Zhu Bajie/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

Let me repay my debt.

On Entering a Room

We fighting together? I owe you one.

When Quest Begins

Aaand we're off!

Prepped and ready for battle? I know I am! Hoo-rah!

Response to Beginning of a Quest

Let's get out there and show 'em what we got!

I ain't forgotten a thing!

When Controlling Character in Quest

They won't know what hit 'em!

When Receiving a Heal

Yeesh. Sorry about that...

Talk about your brushes with death...

When Entering a Boss' Room

This one's gonna put up a fight!

Let's bag this chump and go get some grub!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

This one's gonna be worth my time!

Heck yeah! Let's all get loopy on the thrill of victory!

Upon Getting to Low Health

Fortune favors the bold!

Tch! You cheeky little...

Upon Opening a Chest

Maybe Lady Luck'll decide to smile on us today.

Heeey! Maybe now I can send a little souvenir to the family.

Boss on Low Health

If you don't fight hard here, you won't live to fight again.

Time to give 'em their last rites.

Boss Enters Break State

Whoa! The enemy's unsteady!

This here's our chance! Attack! ATTAAACK!

Rare Enemy Spawns

Now THAT looks like something good.

All that glitters is gold!

Upon Death

Tell the family...I said goodbye...

Never thought I'd fall before I repaid my debts...

Upon Revival

Let's try that again.

When Using Weapon/Shared Skills

Damage: The peak of martial arts!

Buff Self: My blood boils!

Buff Ally: Time to get rowdy up in here.

Debuff Enemy: Yep, that'll do.

Heal Ally; You ain't done yet!

Heal Self: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Now THERE'S some skill!

Nice, friend! REAL nice!

When Shape Shifting is Ready

Feels like someone gave me dragon wings!

The dragon is ragin' now!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Let's check out the dragon's fighting style.

Idle During Quest

Want to see a portrait of the boy? I got plenty!

I brought a few snacks. Who's hungry?

Quest Clear

Now those are battle fundamentals.

Quest Failure

I ain't repaid my debt yet.

Home Screen Walking

Where's Xuan Zang?

I'll do what's right.

A little fighting always helps with digestion!

To my wife and son...

Mind me goin' on a bit about the wife?

Nothing like clinking glasses in the moonlight!

Home Screen Inside

I'd follow Xuan Zang through hell itself to see my debt repaid.

I used to be an arrogant man—thought everyone but me was a fool. Can't say how sorry I am now.

One of Sha Wujing's weapons went berserk once and damn near killed everybody.

Got any ink and paper? I wanna write a letter to the wife and son, let 'em know I'm all right.

I never say no to a good banquet—they help ya open up and say what you normally can't.

The wife always says if you forget to show your gratitude, you ain't worth a lick.

Home Screen Portrait

I got a son who's cute as a button.

A commander's got to keep the troops motivated: singing, dancing, fighting displays, whatever it takes.

I come from a poor farming family. Wanted to rise up in the world, so I taught myself to fight and joined the army.

The wife convinced me to go on this journey and repay my debt. She is the best partner a fellow could ask for.

If I hadn't met Xuan Zang, I wouldn't be the man I am today. I'm real grateful to her.

Collection Portrait

Serving Xuan Zang is dangerous, that's why a guy like me has got to give all he has to the cause.

Sha Wujing has put me through all kinds of trouble, but I just can't seem to steer clear of the guy!

That Wu Kong had gotten real strong! Kids grow up so darn fast, I tell you what.

My wife's a beautiful woman from Taiwu. She is way more than I deserve.

I'd give my life to repay the person who changed it for the better.

At The Halidom

Come to me with all your troubles! Love, kids, you name it, I got your back!

There are no cowards under a strong leader— and lemme tell ya, this castle has no cowards!

I really hope the family can see how pretty this place is someday.

New Mana Circle Unlocked

I only know one speed: full speed!

On Mana Circle Fully Unbound

No matter how strong I get, I ain't never gonna get a big head and start slacking.

