Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

White Dragon Horse, hooves facing west.

The Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team continues heading westward, with an additional White Mouse Demon by their side, who is not really a burden.

As a maiden, she follows along the journey, at least being able to play a role.

At least, for Jiang Liu, it's like this; with the White Mouse Demon attending to him, Jiang Liu enjoys VIP treatment in terms of food, clothing, and daily needs along the way.

"White Mouse!"

Jiang Liu sits on the horse's back, after a moment, casually asks, "Why did that Buddha bind you before?"

"Holy Monk, that's because a few years ago, I stole and ate the fragrant flower candles of the Tathagata at the Great Thunder Monastery, so now everyone in the Buddhist Sect wants to capture me!" the White Mouse Demon replies to Jiang Liu's words.

"Could it be that my appearance has caused a butterfly effect?" Jiang Liu murmurs to himself upon hearing the White Mouse Demon's words.

In the original story, wasn't it because of this matter that Li Jing and Nezha captured the White Mouse Demon?

But later, didn't the White Mouse Demon pledge allegiance to Li Jing as a godfather?

But now, it seems different. Is the White Mouse Demon still being pursued by the Buddhist Sect?

Could it be? There is no situation of being captured by Li Jing and Nezha?

Or is it due to some other reason?

Jiang Liu ponders to himself, not very clear on the matter.

But directly asking? It seems rather awkward, doesn't it?

It's our first meeting with the White Mouse Demon; if I act familiar with her past, it would be hard to explain, right?

"So, you're tagging along with us just to use us as a shield?" Sun Wukong on the side, hearing this, clearly not pleased, asks the White Mouse Demon.

"No, Great Sage!"

Hearing this, the White Mouse Demon quickly shakes her head, explaining, "Actually, a long time ago, I harbored admiration for Master Xuanzang, always thinking about how to get closer to him. Even without being hunted, I would still hope to join your team!"

"But, your situation doesn't quite make sense!" Sun Wukong shakes his head, though simple-minded, he's not stupid.

He continues, "In theory, since you stole the Tathagata's fragrant flower candles, you should stay away from the Great Thunder Monastery, right? But you actually wish to come with us back? Aren't you afraid that when we reach the Great Thunder Monastery, the Tathagata will hold you accountable?"

"Great Sage, I'll accompany you to the foot of Spirit Mountain, but I won't go up to the Great Thunder Monastery!" The White Mouse Demon apparently had this thought through long ago, seriously replies upon hearing this.

For the White Mouse Demon, what she seeks is to spend more days with Master Xuanzang, not to gain a title. Naturally, she won't ascend Spirit Mountain.

Frowning, Sun Wukong's expression remains uncomfortable.

After all, this is an unfamiliar Female Demon suddenly appearing; how could his master just keep her? Sun Wukong feels uneasy no matter how he thinks about it.

After all, the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team surely holds many secrets, right?

"Great Sage, I heard that five hundred years ago, during the Havoc in Heaven, not even ten thousand Heavenly Soldiers could capture you. What was the situation then? Could you describe it vividly for me? I've long admired the Great Sage's demeanor!"

Just as Sun Wukong's heart felt uneasy, wondering why his master allowed this Female Demon to stay, suddenly, the White Mouse Demon asks him.

"Eh!?"

Hearing the White Mouse Demon's words, wishing to listen to his glorious deeds during the Havoc in Heaven, Sun Wukong's discontent quickly subsides.

"Hahaha, there's nothing much to do along this journey anyway, since you want to hear it, I, Old Sun, will tell you everything in detail!"

Sun Wukong nods; he naturally enjoys narrating these glorious deeds.

Clearing his throat while speaking, he then begins his story from the first time he ascended to heaven.

"You see, initially, The Golden Star of Venus invited me to heaven to take office. I, Old Sun, wasn't willing to go, but couldn't resist that old fellow's multiple invitations, so I thought I'd go check out heaven!"

"Wow, Great Sage, you are incredible! The Golden Star of Venus is one of the Jade Emperor's favorites, and he invited you repeatedly!" With Sun Wukong's words, the White Mouse Demon appropriately shows her amazement.

Her reaction makes Sun Wukong squint slightly, and his tail swings back and forth.

Clearly pleased with her response, Sun Wukong continues, "Unfortunately, I, Old Sun, was deceived by that Jade Emperor Old Man. I was supposed to take a position, but Star Monarch of Warring States only secured me the position of a Stable Attendant!"

"Hmph! With your abilities, Great Sage, being a Stable Attendant is an insult, isn't it?" The White Mouse Demon seems to have put herself in Sun Wukong's shoes, speaking indignantly.

