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

Chapter 544 The Heavenly Court Treasure-Stealing Team Assembles
The heavens are vast and boundless.

The surging sea of ​​clouds is like a vast and magnificent ocean.

After bidding farewell to Kang Jinlongnu, Xiao Chen strode forward, riding the wind, and sped out of the Kang Jin Divine Palace, heading towards the Tian Gang Di Sha Star Army Camp.

As Xiao Chen sped forward, he focused his mind on the depths of his right leg.

The magic weapon "Kanglong Golden Mace," which once belonged to Kang Jinlongnu, had now completely merged with his muscles, bones, and flesh, becoming one with him.

An incomparably powerful and sharp aura surged through his blood, carrying with it the majestic dragon might that could shatter all metal elements and was invincible.

This is precisely the innate divine power of Kang Jinlongnu – "Kang Jin Power".

Unlike the one-time magic items he had previously combined with, such as the Embroidered Treasure Shoes, the power of this "Soaring Dragon Golden Mace" has been permanently solidified, becoming a powerful and solid source within his own power system.

In this mythological world, combat power heavily relies on magical artifacts.

"It can be said that magic weapons are power..."

Xiao Chen sighed inwardly.

The core function of the "Kanglong Golden Mace" is to counter metal weapons and magical artifacts, significantly weakening their spirituality and defensive capabilities.

In the world of mythology, many magical treasures are based on the element of metal, such as the golden bell, golden sword, golden spear, golden armor, golden lock, golden pagoda, Ruyi Jingu Bang (the magic staff), and golden cymbals.

With this treasure by his side, he was fearless even when facing opponents wielding powerful metal magical weapons.

The Yellow-Eyebrowed Demon Lord possessed two great magic weapons: the Human Seed Bag and the Golden Bell.

The golden bell is incredibly hard; once trapped inside, one is like a turtle in a jar, unable to escape.

Even the powerful and unruly Sun Wukong suffered greatly in the face of these two magical treasures, tormented to the point of unbearable pain, and tried to find a way out even after seeking help everywhere.

However, all things in the world are interconnected and mutually restraining. Although these metal-based magical artifacts are powerful, they are all subject to the constraints of the mysterious and unpredictable "power of metal".

This "power of metal" seems to be a rule set by the world, giving these seemingly invincible magical treasures a nemesis.

In the original story of "Journey to the West", King Kang Jin Xing Jun once used the power of his dragon horns, like a sharp drill, to break through Maitreya Buddha's golden gong and rescue Sun Wukong, who was trapped in the golden gong by King Huang Mei.

"King Yellow Eyebrows..."

Xiao Chen thought to himself, now that he had this "Kanglong Golden Mace", if he were to encounter the Yellow-Eyebrowed Old Demon who wielded the "Golden Bell" in the future, he would use this "Kanglong Golden Mace" to break the Golden Bell.

"This trip... was worthwhile."

Xiao Chen was secretly pleased with himself, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

However, the image of Kang Jinlongnu, with her incredibly voluptuous figure, graceful curves, ample bosom, and large breasts, involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

It stirred something within him.

"Yang Guoshan, Kang Jinlongnu".

"Yang Guo... Little Dragon Girl... What a coincidence."

A complex smile appeared on Xiao Chen's lips as he pondered to himself:

"I just accidentally took advantage of this Kang Jinlong woman a bit, sigh, this grudge... I'm afraid it's going to become a big one!"

"That Kang Jinlongnu, that 'Little Dragon Girl,' looked at me with such hatred that she probably wanted to devour me alive and grind my bones to dust..."

However, after stealing the grass, King Golden Horn left without a trace.

He figured he wouldn't have any further dealings with this Kang Jinlong woman in the future, so he didn't care.

The thought returned to reality.

Xiao Chen composed himself and continued traveling by wind.

After leaving the Kangjin Temple, he sped towards the camp of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.

Previously.

