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

"Thank you? I'd like to hear what happened!"

The monkey's tone was still somewhat forceful, but it was no longer as hostile as before.

Although he didn't know who this person was, the battle just now didn't lie. He was no match for the other party, and if the other party really had malicious intent, he wouldn't be standing here unharmed.

Then he and Yun Zhao flew back to Flower Fruit Mountain one after the other.

By this time, the area outside the Water Curtain Cave was already crowded with monkeys and their offspring.

They had just witnessed the Great King and that "Great Immortal" soaring into the heavens, fighting so fiercely that the sky collapsed, the seas churned, and the void was shattered. They were already trembling with fear.

The monkeys crowded at the entrance of the cave, peeking out cautiously. The old monkey led the way, trembling, while the little monkeys huddled together, squeaking and chattering, as if afraid something might happen to the two of them.

Now, seeing two figures descend from the sky and land unharmed on the mountaintop, the monkeys were first stunned, then burst into thunderous cheers!

"The King is back!"

"The Immortal Master is back!"

"Thank goodness! Everything's alright!"

The little monkeys swarmed forward, some rushing into Sun Wukong's arms, others climbing onto Yun Zhao's shoulders. The old monkey, leading a few of his older siblings, stepped forward, bowing deeply, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty! You have traveled across oceans all these years, seeking immortals and visiting the Dao. We, your monkey descendants, have longed for your return day and night! Without a master in the mountains, these years have been so difficult for us!"

Seeing that his children were safe and sound, and that they were all in good spirits with shiny fur, Sun Wukong was greatly relieved.

He laughed heartily, picked up the little monkeys, and spun them around a few times: "Good! Good! I, Old Sun, am back! From now on, if anyone dares to bully you, I'll make them pay!"

Upon hearing this, the monkeys cheered once again.

But then he saw Yun Zhao standing to the side, and the old monkey quickly pulled Sun Wukong aside and said, "Your Majesty, you misunderstood just now. This immortal is the benefactor of our Flower Fruit Mountain! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be able to see Your Majesty today."

Sun Wukong was taken aback, his divine eyes looking at the old monkey, then sweeping over Yun Zhao: "What makes you say that?"

The old monkey sighed: "Your Majesty, you left us to seek immortality and enlightenment, and it's been more than ten years since then."

"At first, everything was fine, and the mountains were peaceful. But later, a troublemaker appeared out of nowhere. He was ugly, but his cultivation was high."

Seeing that our Flower Fruit Mountain was rich in spiritual energy and had only a few minor demons without any leader, he seized the mountain and came to oppress us every day!

At this point, the old monkey's voice choked with emotion, and the little monkeys began to sob.

"He forced us to do hard labor, seized our territory, and captured many monkeys, torturing them to death! We were no match for him, so we could only hide in the Water Curtain Cave, living in constant fear."

That troublemaker became increasingly arrogant, and started causing trouble every day. Just a few days ago, he came like a whirlwind and kidnapped dozens of little monkeys. We were about to be in big trouble…”

The old monkey pointed at Yun Zhao, his eyes filled with gratitude: "At that critical moment, this great immortal passed by Flower Fruit Mountain and, seeing us being oppressed, flew into a rage! With just a wave of his hand, he unleashed boundless power. That troublemaker didn't even have time to resist before he was killed by the great immortal's finger, reduced to ashes, not even his primordial spirit escaped!"

"After the Great Immortal vanquished the demon, we were filled with gratitude and invited him into our cave to rest, treating him as an honored guest and offering him the finest wine. During this time, the Great Immortal also instructed us in some breathing techniques, and now all the monkeys are full of energy, and their cultivation has improved!"

The monkeys echoed in unison, "Yes, yes, thanks to the great immortal who saved us!"

"Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand the Great Immortal!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's expression changed from suspicion to shock, and then to raging fury!

"That little devil! How dare he bully my children! If he hadn't died so quickly, I would have crushed him to dust!"

