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

"You..." The monkey was about to argue when Yun Zhao interrupted him mercilessly.

"Sun Wukong, I know your abilities and I've heard of your fame. Everyone says you're the most famous demon in history, but I think you're nothing special."

"Five hundred years ago, you wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, turning rivers and seas upside down, your power and prestige were boundless, who in the world did not know you?"

"It's a pity that after being suppressed for five hundred years, your pride has long been worn away. You're now groveling and begging for mercy, willingly protecting a Buddhist disciple on his journey to the West."

Bound in mid-air by the Binding God Rope, Sun Wukong trembled upon hearing this, his fiery eyes flashing with golden light. He roared, "Old demon, stop talking nonsense! Although I, Old Sun, was defeated back then, I was defeated honorably! Protecting my master on the journey to the West is my own heart's desire. What do you know?!"

Yun Zhao shook his head, his smile growing colder: "Your true wish? What a fine 'true wish.' Sun Wukong, you truly don't take that little demon seriously, do you?"

"It's just an ordinary little demon, like an ant in your eyes."

"Even if she truly meant no harm to your master, killing her is no big deal. At worst, you can just find another excuse, saying you saw the demonic aura with your piercing eyes and were just trying to protect your master, and you'll feel justified. You never think you're wrong, do you?"

Sun Wukong was startled, as if struck by a heavy hammer. He had indeed thought so before. Back on White Tiger Ridge, when that little demon transformed three times, he struck her with his staff three times, but it was only out of his wariness that he feared she would harm his master.

On the journey to the West, countless demons coveted Tang Sanzang's physical body; how could he be soft-hearted?

In his eyes, that little demon was nothing more than roadside weeds; he could just cut it down and be done with it, why bother thinking about it? He just didn't expect that this matter would escalate to such an extent, actually drawing out this old demon, who punished his master and fellow disciples by making them carry manure for four years, and now even he himself has fallen victim to it.

He gritted his teeth and said, "So what! Demons are blocking the way; what's wrong with killing those who are on their journey to the West?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao burst into laughter, his laughter filled with sarcasm: "What a fine excuse, 'What's wrong with killing him!'"

He suddenly raised his hand and pointed, and a magical force conjured a crystal-clear water mirror, which hung in front of Sun Wukong. The monkey's appearance reflected in the water mirror was: his hair was messy, he was tied up and hung in mid-air. The once majestic Great Sage Equaling Heaven was now like a beast of burden, looking utterly pathetic.

Yun Zhao said coldly, "Look at you now, where is the Monkey King you used to be? Where do you remember that you're a demon! You look like a dog now, like the dogs kept by the gods and Buddhas! Obediently following orders, wagging your tail to protect your master, but showing no mercy when biting your own kind!"

Sun Wukong stared at his reflection in the water mirror, his eyes blazing with fury, his heart churning with rage.

"Old Demon! Don't insult me! I, Old Sun, am a stone monkey born of nature. Protecting my master on his journey west is merely to repay a debt of gratitude. How could I be a dog!"

Yun Zhao ignored them and pointed to Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, saying, "Look at them! This one is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, a good person who has cultivated for ten lifetimes. This one is the mortal incarnation of Marshal Tianpeng, and this one is the reincarnation of General Juanlian."

"That's right, your two junior brothers descended to the mortal realm and became demons, but ask them if they truly acknowledge themselves as demons? In their hearts, they are still the high and mighty divine generals and marshals they once were! They were never demons to begin with, so naturally they show no mercy when killing demons. Encountering monsters on the road, killing them at will is only natural!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang looked at Wukong with some worry, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Having spent years carrying manure, he had long since come to understand that there was no difference between humans and demons, but Yun Zhao's words were as sharp as a knife, and he was truly afraid that this disciple could not withstand such words.

Pigsy shrank back, speechless.

Yun Zhao turned to stare at Sun Wukong, his voice booming like thunder: "But what about you? Sun Wukong! Yes, you are a stone monkey born of heaven and earth, who learned powerful magic, and also fantasized about being the protagonist of heaven and earth, and also thought about breaking the injustice and tearing all those gods and Buddhas down from the clouds! You once hated the injustice of the Heavenly Court, hated the arrogance of the gods and Buddhas, and made a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, shaking the Three Realms. At that time, you were the true demon, the true Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

"And now? What are you doing? Protecting the Buddhist disciples you once despised on their journey to the West, while killing your own kind! What are you? In the eyes of demons, you are a traitor, a lackey of gods and Buddhas! In the eyes of gods and Buddhas, you are nothing but a clown, someone flattering you a few times as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and you really think you're something special?"

