A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1382 - 934: First Glimpse of the Vast and Wide Tongtian River, Koi Spirit Makes a Delicious and Fresh Soup

Chapter 1382: Chapter 934: First Glimpse of the Vast and Wide Tongtian River, Koi Spirit Makes a Delicious and Fresh Soup

Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong spent three days eating hot pot in the Golden Palace, and finally, Chechi Country gave a response. Since the King had no heir, a cousin of his took up the kingship. Not only did they issue Duanmu Huai a travel permit, they also wrote a letter expressing Chechi Country’s submission to the Tang Dynasty...

As for how the Tang Dynasty would respond, that was Li Shimin’s business. Duanmu Huai didn’t bother with that; having received the travel permit, he hit the road again. This time Chechi Country dared not play any tricks, escorting them with soldiers all the way to the border before sighing in relief.

They didn’t dare let these two "grandfathers-in-law" come back again.

Having left Chechi Country, Duanmu Huai wasn’t too happy. Seeing Duanmu Huai’s mood, Sun Wukong was curious.

"Master, they cordially escorted us out. Why aren’t you happy?"

"Ah, I just think about the next country we are going to, and I get a headache."

Saying that, Duanmu Huai heaved a silent sigh.

The reason was simple, after Chechi Country was the Women’s Kingdom! Duanmu Huai wasn’t afraid of being detained like Monk Tang, as the Women’s Kingdom Queen was obviously a lover of looks, she’d probably have no interest in him. But just thinking about going to a country full of women gave Duanmu Huai quite the headache. One woman is equivalent to five hundred ducks, so by that reckoning, the Women’s Kingdom was a source of noise pollution.

Duanmu Huai still remembered watching TV dramas back in the day, when Monk Tang and his party entered the Women’s Kingdom and were surrounded and gossiped about by a crowd of women on the streets, the noise was overwhelming... If he really had to go through that now, he’d probably be fed up.

Still, as long as the Queen of the Women’s Kingdom didn’t bother him and quickly issued the travel permit, that would be fine.

While Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong were on their way, an old man was spotted resting against a tree ahead. Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong gave him a glance, saw he wasn’t a demon, and didn’t pay him much attention. But hearing the sound of hoofbeats, the old man opened his eyes, glanced at the two of them, and stared in astonishment upon seeing Duanmu Huai. He quickly scrambled to his feet and approached Duanmu Huai.

"May I ask if you two are coming from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, traveling to the Western Paradise to obtain the scriptures and subdue demons along the way?"

"Indeed, it is I."

Hearing the old man’s question, Duanmu Huai nodded proudly. He wasn’t afraid of not being recognized. In fact, Duanmu Huai had previously had a monk’s robe made up while he was bored—of course, it wasn’t the kind of loser’s clothing from novels and TV dramas, but rather a white long gown with "Namo Great Compassion Relief" embroidered on the left sleeve, "Purify the Six Roots with Depleted Uranium Enlightenment" on the right sleeve, "I Alone Am Honored Above All" on the back, and four large characters "Top Notch Attention" on the front.

Riding a three-meter tall Harley Pegasus, looking like a rampaging Angel, the strongest vibe of the era was hitting you right in the face!

If you couldn’t recognize him, you must be blind!

"Holy Monk!!!"

Hearing this, the old man hurriedly threw himself to the ground in front of Duanmu Huai’s horse.

"Please save my family!"

"My good man, there’s no need for formalities."

Duanmu Huai gestured, and Sun Wukong expertly helped the old man to his feet. Along the way, they’d encountered many similar situations and had become familiar with the routine.

"May I ask what trouble your family is in?"

"Oh dear, to tell you the truth..."

The old man sighed and shook his head, while Duanmu Huai pulled out a wine gourd from his pocket, shared some pastries with Sun Wukong, and entered story-listening mode.

"My home is at Chen’s Village by the Tongtian River, where there’s a temple to the Ling’an Dragon King. This Dragon King brings rain every year, ensuring Chen’s Village has good weather for crops and abundant harvests..."

"Isn’t that a good thing?"

Interrupted Sun Wukong, curious. He thought they were oppressed by some demon, but didn’t expect it to be a kind one.

"Elder, you don’t understand. Although the Ling’an Dragon King blesses us annually, there’s a price! He demands that we offer him boys and girls to devour every year; otherwise, he’ll ensure our village will never have peace. This year it’s our family’s turn. We had resigned ourselves to our fate, but upon hearing that a Holy Monk from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, known for subduing demons, had reached Chechi Country, we sent someone to wait at the road in hopes that the Holy Monk could help and save my two poor, pitiable children..."

"Oh ho... a man-eater..."

Duanmu Huai chuckled, and hearing his tone, Sun Wukong made a face as well. Having followed Duanmu Huai’s lead, Sun Wukong knew if it was just some prank-pulling demon, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t bother. But if you ate or harmed people, Duanmu Huai would definitely kill off your entire clan.

Right now, other matters aside, since the Ling’an Dragon King was a cannibal, especially of boys and girls, he was surely doomed!

Sure enough, without even thinking, Duanmu Huai nodded resolutely.

"Fine, I shall undertake this. Once I eradicate that evil fairy, I will restore safety to you all!"

