Chapter 978
Black Wind Monster
"You've got a good eye, young man!" Sun Wukong said with a smile, raising his hand to form a hand seal and chanting incantations. A wisp of green smoke flashed by, and Sun Wukong's figure gradually shrank, turning into a small and exquisite sparrow. It flapped its wings, circled once above everyone's heads, and then another wisp of green smoke flashed by, returning it to its original form.
"Wow! That's amazing!" Ah Niu clapped his hands and cheered, his face full of excitement. "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you're incredible! One more, one more!"
"Hahaha, don't worry, I'll transform you into another one!" Sun Wukong raised his hand and made a hand seal. A wisp of green smoke flashed, and he transformed into a small ancient locust tree, exactly the same as the surrounding locust trees, almost indistinguishable. After a while, he transformed back into his original form.
Pigsy, watching from the side, couldn't help but say, "Brother Monkey, stop showing off and hurry up and go to Li Family Village. I'm starving and just want some vegetarian food. I don't want to watch your magic tricks."
"You idiot, all you know is eating!" Sun Wukong rolled his eyes and tossed the wild fruit in his hand to Zhu Bajie. "Eat a few wild fruits to fill your stomach first. When we get to Li Family Village, you can eat your fill!"
Pigsy quickly caught the wild fruit, picked one up, and began to eat it in big mouthfuls, muttering, "Delicious! Delicious! The wild fruit that Brother Monkey found is the best!"
Looking at Zhu Bajie's simple and honest appearance, A Niu couldn't help but laugh: "This benefactor Zhu Bajie is quite adorable. Alright, let's not waste any more time. I'll take you to Li Family Village. When we get there, I'll have Aunt Wang prepare a vegetarian meal for you, and I guarantee you'll have a good meal."
"Alright! Thank you, Brother A Niu!" Pigsy said quickly, speeding up his eating of the wild fruit.
Tang Sanzang led the white dragon horse and said to Ah Niu, "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ah Niu. Let's go."
"Master, please!" A'niu gestured and turned to walk towards Li Family Village. Sun Wukong, carrying his golden cudgel, walked in front, vigilantly observing his surroundings; Tang Sanzang rode on the back of the white dragon horse, his gaze calmly fixed ahead; Zhu Bajie followed behind, eating wild fruit as he went, occasionally urging A'niu to hurry up; Chu Yang brought up the rear, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, remaining alert at all times.
Along the way, A Niu introduced the situation of Lijiazhuang to everyone: "Our Lijiazhuang is not big, only a few dozen households, all of whom are simple and honest villagers who make a living by farming and chopping firewood. The people in our village are very kind and never bully outsiders. Moreover, we all respect the monks who are on their pilgrimage to the West. We know that you are doing this to save all sentient beings and that you have had a hard journey."
As Sun Wukong walked, he asked, "Brother A Niu, are there any demons or monsters around here? Like mountain spirits or wild monsters that often come out to cause trouble and bully the villagers?"
When demons and monsters were mentioned, Ah Niu's expression changed slightly. He lowered his voice and said, "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, to tell you the truth, there really is a monster around here. On Black Wind Mountain behind the village, there is a Black Wind Monster who often comes out to harass our villagers, steal our food, and even kidnap several young men from our village. Our villagers are very afraid, but we are powerless to do anything about it and can only watch him do evil."
Upon hearing this, Pigsy stopped eating the wild fruit, frowned, and said, "What? There's such a monster? How despicable! How dare he bully the villagers, steal their grain, and kidnap young people! When I, Old Pig, get here, I'll kill him with my rake!"
"Bajie, don't be impulsive," Tang Sanzang quickly said. "We don't know the details of that Black Wind Monster yet, so we can't act rashly and hurt the villagers. It's not too late to find a way to deal with the Black Wind Monster after we get to Li Family Village and understand the situation."
Chu Yang nodded and said, "Master is right. Since that Black Wind Monster has been able to wreak havoc on Black Wind Mountain for so many years, it must have some skills. We can't underestimate it. Brother A Niu, can you tell us again what the Black Wind Monster looks like? What kind of supernatural powers does it have?"
