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

Chapter 557 The golden cicada escapes from its shell
At the summit of Mirror Sea Mountain, the clouds and rosy hues resemble brocade.

"Holy crap, monkey, look! This mountain is... huge!"

Xiao Chen led Sun Wukong to enjoy the scenery around Mirror Sea Mountain while they waited to have tea.

The scenery of this mountain is as beautiful as a painting. Xiao Chen had been holding back his poetic inspiration for a long time, but no inspiration came. He could only sigh and think how big the mountain was.

It must be said that the Heavenly Realm is indeed the abode of the gods, who control the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning of the mortal world. It is the head of the Three Realms, and everywhere there are blessed lands full of spiritual energy and beauty.

Jinghai Mountain boasts unique scenery. Mirror Lake is like a mirror, reflecting the clouds and sky, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, like a fairyland.

The mountainside is filled with rare and beautiful flowers and herbs, and shimmering light appears and disappears, making it a truly wonderful place to relax and unwind.

Xiao Chen and Sun Wukong strolled leisurely around Mirror Sea Mountain for a while, taking in the beautiful scenery and the ever-changing clouds.

Not long after.

The hangover-relieving tea, personally brewed by the Dragon Girl of Halloween, was incredibly fragrant.

The unique aroma of the tea, like a serpent, permeates the air, whetting one's appetite and making one's mouth water.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Chen and Sun Wukong returned to their study.

Upon entering the study, a refreshing and invigorating aroma of tea wafts through the air, instantly soothing the mind and spirit.

Beside the tea table.

The Dragon Girl of Halloween revealed her true form, now dressed in an elegant light blue palace gown.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like brimming autumn water, and her lips as red and lustrous as newly blossoming cherries. Her figure was graceful, her waist so slender it could be grasped in one hand.

This elegant light blue palace dress further accentuates her graceful demeanor, her temperament as gentle as water, and her kind and charming appearance inspires a sense of closeness in those who see her.

At this moment.

The Dragon Girl of the Ten Thousand Saints lowered her eyes and concentrated, her delicate hands moving swiftly as she focused on performing the tea ceremony.

The morning light, like gold, filtered through the carved window lattice, gently scattering like golden gauze upon Wan Shenglongnu, softly outlining her exquisite and graceful profile.

In the blink of an eye.

With a gentle wave of her slender, delicate hand, Wan Shenglongnv brewed a pot of her secret-recipe "Bi Tan Qing Xin Tea" to perfection.

The clear tea soup, served in a jade cup, is warm and lustrous, with a refreshing aroma that intoxicates the senses even before tasting it.

This "Bi Tan Qing Xin Tea" is cool in nature and has the effect of relieving greasiness and irritability, and is especially good at relieving the discomfort caused by alcohol.

If the Scorpion Demon is a ball of fire, unrestrained and flamboyant, ruthless yet capable of both love and hate, she is an exquisite femme fatale who inspires both fear and admiration.

This Wansheng Dragon Girl is like a clear spring, gentle and delicate, like a demure and beautiful young lady.

"good……"

Xiao Chen secretly admired her, and had to admit that Wan Sheng Long Nu was indeed a girl he could live a good life with.

Her skills in tea brewing, cooking, gardening, and all other areas are excellent.

Whether slender or plump, each has its own charm; the figures of beautiful women are all uniquely beautiful, each possessing its own distinctive allure and charm.

However, as the Golden Horned King, he needs both passionate, femme fatale beauties and gentle, demure ladies.

now.

In the shadow of the corner.

A hazy, yellowish aura lingered and refused to dissipate.

In an instant, the aura solidified, manifesting as the Yellow Wind Great Sage's pointed-mouthed, shrunken-cheeked rat-like face.

The Great Sage Yellow Wind, twirling a few sparse, yellowish-brown whiskers, was intently focused on the extremely detailed map of the Jade Pool Heavenly Palace, lying on the table.

"here……"

His brows were furrowed, deeply furrowed, and his fingers slowly traced across the map as he muttered to himself, clearly calculating the route of their stealth and the potential risks they might encounter.

The map was extremely detailed, and it was the result of Xiao Chen and Wan Shenglongnu's last infiltration of Yaochi. It recorded in detail the pavilions, patrol posts, guards, and the location of the core target - "the Queen Mother's Medicine Garden".

