The door slowly opened.
Damon Six-Ears, disguised as a servant, bowed and withdrew from the room.
But in the instant the great doors closed, he straightened his back. The smile that had been plastered on his face vanished in a heartbeat, replaced by cold indifference—and a trace of anger.
"Great Sage, how did it go?"
"She said... to give her some time to think it over."
"To think it over?"
Damon Six-Ears returned to his true form, his teeth grinding audibly.
She clearly never wanted me to know who she was from the start. All along, she only recognized the one on the Westward Quest. And now, she says she's considering—for Anna Yang's sake? Ha, how amusing. Truly amusing!
Saying this, Damon Six-Ears clenched his fists and strode out of Holy Mother Palace.
A demon general close to Damon Six-Ears looked bewildered and quietly asked, "Sir, what is the Great Sage..."
"Haven't you understood yet?" Gavin Goathorn lowered his voice. "This so-called Belle's reincarnation—her heart is with the Holy Mother. That means it's not just her who's suspect, but also the Holy Mother herself!"
With that, Gavin Goathorn left the demon general behind and hurried toward Damon Six-Ears.
"Now Master Tripitaka will give up, won't he?" Louis Quickpaw whispered.
"Wedding?" Anna Yang was shocked.
The demons present exchanged uncertain glances.
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
Beside them, Prince Adrian, the Little White Dragon whispered cautiously, "But if that's the case, doesn't it mean Master Tripitaka's Universal Salvation Path is wrong? Then what's the point of our Westward Quest?"
In the room, Clara Heart stared blankly at the cup of tea placed before her.
The tea was brewed by Damon Six-Ears for her. It had already gone cold, but her thoughts were still in chaos.
"If you refuse, the Holy Mother may be in danger. You know how Damon Six-Ears is when he loses control—no one can stop him. Besides, he doesn't share any memories of hardship with the Holy Mother. She's only resorting to this desperate measure because she has no choice."
Damon Six-Ears' final "persuasion" echoed in Clara Heart's mind, her heartbeat racing as if it wanted to drive all the blood from her body.
At that moment, neither of them knew that Monkey had already pried up a roof tile, quietly watching them.
"Anna, will something happen?"
"He should be about to give up. But he's definitely not the type to just leave without doing anything," King Bullhorn said quietly. "Maybe he'll ask us to help dig, or ask Heaven to send some rain."
Hadn't Anna Yang been in control that day? Why did things suddenly...
"Holy Mother..." A demon general furtively cracked open Anna Yang's window.
Anna Yang quickly walked to the window.
"I am an old subordinate of Chancellor Louis Quickpaw, who slipped into Lionback Kingdom's army during their recent recruitment. I just heard reliable news: Damon Six-Ears has secretly met with Clara Heart, disguised as your attendant. He has already ordered preparations for the wedding."
"Wedding?" Anna Yang was shocked.
"I am an old subordinate of Chancellor Louis Quickpaw, who slipped into Lionback Kingdom's army during their recent recruitment. I just heard reliable news: Damon Six-Ears has secretly met with Clara Heart, disguised as your attendant. He has already ordered preparations for the wedding."
"Wedding?" Anna Yang was shocked.
"I'm trying to contact Clara Heart, but that attic, though seemingly unguarded, is actually more heavily watched than here. I don't know if I'll succeed. I just wanted you to know: Damon Six-Ears is extremely suspicious of you now. Please be careful and don't act rashly!"
In the dim moonlight, Anna Yang couldn't even see the demon general's face—she only remembered his presence.
"A wedding...?" Anna Yang unconsciously clenched her fists.
In the room, Tripitaka lit an oil lamp and leaned over the table, carefully studying something. One hand gently massaged his shoulder.
"Master Tripitaka." It was the voice of the old county prince.
Tripitaka put on his robe and walked to the door, gently opening it.
"Old Prince, this is..." Tripitaka was taken aback.
"Master Tripitaka, you've worked hard." The old prince stepped inside, placed the plate on the table, and smiled broadly. "These days, Master Tripitaka has worked so hard for our Phoenix County. This old man thought and thought, but there's nothing I can give you. These few flatbreads are just a small token of my appreciation."
Hearing this, Tripitaka immediately furrowed his brow.
"Old Prince, are you... sending me away?"
At this, the old prince looked a bit awkward, but forced himself to say, "It's not sending you away. Master Tripitaka, you've shown such kindness—how could I do something so heartless? It's just..."
After a moment, Tripitaka's expression gradually calmed.
"Now Master Tripitaka will give up, won't he?" Louis Quickpaw whispered.
"He should be about to give up. But he's definitely not the type to just leave without doing anything," King Bullhorn said quietly. "Maybe he'll ask us to help dig, or ask Heaven to send some rain."
Beside them, Little White Dragon whispered cautiously, "But if that's the case, doesn't it mean Master Tripitaka's Universal Salvation Path is wrong? Then what's the point of our Westward Quest?"