Early the next morning, White Ape told everyone that, after their long journey, they were all exhausted and decided to rest here for a day.
But in this situation, who really needs rest?
The closer they got to Dragon's Pool, the greater the risk of being discovered. Only within a hundred miles of Dragon's Pool would they be relatively safe.
Yet no one said a word, because everyone knew the real reason. Even the lesser demons had already spread the news among themselves.
Ahead lay a vast grassland.
White Ape hadn't slept all night, but still couldn't come up with a solution.
In the end, he was just an ordinary white ape demon. His modest abilities couldn't support such a grand dream.
That hunched figure perched on the rock looked, from a distance, like an old farmer worrying over his livelihood in a year of famine.
Last night, after talking with Anna Yang, Monkey King ran ten miles to scout the grassland Shortbeak had mentioned. It truly stretched as far as the eye could see.
Actually, there were still some possible solutions, but...
The thought flashed through Monkey King's mind, but he didn't pursue it further.
In broad daylight, the timid lesser demons hid in corners, afraid to move about. Shortbeak was still busy scouting, White Ape stared off into space, Rhino snored thunderously on the grass, while Jackal quietly dragged Big Bull off to the distance.
Monkey King, having watched Fiona Fox play all day, noticed the two sneaking away and quietly followed them.
When they reached a dense forest, Jackal and Big Bull stopped.
Big Bull cursed and laughed, "Heh, let's see what White Ape can do now! That stubborn fool, even if he grew wings, it wouldn't help. Demons are born wild—who needs him playing the good guy? Hmph!"
Jackal's expression, however, looked rather grim.
Seeing Jackal silent, Big Bull asked, "What's wrong? Isn't it obvious we'll end up doing things our way? White Ape will come around sooner or later. When he does, he'll persuade Monkey King, Shortbeak, and Rhino to join us. He's such a bleeding heart—even if he wants to die with those lesser demons, he wouldn't drag Monkey King, Shortbeak, or Rhino down with him. Ha! How has he survived three hundred years?"
Jackal glanced at Big Bull and sighed, "Is that so? The problem is, if that stubborn fool takes three or five days to come around, are we supposed to wait here that long? We killed another squad of Skyward Rangers the other day, and we've only made it a few dozen miles since..."
Big Bull's expression changed slightly in alarm. "You don't mean... he's not really that stupid, is he? Staying here three or five days is as good as asking for death!"
Jackal shot him a look. "When has he ever been clever? The key is, to ensure the lesser demons' survival, he definitely won't persuade Monkey King, Shortbeak, and Rhino to leave with us ahead of time."
With that, Jackal let out a cold laugh and sat down on a rock.
"Why don't you try talking to Shortbeak again, see if he'll come with us?"
"It's no use. I've tried several times. He says he'll go wherever Monkey King goes."
Big Bull breathed heavily, gritted his teeth, and punched a nearby tree trunk, sending the branches into a wild tremble.
Jackal suddenly spoke with a chilling tone, "There are still some ways left."
"Oh?"
"I do have an idea, but it's risky."
"At a time like this, who cares if it's risky or not! All I know is staying here is waiting for death! Patrols will tighten up around here, and if the Skyward Rangers spot us, the Heavenly Court's pursuit squads will be here in no time! We can't always manage to leave no survivors! If that happens, we're all finished!" Big Bull was clearly anxious.
Jackal narrowed his eyes into slits, staring ahead coldly. "But what if... we let the Skyward Rangers discover them?"
Big Bull's face was filled with shock.
Jackal slowly raised his eyelids and shot Big Bull a sly smile. "With this many demons fleeing in all directions, do you think we could draw the attention of the Skyward Rangers within a thousand miles?"
"You mean..." Big Bull's mouth dropped open. The suggestion was so vicious that even he hesitated.
But Jackal continued, "If we kill White Ape and Shortbeak, those lesser demons won't be able to avoid detection."
Not far away, Monkey King gripped his Cloudwalker Staff tightly in the grass.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who had thought of such a plan.
