Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 286 - 287 You Eat the Monkey First

Chapter 286: Chapter 287 You Eat the Monkey First

Following the failure of the True and False Monkey King, the Western Direction naturally would not rest easily.

King of Inspiration was actually a goldfish raised by Guanyin Bodhisattva, arranged to be here awaiting the scripture seeker.

"Messenger, what instructions do you have?"

Upon seeing Garan, King of Inspiration was respectful and spoke without delay.

He enjoyed the shade of Buddhism in the Purple Bamboo Forest daily and had reaped many benefits; now, by the command of the Bodhisattva, he was to wait here for Xuanzang and company, as for everything else, it was at his leisure.

Buddhism did not interfere, which led to his demand for virgin boys and girls.

Indeed, Buddhism needed demons to commit evil, to better save all beings.

"This time I have come mainly to remind you that the virgin boy and girl are Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie in disguise!"

"What!"

Upon hearing this, King of Inspiration flew into a rage. He had clearly stated he wanted people from the Chen Family Village, never expecting that they would dare to deceive him, allowing two monks to be transformed into a virgin boy and girl.

"I have already informed you of the situation; as for the rest, decide for yourself! Amitabha Buddha!"

Garan did not plan to dictate to King of Inspiration how to proceed.

After chanting Amitabha Buddha, Garan vanished in front of King of Inspiration.

King of Inspiration had intended to say more but ended up saying nothing.

At that moment, a Clam Spirit walked over to pour drinks and attend to King of Inspiration.

However, what was unexpected was that the usually high-spirited King of Inspiration was somewhat downcast today.

"Great King, what has happened?"

Ever since King of Inspiration arrived here, he was regarded by the nearby common folk as a deity, receiving sacrifices during festivals, which brought them substantial benefits.

The Aquatic Tribe members who lived here felt a sense of pride.

"Alas, you don’t know!"

King of Inspiration sighed and continued, "I was originally a goldfish raised in South Sea Guanyin’s Lotus Purple Bamboo Forest’s Lotus Pond. Not long ago, the Bodhisattva sent me down to Earth, merely to add some tribulations for the westward travelers!"

"I initially thought the monk was merely a mortal; I could enjoy myself a bit more. But I just received news that the westward travelers have already reached Chen Family Village!"

"Among them, a monk named Great Sage Equalling Heaven Sun Wukong, as well as Zhu Bajie, have become the virgin boy and girl intended for sacrifice, aiming to confront me!"

Hearing such a secret, the Clam Spirit was somewhat astonished.

Then rolling its eyes, it said, "Great King, if you do not wish to return, you could kill these westward monks, and then simply flee!"

King of Inspiration shook his head and said, "It’s not that; for us cultivators, cave heavens and blessed lands are key to our cultivation. Tongtian River may be good, but how can it compare to the South Sea? It’s just, if I return there..."

"I’ll never have another chance to feast on the tender flesh of virgin boys and girls!"

"In that case, Great King, you need not be overly troubled. Since the Bodhisattva dispatched you to the mortal realm and didn’t forbid you from consuming humans, it seems there isn’t much restriction on you!"

"Later, if you wish to consume humans again, you can simply come back down to this realm!"

Hearing the Clam Spirit’s words, King of Inspiration agreed.

Then, the Clam Spirit continued.

"If the Great King does not mind, you can wholly grant me the position of River God of the Tongtian River. After the westward travelers leave, I can prepare a pair of virgin boy and girl for you every year!"

"I will raise them plump and tender for the Great King to consume when you return!"

"Good, very good, your suggestion is excellent. The Bodhisattva actually did not stop me from traveling," King of Inspiration nodded, thinking that although the Bodhisattva disliked the demons of her dojo eating humans, as long as she was unaware, she naturally would not pursue the matter; there was no need for worry.

"Fine, just do as you said, after I leave, the position of River God of the Tongtian River will be yours!"

With King of Inspiration’s promise, the Clam Spirit was naturally overjoyed.

Then, an idea came to mind.

"Great King, do you know if that scripture seeking party is favored by the Bodhisattva?"

"Not necessarily. I’ve heard the scripture seekers are somewhat disobedient to Buddhism, which has caused Buddhism quite a bit of trouble. Therefore, for my descent, there wasn’t a fixed plan; I was just to wait here!"

King of Inspiration shook his head.

"In that case!"

The Clam Spirit seemed to have thought of something, and quickly moved closer to whisper into King of Inspiration’s ear.

...

While being carried towards King of Inspiration’s temple,

Sun Wukong wore a smile on his face, seeming utterly fearless of whatever King of Inspiration might do.

"Bajie, it’s quite nice to get out and walk around like this!"

"Brother Monkey, if they carry us there and back, I’m not afraid, but if we get carried to the temple and then get eaten, that’s not a fun matter at all!"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "When that happens, you just need to follow me. When the Great King tries to eat me, you just run away!"

"How do you know the way he eats? If he eats the virgin boy first, of course, I can run. But if he eats me first, what should I do?"

An elder following them said, "In past sacrifices, there was one who dared to hide under the offering table in the temple, witnessing the Great King first eat the virgin boy, then the virgin girl."

