A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1380 - 932: Duanmu Huai Passes Through Chechi Country, a Great Immortal Offers Strategies at the Golden Palace

Chapter 1380: Chapter 932: Duanmu Huai Passes Through Chechi Country, a Great Immortal Offers Strategies at the Golden Palace

But speaking of Duanmu Huai, after leaving Wujia Country, he headed towards Chechi Country, which is also an interesting place. According to the novels, Chechi Country respects Taoists and exterminates monks, mainly for rainmaking. As written in the books, when Chechi Country suffered from drought, the King ordered both monks and Taoists to pray for rain. The monks chanted all day with no effect, but once the Taoists performed their rituals, it rained right away.

Thus, the King was overjoyed, acclaimed the Taoists as true Immortals, and made all the monks do hard labor.

Of course, if you ask Duanmu Huai... well, he didn’t see anything wrong with that.

No matter monks or Taoists, they both live off the royal stipend, and who could stand it when you just take the money and do nothing? In Duanmu Huai’s view, what the King of Chechi Country did wasn’t wrong at all. Since the monks were useless, they naturally lost respect for the Buddha.

Well... but on the other hand... Chechi Country has killed so many monks, and the Buddha didn’t even blink. Contrast that to the Wujia Kingdom’s King, who only dunked your Bodhisattva for three days, and you throw a fit, both scheming and killing the king. It shows how little you value your followers in Buddha’s eyes.

So Duanmu Huai thought it was quite amusing and told Sun Wukong about it, who was also taken aback after hearing it.

"Master, what shall we do? If Chechi Country respects Taoists and exterminates monks, won’t we be in trouble? Should we just bypass it?"

"The territory of Chechi Country is broad; there’s nowhere to bypass, just like in Wujia Country, just enter the main hall, get the pass permit, and then we can leave immediately."

Duanmu Huai waved his hand. To be honest, he did fancy riding Sun Wukong’s Somersault Cloud, but alas, according to Sun Wukong, the magic cloud couldn’t carry mortals. Ordinary people would sink like clay figures, Duanmu Huai getting on it would be like a skyscraper, directly smashing through...

Fortunately, Pegasus was also like a Harley, not slow at all.

As for the three Immortals, to be honest, Duanmu Huai wasn’t too keen on dealing with them. Although he dislikes Buddhism, he isn’t fond of Taoism either. After all, as a Judge at the Tribunal, Duanmu Huai’s position is on the side of humans, and both Taoism and Buddhism often dismiss human concerns.

But at least Taoism sometimes advocates for equivalent exchange, unlike Buddhism which is like a pyramid scheme scammer using sweet words. Look at that dead king; Sun Wukong went to Taishang Laojun, and a Nine-Turn Resurrection Pill settled everything.

In Buddhism’s case, they would say that it was the king’s destiny to face this calamity, better luck accumulating virtues in the next life.

Utter nonsense.

Although in the novel, Sun Wukong said he killed those three Immortals because they were spying on Chechi Country’s national fate, waiting to take over when its fortunes declined. But that’s just one side of the story. Maybe those Demons just wanted a place to cultivate quietly? If Duanmu Huai wanted to cultivate, he would also pick a place like Chechi Country, force all those bald heads to do labor, and focus on what he wants, won’t that be delightful?

Of course, that’s assuming these three Aliens don’t bother him; if they cooperate throughout, Duanmu Huai, in a good mood, might even spare their lives.

If they don’t cooperate... hehehe, conveniently, there’s a tiger, a deer, and a sheep – perfect for a full Manchu-Han imperial feast. Duanmu Huai hasn’t tried that yet.

So you see, the world of mythology is fantastic, where you can eat any protected animal freely. And these are even sentient, protected among the protected ones. If this were the present time, forget about eating them, they would be under 24-hour surveillance. Unlike Duanmu Huai, chomping one today, another tomorrow, eating blissfully without fear of arrest.

However, it’s a pity they won’t encounter pandas on the journey west; otherwise... well, Duanmu Huai would really like to try that... after all, in a lawful society, that’s not something you can eat.

The South China Tiger is extinct.

While speaking, both arrived in the Chechi Country on a horse and paid their respects to the protocol officer. Although the Chechi Country promoted Taoism and suppressed Buddhism, Duanmu Huai came from the Eastern Tang Dynasty and held an imperial decree personally penned by the Emperor, unlike some wandering monks. Therefore, the senior officer hurriedly entered the palace to report to the King.

"Your Majesty, there are two monks outside claiming to come from the Eastern Tang Dynasty to travel to the Western Paradise to fetch scriptures, wishing to exchange their travel documents."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing the officer’s words, the King didn’t seem too concerned.

"These monks look for death where there is no death; why isn’t the patrol officer bringing them here?"

"Your Majesty."

At this moment, the Grand Master also hurriedly spoke up.

"The Eastern Tang Dynasty, being in the Southern Zhanbu State, is known as a great nation of China, and is thousands of miles away from here, with many demons along the way. I have heard that a Tang monk travels to the Western Paradise to fetch scriptures, subduing demons along the way, and has gained considerable fame. I hope Your Majesty will recognize the great distance that the monks from China have traveled, summon them to verify their documents, and allow them to pass, thus not losing the opportunity to earn good karma."

"Hmm..."

Hearing what the Grand Master said, the King also pondered for a moment. Indeed, if it were ordinary monks, arresting them would be trivial, but since they are backed by the Tang Dynasty and considering that the Eastern Tang Dynasty is thousands of miles away from the Chechi Country, is it necessary to provoke a great nation over such a trivial matter?

