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

Chapter 93 Baoxiang Kingdom: Is There Truly Evil in the World?

The poem reads: The waves of desire surge endlessly, the wheel of karma turns ceaselessly. Looking in the mirror of karma, one should feel ashamed; as sins are about to be committed, one should feel remorse.

When Bodhi arises, it is not an illusion; when the bright mirror disappears, sorrow arises. From this moment on, diligently cultivate goodness, lest reward come after death.

Meanwhile, Li Fa and Baili Bo left Baihu Ridge and rode the clouds and mist, heading straight for the territory of Baoxiang Kingdom.

Amidst the billowing clouds and gentle mountain breeze, Baili Bo turned his head to the side and asked, "Brother, do you truly know the whereabouts of that old monster?"

Li Fa said, "Of course, that old monster is called the Yellow Robe Monster. He lives in the Wave Moon Cave on Wanzi Mountain. He is the descendant of Kui Star of the Twenty-Eight Mansions and has great supernatural powers. That's why you can't defeat him."

Baili Bo nodded, then asked, "Brother, do you mean...?"

Li Fa said, "Let's use Sun Wukong to get rid of the Yellow Robe Monster."

Baili retorted, "If you don't tell me, I'd like to ask, but I didn't want to say it in front of Tang Sanzang and his disciples."

Li Fa asked, "What do you have to say?"

Baili retorted, "Just now, Sha Wujing said that his eldest brother was banished by Tang Sanzang. I think, given Sun Wukong's great magical powers, if Tang Sanzang really banished him, how did he even get to the Western Paradise?"

Li Fa smiled slightly: "Tang Sanzang is just too embarrassed for a moment, and he's been instigated and provoked by Zhu Bajie. I predict that when he faces another great calamity and is desperate, he will surely humble himself and ask Wukong to come back. At that time, you and I can act accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo said, "Brother's calculations are brilliant, but I wonder when we should act?"

Li Fa said, "No rush, no rush. Let's go down and have some fun first, and talk to Tang Seng when he arrives."

The two then descended from the clouds, each using their own transformations, still appearing as a Taoist priest and a young Taoist boy, and slowly walked along the mountain path.

As we walked, we could vaguely see a village emerging from the mountain valley in the distance. With its blue bricks and gray tiles, bamboo fences and thatched cottages, it was quite tidy.

But two white lanterns were hanging high in front of the manor gate, and white paper was pasted on the door frame. The sound of crying could be faintly heard from inside.

Baili retorted, "Brother, this manor looks like a funeral is being held."

Li Fa nodded and said, "Let's go take a look. Let's go up and knock on the door, and find out some information while we're at it."

The two arrived at the front of the village and saw that the gate was half-closed, and several family members dressed in mourning clothes were burning paper money in the courtyard.

Baili Bo stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Before long, an old man poked his head out, looked them up and down, and finally fixed his gaze on Li Fa, asking, "Where do you come from, Daoist Master? What brings you to my manor?"

Li Fa cupped his hands and said, "My master and I have been traveling and are now arriving late. We wish to stay at your esteemed estate for the night before departing tomorrow. We hope you will be so kind as to grant us this request."

The old man looked troubled, glanced back inside, and sighed, "Master, your timing is unfortunate. We are holding a funeral in our village, and I'm afraid you may have offended us."

Li Fa said, "No problem, no problem. Monks are compassionate and can help the deceased find peace and share the burden with their masters."

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Taoist priest, you can perform rituals for the deceased?"

Li Fa smiled slightly and said, "I know a little bit."

The old man hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, Taoist priest, while I go and inform my master."

After saying that, he dashed inside.

Before long, an elderly man with white hair hurried out. Upon seeing Li Fa, he bowed deeply and said, "I am Wu Cheng, and I greet you, Daoist Master! If you can help my unfortunate son, I will repay you with my entire fortune and never forget it!"

Li Fa quickly helped him up, saying, "Sir, there's no need for such formalities. May I ask how your son passed away?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Cheng burst into tears, saying, "Daoist, you are unaware of this matter; every word of it is written in blood!"

He invited Li and Fa into the manor, and after they were seated as host and guest, and tea was served by the family, he began to recount the whole story in detail.

This place was originally the territory of Baoxiang Kingdom, and this manor was called Wu Family Manor. Thirty miles south of the manor, there was a large town called Yanghan Town.

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Yanghan Town? That's an interesting name. Does it mean that all the women in that town are unfaithful, having affairs and cheating on their husbands?"

Wu Cheng waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Young Daoist, don't talk nonsense! This Yanghan Town... is not some place of romance, it's clearly a living hell!"

Li Fa's expression turned serious: "Please explain in detail, sir."

Wu Cheng sighed, tears streaming down his face: "Thirteen years ago, this place wasn't called Yanghan Town, it was originally called Haohan Town. There were about a hundred households living in the town, the people were simple and honest, and it was quite prosperous."

But ever since that year, a group of female monsters appeared out of nowhere, took over the town, and changed its name.

Baili retorted, "A female demon? What female demon?"

Wu Cheng said, "I can't explain it clearly either. I've only heard people say that those female demons are all incredibly beautiful, even more so than celestial beings. They specialize in walking along mountain paths, and when they see passing men, they use their charms to seduce them. Ten out of ten men fall for it and follow them back to town."

Li Fa asked, "And then what happens after we return to town?"

Wu Cheng's tears fell again as he said, "After returning to the town... those female demons married men, became pregnant, and killed the men after giving birth to their babies."

If a girl is born, she is raised as a monster and taught to eat people from a young age; if a boy is born, he is called a "young pig," raised to be two or three years old, killed, cooked, and eaten, supposedly to prolong life.

Baili Bo was horrified and said, "This...this is too vicious! When I was a demon...no...when I was subduing demons with my master, I never saw such a group of wicked thugs. Didn't anyone report them to the authorities?"

Wu Cheng said, "Why report this to the authorities? These monsters are adept at bewitching people. I've heard that many women have gone to join them and are now eating people! Some noble ladies and daughters of officials in the country have all succumbed to them. Who dares to report this to the authorities?"

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo said, "If the mortal realm doesn't care, does Heaven not care either? Don't you worship Buddha, chant scriptures, and pray to gods and immortals?"

Wu Cheng sighed and said, "You young man, you're still too young. I've heard that he has connections in heaven, and apparently some kind of star official. Which god would dare to punish him?"

Upon hearing this, Li Fa felt a surge of anger welling up in his chest, but he couldn't vent it. He suppressed it and asked again, "Are all these men willing to be slaves to their skirts?"

Wu Cheng said, "What are you talking about! At first, they only used their beauty to seduce people. Later, the young men in the nearby villages and towns either died or fled, and no one dared to approach that town anymore."

The sorceresses then sent their minions to every village, demanding men from each household. If they refused, they threatened to slaughter the entire village. The surrounding villages lived in constant fear; all the men hid, leaving only an old geezer like myself to dare show my face.

Li Fa's gaze darkened: "So, your son was forcibly taken away by them?"

Wu Cheng wept uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face. "My child, only twenty-two this year, went to visit relatives in a neighboring village last month. On the way, he was spotted by those witches and dragged into the town. I've spent all my wealth and begged everywhere, just wanting to redeem my child, but those demons..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Cheng collapsed to the ground and wept bitterly, his cries shaking the roof tiles.