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

The Embers of War

Say! Never thought I'd run into you in these parts! ...What am I doin' here? Oh, just waitin' for Sha Wujing and Xuan Zang. How's that? You wanna know how I came to be traveling with them to begin with? Ha! Now THERE'S a story! Well, I've got some time before I have to meet up with 'em. Let's grab some grub and I'll tell you all about it. ...Yo! Two steamed buns here!
So the story starts 10 years ago,
back when I was still in Taiwu.
Harvest was real bad that year, which meant
merchants were hoarding what little food there
was in order to turn a quick buck.
It's always a bad time to be poor, but that was a
REAL bad time. And when the folks in charge didn't
do squat, my hometown rose up in rebellion.
Next thing you know, the army's at our door.
Ten Years Ago
Taiwu
General! The army is deploying their new weapons against us! Damn that Sha Wujing and his toys... I'm gonna send him home in a box! I was once part of the emperor's army,
but chose to join the rebels. We were holding
our own at first, but when the tide went,
it went out quick.
The fight is lost, General. Our only options now are escape or surrender. Belay that talk, solider! We ain't done yet. Heed me, my suffering countrymen! His Imperial Majesty has taken this matter to heart, and has proclaimed you shall receive the support you need! If you lay down your weapons, you may return to your homes as free men! They've agreed to help! We did it! We did it! Stow your celebration! The fight ain't over just because they agreed to our original request! But now that we have food, there's no reason to fight. Bah! You need to dream bigger, friend! If we win this, we can demand a hundred years of tax exemption! When a real man starts a fight, he sees it THROUGH. B-but, General... Any who do not lay down their arms now will be punished as traitors along with their families! Make your choice! We didn't start this for glory or a hundred years of anything; we started this so our families wouldn't starve to death. Damn it, come back here! Guess the powers that be liked my mettle, because
despite joining the rebellion, I was allowed to stay
in the army—though they busted me down in rank
and sent me to patrol some lonely border.
I was made to marry the daughter of a low-ranking
noble. Maybe they thought married life would
settle me down.
But back then...
2 Years Post-rebellion
Taiwu Border
(We've had a nice, long peace since the day we ended our rebellion.) We've returned from our patrol, sir! Nothing unusual to report! Course there ain't. There never is. You guys really need to stop taking this make-work job so seriously. But sir, our patrols help to make everyone who lives in this area feel at ease... Did you say somethin'? N-no, sir! Nothing important, sir! Oh, and we saw your wife on our patrol— she asked us to bring you lunch. I ain't hungry. Just set it down there and go find some grub for yourselves. Not like she wanted to make me lunch in the first place... Tsk! It appears someone oozed out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. Well, look who's here. What brings a big- boots tactician like you to a nowhere speck on the map like this? I just wanted to see my old friend's face— though I imagine you are less excited to see a traitor such as me, hmmmMMM? Do what you want—I ain't one for dwelling on the past. Then why the long face? Please tell me you're not still upset about how your rebellion ended. Yes, you lost, but the people's grievances were heard, and no one starved. Was that not the point of everything in the end? I didn't join the rebellion to help people. I thought that if we won that battle, I'd be able to achieve something BIG. You always were the largest of dreamers. Well, I might have something for you: Have you perchance heard of Qilin relics? Those magic tools from faerie tales? Get outta here with that nonsense. They exist, old friend—or at least our leaders believe they do. That is why they established a top-secret organization to sniff out every last one of them. You're kiddin' me. I never kid. In fact, after asking me to join the organization, they took me to a secret vault and showed me all the info they'd collected on Qilin relics. The Hong Hulu sucks people inside it! The Yong Run Hu creates endless torrents! Ah, but one relic tickled my fancy with endless delight above all others... The Jiu Chi Dingba—a terrifying object that summons howling winds across vast distances, and creates flames that burn to ash all things in their wake! Sounds like the kind of thing that could turn the tide of most any battle. Isn't it FASCINATING? Sadly for the organization, all of their efforts to learn its location have come to naught. ...But I succeed where they failed. I know where it is hidden. Seriously?! I am a well-informed, intelligent man. It was like stealing a lollipop from the mouth of a gurgling babe! And you, old friend, are the first person to whom I have told this secret. Just what are you planning here? Despite my being a member of the organization, I've no doubt they would lock the relic away from all prying eyes— which is why I must have it for my own. Alas, it is hidden in a perilous location I cannot reach on my own—which is where you come into the picture. I see. And what's in it for me? The relic is yours. All I wish to do is study it and observe it in action. Not sure if you've noticed, but we're not exactly at war right now. Who would I even use it on? But plenty of others ARE! North Grastaea, for example, always seems to be involved in one conflict or another these days. Such places will give you ample opportunity to fight and achieve glory by using the relic. Gonna be honest: You ain't exactly sellin' me on this plan of yours. (Hate to admit it, but his idea sounds a hell of a lot better than rottin' away here for the rest of my days. Should I try it?) There you are, sir. Wait, aren't you one of our servants? What are you doing here? Sir, the mistress of the house requests that you return home early today if possible. Er, and why, exactly? Apparently she has a very important matter to discuss with you, sir. Heh. So she's finally ready, eh? HmmMMM. I suppose I'll need to convince your wife to go along with my plan before you will even consider it. It's not like there's any love in our marriage. It's just somethin' we were forced into so I wouldn't challenge the emperor again. She's not been feelin' well lately, and I imagine our sham arrangement has a lot to do with it. Like as not, she wants to talk to me now about callin' the whole damn thing off. ...Ha! Bwaaaaa ha ha ha! HmmMMM? Dust off your boots, Sha Wujing—we're blowin' this fried-meat stand. A wild adventure somewhere far from here sounds like JUST what I need. And that's how I went along with his idea without
even hearing what the wife had to say first.
I know it ain't possible to change the past...
but if I could, I'd go back and kick the crap
outta myself for makin' that decision!

