Chapter 013: Encounter with Jiao Demon King at Flower-Fruit Mountain

Wukong arrived at the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and injured a host of aquatic tribe generals, as well as one of the Twenty-Eight Constellations—an Aquatic Ape. This drew enmity and karmic ties with the constellation. The Dragon King acted as a peacemaker, managing to calm both sides and avoid further conflict.

Ao Kuang ordered his servants to bring many weapons that didn't quite meet Wukong's preference, but he took them anyway. As he was gathering them, he stated they could be taken back to his subjects at Flower-Fruit Mountain. These were merely weapons forged by immortal techniques, far superior to those in the mortal world, but without the special effects of magical treasures. They were simply ordinary weapons for combat. To Ao Kuang, they were just trifles, usually piled up in the treasury and distributed only to higher-ranked aquatic tribe generals during recruitment, far superior to the weapons used by the shrimp soldiers.

Dragons are adept at hoarding wealth. Since ancient times, Ao Kuang had hidden it well. During the ancient era of deification, only Nezha making trouble in the sea had killed his son. And in the Middle Ancient Period's unparalleled great war, he managed to steer clear. In that war, saints perished, and it was said that some change had occurred in the Buddhist sect during that time. The Three Pure had suffered significant losses, rumored to have had their physical bodies destroyed. Now, their bodies were hidden somewhere, nurturing quietly, and those who sat in the Thirty-Three Skies were merely the Primordial Spirits of the Three Pure.

Ao Kuang was the type who preferred to use wealth to avert disasters and keep the peace. Facing the immensely talented Wukong, who also had powerful backing, he reluctantly parted with the Sea-Calming Needle bestowed upon him by Yu the Great, albeit with great sorrow.

Wukong followed Ao Kuang to the location of the Sea-Calming Needle. Looking up, he nodded to himself and shouted, "Smaller!"

The Jingu Bang immediately shrank considerably. Wukong then cried out, "Even smaller!"

Once the Jingu Bang became just the right size for his hand, Wukong weighed it and couldn't help but inwardly sigh, thinking, "Others cannot make the Ruyi Jingu Bang obey their will, but in my hands, it becomes 'as-you-will'. Could it be that my master is actually the Supreme Lord Laojun? After all, this Jingu Bang was forged by Laojun during the ancient times when Da Yu controlled the floods."

How could it be seen that the Jingu Bang was forged by Laojun? There is a poem by a previous poet as evidence:

The rod, of nine-times refined iron, Laojun did temper in the forge.

Sought by King Yu, named divine treasure, a testament to the ocean's bound.

Midsection laid with a dark array of stars, ends clasped with golden bands.

Pattern so intricate it frightens ghosts and spirits, with dragon and phoenix scripts masterfully done.

Wukong swung the golden-hooped rod a few times, stirring the surrounding water into a turbulent flow. Ao Kuang exclaimed in alarm, "Great Immortal, please refrain from showcasing your power. If you continue like this, my Dragon Palace will collapse! If you desire to wield the Jingu Bang, you must do so outside."

The Jingu Bang certainly ranked among magical treasures, capable of freely changing size, channeling rivers, and suppressing seas. Although it didn't have the mighty lethal effects of the God-Beating Whip or the Great Year Whip, its strength was unmatched. Even fallen into Laojun's furnace and enduring the flames, it remained unscathed and unaltered. Among weapons, its weight was nearly unmatched. If it came down to a simple contest of martial arts, holding the Jingu Bang would give Wukong a significant advantage.

Wukong shrank the Jingu Bang to the size of an embroidery needle and hid it in his ear, laughing as he said, "No need for a second task, Old Dragon King. I still lack a cape and battle robe, could you please be kind and help with this as well?"

Ao Kuang led Wukong to the armory, allowing him to pick an outfit for himself. Without reservation, Wukong chose a suit of golden chainmail armor, along with a pair of Walk-on-Cloud Boots and a Purple Gold Crown for fastening his hair. Observing himself, he appeared rather imposing and was very pleased. He then bowed his hands in thanks, "Old Sun thanks you, Dragon King."

