Chapter 43: Leaving on a Whim?
Outside Shuilian Cave, Sun Wukong naturally sensed the commotion and, employing the Mystic Light Skill, conjured a mirror-like surface to observe with great interest.
He saw the six-eared macaque waving its Follow-Heart iron staff, parrying left and right, fighting Shi Wu and stone ear for twenty or thirty rounds, brimming with vigor as it flaunted its prowess.
Given the capabilities of Shi Wu and stone ear, they naturally could not compete with such a formidable demon as the six-eared macaque. However, their weapons, having been transformed from Sun Wukong's own hairs, could borrow a fraction of Sun Wukong's insignificant mana to enhance their divine skills.
Thus, Shi Wu and stone ear were able to fight the six-eared macaque for twenty or thirty rounds without a clear victor.
The three combatants soared into the sky.
Shi Wu and stone ear, the two brothers, moved in perfect harmony. One swung while the other stabbed, their giant maces stirring the clouds, creating an immense tumult.
The six-eared macaque, observing the two lion-headed figures rotating back to back, transforming into tornadoes, and swinging their wolf-tooth clubs effortlessly in an impenetrable manner, was somewhat alarmed.
If struck even slightly, it could also be wounded.
Yet, faced with such adversaries, the six-eared macaque refused to show weakness. Its Follow-Heart iron staff, too, swept about like the wind, whipping up fierce gales, standing firm against Shi Wu and stone ear.
Such commotion alarmed the demon kings of the seventy-two cities of Huaguo Mountain, frightening them into coming to investigate.
Seeing that their gatekeeping stone lions were fighting a demon, they quickly advanced, surrounding the six-eared macaque for an assault.
"Well met!"
The six-eared macaque also turned fierce. Using full strength, it pushed Shi Wu and stone ear aside and charged towards the demon kings and Fengyun, as well as the immortal Fox King of the seventy-two cities.
Since there were many demon kings of Huaguo Mountain, and since they had received benefits from Sun Wukong over the past four years, their strength had significantly increased, and they had also learned many spells. They managed to hold their ground against the six-eared macaque.
"Change!"
The six-eared macaque's body shook, and two additional heads and four more arms sprouted from its back.
Six hands wielding three staves, it spun like a spinning wheel, flowing effortlessly as it danced within the encirclement.
Facing the demon kings' array of swords, spears, halberds, whips, maces, axes, flails, and sickles, the six-eared macaque parried left and right, blocked from behind and welcomed from the front. For a moment, it managed to wound many demon kings, knocking them from the clouds and crashing them into buildings.
"What a demon! Truly formidable!"
The demon kings trembled with fear, not daring to confront it. They could only muster their mana to keep the six-eared macaque trapped within the encirclement, hoping to exhaust its strength and deplete its mana.
"Who is causing such disturbance?"
Ao Yun emerged from Shuilian Cave's pavilion, looking up at the demon kings, the immortal Fox King, Fengyun, Shi Wu, and stone ear as they besieged a monkey demon with six ears, his brows deeply furrowed.
"We greet the Second King."
Shi Wu and stone ear quickly descended from the clouds and bowed respectfully to Ao Yun.
"No need for such formality."
Ao Yun nodded slowly, looking at the six-eared macaque standing in the air, displaying three heads and six arms, and questioned, "Where are you from, monkey demon, to dare cause trouble at Huaguo Mountain? Aren't you afraid of being annihilated in both body and spirit, never to be reborn?"
The six-eared macaque sneered coldly and shouted loudly, "You little dragon, how dare you speak to me like that? Quickly call Sun Wukong out! Tell him to hand over Huaguo Mountain to me, move out of Shuilian Cave, and let me reside there, otherwise, I will make sure this place never knows peace!"
"Heh, I was wondering why you were so bold, turns out you want to seize this immortal mountain, to rob this blessed land." Ao Yun's face turned cold, he pulled out a hairpin and threw it at the six-eared macaque, shouting, "Go!"
The hairpin transformed into a streak of light, like a long rainbow, shooting fiercely towards the six-eared macaque.
"Trivial trick!"
The six-eared macaque, holding an iron rod that moved at will, smashed down forcefully, stirring the airflow and kicking up a fierce wind, which actually blew away the Demon Kings of the surrounding seventy-two cities.
However, just as the iron rod was about to hit the hairpin, the hairpin, following the airflow, bypassed the big stick and turned into a golden and jade-colored rope, like a long snake, wrapping around the six-eared macaque.
"Huh?"
The six-eared macaque was shocked, his three heads and six arms swinging reflexively, but the three iron rods hitting the rope were like hitting cotton, without any force.
The rope kept lengthening and wrapping around the six-eared macaque, hindering his movements.
"Damn it! What kind of magical item is this?"
The six-eared macaque exclaimed in alarm, shuddered, and reverted to his original form.
Because having too many arms, four were already wrapped, and if he continued, he feared his entire body would be bound so he returned to his original form, and instantly broke free.
But the rope was still like a shadow, as if it had locked onto his scent, vowing to bind him.
"You despicable dragon, why don't you fight me fair and square, instead of using these tricks?" the six-eared macaque taunted angrily.
Ao Yun did not respond, but the Demon Kings of the seventy-two cities took the opportunity to launch an attack on the six-eared macaque.
Outnumbered and with the Binding Dragon Rope roaming around his body, looking for an opportunity, the six-eared macaque soon found himself in a deadlock.
Bang!
After deflecting a broadsword swung by the Tiger Demon King, the Binding Dragon Rope finally found its chance, wrapping around the iron rod and then moving towards the six-eared macaque's arms, quickly splitting into several ropes and forming a large net, trapping the six-eared macaque.
