The incident with the woman had been no more than a minor diversion on Cheng Yu's journey to Heavenly Gate Pass. He and Niu Ba were now resting at a campsite they had set up themselves.
By the light of the campfire, Cheng Yu studied the map the owner of Traveling the World had given him, trying to work out their approximate location. Meanwhile, Niu Ba devoted himself to eating the roasted ox leg Cheng Yu had bought in Central Capital.
"Burrrp~~~ Ah~~"
After finishing the last scrap of meat, Niu Ba curled up beside the campfire and yawned.
Cheng Yu smiled and stroked Niu Ba's head as he said,
"Get a good rest tonight. At our current pace, we should reach Heavenly Gate Pass in another two days."
Niu Ba yawned again and asked,
"Come to think of it, you still haven't told me why you're going to the Northern Abyss Islands. That's our Demon Race's territory, you know. Relations between Humankind and Monsterkind aren't as tense as they used to be, but you're still human. You might be in danger there."
Cheng Yu stroked Niu Ba's head.
"I know, but I still have to go, because 'my' master might be there. I need to take a look."
"Oh. Then don't worry. I'll protect you when we get there. If any demons are stupid enough to come looking for trouble, I'll tell them you're my human pet..."
As he spoke, Niu Ba's eyes had already closed, and his nostrils flared with each breath.
Cheng Yu smiled, then pillowed his head on Niu Ba's belly and closed his eyes.
"Hello, young lay Buddhist. May I ask how far it is from here to Heavenly Gate Pass?"
Riding Niu Ba along the road, Cheng Yu addressed a boy of about