Previously, Huang Feng Dasheng was an armored celestial soldier named Shi Feixiong under the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends camp, serving under Tian Shangxing (the previous incarnation of Wu Song, the Tiger Slayer).

In the early stages of Donghua Dijun's rebellion against Heaven, the situation was complex and complicated. Doumu Yuanjun, the leader of the Dou tribe, did not speak, and most of the Dou tribes remained inactive.

but.

In the later stages of the Eastern Emperor's rebellion against Heaven, the situation gradually became clearer with the arrival of the Western Buddha.

The Dipper Star Lords, including Tian Gang and Di Sha, actively participated in the battle at this crucial moment and made some contributions.

The armored celestial soldier whose identity was replaced by the Great Sage Huang Feng, "Shi Feixiong," was promoted due to his military achievements, rising from the lowest-ranking armored celestial soldier to a silver-armored celestial soldier.

However, the battlefield was like a hellish inferno, and the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends camps were not unscathed. Several star lords, including the Dark Star, the Retreating Star, and the Longevity Star, had already perished in the fierce battle.

Since the position of the Star Lord was vacant, the Heavenly Court had to select a new Star Lord to fill the divine post.

At this moment, the Great Sage Huang Feng is under the command of "Heavenly Wound Star," who is the previous incarnation of Wu Song, the Tiger Slayer.

Xiao Chen had some insight into the relationships within the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.

Just like the friendship between Wu Song and Shi En.

The Heavenly Wounded Star and the Earthly Subdued Star (who, after descending to earth, became the previous incarnation of "Golden-Eyed Leopard Bestowing Grace") have a deep friendship.

The two often fought side by side and were as close as brothers.

The person with the Earthly Star is greedy and has an extreme fondness for all kinds of rare and precious resources.

"Money makes the world go round..."

"In this complex Heavenly Court faction, perhaps one can use personal interests to smooth things over and achieve one's own goals."

Having made up his mind, Xiao Chen had an idea.

Now, he is also a Heavenly General, and under the command of the Curtain-Rolling General, making him an equal to this Earthly Star.

He used his accumulated "Tianlu Points" to exchange for five "Three-Turn Golden Pills" that were filled with a misty purple aura in the Heavenly Court's treasury.

These elixirs are of excellent quality and exude a powerful spiritual energy; they are top-tier bargaining chips for getting things done.

With this valuable "gift," Xiao Chen found the Earthly Star in the ranks of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends.

After a series of veiled and ambiguous conversations, interspersed with subtle hints of self-interest, Di Fuxing's eyes, as he gazed at the radiant golden elixir, revealed an undisguised greed.

No further words were needed; both sides understood each other implicitly.

"Don't worry, Captain Yang, this is not difficult..."

Di Fuxing accepted the three-stage golden pills and nodded slightly, indicating that Xiao Chen could rest assured.

Soon, a series of unseen operations were quietly completed.

Under the covert manipulation of Difuxing, "Shi Feixiong" (Huang Feng Dasheng) quietly switched sides from Tianshangxing's team and came under Xiao Chen's command.

"Lord..."

"Yellow Wind..."

Xiao Chen met with Huang Feng, the Great Sage, and they had a conversation.

……

The Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Hall was solemn and dignified.

Step into it.

Xiao Chen's gaze was once again drawn to the portrait of the deity hanging high in the hall.

His gaze swept quickly over the portrait of Doumu Yuanjun, who ruled over the stars, and finally settled on the portrait of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady.

The female immortal in the painting has a face as bright and flawless as the Mid-Autumn Festival moon; her eyebrows resemble distant mountains shrouded in mist, their delicate strokes revealing her gentle grace. Her eyes are lowered, as if she is looking down upon the mortal world.

Those phoenix eyes were deep and unfathomable, with divine light flickering within them. The pupils seemed to contain endless vortexes of stars, perfectly blending the gentle beauty of a female immortal with the imposing divine majesty, inspiring awe in all who beheld them.

