In the village, Tripataka rode along on his horse at a reduced pace, fretting about how he could explain things to the family. Spirit-creatures were a well-known fact of life, yes. If any animal, big or small, could cultivate themselves properly, they could attain humanoid form and even magic if they cultivated further- just like humans. The issue being is that they, often enough, didn't lose some of their animalistic tendencies. Like eating people. Some, like bulls, even gained predatory behaviors! Generally, they were regarded with fear, or hatred. They were often classed as monsters, or even demons if hostile or vile enough. Of which, Sun Wukong, was clearly averse to being lumped in with. An interesting note for Tripataka but, currently, one of tenuous accuracy.

"Father? What are you doing back?"

A familiar voice pulled Tripataka from his fretting. It was the wife of the family. Beside her was her son, both carrying baskets of fresh produce. Tripataka was happy to see familiar friendly faces, but it also stunned into silence, he hadn't finished rehearsing, or even figuring out what he was going to say. In his mind, he scrambled to revise his planned talking points as quickly as feasibly possible.

The son tugged as his mother's dress, "Mom, he looks roughed up."

"Are you alright, father?" She gasped, spotting the tears now adorning his Kasaya.

Not wanting to worry them, Tripataka, held up a hand, motioning to let him speak before she got frantic, "I'll admit, I've been…rather roughed up, but wholly I'm fine." The mother settled some. Tripataka looked around. The center street of the village was not the place for what he had to say. "I'll explain, may we move back to your home…?"

Quizzically the boy looked up to his mother. Who, looked a tinge concerned.

"If you need to stay a while to rest and recover, we're more than happy to accommodate you, elder." The husband stated, once, the wife led Tripataka back to their home. They sat around the main chamber of their home, seated on a coarse rug around a hearth as food cooked. It being their dinner. The elder not having to be expected to return, it wasn't vegetarian oriented. Tripataka assured them it was no bother. He was imposing not them.

His wife nodded approvingly, "Yes, it'd do your journey no good to continue on in your condition. We know suffrage is a part of it, but you could fall ill like this."

The husband grunted his agreement.

"How'd you get away from the demons?" Piped the son, clearly more curious about the monk's "adventure" than why he'd returned. He edged forward whilst sitting on his knees, "Did they fight over who'd eat you? Did you run- hide, some sort of magic? Can you do-"

"Enough." His father firmly reprimanded. The boy lowered his head and did as he was told. Curtly he nodded to Tripataka, with all due respect, "Please, tell us what happened, if you may. What do you have need of us?"

Tripataka smiled, "Firstly, thanks, once again, for having this poor monk." He looked off, continuing more warily, "And, as for how I am still alive to speak with you now. I found, the most unlikely of help." Their intrigue had, he shifted a bit before continuing, "I've gained a traveling companion. He fought off all the demons, single handedly. So, if I'm to stay, I request that he be permitted too as well..."

"Of course, he can father!" The wife proclaimed. Her husband nodded curtly his acceptance. However, noting his tone, she then questioned, "Why do you sound so uncertain of asking?"

Tripataka, eyes still straying away, explained, "You see…he's not of…human, features…"

"He's a monster!?" The boy exclaimed, sounding more amazed than appalled.

"No, no!" Tripataka was quick to dispel this thought, fearing that the monkey would, somehow, hear that from all his ways away. Quickly, he corrected, "He's indeed wild in appearance, but it'd be insulting to refer to him as such."

"I see…" The patriarch said slowly. He looked to his wife, with who, he shared an uncertain expression. Internally, Tripataka waited with anxious thoughts, as they silently deliberated. Truthfully, he wasn't certain whether he wanted them to allow him another stay, but he'd have to work with whatever answer they gave him regardless.

Back in the woods, Sun Wukong lounged about on against the tree, eating fruit provided to him by the regular monkeys as he waited. He had a long, interesting discussion about the happenings since he's imprisonment. From what the monkey's had gathered, which he admitted was limited, a lot had changed but at the same time not. He figured as much. Heaven still stuck to its jerkish-self, while new demons came and went. Wukong was a little curious about that latter bit, after all, he'd have to defend his savior from these new mooks. Should be an interesting challenge, what with his apparent limited power.

Just the thought of the stupid piece of, unwanted, jewelry made his fur bristle.

His thoughts trailed back to the Tang monk's offer…

A sudden distant call, gratefully, yanked him from his reverie. Instantly, the Monkey King hopped to his feet. Causing a murmur of confused coos from the monkeys. Before leaving off, Wukong explained, "Sorry, gotta go. Savior has called. He must've worked things out with my soon-to-be-hosts!" He waved as he readied to go, "See you soon!"

The trope of monkey's waved as their King bounded off in a single leap.

