Chapter 108: Great Battle With Red Boy
However, Wukong rode a somersault cloud and left.
Ao Tu used the Black Lotus to take away Sha Seng, Tang Sanzang, and the White Horse all at once.
When Wukong returned, he saw the spot was empty, and he couldn’t help but sigh:
“Master is truly full of misfortunes; he’s been captured by a monster again!”
Wukong rode a cloud to Broken Arm Mountain and Blood Sea Cave.
Because Red Boy had previously smashed a big hole in the cave door, it hadn’t been replaced yet.
Wukong transformed into a fly and flew inside through the hole in the door.
Inside the cave, he saw Sea of Blood Great King sitting on the throne. With a gentle shake of the Black Lotus in his hand, Red Boy, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, Tang Sanzang, and the White Horse all fell to the ground.
Ao Tu said: “Tiger Vanguard, tie them all up!”
Tiger Vanguard accepted the order and went to tie up Tang Sanzang and the others.
Ba Jie saw this and laughed: “I wondered who it was; it’s an old acquaintance again!”
Sha Seng said: “Second Senior Brother, what old acquaintance?”
Ba Jie said: “Look at this Tiger Demon; isn’t he a subordinate of Spirit Mountain Great King? This old demon must be transformed by Spirit Mountain Great King too.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu laughed: “Stupid pig, that Spirit Mountain Great King you mentioned died from heavy injuries long ago. These two are my newly recruited subordinates!”
Ba Jie said in shock: “What? Spirit Mountain Great King is dead!”
Tiger Vanguard said sadly: “Our Great King was gravely injured and unfortunately perished.”
Hearing this, Wukong’s mind shook, and he nearly lost his transformation.
He used his Fiery Golden Eyes to look at Sea of Blood Great King and knew he wasn’t transformed by Ao Tu. Hearing Tiger Vanguard’s words now, and recalling how Ao Tu had been gravely wounded by that blood-colored long sword before, he couldn’t help but somewhat believe it.
Ao Tu discovered Wukong but remained outwardly calm and said:
“Tiger Vanguard, tie these monks up tightly for me, and hang Red Boy up on the beam.”
Tiger Vanguard accepted the order, tied Tang Sanzang and the others tightly, and hung Red Boy on the beam.
Ba Jie twisted his body and said: “Old monster, you dare tie up your Pig Grandpa? When my Eldest Senior Brother finds out, he absolutely won’t let you go!”
Hearing this, Ao Tu laughed: “Stupid pig, your Eldest Senior Brother has already been beaten by me into fleeing in panic! You rude monks, I didn’t provoke you, but you came to provoke me. Today, I’ll give you a lesson to remember!”
Ba Jie said: “Pah! Old monster, you bully the weak with strength, picking on my little nephew. How could I, old Pig, spare you?”
Ao Tu sneered: “Your little nephew? I’m afraid you don’t know; he’s my subordinate!”
Ba Jie and the others were shocked: “What!”
Red Boy said: “Sea of Blood old demon, don’t stir up trouble here! You deceived me when I was young, tricking me into extracting Uncle Sun’s protective cultivation method. That’s simply wishful thinking! How could I, Red Boy, be someone who betrays kin and friends? When Uncle Sun returns, he’ll tear you to pieces!”
Hearing this, Ba Jie said: “You old monster, you even deceive a child! Too bad you misjudged; my little nephew isn’t a traitor!”
Ao Tu said: “Good! Tiger Vanguard, bring a big stick!”
Hearing this, Tiger Vanguard brought over a big stick as thick as a sea bowl.
Red Boy panicked: “Sea of Blood old demon, what are you going to do!”
Ao Tu said: “Red Boy, you dare rebel against me; how could I spare you? Tiger Vanguard, hit him a hundred times first.”
Tiger Vanguard raised the big stick and skillfully struck at Red Boy.
Ao Tu had sealed Red Boy’s magic power. After a few strikes, Red Boy cried out in pain. After a hundred strikes, Red Boy’s eyes were brimming with tears.