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s agreement, the elder was immensely grateful, hurrying to escort the two to Chen’s Village. There, Duanmu Huai also met this year’s offerings, a boy of seven named Chen Guanbao and an eight-year-old girl named One Scale of Gold. The Chen family was also wealthy and indicated that if the Holy Monk could exorcise the demon, they would be heavily rewarded.

Of course, Duanmu Huai did not care about rewards. He just had a thought and immediately summoned Sun Wukong over.

"Monkey, let’s do it this way. You transform into these two, enter the Ling’an Dragon King’s temple, and then I’ll wait outside. When the Dragon King arrives, I’ll punch him dead."

"Master, I’m only one monkey, how can I transform into two?"

"What’s your Split Body Technique used for? Just do it!"

"Indeed..."

This monkey was quite easy to handle. After eating his fill, he took the form of the two children using his Split Body Technique. When the time came, he hastily took out a lacquer tray, placed the two children on it, and came before the Ling’an Dragon King’s temple, leading pigs and sheep as sacrificial offerings. He set the ’children’—Sun Wukong’s transformations—at the head of the procession, and the villagers burned paper horses and shouted for a bit before leaving.

Meanwhile, Duanmu Huai stood in the shadows inside the temple, chuckling involuntarily. At the sound of Duanmu Huai’s laughter, Sun Wukong was taken aback.

"Why does master laugh?"

"Heh, I’m laughing at Zhou Yu for having no strategy, Zhuge for lacking wisdom... Never mind, no more nonsense. Look at this damned place in West Cowherd State; these demons even eat humans with a sense of ceremony, demanding two children yearly—and specifically a boy and a girl at that. Quite particular, aren’t they? Heh, all along our journey here, Tathagata doesn’t bother with the monks tormented by fairies, nor does he care about the demons that eat children, only concerned about his Bodhisattva who soaked for three days... He wants to turn our Eastern Tang Dynasty into such a pitiful place, such an intention deserves condemnation!"

"Master speaks the truth."

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s complaints, Sun Wukong nodded in agreement. He had never seen so many man-eating creatures before. In other places, some demons are content just capturing and eating humans; others resort to trickery, luring people to their lairs before consuming them. But here in West Cowherd State, who would have expected these picky fairies?

They won’t eat anything but boys and girls?

Wouldn’t the fairies from other places die of envy? And they call this the Western Nirvana? Who’s actually enjoying this?

"Huff.......!!"

In the midst of their conversation, a gust of demon wind struck, and both fell silent. Moments later, the temple doors burst open, and out stood a demon with glittering eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth, clad in golden armor. The demon did not enter but stood there and asked.

"Which family is offering the sacrifice this year?"

Sun Wukong was quick to reply.

"Chen Cheng from the head of the village—in the Chen Qing household."

"Hm?"

Hearing Sun Wukong’s response, the demon seemed suspicious, just standing there. Meanwhile, Duanmu Huai glared fiercely at Sun Wukong.

You’re so clever, yet you’re also such a fool. Ordinary kids would be scared to death or faint at the sight of a demon, but you responded so smoothly. What an unnecessary move.

Never mind, I’ll do it myself!

With this thought, Duanmu Huai stepped forward suddenly and leapt out, throwing a punch at the demon! The demon, carefully examining the ’children,’ was taken aback by the sudden appearance of this strong figure from behind a pillar. Duanmu Huai’s punch hit the demon, but his fist slipped off its surprisingly slippery body!

"How dare you!"

Startled, the demon hastily tried to flee. But Duanmu Huai would not give it the chance, quickly grabbing its golden armor. The next moment, the demon dragged him straight into the river.

"Splash!"

With a splash, Duanmu Huai was dragged down into the river, where the demon twisted and turned, desperately spinning to break free. But Duanmu Huai held tight to its armor. He knew that a demon’s armor is more than just armor; it’s usually their skin or shell. A human might just strip off his clothes and flee, but should a demon shed its skin, it would not die, but it would lose a layer of skin...

However... it’s time to end your antics!

With that thought, Duanmu Huai clenched his right fist and threw a punch down into the water. The river suddenly exploded, blasting a large hole in it. Water scattered in all directions, leaving a void. Now unprotected by the waters, the demon no longer had the ability to struggle and was grabbed by Duanmu Huai, who smashed its head with a fierce blow, knocking it out cold. Then, Duanmu Huai leaped ashore, escaping the closing waters, and landed firmly on the ground.

Only then did Duanmu Huai realize that in his hands was a large koi.

"Master, are you alright?"

Sun Wukong hurried over and was also stunned to see the large koi in Duanmu Huai’s hands.

"This is that demon."

"Indeed, look at the Fishing Man missing the air force... ah..."

Upon saying this, Duanmu Huai sighed.

"What’s wrong, Master?"

"You don’t know, do you? A fish spirit this big is bound with a curse. I, your master, might not recognize the way from now on, may even have to carry this koi all the way back to the Tang Dynasty. If someone asks, I’ll say ’how do you know I caught this big fish at the Tongtian River?’"

"Uh... Master, you’re going back to the Tang Dynasty just because you caught a fish?"

"Just kidding, alright."

Duanmu Huai silently shook his head.

"Tonight, back at Chen’s Village, we’ll have fish soup."