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

He dared not be careless and quickly channeled a stream of magical power into the Binding God Rope. The rope immediately shone brightly, tightly binding the monkey's body and suppressing the divine power that was about to erupt.

Sun Wukong felt a tremendous force backlash him, his body stiffened, and he could no longer move.

Immediately afterward, ignoring the worried looks of Tang Sanzang and the other two, he grabbed Sun Wukong and soared into the sky, reaching a height of ten thousand feet above White Tiger City.

Yun Zhao stopped on the cloud and turned Sun Wukong to face the White Tiger City below: "Monkey, take a good look. No one is born high and mighty. Just because you've cultivated some magic power and call yourself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, does that mean you can't learn to look down at the dust?"

These words were like a profound and mysterious teaching, and Sun Wukong's anger suddenly dissipated by more than half.

He looked down and saw that White Tiger City was majestic and magnificent, with wide and clean streets, bustling with people. Demons and humans mingled among them, yet everything was orderly and they lived in harmony.

Ordinary people run shops and do business, demons carry loads and travel, children chase and play, there are demon elders telling stories to human children, and human women mending clothes for their demon neighbors. There is no killing intent or fighting in the city, only peaceful and prosperous life.

In a daze, Sun Wukong saw a reflection of himself from back then.

Back then, that little monkey set off from Flower Fruit Mountain, full of joy, in a small boat, crossing the vast oceans to seek immortality and enlightenment.

When he arrived in the bustling city, he was a newcomer to the world. People saw his golden-haired monkey face and disliked him, despised him, feared him, hated him, loathed him...

Ordinary people pointed and gossiped about him, children threw stones at him, and merchants chased him away like a beggar.

He wasn't angry, but just smiled and secretly vowed: I, Old Sun, will definitely learn extraordinary skills so that no one will dare to look down on me! When that time comes, I will protect demons like me, so that all demons in the world will have a safe place and no longer be bullied by humans!

Later, at the patriarch's Fangcun Mountain, he learned the principles, cultivated supernatural powers, achieved immortality, and possessed seventy-two transformations, able to travel 108,000 li in a single somersault.

Despite his cultivation, he became arrogant and conceited.

Returning to Flower Fruit Mountain, he gathered a group of demons, proclaimed himself King Equal to Heaven, and demanded to be on equal footing with the Heavenly Court. He wanted the Jade Emperor to grant him an official position and to be on friendly terms with the immortals. His original intention to protect the demon race had long been obscured by his ambition.

Later, he wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. Although he was powerful for a time, he was defeated by the Buddha and imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain.

After five hundred years of loneliness and suffering, he was filled with resentment and regret, cursing the Heavenly Court and Buddhism day and night.

But in the end, time smoothed out his rough edges and eroded his spirit.

He only thought about regaining his freedom and didn't ask about anything else.

He thought he had never changed, that he was still the indomitable Monkey King.

Unfortunately, I have long since become unrecognizable.

He had completely forgotten the teachings of his patriarch. On his journey to the West, whenever he encountered demons, he would kill them without hesitation, without a care in the world.

But weren't those monsters just like me when I was little? With no background or support, all I wanted was to survive, but he killed me with a single blow.

He... had long forgotten his true self.

Thinking of this, Sun Wukong's heart was churning like a stormy sea, and two tears involuntarily slid down his cheeks, falling into the clouds and turning into golden light that dissipated.

He was originally a clever and intelligent stone monkey. At this moment, Yun Zhao's words awakened him, allowing him to see himself clearly and understand his true nature.

(Suddenly, the golden shackles were broken, the jade locks were torn apart, and on the Qiantang River... [crossing stages])

His eyes were clear and bright, the rage and ferocity from before gone.

He looked at Yun Zhao, feeling grateful: "That old demon... I, Old Sun, thank you very much."

Yun Zhao smiled without saying a word, only saying, "Monkey, it seems you know you're wrong. Are you willing to accept your punishment?"

Sun Wukong laughed, scratching his cheek, and said, "A mistake is a mistake, and naturally, punishment is due. I, Old Sun, accept it!"

The two exchanged a smile, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

Yun Zhao waved his hand and led Sun Wukong back down.

