Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 268 - 269: Your Wind is Gone

Chapter 268: Chapter 269: Your Wind is Gone

The King was already in a state of confusion, and after Sun Wukong’s argument, seeing how well Sun Wukong spoke, with logic and detail, he began to waver.

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom thought to himself, "Could it be that what this monk says is true?"

Just as the King of Cart Slow Kingdom was hesitating in his doubts,

An official entered from the grand entrance of the court.

The official came in and knelt down on the ground, reporting, "Your Majesty, there are many elders and villagers outside the door, saying they have matters to report!"

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom was a bit surprised and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Then the King of Cart Slow Kingdom called those gathered people of Cart Slow Kingdom into the court.

No sooner had these people entered the court’s main hall, than they knelt down in unison.

A quick glance revealed there were at least thirty-four of them.

Kneeling on the ground, they kowtowed to the King of Cart Slow Kingdom, pleading, "Your Majesty, this year in our Cart Slow Kingdom we have not had any rain throughout the entire spring, and now summer is nearly upon us. I fear a great drought will befall our Cart Slow Kingdom!"

"We have specially come to report and plead for our National Advisor Immortal to beseech the heavens to bestow sweet rain, to save our common people!"

As these few citizens of Cart Slow Kingdom spoke, they wept, their emotions raw and sincere.

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom heard them and nodded, then said, "I have taken note of this. You may withdraw for now, the rain will come soon!"

Hearing the King of Cart Slow Kingdom speak thus, the many citizens couldn’t help but beam with joy.

They shouted in cool relief, "His Majesty is wise, the National Advisor compassionate!"

With that, they withdrew.

After these citizens of Cart Slow Kingdom had left, the King of Cart Slow Kingdom then turned to the four pilgrims from the West and asked, "You have come from the Great Tang, do you know why I favor the Dao and persecute monks?"

At this, the four pilgrims from the West were at a loss, not understanding why the King of Cart Slow Kingdom would say such a thing.

Xuanzang spoke up, "We do not understand, Your Majesty, please enlighten us!"

Upon hearing Xuanzang’s words, the King of Cart Slow Kingdom then explained, "It is because, when Cart Slow Kingdom once suffered a great drought, our monks prayed for rain but not a drop came. Fortunately, our National Advisor arrived and was able to beseech for three days of sweet rain, saving our land from disaster!"

"Now that you have come from afar and offended the National Advisor, you should have been punished and imprisoned right away."

"However, as Cart Slow Kingdom is again facing a drought, I shall ask you, do you dare to challenge our National Advisor in a contest to pray for rain?"

"If you can successfully beseech for rain, save the people of Cart Slow Kingdom, I will grant you your lives, even offer you travel documents to continue Westward."

"But if you lose the challenge and fail to bring rain, I will have you taken out and executed for all to see immediately. I ask you, do you dare to wager?"

Sun Wukong heard the King of Cart Slow Kingdom’s words and couldn’t help but laugh.

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom, seeing Sun Wukong so unceremoniously amused, snorted coldly and said, "If you dare not, then be taken out and beheaded right away!"

Sun Wukong laughed for a while, then stopped and, with a look of disdain for the world, said, "It’s perfect, Old Sun also knows a few minor spells for summoning rain, what’s the harm in trying?"

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom heard this and nodded, then instructed an official, "Order someone to clean the Rain Praying Field right away, I shall personally go to the field to observe this rain summoning!"

"Yes!"

The official, upon receiving the command, hurried off without delay.

The officials in the court also followed the King of Cart Slow Kingdom to the Rain Praying Field.

After a while,

They all gathered at the Rain Praying Altar.

The King of Cart Slow Kingdom was seated in a nearby tower.

And Huli Immortal, Luli Immortal, and Yangli Immortal sat next to the King.

The pilgrims from the West stood quietly at the base of the altar, waiting for the contest to begin.

Soon after, an official rode in haste to report.

"Your Majesty, the Rain Praying Field is ready, we may start praying for rain!"

Upon hearing the official’s report, the King of Cart Slow Kingdom waved his hand grandly and said, "Good, I declare the rain summoning to begin today!"

At his words, Huli Immortal slowly stood up.

He slightly bowed and paid his respects, took leave of the King of Cart Slow Kingdom, and went straight down to the field.

Huli Immortal originally intended to directly ascend the altar to pray for rain, but unexpectedly, Sun Wukong blocked his way.

"May I ask Great Immortal, where are you headed?"

Huli Immortal frowned at the monkey, his impatience showing as he said, "Naturally, to ascend the altar and pray for rain!"

Sun Wukong, upon hearing this, laughed and said, "How uncouth of you, not to yield to a guest who has come from afar. Never mind, as they say, the dragon should not suppress the local snake, there are still some things to clarify with His Majesty!"

Huli Immortal, puzzled by Sun Wukong’s words, then asked, "What is there to talk about, just pray for rain!"

Unperturbed, Sun Wukong continued, "This needs to be clear, both of us will ascend the altar and pray for rain together. When the rain comes, will it be credited to you, or to me?"

