The blue silk curtains swayed gently as the sedan chair jolted along the mountain path.
Inside the cramped, enclosed compartment, the light was dim.
The old fox shook her head, not a ripple stirring in her clouded eyes.
She released her curved-handled cane with both hands and tipped her shriveled neck back slightly, resting against the wall of the sedan chair.
She looked as though she were baring her neck for execution.
Wukong's golden eyes flickered. No demonic aura rose from her, no murderous intent lay hidden, and she had abandoned even the most instinctive defensive posture.
She was waiting to die.
Wukong did not strike.
He leaned back and simply sprawled on the seat to one side, bending one leg and propping it on the edge.
"Strange."
Wukong grinned and gave a soft chuckle, tapping his knee rhythmically with his fingers.
"Old Sun has met plenty of demons in his life. But your whole brood is strange beyond measure."
He leaned forward, staring intently at the old fox's face.
"The little one risked her life trying to lead us away; the two big ones went to every trouble to capture us; and now the old one wants nothing but death?"
Wukong edged half an inch closer and lowered his voice.
"What exactly are you plotting?"
The words had barely left his mouth when the old fox, who had been so calm and ready to face death, suddenly grew frantic and cried out:
"What did you say?"
Her eyes flew open, and her upper body pitched forward. She spoke in a rush, her voice trembling beyond her control.
"You said the little one tried to lead you away? You met that girl? What happened to her! She's innocent! She doesn't understand anything-she's just a simple, foolish child! Did you hurt