Start with Xu Xian and quickly master the mythology!

Chapter 131 White Tiger Ridge, Little Western Liang Kingdom

White Tiger Ridge, the cave of Lady White Bone.

Xu Xian sat here, while Lady White Bone stood quietly beside him.

After a long while, the demon asked in a low voice, "Master, where did that Ruyi Fox Fairy go?"

At this time, there were no more fox spirits at White Tiger Ridge, only Lady White Bone holding a Ruyi scepter.

Xu Xian smiled and shook his head: "Don't worry, she has her own plans. Tang Sanzang and his disciples will be arriving at White Tiger Ridge soon, what do you think we should do?"

Lady White Bone bowed slightly: "What does Master wish for me to do?"

"To cause the pilgrimage team to fall apart."

"yes!"

In the original story, the White Bone Demon, with her extremely weak demonic power, managed to get Tang Sanzang to banish Sun Wukong.

The White Bone Demon is no longer what it used to be.

Not only is his strength comparable to that of Sha Wujing, but he also wields a Ruyi scepter.

Xu Xian believed that she could definitely cause great trouble for the pilgrimage team.

"Bring me the Ruyi, and I will perform a ritual for you."

The White Bone Demon quickly picked up the Ruyi and placed it in Xu Xian's hands.

Xu Xian muttered incantations and used the supernatural power of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Dipper Techniques to re-refine the Ruyi.

In an instant, Lady White Bone's cave was filled with dazzling light, and the Ruyi scepter burst forth with extremely bright light.

Its power is increased several times over.

"Unfortunately, the material of this Ruyi is limited, so it can only be refined to this extent."

"Although it is extremely powerful and has countless uses, it can only be used a few times before it is destroyed."

Xu Xian murmured something and handed the Ruyi to Lady White Bone.

"Do what you want to do. I'll protect you if it really matters."

"yes!"

Before White Tiger Ridge, wild grass stretches to the horizon.

The wind swept the withered grass, swirling it across the road and kicking up clouds of dust.

The four members of the Tang Monk's group, leading the white dragon horse, were struggling to trek along a mountain path.

Tang Sanzang, draped in a brocade cassock, sat upright atop the white dragon horse, his brows slightly furrowed.

The days of running around had left him exhausted.

His chapped lips were slightly pursed, and his gaze was fixed on the gray mountain road ahead, filled with weariness.

"Master, this White Tiger Ridge is deserted and there is no village or shop in sight. We're afraid we'll have to spend the night in this desolate wilderness."

Pigsy, carrying his nine-toothed rake, was panting heavily, his fat face covered in sweat, his big ears drooping, looking listless.

He looked around every now and then, hoping to see a trace of human habitation, even if it was just a dilapidated temple, at least it could provide shelter from the wind and rain and some food.

Sha Wujing carried his baggage, barefoot, with steady steps.

He remained as honest and kind as ever, silently following behind the group.

Their eyes were fixed on Tang Sanzang's back, fearing that their master might suffer even the slightest mishap.

Sun Wukong, carrying his Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), walked at the front of the group, his fiery eyes slightly narrowed as he warily scanned his surroundings.

Although there was no obvious demonic aura at White Tiger Ridge, he dared not slack off in the slightest.

"Fool, stop complaining." Sun Wukong said in a clear voice without turning his head.

"This mountain is shrouded in eerie atmosphere. We must be careful and lest we fall into the demon's trap."

Pigsy pouted and muttered, "Where did all these demons come from? I think you're just too sensitive; you see everything as a demon."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang sighed softly: "Wukong, Bajie, don't argue. Monks should be compassionate. Even if there are demons, we should focus on saving them and not easily entertain thoughts of killing."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong shook his head helplessly: "Master, you're just too kind-hearted. The demons of White Tiger Ridge aren't so easy to convert."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange change occurred.

Suddenly, a cloud of gray mist rose into the sky ahead.

The fog arrived very quickly, sweeping in like a tide and instantly enveloping the four of them.

Visibility was less than three feet, and all you could hear was the howling wind and the crackling sound of snapping dry grass.

"Not good! It's demonic mist!" Sun Wukong's expression changed, and he immediately stopped and held his golden cudgel horizontally in front of him.

"Bajie, Sha Wujing, quickly protect Master!"

Sha Wujing rushed forward and firmly held onto the horse's reins.

Pigsy also dropped his playful grin, gripped his nine-toothed rake tightly, and cautiously observed his surroundings: "Brother Monkey, why is this fog so strange? It's pitch black, and I can't even smell any demonic energy."

Sun Wukong closed his eyes and listened intently.

There was no trace of demonic energy in the fog, only a faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation of magical power.

