Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 428 - 405: Death Penalty Can Be Avoided, Life Penalty Cannot Escape_2

Chapter 428: Chapter 405: Death Penalty Can Be Avoided, Life Penalty Cannot Escape_2

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun quickly said, "It is indeed this evil creature. This evil creature was originally guarded by a Lion Slave. However, three days ago, the Lion Slave stole and drank the Reincarnation Jade Liquid that the Grand Elder of the Supreme Way had given me and fell into a deep sleep for three days. This evil creature then bit through the chains and escaped to the lower realm!"

"Unexpectedly, it caused trouble here. I divined that it was wreaking havoc here, so I came specifically to retrieve this evil creature."

Sun Sui, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Celestial Venerate, your mount, the Nine-headed Lion, has privately escaped to the lower realm and caused trouble in the region, already violating the heavenly laws."

"It just attempted to harm Old Sun and nearly endangered Bajie’s life. I’m afraid I cannot simply let you take it away in front of Old Sun."

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun couldn’t help frowning and quickly said, "Great Sage Equalling Heaven, can’t you forgive him just this once for my sake?"

Sun Wukong said with a cold laugh, "Your Highness, please forgive me. If it were some other offense, perhaps forgiveness would be possible. However, its attempt to harm us cannot be overlooked. If we set such a precedent now, who knows how many cats and dogs will come after us in the future? Therefore, this evil creature must be strictly punished as a warning to others! I hope Your Highness will not shield him."

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun’s frown deepened further. After some thought, he then said, "Very well! I will not shield him, I only ask that, out of respect for me, you spare his life. As for the punishment, Immortal, how do you intend to deal with him?"

That Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun could speak such words was already giving a great deal of face to Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong was of course aware that it wasn’t that Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun couldn’t defeat him but rather because he was now assisting the Western Direction in its great undertaking, and Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun naturally did not wish to offend him.

However, all of this was just a formality. If he truly killed the lion, Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun probably wouldn’t let it go either.

After pondering with a furrowed brow, Sun Wukong finally nodded and said, "Since Your Highness has pleaded for this evil creature, how can Old Sun not give you this face? However, though this evil creature’s capital crime may be forgiven, its lesser crimes are difficult to overlook."

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun, upon hearing this, heaved a sigh of relief.

He nodded and said, "Thank you, Great Sage. Yet, how do you plan to deal with this evil creature?"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "How about we assign him to guard by my master’s side until we reach the Western Heaven?"

Upon hearing this, Nine Spirits Holy Yuan couldn’t help showing an anxious expression, not wishing for Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun to agree.

After a moment of contemplation, Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun nodded and said, "A day in the heavens is as a year on earth, and we are nearly at Mount Meru. Great Sage, you are only punishing him to follow you for a few days as a laborer, which certainly doesn’t amount to a severe penalty. Evil creature! Will you not thank the Great Sage for sparing your life?"

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan originally wanted to say something, but constrained by Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun’s authority, dared not disobey and very reluctantly said to Sun Wukong, "Thank you, Great Sage, for sparing my life."

"Had the Celestial Venerate not pleaded on your behalf, today you would surely not have been spared," said Sun Wukong coldly.

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun nodded with a smile and said, "In that case, Holy Yuan, follow the Great Sage for these days. During this time, you must obey the Great Sage’s orders and not stir up any more trouble. If you dare cause any issues again, not only will the Great Sage not let you off, but I definitely won’t spare you either."

"I shall heed my master’s teachings," Nine Spirits Holy Yuan respectfully replied.

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun nodded with satisfaction, and then addressing Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, he said, "Great Sage, Marshal Tianpeng, should you find the time, please visit my palace, and I will extend my apologies to you both. If you have no other matters, then I will take my leave."

"Certainly, certainly! Safe travels, Your Highness!" said Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong in unison, hastily.

Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun nodded, then rode the Nine-Colored Lotus Terrace, taking the Lion Slave with him, and transformed into a streak of golden light, disappearing into the distant horizon.

After Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun had left, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, turning to look at Nine Spirits Holy Yuan with a look of annoyance and said, "Old Lion, really, you refuse the toast only to be forced to drink the forfeit. Earlier I tried to persuade you kindly, but you wouldn’t listen, and now look, you still have to obediently follow us."

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan replied irritably, "I am merely following my master’s orders, serving you for a few years. Once we reach Mount Meru, I will naturally return to my master’s side."

"Ha ha!" laughed Sun Wukong heartily. "Enough said. During this time you must heed orders obediently. Otherwise, don’t blame this Great Sage for not being polite."