"Indeed! I, Old Sun, felt the same, so in a fit of rage, rebelled against the Heavenly Court! Then, the Jade Emperor dispatched numerous Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to capture me, but they were no match! Neither the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li nor Nezha could stand against I, Old Sun!"

"Wow, the Great Sage is indeed mighty, that's how it should be!"

...

Sun Wukong elaborately recounted his glorious deeds of causing Havoc in Heaven in those days, while the White Mouse Demon beside him listened intently, occasionally expressing her astonishment and praise, complementing what Sun Wukong was narrating.

This made Sun Wukong even more enthusiastic about telling the story.

The events of Havoc in Heaven were recounted by Sun Wukong in great detail, becoming more and more animated as he spoke.

This talk lasted for over an hour before he finished.

And the White Mouse Demon followed along with different reactions, interacting with Sun Wukong, making him feel not bored at all.

When Sun Wukong talked about being tricked by the Tathagata and being pressed under the Five-Finger Mountain, the White Mouse Demon also showed an angry expression, loudly saying, "If I had known it was like this back then, I should have eaten all the fragrant flowers and candles of Tathagata in the Great Thunder Monastery to avenge you, Great Sage!"

These words completely aligned her with Sun Wukong, making him very satisfied.

Originally, Sun Wukong didn't have much goodwill towards the presence of the White Mouse Demon.

However, doubtlessly, after this storytelling and interaction with the White Mouse Demon, Sun Wukong's original prejudice against her quickly dissipated.

Especially hearing the White Mouse Demon's words about eating all of Tathagata's fragrant flowers and candles to avenge him.

This made Sun Wukong subconsciously feel that she was like one of his own kind.

Nearby, Jiang Liu, sitting on the White Dragon Horse, naturally heard the conversation between Sun Wukong and the White Mouse Demon.

This also made Jiang Liu look at the White Mouse Demon with some surprise.

Although the White Mouse Demon's cultivation level was just at the initial stage of the Taiyi Realm and wasn't considered very powerful for the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team,

her emotional intelligence seemed to be very high.

Sun Wukong originally had some prejudice against her, but after this incident, Wukong seemed to accept her?

Jiang Liu was inwardly amazed at the White Mouse Demon's emotional intelligence.

Of course, for the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, all this was just a small episode.

After chatting for over an hour, Sun Wukong looked at the sky and noticed it seemed to be gradually darkening.

Jiang Liu directly took out the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, inviting everyone inside to rest.

"Holy Monk, what would you all like to eat? Let me cook for you!" After entering the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, the White Mouse Demon, maintaining her role as a maiden, very diligently asked Jiang Liu and the others.

"What dish are you good at?" Hearing the White Mouse Demon speak, Jiang Liu asked.

Originally, Jiang Liu himself was busy with cooking every day, but now, with the White Mouse Demon here willing to cook, Jiang Liu didn't mind trying her culinary skills first.

"Hee hee hee, I'm good at many dishes, as long as the Holy Monk likes to eat, I can cook it for you!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, the White Mouse Demon smiled.

The words were full of confidence.

"Is that so? Our master and disciples ate hotpot last night, and we feel like we haven't had enough. Can you make hotpot?" At this moment, Sha Wujing suddenly interjected, asking the White Mouse Demon.

"Junior Brother Sha, aren't you making things difficult for Sister White Mouse Demon?" Hearing Sha Wujing's words, Zhu Bajie spoke up for the White Mouse Demon.

Hotpot was a unique culinary style of our group, others likely don't know how to make it.

"Hotpot!? I'm not sure if the ingredients are sufficient, but if they are, I can prepare it for you!" However, hearing Sha Wujing's words, the White Mouse Demon didn't look troubled, instead she nodded.

"Huh? She actually knows how to prepare hotpot too?" Hearing the White Mouse Demon's words, everyone, including Jiang Liu, was taken aback.

However, the White Mouse Demon didn't say much but instead went alone to the kitchen.

Soon, the White Mouse Demon got busy.

First, she simmered the soup base with large bones, and then, used a combination of red oil and chili, slicing lamb and beef very thin…

Seeing the White Mouse Demon place the prepared ingredients one by one in the hall, along with the Taiji Yin-Yang Pot in the kitchen soon having a broth with large bones and spicy red oil simmering, Jiang Liu felt amazed.

This White Mouse Demon, can she really make hotpot?

"Holy Monk!"

After spending nearly an hour getting all the ingredients ready, the White Mouse Demon even set the tableware for Jiang Liu.

"The matter of your cuisine has spread across the Three Realms. So, for the past few years, I have studied hotpot myself. I hope you won't find it laughable, Holy Monk!" Seeing Jiang Liu and others in a daze, the White Mouse Demon explained.