The thunder faded away.
Taibai Jinxing and the White Tiger Divine Lord bowed together to receive the decree.
Without another word, the White Tiger Divine Lord wrapped the sleeping child in his arms snugly. Geng-metal energy rose beneath his feet, turning him into a white rainbow as he broke through the clouds first and headed straight for the Heavenly Court.
Xuanzang turned, his gaze settling on Bajie, who stood rooted to the spot.
"Wuneng, will you go?"
Bajie made no answer. As though his feet had grown roots, he remained nailed to the white jade tiles, not even lifting his eyelids.
Taibai Jinxing lightly stroked his silver beard and stepped forward, his tone gentle:
"Marshal Tianpeng, I know you cannot bear this, remembering the bonds you shared as comrades."
"Very well. I shall accompany you on this journey and escort them both into the netherworld. Consider it a final kindness for the sake of your old comradeship."
Bajie still clenched his teeth and said nothing.
"Wuneng!"
Xuanzang's voice abruptly rose, striking Bajie's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Have you thought it through now?"
Bajie slowly raised his head.
His gaze swept over Baihuaxiu's already cold corpse on the tiles, then over the old king, who held her body and wept until he nearly fainted.
Finally, it settled on the souls of Kui Mulang and the Jade Maiden in midair, gazing peacefully at each other, their eyes filled with release.
Ragged breaths blasted from his pig's snout.
Bajie lowered his head, his loose monk's robes trembling slightly. A muffled mutter rolled from his throat. "I don't think this is right."
"What isn't right?"
Xuanzang's voice boomed like a great bell as he pressed him step by step.
"Say it!"
That sharp command ignited the anger Bajie had suppressed for so long.