Chapter 36: See with New Eyes
As Sun Wukong was contemplating the origin of the simulator, he suddenly felt a premonition, leapt out of Shuilian Cave, and stood on the clouds, gazing north at the sky.
He saw that in the northern skyline, the sky was covered in dark clouds, and a torrent of bloody aura filled the air.
Above the dark clouds, there were five Demon Kings varying in size and appearance, all enveloped by the bloody murky aura.
"They're here!"
With a swift glance, Sun Wukong moved forward to meet them. The spirits of Huaguo Mountain were uneasy, but Ao Yun was steady and directed ordinary people and weaker monsters to hide underground, while he led the Demon Kings of the seventy-two cities, along with the Eternal Fox King and Fengyun, to confront them.
"Brother."
Ao Yun landed on a cloud behind Sun Wukong, with the Demon Kings of the seventy-two cities closely following.
These Demon Kings, not yet skilled in cloud riding, no longer traveled by riding the wind as before, but had learned to climb the clouds. They were able to control a small amount of cloud energy to lift their bodies, somewhat resembling True Immortals.
Sun Wukong gestured for Ao Yun to stop, then turned his attention to the five formidable Demon Kings and the large mass of dark clouds beneath their feet, on which various large boxes were placed.
The Crocodile Demon King laughed heartily and said with a bow, "As expected of the handsome Monkey King, with an unusual appearance and a beautiful countenance. Seeing you today truly lives up to your name, exceptional indeed."
"Indeed!"
"Indeed!"
The other four Demon Kings echoed the compliment, flattering the Monkey King.
Sun Wukong said, "You five, I have also heard of you, the Demon Kings of the Northern Jambu Continent. Why aren't you dominating there, but instead coming to my Huaguo Mountain?"
The Crocodile Demon King pretended to be upset and said, "Monkey King, that's not fair. We have traveled thousands of miles to visit you, yet you question us as if we are criminals. What are your intentions?"
Sun Wukong scoffed coldly, "If you were friends, I would naturally welcome you. However, the bloody aura and murky energy you carry displease me."
The five great Demon Kings looked solemn.
The Monkey King in front of them seemed to be displeased with them. Could it be that he wanted to drive them away?
There's a saying, "One does not strike a smiling face."
They were merely exhibiting a heavy atmosphere; they hadn't harmed a single person in Huaguo Mountain. Perhaps the Monkey King was being a bit too hard on them.
As the five great Demon Kings braced themselves for Sun Wukong's attack, Sun Wukong burst into laughter, "However, guests are to be welcomed no matter how far they come. Please, come in."
The five great Demon Kings were confused but relieved.
It was good that no fight ensued.
Considering that the Monkey King was also a Demon King, he wouldn't make enemies with the five of them all at once. After all, it's hard to fend off many hands with only a pair of fists. Even if the Monkey King had fortunately attained the rank of a Heavenly Immortal, with exceptional martial and divine skills, each of the five was also endowed with powerful mana and divine skills.
Had a battle ensued, they were five against one, fearless against the Monkey King!
And since Huaguo Mountain was so beautiful, presumably the Monkey King would not want to battle there, lest the beautiful Huaguo Mountain be turned into scorched earth.
It seemed that the Monkey King also knew this, which is why he did not engage with them.
The five great Demon Kings followed Sun Wukong into Shuilian Cave, taking in the various architectural beauties of the cave abode, truly a paradise with everlasting spring—a place that rivaled the mortal realm.
The five of them gaped like cows, glancing left and right, their hearts itching with envy, wishing their own cave dwellings could be just as magnificent.
On the road, Iron Fan led the Bull along.
At the sight of the Demon Kings, including Jiao Demon King, the pupils of the great white Bull constricted; it bowed its head, not daring to look up, lest it be recognized by those five Demon Kings and lose face.
Jiao Demon King, seeing the great white Bull, also turned pale with shock.
The Bull Demon King, born of great strength and turmoil from the West, had indeed been subdued by the Monkey King, reverting to his original form and reduced to a mount!
Lion Camel King, Peng Demon King, Yurong King, and the other four also recognized the Bull Demon King. That white fur and those large horns could not possibly conceal his identity.
The great white Bull being led by the young girl was indeed the Bull Demon King!
Without time for further thought, they arrived in front of the palace—a vision of red walls, yellow tiles, and glittering gold, with a dome where red halos rolled and tiles were always accompanied by purple mist.
This was no earthly ruler's residence but a divine and sacred palace of the immortals!
Sun Wukong and Ao Yun entered the palace while the five great Demon Kings were stopped outside by monkey soldiers crossing long halberds, "Commoners, without the great king's decree, you shall not enter!"
Lion Camel King, known for his volatile temper, exclaimed, "That monkey truly has the air of an earthly emperor, such multitude of rules!"
A monkey soldier replied, "To walk with our great king is already an enormous fortune for you. If it were common folk, they'd have to wait outside for some days, first submitting a letter of worship, then passed to the four elders, reviewed, announced, approved, and handled by our second great king before finally being granted an audience with our great king."
Peng Demon King scoffed, "All this complexity? That Monkey King must not want to see anyone."
The monkey soldier did not reply but glared angrily.
If it hadn't been for the great king's telepathic instructions not to provoke these five rascals, they would have long grabbed their halberds and drawn their waist swords to chop down these five disrespectful fools!
Yurong King and the other monkey king exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
Both being of monkey descent and with the ruling Monkey King over Huaguo Mountain, they reckoned it would likely depend on them to do the persuading.
"Announce!"
"Jiao Demon King, Lion Camel King, Peng Demon King, Yurong King, and the other Monkey King! They are granted an audience!"
