Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 101 Battle Against Red Boy (Part 5)
However, the little alligator dragon was unwilling to take up a post in heaven.

Ao Tu advised him, "Ninth Brother, you are young and impetuous, and you do not know the benefits of these places."

The little alligator dragon said, "What good can there be in being controlled and driven by others?"

Ao Tu said, “Take the Tushita Palace for example. That’s where the Supreme Dao Ancestor refined elixirs. If you go there, even if you’re just a pot scrubber, the water you wash will be holy water; if you’re a fire stoker, the ashes you scoop out will be divine ashes; and a single brick from the furnace that falls to the ground is now the eight-hundred-mile Flaming Mountain where the Mighty Bull Demon King is. Think about it, isn’t that a good thing?”

Upon hearing this, Mingniang's eyes were filled with longing.

For a river god's daughter like her, reaching the heavens was an opportunity she could only dream of. Even as a palace maid, she would be among the celestial beings, far surpassing anything found in the turbid currents of this mortal realm. And to go to the Tushita Palace—that was a destiny she dared not even imagine.

However, the little alligator dragon standing to the side said:
"Fifth Brother, even though the Tushita Palace has a thousand advantages, I cannot go there."

Ao Tu asked, "Why can't we go?"

Little Dragon said:

"Fifth Brother, think about it. I can't even stay still in this Blackwater River. How can I settle down in the Tushita Palace? If I accidentally offend Laozi, it won't be good. It's better to be free and at ease in this Blackwater River, with Mingniang by my side."

As he spoke, the little alligator dragon looked at Mingniang.

Mingniang lowered her head, her eyes filled with disdain.

This was what she disliked most about the little dragon. Lacking ambition, possessing no divine authority, and content to be a wild monster, how could he be worthy of her?

If she were given such a divine opportunity, she would surely seize it, gradually gain a foothold in the Heavenly Court, and earn its favor.

After hearing what the little alligator dragon said, Ao Tu nodded and said:

“Ninth Brother, in that case, the Tushita Palace is indeed not suitable for you. How about I send you to the Jade Pool? The Queen Mother of the West often gathers immortals, welcoming and seeing off guests, so you can build up some connections there.”

Upon hearing this, Mingniang's desire grew even stronger.

What she most wanted to go to was the Jade Pool, even if it meant just being a tray of fairy maidens there.

The little dragon refused, saying, "Fifth Brother, I'm not going to Yaochi. Yaochi is the land of female immortals; how can I, a man, go there?"

Ao Tu said, "Although Yaochi is mostly inhabited by female immortals, there are also male immortals. I'll send some gifts and ask for some favors; I'm sure I can get you in. Even if you only become a gatekeeper, you'll still be able to make good connections with many powerful deities."

The little alligator dragon lowered its head, still unwilling to agree.

Mingniang was so anxious that she wished she could stand up and agree for the little alligator dragon.

Ao Tu then said, "Ninth Brother, since you are unwilling to go to the Tushita Palace or the Jade Pool, how about I send you to the Dou Department?"

This time, the little alligator dragon hesitated.

Among the nine Ao Tu brothers, Xiao Tuo Long is the youngest, with a pure personality and a love of fighting.

The Fighting Department was the most powerful department in the Heavenly Court.

In the past, Little Crocodile Dragon would have definitely agreed immediately.

However, now, because of the death of his father, the Jinghe Dragon King, the little alligator dragon is unwilling to be subservient to anyone anymore, so he is somewhat hesitant.

Ao Tu said, "Ninth Brother, I have some connections in the Dou Department. I'll send you in, and you can make friends with some Star Lords for me while you're there. They can be my helpers in the future, okay?"

Little Dragon said, "Fifth Brother, do you also have connections in the Fighting Department?"

Ao Tu said, "I have only made some friends occasionally, which can't be considered a lot of connections. If we don't keep in touch with these friends for a long time, the relationship will become distant. That's why I want you to go up and interact with these people on my behalf."

Little Crocodile lowered his head and said, "Fifth Brother, I'm afraid I'm not good at socializing and might ruin our relationship."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You don't need to worry. When you get to the heavens, if you encounter the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, or the Nine Luminaries, you don't need to flatter them. Just treat them as equals. If you treat them sincerely, they will definitely not dare to make things difficult for you. If you encounter His Majesty Ziwei or His Majesty Gouchen, just respectfully address them as Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Little Crocodile said, "This... Fifth Brother, didn't you say you only had a few friends?"

Ao Tu said, "Yes, there are only a few."

Little Alligator Dragon said, "Fifth Brother, let me think about it some more."

Ao Tu said, "No rush, think about it slowly."

The little alligator dragon was lost in thought, glancing at Mingniang from time to time with reluctance in its eyes.

Mingniang, however, did not notice the little alligator dragon at all. She moved closer and closer to Ao Tu, her alluring eyes seemingly melting, and she frequently poured wine and served food to Ao Tu.

