Chapter 33: Water Curtain Cave Gathers Seven Sages, Shi Yue Returns
Peng Demon King's black robe was stained with blood, and his eyes flickered with uncertainty.
An angry Dragon Demon King directed his fury at Peng Demon King, looking like a beggar with tattered armor, bleeding profusely, his weapon long lost.
Yu Marmoset King lay on the ground, barely clinging to consciousness.
Lion Camel King sighed deeply.
Only the Bull Demon King remained expressionless, staring at Sun Wukong, cursing inwardly: Don't overdo it, monkey. I'm not one to be trifled with.
Amidst the silent anticipation of the countless demons below, Sun Wukong finally finished laughing, suddenly turned to the Bull Demon King and exclaimed joyfully, "Oh! Isn't this the Bull Demon King, Great King? When did you arrive at my Flower Fruit Mountain? Why didn't you notify me, your brother, so we could prepare a proper feast?"
Hearing this, the Bull Demon King was thrilled and quickly responded, "Ah, my brother Sun Wukong, this is all a big misunderstanding. These fellows are not here to cause trouble; I brought them to visit. How did it turn into such a scuffle?"
The Bull Demon King then introduced the demon kings one by one.
"Oh?"
Sun Wukong's eyes darted, thinking the Bull Demon King was quite sly. He stamped his foot and exclaimed, "Ah! Why didn't you say so earlier? Such a misunderstanding, and I injured my esteemed brothers so gravely—it's all Old Sun's fault. King Kong, hurry and help Yu Marmoset King, Great King, up. Six Paths, go lend Dragon Demon King, Great King, a hand."
Black-Haired King Kong, only at the Core Formation level, was overjoyed—justice in action! You punched me away before, now you need me to help you up! He responded eagerly, hurrying over to Yu Marmoset King, who was groaning on the ground.
Dragon Demon King snorted, "No need! I, Dragon Demon King, don't need help. While I admire Sun Wukong, Great King's powers, some others, heh, I find disdainful!"
Peng Demon King pretended not to hear and said, "Sun Wukong, Great King's prowess is indeed admirable."
Sun Wukong chuckled, and Lion Camel King below clasped his hands, saying, "Sun Wukong, Great King, truly possesses great powers, and I, Lion Camel King, am impressed."
Sun Wukong laughed heartily and casually responded, "You're too kind, Lion Camel King, Great King, too kind."
Then Sun Wukong waved a hand mightily, saying, "Disperse, my fellows, go prepare a feast. This Great King wants to properly entertain our esteemed guests."
The tens of thousands of demon soldiers responded in unison, their momentum like a tidal wave, changing the very hue of the sky and earth.
The Bull Demon King's mouth twitched, and his small eyes darted around, increasingly realizing Sun Wukong's complexity. The key observation was his audacity, calling the other demon kings "esteemed brothers" without hesitation—hadn't he claimed to be only three hundred years old?
Six Paths' gaze reflected his thoughtful considerations. Left to his own devices, he wouldn't easily spare the five great demon kings. Yet seeing Sun Wukong's grand demeanor, he was impressed; there was a subtle momentum towards winning over the two Taiyi demon kings. If that succeeded, Flower Fruit Mountain would be empowered, and who in the Three Realms would dare underestimate it? His eyes, upon Sun Wukong, shone brighter with admiration.
This battle had earned the respect of the Flower Fruit Mountain's demon kings for their opponents. Seeing their Great King as the victor, they wouldn't let him lose face.
Though Dragon Demon King and Yu Marmoset King had bullied the Flower Fruit Mountain demons, one lay debilitated and the other with three heads smashed by the Great Kings, severely weakened. With such injuries, their resentment faded. As the Great King decreed a grand reception for the visiting Kings, they obliged.
Thus the demon kings followed Sun Wukong to gather at Flower Fruit Mountain's Water Curtain Cave. As for their own demon soldiers, who dared proceed? Who wasn't afraid of Flower Fruit Mountain? With their reservations, the demon kings ordered their forces to remain outside.
Sun Wukong's gesture was generous, offering a piece of territory to the demon kings' followers.
The gathering of the seven brothers seemed to bring everything full circle to destiny, significantly altered from before.
Six Paths marveled at Sun Wukong's generosity and loyalty, willingly embracing his role as Second Great King. Along the way, he couldn't resist asking Sun Wukong, "Do you know where Shi Yue Great King is?"
