Bajie still wanted to argue, but Wukong had already swung down from the tree and beckoned to Six-Eared Macaque.
"Little Six, come here."
Six-Eared Macaque stepped out from behind Xuanzang. "Brother, what are we practicing today?"
"No staff practice today. Tonight, you'll learn something else from me."
Six-Eared Macaque raised his head, and Wukong turned to Xuanzang.
"Master, I'd like to teach him today."
Xuanzang replied, "That decision is yours to make."
Wukong nodded. "I've made up my mind."
Bajie stopped joking as well. Looking at the two monkeys, he said, "Little Six, your second brother won't be teaching you the Sleep Skill tonight, then."
Six-Eared Macaque looked at Wukong, his eyes slowly lighting up. He looked just like Wukong when he spotted a treasure.
Wukong reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Don't get impatient. Let's keep moving first."
That evening, they stopped to rest in a stretch of woodland.
After their vegetarian meal and evening recitations, Six-Eared Macaque put away the bowls and chopsticks, then went to help Sha Wujing stow the luggage.
Wukong had already risen and was looking their way.
Sha Wujing took the things from Six-Eared Macaque's hands. "Go on. I'll handle the rest."
Six-Eared Macaque answered, put the medical book back into the load, and walked over to Wukong.
Bajie leaned against a tree. Seeing them go, he made no jokes for once, merely waving to Six-Eared Macaque.
Xuanzang remained seated where he was.
Wukong pressed his palms together and bowed to him, then led Six-Eared Macaque away from their resting place and up the hillside.
There was a flat rock on the slope, with no one else around.
Wukong raised a hand to set up a restriction, then straightened his robes and bowed three times toward the empty space before him.
Six-Eared Macaque