"RAGHHHHHHH!!"
The dragon's ferocious roar reverberated everywhere, creating shockwaves.
I had to cover my ears while hiding nearby, of course under the protection of Wukong's clone.
The clone stared at the terrifying dragon for a moment, then widened her eyes.
"Ah, I remember now!"
"Remember what?"
"He's the son of the Grand Supreme Elder!"
"...And?"
I mean, how is that information supposed to matter to me when I don't even know who that is?!
"It means Yu Long and him are blood siblings," the clone told me.
"And?"
"That's it."
"Alright then, how are we supposed to deal with this guy now?"
The clone pondered for a moment. She was only Level 5, while the terrifying dragon was Level 7—there was no way she could beat him.
If that's the case, there's only one option left...
"I'll hold him off for as long as I can. Master, you must run." The clone stood up, spinning her Jingu Bang staff.
"But—"
"It's okay. After all, I'm just a clone."
"No, I mean, what about Yu Long?"
Hearing this, the clone turned to look at Yu Long, who was still in the machine, looking like a dried corpse.
"Then I'll take her. Master, make sure to hide well."
The clone pressed her hand to the ground, and flames ignited at her feet.
She dashed toward the machine as fast as she could.
Yu Shen's numerous eyes all focused on the clone and unleashed water waves.
The clone swiftly dodged, transforming her Jingu Bang staff into a fiery bow and shooting at Yu Shen.
The attack landed, and the fire arrows turned into a raging firestorm engulfing Yu Shen.
While Yu Shen was trapped in the firestorm, the clone used her Jingu Bang to smash the machine, grabbed Yu Long, and ran back to me.
Throwing Yu Long over to me, she turned back to face the monstrous dragon.
"Got her. Now leave."
"Oh, alright..."
She turned her head to look at me and Yu Long, observing me as I anxiously checked Yu Long's condition.
"Sigh... what was I expecting?" she muttered to herself.
"Huh? What did you just say?" I asked.
"Nothing, just... ugh, just run." She scratched her head and pointed toward the exit.
I looked at her face.
"Oh, are you annoyed because I seem like I don't care about you?"
The clone flinched, turning to face me.
"I mean... I've always trusted you, haven't I?" I said, scratching my head.
"...Because I'm a clone of Wukong?"
"That's true, but after observing you all this time... you're quite different from Wukong. So... I trust you, as you are."
Hearing this, the clone widened her eyes and stared into mine.
But before she could say anything, Yu Shen broke free from the firestorm and lunged toward us.
"Tch!" The clone jumped, spinning her staff, and aimed it at Yu Shen's face.
"Ruyi Jingu Bang, extend!"
The Jingu Bang extended instantly, but Yu Shen dodged it effortlessly.
It created wind spheres that orbited around it, aiming them at the clone.
The clone took a deep breath and unleashed an intense fire breath, heating up everything around her.
Watching the fierce battle unfold, I yelled at the clone.
"Don't die!"
Then, I ran off with Yu Long in my arms.
"Don't die, huh..." The clone thought to herself while holding off Yu Shen.
Recalling those words, she couldn't help but smile.
"Trust me for who I am? Haha, no wonder the original fell for you."
She spun her staff and stared down the monstrous dragon, now more powerful than ever.
"You disgusting worm! Bring out all your strength already!" She taunted Yu Shen, and it seemed the dragon understood, roaring loudly at her.
"I'm gonna fight you to the bitter end! Ruyi Jingu Bang, ENLARGE TENFOLD!"
***
I ran for a while, then stopped in a corner.
Looking at Yu Long, I began to sweat.
Her body was completely drained, looking like a dried-up corpse.
I wanted to believe she was still alive, but she looked no different from someone who had already passed.
Thankfully, her heart was still beating! There was still hope!
I had to find Wukong and Bajie!
I stood up and kept running. But then, I saw a silhouette ahead—someone very familiar.
"MASTER!!!"
"BAJIE!"
