Xuanzang raised his hand and gently patted the back of Wukong's hand twice.
He looked at Wukong with worry in his eyes, but even more trust.
Wukong turned his hand over, clasped Xuanzang's, and reassured him:
"Rest easy, Master. Little White will surely be all right."
Wukong stood up and said to Xuanzang:
"Master, it isn't safe here. Keep going and wait for me in the woods. Rest without worry. I'll be back in no time."
Then he slung the Golden Cudgel over his shoulder and turned to Bajie and Sha Wujing.
"Idiot, Sha! Protect Master and wait for me."
Bajie nodded. Sha Wujing followed with a firm nod of his own.
Wukong immediately sprang into the air, becoming a streak of golden light that shot straight into the clouds.
Deep within Hao Mountain lay Withered Pine Ravine.
The terrain here was treacherous, untouched by sunlight all year round.
A stream wound along the bottom of the ravine, its clear, emerald waters rushing below. At the head of the ravine stood a stone-slab bridge leading to the cave dwelling across the way.
Following the stream inward, one would come upon an enormous cliff.
Beneath the cliff, two heavy stone doors stood shut. A stone tablet nearby bore the large inscription: "Fire Cloud Cave, Withered Pine Ravine, Hao Mountain."
Wukong lowered his cloud and landed before the cave.
He tucked the Golden Cudgel back into his ear.
After all, he had come to claim kinship. He ought to act like an elder, not abandon courtesy by shouting threats of slaughter right from the start.
He walked up to the cave doors, cleared his throat, planted his hands on his hips, and called out loudly:
"Open up! Open up! You little demons inside, listen! Hurry and tell your king that his