The two Monkeys crashed together with thunderous force.
In that instant, sparks erupted where the Golden Staff and Iron Sentinel collided, blazing like a second sun in the sky. The unleashed gale swept everything away—sand and stones flew, trees were uprooted, and the citizens were blasted so fiercely they lost all sense of direction.
In a single moment, the city-state that had always made Monkey hesitate was utterly destroyed.
Amid the ruins, only Saint Samuel remained standing, frozen in the posture of handing over the Iron Sentinel, his back to the two clashing figures.
His monk's robe was pulled taut by the raging wind.
“So what? I was only missing a weapon. Now that I have one, let's see you act cocky! Hahahaha!” Just inches away, the Six-Eared Macaque glared, baring his teeth in a wide, mocking grin at Monkey.
Yet, in this deadlock, Monkey seemed uninterested in responding to the Six-Eared Macaque. His gaze shifted past Damon, settling on Saint Samuel's back.
In his eyes was a hint of calm, but more than that—helplessness.
Both gripped their weapons with all their strength, locked in a contest of pure force. The staffs groaned where they met, the deep sound echoing across heaven and earth.
After a long moment, Saint Samuel let out a slow sigh, withdrew his outstretched hand, and folded it before him, eyes lowered.
With his back to Monkey, Saint Samuel sighed softly, "I am only acting under orders."
"Under orders? Aren't Buddhas supposed to see all as empty and follow only the Dharma? Getting tangled in karma like this—aren't you afraid of corrupting your Buddha heart?" Monkey snorted coldly, gritted his teeth, and hurled Damon Six-Ears more than ten zhang away. Seizing the moment, Monkey spun and shot westward.
"Trying to run?" Damon Six-Ears stopped himself instantly and swung the Iron Sentinel as he gave chase. "You hunted me so fiercely before, and now you want to run? Not so easy! Let's battle for three hundred rounds more! Hahahaha!"
In moments, the two Monkeys' figures had vanished without a trace.
Saint Samuel remained standing in silence.
Beside him, an old man trapped beneath a pile of rubble trembled as he reached out a hand. "Master... Master, save me..."
Saint Samuel still stood silently, his eyes vacant.
"Master... save me..."
"Mother—! Mother, what's wrong? Mother, don't die!"
"Quick, he still has a pulse! Move the debris!"