Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 721 - 720

"You’re just going to return it to us like that?" Six-Eared Macaque still couldn’t believe he would simply give back the kasaya, could there be some condition he wanted to set?

As Six-Eared Macaque pondered this, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure behind Xiong Daoren – it was Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Bodhisattva only revealed herself for a moment to Six-Eared Macaque and then took on the appearance of an ordinary monk, walking past from behind Xiong Daoren.

Now he truly believed that the reason this demon was returning the kasaya was because Bodhisattva Guanyin had helped from behind the scenes.

It must be that Bodhisattva Guanyin had severely disciplined the demon, otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t have returned the kasaya so easily.

After seeing Bodhisattva Guanyin, Six-Eared Macaque breathed a sigh of relief, took the kasaya from Xiong Daoren’s hands, inspected it to ensure it wasn’t counterfeit, and carried it back to give to Xuanzang. "Fair enough, we’ll accept the kasaya, you may go."

Seeing that he accepted the kasaya, Xiong Daoren said, "Alright then, now that you have taken the kasaya, I have no more ties with you. Don’t come looking for trouble with me in the future, I plan to earnestly cultivate towards becoming immortal."

Xuanzang examined the kasaya carefully, making sure it was indeed his own, and then nodded at Six-Eared Macaque.

"Good, since you’ve returned the kasaya to us, we naturally won’t bother you," said Six-Eared Macaque.

Xiong Daoren turned and waved his hand at them, preparing to leave.

"Hold on a second," Six-Eared Macaque called out to him, "Aren’t you planning to hold a Buddhist Robe Assembly? Now that you’ve returned the kasaya to us, what will you do about the assembly? Are you not going to hold it?"

"What does that have to do with you?" Xiong Daoren replied, somewhat discontent. "In any case, I’ve already returned the kasaya to you both. Why do you care about what happens to the assembly? Could it be you intend to lend the kasaya to me for a day?"

"Of course not," Six-Eared Macaque said immediately, for the kasaya was no ordinary object. He had already made the mistake of showing off once, and naturally couldn’t afford to flaunt it a second time.

Xiong Daoren shrugged, "Then why bother asking me? Just protect your master on his Journey to the West for Scriptures. As for my Buddhist Robe Assembly, it’s none of your business."

Actually, Six-Eared Macaque could see that this Black Bear Demon wasn’t evil; he had been temporarily blinded by greed when he took the kasaya, but his heart was still good.

Otherwise, he would not have come to return the kasaya on his own; it was instead that Bodhisattva Guanyin had subdued him and sent the kasaya back.

"It’s just that hosting this Buddhist Robe Assembly must have taken quite an effort, and now that we’ve taken the kasaya, it might be hard for you to save face," Six-Eared Macaque considered making a connection with this Black Bear Demon as a friend.

This Black Bear Demon had achieved his current cultivation on his own merits, indicating that he must have exceptional talents. Befriending such an individual would undoubtedly be beneficial.

Glancing at Xuanzang, Six-Eared Macaque took the initiative to say, "How about this? Tomorrow is your birthday, my master and I will attend to show our support, how does that sound?"

"You and your master will attend my Buddhist Robe Assembly?" Xiong Daoren looked at Six-Eared Macaque in surprise.

He was puzzled about what this monkey was thinking. He had figured that not getting into a fight upon meeting was the best outcome possible, yet the monkey now wanted to attend his assembly.

"What’s the matter? Are you perhaps looking down on us because we are ascetics?" Six-Eared Macaque asked.

Xiong Daoren waved his hand, for he certainly didn’t mean that.

"If you don’t mind, then it’s settled. I will come to the Buddhist Robe Assembly with my master to back you up!"

Six-Eared Macaque glanced at Xuanzang, signaling him to say something.

Xuanzang hesitated. He was thinking about the Black Bear Demon being a demon, and if he went to the Buddhist Robe Assembly, there would certainly be many other demons there.

He was still very afraid of demons, not for any reason other than the fact that common people are generally afraid of demons.

"Master, this Black Bear Demon cultivates the Dharma, and although his cultivation is high, he has never taken a life. The friends he has made are also those who cultivate the Dharma."

"Those who attend the Buddhist Robe Assembly are all cultivators, even if they are demons, they are demons who aspire to Cultivation to Immortality. Therefore, Master, you need not be afraid," said Six-Eared Macaque to Xuanzang. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Attending the Buddhist Robe Assembly and making more acquaintances is always a good thing on the long Journey to the West for Scriptures."

Xuanzang hesitated. The words of Six-Eared Macaque made sense. The Journey to the West for Scriptures was long; they couldn’t be sure what they might encounter along the way. Making more acquaintances could be helpful should troubles arise.

"Look, my master has no objections," said Six-Eared Macaque to Xiong Daoren. "My master is truly devoted to goodness with a wealth of knowledge; he would surely get along with your friends."

That was indeed true, but if they were to attend, the genuine articles definitely couldn’t be brought out at the Buddhist Robe Assembly. Of course, this was also good; by not bringing them out, there would be one fewer person coveting them, which could also be considered a good thing.

"Fine, if you’re so willing, then come to the Buddhist Robe Assembly tomorrow, but remember to bring a kasaya," Xiong Daoren said. "Anyway, I no longer have a decent kasaya. One must have a Buddhist Robe suitable to be presented at the Assembly."

"Oh, this..." Xuanzang started to hesitate again.

"I’m not taking your robes, this Buddhist Robe Assembly is just about coming to have a meal. Venerable one, wearing it yourself is also fine," said Xiong Daoren. "Just show it off to them, you can rest assured, Venerable one, with me around, nothing will happen to your kasaya."

Xiong Daoren had put it like that, so if Xuanzang kept being hesitant, he would seem petty. Therefore, he didn’t say much, which was taken as consent.

"Fine, since the Venerable one has agreed, I will wait for both of you at the Buddhist Robe Assembly tomorrow," said Xiong Daoren with a smile.

Six-Eared Macaque smiled and nodded, "Done, I will definitely come to the Buddhist Robe Assembly on time with my master tomorrow."

Xiong Daoren waved his hand again and left Guanyin Temple.

Once Xiong Daoren had left, Six-Eared Macaque took Xuanzang back to the Guanyin Temple, where Bodhisattva Guanyin appeared before Six-Eared Macaque, "Why do you want to attend that Black Bear Demon’s Buddhist Robe Assembly?"

"Didn’t I say? The Journey to the West for Scriptures is so long; it’s always good to make a friend. If we need help in the future, wouldn’t it be more convenient?" Six-Eared Macaque confessed.

Guanyin frowned, "Although there will be many demons on the Scripture-seeking journey, I assume you know that we have already informed the Heavenly Realm and Buddhism. If possible, they will certainly come to help when you seek it. What do you mean by making friends now?"

"Nothing much," Six-Eared Macaque spread his hands. "What you’ve arranged is different from making friends. Among friends, helping each other is to be expected."

Of course, Six-Eared Macaque’s thoughts were not just on this one level; he knew from the beginning that he was a backup.

Even though the genuine article was reluctant to embark on the Journey to the West, there was no guarantee when he might come to his senses. If he ever did, Six-Eared Macaque’s status would then be in danger.