Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 353 - 354 Lion Camel Ridge, Lion’s Camel Cave

Chapter 353: Chapter 354 Lion Camel Ridge, Lion’s Camel Cave

The Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit discovered that Xuanzang was now alone; clearly, it was an opportune moment to strike. If it could kill Xuanzang, it would certainly be able to escape from here.

Glittering with light, the eyes of the Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit fixated on Xuanzang, who sat on the ground in a state of apparent weakness.

Then, mustering a burst of energy, it suddenly pounced towards Xuanzang.

In a flash, a foul stench charged straight for Xuanzang.

Xuanzang, a good man with ten lifetimes of cultivation, no one knew how mighty his cultivation level was. If the Centipede Spirit could eat his flesh, it could not only achieve longevity but also gain enormous benefits.

Perhaps it could even heal its own wounds.

But just as the Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit pounced, a Buddha’s light spread from Xuanzang’s body, enveloping the assaulting Centipede Spirit within its glow.

The Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit immediately began to struggle and fell to the ground.

"Will you not convert now?"

Xuanzang shouted loudly. The Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit, initially fierce, soon showed a look of regret.

...

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, who was cooking, listened to the sounds of universal salvation coming from outside.

"Brother Monkey, do you think that Multi-eyed Centipede will regret trying to eat Master’s flesh?"

Zhu Bajie couldn’t help laughing as he spoke.

"I guess this lad never expected our Master to be so terrifying!"

Sun Wukong chuckled in response.

"Let’s hurry up and finish preparing the vegetarian meal, so Master can eat when he comes in!"

Sand Monk couldn’t help but remind everyone, "In case Master decides to universally save us as well, that won’t be good!"

Soon after, the Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit walked in supporting Xuanzang.

At that moment, the Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit was like a true man of the Tao, entering the room and bringing his hands together in prayer.

Then, after everyone had eaten,

The quartet from the journey to the West rested there for a few days before continuing on their way. As for the Multi-eyed Centipede Spirit, it remained there, no longer a demon causing trouble but acting as a Compassionate Taoist who guarded the area.

As Xuanzang and his four disciples continued westward, several months had passed in the blink of an eye.

They saw a tall mountain blocking the way from afar, and Xuanzang, glancing at his four disciples, quickly said, "Wukong, the mountain ahead is so tall, I wonder if there’s a path that allows passage."

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Master, what are you talking about? It’s always been said that where there are high mountains, there are paths for travelers; where there is deep water, there are boats for ferrying. Just walk with ease, even if there really is no path, I, Old Sun, can make one for you."

Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang couldn’t help but light up with a joyous smile and spurred his horse forward.

Soon they had traveled several miles and entered the mountain region.

Just then, they saw an old man on a nearby hillside, white-haired and bearded, leaning on a cane with a dragon head, who shouted loudly, "Elder, do not go forward anymore, for this mountain is home to a gang of demons that specialize in eating passersby."

Xuanzang was startled upon hearing this and frowned.

Turning to Sun Wukong, Xuanzang said, "Wukong, that elder claims there is a gang of demons on the mountain ahead, preying on travelers."

Sun Wukong escorted Xuanzang to a clean spot to sit and said with a smile, "Master, wait here. Let Old Sun go and inquire with that old man."

After saying this, Sun Wukong approached the hillside and greeted the old man with a smile, "Old sir, this poor monk greets you."

The old man eyed Sun Wukong and asked with a smile, "Which place does this little Monk hail from?"

Sun Wukong replied, "We are from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek the scriptures. Just now, I heard you say that there are demons on this mountain; my master has specifically sent me to inquire about it."

"What kind of demons are on this mountain, and what are their abilities? How dare they block the way here? Once I have a clear understanding, I, Old Sun, can take care of them early, so as not to delay our journey."

"You little monk boasts greatly, but you do not know about the divine skills and boundless mana of the demons on that mountain. How will you subdue them? I advise you to hurry back the way you came to save your lives," the old man hurriedly said.

Listening to the old man’s words, Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "Old man, why do you boost the morale of others and deflate the prestige of Old Sun? Could it be that you have a kinship with that demon?"

The old man hurriedly replied, "You mischievous monk, do not speak nonsense. What relation could I have with those demons? It’s just that they possess great powers!"

"Your slight frame probably isn’t even enough to fill the gaps in those demons’ teeth. I advise you to hurry and flee."

Sun Wukong, still smiling, asked, "I would like to hear about these demons and their abilities."

The old man hurriedly said, "When that demon sends a letter to Mount Meru, five hundred Arhats will come out to greet it, and with a single paper up to the Celestial Palace, each of the eleven bright stars pays respect."

"The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas once befriended him, the Eight Cave Immortals often met with him, Yama of the Ten Courts calls him brother, and the local earth deities and City Gods love him as guests and friends."

"Ha ha~!" Sun Wukong laughed proudly and said, "By that logic, if that demon is a friend and brother to my little minions, how smart can he really be?"

The old man retorted irritably, "You little Monk, spouting nonsense, you must be having a convulsion. That deity could be your junior."

Sun Wukong wanted to ask for clarity, but the old man seemed to be getting a little angry, and no matter what Sun Wukong asked, he simply kept silent or claimed he was deaf and couldn’t hear.

Seeing that he wasn’t talking anymore, Sun Wukong could only go back.

