Chapter 118: Pigsy Eating Roast Duck

In the world of the Journey to the West.

Zhu Bajie had been waiting for a long time, and still, there was no sign of the monkey returning. The wait was pure agony; he was both famished and exhausted. Unable to contain his frustration, he began to grumble incessantly.

"Master, tell me, that monkey has been gone for so long. Look at the time! And yet, that detestable monkey still hasn't returned. Hmph..."

After a few snorts, Zhu Bajie continued, "If you ask me, that monkey must have run off. Heh, Master, why don't we just split our travel funds, take our share, and go our separate ways back to our own homes?"

"Bajie, stop this nonsense."

Xuanzang, who was meditating, wore a look of displeasure. "Bajie, it would be best if you spoke less of such things in the future. If by any chance a Bodhisattva were to overhear you, it would be a grave sin for this humble monk."

The journey to obtain the scriptures was no ordinary path. If it were all smooth sailing without any trials or tribulations, it wouldn't be a pilgrimage—it would be a vacation.

Seeing that his master was genuinely angry, Zhu Bajie quickly put on a flattering smile. "Master, heh, I was just spouting nonsense. Don't take it to heart. Brother Monkey... surely he will be back soon."

"Sigh, that is true. Brother Sun has been gone for quite some time; it is indeed time for him to return."

Xuanzang understood in his heart that Sun Wukong had likely rushed off to seek supplies from his own Immortal Master. After all, they were not master and disciple, so some things were not easy to speak of.

"Master, I am a bit curious. You and Brother Monkey are not master and disciple, right? Since that is the case, with someone as capable as Brother Monkey... why haven't you tried to take him on as your disciple? If you had, I could call him 'Senior Brother' in good standing."

Zhu Bajie’s chatter increased.

Xuanzang found this question difficult to answer. In his heart, he could not deny that Sun Wukong was truly exceptional. Although born a monkey, he was a creature of Heaven and Earth, nurtured by nature itself—the only one of his kind, and incredibly intelligent.

Alas! Who wouldn't want to take such an outstanding creature as a disciple? But all things in this world depend on destiny; once the time is right, everything will naturally fall into place.

In a fleeting moment, Xuanzang felt a wave of emotion. "Bajie, things in this world are often matters of circumstance that cannot be forced. Everything depends on destiny. Once the destiny arrives, then naturally..."

"Monk, Pig-head, I’m back."

High in the sky, Sun Wukong came flying toward them.

"Heh, Monk, Pig-head, you two must be starving, right?"

Sun Wukong somersaulted down, looking exuberant. Zhu Bajie’s pig-like eyes stared fixedly at the monkey, and seeing that he had returned empty-handed, his face fell in utter disappointment.

"Ah... you monkey... no, you were gone for ages, and you came back empty-handed? This... Brother Monkey, oh, why? I am starving to death here..."

Zhu Bajie’s wailing reached the heavens, acting as if he were on the verge of death. Sun Wukong felt a bit embarrassed. "You dead pig-head, why are you making such a racket? Quiet down, looking for a beating?"

Zhu Bajie was genuinely afraid of the monkey’s temper. After all, he had suffered a bitter loss at the hands of this monkey before, and he hadn't forgotten it. Intimidated by the monkey's aura, he quieted down immediately, though he still looked like a wronged young bride. "Brother Monkey, you were gone for so long, couldn't you have brought something back? Not even a drop of water?"

He felt truly, deeply aggrieved.

"You, you are just a gluttonous pig. I really don't know what to say. Heh, Pig-head, look here."

Sun Wukong held up his Qiankun bag and, as if performing a magic trick, produced a steaming roast duck. The skin of the duck was a golden brown, fat but not greasy.

"Ah... is that... a roast duck..."

Zhu Bajie’s eyes lit up, and saliva began to pool on the ground. He stumbled forward, attempting to snatch the duck from the monkey’s hand.

Sun Wukong hid the duck behind his back and looked at Zhu Bajie with a grin. "Pig-head, you are a monk who has taken vows. You shouldn't be touching any meat or grease."

"Ah! I..." Zhu Bajie was instantly deflated, his mouth still watering. He looked at Xuanzang with a pitiful expression. "Master, I am so hungry!"

"Sigh, Bajie, you..." Xuanzang shook his head.

Pigs were naturally gluttonous. Could he really expect a "Pig-head" to face a fragrant roast duck and remain detached, with no desires or cravings? It seemed unlikely. At the very least, the current Zhu Bajie was incapable of it.

Sun Wukong held out the roast duck and looked at Zhu Bajie with a mischievous smile. "How about this, Pig-head? If your master agrees to make an exception for you just this once, then this fragrant roast duck is yours. How about that?"

This was a difficult choice, harder than ascending to heaven. Zhu Bajie had been accepted as a disciple by Xuanzang, meaning he was a monk, and meat and wine were things he could only dream of from now on.

"Master..." Zhu Bajie began to plead with Xuanzang. "Master, your disciple is starving! I want..."

"Do not even think about it, and thinking about it is not allowed. Bajie, you are named 'Bajie' (The Eight Prohibitions)—have you truly observed them?"

Xuanzang’s retort left Zhu Bajie blushing with shame. "This... this... oh, forget it! If being your disciple means I can't eat meat or drink wine, then I'd rather not be one! I’ll go back to Gao Village right now, hmph, go find my Cuilan. I'll have all the good food and drink I want!"

To hell with it! Who the hell wants to be a monk? Zhu Bajie? Bajie? Bah!

Zhu Bajie had made up his mind to eat that roast duck, no matter what. Let come what may! He reached out and snatched the duck. Sun Wukong, seeing that the poor creature was genuinely starving, didn't make it difficult for him and let him be.

With the duck in hand, Zhu Bajie began to feast, eating with such relish that oil dripped from his mouth.

"Amitabha! A sin, a grave sin!"

Watching Zhu Bajie devour the duck like a beast, Xuanzang could only stare and chant "Amitabha."

"Master, do you want some? I’ll... I’ll save you a duck leg, how about that?"

It was rare that even while enjoying his meal, the pig didn't forget his master.

Xuanzang waved his hand. "You have already broken your vows, Bajie; do not drag your master into it. You eat."

The deed was done; it could not be undone, and he had no choice but to accept it in silence.