Journey to the West 06

However, it suddenly noticed that the foolish-looking black bear demon before it had a sudden surge in demonic power, which was somewhat surprising.

The little demons from the Sunward Cave had already started fighting with its five disciples. It only felt a blur before its eyes as the black bear demon, displaying speed contrary to its bulky form, swung a fist down from behind it.

The Dragon-Subduing Taoist reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side to avoid the blow.

It sneered, waving its pipe. A rope formed from demonic power shot towards Fang Zhiyi. Fang Zhiyi sidestepped to dodge while letting out a loud shout. The hair on his body stood on end as he actually performed a secret technique to boost his demonic power once again.

Pushing off with his legs, he leaped high into the air, striking an imposing pose mid-flight. With fists clenched like meteors, he smashed down fiercely towards the Dragon-Subduing Taoist.

"Black Bird Mounts the Airplane!"

Hearing the name of this move, the Dragon-Subduing Taoist was momentarily stunned. Seeing the black bear demon's imposing aura, it actually felt a bit dazed for a moment.

Yet, just as he was about to strike the Dragon-Subduing Taoist, Fang Zhiyi suddenly twisted his body in mid-air. Using the momentum, he sprinted wildly into the distance. The Dragon-Subduing Taoist watched his retreating figure somewhat dumbfounded, failing to react immediately.

Was that move for escaping?

The city was now in utter chaos. A figure shrouded in black aura held a woman's head in one hand; her body swayed limply.

"You all, deserve to die."

A'Cui radiated a terrifying, baleful aura. She had never imagined people could be this wicked. They had actually beaten her grandmother to death, just because her grandmother had protected her.

They had also killed her friends—Little Bai, Big Grey, Long Tail... They were just fast runners, usually the most timid, yet today they had died here, right before her eyes.

The words Fang Zhiyi had once spoken echoed in her ears. She began to hate her own naivety and innocence. The true energy within her body started flowing in reverse. Originally only at the Qi Refining stage, her cultivation level suddenly increased by a large margin.

Relying on this power, she killed those soldiers, killed those monks and Taoists—their spells had little effect on her.

And just moments ago, she had hunted down Chen Xiaohua's entire family.

A'Cui held the severed head, her tone strange: "Xiaohua, oh Xiaohua, why did you always have to bully me? Were you jealous of me? Why would you be jealous of me? You had parents, I didn't... I only had a grandmother. But why did you have to cause my grandmother's death?"

She let out a miserable laugh.

"Demons are evil? Humans are good? You people are worse than demons."

All the commoners hid in their homes, watching that white-haired madwoman.

She must be a monster!

A'Cui laughed until bloody tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

"Amitabha!" A Buddhist chant came from afar. A'Cui turned her head and saw several figures. The one on horseback was a monk. She rather disliked monks; it was two monks who had killed Little Bai earlier.

"That's her! Great Monk, please save us!" a commoner cried out pleadingly.

The monk in kasaya robes clasped his hands together: "Mercy... Wukong."

Sun Wukong glanced at the white-haired woman and frowned. This was clearly a human, so why had she fallen into the demonic path?

But he didn't hesitate: "Fiend! Surrender!" His movements were extremely fast, reaching A'Cui almost instantly. The golden staff in his hand, glowing with golden light, smashed down fiercely. Just as it was about to hit A'Cui, a sound of metal clashing rang out.

Fang Zhiyi, holding a monk's staff, blocked the blow. But looking at the staff shattering inch by inch, Fang Zhiyi gave a bitter smile. His arm was numb from the impact, almost unable to hold anything.

"There's an accomplice..." Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes. "Hah, interesting."

Fang Zhiyi looked at his childhood idol before him. He never thought their first meeting would be as opponents. This was too intense.

"Great Sage, this matter... has extenuating circumstances." Fang Zhiyi chose the optimal solution: negotiation.

But Sun Wukong merely glanced at him, then flashed away to strike at A'Cui again.

"Too much!" Gritting his teeth, Fang Zhiyi rapidly circulated the heart mantra within his body. His entire form also swelled several times in size. "If you want to touch her, you'll have to see if I agree!"

Unexpectedly, his vision blurred, and a pig's face appeared right before him.

"If I can't stop you, I won't be able to explain myself to Brother Monkey." Zhu Bajie swung his rake, his speed absurdly fast. Fang Zhiyi barely dodged. Was this Zhu Bajie's true strength?

Another blow came. Fang Zhiyi blocked with his arm, and a tremendous force transmitted through, causing the ground beneath his feet to crack and shatter.

"Damn!"

Fang Zhiyi clenched his teeth, forcibly circulating a cultivation heart technique using his demonic power within his body. Although it would accelerate his body's breakdown, right now he was facing the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy!

Zhu Bajie looked somewhat surprised. "Something new?"

But to Fang Zhiyi's surprise, Zhu Bajie still parried every one of his attacks, while simultaneously blocking every direction he tried to move towards.

For the first time, Fang Zhiyi felt the sensation of events slipping out of his control. This world was truly terrifying!

A'Cui, who had been relying on her agility to tangle with Sun Wukong, seemed to be at her limit. Amidst Tang Seng's Buddhist chants, she took a blow from the staff, then another. Her whole body fell to the ground like a kite with its string cut. Wrinkles rapidly appeared on her face, and she spat out black blood.

"A'Cui!" Fang Zhiyi rushed over recklessly, but this time Zhu Bajie didn't stop him.

"Brother Monkey, my task is done!"

"Big Brother..." A'Cui looked weakly at Fang Zhiyi and smiled. "I'm sorry... Little Bai and the others... and my grandmother... I'm sorry..." Her breath was as faint as a thread. Fang Zhiyi's eyes widened in disbelief. How could this be!

He had come to this world specifically, only to watch this person he needed to protect be beaten to death before his eyes once again!

"They are the great monks from the Great Tang in the East!" Seeing the situation was settled, the commoners came out cheering, then knelt in worship towards Tang Seng.

"Thank you, Great Monks, for saving us!"

"Pah! This shameless demon woman!"

Some were angry, some relieved, and others wore triumphant smiles.

"Great Monk, that bear demon has been plaguing this region! Please, Great Monk, eliminate him!"

"Please, Great Monk, eliminate him!"

Following the first shout, a second and a third quickly joined. The voices pleading for Fang Zhiyi's elimination resounded to the heavens.

Fang Zhiyi stared blankly as A'Cui before him completely dissipated. Her very soul had burned out, turning to dust along with her body.

This was the first time, the first time he had failed to protect someone.

"Little Hei... what do we do?" Fang Zhiyi's gaze was vacant, his mind a complete blank.

Little Hei scratched his head. "Let's not... We can't win against them. We really can't."

"You're scared?" Fang Zhiyi's voice held neither sorrow nor joy.

Little Hei was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"This world is terrifying."