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

Chapter 582 One Axe Breaks All Laws
When Xiao Chen suddenly heard that Wu Gang wanted to teach him the "Toad Palace Laurel-Plucking Axe Technique," he was first taken aback, then overjoyed.

Who is Wu Gang?

In this secluded palace of moon and cassia, this man wields an axe to chop down cassia trees, and the years have passed in vain, through countless seasons.

Time seemed to have stood still for him; only the daily, unchanging act of swinging the axe was the entirety of his life.

Every day, Wu Gang wields his axe to chop down trees, endlessly repeating the cycle, the axe's shadow flying everywhere, countless times.

His axe skills, honed over many years, have long since reached a state of perfection, a level of consummate skill.

Plus.

Wu Gang once again, by chance, in the Guidian Palace, was able to glimpse the magnificent scene of the beginning of chaos and the father god Pangu wielding an axe to separate heaven and earth!

What a blessing that is!

Wu Gang witnessed the chaos of heaven and earth resembling a chicken egg. When the great god Pangu swung his divine axe, the clear and the turbid were immediately separated. His immense power was irresistible, and the primordial Daoist essence of creating heaven and earth was directly imprinted in his heart!

This is tantamount to receiving the teachings personally from the great god Pangu. Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, its value far surpasses that of ordinary immortals who have cultivated for millions of years.

It can be said that Wu Gang's extraordinary opportunity was due to the personal guidance of the great god Pangu.

Such a "prisoner who felled the cassia tree" had endured ten thousand years of loneliness and cold in the moon palace, suffered endless tedium in felling the cassia tree, and was enlightened by the divine power of creation.

The axe technique he created must be extraordinary!
Xiao Chen's mind raced, and he instantly understood the weight of the "Toad Palace Laurel-Plucking Axe Technique".

It is far more than just a simple axe technique manual.

This is the simplest axe technique that Wu Gang forged through countless trials and tribulations, using ten thousand years of time as fuel, the sacred laurel tree as an anvil, and the Daoist principles of creation as the furnace.

It embodies the essence of a lonely soul's struggle against fate and pursuit of ultimate power, transcending the realm of technique and pointing directly to the true meaning of "destruction"!

As the saying goes:
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

With the "Toad Palace Climbing Laurel Axe Technique" in hand.

Whether King Golden Horn diligently studies Wu Gang's axe techniques or uses them as a reference to create his own unique axe techniques, it's a good choice.

Xiao Chen immediately stepped forward, his expression extremely solemn, and said earnestly:

"Brother Wu Gang, what are you saying!"

Xiao Chen's voice was filled with respect and excitement:
"This is a supreme treasure, how can you call it 'shallow'?"

"I can't even get it if I want it, how dare I say I 'dislike' it!"

Having said that, Xiao Chen's gaze was firm as he solemnly made his promise:

"Brother Wu Gang, rest assured! I will diligently study this 'Toad Palace Lofting Laurel' axe technique and carry it forward."

"Furthermore, we will seek out a person of exceptional talent and unwavering character for you, brother, to inherit this axe technique and carry it on!"

His eyes were piercing, and his words were clear and forceful:

"In later generations, all those who learn this axe technique must first pay homage to Master Wu Gang to show their respect."

"I will never forget Wu Gang's kindness in teaching me and opening my mind to the world. If I ever betray him, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

"Don't worry, brother. Brother Wu Gang, the true essence of your axe-wielding will never be severed in my hands. It will surely shine with endless brilliance in this world!"

Xiao Chen pondered to himself.

Such a good thing should naturally not go to outsiders.

His son, a gourd spirit, was born with extraordinary strength, capable of moving mountains and filling seas. If he were to learn axe techniques, he would surely shine and carry forward these techniques.

This adopted son can be called "Little Calabash King Kong," possessing the abilities of multiple gourd spirits, and is indestructible, as if cast from bronze and iron.

In the future, let this "Little Calabash King Kong" wield a big axe and become the vanguard general of King Golden Horn. Who can stop him when he charges into battle?
What is unbreakable?

They will surely be even more powerful, becoming a formidable general under their command as they expand their territory!
"Thank you for your help, Brother Yang."

