The Wuji Kingdom Ruler stood where he was.
He raised his head and looked at Xuanzang.
Tear tracks still marked his pale, bluish face, but the venom and fury from before were gone. All that remained was the weariness of resignation.
He straightened his ocher-yellow robe and bowed deeply to Xuanzang.
"Holy monk, I was discourteous just now."
His voice was hoarse, but far calmer than before:
"My grievance has nowhere to be heard. Three years of pent-up anguish overwhelmed me, and I lost my composure. Please forgive me, holy monk."
Xuanzang pressed his palms together and bowed slightly without speaking.
The Wuji Kingdom Ruler straightened and gave a bitter laugh.
"In truth, I do not understand the things you asked about either."
He paused.
"Everything you mentioned is precisely what I have wondered about these past three years."
Xuanzang watched him.
The Wuji Kingdom Ruler continued:
"But I did not lie-at least, not deliberately."
He lowered his head and looked at his pale, bluish hands.
"When I said that Demonic Daoist had old ties with the King of Hell, that all those immortals were his friends... those were my guesses. But if that were not so, why have I been unable to reincarnate for three years? Why is there nowhere I can seek redress?"
"I have remained conscious ever since I was pushed down that well."
"Yet I could not leave the palace or go to be reincarnated, and no soul-reaping envoy ever came to guide me!"
"I waited day after day, night after night, desperate for revenge and justice. Then a Night Patrol God appeared from who knows where and, without a word of explanation, swept me here on a gust of wind."
He paused, deep bewilderment seeping into his voice:
"I did not know that Night Patrol