Tripataka stood outside the back of the family's home. It was more private than the front, which faced the rest of the village, of course. Knowing of Sun Wukong's incredible leaping ability, he knew the monkey wound just- jump on over. So, hopefully, he'd just land right in front of him. Sure enough, a mere moment after he called his name, before any doubt of his sanity could be questioned: Sun Wukong landed right in front of them all, seemingly dropping from the sky.

"I'm here, savior!" Wukong laughed, "Took you long enough, haha!"

The family was all left gaping. The son more so out of amazement, while the other two…where stunned by the sight of a monkey wearing clothing. And talking. Fluently.

Before they could say anything, negative, Tripataka stepped in, introducing his traveling companion, "This is Sun Wukong. He's the one that saved me from the demons. I assure you he's nothing like the monsters that inhabit the woodlands around your home."

"I'm much better looking for one." Wukong remarked proudly, chin perched between his thumb and pointer finger.

Either agreeing, or much more likely, finding no words to respond with, the family allowed the two into their home. Much to Tripataka's relief and Wukong's ready enjoyment, though the monk was internally apologizing for burdening a peaceful family with such a wild creature. Sun Wukong was readily pleased with being inside a home again, even one humble as this. The smell of fresh cooking readily wet his appetite, even if it was cooked food, anything beat nothing. That and there was some appetizing fresh produce, which was much more to his taste. Particularly the fruit.

The meal came and went, Sun Wukong eating with plenty of gusto, thanking the wife for giving him the first meal he's had in ages. While Tripataka kept to his vegetarian diet, Wukong dug into the meat with his prominent canines. Even helping himself to the liquor provided, which he and the husband shared. Despite their initial hesitation, the monkey made himself at home, treating the family like old friends. A relief for Tripataka. Thankful for the fact that, since Wukong had saved him, the adults were giving the monkey-spirit the benefit of the doubt. Still, he planned on leaving as soon as possible. The quicker they were gone, the less time for the Monkey King's wild nature to reveal itself.

He'd get his injuries treated, then they'd go tomorrow morning. First thing at the crack of dawn.

"Oh boy! Never thought I'd look forward to just sleeping in on a mat!" Sun Wukong exclaimed as he flopped back onto the aged-bamboo sleeping mat. He stretched himself out with a pleased sigh. "Crazy what suddenly become so appealing after so long."

Sat on his own sleeping mat, Tripataka smiled, "I'd imagine so." He frowned at the thought, being isolated and alone, deprived of the simplest comforts. "It must've been hard for you to endure that, for so long…"

Wukong went silent for a moment, seemingly almost thoughtful before abruptly uttering, "Yeah, it really sucked. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore!"

Once again, Tripataka was thrown for a loop from the sudden shift. This time he didn't get to comment as there was another interruption, "You're the monster that was sealed under the mountain- aren't you!?"

"Eh?"

Oh no…So much for getting through this short stay without someone insulting him.

"Who are you calling a monster, you little brat!?" The Monkey King was immediately on his feet, berating the child. Who'd apparently been listening in on their conversation through the slated door. Teeth bared, peaceful enjoyment tossed to the wind, Wukong aggressively asserted, "I'm Sun Wukong, the handsome Monkey King, Great Sage: Equal to Heaven. Handsome- get it? Not a monster!"

The child, either too focused on his realization, or youthful ignorance, didn't seem to notice he was faced with a wild angry creature. Instead, he just reasserted the realization he'd made, elaborating, "You keep mentioning not doing things in such a long time. You have to be the monster that was sealed under the mountain! You got the monk to free you! Right? I'm right, right?"

Fists clenched, Wukong grounded out, "I'm a stone monkey- NOT, a monster!"

This caught the boy's curious attention, "Stone Monkey?"

"What do you mean by that Wukong?" Even Tripataka's attention was had by this detail.

Insult diverted, Sun Wukong, rather casually, explained, "Well that's simple, I was born from a stone egg."

"Monkeys don't come from eggs. Or stones." The boy piped.

"Well, I did!" Snapped Wukong.

"How come?"

"How should I know? All I know is I came to be that way." Wukong huffed, arms crossed. He went quiet briefly, pondering the fact himself a moment. Then, he blinked, recalling something, "Actually. One of the old hustlers in the Celestial Realm mentioned I was brought about by the energies of the Heaven and Earth, cultivated in the stone atop Flower Fruit Mountain."

Brows knit, the boy turned to Tripataka, "Can that actually happen, Elder?"

"Of course, it can! It's how I was born!" Snapped Wukong.

Sweat trickling down the side of his face, Tripataka thinned his mouth, mulling over what his companion claimed. It was fantastical, no doubt, but with how powerful the monkey was it made sense that his power stemmed from such a birth. He was imbued with primordial energy. For the moment, he had no incentive to refute this. Such an origin wasn't so outlandish in this world they lived in. Rolling a prayer bead between his fingers, he answered, "I don't believe it to be impossible. The energies of the universe is what provide us all with life."

