Big Bull pointed at White Ape and shouted, "Stop bringing up this demon clan nonsense! I'm a bull, you're an ape, and what about those guys outside? Who says we're the same kind as them? If you want to die with them, don't drag us down with you!"
His roar was so loud it could be heard within a mile.
White Ape sat in his chair, his face darkening. He opened his mouth slightly, but no words came out.
Jackal walked over and patted Big Bull on the back, laughing, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. We're all brothers here—can't we talk this out?"
Big Bull snorted twice and turned to sit with his back to White Ape. Jackal then walked toward White Ape, "Look, White Ape, this can't go on. Taking them with us is just dragging us down. I know you're kind-hearted, but there has to be a limit. Even if we really bring them to the Dragon's Pool, do you think the evil flood dragon will accept them?"
White Ape blinked several times, his dark eyes swirling restlessly. He sighed heavily, but said nothing.
"Anyway, I can't stand hiding like this another day! If you still want to keep them around, then you can go with them!"
Big Bull started shouting again, and Jackal quickly turned to calm him down.
Shortbeak had been standing quietly to the side the whole time, his unnaturally large eyes sweeping back and forth over the three of them.
As for Big Horn, he was already on the verge of snoring.
Lowering his head, Jackal whispered a few words to Big Bull, then turned to White Ape and said, "How about this—let's be fair. The five of us vote. Whichever side gets more votes, that's the way we'll go. What do you think?"
As he spoke, he raised his own hand: "I support the five of us going with Monkey King. As for those little demons, if they can keep up, they're welcome. If not, then that's that. White Ape, how does that sound to you? As long as they can match our speed, I'll bring as many as there are."
After speaking, he chuckled slyly.
Big Bull, sitting quietly to the side, slowly raised his hand. "I support Jackal's idea."
His bull-like eyes slowly glared at Shortbeak.
Shortbeak, who had been silent all along, jolted and looked toward White Ape.
White Ape remained silent.
At that moment, Big Horn, slumped in the corner, let out a thunderous snore and smacked his lips loudly.
Big Bull immediately flew into a rage, sprang up, and charged at him, kicking him hard in the thick belly.
"Ow—! What... what are you doing?"
"Damn it, all you do is sleep! Raise your hand and vote!"
"Vote? Vote? What... what's that...?" Big Horn, still groggy, held his head, blinking at everyone in confusion.
Outside the hut, a crowd of little demons pricked up their ears, trembling. Some had already burst into tears in public.
Soon, they would be abandoned. For little demons without a group, death was almost always their fate.
Ruby tugged at Monkey King's sleeve, pursed her lips, and asked, "Monkey King, will they leave us behind?"
Monkey King sighed deeply, smiled, and patted her little head. "No, they won't. Sit tight, I'll be right back."
With that, he stood up, stretched, picked up the Cloudwalker Staff, and headed toward the earthen hut.
The crowd of little demons outside quickly made way, each one staring at Monkey King in fear.
Reaching the door, Monkey King lifted his leg and kicked. With a bang, the loosely closed wooden door flew off its hinges.
At the deafening sound, all the demons inside froze, staring wide-eyed at Monkey King standing outside the door.
Ignoring them, Monkey King strode to the table, smacked the Cloudwalker Staff down onto it, and swaggered into a seat, crossing his legs.
White Ape kept his head down, glancing sideways at Monkey King.
Shortbeak widened his bird-like eyes, quietly waiting.
Big Bull and Jackal looked utterly shocked.
As for Big Horn, he still hadn't recovered from his daze.
Monkey King cleared his throat twice. Everyone inside and outside the hut perked up their ears.
"White Ape."
"Yeah?"
"Next time you have a meeting or something, you can at least call me over."
"Of course!" White Ape's signature smile instantly reappeared, cheerful as ever.
Monkey King stared lazily into the empty air. "Honestly, I think this group is fine. If anyone doesn't like it, they can leave."
"You!" Big Bull lunged forward, but Jackal grabbed him tightly from behind.
Seeing this, Monkey King snorted coldly, lifted his head, and glanced at Big Bull. "Want to fight?"
His eyes were full of contempt.
Big Bull gritted his teeth, pointed at Monkey King, and roared, "Don't push it, Monkey King! Do you really think I'm scared of you?"
Monkey King sprang to his feet, startling Big Bull into stepping back.
Monkey King looked around and said slowly, "So you do want to fight. This place is too cramped—let's find somewhere bigger."
He twisted his neck and flexed his joints, producing a terrifying series of cracks.
Big Bull's face turned purple.
Jackal quickly stepped between them, shouting, "Just kidding, just kidding! We're all brothers here—don't take it to heart. Let's keep moving just as we always have! What do you all think?"
No one spoke. Big Bull turned away, punched the wall, and a section of earthen wall collapsed with a roar, filling the hut with dust and tilting the roof to one side.
He turned back to Monkey King with a snort, strode out, and as he passed the doorway, slammed his elbow into a wooden pillar.
With a harsh creak, the crossbeam overhead tilted even more.
Seeing this, Jackal hurried out as well.
After those two left, the remaining demons had no choice but to leave the hut too—it was now a dangerous wreck.
Outside, the little demons gazed at Monkey King as if he were a savior, cheering and leaping, as if they'd been given a new lease on life.
In fact, they really had been spared.
But Monkey King acted as if he hadn't noticed, walking straight to Ruby's side. He bent down, pinched her cheek, wiped away the dirt, and smiled. "See? It's all fine now, little one."
Ruby pouted, turned sideways, and whispered in Monkey King's ear, "Will you fight Big Bull?"
Monkey King leaned in and whispered back, "He can't beat me."
The two of them laughed together.
Behind them, White Ape watched and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. He slowly walked over and said, "Should I thank you, or her?"
"You should thank yourself—and Shortbeak."
"Huh?"
"Why do you think they didn't leave?" Monkey King turned and asked.
"Well..."