"You can get in here...you can get out here...this is a good place to dig a mouse hole..."

Yellow Wind Great Sage traced the winding path with his fingertips, silently chanting as he continuously simulated various possibilities of infiltration, theft, and retreat.

Yaochi is undoubtedly a crucial place in the immortal realm, heavily guarded, like an impregnable fortress.

The Great Sage Huang Feng had never been to Yaochi and knew very little about that important celestial realm.

The pressure from the imposing walls made even the fur on his body seem to stand on end, and his expression appeared extremely solemn.

Upon noticing Xiao Chen and Sun Wukong enter, he hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully.

"My lord! Great Sage!"

Xiao Chen waved his hand, signaling Huang Feng Dasheng to continue.

"Young sister-in-law!"

"Rat spirit!"

Sun Wukong had regained his monkey-like restlessness. He somersaulted to the stone bench next to the main seat, sat down, picked up the warm teapot, and without caring about the heat, gulped down most of it.

The clear, sweet tea slid down my throat, seemingly washing away the frustration and resentment I felt from my encounter with Yang Jian.

Sun Wukong had tasted many fine teas from Heaven, but the Dragon Girl of Ten Thousand Saints' brewing technique and skill brought out the best in the tea, making every sip unforgettable.

Unable to contain his admiration, Sun Wukong gave a thumbs-up and loudly praised the Dragon Girl:

"Tsk tsk tsk! Young lady, this is excellent tea! Excellent tea!"

"Its aroma is pure and refreshing, penetrating to the very marrow; its aftertaste is long-lasting and sweet, naturally generating saliva, it is wonderful beyond words, truly a top-grade tea!"

"It's a hundred times better than the water made from those two fire-tending boys in Laozi's palace who ruined the good leaves!"

"Your cooking skills are truly superb, sister-in-law!"

"Another day, I, Old Sun, will go to the Tushita Palace to find the Supreme Dao Ancestor and ask for a few jars of the finest 'Enlightenment Tea' for you, my little sister-in-law, to taste. That would be worthy of your exquisite tea-making skills!"

Upon hearing this, Wan Shenglongnu's eyes lit up and she said:

"The immortal tea of ​​the Supreme Dao Ancestor of the Tushita Palace? Really?"

"I wouldn't even dare to dream of it?"

"Hahaha……"

Sun Wukong laughed heartily and patted his chest, guaranteeing:
"This is a trivial matter!"

"Leave it to me, Old Sun! I will certainly live up to your expectations, little sister-in-law!"

Overjoyed, Wan Sheng Long Nu completely disregarded Sun Wukong's address of "little sister-in-law," and simply smiled and curtsied, saying:

"Then thank you, Great Sage."

Sun Wukong winked at Xiao Chen, his eyes full of mockery and smugness, as if to say:

"Toad, you must thank me properly later. I, Old Sun, have been the matchmaker for you two and helped you find happiness."

Sun Wukong pondered to himself that although the toad brothers and the Dragon Girl of Ten Thousand Saints were mutually attracted, their relationship was still somewhat unfamiliar, and he felt that something was still missing.

He then thought of helping the Toad Brothers so that they could win the heart of their beloved sooner.

"Sun Wukong, Wan Sheng Long Nu..."

Seeing this scene, Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart, and a smile appeared on his lips.

In the original story of "Journey to the West", the Dragon Girl Wansheng actually had a tragic fate.

On the journey to the west, the Nine-Headed Insect abandoned the Dragon Girl and fled alone.

When Sun Wukong came knocking on her door, the Dragon Girl Wansheng was killed by his "schemes" and Zhu Bajie's "sneak attack," and she perished in the Green Wave Pool, becoming a lonely ghost in that pool.

But now, times have changed, and Sun Wukong and Wansheng Longnu have become acquainted and get along well.

Presumably, the tragedy that followed will not be repeated, and the fate of this gentle dragon maiden will be changed from then on.

Perhaps, when Wan Sheng Long Nu met Jin Jiao Da Wang, the trajectory of their fate had already quietly changed.

The Dragon Girl of Halloween parted her lips slightly and said gently:
"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

A cup of warm tea was handed to him. Xiao Chen took the jade cup offered by Wan Shenglongnu and took a small sip.