Episode 2

A Sealer's Power

Man, these steamed buns are good. Get to eatin'! It's on me! Anyway, where were we...? Oh right, the big adventure. Yeah, so Sha Wujing and me were headin' out to find the relic. It was way off at the far edge of nowhere, and surrounded by fiends, to boot. But when we arrived, we met someone that you know all too well... 6 Months Post-departure
Remote Mountains
Is this Jiu Chi Dingba thing REALLY at the top of these mountains? Who knows? Ah, but where is the joy in life without a few unexpected surprises? If we came all this way for nothing, I swear that I'm gonna... Huh? Someone's fightin' up ahead.

---

O power universal, hear my decree! With invisible admonitions and unshakable binding, strong and swift may you invoke your gift! Hmm... At this rate, night will arrive before I reach the mountain's peak. She took out all those fiends... I've never seen a power like that! Is that a relic you have there, my good lady? I must see it! Who are you?! That's the Feng Mu Jie Zhang, isn't it? I must know EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! How does it work? How do you wield it? Slake my thirst with your knowledge! Huh. If a relic can do that, maybe I was wrong to dismiss 'em so quick... More fiends! Is there no end to this? Allow me—least I can do after you took out all of those fiends earlier. ...C'mere, you! Hah! Hah! Haaaaagh! Ugh. This is taking FAR too long. I shall dispatch all of them at once! Uh oh. Hold your breath, lady! How did you like my Poisonfeather Mist? Heh heh heh! You damn idiot! You almost paralyzed US! But I didn't, so there's no need to pitch a fit. HmmMMM... It seems my mist wasn't nearly as effective as I'd hoped on fiends. Clearly I have more work to do. Why do you sound so composed when all you've done is make 'em angrier?! Hold your tongues, both of you! The fiends are about to attack! ...And that's how we first came to meet
Xuan Zang. By the time we'd finished
off the fiends, the sun had gone down.
Okay, I think we can eat this, so... Damn it, Sha Wujing! Will you quit interrogating that lady already?! But she's one of the legendary Qilin! They created the relics in the first place! I have so much I wish to ask her that my flesh QUIVERS with excitement! This man's interest in relics borders on a dangerous obsession... Incidentally, what brings the two of you to these mountains in the first place? (This lady said her job is sealing relics, so we probably don't want her finding out what we're REALLY doin' here...) We work on weapon research and development in Taiwu, and the remote nature of this region makes it perfect for testing. ...Isn't that right, Zhu Bajie? Uh, yeaaah. I'm all about...um...research. But enough about the two of us— what are YOU doin' here? I am returning from sealing a relic located at the top of this mountain. What?! So you mean we came all this damn way for... Oh crap. I suspected that was your true purpose. Hear me well: There are many relics too dangerous for any human, and the Jiu Chi Dingba is one of them. If you seek to obtain it, it is my duty as a sealer to stop you. Sorry, but I need that relic. As I see it, a person's worth is based on what they achieve in their lifetime. Well, during the recent rebellion in Taiwu, I tried to do something great. But the damn cowards who came with me all gave up, so it was nothin' but a big fat failure. I've heard of this rebellion. Did it not end with the emperor changing his heart and the people being saved? I would think that an achievement worthy of respect. It ain't worthy of squat—not when we coulda done so much MORE. And what, pray tell, does all of this have to do with my relic? I learned during the rebellion that no matter how high you aim, it's useless if the people you fight with