As the words fell,
the young scholar's figure dissolved.
The window lattice, the desk, and the lamp all vanished as though wiped away by a hand.
The next moment,
Sanzang stood on the stone steps of the old temple.
The steps gleamed with moisture.
A sheen of blue-black water flowed down along the cracks.
The temple gate stood half-open.
An old locust tree stood rooted in the water before it, its roots twisting and coiling, yet its branches and leaves swayed gently where there was no wind.
The inscription on the plaque remained unreadable.
Beyond the gate lay darkness.
Great King Linggan stood in the water.
The Nine-Petal Red Copper Hammer lay crosswise before him.
Droplets fell from its head into the water without raising so much as a ripple.
Guan Bao'er and One Tael of Gold clung desperately to Sanzang's arms.
Guan Bao'er's eyes reddened, and his voice turned shrill.
"Who are you!"
One Tael of Gold gripped his cuff, her knuckles frighteningly white.
"Where's Jiang Liuer?"
The two children shouted together:
"You're not Jiang Liuer! Give Jiang Liuer back to us!"
Sanzang stood there.
He looked first at Great King Linggan.
Then he lowered his gaze to the two children.
Guan Bao'er gritted his teeth, but his shoulders trembled.
Tears still clung to One Tael of Gold's eyes. Her green satin cloak lay against the water like a leaf about to sink.
Sanzang smiled faintly.
"Please release my arms, benefactors."
Guan Bao'er froze.
One Tael of Gold froze as well.
The children's fingers loosened little by little.
His cuffs slipped from their palms.
Sanzang lowered his eyes and slowly straightened his sleeves.
Then he raised his head and said unhurriedly:
"You wish to know who this humble monk is?"
A bell rang softly once within the old temple.