Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 352: Divination
After Xiao Chen healed Princess Wansheng’s injuries, he walked out of the boudoir and went straight to the reception room to find old Dragon King Wansheng.

After all, the old Halloween Dragon King is the father of the Halloween Princess. His daughter is injured, and he must be extremely anxious at the moment, and he is eager to know about his daughter's condition.

Sure enough, when Xiao Chen arrived at the reception room, he saw the old Dragon King Wansheng and the Bull Demon King sitting in the reception room outside the boudoir. There was a pot of hot tea in front of the two demons, but they obviously had no intention of tasting it.

The old Halloween Dragon King looked ahead with empty eyes, but from time to time he turned his head to look in the direction of Princess Halloween's boudoir, his eyes full of worry and anxiety.

The Bull Demon King accompanied her silently, occasionally taking a sip of tea from the cup, but his eyes would drift towards the boudoir from time to time.

Although he is usually generous and unrestrained, he can also feel the anxiety of the old Halloween Dragon King at this moment.

I saw Xiao Chen coming out.

Wansheng Old Dragon King quickly stood up, walked quickly towards Xiao Chen, and asked anxiously:

"Brother Jinjiao, how is Yao'er's injury?"

"Is she...is she feeling better?"

"But...is there still hope of recovery?"

There was a slight tremor in the voice of the old Halloween Dragon King, and it was obvious that he was extremely concerned about his daughter's condition.

Xiao Chen heard this and comforted him:

"Don't worry, old brother. Princess Halloween's injuries are no longer serious."

"I have treated her injuries. Her breathing has stabilized now. She only needs to rest for a few days and she will be fully recovered."

But Xiao Chen sighed lightly and said:
"It's just that her congenital deficiency and the damage to her foundation caused by forcibly breaking through the realm..."

"But I can't do anything about it."

Upon hearing this, the face of the old Halloween Dragon King turned pale instantly.

He asked in a trembling voice:

"Then...what about after that?"

Xiao Chen paused, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, but he continued truthfully:

"I'm afraid that in the future, it will be difficult to make any progress in cultivation."

“It may even lead to a fall in realm.”

As soon as these words came out, it was like a bolt from the blue, causing the old Halloween Dragon King to stagger and almost fall to the ground.

He covered his face with his hands, tears streaming down his face, beating his chest and stamping his feet, saying:

"Oh, it's all my fault, it's all my fault!"

The voice was filled with endless regret and self-blame, as if he wanted to take all the blame on himself and wished he could bear the pain for his daughter.

Upon seeing this, Bull Demon King hurried forward to support the old Dragon King Wansheng and comforted him softly:
"Brother Wansheng, don't blame yourself too much."

"There are many rare treasures in these three realms. Maybe there is a treasure that can heal the princess's injuries."

"It's unknown if this matter will turn around in the future."

Upon hearing this, the old Dragon King of All Saints sighed deeply, his eyes full of vicissitudes and regret.

He slowly raised his head and slowly explained to Bull Demon King and Xiao Chen:
"My dear brother Bull Demon King, my dear brother Golden Horn, you don't know that when Yao'er's mother was pregnant with Yao'er, I... I was so confused at that time!"

At this point, a trace of pain flashed in the eyes of the old Dragon King Wansheng, as if that past event was an eternal pain in his heart.

Then, the old Dragon King Wansheng seemed to be lost in deep memories, and slowly told the dusty past:
"I had a concubine back then..."

"She is a jellyfish fairy. After she transformed, she became extremely beautiful. I was temporarily bewitched by her beauty and doted on her. As a result, I treated my wife poorly..."

It turns out that the old Dragon King of All Saints was also an immoral person in the beginning. He favored a concubine who was a jellyfish fairy, and treated his wife, Long Po, poorly.

Jellyfish are extremely beautiful creatures, but they can be extremely poisonous.

This is even more true for monsters transformed from jellyfish. They are extremely beautiful and enchanting, almost as beautiful as a "femme fatale".

The jellyfish fairy concubine of the old Halloween Dragon King became arrogant because of her favor and wanted to become his legal wife.

When Luang Pu was pregnant, the jellyfish fairy concubine was worried that Luang Pu would give birth to a dragon son, which would consolidate her position and completely put an end to her dream of rising to the top.

So, when Luang Pu was pregnant, she tried to poison the fetus, Princess Halloween, with jellyfish poison.

Princess Halloween was severely injured while still in her mother's womb and almost died.

Fortunately, the old Dragon King of All Saints discovered it in time and beat the jellyfish fairy concubine to death with a stick, but it was too late.