Upon hearing this, the worry vanished from Zhu Bajie’s face.

"What a stroke of fortune!"

As the group approached the temple, most of them began to weep and wail, carrying the two individuals into the temple.

The boy and girl were placed at the foremost position.

On the offering table were incense and candles, and a gold plaque hung in the front.

It read "Spiritual Position of the King of Inspiration," with no deity statues present.

After everyone had settled down,

they all kowtowed together and said, "Great King Grandfather, on this year, this month, this day, and this hour, the sacrificial host Chen Cheng along with the numerous faithful from Chen Family Village, respectfully follow the annual tradition. We offer a boy named Chen Guanbao and a girl named Chen Yi Ching Jin, along with the appointed number of pigs and sheep for Your Majesty to enjoy. We only hope that this year too, we may be blessed with good weather for the crops, and a bountiful harvest of the five grains."

During their speech, they began to burn various paper money and different items.

Once they had done all this, the Chen family members each returned to their own homes.

Zhu Bajie, seeing everyone had dispersed, then said, "Brother Monkey, why do I feel such a chilling wind?"

Sun Wukong, in a lazy manner, finally said, "There are demons here; naturally, it will be so!"

"Right now we are simply waiting for that king to come and eat us. Only after having consumed us will this place be blessed with a bountiful harvest. Otherwise, I fear the Chen Family Village may suffer continuous disasters, and that would not be so good!"

Zhu Bajie glanced at Sun Wukong and said, "Brother Monkey, are you not the least bit scared? What if he eats you and digests you, leaving not even a strand of monkey fur? What then?"

"Why worry so much? We are hardly afraid of a mere demon!"

Zhu Bajie was about to say more when suddenly a gusting wind could be heard.

The windows within the temple began to shake violently.

"Oh no, that demon must have come!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Bajie’s face betrayed a look of concern.

"Stop talking!"

Sun Wukong glanced at Zhu Bajie.

At that moment, the door was flung open.

A monstrous fiend rushed in from outside.

Clad in golden armor that glittered afresh, wearing a golden helmet and a Treasure Belt wrapped around a swirl of Hongyun. His eyes shone like bright stars twinkling at dusk; his teeth were as sharp and jagged as serrated blades. Beneath his feet, mist and clouds drifted lazily, and a warm haze enveloped him. Where he walked, a chilling breeze blew cold, where he stood, an ominous aura grew warm. He resembled the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain, much like a formidable guardian deity outside a temple gate.

Simply put, his appearance was hideous, crowned with a fish-head resembling gold; with bulging, lifeless eyes; a gaping blood-red maw full of needle-sharp fangs; altogether giving off an aura of exceptional horror.

But what was key was that when the demon opened its mouth, it emanated a foul stench of blood which was sickening.

The monster stood at the entrance of the temple and asked, "Whose family offers this year’s sacrifice?"

"Which family’s children are you?"

At this moment, Zhu Bajie trembled all over, and though he himself was also of demon kind, the ugliness of this creature still made him feel somewhat nauseated.

Sun Wukong, who had transformed into a little boy, said cheerily, "Thank you for your inquiry. We are from the families of Chen Cheng and Chen Qing!"

The monster leaned in, seeming surprised as he said, "You little child, aren’t you afraid of me?"

He even tried to frighten them with his hand, but the boy and girl seemed to show no reaction.

If this had been anyone else, they might have been scared out of their wits by now, not daring to respond in such a manner.

The monster thought to himself that indeed, these two must be Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie in disguise.

Not daring to act rashly, the monster asked, "What are the names of this boy and girl?"

Answering honestly, Sun Wukong replied, "The boy is Chen Guanbao, the girl is Yi Ching Jin."

"Very good, it is the tradition of previous years, now offered to me. I should eat you both!"

Grinning, Sun Wukong said, "I dare not resist. Please, Your Majesty, enjoy your meal!"

"Good, then I shall eat you!"

The King of Inspiration suddenly extended his hand, reaching straight for Sun Wukong, but just as he touched him, he suddenly stopped.

"Are you truly not afraid of me?"

"Why should I be afraid of you?"

Sun Wukong neither affirmed nor denied.

"Ha ha ha!"

At that moment, the monster threw back his head and laughed wildly, his form shaking the entire Chen Family Village.

Such brazen laughter almost woke all the old and young of Chen Family Village; everyone kneeled on the ground, hoping that the King of Inspiration would not harm those in the village.

Xuanzang and Sand Monk also turned their gaze in the direction from which the laughter resonated.

"It seems that the monster has already met our Eldest and Second Senior Brothers. I just don’t know how they are faring."

Sand Monk, protecting Xuanzang, wore an anxious expression.

The King of Inspiration wasn’t in a hurry to move, but instead turned to Zhu Bajie and said, "Don’t you backtalk. I usually eat the boy first, but today I might just start with the girl!"

Zhu Bajie promptly said, "Your Majesty, let’s not break with tradition, let’s stick to how it’s been done before!"

"I’ll start by eating that monkey!"

Upon hearing that the fiend was looking at the boy, who by now had transformed back into Sun Wukong, he swung his staff down hard.