Xingtie: My silly online friend is actually a raccoon!

Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

The mutton flatbread was baked until golden brown on both sides, the braised beef was sliced ​​evenly, the steamed shad was scored with beautiful willow-leaf cuts, and there were several dishes of seasonal vegetables.

The table was packed full, and the steam carrying the aroma wafted straight into people's noses.

"Come on, eat it while it's hot, let's chat as we eat."

Lu Ze was already starving, so he quickly urged the two of them to start eating, while he himself eagerly picked up a piece of braised beef and put it in his mouth.

Mmm, soft and flavorful, with a rich braised aroma.

Unfortunately, there was no distinction between light and dark soy sauce in ancient times, no oyster sauce for enhancing flavor, and none of the complex seasonings available today.

While both are braised beef, modern cooking methods can layer the salty, savory, sweet, and fragrant flavors, while this dish's taste is straightforward and lacks a lingering aftertaste.

However, it's already considered top-notch craftsmanship on this street.

The three of them devoured the food in a flash.

Xing bit into the last piece of mutton flatbread, her cheeks bulging, her eyes squinting as she ate.

Spark elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth, picked up her teacup, and sipped it slowly.

Lu Ze took a sip of hot tea to cleanse his palate, put down his teacup, looked around to make sure there were no other people around, and then spoke in a low voice.

"I've always wondered about this question since I read Journey to the West. In the original story, Tang Sanzang and his disciples went through eighty-one tribulations before finally obtaining the scriptures and achieving enlightenment. Do you know what exactly that enlightenment was?"

Xing shook her head blankly, still holding half a half-eaten flatbread in her hand.

Spark thought for a moment and replied, "Become a Buddha?"

"Becoming a Buddha is merely the surface. The real key lies in the merits and good fortune accumulated during the journey to the West."

"The merits of Tang Sanzang and his disciples' journey of subduing demons, rescuing people, and educating the masses all ultimately went to the Buddhist sect to which Jin Chanzi belonged. He alone took away the fortune generated by the entire journey to the West."

Xing was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "So what do you plan to do? Go on the journey to the West to obtain the scriptures too?"

"It's not about going with them," Lu Ze corrected. "It's about going in their place."

Lu Ze revealed his plan to switch the beams and pillars.

A glint flashed in Spark's eyes, and she immediately understood what he wanted to do, her twin ponytails swaying happily.

"Then can we also become Buddhas?"

"Becoming a Buddha is useless to us. What we need is merit. Merit and good fortune are hard currency in any world." Lu Ze lowered his voice, but spoke faster.

"Moreover, the world of Journey to the West is full of rare and precious materials—Zhenyuan Daxian's ginseng fruit, Guanyin Dashi's sweet dew in her jade bottle, Laozi's elixir, the Queen Mother of the West's peaches of immortality... Just grab any one of these and we'll make a fortune."

At this point, Lu Ze turned to Spark: "You know disguise, right?"

Spark proudly raised her chin.

"More than just disguise! I can become anyone, even mimicking voices. A 'Thousand-Faced Streamer' certified by millions of viewers!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her face turned into the shape of a star in an instant, and then instantly returned to its original shape, as fast as if she had blinked.

Lu Ze nodded in satisfaction.

With Spark's abilities as a foundation, combined with his Pleasure skill, even Guanyin might not be able to see through their disguise.

However, Spark immediately asked, "What roles do you plan for us to play?" She emphasized the word "roles," clearly looking forward to the roles she was about to be assigned.

Lu Ze looked her up and down and said without hesitation.

"You'll play Sha Wujing."

"Why should I! I want to play Sun Wukong!" Spark was indignant, her twin ponytails almost knocking over the teacup on the table.

"Sun Wukong already has a Monkey King, we need to find a way to bring him into the team." Lu Ze rejected her outright, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Moreover, in the real pilgrimage team, Sun Wukong is the truly indispensable protagonist. Even the Buddhist sect is scheming to bring him into the game, so we have no reason to kick him out."

Xing swallowed the last bite of sesame flatbread, picked up her teacup, and sighed. She had already anticipated what kind of role she would play.

"So who am I? Pigsy?"

"You have a similar temperament."

"Thank you."

Xing placed the teacup back on the table expressionlessly, her golden eyes conveying the message, "You just wait."