Tea is a calming substance that can refresh the mind and cleanse the heart of worldly cares, hence it is known as the "purifier of worries".

A good cup of tea can make people concentrate and contemplate.

The aroma of tea is like a misty fog, its sweet fragrance lingering on the tongue, making one feel refreshed and calmed.

The tea is finished.

Now it's time to get down to business.

The air inside the room seemed to freeze instantly. The divine senses of Xiao Chen, the Monkey King, the Yellow Wind Great Sage, and the Dragon Girl of Ten Thousand Saints were closely linked, like four invisible threads intertwined, inseparable.

The atmosphere in the secret room suddenly became heavy. Even the rising steam from the tea seemed to sense the chilling atmosphere and stopped moving, as if waiting for what was to come.

"Listen up, everyone!"

Xiao Chen lowered his voice even further, and with a do-or-die determination, said in a deep voice:
"The Dan Yuan Assembly will be held in the Tushita Palace of Lihentian in a few days."

"At that time, the Queen Mother of the West will also attend the meeting, and the defenses of Yaochi will be reduced to their lowest point."

"This is a golden opportunity, we cannot miss it." "Let's make our move then."

"good!"

The Dragon Girl of the Ten Thousand Saints had a bright and clear gaze. She nodded slightly and parted her red lips to respond. Her voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally firm.

She knew that this was her last hope for healing her injuries, and she could not afford to slack off in the slightest; she had to give it her all.

"If the Lord commands, I will follow you to the death!"

Yellow Wind Great Sage suddenly straightened his thin, rat-like waist, his eyes flashing with sharp light, and his high-pitched voice carrying a murderous aura.

He, the Great Sage Yellow Wind, will wash away his past shame and prove his worth by stealing the herb today!
"Hehe, that's how it should be!"

Sun Wukong grinned, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect of causing trouble, as if he couldn't wait to wreak havoc and turn the world upside down!
Xiao Chen's gaze fell on Wan Shenglongnu, and he cut straight to the point:
“Ao Yao, the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass is a spiritual root of heaven and earth, and its harvesting and cultivation are by no means easy.”

"All the necessary tools and equipment must be complete. Have you prepared everything properly?"

This is one of his biggest concerns.

Ordinary Ganoderma lucidum is rare even in the lower realms, as it has extremely demanding environmental requirements, unlike peaches which can grow everywhere.

The same is true for the nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum.

Immortal herbs possess a spirit; improper harvesting can severely damage their spiritual essence, or even cause them to turn to ash and dissipate, rendering all previous efforts futile.

There are specific rules for harvesting many natural treasures.

Just as a ginseng fruit will fall when it encounters gold, wither when it encounters wood, dissolve when it encounters water, scorch when it encounters fire, and sink into the soil, it can be destroyed in an instant if one is not careful.

The Dragon Girl nodded slightly, her voice clear and confident:
"Your Majesty, I have already made all the necessary preparations and dare not make the slightest mistake."

"Ganoderma is inherently a wood spirit, and sharp metal energy is most likely to damage its roots. Therefore, we have prepared small scissors made of warm jade. Jade is gentle and earth is rich and heavy. Earth can support wood and avoid the evil of metal, so it can protect the immortal herb from damage."

"When grass is taken from the soil, it is like an infant separated from its mother, and its spiritual energy is easily dissipated. Therefore, it is prepared to be held in a fine white jade plate."

"The white jade plate is flawless and can reflect the spiritual light of the immortal herb."

"A silk handkerchief made of spirit silkworm silk is placed on the plate. This handkerchief is made of celestial silkworm silk and is most effective at locking in the original spiritual energy. It will ensure that the immortal herb retains its spiritual energy and does not wither when it leaves the soil."

"Everything conforms to the ancient pharmacopoeia 'The Immortal Canon of Herbs and Trees,' and will not diminish its medicinal properties in the slightest!"

Her voice was clear and melodious, and she exuded confidence and composure, demonstrating her profound knowledge and extraordinary talent in plant cultivation.

“Good! Ao Yao, you have thought things through thoroughly. I have no worries about entrusting this matter to you.”

