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Chapter 194 The Real and Fake Bull Demon King

The atmosphere was tense in front of the Fire Cloud Cave. When Princess Iron Fan heard the words "Prabha Bodhisattva," a hint of surprise flashed across her beautiful face.

She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to deny it again, but the words caught in her throat and turned into a self-deprecating sneer.
"Heh..." She tilted her head slightly, her bright eyes showing a hint of weariness and stubbornness.

"So what if it is? What's so strange about some kind of kinship between Rakshasa women? What good will it do you to bring this up?"

She stared at Chen Guangrui again, her eyes sharp. "You've been mentioning Laozi's name repeatedly since you came here. Could it be that you truly represent the will of the Supreme Lord Laozi?"

Chen Guangrui's face remained calm and expressionless, but his mind raced. Laozi? That old man hadn't even assigned a helper, only sending a green ox to deliver a message telling him to stay out of trouble; how could he be considered a representative? Yet, he maintained a solemn expression and replied with certainty, "Of course."

Upon hearing this, Princess Iron Fan felt a surge of anger at being slighted.

"Ha, Laozi, you underestimate me. With the Banana Leaf Fan in hand, even if a powerful enemy comes to my door, what can they do to me? Why do I need your feigned help?"

"The Banana Leaf Fan is unparalleled in its power, and the princess's supernatural abilities are certainly extraordinary."

Chen Guangrui's tone remained calm, but his gaze swept deeply over the still-shaken Red Boy beside him.
"However, the journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is a golden decree of the Buddha and personally approved by the Jade Emperor. The pilgrims will arrive soon. The Flaming Mountain is an inevitable route. If they cannot pass through it, under the combined pressure of Buddhism, Taoism, and the Heavenly Court, Princess, do you think that with the power of a single fan, you can protect yourself and, more importantly, ensure the safety of your son, Red Boy?"

Princess Iron Fan frowned, her anger still lingering, but now tinged with hesitation.

"What am I afraid of? The Bodhisattva Pilanpo of Buddhism will not sit idly by. Laozi... surely Laozi can handle the Heavenly Court?"

"Your Highness is mistaken," Chen Guangrui shook her head slightly.

"The journey to the West is a momentous undertaking, concerning the eastward transmission of Buddhism and fulfilling the Buddha's grand vow. While Bodhisattva Vimalamitra holds a revered position, given the current state of Buddhism, can her words alone sway the Buddha's will? As for the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor's approval is a decree. Even if Laozi were to protect you now, I'm afraid it would be too late."

He paused, his gaze falling on Red Boy, his voice lowering slightly, yet carrying even greater weight.
"This Fiery Cloud Cave is located at a crucial point on the westward journey. Normally, Buddhists would struggle to find a way to establish karmic connections with figures like the princess and Bodhisattva Pilanpo. Now, this heaven-sent opportunity is right before us. What does the princess think..."

His gaze met Princess Iron Fan's eyes. "Under the pretext of helping the pilgrims, will they let go of the opportunity to convert your son, Red Boy, into Buddhism, thus naturally forging a great karmic connection with the princess and Bodhisattva Pilanpo?"

The words "redemption" and "conversion" were like two cold steel needles, piercing Princess Iron Fan's heart.

The image of her son being ordained and living a life of quiet contemplation instantly flashed through her mind.

This chilled her to the bone more than any threat of force. She could be fearless against powerful enemies and fight fiercely, but she could never tolerate her only son being taken away and dragged into that unfathomable vortex.

Princess Iron Fan's beautiful face instantly lost its color, her fingers gripping the fan handle turned white at the knuckles from the force, and trembled slightly. For the first time, her eyes clearly revealed immense panic.

The anger, resentment, and stubbornness from before deflated rapidly like a punctured balloon in the face of this choice concerning her son's fate, replaced by a sense of powerlessness bordering on despair.

Finally, after a long silence, Princess Iron Fan took a deep breath, as if using all her strength. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes resolute, without the slightest hesitation. She no longer looked at Chen Guangrui, nor at the Yellow Wind Monster, but her gaze fell on her son, filled with endless worry and reluctance.

"Take it!"

