The day after the Monkey King caused havoc in the Sutra Repository, the entire monastery seemed to return to a state of tranquility.
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, scattering vibrant patterns across the floor.
Danny Crimson leaned to one side, dabbing some ointment and carefully applying it to the wound on his shoulder. With his other hand, he diligently copied scripture, occasionally dipping his brush in ink.
"That old man actually threw an inkstone at me... Sigh. Before, I'd only ever seen him hurl one at the Eighth Brother."
Beside him, Elder Sky ground medicine in a jar, slowly brushing the powder onto a bamboo slip lined with fine gauze. He said languidly, "Master has always hated disciples turning on each other. You’ve broken a major taboo, haven’t you?"
"Me!" Danny Crimson was momentarily speechless. He pursed his lips and sighed, "I just lost my temper, didn’t I? Wasn’t it Anna Yang who provoked me? Tell me, do you really think I could have killed the Monkey King?"
"I think you could have." Elder Sky shot him a teasing glance before continuing with his work.
Danny Crimson glared back resentfully, then watched as Elder Sky finished grinding one batch of medicine and started on another, seemingly without end.
"Hey, isn’t this a bit much? Do I really need all that medicine for such a small wound?"
"Who said it was for you? I’m making it for the Monkey King."
"What? Are you serious?" Danny Crimson suddenly sat up. "You're making it for him? You get to play the good guy, and I'm the one who gets embarrassed. Have you forgotten who did this to me? Or who I was standing up for?"
"Don’t drag me into this. I’ve already resolved my own issues. You’re just blaming me for nothing."
"Blaming you?" Danny Crimson was speechless for a moment, then laughed. "You’re quicker to let go than I thought, for once."
Elder Sky chuckled as well. "You’re already stuck in it. If I kept being stubborn, what good would that do? Master doesn’t get involved, so someone has to keep a clear head around here, right? Honestly... once you think it through, it’s not so bad."
Seeing Elder Sky’s refreshed expression, Danny Crimson felt somewhat comforted. He lay on the floor, resting his head on his arm, and stared at the ceiling for a long while before saying, "Honestly, I really lost last night. He actually forced me to use both hands, and not just that—I even had to use my feet. He’s a mad monkey, reckless to the bone. I’ve never seen anything like it. Do you think if I fought as desperately as he does, even Erik Yang wouldn’t be a match for me?"
"You only just realized you lost? You almost drew your sword, too." Elder Sky remarked quietly from the side.
"Tsk, can’t you let me save a little face? I’ve already admitted it, and you’re still rubbing it in?" Danny Crimson glared angrily at him.
Elder Sky pretended not to notice and turned away to continue mixing the medicine.
"Forget it, it’s over. Getting into spats with junior brothers is always a losing game. If it weren’t for all the years you’ve helped me with forging and alchemy, I wouldn’t have stood up for you. In the end, I just made a fool of myself and even angered Master... sigh..."
After sighing, his expression suddenly changed as he looked toward Elder Sky.