Chapter 202 - 197: The Peach Tree is Young and Its Leaves are Lush
Upon finding a moment of reprieve in his pursuit of the Enlightenment Dao, Wukong felt a pang of guilt for having neglected Tao Yao at Flower-Fruit Mountain and decided to spend a few days with her.
During these days, the two explored the scenic beauty of Dongsheng Immortal State, traversed mountains and rivers, and even visited some of the smaller nations within it to take in the sights of the human world.
Tao Yao had a wonderful time.
Dusk. Just before dusk.
There was a breeze.
Sitting together at the edge of a cliff by the Eastern Sea, listening to the waves crash against the shore, Wukong suddenly furrowed his brows and said, "Tao Yao, is there something you’re hiding from me? I can’t shake the feeling that something is off."
Tao Yao laughed and replied, "Not at all! Do I look like someone who can keep secrets?"
Wukong thought there was some truth to her words, for the girl was too lively, hardly capable of keeping her thoughts to herself. Side by side, they sat with their legs dangling in the air, the sea breeze wafting a briny scent toward them. Tao Yao took deep breaths as if she quite enjoyed the smell of the sea.
"Thank you! If it wasn’t for you, I would never have known there were such fun places beyond the Heavenly Court!" Tao Yao said with a smile, her eyes squinting as she gazed at the distant sunset clouds, which seemed dreamlike and almost too beautiful to be real.
Wukong, cradling his head, lay down and said, "There’s no need to thank me. I should be thanking you. If it weren’t for you, I might still be trapped in the Bagua Oven!"
Tao Yao giggled. How could he forget that when he emerged from the Bagua Oven, Tao Yao’s hair was completely white? How could he forget how she used her own vital blood to write his name time and again to awaken him? Such a debt of gratitude was indeed unforgettable. Wukong thought of this as he inhaled her sweet fragrance, which made him irresistibly drowsy. It was so peaceful he felt like sleeping.