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

Chapter 551 Recruiting Sun Wukong into the Party
Deep within the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's mansion, the study, doubly sealed by Sun Wukong's "drawing a circle on the ground as a prison" supernatural power and Xiao Chen's "Queen Mother's Golden Hairpin" magic treasure, has become a carefree little world of its own.

The unique sweetness and clarity of the peach wine intertwine with the rich aroma of the nine-thousand-year-old purple-veined peaches, creating a unique veil that isolates the strict rules and solemnity of the outside world, leaving only the fragrant aroma that intoxicates the mind and soul.

Sun Wukong and Xiao Chen hid in a secret room in the study, where the aroma of peaches and wine filled the room.

"Toad..."

"monkey……"

The two men toasted each other, discussing the vicissitudes of the past century, from the history of Chechi Kingdom to their experiences in Heaven, all with great enthusiasm and satisfaction.

"Alright, toad, come and try this peach wine! Come on! Drink!"

With a face full of pride, Sun Wukong shoved one of the large wine gourds into Xiao Chen's arms without saying a word, while he himself held the other large wine gourd and took a big gulp.

The liquor spilled from the corner of his mouth, shimmering against his golden fur.

Two blushes instantly rose on Sun Wukong's face. He let out a satisfied sigh, his eyes gleaming even brighter, and laughed heartily:

"This is wonderful! This is the life of a god! Toad, have a taste!"

At this moment.

Sun Wukong's overwhelming heroic spirit and the unwavering brotherhood instantly dispelled Xiao Chen's heavy heart.

"Their battle with the Western Buddha" is something for the future.

at the moment.

Let's drink and be merry while we can! Cheers!

"Come on, monkey, let's eat!"

Xiao Chen gritted his teeth and, imitating the Monkey King, grabbed another gourd and gulped it down!
The wine enters the throat, transforming into a warm, scalding current!

This forbidden treasure of Heaven, the supreme treasure of the Three Realms, the Great Fruit Peaches, was brewed into "Monkey Wine".

The peach wine is as smooth and mellow as fine wine, yet it possesses a surging and wild vitality!
The essence of heaven and earth from the nine-thousand-year-old peaches, through the aging process and the unique brewing techniques of the monkey tribe of Flower Fruit Mountain, underwent a miraculous transformation.

The peaches' inherent sweetness is imbued with the mellow fragrance of long years, while also possessing a touch of wild tartness and the intense aroma of primal fermentation.

This is the essence of "freedom and rebellion"!
Life is precious, love is more expensive, if it is for freedom, both can be thrown away.

A life without freedom is a slave to life.

Love without freedom is love's slavery.

The taste of freedom is a flavor that no celestial banquet can match; it is the most rebellious and exhilarating unparalleled enjoyment in the strictly regulated Heavenly Court!

The peach wine went down my throat.

"Good wine!"

Even though Xiao Chen had drunk quite a bit of fine wine, he felt his throat burning and a surge of heroic spirit rushed to his head. He couldn't help but exclaim in praise!
carefree!

At this moment, there were no more scruples.

The two brothers sat facing each other in the "Secret Treasury of Thieves' Stolen Goods," a study that was completely out of place with the solemn and dignified Heavenly Court. They were simply chewing on the top-grade peaches of immortality from Heaven and drinking the unparalleled monkey wine "brewed by stealing from Heaven."

Since their parting in Chechi Kingdom more than a hundred years ago, the ups and downs of the Heavenly Court, the turbulent events in the mortal world, and their extraordinary encounters...

The sweet, juicy peach flesh and the spicy, mellow wine speak volumes...

"Hahaha……"

"Hahaha……"

"Dong dong dong..."

Laughter, exclamations, and the muffled thuds of monkey paws striking the ground echoed within the heavily guarded study.

"Monkey, where have you been in Heaven these past few months?"

When the wine was half-finished, Xiao Chen put down the half-eaten large peach, gently wiped the juice from the corner of his mouth, and asked with a look of doubt in his eyes.

