I just became the Pirate King, and you're telling me I also time-traveled at the same time.

Chapter 1043 Too Much Trouble

"It's unlikely to be a demon," Chu Yang said. "After failing several times, sending another demon would only be possible if the higher-ups were really just giving Monkey King free practice."

Sun Wukong chuckled upon hearing this: "My hands have indeed been itching lately."

"That's a person?" Su Wanwan frowned.

"It might not all be people." Chu Yang looked at the shore. "But if I were them, I would most likely start with the people this time."

Tang Sanzang was sitting cross-legged in the cabin chanting scriptures when he heard this. He opened his eyes and asked, "Why do you think this, Benefactor Chu?"

"Because mortals are the most troublesome." Chu Yang turned to look at him. "Demons have demonic energy, murderous intent, and something amiss. Whether you fight them or dismantle them, you always have a way to do it. Humans are different. Especially those mortals who look innocent, talk a good game, offer you tea and food, and even sigh for you."

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue: "This kind is the most annoying. If you hit him, it's like bullying someone; if you ignore him, he'll still nag you."

"So," Chu Yang shrugged, "the fact that they actually did this shows they've finally gotten their brains."

As Su Wanwan listened, she felt a strange chill run down her spine for some reason.

It's not that I'm afraid of fighting.

She's not as afraid of fighting as she used to be. With Chu Yang and Sun Wukong around, even if she encounters a tough opponent, regardless of whether she wins or loses, she certainly won't panic.

What she fears is "annoyance".

Because annoyance is indeed the most difficult thing to deal with.

One cannot cut off the connection with a single stroke, nor can one block it with a single sentence; one can easily find oneself getting angry without realizing it.

Moreover, she felt that Chu Yang's words, "a mortal who serves you tea and food and sighs for you," sounded too specific.

It was as if a very ominous image had already formed in his mind.

The sky was just right when the boat docked.

After disembarking, the group continued westward for half a day, the journey being quite peaceful. The mountain path wasn't difficult, the forest wasn't deep, and there were occasional bird calls and insect sounds. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, dappling the ground with patches of light.

Sun Wukong would walk a short distance and then leap up into a tree.

The white dragon horse was in a good mood, and even its steps were lighter.

As always, the white donkey wanted to slack off when it got hot, and was only forced to continue walking reluctantly after Chu Yang kicked it in the butt.

As Su Wanwan walked, she glanced at the sky, but couldn't help asking, "If what lies ahead is truly a trap set by mortals, what do you plan to do?"

"Let's see first," Chu Yang replied decisively.

"What are you looking at?"

"Let's see what they're after."

"They're just trying to sow discord," Sun Wukong interjected. "What else could they be after, our good looks?"

"Brother Monkey, you're quick to answer now too," Chu Yang chuckled. "But there are many kinds of provocation. Some people provoke us to argue on the spot, while others smother the fire in their hearts and let it burn later. The former is foolish, the latter is troublesome."

"What if you really get picked?" Su Wanwan pressed.

Chu Yang glanced at her and said slowly, "Then let's see who can't hold back first."

Su Wanwan immediately became wary: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm afraid you'll be the first to explode."

"Am I really that bad-tempered right now?"

What do you think?

"Chu Yang!"

Sun Wukong was patting the tree trunk and laughing.

Tang Sanzang didn't laugh, but only sighed softly.

He actually understood that Chu Yang wasn't joking.

Among this group, Sun Wukong is fiery, but he may not be the easiest to pick on.

Because he's long been used to people saying bad things about him, and he's used to hearing hypocritical words. When he's really annoyed, he'll usually turn on them on the spot, rather than keeping his thoughts to himself.

Chu Yang was the same. He was shrewd and sharp-tongued. If someone really wanted to say something to him, he would most likely retaliate first, rather than letting those subtle insults linger in his heart for long.

Tang Sanzang himself, though soft-hearted and introspective, had been practicing Buddhism for many years, so he would suppress his own suffering rather than immediately release it outwards.

If we're talking about who's most easily swayed, it's actually Su Wanwan.

She may be sharp-tongued, but she's not hard-hearted.

Especially lately, she has become closer to this group of people, and some things she didn't care about before are now easier for her to take to heart.

Thinking of this, Tang Sanzang glanced at her and said gently, "Female benefactor, if someone says something unpleasant later, please don't take it to heart."

Su Wanwan was taken aback.

He immediately retorted, somewhat unconvinced: "Master, why do you also think I'm the most likely to fall for it?"

Tang Sanzang smiled, but didn't say it directly. He only said, "You are sincere and sentimental."

Upon hearing this, Su Wanwan found it difficult to retort, and simply snorted and turned her face to the side.

Chu Yang watched from the side, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

But that smile was quickly dispelled by the rising mountain breeze ahead.

Because not far ahead, the terrain changed noticeably.

