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

Inside the Yellow Wind Cave, celestial wine and spiritual fruits were enjoyed, and cups were raised in toasts.

Yun Zhao and Huang Feng Guai have been friends for over a month.

During this month, Yun Zhao did not rush to leave, but instead drank and discussed philosophy with Huang Fengguai every day.

Although Huang Feng Guai was not in control of his own destiny, he was of a fierce nature and enjoyed making friends with heroes. The two talked about everything under the sun, from secrets of the Three Realms to supernatural powers and magic.

Yun Zhao occasionally offered some pointers on Huang Fengguai's Samadhi Divine Wind, from which Huang Fengguai benefited greatly; Huang Fengguai also assisted Yun Zhao's Blazing Flame Array with the Way of Wind, helping him to perfect the combination of the array and the divine wind.

The two found themselves increasingly congenial as they talked, and several times, in his drunken stupor, the Yellow Wind Monster sighed, "If you had arrived a thousand years earlier, I would have sworn brotherhood with you and ventured into the Three Realms together!"

Yun Zhao only smiled, but he knew that Huang Fengguai's soul was restrained, and that wisp of Buddhist light was wrapped around him like a chain. With a single thought, the Bodhisattva could take his life.

Forcing it is useless; we can only proceed gradually.

On this day, Yun Zhao rose to take his leave: "Your Majesty, I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave today."

Although Huang Fengguai was reluctant to part with him, he still rose to see him off: "Fellow Daoist, next time you come, I will definitely prepare even better immortal wine! As for the matter of the pilgrimage... alas, I cannot help you. Take care, fellow Daoist."

Yun Zhao cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, rest assured. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will certainly help Your Majesty escape this predicament."

Upon hearing this, Huang Fengguai's eyes flashed with a hint of emotion, but he only shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Thank you for your kindness, fellow Daoist. Farewell!"

Yun Zhao vanished in a flash of light, heading straight for Black Wind Mountain.

Black Wind Mountain is a deep and secluded mountain located in the Southern Continent.

The mountains are shrouded in dark mist, and the roars of bears can often be heard from there.

The cave master, the Black Bear Spirit, was a Taiyi Golden Immortal. In the original story, he stole the cassock and fought Sun Wukong to a draw. Later, he was subdued by Guanyin and became the guardian beast of the back mountain.

Yun Zhao went there because he valued the Black Bear Spirit's strong martial arts skills, which allowed him to fight Sun Wukong head-on, and his honest and straightforward nature, unlike the Yellow Wind Monster who was easily controlled by others.

If we can befriend them, or even bring them into our camp, it will be a great help.

Several days later, over Black Wind Mountain.

Yun Zhao appeared, no longer concealing his aura. His Golden Immortal power poured out like a tidal wave, rushing straight into the mountain!

boom!

In Black Wind Mountain, black mist churned, and a huge figure soared into the sky, revealing a black-haired bear spirit three zhang tall, holding a black-tasseled spear, surrounded by black wind, exuding a powerful aura.

The black bear demon's gaze, sharp as torches, fell upon Yun Zhao, yet he showed no anger whatsoever. Instead, he laughed heartily, "What a fine fellow Daoist! Such a powerful aura, you must be no ordinary person! What brings you to my Black Wind Mountain?"

Yun Zhao was taken aback, not expecting the other party to be so kind.

In the original story, although the Black Bear Spirit stole the cassock, he was not an evil demon. He was fond of Buddhism, enshrined a Buddha statue in his cave, and often associated with Taoist priests and monks in the vicinity.

He is honest and kind, and treats people with warmth.

Yun Zhao concealed his aura, cupped his hands and smiled, "My name is Yun Zhao. I have heard that Your Majesty is proficient in Buddhism and has superb martial arts skills, so I have come to pay my respects and make friends."

Upon hearing this, the Black Bear Spirit was overjoyed: "Haha! Fellow Daoist, you are too kind! I have always delighted in making friends with fellow Buddhists. Please come into the cave! Please come into the cave!"

He put away his black-tasseled spear, transformed into human form—a burly man with a dark face—and enthusiastically pulled Yun Zhao's arm, leading him into the cave.

Inside the Black Wind Cave, there is a hidden world.

The cave walls are carved with Buddhist images, with a golden Buddha statue in the center, from which incense smoke curls. Alchemy furnaces stand nearby, filling the air with the aroma of elixirs.

