Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told – Chapter 118: The Nine-Headed Worm

Wukong muttered to himself, “It’s forbidden for others to ride clouds, yet I do it myself. How is that fair?” He held the cloud in place, determined to see what gave Luoyun City the confidence to enforce such domineering rules. In no time, two figures rushed up from below—one in black and one in white—heading straight for Wukong.
From afar, Wukong recognized the man in black as none other than the Old Patriarch in black robes mentioned in the stories, his former enemy. As the Old Patriarch got closer, he recognized Wukong and was stunned mid-air, not knowing what to say. The man in white, however, didn’t recognize him and cursed, “How bold! Daring to act recklessly in Luoyun City!”
Wukong replied, “Young man, go back and tell your master to come here!”
The man in white flew into a rage, drew a long sword, and swung it at Wukong. Wukong didn’t dodge; instead, he grabbed the sword’s handle and shook it. How could the man in white resist Wukong’s divine strength? His massive body flew backward.
Wukong laughed, “Still reluctant to let go?” With a single punch, he sent the man in white flying. Using only 20% of his strength, blood sprayed everywhere in the sky, and the man in white’s soul left his body instantly.
The Old Patriarch in black robes was terrified, too scared even to flee. Wukong gestured with his finger for him to come over. When the Old Patriarch approached, he said timidly, “You… don’t be arrogant. Our city lord will arrive soon.”
Wukong replied lazily, “If you’re already afraid, why pretend to be brave? Tell me, why is it forbidden to ride clouds above this city?” The Old Patriarch replied, “It’s the city lord’s order. Who dares not obey?”
Wukong chuckled and said, “Take me to see your city lord!”
The Old Patriarch was shocked on the surface but secretly delighted. This fool doesn’t know death! Soon, he’ll learn just how powerful our city lord is! The Old Patriarch led the way quickly, while Wukong followed at a distance, unafraid he might escape.
As they approached the city gates, Wukong still didn’t leave the cloud and entered the city directly. Everyone present was stunned—no one had ever dared to ride clouds through Luoyun City before. Who was this person who risked his life to do so?
After walking for a while inside the city, they arrived before a grand palace. The Old Patriarch slowed down and said to Wukong, “The city lord is likely in meetings now. Wait outside the palace door; I’ll go and summon him.”
Wukong looked up at the magnificent palace, towering and exquisitely luxurious. At first glance, even many palaces in the Jade Emperor’s heavenly realm paled in comparison.
Wukong said, “Your city lord really thinks he’s something special!” The Old Patriarch, feeling emboldened inside the city, replied darkly, “Still not satisfied after dying a little late?”

