The demon froze at his words. "The Holy Infant Great King of Hao Mountain."
The Bull Demon King set down his wine cup. "Who told you that?"
"Some little demons who escaped from the Fire Cloud Cave. They've scattered everywhere now. A few took refuge on a friend's mountain and said their Great King took a blow from Sun Wukong's staff and died. They were afraid the monkey would come back to kill them, so they all fled."
The Bull Demon King stared at him without answering.
An old demon beside the speaker tugged his sleeve and whispered, "That's the Great Strength King's son!"
The demon's expression changed, and he immediately rose to his feet.
"Please don't take offense, Great King. I only heard it from others. It might not be true."
The laughter and chatter in the hall stopped.
The guests who had just been discussing the Pilgrim also set down their cups. Someone tried to smooth things over, but when he looked up and saw the Bull Demon King's expression, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
The Bull Demon King pressed his hand against the edge of the table. The cups before him trembled softly, and wine spilled over their rims and ran down the tabletop.
Jade-Faced reached out and touched him. "Great King?"
The Bull Demon King raised his eyes. Seeing everyone watching him, he slowly loosened his fingers.
The demon was still standing. When he saw the Bull Demon King rise, he hastily clasped his hands again.
"Great King, those little demons were panicking. What they said might not..."
The Bull Demon King waved him aside and strode straight toward the cave entrance.
Jade-Faced hurried after him and caught his sleeve.
"Great King, where are you going?"
"Back home for a bit."