By the dried-up creek, Monkey's eyes slowly narrowed to slits.
"Here they come."
"Here they come?" All around, the demon generals gripped their weapons nervously. Barry Bear, Prince Adrian, and General Curtain closed ranks around Tripitaka, shielding him at the center.
In the next instant, a thunderous roar shook the earth. A golden figure leapt from the horizon, followed by a torrent of demon generals, sweeping in like a meteor shower.
"If I kill you, I'll be the only Monkey King!"
"Try it, then." Monkey slowly bared his teeth in a grin, loosening his muscles and taking up a fighting stance. "After all these years, what blood and storm haven't I faced? You think you can take me?"
A gale laced with golden light exploded in the sky. The Golden Staff and Iron Sentinel clashed fiercely, locked together. All around, two armies of demon generals surged forward, their varied spiritual energies lighting up the heavens—and illuminating Tripitaka's face.
He stared in shock at everything unfolding before him.
...
"Master! Clara, Clara she..."
"Understood."
...
In Tusita Palace, Lord Lao set aside the scroll in his hand, picked up the teapot to continue brewing tea, and said leisurely, "The two Monkeys have started fighting. It seems the Buddhist Order has also made a move. Earlier than I expected—perhaps they couldn't hold back. Most likely, it's Saint Raymond."
Lord Genesis furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "Is he afraid the Westward Quest won't yield a final result?"
"Probably."
"So what happens next?"
Lord Lao put down the teapot, lifted his head and blinked his misty old eyes, sighing softly, "Master Sage Subhuti has already taken a stand; Six-Ears Macaque must be burning with impatience. It's only natural for him to interfere with the Quest. Lord Buddha won't act, Subhuti can't act, but Saint Raymond will find it hard to stand by. If Tripitaka is harmed, Monkey will abandon the Quest and have only one path left. In that case, things might actually be simpler. But it probably won't be so easy—let's see how it plays out."
Lord Genesis asked casually, "Is it possible for Six-Ears Macaque to kill Tripitaka?"
"It's possible." Lord Skygate replied softly, "There's a real chance. After all, his strength isn't much less than Monkey's, and if Monkey has to protect Tripitaka, that evens things out. In fact, Six-Ears Macaque might even have the advantage."
"So, Saint Raymond fears that if Tripitaka dies, the Westward Quest cannot be fulfilled?"
"Not necessarily." Lord Skygate slowly closed his eyes and sighed, "He only fears that a proper result can't be reached. To put it plainly, the Buddhist Order itself is divided. One faction firmly believes in the current Dharma and looks down on Tripitaka—like Lord Buddha. Another prefers chaos; even Tripitaka's death would count as a result—like the Earth-Store King. Saint Raymond belongs to the last group, most sympathetic to Tripitaka. He hopes Tripitaka can reach Spirit Mountain safely. As for enlightenment, that will be decided after he debates doctrine with Lord Buddha."
"That's about right. Only, we don't know if there's still time. For now, let's just watch. Like six centuries ago, the chance to act only comes once. The more impatient you are, the more passive you become." With that, Lord Genesis took a sip of tea, slowly closed his eyes, and waited in silence.
...
Monkey swung the Golden Staff, sweeping through half the sky.
Six-Ears Macaque's figure darted like a firefly, tracing strange arcs as he skillfully evaded.
In the next instant, Monkey appeared right in front of him, launching a direct thrust! Yet Six-Ears Macaque, still intent on evasion, slipped past without engaging.
In a flash, Six-Ears Macaque split into twelve avatars and fled in all directions. Monkey also split into twelve avatars to chase after him. For a moment, the sky was filled with the figures of Monkey and Six-Ears Macaque, dazzling the watching demons.
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to the swirling figures overhead, Tripitaka slowly turned to look behind him.
In the darkness behind him, a figure stood silently. He stepped forward, letting the firelight illuminate his furry face.
Six-Ears Macaque looked at Tripitaka and smiled slowly, gripping Iron Sentinel. "Sorry, I actually created thirteen avatars."
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Monkey lazily scratched his ear and grinned, "I made eighteen avatars. Did you think you were the only one who could play that trick?"
......
In the Hall of Silent Meditation, Subhuti paced back and forth, sighing repeatedly.
Eugene rushed in from outside the door, knelt, and said, "Master, Six-Ears Macaque has already started fighting with Uncle Wukong."
"And then?" Subhuti asked urgently.
"Then... there's no result yet. But for some reason, Aunt Clara Heart is also heading there."
"Clara Heart is heading there?" Subhuti lifted his head in thought and sighed, "It must be Saint Raymond... Looks like he can't sit still either."
......
Without question, as long as Monkey is present, trying to snatch Tripitaka by force is impossible.
With Marshal Silver and King Bullhorn among them, even luring Monkey away to snatch Tripitaka is impossible.
That left only one move.
Seeing this, Six-Ears Macaque gritted his teeth and signaled to Gavin Goathorn in the distance.
Gavin Goathorn nodded in understanding.
