"Cultivate well, and... do some things you truly wish to do."
Night falls. Stars glitter overhead, a gentle wind stirs, and leaves whisper in the darkness. The stubborn Monkey King sits hunched, lost in thought.
After a long hesitation, Elder Sky asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Just some things I truly want to do."
"You... just don't do anything foolish, alright?"
The Monkey King lifted his head, blinked, and smiled: "What foolish thing could I possibly do?"
"I know the situation is bad for you right now, but you shouldn't give up on yourself..."
"No." The Monkey King took a deep breath and said blankly, "The situation is actually very favorable for me. Those who want to uphold the Heavenly Dao dare not kill me; those who want to break the Heavenly Dao wish I'd make even more trouble. None of them can touch me."
Lowering his head, he muttered to himself, "They're all powerful, all formidable—let them fight it out. I'll just do what I want."
His tone was as plain as idle chatter, but the content left his three experienced senior brothers suddenly stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
Tilting his head, the Monkey King blinked and smiled, "Don't worry, that's their problem—it has nothing to do with me."
His smile seemed harmless, but the three senior brothers could clearly see something extremely dangerous in his expression.
All three fell silent. The Monkey King wanted to say more, his mouth opening slightly, but he said nothing. He lowered his head, blinked repeatedly, and kept mechanically rubbing the Cloudwalker Staff.
After a long while, the Monkey King picked up his now-cold tea, gulped it down, wiped his mouth, and said, "My three senior brothers, it's getting late—I should head back."
"Why not stay here tonight?" Elder Stillwater said mildly.
"No, thank you." The Monkey King took a deep breath and sighed, "If I don't return, they'll be worried about me."
"As you wish. I'll have Yuechao come by again to take you back."
......
In the Hall of Silent Meditation at Crescent Star Cave, the blue lamp flickered as Elder Gale knelt close beside Master Sage Subhuti.
Reaching out, Elder Gale poured freshly brewed tea into Subhuti's cup and gently pushed it over. "Master, it seems our junior brothers have begun to grasp some truths," he said.
Subhuti reclined, reading the scroll in his hand. He picked up the tea Elder Gale had offered, sipped it, and said mildly, "I already know."
"Now that Junior Brother Wukong is in Stillwater Valley, I fear..."
"It's time he learned a bit more." Subhuti sighed deeply. "If he knows nothing, how can he do what he truly wishes?"
Elder Gale bowed his head slightly. After a long pause, he asked, "Master, do you intend to let things take their own course?"
"The seed of rebellion has already been planted. All that's left is to give it enough sunlight and nourishment. One day, it will take root, sprout, and grow into a great tree." With that, Subhuti chuckled softly.
Elder Gale bowed, saying nothing more.
......
After the Monkey King left, the three sat wordlessly in the courtyard for a while.
After a long time, Elder Sky spoke: "Second Brother, what do you think of his state...?"
"Let it be," Elder Stillwater said with a wry smile, shaking his head. "We don't need to overthink it. Just let him go his own way."
Pouring freshly heated water into the teapot, Elder Stillwater leisurely began brewing tea again.
Danny Crimson looked impatient, while Elder Sky stared intently at the steaming cup of tea before him, lost in thought.
After a long while, he saw ripples spreading across the surface of the tea, startling him.
A thunderous drumbeat rolled in from afar, shaking heaven and earth.
Danny Crimson, who had been dozing off, suddenly sprang to his feet and strode out of the pavilion, gazing into the distance.
"What's going on?" he suddenly turned back to look at Elder Stillwater, who remained seated.
"The war drums of the Milky Way navy—they're finally here. I thought they wouldn't come." Elder Stillwater smiled and took a sip of tea.
Elder Sky quickly shook out his sleeves, stood up, and hurried to Danny Crimson's side. "Why are they here? Beating war drums at Stillwater Valley?"
"They're here for someone," Elder Stillwater replied calmly.
"They're here for Junior Brother Wukong?"