"See." Huffed Wukong, satisfied with being validated.

With confirmation from the Elder, the boy's skepticism changed to youthful fascination, "Oh! What was that like? Being born from a rock. And, you got to meet Gods!?"

"I'd like to know as well." Tripataka added, taking this as a chance to learn more about his travelling companion.

With attention squarely on him, Sun Wukong's irritated demeanor was dusted away. He sat back down, hands on his knees. This was more like it. "If my savior wants to know more about my past, I'm happy to tell it!" He snorted at the question about the Celestial Deity, "Yeah, they're bunch of stuck-up liars."

The boy frowned at the remarked, looking worried, "My parents say not to say that about the Gods."

"They haven't met them, have they?" Wukong questioned dryly.

"No…"

Tripataka spoke up before things got more uncomfortably blasphemous, "Wukong, your story. Please."

Sun Wukong perked back up, "Oh yeah."

At that, he began to tell his tale from the beginning. From being born from the stone egg atop Flower Fruit Mountain. Being presented with the whole of reality in an instant. Understanding, yet not knowing, the world. To running down the mountain in the search of companionship. How he ran into a monkey along the way who took him into a family group that lived at the base of a waterfall. A waterfall which he discovered housed a divine cave-dwelling of legend. A legend which crowned him the monkey king.

Not wanting him, or his subjects, to die the short lives their species was allotted (there was so much to experience in the world!), he journeyed to discover a way of cultivating themselves the way humans did. He discovered such a way and returned, teaching his people how to cultivate themselves into spirit-animals. During that journey, he discovered his magical gifts. Gifts, which he used to slay a demon that'd taken over his home in the meantime. From that time on, he was given gifts from various neighbors of his and formed great alliances.

The boy, of course, found this to be a great tell of adventure and was completely enthralled by it. He'd wanted to hear more, but his mother shooed him to his bed. She knew that the two had a travel to returned to in the morning and needed their rest. A young boy needed his rest as well. He whined, but a yawn from his body betrayed him. Before leaving, the mother apologized for his bothering.

"It's nothing to apologize for. Nothing at all!" Insisted Wukong, pleased to have been able to tell his story. The insult from the child apparently water-under-the-bridge now.

Tripataka nodded, "Yes. We got caught up in conversing ourselves." The mother still looked a touch troubled, so he assured her, "He was no trouble at all benefactress."

Soothed, the mother went on her way to put her son to bed and wished them both a pleasant night. Both Tripataka and Wukong returned the courtesy to her.

Lying back down with a tired sigh, "We should get to rest though." The monk said, his body aching and begging for him to slip away into sleep.

"Sounds good to me." Sun Wukong agreed, stretching a bit before he settled down to rest. He'd napped plenty during his imprisonment, but the position he'd forced to sleep in had left him feeling never fully rested. Both from stiffness and never moving. Then there'd been the itches he could never scratch. This would be his first real rest in five centuries. Before he laid down again, he once more bowed to the Tang monk, "Before we do so, I must thank you again for releasing me, savior."

Tripataka stilled a moment, not expecting the further thanks. Sheepishly he accepted the thanks, "Oh, uh, think nothing of it Wukong. Now, let us rest. We must leave early tomorrow."

Seeing how flustered he was, Wukong giggled, "Savior, is both humble and diligent." The monkey then laid himself down. "Good night!"

"Good night." Tripataka returned.

Though his mortal body was weary and pained, Tripataka didn't fall asleep quickly. No, his mind was far too preoccupied with- everything, that'd transpired today. The sheer intensity of it all. He'd started the day like the already many days of travel since he'd begun this pilgrimage. Then, the multitude of times that he'd swore he'd be sent into his next life. At least more than one could count on a solitary hand, and one was too many to begin with. He let out a gentle exhale through his nose. He'd expected that, when he set out on his journey, but never, did he expect what he'd done today. Never did he expect to release something, monkey or not, so terrifyingly wild, and powerful. Images of the demons bodies, crumpled and bloodied, while not a single, sliver of a scratch was on Sun Wukong, flashed in his mind. The fact that he lay only a space away tugged at his nerves. He didn't fear he'd suddenly turn on him, least not while unprovoked, but he worried that his choice had been the wrong one.

Tripataka knew he'd have to deal with his decision, be it good or bad. He didn't know if he was capable of guiding this decision in a meaningful way, but the monk would try. He had to.

May Heaven and Earth and parents watch over and protect us; may our brethren and our law hear and respond to us. I, who and under your Graces, will confess before you, the Dharma-kaya Buddha, the four Graces. Amitabha Buddha, forgive again this poor monk for his decisions today. Lay the lost lives to rest and give me strength and inspiration to handle this wild creature. The silent prayer done, Tripataka felt a sense of relief and was able to slip away into a much-needed sleep.