The once gentle forest path gradually narrowed, with the mountain ridges on both sides stretching out like two doors slowly closing. A breeze blew out from between the ridges, carrying a dry and cold air. Chu Yang looked up and saw a half-old stone tablet standing by the roadside in the distance, with three characters faintly engraved on it.

Qingduling.

He paused for a moment.

Sun Wukong squinted his eyes and said, "We've arrived."

Su Wanwan's heart skipped a beat: "This is it?"

"Eighty percent," Chu Yang said.

Tang Sanzang followed their gaze, his expression unchanged, and simply said while fiddling with his prayer beads, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. If anything seems amiss on the road ahead, we'll be careful."

"Master is right," Chu Yang replied, but there was no sign of relief in his eyes. "We must be careful. But this time, it might not be the kind of caution we're talking about, involving knives and clubs."

Sun Wukong slung his golden cudgel over his shoulder and chuckled, "I'd like to see what tricks they can pull this time."

The wind blew from the ridge, swirling up a few withered leaves from the ground.

The setting sun had begun to sink behind the mountains, and a layer of golden-red light slowly spread across the horizon, making the old stone tablet at the ridge pass look as if it were stained with blood.

Further ahead, at the bend in the mountain path, a corner of gray walls and green tiles appeared and disappeared in the evening light.

It's like a Taoist temple that's been waiting for a long time.

No one spoke again.

The group slowly walked along the mountain path in that direction.

The closer you get, the clearer you can see what the Taoist temple looks like.

Not big.

Two ancient cypress trees stand before the gate, one on the left and one on the right, their gnarled trunks resembling two silent old men. Above the gate hangs an old plaque, its gold paint faded, bearing the three characters "Xuanyun Temple." The stone steps in front of the gate are swept clean, with two slightly chipped stone beasts placed at the corners. From inside, one can faintly hear smoke rising from chimneys, the sound of bells, and the quiet, unassuming voices of people.

It's so ordinary that it makes you feel even more anxious.

Sun Wukong stood outside the door, his nose twitching slightly as he frowned.

"No demonic aura."

"Hmm," Chu Yang said, "there's no ghostly aura about it."

"So that's a person?"

"At least on the surface."

Tang Sanzang had already dismounted. He stepped forward a few paces and gently pressed his palms together in prayer towards the temple gate: "This humble monk comes from the East and is passing through this place. It is getting late; may I ask if I may stay the night?"

Footsteps soon came from inside the door.

Then, with a creak, the temple gate was pulled open from the inside.

The man who emerged was a middle-aged Taoist priest who looked to be around forty years old. He had an ordinary face, a short beard, and wore a faded blue Taoist robe. His eyes and brows conveyed a serious and amiable air. Upon seeing Tang Sanzang, he was taken aback at first, then showed just the right amount of respect.

"So you are a high-ranking monk." He quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Please, please come in. Our temple is simple, but we have spare rooms. If you don't mind, please feel free to stay."

He spoke calmly and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant; at first glance, he seemed to have no faults whatsoever.

But when Chu Yang looked at him, his gaze shifted very slightly.

Because the respect in this person's eyes was too composed.

It was as steady as if it had been calculated in advance.

The Taoist priest opened the door wider and stepped aside to invite them: "You have all traveled a long way and must be tired. We happen to have some hot soup and freshly steamed cakes in the temple today. If you don't mind the simple food, we can bring them over later."

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue for a moment, then suddenly tilted his head toward Chu Yang and lowered his voice: "Brother."

"Um?"

"This person seems to know how to talk."

"I know."

"I'm starting to get annoyed."

Chu Yang smiled and lowered his voice, "What a coincidence, me too."

Then he raised his head and gave the Taoist a very polite smile.

"Then it will be hard work."

The gate of Xuanyun Temple slowly closed in the evening breeze.

With a click, neither too loud nor too soft, it was like a chess piece being placed on a board.

The lights in the temple have already been turned on.

In the front courtyard stood statues of the Three Pure Ones, the incense table was spotlessly clean, and wisps of smoke rose from the bronze incense burner. The smoke didn't smell like sandalwood from a temple; it was more like the cool scent of pine and cypress mixed with herbs. To the left, in a side hall, were cushions and benches for worshippers, while to the right was the kitchen, with a string of dried chilies and a few clumps of garlic hanging at the entrance—a scene of everyday life. Further back were two courtyards, clearly divided into east and west wings, with an old plum tree in the middle. Though not in bloom, its branches still possessed a certain resilience.

Everything was too normal.

Tang Sanzang was personally welcomed into the main courtyard by the middle-aged Taoist priest, who said that the quietest room had been prepared for the holy monk's quiet cultivation.

Sun Wukong lifted his foot to look around, but another young Taoist priest invited him to the back to tie up his horse with a smile, saying that the hay in the temple's backyard was fresh and that a clean trough had been specially prepared for the white dragon horse.

