However, there was no way back now; they had to come up with a solution.

    Just then, Sun Wukong shouted, "Master, there are lots of little babies hanging from that old tree ahead!"

    Tang Sanzang glanced over and said, "What babies? Those are wild fruits. Hurry up and pick a couple to try them!"

    "Alright!" Sun Wukong replied, ready to get up and pick the fruits.

    Qingfeng and Mingyue shuddered and hurriedly blocked Sun Wukong''s path, shouting, "Elder, elder! These can''t be touched!"

    Tang Sanzang looked bewildered and asked, "Why? Aren''t they just some wild fruits? You can''t be that stingy, can you?"

    Sun Wukong said, "Hey, didn''t you say you were going to treat us well? What''s this? Not even giving us a few wild fruits? What kind of hospitality is this?"

    Zhu Ganglie suddenly added, "Exactly, exactly. You talked big earlier, mentioning Yuxu Palace and the Supreme Pure Ones, and now you begrudge us a few wild fruits..."

    The expressions of Qingfeng and Mingyue flickered; they had themselves mentioned the wild fruits, and to contradict that now would really be embarrassing.

    Just as the two were worried, Tang Sanzang slapped his forehead and said, "I''ve got it!"

    With a shiver, Qingfeng and Mingyue thought, "Could it be that this bald man, with his extensive knowledge, recognized these are ginseng fruits? If he starts asking why we deceived him, what should we do?"

    But then, they saw the bald man stretch out a hand in front of them.

    Mingyue instinctively reached out a hand to receive it.

    The bald man''s large hand opened, and a copper coin fell into Mingyue''s hand...

    The bald man grinned and said, "How can you eat without paying? One copper coin for two wild fruits, that''s not too much, is it?"

    Looking at this grinning, simple-minded-looking monk, who seemed like a fool, Mingyue really wanted to smack him with the sole of a shoe! One copper coin for two ginseng fruits? Was he crazy, or were they?

    Qingfeng, his face darkening and his eyes darting about, pondered their strategy while stalling for time, "Well..."

    Whoosh!

    Another hand stretched out in front of Mingyue.

    Then the fingers spread, and another pitiful copper coin fell into Mingyue''s hand.

    No sooner had they arrived back at their residence than Tang Sanzang''s stomach started growling.

    At the same time, the sound of a door closing was heard.

    Then, from outside the window came Zhu Ganglie''s voice, "Master, I''ll get you some fine meat!"

    Immediately followed by the sound of rushing wind.

    Sun Wukong couldn''t help but laugh, "That blockhead is probably terrified that you might eat him, Master."

    A lightbulb went off in Tang Sanzang''s head, and clapping his hands in front of his chest, he realized, "Right, we could eat Wufan!"

    Suddenly, a thud was heard in the distance, as if something had fallen from the sky...

    The White Dragon Horse silently moved away...

    Wujing hurriedly shouted, "I''m going to boil water and heat the pot!" and took off running...

    Only Sun Wukong, shaking his head with a wry smile, remained. He had been with the Monk the longest and understood him best. He knew that despite the Monk''s unbridled, impulsive behavior and irrationality, deep down he was a soft-hearted fellow.

    Even though he often said he was hungry enough to eat Zhu Ganglie, throughout their journey, often enduring the hardships of sleeping outdoors for half a year, he had never actually eaten Zhu Ganglie. Not even the White Dragon Horse ever faced any real threat...

    Shaking his head, Sun Wukong also went to help Wujing cook.

    Tang Sanzang sat in the room lost in thought...

    Just then, Mingyue walked in, visibly upset, carrying a plate covered with a red cloth. She unveiled the plate, revealing two fruits resembling infants.

    The fruits were fragrant and emitted a pale yellow glow.

    Forcing a smile, Mingyue said, "Elder, these are... erm, our Yuxu Palace''s specialty wild fruits. Would you like to try one?"

    Tang Sanzang leaned in for a closer look, then picked one up, examined it, and eventually popped it into his mouth, munching away.

    After finishing it, he commented, "Tastes ordinary... not as good as meat."

    Upon hearing this, Mingyue''s hand trembled, nearly smashing the plate on the bald man''s face in front of her.

    Mingyue really wanted to say: You know nothing! These are as miraculous as the finest peaches, akin to magical ginseng fruits! Ordinary people who eat them prolong their lives, and it''s nothing for them to even raise the dead or heal broken bones! And you compare them to meat? Are you a demon?!