Thinking this, the King turned to look at the three Taoist priests sitting beside him.

"Three national teachers, what do you think?"

"This..."

Hearing the King’s inquiry, the Tiger-Deer-Sheep Immortals also felt a chill inside; they exchanged glances. Duanmu Huai had made a big name for himself along the way and was well-known in the demon world. Not to mention that this monk did not practice Buddhism, all the demons he slaughtered were captured and eaten by him. Even the famous demons and their caves were plundered by him.

A person’s reputation precedes them; in the West Cowherd State, just hearing Duanmu Huai’s name made smaller demons’ legs shake, terrified of being captured and eaten by him.

The three demons naturally had heard of Duanmu Huai’s reputation, and at this moment... their feelings were quite complicated.

"How about... we just let them pass? We brothers are fine here... why bother getting involved in this messy affair?"

"Brother Tiger, this view is incorrect. Have you heard that eating Monk Tang’s flesh grants immortality and allows one to ascend as an immortal? Are you willing to just watch such an opportunity pass by?"

"What can we do if we don’t miss it? That monk has eaten so many demons along his way!"

As the three demons discussed this, they also broke out in sweat. It has always been said that demons eat humans, but never that humans eat demons. Sheep Immortal, in particular, was trembling intensely.

"I heard in the Eastern Tang Dynasty there is a hotpot that calls for sliced mutton, and let me tell you, brother, I’m not yet ready to end up in the pot!"

Tiger Force Immortal and Sheep Fairy were a bit timid, while Ruri God’s eyes flickered with cunning as a plan formed in his mind.

"I’ve got it."

"Got what?"

"We’ve been thinking about this all wrong. We just need to eat Monk Tang’s meat, we don’t actually have to kill Monk Tang ourselves. With the king so foolish, why don’t we just stir him up a bit, let him send people to capture and kill Monk Tang, and then we can feast on his meat without delay? Should that cunning monk elude capture, it would just be the king who bears the unlucky consequences, not the three of us, right?"

"This... Can it really work?"

Upon hearing this, even Sheep Fairy felt a stir of excitement.

"Why not? Chechi Country has an abundance of soldiers, I simply can’t believe that a mere monk, proficient in slaying demons and vanquishing evil, could stand a chance against an entire army."

As he spoke, Ruri God was nodding vigorously, even convincing himself. Upon hearing this, the other two thought it actually made some sense.

Thus, they exchanged knowing glances.

It was settled then.

Immediately after, Ruri God turned and bowed to the king.

"Congratulations, great King, and my felicitations."

"Oh? Why this commendation from the national teacher? What joy is there to speak of?"

Caught off guard by Ruri God’s congratulatory words, the king asked in bewilderment.

"Hahaha, Your Majesty is unaware that Monk Tang is no ordinary mortal. In fact, Monk Tang is the transformation of the Dragon Vein of the Eastern Tang Dynasty. His journey to the Western Paradise is not to worship Buddha and seek scriptures but to absorb the fortune of the western lands for the use of the Tang Dynasty! If Your Majesty can capture him, and with my ritualistic offerings, you can make this Dragon Vein your own. Then, Chechi Country will prosper enormously."

"Oh? Is there such a wonderful thing?"

The King of Chechi, being quite gullible, showed immediate delight upon hearing Ruri God’s words.

"Then I will summon them immediately to the court and capture him to perform the ritual!"

"Your Majesty, please be patient for a moment."

The three immortals were startled by the King’s abrupt decision and hurriedly interjected. It’s a joke, they didn’t know whether the monk could fight, but killing demons was his specialty; if he discovered their true form and slaughtered them right there, even dying at the Emperor’s hands wouldn’t be worth it.

"That monk indeed has some abilities. If summoned to the court, his wrathful outburst might upset Your Majesty’s peace. It’s only necessary for your men to capture and execute him, and we can handle the rest."

"Hmm... The national teacher makes a solid point."

The king nodded upon hearing this and then issued an order.

"Bring forth the Imperial Guards to arrest those two monks and execute them on the spot!"

Instantly, a golden-armored officer stepped forward, took the command, and departed. Seeing this, the three immortals exchanged relieved glances.

The advantage is ours now, this is set!

Meanwhile, at the lodge, Duanmu Huai was sipping tea and chatting with Sun Wukong, waiting for their audience with the king. But just at this moment, they heard a commotion outside, followed by the sight of hundreds of fully armed soldiers wielding their weapons as they stormed in, surrounding Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong completely.

"Master? What is this...?"

"Oh ho? This just got interesting."

As Duanmu Huai spoke, he stood up, glaring at the leading officer while clenching his fists and loosening his muscles, which made crackling sounds, causing the soldiers to turn pale.

"What is the meaning of this? What are you trying to do?"

"........."

Faced with Duanmu Huai’s murderous gaze, the leading officer too felt his hand tremble, barely able to hold onto his sword. Duanmu Huai’s towering figure, combined with his bulging muscles and overwhelming aura of aggression, made him seem like a terrifying beast baring its fangs.

But... the king’s command must be obeyed...

"Come! Arrest these two monks and execute them right here, right now!"

At the officer’s command, the soldiers raised their weapons and charged at Duanmu Huai.

"Alright, playing dirty, huh."

Seeing the troops advance, Duanmu Huai’s eyes sparkled.

"I just had braised pork balls, and was wondering where to burn it off! Watch the ferocity of your dad! Here I come!"