A low shout, carrying a sense of desperation, rang out. Princess Iron Fan raised her arm, and the seemingly ordinary green banana leaf fan, like an arrow released from a bow, was resolutely hurled at Chen Guangrui with a "whoosh."

……

In the dense forest outside the Fire Cloud Cave, the Bull Demon King's imposing figure was hidden in the shadows of the trees, his thick horns peeking out slightly.

He held his breath and stared intently at the cave entrance. The sounds of Princess Iron Fan and Princess Jade Face arguing and fighting inside the cave could be faintly heard, pricking his heart like needles, making his scalp tingle and the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Finally, that resolute, emerald-green figure rushed out, filled with resentment, and was about to fly away on a fragrant breeze.

The Bull Demon King's heart tightened, and he knew something was wrong. He could no longer hide and moved in a flash to block Princess Jade Face's path.

"Ayu, Ayu, listen to me!" The Bull Demon King's face was filled with extreme anxiety and sincerity. He opened his arms to try to stop her, his voice low and soft, with a magnetic quality that could soften anyone's heart. "Things aren't what you think. What you've seen isn't real!"

Princess Jade Face abruptly stopped on the cloud, her beautiful face still wet with tears, now contorted with rage. Looking at the familiar yet heartbreaking face of the Bull Demon King, she felt a surge of evil fire rise to the top of her head.

"It's not true?" her voice was shrill, trembling with tears.

"Bull Demon King, I already gave you a chance back in the Cloud-Piercing Cave. What did you say to me there? Now you turn around and come here to act all lovey-dovey with her. Later, at the entrance of the Fire Cloud Cave, I gave you another chance. What did you do then? Did you choose? Did you protect me?"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving violently, and her finger pointing at the Bull Demon King's nose trembled.

"Twice! Bull Demon King, I've given you two chances! You've trampled my face and my heart under your feet time and time again! How can I give you another chance? Huh? Tell me!"

Princess Jade Face's voice rose to an extremely high pitch, filled with a despairing collapse, "My heart is made of flesh and blood too, it can't withstand you tearing it apart like this again and again, we're finished!"

After roaring, she didn't look at the Bull Demon King again. She suddenly urged the fragrant wind and was about to rush towards Mount Jilei again, her tears falling like beads from a broken string.

The Bull Demon King's mind was buzzing from Princess Jade Face's barrage of questions, especially the phrase "just now in the Cloud-Piercing Cave," which left him completely stunned. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he looked utterly bewildered.

I didn't go to Moyun Cave either!

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he hurriedly chased after her. "Wait! Ayu!" The Bull Demon King reached out to grab her sleeve, his voice filled with immense confusion and an urgent need for clarification.
"Moyun Cave? Just now? Ayu, there must be some misunderstanding. I've been attending the banquet at Bibo Pool the whole time. The Dragon King of Ten Thousand Saints and all the guests can testify for me. I only discovered my mount was stolen after leaving the banquet, so I tracked it all the way here! I never went back to Moyun Cave!"

Princess Jade Face, who was being held back by him and about to struggle free, froze upon hearing these words. She looked up with tearful eyes, staring incredulously at the Bull Demon King.
"You didn't go back? Then... then who was it that was talking to me in the cave just now, saying those things?"

The color drained from her face instantly, and her eyes were filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Thinking about how that dead cow had been so eager to hug him and take advantage of the situation...

It was indeed somewhat unlike his usual behavior.

But now that the Bull Demon King is here, she can't say these things.

Seeing that her expression softened, the Bull Demon King knew there was a chance, and immediately pressed his advantage, his tone becoming even more confident and composed.
“Someone must be impersonating me! Ah Yu, think carefully, when have I ever been so heartless to you? It must be the person who stole my mount who took the opportunity to sneak into Moyun Cave, impersonate me to deceive you, and then led you here, just to sow discord between us.”

He explained urgently, his eyes filled with the pain and anxiety of being wrongly accused.

However, Princess Jade Face was in a state of confusion. While listening to the Bull Demon King's explanation, she was also thinking about what had happened in the Cloud-Piercing Cave, and she walked faster and faster.

Just then, a familiar low growl came from the woods. The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw the magnificent water-avoiding golden-eyed beast leisurely grazing on grass not far away, as if it had never been lost.