Princess Halloween was poisoned by jellyfish while in the womb, and was born prematurely, so she has always been born with congenital deficiencies and a frail body.

Princess Halloween was severely injured while still in her mother's womb and almost died.

At this point, the eyes of the old Halloween Dragon King had turned red and tears were welling up in his eyes. Finally, he couldn't hold back his tears.

He seemed to see the tiny baby who had suffered so much hardship in the womb, his heart filled with endless pain and self-blame.

The old Dragon King Wansheng blamed himself:

"It was all because of my stupidity back then that I ruined Yao'er's life and caused her to suffer this."

"I will never take a concubine again from now on. I feel extremely guilty towards Yao'er and just want to do my best to make it up to her."

Xiao Chen felt a pang of regret when he heard this, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Alas, unrest in the home is the source of trouble."

"Favoring a concubine and destroying a wife is a big taboo."

In ancient feudal society, some men with social status or wealth often had three wives and four concubines and enjoyed a luxurious life.

The emperor had three thousand beauties in his harem. These were very common things in ancient times, and people of this era were used to them.

The four dragon kings also have a lot of dragon sons and grandsons.

This is actually an ancient feudal custom.

But this is the background of this era.

Under the ancient household system of three wives and four concubines, this problem would inevitably arise.

Fortunately, King Golden Horn has always been clear-headed.

A wife is a wife, a concubine is a concubine, a maid is a maid, a mistress is a mistress, a lover is a lover... they cannot be treated the same.

Only when the family is harmonious can everything prosper.

The Bull Demon King was also thoughtful when he heard this. He pondered in his heart, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes:
"It seems that after I marry a Rakshasa woman, I must not keep her and the Jade-faced Fox together."

"They must live separately to avoid unnecessary trouble."

The old Dragon King Wansheng continued, with a somewhat helpless tone:

"After all, I can't keep my daughter by my side and raise her for the rest of her life."

"Since it is difficult for her to practice, I will find her a powerful husband."

"So that I can protect her in the future."

After saying that, the old Dragon King Wansheng looked at Bull Demon King and Xiao Chen, with an expectant light in his eyes, and said:

"My dear brother, Bull Demon King, and my brother, Golden Horn, if you come across any good talents from the demon world in Northern Julu Continent."

"Don't forget to introduce me to one or two."

After hearing this, Xiao Chen didn't know what to say.

This is actually the feudal patriarchal thinking of the Halloween Dragon King.

In this ancient world where feudal ideas are deeply rooted, the Old Dragon King of All Saints always feels that women have to depend on men to survive.

However, Princess Halloween is obviously a woman with her own ideas and ambitions. She wants to rely on herself to prove that women are no inferior to men.

In fact, Xiao Chen still had a little admiration for Princess Halloween, and he could understand Princess Halloween's thoughts.

After all, in his previous life, there was the story of Hua Mulan, which was widely circulated. Hua Mulan proved to the world that "women are as good as men, and beauties are as good as men."

However, in this world of Journey to the West, there is no story of Mulan. A remarkable woman like Princess Halloween can only struggle hard under the shackles of fate and find it difficult to realize her wishes.

The feudal ideas and rules of this world are deeply engraved in the hearts of everyone in this world and are difficult to break.

This is the thinking of this era.

Facing the expectant gaze of the Wansheng Old Dragon King, Xiao Chen had no choice but to respond:
"Don't worry, Brother Wansheng. If there are any good talents in the demon world, I will introduce them to you."

At this moment, Princess Wansheng came out of her boudoir. She looked determined, her almond eyes glaring at the old Dragon King Wansheng, her tone full of unquestionable determination:
"Father, my marriage is my own, and I decide for myself."

"Don't introduce those messy people to me anymore."

"If you hadn't introduced me to that pretty boy Ao Lie from the West Sea last time."

"I wouldn't go that far..."

When the old Dragon King Halloween saw Princess Halloween standing in front of him safe and sound, he was relieved at first, but then he became so angry at his daughter's words that his beard stood up.

He quickly explained:

"Yao'er, I'm doing this for your own good."

"I was afraid that you would have no one to rely on in the future, so I wanted to find you a reliable husband. How did he become such a mess?"

"Ao Lie is also the third prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace. He is handsome and has an extraordinary family background..."

……

Princess Wansheng's eyes turned red when she heard this, but her voice became more resolute:

"Father, I don't need you to arrange a marriage for me."

"I have my own ideas and pursuits."

"I would rather rely on myself than need a man I don't love to protect me."

Her tone was full of desire for freedom, yearning for an independent life, and resistance to the injustice of fate.

