"Hmph. I'll forgive you this time. But if I come to the underworld again and you treat me like this, don't blame me for smashing your hall and tearing up every Book of Life and Death."
Sun Wukong lounged sideways in King Yama's chair. King Yama kept apologizing and smiling obsequiously. He was nothing like the imposing King of Hell from the legends.
"Great Sage, what brings you here this time?" After calming Sun Wukong down, King Yama finally asked about his visit. His stomach had been in knots the whole time, fearing the monkey might make some unreasonable demand.
"Does that mean I can't come visit your Hall of Yama unless I have business here?" Sun Wukong looked up at King Yama, his eyes full of amusement. "Or are you saying I'm not welcome?"
"Not at all, not at all! Great Sage, you can come to the Hall of Yama whenever you like and stay as long as you like," King Yama continued with an ingratiating smile.
"Actually, I do have a little business. See those three Wandering Souls down there?" Sun Wukong sat up and pointed at the three spirits beside Ye Chen.
"I do. But who is this esteemed immortal?" King Yama looked toward the court below. He wasn't particularly interested in the three spirits; he was curious about the young man standing beside them. Who was he, to have ended up in Sun Wukong's company?
"Him? He's a blockhead." Sun Wukong chuckled twice. Ye Chen glared at him. "You stinking monkey, call me a blockhead again and you'll have me to answer to."
King Yama's eyes widened in shock. He looked at Ye Chen as if he were a fool who didn't know his place.
"All right, all right. I won't say it. So touchy." Sun