Chapter 19: Offering Amnesty to Defy Heaven
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"So it is."
Zhenyuanzi had a sudden realization, and he probably understood Sun Wukong's thoughts, "So you came here because you want me to go to Huaguo Mountain to help you?"
"No, I was just traveling through the four continents and happened to pass by Longevity Mountain. Observing the heavens and examining the earth spirits, I realized there was an esteemed immortal of virtue here, hence my visit." Sun Wukong said, "If the great immortal is willing to visit my Huaguo Mountain, I would be more than grateful."
He was truly longing for talented individuals!
Although according to the simulations in the simulator, under the management of the Dragon Maiden, the majority of the Demon Kings of Huaguo Mountain would genuinely change, he still needed people of great talent.
Otherwise, with just the Demon Kings of the seventy-two caves, it was uncertain how many years it would take to succeed.
"My friend jests."
Zhenyuanzi shook his head with a wry smile. His Longevity Mountain, the place where the Grass Returning Elixir grows, has been here since the very beginning of heaven and earth, and it would be incredibly difficult to transplant.
The ley lines are connected to the earth, situated in the west, and must not be disturbed.
Furthermore, in the Western Niuhezhou, he could often visit the Buddha to listen to the scriptures, and through the Western Heaven Gate, he could enter the higher realms to hear about the Primordial Dao fruits of the Three Purities. Why would he need to go to Huaguo Mountain?
Although Dongsheng Shenzhou is peaceful and calm, he attained the Dao here, this place is his hometown, and he does not wish to move elsewhere.
"I was too presumptuous." Sun Wukong smiled apologetically.
Such a great immortal, although not one of the mixed primordial beings, could contain the universe in a sleeve, holding both heaven and earth, and the stars. Having this skill alone is akin to attaining the Dao, and one needs to be careful to realize it.
Such a proud individual is also friends with the Three Purities, and even when the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the west see them, they have to show respect.
He, a freshly enlightened stone monkey, how could he expect him to move?
Afterward, the two of them discussed the Dao, each making their case.
Sun Wukong was truly a disciple of Master Puti, proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, just as:
Heavenly flowers fell in disorder, earth sprouted golden lotuses; he exquisitely explained the three vehicles of the teachings, all profound dharma was complete.
Gently waving the fly-whisk scattered pearls and jades, the reverberating thunder shook the nine heavens.
Talking about the Dao for a while, then about Chan, the three teachings naturally complemented each other.
Enlightening the word 'sincerity' according to truthful principle, pointing to the profound mystery of the birthless nature.
Zhenyuanzi was overjoyed and also demonstrated the laws of the Dao, proficient in the dharma of all three teachings, just as:
All laws converge to become the universe, heaven and earth equally revered alongside the sovereign.
Both Dao and Buddha are the root in debate, clearly understanding the birthless and indestructible homogeneity.
Zhenyuanzi exclaimed with a deep sigh, "My friend, you truly possess comprehensive knowledge and innate wisdom. Why don't we become sworn brothers. How about that?"
"It is exactly my intention."
Sun Wukong laughed heartily three times, and under the witness of heaven and earth, he became sworn brothers with Zhenyuanzi, with Zhenyuanzi being the elder brother due to his age.
"Dear brother!" Zhenyuanzi, holding Sun Wukong's wrist, was beaming with joy.
"Big brother!"
Sun Wukong was also filled with joy; this was a bond of brotherhood formed six hundred years in advance.
After becoming sworn brothers, Sun Wukong stayed at Wu Zhuang Guan for half a month. All the Daoist boys and disciples in Wu Zhuang Guan knew that their master had gained a sworn brother, and they had gained an honored uncle.
However, this honored uncle was amiable and occasionally humorous. When he discussed the Dao, his unique insights made it common and easy to understand, vividly demonstrating the myriad dharma in the human world, which made them respect him even more and increasingly recognize this honored uncle.
"Big brother, I have been imposing on you for half a month. It is time for me to leave." Sun Wukong said his farewells to Zhenyuanzi.
"Is my dear brother not comfortable living here?" Zhenyuanzi's brows furrowed slightly. Over the past half month, he and Sun Wukong had greatly benefited from their discussions on the Dao, and he truly didn't want to part with the clever and adorable monkey.
If his dear brother left, he would have to resume his solitary cultivation until the Three Purities discussed the Primordial Dao fruits or the Buddha talked about the scriptures and Chan, which was when he could go and listen.
