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

Chapter 567 The Great Sage's Golden Gladiator Gourd

skyline.

The Jade Capital Heavenly Treasure Palace is shrouded in celestial mist.

Xiao Chen lowered his eyes and stood quietly beside Sun Wukong.

After Sun Wukong finished speaking with the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy, Xiao Chen stepped forward, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting to the two boys, saying:
"This humble one greets the two celestial children."

He deliberately concealed his aura, revealing only the gentle and peaceful demeanor of the celestial official Yang Guoshan.

"Who is this……"

The Golden Furnace Boy's gaze was sharp as it fell upon Xiao Chen, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

The Silver Furnace Boy also tilted his head curiously, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Chen.

"Hey! Look at my memory, old Sun!"

Sun Wukong slapped his forehead and grinned:

"I am now on duty at the Peach Garden, cultivating immortal peaches specifically for the Queen Mother of the West."

"This is a new friend of mine, a celestial official from Yangguo Mountain, who is in charge of private rites and poems at Yaochi, and is dedicated to composing poems for the Queen Mother of the West."

"We all serve the Queen Mother of the West, and that's how we became acquainted."

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, the Golden Furnace Boy nodded slightly, not paying much attention, as such celestial officials were quite common in the Heavenly Court.

Sun Wukong's gaze swept across the Jade Capital Heavenly Treasure Palace Market, finally settling on the "Water Virtue Pavilion," and he smiled:

"To truly appreciate the divine fruit, one must also have divine tea to accompany it."

"The tea served by the Water Deity is truly exceptional."

"Let's go there then."

The Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy exchanged a glance, neither of them declining, and both nodded slightly.

Sun Wukong swaggered ahead, leading the way with great pomp and circumstance, heading straight for the Water Virtue Pavilion.

Xiao Chen followed behind Sun Wukong.

The Water Virtue Star Lord, whose full name is "Big Dipper Five Qi Water Virtue Star Lord", resides in Wuhao Palace and governs the eight rivers and four streams, the four seas and five lakes, the three rivers and nine tributaries, and all waters under heaven. He is one of the Nine Luminaries Star Lords of the Heavenly Court.

On the journey to the west, the Water Deity once summoned the Yellow River God to help Sun Wukong fight against the Green Ox Demon, demonstrating his ability to control water.

Back then, during the great battle at Flower Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong, wielding his Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), displayed his supernatural powers and defeated the Nine Luminaries, including the Wood Star Lord, Fire Star Lord, Water Star Lord, and Lunar Star Lord…

And the Twenty-Eight Mansions, including Kui Mulang, Kang Jinlong, and Jiao Mujiao...

They also fought against the two gods of the North and South, the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, and all the celestial bodies...

His power shook the three realms for a time.

The Water Deity, the head of the Water Department of the Heavenly Court, and even the entire Water Department, had all been defeated by Sun Wukong's staff, and naturally had some fear of Sun Wukong.

Today, the "Yellow River God" and the "Taihu Lake Dragon King" have been summoned by the "Water Virtue Star Lord" to the Heavenly Court to report on the floods in the mortal realm, and they are waiting here.

They saw Sun Wukong arrive.

The River God of the Yellow River and the Dragon King of Taihu Lake hurriedly came out to greet them and paid their respects:
"This humble deity pays respects to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."

"This humble deity greets the Great Sage."

Sun Wukong stretched out his long arm and grabbed the dragon whiskers of the Dragon King of Taihu Lake, laughing and cursing:
"You little mudfish."

"Why didn't you bring me any local specialties when you came to the Heavenly Realm?"

"I, Old Sun, have long heard of 'Dongting Biluochun' tea. It is as green as a snail, full of the spirit of spring, and has an unforgettable aftertaste."

"Quickly bring a few pounds over so that I, Old Sun, can entertain my friends. Don't be stingy."

The Dragon King of Taihu Lake dared not disobey and hurriedly said:
"Great Sage, please wait a moment, I will fetch it immediately."

Sun Wukong then looked at the Yellow River God and said:

"I have heard that the Yellow River carp is golden all over, and after being stewed, its flesh is as clear and translucent as jade, and the soup is golden but not cloudy, which is truly a delicacy."

"Let's get a few fresh carp to try!"

"Don't try to fool me, old Sun, with that dead fish."

Upon hearing this, the River God of the Yellow River hurriedly said:
"No, no, Great Sage, please wait a moment."

“I will fetch it immediately.”

After speaking, the River God of the Yellow River took out a white jade bowl from his sleeve. The bowl was filled with surging waves, and the half-bowl of water looked just like half of the Yellow River rushing endlessly, with a magnificent momentum.

