Volume 1: Unsayable – Chapter 27: The King of Yuyin Monkeys

Seeing Wukong’s unusual expression, the Bull Demon King said, “Younger brother, you truly have wide knowledge—having even heard of the Yuyin monkeys.”
Wukong smiled and replied, “I’ve only heard of them; I don’t know what they are.”
The Bull Demon King said, “That’s right. My master once said that few people in the world know about the Yuyin monkeys, and those who have seen them are even rarer.”
Wukong observed, “I find their appearance peculiar—pointed snouts and monkey-like faces—seemingly similar to our monkey race.”
The Bull Demon King agreed, “Indeed. The Yuyin monkeys are a branch of the Golden Thread Monkeys, and their numbers are extremely small. Judging from this monster’s height of over five feet, it’s very likely the king among them—the King of Yuyin Monkeys.”
Though Wukong had his suspicions, he was still slightly surprised, thinking, “So indeed, he is the King of Yuyin Monkeys.” At this moment, Wukong came up with a plan. Since the Monkey King in Journey to the West was able to gather the Seven Great Saints on Flower-Fruit Mountain to stage an uprising, surely he could do the same. Since he had arrived in this world of Journey to the West, how could he miss such an exciting event? He must find a way to win over this King of Yuyin Monkeys—only then could he find out why the Seven Great Saints had gone their separate ways.
Decided, Wukong asked further, “Brother, you just said this monster possesses great powers. What makes them special?”
The Bull Demon King chuckled and said, “Its powers are quite peculiar. They’re harmless to us demons, but it shows its true strength only when facing immortals.”
“Huh? It really has such powers?” Wukong wondered.
“I’ve only heard that it specializes in taking away people’s magical treasures. You know, immortals have weak bodies; without their treasures, they’d be at the mercy of others. As for us demons, we have strong bodies and few rely on magical treasures. That’s why the King of Yuyin Monkeys can truly be called the nemesis of immortals—no exaggeration at all,” the Bull Demon King explained.
Wukong murmured and then asked, “If it uses those powers just now, couldn’t it also take away my Golden Cudgel?”
The Bull Demon King replied, “Are you really unaware, or are you teasing me? Your Golden Cudgel has long been refined into your life treasure. With your status as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, even if the Three Pure Ones came here, they probably couldn’t take it away from you.”
Wukong gained a lot from this conversation. No wonder his control over the Golden Cudgel had become much stronger—turns out, the “Qi Tian Gun Method” was likely a martial art that could refine the Golden Cudgel into a life treasure. Wukong was greatly relieved. It seemed his fortune was truly profound, allowing him to combine these two extraordinary items.
“I really don’t know anything about life treasures. Please forgive me, brother,” Wukong explained.

The Bull Demon King said, “I thought so too. I believe you wouldn’t deceive me. Since you don’t know, let me explain more. When a life treasure is refined to its limit, it becomes connected to one’s original spirit. Only one original spirit can cultivate one life treasure, and the two are closely linked—prosper together and suffer together.”
“If the original spirit is injured, the power of the life treasure is greatly diminished. Conversely, if the life treasure is damaged, the original spirit will also be harmed. Do you understand?”
Wukong replied, “Now I see. So a life treasure indeed has such remarkable powers. Thank you, brother, for enlightening me.”
After listening to the Bull Demon King’s long explanation about life treasures, Wukong realized that because they were connected to the original spirit, their power was extraordinary. If that was the case, it seemed likely that Sun Wukong in *Journey to the West* never obtained the “Heaven-Piercing Staff Method” and thus never refined the Golden Cudgel into a life treasure, using it merely as an ordinary weapon.
Thinking of this, Wukong asked in surprise, “Just now, when I struck the King of Yuyin with this Golden Cudgel, he blocked it with just his arms. It seems his abilities are truly extraordinary.”
The Bull Demon King laughed heartily. “You were too busy in the battle to see clearly. I could tell from the sound of metal that his arm guards were also rare treasures. Otherwise, even I, an old ox, wouldn’t dare to confront your Golden Cudgel head-on.” His tone was full of pride, showing great confidence in his own physical strength.
Wukong asked tentatively, “I wonder what kind of treasure brother uses. How about showing it to me so I can broaden my horizons?”
The Bull Demon King replied, “To be honest, although I have a few treasures, I disdain using them. The day I used the Banana Fan was out of frustration. As for my life treasure, I still haven’t refined it yet. If you really want to see it, why not? There’s no harm in showing it to you.”
Wukong stepped back a few steps and said, “Brother has practiced cultivation for thousands of years yet still hasn’t refined this treasure. It must be truly astonishing. Then please show me a miracle.”
The Bull Demon King laughed. “Not now. I’ll most likely use it tomorrow when I fight the King of Yuyin. You’ll understand what kind of treasure it is as soon as you see it.” His words further piqued Wukong’s curiosity. It seemed this treasure had something truly special about it.
That night, the two found a favorable location with good feng shui and sat in silence.
Early the next morning, as the sun rose, the Bull Demon King slowly stood up and said, “He’s here!”
A dark cloud rose from the ground and soon took the form of the King of Yuyin. Pointing at the two, he said, “You two have disturbed my peace. This is a serious offense. Hand over your lives!”
The Bull Demon King laughed loudly. “My life is right here. Who dares take it?”

