Wukong laughed. "You think I'm you, hunting for food the moment you enter a city?"
"Come now, catching thieves doesn't stop us from eating."
As Bajie spoke, he shifted the Rake on his shoulder.
Six-Eared Macaque had already walked over to Sha Wujing and reached out to steady the luggage.
"Fourth Brother, this is coming loose."
Sha Wujing lowered his head for a look. It was indeed loose. He smiled and straightened the carrying pole.
"All right, Little Six. I'll tie it again when we stop."
Six-Eared Macaque nodded.
Bajie glanced at Six-Eared Macaque a couple of times, then looked at Wukong, his lips moving.
Wukong caught the look. "Idiot, speak if you've got something to say. What are you staring at me for?"
"Nothing."
Bajie waved a hand and quickened his pace, catching up to the front again.
No one spoke along the way, and they traveled another fifty li or so.
They rounded a stretch of rocky hillside, and the path began to descend.
They headed down the mountain's southern slope. Only when they neared a hollow did they discover a thatched cottage tucked behind several vegetable plots.
The mountain had hidden it from view when they looked down from above. Now that they had rounded the bend, it all came into sight.
A wisp of white smoke drifted above the courtyard. Someone must have been cooking.
Bajie immediately called out, "Master, there's a house!"
He looked up at the sun, then patted his belly. "We left the village before dawn and have been walking half the day. It's about time we rested our feet."
Xuanzang nodded. "Wuji, you go."
"Yes, Master."
Bajie hurriedly added, "Little White, remember to ask for plenty of food."
Little White Dragon glanced at him and was just about to leave when Xuanzang