Wukong's smile faded a little.
Six-Eared Macaque still had his head lowered, his hands clenched tight. The rice cake Bajie had just handed him had cracked in his grip, scattering crumbs over his monk's robe, but he had not noticed.
Sha Wujing held his broad hand beneath his and said softly, "Little Six, loosen your grip first."
Only then did Six-Eared Macaque glance down. Slowly, he opened his hands and placed the broken rice cake in Sha Wujing's palm.
Wukong crouched before him. "You stopped us outside the village because you heard Old Bull wanted to fight me to the death?"
"He doesn't just want to kill you."
Six-Eared Macaque looked at Wukong, his voice growing more urgent. "He wants you to kill him even more!"
Wukong did not interrupt.
Six-Eared Macaque leaned forward a little and asked, "Brother, can you kill him?"
After waiting a while, he asked again, "Brother, will you kill him?"
Wukong stood and glanced at Xuanzang.
Xuanzang remained beside them, his gaze resting on Six-Eared Macaque. He did not answer for Wukong.
Just then, the old villager called from outside the door, "Elders, the room is ready. Come in and rest."
Bajie called back and picked up the food on the table.
They followed the old man into the room next door. Once he had finished settling them in, he left, leaving only their group inside.
Six-Eared Macaque still sat by the window with his head lowered. Wukong pulled over a chair and sat down casually before him.
He did not continue answering those two questions. He merely watched Six-Eared Macaque's bowed head.
Six-Eared Macaque waited a while before raising his face to meet Wukong's gaze.
"Little Six, what are you afraid of?"
Six-Eared Macaque did not answer.
Xuanzang sat to one side. Bajie