I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Meanwhile, Liang Nu rescued Liu Chenxiang and led him straight to Lingtai Mountain.

Liu Chenxiang cried the whole way, begging Liang Nu to save the Heavenly Silkworm King, but the Heavenly Silkworm King was already dead, and Liang Nu did not grant his request.

Seeing that Liang Nu ignored him, Liu Chenxiang jumped off the crane's back and leaped down from a height of thousands of feet.

Startled, Liang hurriedly rode her crane to the rescue. The crane reached out and grabbed Liu Chenxiang by the collar, lifting him up.

As the crane slowly landed, Liu Chenxiang was casually tossed to the ground and rolled around a few times before stopping.

"Are you out of your mind?" Liang asked as she jumped off the crane's back. "You dared to jump from that height?"

Liu Chenxiang lay on the ground, pounding the earth with her fists and crying out the name of the Heavenly Silkworm King.

Seeing his behavior, Liang stopped blaming him and said, "You don't look like a real man. Even a three-year-old girl in the Women's Kingdom is more manly than you."

Liu Chenxiang raised his head, his hair disheveled, covered in mud, and with tears streaming down his face, he looked like a homeless man.

He looked at Ms. Liang and said, "You don't understand at all."

Ms. Liang retorted, "What don't I understand?"

Liu Chenxiang said, "You don't understand what it's like to grow up without a mother!"

Ms. Liang laughed and said, "I thought you were going to say that I don't understand what it feels like for a friend to die."

Liu Chenxiang looked at Liang Nu and asked, "Why?"

Liang smiled calmly and said, "I was born in the Kingdom of Women. People in the Kingdom of Women are born with only a mother and no father."

Liu Chenxiang was taken aback for a moment, and Liang Nu continued, "I sympathize with you, and I don't object to your actions in trying to save your mother, but what you're doing is clearly wrong."

“Wrong? What’s wrong with me saving my own mother?” Liu Chenxiang asked.

Liang Nu said, “You don’t understand the ways of the world very well. I once held power in the mortal realm. Your mother, the Third Holy Mother, was the daughter of the Great Emperor of the Western Mountain. After breaking the laws of Heaven, she was suppressed under Mount Tao. This in itself is something that no one can blame.”

“In the mortal realm, someone of the Third Holy Mother’s status wouldn’t necessarily be punished even if they broke the law,” Liang said.

Liu Chenxiang said, "Are you asking me to accept reality and let my mother continue to be suppressed under Tao Mountain? To let my family never be reunited?"

Ms. Liang said, "I didn't say that. I can understand you, but you've gone down the wrong path. You should take the initiative to help your mother atone for her sins, instead of adding more sins to them."

Liu Chenxiang said, "I will never submit to those gods in heaven!"

Liang Nu laughed and said, "If that's your idea, then I can't say for sure. Just like Fellow Daoist Tiancan, if you insist on taking the path of defying the laws of heaven, there will only be more people dying in the future."

Liu Chenxiang said coldly, "Are you talking about those immortals? They deserve to die!"

Seeing that he wouldn't listen to her at all, Liang had no choice but to give up and stop trying to persuade him. "Fellow Daoist Tiancan asked me to send you back to Lingtai Mountain."

"I'm not going back!" Liu Chenxiang said. "I'm going to find a way to rescue my mother."

Ms. Liang nodded and said, "Alright then, I won't force you. I can only wish you success soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang immediately called out, "Sister Liang."

"What's wrong?" Liang turned around and looked at Liu Chenxiang.

Liu Chenxiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I didn't mean what I said earlier to you. I feel bad about it. Anyway, thank you for saving my life. I will repay you handsomely in the future."

Ms. Liang smiled and said, "I know, and I'm not angry with you."

After saying that, Liang jumped onto the crane's back and bowed to Liu Chenxiang, saying, "Take good care of yourself."

Liu Chenxiang looked at Liang Nu, who stood gracefully on the crane's back, her Ice Soul Immortal Silk fluttering in the wind and emitting colorful spiritual light, and said, "Sister Liang Nu, take care too."

Liang nodded slightly, and then the crane soared into the sky and disappeared in an instant.

After Liang Nu left, Liu Chenxiang stood in this desolate wilderness, watching the sun gradually set in the west, and for a moment he did not know where to go.

The thought of the Heavenly Silkworm King dying to save her filled her with grief, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

Soon after, the sun began to set, and the surroundings were plunged into darkness.

As darkness fell, all sorts of strange sounds came from the mountains and forests: the cries of wild animals, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the calls of some unknown bird, and even a sound that sounded like someone crying.