Bajie leaped toward me, pulling all three of us to the ground in an embrace.
"Master, are you alright?! Are you hurt?! I'm so sorry for leaving you!!!" Bajie cried as she clung to me.
"I-I'm fine. But where's Wukong?! We need her to save Yu Long!"
"Wukong... she's fighting some guy dressed like a fisherman!" Bajie said anxiously.
"Dressed like a fisherman?"
While we were talking, the sound of footsteps echoed.
Bajie and I turned to look at the approaching figure. He walked slowly, smiling, and waved at us.
I recognized his outfit immediately—it was the same as the man who had punched me in the stomach and kidnapped Yu Long.
He glanced at Yu Long in my arms and shook his head, feigning pity.
"You're the master of the monkey and the dragon, aren't you? It seems today is a sad day for you, isn't it?"
A sad day? Why was he suddenly bringing up Wukong and Yu Long?
"What do you mean?" I asked, sweating.
"Well, I suppose I should keep it short," he said, pointing to the bloodstains on his clothes.
"Your monkey—she's dead."
...
...What?
"What do you mean?" I began sweating even more.
"And as for the dragon, though her heart is still beating, she doesn't have long. She's lost all her bloodlines, after all."
"WHAT NONSENSE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" I roared, glaring at the man in front of me.
"Sigh, I can see you don't want to believe it. I understand," he said, exhaling tiredly before turning to Bajie.
Bajie clenched her teeth in worry, gripping her weapon tightly.
"Well then, I'll save the best for last and deal with her first."
"MASTER, RUN—"
In an instant, the man grabbed Bajie by the neck and slammed her against the wall.
"Guh-ah!!"
Bajie dropped her weapon and struggled to free herself from his grip.
I stood there, trembling.
He yawned, tightening his grip even more.
"...M-master..." Bajie's tears streamed down her face as she looked at me.
Crack.
Everything went silent as Bajie collapsed to the ground, motionless.
"Alright, now it's just you. But you're too weak for me to even bother," he said, cracking his knuckles.
"So I'll let you go. Take this hatred and grow stronger. I'll enjoy that."
He walked past me as I knelt on the ground, frozen.
...Bajie was just killed before my eyes.
And according to him, Yu Long would soon follow.
...And if his words were true... Wukong was dead as well.
...So it's just me? Am I the only one left?
Everything we've done—sneaking in, fighting, rescuing—was it all for nothing? Am I the only survivor?
...Is this some kind of joke? No... It can't be.
I... I don't want this.
Father... I don't want this.
Tears streamed down my face as I hugged the lifeless bodies of my disciples.
No... why is everyone leaving me?
Please... don't leave me to die alone.
...
Tick
A fierce aura erupted around me, stopping Bai Ling in his tracks.
He turned back, only to see a young man sitting in the pose of a Buddha, chanting and pressing his hands together.
Golden energy radiated from his hands, his glowing golden eyes staring blankly at the surroundings.
"...Seems like I don't have to wait long after all," Bai Ling muttered.
Golden rings on Bajie and Yu Long's foreheads lit up, causing both of them to open their eyes.
"Huh?! I'm alive?!" Bajie touched her neck, finding nothing wrong.
But Yu Long's transformation was even more extraordinary—almost terrifying.
She had fully recovered and had grown taller, resembling a mature, imposing woman.
"H-Huh?! Yu Long?! Is that really you?!" Bajie exclaimed, startled to see Yu Long towering over her.
Yu Long stared at her hands before turning her gaze to Tang Sanzang.
As the radiant golden aura faded, he collapsed.
Bai Ling observed the two, feeling a renewed excitement.
They were both far stronger than before, and that thrilled him.
Maybe killing more of this man's loved ones would grant him an even more powerful opponent someday.
"You bastard! You broke my neck! I'll kill you!" Bajie snarled, still furious at the man in front of her.
Meanwhile, Yu Long touched Tang Sanzang's cheek and then looked at Bai Ling.
"I'll handle this quickly, Master," she said.