She is the superior of all the thirty-six Heavenly Generals and seventy-two Earthly Fiends.

The "Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady" represents the progenitor of human military strategy, who uses killing to stop killing, violence to control violence, and brutality to bring peace to the world.

The portrait vividly portrays the three divine powers of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden:
On one hand, this female immortal wore a nine-phoenix crown and a long black robe with the Big Dipper pattern embroidered on the hem. Her temperament was elegant and noble, like a noble lady in a palace, noble and unapproachable.

In his left hand he holds a demon-slaying sword, its cold light gleaming, displaying the might of his martial prowess; in his right hand he holds a "jade book in cinnabar," its pages slightly turned, seemingly overflowing with wisdom and strategy.

The black bird beneath him has feathers as black as iron and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, capable of discerning the falsehoods of the world.

The sword represents military force, while military strategy represents wisdom and tactics.

This aspect perfectly embodies the revered status of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady as the progenitor of military strategists in the human world—possessing profound wisdom and unparalleled bravery.

In her second appearance, she transforms into a war goddess, clad in flowing gold armor, draped in a crimson shawl, and wearing black tortoise-patterned war boots. The halberd in her hand is sharp and menacing, exuding a fierce and ruthless aura, as if she is about to burst forth from the painting and conquer all directions.

This painting is incredibly lifelike, depicting the ancient legend of the Battle of Zhuolu—the Mysterious Maiden descended to earth, bestowing upon the Yellow Emperor secrets of military strategy, Yin-Yang tactics, and the wondrous art of Taiyi Dunjia, ultimately helping him slay the demon king Chiyou and bringing peace to the world.

This is the true appearance of the celestial female war goddess who uses killing to stop killing and violence to control violence, thus bringing peace to the world.

On the third side, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden transformed into a graceful and elegant mortal fairy in a green robe with a bamboo hairpin, wielding a three-foot-long green sword.

This side tells the story of Yue Nu Jian A Qing, representing the incarnation of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden in the human world.

but.

The Fairy of a Hundred Flowers, on the other hand, appears softer and gentler; clearly, she is not one of those aspects.

"Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden... Hundred Flowers Fairy..."

Xiao Chen couldn't help but glance at the portrait of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden again.

Although the appearance of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden and her maid, Hundred Flowers Fairy, bore many similarities, making them almost indistinguishable like twin sisters, their temperaments were completely different.

Baihuaxian is a princess of Chechi Kingdom. She is gentle and graceful, delicate and tender, and every move she makes evokes pity in people.

When she smiles, her eyebrows and eyes curve like crescent moons; when she speaks, her voice is soft and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley.

As the husband of the Hundred Flower Fairy, King Golden Horn had been with her for many years, and his familiarity with every inch of her skin and every strand of her hair was deeply ingrained in his bones.

It can be said that they know it like the back of their hand and are extremely familiar with it.

He only needs to take a look at the true form of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden to understand the secrets within.

Unfortunately, during this war against the heavens, the true form of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden was never revealed, and he was unable to see her true appearance, nor could he find out the relationship between the "Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden" and the "Hundred Flower Fairy".

What mysterious connection exists between those two women? One is a "cold and noble goddess from the heavens," and the other is a "gentle and graceful beauty in the mortal world."
These thoughts, like a thick fog, lingered in the mind of King Golden Horn, impossible to dispel or unravel.

However, it seems that...

This mystery can only be solved by waiting for the Golden Horn King to "find his future"...

In the future... on "someday" in the future.

Perhaps King Golden Horn will be able to dispel the fog and completely unravel the mystery between "Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden and Hundred Flower Fairy".

As the saying goes:
"People without thought, he must worry about."

In this unpredictable and ever-changing mythological world.

King Golden Horn needs to have a certain foresight, anticipate potential risks, and prepare countermeasures in advance to avoid being at a loss when unexpected problems arise.