A flash of approval crossed Xiao Chen's eyes, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, eased a little.

The Dragon Girl's control over the essence of plants and trees was indeed one of his greatest strengths on this trip, and it was indispensable.

However, problems arose one after another.

Once they obtain the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass, they need to leave immediately and return to the lower realm to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept slowly over the crowd like lightning, his tone grave:

"The immortal herb can be picked, but getting away with it is not easy."

"Although the heavens were empty during the Dan Yuan Assembly, the Thirty-Three Heavens were heavily chained, and the Southern Heavenly Gate was strictly inspected by layer of gates."

"I'm waiting for the celestial soldiers and generals to appear. If there's no urgent official business, how can I escape and safely descend to the mortal realm?"

What ideas do you have?

Sun Wukong slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet, declaring with boundless pride:

"I, Old Sun, the mighty Great Sage Equal to Heaven, will lead you down here. Who dares to stop me?"

"Anyone who dares to stop me will have a taste of my Ruyi Jingu Bang!"

Xiao Chen looked at Sun Wukong and said:
"Although you are the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and hold a high position, you are not usually questioned when you enter or leave the Heavenly Gate."

"However, if they escort us to the mortal realm in their true forms, and we suddenly disappear, the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass of Yaochi will also be gone."

"You are easily investigated and held accountable by those with ulterior motives, which could jeopardize your position as the 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven'."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong raised his thick eyebrows, pondered for a moment, then flames blazed in his golden eyes as he stubbornly declared:
"At worst, I, Old Sun, will rebel against Heaven again and raise my banner as a demon!"

"inappropriate……"

"It would be unwise to break ties with the Heavenly Court at this time."

Xiao Chen shook his head.

If Sun Wukong were to rebel against Heaven at this time, the Heavenly Court and Mount Ling would surely join forces to attack Flower Fruit Mountain, and Flower Fruit Mountain would be engulfed in war.

Even the Buddha himself would leave Mount Ling to suppress Sun Wukong.

At present, they are far from the time to wage a full-scale war against the Heavenly Court and Mount Ling. Facing the armies of the Heavenly Court and Mount Ling, the demon army of Flower Fruit Mountain has little chance of winning.

They would only have a chance of winning once the Scorpion Demon broke through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and was able to directly shatter the Buddha's sixteen-foot golden body.

Think for a moment.

Acting is like fighting a war. The Thirty-Six Stratagems flashed through Xiao Chen's mind like a sudden flash of inspiration.

"The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell" is the twenty-first of the Thirty-Six Stratagems. It originates from the biological phenomenon of the golden cicada shedding its shell. This stratagem is extremely ingenious and can solve an immediate predicament.

"I have a plan to 'shed my skin like a cicada'."

Xiao Chen approached the table, dipped his finger in tea, and traced a path on the surface, his voice extremely low.
"The cicada sheds its shell, preserving its form and maintaining its power; friends do not doubt, enemies do not move. This is the way to stop the Gu."

"My identity as 'Yang Guoshan' comes from the 'Shushan Sword Sect' in the Southern Continent of the lower realm. This is the key to 'Shedding the Cicada's Shell'."

"Monkey, your 'hair magic' is ever-changing. When the time comes, I will use a magic weapon to conceal it for you. Just do this..."

He then explained in detail a "strategy of shedding one's skin like a cicada's."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's previously arrogant face froze for a moment, then his monkey eyes widened, and he stopped scratching his ears and cheeks. After a moment, he suddenly slapped his thigh, making a crisp "smack" sound.
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! What a clever escape plan! This is a brilliant scheme!"

"Toad, you're even more cunning than I, Old Sun, was back in the Battle of Flower Fruit Mountain when I outsmarted that scoundrel Li Jing!"

"This suits my style perfectly! Leave this to me! I'll make sure the heavenly soldiers and generals are completely bewildered and clueless!"

"But..."

Just then, Xiao Chen abruptly changed the subject and solemnly said:

"There is one more thing. The biggest variable in our plan has arrived: Erlang Shen Zhenjun Yang Jian!"

