Volume 4: The Revelation of All Secrets Chapter 407: Ten Thousand Years of Resentment

Zhu Rong continued to ask Wukong where he obtained the Extreme Fire. Since this matter was related to the secrets of Pangu, Wukong simply said that the Three Pure Ones had helped him obtain it, so Zhu Rong did not ask further.

Wukong said, “The matter of the Extreme Fire is extremely secretive. How could you know about it, sister?”

Zhu Rong replied, “The story of the Extremes of the Five Elements was widespread in ancient times, but as time passed, few people knew about it anymore. Back then, my sister Hou Tu and I also foolishly tried to find it, but we gave up due to our insufficient cultivation levels, thinking those rumors were just lies.”

Wukong was puzzled. He had heard about the Extremes of the Five Elements from Ran Deng. If Ran Deng understood their importance, why would he casually tell others? Moreover, the spread of this rumor seemed very similar to the “Theory of the Divine Ape Destroying the World.” It was likely the work of Tathagata.

Tathagata’s scheme against Pangu was obvious—anything harmful to Pangu was beneficial to him. By spreading this rumor, those who practiced the arts of the Five Elements would surely strive hard to find it. If someone really obtained the Extremes of the Five Elements, it would cause great harm to Pangu.

Wukong glanced at Zhu Rong and thought, “Thankfully, your cultivation is not strong enough. Otherwise, you would have become sinners.”

Recalling the past, Zhu Rong’s gaze became distant, as if she had returned to those carefree days of fighting across the land. Wukong knew that the people of ancient times valued emotions deeply. With a sigh, he said, “Sister, I have been to Mount Buzhou.”

Zhu Rong stared at Wukong with her beautiful eyes and said, “You have seen where Mount Buzhou broke apart.”

Wukong nodded and said, “I still can’t figure out exactly what grudge exists between the Water God Gonggong and Zhuanxu. Could you explain it to me in detail?”

Zhu Rong replied softly, “What’s the point of explaining it? Back then, when we realized we had accidentally killed the Divine Ape of Creation, we were filled with extreme conflict. Although we wanted to die to atone for our sins, we were also unwilling to give up. If the main culprit went unpunished and we died like this, wouldn’t it bring pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies?”

“We were filled with grief and anger. We wanted to live, yet we were reluctant to leave the prosperous world. Once we entered, we didn’t know when we could come out—perhaps we would be trapped in the belly of the Kunpeng for eternity.”

“Although it was possible to survive in the belly of the Kunpeng, some people didn’t want to go there. Zhuanxu and Gonggong strongly advocated finding the culprit. It was better to die than to hide and live in shame.”

“I naturally disagreed. Although Gonggong was the Water God, his temper was even more violent than mine. On the day before entering the Kunpeng’s belly, he came to me and asked to marry me.”

“Oh?” Wukong was slightly surprised. Gonggong bringing up marriage at this time indeed put Zhu Rong in a difficult position.

Zhu Rong said, “I was extremely troubled at that time and refused him without thinking. Our cultivation methods were opposite—fire and water. Even talking to each other led to arguments. Though we were betrothed, I never took marriage to him seriously.”
“Gonggong knew your thoughts. Why then did he still ask you to marry him?” Wukong asked in confusion.
Zhu Rong replied, “He said that if we married, he would do as I said.”
“I just didn’t believe it. I knew his temperament all too well. It was rare for him not to argue with me. How could he obey me? He just wanted me to follow him and find the culprit together.”
Wukong said, “So you refused him!”
Zhu Rong nodded. “Of course. Later… you also learned what happened. Gonggong was filled with indescribable hatred, determined to destroy heaven and earth. He knew that the Pillar of Heaven was what held up the world. If he could knock it down, everything—good and bad, beautiful and ugly—would turn to dust.” Zhu Rong smiled bitterly. “Zhu Xu naturally didn’t want to see Gonggong act recklessly. He tried hard to stop him, but failed. Gonggong still crashed into Mount Buzhou.”
“He was determined to die. How could I not know? Though we argued, after spending time together, I treated him like an elder brother. My heart ached greatly, but I never thought it was me who caused his death!”
“Ah!” Wukong was shocked. Zhu Rong had such thoughts? How could that be?
Zhu Rong continued, “You know the colors of the five elements—black for water, red for fire. I only wore red clothes, while Gonggong wore black. But on the day he came to find me, he was dressed in white.”
Wukong still didn’t understand and asked, “Dressed in white? What does that matter?”
As Zhu Rong spoke, tears streamed down his face. He wept and said, “I only hate myself for being so stupid. It took me so many years to understand his feelings. White corresponds to metal in the West, and fire can overcome metal. By wearing white, he was clearly showing weakness to me.”
“It was the first time he had shown weakness to me since we met. Yet I didn’t understand him.”
Wukong finally understood. Given Gonggong’s temperament, it was utterly impossible for him to admit fault to Zhu Rong. Their arguments were just ordinary quarrels; there was nothing to apologize for. Changing clothes was indeed a clever idea, but the timing was wrong. Not to mention Zhu Rong was already careless, and with everyone else in chaos back then, who could have thought of this?
It was a pity that these two lovers who should have been together were separated by death because of such subtle hints.

Zhu Rong continued, “In my dreams, there’s always a figure in white, so vague that I can’t make out their face. I’m not afraid of making you laugh, but among the three realms, when you first took on the form of fire and later transformed into a scholar in white, I mistakenly thought that person was you. It wasn’t until you mastered the other five elements that I realized I was wrong. That person was actually Gonggong. I resented and blamed him, yet deep down, I never forgot him.”

