Deep inside Lotus Cave, the flames of several ever-burning lamps set into the stone walls flickered.
The Golden Horn King paced across the bluestone slabs with his hands behind his back, his hurried steps scraping against the floor.
His brows were tightly knitted, and his gaze kept flicking toward the closed cave doors.
"Your Majesty! The Second Great King is back!"
A lesser demon scrambled and stumbled into the inner cave.
The Golden Horn King perked up and hurried forward to meet him.
The Silver Horn King strode inside.
"Brother!" Gold Horn seized Silver Horn by the arm and asked urgently, "Did you find our little sister?"
There was not a trace of joy on the Silver Horn King's face. He sighed heavily and shook his head.
He reached back and brought out the Purple-Gold Red Gourd, patting its belly with a muffled thunk-thunk.
"I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find her. I did run into Zhu Bajie, though, and caught him in our treasure gourd."
Silver Horn then recounted everything that had happened when he encountered the enemy in the mountain hollow.
After hearing him out, the Golden Horn King's brows did not relax. Instead, his face darkened at once.
"This is bad!"
Gold Horn released his arm, staggered back two steps, and slapped his thigh.
"We may have beaten the grass and startled the snake!"
Silver Horn froze. "Why do you say that, brother?"
"You fool!" The Golden Horn King stamped his feet in agitation.
"From what you've told me, Zhu Bajie must have been scouting the road. If you caught him, Tang Sanzang and his companions must be nearby!"
"You searched the whole mountain forest with your men and couldn't find our sister. What does that tell you? She most likely ran straight into Tang Sanzang's party!"