Without further conversation, he somersaulted into the sky and headed back to Flower-Fruit Mountain on the clouds.

Ao Kuang was relieved to have sent off that troublesome deity. Wusheng and Southern Immortal Weng emerged from behind, nodding with smiles at Ao Kuang.

"I will have Prime Minister Tortoise write a memorial, and present it to the Jade Emperor tomorrow," Ao Kuang said to Wusheng and Southern Immortal Weng. "I've always been respectful on the surface to the Jade Emperor, so he will surely not stand by and watch me being humiliated without cause. He will find a way to restore my dignity. Sooner or later, the Heavenly Court will surely clash with this Sun Wukong." He could not fathom why these two were helping Wukong, yet causing him to offend the Heavenly Court.

Wusheng nodded with a smile, "The memorial must be written with some righteous indignation. My master has his own plans. We must trouble the Eastern Sea Dragon King with this."

Ao Kuang hurriedly bowed his hands and replied, "I dare not take credit!"

In his heart, he was puzzled—could it be that Wusheng's master was the North Pole True Martial Demon Conquering Emperor? This monkey had initially been recommended by the Great Emperor Zhenwu; otherwise, his tiny raft would have long been shattered by the waves. If it weren't for the Dragon King ordering the Patrolling Sea Demons to secretly protect him, how could he have possibly reached the Southern Toad Continent?

Southern Immortal Weng also gave Ao Kuang a salute and said, "Many thanks to the Dragon King for his assistance. Wusheng and I will take our leave. If there is a need, we will surely seek the Dragon King's help again."

Southern Immortal Weng is one of the Four Imperial Rulers of the Heavenly Court, and although nobody has seen him take action, his mana is thought to be exceedingly potent. Moreover, he is a disciple of the Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, and which of the followers of the Chan teaching is vegetarian at heart? No wonder the Jade Emperor would feel uneasy; he commands the Four Imperial Rulers of the Heavenly Court, including another, the Central Extreme Purple Micro Emperor.

However, Southern Immortal Weng, being a follower of the Chan teaching, often pays lip service to the Jade Emperor's decrees while undermining them in secret. Similarly, the Great Emperor Zhenwu originally hailed from Wudang and with his supreme mana reveres the Three Pure Ones, hence he rarely shows the Jade Emperor any favor. The Hooked Chen Great Emperor of the West Pole, born of the demon race, was once guided by the Sage of the Sect of Interception when "the teachings differ for every individual" was propagated – it is said that he is a descendant of the Dragon and Phoenix. Then there's the Great Emperor Qinghua of the East Pole, rumored to be associated with Buddhism. Although he preaches of Daoist teachings, many Buddhist concepts are intertwined within. Lastly, the Great Emperor Ziwei, who was Ji Chang's eldest son, Bo Yikao, during the Ancient Era of Deification, achieved the Divine Way but showed no interest in cultivation, instead preferring to play the zither and chess. Although he commands the Various Heavens and Constellations, he ignores all attempts at being courted.

Realistically, the Four Seas Dragon Kings are subjects to the Great Emperor Zhenwu, who is the personification of Xuanwu. That black snake cultivated into a Purple Gold Divine Dragon with five claws, and upon realizing the Great Dao, was revered as the progenitor of all dragons. With the help of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, the Dragon Clan further thrived. Though the Great Emperor Zhenwu seemingly has no private factions, he secretly controls the dragon lineage, ensuring that the Four Seas Dragon Kings display loyalty but also convey their dissatisfaction to the Jade Emperor, to lull him into complacency.

Ao Kuang hurriedly responded with a bow, "Longevity Star Elder need not be so polite; if there's a need, come find this Old Dragon King, and I will do what I can."

Having fulfilled the tasks set by Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and Subhuti, Wusheng left the Eastern Sea together with Southern Immortal Weng to report back on their respective missions.

