After a round of celebrations, the four master-disciple companions couldn't quite understand why the queen suddenly changed her attitude. Not only did she stop targeting them, but she even held a grand bonfire banquet.

On the vast square in front of the Royal Palace, a blazing bonfire was lit, illuminating the healthy, wheat-colored skin of the female warriors. The female warriors held hands, singing strange songs, which was quite a unique experience.

At this moment, the queen and several State Preceptors were hosting Master Xuanzang and his disciples; however, the seating arrangement was somewhat peculiar.

The one closest to the queen wasn't Master Xuanzang, but Sun Wukong, followed by Sha Wujing, Xuanzang, and then Zhu Bajie.

The queen raised a cup made from a beast's horn and said with sincerity, "You warriors possess extraordinary martial arts skills; you are definitely the strongest warriors I have ever seen."

Sun Wukong was someone who accepted flattery but not threats. Right now, Hippolyte praised him, which made him feel rather embarrassed.

"The journey to the Western Heaven is long and arduous. All of you are the bravest warriors. Why not stay? Here, there are beauties from the kingdoms, endless food, and limitless wine. I think all of you would be satisfied."

Before anyone else could speak, Zhu Bajie immediately shouted with his eyes wide open: "Great, great!"

Sun Wukong prodded Zhu Bajie twice with his stick, then turned around and said, "Women, gourmet food, and wine are merely material pursuits. Only seeking true fruition is our ideal."

Xuanzang smiled gratifyingly, knowing that his disciple had grown along the journey and had now gained such enlightenment.

What he didn't know was that Sun Wukong was actually feeling restless. Seeing his senior brother become a leader in the Heavenly Court, he felt embarrassed to be stuck in the Daughter Country.

The queen wasn't annoyed at all by Sun Wukong's refusal; instead, she valued him even more!

See, it's warriors with noble beliefs that are truly admirable!

This monkey is really different from the others!

Can humans and monkeys be together? For someone born in the Greek World, such a question needs no asking. After all, snakes, fish, oxen, and sheep are all acceptable, so why not a monkey?

A monkey at least resembles a human, doesn't it?

After a grand banquet, the queen arranged luxurious accommodations for their rest.

Early the next day, the four master-disciple companions, well-rested, went to the morning court to request the Passage Document to continue westward.

Receiving the Passage Document, the queen did not immediately stamp it with the Jade Seal. Instead, she said, "I can stamp it, but Elder Sun and Elder Sha must stay. Master Xuanzang, take your other two disciples to fetch the scriptures."

Sun Wukong was a bit dumbfounded. The queen had always respected him and he had a good impression of her. So why change her mind now?

"Why are you keeping me and Brother Sha?"

The queen had none of the shyness associated with women discussing marriage. She said confidently, "To wed!"

"You can wed me, and together we'll rule the Daughter Country. Your third junior can choose between marrying a State Preceptor or a Great General, and then you brothers can share wealth and glory."

Before Sun Wukong or Sha Wujing could speak, Zhu Bajie jumped forward.

"What about me? What about me?"

The queen had absolutely no interest in this pighead.

"You, of course, will protect Master Xuanzang on the westward journey."

This upset Zhu Bajie a lot. How come whenever something good happens, it excludes him? Not only did he rank lower than Brother Monkey, but now even behind Third Brother Sha?

"No way, no way. We brothers are as close as family; how could we possibly part?"

Family, my foot! Zhu Bajie was just envious that while he went to fetch scriptures, Brother Monkey and Sha Wujing would both have beautiful wives and concubines!

The queen, true to her roots as a warrior, was very straightforward.

"I have my eyes set on Elder Sun; if he doesn't agree, I won't stamp."

Xuanzang immediately reasoned, "But what about the previous wager?"

Female warriors are still women, and they can be inherently stubborn and quarrelsome.

"I didn't say I wouldn't stamp it; it's just that Elder Sun has to stay and wed me before I'll stamp it."

Xuanzang felt this wasn't right: "But..."

The queen, looking at Xuanzang, who resembled a pretty face, didn't even bother to waste her breath.

"Previously, there were no conditions, but that doesn't mean there aren't any now."

With a simple remark, Xuanzang was silenced. Even with his deep understanding of Buddhist doctrine, he couldn't argue his way out.

Sun Wukong obviously didn't anticipate such a turn of events, but his eyes flickered with thought. Finally, he said, "Stop arguing, my old Sun agrees."

"However, you must stamp it now and let my master and junior brother depart."

When Zhu Bajie heard this, he was truly anxious. He was going for the scriptures while Brother Monkey enjoyed the Daughter Country. This was tougher than death!

"No, I disagree!"

The queen wasn't about to care if a pig agreed or not; with a swift motion, she stamped the document, slick and quick.

"Tonight we will host the grand wedding, granting amnesty nationwide!"

"Elder Sha, which one do you prefer? Let's settle it together!"

The queen's straightforward and bold style was indeed remarkable in its own way.

Sha Wujing's face turned beet red; he didn't want to get married, yet the General and the State Preceptor had already stepped forward, both with their heads held high, clearly unwilling to lose to each other.

Seeing Sha Wujing hemming and hawing, the queen joked, "If Elder likes them both, taking two isn't out of the question."

Zhu Bajie was so anxious he was jumping around; if he can't take it, I certainly can! Not just two, ten or eight are no problem! Old Pig is best at prolonged battles!

Sun Wukong quickly persuaded, "What's the matter, Brother Sha? Are you spoiled for choice? Just pick one; what's the difference?"

Sha Wujing wasn't like the Monkey; he was a legitimate Human Clan Immortal. In the monkey's eyes all women might indeed look alike, but in his eyes, they were significantly different.

"Oh dear, Brother Wukong, I really don't want to get married; I want to go fetch the scriptures!"

Sun Wukong leaned closer to Sha Wujing and quietly said, "If you want to continue fetching the scriptures, you just need to quickly pick one."

Sha Wujing, 'reluctantly', chose the State Preceptor. Hmm, from this one could perhaps discern some of Sha Wujing's preferences, don't you think?

The queen was very pleased that Sun Wukong agreed to stay. The entire nation began to prepare joyfully for this wedding affair.

Originally about to leave, Xuanzang was also held back on the grounds that he, as Sun Wukong's master, should bless his disciple's marriage.

Returning to their newly decorated temporary residence, Zhu Bajie was the first to object. How come all these good things fell to the Monkey and Third Brother Sha? If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have held back.

"No way, you and the Monkey can't stay unless you take me along."

Sun Wukong tugged at Zhu Bajie's ear, mocking him: "You idiot, I only deceived the queen to get the stamp; we'll sneak away tonight, that's all there is to it."

Sun Wukong, being a monkey, had no interest in marrying a woman and no moral qualms about lying to propose. Leaving now wouldn't trouble his conscience at all.

But Old Sha was a bit hesitant; the State Preceptor had just sewn him a fitted, warm beast-skin lining.

How many years had it been since Old Sha was treated this warmly?

"Brother Sun, is it right for us to leave like this?"

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