Ch 28: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

Tang Sanzang and his disciples had left.

As they walked towards the blazing sunrise on the horizon, Sun Wukong glanced back. White Tiger Ridge was hidden deep within the dense forest, and unless one ventured inside, who would have thought that such an unremarkable woodland could conceal a place as heavenly as that?

Sun Wukong thought that if he ever had the chance in the future, he would certainly return to visit this place.

A comfortable sigh interrupted his thoughts—it was Zhu Pajie. “The king of White Tiger Ridge is truly a good demon,” he said, still munching on a small bag of dried fruit.

When they were about to leave, seven or eight little demons had blocked their way and stuffed many things into their hands.

“These are just some insignificant items, gifts from the demons to their honored guests,” Jiang Lin had said.

Zhu Pajie, being eager, opened the packages to find dried fruits and other snacks that were easy to preserve, all tasting remarkably good.

Sun Wukong glanced at his junior brother and scolded, “You fool! All you think about is food!”

Zhu Pajie, long unafraid of such rebukes, replied calmly, “Well, I’m just a pig now. What else can I do but eat?”

There was a trace of self-mockery in his casual tone.

Sun Wukong took one look at his nonchalant smile, reached out, and snatched a bag of dried fruit, tossing it into his mouth.

“It’s pretty sweet.”

Jiang Lin stood on the highest peak of White Tiger Ridge, watching the figures grow smaller and eventually disappear into the vast wilderness.

Zong Yu stood beside him, puzzled. “You were overly enthusiastic towards them,” he said. “But from what I saw, they seemed like ordinary mortals and demons.”

Jiang Lin thought to himself, You don’t understand. In the heart of every Chinese person who grew up watching “Journey to the West,” the Great Sage holds a special place. I only wish I could do more in my current position.

This was something he couldn’t explain to Zong Yu, but there was another point he could share.

“There’s no harm in forming a good relationship,” Jiang Lin sighed. “One day, I will leave White Tiger Ridge, and your temperament doesn’t seem suited for staying here long-term either. The demons here aren’t yet strong enough to support such a large place on their own, so I need to make preparations in advance.”

The disciples, having received his generous hospitality, would likely not stand idly by if White Tiger Ridge ever faced trouble in the future.

These words sounded somewhat ominous to Zong Yu, triggering a sense of alarm. “Leave White Tiger Ridge? Where will you go? Won’t you return?”

Jiang Lin had already anticipated this and had a reason prepared. “I’ve reached a bottleneck in my cultivation. Soon, I will either go into deep seclusion or travel the world. I might not return for hundreds of years.”

Hearing this, Zong Yu finally felt relieved. He muttered, “I thought you were saying you wouldn’t return at all. You really scared me.”

Thinking about Jiang Lin’s words, he eagerly asked, “Can I travel with you?”

Jiang Lin dodged the question with a laugh. “We’ll see when the time comes.”

Because of this conversation, Zong Yu kept a close watch on Jiang Lin for a long time, afraid that he might suddenly disappear.

But everything remained normal, and White Tiger Ridge continued its peaceful existence for another twenty years.

The monk who went to retrieve the scriptures returned to Tang Dynasty, receiving the highest honors.

Jiang Lin saw the Great Sage again.

He was dressed in golden armor, draped in a blood-red cape, and no longer wore the golden headband. His golden eyes sparkled brightly, and he was full of vigor—this was the Monkey King that Jiang Lin had always envisioned.

His appearance was entirely different from what Jiang Lin had expected. Curious, Jiang Lin asked, “What is this, Great Sage?”

Sun Wukong laughed freely, “My task of fetching the scriptures from the West is complete. Now, I am free again, and that cursed tightening spell is gone. I wondered if I could ask the king for a drink?”

Jiang Lin was genuinely surprised. “I thought that after reaching the Western Heaven, you would take refuge in Buddhism.”

“Take refuge in Buddhism?” The Great Sage looked at Jiang Lin curiously. “You’re not wrong. That old guy, Tang Sanzang, did want to make me some kind of ‘Fighting Buddha,’ but I refused.”

“Why did you refuse, Great Sage?”

The Great Sage looked at him and smiled. “Back then, I thought what you said made a lot of sense.”

“Because I still have attachments.”

“I can’t let go of Flower Fruit Mountain, nor can I let go of my little ones, and I don’t like all that ‘Amitabha’ talk from the Buddhist sect.”

