The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 289 - 254: Ox Demon King Appointed to Retrieve the Treasure

Chapter 289: Chapter 254: Ox Demon King Appointed to Retrieve the Treasure

Sun Wukong was fanned by Princess Iron Fan to Zhen Yuanzi’s Wuzhuang Temple, and he was still holding the fundamental Seal of Acala. If he had not been holding the Dharma Seal, there’s no telling that he might have been fanned away to Dongsheng Immortal State in an instant.

The Banana Leaf Fan was fierce in fanning people, but it couldn’t kill anyone. Princess Iron Fan acted like this probably because she feared the Buddhist sect might notice something amiss.

Clearly, she was someone who had received advice from Laojun.

As an older martial brother, Zhen Yuanzi heard that his younger brother had once again suffered at the hands of Laojun’s people and was furious. He wanted to go and take revenge. However, if he did that, wouldn’t he be doing the Buddhist sect a great favor? Wukong quickly grabbed Zhen Yuanzi’s robe sleeve, preventing him from leaving.

"Brother, if it really came to a fight, I could use my full strength, and Princess Iron Fan might not necessarily be my match. I deliberately let her fan me away," Wukong said.

"What? You’re actually disregarding our sect’s dignity!" Zhen Yuanzi, hearing this, was even more infuriated, looking as if he wanted to slice Wukong into two.

Wukong, with a troubled frown, said, "Last time, my defeat at Rhinoceros King’s hands was natural; after all, he had the Vajra Bracelet, and you would probably have been captured even with the Book of Earth! Truly formidable! My defeat at the hands of Iron Fan this time was also beyond help—after all, Ox Demon King is my elder brother, and she is my sister-in-law. They say an elder brother is like a father, and a sister-in-law is like a mother; how could I fight her? Moreover, this matter concerns the strategies of our mentors. If you intervened, brother, I’m afraid it would ruin our teacher’s plans."

Zhen Yuanzi couldn’t help but snort, "Are we from the Shangqing Lineage supposed to let those from the Taqing Lineage slap us in the face? No, I must reclaim our dignity."

"Oh, brother! Why can’t you see reason? If you go and take care of Princess Iron Fan for me, isn’t that just a huge favor for the Buddhist sect? Although we’re from the same mentor, outsiders don’t even know who our mentor is; even Ox Demon King and his kin are unaware. What does it matter if I’m beaten? No one knows I’m a disciple of the Lingbao Lineage." Wukong hastily continued, "Brother, you’re the Ancestral Earth Immortal. To act against a woman like Princess Iron Fan, how would that look if word got out? What would others think of you?"

Zhen Yuanzi thought about it—the words did make sense. He was the Ancestral Earth Immortal, and it would not do his reputation any good to fight a woman. Plus, with the Three Pure Ones strategizing, if he disrupted the sect’s plan, that truly would be a sin deserving of death.

Wukong continued, "Didn’t Laojun send Golden Horn and Silver Horn last time? I took care of them quite conclusively, causing the Taqing Lineage to lose face. The Three Pure Ones are originally from the same sect, so losing a little face is nothing. But if the Buddhist sect humiliates us, what then? Brother, you better stay calm. Let me handle this—I’ll surely divert the trouble, giving the Buddhist sect something to worry about."

Wukong repeatedly spoke well of Zhen Yuanzi, finally extinguishing the rage in Zhen Yuanzi’s heart. The Ancestral Earth Immortal then said, "Next time you must stand up for yourself. Although outsiders don’t know we’re from the same lineage, seeing these things frustrates me no end! Little brother, you must stand up for yourself, and if you can’t beat someone, just come and tell me, your brother, and I’ll see that I get even for you."

Wukong bowed and said, "Many thanks for your kind intentions, brother. We’ll leave the matter there for now. I must hurry back and report this matter to some Bodhisattva or Buddha Ancestor, so they can help us."

Zhen Yuanzi nodded, "Hmm, you can go. If there’s anything, just come and find me. Although we are only sworn brothers in name, I will surely take your side if the time comes."

Zhen Yuanzi naturally acted as the elder brother, his mana profound, reaching the level of a Quasi-Saint. Even Kong Xuan couldn’t gain any advantage against him. In the Three Realms and the Six Paths of Reincarnation, who knows how few could match him?

Wukong thanked Zhen Yuanzi, then rode the clouds toward Flame Mountain, thinking, "In my past life, the Six-Eared Macaque caused Old Bull to take action here, and later Old Bull and his kin were captured and taken to Western Heaven. If it weren’t for Laojun shamelessly pleading, they wouldn’t have been released! I wonder if Old Bull will take action this time?"

Let us leave Wukong’s return to Flame Mountain for now and turn to Flower-Fruit Mountain in Dongsheng Immortal State.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven entered the Water Curtain Cave, did not find the Ox Demon King and asked, "Where is big brother?"

The Jiao Demon King opened his eyes and said, "Old Bull went up to heaven a few days ago, claiming that our ancestor summoned him and he dared not ignore the call."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven said, "Oh! So that’s what happened."

The Peng Demon King could not help asking, "Seventh Brother, what do you need that Savage Bull for? If it’s something he can handle, we surely can too!"

The Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed and said, "This matter is only suitable for that Savage Bull to handle! Forget it, since Old Bull has gone to see our ancestor, I shall continue my hidden cultivation. My brothers, the calamity of heaven and earth isn’t far away; one must cultivate diligently to avoid merely drawing cakes on paper."

