Chapter 452 – Doing As You Say
"Wukong, just trust what I'm telling you. What I'm saying right now is absolutely correct. The most important thing for you right now is the Journey to the West. If you give that up and return to Flower Fruit Mountain, that would be a real loss for you."
Ye Tian had already said everything that needed to be said. Whether or not Sun Wukong chose to believe him was now entirely up to him. If Wukong chose to believe, then he would stay by Tang Sanzang's side and continue to protect him on the journey to retrieve the scriptures from the West.
If he chose not to listen, he could return to Flower Fruit Mountain. But going back there would mean missing out on valuable experiences. Without those, there was no way he could rapidly grow stronger in a short amount of time.
"I believe you, and I'll do exactly as you say!"
At that moment, Sun Wukong looked at Ye Tian. Since he had already taken him as his master, then no matter what Ye Tian said, he would listen. So, all the doubts in his heart vanished. Helping Tang Sanzang on the Journey to the West wasn't exactly an unusual request anyway.
While they were talking, in the Western World, the Buddha Tathāgata had already seen everything clearly. Right now, he felt utterly shocked—he never expected that Sun Wukong would have taken Ye Tian as his master.
"Ye Tian, I didn't expect you to snatch someone from under my nose. That's just too much. If I ever get the chance, I definitely won't let you off easy!"
Tathāgata was truly furious now. Sun Wukong was extremely important to him—he was someone Tathāgata had personally chosen. And now Ye Tian had taken him in as his disciple. How could Tathāgata not be angry?
Beside him, Guanyin Bodhisattva saw his state and said, "Buddha, don't be angry. I'll go visit Sun Wukong right now. I'll make him understand that what he's done is completely wrong—he shouldn't have taken Ye Tian as his master!"
"You think talking to him now will still work? He's already made his decision. He definitely won't turn back so easily. So just let it go for now—don't stir up more trouble."
"But if you're unhappy, I'm unhappy too! Isn't this basically a slap in the face for us?"
"Mm, you need to calm down. Right now, the most important thing for us is to focus on cultivating. As for Sun Wukong, we can set that aside for the time being."
"…Fine."
Since even Tathāgata had spoken so decisively, there was nothing more Guanyin could say.
After some time, the Golden List Livestream reopened. And this time, Ye Tian felt it was his opportunity.
He had participated in every previous Golden List Livestream, and today was no exception. But now, he didn't want to go alone—he decided to bring Sun Wukong along.
Just as Wukong was preparing to escort Tang Sanzang westward, Ye Tian found him and said, "The Golden List Livestream has reopened. Come with me."
"But I don't have time right now! I have to protect my master on the journey!"
"I'm your master too. Just listen to me."
Tang Sanzang looked on helplessly and asked Wukong, "Wukong, do you really want to go?"
"Of course I do."
"In that case, then go."
"But if I go, you're not going to chant the Tightening-Curse Spell on me, are you?"
"Don't worry. You and I are master and disciple, too. I also hope you can grow stronger. This Golden List Livestream will surely help improve your strength. So don't overthink it—just go."
With Tang Sanzang saying that, Ye Tian turned to him and said, "You really are a man of great understanding."
"If I weren't, what could I do? Ye Tian, your strength is overwhelming. If I didn't agree, I'm sure you'd find another way to make me give in."
"Smart of you. Let's go."
Ye Tian took Sun Wukong with him and left. At that moment, Zhu Bajie said, "Master, how can you just swallow that kind of treatment?"
"What choice do I have? Ye Tian's strength is truly terrifying. You don't know this, but even Buddha Tathāgata and the Jade Emperor probably aren't his match."
"Really? He's that strong?"
"Of course he is!"
Right then, Zhu Bajie said, "I want to join the Golden List Livestream too. Can I go with them?"
"No way. You still have to stay here and protect me. So you're not going anywhere."
Zhu Bajie felt really down. Why was Sun Wukong allowed to go, but he couldn't? The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.
Tang Sanzang said, "Bajie, you're not the same as Wukong. He's your senior brother, so there are things he's allowed to do that you can't. If you went and did the same, you'd be breaking my rules."
"But Master, why do you have rules like that? Just because he can do something, doesn't mean I can't."
"Yes, it does. He's gone to the Golden List Livestream. If you went too, then who would be left to protect me?"
"There's still Brother Sha. He can protect you!"
But Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, you know my strength. How could I possibly protect Master by myself? I'm not strong enough for that. The two of us together might manage, but on my own? No way."
"You…"
Zhu Bajie stared at Sha Wujing, thinking he was just too honest. All he wanted was an excuse to go join the livestream too!
He was already drooling at the thought. If he could make it to the heavens, maybe he'd even catch a glimpse of some beautiful fairies. It had been so long since he'd seen a lovely celestial maiden. Just thinking about it made him wistful.
Looking at Zhu Bajie's expression, Tang Sanzang sighed. He really had no ambition at all.
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