Besides the remarkable strength of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden herself, the mysterious and unpredictable background of her sect also needs to be considered.

The background of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden is actually unclear.

Xiao Chen was also filled with many thoughts.

One theory is that the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady was a disciple of the ancient goddess Nuwa.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden is the incarnation of the ancient Mystic Bird, and originally belonged to the lineage of the ancient demon race.

In fact, in the ancient times, the boundary between "humans" and "demons" was not clear.

The goddess Nuwa molded humans from clay and mended the sky with stones.

The innate human race was created by the goddess Nuwa from clay, and could also be called "clay demons".

So, since everyone is a manifestation of the grass, trees, and soil of the primordial world, what are the differences between "soil demons," "stone demons," "bird demons," and "grass and tree demons"?

You are a "mud demon", I am a "stone demon". You say you are human, then what am I?
In ancient times, there were many races, including humans, who were also a member of the demon race.

The full name of the human race is "Mudmen".

The human race is just a branch of the demon race, a name for the "mud demons" and their descendants, also known as the "mud people".

However, most of the humans today are descendants of the earliest "clay people," that is, "post-natal humans."

In the mythological world, these "acquired humans" are truly excellent "resources" and "human resources"—they reproduce rapidly, have pure faith, and their incense offerings are thriving.

Yet its power is meager.

With such high-quality species resources and such excellent "talents," the innate deities naturally had to "protect" them, separating them from the complex demon race lineage and raising and caring for them separately, just like "a shepherd raising his flock of sheep."

This is the origin of the modern "human race".

To put it bluntly, I'm a "talent" in the mythological world.

The "Emperor" in the lower realm is the one who "shepherds the people on behalf of Heaven," managing the human race on behalf of the gods.

Ultimately, the beings in this mythological world can be divided into two categories:
Firstly, there are the "primordial deities" who were born in the beginning and control the primordial world; they rule over all things in the world.

Secondly, those "born creatures" whose lives are as insignificant as weeds are simply "consumables".

The primordial deities, possessing the source of the Dao and the authority over Heaven and Earth, regard acquired beings as food on a table, to be slaughtered and consumed at any time; they see them as cattle and horses, driving them to labor and toil for them; they see them as materials for alchemy, refining their lives and essence into elixirs to enhance their own cultivation...

They view the living beings born after death as mere offerings, exploiting their faith to nourish themselves...

"Rain, plague, gales, sunlight, the Book of Life and Death..."

From every drop of rain in the mortal realm... to your life and death, your lifespan each year... and even to plague punishments, the passage of time, the blooming and withering of flowers...

Everything is under the control of the innate deities.

The primordial deities used these means to strengthen their rule by controlling and exploiting the beings born after birth.

In this cruel system, a few exceptional beings born later in life may be "promoted" to the ranks of the innate deities, and participate in the rule over the lower classes.

To become a "high-level talent".

But this is only the fate of a very small number of lucky people.

It is recorded in "Investiture of the Gods":
Nuwa waved her demon-summoning banner, and soon a mournful wind howled, a somber fog descended, and dark clouds gathered. After several gusts of wind, all the demons in the world arrived at the palace to await her decree.

The goddess Nuwa instructed Caiyun: "Tell all demons to retreat, leaving only the three demons in Xuanyuan Tomb to serve you." The three demons entered the palace to pay their respects, saying, "May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life."

Nuwa was an ancient sage of the demon court, wielding the demon race's most precious treasure, the "Demon-Summoning Banner." She had many demon disciples under her command, and by waving the "Demon-Summoning Banner," she could command all the demons in the world, and all the demons would come to her palace to await Nuwa's decree.

It can be said that "all demons came to pay homage to Nuwa's palace".

For example, the three demons of Xuanyuan Tomb—the nine-tailed fox spirit, the nine-headed pheasant spirit, the jade pipa spirit, Bixia Boy, and Caiyun Boy—were all demons under the tutelage of the goddess Nuwa.