Liu Chenxiang was terrified by these sounds and forgot about her grief for a moment. She hurriedly used the faint light emitted by the Lotus Lantern to light the way down the mountain.

Just then, a crow circled above Liu Chenxiang's head for a moment before spreading its wings and flying into the depths of the forest.

Not long after, in a cave deep in the mountains, a man dressed entirely in black stood up abruptly after hearing the crow's report. "A treasure that can glow on its own? You looked closely?"

"Your Majesty, that's right. I saw it very clearly. That treasure can indeed glow on its own," the crow said in human language.

Upon hearing this, the man in black robes rolled his eyes, which gleamed with an eerie light, and then said, "That must be a spiritual treasure. But to possess a spiritual treasure, this person probably has some magical power."

“Your Majesty, I have examined him. He is just an ordinary mortal boy, and there is no magical aura within him,” the crow said.

Upon hearing this, the man in black robes pondered for a moment before saying, "That's true, but we still need to outsmart him."

After saying that, the man in black robes transformed into a wisp of black mist and flew out of the cave, following Liu Chenxiang's scent all the way here.

He then revealed himself, tidied his appearance, and flew straight down.

Liu Chenxiang, who was traveling by the light of the Lotus Lantern, suddenly noticed a dark figure in front of him, which startled him so much that he almost dropped the Lotus Lantern.

"Who goes there?!" Liu Chenxiang shouted.

The Black-Robed King turned around, revealing his slightly dark face. "I am the Black-Robed Immortal who lives in seclusion in these mountains. Young man, why are you walking alone in this desolate wilderness? Aren't you afraid of encountering monsters?"

Upon hearing the Black-Robed King's calm voice and his self-proclaimed title of 'Black-Robed Immortal,' Liu Chenxiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to bow, saying, "This humble one, Liu Chenxiang, greets the Immortal."

The immortal in black robes smiled slightly, but a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes as he looked at the Lotus Lantern in Liu Chenxiang's hand. Therefore, he did not rush forward, but simply said, "No need for formalities. Why are you traveling alone in the mountains?"

Liu Chenxiang said, "I was being chased by my enemies and fled here."

"Oh? Enemies? You have enemies at such a young age?" asked the black-robed immortal.

Liu Chenxiang was inexperienced and still quite naive. When the black-robed immortal asked him a casual question, he spilled all his secrets.

The immortal in black robes was filled with surprise after hearing this. "So your mother was a deity who was suppressed because she secretly married a mortal and had children?"

The black-robed immortal's tone was full of doubt; he suspected that the young man was trying to deceive him.

But Liu Chenxiang nodded and said, "Yes, that's why I wanted to rescue my mother, but I was discovered by my enemies and they chased me here."

The immortal in black robes laughed and said, "Then tell me, who are your enemies?"

Liu Chenxiang said, "His name seems to be something like Grand Commandant of the Western Mountain, Second Son Jinming Marquis."

"Grand Commandant of the Western Peak? Marquis Jinming? Second Master of Huayue!" The black-robed immortal exclaimed in surprise, his expression changing.

Liu Chenxiang said, "Yes, it's him. How come you know him, Immortal?"

The immortal in black robes forced a smile and said, "Who in Xiniu Hezhou doesn't know Hua Yue Erlang and others? Your enemy is Hua Yue Erlang, then who is your mother?"

Liu Chenxiang said, "I don't know my mother's name, but they all call her 'Third Holy Mother'."

"Hiss!" The black-robed immortal gasped, "The Third Holy Mother? You are the son of the Third Holy Mother and Liu Yanchang?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Liu Chenxiang nodded repeatedly and said, "Immortal, do you know my father?"

The immortal in black robes said, "Everyone knows about your mother's situation now."

At this point, the black-robed immortal's eyes lit up, and he said, "So, the lamp in your hand...it wouldn't be..."

Liu Chenxiang said, "It is my mother's Lotus Lantern." "Oh!" The black-robed immortal's heart pounded wildly. He had thought it was just a spiritual treasure, but he never expected it to be a celestial treasure.

The Lotus Lantern is a magical artifact that even the Great Sage Equaling Heaven suffered from. If one could get their hands on it, becoming a king or a saint would be entirely within their grasp.

Thinking of this, the black-robed immortal began to consider how to trick Liu Chenxiang into giving him the Lotus Lantern without arousing her suspicion.

But Liu Chenxiang unexpectedly presented him with an opportunity, asking, "Immortal, since you know so much, do you know where I can get the Mountain-Splitting Axe?"

"A mountain-splitting axe?" the black-robed immortal asked. "You mean..."

