Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 386: Uncomfortable

Wukong flew without touching the ground, passing through countless stone walls as he rushed straight into the stone chamber. There, he saw Tang Seng sitting casually on the bed, lacking any trace of a high monk’s demeanor. His robe had been taken off at some point, leaving him in just an undergarment. To Wukong’s surprise, Tang Seng wasn’t crying or grieving as he had imagined; instead, he was chatting cheerfully.

When Wukong rushed in, Tang Seng waved his hand and said, “Wukong, come and sit.”
Wukong looked stunned, glancing between Tang Seng and Feng Tong, not knowing what to say.
Feng Tong asked with a smile, “What’s wrong?”
Wukong transmitted a message, “Um… are you sure he’s the Yin-Yang Divine Ape?”
Feng Tong replied, “How could there be any doubt? That’s just how Yin and Yang nature works. Oh, you still haven’t remembered?”
Just like that? His temperament seemed overly carefree—almost heartless.
Then Tang Seng said, “Feng Tong, do you think someone harmed my Seven Divine Apes? How?”
Feng Tong answered, “I don’t need to explain much. In a few days, you’ll remember on your own.”
Tang Seng nodded and then said to Wukong, “Wukong, he says I’m the Yin-Yang Divine Ape. Do you believe it?”
Wukong nodded. “I already knew that.”
Tang Seng snorted. “If you already knew, why didn’t you tell me?”
Wukong felt a strong sense of disorientation. This Tang Seng seemed angry yet annoyed, completely different from his usual calm and composed behavior. He kept reminding himself that it was just his personality.
Tang Seng fell silent for a while. Wukong and Feng Tong didn’t know what he was thinking, but as Tang Seng’s eyelids drooped and his complexion worsened, he murmured, “I should rest for a while, okay?”
Feng Tong transmitted to Wukong, “His body is too weak. He needs more rest.”
Wukong nodded, glanced at Feng Tong, then at Tang Seng. Of the seven divine apes, only the Yin-Yang Divine Ape still had a human form—it was quite awkward. Throughout their journey westward, Tang Seng had slept outdoors many times, and Wukong was well accustomed to his sleeping posture. But the Tang Seng before him was curled up, hugging his knees like a little monkey.
Wukong felt a pang of pity and, without hesitation, took out the jade box from his bosom, placed it beside Tang Seng, and led Feng Tong out of the cave.
Wukong said to Feng Tong, “I’ll give him a peach. That should help him recover faster.”
Feng Tong replied, “Of course. But after eating the peach and having the essence of creation enter his body, it’s unclear how long it will take him to wake up.”
Wukong said, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay here with him. You still have an important task to attend to.”

Tongfeng asked, “What’s the matter?”
Wukong told Tongfeng about the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Formation and said, “This formation was ordered by Buddha for Guanyin to set up. Though I don’t know exactly what purpose it serves, it surely can’t be anything good. How about we dismantle it?”
Tongfeng replied, “This formation indeed has the power to traverse the heavens, but it’s extremely difficult to gather all the necessary people.”
Wukong suddenly remembered that the Nine-Headed Worm had also mentioned the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Formation’s ability to traverse the heavens, so it seemed his words were true. He also recalled that the Nine-Headed Worm used to be Nieyao Jiu Feng, but was later enlightened by a Taoist who imparted wisdom and supernatural powers to him, enabling him to reach the rank of Taiyi Golden Immortal. This Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Formation was something that Taoist had taught him to create.
At first, Wukong thought this Taoist was the same person who had stolen the Creation Furnace, but after learning that it was Randaling who had taken it, he immediately dismissed that idea.
As it stood, Randaling had nothing to do with the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Formation. Even if it were him, how could he hand over the entire matter involving the Nine-Headed Worm to Buddha? Therefore, the Taoist who enlightened the Nine-Headed Worm and Buddha must have been on the same side all along. Wukong even guessed that perhaps Buddha had also disguised himself as a Taoist and wandered among the world.
Wukong asked Tongfeng, “This formation is currently in the Zizai Palace in the South Sea. Do you still remember it?”
Tongfeng replied, “If the Zizai Palace is still there, I can surely find it. But Guanyin is extremely powerful; I’m no match for her.”
Wukong said, “How could I let you go alone into danger? Your task is just to destroy the formation. There are others who can handle the fighting.” He considered possible candidates. Jiuling Yuansheng was someone Buddha wanted to capture, so he couldn’t be put at risk. The Great Roc was good at fighting in the air but lacked skills in water. The Ox Demon King had the Water-Repelling Golden-Eyed Beast, which would be perfect for this task. Zhu Rong, as the Fire God, naturally couldn’t enter the South Sea, but Jumang and Rushou could go.
Wukong added, “How about having the Wood God, the Metal God, and the Old Ox accompany you?”
Tongfeng said, “That way, defeating Guanyin will be a piece of cake.”
Wukong summoned the three of them and explained the situation. The Ox Demon King scratched his head and said, “My Water-Repelling Golden-Eyed Beast isn’t here. I kept it in the Tongtian River.”
Wukong rejoiced, “That’s perfect! When you go to the South Sea, take the Beast along as well—it will be a great help.”
The Ox Demon King said, “Okay. I haven’t seen Lao Si in a while.”
The Great Roc was displeased and asked, “Why can’t I go?”
Wukong smiled and asked, “Third brother, how good are your skills in water?”
The Great Roc replied, “Though I dislike being in water, I can keep watch from above and provide support without causing any problems.”

