Wukong did not strike again. Holding the Golden Cudgel, he turned to look at Xuanzang.
Ever since the Bull Demon King had stopped concealing his aura, Xuanzang had not said a word. His gaze had not been on Wukong and the others or the Bull Demon King.
Instead, he was watching Six-Eared Macaque.
The little monkey sat behind Sha Wujing, head lowered, hands resting on his knees, lost in thought.
Seeing Wukong fall silent, Bajie could no longer hold back. "Old Bull, just now, wearing the Old Earth God's face, you told those villagers that once we arrived, the fire would be put out. They've all gone back to spread the news, and here you are arranging a fight to the death."
The Bull Demon King smoothed the front of his robe, which Wukong had rumpled, and ignored him.
"Are you really going to deny us every scrap of face and tear things apart like this?"
Bajie stepped forward. "What, tired of living?"
Only then did the Bull Demon King lift his eyes. "What the hell is it to you?"
Bajie's breath caught in his throat. It took him a long while to squeeze out a "You..." But the Bull Demon King had already turned, beckoned to the Carved-Beak, Fish-Gilled Demon, and started to leave.
The demon lowered his head and followed. After just two steps, the Bull Demon King suddenly stopped. He looked back for a while, and a smile returned to his face.
"Still, if you don't want to fight, there is another way."
Bajie's expression eased a little, and he hastily answered, "That's what I've been saying, Brother Bull. You're a clever one. This is all a misunderstanding between us. What can't be resolved? We can just sit down and talk."
The Bull Demon King did not