Bajie put away his Rake, edged closer to Wukong, and muttered under his breath:
"Brother Monkey, why doesn't this fellow look like a good sort to me? When someone showers you with favors for no reason, he's either a crook or a thief. Could this be a trap?"
Wukong nodded almost imperceptibly, his Golden Cudgel resting casually on his shoulder.
He narrowed his Fiery Golden Eyes and scrutinized Tuo Jie from head to toe.
Tuo Jie was indeed perfectly clean, without a trace of sinister demonic aura.
His conduct was proper, too. Every word was "holy monk" or "Great Sage," leaving nothing to fault. His bearing really did resemble that of a respectable water god from a Dragon Palace.
But... on this Journey to the West, master and disciples stood at the very center of the Heaven and Earth Calamity. Decent folk and respectable immortals could hardly flee fast enough. Who would rush up of their own accord to claim kinship and invite them over?
When things turned strange, something was surely afoot.
Yet Wukong said nothing, merely turning his gaze toward Xuanzang.
Throughout their journey, they had only to abide by their master's decisions.
If their master said to go, then they would go.
Even if the depths of the Blackwater River truly were a dragon's pool and a tiger's den, at worst they would have a fight. This Little Alligator Dragon couldn't withstand a single blow from his cudgel.
Xuanzang sat on A-Hu's back, his gaze calm as he regarded the excessively enthusiastic young man before him.
A moment later.
Xuanzang withdrew his gaze and dismounted from the tiger with unhurried movements.
He straightened his monk's robes, pressed his palms together, and nodded slightly to Tuo Jie, his voice gentle:
"Since our benefactor has extended such a generous