Even after hearing Guanyin's final words, the surprise on Bajie's face had not faded.
"I know the Great Kalpa is terrifying."
"But that was Spirit Mountain!"
Guanyin did not answer Bajie's question. She merely said slowly:
"Spirit Mountain is pure and tranquil, bathed in Buddhist light, with All Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas expounding the scriptures and teaching the Dharma."
"Though Pipa had already fallen into demonic corruption, this humble monk discovered it fairly early. The Demon Seed had yet to truly manifest."
"After she arrived at Spirit Mountain, her demonic nature was indeed suppressed for a time."
"This humble monk had her listen to the scriptures with the others, but she refused to listen at all."
Jade Flute asked, "Why?"
Guanyin shook her head gently. "At the time, Pipa's mind had collapsed, and her awareness was clouded."
"There were many things she could no longer remember clearly."
Jade Flute froze. "She lost her memory?"
Guanyin said, "Not entirely, but she had forgotten some people, and some events had become jumbled."
"Yet the feelings those events had left in her heart remained."
"She still felt sorrow and fear, and she instinctively rejected this humble monk."
"So whenever this humble monk appeared beside her, that resentment would be stirred up."
"The more this humble monk tried to persuade her, the more she believed this humble monk meant to harm her."
"Her demonic nature did not diminish. Instead, it grew stronger."
"Thus, this humble monk could not remain by her side."
Guanyin paused there.
"This humble monk knew she carried a Demon Seed, but she had, after all, reached Spirit Mountain. Buddhist light suppressed it, and All Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas were teaching the Dharma."
"At the time, this humble monk believed that, at least there, nothing more would happen to her."