However, Zhu Yishi at this time was much more refined and educated than the later Zhu Bajie.
He was not only handsome and dashing.
When he spoke, his eyes were exceptionally clear, lacking the lustful and greedy nature of Zhu Bajie, nor did he suspect Sun Kong's sudden visit.
Instead, he genuinely believed him.
A true romantic specimen, untouched by any corruption!
"You are too kind, too kind. It is all but a destined opportunity from the Great Dao, ordained by Heaven. It has little to do with me. Rather than thanking this humble Daoist, you two benefactors should thank the esteemed Great Dao."
"As the saying goes, destiny is wondrous and inexplicable."
"I happen to meet the two of you today, which is also our fated encounter. I possess eighty fragments, said to be ancient treasures, but I have been unable to find anyone to piece them together."
"I heard there is a remarkable individual in Zhu Family Village, and that should be you, Benefactor Zhu?"
"Would you be willing to help me assemble them? Upon completion, I can gift them to you and offer both of you a free divination of your future."
This time, Sun Kong, unusually, did not indulge in reckless behavior or madness, but adopted a serious demeanor when speaking with Zhu Yishi and Cui Lan.
Upon hearing this,
Zhu Yishi and Cui Lan, who had no lingering doubts, actually agreed. Upon seeing the eighty fragments of the Tiangang Guiyi Gong in Sun Kong's hand,
They were suddenly enlightened!
"May I ask, Daoist Master, where did you acquire these fragments?"
"It seems I have some familiarity with them."
"I once dreamt that in my dream, someone said that eighty-one fragments could be combined into something with immense power."
Zhu Yishi's words not only expressed his astonishment, revealing his past life as Zhu Jiuchong, but also solidified Sun Kong's certainty that this was the person he sought.
Without further ado,
Sun Kong revealed a portion of the truth!
"Benefactor Zhu, there is no need for surprise. These fragments belong to a fated individual. That person shares your surname, Zhu Jiuchong, and was formerly the Marshal Tian Peng in the Heavenly Court."
"Unfortunately, he incurred the Jade Emperor's wrath and was banished to the mortal realm."
"Of course, I believe it is unlikely that person is you. Perhaps I should take these fragments back."
"After all, someone told me that with only eighty fragments, and one missing, this ancient treasure can never be perfectly restored."
"That person also said that only a reincarnated immortal could manifest this treasure!"
Sun Kong's words, instead of reassuring, caused Zhu Yishi to tremble violently, as if recalling fragments of memories from his past life, leaving him in a daze.
Seeing this, Sun Kong's heart rejoiced, confirming that this Zhu Yishi was crucial to him and must be engaged in a proper conversation.
Meanwhile, he had to maintain the facade of a wise Daoist master, coming to heal him.
"Husband, are you alright?"
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her husband suddenly stiffen, as if he had seen something unspeakable, Cui Lan, standing by, was concerned.
She cast a glance at Sun Kong, scolding him, the Daoist, for his excessive talk.
At the same time, she quickly supported the unsteady Zhu Yishi to sit down and hurried to fetch tea and water for him to recover.
Finally,
She almost sought out other villagers with hostility to help, and upon her return, would have driven away Sun Kong, who had seemingly tricked her husband.
Unexpectedly,
Before Cui Lan could defend her husband, Zhu Yishi, who seemed to understand a few things, quickly stopped her!
"Cui Lan!"
"Yes?"
"Husband, are you well now? You seemed a bit..."
Cui Lan wanted to say that her husband seemed like a different person just now.
But being a mortal, and a woman, it was difficult to describe the scene.
It was as if he had been struck by an evil spirit or encountered a ghost!
But Zhu Yishi seemed unconcerned.
He smiled.
While telling Cui Lan not to neglect Sun Kong, he motioned for her to fetch tea and water.
And as soon as she moved away, he reached out, took Sun Kong's arm, and led him towards the inner room.
He also took the opportunity to tell Sun Kong something important!
"Daoist Master, are you a celestial being sent to guide me?"
"Hmm? What makes you say that?"
"Daoist Master, please stop playing coy. Since you are here to enlighten me, just give me the challenges. I am not a fool. Ever since I was born, I have been dreaming every day."
"And it's always the same dream."
"In my dreams, I seem to have been a celestial being in a past life, but I cannot clearly see what kind of celestial being I was, nor why I was banished."
"It seems there is some kind of restriction preventing me from knowing."
"Since Daoist Master has arrived, please impart your wisdom. After all is done, I don't care about this treasure, I only seek clarity and understanding!"
Seeing that Sun Kong might be the only one who could guide him, Zhu Yishi became somewhat anxious. His usual calmness abandoned him, and he knelt down to plead.
At the same time,
Through his confession, Sun Kong gleaned further secrets of the Heavenly Court.
This individual, formerly Marshal Tian Peng Zhu Jiuchong, was indeed, as he had predicted, not reincarnated voluntarily to prepare for the Journey to the West in five hundred years.
Rather, he was forced by the Jade Emperor.
Otherwise, why would he, after years of reincarnation, still vaguely remember the past, and implore Sun Kong like this?
To put it plainly,
The greatest beneficiaries of the Journey to the West tribulation were still Spirit Mountain and the Heavenly Court. The Tang Monk and his disciples, along with the White Dragon Horse, were merely tools to execute a mission.
Except for Tang Monk and Sun Wukong, who were both enfeoffed as Buddhas, somewhat compensating for their efforts, others were worse off than before.
However, the Tang Monk and his disciples in other timelines could not defy fate, nor could they alter these rules through various means.
But Sun Kong could.
Because he had a system.
And because, during this period, while Sun Kong appeared to court death repeatedly, he had, in secret, through gradual efforts, altered the course of the Journey to the West.
It is said that the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao cannot be changed,
But minor trends can.
As such, Sun Kong's numerous brushes with death did not result in his demise; instead, he was temporarily tolerated by the Heavenly Dao and reaped numerous rewards.
And this Zhu Yishi, due to Sun Kong's timely reminder, not only recovered some of his past life's memories but, like Sun Kong, was unwilling to be exploited by the Heavenly Court and the Jade Emperor any longer.
In his desire to live a meaningful life, Zhu Yishi kowtowed repeatedly, even drawing blood from his forehead, yet felt no pain.
At the same time, he even intended to become Sun Kong's disciple!
"Disciple?"
"That might not be appropriate. I am not yet ready to take on a disciple. However, discussing this ancient treasure and life's aspirations with you is certainly possible."
"And could you look at this thing again, to see if it truly is..."
Sun Kong's true intention was to have Wu Zhiqi, his second brother, replace Zhu Bajie. Naturally, he did not want Zhu Yishi to fully recover all his memories.
He had to change the subject.
Unexpectedly,
Upon mentioning this matter, and Zhu Jiuchong's innate cultivation technique, the Tiangang Guiyi Gong,
A rare spark appeared in Zhu Yishi's eyes.
He immediately discerned the location of the last fragment.
And with utmost sincerity, he told Sun Kong.
It was a very special place!