"Come out immediately! Or I'll start smashing!" Monkey roared at the doorway, leaning on his Golden Staff.
His voice echoed slowly through the valley.
In the distance, all the villagers—and even the livestock—froze in place. The whole village seemed suspended, as if time had stopped; even the leaves in the courtyard ceased to sway in the wind.
Sensing something strange, the crowd hurried out of their houses and stared into the distance.
After a long while, movement finally stirred in the pitch-dark thatched hut.
The first to step out was Yvonne Rain, dressed in Daoist robes, head slightly bowed and eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Monkey couldn't help but pause in surprise when he saw her.
It had been over six hundred years since their last meeting, and Yvonne Rain's appearance and cultivation had both changed considerably. Monkey couldn't recognize her at first, yet he still felt a sense of déjà vu.
Before Monkey could speak, she bowed respectfully and greeted him: "Shirley Shi pays her respects to Senior Uncle Wukong."
At those words, Monkey suddenly understood. The tension in his body eased a little, and he asked softly, "What are you doing here? Still setting up mazes for me?"
Before he finished speaking, another figure stepped out of the hut.
Bathed in moonlight, Clara Heart wore a long emerald dress. Her features were delicate and her bright eyes sparkled as she tilted her head lazily to study Monkey.
Her expression was like a mischievous child caught in the act, yet unwilling to admit fault.
"Who are you?"
Yvonne Rain quickly introduced her: "This is Senior Aunt Clara Heart, the master’s new inner disciple, accepted two hundred years ago."
Clara Heart took a deep breath and, somewhat reluctantly, returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute.
"Clara Heart greets Senior Brother Wukong."
"The old man actually took on a new female disciple?" Monkey wiped his nose with his hand, leaning on his Golden Staff with a grin. "I thought he'd stopped accepting students."
Clara Heart frowned and asked offhandedly, "How did you find us? I clearly sealed every trace just now."
"I used my eyes, of course. How big is this village, really? In theory, I shouldn't be able to find you—but theory doesn't always match reality." Monkey pointed around and asked softly, "By the way, was it you who cast this illusion?"
"Yes."
As Clara Heart spoke, she casually flicked her hand. The frozen villagers and livestock, the houses and fields—everything in the village scattered with the wind and vanished without a trace.
Staring at Clara Heart, Monkey asked, enunciating each word, "What do you mean by this?"
"It doesn’t mean anything. Just for fun. If Senior Brother Wukong doesn’t like this kind of joke, I won’t make it again."
"Just for fun?" Monkey snorted coldly. "Was this the old man’s idea?"
"No." Clara Heart lifted her chin, pursed her lips, and said, "It was my own decision. I’ve enjoyed watching monkeys perform since I was a child."
Yvonne Rain almost burst out laughing, then, startled, quickly covered her mouth and looked at Monkey with a hint of fear.
A fleeting smile flashed across Clara Heart’s face, but she quickly suppressed it.
Monkey’s brow furrowed tightly as he looked at the young woman before him in confusion.
What was this supposed to mean? Was she here to provoke him?
In this world, very few dare joke about him being a monkey. What was with this junior sister? Did she not know he was a demon king who killed without blinking?
Even if she didn’t know originally, Yvonne Rain would surely have told her about his past misdeeds, right?
What was the old man thinking, taking in a disciple like her?
After a brief silence, Monkey composed himself a little, turned to Yvonne Rain, and asked softly, "Is Master doing well these days?"
Before Yvonne Rain could answer, Clara Heart cut in, "He’s doing very well."
At that reply, Monkey’s gaze shifted to Clara Heart again.
"Have the senior brothers been resurrected?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Master said to postpone it."