He had previously asked the Dragon Clan to go to the Heavenly Court and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Mansion to look for Sun Wukong, but they were unable to find him.

The news from the Dragon Clan is that Sun Wukong has not returned home for many days and has disappeared without a trace.

"Well..."

Sun Wukong had just finished gnawing on a peach pit and was happily sucking on his gourd-shaped lips when he heard this. He rolled his eyes, let out a burp, and then said:

"What else can I do in Heaven?"

"Watching peaches, growing peaches, visiting friends everywhere, playing a few rounds of chess when the mood strikes, playing chess and listening to music when bored... Just a few days ago..."

Sun Wukong scratched his face, lost in thought, and after a moment continued:

"I, Old Sun, went to Penglai Island to find those three old men, the God of Fortune, the God of Prosperity, and the God of Longevity, to have some drinks and fun!"

He paused, a playful smile flashing across his monkey-like face, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, and continued laughing:

"Hey! Interestingly, even that old man, the Donghua Emperor from Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, joined us at the banquet!"

Sun Wukong chuckled and said:

"That old bastard Donghua Dijun is a tough nut to crack. He must be looking at my old Sun's past experience of 'raising the flag to rebel against heaven'."

"They think I'm someone who won't stay put."

"His words were mumbled and roundabout, giving off a vibe of him trying to get me to join him in flipping the table again! Heh!"

Sun Wukong took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, and sneered:

"But doesn't he realize that I, Old Sun, am now known as the 'Great Sage Equaling Heaven' in the Heavenly Realm, holding the highest official rank?"

"I have food and drink, an official position, and peaches to enjoy at will. I'm living a carefree and happy life. Why would I go and do something that could cost me my head?"

"I, Old Sun, am not stupid!"

"Besides, what kind of relationship do I have with that Emperor Donghua?"

"He says if we rebel, I'll rebel too? I don't believe a damn thing!"

Sun Wukong grabbed a peach, took a big, vicious bite with a "crunch," and muttered indistinctly and angrily:
"In my opinion, that old man must have failed to win me over and is now worried that I might spoil his plans by speaking out of turn!"

Therefore!

The monkey suddenly raised its voice and threw the peach pit into the dish next to it with a crisp "crack":
"That old bastard Donghua Dijun is a scoundrel! Relying on his seniority as an old immortal, he deliberately found some strange and frighteningly potent 'immortal fruit wine' at the banquet!"

"He and those lucky stars, prosperity stars, and longevity stars took turns pouring water on me!"

"At the time, I, Old Sun, didn't think anything of it, just that they were hospitable... But after the drinking ended and I stepped into the Peach Garden, the aftereffects suddenly hit me all at once!"

"My head felt like it was stuffed with a gold brick, I was so dizzy I was spinning! In a moment of panic, I just..."

Sun Wukong slapped his thigh:
"I turned into a ripe peach on the spot and fell fast asleep hanging on the branch!"

Sun Wukong spread his hands, looking both innocent and annoyed.
"I slept like a log! When I opened my eyes again, everything had changed!"

"I heard that old man Donghua couldn't stand it, so he jumped up and started doing it himself, and then..."

Sun Wukong bared his teeth and made a gesture of collapse:

"Hey! Donghua Dijun got slapped to the ground by that fat Buddha from the West, he's completely finished!"

"Did I just miss out on this incredible spectacle?"

Sun Wukong shook his wine gourd and cursed angrily:

"But that old bastard Donghua Dijun! He's so stingy! He really looks down on me, old Sun!"

"How could I, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, be such a despicable rat who stabs others in the back and betrays his friends for personal gain?"

"If he's honest and straightforward, and tells me the truth, maybe when he really storms the Lingxiao Palace, I, Old Sun, will even lend him a hand!"

"Let's test that old Buddha's strength too."

"As it turns out, this Donghua Emperor, whom I, Old Sun, am heart to heart, actually played tricks on me and outsmarted me."

