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“Venerable masters, I was injured escaping a wolf attack and I cannot walk, please help me!”
It was the third one in as many months. Last time it was a young woman who had lost her way; the time before that, an old man who had fallen. This time it was a frail young scholar, disheveled, clutching his leg and looking up forlornly at their master.
Tang appeared as affected as he was every time, as if the young scholar was his own brother, but Sand was starting to get suspicious. It seemed that, every time they traveled somewhere deep in the mountains, they encountered an injured traveler that required their assistance. Before Sand could speak, however, Wukong piped up, as he had done twice previously.
“I’d be glad to carry you to your home, young benefactor!” The monkey was as eager as he could be while still remaining polite, holding out his hands and putting on a winning smile.
“Ah.. th-thank you…”
“Be careful with his injuries, Wukong.” Tang looked pleased and still slightly surprised that the monkey had offered to help so willingly once again.
“Yes, Master.”
The monkey had the young scholar on his back in one deft movement and was immediately speed-walking away.
“Perhaps not so quick, Wukong, his leg…”
“I’ll be careful, Master - and the sooner I get him home the better.”
Wukong called over his shoulder with easy reassurance and disappeared ahead in the heavy mist of the mountains.
***
Wukong took a trail off the main path the moment he and his passenger were out of sight, and, with a trick that expanded the ground he covered with each step, he reached the edge of a high, rocky cliff in record time. He stood before the very edge, looking contemplatively down. The ravine below was dark as ink and seemingly bottomless.
“Wh-what are you…?”
“I’m trying out a new strategy. I’ve discovered that if I kill demons like you quick enough, it foils your plan to lure me away and attack my Master.” The monkey's sharp incisors were just visible in his half-turned grin.
Before the demon could voice his protest, the monkey leapt. With one mid-air flip the monkey was above the demon, one hand in a vice grip on the back of the demon’s neck and the other clamped tight over the demon's mouth. He forced the demon down the ravine like an arrow that had pierced a leaf.
The demon writhed and blurred, his eyes glowed white, rolling in terror, but with Wukong sealing the demon’s way out of his form, he could not escape.
A dull thud echoed deep in the ravine, and then a gold streak darted up and materialized on the ledge as the monkey. He cupped a hand above his eyes and peered down the ravine one last time, golden eyes glinting in satisfaction, then glanced down at his monk’s shirt. The rough yellow cloth was now splashed with the green ectoplasm of the splattered demon.
He blew at it with magic on his breath and the stains evaporated. The ground quivered as he took off once more, a gold streak flying in the direction of his master and brothers.
***
“I‘ve taken him home. His injuries won’t be a problem for him.” Wukong stood before Tang with his chest puffed out, dusting off his hands.
“That’s good to hear! You were very quick… is his home so near?” Tang glanced around the mountains curiously.
“Yeah - uh, he lives right here in the mountains, as a matter of fact, and I used a spell to speed us up.”
“Brother, did you get us any food or money from his relatives as thanks?” Bajie peered at Wukong as if he suspected the monkey was hiding a bowl of rice in his sleeves. The pig shot out a hand to pat the monkey down and Wukong promptly smacked it away.
“We should not ask for thanks for doing right by a fellow traveler, Bajie,” Tang admonished at once. He gave the monkey a faint, encouraging smile. “You did well, Wukong. I’m very pleased with you - you have grown a great deal since I first met you at Five Elements Mountain.”
“Thank you, Master,” Wukong beamed and gave his head a little scratch at the praise, then hopped ahead to continue to lead the group on their path, cheerfully beckoning the rest of the party forward.
Sand said nothing, as usual, and merely adjusted his grip on the pole that carried the luggage. He thought he had seen a few small flecks of green on the monkey’s sleeves that hadn’t been there before, and thought the eldest brother had indeed grown and learned much on their journey.