This Journey to the West is so wrong!

"Please, have a seat!"

After we exchanged greetings, she invited me into her room and sat down.

The room was adorned with many beautiful and shiny decorations.

Wukong happily looked around while Yu Long sat silently next to me, saying nothing.

"This painting is beautiful! How much is it worth?"

"Haha! Though not officially valued, I'm sure it's worth more than 10k gold!"

I wasn't quite clear on the currency value here, so I didn't know how much 10k gold was.

Then her disciples entered, carrying a tray of tea.

"Please, Master and apprentice Tang Seng, try this tea! It's a rare and precious blend."

Yu Long took the tea cup, tasted it, frowned, and set the cup back on the table.

"How does it taste?" I curiously asked Yu Long.

"Bitter."

"Isn't tea supposed to be bitter?"

Hearing me speak, but Yu Long remained silent, completely quiet.

"Master! I also want to try the tea!" Wukong sat down beside me and took a sip.

Her eyebrows raised, she set the tea down and looked at him.

"The tea tastes strange."

"What's strange about it?" He asked, looking at Wukong.

Wukong said nothing, leaning against me.

"What about you? Aren't you going to drink?"

"...Fine."

'Wukong only said it tastes strange, so it should be safe, right? I'm not sure anymore.'

I drank, the tea hitting my stomach.

"Um!"

I almost spat it out, but I held it back and swallowed.

"How do you feel? Better now?" He asked me.

"..."

The room fell silent.

"Puhahaha!" He laughed, slamming the table as if my reaction was genuinely humorous.

'Did he just trolling me?'

The bitterness was terrible, almost making me gag.

Beside me, Wukong also suppressed laughter.

'You damn monkey! You also trying to tease me!'

"Haha... Sorry for the rudeness! That wasn't actually tea; it was a medicinal concoction made from ginseng! Although it's very bitter, it's very good for health!"

"But because of that terrible taste, it gave me the idea to offer it to guests; it always makes me laugh until my stomach hurts!"

"Are you a devil?"

Damn, I thought he was just a cunning fellow, but I didn't expect him to be even more mischievous than I thought!

"Haha! Please don't be angry, it's just a joke I always play on every guest" he waved his hand.

"Alright then, do you have anything else to say? I don't think offering me that drink was part of it."

"Well, I just wanted to say a few things!" He chuckled lightly, but it made me uncomfortable.

"Given that you are related to the sworn brother of Emperor Taizong, you must surely carry something with you on your journey, right?"

'Huh? Taizong? Who's that?'

I looked at Wukong and Yu Long, but neither of them knew who that was.

"And... what does he mean? Does he want me to give him something?"

I furrowed my brow at him.

"Our monastery always welcomes guests, but nothing comes for free" he looked at me, smiling, reminding me of multi-level marketing schemes.

"So, your point is that I have to exchange something luxurious and expensive to you?" Wukong interjected, hands behind her head.

"Exactly!"

"No wonder your room is filled with expensive decorations; you're quite greedy for a Buddhist" she remarked.

"You speak amusingly; being Buddhist doesn't mean we're perfect. People only judge us based on appearances and always criticize our human aspects."

'He's... quite right? Even gods aren't perfect as humans say.'

Wukong rolled her eyes as if tired of the conversation.

Then he looked at me.

Both of us stared at each other for a minute.

"So, do you have anything to offer?" He finally gave up, asking.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

"Well, then... but it's okay, because this is the Quan Yi monastery, so we still welcome you!"

He said with a slight smile, but I felt he wasn't satisfied.

Then, as we walked outside, Wukong accidentally dropped her bag, revealing a robe sparkling inside.

"..." I looked at Wukong.

"..." Wukong turned her face away, whistling as if she hadn't done anything wrong.

"What's going on?" He closed the door of the room, looking at us.

He noticed the bag on the ground, revealing the sparkling robe inside.

"T-THIS IS?!!" He exclaimed, astonished as he picked up the robe.

The robe was exquisite, shining so brightly that it almost blinded him.

The gems attached to it, the soft yet sturdy fabric, and the color of the robe made tears fall from his eyes.

"This is... the treasure I've always wanted to have" he said, moved, holding it as if it belonged to him.

"Hey, that's mine, give it back," Wukong stepped forward, reaching out her hand.

"Huh? Oh, um..." He hesitated, almost reluctant to return it.

"I advise you to give it back to me, don't blame me for being ruthless" Wukong impatiently looked at him, holding tightly to the robe.

"... as I said, we always welcome guests, but guests must always-"

"Alright, alright, an equivalent exchange, right? But no, we go to seek blessings and have the support of Quan Yin. If you say that, it's like slapping her in the face, isn't it?"

"..." he didn't say anything, returning it to Wukong.

The three of us left, heading towards the house he indicated.

He glared at us, saying nothing.

Opening the door, we found the room quite tidy and clean.

"Finally, there's a bed!"

Throwing the bag on the table, Wukong immediately jumped onto the bed.

Yu Long sat on a chair, took out a water bottle, and drank.

"Wukong."

"What is it, master?"

"Be careful next time, the old man is very greedy."

"I know~"

I sighed, lying down next to Wukong and resting.

'Well, I hope nothing else happens today.'