Chapter 75: Treasure-seizing In Lotus Cave
After Ao Tu escaped, Nezha and the others were rescued and each returned.
Those Twenty-Eight Star Constellations were taken to the Heavenly Court.
In the Lingxiao Hall.
The Jade Emperor asked the Twenty-Eight Star Constellations why they rebelled.
The Twenty-Eight Star Constellations knelt below and all answered that they were threatened and controlled by that Demon Dragon using demonic arts.
This one said he acted against his will, that one said he was forced into it.
In short, all the blame was due to the Demon Dragon.
The Jade Emperor, being merciful, saw that the star constellations were all forced into it and ultimately did not punish them severely, only reprimanding them lightly for their dereliction of duty as a warning.
Bao Xiang Kingdom.
Wukong dispelled Ao Tu’s magic, transforming Tang Sanzang back into human form.
That Tang Sanzang had been turned into a tiger, enduring much hardship over many days, his form disheveled. Seeing Wukong, he could not help but say shamefacedly:
“Wukong, you’ve suffered. As your master, I acted willfully and committed a grave error, regretting not heeding your words. Now all these matters are my fault! On this journey, head straight to the Western Paradise, then return directly to the Eastern Land to report to King Tang—your merits come first!”
Wukong replied upon hearing this: “Master, say no more of that. In the future, just recite those sutras less, and that will be the greatest kindness to your disciple.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Wukong, your master previously suffered headaches and now knows how hard it is to resist those sutras. From now on, I absolutely will not recite them lightly.”
Wukong was endlessly grateful upon hearing this.
The master and three disciples were reconciled.
Afterward, Wukong found Princess Bai Hua Xiu, clarified the name and birth details of the Bao Xiang Kingdom King, went to the Underworld, found King Yama, and had him check the Book of Life and Death to see if the Bao Xiang Kingdom King had already entered reincarnation.
King Yama dared not refuse, searched through it once, found the Bao Xiang Kingdom King’s name, saw he was still alive in the mortal realm, feared he had made a mistake, asked Wukong again, and confirmed it was this person, then cautiously said:
“Great Sage, the person you asked me to find seems to still be alive in the mortal realm.”
Wukong angrily said: “Search carefully, don’t get it wrong!”
King Yama had no choice but to search two more times, still finding it was this person, and said: “Great Sage, no mistake—it’s this person, and he’s still alive!”
Wukong said: “Ba Jie said he poked nine holes in him with one rake—how could he still be alive? Are you sure you didn’t find the wrong person?”
King Yama said: “No mistake, it’s this person.”
Wukong fell into contemplation upon hearing this.
Seeing this, King Yama said: “How about this lowly god sends someone to summon him early?”
Wukong said: “You old King Yama, you can summon people early? Fine, best if he’s not dead—Old Sun is leaving!”
Wukong vaguely guessed what was going on.
Given his understanding of Ao Tu, Ao Tu would not casually harm people. The king’s survival was most likely Ao Tu’s doing.
Wukong leaped out of the Underworld, returned to the mortal realm, told Tang Sanzang the situation, and the group then searched for the king.
Soon, in a side hall of the imperial palace, they found the Bao Xiang Kingdom King.
The Bao Xiang Kingdom King told the group how he had been saved by the Spirit Mountain King Buddha and said the Buddha instructed him to stay in this side hall, only leaving after the group found him. Tang Sanzang and his disciples’ luggage was also kept here.
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang pressed his palms together at his chest and silently recited: “Namo Spirit Mountain King Buddha.”
Wukong had sharp ears and asked: “Master, what are you reciting?”
Tang Sanzang said: “Nothing.”
Afterward, the Bao Xiang Kingdom King thanked the master and three disciples again.
They prepared a vegetarian banquet and opened the eastern pavilion.
After several days, the master and three disciples received the king’s grace and bid farewell to head west.
Meanwhile, Ao Tu arrived in the Flat-Top Mountain area.
After the battle with Guanyin, Ao Tu was severely injured.
