"Three hundred years ago."
"The Thunderclap Treasure Monastery held the Ullambana Assembly. The three thousand All Buddhas, five hundred Arhats, Eight Great Vajras, and countless Bodhisattvas were all gathered there."
Wukong lowered his gaze slightly and asked, "Was Pipa there too?"
"She was."
Guanyin nodded. "That was the day the World-Honored One banished Golden Cicada Child's true spirit on the grounds that he refused to listen to the teachings and showed contempt for his great doctrine."
"He was to be reborn in the Eastern Land and sent into the tribulation."
Guanyin said slowly, "For Golden Cicada Child, the day he had been waiting for had finally arrived."
"Pipa could not understand. She did not know why Golden Cicada Child was being banished."
"As she saw it, Golden Cicada Child did not want to leave. The World-Honored One was banishing him to the mortal world."
"All she could see was that I was going to take him away."
Jade Flute had kept his head lowered all this time.
At those words, his eyes slowly closed. He no longer needed to hear the rest.
He knew all too well what Pipa would do.
Guanyin continued, "Over that time, Golden Cicada Child had already become the pillar supporting her heart."
Bajie frowned at this. "And just then, he had to leave."
Guanyin nodded gently. "The moment Golden Cicada Child left, the support she relied on vanished."
"Those emotions that had gradually begun to settle surged up again."
"The demon within her had finally found its chance."
"At the Ullambana Assembly, the World-Honored One was still expounding the teachings."
"Pipa remained seated there."
"But from the moment she heard that Golden Cicada Child was leaving, she could no longer take in a single word."
Wukong suddenly asked, "Didn't the Buddha notice?"
"Of course