The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha

Chapter 642 531: Child Country

Kong Xuan didn't know about the complaints of his younger family members, and even if he did, he wouldn't care.

He returned to Lingshan with Kong Ci and Roc, and in the days to come, Roc would fully experience the love of an elder sister.

With the matters at Shituo Ridge settled, what did Sun Wukong learn from it all?

Sun Wukong thought it was the realization that the female Bodhisattvas of Lingshan were not to be trifled with. Although Guanyin always appeared kind and benevolent, he seriously suspected that the Bodhisattva Guanyin could be quite fierce when angry.

As the master and his three disciples passed Shituo Ridge, their next destination was the Kingdom of Biqiu. While on the road, out of boredom, they were discussing why the Bodhisattva was so fierce.

They suddenly saw a few cavalrymen carrying children passing by. Sun Wukong, feeling strong in his sense of justice, immediately stopped and blocked the cavalry, displaying some skills to retrieve the children.

Unsure of what was happening, the four of them continued on with the infant, arriving at Biqu City.

In front of the city gate, the hustle and bustle of the people presented a lively scene.

Xuanzang looked at the city gate and read aloud: "Biqu City."

A nearby hunter glanced at the four and said: "This place is no longer called Biqu City, it's now called Child Country."

Xuanzang was puzzled, but the hunter hurried away, leaving him to find a kindly-looking senior to ask: "Honored elder, may I ask why the Kingdom of Biqiu is now called Child Country?"

The old man stroked his beard and replied: "It used to be the Kingdom of Biqiu, but now it's called Child City."

Xuanzang: ???

"Why is that?"

"Ah, where are you all coming from?"

Xuanzang hastily explained: "We are from the Eastern Tang of East Earth. Elder, why was the Kingdom of Biqiu renamed to Child City?"

Upon hearing Xuanzang, the elder sighed: "From the East Earth, oh, that's indeed a long journey."

Xuanzang: ...

He wanted to ask more, but Zhu Bajie quickly pulled at him.

"Master, you better not ask anymore. I've heard that dementia is contagious; we better leave now!"

With that, he dragged Xuanzang into the city.

The confused old man watched them leave with a sigh of relief. Were you asking questions, or were you trying to kill me?

The guards by the gate, holding long spears, were watching. You may not fear death, but I still want to live a few more years.

Entering the city, they saw cages wrapped in colorful ribbons placed at the doorsteps of every household. Out of curiosity, Sun Wukong peered inside and saw children.

For a moment, none of them could understand the tradition, so they went to the post station, where the Posthouse Minister was startled to see them with a child.

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie quickly asked what was going on. The County Magistrate, after being pestered by the two, helplessly explained that the King, during a hunting trip, found the Queen in poor health and was using the State Preceptor to refine medicine with the hearts of children.

Upon hearing this, the four of them were greatly alarmed. Using the hearts and livers of children as medicine was an atrocity, and it was done by a king.

Xuanzang, who had sworn to save all beings, couldn't ignore such a plight.

Initially eager to exchange their Passage Documents and continue westward, they now couldn't possibly leave.

"Wukong, such a heartless and cruel act cannot be ignored by us."

Sun Wukong, with his strong sense of justice, thought of the terrifying tales of Shituo Ridge, which turned out to be mere illusions by Roc. Yet here in the plain Kingdom of Biqiu, there was actual cannibalism.

The arrival of Xuanzang and his disciples was reported, and the State Preceptor and Queen were informed, though neither intended to take any action.

This was because the State Preceptor wasn't an ordinary demon; he had a powerful backer.

The State Preceptor, who suggested using children's hearts for medicine, was once the mount of Master Chan's senior brother, the Nanji Immortal. After the Nanji Immortal went through reincarnation, the former mount lost the opportunity to stay at Yuxu Palace.

Originally wandering outside, he indeed was approached by someone—the former corpse-cutting avatar of the Nanji Immortal, now the Longevity Star of the Heavenly Court.

What was his purpose?

Ever since Sun Wukong caused havoc in the Heaven Palace and destroyed the Immortal Peach Orchard, the Heavenly Court hadn't held the Peach Banquet anymore.

The Heavenly Court had no funds to pay wages, and the Immortals had no Merit to cultivate. Although they could live, their bodies would age.

The Longevity Star's extension of life through demon medicine-refining was initially operated by a small group. However, during the chaos caused by the Bull Demon King, although no gods died, many were injured, and the aging of their bodies accelerated in the absence of reimbursement from the Heavenly Court.

In the search for a cost-effective life-extending method, the Longevity Star's business expanded due to multiple factors.

But as the business grew, more manpower was needed, which is why the Longevity Star sought out the Plum Deer.

The Plum Deer, who had followed the Nanji Immortal for many years, was highly skilled.

As more people became involved, dissenters emerged. Even though the Longevity Star pursued the Divine Dao, he couldn't withstand his own body's aging, which hinted at his weak cultivation compared to the former Second Corpse master, Plum Deer.

Thus, Plum Deer's cultivation was at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, like Qingluan, Green Lion, Green Bull, and the like, raising the question: was the Longevity Star still in charge?

Now, it was more like the Longevity Star and the Deer Demon jointly controlled the business.

The Deer Demon provided materials, while the Longevity Star refined them, exchanging them for resources in the Heavenly Court.

Over the years, the Longevity Star no longer needed to worry about his lifespan due to this business.

However, once indulged in something, letting go was not easy. If he stopped now, his clients wouldn't spare him.

The Primordial world is boundless, with countless beings, but where could he find so many suitable demons for his alchemy?

Having trained seriously with the Nanji Immortal, the Deer Demon found a substitute—the hearts of children.

This Kingdom of Biqiu was just one of the nations under his control, and the fox spirit was merely one of his many romantic interests.

After being a mount for so many years, wasn't it time to enjoy some pleasure now?

He heard of the arrival of Xuanzang and his disciples and, adhering to the principle of minimizing trouble, had already informed the fox spirit Queen to let them pass without issue.

But the fact was, Xuanzang and his disciples didn't want to leave now.

Sun Wukong's sense of justice was strong, and with Xuanzang's support, he was determined to uncover the truth!

The next day, Xuanzang and his three disciples went to exchange the Passage Document. Naturally restless, Sun Wukong spoke up as soon as he saw the King: "Your Majesty, you've got demon energy all over you, and such weakness clearly indicates demonic interference.

I, Old Sun, can't allow this to happen!"

Without waiting for the King's reaction, he rushed into the King's harem wielding his staff, directly killing the fox spirit with a single blow.

"Hey hey! A mere fox spirit, daring to misbehave in front of your Grandpa Sun!"

Then, carrying the corpse of the Fox Demon, he returned to the main hall and threw it in front of the King.