The more Zhu Rong thought about it, the more painful it became. This matter had lingered in her heart for countless years, and finally, she found an opportunity to talk about it. Dayu, Hou Tu, and the others either knew or didn’t know about it, but they always deliberately avoided discussing it in her presence. Having suppressed her feelings for so long, Zhu Rong finally decided to talk openly with Wukong.

Wukong didn’t try to dissuade her—first, because he was at a loss, and second, because he understood that the tears Zhu Rong shed were an expression of her emotions. Having accumulated over time, it was better to let them out.

Zhu Rong cried until her eyes were red and swollen before gradually stopping. She turned away, took out a small mirror to look at herself, and then turned back, having returned to her usual appearance.

Wukong asked, “Sis, are you okay?”

Zhu Rong replied, “I’m fine. I won’t think about him anymore.”

Wukong said, “Ignoring it is just deceiving yourself. Just take care of yourself. It’s not your fault—this is all the will of fate.”

Zhu Rong nodded firmly and said, “The will of fate? Aren’t you that fate? How can you be so cruel?”

Her question was meant as a joke, but Wukong was struck by it. Indeed, fate has no fixed nature—there are both good and bad aspects. He had once naively believed that fate was inherently good, but in the hands of evil people, it becomes a scourge to the world.

Zhu Rong said, “I was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

Wukong replied, “I didn’t take it seriously.”

Zhu Rong said, “Then let’s go. Since you’ve come looking for me, you must also be looking for the Golden Divine Tree and the Divine Tree of Life.”

Wukong thought for a moment and said, “I’m not sure if it will disturb their meditation.”

Zhu Rong retorted, “Aren’t you afraid of disturbing me?”

Wukong was stunned and stammered, “Well… that’s different.”

Zhu Rong laughed. Wukong didn’t treat her as an outsider, which made her very happy.

The two went together to call Gu Muang and Ru Shou. Wukong was hesitant, but Zhu Rong paid no attention and quickly summoned the two. Dayu came out upon hearing the noise. Wukong briefly told him about reforging the Heavenly Mechanism Staff. Dayu said, “I’ll go with you too to see if I can help.” Wukong rejoiced, “That would be great!”

The five left Qitian Ridge and headed toward the Northern Sea to search for Wu Zhiqi. Since the Water God was absent, Wu Zhiqi was the most skilled in controlling water in the world.

That day on Lion Camel Ridge, Xuan Nu ordered everyone to return to Qi Tian Ridge. Wu Zhi Qi and Fu Hai Jiao preferred to live in the water, so they went back to the Northern Sea. Wu Zhi Qi arrived instantly at Wu Kong’s call; without asking why, he followed Wu Kong out of the Northern Sea.

The six of them then headed toward the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds to forge the Heavenly Secret Staff, and they needed a secluded place for it. The realm where Hou Tu resided was an ideal spot.

As they neared the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds, a golden light flashed before them, and more than a dozen Buddha figures appeared out of thin air, blocking the path. Upon closer inspection, they recognized them as the Buddha of Guiding to Truth, the Buddha of the Precious Banner, and the Buddha of the World-Lighting Lamp; the rest were strangers.

The Buddha of Guiding to Truth spoke kindly, “Wu Kong, where are you going?”

At first, Wu Kong was shocked, but then he realized it was expected. Since the Heavenly Secret Staff was so important, how could the Tathagata not know? Perhaps from the moment the Three Pure Ones descended to earth, the Tathagata had already known he was going to fetch the Five Elements’ Extremes. Had those who came to the Spirit Mountain come to capture him, or to seize the Heavenly Secret Staff or the Five Elements’ Extremes?

Wu Kong assessed the situation. There were only six of them, and Wu Zhi Qi’s cultivation was weak; even in one-on-one fights, they might be at a disadvantage. If a battle broke out, they were likely to suffer losses. Coming here full of enthusiasm only to return defeated was unbearable for him.

Just as he was at a loss, a dragon’s roar came from the sky, and three figures appeared before him in an instant. The leader was an old woman. Seeing her, Wu Kong exclaimed in joy, “Mother of Li Mountain!”

It was indeed Mother of Li Mountain, followed by Zi Wei and Zhen Wu.

Wu Kong was amazed. Mother of Li Mountain was extremely mysterious. She held a very high status—even Guanyin Buddha would address her as a junior. She transcended the distinctions between Buddhism and Taoism and seemed to be on good terms with Ran Deng and Maitreya, showing kindness even toward Wu Kong. Although she had hindered his quest for the scriptures several times, it was arranged by Ran Deng, not out of personal grudges.

Seeing Zi Wei and Zhen Wu following Mother of Li Mountain like servants, Wu Kong became even more curious.

The Buddha of Guiding to Truth never expected them to provoke Mother of Li Mountain, and his expression changed instantly. Not only was Mother of Li Mountain unfathomable, but Zi Wei and Zhen Wu were also extraordinary beings. A fierce battle was about to unfold.

Mother of Li Mountain stepped into the formation and said to the Buddha of Guiding to Truth, “Buddha of Guiding to Truth, have you given up being a Buddha to become a bandit?”

Humiliated by her mockery, the Buddha of Guiding to Truth dared not retort. He said, “The World-Honored One ordered me to capture Sun Wukong and bring him back. I dare not disobey.”

Mother of Li Mountain snorted and said, “Even the Tathagata resorts to such demeaning actions. Isn’t he afraid of being laughed at?”

At this moment, Zhenwu stepped forward and said to the Old Mother of Lishan, “Auntie, for these scoundrels, there’s no need for you to speak even to reprimand them; just leave them to your young nephew.” When Zhenwu spoke, Wukong became even more puzzled—Auntie? Zhenwu was the leader of all the fish; how could there be such a thing as an auntie?