don't have the stones to see it through. But if I have that relic, I don't need to rely on anyone—I can take on a whole damn army by myself! THAT'S how I'm gonna really achieve something! I see. You believe that what matters most is what a person achieves during their life. In truth, this is a fine way of thinking. However, what SPECIFIC goal will you seek to achieve with this relic? How do you wish to change the world? Ack! W-well, I... I mean... Will without vision is just another kind of delusion. Your words SEEM reasonable, but all you really want is to play the hero. I cannot permit someone like you to touch the relic. You must leave this place as soon as the dawn breaks. You really don't know me if you think I'm just gonna turn around and leave now, lady. Because lemme tell you— She is right, Zhu Bajie. The relic would be wasted on you. We should go. What?! I deeply apologize, my dear friend. I should never have put the idea into your sweaty noggin in the first place. And yet, dear sealer, my friend here left his dear wife behind to come all this way. Could he not at least SEE the relic? ...Very well. We depart for the peak as soon as the sun rises. There now! That's better than nothing, is it not? I guess...

---

Zzz... You know, even when I know you're lying, your apologies are STILL creepy. There's no time for banter! We must act before she wakes. We hurried up the mountain as Xuan Zang slept,
and when the new day dawned, we found the
Jiu Chi Dingba embedded in rock inside a cave.
At last! ...HmmMMM. I must say, I did not expect it to look like an ordinary garden hoe. This thing was a real bear to pull out! You actually think it can summon forth winds and flames and all that? It certainly can—and I fear it will bring about great tragedy if misused. Bah! How'd she catch up so fast?! Give me the relic. Please. And if we refuse? Then I will take it by force. Bwa ha ha ha! Just try it, lady! Hell, it'll give me the perfect chance to see just what this little baby can do. You pernicious fool! If you summon wind and flame in narrow crack of a place like this, we will ALL be in grave danger! Now stand aside and let my sweet Poisonfeather Mist win the day! Ah! I must hold my breath! ...Curses! That was a mere smoke bomb!

---

Bwaaa ha ha! I bet she's feeling REAL dumb right about now! Now the relic's finally ours— and I can't WAIT to try it out. With the relic in our hands, we set off for the
northern continent—unaware of the tragedy
that could have been avoided if we had just
handed it over to Xuan Zang...

Episode 3

A Man-Made Disaster

Yo, can we get two teas over here? Make mine real bitter, if you would. Hey, so have you ever bought some chow to take home for dinner and ended up eating it as you walked because you just couldn't wait another second? That was me. I finally had that relic, and I was ITCHING to try it out. So... North Grastaea
Remote Village
Er, I'm afraid we don't need any aid of the military sort, sir. This is a sleepy little area—we don't even get bandits. Yeah, but there's gotta be SOMETHING that's bothering you. Think, man! What about those fiends who live in the forest a ways from here? See! I KNEW there had to be something! You just leave those fiends to me! Er, all right? Still, it's not like they're much of a bother—they never leave the woods, and we've little reason to go in there after them. Please, sir, leave the creatures be. Provoking them can only serve to stir their ire and cause them to seek revenge against us. And what if they come after you first, huh? Then it'll be too late for my help! S-still, I'm just not sure it's worth it... Look, stop worryin' about it, all right? Once I take care of 'em, there won't be anything left TO take revenge! W-well...I suppose... Good then! It's settled!

