Journey to the West 09

"Why?" Sun Wukong scratched his head. "Many years ago, I thought about the same question as you. When the Flower-Fruit Mountain was razed, I asked why. When they told me to surrender, I wanted to ask why. Even when they made me go on the pilgrimage for scriptures... I wondered why." He involuntarily touched the golden fillet on his head.

"Because that is the way of Heaven," Sun Wukong said, also sitting down cross-legged. "'All living beings are equal' is just something said to mortals. How could gods, immortals, demons, and monsters ever be equal to mortals?"

He seemed to recall some past events.

Fang Zhiyi took a deep breath. "I understand. One cannot become an immortal while harboring compassion."

Sun Wukong was taken aback by his blunt words, then laughed. "You are truly amusing!"

"I've thought before that all who become immortals are ruthless individuals. And once they become lofty beings high above, seeing mortal humans as ants, who would bother to exert effort for ants?"

Sun Wukong neither nodded nor shook his head, just stared at Fang Zhiyi as if trying to see through his soul.

Fang Zhiyi looked back at him. "But I am different. If I still want to save her, what should I do?"

Sun Wukong asked curiously, "Are you really not afraid of death? Hmm, I mean, complete and utter death."

Fang Zhiyi spread his hands. "Great Sage, I have lived long enough, truly."

Sun Wukong slowly stood up. "First, let me test your mettle."

Fang Zhiyi also rose to his feet. "It would be an honor. If I survive, I could boast about this for a lifetime."

Sun Wukong was amused.

But suddenly, a black wind swept in, carrying a figure.

"Hunter Fang Zhiyi! I've found you! Hahaha..." A demon clad in golden armor stepped out from the demonic wind, emanating an overwhelming aura. "Heaven rewards the diligent! You..."

He suddenly widened his eyes, looking suspiciously at the monkey opposite Fang Zhiyi.

"Your friend?" Sun Wukong asked.

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. "Don't know him."

"You are..." The demon felt uneasy. This monkey seemed somewhat famous... what was he called?

But there was no time for him to think. A massive staff came smashing towards his face. He immediately mustered his energy to block, but failed. One hit, two hits, three hits. The demon's bones and sinews shattered piece by piece. He couldn't understand; this time he had made ample preparations, intending to completely overpower Fang Zhiyi with force. So why was this happening now?

A small, dark shadow detached from the demon and shot towards the sky. Sun Wukong snorted coldly, merely blowing a puff of air. The thing froze, unable to move. Then, with another swing of his staff, that 'system' was turned into mush.

Little Hei watched, terrified, and shrank behind Fang Zhiyi.

"The nuisance is gone. Now it's your turn and mine." Sun Wukong put away his golden staff. "I won't take advantage of you."

Fang Zhiyi clasped his hands in thanks.

Fang Zhiyi took a deep breath, circulating all his magical power. Instantly, the aura around him surged dramatically. The form of a black bear flickered around him, and a giant phantom of a black bear seemed to materialize behind him. With a loud shout, he charged at Sun Wukong, his fists like thunder, whistling through the air as they pounded towards the Monkey King.

Sun Wukong remained unhurried, his body moving with agile ease, effortlessly dodging Fang Zhiyi's attacks. Each time Fang Zhiyi's fist grazed past, it stirred a gust of fierce wind. Seeing this, Fang Zhiyi changed his stance, his hands forming claws that shot towards Sun Wukong with incredible speed. Sun Wukong slightly sidestepped, extended two fingers, and precisely pinched Fang Zhiyi's wrist. With a forceful flick, he sent Fang Zhiyi flying.

Fang Zhiyi flipped in mid-air and landed steadily. Gritting his teeth, he charged again. This time, he chanted incantations under his breath. Thick vines suddenly sprouted from the ground, twisting towards Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong leaped into the air, his golden staff appearing in his hand out of nowhere. With a single sweep, the vines were severed. Despite being many times stronger than before, Fang Zhiyi was still no match for an unarmed Sun Wukong.

As the vines dissipated, the tip of the golden staff came to rest against his throat.

A wry smile appeared on Fang Zhiyi's face.

Unexpectedly, Sun Wukong suddenly cried out in annoyance, "I lost! I said I wouldn't use my weapon. Force of habit. Blame this hand of mine." He slapped his own hand.

Fang Zhiyi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Sun Wukong looked at him, his expression half-smiling. "Still not going to scram?"

"Thank you, Great Sage!"

Little Hei, who had been tense because of the monkey before them, grabbed Fang Zhiyi. "This is the last time, you hear me? If you do it again, your soul will be completely finished."

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "This time, it will work."

"Remember, although doing this will enhance your power... this is the final time. If you do it again, you will dissipate completely." Little Hei's expression was serious.

Fang Zhiyi's face was already contorted. The pain his soul was enduring now was many times greater than the previous two occasions, as if a fire of a thousand degrees was burning inside him.

"Damn it, now I finally know what it feels like to have one's soul refined by those evil cultivators!"

Little Hei joked, "Oh, come on. Compared to this, those evil cultivators are like well-behaved little babies."

Fang Zhiyi clenched his jaw. If a person's pain exceeds a certain limit, they faint. But he couldn't faint at all; he could only endure it head-on.

Fortunately, when he opened his eyes again, the wolf demon was kneeling before him.

"Great King, what's wrong?" The wolf demon looked at the Great King's gloomy expression; he seemed particularly angry, his fangs bared.

"I know now. Da Huang, you may leave first." Fang Zhiyi supported his head with his hand.

The wolf demon was stunned for a moment. "Da Huang?" But within seconds, he became elated. The Great King had given him a name!

The wolf demon walked out, chest puffed out with pride.

Not long after, Fang Zhiyi also walked out. He stood on the steps, looking at these little demons. They were different from the demons arranged into the eighty-one tribulations for the Tang Monk and his disciples. They hadn't eaten humans, nor had they done any evil deeds. Some were even quite timid.

Fang Zhiyi hesitated for a moment.

"All of you, come here."

At his command, the little demons of the Sunny Cave gathered around. It was rare for them to see their Great King with such an expression.

"I'm going to give each of you a name."

Upon hearing this, the demons erupted in excitement.

Here, a boar that became a demon was called Wild Boar, a bat that became a demon was called Bat. There weren't many conventions. The original owner of this body was also simple-minded and had never thought of such things.

"You are Xiao Bai," Fang Zhiyi pointed at a dog demon. The dog demon wagged its tail excitedly from side to side.

"You are A'Qi."

"You are Da Hei."

"You are Xiao Huang."

No demon disliked their name as unappealing. Each one was overjoyed.

Da Huang was somewhat puzzled. "Great King, how do you suddenly know so much?"

Fang Zhiyi was taken aback. So much?

Before his eyes appeared the image of a playful little girl. That time, she had also pointed at them one by one, giving them names, her face wearing a happy smile.