The cave

"Before we go, we need to check if anyone has survived in the temple" I said, not wanting Wukong to rush.

"Shouldn't we act now? That bag is important to us after all" Wukong replied, hands behind her head and tail gripping a staff.

"I understand, but now we need to find out for sure if the girl who took our bag is connected to this monastery" I explained.

As Yu Long mentioned, her scent matches the scent of the head monk, which means they may have collaborated before.

"That makes sense! Anyway, they're clearly scared, so if we ask now and threaten them, they'll spill everything!" Wukong said cheerfully.

"Thirsty" Yu Long held onto my sleeve.

"Alright, I'll get you a drink soon, I promised."

"Okay"

We proceeded towards Quan Yi Monastery, now just a desolate place. Halfway there, we saw some monks boiling water while others lay on the ground.

"Um... hi?" I greeted, causing them to turn and look at us.

"AHHHHH!! A...A M-MONSTER!!" They exclaimed in fear, some even fainting.

"...Wukong, they're psychologically traumatized" I noted.

"Tch, what a problem" Wukong scratched her head.

It seems they already know who caused this... after all, monsters are always known to be much stronger than humans.

Yu Long saw the water they were boiling and she just took it, drank all of it. They didn't say anything, perhaps because they knew that if they did something to make Wukong or Yu Long angry, they would die instantly.

"Um... can I ask you something?"

"Oh?! Oh!! Yes, yes!!" The monk stuttered.

"Are you cooperating with any monsters?"

"Not really... but our current abbot is!"

"What do you mean?" Wukong chimed in, not understanding.

"This monastery was originally just a normal monastery, but since the unfortunate death of our previous abbot, the current abbot has been cooperating with a monster to take over the temple for himself."

"Many people are dissatisfied with this, but they are too scared to do anything because they fear the monster, so many have left this place."

"We were originally bandits, invited here by him to fill the temple so that visiting guests would not suspect anything."

"Gradually getting used to greedy living, we started robbing more subtly to force guests to give us things, but he was always the greediest."

"I don't care about the history shit, just tell me the monster name or something!" Wukong snapped, looking at them.

They looked at each other fearfully before speaking.

"We're not entirely sure... but we heard from those who followed him to the monster's territory that..."

"That?"

Then they blushed and said nothing.

'Huh? Why are they acting like young teenagers?'

"Are you going to tell us or not? I don't have time to wait" Wukong snapped.

"Oh, um... well, that monster... she doesn't wear anything except underwear."

...huh?

"W-What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly" I approached, hoping I misheard.

"That monster doesn't wear anything except underwear."

"What? I think I misheard again. Please say it again" I said, leaning closer.

"Master, you didn't mishear" Wukong said, trying not to laugh.

"It can't be..."

What kind of creature is that? A monster that has killed many people, according to them, is a pervert??

"Master, although monsters have different forms from humans, they generally have many similar traits but are often exaggerated" Wukong explained.

"So if there's a perverted monster, it's definitely much more perverted than a human."

... I'm experiencing culture shock.

"Enough of that, tell me about the territory of that monster!"

"Oh, as far as I know, her territory is up in the mountains, she lives in a cave."

"Alright, thanks. Oh, remember to protect my master while I'm away, or else Yu Long will eat you all!" Wukong said cheerfully, while warning them at the same time.

"W-We will protect to the best of our abilities!" They stood up fearfully.

Wukong looked at me and then smiled, running off at an incredible speed.

I turned back to look at them and thought 'Wait, if they're bandits, that mean I can do whatever i want with them without being judged?'

...I LIKE THIS

"Because I'm her master, you have to listen to me" I gradually smiled wickedly.

They looked at me, almost frozen in fear.

Then they thought to themselves 'This guy must be a monster just like his disciple!!'

***

"Let's see, let's see... Ah, here it is."

She traversed through the forest, hopping onto rocks and spotted a cave with a bronze gate.

"Alright, no need to rush, just observe for now" she said to herself.

She glanced around and noticed several armored monsters perched on the branches above her.

'Hmph, SMOLL' she scornfully looked at their brother.

"Hey, it seems Boss brought back something pretty fancy!" One monster started talking.

"Huh? What is it?"

"It's a robe, shimmering and beautiful!"

"Really? I haven't seen it yet."

'So this must be the place, those fake monks didn't deceive me.'

Wukong smirked and pulled out her staff.

She leaped down and struck the talking monster on the head.

The monster was startled, unable to draw his weapon after Wukong kicked into his brother.

"AGHHHHHH!!!!" He cried out in pain, falling to the ground unconscious.

"Nice physique, let me borrow that~" Wukong laughed, and flames started to envelop her.

Gradually, she transformed into the monster she had just defeated.

"Disguise complete!"

Excitedly, Wukong approached the gate, beginning her infiltration process.