novelraw Chapter 646 535: The Three Oxen Fraud Gang
Chapter 646 535: The Three Oxen Fraud Gang
The Primordial Immortals' Immortal Path was thriving, Xuanzang and his disciples finally reached the latter part of the Westward Journey after passing through the Kingdom of Biqiu.
Shituo Ridge was considered a watershed; after approaching Lingshan, there was actually no proper demon left.
First, they encountered the Mouse Spirit who sought affection, then bypassed the Kingdom of Miefa. The Mouse Spirit originated from Lingshan and also had designs on Xuanzang, but unfortunately was swiftly dealt with by Sun Wukong.
In this timeline, Old Li would not adopt a demon as a daughter, and the Kingdom of Miefa was just a mortal transition, passing through quickly.
Following this was the Leopard Spirit of Hidden Mist Mountain. This fellow had neither cultivation nor background, except for being relatively fortunate in appearance with no other strengths, resolved independently by Sun Wukong.
Continuing forward was the request for rain at Fengxian County. The Dragon Clan was tightly watched by the Jade Emperor and dared not privately bring rain, so Sun Wukong had to go seek him.
Actually, this matter was quite simple; the official of Fengxian County wasn't doing his job properly, and the Jade Emperor seized the chance to punish him.
Someone might ask, why punish the people when the official is at fault?
In those days, officials were considered the parental officials, and the unhappiness under their rule was the parental official's responsibility.
Even in the case of national disasters and misfortune, the Emperor would issue a decree of self-imposed punishment, let alone a parental official. Places with oppression naturally lead to rebellion, when people can't survive, they naturally resort to physical actions.
At least for the current era, all this seems reasonable.
Solving the Fengxian County autumn rain problem, the next challenge was at Tianzhu Country, which could almost be said to be in the foothills of Lingshan.
Here was a wise king with the title Yu Hua King. Living in this territory, Yu Hua King had occasionally heard of some Immortal traces, even highly respects the Dao and honors Buddha, but actually had a bit of the "Master Ye liking dragons" aspect.
Upon seeing Zhu Bajie and others, he jumped in fright, although arranging a vegetarian feast, he did not personally attend.
He didn't come, but the three princes who heard about this matter did, bringing with them their youthful exuberance.
Seeing Xuanzang and his disciple, they even wanted to compete.
Sun Wukong hadn't changed his competitive nature over the years, publicly demonstrating his talents.
Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing were uncomfortable being looked down upon by mortals, so they also revealed some of their abilities.
Though the two could not compare with Sun Wukong, the mortals could not tell.
After seeing this, the three princes only wanted to say, they indeed spoke too loudly just now.
Bang! They directly knelt to the ground.
"Master! Please accept us!"*3
Sun Wukong and the others were taken aback, they had seen folks kneeling to beg for mercy calling "grandfather", but never seen anyone kneeling to become disciples.
Without much reaction, the biggest reaction was from Zhu Bajie, who considered himself a Registered Disciple of the Human Sect, taking the matter of accepting disciples very seriously, and would not simply take in a few mortals.
Prince?
Do these princes even know where the door to Doushuai Temple opens?
Seeing Zhu Bajie's unusual reaction, Sun Wukong immediately rejected, a matter that was undecided now clearly settled.
Even if Yu Hua King personally requested it later, this matter did not come to pass.
Without the matter of accepting disciples, borrowing weapons would not occur, Xuanzang led Master and disciples away the next day…
When the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits learned of this matter, he was dumbfounded, oh no, the master's task was not completed!
If I were to follow now, wouldn't it seem too contrived?
After much thought, the old lion decided it was best to sleep first, maybe his master would forget this affair upon turning around?
Taiyi Jiu Ku Heavenly Venerate once was an inconspicuous guest in Purple Heaven Palace, though seemingly insignificant, having lived until now, his age is already immeasurable. As his mount, the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits is considered of the same caliber as other sacred mounts like Green Bull and Qingluan.
How has Taiyi Jiu Ku Heavenly Venerate managed to live well till now?
By recognizing the timing, by not competing, knowing his own aptitude just as it is, and having little possibility for advancement, having leisure days was also nice...
So he serves at the Heavenly Court as Emperor Dongji Qinghua and within the Dao sect as Taiyi Jiu Ku Heavenly Venerate.
Joining the strongest club of Primordial times, doing good deeds now and then, living leisurely days, no one would trouble him.
The Grand Saint of Nine Spirits, like its master, held a similar mentality.
Xuanzang and the others were completely unaware their actions succeeded in skipping a level, entering Tianzhu Country reaching Jinping Prefecture where they encountered the second difficulty, that was three Rhino Spirits: Bi Han, Bi Shu, and Bi Chen.
These three Rhino Spirits were committing fraud in Jinping, posing as Lord Buddha, annually demanding fifty thousand taels of silver and a large vat of ghee from the Jinping commoners, claiming to ensure favorable weather conditions for coming year.
While it seemed like a fair trade, the actual situation was far from it.
If the ghee wasn't fully collected, they certainly wouldn't provide protection.
Rainmaking and cloud parting was not something the Dragon Clan dared to have even slightly wrong, how could the three Rhino Spirits dare to manipulate?
In reality, they only played an early warning role, due to having somewhat smoothened relations with the West Sea, acquiring early information, if the year had smooth weather they'd take all the ghee away.
If it were a disaster year, they'd take ninety-nine percent, leaving some behind or not, right? Next year you'd be expecting ill luck!
The three of them deceived local commoners to offer, engaging in trading information and deceit, living exceedingly comfortably, with only Xuanzang being irrelevant to them.
Unexpectedly, this time Xuanzang stumbled upon them.
Upon hearing of the Buddha's presence, he felt compelled to pay respects, resulting in delivery to order.
Ding dong, your Tang Seng's flesh delivery has arrived, remember to rate five stars!
The three demons took offerings and effortlessly captured Xuanzang. Was Xuanzang foolish? In fact, he was quite clever.
But helplessly, Xuanzang fell for it.
Was this not a beauty trap?
Sun Wukong and the others were still out in the streets, unexpectedly their master got grabbed by demons.
Sun Wukong had almost grown accustomed to being captured over time, so let's hurry up for rescue.
Leading Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing to track the demons down, after fighting they realized they surprisingly possessed high mana.
These demons had been entrenched here for many years, collecting what appeared to be ghee annually, but actually extracting all local Power of Faith.
Assisting in cultivation, though it's a primitive method, their cultivation indeed reached a certain level. The Power of Faith gathered on the three rhino horns formed a very rare treasure.
But unfortunately, the three rhinos having neither background nor formal techniques felt somewhat akin to being domestically reared.
In summary, after a battle among six, the revamped Bajie and Sha Wujing got captured, Sun Wukong was able to hold his own against three, but couldn't easily defeat them.
Therefore, summoning the Somersault Cloud, he turned to flee. Despite the three rhinos possessing some odd abilities, their skill could not compare with Sun Wukong's formal education, frustrating them no end yet failing to catch him, they reluctantly retreated to their lair.