Journey to the West: Please Call Me the White Bone Demon

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, the lights were dazzling and the aroma of wine filled the air. Thousands of monkey demons and their attendant demon soldiers and generals surrounded the banquet, all ears pricked up, eager to hear the Great King's majestic pronouncements.

Yun Zhao sat in the main seat. Seeing the eager gazes of the crowd, he did not refuse and smiled slightly: "I am originally a manifestation of the White Bone Demon. My magic is connected to the netherworld, and I can control the cycle of life and death. I shall be called the 'Great Sage of White Bone'."

Upon hearing this, the cave fell silent for a moment, then Sun Wukong was the first to jump up, scratching his ears and cheeks, saying, "Not loud enough! Not loud enough!"

"Brother, your title is too bland! I, Old Sun, am called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, standing tall and majestic, with an imposing aura!"

"Brother's abilities far surpass ours. Wouldn't it be a disservice to call him merely the Great Sage of White Bones? In my opinion, he should be called the 'Great Sage Who Covers the Heavens'! With one hand covering the heavens and his might shaking the three realms, who would dare to disobey?"

Upon hearing this, all the demon kings cheered.

The Bull Demon King laughed loudly, raised his wine cup, and said, "Brother, you speak well! The title 'Great Sage Who Covers the Heavens' truly embodies power!"

"Your Majesty's physical body supports twenty-seven famous mountains, your laws annihilate all things, and your power blots out the sky and sun; to receive this title is not an exaggeration!"

Peng Demon King also said, "The Great Sage Who Shrouds the Heavens is indeed imposing, or... he could also be called the 'Great Sage of the Netherworld'."

The Flood Dragon Demon King echoed in a deep voice, "The Great Sage of the Netherworld is also worthy! Just now, Your Majesty manifested the White Bone Demon God in the void, its gray-black death aura like the Nine Nether Sea. Even I, the old Flood Dragon, felt a chill in my heart just looking at it. You are worthy!"

The Lion Camel King twitched his green mane, baring his fangs: "I think 'True Silence Great Sage' is even better! With a single finger, Your Majesty annihilates the Netherworld, a gray moon phantom appears at your fingertip, and all things return to annihilation. The words 'True Silence' are just right!"

King Yu Rong, impatient as ever, said, "I think it would be better to call him 'Great Sage of the Nine Netherworlds'! Your Majesty's death aura seems to emanate from the depths of the Nine Netherworlds, unfathomable. Calling him Great Sage of the Nine Netherworlds would be perfectly fitting!"

The Monkey King chuckled and said, "I, Old Macaque, think 'Great Sage Who Destroys the World' is not bad either!"

The seven demon kings started making suggestions one after another, creating a lively atmosphere in the cave.

The lesser demons were thrilled and cheered enthusiastically, with some bolder ones even shouting, "Greetings, Great Sage Who Covers the Sky!"

"The Great Sage of the Underworld is truly awe-inspiring!"

"The Great Sage of the Nine Netherworlds is domineering!"

Sun Wukong jumped up and did several somersaults, shouting excitedly, "Brother! Look, all the brothers think the White Bone Great Sage is too bland! The Heaven-Covering, the Netherworld, the True Silence, the Nine Netherworlds… aren't they all a hundred times more famous than the White Bone Great Sage? You pick one!"

Yun Zhao listened quietly, a gentle smile always on his lips, without interrupting, letting everyone discuss the matter animatedly.

Sounds rose and fell from the cave, wine cups clinked, and laughter and cheers rushed towards the water curtain at the cave entrance, causing water to splash everywhere.

As the crowd gradually stopped, panting and looking at him expectantly, Sun Wukong leaned closer and asked with a grin, "Brother, do you have a name you like?"

Yun Zhao then slowly shook his head, his voice unhurried yet clearly audible: "Thank you for your kindness, brothers, but I will still call myself the Great Sage of White Bones."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "Brother, why is that? 'White Bone Great Sage'... it just doesn't sound quite right!"

The Bull Demon King raised a thick eyebrow, somewhat puzzled: "Your Majesty, your abilities are extraordinary, why use such a simple title?"