It was eerie yet gentle, unlike anything an ordinary fairy could emit.

He opened his fiery eyes, and two golden beams pierced through the thick fog, but all he could see was a hazy, chaotic grayness, and he couldn't make out anything.

"Strange." Sun Wukong frowned, a hint of doubt rising in his mind.

"This fog is strange. It has no demonic aura, yet it can trap us. There must be something odd about it."

Tang Sanzang sat on the horse's back, his whole body trembling slightly, not from fear, but from the chill in the mist.

"Wukong, when will this fog dissipate?" His voice trembled.

"If this continues, we might lose our way and get trapped in this ridge."

Just as Sun Wukong was about to speak, he suddenly heard a faint human voice coming from the end of the fog.

The place was bustling with noise—children laughing, women chatting, and vendors hawking their wares.

"Master, listen! There are voices!" Pigsy's eyes lit up, and he instantly perked up.

"There must be a city or village ahead; let's hurry and find lodging there!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's eyes lit up: "Amitabha, if there really is a city, then it is the Bodhisattva's protection. Wukong, let's hurry over there."

Sun Wukong's doubts deepened.

How could a city suddenly appear in this desolate White Tiger Ridge?

Moreover, the fog's arrival is suspicious, suggesting that the city is not simple.

"Master, you mustn't!" Sun Wukong quickly dissuaded him.

"This fog is strange, and the origin of that city is unknown. It may be a trap set by demons. We must not go there lightly."

"A trap?" Pigsy scoffed. "Brother Monkey, are you seeing threats everywhere? With so many voices, how could it possibly be a trap?"

He pointed to the end of the fog, his tone urgent: "I can smell the aroma of food! There must be a restaurant there! Master, let's hurry over there so we can rest and have something to eat."

Tang Sanzang also wavered somewhat.

After days of travel, he was already starving and freezing. Hearing voices and the aroma of food, he gradually lowered his guard.

"Wukong, Bajie is right," Tang Sanzang said softly.

"Even if it's a trap, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We should go and see for ourselves. If it really is a city, we can stay for the night. If it's the work of demons, then it's not too late for you to make your move."

Seeing that his master had made up his mind, Sun Wukong was unwilling, but dared not disobey due to the power of the headband.

"Never mind." He sighed helplessly. "Master, please sit tight. I, Old Sun, will lead the way. If there is any unusual activity, call me immediately."

Having said that, Sun Wukong, holding his golden cudgel, took the lead and walked towards the direction from which the voices came.

The fog gradually thinned, and the view ahead became clearer.

A city built of blue bricks suddenly appeared before our eyes.

The city gate is tall and majestic, with the four powerful and ancient characters "Little Western Liang Kingdom" engraved on it.

On either side of the city gate stood two armored soldiers with stern expressions.

The city was bustling with activity, and shops lined both sides of the streets, with vendors calling out their wares incessantly.

Men, women, and children came and went, dressed smartly, with peaceful expressions, presenting a scene of peaceful and prosperous life.

"Wow! It really is a city!" Pigsy cheered and rushed over.

"What did I, Old Pig, say? It wasn't a trap at all; it was just an ordinary city!"

Tang Sanzang also breathed a sigh of relief, put his hands together, and murmured, "Amitabha, it is truly the Bodhisattva's blessing that we finally have a place to stay."

Sha Wujing led the white dragon horse behind, his eyes flickering slightly.

He carefully observed the people in the city and discovered a strange phenomenon.

Although the people were coming and going, creating a lively scene, their footsteps made no sound at all.

It's like it has no weight.

A hint of doubt arose in Sha Wujing's heart. He quietly tugged at Sun Wukong's sleeve and whispered, "Eldest brother, look at those people. Their footsteps are silent. Something's not right."

Sun Wukong had already noticed this.

He opened his fiery eyes, and two beams of golden light swept across the people in the city.

This sight made his heart skip a beat.

With keen eyes, the true identities of all the people in the city were revealed.

They were neither living people nor demons, but were formed from fallen leaves, withered branches, and pebbles by a strange magical force.

The surface is covered with a thin layer of spiritual energy, mimicking the appearance and expression of a person.

There was no demonic aura, no sign of life, only a strange fluctuation of magical power lingering around them.

"What is this thing?" Sun Wukong was shocked.

His discerning eyes could distinguish demons and monsters, and recognize evil spirits, but he had never seen such a being before.

It's not a demon, not a human, not a ghost; it's just a bunch of inanimate objects activated by magic.

"Has that demon clouded my eyes?" Sun Wukong frowned and complained to Sha Wujing in a low voice, his tone tinged with anxiety.

