Me and countless me.

Chapter 577 Asking for trouble
The nobles of Baoxiang Kingdom surrendered and accepted their fate quickly, mainly because Li Ke demanded that they be given the identity of Tang Dynasty citizens. Therefore, their surrender was very decisive. Almost the day after they learned of this news, they called themselves Tang Dynasty citizens and took over the administration of the original inhabitants of Baoxiang Kingdom.

The people from the Tang Dynasty also managed to control the area very well.

It can only be said that there is indeed such a thing as destiny in this world. At this moment, even a minor official in the Tang Dynasty is ambitious and wants to become a regional governor, and he really has real talent and learning.

It can be said to perfectly meet the needs of an expanding empire.

For a time, the residents lived in peace and contentment, and everyone praised the beauty of the Tang Dynasty, as if the Kingdom of Baoxiang was a thing of the past.

This is also why Li Ke acted decisively. Baoxiang Kingdom had no other heirs, so even if the nobles wanted to raise a banner, they would not have a legitimate reason to do so. In addition, the Tang Dynasty was indeed generous in its support, so although there were a few who missed their homeland, there were not many left.

So Li Ke and his three disciples set off for their next destination.

For the past few days, Sun Wukong had been pondering which of his old grievances had come to light, prompting his master to give him a thorough warning to avoid any misfortune. However, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out who else was going to get back at him.

"Laojun has been refining me for so long, any resentment he might have had is long gone. The Jade Emperor has never taken me seriously either. The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas have already reconciled with me and become good neighbors. The Ten Kings of Hell don't have that kind of guts. So who is it?"

Carrying his golden cudgel and with a fruit dangling from his mouth, Sun Wukong truly couldn't imagine who would be so foolish as to provoke this group of people.

Just think about it: on one side is the Jade Emperor's nephew, the Three Altars Sea God who was so fierce that he himself was executed by slow slicing, on the other side is himself, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and on the other side is that Jin Chanzi who looks sinister no matter how you look at it...

The thought of Jin Chanzi made Sun Wukong's eyes twitch involuntarily.

Because he genuinely distrusted his master!

The other party's bloodthirstiness was truly astounding. Many mistakes that other gods could repent for were simply a matter of killing for him. Moreover, he had no psychological pressure to use torture. To be honest, he didn't seem like a god or a Buddhist monk, but more like a killing god on the battlefield.

When dealing with Baihuaxiu's matter yesterday, he genuinely believed that Jin Chanzi would torment Baihuaxiu in various ways, which is why he threw out three golden hoops to stop his master.

After all, it seems that neither Buddha nor Guanyin objects to the other's actions, but if I, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong, condone his violence, then there will most likely be problems for him.

Thinking of the three golden hoops that Guanyin had given him, Sun Wukong felt that this was Guanyin's way of asking him to keep an eye on Jin Chanzi. After all, he felt that Jin Chanzi's Buddhist cultivation might not be as profound as his own, and it would be better for him to lend a hand if Jin Chanzi encountered any trouble.

As for Yang Jian...

Sun Wukong raised his head.

If Yang Jian didn't have that dog, plus the heavenly soldiers and generals, and Laozi's Vajra Bracelet, the outcome of their battle would be hard to say!

Thinking of this, Sun Wukong saw Nezha again, and then straightened his back.

Nezha was so polite to him, wasn't it because the other party's supernatural powers and magic were inferior to his own?
For a moment, Sun Wukong felt that he was the core and most important person in the team, the most indispensable person in the entire Journey to the West world, because if it weren't for him, the team would be doomed sooner or later!

Kui Mulang was clearly sent down by the Jade Emperor on purpose to create the eighty-one tribulations, and yet he was tricked into reincarnating. What kind of nonsense is this? Isn't this a slap in the face to the Jade Emperor?
Thinking about this, Sun Wukong felt that he couldn't continue like this.

"If we continue to let Jin Chanzi act recklessly, in the end he will either kill so many people that even Buddha can't stand it anymore, or he will fight for some reason, or he will offend everyone and every power. At that time, the journey to the West will be over."

Therefore, an idea came to Sun Wukong's mind.

"So we still need to find a way to make this Jin Chanzi listen to me more, otherwise, with his personality, he's offended far too many people. Sigh, as expected, praying to gods and Buddhas is not as good as taking matters into your own hands."

