"You want to meet the Tathagata?" Guanyin was quite surprised to learn that the two of them wanted to see the Tathagata. "Why has Miss Yang suddenly made such a decision? Weren't you quite resistant to seeing him before?"
"Because I'm stronger now and I'm not afraid of what he can do to me." Yang Xue looped her arm through Sun Wukong's. Thinking of her identity, perhaps it would be a good thing for the real White Bone Spirit to return. She must seize the opportunity. "There's an important matter that I must tell him earlier, so as to avoid him being truly unable to tolerate me."
"Right. Let's go now. Guanyin, are you coming? How about coming with us?" Sun Wukong slightly lifted his chin and scrutinized Guanyin's expression. "Or do you have other suggestions?"
"No," Bodhisattva Guanyin shook his head thoughtfully. "Let's go then. I'll take you there."
Although he didn't know why Miss Yang had suddenly changed her mind, with him mediating, the Tathagata wouldn't do anything excessive to Miss Yang.
He had always been well aware that what the Tathagata was wary of wasn't Miss Yang's ability, but the many unknown things about her that he couldn't grasp.
The three of them rode on clouds. In a short while, they directly arrived at Vulture Peak.
Standing at the foot of Vulture Peak, looking at the lofty Great Hero Hall, resplendent and towering into the clouds. Under the sunlight, it seemed as if the Buddha's light was shining on the entire Vulture Peak.
Looking at the magnificent building, Yang Xue couldn't help but be in awe.
"So, the Great Hero Hall really has a feeling of making people bathe in the Buddha's light. Standing here looking at it, one feels as if one has been purified." Yang Xue sighed while turning to look at Guanyin. Then she changed the subject. "But I heard that not far from here, in the Lion and Camel Ridge, demons are running amok. Cannibalism happens frequently. Women, children, and the elderly don't even dare to go out alone. Is that true?"
"Hmm?" Sun Wukong held Yang Xue's hand and turned to look at her surprisedly, meeting her bright eyes. "How do you know? We're about to reach Vulture Peak and haven't even reached the Lion and Camel Ridge yet."
"I heard about it." She smiled slightly and looked at Guanyin. "You can just ask him."
"I didn't expect that although you've rarely gone out in these years, you've heard about this." Guanyin turned to look at the golden Great Hero Hall and sighed softly. "Yes, you're right. The Buddha's light shines brightly, but it can't illuminate the whole world. Where there's light, there's darkness."
Yang Xue snorted with a laugh. "Really? Is this what they call 'darkness under the lamp'?"
"..." Guanyin met her playful gaze and quickly looked away. He always felt that Yang Xue's coming to see the Tathagata today wasn't as simple as he thought.
"Let's go." Guanyin walked in front, stepping on the steps. "I'll take you to see him."
"Don't be afraid," Sun Wukong suddenly tightened his grip on her hand. His black - and - white eyes were full of tenderness. He said firmly and calmly, "I haven't been idle these years. I've been practicing the secret manual you gave me. The Tathagata won't be able to play tricks on me again."
"Yeah, I believe in you, Great Sage," Yang Xue raised a smile. Her bright eyes were full of Sun Wukong. "Great Sage, if you don't want to become a Buddha, we can talk to him about it. This time, I'll let you be free."
"Silly girl, it won't be that easy to talk to him." Although he said so, the closer they got to the Hero Hall, the more nervous he became. "If anything goes wrong, you run first. I'll cover for you."
"No!" Yang Xue's heart skipped a beat when she saw his worried look for her. She tiptoed and planted a light kiss on his cheek. "Great Sage, I want to walk side by side with you."
"Okay, let's walk together." Suddenly, Sun Wukong's eyes were filled with tears. He couldn't help but tap the tip of her nose. "I know you're very powerful, but don't be reckless, okay?"
He had always known that Yang Xue's ability was extraordinary. He still didn't know who gave her that heavenly book, but she certainly wouldn't show any timidity in the face of the Tathagata.
But he still couldn't help worrying. What if things didn't go smoothly? He had finally almost completed his mission and was about to be with her properly. He didn't want the Tathagata to ruin it.
Guanyin turned around and saw the intimate gesture between the two of them. The slanting sunlight shone on them. They were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, their hands tightly clasped, and they seemed to blend in with the long golden stairs.
His eyes flitted. He turned to look at the seemingly endless long steps. A faint sense of loss flashed across his heart and then disappeared in an instant.
Suddenly, he smiled. His full and nice lips curved slightly, and his eyes, as dark - purple as grapes, lit up.
"Boom~" His steps were steady on the steps. In his heart, there was suddenly a feeling as if the floodgates had opened and everything became clear.
He had actually so easily overcome his love tribulation.
Yes, he had never expected that one day he would have to go through a love tribulation. Perhaps even the Tathagata hadn't anticipated that the Bodhisattva Guanyin, who saved all sentient beings and regarded all things as his children, would have a love tribulation because of a woman.
Fortunately, he had safely overcome it.
He turned around again and saw Yang Xue walking up the steps briskly and jumping in front of him. Her star - like smile came into view. "Congratulations to you."
"Hmm?" His expression was slightly stunned. How did she see it?
"Here. It's been three years, and I haven't given the Bodhisattva any gifts. I know you don't need worldly things, but you accept the incense of sentient beings. How about I give you a box of incense?" As Yang Xue said, a common wooden box appeared in her hand.
Sun Wukong immediately felt jealous. "Why are you giving him a gift? I haven't even received a gift from my wife yet!"
Guanyin gladly accepted it. "Thank you, Miss Yang. I won't decline then."
Then he turned and said with a smile, "Wukong, she's all yours. Why bother about a small gift? You have a long time ahead. She'll have plenty of time to make gifts for you."
Yang Xue clapped her hands. "Brother Guanyin can really talk. I'll take your good words. We must be together for a long, long time."
Sun Wukong suddenly understood and couldn't help raising his eyebrows proudly. "Well, since the Bodhisattva has said so, I won't bother about it with you."
As they were talking, they soon arrived at the temple.
Walking through the main entrance and passing through one ancient and gilded threshold after another, they finally came to the Tathagata's meditation room.
Guanyin stopped at the door. At this moment, his gaze on Yang Xue was kind and without a trace of impurity. "Go in. He's inside."
Sun Wukong held Yang Xue's hand and was about to step in.
"Wukong, wait a moment." Guanyin raised his hand. "Wait a while. Enter only after the Tathagata summons you."
"Guanyin, you..." Sun Wukong got anxious. He didn't feel at ease leaving his wife alone to see the Tathagata!
"Great Sage, don't worry." Yang Xue blinked. "There are some things I need to talk to him about alone."
"All right then," he took out his golden cudgel from his ear, looking ready for action. "I'll wait here. Call me if there's anything!"
Guanyin was helpless. "Wukong, Wukong, you really haven't changed at all."