Volume 1 "Kingdom of Tartars: Along on the Journey"

It's coming back to me now! I had three disciples!

Say, disciple! Do you happen to know about my past disciples?

A kappa? What's a kappa? No idea what that is... Kapa, kapapa...

You mean, a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, right? Huh? Why do I know that...

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Anyway, speaking of monkeys... Sun... Sun Wukong! My reliable number one disciple!

Oh... I'm sorry. I did say I was gonna make you my number one disciple, huh? My bad.

...Thank you for your thoughtfulness. You're so kind, Fujimaru.

But there's no need to worry! I'm sure I'll remember why I lost my disciples during our journey.

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But this is a problem. A huge problem, perhaps.

I'm on a journey to Tianzhu, but I wonder why Sun Wukong isn't here.

Not just Wukong... But the other two pupils too... That's right, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing are not here either...

This must be a message from the Buddha, too. I mean, journeys are always so mysterious!

？！

...W-Wait a minute, what am I getting so flustered for!

I'm impressed that a new disciple like yourself can think like that! But that's prohibited here.

As a disciple, you must follow the Buddha's teachings and worship him. Be careful not to brag too much.

The law of the jungle applies to the journey to Tianzhu. If you are not careful, you will be eaten by demons.

But... well... considering the hardships we're going to face, having another disciple or two would be reassuring...

For example... Zhu Bajie...

Oink, oink.

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Oink, oink. Oink!

...What is this!? I'm hearing the squeal of a poor piggy...

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I'm oink. Very oink!

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His name is... David? Just like Fujimaru, he was underneath a rock!

No, no. I'm the cool Zhu Bajie. ...Well, here, at least. That's how things seem to have turned out.

Fujimaru's friend? Then he's a member of Chaldea, too?

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No more indecisive attitude! Anyway, I'll rescue you from there right now!

aryavalokitesvaro bodhisattvo gambhirayam prajnaparamitayam caryam caramano vyavalokayati...

I'm saved... Thank you! I couldn't do anything by myself. I thought I was going to become a monster's dinner.

Right, but the situation was about to get much worse.

I was starting to feel good about being squished. Whew, that was a close one, oink.

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It was truly painful! I want to emphasize that part! I mean, I can sue for damages later!

No, let's refrain from talking about that now. So you are Xuanzang Sanzang... As beautiful as rumored.

That dress is so beautiful and perfect for a wedding. Were you expecting this chance meeting?

Huh? This is an important kasaya given to me by the Buddha.

...Ummm, don't confuse it with a wedding dress, okay?

Why? There's no problem, right? Anyway

Not Abishag? NO?! Such a waste! Well, anyway

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It's true her beauty makes me want to eat her up!

Hi, my name is Zhu Bajie David. Oh beautiful lady with long black hair, I will gladly become your disciple.

Actually, there's another one stuck under the rock who's fit to be your disciple. He got involved in the same fashion as me.

I guess calling out for help is just too much for his pride.

Jeez. Pride won't earn you a penny, oink.

？！

We'll talk later! Show me where he is! We don't want the rock to crush him!

You have my gratitude for releasing me from this prison. My name is Li Shuwen, an assassin not worth mentioning.

It seems here I will be known as the third disciple, Sha Wujing... You may refer to me as so from now on.

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Well, what's the difference between Servants and Chinese opera actors? It matters not.

How am I supposed to refuse the wish of a highly respectable monk? That aside

It's such an honor to meet the Xuanzang Sanzang whom I grew so fond of from the fairy tales I read when I was young.

You don't need to praise me like that... I'm the one who should thank you. I hear you are a renowned master of the spear. How reassuring!

Of course. I will behead as many enemies as you'd like and offer you their heads just to serve you well.

...B-Behead!? Heads? No, no, no! That's so unsettling! Don't kill for no reason! It's prohibited!

Oh no... We're surrounded!?

It looks like the monsters we got rid of earlier have returned, oink. They brought their buddies to share their food they found in the wasteland.

It's just been one thing after another. But we can't let them eat us without a fight.

Is it all right, my master? This is self-defense, not some unnecessary killing.

Th-That's fine, go ahead, Sha Wujing! But try to disperse them first...

Understood. And how interesting. You're more virtuous than the Xuanzang I've read about!

Now then. We can't let Master walk on this long, difficult journey. We disciples are one thing, but she's another.

Do you want to ride on my shoulders? I don't have a ponytail, unfortunately, but... Oink.

Uh, I wholeheartedly refuse. However, I do wish we had someone to carry our luggage... Hmm?

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Red? Can it be...

The Tartars of this land are known for breeding great horses! Can we bring one over here?

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!

...Let's go home. There's nothing here. NO WEST.

That's Lu Bu. Yup, Lu Bu. So the fourth companion is that fierce warrior.

I see, instead of the famed Red Hare, we get its rider instead. Well, it should not pose a problem for us. My master, please take a ride.

No! I can't, I can't! This horse is scary!

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...Hmm?

Despite your appearance, it seems you're quite meticulous. You're carefully guarding that, huh?

Brother Fujimaru? Why don't you show that to the master?

...Th-This is... the lost scripture! You were protecting it by yourself in this wasteland?

!

I'm so sorry that I screamed. You are an amazing attendant, and an amazing horse!

It's scary, but it's part of my training! Oh magnificent red horse, lend me your shoulders!

!

On his shoulders!?

Wait! There was an option to ride on my shoulders too, oink!

Hey, actually, this is nice. Are you used to letting people ride on your shoulders?

I'm used to it, too!

What? The monsters had this scripture? And there must be more?

...Strange, very strange indeed. Also, Zhu Bajie, you need to shut up.

...My mind is clearing as I read this scripture... Was that how they work? Oh well...

Sun Wukong! Sha Wujing! Bad Bajie! This is my commemorable first order!

We, the Sanzang crew, will collect the scriptures on our way to Tianzhu!

If you have any objections, I won't get mad, so come forward!

I'll put this golden headband around your head and start preaching! I'll make you change your mind! No one shall go against me!

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Kaka! That's the great Sanzang I know!

She defeats every evildoer that stands in her way... even those who have reformed! A flawless beauty that troubled even the heinous three!

Fujimaru, let it go. This is the real Sanzang. You can't escape this fate.

We have no choice but to accompany her on this journey. Well well, this is getting interesting!

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I don't think this is interesting, oink!