Tang Monk felt a twinge of nervousness as the demon inquired about him.
It was understandable; most people wouldn't remain calm upon seeing a demon. It was only because Tang Monk had taken a few demons as disciples that he was somewhat composed.
"To answer your question, Great King, I am Tang Sanzang, on my way to the Western Heaven to retrieve the true scriptures!" Tang Monk said, clasping his hands together and uttering a Buddhist salutation.
King Silver Horn laughed heartily. "Eating Tang Monk's flesh grants immortality! Little ones, capture him and bring him back!"
Tang Monk quickly retreated. Zhu Bajie, however, wielded his nine-toothed rake and began to strike at the lesser demons.
How could these minor demons possibly contend with Zhu Bajie? They were scattered in a matter of moments.
Turning back, he saw that Tang Monk was already being escorted by a few lesser demons. As for Sha Wujing, it was clearly an act. He wasn't even holding his Zen staff and was locked in a stalemate with some lesser demons. This was going too far!
Though they all knew it was a play, couldn't he at least be more professional? Zhu Bajie was at a loss for words.
King Silver Horn rubbed his gourd. "Zhu Bajie!"
Zhu Bajie remained silent. What a joke! Knowing the properties of this gourd, how could he dare to speak? It was the Golden Purple Gourd of the Grand Pure One Lao Zi, an ultimate innate spiritual treasure. If he were trapped inside, he might be in for trouble!
Seeing Zhu Bajie acting as if he were deaf, King Silver Horn narrowed his eyes. "What a devious one, not responding? But it doesn't matter." He pulled a Rattle-Gold Rope from his embrace (don't ask about the old fox lady; she's not here!) and flung it out, binding Zhu Bajie tightly.
Then, Sha Wujing gave up resisting and was captured by the lesser demons.
Zhu Bajie rolled his eyes, too weary to comment.
Afterward, King Silver Horn, along with Tang Monk, returned to Pingding Mountain.
Sun Wukong, having completed his reconnaissance, had a general understanding of the situation. There were two powerful demons, known as King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn, residing in the Lotus Cave on Pingding Mountain.
The pervasive demonic energy was a result of them gathering all the surrounding demons to become their mountain lords.
Sun Wukong then returned to his previous location, only to be stunned. Observing the signs of struggle, he realized his master and the others had likely been captured.
What left Sun Wukong speechless was how Zhu Bajie, with his considerable cultivation, along with Sha Wujing and the White Dragon Horse, could have been captured so quickly.
With no other recourse, Sun Wukong stomped his foot. A small old man immediately appeared and greeted him, "Greetings, Great Sage. What is it you require of this humble one?"
Sun Wukong grunted, "What is the origin of these King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn? Do you know?"
The Earth God immediately replied, "Great Sage, these two demons are no ordinary beings and are extremely powerful. This humble one knows nothing!"
Sun Wukong impatiently waved his hand. Why talk so much if he didn't know anything? The Earth God then vanished like a wisp of smoke.
Sun Wukong then proceeded towards the mountain.
At that moment, a minor demon was on patrol, singing, "The Great King sent me to patrol the mountain, I'll walk around it, beat my drum, and strike my gong..."
Sun Wukong tilted his head, then flew over and seized the demon. "Which demon's territory is this?"
The demon turned deathly pale. "You demon, release me quickly! Beware, my Great King will beat you to death!"
Sun Wukong's face darkened. "You're the demon? I am the Great Sage Equaling Heaven!"
He still asked, "Who is your Great King?"
Hearing the word "Great King," the demon puffed up with pride. "My Great King is King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn of the Lotus Cave on Pingding Mountain. If you know what's good for you, release me quickly!"
"What did your Great King send you out to do?" Sun Wukong asked impatiently.
"To patrol the mountain, of course! We just captured some monks from the Eastern Land, but it seems one is missing. My Great King ordered me to find him!" the demon said.
Sun Wukong directly pulled out his Golden Cudgel and struck. The demon was instantly killed.
Sun Wukong then transformed himself into the appearance of the minor demon and ran towards the cave.
Upon returning to the cave, he encountered King Silver Horn, who expressed his displeasure. "Clever Ghost, what's going on? I ordered you to patrol the mountain, and you're back so quickly? You're not slacking off on me, are you?"
Sun Wukong immediately exclaimed, "Great King, I've found the missing monk from the Eastern Land!"
King Silver Horn was overjoyed. He patted Clever Ghost's shoulder and laughed, "Good, very good! You have potential! I'll promote you to captain later!"
He started to leave, but then quickly returned, secured his gourd, and said, "Let's go!"
Sun Wukong's eyes darted around. "Good heavens, there's another gourd. Wait, this gourd looks familiar. I think I've seen it somewhere before!"
Then, Sun Wukong remembered. Dammit, when he snuck into the Tushita Palace to steal pills, it was this very gourd! He had even eaten all the pills inside it!
Who would have thought this gourd was also a magical treasure? Seeing the demon's tense demeanor, it was likely no ordinary item.
However, Sun Wukong still led the way, wanting to be cautious and observe the nature of this gourd.
After all, they say a monkey is cunning. Sun Wukong was no longer reckless; after all, recklessness had led to him being suppressed by the Buddha for five hundred years. A painful lesson had taught him wisdom. He would observe the situation first.
Soon, they arrived at a crevice where a Sun Wukong, transformed from a strand of his hair, was stuck.
"Great King, look! Over there!" he said, pointing towards it for King Silver Horn.
Upon seeing it, King Silver Horn burst into laughter.
He never imagined that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven would be stuck in a rock! This was simply too amusing!
He aimed the mouth of the gourd at that Sun Wukong and laughed, "Sun Wukong, if I call your name, do you dare to answer?"
The Sun Wukong made of hair immediately retorted, "How could your grandpa not dare to answer?"
A golden light shot from the mouth of the gourd, directly collecting the strand of hair.
Sun Wukong, following behind, saw how it worked. He quietly crept forward and struck King Silver Horn directly on the forehead with his cudgel.
Caught off guard by the surprise attack, King Silver Horn was knocked unconscious.
Sun Wukong snatched the gourd, examined it, and deemed it a good item. He would now go and capture King Golden Horn to rescue his master and the others.
With the gourd in hand, Sun Wukong flew towards the Lotus Cave.
Upon entering, Sun Wukong transformed himself into the appearance of King Silver Horn.
He looked around the cave. Indeed, Tang Monk and the other two were bound to stone pillars, with the White Dragon Horse and their luggage nearby.