Chapter 990
Away from Lion Camel Ridge
"Great! We're finally far away from Lion Camel Ridge!" Pigsy put down his luggage, slumped onto the grass, panting heavily. His face was full of exhaustion, but also full of joy. "I, Old Pig, never want to go back to that hellhole again! It was too horrible!"
Sun Wukong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Yes, we're finally far away from Lion Camel Ridge! Lion Camel Ridge is really too dangerous. There are three great demon kings with powerful magic and 48,000 lesser demons. If we hadn't escaped in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Chu Yang nodded and said, "That's right! We were lucky to escape this time. However, we can't let our guard down. The three demon kings will definitely not give up. They won't abandon their pursuit of Master. We will definitely encounter them again on our journey west. We must be extra careful and be prepared."
Tang Sanzang dismounted from the white dragon horse, walked onto the grass, clasped his hands together, faced the distance, and softly murmured, "Amitabha, thank you Buddha for your protection, allowing us to escape Lion Camel Ridge safely. I hope that in the future, we can successfully travel west, obtain the true scriptures, and save all sentient beings."
After silently reciting the prayer, Tang Sanzang looked at everyone and said softly, "Wukong, Chuyang, Bajie, we've been traveling a long way and we're all tired. Let's rest here for the night and continue our journey westward early tomorrow morning."
“Alright!” Sun Wukong, Chu Yang, and Zhu Bajie responded in unison.
As he spoke, Pigsy took out some dry rations and water from his luggage and distributed them to everyone. The group sat on the grass, eating the rations and drinking the water to replenish their strength. In the night, the waning moon peeked out from behind the clouds again, its faint light spilling onto the grass and illuminating their figures, creating a particularly warm and cozy atmosphere.
"Brother Monkey, what do you think the three great demon kings will do to us in the future?" Pigsy asked, his voice tinged with worry as he ate his dry rations. "They're so powerful, and they have so many lesser demons. If they really come after us, can we defeat them?"
Sun Wukong put down the dry rations in his hand, sneered, and said, "Fool, what are you panicking about! Back in the day, I, Old Sun, wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and even the Jade Emperor had to give me some leeway. No matter how powerful the three great demon kings are, they are no match for me, Old Sun! Even if they come after us with a million lesser demons, I, Old Sun, can defeat them with one blow of my staff and make them never dare to provoke us again!"
"But among the three demon kings, the Golden-Winged Roc is extremely fast and can see through all illusions; the Green-Haired Lion Monster can change size; and the Yellow-Toothed Elephant Monster is incredibly strong. Even if you, Brother Monkey, are very capable, it will be difficult for the three of them to deal with them if they join forces!" Pigsy said worriedly.
“Bajie is right,” Chu Yang said softly. “The three demon kings are all highly powerful, and their combined strength is even greater. It is indeed difficult for us to deal with them. However, we also have advantages. We know their weaknesses: the Green-haired Lion Demon is afraid of Manjushri Bodhisattva’s lotus seat; the Yellow-toothed Elephant Demon is afraid of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Ruyi Hook. As long as we can find Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, we can deal with the Green-haired Lion Demon and the Yellow-toothed Elephant Demon. Then, only the Golden-Winged Roc will remain, and we can easily deal with him.”
Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Brother Chu Yang is right! The Green-haired Lion Monster and the Yellow-toothed Elephant Monster both have their weaknesses. As long as we can find Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, we can deal with them. As for the Golden-Winged Roc, although he is fast and can see through all illusions, I, Old Sun, am not to be trifled with. My Golden Cudgel is invincible. No matter how fast he is, I, Old Sun, can catch up with him and defeat him!"
Tang Sanzang nodded slightly and said, "Amitabha, that's right. As long as we work together and unite as one, there are no difficulties we cannot overcome and no monsters we cannot defeat. Although the journey to the West is full of hardships, as long as we persevere, we will surely be able to successfully travel west, obtain the true scriptures, and save all sentient beings."
