Xingtie: My silly online friend is actually a raccoon!

"I have my own sources." Lu Ze didn't explain much, and continued, "Do you know that once you go, you'll never come back?"

Zhu Ganglie was stunned.

"The journey to the West is 108,000 li long and takes more than ten years, with countless demons and monsters appearing along the way. If you can reach the Western Paradise alive, you will be able to attain enlightenment and be granted the title of Buddha."

Lu Ze paused.

"Once you become a Buddha, you'll have to stay on Mount Ling. What about Gao Cuilan? What will happen to her? Can she go to Mount Ling with you? She's just a mortal; how many years can she live? Once you become a Buddha, can you go back to Gao Village to live with her?"

Pigsy's face gradually turned pale.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his throat was blocked and he couldn't utter a single word.

He had never thought about this question.

The task Guanyin Bodhisattva gave him was to "wait for the pilgrim to go west, escort him on his journey, and help him attain enlightenment." He agreed as soon as he heard the words "attain enlightenment," thinking it was a good thing.

He never imagined that achieving "enlightenment" would mean giving up everything he currently possessed.

The pavilion remained quiet for a long time.

Lu Ze didn't urge him, but just sat quietly, waiting for him to figure it out on his own.

After a long silence, Zhu Bajie spoke in a hoarse voice: "You mean... if I go, I'll never see Cuilan again?"

"Most likely."

Zhu Ganglie lowered his head, his two large, fan-like hands clasped tightly together, his knuckles white.

His breathing became heavy, as if he was trying his best to suppress some emotion.

After a long while, he finally raised his head, his eyes slightly red.

"Then... what should I do? I dare not disobey the task given to me by the Bodhisattva. But to abandon Cuilan... I cannot do it."

Lu Ze was waiting for him to say those words.

"I'll give you two choices." Lu Ze held up two fingers. "The first choice is to wait patiently for the pilgrim to come, go with him to the Western Paradise, complete the journey, and be granted a Buddha title. From then on, you and Gao Cuilan will be separated forever, never to meet again."

Zhu Ganglie's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't reply.

"Secondly—" Lu Ze lowered his finger, "give up your identity as a pilgrim, stay here, and live a good life with Gao Cuilan."

Zhu Ganglie practically blurted it out.

"I choose option two!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, he hesitated, his brows furrowing: "But what about the Bodhisattva..."

"I'll handle things with the Bodhisattva," Lu Ze said. "I'll find someone to take your place and go to the Western Paradise for you."

Pigsy suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide: "You...you can find someone to replace me?"

"able."

"Can that person complete the entire journey to the West?"

"able."

"Won't the Bodhisattva blame me?"

"Won't."

Lu Ze's answer was brief and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

Zhu Ganglie stared at him for a long time, seemingly trying to determine whether he was exaggerating.

But he couldn't see any guilt or evasion in Lu Ze's eyes, only a calm certainty.

Zhu Bajie's tense shoulders finally relaxed.

He let out a long breath, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart, and he felt much more relaxed.

He stood up and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting to Lu Ze.

"If that's truly the case, I, Old Pig, will be eternally grateful! I'll go through fire and water for you if you ever need me!"

Lu Ze also stood up and returned the greeting.

"Brother Pig, you flatter me. You just need to live your life well."

Pigsy grinned, and a genuine smile finally appeared on his usually honest face.

Xing leaned against a pillar in the pavilion, watching this scene, and whispered to Huohua.

"Another one who got fooled."

Spark patted her and answered with a smile.

"What is deception? This is called—mutual benefit and win-win."