Wu Gang nodded slightly and handed the "Wu Gang Chopping the Laurel Tree" painting to Xiao Chen.

This painting is made of natural cassia wood and carved with the axe used to pluck the cassia tree in the Moon Palace. The painting depicts Wu Gang chopping down the cassia tree, with the axe shadow flashing as if divine power is flowing through it... It is quite extraordinary.

Xiao Chen solemnly accepted the scroll "Wu Gang Chopping the Laurel Tree" with both hands as if it were a precious treasure, and said:
"I will certainly live up to Brother Wu Gang's trust."

"Good! With Brother Yang's words, I... feel at ease!"

A pure and relieved smile finally bloomed on Wu Gang's weathered face.

After all, everyone needs something to look forward to while they're alive.

He is imprisoned in this Moon Palace, like a caged bird, with no way out.

But his axe skills are the culmination of his many years of hard work, like his own child.

He didn't want his axe skills to be buried here with him; instead, he hoped they would be passed down through the ages and shine brightly.

Wu Gang then solemnly instructed:

"Brother Yang, before I go to spread the teachings, I have one more thing to say. This is not about the trivial details of axe-wielding techniques, but rather about what I have recently come to understand..."

Xiao Chen quickly bowed and said:
"Please speak, brother. I'm all ears."

Wu Gang slowly raised his head, his turbid gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of branches and leaves of the cassia palace, looking towards that unknowable and mysterious place.

Right now.

The woodcutter's aura, which had been worn down by years of hard labor, had completely vanished from Wu Gang's body.

Instead, a vast, boundless, and seemingly all-encompassing axe-like intent surged forth from his towering, mountain-like body, its momentum astonishing.

At this moment, Wu Gang's aura suddenly became as deep and profound as the ocean, as if he had merged with the magnificent palace that had been damaged by the power of creation and had experienced countless years of vicissitudes, becoming one with it and sharing the trials and tribulations.

Wu Gang slowly said:
"I am chopping down the cassia tree in the moon palace... Time flows on and on, endlessly long."

"I have been fighting against the indestructible power of the Taiyin contained in this innate laurel tree for countless years."

“With each strike of the axe, it heals; with each heal, I strike again.”

"This cycle repeats itself endlessly. This laurel palace is like a merciless millstone, wearing down my will, but also tempering my mind and body, making me more and more resilient."

“I once witnessed the scene of Pangu creating the world, and I was deeply moved.”

"At that time, the world was in chaos, like a chicken egg, all hazy and indistinct, with no distinction between up, down, left, or right."

"With his supreme divine power, the Father God Pangu wielded a divine axe and struggled to create the heavens and the earth. His great power was boundless and inexhaustible, breaking through the chaos, creating the heavens and the earth, and creating all things in the universe."

"Looking at this scene, I was deeply moved, as if enlightened by a sudden awakening."

"Now I realize that the highest level of axe technique is to break through all techniques with a single axe strike!"

"One axe blow can shatter all laws..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen frowned slightly, puzzled, and asked:
"May I ask you, brother, what is meant by 'one axe can break all laws'?"

Wu Gang's eyes were sharp as he said in a deep voice:

"In other words, the ultimate skill in axe technique is the ultimate skill in power."

"When axe skills reach their peak, they can break through everything... break through all constraints and limitations, whether they are visible or hidden, strong or weak."

"Even those... the torrent of time, the barriers of space, the threads of fate, the karmic entanglements, the indestructible essence of the laurel, the blazing flames of the true sun, the frigid chill of the Xuanming power, and the mutually restraining Five Elements Dao..."

Even so! That unopened primordial chaos and beginning!

"In the universe, everything that is tangible and intangible."

"Where the axe points, all laws are shattered! All obstacles are destroyed! All paths are torn apart! All phenomena are severed!"

"Break through everything..."

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

……

The ancient and heavy wooden doors of the Guidian Palace slowly opened, and the cool moonlight flowed in like water.

Outside the door lies a vast and boundless world.

Inside the gate is Wu Gang, the moon palace woodcutter, trapped there and toiling day after day.

At the entrance of Guidian.

Xiao Chen and Wu Gang stood facing each other, bowing to each other in farewell.

