"I, Tianpeng, wouldn't have cared if I died. But you saved A Yue!"
"You saved A Yue. That means more to me than anything else. For that, I would give you my life."
Tianpeng's expression was solemn, his words firm and resolute.
Previously, he had befriended Sun Wukong simply because they got along, but he had still held something back and never told him everything.
This time, however, because Sun Wukong had saved A Yue, he decided to repay him by revealing all the secrets he had buried in his heart for so long.
The two returned to Marshal Tian Peng's residence and laid out a table of food and wine. Man and monkey drank together, talking between cups.
After three rounds, both were slightly tipsy, and their words grew more heartfelt.
Tianpeng gritted his teeth and finally spoke:
"Brother Monkey, I've kept certain things buried for far too long. If I don't say them tonight, I'll choke on them."
Sun Wukong shuddered at his words, seeming to guess something. Then he waved a hand and smiled.
"If it's something you find hard to talk about, don't force yourself. Old Sun already has some suspicions."
Tianpeng shook his head, drained his bowl, and said gravely:
"I told you, Tianpeng would call you his elder brother if you saved A Yue! I'd give you my life, let alone tell you things you should have known long ago!"
Sun Wukong laughed heartily, tilted his head back, and gulped down a mouthful of wine.
"Good! Then Old Sun is all ears!"
Tianpeng filled another bowl and lowered his voice.
"Brother Monkey, the ones truly plotting against you in secret are the Buddhist School! Their two Saints are the masterminds, but it goes further than that."
"Oh?"
Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow in suspicion.