They arrived above the Nine-Bend Winding Cave on Zhujie Mountain, and Sun Wukong immediately went to challenge them.
"Old lion, return my master to me quickly!" Sun Wukong shouted from outside the cave.
Soon, the old lion, along with the Golden Lion and other demons, came out. Seeing that Sun Wukong dared to challenge them again, the Golden Lion sneered, "Good, monkey. You escaped last time, and you dare to come back? Do you really think our ancestor is easy to bully?"
Sun Wukong scoffed, "Old lion, return my master quickly, and I might spare your life!"
The old lion's eyes immediately became sharp. This monkey was very arrogant. He blew out a gust of wind, which instantly turned into a gale, and the sky and earth began to change color!
Sun Wukong braced himself with his golden cudgel, resisting the gale.
At this moment, the old lion struck down with his palm. In the sky, a giant golden palm descended. Sun Wukong did not move this time, because he was sure someone would block it for him.
Indeed, the palm dissipated in mid-air. Taiyi Zhenren then spoke, "Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng, return to the palace with me!"
Upon seeing Taiyi Zhenren, Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng grunted. As a disciple of Yu Xu, he was still at this level of cultivation. He, Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng, would not be polite!
Seeing that Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng was unmoved, a hint of displeasure flashed in Taiyi's eyes. This was an opportunity given to him, and he didn't cherish it!
"Evil beast, are you still going to be a demon in the lower realm?" At this moment, Guang Chengzi appeared. Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng looked at Guang Chengzi with some solemnity. After all, Guang Chengzi was now the spokesperson of Yu Xu Palace!
A while ago, his attitude had probably offended Guang Chengzi, but at that time, he, Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng, was fearless. This time, having captured Tang Monk and his disciples, Guang Chengzi might use this as an opportunity to make a move!
Seeing that Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng did not move, Guang Chengzi grunted. A small bell appeared above his head, which was his Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Soul-Dropping Bell!
With a crisp bell chime, Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng felt dizzy and panicked. This Guang Chengzi had good spiritual treasures. He immediately said, "Alright, I will return to Yu Xu Palace immediately!"
There was no other way; he had to back down. Although he was the nine-headed lion demon, he had no spiritual treasures. His cultivation to this point was also protected by the lingering might of Yu Xu Palace. Otherwise, as a lion without spiritual treasures, he might have fallen victim to the West.
Guang Chengzi then nodded. If he had to take action himself, this old lion was truly asking for trouble!
Afterward, the old lion was taken away. As for the rest, Sun Wukong sneered. This Golden Lion was really asking for a beating!
The Golden Lion quickly begged for mercy. There was no other way; his backing was gone, and he couldn't defeat Sun Wukong, nor could he escape. He could only beg for mercy!
Seeing the Golden Lion kneel so spinelessly, Sun Wukong was too lazy to kill him. He grunted, "Go in and carry my master out, or I'll take your life!"
The Golden Lion scrambled into the cave and carried Tang Monk out!
Sun Wukong then let the Golden Lion go with satisfaction and continued westward with Tang Monk and the others.
"Haha, I knew it, Brother Monkey, you would come to save us!" Zhu Bajie said happily!
Knowing that Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng was the one who captured them, Zhu Bajie was terrified. This guy had a great reputation in the past, and he had roots in Yu Xu Palace. No one dared to offend him!
He was mainly afraid that Sun Wukong wouldn't find the right way to get help, and then they would suffer!
Fortunately, Sun Wukong quickly invited immortals from the Chan School. In the cave, upon hearing Taiyi Zhenren and Guang Chengzi's words, Zhu Bajie knew they were safe.
"That's right!" Sun Wukong said proudly!
Zhu Bajie immediately leaned in and asked, "Brother Monkey, how did you know Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng was from Yu Xu Palace?"
Zhu Bajie was very curious. After all, this monkey was from the countryside and shouldn't know so much!
Yet, the monkey found the right person, which was very strange!
Sun Wukong rolled his eyes and said, "Is it hard to know?"
Zhu Bajie glanced at Sun Wukong, "Whether it's hard or not, don't you have a clue yourself?"
"Brother Monkey, I'm just purely curious!" Zhu Bajie said fawningly!
Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "This old lion is quite powerful, and I figured I couldn't beat him. So, I naturally went to the Heavenly Court to find help and found Nezha. I originally intended for Nezha to use his spiritual treasure to restrain the old lion while I snuck an attack. I didn't expect Nezha to directly say that this was his master Taiyi Zhenren's mount, so I naturally went to Taiyi."
Zhu Bajie understood. So that was how it happened. This was like a blind cat catching a dead mouse, pure luck!
He thought to himself, how could this rustic monkey know so much!
Afterward, on their journey to the west, Tang Monk and the others continued to travel, stopping and going.
They encountered many small demons, all of whom were killed by Sun Wukong with a single blow.
One day, they arrived by a large river. The river water was deep black, clearly not ordinary river water.
The group looked around and suddenly saw a small boat rowing towards them from a distance. Zhu Bajie shouted, "Boatman, come quickly, come quickly! Will you ferry us across the river?"
The boatman docked and said, "Oh, it's Elder Tang and his disciples. But my boat is small and cannot accommodate so many people!"
Zhu Bajie immediately smiled and said, "No, no, you just need to take Old Pig and Master. They can cross the river by themselves!"
The boatman nodded. Sun Wukong frowned. This boatman seemed problematic. He secretly transmitted his voice to Zhu Bajie, saying, "Idiot, this boatman is a bit suspicious. Be careful!"
Zhu Bajie nodded!
After they boarded the boat, but when the boat reached the center, it suddenly capsized, and the boat and its occupants sank to the riverbed.
Sun Wukong immediately looked around, but there was no sign of anyone!
He was furious. This Zhu Bajie was truly useless, messing things up. He had specifically warned him, yet this still happened!
"Brother Sha, your water skills are good, can you go and investigate!" Sun Wukong said from the riverbank!
Sha Wujing nodded and jumped into the water. After all, Sha Wujing used to be in the Flowing Sands River, and his water skills were excellent.
Sun Wukong was not skilled in water combat, so he paced by the riverbank, waiting.
After waiting for a while, Sha Wujing came out, followed by a monster like a large turtle. Sun Wukong immediately prepared to strike, but the large turtle retracted into the water and disappeared.
Sun Wukong was helpless and could only ask, "Brother Sha, did you find anything?"
"Senior Brother, this creature is a Tuo Long! It should have some connection with the West Sea," said Sha Wujing, taking out a letter. "This is a letter I intercepted, addressed to Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea!"
Sun Wukong immediately opened the envelope and began to read!
After reading it, Sun Wukong was furious, "Good! You old dragon king!"
Then, as if remembering something, he looked at the dragon horse standing aside and said, "Little White Dragon, are you the Third Prince of the West Sea?"
The dragon horse nodded and said, "Indeed!"
Sun Wukong then asked, "Do you recognize that beast?"
Little White Dragon shook his head and said, "I was punished and sent to Eagle Grief Stream long ago. I have not seen this demon!"
Sun Wukong understood and said, "Never mind. I'll go to the West Sea. Since it's related to the West Sea, and you are my junior brother, I'll give Ao Run some face."