Ah Niu thought for a moment and said, "That Black Wind Monster is dark-skinned, like a giant black bear, over ten feet tall, incredibly strong, and wields a black iron rod. It's extremely ferocious. It can also summon wind and rain. Every time it comes out to cause trouble, it whips up a black wind that makes the houses in our village shake, and it also brings heavy rain that floods our fields. All the young people in our village were swept away by its black wind, and they haven't returned yet. We don't know if they're dead or alive."
Sun Wukong grinned and said, "Hahaha, so it's just a black bear spirit. I thought it was some powerful monster! Back in the day, I dealt with a black bear spirit on Black Wind Mountain. That guy was quite capable, but he was no match for me! After I finish my vegetarian meal, I'll go to Black Wind Mountain, deal with this black wind monster, rescue the young people in your village, and restore peace to you."
"That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!" Ah Niu quickly bowed and thanked him, his face full of gratitude. "If the Great Sage Equal to Heaven can defeat that Black Wind Monster, all the villagers of Li Family Village will be grateful for your great kindness!"
"Haha, it was nothing!" Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "I, Old Sun, am here to slay demons and eliminate evil. Naturally, I won't let such a wicked monster go!"
The group chatted and laughed all the way, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of Lijiazhuang village. At the entrance stood a huge old locust tree, its branches and leaves so thick they blocked out the sun. Several old men sat under the tree, chatting idly. Seeing Ah Niu leading Tang Sanzang and his disciples, the old men stopped their conversation and looked at them curiously.
"Ah Niu, who are these people?" one of the white-haired old men asked, his gaze fixed on the four members of Tang Sanzang's group, his eyes full of curiosity.
Ah Niu quickly said, "Uncle Li, these are monks on their journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. This is Master Tang Sanzang, this is the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, this is Zhu Bajie, and this is Chu Yang. They are passing through and would like to rest in our village for a while and find some vegetarian food. Moreover, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven has promised us to go to Black Wind Mountain to deal with the Black Wind Monster and rescue the young people in our village!"
Upon hearing the words "Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven," the old men's eyes lit up, and they all stood up, their faces showing respect and excitement. Old Man Li quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute to Sun Wukong, and said, "Greetings, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! I have long heard of your illustrious name, and it is truly an honor to meet you today! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, for your willingness to help deal with that Black Wind Monster and save the young people of our village!"
The other elders also bowed and said in unison, "Greetings, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"
Sun Wukong grinned and waved his hand: "No need for formalities, elders! Since I, Old Sun, have promised you, I will definitely keep my word! Please take us to rest first, and then prepare some vegetarian food for us. After I finish eating, I will go to Black Wind Mountain and deal with that Black Wind Monster!"
"Alright, alright!" Grandpa Li nodded hurriedly and said, "Aniu, quickly take the masters and the Great Sage to the inn at the village entrance to rest. I'll go and inform Aunt Wang to prepare a vegetarian meal for everyone, and I'll make sure you all have a good meal!"
"Alright!" Ah Niu nodded and said to Tang Sanzang and his disciples, "Masters, Great Sage, come with me, I'll take you to the inn. The inn in our village is simple, but it's clean and quiet, perfect for you to rest." "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ah Niu." Tang Sanzang put his hands together and bowed slightly.
The group followed A Niu towards the inn at the village entrance. Li Family Village was small, crisscrossed by narrow paths lined with low mud-brick houses. Various vegetables and fruit trees grew in the courtyards, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and the aroma of food. When the villagers saw Tang Sanzang and his disciples, they curiously gathered around, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe, especially when they saw Sun Wukong, whose expression showed pure worship.
"Is that Sun Wukong, the Monkey King? He looks so majestic!"
"Yes, yes, I heard he's incredibly powerful and can exorcise demons. With him here, the Black Wind Monster in our village will be saved!"
"And that Tang Sanzang master, he looks so kind, truly a highly virtuous monk!"
"That benefactor Zhu Bajie looks chubby and cute. He seems to have a big appetite."
The villagers' murmurs weren't loud, but they reached everyone's ears clearly. Hearing the villagers say he was cute and could eat a lot, Pigsy couldn't help but grin and wave at them: "Hahaha, fellow villagers, I, Old Pig, certainly can eat a lot, but I, Old Pig, am also very good at fighting! Later, I, Old Pig, will go with Brother Monkey to deal with that Black Wind Monster and protect you all!"