Wukong thought for a moment and said, “Third brother, you make a good point. Then you go to wait for them at sea. If reinforcements come from the west, be sure to set up a formation to confront them. If the situation becomes urgent, just head straight to Qitianling for help.”
Dapeng nodded and said, “That’s exactly what should be done.”
They set off immediately. Wukong figured that a few of them going to destroy that formation should be foolproof—even if there were two Guanyins, they wouldn’t be able to stop them. He pondered further about this Great Five Elements Spiritual Blood Formation—was it meant to travel through the heavens? Did it aim to escape this world? If this was also part of the Buddha’s plan from the previous era, then it must be about breaking free from this realm. Whatever he intended to do, they would just disrupt him! Wukong didn’t want to think too much. He felt that opposing the Buddha was always the right choice. Afraid that Tang Seng might wake up, he headed back to the stone chamber.
※　※　※
Meanwhile, Jumang and Rushou, along with the Bull Demon King, Fengtong, and Dapeng, headed straight for the Tongtian River. Fuhai Jiao was idly training his naval forces there. Seeing them arrive in such large numbers, he was overjoyed and went up to greet them, asking, “Are you here to fight?”
The Bull Demon King asked, “Where is my Water-Parting Golden-Eyed Beast?”
Instead of answering, Fuhai Jiao asked back, “Are you going to fight in the water?”
The Bull Demon King laughed and said, “Isn’t this to invite you? Hurry up and find my mount. If I don’t ride it soon, I’ll forget what it looks like!”
After Ksitigarbha caused a ruckus on the Western Spirit Mountain, Qitianling became even more famous than before. These six people didn’t hide their presence and traveled through the clouds. Along the way, they disturbed countless local deities and gods, who rushed to report the news to the Heavenly Court.
In a short while, they reached the South Sea. Fengtong led the way, using his memory to locate the location of the “Zizai Palace.” He asked, “Who goes in the water first?”
Anxious, the Bull Demon King mounted his Water-Parting Golden-Eyed Beast and dived into the waves. Fuhai Jiao shouted, “Don’t be reckless!” He whipped out his Sea Whip, pointed it, and a path was created through the vast waves. Jumang praised, “What impressive skill!” Fuhai Jiao laughed and said, “It’s just this much skill.”
The group entered one after another along this path. Rushou, wielding twin axes, led the way to the bottom of the sea, where they saw a towering palace—precisely the “Zizai Palace” they were looking for.
By then, the Bull Demon King had already broken down the palace gates. Many celestial beings rushed out of the palace, standing inside in confusion, looking outside. One who seemed to be in charge of the palace shouted, “Who are you? How dare you invade the Buddha’s sacred grounds!”
The Bull Demon King looked around as if it had nothing to do with him and asked, “Is Guanyin Bodhisattva here?”
The man was stunned. Was this brute here to cause trouble or to look for someone? He didn’t know how to respond. Just then, Rushou and the others entered the palace one after another.

Seeing that these people had ill intentions, someone quickly shouted, “Hurry and send a message to the Bodhisattva and the Immortal Elder!”
The group from Qitianling naturally ignored these ordinary figures. Fengtong led the way, charging into the palace with great momentum. A few who were foolish enough to block their path were quickly tied up by Jumang with a simple spell and thrown aside, leaving no one else daring to obstruct them.
The Zizai Palace was vast in size, but with the Western Sea’s Nightlight Wall hanging high above its gates, it was even brighter than during the day. Fengtong saw no dangerous formations inside and began searching everywhere using his swift movements. Jumang and Rushou, knowing that Fengtong was the Creative Divine Ape, stayed close by his side at all times.
Just then, the Bull Demon King burst into loud laughter and said, “Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole, what brings you here?”
Standing at the palace gates, the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole looked at these evil figures from Qitianling and inwardly groaned in frustration. This Zizai Palace had been built together by him and the Bodhisattva Guanyin. He had originally intended to secretly establish a base, gather followers, and build a powerful force—so that no matter whether Buddhism or Taoism prevailed in the future, it would serve as a bargaining chip for him.
The Zizai Palace had a secret communication method; ringing a bell here could send a message to Luojia Mountain and the Zifu Palace in Changzhou. It was because he heard the alarm signal that the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole came to rescue them.
Above the sea, he encountered a Golden-Winged Roc. Without thinking much, he feinted an attack and dived into the water, thinking that Guanyin would arrive soon, and the two of them would be hard to defeat.
Upon entering the palace, he recognized all five of them. Not only were Jumang and Rushou stronger than him, but even Fuhai Jiao alone could defeat thousands in the sea. The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole thought to himself, “Trouble,” but kept a smiling face and asked, “What brings you all here?”
With the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole’s arrival, a tense atmosphere arose. The Bull Demon King asked, “Is this palace yours?”
The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole replied with a smile, “Everyone knows that this Zizai Palace belongs to the Bodhisattva Guanyin. I have been her close friend for many years. I came to visit her today, only to run into you all—”
“Hahaha…” It was the Bull Demon King who laughed loudly. “How many people in the world know about the Zizai Palace? You went to look for Guanyin instead of going to Luojia Mountain. That doesn’t make much sense, does it?”
Fuhai Jiao said coldly, “Whether you’re here to visit relatives or friends, if you want to get involved in this matter, stay. If not, we’ll see your ‘Bodhisattva friend’ another time!”
The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole’s expression grew increasingly grim. The Bull Demon King and Fuhai Jiao showed no respect toward him at all. Hmph, indeed, demons know no manners. But since he was in a weak position now, he had no choice but to pretend to be polite.
The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole said, “All matters in the world ultimately follow one principle—once this door is destroyed—”

“What logic is that?” Roaring Sea Dragon snapped, “Isn’t the precious pearl in the Palace of Freedom obtained by deceiving them from the Western Sea?”