The fierce wind abruptly ceased.
The Yellow-Robed Monster checked his momentum.
He sprang backward and landed steadily thirty feet away, pointing his blade diagonally at the ground and waving a hand to call off the fight.
Bajie had been about to pursue him, but stopped at the sight.
His great ears flapped twice as he studied the demon opposite him in bewilderment. "How do you know me, Old Pig, you fiend?"
The Yellow-Robed Monster turned his wrist, and his steel blade became a streak of light that vanished into his sleeve. He burst into laughter, his rough voice echoing through the woods:
"Brother Tianpeng, it certainly has been a long time. Who would have thought we'd both look like this when we met again!"
Bajie kept his guard up, staring fixedly at him, his suspicions mounting. "Don't act so familiar! Who exactly are you? How do you know my name?"
The Yellow-Robed Monster stepped forward twice, raised his indigo hands with their taut sinews, and swept one forcefully across his face.
Flesh rolled back, and golden light flashed.
A gray wolf's face appeared, tinged with eerie green, its fur like steel needles.
His muzzle parted slightly, revealing fearsome fangs, and a vast aura of starlight spilled forth.
A moment later, he swept his hand over his face again, covering his true appearance and turning back into the yellow-robed demon.
"Hiss-"
Bajie sucked in a cold breath. The fat all over his body shuddered violently as he pointed at him and blurted:
"Brother Kui Lodge?!"
"Shh!"
The Yellow-Robed Monster flashed to Bajie's side and clamped a hand firmly over his long snout.
He urgently lowered his voice. "Don't shout, brother! Keep quiet!"
With that, without caring whether Bajie agreed, he seized his broad sleeve and dragged him deeper into Boyue Cave.