Liu Chenxiang said, "I will split open Tao Mountain to rescue my mother."

"Oh," the black-robed immortal's eyes lit up, and he said, "I do know that, but I have a way to find that mountain-splitting axe."

"What method?" Liu Chenxiang asked excitedly, "Please tell me, Immortal."

The immortal in black robes said, "How about this, let me see the Lotus Lantern first. All the treasures in the world are connected. I can use the power of the Lotus Lantern to help you find the whereabouts of the Mountain-Splitting Axe."

Liu Chenxiang, being utterly guileless, handed over the Lotus Lantern upon hearing this.

The black-robed immortal was surprised that this kid was so easy to fool, and hurriedly stretched out his trembling hands to take the Lotus Lantern.

The moment the Lotus Lantern was in his hands, the black-robed immortal immediately gripped it tightly, snatched it away, and laughed wildly, "Hahaha, I got it, I got it!"

"The Lotus Lantern is mine! It's mine!"

"I want to be the Black-Robed Great Sage! Hahaha."

Seeing the sudden change in the black-robed immortal's temperament, Liu Chenxiang immediately realized something was wrong and hurriedly stepped forward to snatch the Lotus Lantern, but was sent flying by a palm strike from the black-robed Great Sage.

Liu Chenxiang collapsed heavily to the ground. The black-robed immortal looked at Liu Chenxiang and said, "I originally wanted to eat you, but considering that you offered the Lotus Lantern, I will spare your life."

In fact, the Black-Robed King did not want to form a karmic bond with the Third Holy Mother and the Western Mountain Divine Palace. Deceiving the Lotus Lantern was nothing. If the Western Mountain Divine Palace and the Heavenly Court really cared so much, the Lotus Lantern would not have remained in Liu Yanchang's hands for so many years.

But if Liu Chenxiang were killed, the situation would be completely different. After all, he was the Third Holy Mother's own son and the Great Emperor of the Western Mountains' grandson, so the consequences would be significant.

So after the Black Robe King slapped Liu Chenxiang away, he rose into the sky amidst black clouds.

Liu Chenxiang crawled out of the bushes and looked at the Black-Robed King who had snatched the Lotus Lantern and flown away in a cloud of black smoke. He immediately realized that he had been tricked.

Liu Chenxiang burst into tears; this was the only memento his mother had left him.

Liu Chenxiang cursed the Black-Robed King as he chased after him through the dark woods. He was frantic in his pursuit, and although he was scratched on the cheek by a tree branch and accidentally fell down a hillside, nothing could stop him from chasing the Black-Robed King.

But how could his two feet catch up with the Black-Robed King? Soon the Black-Robed King disappeared without a trace.

Liu Chenxiang accidentally slipped and fell off the cliff again, this time breaking his leg. He tried to stand up, but was unable to.

Liu Chenxiang could only lie there and cry out in regret, but the next moment, a thunderclap suddenly rang out on the mountaintop.

Liu Chenxiang looked up and saw a bolt of lightning rip through the night sky and strike down. He vaguely heard a scream, and then the sky darkened again.

Meanwhile, outside the cave of the Black-Robed King, the king lay on the ground, his body charred black, spitting blood and convulsing.

Then a white-robed immortal appeared beside the Black-Robed King; it was none other than the Ant-Leech Immortal of the Brahma Sect.

The Ant-Leech Immortal appeared beside the Black-Robed King, reached out and snatched the Lotus Lantern into his hand. Then, looking at the Black-Robed King lying on the ground, barely breathing, he said, "You beast, you dare to steal the Lotus Lantern?"

The Black-Robed King let out a series of whimpering sounds, as if he were begging for mercy.

But the Ant-Leech Immortal said nothing, only raised his hand and pointed, a beam of immortal light flew out and instantly pierced the Black-Robed King's brow.

The Black-Robed King died instantly, his body reverting to its original form—a large crow.

After killing the Black-Robed King, the Ant-Leech Immortal took the Lotus Lantern and went down the mountain, where he found Liu Chenxiang.

Seeing Liu Chenxiang lying there with his left leg broken and his body covered in wounds, the Ant-Leech Immortal took out a elixir and walked up to Liu Chenxiang, saying, "Take this elixir."

Having just been deceived, Liu Chenxiang didn't believe the Ant-Leech Immortal at all. The Ant-Leech Immortal smiled slightly and took out the Lotus Lantern, placing it in Liu Chenxiang's hand.

Overjoyed to see the Lotus Lantern restored, Liu Chenxiang quickly said to the Ant-Leech Immortal, "Thank you, thank you so much."

