The sky was about to change.
As for what happened to the Yellow-Browed Monster after he was surrounded and beaten, and just how miserable his fate was, there was no need to go into detail.
After all, Annie had set her sights on him. He had lost his handy magic treasure, then sealed himself inside his own temple like a fool. With no way to escape, no help coming, and so many powerful fighters surrounding him, his fate was obvious.
Still, at least he hadn't died.
You could tell from what happened the next day: Annie, Tibbers, and the pig Zhu Bajie who'd shown them the way had just left the snowy ridges of Little Western Heaven and arrived on a warm plain when the little monk Maitreya blocked their path.
That's right!
After Annie and her "monkey" Tibbers had dealt with the business in Little Western Heaven, they were happily preparing to head for their next destination with Zhu Bajie, in search of the fourth root implement, when the little monk Maitreya—who'd lost a bet to Annie—came looking for them.
"It's you!"
Seeing that it was Maitreya, Zhu Bajie was the first to cry out in greeting. Then he demanded:
"Big Belly, it really is you!"
"You're only showing up now!"
"Do you even know what your boy's been up to?!"
He glared wide-eyed, looking furious as he questioned him. From the way he spoke, it was clear the two seemed to know each other pretty well.
"Heh, forgive me, forgive me!"
The little monk Maitreya smiled awkwardly and nodded at Zhu Bajie, then said sheepishly:
"I know!"
"That wicked creature stole my treasure and came down to the mortal world. Then, with the Great Sage's help, he refined my acquired treasure sack into an evil artifact that could