As they talked and ate their dry rations, their fatigue gradually dissipated, and a determined look appeared on their faces. They knew that the journey westward was still long, with many hardships and difficulties awaiting them, as well as many monsters. But they would not back down, they would not give up. They would work together as one, overcome all difficulties, defeat all monsters, and successfully travel westward to obtain the true scriptures.
After finishing their rations, the group rested for a while. Sun Wukong said, "Master, you all rest here. I'll go check around to see if there's anything unusual or if there are any monsters, to ensure our safety and prevent any monsters from attacking us tonight."
"Alright, Wukong, be careful," Tang Sanzang said softly. "Don't be reckless. If you find any monsters, come back immediately and we'll deal with them together."
"Master, don't worry!" Sun Wukong nodded, then leaped into the air, his figure transforming into a golden light as he flew towards the surrounding grassland at great speed, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.
Chu Yang also said, "Master, Bajie, you two rest here. I'll go check around with Brother Monkey to ensure our safety."
"Alright, Chu Yang, be careful too," Tang Seng said softly.
"Don't worry, Master!" Chu Yang nodded, and with a flash, he ran towards the surrounding grass, following closely behind Sun Wukong's figure, disappearing into the night.
Only Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie remained on the grass. Zhu Bajie sat on the grass, hugging his knees, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, muttering to himself, "Brother Monkey, Brother Chu Yang, you must come back soon! I, Old Pig, am a little scared here alone, afraid that some monsters will come to ambush us."
Tang Sanzang sat on the grass, hands clasped together, eyes closed, silently chanting scriptures, his face serene and resolute. He knew that Sun Wukong and Chu Yang were both very powerful; they would definitely protect him and Zhu Bajie and ensure their safety. He also believed that as long as they worked together with one heart and one mind, they would surely be able to successfully journey west, obtain the true scriptures, and save all sentient beings.
In the darkness, Sun Wukong and Chu Yang were carefully observing the surroundings of the meadow. Sun Wukong's golden eyes, though dim, allowed him to see everything clearly, not missing a single anomaly. Chu Yang's eyes were equally sharp; he could sense the surrounding atmosphere, and he could immediately detect even the slightest trace of demonic energy. "Brother Monkey, look! There seems to be movement ahead!" Chu Yang stopped and whispered to Sun Wukong, his gaze fixed on a clump of bushes not far ahead, a wary expression on his face.
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately stopped and looked in the direction Chu Yang pointed. He carefully examined the area with his Golden Eyes of Fire and saw a faint figure hiding behind the bushes, secretly watching the grass. The figure exuded a faint demonic aura.
"Hmph, there really is a monster!" Sun Wukong sneered, leaping towards the bushes. "You wicked demon, how dare you spy here! I, Old Sun, will not forgive you!"
Upon hearing Sun Wukong's voice, the figure trembled with fear and hurriedly emerged from behind the bushes, attempting to escape. However, his speed was no match for Sun Wukong's. Sun Wukong leaped forward, instantly catching up with him, grabbing his collar, and lifting him up.
Chu Yang also rushed over. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the figure was a thin little demon wearing gray clothes. His face was full of fear, and his demonic aura was very weak. He looked like just an ordinary little minion.
"You wicked demon, who are you? How dare you spy on us here? Did the Black Mountain Demon King send you?" Sun Wukong shouted sternly, his eyes cold, and his strength in his hand increased, scaring the little demon so much that he trembled all over and couldn't even speak.
"No, no! Great Sage Equal to Heaven, spare me!" the little demon said, his voice trembling, tears welling up in his eyes. "I... I wasn't sent by the Black Mountain Demon King. I... I'm just a lowly lackey of Lion Camel Ridge. I... I followed the Black Mountain Demon King here, but... I dared not approach you. I could only secretly spy on you from here. I... I meant no harm. Please, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, spare me!"
"Oh? You came here with the Black Mountain Demon King?" Sun Wukong frowned and asked sharply, "Black Mountain Demon King, after you returned, did you tell the Three Great Kings that we had left Lion Camel Ridge? Did the Three Great Kings send any other lesser demons to chase after us?"
