Anna Yang's collapse instantly shattered the Monkey King's joy at Belle's arrival, leaving him deeply troubled and unable to smile.
He had long sensed this moment would come, just never imagined it would arrive so soon.
But even so, what could the Monkey King do?
He could do nothing—nothing but avoid it. Once he made a choice, he would not be able to face himself.
Fourth Princess Tina Ao truly seemed gifted in alchemy and medicine. She unexpectedly took the initiative to care for Anna Yang, which eased Monkey's worries somewhat, but he still dared not leave.
So he simply stayed, and as night fell, the rain outside gradually stopped. Restless, Monkey stepped out, sitting on the damp rocks, gazing at the moon's reflection on the sea for a long, long time, lost in thought.
Shortbeak quietly approached behind Monkey, cracking sunflower seeds: "What, so much free time to watch the moon?"
Monkey glanced back at him, stretched out his hand to take half the seeds Shortbeak offered. "And you? How come you're so free too?"
"The relocation just started, so there isn't much to do on the surface. As for the ruined mountain path, repairs have to wait for dry weather, right? For now, we can only put it off. Plus, Louis Squirrel is back to work, so I'm free, aren't I?" Shortbeak hopped onto the rock and sat beside Monkey.
His sitting posture had none of a general's dignity.
He let out a slow breath, the thin mist dissolving in the damp sea breeze after the rain. Monkey said lightly, "It's been a while since you called him Louis Quickpaw. Haven't you all switched to calling him 'Sir' these days?"
"That was before. Did you see him today? Does he look like a 'sir' to you? I've decided to go back to calling him Louis Quickpaw."
Monkey chuckled.
It was Shortbeak who had given him that name, to commemorate how he'd won over six rival leaders. Now, hardly anyone remembered Louis Squirrel's real name, Lü Qing.
Shortbeak glanced toward the small wooden hut and asked in a low voice, "Anna Yang still hasn't woken up?"
"Not yet," Monkey sighed. "But Tina Ao says there shouldn't be any real problem. She seems pretty professional—shouldn't be bluffing me."
Lowering his head, Shortbeak silently cracked sunflower seeds. After a moment, he looked up at Monkey and said slowly, "Some things, as a subordinate, I shouldn't say."
"You're not a subordinate." Monkey reached out and gently rested his hand on Shortbeak's shoulder. "You're a brother."
Shortbeak squinted at Monkey with a small smile. "That's what you said. In that case, I'll speak freely. Just don't expect me to flatter you."
"Go ahead," Monkey exhaled deeply.
"The one who arrived today... Belle, right?"
"That's right."
"That Belle—I'm not too clear on her background, and I've never interacted with her. But everyone knows what Anna Yang is like. All the brothers here are hoping you'll end up with Anna." Shortbeak stole a nervous glance at Monkey.
Monkey didn't respond, just kept staring at the dark, restless sea under the moonlight, his face expressionless.
After thinking a moment, Shortbeak added, "Being with Anna Yang is good for you—and for Blossom Mountain."
Monkey's lips curled into a faint smile, and he snorted, "So you're saying my marriage should cater to Blossom Mountain's development?"
"Tch, that's not what I mean. Are you telling me you don't care for Anna Yang? How is that 'catering'? Honestly, if Anna's fine with it, you could marry several—take in that Fourth Princess from the East Sea too. She's our neighbor, and getting closer to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace wouldn't hurt us. But Anna Yang as primary consort benefits everyone!"
"Did you come all this way just to tell me this?" Monkey shot Shortbeak a sideways look.
"It's a big deal—if the rear court is in chaos, how can you lead us brothers to conquer the world? What you did today really crossed the line. However much you like that Belle girl, Anna Yang is still sick... The brothers' advice is: settle things with Anna first. Later, if you want to marry Belle or anyone else, you can discuss it with Anna. She's stubborn, but if she resists, we'll help talk her around. You're a great demon king, after all—having three or four wives is perfectly reasonable."
Monkey stared at Shortbeak and said slowly, "So, to sum up, after all this talk, you're really here to tell me Anna Yang's position as primary consort can't be shaken?"