Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 354 - 355 Lazy Zhu Bajie

Chapter 354: Chapter 355 Lazy Zhu Bajie

"Is it really that dangerous?"

Xuanzang and the others heard this but didn’t care at all.

Sun Wukong and Sand Monk also didn’t care, since they had already encountered many monsters.

Furthermore, Xuanzang had converted many demons himself, so even if there were some monsters, there was nothing to be afraid of.

"It’s not about how fierce the monsters are, it’s mainly because there are so many of them!"

Zhu Bajie hurriedly said.

When Xuanzang heard Zhu Bajie’s words, he couldn’t help but turn to Sun Wukong and ask, "Wukong, what should we do?"

Although he could convert them, if there were too many, it was possible that a monster could disrupt his conversion.

Sun Wukong quickly reassured him, "Master, don’t listen to this fool’s nonsense. I estimate that there are indeed monsters in these mountains, but it’s probably the people here being timid and exaggerating their numbers on purpose."

At this moment, Zhu Bajie hurriedly poked his head out and said in a rush, "Brother, where did you get such an idea? I asked about the real situation, there’s not a single lie. The mountains and valleys are full of demons and monsters, how can we possibly get through?"

"That’s what that old man said, it wasn’t me!"

Sun Wukong said nonchalantly, "Even if the mountains and valleys are filled with demons and monsters, Old Sun can just strike with my staff and carve a path through them."

Zhu Bajie pouted and said, "Brother Monkey is just bragging. With so many monsters, how can you fight them all?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "What’s so difficult about that? Old Sun will just enlarge the Jingu Bang to several hundred feet long and thick, roll it down South Mountain to crush five thousand, roll it down North Mountain to crush another five thousand. Roll it from east to west, and even if there are forty or fifty thousand, they’ll all be crushed into minced meat."

Sand Monk laughed and said, "If we follow that rolling method, no matter how many demons there are, they won’t be enough for Big Brother to defeat. With Big Brother here, why should we be afraid? Please, let’s mount our horses and continue on our journey."

Seeing that his two disciples didn’t seem to care, Xuanzang felt somewhat reassured.

He then mounted his horse, but Xuanzang was still a bit worried, and wanted to call over that old man for clarification. However, he couldn’t find the old man anymore.

Xuanzang frowned and looked around, saying, "Where did that old man who brought us the news go?"

Sand Monk also looked around and indeed couldn’t see the old man anymore. Frowning, he said, "I don’t think that old man is good news, likely a monster in disguise, deliberately trying to scare us."

"Let’s not talk too much. Old Sun will go over and see for myself."

Sun Wukong leaped up and headed to the hill where they had been earlier. After searching the area, he indeed couldn’t find the old man. Looking up, he saw a glow in the sky, and quickly leapt up onto the clouds.

At that moment, Taibai Jinxing approached and greeted him, "Great Saint, this little immortal brings news belatedly, I hope the Great Saint will forgive me."

"You old man, coming to bring news but acting all secretive, I think you’re asking for a beating."

Sun Wukong looked at Taibai Jinxing and pretended to be displeased.

"May the Great Saint calm his anger!" Taibai Jinxing hurriedly said. "The demon chief in these mountains truly has vast divine skills. The Great Saint must be extra careful. Only with clever strategies and transformations can you make it through. If you are careless, it will indeed be difficult to pass."

Sun Wukong’s eyes flickered and he quickly said, "I appreciate the efforts for bringing the news. Since this place is difficult to pass, I hope you return and tell the Jade Emperor to lend some celestial Soldiers and Generals to help Old Sun through Lion Camel Ridge."

Taibai Jinxing readily agreed, "Please rest assured, Great Saint. Whatever you need, even if it’s a hundred thousand celestial Soldiers and Generals, it can be arranged."

"Thank you." Sun Wukong said, then descended from the clouds and returned to Xuanzang’s side.

"How did it go?"

Xuanzang and Zhu Bajie also watched the conversation between Sun Wukong and Taibai Jinxing.

"It seems the fool was right, this place indeed has some powerful monsters!"

Sun Wukong said, frowning.

"What did I say, Master, why don’t we just go back now!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but say worriedly.

"What are you talking about, you fool? Even if there are some powerful ones here, it’s nothing!"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Isn’t our Master here?"

Sand Monk also laughed and said, "Exactly, exactly!"

...

In Lion Camel Ridge, inside Lion’s Camel Cave, the Green Lion, White Elephant, and Roc, three demon kings, were gathered together drinking and making merry.

At this moment, the Roc put down his empty cup on the table and smiled, saying, "Brothers, today I have come to Lion’s Camel Cave for one reason—I have confirmed the news that Xuanzang and his disciples will soon arrive at Lion Camel Ridge!"

"This is a rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. I hope my two elder brothers won’t miss it."

As it turned out, the Roc didn’t reside in Lion’s Camel Cave.

About four hundred miles west of Lion’s Camel Cave, on the outskirts of Lion Camel Ridge, there is a city called Lion Camel Kingdom.

Five hundred years ago, the Roc came to Lion Camel Kingdom, and being extremely ferocious, ate the king and all the court officials. The citizens of the city, regardless of gender or age, were also completely devoured by him.

Afterward, the Roc took over the city, which now was populated by monsters.

Recently, the Roc had learned that the Great Tang of the Eastern Land sent a monk to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, and that Xuanzang was a virtuous person who had cultivated himself through ten lifetimes. Eating a piece of his flesh would grant longevity and eternal life.

Thus, the Roc had come to Lion’s Camel Cave, and swore brotherhood with the Green Lion and White Elephant, agreeing to capture Xuanzang together.

