Monkey King scrutinized the Eastern Sea Dragon King's fifth prince, Ao Luan, standing behind Guanyin with an unmistakably sullen expression. Clearly, he had been brought here against his will.
As Monkey King took a closer look, something about Ao Luan seemed familiar. After a moment's thought, it dawned on him. Oh, it's the Eastern Sea's fifth prince! We crossed paths briefly back when I caused that ruckus in the Eastern Sea. No wonder he looks familiar!
Though now that Wukong considered it, Tathagata was certainly bold. First, they offended the Western Sea Dragon King, and now they dragged in the Eastern Sea Dragon King's son. Impressive! But should I perhaps... get rid of Ao Luan, too?
This tempting thought quickly faded. Ao Luan wasn't part of the original team meant for the Journey to the West and killing him might not yield any karmic reward. Besides, if Tripitaka lost another mount and turned to him as a replacement, Wukong would rather perish than let that happen!
As for Ao Luan, he had no idea he'd narrowly escaped the jaws of death.
"Thank you, Bodhisattva!" Tripitaka bowed respectfully, though he harbored no illusions about Guanyin's motives. But he wasn't foolish enough to openly challenge her.
"Well, Ao Luan, transform into a dragon horse and help escort Tripitaka on his journey to the Western Paradise," Guanyin declared.
Ao Luan's face showed a mix of reluctance and resignation. He was about to shift into dragon-horse form when—
"Hold on!" Monkey King interjected, stopping Ao Luan in his tracks.
"Oh? Wukong, what is it now?" Guanyin asked, frowning, unsure of his intentions.
"Bodhisattva, it's like this," Monkey King began. "The journey to the Western Paradise is thousands of miles, and master's only a mortal. All that jostling on horseback would wear him out in no time."
Tripitaka's face lit up with gratitude. His disciple truly cared for him! Ao Luan, too, was surprised. Five hundred years ago, this monkey cared for no one. Now he's showing concern for his master. Even Guanyin was taken aback by Wukong's words.
"So, Wukong, what are you suggesting?"
"Well, riding a horse can be pretty bumpy, and with Master's constitution, it would slow our progress to a crawl. But you know what doesn't jostle at all? A turtle!" Monkey King suggested, his tone dripping with hidden mischief.
Ao Luan's face turned green. Being turned into a horse was bad enough; now he wants me to become a turtle? Where's my dignity as a dragon?
Tripitaka's face fell as well. He could see right through Wukong's motive—this was clearly payback for his suggestion about Wukong becoming his mount!
Guanyin caught on to Wukong's intent as well, but the idea intrigued her. As ridiculous as it sounded, Monkey King had a point—a turtle would offer a smoother ride, which might make the journey quicker.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea!" Guanyin mused. Accelerating the journey had its merits, especially given recent setbacks. Besides, if a turtle mount made things smoother, Tripitaka wouldn't need to stop as often to rest.
"Bodhisattva, no!" Tripitaka and Ao Luan protested in unison.
"Why not?" Guanyin asked, arching an eyebrow.
Tripitaka's tone was pleading as he replied, "Bodhisattva, I'm representing the face of the Buddhist order on this journey! Riding a turtle would be... a bit undignified."
"Yes, Bodhisattva! If you insist on turning me into a turtle, just kill me now," Ao Luan added, his voice tinged with despair. He was already humiliated at the thought of becoming a horse; a turtle was too much.
But their arguments had no effect on Guanyin. She didn't much care about the order's "face." There were ways to work around that.
"I understand both your concerns," Guanyin said with a patient smile. "In the spirit of democracy, let's find a compromise that satisfies everyone."
Monkey King looked at her, baffled. Democracy? Seriously? How do you compromise on this—by splitting Ao Luan between a horse and a turtle?
"Bodhisattva, you are truly wise!" Tripitaka and Ao Luan said, taking the chance to praise her.
"I think so too!" Guanyin replied with a self-satisfied smile. "Ao Luan, you'll become a dragon-turtle."
Tripitaka and Ao Luan's faces paled. It's still a turtle! Just a fancy one!
Ao Luan, in particular, looked as though he'd rather disappear on the spot. A dragon-turtle? Anyone who saw him would assume his father had somehow mated with a turtle! The very idea was absurd.
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