Chapter 980
Peace
The Black Wind Monster also took a step back, a look of surprise on his face. He hadn't expected Sun Wukong to be so strong; his full-force attack had been easily blocked. "I didn't expect you, monkey, to be so strong!" the Black Wind Monster roared, raising his black iron cudgel again and smashing it towards Sun Wukong. This time, he used all his strength; a layer of black demonic energy emanated from the cudgel, making it even more powerful than before.
Sun Wukong's eyes narrowed, not daring to be careless. He mobilized the spiritual energy in his body, gathered it on the golden cudgel, and charged forward again. With a loud "bang," both of them took a few steps back. The cave shook even more violently, and stones fell from the cave walls.
At the same time, Chu Yang had quietly walked to a corner of the hall, carefully untied the ropes binding the young people, then gently removed the gags from their mouths, lowered his voice, and said, "Everyone, don't be afraid, we're here to rescue you. Come with me, it's very dangerous here!"
The young people, upon seeing Chu Yang, showed expressions of surprise and delight. They nodded in unison, not daring to speak, and cautiously followed Chu Yang out of the cave. Their footsteps were very light, for fear of disturbing Sun Wukong and the Black Wind Monster who were fighting.
The Black Wind Demon was locked in a fierce battle with Sun Wukong and didn't notice the commotion in the corner. He glared at Sun Wukong, his eyes filled with anger and resentment, and roared, "Monkey, don't go too far! I didn't provoke you, but you dared to provoke me. Today, I'll fight you to the death!"
As he spoke, the Black Wind Monster raised his black iron rod with both hands and muttered incantations. A gust of black wind suddenly rose up and instantly enveloped the entire hall. The wind howled, making it impossible for people to open their eyes, and the raw meat and wine on the ground were blown everywhere.
"Hahaha, summoning wind and rain? Is that all you've got?" Sun Wukong grinned, closed his eyes, and silently recited a calming mantra. He quickly calmed himself, unaffected by the black wind. He opened his eyes, his golden pupils flashing, seeing through the black wind's illusion. He raised his golden cudgel and swung it at the black wind monster, shouting, "Watch me, Old Sun, break your black wind!"
The golden cudgel, gleaming with golden light, pierced through the black wind and smashed towards the Black Wind Monster's head. The Black Wind Monster was startled and hurriedly raised his black iron cudgel to block it, but it was too late. With a "bang," the cudgel struck his shoulder. The Black Wind Monster let out a scream, staggered back several steps, black blood flowing from his shoulder, and his expression became extremely painful.
"Damn it!" the Black Wind Monster roared, his eyes filled with rage. He hadn't expected Sun Wukong to break through his black wind and even injure him. He raised his black iron cudgel again and swung it at Sun Wukong. This time, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was determined to defeat Sun Wukong at all costs.
Sun Wukong was not afraid at all, nimbly dodging his attack. At the same time, he raised his golden cudgel and smashed it down on the black wind monster's leg. With a "bang", the black wind monster's leg was hit, and he staggered and fell to the ground, unable to stand up again.
"Hahaha, utterly pathetic!" Sun Wukong walked up to the Black Wind Monster, raised his golden cudgel, and pointed it at his head. "Black Wind Monster, you have committed countless evils and harmed the villagers. Today, I, Old Sun, will deal with you and rid the people of this scourge!"
The Black Wind Monster lay on the ground, his face filled with fear, and hurriedly begged for mercy: "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, spare my life! I know I was wrong, I will never dare to do evil again, I will never dare to steal the villagers' food or kidnap the villagers' young people again, please spare my life, I will definitely reform myself and devote myself to cultivation, and I will never harm mortals again!"
Sun Wukong frowned, looked at the Black Wind Monster, and said, "You monster, you have committed many evils and harmed so many villagers. Now you know to beg for mercy, but it's too late! If I, Old Sun, spare you, wouldn't all the villagers you harmed and the young people you captured have suffered in vain?"
Just then, Chu Yang led the young men to the entrance of the hall and saw Sun Wukong about to kill the Black Wind Monster. He quickly said, "Brother Monkey, wait!"
Sun Wukong turned around and saw Chu Yang and the young people. He asked in confusion, "Brother Chu Yang, what's wrong? You rescued all these young people?"
Chu Yang strode into the hall, followed by several young men whose faces still bore the lingering fear, yet could not hide their relief at being saved. They bowed deeply to Sun Wukong, their voices trembling, "Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, for saving our lives! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"
Sun Wukong waved his hand, his golden cudgel still pointing at the Black Wind Monster's head, his tone unfriendly: "You all wait here for a moment, I, Old Sun, will deal with this wicked monster first, and then send you back."
