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Chapter 196 Certificate of Surrender

Hearing Chen Guangrui's words, the Bull Demon King did not refute for the first time, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead. "What you said is all guesswork. What if, I mean, what if it's not like that?"

The flame dancing on Chen Guangrui's fingertips died down silently. "I am from the Tushita Palace. Now that I'm here, Bull King, guess what Laozi's attitude is now?"

His gaze shifted to Princess Iron Fan, carrying an invisible pressure, "And what is the attitude of Bodhisattva Pilanpo?"

Princess Iron Fan's slender, pale fingers tightened around the hem of her skirt, her fingertips turning white. She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her turbulent emotions, and looked at the Bull Demon King.
“Back then, when I married you, the elder Pilanpo, out of consideration for our shared lineage, gave me some benefits. Over the years, we've had little contact and our relationship has become distant. She is a Bodhisattva, a great person, while I, a simple mountain woman, can't even see her if I wanted to.”

Although she claimed they hadn't had much contact over the years because the other woman was a very important person, back then, Pilanpo was also a very important person, and the two didn't seem estranged. Looking at it this way, it really was because of the Bull Demon King's actions that Pilanpo Bodhisattva was unwilling to associate with Princess Iron Fan anymore. This is something that anyone with a little thought can understand.

The Bull Demon King fell completely silent. He knew perfectly well what kind of people the remaining Buddhist monks were. He knew that if something really happened, the Buddhist sect wouldn't help him.
"So, am I, Old Niu, really doomed to die? Is there absolutely no way to save me?"

"No." Chen Guangrui's answer was firm and unequivocal, leaving no room for negotiation. "Heaven and earth, Buddhism and Taoism, the Heavenly Court—all three sides want you dead. What makes you think you can live?"

A flicker of unwilling struggle flashed in the Bull Demon King's eyes, as if grasping at a last straw.

"Then... I'll pledge allegiance to Laozi. You didn't come here just to scare me, Old Ox, did you? Laozi must have given you some kind of decree, right? Is there still a chance?"

He stared at Chen Guangrui, his eyes filled with a last glimmer of hope.

A subtle, enigmatic smile played on Chen Guangrui's lips. "The gates of the Tushita Palace are not easy to enter these days. If you truly wish to seek refuge... perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope."

"Only a sliver of hope?" The Bull Demon King was taken aback, his thick brows furrowing as he asked in a low voice, "Even Laozi can't control this situation?"

“Laojun can keep it under control,” Chen Guangrui said calmly. “But you’ve already shown your treachery, so why should Laojun trust you again?”

The Bull Demon King pressed on urgently, his tone carrying a sense of desperation, "Then tell me, what do you want me to do? I can't just declare my loyalty out of thin air, can I? There has to be a plan!"

Chen Guangrui then feigned hesitation, seemingly weighing the options carefully. After a moment, as if making a great decision, he reluctantly spoke, "Fine. Considering that your wife still has a connection with the Bodhisattva Vimalakirti, and also has some ties with the Tusita Heaven..."

He abruptly changed the subject, asking, "Do you know why I've come down to the mortal realm?"

"To subdue the demon," the Bull Demon King blurted out.

"Which demon are you going to subdue?" Chen Guangrui's gaze was like lightning, fixed on the Bull Demon King.

The Bull Demon King's heart skipped a beat, as if he had caught some crucial clue, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.

Chen Guangrui leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further.

"The other day, the group that went on their pilgrimage killed Kui Mulang. You must know that, right?"

The Bull Demon King nodded solemnly, "I know! Kui Mulang descended to the mortal realm as a demon and was killed by that Black Bear Demon and his men. It caused quite a stir."

Chen Guangrui nodded, his eyes sharp as knives, each word striking the Bull Demon King's heart with clarity.
"Then do you know that Kui Mulang is a member of the Tushita Palace?"

"What? Tushita Palace?" The Bull Demon King's copper bell-like eyes widened suddenly, and his burly body involuntarily took a half step back. The Buddhist sect was too audacious. In all the years in Heaven, everyone had made trouble, but no one had ever been heard of killing anyone. Now they had killed people from Tushita Palace. Where would that leave Laozi's face?

