Approaching Cuiyun Mountain, one could see a towering portal embedded in the mountain face, standing a hundred zhang high, adorned with designs of drifting clouds. Within the clouds, the vague silhouettes of figures dancing could be seen, indistinct and unclear, leaving one unsure whether they were Immortal Gods or Evil Spirits.
Atop the massive portal, the mountain peak had been carved into a bull’s head, with two towering horns piercing the sky.
The Banana Cave’s gates thundered open, projecting a beam of white light, into which Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong walked and vanished from sight.
Inside the Banana Cave was seemingly a miniature world, filled with mountains and dense forests, with enormous blood-red rivers flowing ceaselessly between the mountains, and a majestic palace perched atop the clouds, drifting with them.
Zhu Bajie whispered, "Brother, this Cave Mansion doesn’t seem like a Demon’s lair at all!"
Sun Wukong also whispered in response, "Brother Niu once ntioned that his mountain-spouse has been practicing immortal cultivation from a young age. She’s an immortal who has attained the Tao. Princess Iron Fan is not of the Demon kin; she’s a devoted cultivator among the immortals."
"Could the Bull Demon King actually have married an immortal who has attained the Tao?"
"Ah, the specific details of that, old Sun is also unaware."
Zhu Bajie nodded repeatedly, saying, "That’s great, a female fairy who has attained the Tao will certainly be well-mannered."
As they talked, the two arrived before the palace, where two gorgeous maids were already waiting.
The maid on the left said respectfully, "Great Kings, the lady has been awaiting you inside."
Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "Lead the way!"
The two maids guided Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong inside, passing pavilions and towers, arriving at a side hall, where a stunning woman with her hair coiled up stood in a splendid dress. Despite a trace of sorrow between her brows, she still carried an otherworldly deanor.
Upon seeing her, Sun Wukong bowed with a chuckle, "Sister-in-law, it has been five hundred years, and you seem to have grown even more graceful."
Iron Fan Lady managed a faint smile, "You this macaque, free for quite so ti, yet you didn’t co to see . And I even hosted a banquet for you five hundred years ago."
Sun Wukong bowed deeply with another laugh, "Sister-in-law, please forgive . Although old Sun has escaped from the mountain’s binding, I’ve been tasked with a Dharma Decree to protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the Scripture, leaving no spare ti to visit, which is my fault."
"I’ve heard about your affairs, and that too must be a part of your destiny. Please co inside, young uncle."
Princess Iron Mountain beckoned, and Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie walked toward the interior of the palace where finely crafted porcelain, stone and wood carvings, and ancient scrolls of Scripture exuded an aura of learnedness.
Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie each took their seats, with Princess Iron Fan seated in the place of honor.
Princess Iron Fan asked, "I heard from the young uncle just now that you have encountered my son, the Holy Infant."
"It wasn’t just a chance encounter; my nephew specifically waited for us, inviting us into his Cave Mansion for a banquet to welco and cleanse us from our journey, saying he greatly admires old Sun. Sister-in-law, you must have often spoken of to my nephew, right? So things might have been overly praised, since so divine beings of the Heavenly Court are indeed quite powerful."
Princess Iron Fan said with a smile, "When the child was young, he would nag to tell him stories, so I did share a little about the young uncle’s adventures." And indeed, it was truly just a little.
Sun Wukong, scratching his head and grinning, said, "The nephew is very understanding; old Sun likes him a lot."
Princess Iron Fan’s brows twitched. She knew her child best—low on power but not ambition, stingy to a fault, and there was hardly anything under the heavens he esteed. If he had taken the initiative to host a feast, he surely had an ulterior motive.
Princess Iron Fan said with a smile, "If the young uncle likes him, please do take so ti to teach him more when you can."
"Hehe~ that can be arranged, but first, Sister-in-law, please call out Red Boy. Old Sun has a few words for him."
"Oh~" Princess Iron Fan raised her eyebrows, puzzled, "Little uncle, isn’t Holy Infant with you all?"
"Last night’s feast, Old Sun carelessly drank too much. Woke up this morning to find both Red Boy and my Master gone.
Red Boy left a ssage on the wall, saying you and Brother Niu had a falling out, with broken family ties, which is why he’s displaced. He abducted my Master as a gift for you and Brother Niu to cheer you up, in hopes of persuading you to reconcile."
Princess Iron Fan’s face turned cold, then returned to normal, "Bull Demon King and I are done. Not to ntion one Tang Sanzang, even ten or eight Tang Sanzangs an nothing to .
Though Holy Infant has such filial intentions, they are unnecessary."
Zhu Bajie, sitting on the side, chuckled, "Madam, whatever the situation between you and Bull Demon King is, we’re not concerned. But could you first return my Master? Having a monk involved in your family affairs isn’t good."
Princess Iron Fan frowned, "You’re saying Holy Infant took Tang Sanzang away? And that he intends to offer Tang Sanzang to us as tribute?"
"That’s exactly what Red Boy has written himself."
Princess Iron Fan’s expression darkened with annoyance, "He must have gone to that Sao Fox again."
Sun Wukong scratched his head and asked with curiosity, "Sister-in-law, who is this Sao Fox you’re talking about?"
Princess Iron Fan, with a resigned look, "Little uncle, to be honest, it all started with a fox spirit that caused and your big brother to split.
About three hundred years ago when Red Boy was born, you know it’s not easy for Immortal Gods to conceive."
"Mmhm~" Sun Wukong nodded vigorously, knowing that it was extrely difficult for immortals, demons, and Immortal Gods to have offspring, yet Immortal Gods coupling with mortals could easily produce children, quite peculiar indeed.
"I joyfully welcod Red Boy’s arrival, taking care of him with all my heart every day, thus neglecting that ox-headed man.
During that ti, your big brother secretly hooked up with a fox spirit. After I found out, he abandoned his wife and child, leaving Cuiyun Mountain for Jilei Mountain with that fox spirit, establishing a new base.
It was then, Red Boy also ran away from ho, becoming king at Kusong Stream.
If Red Boy has taken Tang Sanzang back, in hopes of using him to rebuild a ho, he must have gone to Jilei Mountain."
Zhu Bajie whispered, "Brother Monkey, your Brother Niu is really heartless."
Sun Wukong’s face reddened with agitation; his sworn brother, so brazen, utterly shaless—a philanderer and deserter, a lecherous scoundrel. This made him feel embarrassed as well.
Sun Wukong stood up, gave a bow, and said, "Sister-in-law, rest assured, Old Sun will go to Jilei Mountain this instant to persuade Brother Niu to change his heart."
Princess Iron Fan spoke calmly, "Little uncle, I don’t want him to change his heart; all I care about now is Holy Infant.
Since Holy Infant went to Jilei Mountain, I’ll trouble you to take a trip there, bring back your Master, and while you’re at it, bring Holy Infant back as well."
"Don’t worry, Sister-in-law, Old Sun will head to Jilei Mountain right away and will definitely bring Red Boy back. Bajie, let’s go."
Sun Wukong led Zhu Bajie out of Banana Cave and flew away from Cui Ping Mountain.
Above the clouds, Zhu Bajie asked, "Brother Monkey, do you know where Jilei Mountain is?"
"Don’t forget that Old Sun can command the sky to respond and the earth to obey, with mountain gods and the land under my orders; finding a re Jilei Mountain is simple."
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