If the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden was the incarnation of the ancient Mysterious Bird, it would be reasonable for her to join the ranks of Nuwa.

Secondly, it is said that the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady was a disciple of the Queen Mother of the West.

After all, the Queen Mother of the West is the head of all female immortals in the Three Realms.

The Queen Mother of the West is the head of all female immortals. All women in the Three Realms and Ten Directions who attain immortality must be under her jurisdiction.

But no matter what.

Regardless of how powerful the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden's background is,
Xiao Chen's belief grew stronger:

"Anyway, Baihuaxian and I were in love with each other, and it was a matter of mutual consent."

"Moreover, the Hundred Flower Fairy has already formally served tea to the Scorpion Demon, going through the formal procedures, so she is now one of my people, the Golden Horn King."

"As long as one's own strength rises to the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, then even if one unintentionally desecrates the avatar or incarnation of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden..."

"The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden came looking for us later."

"I am also fearless."

Having made up his mind, Xiao Chen took one last deep look at the noble and mysterious portrait of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, and then stopped lingering.

He led his newly recruited subordinate, the Great Sage Huang Feng, and quickly left the main hall of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Hall, returning directly to the Yang residence on Chixia Mountain.

……

This is the end.

He is the Golden Horned King, the Dragon Girl of Ten Thousand Saints, the Yellow Wind King...

Their Heavenly Treasure-Stealing Team, after many twists and turns in Heaven, has finally reunited.

He needs to report to General Juanlian in three days.

The next day or two were filled with miscellaneous tasks.

For example, after he was promoted to the rank of Sky Patrol Captain, his residence had to be moved to a higher celestial level.

For example, after he was promoted to the rank of Sky Patrol Captain, he could command hundreds of celestial soldiers, which required him to personally interview and select the celestial soldiers under his command.

……

This requires him to personally interview and select the heavenly soldiers under his command.

Xiao Chen then prepared to head to the Thirty-Third Heaven.

There are two things I need to do on this trip:
Firstly, one of his purposes in making this trip was to pay a visit to his new superior, the powerful "curtain-rolling general."

The current Curtain-Rolling General is truly imposing and arrogant, just as:
"Inside the Southern Heavenly Gate, I am the most honored; before the Lingxiao Palace, I am the highest. When escorting the emperor, I am the first; when accompanying the court, I am the most superior!"

In short, to sum it up in one sentence, the top leader of the South Heavenly Gate and the chief of the "sword-wielding guards" before the Jade Emperor is none other than the Curtain-Raising General!

Secondly, and this is also the highlight of the trip,
He planned to make a detour to the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Mansion to visit his old friend who had stirred up the Three Realms—"The Handsome Monkey King Sun Wukong".

He had been separated from Sun Wukong for a long time, and now that he could freely enter and leave the Thirty-Three Heavens, it was time to pay him a visit and reminisce about old times.

……

Just as Xiao Chen was preparing to set off for the Thirty-Third Heaven, the winds and clouds were also surging in the lower realm.

……

At the mouth of the Guan River, the divine Erlang Zhenjun "Yang Jian" had already gathered all his generals.

Loyal hound Xiaotian followed closely on either side, with the six brothers of Meishan standing solemnly behind them. There were also 1,200 brave and skilled grass-root gods, their armor gleaming and their ranks orderly, resembling a torrent of iron armor, exuding a chilling aura.

This formidable force, renowned throughout the Three Realms, under the leadership of Yang Jian, is fully prepared and set its sights on the Heavenly Court.

Yang Jian was ordered to go to the Heavenly Court to officially take over the divine office of the God of Justice, which symbolizes supreme authority and endless responsibility!
At the same time, the God of Justice is also the head of the judicial officials in the heavens.

This means that if theft occurs in the Heavenly Realm, it will be Yang Jian who goes to apprehend the thief.

(End of this chapter)