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Hiding in the valley, the Wanderer scratched his head in frustration, feeling that this play was utterly ridiculous. Those performers on stage sang with tears streaming down their faces, while the audience below seemed completely entranced. What nonsense! They spoke of Chancellor Sun's achievements, his numerous wives and concubines, and a house full of children and grandchildren. What has this world come to? It was one thing to fabricate stories about I, Old Sun, but to twist them into such absurdity was beyond belief!
"I, Old Sun, have been alone since I sprang from the cracks in the rocks. Where would I find a lovely wife and beloved children?" the Wanderer thought to himself. "This must be the Little Moon King’s infatuation with my master, trying every means to keep him here. But alas, my master has made up his mind to leave, so they concoct this play to suggest that I, Old Sun, have become a high official with a beautiful wife and a full house of descendants, hoping to sway my master's resolve to seek enlightenment in the West. Hmph! I, Old Sun, am not one to indulge in such pleasures! Master, please do not be deceived by this clumsy performance!"
As he pondered these thoughts, he suddenly heard Tang Seng say, "We have seen enough of this play for today; let us invite Ms. Cui Sheng for a discussion." With that, a maid entered gracefully, holding a jade pot adorned with flying clouds and a tea cup depicting the beautiful scenery of Xiao Xiang. Before long, Ms. Cui Sheng arrived before Tang Seng.
The Wanderer watched closely from his hiding spot; indeed, Ms. Cui Sheng was enchanting and fragrant—a true beauty! Even he, Lao Sun, with his fiery eyes and golden pupils, couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.
"They say that among women in this world, none can surpass Guanyin Bodhisattva in beauty," the Wanderer mused. "Though I have seen the Bodhisattva about ten times or so, she seems somewhat lacking compared to Ms. Cui Sheng. Well then, let’s see how my master reacts upon meeting this stunning beauty."
He recalled an incident from years ago at Guanyin Zen Monastery when an old monk coveted his splendid robe and set fire to the temple, ultimately facing dire consequences. Now this Little Moon King was employing the same tactic of seduction to tempt his master—didn’t he fear repeating that mistake?
The Wanderer chuckled coldly to himself; he wanted to see just how long this performance could go on.
Ms. Cui Sheng took her seat gracefully, her skirt spreading like clouds around her as a faint fragrance filled the air. At that moment, Ba Jie and Sha Seng stumbled over, their faces still showing signs of lingering intoxication.
Upon seeing them, Tang Seng's originally gentle expression turned icy; fury ignited within him as he pointed an accusing finger at Ba Jie. "You fool! You are insatiable! How dare you intrude into my beloved's quarters last night? Do you even have the face to return here?!"
Ba Jie froze for a moment before plastering a fawning smile on his face. He rubbed his hands together and said humbly, "Master, please calm down! As the ancients said: 'Do not let grievances linger overnight.' Please forgive me just this once! I promise I won’t do it again!"
"You think there will be a next time?!" Tang Seng's anger flared even more. "If you don’t leave right now, I will write you a letter of dismissal and expel you from my teachings!"
Seeing this unfold, Sha Seng quickly stepped forward to mediate. "Master, please calm down! If you wish to send us away, then we shall go. After all, dismissing disciples is not like sending away wives; there’s no need for a letter!"
Ba Jie chimed in eagerly, "Yes indeed! It’s no big deal. In these times, it’s not unusual for masters and disciples to be like husbands and wives. But where will you send us?"
Tang Seng replied coldly, "You can return to Gao Village and find your wife! And you can go back to your River of Sand and continue your cannibalistic ways!"
Sha Seng panicked at this suggestion and waved his hands frantically. "Master! I swear I will never return to the River of Sand again! I've washed my hands of that gruesome business long ago! I'll head to Flower and Fruit Mountain to find Big Brother! He is powerful and surely has a way to change your mind!"
"Big Brother?" Tang Seng scoffed disdainfully. "Wu Kong is now a chancellor; he wouldn’t remember you as his disciple anymore! He is likely enjoying wealth and beauty right now!"
"You don’t know!" Sha Seng quickly replied. "Big Brother is no longer chancellor; he has taken on a new master and plans to journey together to the Western Paradise for scriptures!"
Upon hearing this news, Tang Seng paused momentarily before an imperceptible flicker of panic crossed his eyes. However, he quickly regained his composure and told Ba Jie and Sha Seng: "In that case, you two will surely encounter him on your journey; make sure you stop him from coming back here to trouble me in this Green World!"
With that said, he requested ink and paper from the Little Moon King and promptly wrote a letter of dismissal:
"Wu Neng is nothing but a thief in my eyes. If I keep a thief here, my place will become a den of thieves. If I do not harbor thieves, they will have nowhere to hide; if thieves do not cling to me, I can remain innocent. If I associate with thieves, I will only sink deeper into trouble; if I part ways with them, we can each go our own way. Wu Neng, I have no feelings for you—just leave quickly!"
Having finished, Tang Seng did not even glance at Bajie, throwing the divorce letter onto the ground before turning back to Ms . Cui Sheng. This left Bajie and Sha Seng exchanging bewildered looks, unsure of what to do.
Bajie numbly picked up the divorce letter, the thin piece of paper trembling in his hands as if it bore the weight of a thousand burdens, bending his spine. His once honest and simple face was now filled with sorrow and disbelief. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat choked, only able to let out a series of powerless sighs.
Tang Seng ignored Bajie's pain, dipping his brush into the ink. With a stroke as sharp as a knife, he wrote even colder and more merciless words on another sheet of white paper:
"This divorce letter is written by Little Moon King's sworn brother, Chen Xuanzang. Sha Wujing, you are a monster who has done evil in the Sandy River. Though you appear honest and simple on the surface, who knows what treacherous heart lies beneath your ugly exterior? Such a person is truly unworthy of being my disciple. Today, I expel you from my teachings; our bond is severed from this day forth, and we shall never meet again!"
Tang Seng's voice was icy and piercing, each word like a sharp knife stabbing deeply into Sha Seng's heart. His eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend that such words could come from the mouth of the once compassionate master. Trembling, he took the divorce letter, tears finally spilling over and wetting his weathered face.
Little Moon King and Ms . Cui Sheng stood by, coldly observing the scene. Little Moon King wore a smirk of mockery on his face, as if laughing at these two fools for believing Tang Seng's lies. Ms . Cui Sheng appeared indifferent, as though all of this had nothing to do with her.
Sha Seng weakly sank to the ground, despairingly gazing at Tang Seng's retreating figure. His lips moved slightly but ultimately he said nothing. He and Bajie supported each other as they slowly descended the stairs, their backs forlorn and desolate, like two abandoned stray dogs.
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