The lesser demons in the cave were all under the bear spirit's command, yet they were all respectful and polite, unlike the ferocious demons in ordinary demon caves.

The black bear spirit pulled Yun Zhao to sit down and personally served him tea: "Fellow Daoist, where do you come from? Judging from your pure aura, you must be a highly accomplished Buddhist!"

Yun Zhao smiled and said, "I am just a wandering cultivator who occasionally reads Buddhist scriptures and has long admired Your Majesty's name. Your Majesty's cave is filled with solemn Buddha statues and numerous alchemy furnaces, which shows your firm resolve in the Dao."

Upon hearing this, the black bear spirit laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me! Although I am a demon, I am most fond of Buddhism. Years ago, I obtained a cassock, which I treasured immensely, and I often wore it while chanting scriptures. Eminent monks and Daoists from the surrounding area often come to my cave to discuss the Dao, which is very enjoyable!"

Yun Zhao, knowing his preferences, smiled slightly: "Does Your Majesty know that the Diamond Sutra says: 'All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning; thus should they be contemplated.' What is Your Majesty's opinion?"

The black bear spirit's eyes lit up: "Wonderful! Wonderful! I often recite this scripture, yet I find its profound meaning boundless. Fellow Daoist, please explain!"

Yun Zhao then started with the Diamond Sutra, extending to the Heart Sutra and the Surangama Sutra, using profound language to analyze the text layer by layer.

We are also grateful for this simulation.

In order to stop Tang Sanzang, he deliberately catered to his interests and went to a temple to study Buddhism for a period of time.

He didn't like these things.

However, when it comes to Buddhist scriptures, Yunzhao can be considered a highly virtuous and eminent monk.

Upon hearing this, the Black Bear Spirit slammed his hand on the table in admiration: "Fellow Daoist, your words have awakened me from my dream! I have been reciting scriptures for many years, yet I have never attained this understanding! Fellow Daoist, your Buddhist teachings are truly profound!"

Yun Zhao then spoke of the wondrous uses of the Lotus Sutra, and the Black Bear Spirit became more and more engrossed as he listened.

Finally, he bowed in reverence: "I thought I had mastered the Dharma by discussing Buddhist teachings, studying scriptures, and listening to Buddhist chants day and night with those monks. But after meeting you, my fellow practitioner, I realize there are always higher levels to reach!"

In the days that followed, the Black Bear Spirit would talk to Yun Zhao about Buddhism every day.

They even introduced him to Elder Jinchi.

Before Yun Zhao arrived, Elder Jinchi was the Black Bear Spirit's mentor and confidant.

Now, we also need to add Yun Zhao to the list.

Elder Jinchi didn't possess much magical power, but because he had received some health preservation methods from the Black Bear Spirit, his lifespan was extraordinary.

But Yun Zhao didn't care much; his target was only the Black Bear Spirit.

Later, they also met Ling Xuzi and the white-robed scholar.

These two were transformed from a wolf spirit and a snake spirit.

Although he didn't love Buddhism like the Black Bear Spirit, he was still a kind-hearted demon who only enjoyed discussing scriptures and refining elixirs.

It must be said that these three monsters are truly a breath of fresh air in the demon world.

Although Yun Zhao did not understand the art of alchemy.

However, due to the Lesser Five Elements Technique and the Blazing Flame Array, he has a unique control over fire.

Whenever they were refining pills, they would personally control the temperature and power of the flames, increasing the success rate of pills by more than 30%.

This delighted the Black Bear Spirit, who exclaimed that another kindred spirit had arrived.

Yun Zhao stayed in Black Wind Mountain for two years.

As he became more and more familiar with the Black Bear Spirit, he felt that the time was right.

He then decided to express his thoughts.

The following day, after the discussion of scriptures and doctrines concluded, he took the opportunity to propose that he wanted the Black Bear Spirit to lend him a hand.

At first, the other party patted their chest and readily agreed.

Upon learning that Yun Zhao intended to capture a highly virtuous monk, the Black Bear Spirit hesitated: "Brother, we're enjoying ourselves here in the mountains, refining elixirs and discussing the Dao. Why invite trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao understood that those who walk different paths cannot work together.

Unable to persuade the black bear spirit, he had no choice but to take his leave.

The Black Bear Spirit tried to persuade Yun Zhao to stay, but Yun Zhao was determined to leave, so he had no choice but to give up.