Yongde stood frozen beside the steps, sweat dripping from the tip of his nose onto the blue bricks, spreading into a small damp patch. He dared not look that man in the eye.
The Wuji Kingdom Ruler sat motionless in the front row, his monk's cap hiding half his face and leaving only a stretch of pale jaw exposed.
He stared at that man. That face, that build-both were exactly as his own had been.
On the Dharma dais.
Wukong turned his golden gaze upon the man, only to have it driven back by a soft yet dazzling white light that stung his eyes into a squint.
He nudged Bajie, who was craning his neck beside him, with an elbow and lowered his voice:
"Idiot, this false king is no ordinary fellow."
Bajie rolled his eyes, hunched his neck, and replied quietly:
"Brother, how come you're slow on the uptake this time? Isn't it obvious? A mighty being has entered the fray. This is our real tribulation. Did you think bringing a dead king back to life would be enough to get us through this ordeal?"
Wukong gave a knowing smile. "Brother, you're right."
The man paid no attention to anyone else. From beginning to end, his gaze rested only on Xuanzang in the Dharma seat.
He stood before the Dharma dais, looking up at Xuanzang with a faint smile on his lips.
His voice was gentle, still carrying that same touch of nonchalance:
"We have heard that you are the foremost eminent monk of the Great Tang, a master of the profound mysteries of Buddhist Dharma, revered as a holy monk."
"We came especially to hear you preach today. Yet, contrary to our expectations, you did not speak yourself, but sent your disciple out to lecture on such principles