Chu Yang walked to Sun Wukong's side, his gaze falling on the Black Wind Monster's bleeding shoulder and leg. He then looked at the still-shaken young people in the corner and said softly, "Brother Monkey, don't rush to kill him."
Upon hearing this, the Black Wind Monster's eyes lit up instantly, and he hurriedly kowtowed to Chu Yang, begging for mercy: "Benefactor, please save me! I really know I was wrong, I will never dare to do evil again, I am willing to apologize to the villagers of Li Family Village and to these young people, please spare my life!"
Sun Wukong frowned, turned and glared at Chu Yang: "Brother Chu Yang, what do you mean by that? This monster has committed many evils, stealing food and kidnapping villagers. If we hadn't arrived in time, these young people would probably have become his food long ago. Keeping him alive is a disaster. It's better to kill him with one blow and eliminate the trouble forever!"
“Brother Monkey, I know he has committed many evils and deserves to die.” Chu Yang squatted down and looked at the Black Wind Monster lying on the ground covered in wounds. He spoke calmly, “But look at him. He is already seriously injured and his magic power is greatly diminished. It is difficult for him to do evil again. Moreover, Master often said that monks should be compassionate. If we can persuade him to do good, it will be a meritorious deed.”
He paused, then continued, "Besides, the villagers of Li Family Village only wanted him to stop harassing them and rescue the young man who had been captured. Now that the young man has been rescued and he has been punished, wouldn't it be more meaningful to get him to reform and guard Black Wind Mountain to prevent other monsters from harassing Li Family Village than to kill him?"
The Black Wind Monster nodded repeatedly, his head banging against the stones on the ground with a thud, blood quickly seeping from his forehead: "You're right, benefactor! You're right! I'm willing! I'm willing to guard Black Wind Mountain and never let any monster near Li Family Village again. I'm willing to serve the villagers like an ox or a horse, to atone for my sins! Please spare my life!"
The rescued young people looked at each other in bewilderment. One of the bolder young men stepped forward, bowed to Sun Wukong and Chu Yang, and said, "Great Sage, we also think that since he has realized his mistake, we should forgive him. As long as he does not do evil or harm us again, we do not want to commit any more killings."
Other young people chimed in, "Yes, Great Sage, spare him!" "As long as he can repent and reform, give him a chance!"
Sun Wukong stared at the Black Wind Monster for a long time, then looked at Chu Yang, then at the villagers, and finally snorted coldly, slowly putting away his golden cudgel: "Hmph, for the sake of Brother Chu Yang and these villagers, I, Old Sun, will spare you this time! If I, Old Sun, find out that you dare to do evil again, dare to harm mortals again, I, Old Sun, will definitely not forgive you, and will smash you into mincemeat with one blow, making your soul disappear!"
Overjoyed, the Black Wind Monster kowtowed again, saying, "Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! I promise I will never do evil again. I will definitely reform myself, guard Black Wind Mountain, and protect the villagers of Li Family Village. If I disobey, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
Chu Yang stood up and said to the Black Wind Monster, "Remember what you said today. If you break your promise, not only will the Great Sage not forgive you, but I will not let you go either." He took out a bottle of healing pills from his storage bag and threw it to the Black Wind Monster. "These are healing pills. Take them and heal your injuries as soon as possible. From now on, you will guard Black Wind Mountain and you are not allowed to step out of Black Wind Mountain again, nor are you allowed to harm any mortals."
The Black Wind Monster hurriedly caught the pill, carefully tucked it into his robes, and kowtowed again: "Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, benefactor! I remember, I will definitely guard Black Wind Mountain, never take a single step out, and never harm mortals!" Sun Wukong waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, alright, stop kowtowing, or your head will be smashed! Quickly take the pill to heal your injuries, we still need to take these villagers back, if it gets any later, Master and that idiot will be worried."
"Yes, yes, yes!" the Black Wind Monster hurriedly replied, trembling as he took out the pill and swallowed it. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, and a warm current flowed through his entire body. The pain in his shoulders and legs was greatly reduced, and the demonic aura on his body also subsided considerably.
Chu Yang said to the young people, "Everyone, we'll take you back to Li Family Village now. Your families must be worried sick."
The young people nodded, their faces showing gratitude: "Thank you both, thank you, Great Sage!"
