Guanyin's voice faded.
The Purple Bamboo Basket hung from her wrist.
The golden-red carp lay still inside, its gills opening and closing.
Golden Cicada Child stood and bowed slightly.
His Brocade Kasaya trailed on the ground.
He pressed his palms together in greeting. "Golden Cicada Child pays his respects to the Great Being. Indeed, my mind is clear and untroubled."
Guanyin alighted and smiled at him.
"Then all is well."
Golden Cicada Child smiled too and bowed again.
"Sorry for troubling you, Great Being."
Guanyin nodded, then turned to Xuanzang.
"Xuanzang, what of you?"
Xuanzang pressed his palms together and bowed.
"Xuanzang pays his respects to the Bodhisattva. This humble monk is also untroubled."
Guanyin studied him for a moment.
Water stains still marked Xuanzang's cuffs, but his palms were clean and his fingers steady.
Only then did she withdraw her gaze.
Beneath the Bodhi Tree, the ring of golden light separating them from the others dispersed as she landed.
The golden line faded inch by inch, until only a few wet marks remained on the ground.
Wukong hurried forward.
Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Little White Dragon followed.
All four bowed together.
"Our respects to the Bodhisattva."
Bajie raised his head, looking at Guanyin, then at the Purple Bamboo Basket.
"Bodhisattva, it's not that Old Pig wants to run his mouth, but if you ask me, you shouldn't leave. Just come along with us."
He hoisted the Rake onto his shoulder and lowered his voice.
"All these trips-you've barely gone back before you're coming here again. Going back and forth must be tiring."
Little White Dragon kicked him.
"Would it kill you to stop being clever for a moment?"
Bajie clutched his leg and glared at him.
"How's that being clever? I'm worried about the Bodhisattva."
Little White Dragon's expression