txolops Chapter 126 Lotus Cave - Earning the Mountain Gate
Chapter 126 Lotus Cave - Earning the Mountain Gate
Li Fa, having killed Silver Horn and retrieved his true spirit, tucked the purple-gold-red gourd into his robes. He glanced down at Silver Horn's corpse, thinking to himself, "Leaving this body here will only lead to its discovery sooner or later. Perhaps…"
He made a hand seal and used an earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic that allows one to escape into the ground) technique to sink Silver Horn's corpse into the ground. He then wiped away the bloodstains on the ground, looked around, and only felt relieved when there were no more traces.
He straightened his clothes and transformed himself into the appearance of the Silver Horn King.
He was wearing a silver helmet and silver armor, with a face like jade and eyes like bright stars; he was truly a handsome man.
He took the documents, put them away in the gourd, and then strode towards the Dragon-Suppressing Cave.
As he walked, he pondered: That old fox spirit is the mother of Golden Horn and Silver Horn, and she still has a Golden Rope in her hand. Although I broke it once with the Seven Star Whip, the Seven Star Whip is now binding Silver Horn's true spirit and cannot be used. I must think of a plan to coax that rope over.
Just then, a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes, and the Merit Chart appeared:
[Target for execution: The old fox spirit of the Dragon-Suppressing Cave (mother of Golden Horn and Silver Horn, a cannibal and murderer who aids and abets evil)]
[Karma Assessment: C+]
Success rate of hunting: 95%
Killing it will yield:
[Optional Reward 1: Two Jiazi of Mana from the "Creating Heaven and Earth Technique"]
[Optional Reward Two: Five Elements Primordial Spear Evolution (Upgrade quality, transforming into the Innate Five Elements Spear)]
[Optional Reward 3: Swift Water Walking (Can walk on waves as if on flat ground)]
After reading it, Li Fa was overjoyed. Although the two Jiazi's magical power was good, it was only the result of one hundred and twenty years of arduous cultivation, which he didn't even consider worthwhile now. The Divine Speed and Water Walking Technique was even more useless.
However, the "Evolution of the Five Elements Primordial Spear" stirred something within him.
The Innate Five Elements Spear is definitely at the Innate level. If it truly evolves, it might even gain more supernatural abilities.
At that time, I will have a better chance of defeating the Tiger-Taming Arhat.
Having made up his mind, he quickened his pace and soon arrived at the Yalong Cave.
The cave entrance was tightly closed, and the faint voices of little demons could be heard inside.
Li Fa stepped forward, knocked on the door, and shouted, "Open the door! Open the door! It's me, I'm back!"
Hearing this, the little demon inside quickly opened the door. Seeing it was King Silver Horn, he immediately knelt down: "Second King is back! Grandma has been waiting for you!"
Li Fa nodded and strode into the cave.
The little demon peeked out from behind and asked, "Second King, what about that hairy-faced monk? Have they been captured?"
Li Fa didn't even turn his head, saying, "I've got him. My elder brother is watching over things at Lotus Cave, and he specifically ordered me to invite Mother over so we can all eat Tang Sanzang's flesh together!"
Upon hearing this, the little demon was both surprised and delighted, and ran off to deliver the message.
Li Fa passed through the passageway and arrived at the main hall in the cave.
The old fox spirit was lounging on the stone couch, a cloth wrapped around her head, humming and making a show of herself.
Two little demons served him, bringing him tea and water.
Seeing Li Fa enter, she quickly sat up and exclaimed, "My son! You've finally come! That hairy-faced monk was so vicious; he beat your mother terribly! Where's your brother? Why isn't he here?"
Li Fa quickly stepped forward, sat down beside the bed, and said with concern, "Mother, you've suffered! It's all my fault for being late and causing you distress."
He paused, then said, "My brother is currently guarding Tang Sanzang and his disciples in the Lotus Cave and cannot leave, so he specifically sent me to invite Mother over."
The old fox spirit was taken aback and said, "You want me to come over? For what purpose?"
Li Fa laughed and said, "Mother, you don't know this. That Monkey King has already been captured by my brother! Now, the four members of Tang Sanzang's group are all in the Lotus Cave, and none of them can escape."
The elder brother said, "For such a joyous occasion, we must invite Mother over to share in the flesh of Tang Sanzang, so that she may attain immortality!"
Upon hearing this, the old fox spirit's eyes lit up, and she sat up abruptly, exclaiming joyfully, "Really? That Monkey King has been captured too?"
Li Fa nodded and said, "Absolutely true. Brother used that jade bottle and called out 'Sun Wukong,' and the monkey, unaware of the trap, responded and was then trapped inside. Now that he's in the bottle, he's probably already turned into pus!"
The old fox spirit beamed with delight, slapped her thigh, and exclaimed, "Good! Good! Good! My two sons are truly capable! That hairy-faced monk dared to come knocking on our door; he deserves to be reduced to a pus-filled pus!"
As she spoke, she was about to get off the bed when she suddenly remembered something and frowned, saying, "Son, where's Fox Fifth? Why hasn't he come back?"
Li Fa's heart skipped a beat. He presented Fox Fifth's waist token and documents, and sighed, "Even if Mother hadn't asked, I was just about to tell you. When we came here, we encountered a fierce tiger. The tiger pounced on Fifth, and I couldn't save him in time, so he died in the tiger's mouth."
But Mother, don't worry, I've killed that tiger, which avenges him. I've also buried Fifth Brother's body."
Seeing his sincerity and being bewildered by Sun Wukong's scolding, the old fox had no suspicions and laughed, "I knew it! My son smelled of blood; it must be from killing a tiger."
Upon hearing this, Li Fa cursed inwardly, "That old fox, so cunning."
He smiled apologetically and said, "It was my fault for being impolite. Please forgive me."
The old fox said, "It's alright, it's alright. My son is filial; even with Tang Sanzang's flesh to his name, he still thinks of his mother. What crime have I committed against you?"
Li Fa agreed, "Mother is right. Let's hurry up and get going; my brother is still waiting in the cave."
The old fox spirit nodded, told the little demon to bring her new clothes to change into, and then dressed herself up in front of the mirror, looking alluring and seductive. Only then did she lean on her dragon-headed cane and walk out unsteadily.
Li Fa stood by, supporting her, secretly laughing to himself: This old hag, even on her deathbed, still loves to be pretty.
Once outside the cave, the old fox spirit asked, "My son, how did you get here? Did you bring a mount?"
Li Fa said, "I was in a hurry and came on a cloud. If Mother doesn't mind, I'll help you ride the cloud together."
The old fox spirit waved her hand and said, "Alright, alright, your mother is old, not like you young people. I get dizzy riding the clouds, let's walk instead."
Li Fa inwardly groaned, but dared not show it on his face. He could only help the old fox spirit and walk down the mountain step by step.
After walking for a while, the old fox spirit suddenly said, "My son, where's your gourd? Let your mother see it."
Li Fa's heart tightened, but he smiled and said, "If Mother wants to see it, how dare I refuse?" As he spoke, he took out the purple-gold gourd from his bosom and handed it over with both hands.
The old fox spirit took the gourd, examined it several times, and exclaimed in admiration, "What a treasure! What a treasure! Laozi's things are indeed extraordinary."
She uncorked it, looked inside, then put it back in, handed it back to Li Fa, and said, "Keep it safe. Don't lose such a treasure."
Li Fa took the gourd, put it in his pocket, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After walking for a while, we arrived at a secluded mountain valley.
There were cliffs on both sides, with a narrow path in the middle. Li Fa looked around and, seeing that there was no one else, thought to himself, "This place is just right."