"Your mother's master!" Axel smacked Piggy on the head, then raised his voice toward the outside of the golden cymbal.
"Sister, ignore this idiot pig. I just happen to share a name with someone else. If that Yellow-Browed freak really sensed anything special about me, he would have shown up a long time ago."
"But, Layman, why are you so sure I am not already here?"
The childish voice came from outside the cymbal the moment Axel finished speaking.
Piggy froze, then began struggling in Axel's grip.
"This is bad, Axel. We're in real trouble. That Yellow-Browed monster is actually here. The cymbal in the Dragon Girl's hands is one thing, I could hold out for eighty-one days. But if it falls into his hands, I won't last a single day against him."
Piggy's voice dropped as fear crept in.
"I've fought him before. Never won. Not once. After gaining those spiritual roots, he got even worse. He messes with people's minds, breaks them. Even Kang fell to him. If we face him now, we're finished."
Piggy let out a defeated sigh.
Outside, the woman in red stood tense, staring at the small yellow-robed child before her. He barely reached her knees, yet the fear on her face was unmistakable.
The child smiled coldly.
"Kang, you call me your master, yet you disobey me. I told you to capture that man. Why is he still wandering free?"
"Master!"
Kang dropped to her knees, trembling.
"I only wanted to claim the credit for subduing the Marshal. I didn't realize I interfered with your plans. I accept my punishment..."
A quiet laugh cut her off.
"Thinking of me?" the child said, shaking his head. "You're thinking of that pig and that monkey. Trying to stall for time, hoping they recover or someone comes to save you."
He pulled a small sack from his waist.
Kang's body shook harder.
"Your mind is clouded," he continued. "Go reflect on your mistakes."
The sack opened, releasing a crimson wind that dragged Kang inside. She vanished instantly.
Only then did he pick up the golden cymbal and smile at it.
"So, someone mentioned me just now. Layman Axel, was it? Interesting. I enjoy a good gamble, and the one you're pretending to be used to entertain me."
With a flick of his hand, the cymbal opened.
Axel and Piggy were released, suspended in the air.
The child studied Axel, then laughed.
"You're unusual. I like that. Why not join me? Become my disciple."
"I'm not interested."
The blunt reply made the child's expression tighten.
Piggy burst out laughing.
"Did you hear that? He doesn't like you at all. Honestly, I get it. We were just talking to a beautiful dragon lady, and now we're stuck with you. Huge downgrade."
Piggy nudged Axel's wrist.
"Put me down. I'll test him first."
He kicked his legs, eager to charge, but a distant chanting sound echoed from the pagoda.
Piggy's confidence faded instantly.
The child glanced toward the sound and smiled faintly.
"Another so-called chosen one has fallen. They always do. You should stop chasing false hopes and stay here. With time, you could have everything you want."
"Shut up!"
Piggy raised his rake, furious.
"Anyone who follows you is an idiot. Axel, say something. Why are you so quiet?"
Axel kicked him lightly.
"You never stop talking. How am I supposed to get a word in?"
Piggy blinked, then frowned.
"That kick felt familiar. Are you sure about your name? Your family didn't have some weird monkey connection, did they?"
Axel punched him on the head.
"Keep talking and I'll make sure you forget your own name."
He then looked at the yellow-robed child and grinned.
"You want me to join you? Fine, I'll consider it. But release Kang first."
He smirked.
"You talk a lot about your methods. Let me see them up close. Bring the Dragon Girl out, and I'll show you how I do things. You might understand desire, but you don't understand me."
The child chuckled, shaking the sack.
"If you want to see her, why not come inside instead?"
He opened the sack again.
"Run!" Piggy shouted, grabbing Axel's leg.
Nothing happened.
Piggy panicked.
"Move! Why aren't you moving? I can't pull you, we're done!"
Both of them were dragged into the sack by the crimson wind.
As they were pulled in, Axel laughed.
"What's the panic for? You really thought you could escape? Once this thing opens, nobody walks away."
He glanced at Piggy.
"Besides, I wanted to see that Dragon Girl again."
His grin sharpened.
"And just so we're clear, I've got my eye on her. Stay out of it, or I'll deal with you myself."
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