"Big brother, do not take offense. It's not that I am uncomfortable here, but I also have my responsibilities at Huaguo Mountain, just as you have with your Wu Zhuang Guan and cannot always be away." Sun Wukong explained.
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"That's the way it is," Zhen Yuanzi sighed.
"Big brother, don't sigh. To meet is fate, to part is destiny. The waxing and waning of the moon, too, follows the natural order of the universe—it's the Great Way," Sun Wukong said with a reassuring grin.
Zhen Yuanzi sighed again and then chuckled, "I am indeed not as enlightened as you are."
Sun Wukong leaped onto a cloud and said, "If you ever find the time, brother, you must visit me at Huaguo Mountain. I will surely welcome you with open arms."
"This monkey..."
A smile unconsciously crept across Zhen Yuanzi's face as he returned to his temple, where all his disciples were present. Qing Feng and Mingyue, the two Taoist boys, were sweeping the courtyard as usual.
One less person, yet it feels like a loss of innocence.
"Ah!"
Zhen Yuanzi sighed. "Without my worthy brother, my Wu Zhuang Guan has grown decidedly colder."
At that moment, Sun Wukong was riding the clouds and came upon a mountain range stretching thousands of miles. The wind whistled past, rushing through the mountains and surging through rivers, occasionally accompanied by the roar of thunder, resounding as if shaking the nine heavens.
"This must be Mount Jilei," Sun Wukong said as he descended from the clouds, observing the energy above. To the south was a cave with dark clouds hovering above and blood-red energy billowing into the sky, clearly a den of some demon.
With a single step, he spanned worlds.
Approaching the cave's entrance, he saw a huge door, thirty feet tall, with the words 'Bull King Cave' inscribed on it, the characters bold and vigorous, displaying the hand of a master.
Seeing the cave door was shut, Sun Wukong chuckled to himself, vanished from sight, and using an Escape Skill, slipped through the door. Inside the cave, there was a giant, white-haired bull-headed Great Han, three stories high, bare-chested, drinking and making merry with his underlings, lost in revelry.
In front of him were several Demon Kings, all raising their cups in respect.
They were Peng Demon King, Lion Camel King, Yurong King, Wandering Monkey King, and Jiao Demon King.
These five Demon Kings were all rulers of the Northern Jambu Continent. Notably, Jiao Demon King was one whom Sun Wukong recognized—he was the one who lusted after the Dragon Maiden in the simulation, only to be killed by Wukong's staff.
Wukong hadn't expected that they would know each other.
And yet.
By years, he was the youngest among them.
"Bull Demon King," said the Lion Camel King, "with such great prowess, why stay in this Western Niu Hezhou? Why not join us in Northern Jambu Continent, rally the mountains and forests, gather demon soldiers, wouldn't that be delightful?"
The Bull Demon King laughed, "I'm already living a carefree and happy life."
He certainly didn't want to go to the Northern Jambu Continent.
Though his martial power was extraordinary and his Divine Skills boundless, why muddle in the messy waters of Northern Jambu Continent?
The Great Emperor Zhen Wu was stationed there, going there would be asking for trouble.
In Western Niu Hezhou, though Spirit Mountain was present, he could live in peace as long as he didn't provoke them. Moreover, the people of Western Niu Hezhou were mostly non-confrontational, mild and weak in nature. He could occasionally plunder and no one would interfere, which made life quite comfortable.
Besides, he harbored an ambition to be enlisted among the rank of immortals.
After all, in the Three Realms, what mattered most wasn't vast Divine Skills or limitless mana, but status.
It could be said that for most demons in the Three Realms, being listed among the immortals, or attaining a rank within the Buddha's retinue, was their greatest aspiration.
Rebel against Heaven?
Impossible!
Sun Wukong guessed a thing or two about Bull Demon King's thoughts. In his first simulation, this guy—or rather, all six Demon Kings—didn't really have the heart to rebel against Heaven.
In the simulation, when he first rebelled and descended to the lower realm, not one of those six Demon Kings showed up. After he won the first battle, they all came to congratulate him and even started addressing him as 'Great Saint.'
Later, when he descended a second time, those six were nowhere to be seen again.
Combining this with his second simulation, he pretty much knew that these six Demon Kings weren't truly interested in opposing Heaven. They were just looking for a chance to be co-opted.
Just like in his first simulation, he felt his official rank was too minor, rebelled, and descended. Heaven didn't take it seriously at first, but after being defeated once, these six Demon Kings saw a hint of being co-opted and scurried over...