The last cloud on the horizon dispersed.
Li Jing and Nezha had long since vanished, leaving only a few lingering cloud trails above Jindou Mountain.
The mountain wind swept past the cave entrance.
Wukong stood where he was, still staring at the horizon, unable to wipe the sour look off his face.
Bajie sidled up beside him and urged quietly, "Brother Monkey, let it go."
"You got something out of it, after all. You only had to call him martial uncle once. It's not like you lost anything."
Wukong spun around and lashed out with his foot.
"Idiot, you dare bring that up again!"
Bajie seemed to have been ready for him. He took to his heels and darted behind Sha Wujing in a flash.
Wukong chased him a couple of steps.
Bajie poked half his head out, still defiant.
"What? I'm telling the truth!"
The two chased each other around Sha Wujing.
Standing between them, Sha Wujing thought for a long while before saying in his earnest voice:
"Stop arguing, stop arguing. But Eldest Brother, if you work it out, the Third Crown Prince really does seem to be our martial uncle."
Wukong stopped short.
He slowly turned his head to look at Sha Wujing.
"Old Sha, even you're trying to rile me up?"
Sha Wujing opened his mouth, then found himself at a loss for how to explain.
Xuanzang watched them and gently shook his head.
He turned toward the mountain path they had come along.
"Our business here is finished. We should retrieve our luggage and continue our journey."
At Xuanzang's words, Wukong answered, seemingly bringing the horseplay to an end.
Bajie also stopped, panting. "Right, right, let's hurry back. We haven't even had a chance to eat the food Brother Monkey begged for."
Little White Dragon