In the Imperial Study, a Heavenly General knelt on one knee and reported, "Your Majesty, Tripitaka has left Thunderhill County."
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, he asked softly, "Did nothing happen?"
"Nothing," the Heavenly General who came to report shook his head. "Venerable Lingji mocked Tripitaka for a while, and then... he just left."
"He was mocked, and then just left?" The immortals in the Imperial Study exchanged bewildered glances.
One immortal lowered his voice and hurriedly asked, "Then... what about the demon monkey?"
The Heavenly General hesitated, then replied, "He also left Thunderhill County. His whereabouts... are unknown."
"His whereabouts are unknown?"
"Impossible. After being mocked, with that demon monkey's temper, he could actually swallow his pride?"
"Could there be something we missed? Maybe... something else happened between the demon monkey and the Buddhist Order? For example, did they reach an agreement, compromise with Venerable Lingji?"
"Impossible, impossible, absolutely impossible."
"Why is it impossible? Otherwise, tell me—what could possibly make that demon monkey swallow his pride?"
"The demon monkey and the Buddhist Order are mortal enemies—everyone knows that. How could there be any room for compromise between them?"
"Says who? Sending Tripitaka westward is a compromise, isn't it? Isn't Golden Cicada a member of the Buddhist Order?"
"How is that the same? Golden Cicada and Lord Buddha are sworn enemies."
"Heh, doesn't that prove the demon monkey only hates Lord Buddha, not the entire Buddhist Order? In that case, as long as it's not on Lord Buddha's orders, any deal between the demon monkey and Venerable Lingji shouldn't be surprising."
"That's twisting logic!"
"How is that twisting logic? The Buddhist Order is the Buddhist Order, Lord Buddha is Lord Buddha. How can you lump them together?"
The immortals chattered and argued all at once.
On the Dragon Throne, the Jade Emperor's eyes slowly narrowed to slits. He turned to General Lee beside him, stroked his long beard, and asked softly, "General Lee, what do you think?"
Upon hearing this, General Lee cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, we previously speculated that Venerable Lingji appeared in Thunderhill County, and Tripitaka also arrived there—surely something was bound to happen. But in the end, nothing happened. I believe that, while this seems like a good thing, it could also... not be a good thing."
"Oh? Not a good thing? General Lee, if you have insights, please share them freely."
General Lee coughed twice and spoke softly, "First of all, Venerable Lingji wouldn't appear in Thunderhill County for no reason, just to mock Tripitaka..."
...
At this moment, Lingji, having just returned from Thunderhill County, was climbing halfway up Spirit Mountain. He spotted the pavilion—and inside, Saint Samuel quietly brewing tea.
The two exchanged smiles.
But their smiles were different: Saint Samuel's was faint, while Lingji's was a helpless, bitter smile.
"A wasted trip, wasn't it? You went to all that trouble, set up a whole scheme, and in the end, Tripitaka didn't take the bait. Now you've made a mess for yourself—and still have to find new homes for the people of Phoenix County."
Hearing this, Lingji immediately wiped the bitter smile from his face, lifted his chin proudly, and said, "Who says so? This humble monk accomplished a great feat on this trip!"
"Oh? What feat would that be?" Saint Samuel smiled faintly again, poured a cup of tea and set it at the edge of the table, tapping the stone stool beside him. "Why not sit down and tell me about it?"
"Tell you? Fine, I'll tell you!" Lingji shook out his sleeves and strode over to the stone stool, sitting down with a proud look. "On this trip, I managed to split the westward party with ease!"
Saint Samuel couldn't help but smile even more at this.
That smile made Lingji uncomfortable; he retorted with irritation, "What? You don't believe me?"
"I believe you, I believe you," Saint Samuel nodded and smiled, his attitude making Lingji's frown deepen.
...
While the two chatted halfway up Spirit Mountain, Monkey had already rushed to Crescent Star Cave, sitting motionless in the Hall of Silent Meditation.
That was the seat Six-Eared Macaque had occupied not long ago.
From a distance, anyone could see from his stern expression that he hadn't come in peace.
"Master, Uncle Wukong has been waiting in the Hall of Silent Meditation for quite a while now."
"Tell him the master is not in."
"He says he knows you're here, and if you won't see him, he'll just keep waiting."
"Then let him wait." With that, Subhuti swept his sleeve and placed a piece on the board.
Watching the black piece placed on the board, Lord Lao couldn't help but chuckle.
"What? Is that move really so funny?"
"That move isn't funny at all; I'm laughing at you," Lord Lao sighed. "You could have stayed out of this, but you insisted on getting involved with Six-Ears. He just left, now the other one storms in. Six-Ears is easier to handle, but what about this one? What will you say to him?"
"Nothing," Subhuti answered expressionlessly. "After all these years, he's endured plenty of hardship. He should know how to face it."
"Is that so?" Lord Lao raised his eyebrows, picked up another piece, and placed it on the board. "I don't think he knows. Even I don't know. Do you?"
Subhuti glanced up at Lord Lao, but said nothing, keeping his eyes fixed on the board.
"Maybe you don't know either?" Lord Lao folded his hands, gazing at Subhuti with meaning. "It's rare—knowing nothing, yet daring to stake everything on Golden Cicada. With a confidant like you, Golden Cicada could die without regret."
Subhuti still said nothing, just sat quietly, as if he hadn't heard.
Lord Lao smiled quietly, "But you’re willing to stake everything on Golden Cicada—doesn’t mean others are."
...
In the Hall of Silent Meditation, Monkey's hands clenched tightly on his knees. As time passed, the anger in his expression became more and more obvious.
Has Master still not come?
Master...," Eugene hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
Seeing this, Monkey raised his head and demanded sternly, "Is he coming or not? Give me a straight answer."
After speaking, Monkey's gaze slowly shifted to Eugene.
Helpless, Eugene could only lower his head and stammer, "Maybe you should go back, Uncle."
If that old man comes out to see me, I'll go back.
Uncle Wukong...
I said, tell him to come out—!
With a roar, he slammed his fist into the floor, sending wood chips flying. The once-smooth boards now had a gaping hole from Monkey's blow.
He bared his fangs, glaring angrily at Eugene.
...
Master, if you don't see him, I'm afraid Uncle Wukong... might tear down the whole temple.
The Daoist disciple who came to report was drenched in sweat.
Lord Lao, sitting to the side, said nothing, just watched Subhuti with a grin.
After a long while, Subhuti finally lifted his head, took a deep breath, and said, "All right, I'll go see him."