Then, the River God of the Yellow River reached in and scooped up several incredibly plump, almost dragon-like fresh fish.

The fish struggled in the bowl, splashing water droplets.

Sun Wukong stared at the white jade bowl, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes, and asked:
"Your white jade bowl is truly amazing."

"I wonder what kind of treasure it is?"

The Yellow River God hurriedly said:

"To be honest, Great Sage, this one bowl of mine can hold the water of the Yellow River."

"Half a bowl is half the Yellow River, and a whole bowl is the Yellow River. This is my magic weapon for controlling water."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was overjoyed and snatched the white jade bowl away, laughing:

"This white jade bowl is quite nice; it seems to be destined for me, Old Sun."

"It must belong to someone surnamed Sun, so it should rightfully be mine."

"With this white jade bowl, wouldn't I be able to just scoop out fish whenever I want to eat it, and have an endless supply of fish to eat!"

The River God of the Yellow River trembled with fear, wanting to rush forward to snatch it back, but intimidated by the Great Sage's divine power, he dared not seize it and could only pray:

"Great Sage, this is unacceptable! This is unacceptable!"

"This is what the little god uses to make a living."

"The little god's management of the Yellow River is entirely due to the efforts of this white jade bowl."

"Without this white jade bowl, it will be difficult for me to perform my duties as a god!"

“I beg the Great Sage to have mercy and return this bowl to this humble god.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong laughed and said:
"It's alright, I'm just playing with it, I'll return it to you later."

"How could I, Old Sun, take away your beloved possession? I just found it novel and wanted to have a go."

Sun Wukong knew that his toad brother was a "treasure-filled golden toad" who always loved all kinds of treasures.

As he spoke, Sun Wukong handed the white jade bowl to Xiao Chen and said with a smile:

“Come on, Brother Guoshan, take a look at this white jade bowl.”

Xiao Chen took the white jade bowl and examined it closely. Its texture was warm and smooth, its patterns were delicate, and it had a faint shimmering effect.

It seemed as if thousands of water sprites were playing and dancing within it, incredibly lively.

Shortly after, a familiar notification sound rang in Xiao Chen's mind, and several lines of large golden characters appeared in his mind:
"Host, you have encountered the C-grade magic artifact 'Yellow River White Jade Bowl,' which is the magic tool used by the Yellow River God to control water."

"With this vessel, the River God of the Yellow River can control the waters of the Yellow River, summon clouds and rain, and regulate the water to ward off disasters."

"This white jade bowl can hold the water of the Yellow River. Half of the bowl's capacity is equivalent to half the volume of the Yellow River."

"Note: This white jade bowl from the Yellow River is the exclusive ritual implement of the Yellow River Water God. The source of its water is directly related to the Yellow River in the area under his jurisdiction. It is forbidden to take water beyond one's authority."

"Scan and copy?"

……

"Yellow River White Jade Bowl..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen seemed to be deep in thought.

On his journey to the West, when Sun Wukong was fighting with the Green Ox Demon, he went to Heaven to seek help from the Water Deity Star Lord in order to break free from the trap of the Diamond Bracelet.

The Water Deity then ordered the Yellow River God to assist Sun Wukong.

The Yellow River God used a white jade bowl to command the Yellow River's waters to drown the Green Ox Demon, but he failed to succeed.

Although this Yellow River white jade bowl is magical, it is somewhat mediocre among the many magical treasures in "Journey to the West".

In Journey to the West, the most powerful water-carrying magical vessel is Guanyin Bodhisattva's "Jade Bottle".

Once Guanyin Bodhisattva throws down her jade bottle, it travels through the Three Rivers and Five Lakes, the Eight Seas and Four Rivers, streams, sources, pools, caves... and can borrow a sea of ​​water to float in.

While Sun Wukong possessed the "strength to lift mountains," easily moving towering peaks like Mount Emei, he lacked the "strength to cross seas."

It should be understood that the ocean is much wider than the land, and the weight of an ocean is many times greater than that of a mountain.

Therefore, even though Sun Wukong possessed great supernatural powers, he could only sigh in despair at Guanyin Bodhisattva's jade bottle, unable to move the seemingly small but infinitely powerful jade bottle.

However, to be fair, this Yellow River white jade bowl is ultimately a ritual vessel for holding water.

In this world, having something is better than having nothing.

It's better than nothing. With a thought, Xiao Chen copied and fused the Yellow River White Jade Bowl, then returned it to the Yellow River God.

The River God of the Yellow River accepted the jade bowl, his eyes filled with gratitude. He bowed deeply and repeatedly expressed his thanks:
"Thank you, Yaochi Master of Ceremonies and Literary Envoy."