The group turned and walked out of Black Wind Cave. The corpses of the two lesser demons at the cave entrance still lay on the ground. Black Wind Monster followed at the back, looking at the corpses on the ground with a trace of guilt on his face, but he dared not say anything. He just silently followed behind until they walked out of Black Wind Cave. Only then did he stop and bow to Sun Wukong and Chu Yang, saying, "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, benefactors, I will take you this far. I will return to Black Wind Cave to heal my wounds. I will definitely guard Black Wind Mountain well in the future and will never fail to repay your kindness in sparing my life."
Sun Wukong snorted coldly: "It had better be that way, so that I, Old Sun, won't hear any more bad news about you."
The Black Wind Monster nodded hastily, turned, and headed towards the Black Wind Cave, its figure quickly disappearing into the dark cave entrance. Sunlight shone on the entrance to the Black Wind Cave, dispelling some of the eerie demonic aura, leaving only bloodstains on the ground as proof of the fierce battle that had just taken place.
Chu Yang looked in the direction of Black Wind Cave and said softly, "I hope he can truly turn over a new leaf and stop doing evil."
"Whether he reforms or not is none of my business!" Sun Wukong strode forward, carrying his golden cudgel. "If he dares to do evil again, I'll kill him with one blow! Let's hurry up and send these villagers back. Master and that idiot are probably getting impatient. That idiot is probably still complaining that I didn't bring him any wild fruit."
Chu Yang smiled and said to the young people, "Everyone, let's go, we'll take you back."
The group walked back along the mountain path. By now, the sun was high overhead, its warm rays dispelling the gloom of the mountains. The trees on both sides of the path were lush and verdant, birds chirped and hopped among the branches, their calls clear and melodious. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, a stark contrast to the eerie atmosphere of Black Wind Mountain.
The young people gradually let go of their fear, and smiles appeared on their faces. As they walked, they talked quietly, recounting their experiences after being captured, their words filled with gratitude towards Sun Wukong and Chu Yang.
"Great Sage, you were so impressive when you fought that Black Wind Monster! You knocked him down with just one blow!"
Sun Wukong grinned and said smugly, "Of course! Who am I, Old Sun? The Great Sage Equal to Heaven! A mere Black Bear Demon is no match for me, Old Sun! Back in the day, I, Old Sun, wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and even the Jade Emperor couldn't do anything to me, let alone such a little Black Wind Monster!"
"And this benefactor Chu Yang, you are too amazing! You rescued us without a sound, and those two little demons didn't even have a chance to react!"
Chu Yang smiled faintly: "It's nothing, as long as you can get back safely, that's all that matters."
They chatted and laughed all the way, and before they knew it, they had returned to Lijiazhuang. The villagers of Lijiazhuang were already waiting at the village entrance. When they saw Sun Wukong and Chu Yang return with the rescued young man, they all surrounded him, their faces full of surprise and excitement. They rushed forward, grabbed their loved ones, and wept bitterly.
"My son! You're finally back! I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Father! I'm back! I'm alright! All thanks to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and this benefactor Chu Yang!"
The village entrance was bustling with activity, filled with cries, laughter, and words of gratitude—a truly moving scene. Grandpa Li, leaning on his cane, strode forward, bowed deeply to Sun Wukong and Chu Yang, tears streaming down his face: "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Benefactor Chu Yang, thank you so much! Thank you for saving the young man of our village, thank you for ridding the people of this scourge! You are the greatest benefactors of our Li Family Village!"
The other villagers also bowed and said in unison, "Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Thank you, Benefactor Chu Yang! We will never forget your great kindness!"
Sun Wukong waved his hand and said smugly, "Fellow villagers, there's no need for such formalities! I, Old Sun, am here to slay demons and eliminate evil. When I encounter such a wicked monster, I naturally won't let him go! Saving the young people in your village is just my duty."
Chu Yang bowed slightly to the villagers: "Fellow villagers, there's no need to be so polite. We just did what we were supposed to do. The Black Wind Monster has been subdued, and he has promised to stay on Black Wind Mountain and not bother you anymore. You can live in peace from now on."
"Great! Great!" the villagers cheered, their faces beaming with joy. "We'll never be afraid of the Black Wind Monster again! We'll never be afraid of being captured by monsters again!"
Grandpa Li quickly said, "Fellow villagers, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and Benefactor Chu Yang are our great benefactors. We must treat them well! Quickly, bring out the best things in your house to properly thank our two benefactors!"
"Okay! Okay!" the villagers responded in unison, turning to run home. (End of Chapter)