Peace of Mind

The Cassock: Bait

Forgot to upload these ones, sorry guys 😭

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"What do you mean it's gone?!"

You pinch the bridge of your nose. A sigh fills the air after the extremely apologetic monks deliver the news of the stolen cassock, but not before ogling over the fact that everyone they had been instructed to kill survived. You might have to acknowledge that Monkey King did something good, saving them from the fire. If only his bragging on his master's behalf wasn't also the reason the old monk tried burning down the monastery in the first place!

You glare at the monkey from the corner of your eye. After calming Tripitaka down– who you eventually found in the midst of the ashy remains of the monastery– he had sent the two of you to retrieve the cassock from the survivors. Unfortunately, it seems as though someone has already beaten you to it. "Why would you even let the man take it to his room in the first place?"

Sun Wukong scoffs, his gaze sharply turning to the sky while he crosses his arms. "I didn't think he would actually steal it! It doesn't matter anyway, I think I already know who has it." You raise a brow as he continues. "There was someone else at the fire last night. It could have been a demon, I nearly mistook it for some wild animal. Whatever it was, they must've taken it."

"Why didn't you follow them?" You frown, making the sage laugh dryly.

"Believe me, I wanted to." He leans forward, a pointed stare digging into your head. "I would have if not for a certain someone clinging to me in their sleep. Or did you forget?"

"Raaasgggh!" You shout, clenching your fists as they raise up to the sky in exasperation. "That cassock was a gift from the Buddha!"

Monkey King scoffs, his arms crossing. "I'll get it back, okay?"

You shake your head, frustration evident. "You have to, the Tang Monk is stressed enough as it already is." Turning away from your demon companion, you continue to question the monks. "Can any of you tell me of any demons living nearby?"

One of the monks steps forward with a nod. "There is one that lives on the mountain, there is a cave that is only half a day away on foot where some reside..."

The monk begins to give you directions on where to find the home of the local demon while Sun Wukong goes back to deliver the news to his master. When you have everything you need from your hospitable arsonists, you bid them farewell before going back to your travelling companions.

By the frown on the young Tang Monk's face, anyone could tell he was not taking the news well. "It's gone?!"

"Just temporarily." The King laughs, albeit slightly awkward. Even he has enough awareness to recognise this doesn't look good.

The Great Monk shakes his head. "Sun Wukong, I warned you this would happen! Why couldn't you have listened to me?"

"Hey, it's not like I made you give the old man your clothes."

"That's exactly what you did!" Tripitaka shouts, surprising you with the passion in his voice. It's rare to see him this upset, witnessing the man raise his voice at all is an uncommon sight. Even Sun Wukong widens his eyes slightly, the end of his tail flicking for just a moment.

Quickly, before his disciple can aggravate him further, you step in with an exasperated sigh. "Do not worry, Great Monk. Wukong already knows who has the cassock, and they live only half a day's journey from here." You explain to the man, his frown shifting slightly at the news.

Wukong furrows his brows as you continue. "It was taken by a demon, the monks of this monastery know where he lives and have already given me directions to the cave he resides in."