Seeing this, the Golden Furnace Boy couldn't help but laugh and scold:

"You monkey, you're still the same old thief! You dare to so casually manipulate other people's magical treasures."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong waved his hand and laughed:

"What blatant robbery? These are offerings that the Dragon God of Taihu Lake and the Yellow River voluntarily made for me, Old Sun, aren't they?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Taihu Lake and the River God of the Yellow River echoed in agreement:

"It is precisely what we voluntarily offer to the Great Sage."

……

The Classic of Mountains and Seas, Western Mountains Classic, records:
"Three hundred and seventy li to the northwest is a mountain called Buzhou. There grows a fine fruit there, which is like a peach, has leaves like a jujube, yellow flowers and red leaves, and eating it requires no effort."

This wonderful fruit is a spiritual fruit from the Northern Continent of Luzhou. Eating it can relieve fatigue and nourish one's vital energy.

……

At this very moment, within the Water Virtue Pavilion, a scene of unrestrained joy and boundless delight unfolds.

Now, let's talk about Dongting Biluochun, a rare and precious tea with a long-lasting flavor.

Furthermore, the water from Taihu Lake, personally brought by the Dragon King of Taihu Lake, is clear, sweet, and contains the essence of heaven and earth, making it a perfect complement for brewing tea.

The Yellow River carp was no ordinary creature; it had long been respectfully taken away by the celestial official of the Water Virtue Pavilion and carefully prepared.

The celestial officials each displayed their supernatural powers, slowly simmering the dish with spiritual fire, adding celestial herbs and ingredients. The aroma gradually filled the air, awaiting the arrival of the delicacy to delight the guests.

Sun Wukong set up a private room on the roof of the pavilion.

The room is decorated in a quiet and elegant style, with a mystical atmosphere, making it an ideal place for tea tasting, philosophical discussions, banquets, and merrymaking.

Sun Wukong took out dozens of fine fruits from his Ruyi Jingu Bang (a magical pouch) and ordered the celestial officials to wash them carefully for consumption.

Not long after.

The Dongting Biluochun tea has been brewed; the tea soup is as clear as a spring, as green as jade, and its fragrance fills every inch of the pavilion, making people feel relaxed and happy.

The Yellow River carp was also cooked, its color golden, its skin crispy, its inside tender, and its aroma enticing, making one's mouth water.

Dozens of fruits, washed and sliced, have plump, translucent flesh that gleams with an enticing sheen.

Sun Wukong skillfully grabbed a few slices of the delicious fruit that resembled peach flesh and had a pale golden hue. He first put them in his mouth, chewed them heartily, making smacking noises as he chewed, his mouth filled with fragrance, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

He didn't forget to greet them:
"Come, come! Jinlu'er, Yinlu'er, don't be shy, come and taste this delicacy from the mountains!"

"These delicacies from the mountains and fields have a rustic charm that is hard to find even in the heavens!"

"Silver Furnace, I'll especially save a few of these best pieces for you!"

The Silver Furnace Boy was still young and innocent; how could he resist the enticing aroma of fruit and Sun Wukong's repeated persuasion?

He glanced furtively at his elder brother, Jinlu, and seeing that he still had a stern face and a serious expression, he whispered:
"Thank you, Great Sage."

Then, he reached out his little hand, carefully picked up a piece of fruit, and put it in his mouth.

The fruit melts in your mouth, a sweet and refreshing sensation carrying a warm current that instantly flows through your body. The fatigue from days of alchemy seems to be swept away by this warm current.

The boy with the silver furnace suddenly brightened up and exclaimed in surprise:

"elder brother!"

The Golden Furnace Boy responded:
"Little brother, what's wrong?"

The Silver Furnace Boy's pure eyes instantly shone with an astonishing brightness, and his cheeks flushed slightly with excitement.
"Brother, this is really delicious! It's sweet and refreshing, and it even has a warming sensation... Hmm, it even helps restore some of the spiritual energy I lost while refining pills!"

"The fatigue I had accumulated from refining pills for days has completely vanished!"

As he spoke, savoring the taste, he couldn't resist picking up another piece with his quick little hand, his eyes crinkling as he ate, completely immersed in this novel and delicious treat.

Seeing his younger brother's appearance and Sun Wukong's eager gaze, the Golden Furnace Boy was also intrigued by the fruit's miraculous effects.

He took a piece with demureness, ate it in small bites, and found that the wonderful taste and the effect of nourishing the soul were indeed true. The tense expression on his face softened unconsciously.

The Golden Furnace Boy thought to himself:

"This monkey has some skill in getting its rare items."

At this moment.

The atmosphere at the table eased slightly.

Sun Wukong was naturally lively and active, and good at witty banter, so he said:
"Jin Lu'er, you have no idea..."

