At Xuanzang's words, Bajie opened his mouth. His long snout twitched, and his Adam's apple bobbed twice, but he could not squeeze out a sound.
He gripped the Nine-Toothed Rake so tightly that his rough knuckles turned deathly white.
His eyelids drooped; he simply dared not meet Xuanzang's gaze.
All his stifled anguish and guilt lodged in his heavy breathing.
Outside the hall, the dying sunlight was suddenly torn apart by a dazzling golden radiance.
Waves of auspicious mist poured into the imperial audience hall. Rosy light swirled, and clouds of good fortune spiraled down from the air.
The officials of the Baoxiang Kingdom felt their eyes sting. Their legs buckled, and one after another, they prostrated themselves before the White Jade Steps.
Two figures stood upon the clouds.
The elder on the left wore plain white Daoist robes and held a horsetail whisk, his hair and beard entirely white;
The divine general on the right wore gleaming silver armor, a heavy sword hanging at his waist, his face frosted with cold severity.
Their toes touched the floor, and a piercing immortal aura instantly filled the hall.
The White Tiger Divine Lord's armor plates clashed with a dull metallic ring.
He passed the prostrate officials, his gaze sharp as an awl, and fixed it directly on Kui Mulang, who lay tightly bound by immortal ropes at the center of the jade steps.
"Kui Mulang, you took advantage of the great tribulation to descend to the mortal realm without permission, abduct a mortal woman, and commit slaughter. Your audacity truly knows no bounds!"
The divine lord's voice rang like clashing metal. Though anger colored his tone, disappointment weighed heavier still.
"By decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable, return to the Heavenly Court immediately with me and Star Lord Taibai to await