Xuanzang finished his last sentence.
The Wind and Moon Demon laughed when she heard it. "Heh, truly a Holy Monk. But why not listen for yourself?"
She reached out and pointed below.
"So the Buddha could see their suffering too."
As she spoke, the Wind and Moon Demon slowly raised her eyes, her cold smile dripping with mockery. "But since you knew all about it..."
"Why did no one save them?"
Xuanzang stood amid the golden light. After hearing her out, he merely nodded gently.
"Indeed."
The smile on the Wind and Moon Demon's face froze for an instant, as though the words she had prepared suddenly had nowhere to land.
Bajie could not help turning to look at Xuanzang. His master was his master, all right-what a quick response.
Xuanzang said frankly, "The Buddha saw this suffering, and so he spoke of it."
The Wind and Moon Demon stared at him.
Xuanzang's gaze, however, fell toward the foot of the long staircase.
"Some shackles have existed for too long."
"So long that many people take them for granted."
Beneath the gray sun, a black thread swayed gently.
Xuanzang continued:
"That is why the Buddha spoke of this suffering."
"So those caught within it could see for themselves."
"See what they feared."
"See what they endured."
"And see just what those things that had trapped them for so many years truly were."
The Wind and Moon Demon's eyes slowly narrowed.
Xuanzang looked at her.
"Only by seeing clearly where the lock is..."
"Can one know where to begin unlocking it."
"Only then is it possible to walk free oneself."
After hearing him out, the Wind and Moon Demon suddenly scoffed.
"Unlock it? Walk free themselves?"
She slowly tilted her head, her long hair slipping from her shoulder. Her already somewhat