His dragon body was torn, dragon scales shattered, and his internal injuries were very serious.
Fortunately, Ao Tu had many treasures on hand.
After refining a nine-thousand-year Immortal Peach, Ao Tu not only recovered from his injuries but also saw some growth in his cultivation.
At this time, the obstruction reward for Bao Xiang Kingdom had not yet been settled. Ao Tu estimated that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had not yet left Bao Xiang Kingdom territory, so progress was still increasing.
There was no need to worry about the rewards.
The half-year progress reward had already been achieved during the battle with Guanyin; now it was just a matter of seeing how many extra days could be gained.
He wondered what changes would occur after refining the Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood.
Ao Tu had now come to the Flat-Top Mountain area to set up obstructions in advance against Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
This Flat-Top Mountain area spanned six hundred li front to back and was the territory of Golden Horn and Silver Horn.
These two were boy servants of Lao Jun, reincarnated into the mortal realm here, carrying five treasures for protection: Seven Star Sword, Banana Fan, Golden Rope, Purple Gold Red Gourd, and Sheep Fat Jade Pure Bottle.
These treasures were all top-tier spiritual treasures, more powerful than those on Ao Tu.
Unfortunately, Golden Horn and Silver Horn were not the true owners of the treasures and could not unleash their full power. Moreover, their strength was significantly less than Sun Wukong’s, so in the original story, they ended up in miserable defeat.
Ao Tu planned to team up with Golden Horn and Silver Horn, strengthen each other, and together obstruct the journey for sutras team.
Entering the Flat-Top Mountain area, he saw a fine range of mountains.
Towering ridges, sheer sharp peaks; winding deep ravines, isolated steep cliffs.
Summit ridges, vertical cliffs, like steps and benches, like trenches and pits.
Mountains so high they block sun and stars, often encountering demons and gray wolves. Grass paths overgrown, hard for horses to advance—how to reach Thunderclap Temple to see the Buddha King.
Ao Tu had previously sent Tiger Vanguard to Black Water River, instructing him to wait at Flat-Top Mountain upon return, so Tiger Vanguard should be somewhere in the mountains by now.
Ao Tu gazed into the distance and spotted a familiar Tiger Demon aura in the northern mountain forest—it was Tiger Vanguard’s aura—so he went to find him.
Soon, Ao Tu reached the northern mountain forest and saw many little demons searching in the woods, not knowing what they were looking for.
Curious, Ao Tu transformed into a little demon and went to scout for information.
He saw a Little Deer Demon exploring the mountain forest, legs trembling nonstop, muttering as he searched:
“Gods preserve me! Gods preserve me! Please don’t let me find that Tiger Demon—heard he loves eating deer. If I see him, I fear I won’t have time to call for help before he bites me.”
Ao Tu approached and patted the Little Deer Demon on the shoulder.
The Little Deer Demon froze, legs springing up as he bolted forward in panic.
Ao Tu pinned him down and said: “Why are you running?”
The Little Deer Demon turned back, saw it wasn’t the Tiger Demon, breathed a sigh of relief, and asked: “Which demon are you? You scared me to death!”
Ao Tu said: “I’m also a demon from our cave mansion. Great King sent me to find that Tiger Demon too.”
Hearing this, the Little Deer Demon relaxed a lot.
Ao Tu asked: “Boss, do you know why Great King wants to find that Tiger Demon?”
The Little Deer Demon asked: “Aren’t you from the cave too? How don’t you know?”
Ao Tu said: “I’m new here.”
The Little Deer Demon said: “Ah, like that—fine, I’ll tell you. That Tiger Demon recently came to our Flat-Top Mountain. Second Great King saw his agile form, unlike ordinary ones, and wants to capture him as a mount.”
Ao Tu said: “I see.”
The Little Deer Demon probed the grass nearby and reminded:
“Newcomer, for calling me boss, don’t say I didn’t warn you—that Tiger Demon is extremely fierce. I saw with my own eyes Second Great King chasing him; the Tiger Demon revealed his true form, fleeing through the mountains with black wind, that big—you better not throw your life away for the reward!”