Xuanzang hurriedly asked, "Wukong, did you get a clear answer?"

Sun Wukong said carelessly, "Got it clear, Master, don’t worry. There is indeed a demon or two on this mountain, we’ll just take care of them along the way, it won’t delay our journey."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang finally breathed a sigh of relief, then continued to ask, "Did you find out what this mountain is called, what caves there are, how many demons there are, and which road leads to the Western Heaven?"

"Well... that... I didn’t quite get clear," Sun Wukong admitted, a bit sheepishly.

After all, there was nothing he could do if the old man himself wouldn’t speak.

Then Zhu Bajie spoke up and said, "Master, not to brag, but when it comes to subduing demons and eliminating evil, the three or five of us can’t compare to Brother Monkey alone."

"But with other tasks, like asking for directions—for instance—it’s the other way around. A whole group like Brother Monkey cannot compare to me, Old Zhu. Let me go and ask again for a solid answer."

Xuanzang nodded and said, "Indeed, indeed. This task will trouble you to make another trip and ask clearly."

"Wait here, Master, Old Zhu is on his way."

Zhu Bajie agreed, then scurried up the slope and bowed to the old man, saying, "Elderly sir, this poor Monk greets you."

Seeing Zhu Bajie’s appearance, the old man was so scared that he fell backward onto the ground, crying out, "Oh my! Am I in a nightmare? How did I come across such evil beings, one uglier than the next!"

Zhu Bajie laughed and said, "You really have no eye for beauty, old man. I, Old Zhu, may be ugly, but I have a certain charm. Just look a little longer, and you’ll find me handsome."

Upon hearing this, the old man did indeed take a closer look at Zhu Bajie, but not two seconds passed before he was scared to turn his head away again, waving his hand and saying, "I truly can’t bear to look! I still wish to live a few more years!"

Zhu Bajie sighed in resignation and said, "Alright then, turn your head away. I, Old Zhu, may have an ugly face but a kind heart, and I’ve only come to ask for directions. Once I’m done asking, I’ll be on my way."

"Ask your question quickly and leave as soon as you’re done," the old man urged.

Zhu Bajie hurriedly asked, "I am the second disciple of Tang Monk, my Dharma Name is Zhu Bajie. The one who came just now is the elder disciple named Traveler Wukong."

"My Master believes he may have offended you earlier and didn’t get the truth from you, hence he’s sent me, Old Zhu, to respectfully inquire again."

"May I ask, kind sir, what mountain is this, what cave is there, how many demons are in the cave, and where is the road leading to the West? Please give me your guidance."

The old man answered truthfully, "Since that’s the case, I can tell you, this place is called Eight-Hundred-Mile Lion Camel Ridge, with a Lion’s Camel Cave in the middle, housing three Demons and Monsters."

Zhu Bajie laughed and said, "So there are only three monsters."

The old man looked at Zhu Bajie’s fearless laughter and couldn’t help but retort, "Aren’t you scared?"

"What’s there to be scared of?" Zhu Bajie boasted, thinking of Brother Monkey’s strength, "Brother Monkey can kill one with a single hit, my rake can take down another, and Junior Brother Sand’s Demon-Subduing Staff can slay a third. If all three demons are killed, my Master can naturally pass through with no trouble at all, so what’s difficult about that?"

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, the old man laughed and then said, "Here’s another Monk talking crazy. You Monk don’t realize the depth of the water. Those three Demon Chiefs have wide-reaching Divine Skills and limitless Mana, they’re extremely formidable!"

"Under them, there are countless little demons, five thousand on the southern ridge, another five thousand on the northern ridge, ten thousand at the eastern pass, and ten thousand at the western pass; four to five thousand patrolling, ten thousand guarding the gates, and others serving as fire-tenders and woodcutters."

"Those who have titles and can be named number around forty-seven to forty-eight thousand, and these demons specialize in eating people."

"Oh dear mother of mine!" Zhu Bajie, upon hearing this, was trembling with fear, and he panickedly ran back, sprinting all the way to where Xuanzang and the others were.

Before Xuanzang and the others could say a word, Zhu Bajie dove headfirst into a clump of grass beside them, thoroughly petrified.

Xuanzang, seeing Zhu Bajie in this state, turned to Sun Wukong and asked, "What’s gotten into Bajie?"

"Who knows, Old Sun will go and ask!"

Sun Wukong shrugged his shoulders and then approached Bajie, saying, "You fool, not speaking to Master, what are you hiding in the bushes for?"

As soon as Zhu Bajie heard Sun Wukong’s words, his voice trembling, he said, "Brother Monkey, I’m scared out of my wits. I think we should each look out for our own lives and flee!"

Upon hearing Zhu Bajie say this, Sun Wukong scolded him, "You fool, even Old Sun didn’t panic like this when I went to ask for information. You ask one question and you’re frightened into this state."

Xuanzang, upon hearing their conversation, hurriedly asked, "Bajie, did you get to the bottom of it, what exactly is going on?"

Zhu Bajie replied promptly, "That old fellow said this place is Lion Camel Ridge, there’s a Lion’s Camel Cave in the middle, with three old demons inside, and forty-eight thousand little demons under them. They specialize in eating people here, and if we continue forward, we’ll end up as food in the mouths of demons and monsters."