Su Wanwan originally wanted to follow Chu Yang closely, but as soon as she stepped into the moon gate, she was stopped by a woman in gray clothes who looked to be in her fifties. The woman smiled kindly and said, "Miss, you must be tired from your journey. There is fresh well water in the back of the temple, and we have also boiled hot water. It must be hard for you to travel, so please go and wash your face first."

Upon hearing this, her heart skipped a beat.

coming.

Sure enough, that's the kind of "enthusiasm" they're talking about.

She instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, Chu Yang lazily replied, "Thank you for your trouble."

The woman smiled even more warmly: "No, no, when you're out and about, everyone needs someone to look after them sometimes."

Her words were perfectly correct, and her expression was completely natural. If Chu Yang and the others hadn't been on guard, they would have thought she was just an ordinary, kind-hearted person.

After everyone had dispersed and been settled in, Chu Yang was led to a room in the west wing.

The room was small, but bright and clean. There was even a dish of fresh green plums on the table. The bed was made neatly, and a faint incense burner beside it held a calming fragrance. At first glance, it was impossible to find any sign of neglect.

But Chu Yang smiled as soon as he entered the door.

The young Taoist priest leading the way was about twenty years old, with fair skin and a hint of youthful naiveté in his eyes. Seeing Chu Yang smile, he paused, surprised. "Esteemed benefactor... is there something wrong with this house?"

"There's nothing wrong with it." Chu Yang picked up a green plum from the table, glanced at it, and put it down again. "It's just that your temple is being a little too hospitable to its guests."

The young Taoist priest hurriedly replied, "It is rare to find a passing eminent monk, and our humble temple would naturally not dare to neglect him."

Chu Yang gave an "Oh," but his gaze never left the man's face: "It's not just high-ranking monks, is it? Even someone like me who doesn't look like a respectable person, you take such good care of?"

The young Taoist priest's expression stiffened slightly, then he smiled and said, "You jest, benefactor."

Chu Yang looked at him, then suddenly smiled and said, "I was just joking. Alright, go ahead and get back to work."

The Taoist priest breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands, and withdrew.

As soon as the door closed, the smile on Chu Yang's face faded.

He didn't sit down immediately, but instead slowly walked around the room, his fingertips brushing across the windowsill, table edge, and bedpost before finally stopping in front of the incense burner and taking a sniff.

The fragrance is fine.

At least it's not meant to harm people.

It seems that the other party has really restrained itself this time, not using poison, not setting up formations, not using demonic energy, and is clearly relying on "human" methods to wear them down.

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard a very faint sound of a pebble outside the window.

Hey.

Chu Yang looked up, pushed open the window and looked out. He saw Sun Wukong squatting on the wall behind the old plum tree in the courtyard, grinning at him.

"Brother."

"Brother Monkey, you're not using the main entrance again."

"Too much trouble." Sun Wukong kicked off the wall and landed lightly inside the house. "Is everything settled?"

"almost."

"What about the fox and the master?"

"It's probably about time."

Just as Chu Yang finished speaking, a series of two short and one long knocking sounds came from outside the window.

This is a tacit understanding they gradually developed after they set off on the road.

Sun Wukong gave her a push, and Su Wanwan indeed climbed in through the window, her movements as light as a real fox. Tang Sanzang followed behind her—of course, Tang Sanzang didn't climb through the window, he came in through the door properly, but he looked helpless.

"You..." he sighed softly as he entered, "You have a door to ask for, what kind of behavior is that?"

Sun Wukong chuckled, "Master, there are probably people watching outside the door. Wouldn't it be quieter to climb through the window?"

Su Wanwan lowered her voice: "There are indeed people loitering outside. They look like they're fetching water, but they're actually listening more than anyone else."

Chu Yang leaned against the table, gesturing for them to sit down: "Speak up, everyone."

Sun Wukong said first, "There's no demonic aura, no strange smell, and the backyard is full of people. They all look like ordinary people, and a few of them have some traces of training, but they only know a few farming tricks and are far from being cultivators. I deliberately wandered around the stables a couple of times, and three young Taoist boys, two helpers, and an old woman tending the fire were all secretly peeking at me."

"Me too." Su Wanwan frowned. "The woman who brought me hot water was all polite, but every word she said was a test. First she asked if I had been traveling with the holy monk for a long time, then she asked if I could handle the journey, and finally she sighed something about how 'young women have it the hardest, and they often do all the work for nothing.' I got annoyed as soon as I heard that and didn't respond to her."

Tang Sanzang gently clasped his hands together and said, "On my side, the abbot—that is, the Taoist who welcomed us into the temple—didn't say much, only that he had long admired my ambition to travel west and wished to do his duty as a host. However, in his words, he seemed to pity my hardships along the way." (End of this chapter)