The Great Thunderclap Monastery.
Tathagata looked at the Goddess of Mercy with a hint of worry on his face. "Still no trace of the White Bone Demon?"
"I've found no trace of her, Master. I went to her cave to inquire. It's said that before the Tang Priest and his disciples arrived, the White Bone Demon suddenly changed her mind. She didn't want to eat the Tang Priest's flesh anymore and claimed that the talk of achieving immortality by eating his flesh was a trap. She intended to avoid them but didn't succeed." The Goddess of Mercy reported calmly.
"Oh?" Tathagata rubbed his fingers and gave up the idea of divination. "Suddenly changing her mind. Could someone have advised her? Now I can't divine her whereabouts, and even your personal visit yielded nothing. It seems she's encountered great fortune and seen through our plan."
"Master, it's said that Sun Wukong took the White Bone Demon to Flower-Fruit Mountain. How about I go and find him?" The Goddess of Mercy sought Tathagata's opinion, eager to question the Monkey King about the White Bone Demon's whereabouts.
Currently, rumors about Sun Wukong and the White Bone Demon are spreading throughout the Heavenly Court. He's presumably the only one who knows where she is.
"Absolutely not!" Tathagata closed his eyes. "Wait and see. For now, ensure the Tang Priest's safety. The White Bone Demon is just a minor demon. She can't stir up much trouble. Keep a close eye on the four of them. If the White Bone Demon appears again, show her no mercy!"
Moreover, this matter has been exaggerated beyond measure. They're well aware that the Heavenly Court is laughing at them.
She's just a White Bone Demon. There's no need to rush. She can't cause much of a commotion.
Although the Western Heaven stopped searching for the White Bone Demon, the spirits who previously wanted the demon pill attracted the attention of their king, the Black Panther King, because so many of their disciples died overnight.
"Our more than a dozen brothers were all 'greeted' by Sun Wukong's Golden-Hoop Rod?" The Black Panther King sneered. His bloodthirsty eyes were full of sarcasm. "Even without Sun Wukong, those demons who've only lived for three or four hundred years dared to bully the White Bone Demon whom even the Western Heaven couldn't find. They're so stupid that they deserve to be disabled! The sooner they die, the better. They'll stop dragging me down!"
The Black Panther King rose haughtily. His shiny black fur and strong limbs carried him in elegant strides.
He slowly closed his night-like eyes and gradually transformed into a human form.
The Gray Wolf General stood obediently to one side, not daring to say a word.
"Help me change my clothes!" He lifted his arm in his black robe.
The Gray Wolf looked at his king. His features were chiseled like a masterpiece, and his almost sickly pale skin took on a soft and suffocating beauty in the firelight.
His jade-like eyes emitted an unreadable cold light, and his lips drooped slightly, exuding solemnity and nobility.
The Gray Wolf nervously swallowed his saliva and waited for the king's inquiry.
Several maids stepped forward gently and quickly helped the king put on a dark robe adorned with shiny blue gemstones, looking like pearls in the night.
The Black Panther King was fond of various shades of black clothes, especially those adorned with all kinds of gemstones. If there were embroidery patterns, they must be bright, bold, and unconventional. So there was no shortage of tailors and embroiderers on Panther King Mountain. They were all captured from the towns below.
To make them serve him for a longer time, the Panther King also gave them pills and secret manuals so that they could cultivate hard and seek longevity.
After all, it was troublesome to replace the embroiderers. He didn't like overly young women because they had little experience.
"Those who didn't die but still had the nerve to come back, keep them alive and let fate decide." After a moment, the Panther King calmed down.
"Yes." The Gray Wolf nodded in response and quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"I heard the White Bone Demon is extremely beautiful. How beautiful is she? Can she compare to my Fox Sister?" Without waiting for an answer, he smiled faintly. "However, a female demon who can be on good terms with Sun Wukong, even if she's ugly, I truly admire her. After all, I saw that monkey when he caused havoc in the Heavenly Court hundreds of years ago. He was arrogant, unyielding, and hard to communicate with."
"Yes. According to the brother who came back, that demon is extremely beautiful. Her eyes are extremely charming. When she walked on the street, men couldn't help but stare at her. Some even sneaked into the inn where she stayed. But she had two little demons with her, so ordinary people didn't dare to approach." The Gray Wolf carefully observed the king's expression, trying to figure out if he was interested in the White Bone Demon.
"In that case, she's no different from a fox demon." The Panther King lay on the couch. His slender fingers picked up a piece of dried meat and chewed it carefully. "However, she injured so many of my brothers. Suddenly, I've lost a lot of laborers. I have to go and settle this score with her myself."
"When will you go, Your Majesty?" The Gray Wolf stepped forward obsequiously and said with a beaming smile. "It's said that the White Bone Demon is also going west. She's probably pestering Sun Wukong."
"Humph!" He sneered contemptuously. "What's so good about that monkey? The White Bone Demon has a unique taste. But she's quite smart. She's much wiser than those delusional demons who covet the Tang Priest's flesh."
He was older than Sun Wukong and had lived longer, so he saw things more clearly. He knew that the Tang Priest's flesh was just a bait. No matter how they tried to eat it, they wouldn't succeed. It was clearly a big hook to get rid of stupid demons with the Tang Priest as the lure.
He also heard some rumors that the White Bone Demon was originally part of Tathagata's plan and was destined to die under Sun Wukong's rod.
Unexpectedly, this White Bone Demon was quite promising. Not only was she not beaten to death, but she also got involved with Sun Wukong.
This interesting and rare story made him eager to see it for himself.
A female demon who could give Tathagata a headache was worthy of his personal visit.
---
Originally, the White Bone Demon planned to follow closely behind the Tang Priest and his disciples. But after leaving the city gate, looking at the Tang Priest riding on the horse, she suddenly regretted her decision.
She was a demon now. It was stupid of her to walk on foot like him!
Why not go to the nearby small towns and countries? Maybe there would be unexpected gains.
The God of Wealth said he had an old acquaintance to visit nearby, so they separated soon after they left.
But Yang Xue wasn't at a loss. She got half a bag of gold, which could last her for some time.
Before leaving, the God of Wealth took out a pair of earrings. "I see you're not wearing any jewelry. This is for you. With it, I can find you."
"Okay." Thinking that the God of Wealth might look for her, Yang Xue put on the earrings without hesitation.
The God of Wealth watched her back with a doting smile on his lips, thinking that this trip was worthwhile!
Maybe he should visit the Old Man Under the Moon when he had time.
Flying on the clouds, Yang Xue saw a beautiful city. She landed there at lunchtime to enjoy the delicious food.
"Make way!"
"Executions are going to take place at the vegetable market! Hurry and go watch!"
Just as Yang Xue was about to enter the restaurant to feast, a group of people came on the street. There were prisoners in the prison carts, which made the people on the street abandon their meals and rush to watch the excitement.
Yang Xue thought there was nothing interesting about an execution, so she found a seat and ordered a table full of delicious dishes, spending one tael of gold!
One tael of gold was equivalent to about fifteen thousand yuan in RMB. It was really extravagant!
It was great to have the support of the God of Wealth. She should curry favor with him in the future.
"How pitiful! This brave man's wife was taken away by the official, and the official even intended to bully her in front of him. Unable to bear the humiliation, the brave man killed the official in a fit of anger. If he dies now, there'll only be a three - year - old son left in his family. How pitiful!" A not - too - loud discussion came from the next table.