"Brother Wu Gang, please wait! Until we meet again!"

Xiao Chen stood in front of the door, his expression solemn, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and spoke earnestly.

We are both wanderers in this world, so why should we know each other when we meet?

Although they didn't spend much time together, Wu Gang helped him a lot.

Xiao Chen gazed at Wu Gang's figure, which appeared even more lonely and desolate under the clear moonlight, and pondered for a moment, thinking to himself:

“Brother Wu suffers endless toil in this Moon Palace. Since I have known him for a while, I should leave with some thoughts of him before I depart.” “As for whether he succeeds or not, whether he attains enlightenment or not, that is up to him.”

……

Human thought has limitations, and breaking through these limitations is a very difficult thing.

And there is a Confucius in this world, and Confucianism permeates the world of Journey to the West.

In the world of Journey to the West.

Confucius is called "Master" and is the "Supreme Sage and Teacher".

Confucius's secular status is actually on par with that of the Buddha and Lao Tzu, representing the three schools of thought: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, respectively.

which is:
"The Buddha is the 'Supreme Ruler of the World,' yet he sits beneath the Great Roc; Confucius is the 'Supreme Ruler of Confucianism,' yet he is merely called Master."

The world of Journey to the West can be described as a world where Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are integrated.

Even the immortal children Qingfeng and Mingyue, who sat under Zhen Yuanzi, the ancestor of the Taoist earth immortals, were deeply influenced by Confucianism.

The two celestial attendants, Qingfeng and Mingyue, often said in their conversation:
Confucius said…

His words revealed his thorough familiarity with Confucian classics.

Although these two children lived in a blessed land of Taoist immortals, they regulated their words and deeds according to Confucian etiquette.

The mountain spirit, Xingxian, even recited poems with Tang Sanzang at the Muxian Temple:
"Confucius established an altar during the Zhou Dynasty..."

This demonstrates the deep-rooted influence of Confucianism on people's minds.

Within Confucianism, Confucius, Mencius, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming are collectively known as:
"Confucius, Mencius, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming".

Wang Yangming founded the School of Mind, opening a new chapter in thought with his theories of "mind is principle," "unity of knowledge and action," and "extending innate knowledge."

It broke the limitations of feudal ideology.

However, Wang Yangming, the Confucian sage, was a man of the Ming Dynasty and had not yet been born at this time, so his "philosophy of mind" had not yet been established.

In his previous life, the "philosophy of mind" of the Confucian sage Wang Yangming was actually very suitable for Wu Gang, who was trapped in the moon palace.

Lu Zhishen's final fate was to pass away peacefully at Liuhe Temple while listening to the tide, and he also had a profound awakening, realizing that "only today do I know who I am."

Wu Gang, in the Moon Palace, day after day, year after year, chops down the cassia tree, suffering endless toil and bound by this invisible shackle.

“Brother, I am the envoy of the Imperial Ritual and Literature Office of Yaochi, and I am also… somewhat literate.”

As Xiao Chen spoke, he took out the jade-patterned stationery he carried with him from his sleeve, and then took out a purple-haired brush from his Ruyi Treasure Pouch, dipping it in ink.

Subsequently.

Xiao Chen concentrated his mind and spirit, his brushstrokes flowing like dragons and snakes, creating strokes as sharp as silver hooks and as strong as iron.

In a short while, a poem appeared on the paper.

After Xiao Chen finished writing, he gently blew the ink dry, folded the paper neatly, and solemnly handed it to Wu Gang:

"These few simple words are just to express my feelings. If you have some free time, you can read them."

"If there is even one or two redeeming qualities, I hope they can ease some of the knots in my heart."

Wu Gang took it with great care, and without even looking at it, put it into the patched-up coarse cloth of his clothes.

He forced a rough but sincere smile onto his face:
"I appreciate your kind gesture, brother."

The two said their goodbyes.

Xiao Chen took one last look at Wu Gang and the magnificent, desolate, and mysterious Guidian Forest behind him, and thought to himself:

"After this parting, I don't know when we will meet again."

then.

Xiao Chen did not linger.

His figure moved like lightning, and in a few flashes, he merged into the moonlight and starlight and disappeared.