Ao Tu said: “Red Boy, how about it? If you submit to me and recite Sun Wukong’s cultivation method, I’ll spare you. Otherwise, this is just an appetizer!”
Red Boy said stubbornly:
“Sea of Blood old demon, you can forget about making me betray Uncle Sun!”
Ao Tu laughed: “Looks like you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin.”
Ba Jie said: “Old monster, if you have the guts, come at me. Pig Grandpa is waiting here for you. Bullying a child is what?”
Ao Tu said: “Tiger Vanguard, fetch a mop and stuff this stupid pig’s mouth!”
Tiger Vanguard took a mop and stuffed it into Ba Jie’s mouth.
Ba Jie huffed and puffed but couldn’t make a sound.
Wukong flew outside and cursed:
“Monster, come out! Return my Master, Junior Brothers, and nephew quickly! Otherwise, I’ll push over your Demon Mountain and flatten your demon cave!”
White Bone Spirit said: “Great King, Sun Wukong is cursing outside the door.”
Ao Tu snorted coldly, looked at Red Boy, and said:
“Red Boy, your Uncle Sun is calling for battle outside the door. I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. As long as you come with me to capture Sun Wukong, I’ll forgive your rebellion. After success, we’ll share Tang Sanzang’s flesh. If not, I’ll hit you a thousand times first and beat your tender skin and flesh into pulp!”
Sha Seng shouted: “Little nephew, don’t fear him. A thousand strikes is nothing; hold on, Eldest Senior Brother is coming to save us!”
Hearing this, Ao Tu said: “Good spirit! Tiger Vanguard, do it!”
Tiger Vanguard picked up the big stick.
Red Boy hurriedly said: “Wait! Wait! Great King, Red Boy knows his mistake! I was confused earlier, but now I’m willing to abandon the light for the dark, follow Great King, and capture Sun Wukong with you!”
Hearing this, Ao Tu smiled, cast a spell to untie the ropes on Red Boy, and said: “Good child, those who understand the times are heroes!”
Red Boy was let down, rubbing his buttocks while fake-smiling obsequiously at Ao Tu.
Sha Seng cursed: “You cowardly little demon who fears death!”
Ao Tu looked at Tiger Vanguard and said: “Didn’t I tell you to do it?”
Tiger Vanguard said puzzled: “Great King?”
Ao Tu said: “Hang that Sha Seng up and hit him a thousand times!”
Tiger Vanguard hurriedly said: “Yes, Great King!”
Tiger Vanguard hung Sha Seng up and raised the big stick to hit him.
Sha Seng angrily said: “Old monster, little monster, when my Eldest Senior Brother comes, he won’t easily spare you!”
Ao Tu said: “Tiger Vanguard, did you not eat?”
Hearing this, Tiger Vanguard used all his strength, breaking the stick, and then switched to another one.
Sha Seng cried out in agony repeatedly.
Ao Tu took Red Boy out of the cave mansion.
Outside, Sun Wukong was cursing. Seeing Ao Tu bring Red Boy out, he said:
“Monster, just sending out my nephew isn’t enough; you also need to invite my Master and Junior Brothers out!”
Ao Tu laughed: “Sun Wukong, open your eyes and look clearly. Your nephew is now my subordinate! Red Boy, why don’t you attack!”
Hearing this, Red Boy blinked, raised his spear, and thrust at Wukong.
Seeing this, Wukong drew his Golden Cudgel and fought Red Boy.
Ao Tu saw Red Boy using only martial arts without Samadhi True Fire, so he knew it was fake.
After a few rounds with Wukong, Red Boy pretended he couldn’t hold on and said: “Great King, Sun Wukong is powerful; I can’t hold out!”
Ao Tu leaped over to help.
Red Boy and Wukong exchanged a glance and said together: “Do it!”
Wukong pulled back his Golden Cudgel, flipped it around, raised it, and struck at Ao Tu with full force.
Red Boy turned, puffed his cheeks, and sprayed a mouthful of Samadhi True Fire at Ao Tu.
