Sun Wukong watched as the old man gradually approached, staring intently.
The old man slowly walked over and seemed to notice Sun Wukong as well, looking somewhat surprised and taken aback.
The old man politely said, "May I inquire where the Elder has come from?"
Sun Wukong, with a smile not quite reaching his eyes, replied, "I hail from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, on a journey to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures for Buddhism. My master was hungry, so he sent me to beg for alms, but upon returning, the three of them were gone!"
"I have no idea where they went!"
The elder, hearing this, seemed to remember something and said, "The three you mentioned, is one of them a monk with a big mouth and long ears?"
"Indeed, he is my junior brother!"
The elder was clearly referring to Zhu Bajie, and Sun Wukong nodded in agreement.
"And another, looking unhealthy, leading a horse, accompanied by a white and chubby monk?"
The elder continued.