The little demon hurriedly said, "No, no! After the Black Mountain Demon King returned, he didn't tell the three kings that you had left Lion Camel Ridge. He only told the three kings that he couldn't capture you and was defeated by you. Then, he left Lion Camel Ridge to find a place to heal his wounds. The three kings still don't know that you have left Lion Camel Ridge. They still think you are in Lion Camel Ridge and are sending people to search for you everywhere. They haven't sent any other little demons to chase after you."
He paused, then said, "I...I was just curious and wanted to see what you were like, so I secretly followed you. I...I really didn't mean any harm. Please, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, forgive me! I...I will never dare to do it again, never dare to follow you again, never dare to spy on you again!"
Sun Wukong and Chu Yang exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes. They hadn't expected that the Black Mountain Demon King wouldn't have told the three great kings that they had left Lion Camel Ridge, and had even left on his own to find a place to heal his wounds. This was quite unexpected.
"Is what you said true? You're not lying to us?" Sun Wukong asked sternly, increasing the pressure in his hand. "If I, Old Sun, find out you're lying to me, I will definitely not forgive you!"
"No, no! I wouldn't dare lie to you!" the little demon said hastily, his voice trembling, tears streaming down his face. "Everything I said is true, not a single lie! If you don't believe me, you can go to Lion Camel Ridge and see for yourselves. The three great kings are indeed still sending people to search for you throughout the ridge, but they haven't sent any other demons to chase you. I... I really meant no harm. Please, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, spare me!"
Sun Wukong looked at the little demon with wary eyes. He could sense that the demon's demonic aura was extremely weak, and his eyes were filled with fear, which didn't seem like he was lying. He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I, Old Sun, will release you today. I hope you can repent, abandon evil and do good, and stop following the Three Great Kings to commit countless evils and harm living beings! If I, Old Sun, find you doing evil again, I will definitely not forgive you!"
"Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Thank you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!" the little demon said hurriedly, his face full of relief and gratitude. "I...I will definitely repent and reform myself from now on, abandon evil and do good. I will never follow the Three Great Kings again to commit evil deeds, and I will never harm living beings again! I...I will go back now, leave Lion Camel Ridge, find a remote place, cultivate diligently, and never come out to harm the human world again!"
As he spoke, Sun Wukong released his grip, and the little demon quickly scrambled to his feet, bowed to Sun Wukong and Chu Yang, then turned and ran swiftly toward Lion Camel Ridge, not daring to linger for a moment, lest Sun Wukong change his mind and kill him again.
Watching the little demon's figure gradually disappear, Chu Yang said, "Brother Monkey, do you think what this little demon said is true? Did the Black Mountain Demon King really not tell the three kings that we have already left Lion Camel Ridge?"
Sun Wukong nodded and said, "It should be true. This little demon's demonic aura is very weak, and his eyes are full of fear, so he doesn't seem to be lying. Moreover, the Black Mountain Demon King had his hind leg broken by me and was captured by us. He must be very scared. After he went back, he didn't dare to tell the three kings that we had left Lion Camel Ridge, nor did he dare to tell them that he had been defeated by us. He could only find an excuse to leave Lion Camel Ridge and find a place to heal his wounds."
"That's good." Chu Yang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "If the Black Mountain Demon King told the Three Great Kings that we had left Lion Camel Ridge, they would definitely send many lesser demons to chase after us, and we would be in trouble. Right now, the Three Great Kings still think we are in Lion Camel Ridge and are sending people to search for us everywhere. We have enough time to leave here and get far away from the Lion Camel Ridge area. Even if they find out that we have left Lion Camel Ridge in the future, they may not be able to find us."
“That’s right!” Sun Wukong nodded and said, “Now, let’s hurry back and tell Master and Pigsy the good news so they can rest assured. Then, we’ll rest here for the night and continue our journey westward as soon as possible, getting as far away from here and from the Lion Camel Ridge area as possible.”
"Okay!" Chu Yang nodded. (End of Chapter)