Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 250 - 251: You vile beast, still trying to run away?

Chapter 250: Chapter 251: You vile beast, still trying to run away?

Upon hearing Xuanzang’s agreement, the King of Black Chicken Country’s face shone with joy.

Having been dead for three years, he finally had the chance to seek revenge and cleanse the injustice in his heart.

After discussing some matters, the King of Black Chicken Country then took his leave.

Xuanzang looked up to see that it was already growing light in the east, and he stepped out of the Zen Monastery.

As he walked out, Xuanzang saw that Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie were already standing within the monastery grounds.

"It seems you both already know!"

Seeing Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie there, Xuanzang realized that the ghostly apparition had not gone unnoticed by Sun Wukong’s keen senses.

"Master, it’s all my elder brother’s fault for saying we shouldn’t disturb you. Are you alright?"

Zhu Bajie said somewhat reproachfully.

"I’m fine!"

Xuanzang waved his hand, "But that wronged spirit mentioned some things!"

"What did it say?"

Sun Wukong asked curiously.

With his abilities, everything within the monastery was within his grasp in an instant; almost at the very moment the wronged spirit appeared, he had already sensed it.

However, with Xuanzang’s strength, dealing with a wronged spirit was naturally not an issue, and that’s why it warranted more attention.

Of course, with Xuanzang under the watch of all Heavens’ Immortals and Buddhas, those beings wouldn’t allow any harm to come to him, so naturally they didn’t bother to intervene.

"Forty li directly to the west, there’s a city called Black Chicken Country. That wronged spirit is its King. Now a demon has taken over and become the King of Black Chicken Country!"

Xuanzang promptly recounted the words of the King of Black Chicken Country.

Hearing Xuanzang’s words, Sun Wukong was unconcerned; to him, a demon eating a person or two was hardly notable, not to mention killing a king and taking his place – that was even less significant.

However, Zhu Bajie felt a surge of righteous indignation.

It seemed to remind him of when he himself had been framed, with even his master against him. Wasn’t this king’s situation similar?

"What an evil demon! To kill a man and take all his possessions, truly despicable!"

Zhu Bajie said angrily.

He also realized that this matter was clearly a part of the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West

For the Western Buddhist Sect to do such a thing really was utterly shameless.

After preparing briefly, the four of them headed toward Black Chicken Country to take a look.

Although Sun Wukong was not keen on interfering, since the rest were intent on doing so, he naturally couldn’t refuse.

Among the four, Xuanzang had the least cultivation level, but with the Dragon Horse carrying him, forty li was naturally not much of a distance.

In no more than half a day’s effort, they had arrived within Black Chicken Country.

"Elder Brother, why don’t you check if that Black Chicken Country King resembles the wronged spirit!"

Zhu Bajie looked towards Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong saw that Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sand Monk were all looking at him, and he couldn’t help but nod and agree.

With a somersault, he soared into the clouds to peer into the Imperial Palace.

He too wanted to see what sort of demon this imposter King of Black Chicken Country was and what relationship it had with Buddhism.

However, it only took a moment for him to find himself in the Imperial Flower Garden, spotting a figure.

He saw that the person was wearing a Sky-piercing Crown on his head, a Jade Belt around his waist, a Red-yellow Robe with Flying Dragons and Dancing Phoenixes, Cloud-pattered Embroidered Worry-free Shoes on his feet, and holding the White Jade Scepter of Douluo Star in his hand. His face was reminiscent of the Eastern Peak Immortal Emperor and his form like Wenchang, Lord of Cultural Flourishing.

This person bore an uncanny resemblance to the wronged spirit who had visited Xuanzang the previous night.

Even he was somewhat unable to see through this individual’s Transformation.

Bearing in mind his mastery of the Art of Transformation, which had greatly enhanced his ability to discern, he was still taken aback that the demon could so adeptly conceal its true form, rendering Sun Wukong momentarily unable to penetrate the disguise.

This revealed the demon’s considerable power.

The demon exuded the Cultivation Level of an Early Stage Great Luo Golden Immortal.

For a demon to possess such formidable power was remarkable.

No wonder he had some difficulty seeing through it. However, as Sun Wukong focused his attention, the demon’s Art of Transformation gradually became transparent to him.

Its appearance began to change, no longer resembling its initial grandeur.

Its eyes were like Colored Glaze Cups, and its head like a Refining Pot. Its body was covered in green fur, and it had silver-white claws. It had two floppy ears and a tail as long as a broom.

It turned out to be a Green Fur Lion.

Sun Wukong quickly recognized it as the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

Though he had long suspected the calamity was orchestrated by the Western Direction, having one’s mount usurp a king’s position seemed rather excessive.

Sun Wukong descended.

"How was it? Elder Brother, did you see through the identity of the demon?"

Zhu Bajie saw his elder brother coming down and hastily inquired, with Xuanzang also showing curiosity.

Sand Monk, on the other hand, wasn’t as concerned. His duty was to protect Xuanzang, and he focused intently on the three of them. As for the calamities, he didn’t care much about them at the moment.

"This demon is a Green Fur Lion, right in the Imperial Flower Garden!"

Sun Wukong stated bluntly, without the slightest intention to conceal the truth.

"A Green Fur Lion? What’s its strength?"