---

...There they are. There's more than I expected. Use the Jiu Chi Dingba! Quickly! Oh, I'm on it... And a swing! Ah! The fiends are powerless before such force of wind! And one more swing! Go, go! Hee hee! Incredible! You just turned an entire swarm of fiends to ash! And all I did was swing the thing around! You weren't kiddin' about these relics... Right then, time to put the fire out. Do I swing this thing backward or what? I haven't the faintest idea. I thought that organization let you look at all their secret relic manuals! Yeees, but there was nothing in there about the relic DOUSING fires— merely about starting them. Well, we gotta do SOMETHING! It's getting out of control! I fear we lack the power. I can't believe you're givin' up already... Rrrrr! Fine then! I'll just whip up some wind to blow the fire out! Aw, crap! The wind turned into a tornado! Which is becoming one with the flames! How simply ASTOUNDING... First we had a fire, and now we got a fire TORNADO? What're we gonna DO?! Oh dear. It seems our flaming whirlwind is moving off in the direction of...

---

Hmm? Oh, look. It's those travelers who went to exterminate those forest fiends. Er, but why are they running at us with such panicked expressions...? And why is there a flaming tornado right behind 'em?! RUN! RUUUUUN! FIRE TORNADOOOOO! How do we run from THAT?! HmmMMM... Judging by the windspeed and the basic geography of this region, the hill behind the village should be safe. Make for the hill, now! I'll carry anyone who can't run! We led the villagers to safety on the hill,
which gave everyone a perfect view as
my damn tornado ravaged their town.
Our homes... Our crops... Th-this can't be happening! *sob* (This is all my fault. If I didn't interfere...) Enough. Fields and homes can be rebuilt— what matters is that we have our lives. Thank you, travelers. Had you not come to warn us, I dread to think what would have happened. Don't thank us. This is all— No, I insist. You are village heroes! I ain't no hero. That tornado was— Has anyone seen my son?! I can't find him anywhere! What!? Could he still be in the village?! No... My son! MY SOOOON! No, you can't go back! It's too dangerous! Stay here, lady! I've got this! And where are YOU going?!

---

Dammit all! I'm no hero! I'm the world's biggest fool! Waaaah! Heeeeelp! Hang on, kiddo! It's gonna be okay! Hold on and I'll get you back to your mom! The path I took to get here is still... Damn it all! The fire's movin' so fast it swallowed up my path! Eeeeek! The tornado's coming! Flame on one side, tornado on the other... If I don't do something right now, our gooses are cooked... Waaaaah! Save me, Mommy! There's only one person who deserves to die today...and it's ME! Hold tight, kiddo! Don't let go! O-okay... This is gonna be hot, but hang in there! Here we goooooo!

---

Y-your feet are gonna catch fire! That don't matter if I get you back safe! I won't let myself die until then! RAAAAAH!

---

Look! The traveler found your boy! There ya go, lady... Your kid's...safe... Oh, thank you! THANK YOU! Don't...thank me... I don't...deserve it... Zhu Bajie!

