Wukong walked straight out of Doushuai Palace.
A streak of golden light descended along the heavenly steps.
Before long, he arrived outside Lingxiao Hall.
Immortal light carpeted the ground before the hall, with golden bells and jade chimes hanging on either side.
The Six Offices of the South Dipper and the Seven Northern Dipper Luminaries were waiting before the hall for orders.
The Four Celestial Masters-Zhang Daoling, Immortal Elder Ge, Xu Jingyang, and Qiu Hongji-stood beside the Jade Steps, speaking in low voices.
Suddenly, golden light flashed.
They all looked up at once.
Wukong descended from his cloud, clutching his head.
The golden light dispersed.
Silence fell before the hall.
Zhang Daoling was the first to salute him.
"What brings the Great Sage here?"
Immortal Elder Ge glanced at the lump on his head, then looked away.
The corner of Xu Jingyang's mouth twitched.
Qiu Hongji coughed.
Someone among the Six Offices of the South Dipper whispered, "His head..."
The man beside him immediately kicked him.
The immortal official promptly lowered his head and fell silent.
Wukong raised his eyelids.
The silence deepened.
Zhang Daoling asked again, "Great Sage, have you completed your meritorious task of escorting the Tang monk on his Journey to the West?"
Wukong waved a hand. "Not yet, not yet."
Rubbing his head, he took two steps toward the Jade Steps.
"The road is long and thick with demons. We're only halfway there, and now we're stuck at Jindou Cave on Jindou Mountain."
The Four Celestial Masters exchanged glances.
"Jindou Mountain?" Xu Jingyang asked.
Wukong stopped and turned to look at him.
"You've heard of it, Celestial Master Xu?"
Xu Jingyang rested his fly-whisk in the crook of his arm.
"Many mountains and rivers in the mortal realm share names. I wouldn't dare jump to conclusions."