Volume 1: Unsayable – Chapters 5 and 6: The Battle between the Lion and the Roc
Everyone stood in silence, watching the flames in quiet awe. The Bull Demon King urged, “There’s still light in the sky; it’s better to set off early.” The Nine Spirits Sage replied slowly, “The mountains are covered with trees. We must wait until the fire burns out to avoid starting a new blaze.”
Wukong felt warmth in his heart. The Nine Spirits Sage was indeed considerate—still thinking of others even in the midst of his own grief. Such behavior was rare among demons. Wukong said, “Alright, then let’s wait until the fire dies out. Once it’s dark, will that hinder our journey?”
In short, after settling matters there, the group set off toward Flower-Fruit Mountain. Among the many minor demons, some couldn’t fly on clouds, so Wukong and his three companions each took dozens of them, slowing down their progress greatly. It took them two full days and nights to reach Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Several rays of light descended upon the cliff by the sea. Wu Zhiqi and King Yu of the Yu Monkeys came out to greet them early. To Wukong’s surprise, the Sea-Submerging Dragon also came to welcome them, filling him with joy.
But upon closer inspection, he saw that the Sea-Submerging Dragon was covered in wounds. Wukong was shocked—few in the world could hurt the Sea-Submerging Dragon. Could it be that some powerful enemy had arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain these days? Yet seeing Wu Zhiqi and King Yu smiling and chatting with the Nine Spirits Sage, he felt relieved.
The Sea-Submerging Dragon noticed the concern in Wukong’s eyes and felt a strange emotion. Ever since his parents died and his family was destroyed, he had wandered alone in the vast oceans for years, never once having someone care about him. The Sea-Submerging Dragon said, “These past few days, a Golden-Winged Roc has come, demanding that you come out. I was furious and fought against it several times.”
Wukong thought to himself, What does the Golden-Winged Roc want here? The last incident was already a mutual repayment; it’s settled. If I don’t go after it, how dare it come after me? But aloud, he asked, “Did you suffer any losses? Don’t worry. When it comes again, I’ll fight back for you.”
The Sea-Submerging Dragon laughed. “We fought in the sky, and I suffered slight losses. Yesterday, I lured it into the sea and used my Sea-Submerging technique to make it spit blood and flee. It was a draw.”
Wukong was very pleased. He had already witnessed the Sea-Submerging Dragon’s prowess. Aside from Wu Zhiqi, perhaps no one else could fight it in the sea. Wukong asked, “Will that roc come again today?”
The Sea-Submerging Dragon shook his head. “I don’t know. With just a flap of its wings, it vanishes without a trace. Its arrival and departure are as swift as the wind, beyond ordinary comprehension.”
At that moment, someone shouted, “Look! It’s here!”
Wukong glanced toward the sky and indeed saw a golden bird floating like a cloud—it was the Golden-Winged Roc.
The Sea Dragon saw the Golden-Winged Roc and quickly leaped up, shouting, “That bird, has its wound fully healed?”
The Golden-Winged Roc snapped, “You wretched reptile, always resorting to schemes and tricks. Do you dare fight me fairly for a few rounds?” This Golden-Winged Roc was the nemesis of dragon-like creatures, and the Sea Dragon truly couldn’t match it in the air. So it said, “I was born and raised in water—how could I give up what’s natural for something inferior?”
The Golden-Winged Roc didn’t reply, only laughing sneeringly with disdain.
Wukong asked, “What brings you here again?”
The Golden-Winged Roc replied, “I’m bored today, so I thought I’d find someone to fight.”
Wukong laughed and said, “What bold claims! Be careful—don’t get killed outside and end up unable to return home. Wouldn’t that be tragic?”
The Golden-Winged Roc laughed heartily, “It’s not arrogance on my part. If anyone can capture me, I’m willing to take them as my master.”
Wukong fell silent. This Golden-Winged Roc was indeed cunning. Not only did it claim to surpass him, but it also said it could capture him. With his lightning-fast movements, who could be faster than him?
At that moment, the Nine-Spirit Sage said, “Will you keep your word?”
Seeing a stranger he didn’t recognize, the Golden-Winged Roc also smiled and replied, “If you can capture me, how could I possibly break my word?”
The Nine-Spirit Sage said, “Good, good, good.” At the same time, he leaped upward in an instant, vanishing as if ascending a ladder. By the time he said the third “good,” he was already standing in front of the Golden-Winged Roc.
The Golden-Winged Roc was stunned. “So he does have some skills.” It flapped its two giant, sail-like wings together, generating a powerful gust of wind that struck the Nine-Spirit Sage’s head.
The Nine-Spirit Sage neither dodged nor flinched. With a slight movement, his three heads separated—the one on the right opened its massive mouth and sent a counterwind. The two gusts collided, causing the Golden-Winged Roc to grunt in pain as it retreated several feet, flapping its wings to stabilize itself.
