“Down,” I commanded. The stone lions landed lightly onto the familiar bridge of the mountaintop where we’d been just days before. I let out a breath of relief as the chariot came to a stop. We’d made it back in time, and since we’d known where to go and went double speed, there were still two days left until the end of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Two days until, according to Nai Nai and the other spirits, the Jade Emperor would make his first move.
Jordan was still fast asleep, snoring on Ren’s shoulder. Ren’s face scrunched up in an expression that told me he’d just about lost all patience.
He leaned over into Jordan’s ear. “Wake up,” he shouted.
Jordan yelped and jumped in his seat, nearly tumbling out of the chariot. “Huzzah?”
“We’re here,” I said. “Come on. Time to greet Sun Wukong.”
“You might want to wipe that drool off your mouth,” Ren told Jordan.
Jordan swiped at his chin with his sleeve. After both boys disembarked from the chariot, I clicked the button on my remote. It reverted back into a coin that flew into my hands.
The last time we’d been to the Mountains of Flower and Fruit, there had still been some daylight. Now, at night, I could fully appreciate the mountain’s beauty. Under the dim glow of the moonlight, the tree leaves and bushes shone with dew. The branches rustled and swayed in the gentle night breeze. Before us, the waterfall shimmered as the water rushed downward past the bridge.
I was about to step through the curtain of water when Ren put a hand on my shoulder. “What?” I asked.
He squinted up at the top of the mountain, which was illuminated by the moon. “Do you feel that?”
“Feel what?”
“Just thought I … Never mind. Let’s go.” Ren pushed past me and disappeared through the waterfall into the Water Curtain Cave.
My eyes met Jordan’s. He shrugged. I followed Ren through the Water Curtain Cave. After a moment, the sound of Jordan’s footsteps followed behind me.
When we emerged out of the dark cave, the monkeys were fast asleep in the trees. Some of them were cuddling. There was one pair that was wide-awake and stationed in front of Sun Wukong’s throne, while the Monkey King himself sat cross-legged with his arms folded in front of his chest. I would’ve thought he was awake if his eyes weren’t closed and if he wasn’t emitting loud, rumbling snores.
“Who goes there?” hissed one of the guard monkeys. Both raised their spears at us.
I stepped forward with my hands up to show we didn’t mean any harm. “We’ve come back to see your king, Sun Wukong. We’ve brought the Ruyi Jingu Bang.”
Sun Wukong’s ear twitched. His eyes flew open. “Weren’t there more of you warriors before? I seem to remember a small, annoying girl.”
“My sister’s name is Ashley,” growled Jordan.
Ren cleared his throat and muttered under his breath, “Play nice with the monkey.”
If he heard either of them, Sun Wukong gave no indication. Lazily, he stretched out a hand. “Let’s see my Ruyi Jingu Bang, then. If it indeed is the real Ruyi Jingu Bang and not a fake. You foolish mortals couldn’t tell the difference.”
Now I understood why all of Heaven had tried to take out this guy hundreds of years ago. Dude was just plain obnoxious.
Aware that the monkeys were studying us with great interest, I walked quickly toward Sun Wukong and knelt before him. Ren and Jordan did the same, though I could almost see the reluctance in their stiff movements.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the tiny, toothpick-like weapon. I held it flat on my palm before him. “The Ruyi Jingu Bang.”
Sun Wukong’s fur brushed and tickled my palm as he picked up the tiny staff. I held my breath, my gaze fixed on the grass beneath my arms and legs. This was the moment of truth. I was pretty sure we hadn’t been fooled by the entire Underworld, but if this wasn’t the real Ruyi Jingu Bang, Sun Wukong was going to send us right back to Diyu—and this time for good.
“Biàn,” Sun Wukong commanded. Change.
With a popping noise, the Ruyi Jingu Bang lengthened into a spear in Sun Wukong’s hand. He examined it thoroughly, even tucking one end under his armpit to scratch it. This went on for a while.
The staff must have passed his test, because Sun Wukong stuck the Ruyi Jingu Bang into the ground and gave us an approving look. “It seems you’ve done well, warriors. This is indeed my Ruyi Jingu Bang.”
I breathed out a sigh of relief and stood up on slightly shaky legs. “Thank you, dà shèng.”
Sun Wukong gazed upon the Ruyi Jingu Bang with reverence. “I have to thank you for retrieving this weapon for me. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see it again.”
“So you’ll be able to join us in the fight against the Jade Emperor, then? We have to move now,” Ren said all in a rush. “We’ve heard rumors that the Jade Emperor plans to strike against the humans and demons as soon as the Hungry Ghost Festival ends. That only gives us a little less than forty-eight hours, and—”
“Hold on, kid.” Sun Wukong squinted at Ren. “Who said anything about joining you in this fight?”
My heart almost dropped into my stomach. “You did,” I pointed out. “You said you’d aid us if we could bring back your Ruyi Jingu Bang, remember?”
Sun Wukong threw his head back and laughed. The other monkeys joined in.
“And people say my jokes are bad. I don’t see anything funny about this at all,” Jordan shouted.
Sun Wukong wiped a tear from his eye. He explained in the slow, careful voice one might use with a toddler. “It’s funny because I lied.”
“That’s even less funny!” Jordan protested.
“You—you can’t lie,” I blurted out in a panic.
Sun Wukong’s eyes danced with amusement. “Oh? Why can’t I lie, warrior? Don’t you know who I am? I’m the biggest trickster
