"Do you know you were wrong?" Houtu asked Gungun, who stood before her with his head lowered, looking thoroughly obedient.
"Yes," Gungun said softly.
"Do you know where you went wrong?"
"Wherever you say I went wrong, Ancestral Witch, that's where I went wrong."
"Do you know you shouldn't have fawned over Zhunti like that?"
"Now that you've told me, Ancestral Witch, I know."
Like a child being scolded by an adult, Gungun answered with exceptional caution as Houtu lectured him.
Hearing these answers, which were satisfying even to a deity, Houtu rested a hand on her chest and let out a deep breath. Whew...
Tell me, why do other creatures grow more sensible as they grow older, while this bear I raised only gives me more to worry about?
Zhunti promised you that three of the Human Race's Five Emperors could have Iron-Eating Beast blood. Do you think that's a good thing?
Fine, it really is a good thing.
But do you know that once it happens, you'll owe Zhunti a tremendous karmic debt? If you ever want to leave the Western Religion, it won't be so easy.
Gungun simply didn't know what Houtu was thinking. Had he known, he would certainly have pointed at her nose and said, "Leave the Western Religion? Are you kidding? Where else would I find a Saint willing to go begging for me? Besides, the Western Religion is destined to flourish. If I leave now, am I trying to end up like the Jade Emperor, frightened into shouting, 'Quick, go to the Western Heaven and summon Buddha Tathagata!' when a monkey wreaks havoc in Heaven?"
I, Gungun, am not Zhang Bairen. I can't afford to lose face like that!
Returning to the matter at hand, after scolding Gungun, Houtu calmed down somewhat.