Inside the palace, the four monkeys transmitted messages!
Monkey soldiers and guards on both sides also called out, their voices echoing within the heavenly cave, lingering for a long time.
The five Demon Kings were astounded.
Such a grandeur! Thе full sеriеs is hоstеd оn Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе, knоwn аs МV7LЕМРYR.
These monkey soldiers, strong and exceptional, were not comparable to ordinary demon soldiers.
The five moved forward, following with various large chests, walking into the palace in sequence.
As they entered the palace, the first sight that met their eyes was Sun Wukong, seated on an imperial throne crafted of gold and white jade, dressed in a yellow robe that was not loose like those of earthly emperors but exquisitely fitted, not hindering his movements, with a real dragon embroidered in jade lines, majestically extraordinary.
Beside him was a phoenix chair made of mithril, inlaid with jade—seated upon it was Huaguo Mountain's second great king, Ao Yun.
Dressed in a white gown, also embroidered with a jade dragon, boldly elegant.
In the grand hall, seventy-two desks were set up, and the lords of the seventy-two cities were seated behind them, their seventy-two pairs of eyes staring directly at the five great Demon Kings.
In terms of mana, they were far inferior to these five; in terms of Divine Skills, they were also far from matching these five.
But now!
They were sitting, while these five great Demon Kings were standing!
A great sense of vanity filled the hearts of all the demons, and they were genuinely pleased and willingly submissive to their own Monkey King!
The generals, Ma Liu and Bengba, stood up and chanted in unison, "Demon Kings of Northern Jambu Continent, kneel and pay homage!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
The expressions of the five Demon Kings darkened.
Even the Jiaomo King, who had intentions of marrying into the clan, was furious in his heart.
They were Demon Kings!
With vast Divine Skills and boundless mana!
They could disregard their pride, but how could they kneel to others?
This Monkey King! To demand of them this ultimate concession, how audacious!
The Peng Demon King, his fierce eyes glaring, coldly said, "Monkey King, aren't you being too presumptuous? We came to visit and even brought many gifts. You fail to offer hospitality and instead ask us to pay homage. Do you really think we are your subjects?"
The Lion Camel King even went so far as to bluster, "If you want to fight, we will accompany you to the end and surely shatter your Huaguo Mountain!"
"How dare you!"
"Despicable!"
The demons of Huaguo Mountain all scolded.
Sun Wukong raised his hand, calming the agitated crowd, and said indifferently, "There's no need for you to be so upset. They are demons of Northern Jambu Continent. Over there, manners have collapsed and chaos reigns; they merely seek to survive by killing and consuming raw flesh and blood. This ignorance of proper conduct is understandable."
All the demons shouted in unison, bowing continuously, "Our great king is benevolent!"
The five Demon Kings were so angry that they laughed ironically.
What was this supposed to mean?
Were they being accused of lacking humanity and not understanding right from wrong?
However, whether it was the Monkey King demonstrating his authority or showcasing his benevolence, at least he had "granted" them the privilege of not kneeling, and they managed to restrain the frustration in their hearts for the time being.
After all, the fate of the Bull Demon King was still fresh in their minds.
They certainly did not want to end up as mounts.
After calming down, the five Demon Kings presented the gifts they had prepared.
The Peng Demon King prepared fifty boxes, each ten feet tall, filled with exotic flowers, rare herbs, and celestial treasures;
The Yurong King offered a book on Divination Skill, a spell that allowed for knowing the future before it happened;
The Peng Demon King presented a pair of Heavenly Wings, a set of magical treasures that could attach to one's back and allow one to cover thousands of miles with a single flap;
The Lion Camel King took out a pair of wrist guards, which were his own shed claws refined into a magical item when he had transformed into a human form. They were not as useful as his newly grown claws, thus he considered them merely a trifling gift.
Last came the Jiaomo King.
He gave the most, be it rare treasures or beautiful maidservants, leaving the other four great Demon Kings somewhat puzzled.
"Brother, why are you playing so big?"
The Jiaomo King took a deep breath and said respectfully, "I humbly request something from the Monkey King, and I hope it will be granted."
Now the real business began!
Deep down, Sun Wukong smirked, but his face remained expressionless. "What is it?"
The Jiaomo King said, "These gifts, apart from being offerings to the Monkey King, also include a betrothal gift?"
"Betrothal gift?"
Not just the demons of Huaguo Mountain, but the other four great Demon Kings were also confused.
This Jiaomo King had come to seek a marriage!
Whom to marry?
The four great Demon Kings turned their eyes to Ao Yun.
The Monkey King, radiating a pure aura and retaining his vital essence, seemed to follow a path aloof from worldly affairs, and since Ao Yun was his second in command rather than his queen, it suggested that the Jiaomo King sought an alliance with Huaguo Mountain!
"Despicable! To have kept us in the dark!"
"Had I known, I too would have sought an alliance!"
"True to the cunning nature of a dragon!"
"I might have sought an alliance as well..."
The four Demon Kings cursed secretly in their hearts.
If they wanted to establish a connection with the entire Huaguo Mountain, they needed to deepen the bond of brotherhood, binding interests together. Yet this kind of sworn brotherhood, formed over meat and wine, was undesirable.
The Jiaomo King laughed, "Although it is a betrothal gift, I am willing to marry into Huaguo Mountain, treating it all as a dowry!"
At this, the Lion Camel King and other Demon Kings, along with the demons of Huaguo Mountain, looked at him with new respect.
This Jiaomo King, he didn't even care about losing face!
Was this still a Demon King?
The demons of Huaguo Mountain felt fortunate to stay in Huaguo Mountain, where they could learn literature and etiquette.
Otherwise, they would end up like the Jiaomo King in front of them...