The trapped six-eared macaque panicked and fell to the ground.
"Change!"
With a cry of "Change," the six-eared macaque's body shrunk, trying to escape through the openings of the net, but the net shrunk as well, enveloping him completely.
Seeing that shrinking was ineffective, the six-eared macaque tried to enlarge, but as soon as he grew to a hundred meters, the net flashed with golden light, diminishing the six-eared macaque's mana, forcing him back to his original state, his fur standing on end.
Ao Yun, accompanied by Shi Mu and stone ear, approached the struggling six-eared macaque, commanded the Tiger Demon King and Elephant Demon King, both strong, to hold down the six-eared macaque.
Then, he ordered the Wolf Demon King and Leopard Demon King to take out hooks and chains, piercing through the six-eared macaque's shoulder blades, sealing his mana and preventing him from using his Divine Skills.
"Hmph! Hah!"
The six-eared macaque grunted and coughed up a smear of bright red, staining the net.
Ao Yun retracted the Binding Dragon Rope, transformed it back into a hairpin, examined the bloodstain on it with some distaste, washed it under the waterfall, and then put it back on his head.
"Second King, how should we deal with this foreign monkey demon?" asked the Fox Demon King.
"Like all other creatures that trespass into Huaguo Mountain, put him to work mining and building roads."
Ao Yun thought for a moment, then added, "However, this demon is overly bold, daring to act in the sacred city near the Shuilian Cave; he must be closely guarded. As for the duration, let's say three hundred years."
"Understood!"
The demon kings of the seventy-two cities nodded and took the six-eared macaque away.
Shi Wu and stone ear also transformed into spiritual energy, returned to their original forms within the stone lions in front of the pavilion, and continued to guard the gate.
Just as Ao Yun was about to inspect the situation in the seventy-two cities, he suddenly sensed a strong aura emanating from the forests near the sacred city.
That was where his elder brother had prepared the bridal chamber for the Jiao Demon King.
"It seems that the Jiao Demon King has regained his senses," thought Ao Yun.
With that thought, Ao Yun flew toward a large tree about twenty meters wide, which had three levels of windows and a balcony adorned with festive red flowers.
Bang!
The door of the treehouse burst open, and the Jiao Demon King, disheveled, rushed out only to trip over the doorstep and face-plant.
"Ptui!"
The Jiao Demon shook his head, looked up, and saw Ao Yun looking down at him. He then turned to look at the seductive fox demoness emerging from the study, his eyes filled with rage.
That Monkey King!
He had been tricked by him!
"You!"
The Jiao Demon King shakily stood up, his cheeks hollow, his tired eyes revealing a sense of helplessness, and his forehead's single horn had lost its usual luster.
The fox demoness knew the methods of harvesting and replenishing yang energy, and over these six or seven days, the Jiao Demon King's body had suffered greatly.
The fiery nature of the dragon race only contributed to his current plight.
Ao Yun said with a smile, "Did the Jiao Demon King sleep well?"
The Jiao Demon King turned to glance at the sleepy, somewhat exposed fox demoness, then back at Ao Yun, spitting out in anger, "You dare to deceive this king in Huaguo Mountain!"
"What is the Jiao Demon King talking about?" Ao Yun looked upon him calmly, seemingly detached.
"I was supposed to marry you! Why has it become him?" The Jiao Demon King was full of anger. If Ao Yun did not explain, he would not hesitate to throw a fit and wreak havoc on Huaguo Mountain. R!e.ad+ a^head+ and get u@pdat%e^s@ by vi!si^t@ing M&^VLEM^P+Y-R.
Even if he couldn't defeat the Monkey King, he would turn this place upside down!
"The one you were to marry is the foremost beauty of Huaguo Mountain, right?" Ao Yun asked coolly.
"Yes."
The Jiao Demon King seemed to realize something and took another careful look at the fox demoness.
In terms of beauty, this fox spirit indeed far surpassed Ao Yun.
But, was he a woman?!
Initially, he thought the foremost beauty of Huaguo Mountain was Ao Yun, but now it turned out to be this strange fox demoness.
Logically, he had no grounds for complaint.
However, he was a Demon King! Might makes right!
Then, the Jiao Demon King heard Ao Yun say, "During your wedding night, elder brother was summoned to heaven and anointed by the Jade Emperor as the Eastern Leisurely Spirit King, a position equivalent to that of the Five Elders, responsible for educating all demons in Huaguo Mountain."
The Jiao Demon King was stunned.
The Monkey King had already ascended?
But, what did that matter to him?
If the foremost beauty of Huaguo Mountain had been Ao Yun, he could have used this opportunity to secure a high position, but now, this "foremost beauty" was a sly fox!
Ao Yun, with a clear gaze, continued, "If you desire to join the celestial rank, you may live in Huaguo Mountain, and should elder brother rise again, he may be promoted to the Four Emperors, granting you your jurisdiction."
The Jiao Demon King desired to marry into Huaguo Mountain primarily for this opportunity.
Thus, Ao Yun tempted him with it.
The Jiao Demon King's expression shifted uncertainly.
Should he make a move?
But if he truly did, the Bull Demon King's fate would be a precedent; even if he destroyed some of Huaguo Mountain's structures, what then?
In the end, he might face an even worse fate than the Bull Demon King.
Should he wait a bit longer?
He then heard Ao Yun continue, "Think it over carefully. If you leave Huaguo Mountain, then consider it as if the fox demoness has divorced you, and you will have no future relations with Huaguo Mountain."
The Jiao Demon King was taken aback, thinking to himself: This won't do, I've suffered so much and expended so much energy, how can I just leave like this?