Chapter 17: Rob or Borrow?
After Sun Wukong finished speaking, the six Demon Kings looked at each other, all surprised.
Especially the Buffalo Demon King, he had just mentioned it casually, not expecting it to come true, that someone was really stirring up trouble behind the scenes!
"This treacherous scoundrel is too despicable," the Jiao Demon King said with a fiercely spirited face, full of loathing. "If I find him, I will surely draw out his sinews and strip his bones!"
"Second sister, do not act recklessly," the Buffalo Demon King spoke solemnly. "This person dares to plot against Wukong, a Daluo Golden Immortal of such stature, he's certainly no ordinary individual."
Having said that, he turned to Sun Wukong beside him, "Brother, have you carefully considered why the instigator would plot against you? And why did he only instigate a demon with merely the cultivation of a Heavenly Immortal to act?"
Sun Wukong hadn't figured it out himself either. He had never harbored enmity or grievance with anyone, why would someone target him in a scheme to return to the demon realm?
These, however, he could not say out loud, because as the senior netizens of Zhishu had said, the matter was related to his own cultivation.
"Only by clarifying the instigator's purpose can we better pursue the investigation," the Buffalo Demon King added.
Sun Wukong glanced at the Buffalo Demon King, saw that his eyes were fixed on an object, and suddenly burst into laughter, tossing his mixed iron rod over.
"Here you go! This rod is a fine treasure; it's just too light for me. Old Sun doesn't handle it well."
The Buffalo Demon King kept asking, not because he wanted to understand the instigator's aim, but clearly because he couldn't part with the treasure.
"Haha, Brother Wukong is truly forthright," laughed the Buffalo Demon King. However, he completely stopped talking about the instigator, understanding that someone who dared to plot against a Daluo Golden Immortal was not so easily dealt with, let alone to be investigated thoroughly.
Sun Wukong also understood this and didn't insist. After all, the misunderstanding was resolved, and as long as these six Demon Kings hadn't figured it out, they would always owe him an explanation, which he would eventually have to get back.
"Brother's strength is rarely seen in the three realms, how can you still lack a suitable weapon?" the Buffalo Demon King asked, puzzled.
"Hey, Old Sun has been devoted to cultivating and has never had the chance to look around for one," said Sun Wukong, also feeling that he should acquire a suitable weapon.
"Why look everywhere when there's one right before your eyes?" the Jiao Demon King suddenly said. "Fruit Mountain borders the Eastern Sea Dragon Tribe, and their Dragon Palace is full of treasures. Just go and grab one."
[You have received a new suggestion: Go to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and steal a weapon; completing the suggestion will reward you with a fourth-tier treasure chest.]
Steal one?
Sun Wukong scratched his head. Could this be the very reason for his raid on the Dragon Palace?
At that moment, the Jiao Demon King excitedly said to the Buffalo Demon King, "Big brother, why don't we take advantage of our gathering here by the Eastern Sea and go rob them together today?"
"What nonsense, be not reckless!" the Buffalo Demon King scolded. "Others may not understand the situation of the Dragon Tribe, but you, a Jiao Clan Princess, should know better?"
"It is precisely because I understand that I said this," the Jiao Demon King replied. "The dragons inside have shackles on them, unable to free themselves, and the dragons outside also have shackles, without much strength.
Any slightly powerful individual could suppress them!"
"How do you know that the Dragon Tribe won't have a day of breaking free? Then, they will certainly seek retribution!" the Buffalo Demon King retorted with a sneer.
"How boring," muttered the Jiao Demon King, not saying any more.
After hearing all this, Sun Wukong's alert eyes blinked. He realized the Jiao Demon King seemed to harbor some animosity towards the Eastern Sea Dragon Tribe.
"Brother Wukong, don't listen to my second sister's nonsense," the Buffalo Demon King spoke seriously again. "The Dragon Tribe is not so simple. If you can avoid offending them, it's best to do so,
but if you really need a weapon, going to borrow one won't hurt. The Eastern Sea Dragon Tribe would be more than happy to owe a Daluo Golden Immortal a favor."
