Volume 1: Unsayable – Chapter 25: The Bull Demon King

Everything was settled, and the bet between the two continued. Wukong took Hu Zhi and Hu Yu with him and soared on the clouds, with the Bull Demon King closely following.
Flying on clouds was no ordinary skill; carrying an extra person had a significant impact. Only after ascending the clouds did Wukong realize that with two people on board, he could no longer use his somersault cloud technique. This was indeed a mistake.
Seeing the Bull Demon King’s clouds growing farther ahead, Wukong smiled bitterly. But it didn’t matter. If he could win over the Bull Demon King, Flower-Fruit Mountain wouldn’t have to be supported by him alone. Accepting such a brother-in-arms was also a sign of resilience.
As he was thinking about this, the Bull Demon King suddenly returned on the clouds. Wukong asked in surprise, “Brother Niu, why have you come back?” The Bull Demon King replied gloomily, “I lost my way!”
Wukong laughed heartily, “In that case, Brother Niu, you’ll have to follow behind.”
The Bull Demon King asked cautiously, “Then… does our bet from earlier still count?”
Wukong smiled and said, “Of course not. If there’s a chance, let’s have another match, how about that?”
Hearing this, the Bull Demon King patted his chest and said, “Of course! Next time, we must find a place with familiar paths!”
With their superb cloud-flying skills, they reached the land of Eastern Victory Continent in just an hour or so. From afar, Wukong saw the appearance of Flower-Fruit Mountain and felt joy. Pointing at it, he said, “Brother, can you see that sacred mountain? That’s my hometown.”
As they got closer, the Bull Demon King pointed downward and said, “Indeed a beautiful mountain. Even the little demons guarding it are so fierce!”
Wukong took a closer look and snapped, “Those aren’t any little demons guarding the mountain—they’re clearly invaders!”
The Bull Demon King laughed and said, “Another task for me!” With his massive frame, he plunged downward like a swallow diving into the forest. Wukong, worried that the Bull Demon King might harm his own people, followed closely behind.
There was a great uproar in front of Flower-Fruit Mountain. There stood a man over thirty feet tall, with a thick waist and broad back, clad in shiny black armor, wearing a black-gold helmet, and holding a long, gleaming sword. Behind him were hundreds of little demons, all making a racket.
The terrain here was very steep, but it was the best route to climb the mountain. The Four Great Marshals had set up camps here and built several impregnable passes. Without supernatural flying skills, it was difficult to cross them.
Upon seeing this man’s appearance, Wukong immediately understood who he was. This was the first opponent Wukong faced after leaving the mountain in the original story—known as the “Demon King of Chaos.” Back then, Wukong had no weapon and had to fight bare-handed to seize a sword and kill. Now, with his powerful Ruyi Jingu Bang in hand, even ten Demon Kings of Chaos wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

The Bull Demon King was overjoyed upon seeing the mighty appearance of the World-Subverting Demon King. Relying on his own strength, he always sought an opponent of equal power to satisfy his desire for a fair fight. Then the World-Subverting Demon King said, “I am the World-Subverting Demon King of the north of Aolai Country. You’ve built your mountain for so long—why haven’t you sent any tributes?” Wukong stepped forward and laughed, “Are you insane? Coming here to demand tributes? Don’t you know that my grandfather only takes from others; he never gives anything away?”

Seeing Wukong’s thin and shriveled frame, the World-Subverting Demon King laughed heartily, “So it’s just a monkey. It seems Huaguo Mountain really has no one left.”

Before Wukong could reply, the Bull Demon King couldn’t hold back any longer. He grew taller in an instant, reaching over sixty feet, and looked down at the World-Subverting Demon King, saying, “If you want something big, I’ll give you something big.”

Seeing his magical transformations, Wukong also couldn’t stay calm. He took out his Golden Cudgel, waved it in the wind, and it turned into a steel pillar over a foot thick. With a gentle push, he sent the Golden Cudgel flying at the World-Subverting Demon King.

The World-Subverting Demon King quickly threw away his steel knife and tried to hold back the pillar with both hands. But he couldn’t withstand the weight of 13,500 jin. In an instant, that domineering demon king turned into a pool of flesh and blood, while the hundreds of minor demons scattered in panic.

Seeing Wukong defeat the World-Subverting Demon King with just one cudgel, the Bull Demon King sighed and said, “A thing that looks good but is useless. All my excitement was for nothing.”

Wukong smiled on the surface but grew suspicious in his heart. He had seen the World-Subverting Demon King’s eyes clearly earlier. Though the demon king appeared terrifying and ruthless, there was an undeniable trace of fear and helplessness in his gaze. And when the Golden Cudgel pressed down on him, his expression seemed almost relieved.

