Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning
Chapter 10 - The Seven Sages' Oath of Brotherhood

Chapter 10: The Seven Sages’ Oath of Brotherhood

“My brother is unruly—please forgive his behavior, Dragon Kings.”

Qin Chuan brought Ao Xue to stand before the Four Sea Dragon Kings.

The Monkey looked Ao Xue up and down, clicking his tongue with interest.

“Hey, Qin Chuan, weren’t you just going out to find a weapon? How’d you end up bringing back a pretty dragon lady?”

The Dragon Kings gazed at Ao Xue with complex expressions. Ao Guang quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully.

“For Immortal Qin to be recognized by the Ice Snow Dragon Chanting Spear, it must mean he shares a deep affinity with our dragon race.”

“This humble one has prepared a small banquet—may the two Immortals honor us with your presence?”

Qin Chuan shook his head.

“Old Dragon King, you’re too polite. We’ve already gained a great treasure today—how could we dare trouble you further? My brother and I are not ungrateful people. Should you need anything in the future, simply send a word—so long as it’s within our means, we won’t refuse.”

The Monkey nodded repeatedly. “That’s right, old neighbor! My Flower Fruit Mountain is just up above. If any scoundrels dare stir up trouble in your Dragon Palace, send for me! I’ll come down swinging my staff!”

You’re the biggest scoundrel of all!

—The Four Sea Dragon Kings all silently complained in their hearts.

Still, Qin Chuan’s courteous words smoothed over much of the resentment stirred up by the Monkey’s earlier antics.

Ao Guang thought to himself, These two are clearly figures of great power. I was planning to offer some gifts just to get rid of them, but if I can instead form a good relationship…

The dragon clan had long declined. Though nominally divine officials of Heaven, controlling the weather and rain, any small misstep could still land them on the execution platform.

Lacking sufficient strength, they naturally sought alliances with stronger beings.

“In that case, I won’t keep the two Immortals. You’re always welcome to visit our Dragon Palace again.”

Qin Chuan and the Monkey exchanged a look and cupped their hands in farewell.

“We take our leave!”

With that, the two activated their magic powers and left the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Once they had gone, Ao Guang turned to his fellow Dragon Kings and said, “Since you’re all here, why not stay for a meal in my palace before heading back?”

Just as the four Dragon Kings turned to go, a golden light pierced the deep sea, transforming into a golden lotus that floated down in front of Ao Guang.

At that moment, the Dragon Kings of the South, West, and North Seas, along with all the shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and dragon maidens nearby, stood frozen like statues.

Ao Guang’s expression instantly grew grim.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan and the Monkey rode the currents back to Flower Fruit Mountain. The four elder monkeys, along with countless monkey subjects, had long been waiting and eagerly rushed forward to greet them.

“Such brilliance, such majesty from our two great kings!”

Fresh from the Dragon Palace, the Monkey was full of joy. With the Ruyi Staff in hand, he showed off his martial prowess in the courtyard. The seventy-two cave demon kings came to celebrate, and the mountain was filled with festivity.

As the golden staff danced, it sparkled with radiant light, churning the sea and changing the color of the sky. The assembled demons sang, danced, and performed music to congratulate their Monkey King on acquiring such a divine weapon.

“Monkey, I’ve had some insights today. I’m planning to open a cave-dwelling here on Flower Fruit Mountain and go into secluded cultivation for a while.”

During the banquet, Qin Chuan brought up the matter. After all, this was the Monkey’s territory—no matter how close their friendship, it was only right to inform him.

The Monkey waved his hand nonchalantly. “Feel free, feel free!”

Qin Chuan nodded, not wanting to interrupt the Monkey’s revelry. After the feast, he took Ao Xue to the southern part of Flower Fruit Mountain and, using his powerful magic, carved out a new cave-dwelling. For some reason, after the trip to the Dragon Palace, Qin Chuan felt a sudden sense of urgency within.

Time flowed on. On Flower Fruit Mountain, the seasons passed quietly. Days turned into nights, and years slipped by like flowing water.

While Qin Chuan cultivated in seclusion, the Monkey—unable to stand boredom—hosted lavish banquets on the mountain. All the monkeys and demons came to join the festivities.

He appointed the four elder monkeys as his Generals, and named two Red-Bottomed Horse Monkeys as Marshals Ma and Liu, while two Long-Armed Apes became Generals Beng and Ba.

He organized camps and garrisons following the military structure of human kingdoms, assigning each monkey to a place according to proper ranks. In his spare time, he flew among the clouds and soared across the four seas, using his magical powers to seek worthy friends and adventures—living freely and joyfully.

With his incredible powers and outgoing nature, the Monkey quickly gained fame in the demon realm, and the name “Beautiful Monkey King” began to spread far and wide.

At that place, six powerful demon lords found themselves kindred spirits with the Monkey King. They practiced martial arts together, discussed the Dao, and eventually formed a sworn brotherhood.

It is said:

The Bull Demon is brave and unmatched in strength,

The Flood Dragon stirs rivers and overturns seas.

The Roc Demon soars through the nine heavens,

The Lion Camel shakes mountains with his might.

The Macaque is agile and deeply perceptive,

The Gibbon is clever and full of stratagems.

The Handsome Monkey is wise and widely praised—The Seven Sages’ oath makes their names resound.

One day, the seven demons gathered in the Water Curtain Cave, drinking and laughing together. Stone tables were laid with jade vessels of all kinds; cups and jugs reflected a brilliant array. The cave was filled with demon aura, raucous laughter, playful cursing—a scene of wild celebration.

The atmosphere was lively and carefree. There were no distinctions among them, only relentless training and skill exchanges, ever refining their techniques.

Suddenly, from the southern end of Flower Fruit Mountain, a radiant celestial light burst into the sky. The brilliance was dazzling, its power reaching the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm.

Mountains and rivers changed color; seas and lakes roiled. The light pierced through the heavens, shaking the very fabric of the world.

“Good brother, I didn’t expect such an accomplished cultivator to be hidden within your Flower Fruit Mountain! Why not introduce them to us?”

The Bull Demon King, staring at the brilliant light, clapped the Monkey King on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

The Roc Demon King, Lion Camel King, Macaque King, and Gibbon King also activated their divine senses, probing the source of the celestial radiance.

Only the Flood Dragon King had a murderous glint in his eyes. Watching the immortal light spiral upward with a demonic aura rising all around, he growled, “So, we searched high and low for the thief, and here he is—right under our noses!”

With those words, the Flood Dragon King summoned a demonic wind. Waves surged and howled as he flew toward the source of the immortal light like a dragon riding a storm.

The wind screeched like wailing ghosts, and water splashed like silver arrows. The demons in the cave looked at each other in confusion, unsure what had provoked the Flood Dragon King.

Only the Macaque King seemed to recall something. He chuckled, “The second brother mentioned the other day that he had a descendant who went out adventuring years ago and was slain. Could this be the one?”

Hearing this, the Monkey King’s face darkened. A surge of unease hit him, and he cried, “This is bad!” The Ruyi Golden Cudgel flew from his ear into his hand, growing longer and mightier with the wind. With a sweep of his cloak, he vanished from the Water Curtain Cave.

The Bull Demon King, Roc Demon King, Lion Camel King, Macaque King, and Gibbon King followed suit, summoning clouds and winds to pursue him.