Earlier, it had only been testing. Now that it saw the Nine-Spirit Sage wasn’t an easy opponent, the Golden-Winged Roc transformed into human form, wielding a Square Heaven Halberd. Its central spearhead glowed brightly, while the crescent blades on either side shone with a faint blood-red light, hinting at countless lives it had slain.
Pointing the halberd at the Nine-Spirit Sage, it said, “Let’s fight with weapons!”
The Nine-Spirit Sage’s three heads shook simultaneously as he slowly said, “No need for weapons. I can capture you within ten rounds.”
The Golden-Winged Roc, enraged, laughed and charged with his halberd, combining it with his unparalleled agility. His attacks came like a storm, with the halberd never leaving the Nine-Spirit Sage’s vicinity.
The Nine-Spirit Sage didn’t fight back either; he merely dodged left and right. In a moment of carelessness, his left shoulder was struck. The spearhead was incredibly sharp, and blood splattered from the air.
The Bull Demon King exclaimed anxiously, “That’s bad!” He leaped up to rescue the man, but Wukong grabbed him and said, “Brother, don’t rush. It’s not too late to watch a bit longer.”
Before Wukong could finish speaking, the Nine Spirit Primordial Sage slowly descended from the sky. Nine heads had appeared on his neck at some point—three in the middle, their mouths wide open, holding none other than the Golden-Winged Roc.
It turned out that the Nine Spirit Primordial Sage saw that the Golden-Winged Roc’s speed was beyond his reach, so he pretended to be vulnerable to lure the roc closer, using a ruse to make it relax slightly. In an instant, he produced nine heads and captured the roc.
The three large mouths—one on the left bit the roc’s shoulder, one in the middle held it around the waist, and the one on the right bit its legs. The roc’s ribcage and waist were trapped, leaving it powerless, though it could still shout, “All of this is a scheme! Come and fight me again!”
On the ground, the Bull Demon King, the Sea-Destroying Dragon, Wang Yu, Wu Zhiqi, and Feng Tong were all shocked to see the Nine Spirit Primordial Sage capture the Golden-Winged Roc alive. Although they had first provoked the enemy and suffered injuries, they admitted they couldn’t have achieved such a result themselves. The Nine Spirit Primordial Sage transformed from three heads to nine in an instant, and none of them saw the process clearly.
Wukong was different. He knew well that although the Nine Spirit Primordial Sage was low-key, his skills made him undoubtedly the strongest among them. Seeing that the Golden-Winged Roc showed no fear and only kept shouting, Wukong said, “Congratulations, Brother Primordial Sage! You’ve managed to capture this Golden-Winged Roc. I doubt there’s ever been anyone before or after you who could do this.” The Nine Spirit Primordial Sage replied indifferently, “It’s nothing to boast about.”
The Golden-Winged Roc was enraged by the Nine Spirit Primordial Sage’s words but was at his mercy and dared not speak again. Wukong asked, “Brother Primordial Sage, why not let him go?”
The Bull Demon King hurriedly said, “No! If we let him go, he’ll run away and keep harassing our Flower-Fruit Mountain again. What then?”
Wukong shook his head. “The Golden-Winged Roc is a unique being in the world, a supreme demon. He wouldn’t do such a foolish thing. I think he’s come to Flower-Fruit Mountain several times for important matters, right?”
Seeing Wukong speak so seriously, the Golden-Winged Roc quickly realized what was going on and said, “Thank goodness there’s still a smart person. I came to see you the other day, but that vile dragon attacked me without hesitation. How reckless and foolish!” The Sea-Destroying Dragon, angered by the roc’s reversal of truth, snapped, “You—”
Wukong stopped the Sea-Destroying Dragon with a glance and waved his hand, saying, “It’s all a misunderstanding. Brother Primordial Sage, since the Golden-Winged Roc has matters to discuss, it must be very important. Why not come to the Water Curtain Cave? We can all enjoy the sweet springs and fine wine of Flower-Fruit Mountain. Wouldn’t that be delightful?”
As soon as the Nine Spirit Primordial Saint spoke, he threw the Golden-Winged Roc to the ground. Sure enough, the roc was agile; with a twist of its waist, it stood firmly again. It glared at the Nine Spirit Primordial Saint but dared not speak, likely scared by this attack.
Wukong summoned Marshal Ma Liu to find a suitable mountain for the Nine Spirit Primordial Saint’s followers and to prepare all necessary items. Flower-Fruit Mountain originally had forty thousand demons under the command of seventy-two demon kings, with abundant resources. Moreover, the mountain was vast and fertile, offering fresh fruits and grains throughout the year, so the addition of a few hundred more people was not much of a concern.
Outside Water Curtain Cave, lanterns were hung and music played. It was the first time the seven great sages had gathered together, and only Wukong understood the significance of this moment.