"Belle... is here?" When Monkey received the news, he was visibly stunned.
The demon who had come to report nodded.
"We found her on the beach..."
Before the demon could finish, Monkey had already dashed out of Cascade Cave, running straight into Shadow, who was carrying the unconscious Belle back.
"Monkey, is this..."
Monkey said nothing.
In the fine drizzle, his eyes gradually grew wet.
After six years apart, she had grown up, now breathtakingly beautiful in her long purple dress—no longer the round-faced Daoist girl she once was. Yet Monkey still recognized that unique spirit in her eyes and brows.
After a brief pause, Monkey strode over to Shadow, snatched Belle from his arms, and half-knelt to press her pulse point.
"It must have been the tsunami," Shadow stammered. "I've already sent someone to fetch Anna, but I'm not sure if she's available."
"A tsunami?"
He had recklessly pulled out the Ocean Pillar Rod, never expecting it would end up hurting her.
With a flick of his hand, Monkey sent streams of spiritual power flowing over Belle, instantly purging every trace of seawater and salt from her body.
"She'll be fine." Carrying Belle in his arms, Monkey started back inside. "Just ask Anna for a few vitality-restoring elixirs."
"Understood." Shadow nodded blankly.
Once inside Cascade Cave, Monkey personally settled her in the room next to his own—a privilege no one else had ever received.
With everything arranged, Monkey restlessly kept watch, never taking his eyes off her.
The scene left the crowd of demons gathered at the door all rather astonished.
Louis Quickpaw squeezed out from the crowd for a look, his brows furrowed tightly. Turning around, he spotted Shortbeak leaning against the wall.
"Is this the one the king told you to keep an eye on?"
'Probably. Why?'
'What's her name? What's her background?'
'No idea about her background.' Shortbeak thought for a moment, then said, 'She did mention her name once—I think it's Belle?'
'Belle?' Louis Quickpaw repeated the name twice, as if something dawned on him.
Yisu happened to overhear as she walked by, and was completely stunned.
'Belle?'
'What? You know her?' Shortbeak turned to look at her.
'No?' Yisu shook her head and smiled faintly, handing the medicine bottle to Shortbeak. 'Anna asked me to bring this over.'
Without waiting for Shortbeak's reaction, she turned and left.
Holding the medicine bottle, Shortbeak stared at Yisu, who had already disappeared at the end of the tunnel, feeling puzzled.
'Hey, what's up with her?'
'No idea.'
Shortbeak looked at Louis Quickpaw, who was grinning and shaking his head. 'No idea.'
Louis Quickpaw smiled meaningfully, then whispered to Shortbeak, 'Yisu was the one your King took in on the way to Dragon's Pool, right?'
'Yeah, I'm the one who told you that.'
'All along, she's the only one the King has taken in, right?'
'Right.'
Louis Quickpaw glanced back at the crowded doorway, gesturing, 'Six years ago, Yisu was about this tall. As for that girl named Belle...'
Shortbeak suddenly understood, 'You mean... That's right, when Yisu threw a tantrum before, I think the name was Belle!'
Louis Quickpaw chuckled smugly, covering his mouth as he whispered, 'I'm afraid that's not all.'
Shortbeak glanced around, then quickly crouched down and put his ear close to Louis Quickpaw's mouth.
'Since the King values this girl so much, why do you think Anna Yang hasn't come?'
'Isn't she... still not recovered?'
'I just went to see her. She's a bit weak, but there's nothing stopping her from moving around.'
Shortbeak stared wide-eyed at Louis Quickpaw, completely stunned. 'You mean...?'
'No need to say it.' Louis Quickpaw patted Shortbeak on the shoulder. 'It's just as you think. Ah... Things are about to get messy.'
The two exchanged glances, reaching a silent agreement. Just as they turned around, they saw Tina Ao standing behind them, ears perked up!
'You! When did you get here!' Shortbeak was so startled he fell to the ground.
'Just when you crouched down.'
'What did you hear?'
'Don't worry.' Louis Quickpaw looked at Tina Ao with a hint of hostility. 'Even if she heard, she might not understand.'
'Is that so?' Tina Ao glanced at Louis Quickpaw provocatively, then straightened up, half-covered her mouth, and smiled as she looked at the room. 'Oh my, this is more exciting than a play. Well, with drama like this, life on Blossom Mountain won't be dull. All right, you two go on talking, I'll take a walk. No need to worry about me overhearing.'
With that, Tina Ao turned and left, her expression full of anticipation.
Shortbeak and Louis Quickpaw exchanged glances, then looked askance at Tina Ao as she walked away.
'She's a real troublemaker.'
'Couldn't agree more.' Shortbeak nodded.
Soon, Tina Ao knocked on Anna Yang's door.
'Sister Anna, Tina greets you.' She bowed respectfully.
Anna Yang, still sitting on the couch, raised her eyes slightly and waved her hand. 'Sit. Are you getting used to life on Blossom Mountain?'
'The scenery here is beautiful, how could I not get used to it?' Tina Ao sat gently on the chair Isabel Su brought over, her posture flawless. 'I heard you were weak, Sister Anna. The Eastern Sea Dragon Palace has some rare pills, and I happened to bring some with me. I thought I'd give them to you.'
With that, she took a white medicine bottle from her sleeve and placed it on the table.
Anna Yang glanced at the bottle and managed a smile. 'Thank you, Tina. No need to be so formal. That monkey was really reckless this time—I'll have him send you home soon.'
Tina Ao covered her mouth and smiled. 'No need. I'm here as a hostage, but the Handsome Monkey King hasn't made things difficult. If I go back, it'll only trouble Father, and the matter of the Ocean Pillar Rod will be hard to explain to Heaven.'
'It's rare to find someone so sensible. Thank you, Tina.'
Anna Yang nodded at Tina Ao. The three in the room, including Isabel Su, fell silent.
After a moment, Tina Ao suddenly asked, 'Sister Anna, do you know who that Belle is?'
Anna Yang's eyebrows twitched, and she lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers and speaking softly, 'A disciple of Crescent Star Cave, fourth disciple under Elder Gale, Master Subhuti’s chief disciple. She also has a title like yours—Fourth Princess. But it’s in name only.' Anna chuckled, but the laugh sounded hollow.
The laugh sounded rather forced.
'So she’s the Handsome Monkey King’s junior?'
'You could say that.'