"Stop right there!"
Seeing that Lin Zhu would not yield to either soft or hard tactics, Guanyin finally grew completely frantic and barked out a shout.
Lin Zhu actually stopped this time. Turning slightly, he looked at her with a half-smile.
"What? Does Great Master Guanyin have further instructions? Have you perhaps thought it over and decided to stay and help us move bricks for a few days? We happen to be short a foreman."
Guanyin was so enraged that her vision darkened. Suppressing the urge to attack, she squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth.
"You... what exactly will it take for you to release Sun Wukong? Name your terms!"
She understood now. Going in circles with this bastard, reasoning with him, or threatening him was useless. She might as well ask his price outright.
Lin Zhu turned around, a smile appearing on his face that set alarm bells ringing in Guanyin's heart—a smile brimming with malicious amusement.
Stroking his chin, he looked Guanyin up and down. That gaze made her feel uncomfortable all over, as though she were merchandise waiting to be priced.
"The terms..."
Lin Zhu deliberately drew out the words. Under Guanyin's tense gaze, he spoke at an unhurried pace.
"They're actually quite simple. I've recently been preparing to establish the Enforcement Hall, and with year-end approaching, I was thinking of arranging some entertainment for the brothers to liven things up. Unfortunately, I haven't found any suitable acts."
He paused, his blazing gaze fixed on Guanyin as his lips curved into a downright "evil" smile.
"Perfect timing, Great Master Guanyin. Look at you—noble in status, exceptional in bearing, and renowned in the Buddhist Sect as 'Wonderful Sound' and 'Avalokitesvara.' I assume your singing and dancing talents must be superb as well?"
Guanyin's heart skipped a