Six-Eared Macaque froze, then laughed along with him.
Wukong laid the Golden Cudgel across his knees, leaned back against the trunk, and looked up at the sky between the leaves.
"If someone had taken me aside back then and told me all this, like I'm doing today, I probably would've thought he was long-winded."
"But now, looking at you, I don't know why I just can't help myself."
Six-Eared Macaque moved a little closer to him. "I don't mind."
Wukong turned his head, and Six-Eared Macaque asked again, "Brother Wukong, do you think I'll get into trouble too?"
"What's there to fear about getting into trouble!"
Wukong laughed. "Who hasn't stirred up a few messes?"
Six-Eared Macaque looked at him.
"What, are you planning to stop calling us your brothers once you get into trouble?"
Six-Eared Macaque hastily shook his head. "Never."
"There you go, then."
Wukong reached out and lightly tapped his chest.
"I can't say what you'll face down the road. Who knows, your vow might have to emerge from the trouble you stir up."
Six-Eared Macaque looked down at his chest. After a moment, he raised his head again. "But you just said you didn't want me to suffer those same hardships."
Wukong's hand paused. He looked at him, then smiled.
"Yes, that's what I said."
He drew his hand back and patted his knee.
"The fewer you suffer, the better, of course. But I can't walk your whole road for you."
Six-Eared Macaque thought it over and nodded.
Wukong reached out and gently brushed his ears.
"You can hear far, and you think things through. But there'll always be things you can't hear, things you don't foresee. When that time comes, don't bottle it all up alone."
"As long as we're still around, just call out