Wukong pressed down on the head of the cloaked elder, exerting great force that snapped his neck. It was a pity that such a celestial being, who had overcome countless life-and-death trials, lost his life simply because of his careless words. Wukong threw the elder’s corpse over many rooftops until it landed in a forest of pavilions, cursing, “I felt disgust at first sight of this man, yet he still didn’t value his own life!” Soon, cries of alarm came from the back hall, followed by the emergence of many people in strange costumes. Upon seeing them, Wukong realized that Luoyun City had turned into a den of demons! Most of these demons either had green faces and sharp fangs or red hair and blue eyes; some were over thirty feet tall, while others were coiled like strange snakes or dragons. Just looking at them would surely frighten ordinary people to death. Wukong rubbed his eyes, thinking he had returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain. The demons surrounded a man in brocade robes. The man wore a silver helmet that gleamed like snow under cold light, along with armor that shone like autumn frost. Over this was a brocade battle robe, like colorful clouds surrounding jade, and a belt with rhinoceros patterns, like a golden python wrapped around it. His right hand rested lightly on his waist. Though his face couldn’t be seen, his appearance already showed an air of dominance over the other demons. Looking at his face, it wasn’t ugly, but it wasn’t particularly handsome either. His phoenix-like eyes were fixed somewhere, never looking at anyone, and his square mouth seemed somewhat ferocious, revealing blood-red fangs. The longer one stared, the more faces seemed to appear around him—every direction seemed to show a face. It was unclear what kind of supernatural power he possessed. Wukong laughed and said, “Are you some kind of actor, with so many faces?” The man’s expression didn’t change as he ordered, “Capture this bookworm!” A red-haired demon stepped forward, spreading his hands to create flames and smoke that enveloped Wukong. The demons cheered, “Great!” But the man with multiple faces frowned and shouted, “Be careful!” The red-haired demon froze as a strong wind blew beside him. He quickly dodged to the side, but Wukong’s movements were far faster. The staff struck the demon’s arm, causing it to hang limply, connected only by a layer of flesh. The man with multiple faces snapped, “Impressive skill! Back off!” His first remark was praise for Wukong, while the second was a rebuke to the red-haired demon. Wukong, leaning on his golden staff, laughed and said, “You do care for your subordinates—so you have some sense of responsibility after all.” The man with multiple faces replied, “We can’t fight here. Dare you duel me in midair?” Wukong asked, “Without any reason, why should we fight?” The man with multiple faces snapped, “You killed my city’s guards and injured my cave’s protectors. How could I spare you?” Wukong laughed, “Not only do you have responsibility, but you also care about face—haha!”

The multi-faced demon shouted, “Do you dare or not?” He wanted to lure Wukong into the sky, knowing full well that a fight between the two would cause a tremendous disturbance and risk destroying the city.
Wukong replied, “Fine! Then let’s fight!”
The two leaped simultaneously and began battling in midair. At first, the people in the city could see them clearly. As the fight intensified, they swung their weapons like spinning wheels, casting sharp glints everywhere. Their figures were enveloped in those flashes, with a clanging sound, as if in a blacksmith’s shop. After fighting for a while longer, they moved farther and farther apart until their figures could no longer be seen.
The demon initially used only a sword, but after a while, he drew a long-handled weapon—a crescent-shaped shovel. This was Wukong’s first encounter with an opponent since arriving in this realm. He calmly employed his staff techniques, slowly testing his strength against the demon.
That crescent shovel was also a precious weapon, capable of clashing fiercely with the Golden Cudgel without sustaining any damage. After forty or fifty rounds, realizing he couldn’t defeat Wukong, the demon let out a loud cry, shook his body, and revealed his true form: covered in feathers like brocade, his body shaped like a lump of fluff. He was about twelve feet in diameter, resembling a giant turtle. His two feet were sharp as hooks, and he had nine heads clustered together. His wings were excellent for flying, stronger even than those of a roc; his cries could reach across the world, louder than those of a crane. His many eyes shone with golden light, and his arrogance surpassed that of ordinary birds.
Upon seeing the demon’s true form, Wukong was shocked—nine-headed bird! Nine-headed insect! There was little difference between the two.
In “Journey to the West,” there were few creatures with nine heads. Could this demon be the Nine-Headed Insect, the son-in-law of the Dragon King of Bibo Pool Pool? He remembered that the Nine-Headed Insect also used a crescent-shaped shovel. Since this was the realm of the Spirit Treasure Lord, he hadn’t considered that possibility at all. Now that the demon had shown his nine heads, he suddenly understood.
Spirit Treasure Lord, how many more secrets do you hide? If you say this Nine-Headed Insect isn’t your creation, I’ll never believe it. Such a powerful demon, if not used to obstruct the pilgrimage, would be a great waste!
Seeing Wukong frozen in shock, the Nine-Headed Insect sneered, “Why have you stopped fighting? Are you afraid?”
Wukong replied, “Fearing you wouldn’t make me a true hero. Let me ask you—are you a bird or an insect?”
The Nine-Headed Insect roared, “Nonsense! I’m a phoenix!” With that, he spread his wings, which covered the sky, and rushed at Wukong.