Chen Guangrui took in the Bull Demon King's shock and fear, and lowered his voice even further.

"So, Laozi sent me down to the mortal realm this time to fight a real battle."

He paused, then fixed his gaze firmly on the Bull Demon King.

"This blood debt owed by Kui Mulang cannot be left unresolved. If we're going to fight, we must strike at the heart of Buddhism's weaknesses and beat them to a pulp, making them taste the pain of death!"

He stared directly at the Bull Demon King, his gaze intense, carrying an undeniable invitation and a hint of cold allure.

"King Ox, if you truly wish to prove your loyalty and fight for this sliver of hope, then come with me to fight a fierce battle and show Laozi your determination and ability. What do you say?"

Tang Sheng, who was listening intently to the side, had a tense little face, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn upwards. He quickly lowered his head, covered his mouth tightly with his little hands, and his shoulders trembled slightly, clearly struggling to suppress his laughter. Huang Fengguai's lips twitched violently twice, and he quickly turned his face away, coughing loudly to cover up his awkwardness.

They all knew that they had come here specifically for the banana leaf fan.

Is Chen Guangrui now planning to find an accomplice?

The Bull Demon King's eyes flickered intensely, clearly weighing the pros and cons fiercely within him. Chen Guangrui's suggestion was too audacious, extremely risky. But the words "pledge of allegiance" were like a ray of light in the darkness. After a long pause, he licked his dry lips, his voice hoarse with a sense of recklessness, "Fight...fight where?"

“Naturally, they are tough nuts to crack, having deep ties with Buddhism. That’s why I said you only have a slim chance this time. However, with your extraordinary abilities, the Mighty Bull Demon King, dealing with them might not be too difficult.” Chen Guangrui’s tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

"For example?" the Bull Demon King pressed, his breathing quickening.

“Lion Camel Ridge,” Chen Guangrui uttered calmly.

"Lion Camel Ridge?!" The Bull Demon King gasped, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. Lion Camel Ridge was infamous for its ferocity, home to three demons, and was a notoriously dangerous place in West Niuhe Continent.

"I've heard about that place for a long time. Although I've never been there, I know that the three demons of Lion Camel Ridge... are not to be trifled with." Chen Guangrui waved his hand dismissively. "Just two watchdogs. The Great Demon Green Lion Spirit is the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva, and the Second Demon White Elephant Spirit is the mount of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. So what are those two Bodhisattvas' abilities?"

He looked at the Bull Demon King with a meaningful expression.

The Bull Demon King tried hard to recall, and suddenly remembered an old story.
"That's right! I heard years ago that a mortal pushed Manjushri Bodhisattva into the river and made him soak for three days?"

The doubt in his eyes lessened slightly. If the Bodhisattva was really that powerful, how could he be in such a sorry state?

“Exactly!” Chen Guangrui pressed on, his tone as casual as if he were talking about a wild rabbit in the mountains. “He’s already like this, how strong can his mount be?”

The Bull Demon King then asked, "Aren't there three? The other two are probably about the same strength as my mount, so what about the third one?"

Chen Guangrui laughed, "If the First Demon and the Second Demon are like this, why bother investigating the Third Demon? I haven't even gathered any information about him."

The Bull Demon King gripped the banana leaf fan tightly and loosely, his rugged face shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Lion Camel Ridge? That's no place to joke around. His vast fortune, painstakingly accumulated, the immense wealth of Moyun Cave, and that delicate, beautiful woman... This is a matter of great importance; how could he make a decision so easily?

“This,” the Bull Demon King’s voice was clearly hesitant, his eyes flickering, “Brother, this matter is no small thing, it has too great implications. I… need to think it over carefully.”

Chen Guangrui showed no surprise or disappointment, simply nodding calmly, his tone as indifferent as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

"King Niu, please consider this carefully. My purpose in coming here is precisely for this banana leaf fan."

He turned his gaze to Princess Iron Fan, "Giving King Niu a few pointers was just a side effect."

Princess Iron Fan was already seething with anger, and her fury at the Bull Demon King's hesitation only intensified it. Upon hearing Chen Guangrui say that the fan was the real issue, she didn't hesitate and abruptly snatched the banana leaf fan from the Bull Demon King's hand.