"Damn it!" "Absolutely damn it!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's confusion vanished:
"I see……"

"No wonder the Dragon Clan couldn't find Sun Wukong anywhere in the Heavenly Realm."

Sun Wukong possesses the innate supernatural power of the Spiritual Stone Monkey, which allows him to "understand transformations".

His transformation skills are unparalleled, making him a top-tier existence across the Three Realms.

If Sun Wukong were to transform into a peach, he could silently hide among the vast sea of ​​hundreds of thousands of peaches in the Peach Garden.

First, there are very few immortals who can openly enter the Peach Garden; second, even among those who enter the Peach Garden, those with the "Insightful Eye" to see through Sun Wukong's exquisite transformations are extremely rare!
Under such circumstances, it would be strange if the Dragon Clan could find Sun Wukong!
At this moment, Sun Wukong had already devoured several immortal peaches, the juice of which overflowed and the fragrance of the fruit permeated the air.

"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle..."

Sun Wukong ignored everything and gulped down the half-gourd of monkey wine.

In an instant, his face flushed red like clouds, the smell of alcohol billowed out like mist, and even the corners of his eyes and brows were filled with the comfortable and pleasant feeling brought by drunkenness.

"Well..."

He suddenly let out a loud burp, which carried an extremely strong smell of alcohol and the unique fragrance of peaches.

Immediately afterwards, Sun Wukong stretched out his greasy, hairy paw, with a touch of boldness and affection, and patted Xiao Chen's shoulder forcefully, grinning as he said:
"Alright! Toad! After going around in circles like this, it's your turn to speak!"

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes slightly, a sly glint in them, and continued:
"Tell me quickly! Toad, you haven't told me yet, why don't you just be your Golden Toad King, roaming freely in the Three Realms, instead of running up here in the heavens and wearing this damn official skin?"

"Could it be that you also wish to ascend to heaven to serve as an official and enjoy the comforts and blessings of the celestial court?"

"Hehehe, why don't I, Old Sun, introduce you to someone? I can guarantee you a minor official position in the Heavenly Court, so you can live a life of prestige..."

Xiao Chen paused slightly, swallowed the fresh, juicy, and spiritually rich peach flesh in his mouth, and felt the heat rising in his stomach. The playful expression on his face also subsided a bit.

He slowly put down his wine gourd, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable. Meeting Sun Wukong's probing gaze, he lowered his voice and slowly uttered four words:

"For the purpose of stealing treasure."

"Treasure theft!"

Sun Wukong's monkey eyes narrowed into slits instantly, and the two golden rays deep in his pupils suddenly contracted, then suddenly shone brightly again.

The alcohol on his body seemed to have evaporated completely with the words "treasure theft".

Sun Wukong slowly put down the peach in his hand, his mouth still grinning, but that smile now held a hint of unspoken danger and excitement, and said:

"Oh? Stealing treasures from Heaven? Hehehe... Interesting, interesting!"

Sun Wukong was a guy who never shied away from trouble and was fearless.

The bigger the deal, the more excited he became.

Sun Wukong swung his cheeks, picked up the wine gourd, and drank three large gulps in one go. His cheeks flushed with excitement, and he couldn't wait to ask:

"Brothers!"

"We haven't seen each other for over a hundred years, and I never expected that you'd be up to something big the moment we meet again!"

"Tell me quickly! This Heavenly Treasury is full of treasures, surrounded by gods and Buddhas. Which great god's treasure have you set your sights on?"

"I, Old Sun, would like to hear what kind of treasure could excite you so much."

Sun Wukong's eyes shone brightly, as if he had instantly rediscovered the heroic feeling of gathering demons and settling scores on Flower Fruit Mountain.

A pair of piercing golden eyes gleamed with eager anticipation, and even the undeveloped spiritual essence of the stone monkey seemed to stir within them.

