When Tripitaka turned around, he was greeted by the sight of Monkey King gnawing on a drumstick.
"Amitabha! Such a shame!" Tripitaka looked pained and protested, "Wukong, as a monk, you should abstain from meat. How can you eat it so freely?"
"Master, don't sweat the small stuff," Monkey King replied, taking another bite, unfazed.
"We as followers of Tathagata should constantly recite the scriptures, uphold the eight precepts, practice the ten virtues, and pursue the six perfections. We must strive to do good in all places and at all times!" Tripitaka launched into his sermon with vigor.
Monkey King stared blankly at Tripitaka, realizing that the "chatterbox" trait had indeed been activated. He was lecturing on the monastic rules, as if Monkey King—a Demon King—would care about such restrictions!
Frowning, Monkey King decided to challenge Tripitaka's logic.
"Master, you've studied Buddhism for decades; surely you understand the deeper principles?"
Tripitaka paused, surprised. Though his title as a "saintly monk" had been bestowed on him somewhat haphazardly, he had indeed practiced Buddhism for many years. Even if he wasn't fully enlightened, he certainly knew more than Monkey King!
"As your teacher, I have practiced Buddhism for many years and understand its principles well," Tripitaka responded proudly.
"Then I'd like to ask you a few questions, Master," Monkey King said, his expression turning mysterious.
With a wave of his hand, he activated the Heaven-Sealing Formation to conceal their conversation. He didn't want the Heavenly Dao catching wind of what he was about to say—it might disrupt certain influential figures in the Buddhist ranks.
Tripitaka suddenly felt uneasy, a frown forming on his face. "Speak freely, Wukong. I will answer truthfully."
"Master, how do you normally meditate?"
"Sitting in quiet meditation," Tripitaka answered, visibly relaxing.
"If simply sitting quietly could lead to enlightenment, then anyone who sits down could become a Tathagata. Why, then, must we journey to the Western Paradise to obtain the scriptures?"
"Uh…" Tripitaka was momentarily at a loss, furrowing his brow as he struggled to find an answer.
Meanwhile, Monkey King continued enjoying his chicken stew, savoring every bite.
"No, no, something about this feels wrong!" Tripitaka muttered, shaking his head as if he were trying to shake off an enchantment.
"There is indeed something wrong," Monkey King interjected, seeing the need to step in before Tripitaka's confusion exposed them once the formation was deactivated.
"Hm?" Tripitaka's eyes lit up, expectant.
"People's hearts differ," Monkey King explained.
"People's hearts?"
"Master, you possess a Tathagata's heart, so for you, quiet meditation leads to enlightenment. But ordinary people lack a Tathagata's heart; for them, sitting quietly is just sitting quietly."
Tripitaka's face lit up with understanding. He finally realized that their journey to the Western Paradise was to obtain a Tathagata's heart for all people.
"But what does this have to do with your disregard for the monastic precepts, Wukong?" Tripitaka asked, puzzled.
"Because I too possess a Tathagata's heart, Master," Monkey King replied, grinning. "Meat and wine may pass through my body, but the Tathagata remains in my heart!"
Tripitaka found himself momentarily swayed, as though Monkey King's words had some truth to them. He felt an inexplicable urge to challenge the monastic restrictions he had adhered to all his life.
As memories of the stew's enticing aroma filled his mind, Tripitaka, who had lived on plain vegetables and tofu for decades, suddenly found himself salivating, tempted to try a taste.
Noticing Tripitaka's resolve wavering, Monkey King waved the drumstick in front of him. "Master, why not try a bite?"
Already wavering, Tripitaka finally gave in, deciding that a small taste couldn't hurt.
The moment he bit into the chicken; his expression changed completely. Before Monkey King even realized what was happening, Tripitaka had seized the entire plate, devouring it at lightning speed.
Oh, Tathagata, this is delicious! Tripitaka thought, savoring every mouthful. How could I have missed out on this all my life?
Monkey King, unfazed, watched with a knowing smile.
He's tasted meat now. That's one precept broken—how long until the others follow? Monkey King chuckled to himself. Once Tripitaka breaks all the precepts, let's see if the Western Paradise has any face left to promote Buddhism!
As he pondered, he felt amused at the absurdity of having used the prestigious Heaven-Sealing Formation solely to cover up Tripitaka's indulgence in meat.
Tripitaka devoured the chicken so thoroughly that he even polished off the bones, leaving nothing behind. He then cast a hopeful glance at the old farmer, contemplating asking for more.
To his dismay, he noticed the old couple looking at him with open disdain.
Remembering his identity as a "high monk," Tripitaka suddenly felt a pang of guilt. But with the evidence now eaten, there was no way to deny it.
"Amitabha… what a grave sin…" Tripitaka muttered, looking conflicted.
"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have altered the course of the Journey to the West. Karma Points +1,000!"
Watching Tripitaka's internal struggle, Monkey King smirked and offered a solution.
"Master, don't be troubled. If you feel remorseful, you can recite the Rebirth Mantra to help this chicken's soul find peace in its next life."
"Good idea, Wukong! You truly understand me well!" Tripitaka's eyes brightened. He clasped his hands and began to chant the Rebirth Mantra, aiming to deliver the chicken's soul to rebirth.
"Shameless monks, all of them!" muttered the old farmer, who had witnessed the entire scene. His wife echoed his sentiment, their voices loud enough for Tripitaka to hear.
Tripitaka faltered in his chanting but quickly regained his composure, feigning ignorance.
However, Monkey King, listening carefully, noticed that what Tripitaka was now chanting was not the Rebirth Mantra but rather…
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