Bright sunlight slanted in from outside, bathing the tiny hall of the Imperial Horse Bureau in gentle warmth.
"You said if anyone bullied me, you'd stand up for me. But every time, it's you who bullies me..." Belle lowered her head, murmuring as if in a dream. "When I went to Blossom Mountain, I brought all the treasures my master and senior brother gave me, but I was still so scared. I'd never left Crescent Star Cave before..."
"My master forbade me from seeking you out, my senior brother did too... even Lord Lao advised me not to go to Blossom Mountain. I knew going there was wrong, that I couldn't help and might even cause trouble... but I just wanted to stay by your side. I was afraid that if too much time passed, you'd forget me..."
"When I fell into the sea, I really thought I was done for, so you have no idea how happy I was when I opened my eyes and saw you."
"Seeing you become 'Great King,' with a world of your own, I was truly happy for you."
"When Anna Yang fainted, I was so afraid you'd send me away, because she's more important to you than I am... that's why I volunteered to care for her..."
"I know I'm foolish—even Sister Listening Heart laughs at me for it..."
"I wish I could help you like Anna Yang does. But... I know I'm clumsy, not as good as Anna Yang, my cultivation is low, and I don't understand much... I've tried so hard, but I still can't do things right."
Her voice faltered, breaking into sobs until she could no longer speak.
The girl sat quietly with her head bowed and her face covered, unable to stop herself for a long, long time.
A breeze swept in from outside, stirring Belle's long hair and carrying a faint sweetness as it brushed across Monkey's cheek.
He sat there in a daze, gazing at Belle.
In a haze, he seemed to see again that ten-year-old girl, panicked at the thought of him being expelled from their sect, and later crying her heart out.
One was Elder Gale's beloved disciple, the other a storm-summoning Demon King—two people whose paths should never have crossed. What kind of fate could possibly bind them together?
All of it seemed so unbelievable—no one could explain it.
There wasn't even the tangle of interests or shared goals that tied Monkey and Anna Yang together, supporting each other as they did.
Yet, the truth was, fate really had drawn them together, as if by an invisible thread—impossible to sever, tangled beyond unraveling.
In that moment, he suddenly felt that the girl who had always followed him like a shadow was just like a moth drawn to a flame.
It was a long time before Belle's breathing steadied. She wiped away her tears and whispered, "I'm sorry, I was being selfish. Just pretend you never heard what I said. If you insist I go to Tusita Palace, I'll go. I won't cause you any trouble..."
With that, Belle tilted her body slightly, preparing to stand.
"Forget it," Monkey said, taking a deep breath. "If you really don't want to go, then don't—for now."
Belle paused in her movement.
"If you don't want to go, then stay. Stay here."
"Mm." Belle nodded quietly. A slow smile blossomed on her small face, though tears kept streaming down.
Monkey's heart twisted with indescribable sorrow.
If he could, he would give this girl happiness for all eternity.
But he couldn't.
He already owed too much, and had no right to make any more promises.
Belle did not go to Tusita Palace, and no one from Tusita came to urge her again.
Perhaps this was within Lord Lao's expectations all along.
Life in the Imperial Horse Bureau passed quietly, day after day, in an almost unbelievable calm.
Three days later—Monkey's sixtieth day as a Heavenly official—a Court Herald arrived at the Imperial Horse Bureau, carrying an imperial edict.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Most True Jade Emperor decrees: The Stone Monkey of Blossom Mountain, Chief of the Imperial Horse Bureau, Sun Wukong, has mended his ways since ascending to Heaven, working diligently and faithfully. I am greatly pleased. I hereby grant him the post of Steward of the Immortal Peach Orchard, as a reward. Thus decreed."
Closing the edict, the Court Herald handed it to Monkey with a broad smile. "Steward Sun, receive your decree."
Monkey's face twitched slightly as he bowed and accepted the edict with both hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor."
The Court Herald bowed in return. "Congratulations, Steward Sun. A Demon King taking office in Heaven—unprecedented in all ages. An internal affairs official promoted after less than two months—also unheard of. Steward Sun, your prospects are truly limitless."
"You flatter me," Monkey replied, holding the edict, his smile ambiguous. He glanced at Mona Frost beside him.
Mona Frost understood instantly and stepped forward, slipping a small pouch into the Herald's hand.
The Herald weighed the pouch in his hand and immediately broke into a delighted grin.
"It's my first time in Heaven—there are still many rules I don't understand. I hope you'll advise me, sir."