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    However, the Buddha didn''t even look up but instead asked with surprise, "Made a mistake? There''s no mistake at all. The Bull Demon King clearly had a family but still wanted to marry a new love, such flippant behavior truly disgraces us of the Western Bull Cattle Heavens. Therefore, I decided to teach him a lesson... After my guidance, he has mended his ways. He should be at Emerald Cloud Mountain now, apologizing to Princess Iron Fan, right? Now that the two have reconciled, Princess Iron Fan wouldn''t marry someone else, and wouldn''t our problem be solved?"

    Upon hearing this, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva were all dumbfounded and said in unison, "This is your solution?"

    "Amitabha, all things have causes and effects, when an issue arises, of course, we must address it from the root. Right, what are you three doing here? Why can''t I divine your whereabouts?" the Buddha asked.

    Then a bald head leaned in close to Manjusri Bodhisattva, grinned at the bodhisattva, waved a hand and said, "So you''re the Buddha?"

    "Eh? Why can''t I see you anymore? What''s going on? Have you been blocked? Never mind, we can talk about it when you return."

    Then the Buddha disappeared.

    The three bodhisattvas had such peculiar expressions on their faces, they couldn''t shake the feeling that the Buddha was also avoiding this bald person!

    If that were truly the case, then the origins and strength of this bald person...

    The three shuddered at the thought.

    On the other hand, the lion-monster felt a coldness in his heart, as he had a bad premonition...

    Seeing the Buddha disappeared, Tang Sanzang approached the three bodhisattvas and cheerfully asked, "Gentlemen, you just mentioned that you came here actually for... what exactly? You wouldn''t be here just to enjoy the spectacle like that big cat, would you?"

    As Tang Sanzang spoke, he began to crack his knuckles, the popping sounds growing louder, and his smile became increasingly sinister.

    Manjusri Bodhisattva forced a dry laugh and said, "Er... you''re mistaken, we''re just passing by... um, I''ve lost my dog again and I''m looking for it."

    Samantabhadra Bodhisattva quickly added, "Right, right, right, he''s lost his dog again... With heavens so vast and earth so wide, it''s hard for him alone... so..."

    "So we helped look for it and just happened to end up here. We didn''t expect you were in the midst of wedding festivities haha..." Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva chimed in smoothly.

    Tang Sanzang raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure?"

    The three nodded like pecking chickens, frantically confirming, "Sure, very sure!"

    Tang Sanzang glanced at the lion-monster: "But he said..."

    The three bodhisattvas immediately shouted, "We''re not familiar with him! He is Manjusri''s mount, not ours..."

    The lion-monster howled mournfully, thinking furiously, "Dammit, are you even human? Clearly, it was you who invited me to come and enjoy the fun, even saying that the time for revenge had come..."

    Tang Sanzang called them back again.

    Lingji Bodhisattva, annoyed, asked, "What now?"

    Tang Sanzang said, "Here''s the thing, my disciple was planning to get married, and both men had agreed, but the original spouse disagreed. So, the wedding is off... Seeing him so heartbroken, as seniors, shouldn''t you give him a gift to comfort him?"

    The three: "#@￥&..."

    Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, with a darkened face, said, "Tang Sanzang, you mean we have to give wedding gifts when your disciple marries, and when the marriage is canceled you not only keep the gifts but also demand more from us? Is that how you play?"

    Lingji Bodhisattva also said, "That''s just robbery!"

    Tang Sanzang shook his head and said, "Don''t put it like that. If I were to rob you, I guarantee you wouldn''t leave with a single piece of cloth. Of course, if you insisted on me robbing you..."

    "Here, take it, will that satisfy you?"

    The three Bodhisattvas, utterly exasperated, gave Tang Sanzang another gift, then turned and ran off in a huff. Indeed, they didn''t even bother with riding the auspicious clouds—they just legged it, without looking back, not even once.

    Tang Sanzang watched the Bodhisattvas'' retreating figures, waving his arms and shouting, "Next time you lose your dog, come to me again!"

    Lingji Bodhisattva almost ran into a tree, shouting angrily, "I''m not keeping a dog anymore!"

    ...

    After the three Bodhisattvas left, Tang Sanzang slowly turned his gaze toward the lion-spotted monster.

    The Six-Eared Macaque pulled out his Divine Skills staff, and the lion-spotted monster could finally speak. He hastily pleaded, "Tang Sanzang, spare my life, I was just... actually just joking with you."

    As he spoke, everyone took several steps back.

    The lion-spotted monster also felt that something tasted off in his mouth, the more he smacked his lips, the odder it felt, prompting him to grumble, "What''s this taste..."

    The Six-Eared Macaque glanced at his Divine Skills staff and then at Roaring Heaven Dog''s buttocks.

    Roaring Heaven Dog quickly sat down, hiding his rear, and snapped, "Don''t even think about sticking that staff in there again!"

    "Ugh!"

    Upon hearing this, the lion-spotted monster began to retch on the spot, while furiously yelling, "There''s no need to insult someone like this... ugh... this is absolutely disgusting... ugh..."

    The Six-Eared Macaque asked, "Master, how should we eat it?"