txolops Chapter 160 Fire Cloud Cave - Princess Iron Fan
Chapter 160 Fire Cloud Cave - Princess Iron Fan
Meanwhile, the little demon stumbled and crashed into the Fiery Cloud Cave, announcing, "Your Majesty! Granny Iron Fan has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Red Boy exclaimed in surprise, "Why is Mother here? I didn't send anyone to invite her!"
His words sent a shiver down the spine of the Monkey King. He thought to himself, "This 'Iron Fan Fairy'? Since the demon calls herself 'mother,' she must be the Bull Demon King's wife. If she comes and recognizes me as the fake Bull Demon King, wouldn't that be disastrous?"
But at this crucial moment, he had just managed to convince Red Boy to some extent. If he were to withdraw now, it would seem suspicious and his deception would be exposed.
The Great Sage had no choice but to suppress his panic and continue sitting.
Just as he was pondering this, he saw Red Boy turn around abruptly and say to the Monkey King, "Father, Mother is here. Father, why don't we move to a side hall for a while?"
The pilgrim had no idea about the domestic entanglements between the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan. He frowned, feigning displeasure, and said in a deep voice, "So what if your mother is here? We're husband and wife, why be so formal? Why are you sending me to the side hall?"
Red Boy said, "Father and Mother have been at odds lately, and I know a little about it. I'm afraid that if you two meet, you'll quarrel again, so I'm asking Father to leave for the time being so that I can persuade Mother first."
The traveler thought the couple's conflict was just a normal argument, but little did he know that it involved a major issue: a man marrying into the woman's family and favoring a concubine over his wife.
So he quickly waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "My son, don't panic. A day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness, and a hundred days as husband and wife is as deep as the sea. Your mother and I have been husband and wife for so many years. Even if we have disagreements, why should I avoid her?"
Upon hearing this, Red Boy was filled with doubt: Ever since my father married into Jilei Mountain, he has always been somewhat afraid of my mother. He usually avoids her like the plague. Why is he so assertive today? This is really unusual!
Although he thought this in his heart, he did not show it on his face and said, "If that's the case, then I will do as Father says. Father, please sit for a moment while I go out to welcome Mother into the cave."
Having said that, he turned and quickly left the main hall.
As Red Boy slipped out of the second gate, he didn't rush out of the cave. Instead, he called over his six generals and asked in a low voice, "Tell me honestly, where did you invite this Great King from?"
The little demon said, "They were invited along the way."
Red Boy said, "I told you you came quickly, haven't you gotten home yet?"
The little demon replied, "Yes, I haven't arrived home yet."
Upon hearing this, Red Boy said, "This is not good. The King is behaving strangely today. Something feels off."
The little demon asked, "Your Majesty, is something unusual?"
Red Boy said, "You don't know, this is my family matter. My parents are having marital problems, which is why I just told him to go inside and take refuge temporarily. But not only did he not go, he even said something about 'a hundred days of kindness.' Isn't that abnormal?"
The little demon said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. There is a saying that 'couples should not hold grudges overnight; they may quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed.' Perhaps Your Majesty has changed your mind and no longer wants to argue with Grandma, which is why you said that. Who knows?"
Red Boy said, "What you say makes sense, but we must be careful. I've heard that Sun Wukong is most skilled at transformation. I'm afraid he might transform into the Great King and try to trick me into releasing Tang Sanzang, thus ruining my plans!"
The little demon said, "Your Majesty has thought things through thoroughly! In that case, Your Majesty should go out first to greet Grandma, and then slowly probe her after entering the cave. We, the minions, should also be on guard. If it really is someone else, we should drive them out."
Upon hearing this, Red Boy nodded and said, "Come with me to greet Mother!"
But who exactly is this Iron Fan Fairy Granny?
He was certainly not the real Princess Iron Fan, but rather an incarnation of Li Fa.
It was only because the princess confessed her feelings to him that night that he realized Red Boy's temperament had also changed drastically recently.
It's no wonder that the task assigned by the Merit Chart was to save the Holy Infant Cow.
Moreover, the karmic assessment results are as follows: one is "none," and the other is "medium."
In the past, rescue missions targeted individuals with no karmic burdens.
It seems this time will be the same.
The Merit Chart is definitely meant to help Red Boy, whose karma is assessed as zero, not the demon in Part B.
Could there be something strange about this Red Boy? Or is he possessed by some evil spirit, causing his personality to change drastically and his karma to accumulate?
So Li Fa immediately made up his mind to study it carefully.
Coincidentally, Princess Iron Fan sent him to Mount Hao after she finished speaking that night. So Li Fa took this opportunity to use his transformation magic to disguise himself as Princess Iron Fan and leave the Banana Cave in a legitimate way. He came to Mount Hao to investigate and complete the task of the Merit Record.
Meanwhile, Red Boy, accompanied by his six warriors, went out of the cave and, sure enough, saw a woman standing in front of it.
But she was seen:
Adorned with a jeweled crown, a gold-embroidered floral skirt, a brocade sash, and soft satin shoes, she was truly elegant and beautiful, with a cool demeanor that seemed to hold a touch of spring.
Upon seeing this, Red Boy immediately bowed and said, "I was unaware of Mother's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."
After saying that, he kowtowed three times.
Li Fa received three slaps from him before stepping forward to help Red Boy up. His words and demeanor were indeed no different from those of the real princess.
Li Fa laughed and said, "My son, there's no need for such formalities. I've been sitting in the Banana Cave feeling bored and restless, missing you day and night. I couldn't eat or drink, so I came to see you in person. What, you won't invite me into the cave? Do you think I'm bothering you?"
Red Boy said, "Mother, what are you saying? Please come in, please come in!"
Having said that, he led Li Fa directly into the cave.
The traveler sat in the cave, hearing footsteps, and inwardly groaned, "That old hag is here! She's been with the Bull Demon King all the time; what if she recognizes me?"
Just as he was getting anxious, the woman entered the cave. She looked up and saw the traveler, and was slightly taken aback, feeling quite surprised.
The Bull Demon King? What's he doing here?
However, Li Fa had been lurking by Princess Iron Fan's side for ten to fifteen days, learning ninety percent of her teachings. He then coldly said, "Your Majesty is here too? What a coincidence."
Upon hearing this, the traveler forced himself to remain calm, rose, and bowed, saying, "Madam has arrived. My son has captured Tang Sanzang, the monk from the East who was on his way to the West to retrieve the scriptures, and invited me here to eat his flesh. That is why I am here."
Upon hearing this, Li Fa realized that he had been infiltrating Princess Iron Fan's side for quite a while and had almost missed the original plot.
Fortunately, he was well-versed in Journey to the West and knew that they were currently in the stage where Sun Wukong disguised himself as the Bull Demon King to trick Red Boy into his cave, and this ordeal was not yet over. So he was relieved and said, "He really is your son. He captured Tang Sanzang, so why did he only invite you and not me?"
Upon hearing this, Red Boy quickly smiled and said, "Mother, please calm down. I was just about to send someone to invite you, but you came here yourself. It shows that mother and son are of one heart; it is the will of Heaven."
Upon hearing this, Li Fa, wanting to tease the Monkey King, asked, "My son, now that the family is reunited, when will you eat Tang Sanzang?"
Upon hearing this, Red Boy said, "Since Mother wishes to eat, I will order someone to clean Tang Sanzang thoroughly and cook him for Mother and Father to enjoy together, so that Mother and Father may also share in the blessing of longevity!"
Li Fa feigned delight, clapping her hands and laughing, "Good, good, good! Just what I wanted! My son is indeed filial; I haven't spoiled you in vain."