Episode 4

Thoughts from Afar

In a cave on the edge of the village, several days
after the fiery whirlwind faded...
How are you feeling, hmmMMM? Can't feel my feet, but it doesn't matter. How's the village? There were no fatalities, but a third of the buildings were reduced to rubble. Of greater concern, however, are the crops. The fields were destroyed, and it seems rather unlikely that these people will be able to survive the winter. Damn.. Nnngh! I can practically smell the crispy flesh from those burns of yours—you really should be resting in the village and not on the floor of this damp cave. I ain't got the right. I'm the reason those people are gonna suffer. But there's no reason for you to stick around and let me hold you back. Ah, but I have not yet finished studying the Jiu Chi Dingba. So until that time, let me go pick you some medicinal herbs. Keep that thing away from me. I got no right to use it. I set out to achieve something great, and all I did was make a giant mess. I told you to leave me, Sha Wujing, so just... Wait, it's YOU! I heard rumors of a village's destruction and suspected the Jiu Chi Dingba was the cause. It seems I was correct. Oh, you were correct, all right. ...About everything. Just take the damn thing already. Believe me, I intend to. But first, your wounds need— Spare me the pity. I reaped what I sowed. Here is a special Qilin balm that should heal those burns. Keep it for someone who deserves it. Don't be absurd. Now let me see— I said I don't need your help! A person's worth is decided by what they achieve in life, and I achieved NOTHING! I'm just a damn fool. Best thing for the world and everyone in it would be for me to just...disappear. First you want to be a hero, and now you want to be dead. Pitiful, right? Now if you don't mind, I got some sorrows to wallow in here. I'm afraid I can't do that. Preventing relic misuse is a sealer's responsibility, and all of this occurred because I proved unable to stop you. I have a duty to make amends. What's that vase? It is the Xiang Tong Hu—a relic used by the ancient Qilin to convey emotions. O power universal, hear my decree! Great messenger, distant fragrance, deliver the thoughts of those afar! There's a voice comin' from it! Listen closely, and you will hear the voice of the one who loves you most. There there, dear. It was just a nightmare. That sounds like the wife... But who's that with her? Waaah! Waaah! Is that...a baby? Your father is a mighty general named Zhu Bajie. Wait, that's MY kid?! So the reason she's been sick lately... Is because she was with child, it seems. So when she wanted to talk, it wasn't to leave me. It was because...because she... Oh, I know they all call him a good-for- nothing who left me without even bothering to saying goodbye... But my husband is a kind man who will stand up and fight for others. No! Don't say that! I can handle everyone else misunderstanding me, but not YOU! I ain't half the man you think I am! I'm a childish, selfish, arrogant, loser! Everyone says that we should go start a new life elsewhere... And they're right! So hate me! Forget about me! But I will keep waiting, because I know he'll come back some day. You feel that too, don't you, Son? DAMN IT ALL! I ain't worth all this trouble! If you were to die here, your wife would continue waiting until the end of her days. ...I wonder how she'd react if she saw me like this? And I wonder what my son looks like... Go and find out with your own eyes. ...I will leave the balm here. Ruined Village
Good to see you back on your feet, Zhu Bajie. Those healing ointments of the Qilin certainly are a wonder! You knew she came to take the relic back? I saw her leaving the cave. At first, I thought to follow her, but... But then I saw these fields. Look for yourself. What the...? There's crops growin'! But I thought these were all ruined! Master Xuan Zang used the relic's power. She created wind to cultivate the land, then covered it with nutrient-filled ash. It seems that relic was originally created for farming. What's more, crops created by the relic grow MUCH more quickly than normal, which means the village should have no trouble living out the winter. So she cleaned up after my mess. Oh, and incidentally, Master Xuan Zang also asked that we both keep the relic's existence a secret. If word were to get out, scalawags the world over would crawl forth out of the muck seeking its power. Well, she ain't wrong—but since when did you start callin' her "master"? The sight of her using that relic has enraptured my heart! I have learned something from all this: If I wish to understand and use the mighty technology of relics elsewhere, I must be able to use them myself. And to that end, what better person to study under than Master Xuan Zang?! First, I intend to return to the organization and study so that I might not be a burden. But one day, I will go back to her and ask to become her apprentice. Sounds like a plan. By the way, I'm planning to stay here and help rebuild the village, and it'd sure help to have a smart guy like you around. Very well—so long as you help me with my next weapon experiment! But what will you do after your rebuilding is over? I'm heading back to Taiwu—I've got a wife and son to beg forgiveness from.