...
It was sunset when Big Bull and Jackal finally returned to camp.
As they entered, Big Bull's eyes met Monkey King's, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. Jackal, on the other hand, was perfectly composed, his expression unchanged.
Monkey King lowered his head and quietly told Fiona Fox, who was playing nearby, "Tonight, find a hidden place to stay. No matter what you hear, unless I call for you, don't come out. Understand?"
"Mm." Fiona Fox nodded silently.
After nightfall, Monkey King chose a spot not far from both White Ape and Shortbeak, sat down, and closed his eyes to focus, looking from a distance just like he was meditating in days past.
At this moment, every move of those demons who couldn't restrain their demonic aura was already within his grasp.
Late at night, Monkey King sensed Big Bull sneaking up, grabbing his Nine-Ring Blade and quietly heading toward Shortbeak.
Monkey King opened his eyes slightly, picked up his Cloudwalker Staff, and melted into the shadows of the night.
Shortbeak, still unable to sleep, had flown up to a tree, sitting there in a daze, unsure whether he was cultivating or just lost in thought.
Big Bull quietly walked to the base of the tree and tapped the trunk gently with the back of his blade.
"Hey, come down."
"What is it?" Shortbeak asked, peering down.
"I need to discuss something."
"Huh? At this hour?"
"Come down, come down, enough with the chatter."
Without thinking much, Shortbeak spread his wings and leapt down from the tree.
"So, what is it?"
"I've thought of a way to cross the grassland safely and reach our destination." Big Bull gestured for Shortbeak to bring his ear closer.
"Really?" Shortbeak leaned in, half-believing, stretching out his ear.
In that instant, Big Bull suddenly grabbed Shortbeak and clamped a huge hand over his mouth.
Caught off guard, Shortbeak was stunned, his eyes wide with terror.
"Don't blame me, brother. If you won't come with us, we have to deal with you—and White Ape too. At least you'll have company on the road." Big Bull whispered in Shortbeak's ear.
Hearing this, Shortbeak struggled desperately, kicking wildly in midair.
But when it came to strength, he was no match for Big Bull. No matter how he fought, grabbing at Big Bull's hand only left bloody scratches—he couldn't budge it at all. That massive hand felt like iron to him.
At that moment, Big Bull's other hand quietly raised his Nine-Ring Blade to Shortbeak's throat, ready to deliver a fatal slash.
"Clang—!"
Without warning, a piercing noise split the night. Big Bull's blade flew from his hand and slammed into the ground nearby.
White Ape, unable to sleep nearby, suddenly sat up and looked toward the sound. In the shadows behind him, two curved blades quickly withdrew.
Big Bull's eyes widened in terror as he saw his blade knocked three yards away. Turning, he saw Monkey King standing nearby, watching him coldly in the moonlight.
His hand trembled, and Shortbeak, freed from his grip, darted behind Monkey King, coughing violently in panic.
Big Bull was clearly frightened, trembling, eyes wide and mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
"Well now, staying up so late—what are you up to? Has the bull turned nocturnal?" Monkey King smiled, staring intently at Big Bull as he stepped forward.
Big Bull panicked, stumbling backward, his eyes darting between Monkey King and his blade lying out of reach.
White Ape's voice called out from nearby.
"What's going on? What's going on?"
He rushed over, breathless, staring in fear at Monkey King and Big Bull.
Shortbeak finally stopped coughing and shouted at White Ape, "That bastard tried to kill me! He tried to kill me!"
White Ape froze, turning to stare at Big Bull as if searching for an explanation.
But there was no need for an explanation—Big Bull's guilty look said it all.
He suddenly looked up and shouted, "Jackal! Jackal! Where are you—!"
"He's gone," Monkey King said calmly.
"He... he's gone?" Big Bull was stunned, stumbling back against a tree, muttering, "Gone... how could... gone..."
He suddenly looked up, blinking at Monkey King. "Don't... don't kill me, okay? I know I was wrong. From now on, I'll do whatever you say!"