Time flew by, and Flower-Fruit Mountain gradually grew tense. Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, had returned from Heaven, and, even more alarming, he'd brought news that Heaven was preparing to attack Flower-Fruit Mountain. The Four Great Generals and the Seventy-two Cave Demon Kings drilled their troops, preparing for the crisis that could strike at any moment.
In Water Curtain Cave, Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, hosted his brothers, laying out Immortal Fruits and Nectar in a scene of festive celebration.
Sun Wukong asked, "Have you ever met Second Brother's master? What sort of person is he?"
Macaque King replied, "We haven't. Second Brother took him straight to his cultivation grounds. The place is sealed off by great magic power, and we couldn't see him even when we went to pay our respects."
Sun Wukong's eyes darted about as he asked, "He's so aloof? Could he be a Saint?"
King Yurong said, "Seventh Brother, not necessarily. I heard from Fifth Brother about a Fox Demon. He's a mortal who even went to Yin Wind Canyon, and was quite displeased with us eating people."
Sun Wukong said, "Brothers, I've always tried to talk you out of eating people."
King Yurong replied, "A mortal's Essence Blood benefits our cultivation; otherwise, we wouldn't do it. But I've heard Second Brother's master is a virtuous mortal. His Essence Blood must be even more beneficial."
Sun Wukong was furious. "Nonsense! Second Brother's elders are our elders, too. Don't offend him when you meet him."
Macaque King said, "But he's far too high and mighty. He doesn't take us seriously, and he's repeatedly beaten up our Lesser Demons. Does he consider us brothers at all?"
Sun Wukong said, "Brothers, since we are brothers, our bond is genuine. Perhaps our three elder brothers have their reasons."