Xuanzang listened quietly to the end.
Beneath the moonlight, the soaking-wet emperor lay prostrate on the ground, weeping until only sobs remained.
Xuanzang still said nothing.
The Wuji Kingdom Ruler raised his head, covered his face with his sleeve, and continued:
"Holy monk, that villainous Daoist's abilities were truly rare in this world!"
"After he murdered me in the garden, he transformed himself on the spot and actually took on my appearance! His voice, his face, his smile, his bearing-not a single thing was different!"
The king's voice brimmed with resentment and venom:
"Now he occupies my realm and has stolen my lands in secret. My civil and military officials, all four hundred courtiers, the empresses of the three palaces, and the consorts of the six courts-all belong to him!"
"His divine powers are vast, and he is well acquainted with the officials besides! The city gods often drink with him, the dragon kings of the seas are all his kin, the Great Emperor Equal to Heaven of the Eastern Peak is his good friend, and the kings of the ten courts of hell are his sworn brothers!"
"That is why, even as a wronged ghost, I have no road to heaven and no gate into the earth, nowhere to lodge my grievance!"
Xuanzang nodded slightly, his tone calm:
"Then, Your Majesty, have you come to us late tonight to ask us to eliminate that demon?"
The Wuji Kingdom Ruler nodded repeatedly, hope kindling in his eyes:
"You see clearly, holy monk! That is precisely it!"
Yet Xuanzang did not agree at once as he had expected.
He pressed his palms together, his gaze as still as water, and asked slowly:
"I understand Your Majesty's plight and your request."
"However, there are several things I do not understand. Would Your