[You have received a new suggestion: Go to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and borrow a weapon; completing the suggestion will reward you with a fourth-tier treasure chest.]
Borrow something?
Sun Wukong scratched his face, thinking that was a feasible plan. Owing someone a favor was no big deal; he was a Daluo Golden Immortal after all, and how to repay a debt of gratitude was his call, wasn't it?
"Brother Niu makes a good point, and I will make sure to visit the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace when I have the opportunity," he added with a smile.
"In that case, let's part ways here," said the Bull Demon King with a bow. "Once we find out who the instigator is, I'll come to bother you again, brother."
"Say no more, say no more," Sun Wukong responded with a laugh and a bow of his own. He found the Bull Demon King's way of speaking quite agreeable.
After the six Demon Kings had left, he opened the 'Seeking Advice' system and connected his consciousness to Zhihu, posting a new question.
"I am Sun Wukong. I just had a fight with the Bull Demon King, the Jiao Demon King and the others. I wonder if any of the seniors here know who is stirring up trouble behind the Chaos Demon King?"
As more and more online friends and seniors were following him, it didn't take long before someone replied to his post.
When Flowers Bloom the Moon is Not Yet Full: "How do you know someone is instigating the Chaos Demon King?"
Number One Pro troll: "Are you blind, up there? The last time, Wukong simulated going to the Filthy Water Cave and realized there was an issue with the Chaos Demon King. Some suggested that he should find out what's going on before making any moves."
When Flowers Bloom the Moon is Not Yet Full: "Watch your mouth! Who are you calling blind? I just started following the OP and had no idea what happened before."
The Dance of Light Snow is Nothing Special: "Haha, Monkey bro, why did you end up fighting with the Bull Demon King and the others? How was the battle?"
Seeing these seniors not sticking to the main topic made Sun Wukong somewhat anxious, but he still took the time to explain the situation.
He included how he had spared the Chaos Demon King's life, only for a mysterious instigator to take his form, kill the Chaos Demon King, burn down the Filthy Water Cave, and then the Jiao Demon King coming to seek revenge for his subordinate. Finally, all six Demon Kings were defeated by him.
The Dance of Light Snow is Nothing Special: "Overpowering six Demon Kings, awesome! Your version of Sun Wukong's life is surely going off the rails, haha!"
Going off the rails?
Sun Wukong scratched his face again, wondering if the senior meant when he was driven by evil thoughts and desires to go to the Aolai Country to steal weapons?
The Dance of Light Snow is Nothing Special: "But this path isn't wrong either. It's said that there are no enemies under Heaven, only friends not yet made. Who knows, maybe that's how you and the others became sworn brothers and later known as the Seven Great Saints of the Demon World."
Me and the Bull Demon King and the others become sworn brothers and turn into the Seven Great Saints of the Demon World?
Sun Wukong knew this senior must have leaked his future, someone with vast Divine Skills.
Thinking about how the Bull Demon King had already started calling him brother, it did seem possible that they might end up sworn brothers in the future.
"Hmm, that's actually not a bad idea," Sun Wukong mused.
To be honest, he really didn't have any animosity towards those six Demon Kings. Even the impulsive Jiao Demon King was just misled by the instigator in a moment of anger, with no real grudges to speak of.
Moreover, making friends with them would help to establish Fruit Mountain's place in the Demon World.
After browsing through a few more replies, he finally saw a senior speaking about the core issue.
Pale Beauty With Long Legs: "Definitely it's the baldies from the Buddha sect who are instigating the Chaos Demon King!"
Sun Wukong was startled and doubtful, as he had never dealt with the Buddha sect before. Why would they scheme against him?
Gentle Grass by the River: "It could indeed be the Buddha sect scheming, but there's another question. Monks don't kill, and they have no reason to take the form of Sun Wukong and get rid of the Chaos Demon King."