There was no wind beneath the water.
Yet Sanzang still heard bells.
The great golden carp flicked its tail and swam forward, azure light spreading in layers from between its scales.
The black water receded to either side.
The distant stretch of temple eaves slowly grew clearer.
A towering temple gate.
An old locust tree stood before it, its roots sunk into the riverbed, yet its branches and leaves swayed gently as though in the wind.
Closer still.
He saw the plaque.
The characters on it flickered in and out of sight, yet never became legible.
Sanzang lowered his eyes.
Guan Bao'er stood on the left side of the fish's back, gazing up at the temple. The speck of golden light at his cuff flashed again.
"Jiang Liuer."
"We're here."
One Tael of Gold stood on the right, her green satin cloak resting against her back, drifting gently in the water.
She, too, looked at Sanzang.
"Go back."
Sanzang asked nothing.
The two children said nothing more.
The great golden carp lowered its head, bringing it alongside the stone steps.
The steps gleamed with moisture.
Sanzang raised his foot and stepped onto them.
Guan Bao'er pushed open the half-closed temple gate.
Sanzang walked inside.
The blazing sun hung overhead, and sandalwood incense curled through the air.
Twelve hundred eminent monks in cassocks chanted sutras in unison.
The sandalwood incense was thick.
Monks gathered like clouds.
The sovereign sat in state.
Civil and military officials filled the court.
He sat high above them, the focus of every gaze.
The wooden fish sounded, stroke after stroke.
A cassock draped his shoulders, its golden threads heavy.
He shook his head, slowly rose, and descended from the dais.
The chanting stopped abruptly.
The wooden fish fell silent.
The bells and chimes fell silent.
King