Ao Tu was prepared; the Black Lotus appeared on his body for protection. Wukong’s Golden Cudgel and Red Boy’s Samadhi True Fire hit it simultaneously. Buddha’s Light rippled on the Black Lotus, blocking both attacks.
Wukong said: “What treasure is this? It’s so hard to break!”
Red Boy said: “This is the Black Lotus from the Netherworld Blood Sea!”
Ao Tu closed in, fighting Wukong hand-to-hand for a few rounds. Red Boy came with his spear to help Wukong but was grabbed by Ao Tu’s right hand and smashed toward Wukong.
Seeing this, Wukong didn’t dare use the Golden Cudgel and could only catch with his hands.
Ao Tu took the chance to grab the Black Lotus with his left hand and smashed it hard on Wukong’s shoulder, sending Wukong somersaulting.
The Black Lotus glowed and covered toward Wukong.
Wukong didn’t dare stay longer and hurriedly somersaulted away.
Ao Tu laughed loudly: “Sun Wukong, if you can’t bring reinforcements, I’ll eat your Master!”
Ao Tu captured Red Boy and returned to the cave.
In the cave, Tiger Vanguard was still beating Sha Seng; three sea-bowl-thick big sticks lay broken on the ground.
Ao Tu said: “How many more?”
Tiger Vanguard said: “Great King, almost done.”
With that, Tiger Vanguard swung a dozen more times, then stopped; the fourth stick also broke.
Tang Sanzang said: “Wu Jing, are you alright?”
Sha Seng could hardly speak.
Ao Tu said: “Red Boy, you dared to fake submission. See? This is your end!”
Red Boy said: “Hmph, Sea of Blood old demon! I, Red Boy, am not someone who fears death, betrays kin, and joins the enemy! Now that things have come to this, kill or beat me as you wish!”
Ao Tu said: “Good, you have backbone. Too bad there are no more sticks in the cave now; we’ll punish you another day! Tiger Vanguard, lock them all in the prison cell!”
Tiger Vanguard accepted the order and locked Red Boy, Tang Sanzang, Ba Jie, and Sha Seng in the prison cell.
Blood Sea Cave was built against the mountain, very spacious inside, with most of the space turned into large and small prison cells by Ao Tu.
In the prison cell, Ba Jie rubbed the mop out of his mouth and said:
“Little nephew, are you alright?”
Red Boy said: “Second Uncle Pig, I’m fine.”
Ba Jie said: “Sigh, you’re too stubborn. As the saying goes, under a low eaves, how can one not bow? What’s wrong with begging that old monster for mercy first?”
Red Boy said: “I was planning to fake submission earlier, then catch that old demon off guard and subdue him together with Uncle Sun. Unfortunately, the old demon was very cautious and prepared in advance; I failed, and now I’m afraid he won’t believe me.”
Ba Jie said: “Little nephew, don’t worry; Eldest Senior Brother will soon call reinforcements to save us.”
Red Boy nodded.
Nearby, Sha Seng groaned lowly in pain on the ground.
Tang Sanzang said: “Wu Jing, how are you?”
Ba Jie said: “Master, Junior Brother Sha is the Curtain-Rolling General descended to the mortal world, with a divine body for protection. After a few stick strikes, how could anything happen?”
Sha Seng said painfully: “Though I have a divine body for protection, that old demon sealed my magic power, and the Tiger Demon struck heavily—a full thousand strikes without missing one. It’s truly extremely painful now.”
Ba Jie said: “Junior Brother Sha, a thousand strikes is nothing; hold on, don’t cry out in pain. Eldest Senior Brother will come save us soon!”
Sha Seng: “I…”
On the other side, in the Heavenly Court, atop Lingxiao Palace.
Jiazi Taisui God straightened his court robe, held his tablet, and reported: “Your Majesty, Day Roaming God and Night Roaming God report: the Three Realms are now peaceful, free of demon atmosphere; the mortal world is orderly, reincarnation unimpeded, all beings submissive and revering heavenly might.”
Jade Emperor nodded slightly.
At this moment, Spiritual Official suddenly came to report:
“Your Majesty, Great Sage, Equal of Heaven requests an audience outside!”