The two immediately engaged in battle. Wukong watched closely from the side. The King of the Yumin was skilled in his moves, combining offense and defense, each strike targeting vital points. It was hard to tell who would win. Yesterday, the King of the Yumin might have been injured in his arm yet still fought evenly with Wukong. If he were in full health, even if Wukong wasn’t hurt, he would surely be at a disadvantage in every strike.

The Bull Demon King, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned. No matter how many attacks the King of the Yumin launched, he could only parry one or two at most. The sound of the King of the Yumin’s punches hitting the Bull Demon King’s body echoed like beans being fried, but all were blocked by the Bull Demon King’s formidable physique. The Bull Demon King’s usual simple expression vanished, replaced by a grave look. Although the King of the Yumin was much faster, he kept searching for an opening, striking at the points the King of the Yumin must defend. Every time they clashed, the King of the Yumin was sent flying far away.

“You ox-headed monster have such great strength!” said the King of the Yumin.

The Bull Demon King chuckled, “Grandpa hasn’t even used his full strength yet.”

“The audacity!” snapped the King of the Yumin. With that, he leaped back several feet and muttered something. Immediately, a mountain behind him began to shake slightly. Then, a strangely shaped magical weapon emerged from the peak, soaring into the sky, radiating brilliant light. The weapon circled three times in the air before flying back from afar and landing in the King of the Yumin’s hands.

Wukong took a closer look. It was a circle two feet in diameter, of unknown material, with countless sharp blades spinning inside, emitting a terrifying glow. As the King of the Yumin channeled his magic, the circle expanded rapidly, seemingly possessing a mesmerizing effect.

The Bull Demon King narrowed his eyes, examining the treasure, then took out an object from his bosom. It wasn’t a banana fan but a weapon somewhere between an iron rod and a wolf-tooth club. Swinging it in the wind, it grew over ten feet long and as thick as a bowl. The Bull Demon King said, “Let’s see if your circle is so amazing or if my club is more powerful, haha!”

“The dying still dare to boast!” snapped the King of the Yumin.

He activated the circle, which instantly covered several miles around. A white light shot from its center, aiming straight at the top of the Bull Demon King’s head. “Retreat!” he ordered.

With that shout, the iron club in the Bull Demon King’s hand flew out like an arrow, disappearing into the white circle.

Wukong was shocked. This circle was so similar to the one that had trapped the green ox when he escaped from Laozi. It could retrieve weapons with just a command. Yet the Bull Demon King remained calm, seemingly having another trick up his sleeve. Remembering what the Bull Demon King had said—that the King of the Yumin could only retrieve magical weapons—it seemed his reputation was well-deserved.

The Bull Demon King laughed heartily and said, “As expected! But this skill of yours is of little use to me, an old ox!” Without taking any other magical treasures, he transformed in an instant, revealing his true form: a giant white ox that towered high into the sky. Its head was like a steep mountain, its eyes shone brightly, its two horns resembled two iron towers, and its teeth were like sharp blades. From head to tail, it was over a thousand zhang long, and from hooves to back, it was eight hundred zhang high.
The white ox let out a long moo toward the sky and said slowly, “Monkey, this is my life magic treasure. What do you think?”
Wukong, filled with amazement, couldn’t help but praise inwardly—what a truly remarkable Bull Demon King! He had turned his own flesh into a magical treasure. Its body was as hard as steel, its two sharp horns gleamed like precious pagodas, its four black hooves shook the earth, and even its tail was as sharp as steel wire.