Turning to the Ox Demon King in Doulu Palace, upon seeing Laojun, he hurriedly knelt to pays respects.

The Ox Demon King bowed and said, "Disciple greets the Supreme Patriarch!"

Laojun turned around and said, "This time you have a great opportunity. I am sending you to the mortal realm to accomplish a significant task."

The Ox Demon King couldn’t help asking, "What task?"

Laojun chuckled, "It’s indeed a matter of great importance. If well executed, there’s a chance you could even slay a few Bodhisattvas and Buddhas."

Upon hearing it involved a fight, the Ox Demon King’s eyes couldn’t help but light up; his large, bell-like eyes immediately shone bright. He said, "If the Patriarch asks me to fight, naturally, I would be more than eager! However, the Buddhist sect is not to be trifled with. If I were to slay a few of their Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, my days would be numbered."

Laojun said, "There will naturally be a way for you to kill without paying with your life. When the time comes, you just need to flip over one dharma ground after another. Whomever Sun Wukong sends to deal with your wife, you simply beat them to death."

The Ox Demon King hurriedly said, "But I don’t have such immense mana. If two powerful ones come, wouldn’t I be immediately subdued?"

Laojun burst into laughter and said, "The Flame Mountain and Women’s Kingdom are essentially a huge Yin-Yang array that complements each other. Within the array, there’s a treasure hidden, and it’s just the right time to give it to you! Once you obtain that treasure, you will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Chi You, the Ancient War God. At that time, unless Tathagata makes a move, who could possibly trouble you? And if you get captured, I’ll stake some of my reputation to demand your return. After all, my face is already as thick as a city wall."

If it came to shamelessness, Laojun might be ranked first among the Three Pure Ones, even surpassing Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch! As for the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating Sect, he was straightforward in nature, decisive in slaughter and killing, without too many cunning plots.

Having heard these words, with no further concerns to worry about, the Ox Demon King rubbed his hands together in excitement and joyfully said, "Then, Old Ancestor, quickly give me that treasure! Let me see how formidable this treasure is and how it can stand against all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas."

Laojun smiled faintly and said, "You go to Flame Mountain, follow this path down to the bottom of the mountain, and claim this magical treasure! This treasure was once wounded by the Xuanyuan Sword in Ancient Times. After nurturing it for a long while, it is now ready to emerge into the world. You, having obtained Gonggong’s Essence Blood, are the perfect match to control this treasure."

Overjoyed, the Ox Demon King couldn’t contain himself.

Laojun then gave him an elixir and said, "Take this elixir, descend along this road to the mountain’s bottom, and extract the treasure. After refining the treasure, you must do this and that, in such and such a way..."

He whispered into the Ox Demon King’s ear, who nodded continuously and joyfully said, "Good, good, good! The venerable Patriarch truly has amazing methods. I’ll be on my way then. Watch me flex my might against all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!"

Laojun nodded and said, "Hmm, remember what I have told you. Do not act recklessly; you must have an excuse to strike. Otherwise, I will not be able to bring you back."

The Ox Demon King responded, "I understand! Don’t worry, Patriarch. Watch me turn heaven and earth upside down."

Having received guidance from Laojun, the Ox Demon King descended from the Great Pure Sky, heading straight for the direction of Flame Mountain in West Cow He State.

The Ox Demon King swallowed the elixir Laojun had given him and felt an immense coolness sweeping through his body. The surrounding flames were immediately repelled. He couldn’t help but exclaim with delight, "The Patriarch’s elixir is truly formidable. Once taken, I am impervious to a hundred fires. I fear even the Purifying Purple Flame in his Bagua Oven would not burn me, Old Bull."

Brandishing his Mixed-Iron Staff, the Ox Demon King madly followed the route Laojun had described.

His heart was filled with joy, contemplating how he’d put the Buddhist sect in its place and how he’d slay them after obtaining the magical treasure.

The Ox Demon King thought, "Though this treasure is of an external path, possessing it will immediately enhance my combat power, and I might even comprehend a trace of the Creator’s profound mysteries! This will also be of extraordinary use to me."

Laojun had already made it clear to the Ox Demon King that the treasure would not belong to him in the end; he could only possess it temporarily. This treasure was restored through methods against the natural order; attempting another restoration would violate the Heavenly Dao and invoke the wrath of the Nine Heavens! This treasure had been placed here since its return to the Nine Heavens was delayed.

The integration of Yin and Yang engenders all beings. This array is a Yin-Yang Array, and, boosted by a fraction of Laojun’s Purifying Purple Flame’s heat, it’s been tempered continuously day and night, ultimately being consecrated anew. In this world, aside from Laojun, there likely isn’t anyone else with such skill. The title of Artifact Refining Grandmaster indeed belongs to no one but him.

The Ox Demon King mused, "Once I, Old Bull, have this magical treasure in hand, I’ll hide in the shadows and see who dares to bully my wife. Then, I’ll beat each one to death! Ha ha, ha ha. The Patriarch is truly cunning, but, Old Bull, I love it!"

Wielding the Mixed-Iron Staff, the Ox Demon King fended off the flames that shot towards him, heading straight for the bottom of Flame Mountain.

His mood was excellent. Although the journey took some time since flames were everywhere, making it difficult to find the right path, he was very excited, thinking, "I’m nearly there. Once I have the treasure, heh heh, all the Buddhas in the sky will have to look up to your Lord Bull’s prowess!"

As he was nearing the bottom of the mountain, the treasure was about to appear.

After all, what kind of treasure was it? Please stay tuned for the next Chapter. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to support it by casting recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)