There was an indescribable feeling, and Wukong believed he hadn’t misseen anything. Judging from the World-Subverting Demon King’s abilities, he must have practiced cultivation for at least five or six hundred years. Anyone with a bit of self-awareness would know that such skills were utterly insignificant in the realm of cultivation. Yet strangely, such an ordinary minor demon dared to call himself the World-Subverting Demon King and come to Huaguo Mountain to provoke them.

Wukong clearly remembered that a few days ago, when he left Huaguo Mountain, he had circled around Aolai Country and seen several towering mountains in the north filled with demonic energy, with dark clouds hanging overhead day and night. If the World-Subverting Demon King had started there, at best he could have been a mountain guard. How had he ended up at Huaguo Mountain? And why did he act as if he was ready to sacrifice himself? He couldn’t figure it out for now. Wukong put this matter aside for the time being, deciding to visit that place again in his free time.

He put away the Golden Cudgel and led the Bull Demon King, as well as Hu Zhi and Hu Yu, to enjoy all the beautiful scenery on Flower-Fruit Mountain. Indeed, the three of them marveled at it repeatedly, much to Wukong’s joy. He entrusted Hu Zhi and Hu Yu to Marshal Ba for care, then took the Bull Demon King eastward to the vast ocean to watch the tides.

The two arrived on a high cliff, watching the clouds drift across the sky and the tides rise and fall below. For a moment, it seemed as if everything in the world was silent, with only two figures—tall and short—standing motionless.

After a long while, Wukong sighed and said, “The wind brings the tides from afar, yet the shore, indifferent, sends them back day after day.”

The Bull Demon King replied, “Brother, why be so sad? The tides come and go, but the white clouds remain.”

Wukong was greatly surprised to hear such wise words from the Bull Demon King. Seeing the Bull Demon King smile sheepishly with a hint of cunning in his expression, Wukong praised him, “Brother Niu truly embodies wisdom disguised as simplicity. I admire you!”

Yet the Bull Demon King’s expression gradually darkened as he said, “What’s the use of that?” It seemed he was recalling some past events.

At that moment, a huge wave surged from below, rushing like a galloping horse and crashing against the rocks on the shore before shattering into countless pieces of white jade that disappeared into the sea. In just a short while, another wave came from afar, with the same outcome.

The Bull Demon King said, “It has form but no substance; ultimately, it’s useless.”

Wukong replied, “Water is smooth and adaptable. Brother Niu sees only its variability but fails to realize its ability to penetrate everywhere.” He lightly used his magic to lift a rock from the water’s edge and examined it closely. The rock seemed hard on the outside but contained countless tiny holes inside. With a gentle squeeze, it turned to dust.

The Bull Demon King murmured thoughtfully, “Indeed, it can penetrate everywhere.”

Wukong said, “This rock appears unbreakable for thousands of years and immovable for ten thousand years. The same is true of tides—over time, it is the immobile that loses and the adaptable that wins.” This principle was something Wukong had heard from a philosophy teacher in his past life. He found it fitting to apply it here and spoke casually.

Sure enough, the Bull Demon King looked at Wukong with even more surprise. He imitated him, picked up a rock, and found it true!

“People are like tides, and the world is like rocks. As time passes, everything changes. Who can clearly determine who wins and who loses?” asked the Bull Demon King.

Wukong replied solemnly, “Though victory and defeat are not yet clear, the desire to win should be like the tide—no matter how shattered one becomes, one can reunite and start over.”

The Bull Demon King pondered for a long time, gazing at the relentless tides that never retreated. He gained further insight. Wukong did not disturb him but simply stayed with him, quietly watching the waves.

After a while, the Bull Demon King bowed solemnly to Wukong and said, “Thank you for your guidance. I have learned much from you.”

Wukong hurriedly said, “We’re just chatting casually here—how could there be any talk of giving advice?”
The Bull Demon King replied, “It’s rare that we get along so well. If you don’t mind, how about we become sworn brothers?”
Wukong was overjoyed and said, “That’s exactly what I was thinking!”
The two returned to the Water Curtain Cave. Wukong instructed the little monkeys to set up an altar, and together they raised wine and burned incense to swear brotherhood. When it came to ages, the Bull Demon King was an ancient demon who had practiced cultivation for thousands of years, far older than Wukong, so naturally he became the elder brother.
As they swore brotherhood, Wukong’s mind was filled with thoughts: Could it be that the Seven Great Saints would gather here again? Back when Wukong caused havoc in Heaven, the other six great saints merely watched from afar without intervening. How could such brotherly bonds even arise? It seems that cultivators are no different from ordinary people—only interests matter most. But since I’ve come to this world, none of this will happen to me. If the day comes when I really have to cause chaos in Heaven, I’ll drag you all down with me, even if I have to force you.
The Bull Demon King drank the wine in his cup and noticed a strange smile on Wukong’s face. He asked, “Younger brother, why are you smiling?”
Wukong pretended to be profound and said, “I’m smiling because I thought of that World-Rending Demon King.”