Wu Gang stood in the shadow of the giant tree where the stars resided, silently watching Xiao Chen's figure gradually blend into the clear moonlight.

a long time.

Watching Xiao Chen's departing figure, Wu Gang was filled with emotion and murmured:

"A thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend; a true drinking buddy is hard to find in life."

"Brother Yang, it's time to say goodbye today. I don't know when we'll be able to drink and chat together again."

He pulled out the strong liquor Xiao Chen had given him from his pocket, tilted his head back, and took another large gulp. The burning sensation in his throat transformed into a more complex and heavy sigh:
"Wu Gang... is now a prisoner in the Moon Palace, and will never be able to leave this place for the rest of his life."

"Beyond this Moon Palace, the world is vast, the winds and clouds are turbulent, the seas have changed into fields, and countless scenes of the ancient wilderness have unfolded... Brother Yang, please go and see for me..."

The words gradually faded into silence.

He gripped the wine jug and held the axe, slowly pacing back towards the enormous, naturally formed laurel tree whose wounds were slowly healing...

Wu Gang chopping down the cassia tree is an endless tale.

This was Emperor Yan's punishment for him killing his grandson. An invisible shackle bound him to this Moon Palace, where he endured countless years of loneliness and toil.

suddenly.

A breeze blew by.

Wu Gang's heart stirred, and he remembered the poem that Xiao Chen had given him.

He took out the note, opened it, and took a look.

There are a few lines above:

"Hiding from the will of heaven, avoiding karma, all kinds of shackles entrap my true self."

"Following the will of heaven and accepting the cause and effect, today I know that I am myself."

"Once you attain enlightenment and see your true self, what fear is there of the old shackles?"

"The shackles of the world are just dreams, they have no form, no shape, and no self."

Upon seeing this, Wu Gang was startled, as if struck by lightning, and muttered to himself:

"Hiding from the will of heaven, avoiding karma, all kinds of shackles entrap my true self."

……

"The shackles of the world are just dreams, they have no form, no shape, and no self."

He pondered these words repeatedly, and for the first time, his once calm mind was stirred by deep ripples...

Perhaps it wasn't that decree from the human emperor that trapped him.

It was he himself who trapped himself.

It is:

"The shackles of this world are but a dream; only today do I realize who I truly am!"

……

Xiao Chen left the Gui Palace and was about to head to the Taiyin Palace to report back to the Star Lord.

Halfway through.

Suddenly, a wisp of cloud appeared ahead, swirling and seemingly possessing a spirit.

A wisp of white mist, faint and clear as frost, silently swirled in, like the flowing skirt of a fairy in the moon palace, lingering a few feet in front of him.

They neither dispersed, as if waiting; nor did they approach, like a woman gazing shyly and hesitantly, wanting to speak but holding back.

Xiao Chen's lips curled into a knowing smile as he spoke loudly to the cloud of mist:
"I have finished my business. Come out, Fairy Su'e."

As soon as she finished speaking, the wisps of clouds on the horizon suddenly gathered and swirled, instantly transforming into a graceful fairy with a jade-like face, standing tall and elegant in the clear moonlight.

It was the fairy Chang'e who had returned after leaving.

Judging from her appearance, she had fair skin and flawless bones, her cherry lips were like a touch of cinnabar, delicate and beautiful; her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, slightly tinged with the color of mountains, elegant and unparalleled.

Dressed in a moon-white palace gown, the fairy maiden's exquisite and graceful figure was lightly draped over her, and her body seemed to be surrounded by a faint mist, like a dream.

What a lovely fairy maiden born from the essence of Yin! She is truly adorable and worthy of praise!

Fairy Su'e looked at Xiao Chen, a hint of resentment barely concealed between her brows. Her bright, clear eyes stared directly at Xiao Chen, her voice cold yet tinged with dissatisfaction at being ignored:

"Yang Sili, now that the divine wood has been chosen, you have achieved your wish and found that innate divine wood, which can be used to forge the foundation of an unparalleled divine weapon."

"However...do you remember that I still owe you an explanation?"

"Did you really think that our previous agreement was just a wisp of cool breeze under the moon, and have you simply forgotten it?"

(End of this chapter)