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the sound of children's laughter in the distance. Sun Wukong looked closely and immediately saw countless demons leading a large group of children to play. The leader of the demons was even holding a piece of candy, enticing the other children to follow him!

For a moment, Sun Wukong wanted to smash it with his staff, but he immediately saw that the monster only had the pure aura of a vegetarian, not the carnivorous aura of a cannibal. In fact, the adults behind the children were calling the monster "teacher"!

Moreover, these monsters are either deer spirits, rabbit spirits, or dog spirits and ox spirits. Although they also absorb people's life essence, most of them are kind-hearted. If you look closely, you can see that they are not only wearing Taoist robes, but also a golden light of merit and a strong smell of books.

So without thinking, Sun Wukong stood in front of Li Ke and shouted out.

"Master! Those monsters ahead all seem to be kind! Please don't go on a killing spree!"

Li Ke paused for a moment as he took out the candy from his pocket, then looked at Sun Wukong's hand holding his and couldn't help but laugh.

"Wukong, do you think I would kill them?"

As they spoke, Li Ke's sleeve slipped down, revealing the candy in his hand, but Sun Wukong didn't feel embarrassed and just smiled.

"No, but after all, Master, you are too bloodthirsty. If you were to take action directly, I would really be afraid of frightening these children."

His words made Nezha want to say something, and so did Yang Jian, but the next moment, the monkey thought of the various small country kings who died violently along the way, as well as the people who took them in and then were all sent to heaven by Li Ke, such as Gao Village and Guanyin Temple, so he immediately spoke up in a hurry.

“Master, you’re not good at negotiation, so let me handle it.”

Upon hearing this, Nezha and Yang Jian exchanged a glance, their gazes towards the monkey becoming increasingly strange. Li Ke, however, remained silent. He was well aware of the monkey's arrogance, his distrust of others' abilities, and the fact that he hadn't truly trusted him yet.

So he simply put his hands together and smiled.

"In that case, Wukong, go and greet them, ask what's going on, and where you can find lodging... But be very careful."

Sun Wukong didn't understand the meaning behind Li Ke's words. He turned around with a grin, put on the Nashi armor, and swaggered towards the group of monsters.

"That's natural!"

Nezha saw two of the children, his eyes narrowed instantly, and he instinctively reached out to call out to the monkey, but Sun Wukong just waved his hand.

"Great Sage, be careful..."

But before Nezha could finish speaking, Sun Wukong waved his hand.

“Little Nezha, you look just like the boy, how do you talk to them? Let me do it.”

Nezha's eyes widened instantly, and he fell silent. Yang Jian glanced at Li Ke and Nezha, then spoke up helplessly.

"Great Sage, you'd better be careful." Yang Jian could see what Nezha had seen, but Sun Wukong still waved his hand dismissively.

"Haha, even if there are some demons, they can't possibly hurt me!"

Sun Wukong walked over casually, and when the group of monsters with children saw him carrying a mourning staff, they immediately took out their whisks and talismans and shielded the children behind them.

At this moment, Sun Wukong, fully armed, was truly frightening, and his ruthless stride was even more intimidating.

But Sun Wukong didn't notice at all and spoke politely instead.

"Hey, little demon, where is this place? And why are you out here with such a group of children? Aren't you afraid that a Taoist priest will take you away?"

Seeing that Sun Wukong seemed to have no ill intentions, the leader of the deer spirits boldly approached.

"Reporting to the Immortal, this is Pingdingshan, the territory under the jurisdiction of King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn. As for why we brought these children out, it is because we are teachers in the academy. This time we came out to take these children and some little demons out for a spring outing and study tour, which is why we are here. As for the Taoists in the vicinity, they all know that we will not harm people, which is why they are so bold."

Golden Horn King, Silver Horn King?
Sun Wukong sensed something, but didn't take it to heart, instead speaking with a smile.

"I see. It seems that King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn are also sages. But I wonder if they are generous enough to let us stay there?"

Upon hearing this, the deer spirit immediately bowed.

"Immortal, please don't joke. King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn are both unparalleled saints and gentlemen. How could they not welcome people to stay? However, if you wish to stay, you can easily find some houses in the city. The post station also has rooms and vegetarian meals prepared for passing merchants, monks, and Taoists. There is really no need to go through the trouble of informing the two kings."