Yun Zhao raised his wine cup, took a small sip, and glanced at everyone: "A title is nothing more than an outward appearance."

"If one's own abilities are extraordinary and awe-inspiring, why would one need a resounding name to highlight them? Even if I were called Zhang San or Li Si, who would dare to address me by my given name?"

"When you meet him, you must address him as Supreme Zhang or Sage Li, and treat him with utmost respect, as if he were a deity."

"But if you have mediocre skills and nothing special, even if your name is loud and famous, covering the sky and the netherworld, who will really take you seriously? In the end, it's just a self-deceiving and empty reputation."

"The name 'White Bone' originates from my true nature. The cycle of darkness and desolation, withering and flourishing, is my very path. Calling me the Great Sage of White Bone is enough."

These words, spoken in a plain tone, resonated deeply with everyone, like the morning bell and evening drum.

After a moment of silence in the cave, the Bull Demon King was the first to react, sighing, "Your Majesty is right! Don't be fooled by our resounding titles as the Seven Great Sages; without corresponding strength, who would take us seriously?"

The Demon King, the Lion Camel King, and others nodded in agreement, while the Yu Rong King and the Macaque King repeatedly exclaimed, "Your Majesty sees things clearly! We were blinded by appearances before!"

Sun Wukong's golden eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Brother! What you said makes perfect sense to me!"

"good!"

"Let's call him the Great Sage of White Bones! 'Great Sage of White Bones' sounds simple, but with my brother's abilities, who in the Three Realms would dare to underestimate him?"

Yun Zhao smiled slightly and accepted the title.

The atmosphere became lively again. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the demon kings became more and more excited as they drank.

Sun Wukong suddenly slammed his hand on the table and jumped up, saying, "Brothers! We're in a good mood today. Although we seven great sages have long been sworn brothers, my elder brother Yun Zhao is still an outsider!"

"In the battle just now, he fought seven against one, his skills were extraordinary, and we are all completely convinced. Why don't we take advantage of the wine and invite him in as well, so we can all become sworn brothers! From now on, the eight great saints will be of one mind, and their strength will be unbreakable!"

Upon hearing this, the cave erupted in cheers!

The Bull Demon King was the first to stand up: "Good! My brother speaks well! Your Majesty is the most capable and has the broadest mind, so you should rightfully be the eldest brother! I, the old Bull Demon King, am willing to honor Your Majesty as the eldest brother, and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven ranks second!"

The Roc Demon King laughed, "I, the Roc Demon King, am used to being arrogant, but today I am convinced! I am willing to acknowledge the White Bone Great Sage as my elder brother, and the Overturning Sea Great Sage as my third brother!"

The Flood Dragon Demon King: "I, the old Flood Dragon, also wish it! Fourth among the Great Sages of Chaos!"

Lion Camel King: "The Fifth Great Sage Who Moved Mountains, Your Excellency!"

The Yu Rong King and the Macaque King said in unison, "The Great Sage Who Knows All Things is sixth, and the Great Sage Who Drives Away Gods is seventh! Our elder brother is above us!"

Sun Wukong grinned and said, "I, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, am the youngest in rank. What do you say, elder brother?"

Seeing everyone's sincerity, Yun Zhao smiled.

He rose and clasped his hands in greeting: "Brothers, how could Yun Zhao refuse such kindness? Good! From this day forward, we eight sages will be sworn brothers, sharing both good fortune and hardship!"

"good!"

The demon kings roared in unison, their voices shaking the Water Curtain Cave, and the mountains outside seemed to respond.

The eight men immediately set up an incense table, burned incense, and swore an oath of brotherhood, taking heaven and earth as their witness and wine as their pledge.

....................................

I've read everyone's comments. You all feel that the plot has entered a plateau phase, and I actually feel it a little bit too. Writing it isn't as enjoyable as before.

If everyone likes to see things go wrong, then wait a bit longer.

I was originally planning to write more about the Heavenly Court part of the story, but I'll speed things up and try to get things started sooner.

I listen to advice very well.