Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Chapter 105 Baoxiang Kingdom: Sun Wukong's Wisdom and Demonic Influence

Meanwhile, Pigsy and Monkey, riding on clouds, swept across the Eastern Ocean. When they reached the western shore, the Great Sage put away his clouds and turned to Pigsy, saying, "Brother, you should slow down here while I go into the sea to cleanse myself."

Pigsy said, "Why bother cleaning yourself when you're in such a hurry?"

The pilgrim said, "You have no idea. Since I came back, I've gotten a bit of a demonic aura on me these past few days. My master is a clean person and is probably going to find me annoying."

It was only then that Pigsy realized that the Monkey King was truly sincere and had no other intentions.

After washing up in a short while, he rode the clouds westward again and saw the golden pagoda in the distance.

As they were walking, they suddenly heard someone calling from mid-air, "Sun Wukong, Sun Wukong!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong stopped his cloud and looked around, but only saw Li Fa and the other person.

The Great Sage leaped over and stood atop a cloud, asking, "Old Taoist, if you don't stay at the temple to cultivate, where are you going?"

Li Fa said, "I'm not going anywhere; I'm just waiting for you here."

The Great Sage asked, "Why are you waiting for me?"

Li Fa said, "Great Sage, do you still remember when we were at Wuzhuang Temple, you promised this old Taoist priest that if you encountered that demon who stole my Taoist boy's relic, you would lend a hand?"

The Great Sage rolled his eyes, pondered for a moment, and said, "Oh, I remember now, I do owe you a favor."

Li Fa said with delight, "That's right, that's right. The monster that stole my Taoist boy's relic back then was none other than the Yellow Robe Monster."

The Great Sage laughed and said, "Very well! Today is the perfect day to finish him off."

Li Fa said, "That monster refined my boy's relic into an inner core. I just need to trick the Great Sage into giving out his inner core and then give it to my boy."

Wukong said happily, "That's not difficult. I'm the best at taking shortcuts. Just let this young Taoist follow me, and I'll make sure he returns the item to its rightful owner."

Li Fa was overjoyed and quickly turned to Baili Bo, who was disguised as a Taoist boy, and instructed him, "Boy, you will stay with the Great Sage for now and obey his orders. I have some trivial matters to attend to, so I will go ahead first and meet up with you after I have finished my business."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong asked another question: "Old Taoist, what urgent matter brought you to leave in such a hurry? Could it be that you are afraid of the Yellow Robe Monster's power and are deliberately hiding from him?"

Li Fa chuckled twice and casually said, "Great Sage, you jest. How could this old Taoist be afraid of that demon? It's just that my junior brother, Oujizi, has run into some trouble and asked me to go and help him out."

The pilgrim said, "Since that's the case, then you go ahead. I'll take care of this boy here and make sure he's alright."

Li Fa said, "It's alright, he's quite powerful too, Great Sage, feel free to use him. This old Taoist is off!"

After saying this, Li Fa turned into a gentle breeze and disappeared without a trace.

The Great Sage then took Baili Bo and Pigsy and headed straight for Wave Moon Cave.

As they approached the cave entrance, the traveler said, "You two stay in the air while I go down and check out the entrance so I can confront the demon."

Pigsy said, "Don't go, the demon isn't home."

The traveler said, "I know."

The good Monkey King, using auspicious light, arrived outside the Wave Moon Cave, where he saw two children playing. He grabbed them and lifted them onto a high cliff.

These two children are none other than the sons of the princess and the Yellow Robe Monster.

Princess Baihuaxiu rushed out in a panic, crying out, "Who are you! I have no grudge against you, why are you taking my child? His father is formidable, and if anything goes wrong, I will not let you get away with it!"

The pilgrim said, "Don't you recognize me? I am Sun Wukong, the eldest disciple of Tang Sanzang. I have a junior brother, Sha Wujing, in your cave. Go and release him, and I will return these two children to you. It's a good deal for you to exchange two for one."

Upon hearing this, the princess hurriedly entered the cave and personally untied Sha Wujing.

Upon hearing the name "Sun Wukong," Sha Wujing was overjoyed, as if struck by lightning. He quickly unfurled his Buddhist robes, strode out of the cave, and bowed deeply to the Monkey King, exclaiming, "Brother! You've truly descended from heaven! Please, I beg you, save me!"

The pilgrim laughed, "You wicked Shani! When Master recited the Tightening-Headband Mantra, I was in excruciating pain, did you ever plead for me? Now, when you can't even save yourself, you finally remember me!"

Sha Wujing, his face full of shame, begged for mercy, "Brother, a gentleman will forgive and forget. We are defeated generals, we dare not boast of our bravery, we only beg you to save us!"

The traveler said, "Come up here."

Sha Wujing then leaped onto the rocky cliff.

Meanwhile, Pigsy, who had been hovering in the air, saw Sandy emerge from the cave. He immediately descended from the cloud and cried out, "Brother Sandy, be patient! Be patient!"

Upon seeing him, Sha Wujing asked, "Second Brother, where did you come from?"

Pigsy said, "I was defeated yesterday and entered the city at night. I met the white horse and learned that Master was in trouble. The yellow-robed man used magic to turn me into a tiger. The white horse discussed with me and asked my senior brother to come."

The pilgrim said, "Fool, stop arguing. You two carry these two children and go into the Treasure Elephant City to provoke that monster. I'll fight him here."

Sha Wujing said, "Brother, how do we provoke him?"

The pilgrim said, "You two ride the clouds and stand on the Golden Palace. Don't distinguish between good and bad. Throw the child down in front of the white jade steps."

They said it was the son of the Yellow-Robed Demon, whom the two of us captured. When that monster heard this, he'd surely return, and I wouldn't need to go into the city to fight him, lest I disturb the people."

Pigsy laughed and said, "Brother, you always trick us when you do things."

The traveler asked, "How can I trick you?"

Bajie said, "These two children are already terrified after you captured them. If you throw them again, they'll surely die! When that Yellow Robe Monster returns, do you think he'll spare us? You'll be all clean then, without even a witness. Wouldn't that be biased towards us?"

The pilgrim said, "What are you afraid of? If he grabs you, fight him and lure him here. This battlefield is wide open; I'll wait here and surely deal with him!"

Sha Wujing quickly chimed in, "That's right, that's right! Brother is absolutely right! Let's go lure that monster here!"

Having said that, he and Pigsy picked up the two children, mounted a cloud, and hurriedly headed towards the Kingdom of Treasure Elephant.

The pilgrim turned his head to look at the clouds behind him and beckoned, "Little Taoist boy, come down here!"

Baili Bo, who was standing in the air observing, quickly descended from the clouds upon hearing this, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Great Sage, what brings you to my aid?"

The pilgrim said, "Since your master, the old Daoist Ji Huazi, entrusted me to help you retrieve your inner core, you must obey my orders. There's a task right now that's perfect for you."

Baili retorted, "I will obey the Great Sage's orders!"

The pilgrim asked, "Did you see the faces of those two children when you were on the cloud?"

Baili retorted, "I saw it."

The traveler asked, "Is it possible to create one?"

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo nodded and said, "The transformation itself isn't difficult, but..."

The traveler asked, "But what?"

Baili retorted, "I'm just afraid that although I've changed his appearance, I won't know his personality and behavior, and I might give myself away..."

The pilgrim waved his hand and said, "It's alright, it's alright! You just need to make yourself look similar."

Baili Bo then nodded in agreement.

The traveler then transformed into another person, and the two of them staggered down the cliff.