At this moment, upon hearing these words, the King of the Cart Slow Kingdom nodded in agreement and said, "That’s true; your words are not without reason. This matter indeed needs to be made clear!"

Irritated by the comment, Immortal Huli said, "What do you mean by that, monkey? Are you suggesting that I would cheat?"

Sun Wukong, who was not surprised by Immortal Huli’s questioning, responded leisurely, "We’ve come from far away and we’re not familiar with you. When the time comes, if your prayer for rain fails and you deny it, what are we to do? Therefore, this matter must be made clear!"

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk, standing nearby, couldn’t help but snicker.

"Brother Monkey is indeed full of cunning ideas!"

Sand Monk nodded and added, "Otherwise, how could he be our eldest brother?"

Immortal Huli, looking at Sun Wukong in front of him, couldn’t help but snort coldly and said, "Hmph, just wait. Once I step onto the altar, I just need to wave my token to bring forth a rain. With the first wave of the token, the wind will come; with the second wave, clouds will rise; after the third wave, thunder and lightning will roar; with the fourth, the rain will fall; and with the fifth, the clouds will disperse and the rain will cease!"

Amazed by Immortal Huli’s words, Sun Wukong responded, "Such impressive divine skills and great magical power are something we have never seen. If it’s truly as you say, then Old Sun here must truly admit defeat. Please, go ahead!"

With a snort, Immortal Huli flung his sleeves, and strode onto the altar like a shooting star.

Sun Wukong closely followed, arriving at the foot of the altar and looking up to see how Immortal Huli would pray for rain.

The Rain Praying Altar was built with a high platform about three zhang tall, with flags representing the Twenty-Eight Constellations on both sides at the front.

Above the platform, there was also a table with an incense burner on it, from which the smoke curled up, and two candlesticks beside it with candles burning brightly.

Next to the incense burner was a golden plaque bearing the name of the Thunder God!

Beneath the platform were five large jars filled with clear water, on the surface of which floated willow branches.

Above the willow branches was placed an iron plaque, inscribed with the characters of the Thunder Department.

To the side stood five tall pillars, inscribed with the names of the Five Directions Barbarian Thunder Messengers.

Next to each pillar stood two Daoists, each holding an iron hammer.

Behind the platform busied many Daoists, writing their texts.

In the center stood a furnace for paper.

Several Daoists were dressed as Talisman Enforcers and as the God of Earth.

By this time, Immortal Huli had already made his way there, showing no trace of modesty.

He stepped right up to the tall platform and stood firm.

Immediately, a Little Daoist approached him, holding a few pieces of yellow paper with talismans written on them and a treasured sword.

After handing over the two items to Immortal Huli, the Little Daoist promptly retreated.

Immortal Huli took the two items.

After a brief pause, he began to chant an incantation, then lit a prepared talisman on fire with the candle flame.

At the same time, three Little Daoists below the high platform quickly took an enforcer figure and a document,

And as Immortal Huli’s talisman caught flame, they too set these two items alight.

Instantly, the token in Immortal Huli’s hand emitted a muffled sound.

At the sound of the token above, a wind had already begun to blow in the midair.

The quartet journeying to the West, standing aside at the Rain Praying Altar, were all taken aback.

Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but whisper in alarm, "Oh no! Oh no! This Immortal Huli really does have skill! Just a sound of his token and wind comes, and indeed, the wind has started to blow!"

Even the stunned Sun Wukong found this unexpected!

His gaze then sharpened, and his primordial spirit left his body, dashing into the sky in an instant.

Jumping onto the clouds.

Upon arrival, he shouted, "Who is the one releasing wind up here?"

As soon as Sun Wukong spoke, Wind Granny, who was originally releasing wind, clutched her wind bag tightly, securing it after seeing the spectacle. She then stepped forward to salute Sun Wukong and asked in puzzlement, "I don’t know why the Great Saint is here. Is there something I can do for you? Why are you stopping this old lady from releasing wind?"

Sun Wukong quickly explained the situation.

"I am protecting the Holy Monk of the Great Tang on his Journey to the West to seek scriptures. As we passed through Cart Slow Kingdom, I got into a contest with a Daoist from the city over the ability to pray for rain. How come you’re not helping Old Sun but rather aiding that Daoist?"

Hearing this, Wind Granny’s face registered shock as she said with a wry smile, "Great Saint, this isn’t my fault. This Daoist issued the order, so naturally, I have to release wind!"

Sun Wukong huffed and said, "This time, I’ll spare you, but now withdraw the wind for me. If even a single gust moves that Daoist’s beard, don’t blame me for not being polite!"

Knowing Sun Wukong’s capabilities, Wind Granny promptly replied, "I wouldn’t dare!"

In an instant, the previously present wind vanished.

Seeing this, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but shout, "Immortal Huli, didn’t you say your token would bring wind with a sound? Where’s the wind? If it doesn’t work, you might as well come down. Let us go up to pray for rain instead!"

Immortal Huli had been smug, but just as he had called forth the wind, it had indeed vanished.