Little White Dragon reached back and shut the door tightly.
But the foul stench had already seeped into the room.
A-Hu sprang up from beneath the table, wrinkling her nose as she backed toward the wall.
She raised a forepaw and waved it in front of her nose several times. When the smell still refused to disperse, she simply spread one wing and buried her head beneath it.
A flurry of commotion rose from the neighboring room as well.
They heard the old woman shout:
"Why does it stink so badly? Has the cesspit collapsed?"
Sha Wujing paid no attention to the smell and hurried over to Wukong and Little White Dragon instead.
"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, where's Second Brother? Is he all right?"
Recalling what he had just witnessed, Little White Dragon pondered for a moment, shook his head, and patted Sha Wujing's shoulder before saying slowly:
"Junior Brother Sha, don't ask any more."
"Second Brother... was still a step too late."
Sha Wujing froze at those words.
His eyes immediately reddened, and he reached for the Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff.
"What! Third Brother, where is Second Brother?"
"I'll go find him right now!"
As he spoke, he made to rush outside.
Wukong caught him by the shoulder.
"Old Sha, what are you going to find him for?"
"That idiot's perfectly fine!"
Pinching his nose, Wukong pointed beyond the wooden door.
"Little White meant that the idiot didn't find the privy in time."
"He's squatting outside the village relieving himself now. He won't die."
Wukong patted his shoulder too. "If you really want to help him, find a clean pair of trousers in the luggage and take them to him in a bit."
Sha Wujing stood dumbstruck, then nodded. "As long as Second Brother's all right. I'll find them now."