“I’ve learned unparalleled divine skills, became the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, and gained fame throughout the world, but in the end, what I miss most are the early days at Flower Fruit Mountain.”

The Great Sage gazed into the distance, towards his homeland in the east, leaning casually against a tree trunk. “So, I came back.”

He and Jiang Lin drank together for three days and nights before staggering off in high spirits.

Later, when a new emperor ascended the throne, one who was devout in Taoism, not only did Buddhism and Daoism flourish, but many great demons also lingered in the human world.

White Tiger Ridge underwent changes, welcoming new faces among the demons, and its management became more organized.

Jiang Lin felt that the time was right.

He gathered Pheasant, Li Mao, Han Dong, and Qinghuan, telling them that he was going on a journey and might not return for hundreds of years. He instructed them to take good care of White Tiger Ridge in his absence.

Then, he personally prepared a grand feast, filling the table with elaborate dishes for Zong Yu.

But Zong Yu’s face was clouded with displeasure.

“Are you planning to leave without taking me with you?” he demanded of Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin smiled gently. “Zong Yu, I’m sorry, but this time, it’s not convenient to bring you along.”

Usually, Zong Yu loved Jiang Lin’s cooking, but this time he didn’t even look at the food, his expression darkening as he stormed off.

Jiang Lin was taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction from Zong Yu.

He felt a bit troubled. After spending hundreds of years together, Jiang Lin knew that while Zong Yu had a temper, he wasn’t bad at heart and was quite dependent on him.

Jiang Lin already had his precious daughter, Qingluo, and had no intention of raising another “son,” especially since Zong Yu’s age wouldn’t make that appropriate. However, to say he had no feelings for Zong Yu would be a lie; to Jiang Lin, Zong Yu was like a close younger brother.

He didn’t chase after him but quietly sat in his small courtyard, waiting.

Jiang Lin knew Zong Yu well, just as Zong Yu knew him.

When the moon was high in the sky, Zong Yu returned.

He glared at Jiang Lin, his eyes slightly red. “If I hadn’t come back, how long were you planning to sit here?”

Jiang Lin smiled faintly. “I would have sat here until you returned, so I could say goodbye.”

Zong Yu’s eyes reddened even more.

He said, “Even though you say you’re going on a journey, I have a feeling you won’t come back.”

Jiang Lin hadn’t expected Zong Yu to be so perceptive. He smiled bitterly and said, “Well… how should I put it? If fate allows, perhaps we’ll meet again.”

Zong Yu frowned, his face stern, and sat down quietly. He ate all the food on the table, which had grown cold, without saying a word, and then left in silence.

Jiang Lin knew he was still angry and sighed.

The next day, as the dawn broke, Jiang Lin got up.

Standing at the exit of the valley, he turned back, gazing longingly at the land he was about to leave.

After a long while, he softly said, “Goodbye.”

As he turned to leave, he saw a small, familiar figure standing under a peach tree ahead.

The peach blossoms were in full bloom, romantic and beautiful, while Zong Yu stood beneath the tree with a cold, murderous expression.

Zong Yu stared at him icily. “So, you really have no attachment.”

Jiang Lin sighed. “Zong Yu, there is no feast that doesn’t end. You’re still young; you’ll understand this in the future.”

Zong Yu walked up to him and stuffed a small bead into his hand.

He said, “I don’t believe we’ll meet again by chance. Right now, I’m really mad at you. Just looking at you makes me angry. If you’re going to leave, then hurry up, before I decide to fight you.”

Jiang Lin looked down at the bead in his hand. “What is this?”

Zong Yu snorted. “It’s nothing special. If you don’t like it, just throw it away.”

Jiang Lin sighed. He carefully put it away in front of Zong Yu, saying earnestly, “Thank you for the gift. I will treasure it.”

Zong Yu turned his head away, refusing to look at him.

Jiang Lin didn’t mind and reached out to pat him on the head.

“Goodbye, little Lord Zong.”

There was no reply.

Jiang Lin hadn’t expected one. He chuckled lightly and turned to leave, walking toward the morning light until his figure disappeared into the glowing horizon.

After a long while, the wind carried a reluctant, unwilling response:

“Goodbye, Jiang Lin.”

xxx

Thandar: NOOOOO don’t leave like that … I cantttttt.