Chapter 160: Chapter 154 Shocked the Heavenly Court【Seeking Subscription Seeking Monthly Ticket】_1
The Jade Emperor was, at this moment, suffering from a splitting headache.
He hadn’t expected such a major incident to occur.
If it had been an ordinary demon clashing with Jinmaohou, it wouldn’t have mattered much, but the Bull Demon King’s status was extraordinary.
His wife’s family was no common force either.
If troops were dispatched to surround and annihilate them, the Heavenly Court would likely suffer heavy losses as well.
He had not been in control of the Heavenly Court for long, and he certainly didn’t want to risk his own resources for this.
He then asked, "Red Boy feigned death, ambushed, and killed Jinmaohou? But why?"
Wang Lingguan replied, "It is said that Red Boy blamed Jinmaohou for tricking him into attacking the Flowing Sand River. There, he was defeated by Sha Chen, captured, beaten, and humiliated. Feeling he had lost all dignity, he sought revenge."
Sha Chen!? Him again! The Jade Emperor’s headache intensified; Li Changgeng too was visibly upset. Why is everything connected to Sha Chen? Isn’t he supposed to be cautious and prudent? How can he be involved in every single thing?
Wang Lingguan continued, "That aside, Red Boy knew he was no match for Jinmaohou. He had been repelled once and then laid low for several years."
"The subsequent conflict arose because Red Boy was selling Immortal Pills. Jinmaohou, upon hearing this, led a raid to rob him, which thoroughly infuriated Red Boy."
The Jade Emperor’s headache grew worse. "What’s going on? Isn’t Red Boy a demon? His entire family should be incapable of Alchemy."
Li Changgeng also sensed something unusual about this matter.
Wang Lingguan said, "Indeed. Red Boy claims the Immortal Pills were either looted or offered by other demons. However, I suspect otherwise, because he possessed too many, and of such diverse types."
"Ordinary demons wouldn’t offer these Immortal Pills to him. As for looting, I suspect he would have had to raid Tushita Palace to acquire such an extensive variety of Immortal Pills."
The Jade Emperor asked, "Are you suggesting he’s selling Immortal Pills on behalf of someone else?"
Wang Lingguan replied, "It’s possible."
The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment, then asked, "So, he was robbed by Jinmaohou, felt indignant, and that’s why they fought?"
Wang Lingguan nodded.
Both Li Changgeng and the Jade Emperor wore grim expressions, their gazes heavy.
They exchanged glances, each recognizing the shock and gravity in the other’s eyes.
"Who exactly is Red Boy selling Immortal Pills for?" the Jade Emperor mused aloud. "That person must be far from simple; we must find them."
The Jade Emperor doesn’t want to see the Great Saint of the Demon World, the Bull Demon King, collaborating with someone who controls a large quantity of Immortal Pills, Li Changgeng realized. Otherwise, the Demon World would undoubtedly become even more prosperous.
The Jade Emperor then said, "So Red Boy knew he couldn’t defeat Jinmaohou. He feigned death, tricking the Bull Demon King into intervening and injuring Jinmaohou, after which he delivered the killing blow himself."
"Such cunning is truly remarkable! Another monstrous talent has emerged in the Demon World," the Jade Emperor exclaimed.
Wang Lingguan reported, "Your Majesty, someone from Luo Jia Mountain has already lodged a complaint externally, stating that if the Heavenly Court doesn’t handle this, they will take matters into their own hands."
The Jade Emperor frowned. "Is this Guanyin’s intention?"
Wang Lingguan replied, "It was Muzha who came, so it likely is."
The Jade Emperor instructed, "Tell him this matter is for Buddhism to handle themselves. If they capture someone who requires sentencing, they can hand them over to the Heavenly Court."
Only then did Wang Lingguan depart.
Li Changgeng said, "Your Majesty, this approach is inadvisable."
"If Guanyin is allowed to handle this matter entirely, the Bull Demon King’s family might suffer greatly and could even be subdued by Buddhism."
A flicker of concern crossed his eyes as he added, "There have long been rumors that Guanyin has taken an interest in Red Boy. If she uses this opportunity to subdue him, the Bull Demon King’s entire family will fall under Buddhism’s control."
He didn’t elaborate, but the implication was clear.
If the Bull Demon King’s family were controlled by Buddhism, Buddhism’s influence would grow to a terrifying extent. This would give them a foothold in the Demon World, control over a major power, and thus a significant voice in its affairs.
The Heavenly Court had always aimed to expand its influence, including within the Demon World.
Great Saints like the Bull Demon King had long been targets of the Heavenly Court. Even during Sun Wukong’s rampage in the Heavenly Palace, the Heavenly Court had hoped to capture several Great Saints at once.
Unexpectedly, the Bull Demon King and the other Great Saints had all scattered.
