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

Before long, the group arrived at the foot of White Tiger City along the wide official road.

The towering city wall pierced the clouds, reaching a height of tens of feet. It was built of a bluish-white boulder, with a faint spiritual light emanating from the cracks between the stones, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object.

The city gate is wide enough to allow ten carriages to pass side by side. A huge plaque hangs on the gate tower, with three golden characters that read "White Tiger City" written in a powerful and vigorous style, like a dragon coiled up.

Tang Sanzang looked up and was startled.

He was born in the Tang Dynasty and grew up in Chang'an, the most magnificent city in the world. The Zhuque Avenue was wide, the palaces were majestic, and the city was prosperous and beautiful, known as unparalleled in the world.

But this White Tiger City before us is even better than Chang'an.

Pigsy looked over and couldn't help but widen his pig eyes: "My goodness, this city is built so magnificently!"

Sha Wujing, who was not good with words, nodded slightly.

Having lived in the Heavenly Palace for a long time, I was used to the extravagance of the Lingxiao Palace, its golden splendor and ethereal atmosphere.

But this demon city in the mortal realm was of such a scale, and the lively sounds, fragrances, and laughter emanating from within the city surprised him.

"Master..." Pigsy muttered to himself, "This place is not simple."

Tang Sanzang did not answer, but simply lowered his head and walked forward, his heart churning with turmoil.

Upon entering the city, one sees a huge stone tablet standing on the inner side of the city gate, three zhang tall, with a body as white as jade, and four powerful characters written on it: "White Bones Forever".

Skeletons... Yongle?

"Such arrogance, an eternal paradise?" Pigsy grumbled.

Upon entering the city, the scene before them completely stunned Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

The streets were wide and flat, paved with bluestone, and spotless. Shops lined both sides, wine flags fluttering, and teahouses and restaurants stood side by side.

Pedestrians thronged the streets, and traffic flowed like a river.

Even though I had guessed before entering the city that it was a world where humans and demons coexisted, I was still quite shocked when I actually saw it.

There are genuine human beings, dressed simply or luxuriously, chatting and laughing.

There were also those with monstrous features—a fox-eared girl carrying a flower basket, smiling as she haggled with a human auntie, and a monkey-tailed youth carrying goods, humming a tune as he greeted passersby…

Humans and transvestites live together in harmony.

There was no fear, no discrimination.

A little demon child was chasing a ball when he bumped into an old human man's leg. Instead of getting angry, the old man smiled and patted the child's head, saying, "Little one, slow down, don't fall."

The child grinned, revealing a set of small, sharp teeth: "Grandpa, I'll be careful next time!"

These scenes, witnessed by Tang Sanzang, made him even more silent.

The monsters I remember as ferocious, man-eating, and blood-drinking creatures live such an... ordinary and happy life here.

They are no longer "demons," but simply "humans" with demonic characteristics.

They laugh, they cry, they work, they gather together.

Like humans, they cherish life and live a peaceful and contented life.

Thanks to Yun Zhao's teachings and discipline over the years, although there are different ranks, cultivation levels, and wealth in White Tiger City, everyone, regardless of gender, is equal.

Even a minor demon sweeping the streets could easily greet a powerful demon in charge of city affairs: "Lord Wang, good morning! Was your son kept after school by the teacher again yesterday?"

The demon laughed heartily: "You troublesome fellow, your daughter is much better than mine, she's nothing like my naughty one."

There is no distinction between high and low, noble and base, no fear or discrimination.

Perhaps because they cherish this hard-won happiness, the residents of White Tiger City are law-abiding and rarely commit crimes.

Those who occasionally make mistakes usually confess, receive a minor punishment as a warning, and then it's over.

This is the first time in decades that Tang Sanzang and his disciples have been bound like this.

Instantly, it attracted the attention of all living things on the street.

"Oh dear, what happened?"

"Old Li, who have you arrested?"

"Look at that pig-faced fool, what did he do wrong?"

Passersby gathered around and asked what had happened.

Instantly, I was filled with righteous indignation!

"Is that so?!"

"Evil monk! He claims to be compassionate, yet he's done such a heinous thing!"

"Let's go together! Let's go and ask the Lord to uphold justice!"

The crowd grew larger and larger, a mix of humans and demons, surrounding Old Man Li and his entourage as they marched in a grand procession toward the city lord's mansion.

The city lord's mansion is located in the city center, covering a vast area with magnificent palaces and halls, yet it is still elegant.

The square in front of the government building is spacious and can accommodate 10,000 people.

Yun Zhao, who had been secretly watching, had been waiting for this moment.

"They're here."

Bai Ling whispered beside him, "My lord, everything is as you predicted."

Yun Zhao nodded: "Let them in."

Then, with a flick of his hand, Bai Ling's appearance instantly changed. After all, that "Bai Ling" was already dead, so what was the point of having another one appear?

When it comes to acting, one should have some professional ethics.

Before long, a crane demon emerged as ordered, its wings fluttering lightly, its voice clear and bright: "Everyone, please follow me. Our master requests your presence."

The crowd filed in; the main hall was spacious and brightly lit, like daytime.

Yun Zhao sat on the throne in the center.

He feigned ignorance: "What business do you have making such a fuss?"

Ah Niu stepped forward, his eyes red, and recounted the events of the previous night in detail.

He spoke with tears streaming down his face, every word stained with blood and tears.

The people in the hall couldn't help but feel indignant even after hearing it a second time.

Yun Zhao's expression gradually darkened after hearing this.

He pretended to be furious!

boom!

A powerful aura of cultivation instantly swept through the entire hall!

It was only directed at Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, but it felt like a mountain pressing down on them, making them feel suffocated!

The two men immediately trembled and broke out in a cold sweat.

Pigsy was secretly groaning in despair.

He had thought that even if he were brought to a public trial by these mortals, he could simply find an opportunity to reveal his true form and run away with his master.

They are pilgrims on a pilgrimage, destined by Heaven; how can they be bound by secular laws?

Now he deeply regrets it.

The cultivation level displayed by this city lord is too strong!

It was so powerful it made his heart pound!

He was no less impressive than the Great Golden Immortals I had seen when I was an official in the Heavenly Court!

"Who...who is this guy?!"

Pigsy's heart pounded with anxiety, "I... I'm afraid I can't escape this time..."

Sha Wujing lowered his head and remained silent.

Yun Zhao asked coldly, "Why did you three, the monks from the Tang Dynasty, indiscriminately kill innocent people?"

Pigsy quickly preemptively defended himself, pouting, "My lord, please understand! At that time... at that time we didn't know they were good people! We only thought they were demons in disguise, here to harm my master! That monkey... that eldest brother has fiery eyes and saw through the demonic aura, so he attacked! We were only trying to protect our master!"

Yun Zhao sneered and asked in return:

"Aren't you a pig demon too?"

Pigsy was stunned, his pig face turning red. He was about to open his mouth, but he was Marshal Tianpeng descended to earth, commanding 800,000 naval troops of the Milky Way. How could he be some pig demon...

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Zhao interrupted him, his cold laugh growing even louder:

"You don't still think you're some high and mighty god, do you?"

These words were like a thunderclap!

Pigsy was completely stunned.

The pig's snout was wide open and couldn't close it for a long time.

How...how did he know?!