Zhu Bajie, having spent some time in the Celestial Court, quickly thought of something.

Moreover, considering that this trial was inextricably linked to the Western Direction, he quickly thought of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

"No need to guess, it is indeed the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva. It seems this must be a trial specially arranged by the West for us to encounter!"

Sun Wukong spoke with uncertainty.

"What a Western Buddhist Sect, full of compassion, spreading the scriptures for universal salvation!"

Zhu Bajie’s words were laden with disdain.

As a man of the Daoist Sect, he naturally scorned Buddhism. Moreover, having been schemed against by the Daoist Sect this time, his disdain for both Daoism and Buddhism had become even more profound. Hearing that Buddhism would go so far as to exploit common mortals for its benefit, they found it utterly contemptible.

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Xuanzang couldn’t help but frown. Although he had long known that Buddhism was devoid of compassion, knowing that this monstrous lion was actually the mount of a Bodhisattva still left him feeling somewhat cold.

"Amitabha Buddha, by conducting such matters, the Buddhist Sect will inevitably become enmeshed in karmic force. I shall go and convert this Green Fur Lion. If it remains unrepentant, I will have no choice but to grant it liberation!"

Xuanzang slowly spoke.

Though Sand Monk felt this was somewhat inappropriate, given Xuanzang’s strength, there probably weren’t many who could contend with him.

So no one stopped him.

Soon after, Xuanzang joined his hands together and entered the Black Chicken Country, using the pretext of exchanging document seals, he entered the Imperial Flower Garden of the Black Chicken Country.

Though the Green Fur Lion had already reached the Cultivation Level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

However, the strength of the Golden Cicada from Xuanzang’s past life was not in the least bit inferior, and though currently inaccessible, as he carried out universal salvation, Xuanzang had gradually become able to harness some of his past life’s power.

Should any mishap occur, it would even more greatly inspire Xuanzang’s control over the power of the Golden Cicada.

At this moment, within the Imperial Flower Garden of the Black Chicken Country.

The Green Fur Lion’s brows were deeply furrowed. Although he admired the flowers and vegetation within the Imperial Flower Garden, they did nothing to calm him.

One could find him without any company, an intentional act on his part.

He certainly did not wish for anyone to see him so worried and anxious.

"What’s going on? Why do I keep feeling like something is about to happen?"

Since last night, his mind had been restless, as if something was looming.

Yet no matter how much he pondered, he could not fully understand.

Just then, an eunuch approached him and said, "Your Majesty, the Holy Monk of the Great Tang seeks an audience; shall we receive him?"

The Green Fur Lion’s expression changed upon hearing this.

Now he understood why he was feeling so restless; it turned out that the four Journey to the West pilgrims had already arrived.

Clearly, his restlessness was due to these four individuals.

"Is it just him alone?"

"Just him alone, Your Majesty. Shall we prepare to receive him?"

Upon hearing this, the Green Fur Lion was taken aback. He had thought that if he was to meet anyone, it would be all four of them. He was surprised that Xuanzang alone would come to meet him.

"No need, let him come in!"

The Green Fur Lion waved his hand dismissively.

Although the eunuch was somewhat puzzled, he did not dwell on it nor did he defy the emperor’s command.

A moment later, a monk walked in.

"Amitabha Buddha, Benefactor, do you realize your mistake? If you do, I advise you to promptly return everything to His Majesty, and then willingly convert under me, and we’ll consider the matter resolved," Xuanzang said slowly upon seeing this King of Black Chicken Country, who looked exactly like the one he saw the night before.

He did not beat around the bush.

"What nonsense you speak, monk, coming all the way from the Eastern Land. What do you mean by ’returning everything to that king’?"

The Green Fur Lion snorted coldly: "I am the King of Black Chicken Country; what other king is there?"

"It seems you’re beyond redemption?"

Upon hearing the Green Fur Lion’s words, Xuanzang sighed, shook his head, and said.

"If you keep spouting such nonsense, monk, don’t blame me for driving you out!"

The Green Fur Lion seemed somewhat dissatisfied, saying with anger.

Xuanzang, upon hearing this, merely shook his head and then joined his hands together, reciting the Buddhist scriptures.

In an instant, a golden light gathered around Xuanzang, dazzling and radiant, filled with endless wonders, and enveloped in the Daoist charm of the heavens, majestic and profound.

Subsequently, the Green Fur Lion seemed to be enveloped by an imposing force, as if a giant mountain were pressing down upon him.

His pride in his Art of Transformation faltered under this pressure, causing him to revert to his original form involuntarily.

A massive Green Fur Lion appeared in the midst of the Imperial Flower Garden.

At this time, the Green Fur Lion felt like he was on high alert. Although he had attained the status of Great Luo, under Xuanzang’s aura, he felt unable to resist.

How could he contend with the power of the Golden Cicada that Xuanzang could wield?

Being suppressed by Manjushri Bodhisattva for so many years had weakened him, and with their strength at odds, his only option was to flee.

"Amitabha Buddha, you vile beast, where do you think you’re escaping to?"

As Xuanzang noticed the resolve in the Green Fur Lion’s eyes, seemingly intent on fleeing, it was futile; under the vast Buddha’s light, the lion was like being pressed down by a great mountain, unable to escape.