After sending off the two great deities, Ao Kuang could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He lit incense sticks and summoned his three brothers from the South, West, and North Seas: Guangli Dragon King of the South Sea, Ao Qin, Guangshun Dragon King of the West Sea, Ao Run, and Guangze Dragon King of the North Sea, Ao Shun. The Four Seas Dragon Kings convened to draft a memorial, and ordered the Prime Minister Tortoise to present it to the Heavenly Court. No further details were mentioned.

Meanwhile, Wusheng returned to Three Stars Cave to report back and bowed before Subhuti, saying, "Honorable Master, your disciple has completed your command; the Four Seas Dragon Kings have jointly submitted a petition to the Heavenly Court."

Subhuti stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Good! The Four Seas Dragon Kings appear to be very supportive of the Jade Emperor on the surface. If the Jade Emperor does not stand up for them, his reputation will suffer. It will not be so easy to win over loyal followers in the future. Wukong, however, can really give the Jade Emperor a hard time."

Wusheng couldn't help but smile, asking, "Won't Wukong be in danger?"

Subhuti replied, "No, he won't be. Right now, there are countless eyes on him, and even Tathagata wouldn't hurt him. Rest assured."

Wusheng felt somewhat relieved and inquired, "Should we secretly look out for him?"

Subhuti, however, shook his head and said, "There's no need. The era of killing calamities is about to descend once more. Although it's not as severe as the five great calamities of ancient times, it's still significant. You should focus on profound cultivation. In the Middle Ancient Period, the Three Pure Ones together with All Buddhas of the Buddhist sect fought in the South Sea and were all severely injured. I fear that the catastrophe of the Middle Ancient Period might recur. You must be cautious and cultivate yourself so that if a calamity does come, you can ensure your own safety."

Wusheng thanked him, saying, "I appreciate the guidance from my Master. I will return to my cave abode and begin deep cultivation."

Subhuti calculated with his fingers, flicking them so that five small worlds spun on his fingertips, each evolving with all living things and the Four Great Continents. Suddenly, the small world on his index finger trembled slightly, and within that world, above the North Sea, death loomed, and demons danced wildly.

"Is there going to be trouble in the Uttara Kuru Kingdom?" Wusheng exclaimed.

"It seems you won't have the leisure to cultivate in peace. Take a trip to the Uttara Kuru Kingdom and then across the North Sea to the Beiming. That place was also a battlefield during the Middle Ancient Period where many powerful beings fell. Now, a Secret Realm has emerged there, containing a grand opportunity: Buddhism's supreme scripture 'Sutra of the Other Shore', and the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' left by Empress Zhi Ren. If it's destined, retrieve them for yourself," Subhuti said as he withdrew his hand into his sleeve with indifference.

Wusheng accepted the command, and Subhuti bestowed upon him a Magical Treasure and several Elixirs. Wusheng went to refine his cultivation, master the Magical Treasure, and then set off for the Uttara Kuru Kingdom. Flowers bloom on both ends, each showing a branch. But let's leave Wusheng's story here for now.

Let's return to Wukong, who arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain. The landscape was the same as ever, although in winter it had a desolate air about it.

Before he could even dismount from his VLOOKUP(A1025,[1]Sheet1!$A:$B,2,0), someone behind him exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist, help me stop that evil Jiao!"

Glancing back, Wukong saw a Taoist in green robes wielding a steel sword, chasing a Daoist in black robes. Upon a closer look, Wukong recognized the one in black not as anyone other than the Great Saint Who Overturns the Seas, Jiao Demon King. Considering Jiao Demon King's abilities were above Wukong's in the past, and now he was being chased by a Daoist to a point of desperation, Wukong was quite amazed.

"Hold on, fellow Daoist, this demon path is trying to take my life, do not listen his misleading words!" shouted the Jiao Demon King. If Wukong were to assist the Daoist, he truly might meet his demise right there.

Wukong naturally favored his own kin over justice, as in his past life he was known for being bold and confrontational, and due to his rash speech and lack of knowledge of the world, he had caused the Seven Great Saints to become estranged. He still had some fondness in his heart for these brothers.

What will become of the Jiao Demon King's life, we will find out in the next episode.