After finishing his words, the yellow-robed monster shook his body once again, transforming into a handsome youth, wiped the blood off his mouth, dismissed the palace maids with a wave of his hand, and then pushed open the grand doors, heading straight for the Hall of Enlightened Governance.

    At this very moment, the emperor, ministers, and others in the Hall of Enlightened Governance were unaware that a man-eating monster had entered the sacred confines of the inner court.

    They were currently engaged in an excited discussion about the monk who had come from the eastern lands.

    The Treasure Elephant Kingdom was hardly a major power, let alone on a par with the Great Tang of the east.

    Indeed, prior to this, they had had no contact with the Great Tang—after all, it was too far away.

    The Great Tang was the illustrious country they aspired to, and was almost a mythical existence in their eyes.

    Now that a monk from such a revered nation had arrived, the court officials were quite excited.

    It wasn''t so much about seeing an idol but rather curiosity about what a monk from such a distinguished country would be like.

    "Clothed in gold and adorned with jade as the basic attire, no doubt?"

    "Not to mention the conversation, which is surely extraordinary."

    "Perhaps he has three eyes."

    "Or even three heads and six arms!"

    "You guys are talking nonsense, with all this about three eyes and three heads with six arms. Why don''t you say he''s the Buddha while you''re at it? I reckon, even if he''s somewhat different, it won''t be that exaggerated. I''m guessing... maybe his head might light up..."

    "My Lord Secretary, saying his head lights up is a bit much, but even if it doesn''t, at least it should reflect light, right?"

    Everyone burst into laughter.

    ...

    As they were discussing fervently, a voice from outside the hall announced, "The high monk from Great Tang, Tang Sanzang, has arrived!"

    Indeed, they were referring to Tang Sanzang, the reason being that Wujing had copied down the name as well in his notes.

    The King of the Treasure Elephant Kingdom had been quite happy, but upon hearing this, he suddenly became displeased, "If the high monk is in a hurry to depart West, we won''t detain you. You may proceed."

    Tang Sanzang shook his head, "Whether the prince consort is handsome or brave is not the point. I am not in a rush; it is simply that I have no interest in this prince consort of yours."

    The King''s face darkened at once.

    Seeing this, the prime minister coughed and stepped forward, "High monk, what are you interested in then? Perhaps our Treasure Elephant Kingdom has something worthy of your staying for a day."

    The prime minister also understood the King''s intent; Tang Sanzang''s presence as a representative of the Great Tang added luster to the banquet. It wasn''t so much about Tang Sanzang himself being important...

    The King of the Treasure Elephant Kingdom also said, "Right, right, high monk, what are you interested in?"

    Tang Sanzang stroked his chin, "Do you have meat?"

    "Uh... meat?" the King was a bit stupefied.

    Tang Sanzang continued, "Is there wine at the banquet? Is there meat? I mean, the kind of delicious dishes! If there''s so much as a cup of wine, a piece of fine meat, I''ll stay."

    Upon hearing this, everyone present had metaphorical black lines all over their foreheads, internally roaring, "Damn it, this is what you call the main point? Does our prince consort really rank lower than a plate of meat and a cup of wine? This is an affront!"

    But after the anger subsided, they became perplexed.

    The King of the Treasure Elephant Kingdom asked, "Uh... high monk, can you drink alcohol?"

    Tang Sanzang laughed, realizing these folks knew nothing about the Great Tang. He rolled up his sleeves and, with eyes shining, began to bluster, "Monks from the Great Tang are allowed to drink alcohol and eat meat; even marrying and having children is no problem. Isn''t there a saying, ''Liquor and meat pass through the intestines, while the sacred Guanyin sits within the heart''?"

    As soon as this was said, all the ministers had a strange look on their faces...

    The King of the Treasure Elephant Kingdom tentatively asked, "Is the high monk trying to say, ''Liquor and meat pass through the intestines, while the Buddha''s teachings remain seated in the heart''?"

    Tang Sanzang casually replied, "Whoever wants to sit is fine, I don''t move, the monk doesn''t budge."

    Seeing that the great hall instantly fell silent, Tang Sanzang realized he had misspoken, but he shrugged it off. He had just had his fill, wasn''t hungry, and figured he could bluff his way through a meal; if not, he would simply leave. He nonchalantly said, "Don''t misunderstand, Guanyin Bodhisattva is my wife. After I''ve obtained the sutras, I''ll be returning to marry her and have children."

    The hall was no longer merely quiet; it was utterly still!

    The King of the Treasure Elephant Kingdom was gaping, eyes wide and virtually screaming, "Is this guy really a monk?"