In fact, the Roc had already achieved an immortal body. The Roc was born of a Phoenix, existing since the beginning of the universe, and had lived for countless years. So this fellow wanting Tang Monk’s flesh wasn’t really for the sake of immortality, as he didn’t need it.

This guy wanted to eat Xuanzang solely to spoil Tang Monk’s journey to the Western Heaven for scriptures. Apart from that, another reason was simply to taste what Xuanzang’s flesh was like.

Roc had eaten countless humans, and ordinary mortals had already bored him, while Xuanzang was a rare delicacy that Roc also wanted to try.

Upon hearing Roc’s words, Green Lion asked excitedly, "Is the information confirmed, Third Brother?"

"Absolutely certain!" Roc nodded affirmatively.

"That’s really great." Green Lion couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

At this time, White Elephant frowned and said, "The others are okay to deal with, but that Sun Wukong has some skills, truly difficult to handle."

Hearing this, Green Lion frowned thoughtfully and said, "Besides Sun Wukong, there’s also that Xuanzang who is a troublesome figure. Moreover, it is said that Xuanzang can convert Demons and Monsters, is very cunning, so maybe Xuanzang’s flesh won’t taste good."

Roc smiled and said, "Why should we boost others’ morale and undermine our own prestige? It’s just a Sun Wukong. Are we three brothers really afraid of them?"

Green Lion nodded and said, "Third Brother is right, the three of us also have some skills, so we shouldn’t fear Sun Wukong either. It’s perfect to eat that guy too."

White Elephant quickly added, "If it’s a real fight, we brothers naturally aren’t afraid, but it’s said that monkey is extremely cunning, with endless schemes and tricks!"

"I’m afraid it’s easy to dodge a spear but hard to guard against a hidden arrow! So, just to be safe, we need to be well-prepared."

"That makes sense."

Green Lion nodded and turned to Roc, saying, "Third Brother is always clever, do you have a good plan to deal with that Monkey Sun?"

Roc sneered, "You elder brothers need not worry, I already have a way to deal with them. According to the information I’ve gathered, Xuanzang and his disciples are about to arrive. Once we deal with Sun Wukong, we can enjoy Xuanzang’s flesh at ease. Ha ha!"

The more Roc talked, the more excited he became, and he couldn’t help but let out a triumphant laugh.

Green Lion and White Elephant also burst into laughter, and soon, the whole Lion’s Camel Cave was filled with the wild laughter of the three Demon Kings.

...

On the other hand, knowing the dangers here, Xuanzang and his three followers naturally didn’t dare to proceed rashly.

"Right, master, since this place is very dangerous, I think someone should go ahead and scout first!"

With a cunning gleam in his eyes, Sun Wukong turned to Zhu Bajie and spoke.

Xuanzang hadn’t noticed Sun Wukong’s subtle gesture but nodded and said, "Wukong is right. Although Taibai Jinxing has already alerted us, we still need to check it out."

"I wonder which disciple is willing to go scout the way?"

Xuanzang asked, looking towards Sun Wukong and his two fellow disciples.

"Master, as you know, I need to protect you. Each time I leave, you might get captured. I think Brother Idiot is quite strong, and if he’s careful, I believe he will definitely come back!"

Sun Wukong proposed.

"Brother Monkey, you..."

Zhu Bajie, realizing what Sun Wukong intended, was suddenly enlightened.

"Bajie, Wukong isn’t wrong. How about you go and explore a bit? Just be careful, and if there’s any trouble, come back immediately!"

Xuanzang cautiously added.

"Got it!"

Zhu Bajie, realizing he couldn’t escape this time, didn’t try to dodge the responsibility anymore and simply nodded.

Watching Zhu Bajie’s figure disappearing in the distance, Sun Wukong transformed into a flying insect and followed.

Zhu Bajie quickly arrived at Lion Camel Ridge. There, halfway up the mountain, stood a stone tablet soaked in human blood, inscribed with "Eight-Hundred-Mile Lion Camel Ridge."

Below it was a smaller inscription: "Skulls like ridges, bones like forests, Gods and Buddhas retreat, demons and monsters hide away!"

Zhu Bajie climbed a tall tree, surveyed his surroundings, and saw the mountain snaking long and vast. From the side, it looked like a giant dragon, from above like an octopus, and somewhat like a large crucifix with its branches spreading towards the ends of the earth.

Looking at this scene, Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but curse under his breath, "Who’s the illiterate that wrote such an unlucky stone tablet? This is more like eighty thousand or even eight hundred thousand miles, right?"

Grumbling, Zhu Bajie jumped down from the tree and randomly picked a direction to walk.

He didn’t expect to discover anything, just muttering, "Old Pig isn’t going up high; there’s definitely monsters up there."

"This mountain is extremely treacherous. You can tell it’s home to many ancient demons; Old Pig doesn’t want to bump into them."

"There must be little demons patrolling down below, so it’s not good to wander around."

"This mid-mountain area is the easiest to slack off. I’ll just blend in here for a while."

"When master asks what mountain this is, I’ll say it’s Lion Camel Ridge."

"If he asks if there are any monsters, I’ll say there are."

"If he asks what kind of monsters, I’ll say there’s a lion demon."

"If he asks where the monsters are, I’ll say they’re in the Lion’s Camel Cave on the mountain."

"If he asks how many little demons there are, I’ll say countless."

"Yeah, just answer like that, flawless!"

"First, let’s find a place to sleep for a bit."

Zhu Bajie began scanning his surroundings.