The second round.
Sha Wujin won.
The king fell silent for a long time.
He looked at Deer Strength Immortal, lying sprawled in the square.
Then he looked at Sha Wujin atop the platform.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
"The second round."
"Sha Wujin wins."
His words fell.
Silence blanketed the space before the Golden Throne Hall.
One win and one loss.
Tiger Strength Immortal had won a round.
Sha Wujin had won a round.
They were tied.
The king's gaze wandered back and forth between the two sides.
His expression shifted from its initial majesty to a hint of conflicted emotion.
He pondered for a long time.
Then he slowly rose from his dragon throne.
He descended the steps.
Step by step, he approached the five members of the Preaching Squad.
Everyone froze.
The king had come down in person.
He stood before Tang Sanzang.
He looked him up and down.
Then he cupped his hands.
"Gentlemen."
"I have watched for quite some time."
"And thought for quite some time."
"Perhaps you truly are representatives of the Daoist Orthodoxy from the Eastern Tang Empire."
An uproar swept through the crowd at those words.
"Your Majesty!"
"The royal preceptors have served Chechi—"
"I know."
The king raised a hand, cutting the minister off.
"I know that as well."
"But look."
"The two royal preceptors have one win and one loss."
"It is a tie now."
"Why not leave it at that?"
He turned to Tang Sanzang.
"You have come from afar to spread scriptures and preach the Way. That is a good thing."
"I will not stop you."
"I will stamp your travel permit."
"You can continue your Journey to the West."
"What do you say?"
Tiger Strength Immortal's face turned ashen, his fists clenched tight.
He had heard the king's