Journey to the West 016

In the distance, Zhu Bajie scratched his head and said, puzzled, "That demon's skills weren't exactly top-tier. Was it really necessary for the monkey to make such a big production? Using the Heaven-Earth Dharma Form too, what a waste of effort."

Tang Seng chanted a Buddhist invocation. "Wukong, say no more. Let us leave this place quickly and continue our journey west."

Just then, Fang Zhiyi's soul drifted out of his body. Little Hei also emerged from behind him. "Let's go, quick, before anyone notices us."

Fang Zhiyi nodded. Finally, they could leave. He looked at Little Hei with some apology. "Little Hei, I really..."

"Shut up, stop being so sentimental... Oh crap!" Little Hei was originally striking a pose, but suddenly twitched.

Fang Zhiyi saw it too. In the air not far away, two figures had appeared out of thin air. One had an ox's head on a human body, black smoke curling from the ox horns on its head, and held iron chains in its hands. The other had a horse's face on a human body, its face like a dried-up skull, and held a Soul-Snatching Warrant. They were none other than the underworld's Niu Tou and Ma Mian, staring at him menacingly.

Fang Zhiyi's heart sank. "Oh no, I forgot! My body in this world died, but my soul hasn't dissipated. That means I fall under the jurisdiction of the underworld!"

Little Hei understood too. He wrapped a wing around Fang Zhiyi, preparing to dive into the passageway. "Don't panic. I'm about sixty percent sure we can escape!"

"Hey, you two, you're blocking my path." A lazy voice came through. It was Sun Wukong.

Niu Tou and Ma Mian instinctively turned around. Seeing Sun Wukong leaning on his golden-hooped staff, looking at them with a half-smile, they were instantly scared out of their wits. They hurriedly bowed and scraped. "G-Great Sage! We humble servants are here on official business! We didn't notice you earlier..."

"Official business?" Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow. "What business?"

Niu Tou stammered, "Th-there's a wicked demon who died. According to underworld rules, we must apprehend his soul and bring it back for judgment... You know how it is, Great Sage. We can't let a demon who has committed murder escape."

Sun Wukong frowned. "A demon? A soul? Where?"

"Right here is..." Niu Tou reached out to point at Fang Zhiyi but was suddenly elbowed hard by his colleague, Ma Mian.

"What are you doing!" Niu Tou muttered in complaint.

Ma Mian ignored him, just laughing nervously. "We made a mistake. There isn't one, there isn't. The judge... remembered wrong."

Niu Tou looked at the golden-hooped staff Sun Wukong was casually twirling in his hand, and cold sweat instantly poured down his forehead. He understood now! Niu Tou hurriedly changed his tune. "Y-yes, it was our mistake! The judge remembered the wrong name! It's not this demon! Pah, there is no demon."

"Oh? Remembered wrong, you say?" Sun Wukong's tone held a hint of danger.

"Yes, yes, yes! Remembered wrong! Absolutely remembered wrong!" Ma Mian quickly chimed in, pulling Niu Tou as they started running back. "We'll go back and double-check with the judge right now! Great Sage, you're busy, we'll take our leave!"

Watching the fleeing, awkward figures of Niu Tou and Ma Mian, Fang Zhiyi couldn't help but laugh. He raised his hands in a distant salute towards Sun Wukong as a thank you. Sun Wukong waved impatiently, turning around to pretend to look at the scenery.

"You may be the Victorious Fighting Buddha, but the grudge for our Great King, I, Da Huang, must avenge." Da Huang held his weapon, blocking the way with a determined expression. "Even if our Great King willingly went to his death, that was his business. Me seeking revenge on you is my business!"

Sun Wukong glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, that bear demon. There aren't many minor demons I remember, but he's one of them. But how could a character like him end up with a stubborn blockhead like you following him?"

Da Huang swallowed hard. This monkey in monk's robes before him showed not a trace of demonic power, but he knew full well how strong this monkey was. After all these years, he could also tell the difference between strong and stronger.

Sun Wukong watched Da Huang's trembling hand and stuck a finger in his ear to dig around.

"Stubborn blockheads aren't limited to just him."

A voice came through. Da Huang turned around in surprise. Behind him, one demon after another revealed themselves: A Qi, Da Hei, Little Hei, Xiao Bai, Mao... Da Huang looked at these once-familiar faces, a wave of warmth flowing through his heart.

"Well, well, seeking revenge without calling me."

"Calling you Da Huang (Big Yellow) really suits you, you dog."

"You looking down on dogs?"

"Sorry, I wasn't talking about you, Xiao Bai (Little White)."

"Ah, you know, I always wondered why the Great King gave Da Huang a dog's name. Now I finally know the reason."

"Bastards, shut up!"

Sun Wukong watched them with great interest. In truth, he had sensed them the moment they started sneaking over.

The demons fanned out, surrounding Sun Wukong who sat on his lotus pedestal.

"Hey, monkey! No, you're called the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, I know. Today, we thirty-six cave lords of the Xiangyang Demon Manor demand justice from you! Whether we live or die, you must not trouble the minor demons under our command!"

Sun Wukong looked at them, then suddenly clutched his stomach and laughed out loud. His laughter echoed in the empty stone cavern.

The demons looked at each other in confusion.

Little Hei complained, "I told you not to let him deliver the tough talk. Now we just got laughed at."

"I thought it was okay."

"Really?"

Sun Wukong stopped laughing. With a casual wave, his kasaya flew off. He rubbed his fists together. "Fine then. It's been a long time since I had a good fight... Just... don't cry about it hurting."

The thirty-six cave lords all assumed fighting stances. They wondered if their Great King could see them now. They were no longer the minor demons of the past; now countless demons called them Great King.

Those minor demons didn't know that above their Great Kings, there was still the Great King.

To Sun Wukong, these youngsters' "revenge" was somewhat childish. But it could add a little fun to his boring life... So, after he knocked the last demon's weapon from its hand, he waved them away with a look of disdain.

As the chattering, dejected demons left, Sun Wukong felt a pang of loss.

He hadn't been back to Flower-Fruit Mountain in a long time either.

"You reckless monkey, all you know is bullying minor demons."

Sun Wukong turned. A figure with a big belly strode in.

"You idiot, you finally remembered to visit me?"

"Should I leave then?"

"No, no, stay and chat with me for a bit."

Zhu Bajie casually picked up a peach and took a couple of bites. "I really don't get it. For the sake of some ordinary person, you went begging to gods and buddhas. See how it turned out? Now you have to help guard this place for a hundred years."

Sun Wukong smiled and shook his head. "You idiot don't understand a thing."

"I don't? I'm not like you, recklessly loyal. I, Old Zhu, didn't even know him!" Zhu Bajie shook his head.

"Yeah, yeah, you're the clever one. You're the best at playing dumb," Sun Wukong said with a laugh.

"Oh, right... Lately, I keep hearing people talk about some 'Wu Tian' or something. Brother Monkey, do you know this person?"

"Some 'Lawless' or whatever? Never heard of him."

....