His fists were clenched, his eyes blazed with fury, and his aura of killing intent was palpable.

After a moment, his anger subsided, and he turned to look at Yun Zhao, a trace of shame appearing on his face.

Just now, without distinguishing right from wrong, I attacked him as soon as I returned, mistaking my benefactor for a villain. What a slap in the face!

Although monkeys are proud, they have a clear sense of right and wrong. If they are wrong, they are wrong, and there is nothing they cannot admit.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Brother, I was blind and acted without asking why. I'm so sorry! Thank you for saving my Flower Fruit Mountain and protecting my monkey grandchildren!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

Yun Zhao quickly helped him up, laughing, "Hey, it was just a small favor, why go to all this trouble? As the saying goes, you don't know someone until you fight them, so what's there to be surprised about?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong grinned, his eyes shining: "Haha, that's great! That's great! Not only are you incredibly skilled, brother, but you're also so understanding! Let's go, let's go into the cave! Today, I've returned home, and I've received such a great favor from you. I won't leave until we're drunk!"

With a wave of his hand, he pulled Yun Zhao toward the Water Curtain Cave, and the monkeys cheered and swarmed to follow.

The Water Curtain Cave suddenly became bustling with activity.

The monkeys and their offspring hurriedly reopened the feast, serving up the finest fruits and vegetables, as well as peach blossom wine and monkey wine brewed from mountain spring water, piling them high on the stone tables and desks.

The cave was brightly lit, and the waterfall outside the water curtain cascaded down like a silver river, making the cave seem ethereal.

The little monkeys pulled Sun Wukong aside, asking him to tell them about his experience of learning skills from a master outside.

The monkey laughed heartily, omitting the hardships he had endured and instead recounting some interesting events as stories. Yun Zhao listened with great interest, and he casually shared his own "origins," saying he was a wandering cultivator who traveled far and wide and happened to pass through this place.

The monkey didn't ask any questions and just kept drinking.

The monkeys cheered on the sidelines, some doing somersaults, some dancing, and some squeaking, creating a lively atmosphere in the cave.

After seven or eight days of heavy drinking, the two found themselves getting along even better.

Sun Wukong felt incredibly fortunate to have found such a kindred spirit.

They were grateful to Yun Zhao for helping the monkey troop, and they respected Yun Zhao's extraordinary abilities, so they admired him even more.

That day, the monkey said earnestly, "Brother, I've thought it over these past few days. You are skilled, virtuous, and saved my children. There aren't many people in this world whom I, Old Sun, can truly respect! We hit it off immediately, so why don't we... how about we become sworn brothers! From now on, we can live happily together in Flower Fruit Mountain! What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao's heart stirred slightly. He had only intended to make friends with the monkey beforehand, but he hadn't expected such a coincidence to occur. He immediately laughed and said, "That suits me perfectly! Let's become sworn brothers!"

"Great! That felt good!"

Sun Wukong was overjoyed and jumped up to direct the monkeys: "My children! Quickly prepare the incense table! Today, I, Old Sun, wish to become sworn brothers with Brother Yun Zhao!"

Upon hearing this, the monkeys immediately became overjoyed and busied themselves with tasks.

Before long, an incense table was set up on the open ground outside the Water Curtain Cave, with only the tablets of Heaven and Earth on it, and wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner.

The two then became sworn brothers. Because Yun Zhao was more powerful and skilled, Sun Wukong respected him as the elder brother.

The monkeys cheered in unison, their shouts echoing through the mountains: "Congratulations, Great King! Congratulations, Great Immortal!"

"From this day forward, I shall be called King. My elder brother shall be the Great King, and I shall be the Second Great King!"

Sun Wukong stood up, pulled Yun Zhao to his feet, and laughed heartily, "Brother! From now on, you are my elder brother! This Flower Fruit Mountain belongs to us both. Come, let's resume the feast! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Yun Zhao smiled and nodded: "Good brother!"