Chapter 120: Sandy Becomes a Disciple

The river was surging with such ferocity that its banks could not be seen at a glance. How were they to cross it? Xuanzang was immediately troubled.

Zhu Bajie, leaning over the riverbank, wore an equally worried expression. "Master, look at this turbulent river, especially how it is deep and bottomless. How are we supposed to get across?"

After Zhu Bajie asked, Xuanzang looked at Sun Wukong. "Donor Sun, do you have any good ideas for this?"

Sun Wukong shook his head immediately. "Old Sun has no ideas. Heh heh, you wouldn't know, but this Flowing Sands River is not simple. Beneath these banks lives a..."

"Ah... Master, look quickly at the center of the river... what... what is happening there?" Zhu Bajie shouted as if he had seen a ghost.

*Splash!*

A massive whirlpool suddenly appeared on the surface of the river, growing larger with every rotation.

Sun Wukong remained incredibly calm, certain of one thing: it was exactly as the Immortal Master had predicted—this Flowing Sands River truly had an evil spirit haunting it.

"Ah! Why has this river become so roaring and turbulent?" Xuanzang was clearly startled as well.

Suddenly, with a *whoosh*, a human figure burst out of the water and lunged toward them with great speed.

"Ah... it seems to be a monster!"

Zhu Bajie shouted again, instinctively drawing his muck-rake to greet the attacker.

*Clang!*

"Halt! Where did you come from, you monster! Taste your Grandpa Zhu's rake!"

Uh... was it actually a pig?

The Flowing Sands Monster, who had been on the verge of devouring them, was suddenly blocked by the sharp and formidable nine-toothed rake. After his initial shock, the monster immediately engaged in a fierce struggle with Zhu Bajie.

*Bang!*
*Slap!*
*Boom!*

After more than a hundred rounds, the Flowing Sands Monster realized he was no match for the pig-headed creature. Every lethal move he unleashed was ruthlessly suppressed and countered by his opponent.

*Phew!*

Damn it all to hell! He had intended to treat them as a delicious snack, but he never expected to kick a steel plate. His feet were truly aching!

The Flowing Sands Monster decided not to persist. With a powerful strike, he forced Zhu Bajie back a few paces and plunged headlong into the depths of the river.

As the monster fled, Zhu Bajie continued to chase him, cursing all the while. Sun Wukong watched the spectacle from the sidelines, while Xuanzang looked on, completely bewildered.

Having cursed until he was tired, Zhu Bajie slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

"Donor Sun, could you tell what kind of monster that was just now?" Xuanzang asked.

Sun Wukong’s eyes darted around before he said languidly, "Heh heh, I suppose you could say that there isn't a thing in this world that Old Sun doesn't know. As for that little monster, he is quite familiar to me."

If he hadn't received the "spoilers" from the Immortal Master in advance, Sun Wukong wouldn't have dared to puff out his chest and boast so confidently in front of Xuanzang. As the saying goes, one needs to be strong oneself to forge iron, and the Monkey King certainly had the credentials for it.

Zhu Bajie scrambled up, wearing a fawning smile. "Brother Monkey, you said you know the monster's background? What exactly is his story? Don't hold back—tell us!"

"Heh heh, isn't that simple?" Sun Wukong hopped onto a large boulder, looked at the turbid Flowing Sands River, and began his tale. "This monster was originally the Curtain-Lifting General in the Heavenly Palace. Because he accidentally knocked over a glass lamp, he was banished to the mortal realm. He took over this Flowing Sands River, acting as a monster day after day and causing harm to the local people."

"Uh... so he was a Curtain-Lifting General? Isn't that just like me? Sigh, we both made mistakes and ended up banished to the mortal realm." Recalling his own miserable past as a pig demon, Zhu Bajie felt a surge of sympathy.

Like attracts like. Once, their true forms were high and mighty gods in the Heavenly Palace, enjoying the incense and offerings of mortals, looking down on everything. But now? They had all been reduced to crude monsters, causing trouble for the common folk and being hunted and killed by others.

"Since that is the case, in your opinion, Donor Sun, how should we subdue this monster?" Xuanzang asked again.

"Heh heh, we'll just handle it." Sun Wukong was in no hurry to tell Xuanzang that the Flowing Sands Monster was actually his last disciple-to-be.

Zhu Bajie set his rake aside; he really didn't want to fight anymore. They were all in the same boat, reduced to monsters. During the fight, he had noticed the monster wearing tattered rags; clearly, he had been living a hard life and hadn't tasted meat in a long time.

Banished for a mistake as a god, then living such a pathetic and miserable life as a monster.

Sigh! This god-forsaken Heavenly Dao—look at what it has forced people to become. A sense of indignation rose in Zhu Bajie's heart.

The Flowing Sands River continued to churn. Xuanzang was at a loss, and Zhu Bajie's sympathy was overflowing.

Sun Wukong drew his Golden-Hooped Rod, let out a whistle, and thrust it into the river, violently stirring the murky water.

The wind whipped up, and massive waves surged toward the sky.

The Flowing Sands Monster, hiding beneath the bank, could not withstand such a massive whirlpool. He was tossed about until he was dizzy and disoriented; it was impossible to remain hidden any longer.

Under the crashing waves, the monster finally leaped out of the water in a rage. Having left the riverbank, he started cursing at Sun Wukong and the others.

"Heh, you certainly have a sharp tongue. Care to try cursing one more time? Old Sun will treat you to a taste of this rod." Sun Wukong suddenly retracted his weapon, his gaze locking onto the monster.

The Flowing Sands Monster felt a sudden chill of fear. He had fought that pig for over a hundred rounds and had gradually been losing the upper hand. He realized this group was definitely not simple, especially the furry monkey—he was even more extraordinary.

"Flowing Sands Monster, stop stalling. I will give you one last choice. Will you fulfill your promise and take me as your master, or will you continue to flee? Choose one of the two, and do it quickly."

Sun Wukong's words shocked the monster to the core. He stared at Sun Wukong in utter disbelief. "You... you... how do you know about that?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva had once guided and enlightened him, saying that one day, a monk from the Great Tang in the East would pass by this route and eventually take him as a disciple. And he would escort that Tang monk to the Western Heaven to retrieve the scriptures. The Flowing Sands Monster had never forgotten the Bodhisattva's instructions.

Now, looking at the monk sitting in meditation not far away, he must be the one from the Great Tang, right?

The Flowing Sands Monster struggled internally for a long time. Finally, with a *thump*, he knelt before Xuanzang and shouted, "Master..."