Sha Wujing accepted the sword with both hands.
The blade was light, as light as a wisp of wind in his grasp. Blue-green light flowed across its glazed, translucent surface, brightening and dimming.
Though called a sword, it looked more like an exquisitely crafted ceremonial implement.
Cradling the sword, he turned and walked into the hall.
Wukong put away the Golden Cudgel and followed him.
Bajie stopped dozing, rubbed his eyes, and followed too.
Little White Dragon had just visited A-Hu in the rear courtyard and was coming around beneath the covered walkway. Seeing them, he quickened his steps and returned to the front of the hall.
Manjushri remained where he was, his hands behind his back.
Xuanzang opened the Jade Casket, took out the Wish-Granting Stone, and followed them in.
Inside the great hall, the ever-burning lamps glowed a dim yellow.
Sha Wujing stopped before the towering Stone Bodhisattva.
He held the sword in both hands and lifted his head.
"Stone."
His voice was muffled, striking the beams and pillars of the empty hall and sending out a faint ripple of echoes.
"I'm going to cleave you open."
A moment later, that muffled voice sounded in Sha Wujing's mind.
It carried a timid note. "Big Stone... will it hurt?"
Sha Wujing froze.
He looked down at the sword in his hands, then up at the golden body. The sword trembled slightly in his grasp.
Sha Wujing's throat tightened, and he forced out a few dry words:
"I don't know."
The stone fell silent for a moment, then spoke again, with a measure of calm:
"Then do it."
"I'm not afraid."
Sha Wujing tightened his grip on the hilt and could not help asking, "Why?"
"Because you're here."
Sha Wujing stood rooted to the spot.
He nodded hard, his voice