Wukong and Bajie left the Hall of Senluo, passed through Wangsi City, and headed toward the Gates of the Underworld.
Bajie quickened his pace and drew alongside Wukong.
"Brother Monkey, how did this end up involving the powers above?"
He lowered his voice. "What do we do next?"
Wukong glanced at him, a smile curling his lips. "What do you think?"
Bajie scratched his big ears and said with a worried grimace:
"Tell Master the truth? This obviously looks like some sort of test, but if we spell it all out, won't we ruin their plans and spoil the king of Wuji Kingdom's chance to become an immortal or a Buddha?"
Wukong slung the Golden Cudgel over his shoulders, draped his hands casually over its ends, and chuckled.
"You fool, you're not wrong. But if that's really the case, that mighty being must have too much time on their hands."
"If they meant to test the king of Wuji Kingdom, why send the dead king to our master?"
Bajie froze, then immediately caught on.
"Brother Monkey, you mean they did it on purpose?"
Wukong nodded and spoke unhurriedly as he walked.
"Of course."
"I reckon the two things just happened to coincide."
"One ordeal for us, one tribulation for him!"
"They even left the task of enlightening him to Master. And that little stone probably got thrown into the mix too!"
He paused, a touch of wonder in his voice.
"Several birds with one stone. What a neatly worked abacus-saves them a great deal of trouble. I wonder which mighty being it is. Frighteningly clever."
Bajie asked, "So what now? Follow their arrangements?"
Wukong's golden eyes flashed, and he grinned.
"Follow them, my ass! Let them scheme their schemes. We'll do our own thing."
"Heaven is vast and earth is