Episode 5

Family and Duty

When I returned home, I begged the wife for
forgiveness—but she said that if I was following
my heart, I had no reason to apologize.
Our marriage might have been a political one,
but she never resented marrying me. Turns out
she actually fell in love—saw me as a "man of
principles" for joining the rebellion.
I wasn't half the man she thought I was—but if
I wasn't the worst man who ever lived before that,
I knew I would be if I betrayed her expectations.
So I swore from that moment on
to live my life for the sake of others.
Several Years Later
Taiwu Border
I'm back from my patrol! Nothing out of order. In that case, General, you wanna get some lunch? Quit calling me general already! I'm just an ordinary grunt now—and I'm afraid I brought my own lunch. Damn, lunch from your wife again? You could stand to join us once in a while, you know! Sorry, gents! I'll tell some new jokes at the next team party to make up for it. Heh. You really have changed. You're telling me! You take your work seriously now—even the villagers can't seem to stop thanking you! Now I finally understand how all those folks felt when they stopped fighting during the rebellion. Living for someone else really IS all it takes to be fulfilled. And I owe Xuan Zang for helping me realize that. Who's that? Never mind. Anyway, we've got that joint exercise coming up in the capital, right? What kinda souvenir do you think I should pick up for the family? A few days later, when I was away at the capital,
there was an unexplained explosion at the border
that destroyed several nearby villages.
Word reached me while I was in the capital.
They said nothing was left of my home,
and on the list of the dead...
Thank goodness you're back, sir! Tell me this isn't happening! I found a hairpin! And a little toy! I was gonna give 'em to...to... Dammit, I only just learned what matters in life! I can't have it taken away now! Please... This can't be happening... Rest easy, sir—your wife and son are both resting comfortably in a shelter. But...but they were on the list of the dead! The officials sent to survey the scene must have jumped to conclusions. Both were on the verge of death and heavily burned. Had a passing traveler not seen to their wounds... Oh, thank goodness they're all right! Hey, where IS that traveler? I need to thank 'em! The traveler vanished as soon as all of the wounded were attended to. Then give me a description! Well, she was wearing glasses, as well as a hair accessory that made it look like she had a set of horns. Honestly, she looked a bit like the Qilin of legend. Could it be...? HmmMMM. I thought I'd find you here. Sha Wujing! What are you doing here?! I have something I wanted to investigate. Er, but might we talk privately later? We need to discuss a certain...someone. I have to see my family first. Yes, yes, of course. I'll be waiting for you on the outer edge of the shelter area.

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...Well? How are they? All the fingers and toes still in the correct places? They're great, actually—they had to keep telling ME to calm down. Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about? Master Xuan Zang. As I'm sure you surmised, she came here. I KNEW it! ...But why? The same question wriggled its way into my brain, and so I did a little digging. It turns out that explosion was the result of a relic in this area. What?! I imagine she learned what happened here and came to collect the relic. And while she was in the area... She saved my family! ...She really is an unbelievable woman. I don't know how I'm ever supposed to thank her, but I have to try. I thought you would say that—and as such, I have a proposal for you: What say you to following her across the world with me? Do you know where she is?! I have an inkling—and I am now ready to leave this country and ask her to take me on as her student. Collecting relics involves risking one's life. With you at her side, that danger may be significantly reduced. I can see why you're into this. How long do you think it'll take? The number of relics in the world is vast. It could be five years, or ten... or perhaps an entire lifetime. A lifetime... You're concerned for your family, yeees? I still have my own preparations to make, so I will leave you for now. If you decide to come with me, meet me on the hill in the distance in two weeks' time. Two weeks later...
HmmMMM. To no surprise, it seems he's not coming. Zhu Bajie... Are you certain about this? Sure am. I've officially quit the army, and the wife and son have gone off to live with her family. Oh? I told her everything: About how she saved my life—and hers—and how this journey is a chance to repay that. Honestly, I still wasn't sure even after all that, but the wife told me that I should do it for the family. She told me to repay Xuan Zang on behalf of all of us, and that she'd never forgive me if I didn't pay our debt properly. Hee hee! In that case, no more delays. But I've got no intention of letting this take my whole life—we're gettin' it DONE so I can come back and tell the family all about it.

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...So that's how I came to be here. But it was far from easy. In fact, there was one time in particular when— There you are. You were the one who asked us to help you decide on souvenirs for when you next return to Taiwu, remember? Damn, is it that time already? Sorry! All right, I'm gonna shake a leg. ...What, you wanted to hear more? Then let's get lunch some other time. It's gonna be a looong story.