The members of the Preaching Squad knew that Sha Wujin's warning was crucial, but they had yet to see through the state preceptors' methods. For now, they could only take things one step at a time.
Just then, Tiger Strength Immortal spoke again.
He turned toward the king and bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"We request that all the remaining members of the Preaching Squad participate in the third round."
The king paused in surprise.
"All of them?"
"Indeed."
Tiger Strength Immortal swept his gaze over the three at the back of the Preaching Squad.
"In the first two rounds, two of you stepped forward, and two of us answered your challenges."
"This time, we naturally need a challenge that everyone can take part in."
"Let us play the Partition Guessing Game. All the remaining members of the Preaching Squad must participate and compete against us for it to count."
The king pondered for a moment.
"For the third round."
"We shall play the Partition Guessing Game."
"I shall have a cabinet brought in."
"I shall personally place an object inside it."
"Then both sides shall guess what is inside the cabinet."
"The side that guesses correctly wins."
"The side that guesses incorrectly loses."
He paused.
"The placement of the object shall be handled by palace attendants throughout."
"Neither the Daoists nor your people shall handle it."
"That will prevent any suspicion of cheating."
Tiger Strength Immortal cupped his hands.
"I have no objection."
Tang Sanzang nodded.
"This humble Daoist has no objection either."
Since the king was not on the state preceptors' side, Tang Sanzang naturally would not make things difficult for him and agreed to the proposal.
The king nodded.
"Relay my decree."
"Bring in the Vermilion Lacquer Cabinet."
Before long.
Four palace attendants carried a large Vermilion Lacquer