Sun Wukong's eyes briefly showed loneliness, but he recalled Shi Yue might be with Senior Sister Taiyin, shaking his head and waving his hands, "I don’t know. He must be off enjoying himself without visiting Old Sun."
His eyes openly displayed longing, prompting Six Paths' silent admiration—indeed, the Great Kings were true brothers. Sun Wukong suddenly added, "Six Paths, don't stand on ceremony. Since you’re my brother Shi Yue’s sworn brother, you are my brother too. If anyone bullies you, they bully me, and I won't tolerate it. You are a distinguished demon king; from now on, you are Flower Fruit Mountain's Six Paths Demon Lord. My two brothers are kings, and you will be lord among us, as brothers, no need for formalities."
His words stirred The Six-Eared Macaque, Six Paths, profoundly, compelling him to respond, "Great King!"
Sun Wukong waved it off, "No, no, call Old Sun your elder brother from now on. Hehehe, I believe I'm a few years older than you. Hope you don't mind?"
The Six-Eared Macaque, Six Paths, with teary eyes, said, "Six Paths willingly regards both Great Kings as elder brothers, never failing the brotherhood we've forged."
Simultaneously, he couldn't help but think, "Great King, you might not know this, but in terms of birth, I am actually two years older than both you and Shi Yue Great King. I witnessed your birth. But in terms of the time spent being nurtured, perhaps no celestial matches it, and Six Paths willingly acknowledges both Great Kings as elder brothers."
As they spoke, the group of great demon kings flew to Flower Fruit Mountain's Water Curtain Cave, with the immobile Yu Marmoset King being carried by the ever-kind Lion Camel King.
They indulged in feasting until the sky darkened, and day and night became indistinguishable. The five demon kings truly experienced the wealth and luxury of Flower Fruit Mountain.
Every time Sun Wukong ventured out, he never returned empty-handed, always acquiring various items, even silverware from the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, leaving the demon kings enviously impressed.
Sun Wukong was unaware of their thoughts, but if he knew, he’d think to himself that such items are plentiful in the human world, and especially from the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, they could also seize some if they dared.
However, he didn't realize that neither the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea nor the human world were places the demon kings dared to raid. The human realm, in particular, was protected by powerful beings, and entering could lead to them being hunted down—an unacceptable risk for demons who had cultivated for thousands of years.
The Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea was akin to a district of The Heavenly Court, like robbing an official treasury, tantamount to a suicide mission.
Having truly recognized Sun Wukong's prowess, the demon kings reevaluated him during the feast. Lion Camel King, still a man of few words, admired Sun Wukong greatly—not just for his power, but for his generous spirit that could easily forgive and make peace.
Yu Marmoset King, despite feeling anxious and apprehensive, was the weakest at the table, even outranked by Flower Fruit Mountain's Second Great King, causing him to remain mostly silent.
Dragon Demon King found an opponent in Peng Demon King. Now he appeared more straightforward, even offering apologies to the Flower Fruit Mountain demons with dignity fit for a demon king. Peng Demon King maintained his calm demeanor, piquing Sun Wukong's interest further.
As ever, the Bull Demon King, in his brash style, kept toasting, thoroughly enjoying Flower Fruit Mountain's fine wine—served in silver cups he considered stealing on his way out.
The renowned Six Paths Demon Lord, also the Second Great King of Flower Fruit Mountain, entertained half as a host, mostly observing quietly, with a gaze that intimidated Yu Marmoset King into keeping his head lowered.
All grievances dissipated, the Bull Demon King couldn’t resist asking Sun Wukong, "I heard from my brother that Flower Fruit Mountain has another Great King. Why not introduce him to us?"
As his question echoed, everyone turned their attention to Sun Wukong, while Six Paths continued to sip his drink without change in expression.
Sun Wukong chuckled, saying, "Oh, my brother? He's probably off enjoying himself somewhere. I've been missing him lately."
Lion Camel King added, "In that case, I hope to meet him someday."
The Bull Demon King shook his head regretfully, then suddenly proposed, "Since we're all here, and share such camaraderie, why not become sworn brothers?"
In an instant, all eyes were back on Sun Wukong. Lion Camel King looked eager, Yu Marmoset King felt a hint of excitement, Dragon Demon King’s eyes shone brightly, as if forgetting how he had lost three heads to the Flower Fruit Mountain Kings. Peng Demon King also looked at Sun Wukong, though the meaning behind his gaze was inscrutable.
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