"Here you go!" Princess Iron Fan didn't even glance at the Bull Demon King, and directly shoved the fan into Chen Guangrui's hand with a swift and decisive action, carrying a sense of finality.

“Take the fan. What you said, whether true or false, was meant to wake up this fool and my daughter.”

She turned to Chen Guangrui, her anger slightly softening, but a lingering anxiety remained between her brows. "Vice Commander Chen, what do you think we should do now?"

Chen Guangrui took the fan, which felt slightly heavy in his hand. As he listened to the secret message from Princess Iron Fan, he said, "If possible, it would be best to find a place to hide."

Princess Iron Fan nodded, "Yes, it's been a long time since I paid my respects to Senior Pilanpo. This is a good opportunity to go to her temple for a while to take refuge. We can return after the pilgrims have passed the Flaming Mountains and the storm has passed."

After saying that, she glared hatefully at the Bull Demon King, her voice suddenly rising, full of sarcasm and resentment.

"As for him, humph, what do you mean he can't bear to part with his family business? He can't bear to part with that vixen's den of iniquity at Jilei Mountain. Such a scoundrel deserves to be torn to pieces."

The Bull Demon King's face burned with embarrassment at the scolding, and he felt even more awkward in front of Chen Guangrui and the Yellow Wind Monster. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in his defense, but looking at Princess Iron Fan's fiery eyes, he ultimately didn't dare to utter a sound. He simply mumbled to Chen Guangrui, "Brother, then I'll be going now. If I... have thought it through, I'll definitely come to Lion Camel Ridge to find you."

Chen Guangrui nodded slightly and said no more. His objective had been achieved; it was no longer wise to linger here.

Princess Iron Fan acted swiftly and decisively, immediately turning around and entering the cave to find Red Boy. Clearly, she didn't want to stay there for even a moment longer, much less see the Bull Demon King.

Standing outside the cave, the Bull Demon King watched his wife's resolute back as she walked away. He thought of the Jade-Faced Princess of Mount Jilei and her immense wealth. His expression shifted with complex emotions, but in the end, he could only sigh heavily, his figure appearing somewhat dejected.

Chen Guangrui stopped looking at him, and led Huang Fengguai and Tang Sheng, who was watching the show with his little face upturned, turned around and left the messy area in front of Huoyun Cave.

The three walked silently along the mountain path, leaving the hustle and bustle of Jilei Mountain far behind. The shadows of the trees swayed by the roadside, and the only sounds in the air were their footsteps and birdsong.

Tang Sheng, who hadn't said much until now, finally couldn't contain his curiosity and ran over to Chen Guangrui, tugging at his sleeve.
"Father, slow down. You never taught me those things you said to Princess Iron Fan and the Bull Demon King before, and I've never heard anyone say them before. Where did you learn them from?"

Chen Guangrui didn't stop walking. He looked ahead and said in a calm tone, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today: "When your Uncle Qingniu came before, didn't he tell me some things?"

"Huh?" Tang Sheng's little brows furrowed immediately, his face full of disbelief. He counted on his fingers, "Uncle Qingniu did say a lot, but in such a short time, how could he have told you so much?"

"Yes, he only told me part of it. The rest I made up myself."

"You made that up yourself?!" Tang stopped abruptly, her eyes wide with amazement and undisguised admiration.

"My goodness, Dad, you pulled off this amazing feat... no, I mean, you were incredibly shrewd! So that old ox was so scared just now, his face turned white and he was sweating buckets, because you scared him?"

The Yellow Wind Monster, who had been walking silently beside him, raised his thick eyebrows when he heard the words "made up by himself." He first looked at Chen Guangrui in astonishment, then, as if he understood something, he grinned and began to laugh silently.

At this moment, Tang Sheng asked, "Dad, we've got the fans, where are we going next?"

"I've got the fan." Using the secret technique taught to him by Princess Iron Fan, Chen Guangrui made the Banana Leaf Fan shrink to its smallest size. He put the magic weapon in his mouth and said calmly, "Now, it's time to go and see Lion Camel Ridge."

(End of this chapter)