Joshua and Biff reach the Great Wall of China. The 18-year-old Messiah believes that Balthasar wanted him to see the structure so that he could learn the limits of Taoism: “The compassion, humility, and moderation of the Tao, these are the qualities of a righteous man, but not inaction” (201). This reaffirms Joshua’s conviction that he is meant to bring change. When the boys reach Gaspar’s mountaintop monastery, the monks force them to wait outside the gates for three days before permitting them to enter. The monastery’s asceticism is all the more pronounced compared to the opulence of Balthasar’s residence.

The next morning, Gaspar repeatedly hits Joshua over the head with a bamboo staff and asks: “Did I strike the Messiah?” (210). Biff seizes the staff and threatens to kill the magus if he hits his friend again. Biff wants to seek out Melchior, but Joshua is certain that he must stay and learn from Gaspar first. He says that Biff must leave now so that he will remain with Joshua later. As Biff begins his trek down the mountainside, he is certain that he’ll never see his best friend again and feels as though his soul is being torn from him.