His gaze sharpened, slowly sweeping over Wan Sheng Long Nu and Huang Feng Da Sheng, and he said in a deep voice:
"You are unaware that Yang Jian's ascent to Heaven this time is no ordinary one. He is here by order of the Jade Emperor to wield the power of the 'God of Justice,' to oversee the affairs of the Heavenly Inspectorate, and to inspect all the heavens."

"Now, Yang Jian, along with the Six Monsters of Meishan, the Soaring Eagle, the Howling Celestial Dog, and the twelve hundred Grass-Headed Gods, has set up camp in the Heavenly Realm!"

"Moreover, Yang Jian's Judicial God Palace is located in the Thirty-Three Heavens, where Yaochi is situated."

“I took a look, and it’s very close to our destination, the ‘Queen Mother’s Herb Garden’.”

"What? The current Heavenly God of Justice? It's Yang Jian!?"

Upon hearing this, Wan Shenglongnu's delicate body trembled violently, and her expression changed slightly.

"Erlang Shen, the Manifestation Saint, has arrived... What... what should we do?"

The Great Sage Huang Feng was startled, his whiskers trembled, and he was so shocked that he almost fell off his seat, his eyes filled with awe and unease.

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Yang Jian once split Peach Mountain with an axe to save his mother and wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Realm; he shot down the two phoenixes of the Palm Tree with a slingshot, and his power shook the eight directions. He was renowned for his strength in killing the Eight Monsters and formed a sworn brotherhood with the Seven Sages of Meishan.

Moreover, Yang Jian is actually quite old.

Even before Sun Wukong was born during the Investiture of the Gods war, Yang Jian was already famous throughout the Three Realms and renowned for his prestige.

At that time, Wan Sheng Long Nu and Huang Feng Da Sheng were probably still infants, barely wet behind the ears.

The name of Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun is like a towering mountain pressing down on those demons, inspiring awe and making it hard to breathe.

and.

This Erlang Shen Zhenjun Yang Jian is actually the idol of Huang Feng Dasheng.

Back in the day, the Great Sage Yellow Wind was still on Mount Ling.

Yang Jian once single-handedly stormed Mount Ling; his momentum was truly magnificent!
He cleaved through the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, the Tiger-Taming Arhat, the Deer-Riding Arhat... the Eighteen Arhats, the Five Hundred Arhats, the Eight Vajras, the Golden-Headed Jiedi, the Silver-Headed Jiedi, the Maha Jiedi and other powerful guardian deities of the five directions, the Three Thousand Jiedi Dharma Protectors, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and even the Dharma Protector Jinzha and the Buddha of Dipankara... He was invincible, and no one could stop his might!

Yang Jian caused chaos at Mount Ling, and almost all of the elite forces and Buddhist soldiers were deployed to surround and suppress him.

Only then did the Great Sage Huang Feng have the opportunity to steal a large amount of clear oil from the glass cups amidst the chaos.

His success in stealing the pure oil from Mount Ling was actually due to the fact that "Yang Jian made a scene at Mount Ling".

From then on, the Great Sage Huang Feng deeply admired Yang Jian's astonishing strength.

He often thought to himself that if he had such power, he would have no trouble climbing Mount Ling and snatching back the "Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Demon" to be his wife!
From now on, I will live a carefree and unrestrained life, enjoying both gratitude and vengeance!
For this reason, Huang Feng Dasheng always regarded Erlang Shen, who caused havoc on Mount Ling, as his idol and called himself "Huang Feng Xiao Erlang Shen".

The Yellow Wind Great Sage's usual attire is quite similar to that of Erlang Shen, the Manifestation Saint. He wears a golden helmet and armor, looking majestic and imposing, and holds a three-pronged steel fork, displaying a heroic and dashing appearance.

In the poem describing the appearance of the Great Sage Yellow Wind in "Journey to the West," it is clearly stated that:
"(The Great Sage Huangfeng) wore a golden helmet that shone in the sun, and golden armor that gleamed... The sash of his armor was adorned with a coiled dragon and shone brightly, and the breastplate was dazzlingly brilliant... He held a three-pronged steel fork, which was as sharp as 'the Sage of yesteryear'."

This passage explicitly compares "Yellow Wind Great Sage" with "Erlang Manifestation True Lord," praising Yellow Wind Great Sage as being no less than "Erlang Manifestation True Lord of that time."

This is a veiled reference to this matter.

(End of this chapter)