Xuanzang's voice carried into the cave through its entrance.
No answer came from within.
Only his invocation of the Buddha echoed through the stone passage.
Xuanzang stood where he was and waited a moment.
Golden light shone from Wukong's eyes as he looked into the cave.
There was nothing inside.
His gaze reached farther in, soon finding that figure.
Wukong narrowed his eyes.
"Master. He's inside."
Wukong raised a hand and pointed into the cave.
"But there's nothing else in there."
"Not a single lesser demon left."
"Just him."
Wukong glanced at Nezha. "Nezha, what did you do?"
Nezha's eyes widened.
"I didn't do anything! Don't go making things up!"
"I was busy subduing the fire dragon earlier."
"As soon as I got it under control, I went searching the mountain for the weapons."
Wukong studied him for a moment.
"Really?"
Nezha pointed at Li Jing.
"Father was here the whole time."
"Ask him."
Standing to one side, Li Jing nodded slightly. "Nezha never entered the cave."
Nezha snorted. "Hear that?"
With the Rake over his shoulder, Bajie edged closer to Wukong. "Brother Monkey, what's he doing in there, then?"
Wukong's expression grew stranger still.
"Nothing."
"Just standing there with his head down."
"Not moving at all."
Bajie frowned. "What if he won't come out?"
Wukong chuckled at that. "Idiot, what else? If he won't come out, I'll go in."
He pointed at the stone doors, which had already been reduced to ashes.
"The doors are gone. What's stopping us?"
With that, Wukong took the Golden Cudgel from his ear.
He waved it into the wind.
"Master, wait out here. I'll go in and get him."
Xuanzang shook his head.
"Wukong, there's no need."
Wukong paused.
Xuanzang turned to the disciples behind him.
"Come inside with me."
Bajie glanced at