Xiao Chen smiled slightly, poured the peach wine into the white jade cup on the table, took a sip, and felt the powerful spiritual energy of the peach wine spreading gently through his body.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp as a blade, and he spoke clearly, word by word:

"Monkey, to tell you the truth, the treasure I've come to steal from Heaven is none other than the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass, which is treasured by the Queen Mother of the West in the Jade Pool Holy Land!"

"This nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum can heal injuries to the foundation of one's health; it is a rare and precious spiritual object."

"In Beiju Luzhou, I have recently adopted seven gourd spirits as my adopted sons."

"Five of the adopted sons have injuries to their foundations, which have damaged their foundation for cultivation. If they are not treated in time, it may affect their future cultivation."

Upon hearing this, a glint of excitement flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes, and he laughed loudly:

"Hahaha, Golden Horn, I didn't expect that you would have seven adopted sons in just a few months."

"I, Old Sun, have gained a few more nephews, hahaha, I've become an elder now."

"This feeling is quite novel. I, Old Sun, also want to experience what it's like to be an elder."

"I'll definitely go and visit my nephews later, bring them some gifts, and let them know that I, Old Sun, am not just a name for myself."

Xiao Chen nodded and said:
"Hmm... I also have two female friends who need this nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum to heal their injuries."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong understood immediately and smiled mischievously:

"Are they my two sisters-in-law?"

"I, Old Sun, know this: even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman."

Xiao Chen coughed lightly, a hint of embarrassment on his face, and quickly explained:
"Currently, there is only one, just one."

After all, the matter between King Golden Horn and Princess Wansheng is still unresolved, so it's best not to speak carelessly and ruin their reputation.

Xiao Chen then added:
"Ganoderma lucidum has the effects of nourishing qi and blood, calming the mind, warming life, and strengthening the body. It is a good tonic for cultivators."

"This innate nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum is exceptionally effective, the best among all Ganoderma lucidum in the Three Realms. Its rarity far surpasses that of ordinary Ganoderma lucidum, making it a truly rare treasure."

"The celestial energy emitted by this nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum alone can nourish the surrounding things, keeping them intact for a thousand years and shining brightly for ten thousand years."

“Monkey, your eyes are also a fundamental injury, an injury that has troubled you for a long time.”

"This nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum contains the life force of the primordial world, which can penetrate deep into the cultivator's body, nourish the foundation of their cultivation, repair wounds, and give the cultivator a new life."

"This nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum may also heal the acquired damage to your eyes, restoring your 'bright golden eyes' to their original clarity."

"The Queen Mother of the West's Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes, then he suddenly understood, reached out and patted Xiao Chen's shoulder, and laughed:
"Oh—! I, Old Sun, understand!"

"Since my nephews are injured and need this medicine for treatment."

"As the uncle, I don't have any good gifts for my nephews to give them."

"This is the perfect gift. Consider it a token of my appreciation to my nephews, and a way of fulfilling my responsibility as an elder."

"The Queen Mother of the West always loves to hold banquets, but she never seems to spare a single blade of grass to save people. Is she just going to let it mold?"

"This is a matter of helping one's own juniors."

"Not to mention, this herb might even cure my eyes."

"Brother, I support what you're doing!"

"One word: Do it!"

Sun Wukong nodded vigorously, praising Xiao Chen's loyalty and righteousness.

Xiao Chen smiled and said:

"Monkey, actually, I didn't come alone on this trip; I brought three helpers with me."

"One is the Dragon Girl of Ten Thousand Saints. She is skilled in cultivating the Lingzhi Immortal Herb. With her around, the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Herb can be guaranteed to remain safe and sound after it is stolen."

"The second is the Great Sage Huang Feng. He is a rat spirit who is best at stealing. With him involved, the chances of stealing the Lingzhi grass will be much higher."

"The third one is the mosquito demon Shu Wen that you met before. He is used for us to transmit messages in time to prevent unforeseen events."

"If anything goes wrong, our elder brothers, the Bull Demon King and the Macaque King, will be there to support us and ensure our escape route."

(End of this chapter)