Why are you here?

At this point, the two were not far from the Moyun Cave on Jilei Mountain.

"Look!" The Bull Demon King's eyes lit up as he pointed to his mount, his voice tinged with the excitement of solving a case.
"The mount is right here, that's irrefutable proof. After impersonating me, that person must have just abandoned the mount here! This is their scheme to lure us away and sow discord! Ah Yu, you've fallen into their trap."

His tone was resolute, filled with indignation at his sudden realization.

At this moment, even if the Bull Demon King was in the wrong, he would still shift the blame onto the person impersonating him, because appeasing the person was the priority.

Princess Jade Face looked at the unharmed Golden-Eyed Beast, and recalled the Bull Demon King's words and actions in the cave. The doubts in her heart were finally suppressed by the evidence before her and the Bull Demon King's earnest explanation. Overwhelmed by grievance and lingering fear, she burst into tears and threw herself into the Bull Demon King's arms.

"Old Niu, I...I was almost fooled by that scoundrel, they're so evil..."

She cried, tears streaming down her face, burying her face in the Bull Demon King's firm chest, her shoulders heaving.

Finally, he managed to coax her! The Bull Demon King breathed a sigh of relief, secretly rejoicing. He quickly patted her back gently and coaxed her softly.

"Alright, alright, my darling, it's alright, it's alright. It's all those wicked villains' fault for daring to bully my beauty like that! Once I find out who it is, I'll tear them to pieces and avenge you!"

While comforting Princess Jade Face, his mind was racing, wondering why the imposter had led her to the Fire Cloud Cave.

It's just letting those two have a fight, isn't it?

After the argument, she left, and Princess Jade Face also left, leaving only Princess Iron Fan...

The Bull Demon King had already realized that their target was Princess Iron Fan. His eyes sharpened, and he gently pushed Princess Jade Face away, his face turning serious.
"Ayu, go back to Moyun Cave and wait for me. This matter must not be left unresolved. The person who impersonated me, as well as the mastermind behind the stolen mount and the instigator, must still be in Huoyun Cave. I must go in immediately and find that scheming villain hiding in the shadows, or the consequences will be dire!"

Princess Jade Face had just calmed down a bit when she heard that he wanted to go back to Fire Cloud Cave again, this time to find out who the villain was. Her nameless anger flared up again.

She shoved the Bull Demon King away abruptly, her tears, which she had just stopped, welling up again. Her voice was sharp and piercing, filled with a furious sense of being mocked.
"Bull Demon King, you're lying to me again! What do you mean by 'exposing the villain'? You just can't let go of that shrew, you just want to go back to her! Get out, get back to your Fire Cloud Cave! Don't let me see you again, you liar! You heartless man!"

She cried out, then once again rode the fragrant wind, flying swiftly towards Mount Jilei without looking back, leaving behind a resolute silhouette.

"Ayu! Ayu! Oh!"

The Bull Demon King watched as Princess Jade Face flew away again, stomped his foot heavily, his face filled with both anxiety and anger. But he couldn't care less about chasing her now; the "spy" in the Fire Cloud Cave was igniting his fury even more.

With a gloomy face, he rushed towards the Fire Cloud Cave with great momentum, taking three steps at a time.

Before long, the Bull Demon King arrived at the open space in front of the cave. The scene before him made his eyes widen in horror, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

At the cave entrance, Princess Iron Fan stood pale-faced, with a resolute air of desperation. With a flick of her arm, her emerald green banana leaf fan transformed into a streak of green light and flew towards the scholar with a "whoosh."

"Stop! Stop the fan!" the Bull Demon King roared, his voice booming and shaking the mountain stream. His tall body rushed forward like a whirlwind, his large, fan-like hand reaching straight for the flying banana leaf fan.

Princess Iron Fan was startled by the sudden roar. She turned around abruptly and saw the Bull Demon King rushing towards her menacingly. She was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of humiliation, resentment, and fear of being threatened, which had been building up for countless years, burst forth instantly.

Her eyebrows furrowed and her beautiful eyes widened, as if she wanted to punch the Bull Demon King directly.

But the Bull Demon King didn't care about that at all and snatched the banana leaf fan into his hand.

(End of this chapter)