The Little Deer Demon gestured with his hands hugely, felt it wasn’t enough, pointed to a nearby tree, and said: “As big as this tree!”
Ao Tu remained unmoved.
The Little Deer Demon pointed to a seven-to-eight-zhang-long boulder by the distant mountain edge and said: “Bigger than that rock!”
Ao Tu still remained unmoved.
The Little Deer Demon looked around, unsure how to describe it.
Ao Tu laughed: “Is it as big as the one behind you?”
The Little Deer Demon turned around to see the tall, mighty Tiger Vanguard standing behind him, instantly scaring him so his eyes rolled back, legs buckled, and he fainted.
Tiger Vanguard ignored the Little Deer Demon and knelt on one knee, saluting Ao Tu:
“Great King, your subordinate has safely delivered those two children to Black Water River. After leaving Black Water River, as per your order, I came here to wait for you.
Unexpectedly, while foraging outside once, I exposed my form and was targeted by Silver Horn Great King of this Lotus Cave, who wants to subdue me as a mount. I’ve hidden in the mountains for many days; today I was late to greet you—please forgive me, Great King.”
Ao Tu said: “Rise. This isn’t your fault. Prepare some gifts and come with me to Lotus Cave to visit Golden Horn Great King and Silver Horn Great King.”
Tiger Vanguard said: “Great King, what gifts to prepare?”
Ao Tu said: “Doesn’t that Silver Horn Great King like mounts? Go catch him two dung beetles, put them in a box!”
Tiger Vanguard stifled a laugh: “Yes, Great King!” and turned to prepare.
Ao Tu said: “Wait, catch big ones.”
Tiger Vanguard said: “Yes!”
Tiger Vanguard sniffed around, found spots in the woods with lots of cow dung and dog feces, caught two half-palm-sized dung beetles nearby, carved a wooden box to hold them, and said to Ao Tu: “Great King, the gifts are ready!”
Ao Tu said: “Let’s go.”
The two arrived at Lotus Cave.
The gatekeeper little demon recognized Tiger Vanguard and hurriedly reported inside:
“Second Great King, that Tiger Demon has come knocking!”
Silver Horn Great King rose from the couch and asked: “Which Tiger Demon?”
The gatekeeper little demon said: “The very Tiger Demon you wanted to catch as a mount!”
Silver Horn Great King laughed: “Yah! Good! I wasn’t going to catch him, but he delivered himself to the door!”
Silver Horn Great King’s “yah” woke Golden Horn Great King on the nearby couch.
Golden Horn Great King asked groggily: “Virtuous younger brother, what’s up?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “Brother, that Tiger Demon I wanted for a mount has delivered himself today! Little ones, come with me to catch the Tiger Demon—once caught, you can ride him for a few days too!”
The little demons in the cave cheered upon hearing this.
Silver Horn Great King led the crowd of little demons out of the cave mansion.
Outside, they indeed saw that Tiger Demon, but besides him, there was another person at his side.
Silver Horn Great King asked his subordinate: “Who is this guy?”
The subordinate little demon said: “Second Great King, this little one doesn’t know—didn’t notice him earlier.”
Silver Horn Great King said: “I’ll ask!” Pointing at Ao Tu: “What kind of monster are you?”
Tiger Vanguard at his side said: “This is our Great King, titled Spirit Mountain Great King!”
Silver Horn Great King looked at the little demons beside him and said:
“This so-called Spirit Mountain Great King—have you heard of him?”
The little demons all shook their heads:
“Never heard of him.”
“Don’t know any Spirit Mountain Great King!”
Ao Tu laughed: “No matter if you don’t know my title. I’ve heard of you Golden Horn and Silver Horn—that’s enough. I’ve even prepared gifts for you!”
Silver Horn Great King said delightedly upon hearing this: “Gifts? What gifts? Bring them out quick—let me see!”