Upon hearing this, the villagers all laughed and said, "Thank you, Pigsy! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"
Sun Wukong grinned at the villagers and said, "Don't worry, folks, I, Old Sun, will definitely deal with that Black Wind Monster and give you peace and quiet so you'll never have to fear monsters again!"
Soon, the group arrived at the inn at the edge of the village. The inn was small, a two-story mud-brick house, with a worn plaque hanging at the entrance that read "Welcoming Inn." The innkeeper, a middle-aged man, saw A Niu leading Tang Sanzang and his disciples and quickly came out to greet them with a warm smile: "A Niu, who are these people?"
“Boss Wang, these are monks on their journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures. This is Tang Sanzang, and this is the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. They would like to rest here for a while. Uncle Li has already gone to inform Aunt Wang to prepare a vegetarian meal for them,” A Niu said.
Upon hearing this, Boss Wang showed a respectful expression and quickly bowed to Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong, saying, "Greetings, Master Tang Sanzang, greetings, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Please come in, everyone! Although my shop is simple, it is very clean. Please rest for a while, and the vegetarian meal will be ready soon."
The group followed Boss Wang into the inn. The lobby was on the first floor, furnished with a few worn wooden tables and chairs. Although simple, it was clean. Boss Wang led the group to a table by the window and said, "Please have a seat, everyone. I'll go pour you some tea."
"Thank you for your trouble, Boss Wang," Tang Seng said gently.
Boss Wang turned to pour tea, and Ah Niu stood aside and said, "Masters, Great Sage, please rest first. I'll go see if Aunt Wang's vegetarian meal is ready, and I'll also tell you the exact location of Black Wind Mountain so that you can deal with that Black Wind Monster later."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Brother A Niu," Chu Yang said.
A Niu nodded, turned and walked out of the inn. Soon, Boss Wang came over with several bowls of tea, placed them on the table, and said, "Everyone, have some tea to relax. The vegetarian meal will be ready soon; Aunt Wang is already busy in the kitchen."
Sun Wukong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Boss Wang, I, Old Sun, have a question for you. Where exactly is Black Wind Mountain? How far is it from your Li Family Village? And where does the Black Wind Monster usually hang out on the mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Boss Wang's expression changed slightly. He lowered his voice and said, "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Black Wind Mountain is right behind our Li Family Village, only about two incense sticks' worth of distance from here. Black Wind Mountain is very high, with dense trees and heavy yin energy. The Black Wind Monster usually lives in the Black Wind Cave on the mountain. He usually comes out to cause trouble at dusk or midnight. Every time he comes out, he stirs up a black wind, which is very frightening. The people in our village usually dare not go near Black Wind Mountain, for fear of being captured by that Black Wind Monster."
"Black Wind Cave?" Sun Wukong grinned. "Hahaha, another cave. It seems that this black bear spirit likes to live in caves. Boss Wang, don't worry, after I finish my vegetarian meal, I'll go to Black Wind Mountain, destroy his Black Wind Cave, deal with him, and rescue the young people in your village."
"Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!" Boss Wang hurriedly clasped his hands in thanks, his face full of gratitude. "If the Great Sage Equal to Heaven can defeat that Black Wind Monster, the villagers of Li Family Village will forever remember your great kindness and virtue!"
Pigsy picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Boss Wang, don't worry. With me and Monkey King here, that Black Wind Monster is no match for us. We can kill him with one rake! By the way, Boss Wang, when will the vegetarian meal be ready? I'm starving."
Mr. Wang said with a smile, "Pigsy, don't worry, the vegetarian meal will be ready soon, in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Aunt Wang is already speeding up the process, and I guarantee you'll have a full meal."
"That's good, that's good." Pigsy nodded quickly, his face showing anticipation.
Tang Sanzang, holding a cup of tea, said calmly, "Boss Wang, I have a question for you. Does that Black Wind Monster have any weaknesses? If we are to deal with him, we can be prepared and avoid unnecessary casualties."
Boss Wang thought for a moment and said, "Master, speaking of weaknesses, I have heard of one. That Black Wind Monster, although incredibly strong and able to summon wind and rain, is most afraid of fire. Every time he encounters fire, he becomes extremely violent, and his magical power weakens. In the past, when the people in our village encountered the Black Wind Monster, they would light torches, and he would temporarily retreat upon seeing them." (End of Chapter)