"Silver Furnace, my old Sun's Flower and Fruit Mountain..."

"When I, Old Sun, was a demon in the Water Curtain Cave, if I wanted to eat human flesh, I would sometimes transform into a beautiful woman and go down the mountain."

"If there are any infatuated men who fall in love with me, I will lure them into my cave and do as I please, whether I steam or boil them for my own enjoyment; if I can't finish them, I'll dry them in the sun to protect them from the cloudy weather!"

……

He recounted the strange and wondrous events of the mortal realm with vivid detail, sometimes imitating the forms of demons and monsters, and sometimes mimicking the speech of ordinary people...

This made the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy relax their guard a lot, and they were often amused and burst into laughter, filling the pavilion with a joyful atmosphere.

Sun Wukong's monkey eyes darted around, and he saw that the two of them had eaten to their hearts' content, the atmosphere was just right, and it was the perfect time to cook.

Sun Wukong wiped the oil stains off his hands, feigning excitement, slapped his thigh, and proclaimed loudly:
"Hey! To tell you the truth, my two celestial children, besides this wonderful fruit, I, Old Sun, also had another extraordinary encounter on my trip down to the mortal realm—I came across a treasure!"

"This is truly extraordinary!"

Curiosity surged within the Silver Incense Burner Boy, and with a piece of fruit still in his mouth, he mumbled a question:
"Oh? What kind of treasure is it that makes the Great Sage praise it so highly?"

Sun Wukong deliberately dragged out his words, speaking mysteriously:

"It's a gourd baby."

"gourd?"

The boy in charge of the golden furnace had just taken a sip of tea to moisten his throat when he heard this, and almost choked. He put down the teacup, and his face showed the usual disdain:

"Ha! I thought it was some rare treasure, but it's just a gourd."

He raised his chin, exuding the natural superiority of a Tushita Palace attendant:
"No matter how good the gourds in the world are, can they compare to the 'Purple-Gold Red Gourd' containing the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir in my master's palace?"

"Haha! Jin Lu'er, don't speak too confidently!"

Sun Wukong had been waiting for this opportunity, and he grinned, revealing a cunning look:

"What a coincidence! The gourd I, Old Sun, got looks exactly like your master's treasure for storing elixirs!"

"They really look like twins who came out of the same womb!"

"It's exactly the same size, shape, and pattern as your purple-gold-red gourd... tsk tsk, it's identical to the millimeter!"

"They look like they grew from the same vine, so they must be a pair."

"You're bragging!"

The Golden Furnace Boy refused to believe it, thinking the monkey was just making things up again, and his face was full of disbelief:
“My master’s ‘purple-gold-red gourd’ is one of a kind! How could another one have appeared?”

"Could it be that the Great Sage has fallen to the mortal realm and mistaken a 'mud gourd' for a treasure?"

"Take it out and let me see it!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and took out a large purple-gold gourd, seven inches long, from his Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch.

This purple-gold gourd is entirely covered in a magnificent purple-gold color, with a radiant glow that seems to soar into the sky. Chaotic Dao patterns are wrapped around its waist, and a faint, hazy purple-gold halo surrounds its entire body. It is clear at a glance that this is no ordinary object.

It was exactly the same as the gourd of Laozi.

Sun Wukong laughed:
"Golden Furnace Boy, look!"

Immediately, Sun Wukong provoked:
"Do you dare to bring out your precious gourd and compare it with mine?"

"Let's see whose gourd is more powerful."

The Golden Furnace Boy was greatly alarmed and thought to himself:
"Where did his gourd come from? How come it's the same size as mine?"

"Even if they grow on the same gourd vine, the gourds will be different in shape and size, and the patterns on their skin will be different, yet they are all the same?"

The Golden Furnace Boy couldn't help but ask:
"Hey, monkey, where did you get this gourd from?"

Sun Wukong, unaware of the origin of Laozi's gourd, rolled his eyes and took over the conversation, asking in return:
"Jin Lu'er, where did you get that gourd?"

The Golden Furnace Boy was an honest man who didn't know how to lie, so he told the whole story from the beginning:

“Our gourd was created when chaos first separated and the world was created. The Supreme Ancestor saw a gourd vine growing at the foot of the Heavenly Pillar, with a gourd growing on it.”

"The Supreme Ancestor then picked this gourd, refined it into a magical artifact, and has kept it to this day."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was momentarily at a loss for words, so he secretly used his "mosquito-brand wireless phone" to ask Xiao Chen:
"Toad, where did you get these gourds from?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's lips twitched, and he transmitted his voice:

"Monkey, this gourd of mine also came from there."

(End of this chapter)