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing below were filled with worry when they saw Yun Zhao carrying the monkey up. Zhu Bajie muttered under his breath, "It's over, it's over! Brother Monkey is going to suffer a great loss. That old demon is incredibly powerful. How can Brother Monkey, who's tied up, possibly fight him?"

Suddenly, Yun Zhao brought the monkey back. But after seeing that Sun Wukong was not injured, Zhu Bajie was very surprised: Wasn't Brother Monkey shouting and fighting just now? How come he came back after circling in the sky and his expression is so peaceful?

What exactly did that old demon do to cause such a drastic change in Monkey King's personality?

Pigsy was utterly puzzled: "Brother Monkey... are you alright? That old demon didn't torture you, did he?"

Tang Sanzang's face lit up with joy. Looking into Sun Wukong's clear eyes, he sensed something profound and asked, "Wukong, you... have you understood?"

Sun Wukong landed, laughed heartily, and nodded, saying, "Master, I understand now. I must thank this city lord for his guidance."

"Amitabha, well said!" Tang Sanzang looked at Yun Zhao with gratitude.

Pigsy was even more puzzled: "Master, what kind of riddle are you two talking about? What have you figured out? Monkey King, you were just yelling that you were going to smash up Bird City, how come you're thanking people in the blink of an eye? What kind of bewitching potion did that old demon give you?"

Sun Wukong mocked, "You fool, your cultivation is inadequate. All those four years of carrying manure have been for nothing. Think about it yourself! There are some truths you wouldn't understand even if I explained them to you."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy grunted and grumbled, "All this nonsense! I've been carrying manure all day and my back aches, and I still haven't figured it out."

Yun Zhao ignored them, made a hand seal, and the Binding God Rope flashed with golden light and entered Sun Wukong's body.

He could easily use his supernatural powers to lock the magical power within Pigsy and Sandy, but when facing the Monkey King, he had to rely on this acquired spiritual treasure to turn the Binding God Rope into a restriction, sealing off the Monkey King's magical power.

Sun Wukong felt a tightness in his body, his magic power was locked, but he did not resist and let it happen.

Yun Zhao looked at everyone again and said, "You have not yet served your sentences. Now that I have captured the ringleader, the four of you can keep each other company and continue cleaning latrines. When your sentences are up for thirty years, you can leave."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy was extremely unhappy. His face turned as bitter as if he had eaten bitter herbs, and he muttered under his breath, "Carrying manure, carrying manure again? Why do I have to carry manure again? My old pig's back is about to break..."

Hearing this, Sun Wukong, though his magic was sealed, still possessed divine power. He gave Zhu Bajie a sharp rap on the head and scolded, "Fool! This grain of rice for reincarnation was chosen by Master and by me, so why can't you? Cleaning the dung to atone for your sins is a way to temper your heart and cultivate yourself. Stop complaining!"

Pigsy covered his head and groaned, too embarrassed to say anything more.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together and laughed, "Wukong is right, Bajie, this is a great undertaking!"

"Cultivation? I, Old Pig, can't see it at all... We've been choosing for four years, and you've only just arrived. You can say whatever you want about everything..." he muttered to himself.

Yun Zhao led everyone back to White Tiger City. Just as they were about to leave, the monkey called out to them.

"Old...City Lord, would you mind stating your name?"

His eyes were clear, and he looked at Yun Zhao with a desire to befriend him.

Yun Zhao gave his name, and the monkey said, "Brother Yun, you do have some skill, but in my opinion, if it weren't for the power of the magic weapon, you and I would be about equal."

"If this journey to the West is delayed too long, and we attract the attention of the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist sects, you might not end up in a good situation either."

"Monkey head, how come you're trying to deny it again after just admitting your guilt?" Yun Zhao said.

Sun Wukong said angrily, "You don't appreciate kindness! I was just reminding you!"

Yun Zhao naturally understood the monkey's concern and smiled, "Thank you, but White Tiger City has its own laws. If those gods and Buddhas come, those who can defeat me will be allowed to leave; those who cannot will obediently stay. Even if the Buddha himself comes, it will be the same!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

The monkey snorted, "You're just talking big. Fine, I'll plead for you and beg for your mercy later."

No, I just realized so many brothers gave me tips today... Oh no, I wanted to lie down for a couple of days, you guys have really made my life miserable (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;)))

Weekend! I'll update extra this weekend!!