After hearing this, the old Dragon King Wansheng frowned, with a bit of helplessness and blame in his tone:
"How do you know my good intentions?"

"Everything I do is for your own good!" His voice was full of vicissitudes and confusion. Why couldn't his daughter understand his painstaking efforts? Why did she have to choose a path full of thorns?
As they talked, the atmosphere between the father and daughter became more and more tense, and they were about to quarrel.

Xiao Chen and Niu Mowang were watching from the side, both feeling a little embarrassed.

They knew that this was a family affair between the old Halloween Dragon King and the Halloween Princess, and outsiders should not interfere.

Seeing this, Xiao Chen shook his head helplessly.

In the current family conflict.

He could actually understand Princess Halloween's thoughts. She wanted to pursue her own life and live according to her own wishes.

Although the actions of the Halloween Dragon King were well-intentioned, they are actually a common mistake made by many parents.

Parents always like to use the excuse of "it's for your own good" to quietly control their children's lives in the name of love.

These parents don’t care whether their children want it or not. If I think it’s good, it’s for your own good. They are used to forcing their own ideas on their children.

"For your own good", these three words, sometimes like the sharpest knife, hurt others, yourself and your feelings. Although this kind of love has good intentions, the way it is used is often suffocating.

Parents always think that their ideas are right and that their children should live according to their plans, but they ignore their children's own feelings and thoughts.

In fact, it’s not Princess Halloween’s fault for being rebellious.

Xiao Chen thought to himself that if he were Princess Halloween, facing such constraints and arrangements, he would also want to escape.

Now that the healing was completed, Xiao Chen felt that it was time for him to leave.

Xiao Chen glanced at the Bull Demon King lightly, and the two demons' eyes met in the air. They both read the intention to retreat in each other's eyes, and they understood each other tacitly.

"Brother Wansheng, since niece Wansheng is fine, my brother Jinjiao and I will go back first."

As soon as the Bull Demon King finished speaking.

The quarrel between the Halloween Dragon King and the Halloween Princess also came to an abrupt end.

Princess Halloween looked at Bull Demon King and Xiao Chen, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes.

She bowed gently, her voice gentle but firm:
"Uncle Bull Demon King, King Jinjiao, thank you for your concern for Yao'er's injury this time."

"You have come from afar to visit Yao'er."

"Yao'er will cook for you and prepare some light wine to entertain you."

"I hope you won't refuse, otherwise Yao'er will be upset."

The old Dragon King Wansheng also stepped forward, took Niu Mowang and Xiao Chen in his arms, and said enthusiastically:
"My dear brother Bull Demon King, my dear brother Golden Horn, you have come from afar and have worked hard for Yao'er for a long time."

"How can you leave without a glass of water and wine?"

"Wouldn't this make me, your elder brother, feel guilty?"

"Please stay and let us, father and daughter, entertain you well."

The tone of the old Halloween Dragon King was full of sincerity and retention, as if to say, "You must stay."

Xiao Chen and Niu Mowang looked at each other and saw helplessness in each other's eyes.

It was difficult to refuse the kindness of the Halloween Dragon King and the Halloween Princess, so the two demons had to accept it.

"Since my elder brother and niece are so kind, then my brother Jinjiao and I will respectfully obey your orders."

The Bull Demon King said with a smile.

Immediately.

Outside Princess Halloween's courtyard, old Dragon King Wansheng sat down beside a stone table with Xiao Chen and Bull Demon King.

The three demons drank tea leisurely and chatted about all sorts of things under the sun. The atmosphere was harmonious and relaxed.

Princess Halloween went to cook herself, and her light footsteps and the symphony of pots and pans could be heard from the kitchen.

Soon, bursts of tempting aroma wafted out of the kitchen. The aroma seemed to be tangible, floating on the wind to the stone table, arousing people's appetite.

I have to say that Princess Halloween is indeed a smart and kind-hearted woman, and she is good at managing a household.

She has extraordinary cooking skills and quickly prepared more than a dozen delicious and tasty side dishes.

The agaricus is crisp and delicious, the fern powder and dried ferns are tender and smooth, the radish cooked with pepper is spicy and delicious, the shredded melon with mustard is appetizing and relieves greasiness, the fungus and tofu skin has a rich taste, and the steamed crispy honey food is sweet but not greasy... Every dish is like a carefully crafted work of art, which makes people praise it.

Princess Halloween brought the dishes one by one and filled the stone table. The delicious food with all its colors, aromas and flavors made people salivate.

She also personally brewed a pot of Ganoderma Lucidum wine, which was fragrant, sweet and mellow in the mouth, with a long aftertaste.