(This chapter is not yet finished~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the exciting story!)
Immediately, Six-Ears Macaque turned and flew off into the distance.
"Leaving so soon?" Monkey frowned.
Just as Monkey hesitated, Six-Ears Macaque, having flown only a short distance, suddenly doubled back. With a surprise swing, Iron Sentinel abruptly extended, smashing toward Monkey!
"I knew you wouldn't leave so easily!" Without hesitation, Monkey leapt up and blocked the whistling weapon. Instantly, he counterattacked, and the two figures tangled once more, battling fiercely in the sky.
Meanwhile, under Gavin Goathorn's command, Six-Ears Macaque's demon officers charged toward Tripitaka's position. In an instant, both sides clashed again.
Watching the frenzied demon officers, Marshal Silver muttered to himself, "I feel... something's not right."
"What's wrong?" Barry Bear asked beside him.
"I feel they're not just here to snatch Master Tripitaka. With this balance of strength, it's simply impossible to seize him by force."
"If they're not here to snatch Master Tripitaka, then what are they doing?"
After a long silence, Marshal Silver slowly shook his head. "I don't know. I've led troops for years, and my gut tells me they're more likely looking for an opportunity to kill Master Tripitaka. But... if everything that happened at Crescent Star Cave is true, Six-Ears Macaque shouldn't be trying to kill him now."
Tripitaka also gazed at the swirling demon officers in confusion.
As Monkey and Six-Ears Macaque chased each other into the distance, Gavin Goathorn called out loudly, "Master Tripitaka! Patriarch Subhuti and your past incarnation, Golden Cicada, were close friends. Our Great Sage has come under Subhuti's orders to discuss urgent matters of the Westward Quest—there is absolutely no malice. But Monkey refused! Forced by circumstances, we had to create this battlefield! Please, Master Tripitaka, allow me to present our message on behalf of my lord!"
"Urgent matters?" Tripitaka was taken aback.
"Yes! Did Monkey not tell you what happened today at Crescent Star Cave?"
With those shouts, the battle in the sky seemed to ease a little.
At that moment, Tripitaka couldn't help but recall how Monkey took away the Jade Tablet he used to contact Six-Ears Macaque in Thunderhill County, and then delayed returning it. He glanced at Marshal Silver and asked quietly, "Did something happen at Crescent Star Cave today?"
"Some things did happen, but... I can't say for sure." Turning his head, Marshal Silver called to Gavin Goathorn, "If you have something to say, just say it!"
"No, this concerns the Quest. I've been entrusted by the Great Sage and can't be so careless."
Before Marshal Silver could refuse Gavin Goathorn's request, Tripitaka had already grabbed his wrist.
"The Quest is of utmost importance. Please, Marshal, let him proceed."
......
High in the sky, Clara Heart was still flying hard, the wild wind tangling her hair.
......
At that moment, Monkey, already fighting Six-Ears Macaque ten li away, suddenly looked back, stunned.
He saw that the fighting behind had quietly subsided; both sides' forces stood on opposite banks of the dried-up creek. Tripitaka, protected by Marshal Silver and Barry Bear, was walking toward the center of the creek, while on the other side, Gavin Goathorn approached with two demon officers.
"What are they doing?"
In that brief moment of doubt, Iron Sentinel came whistling on the wind, smashing heavily into Monkey's shoulder and sending him flying!
"Damn, they're playing dirty!"
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Monkey spun and charged toward Tripitaka.
"Trying to leave? Hahaha! Not so easy!"
The original attack and defense reversed instantly. Monkey, desperate, rushed toward Tripitaka, while Six-Ears Macaque fiercely attacked from behind. The two continued to clash as they moved.
......
In the dried-up creek, Gavin Goathorn took out a bamboo scroll from his sleeve and said softly, "Everything my lord wishes to say to Master Tripitaka is written on this scroll. Once you read it, all will be clear."
As he spoke, he took a step forward.
"Stop right there!"
At Marshal Silver's shout, Gavin Goathorn immediately halted.
At this moment, he was only one zhang away from Marshal Silver, and just over two zhang from Tripitaka and Barry Bear.
Reaching out, Marshal Silver said coldly, "Just give me the item. There's no need for you to come closer."
At this, Gavin Goathorn glanced at Tripitaka. Seeing Tripitaka nod slightly, he hesitated, then handed over the scroll with both hands, saying softly, "This is for Master Tripitaka's eyes only. You mustn't look."
"Fine." Marshal Silver snatched the bamboo scroll, saying offhandedly, "I'm just checking for any issues, not reading the contents."
As he spoke, he began to unroll the scroll.
No sooner had he started to inspect it than the scroll exploded with a bang! Red smoke burst into his eyes, leaving him no time to react!
With a scream, all the demons on Monkey's side were stunned.
"Attack!" Gavin Goathorn shouted, drawing a dagger from his sleeve. Together with his two demon officers, already prepared, he skirted around Marshal Silver and charged straight for Tripitaka!