group of people walking on the street. Not only were they knocking, but there were also eight people carrying a large sedan chair.
Bajie saw this and said, "Brother, is there someone getting married in the city?"
Xue Tianqing smiled: "Why don't you see the groom when you get married?"
"Is the groom in the sedan?"
"Nonsense, even if you are getting married, the bride will sit in the sedan chair. Whose groom have you seen sitting in it too?"
"Then what do these people do?"
A playful expression appeared on Xue Tianqing's face: "Then it depends on what they want to do."
While talking, the team had already entered the gate of the hotel, and then formed a formation in the courtyard.
Then the leader shouted loudly: "I respectfully invite Elder Sanzang of the Tang Dynasty to enter the palace."
Bajie was stunned: "Why is he a eunuch?"
Xue Tianqing smiled and said: "Of course those who come out of the palace are eunuchs."
Sanzang frowned and said, "Wukong, are you greeting us?"
Xue Tianqing smiled again: "It's not us, it's you. This is King Baoxiang who sent someone to pick up the master."
Sanzang said happily: "I didn't expect the king to be so hospitable. Bajie, hurry up and get the customs clearance certificate. I want to enter the palace to change the customs clearance."
Bajie wanted to follow him into the palace, but Xue Tianqing held him back: "What are you going to do? The palace is not a monster cave, they can still eat the master."
Seeing Sanzang being carried to the palace, Bajie said in confusion: "Is this the way of hospitality in Baoxiang Kingdom? I always feel that there is something hidden in it."
Xue Tianqing suddenly laughed loudly: "It's not too stupid, just wait and see if it's exciting."
Although Bajie asked repeatedly, Xue Tianqing remained silent, which made him extremely depressed.
Not long after, Tripitaka was carried into the palace.
Before arriving at the main hall, the chamberlain asked Sanzang to get off the sedan chair and took him directly into the main hall.
Although it was evening at this time, King Baoxiang and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were waiting in the palace.
Just when he saw Sanzang, the king frowned: "The elder is the holy monk of the Eastern Tang Dynasty."
Tripitaka saluted and said, "The King of Tang sent Tripitaka to see His Majesty. The poor monk was ordered by the King of Tang to go to the West to obtain the Dacheng Sutra. He passed by your country and came here to change the official document."
He ordered his chamberlain to present the official document, and King Baoxiang placed it on the dragon writing desk: "The holy monk has come a long way to work hard, please go to the side hall to rest first. It is already late today, and I will wait for you tomorrow morning when the civil and military gatherings are gathered. Change the official document.”
Sanzang was startled when he heard this: What does it have to do with switching between official documents and civil and military proficiency?
But before he could speak, the chamberlain who had just led him into the hall was already in front of him: "Elder, please follow me."
Seeing Sanzang and his chamberlain going to the side hall, the Prime Minister came out and said, "Your Majesty, I wonder why you have called us here?"
King Baoxiang waved his hand feebly: "It's nothing important. Please withdraw from the court first."
All the officials looked at each other in shock when they heard this. Just now, His Majesty hurriedly delivered an order and ordered all ministers to enter the court to discuss matters.
As a result, just after the ceremony, Tang Sanzang entered the main hall.
I thought that after Sanzang left, His Majesty would discuss state affairs with everyone, but why did he just retreat from the court?
Although they were puzzled, the imperial edict had been issued and everyone could only say goodbye.
When there was no one else in the hall, King Baoxiang let out a long sigh, and then came to the door of a room in the back hall: "My son, have you ever rested."
With a cry of "Father, please come in", the door was opened, and inside was the woman saved by Sanzang.
After sitting down, King Baoxiang frowned and said, "Tang Sanzang is almost middle-aged, how can he be worthy of my son's youth?"
The woman hugged the king's arm and said: "Father, I have been kidnapped by a monster for more than a year. If it were not for the holy monk who rescued me, I don't know if I would have been able to return home. If my daughter doesn't give her life now, how can I repay him for saving his life?" kindness?"
"My son, he is a monk."
"So what if you are a monk? As long as you return to secular life, it will be fine. Father, although Tang Sanzang is a little older, he is both civil and military, and he is definitely the best candidate for the consort."
Seeing that the king was still hesitating, the woman hugged his neck and said, "Father, please promise my daughter. How about letting him have a good rest today and get married tomorrow?"
King Baoxiang said "Ah": "My son, is this too urgent?"
The woman pursed her lips and said, "I'm afraid of long nights and many dreams. Who wouldn't like a person like that?"
The king sighed: "My son, why did he change so much after being kidnapped by the monster?"
The woman's eyes filled with tears when she heard this: "That's fine if I don't say this. Father, does he know what kind of life I have spent this year? I was locked up in a dungeon and was threatened by monsters every day. If I didn't want to see my father again, Now, my daughter has died a long time ago."
After hearing this, the king gritted his teeth and said, "Well, even if I force him to return to secular life with a knife, I still have to find a satisfying husband for my son."