Sun Wukong naturally understood the deer spirit's refusal on behalf of the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King. Immediately, his monkey temper flared up. The more the deer spirit didn't want him to see the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King, the more he wanted to see what kind of people they were that could make a demon protect them so much!

Li Ke looked at Sun Wukong and offered his final words of advice.

"In that case, Wukong, let's just find a post station to stay at. This isn't a country, so we don't need travel permits. Let's just leave like this. After all, I told you, someone will be causing you trouble soon."

However, Sun Wukong just smiled and waved his hand.

“Not at all, Master. As the saying goes, when you come to a mountain, you should pay respects to the temple. Since this place has a master, and a hospitable and enlightened one at that, how can we not pay our respects?”

Upon hearing this, Li Ke knew that Sun Wukong was doomed to face this calamity. Even if he told him everything now and managed to avoid this one, given the monkey's stubborn and unforgettable nature, he would surely fall into the same trap again later.

Moreover, Sun Wukong doesn't trust him at all right now, so it's pointless for him to say anything.

Most importantly, someone has obscured the secrets of heaven. At this moment, even he cannot see what is happening here or what schemes are being plotted. And the person who is obscuring the secrets of heaven is none other than his former teacher, the person in charge and mastermind behind the Journey to the West plan.

Buddha.

After bidding farewell to the group of human-demon hybrids, the group quickly arrived at a city.

The city walls stood tall and imposing, exuding the aura of a wise ruler. The streets were smooth and spotless. Spirits and monsters roamed the land, yet they were all courteous and well-mannered.

It embodies Taoist principles and the virtue of cherishing life in every aspect.

On the left, one sees no ragged clothes; on the right, no drunkards or gamblers. Everyone lives diligently and peacefully, and there are absolutely no brawlers or troublemakers. The sound of reading comes from every house, and every household has someone to greet you. It is not uncommon to see people with fortunes around their waists, but it is quite unusual to see someone with a sallow complexion.

This scene is truly a sign of a city blessed with good fortune and a pure land in the mortal world!
"Excellent, excellent. King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn can no longer be considered monsters, but true immortals who have achieved great cultivation."

Li Ke clasped his hands together and couldn't help but praise them. Especially when he passed by the city gate and found that the laws of the Tang Dynasty were still in effect, he understood that the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King had governed this place very well because of him, and that they were completely cooperating with him.

But this also made Li Ke even more curious about what methods the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King would use to deal with him, forcing him to stay away from Sun Wukong and causing Sun Wukong to fall into their calamity.

However, just as he was thinking, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, making him pause for a moment!

For a moment, he was somewhat lost in thought. He hadn't expected that the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King would be able to find this person. If the other party used the oath he had made to restrain him, then even he would be unable to protect Sun Wukong!
So Li Ke immediately grabbed Sun Wukong's sleeve.

"Wukong, let's go now!"

However, Sun Wukong looked at him with suspicion, showing no intention of leaving. But it was too late, because the woman had already come to him!
“Bhishma…you’ve finally come to see me? So, are you planning to leave again?”

Li Ke's body stiffened instantly, and Sun Wukong also saw the woman's figure.

She was a typical foreign woman, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, possessing a myriad of charms, and an indescribable air of heroism and indomitable spirit, giving her a strong attraction.

Li Ke sighed and helplessly clasped his hands together.

“Black Princess, I am already a nun, why do you continue to pursue this so bitterly?”

But the woman named Black Princess gave a cold laugh.

"Searching desperately? What do you mean by searching desperately? After all, I'm not like someone who has been reincarnated for so many lifetimes without being able to keep your heart! How can someone like me be considered to be searching desperately?"

Li Ke was speechless. The black princess in front of him and the hair-tying girl he hadn't met yet were both people who had to marry him because of their respective vows, but he ignored them because of his vows and ascetic practices in India.

Therefore, Li Ke accepted all their curses.

But because of this, he had little ability to refuse them.

However, Sun Wukong was unaware of the details and simply assumed it was—

"Master, are you no longer planning to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures from the West?"

As a result, Li Ke's blood pressure rose.

(End of this chapter)