Xuanzang's tone softened, a gentle smile rising in his eyes:
"As for your claim that this company would be no different with or without you?"
Xuanzang turned to Wukong. "Wukong, is that what you think?"
Wukong grinned. "Not me! They're all my good junior brothers! We can't lose a single one!"
Xuanzang nodded, then looked at Bajie. "Wuneng, what about you?"
Bajie's ears flapped with loud smacks as he shouted, "Old Pig's counting on him to trade a few barbs with me every day to keep boredom away! He spots whatever needs doing and never shirks. If he leaves, does that mean Old Pig has to do his work? I couldn't manage that!"
Xuanzang turned to Sha Wujing. "Wujing, what about you?"
Sha Wujing hurriedly waved his hands, then nodded furiously, saying in his guileless voice, "Same here! We brothers can't lose a single one!"
Finally, Xuanzang reached out and gently patted A-Hu's broad back. "And you, A-Hu?"
A-Hu raised his head, gave two howls, and gently bumped Little White Dragon's leg with his enormous head.
Xuanzang smiled, his gaze tender. "He says no, and tells you to stop stirring up trouble for yourself and letting your thoughts run wild!"
Little White Dragon swayed slightly from A-Hu's nudge.
Smiling, Xuanzang walked up to him, spread his hands, and asked:
"Then, Wuji, since none of them think that way, why do you?"
"Do you feel that I find you unnecessary? Or do you think I've done something wrong?"
Xuanzang looked at him, so much like Manjushri had before, and said with a smile:
"Of all the disciples I've taken, you have been the most satisfying. You've also worked hard and made great strides in your studies."
"Do you think this way because I've praised you too little, or asked you to