"Ao Yao, your cooking skills are amazing. These dishes taste very good."

Xiao Chen praised while eating.

Princess Wansheng smiled shyly upon hearing this and said modestly:

"Thank you for your praise, King Jinjiao. This is just a small gift from Yaoer. I hope you like it."

The old Dragon King Wansheng also interrupted with a smile:
"Don't think Yao'er is spoiled, she is actually very clever and good at managing the household."

His eyes were full of pride and fondness, as if he was showing off his beloved daughter to the world.

The Bull Demon King picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of agarbatti and put it in his mouth to taste it carefully, squinting his eyes with a look of satisfaction. Very satisfied.

He nodded and praised:

"Indeed, my niece Wansheng is not only beautiful, but also virtuous."

"Whoever marries her in the future will be very lucky."

Princess Wansheng heard this and said coquettishly:

"Uncle Bull Demon King, what are you talking about?"

Her face flushed, making her look even more charming and lovely.

"Hahaha."

"Look, my niece, All Saints, is still shy!"

The Bull Demon King laughed loudly, raised the Ganoderma Lucidum Wine and started to drink it like a madman.

The Bull Demon King's laughter was hearty and bold, infecting everyone present and making everyone immersed in this joyful atmosphere.

Banquet room.

Princess Wansheng raised her glass to Xiao Chen and said:
"Yao'er, thank you very much, King Jinjiao."

"Yao'er will always remember your kindness."

Xiao Chen picked up the wine glass, waved his hand, and said disapprovingly:

"It's nothing, it's just a small matter."

"Brother Wansheng has helped me a lot before, and this is what I should do."

After saying that, Xiao Chen and Princess Halloween looked at each other, and the two demons drank the wine in the cup together. The wine slid down their throats, bringing a hint of warmth and comfort.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became more harmonious.

At this time.

Princess Wansheng suddenly spoke and said to Xiao Chen:
"King Jinjiao, Yao'er has learned some divination skills by chance over the years. I don't know if they are effective or not, so let Yao'er do the calculation for you."

"The art of divination, Ao Yao, you actually know this?"

Xiao Chen was a little surprised when he heard this.

He really didn't expect that Princess Halloween, in addition to being beautiful and dexterous, was also skilled in divination.

In fact, the art of divination really exists in the world of Journey to the West.

If this divination technique is used properly, it can even be used to predict the whereabouts of some powerful magic weapons, the opponent's whereabouts, and so on.

King Wen of Zhou once used this divination technique to predict the death of his eldest son and King Zhou's vicious plot. He pretended to know nothing, ate the meat pie, and escaped from the hands of King Zhou of Shang.

It can be said that the art of divination has many uses and plays a significant role.

Thinking back to the past, Xiao Chen still remembered that when they were at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Master Subhuti asked Sun Wukong whether he wanted to learn the art of "asking the immortals for help, asking for divination, and avoiding misfortune to seek good fortune."

But Sun Wukong said:
"It is better to make your own decisions than to seek divination from the gods, and it is better to have the ability than to chant the Buddha's name and recite the scriptures!"

"No matter how good your gambling skills are, it's better to be the banker yourself, to climb the beams and pillars, and to rob people on the road!"

In any case, Sun Wukong resolutely refused to learn the art of divination back then. What he was wholeheartedly pursuing was the magical power that could change the world and change the weather.

Yuan Shoucheng was also good at divination and could know yin and yang and determine life and death.

He could accurately calculate the location of the aquatic creatures in the Jing River and guide the fisherman Zhang Shao on when and where to cast his net to catch fish. Therefore, Zhang Shao would give him a big golden carp every day out of gratitude.

What's more, Yuan Shoucheng could even calculate the time and amount of rainfall in Chang'an City the next day. The accuracy of his divination skills was truly astonishing.

"The art of divination is a minor art."

Princess Halloween spoke again slowly, her voice still gentle, but with a deep sense of helplessness towards fate:
"Although the art of divination can predict destiny, it is difficult to change it."

“Life is like a game of chess. You have to plan carefully at every step, but you can never escape the predetermined chess game.”

"It's like trying to catch the moon in the water; it seems within reach, but in the end it's empty."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen nodded slightly and was quite interested in Princess Halloween's opinion.

This seemingly delicate princess actually had such a profound understanding of life, which really impressed him.

Princess Halloween continued:

"I occasionally learned this divination technique, but I have never used it, and I don't know if it works or not."

At this point, she suddenly changed the subject, with a sly look in her eyes:
"You are here today, King Jinjiao. I wonder if you would allow me to tell your fortune for you."

"To test it?"

(End of this chapter)