Suddenly, the sound of water came from within the Cave Abode.
It was very faint.
Yet Sanzang's expression changed drastically, and he sprang to his feet.
He rose too quickly, lost his balance, and was about to fall.
Great King Linggan stepped in front of him and caught him.
Subhuti glanced at the two of them and shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to fear."
The sound of water came again.
Subhuti turned to look at Xuanzang.
The sound had come from beside Xuanzang's feet.
A sheen of water appeared on the bluestone.
The water spread slowly along the floor, first flowing around Xuanzang, then creeping outward.
Wukong had been standing in front of Subhuti.
At the sight, he flashed back to Xuanzang's side and seized his sleeve.
"Master!"
Xuanzang glanced down at the water.
Then he looked at Wukong.
He shook his head.
"Wukong, it's all right."
Wukong froze and looked down at the water.
Layers of spectral images emerged within it.
"All right? This is...?"
Xuanzang lowered his gaze.
Wukong's eyes narrowed.
"Those nine skulls?"
As his words fell,
The first spectral figure rose, clad in a tattered patchwork robe.
Half his body was submerged, but his arms were raised high.
He held a child in his hands.
The child cried himself hoarse, his fingers gripping the monk's cuffs tightly.
The monk lifted the child higher, above his own head.
Someone on the bank reached out and took the child.
The instant the child left his hands,
The water's surface rippled gently.
He sank beneath it.
The second spectral figure rose.
He looked like a scholar.
His blue robe was soaked through, his hair crown askew, and he clutched a wooden box to his chest.
A sharp steel blade rested against his neck.