The words fell.
A sigh came from deep within the Old Temple.
Very faint.
Like someone blowing out a lamp far, far away.
At the sound, Sanzang whipped his head around, the Blood-Red Mole between his brows lighting up.
He stared into the depths beyond the mountain gate, his gaze growing colder.
The black water inside the gate receded.
Little by little.
The gap between the doors slowly widened.
A cool breeze blew out through the gate.
It carried the Clear Qi of the woods.
Like mountain stone after rain.
Xuanzang gazed at the gate.
There was no longer murky darkness behind it.
Only a path of bluestone lay revealed.
Very narrow.
Old lamps lit up in succession on either side.
One.
Then another.
Their dim yellow flames flickered.
An aged voice came from within.
"In that case, please come in, all of you, and let us talk."
Wukong stepped forward.
The Golden Cudgel lay across his shoulders.
"Master."
"This place is mighty strange. Let Old Sun go ahead and clear the way."
Xuanzang shook his head.
"Wukong, follow your master."
Wukong wanted to say more.
Xuanzang said, "There will be no danger here."
Wukong glanced at the gate.
Then at Xuanzang.
After a moment, he hoisted his cudgel onto his shoulder.
"All right."
Xuanzang walked toward the mountain gate.
He led the way.
Wukong followed behind Xuanzang.
Never straying even half a step.
Sanzang stood on the other side.
The Blood-Red Mole between his brows dimmed a little.
His expression shifted uncertainly, then his gaze changed, and he stepped forward to follow.
Great King Linggan said nothing.
He merely lifted the Red Copper Hammer and followed close behind.
One after another, they entered the mountain gate.
The bluestone path was long.
They had barely gone a dozen paces