These words, so sharp and incisive, cut through the chaos like a swift knife, piercing the deepest recesses of Sun Wukong's heart.

His fiery eyes seemed to be blazing with flames, and his anger had reached its peak! His mind was buzzing, and he couldn't even think about how Yun Zhao knew so many secrets.

Only one thought roared in his mind: Tear him apart! Tear this guy in front of him apart!

Sun Wukong roared, his hair stood on end, his magical power surged, and he struggled desperately! The Binding God Rope tightened the more he struggled, its golden light flashing, binding him tightly, digging into his flesh, causing excruciating pain.

He grew larger, the rope grew larger, then smaller, the rope grew smaller; no matter how he changed, he could not escape the bondage of this acquired spiritual treasure!

Upon hearing Yun Zhao's words, Pigsy and Sandy shrank back in fear.

They had known monkeys for so long, but had they ever seen one so enraged?

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in prayer and sighed, "City Lord, why provoke him like this? Wukong is pure of heart..."

Yun Zhao ignored him and stared intently at Sun Wukong: "What's wrong? Are you angry? Lies won't hurt, but the truth is the sharpest knife."

"It seems you truly agree with what I said. Think about it carefully! Your sworn brothers—the Bull Demon King, the Flood Dragon Demon King, the Roc Demon King, the Lion Camel King, the Macaque King, and the Marmoset King—did they even once visit you during the five hundred years you were imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain? Did anyone plead for you? Who stood up for you? Did any of your friends from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, or your old acquaintances from all corners of the world, come to see you? No! Not a single one!"

"Admit it, Sun Wukong! You use your strength to make everyone outwardly call you brother, but deep down, no one respects you!"

"You fraternize with demons while simultaneously plotting to ascend to heaven and become an official—a double-dealer! They respect and fear you, but never truly consider you a brother! When you wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, they hid far away; when you were imprisoned under a mountain, they rejoiced! After you emerged from the mountain, donned the golden headband, and escorted Tang Sanzang on his westward journey, they outwardly flattered you, but secretly laughed at you for becoming a lackey of Buddhism! You have severed yourself from the demon race, and from the Three Realms! Now, you've even forgotten who you are!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong trembled violently and roared like thunder: "Shut up! Shut up!! Old Demon! You're talking nonsense! My brothers...they...they..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he choked back them.

Memories flashed through my mind: I was imprisoned under the Five Fingers Mountain for five hundred years, suffering utter loneliness with no one to visit me. My sworn brothers, including the Bull Demon King, were indeed nowhere to be found.

After leaving the mountains, I mostly greeted old acquaintances with politeness, but there was no sincerity between us.

He didn't want to think about it then, but now that Yun Zhao has peeled back the layers, he feels as if his heart is being torn apart, even more so than the golden rope that is piercing his flesh.

He struggled frantically, leaving bloody welts and dripping golden blood.

In those piercing eyes, there was not only anger, but also a trace of... indescribable pity.

Seeing this, Yun Zhao's smile deepened: "Angry? Furious? Very well, it seems I was right."

"Let me tell you plainly today: you protected Tang Sanzang and fought demons all the way. Those old demons and giant monsters were either the attendants of this deity or the mounts of that deity. How many of them were actually killed by you? In the end, you just said a few words that I was negligent and allowed the wicked beast to descend to the mortal world to do evil, and you brushed the matter aside and led it back to your own temple."

"And those demons you actually killed were mostly from humble backgrounds, without any connections or backing, only wanting to survive, yet you killed them all with a single blow! You've become an accomplice of the gods and Buddhas, a sinner of the demon race! Your title of Great Sage Equaling Heaven has long become a joke! In the Three Realms, who truly respects you? The Heavenly Court laughs at you, Buddhism uses you, and the demon race hates you! You are all alone, a complete and utter... traitor!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong finally let out a deafening roar: "Aaaaah!! You old demon!! I, Old Sun, will kill you!!!"

His body was bursting with golden light as he desperately channeled his magical power, his bones and muscles on the verge of cracking, and every hair on his body standing on end! The Binding God Rope was even showing signs of loosening.

Yun Zhao's heart skipped a beat: This monkey is indeed extraordinary! In his extreme anger, he actually tried to forcefully break free?

Frog Fun brothers, you guys are awesome!! You gave so many reviews, but what's with the cross-dressing thing?! o(▼皿▼メ;)o

Cross-dressing is absolutely out of the question, don't even think about it (▼皿▼#)