Sun Wukong raised his hand and a small bottle appeared.

"Here is an Immortal Pill I have saved. Eating this will help your injuries heal," Sun Wukong casually remarked as he tossed the pill to Nine Spirits Holy Yuan.

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan caught the Immortal Pill, glanced at it, but didn’t stand on ceremony and swallowed it in one gulp.

A faint halo of light appeared around Nine Spirits Holy Yuan, and his injuries began to heal.

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim, "Indeed, this is a wonderful elixir, thank you."

Zhu Bajie rose into the air and lightly landed on the back of Nine Spirits Holy Yuan, casually instructing, "Go, let’s return to Yuhua Province."

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan was rather honest, indeed creating clouds under Zhu Bajie’s feet.

In an instant, he transformed into a streak of light flying towards the direction of Yuhua Province.

Sun Wukong also jumped onto the back of Nine Spirits Holy Yuan, with an extremely calm expression on his face.

Zhu Bajie, sitting on the back of Nine Spirits Holy Yuan, said with a proud face, "Brother Monkey, no wonder Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun wanted to take this nine-headed lion as his mount. Having such a mount is truly impressive from all sides!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but smile and say, "If you wish, you may also have the chance to subdue a majestic mount in the future."

"With Brother Monkey saying so, I am indeed tempted, but such things are matters of fate and cannot be forced."

Zhu Bajie said, laughing.

As they talked, they had already returned to Yuhua Province.

Sun Wukong directly instructed the nine-headed lion to land inside the Royal Palace, causing the palace attendants to scatter and hide in fear as they saw such a majestic lion descending from the sky.

Sun Wukong promptly shouted loudly, "Don’t be afraid, it’s just Old Sun returning!"

The people, seeing Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie riding on the lion from above, finally relaxed.

Someone had already notified King of Yuhua and Xuanzang, among others.

Sand Monk also ran over.

Carrying his weapon, he circled around Nine Spirits Holy Yuan, saying somewhat angrily, "So it was this demon causing trouble all along. Now that you have subdued him, why not kill him? Why keep him alive?"

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan turned his head and glared fiercely at Sand Monk, whose frosty stare made Sand Monk shiver, but then, he regained his courage, supported by his companions, and shouted, "You demon, how dare you glare at me! Believe it or not, I’ll beat you to death with one strike, you evil creature."

Zhu Bajie hastened to stop Sand Monk, saying with a smile, "Junior Brother Sand, don’t act rashly. Do you realize this nine-headed lion is the mount of Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun? One must not strike a dog in front of its owner. If you kill him and Tianzun blames us, be careful for your own life."

"What? He’s the mount of Taiyi Save the Suffering Tianzun? No wonder he looked somewhat familiar. It turns out he’s not a creature of the Mortal Realm. Since he’s Tianzun’s mount, why not send him back?"

Junior Brother Sand said, looking puzzled.

Interjecting, Sun Wukong said, "I’ve already spoken with Tianzun. We’ve agreed to punish this vile creature by having him follow us. When we go to Mount Meru, he can protect us. By the way, where are those seven little lions?"

"They’re all locked up in the dungeon, waiting for your verdict!" Junior Brother Sand quickly replied.

Zhu Bajie, looking indignant, said, "Those seven little lions once hurt Old Sun, and out of consideration for Tianzun, we’ll let this old lion go. But those seven little lions definitely cannot be let off easily."

Sun Wukong turned to look at Nine Spirits Holy Yuan and asked with a smile, "Nine-headed Lion, what do you think we should do with your seven grandsons?"

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan frowned for a moment then said, "My seven grandsons usually are quite filial, and they haven’t really committed any serious misdeeds in Yuhua Province. I hope the Great Saint can spare their lives."

"It turns out you’re also a person of deep loyalty and affection."

Sun Wukong nodded satisfactorily and said, "Sparing them is not impossible."

"As long as they convert to following my master, I can show a compassionate heart and spare them. Otherwise, they can’t blame Old Sun for whatever happens."

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan quickly said, "Thank you so much, Great Saint."

"That’s the best way!" Sun Wukong nodded in approval and then took out a bottle of medicine, handing it to Nine Spirits Holy Yuan while saying casually, "Those seven have all been injured. Take this medicine to heal them and persuade them to convert willingly, otherwise don’t blame us for being unkind."

"Thank you, Great Saint."

Nine Spirits Holy Yuan couldn’t help but sigh with relief, at least knowing that his subordinates would not die there.