Powerless to stop them, they only managed to capture Sun Wukong; none of the other Great Saints of the Demon World were apprehended.
However, the Heavenly Court had never given up on apprehending them.
The Jade Emperor said, "Who says I’ve given up? Have Li Jing and his sons specifically monitor this matter. It would be best to uncover who is pulling the strings behind Red Boy."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "To be able to provide such a complex assortment of Immortal Pills, this person must be highly capable. If they can serve Us, that would be ideal. If not, they cannot be allowed to serve others."
Li Changgeng suddenly said, "Red Boy was once captured by Sha Chen and taken into the Flowing Sand River. After he came out, all these things started happening. Could it be..."
The Jade Emperor laughed. "Impossible. No one understands Sha Chen better than I do. He doesn’t possess such abilities. He can’t even recognize all the Immortal Pills, let alone know how to perform Alchemy."
With that, he ceased to speak further on the matter.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen was unaware of what had happened to Red Boy. However, from the idle chatter of demons passing by the Flowing Sand River, he knew that the Demon World was not at peace.
Many incidents had occurred recently, and it was rumored that the Demon World was on the verge of conflict with Buddhism.
Sha Chen assumed it was merely Buddhism laying the groundwork for the Journey to the West and didn’t pay it much mind.
Chang E had entered seclusion once more.
Having comprehended a portion of the Da Luo Method, she felt an epiphany and decided to delve deeper into her understanding.
Just then, another visitor arrived outside.
It was Kui Mulang again, still shouting challenges outside the Flowing Sand River.
Sha Chen knew that people like him wouldn’t give up easily. All he had to do was ignore them and continue his Cultivation.
He planned to continue ignoring them and focus on his Cultivation.
Suddenly, a change occurred above the Flowing Sand River.
Kui Mulang was leading his followers in shouting challenges when he suddenly noticed a streak of golden light flying in from a distance, observing them.
Upon spotting the golden light, Kui Mulang was instantly enraged.
"Tianpeng, you pig demon, still daring to hide? I’ve found you!" Kui Mulang bellowed.
With a wave of his hand, his followers encircled the figure.
The golden light then stopped hiding and emerged, offering an awkward smile.
It was indeed Marshal Tianpeng, though he looked quite disheveled at that moment.
"What a coincidence, General Li! How come you’re here too?"
Kui Mulang sneered, "You’ve interfered with my plans multiple times and even tried to lead people to destroy my cave mansion! I’ve been searching for you for years, and I never expected you to be hiding nearby! It’s just as the saying goes: ’you wear out iron shoes searching for something to no avail, only to find it effortlessly when you least expect it!’"
Tianpeng said, "It’s a misunderstanding, General Li, truly a misunderstanding! We’re colleagues; why must there be fighting and killing? Let’s sit down, talk, and clear up this misunderstanding."
Kui Mulang retorted, "Cut the nonsense! When you seized my cave mansion, why didn’t you call that a misunderstanding?"
Tianpeng pleaded, "Brother, it really is a misunderstanding! I honestly didn’t know it was your cave mansion."
Kui Mulang, furious, scolded, "Don’t you ’brother’ me! You’re not worthy!"
He was so angry he nearly spat blood. This was because Tianpeng had seized his cave mansion on several occasions when Kui Mulang was away for extended periods searching for Bai Huaxiu.
Upon his return and a thorough search, Tianpeng had been so frightened he’d gone into hiding. Kui Mulang then tracked him to Fuling Mountain and burned down the new cave mansion Tianpeng had rebuilt there.
From that day on, the two had been mortal enemies.
Previously, when Kui Mulang had come to the Flowing Sand River to provoke Sha Chen, Tianpeng had ambushed him from behind yet again. Many of Kui Mulang’s followers were killed, and his cave mansion was set ablaze. With such acts of murder and arson between them, their grudge was naturally irreconcilable.
Tianpeng had spent the last few years in hiding, and this time he hoped to lie low near the Flowing Sand River to avoid trouble.
He hadn’t expected to run into an already agitated Kui Mulang issuing challenges. Wanting to flee, he found his path blocked.
Marshal Tianpeng quickly tried to explain, but Kui Mulang was beyond enraged.
A slap sent Tianpeng tumbling to the ground.
He scrambled up and said, "Li Xiong, don’t go too far! Sneak-attacking me when I wasn’t ready?"
"If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!" Tianpeng yelled.
With his followers surrounding them, Kui Mulang scoffed, "One-on-one? Come on, then!"
Tianpeng turned to leave but was caught by Kui Mulang, who punched him to the ground, leaving his face swollen and bloody.
He wailed, "I was careless! I didn’t dodge! Otherwise, you couldn’t have hurt me!"
Then, looking toward the Flowing Sand River, he shouted, "Old Sha, save me!"