"Another river?"
Bajie shouldered the Rake and hurried forward a few steps from behind.
"A big river or a small one?"
Wukong was still standing ahead on the official road, shading his eyes with a hand as he gazed into the distance.
"Not big, but it's just up ahead."
Seated on A-Hu's back, Xuanzang looked down the official road.
"Let's go to the bank and have a look first."
Wukong nodded, and they continued onward.
Sure enough, a small river stretched across their path.
It was about half a li wide.
Near the bank, the water was clear enough to see the bottom. Fine sand and rounded stones covered the riverbed, where several long strands of waterweed lay, swaying gently with the current.
The river ran crystal clear, its cold ripples deep and limpid.
A few old willows stood on the opposite bank. Deeper in their shade, corners of thatched roofs were visible.
Wukong stood by the bank and looked both ways.
"Master, there are homes across the river. Perhaps someone runs a ferry."
"But there's no boat in sight."
He scanned the banks on either side.
Only a few old wooden posts stood by the water, and not so much as the shadow of a boat appeared on its surface.
"Still, this river isn't very wide."
"Just let A-Hu fly you across. The rest of us can make our own way over and save ourselves the wait."
Xuanzang glanced at the opposite bank.
"Very well."
A-Hu took two steps forward to the water's edge. The wings on her back had only just spread.
Suddenly, a shout came from deep within the willow shade.
"If you're crossing the river, come this way."
They all looked toward the voice.
A bamboo pole emerged between the willow branches, pushing the hanging