Chapter 119: Quicksand Demon! Your Grandfather Sun has arrived!

Zhu Bajie was devouring a roast duck with great gusto; naturally, a pig’s way of eating could hardly be described as "refined."

Xuanzang remained seated cross-legged on the side, his lips moving silently as he recited scriptures. The Tang monk was truly worthy of being the reincarnation of the Golden Cicada; such steadfast endurance was no simple feat.

Sun Wukong offered a silent tribute of admiration in his heart. He walked over, reached into his Qiankun Bag, and brought out some fruit, various vegetarian snacks like bread, and finally, a bottle of soda.

Looking at the "bountiful" spread before him, Xuanzang was astonished: "Donor Sun, this is..."

These were all such delicate, exquisite foods, the likes of which he had never laid eyes on before.

"Monk, stop being so stubborn. As the saying goes, food is the fuel of life; skipping a meal leaves one feeling wretched. You must be starving, right? Hurry up and eat, eat it all, and once we’re finished, we’ll get back on the road."

Xuanzang did not resist the exquisite food before him. He reached out and picked up the bottle of soda, asking, "What is this?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "This thing is called soda. It’s for quenching thirst, and it tastes pretty good. So far, it’s one of my favorite drinks."

Recalling that day at the Immortal Venerable’s farm, tasting the most delicious things in the world for the first time, Sun Wukong still found it hard to forget even now.

Just as Sun Wukong was lost in his memories, Xuanzang had already managed to twist open the cap and cautiously took a sip.

*Ugh...*

What kind of strange flavor was that? The Tang monk found himself unable to summon the words to accurately describe it.

"Ah... Master, what is it that you are drinking? Let your disciple have a look."

Having swallowed an entire roast duck whole, Zhu Bajie immediately set his sights on Xuanzang’s food. Especially seeing the look of profound shock and wonder on the face of the master, who was blissfully enjoying the indescribable flavor of the soda.

It really was good stuff! How could such a divine flavor exist in this world? The Tang monk was too moved to speak for a long time.

"Master, what are you drinking? Let me see!"

Zhu Bajie was so greedy that he was just about to reach out and grab it when Sun Wukong slapped his hand away. "You pig-head, that’s your master’s food. You’re trying to snatch it?"

Zhu Bajie laughed sheepishly. "How could I be snatching it? I just wanted to see... really, just to see."

"Wow! What is this? It looks like a steamed bun? A mantou?"

The monkey was being far too biased! How could he give the master so many delicious things? Zhu Bajie hurriedly reached out to grab them, only to be blocked by Sun Wukong again. "You smelly pig, those are for your master. You’ve already eaten a whole roast duck; isn’t that enough?"

Zhu Bajie looked as aggrieved as a young bride. "Heh heh, Brother Monkey, you know my stomach is big and I eat a lot. A measly roast duck isn't even enough to fill the gaps in my teeth. I was just..."

"Scram! Get lost! With you being such a glutton, who the hell could afford to feed you?"

The monkey’s questioning made Zhu Bajie feel even more wronged. "No... Brother Monkey, that’s not how you say it. We’re on a pilgrimage; we can’t just travel on empty stomachs, can we? If that’s the case, hmph, I’m not doing it."

I’m going back to Gao Village! My wife Cui-lan is there, and my pigsty. Who wants to go to the Western Heaven with you? Can’t do this, can’t do that—nothing but rules and regulations. What kind of pilgrimage is this? Zhu Bajie was filled with indignation.

Seeing the pig-head looking as wronged as a young bride, Sun Wukong felt a twinge of pity. He reached into his Qiankun Bag, pulled out a bottle of soda, and tossed it to him. "Here, this is called soda. Drink it quickly; we’re hitting the road soon."

They had already wasted enough time with these supply runs.

"Ah! So... soda?"

The eager Zhu Bajie twisted off the cap and gulped the drink down until the bottle was bone dry.

"Ugh..."

Zhu Bajie rubbed his belly and let out a very satisfied burp. Relishing the infinite deliciousness of the soda, he tried to cozy up to Sun Wukong. "Ahem... Brother Monkey, about that... could you let me see your Qiankun Bag? I was thinking..."

"Thinking? Think of nothing. You’re not seeing it."

Sun Wukong refused point-blank, showing no mercy. "Alright, Monk, Pig-head, it’s time to move out."

Next stop: Flowing Sand River.

Heh! Sha Wujing? Will he be the last disciple the Tang monk takes in? Will it be exactly as the Immortal Venerable prophesied? Sun Wukong was filled with anticipation.

Under the scorching sun, marching in the heat that felt like a roaring furnace was truly a miserable task. For half the day, the group moved like snails, slowly trudging along the rugged mountain path.

Zhu Bajie, carrying the heavy luggage, was panting heavily after only a short while. His long robe was wide open, exposing his massive pig belly. Even that didn't help with the heat; he looked like he wanted to run around naked.

Xuanzang, riding the White Dragon Horse, didn’t look much better, his body drenched in sweat.

Sun Wukong, however, riding his Somersault Cloud, was the most carefree of them all compared to the miserable Xuanzang and Zhu Bajie. He was happily sucking on a popsicle, and once that was finished, he moved on to ice cream... and when that was done, he pulled out a frozen watermelon.

The monkey was soaring high on his cloud, and Xuanzang and Zhu Bajie down below couldn't possibly see the monkey's constant antics and his endless stream of cold drinks and snacks. This wasn't a pilgrimage to the Western Heaven; it was a vacation to the West.

Ah! It was truly a blessing that the Immortal Venerable had bestowed the "Qiankun Bag." With it, he had been able to pack the farm full of snacks and bring them all along.

"Brother Monkey... it’s too hot. I’m going to be baked alive. Let’s find a cool place to rest for a while."

Zhu Bajie, burdened by the heavy luggage, was nearly fainting from the heat.

Xuanzang agreed, "If that is the case, Donor Sun, please find a place up ahead. The weather is truly too scorching; even the beast can barely stand it, let alone us."

The monkey, having just enjoyed half a watermelon, immediately rode his Somersault Cloud and flew ahead. The Immortal Venerable had said that the Flowing Sand River was not much further.

After flying for a while, a river truly appeared not far ahead. The riverbanks were turbulent, and one could not see the other side.

Hey! It really was true! That must be the Flowing Sand River, right? A demon lived beneath the water, once a Curtain-Lifting General in the Heavenly Palace, demoted to the mortal realm simply for accidentally knocking over a glass lamp.

Flowing Sand Demon! Your grandfather Sun has arrived!

Sun Wukong hopped down and looked over the expanse of the Flowing Sand River. Finally, he jumped onto a small rocky hill and waved forward: "Monk, Pig-head, come here quickly!"

The seemingly calm Flowing Sand River suddenly became turbulent. Where there is something strange, there must be a demon. It seemed the great monster beneath the water could no longer hold back.