In the crimson-lit study, the Monkey King stood quietly as Belle bowed her head, wiping away tears.
"Come in," the Monkey King sighed softly.
The door swung open.
Before Elder Skyreach and the palace steward could step over the threshold, Belle darted past them and hurried away.
Staring blankly at Belle's retreating figure, Elder Skyreach was stunned. He turned in alarm to the Monkey King.
The Monkey King gazed down at the strand of hair in his hand, unsure if he'd pulled it out deliberately or by accident.
......
In the long corridor hung with red lanterns, Belle walked quickly, her steps speeding up until she broke into a run.
Moonlight spilled across the earth, weaving shifting patterns over her purple dress.
She lifted her head to gaze at the bright moon above, taking deep breaths to steady herself, but a sob escaped despite her efforts.
"Old Sir... Old Sir, where are you? Are you refusing... refusing to keep our promise? I'm sorry... it's all Belle's fault."
......
On the mountain peak, Lord Lao stood quietly, gazing toward Qi Tian Palace, his brows slowly knitting together.
"A crowd of great powers fighting over a single young girl... heh. What have they reduced her to? Millennia of cultivation, and they're still so base." He shook his head slowly, lips pressed tight, and said to Belle, "Perhaps... it's better to just give up. I could abandon my cultivation. After stewarding the Heavenly Dao for so long, maybe it's time for someone else to take over. Perhaps another guardian would do better than I have."
......
"But... but didn't you say the other great powers would never spare Blossom Mountain? What will happen to the Monkey King then?"
"Where there is life, there is death. Hasn't it always been that way, for tens of thousands of years? Blossom Mountain has committed a world-shaking offense, overturning how spiritual power is stored in the Three Realms... Retribution is only a matter of time."
In her panicked flight, Belle suddenly stopped, covering her mouth as she broke down in sobs. "No, please, I'm begging you... Old Sir, please protect the Monkey King, protect Blossom Mountain. Even if he must be suppressed for five hundred years, just... just promise him and Sister Anna a peaceful ending. If you regain your Heavenly Dao cultivation, you can do it—none of them are your match."
Lord Lao smiled bitterly.
"Would your Monkey King truly be happy with what you've traded for this?"
"Don't let him know. As long as... as long as he never finds out, that's enough..." She clutched her chest tightly, whispering, "Belle has no regrets left. Please, I beg you, help Belle fulfill her final wish. This time... Belle will never drag the Monkey King down, never again..."
Under the moonlight, her voice caught with emotion.
......
On the summit, Lord Lao's brows furrowed slightly.
After a long pause, he took a deep breath and sighed helplessly, "With those words... you've made me out to be the good guy..."
He slowly gazed into the distance.
At the edge of the distant cliff, Lord Genesis and Lord Skygate still stood silently, meeting his gaze across the void.
"Can this really work?" Lord Lao couldn't help but sigh.
No matter how much he wished otherwise, facts were facts.
The other two Pure Ones had already begun a sweeping spiritual incursion across Blossom Mountain, even partially blocking his own senses. The situation was no longer his alone to command.
No matter how high his cultivation, without the foreknowledge and detachment of true 'wu-wei,' two fists could never match four hands.
A chill crept over Lord Lao: his move might not salvage the situation at all, but instead push him to the edge of despair.
But what should he do? Leave?
He looked up at the shifting stars and drifting clouds. After a long while, stroking his beard, he laughed wryly, "Might as well gamble one more time."
......
In the study, the Monkey King still stood in a daze, clutching that strand of hair.
"What happened?" Elder Skyreach asked, stroking his chin.
"I don't know."
The palace steward bowed and said, "Great Sage, Holy Mother Anna and the others will arrive soon. Please proceed to the Ten Thousand Demons Hall."
Without anyone noticing, the Monkey King slipped the strand of hair into Elder Skyreach's hand, set the Soul Token on the desk, took a deep breath, and said, "I can't leave here. Please keep an eye on Belle for me—make sure nothing happens to her."