"They're clearly not human, yet they don't exude any demonic aura. How is that possible?"

Sha Wujing shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother, I also feel something is wrong. These people are too strange. Their footsteps are silent, and their expressions are somewhat stiff. They don't seem like real living people."

"What's wrong?" Pigsy came closer, a candied hawthorn skewer dangling from his mouth.

"I think you're overthinking it! How could there be any problems in such a bustling city?"

He pointed to the restaurants on both sides of the street, swallowed hard, and said, "Master, let's quickly find a restaurant to stay in, eat something, and rest our feet."

At this moment, Tang Sanzang was deeply moved by the scene in the city.

He saw people devoutly burning incense and worshipping Buddha along the street, and children playing around the Buddha statue, and his guard completely dropped.

Hearing Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing's doubts, he frowned and rebuked them, "Wukong, Sha Wujing, how can you two be so suspicious?"

"Look at the people in this city, living in peace and contentment, devoutly worshipping Buddha. Where is there even a trace of demonic nature about them?"

"Wukong, stop being so suspicious and killing innocent people indiscriminately, harming the lives of these kind-hearted men and women."

Sun Wukong cried out urgently, "Master, they are not human! They are transformed from withered branches and fallen leaves! Please don't be deceived by appearances!"

"Transformed from withered branches and fallen leaves?" Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's face darkened.

"Wukong, you're going further and further afield! How could such peaceful people possibly be transformed from withered branches and fallen leaves?"

"If you continue to spout such nonsense, don't blame this humble monk for reciting the Tightening-Headband Mantra!"

Looking at his master's determined eyes, Sun Wukong felt anxious and angry, yet helpless.

He had no evidence; his keen eyes could only see that they were not human, but he could not prove that they were demons in disguise.

After all, these "common people" had no demonic aura and no intention of harming them.

"Never mind," Sun Wukong sighed, putting away his Fiery Eyes.

"Master, I, Old Sun, will not argue with you. Let's go into the city to find lodging first, but if there is any unusual activity, I, Old Sun, will not show any mercy."

Tang Sanzang nodded, a hint of satisfaction on his face: "This is truly a good disciple of yours."

The four of them, master and disciples, led the white dragon horse and entered the city gate of the Little Western Liang Kingdom.

The soldiers on both sides of the city gate bowed slightly to them, their expressions respectful, showing no sign of anything amiss.

People strolled along the streets, and when they saw the four of them, they all stopped to watch.

A look of curiosity appeared on his face, but there was no malice in it.

Pigsy, unable to contain himself any longer, grabbed Monkey and ran towards the nearby restaurant, shouting, "Brother Monkey, hurry, hurry, I, Old Pig, want to have a good meal!"

Helpless, Sun Wukong could only follow, while reminding Sha Wujing, "Junior Brother Sha, keep a close eye on Master and don't leave his side for even a moment."

Sha Wujing nodded: "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will protect Master."

Tang Sanzang strolled leisurely down the street, looking at the city's scenery with deep emotion.

As he walked, he clasped his hands together and chanted Buddhist prayers, stopping from time to time to nod to the people worshipping Buddha on the roadside.

Just then, a group of attendants dressed in brocade robes escorted a magnificent sedan chair from the end of the street.

The sedan chair stopped, and a middle-aged man in a dragon robe with a kind face stepped out.

His gaze fell on Tang Sanzang, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes, and he quickly stepped forward.

"Is this elder the Tang Monk, who traveled from the Tang Dynasty to the Western Paradise to seek Buddhist scriptures?"

The middle-aged man bowed respectfully.

Tang Sanzang quickly returned the greeting with his palms together: "It is indeed this humble monk. May I ask who you are, benefactor?"

"I am the ruler of the Little Western Liang Kingdom," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"I have long heard of the Elder's journey to the West to obtain the scriptures, and his compassionate heart. It is an honor to meet him today."

"Elder, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you come back to the palace with me and host a banquet for you and your disciples? This will allow you to rest."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was grateful: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, we, the four of us, have troubled Your Majesty and feel uneasy."

"Elder, you are too kind. Your journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is a meritorious act for the sake of saving all sentient beings. It is my honor to be able to entertain you."

After saying this, he invited Tang Sanzang into the sedan chair without further ado, and then ordered his attendants to find Sun Wukong and the other two.

Pigsy was in a restaurant, having ordered a table full of food, ready to feast.

Sun Wukong, however, remained aloof and observed.

Upon hearing the servant's report, Sun Wukong's heart stirred.

The appearance of this king was too coincidental.

Moreover, his aura was exactly the same as the magical energy fluctuations emanating from those "common people".

"It seems that this king is the demon behind everything."