Then he opened his mouth and swallowed the elixir from the ant-leech immortal's hand.

As soon as the elixir entered his stomach, a surge of heat rose up, and the medicinal power flowed throughout his limbs and bones.

Liu Chenxiang's minor injuries healed quickly, but his broken leg was still painful. The Ant-Leech Immortal said, "You are a mortal. This is just an ordinary healing pill. It can only treat general injuries. Your broken leg still needs to be properly cared for."

Liu Chenxiang asked, "Who are you? Why are you helping me?"

The Ant-Leech Immortal laughed and said, "I am a Buddhist immortal with the Dharma name 'Ant-Leech'. I had some dealings with your mother back then."

"Brahmanism? Is it the Brahmanism of Shiva, the founder of Buddhism?" Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang quickly asked, "Is the immortal my mother's friend?"

“That’s right, it’s the Brahma religion of Shiva, the original founder of Buddhism. When you were born, Shiva blessed you,” said the Ant-Leech Sage.

Liu Chenxiang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, my father mentioned this. He said that if it weren't for the blessing of Shiva, my father and I would have been captured long ago."

The Ant-Leech Immortal nodded slightly and said, "That's right. Actually, your mother's situation was due to someone's scheme against her back then."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang quickly asked, "Who? Who plotted against my mother?"

The Ant-Leech Immortal said, "Of course it's Buddhism. Actually, the Heavenly Court was just enforcing the Heavenly Laws when they arrested your mother, and they did nothing wrong. But the reason your mother was arrested and suppressed by the Heavenly Court is because those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas plotted against her. If it weren't for their scheming, your family of three would be living a very happy life now."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang was stunned and speechless. "But...aren't Buddhas and Bodhisattvas all compassionate?"

The Ant-Leech Immortal shook his head and said, "You don't know this. Back then, the Buddhist sect suffered repeated defeats under the attack of the Brahma sect. In order to use the Heavenly Court to strike at the Brahma sect, they plotted against your mother."

The Ant-Leech Immortal told Liu Chenxiang the whole story. After listening, Liu Chenxiang was already gritting his teeth. "I never thought those monks were so hypocritical and deceitful. In order to achieve their own goals, they didn't hesitate to frame an innocent person."

The Ant-Leech Immortal sighed and said, "Do you know who the mountain god of Tao Mountain is?"

Liu Chenxiang asked, "Is it Taoshan, the one who suppressed my mother?"

“Yes.” The Ant-Leech Immortal nodded and said, “The mountain god of Tao Mountain, which suppressed the Third Holy Mother, is the Bodhisattva Cundi of Buddhism. After the Third Holy Mother was suppressed, she guarded this mountain and looked after your mother.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang roared in anger, "What a Buddhist sect! What a bunch of hypocritical Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! I, Liu Chenxiang, will never let you get away with this!"

The Ant-Leech Immortal said, "You can't defeat them alone; you need to rely on their strength first."

Liu Chenxiang quickly said, "Please teach me, Immortal."

The Ant-Leech Immortal said, "The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, once owed your mother a favor. As long as you find him, become his disciple, and learn his skills, you will have no difficulty in finding the Mountain-Splitting Axe to split the mountain and save your mother, or in seeking revenge against the Buddhist sect."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chenxiang hesitated and said, "But isn't the Great Sage Equal to Heaven also a member of the Buddhist sect?"

The Ant-Leech Immortal laughed and said, "So what? As the saying goes, it's easy to resolve grudges, but difficult to repay favors. He owes your mother a favor, so he can't refuse your request to become his disciple. As long as you can learn the skills to save your mother and avenge her, what's a little humiliation that you can't bear?"

Liu Chenxiang immediately pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up at the Ant-Leech Immortal and said, "Immortal, you are right!"

The Ant-Leech Immortal smiled and said, "I've heard that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven is currently in the Fangcun Mountain of Mount Ling. You can go there to look for him."

At this point, the Ant-Leech Immortal suddenly sensed something and said, "Someone is coming, I'll be going now."

After saying that, the Ant-Leech Immortal immediately transformed into a gentle breeze and disappeared without a trace. Liu Chenxiang called out "Immortal," but there was no response.

Just then, a rustling sound came from the nearby woods. Liu Chenxiang gripped the Lotus Lantern tightly and turned to look.

The next moment, a petite figure darted out from the forest. "Huh? There's someone here?" a clear voice rang out, and then the figure skipped and hopped to Liu Chenxiang's side.

By the light of the Lotus Lantern, Liu Chenxiang took a closer look and saw that the person who had come was a girl about his age, with a pretty and lovely face. (End of Chapter)