Ao Tu ignored her.

After a long while, as if making a major decision, the little alligator dragon stood up, somewhat hesitant to look at Ao Tu, but still spoke earnestly:
"Fifth Brother, I've made up my mind. I still want to stay in Blackwater River."

Ao Tu remained expressionless and asked, "Why?"

Little Dragon said, "Fifth Brother, I'm not good at dealing with people and getting along with others. I'm afraid I won't do it well and will ruin our relationship. Sixth Brother and Seventh Brother are also in Heaven. They are always meticulous and much better than me. You should let them help you. Besides... if I go to Heaven, Mingniang will never see me again."

Ao Tu said, "Let's eat first."

Little Alligator Dragon said, "Fifth Brother, I'm sorry. I'll do it."

The little alligator dragon picked up the wine jug and drank it all in one gulp.

Ao Tu said, "There's no need for that, let's eat."

That wine was no ordinary wine. The little alligator dragon drank a whole pot and became somewhat drunk. He slumped onto the table, muttering, "Mingniang, Mingniang..."

Seeing this, Mingniang, fearing that the little alligator dragon might be talking nonsense, quickly told the clam maiden to carry the little alligator dragon back.

The clam woman carried the little alligator dragon down to rest.

Mingniang didn't give the little alligator dragon a second glance, and continued to serve Ao Tu.

Ao Tu savored the various delicacies slowly and deliberately.

Mingniang served him carefully, and seeing that Ao Tu had almost finished eating, she cautiously probed, "Fifth Master, the King's heart is not with this, please don't be angry with him."

Ao Tu laughed upon hearing this, "He's my brother, why would I be angry with him?" Ming Niang said, "Your Majesty, actually, I've admired the heavens since childhood, and I'm most skilled at dealing with people, welcoming and seeing off guests..."

Ao Tu interrupted, saying, "I need to rest. I've always had the habit of eating a midnight snack. Tonight at midnight, have someone bring me some."

Mingniang took it as a hint and was overjoyed, saying, "Fifth Master, I will definitely prepare carefully."

Ao Tu rested in a side hall, arranged by his maid.

It was midnight.

Ao Tu's door was pushed open.

Mingniang slowly entered, carrying a bowl of late-night snack.

Ao Tu lay on his side on the couch, and slowly opened his eyes upon hearing the sound.

All that could be seen was a light veil covering Mingniang, with nothing else on her body, her curvaceous figure faintly visible beneath the veil.

Mingniang said, "Fifth Master, I've brought you a midnight snack."

Her voice is gentle and pleasant to hear.

Ao Tu asked, "Why did you come in person?"

Mingniang said, "Fifth Master, I was afraid that those clam maids would be careless and not serve you well enough, so I came here in person."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "Then put the midnight snack down."

Mingniang stepped forward, holding a jade bowl in her hand, and knelt down on one knee, saying, "Fifth Master, let me feed you!"

Ao Tu said, "No need, just leave the midnight snack and go."

Mingniang bit her lip and said softly, "Fifth Master, let me feed you! If the King finds out that I have neglected you, he will definitely scold me for not serving you well enough."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu didn't even raise his eyes and said:
"If you have nothing else to do, you can leave now."

Mingniang hesitated for a moment, put down the midnight snack, and sat down next to Ao Tu. She then displayed her alluring figure closely in front of him, saying:
"Fifth Master, I do have a request."

Ao Tu said, "Speak."

Mingniang, however, was unwilling to speak directly. Instead, she reached out her delicate hand and took Ao Tu's hand.

Ao Tu's hand lay casually flat, and Ming Niang tried to pull it, but couldn't budge it an inch.

Seeing this, Mingniang simply pressed her soft body against him.

Ao Tu snorted coldly and unleashed a divine thunderbolt, sending Ming Niang flying.

Mingniang fell to the ground in pain, her gauze dress torn, revealing her naked body.

However, there wasn't much alluring scenery inside. Ao Tu's thunderous strike had knocked her out of her humanity, turning her fair skin rough and dark, and revealing her armor.

Ao Tu sneered:
"You lowly wench! I shared a room with Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea for months, and I never even glanced at her. Who do you think you are, daring to seduce me?"

Mingniang knelt down in fear and kowtowed, saying:

"This servant was delusional and offended Fifth Master. I beg Fifth Master to forgive this servant for the sake of the King!"

Ao Tu asked, "What do you want with me tonight?"

Mingniang said, "Seeing that the King was unwilling to go to Heaven, I foolishly hoped that Fifth Master would give me the opportunity to go to Heaven."

Ao Tu said, "Get up. If you had said so earlier, you wouldn't be in such a sorry state. Put your clothes on."

Upon hearing this, Mingniang quickly put on her clothes.

Ao Tu said, "My brother occupied your family's water palace and imprisoned you here. He was wrong, and as his elder brother, I apologize on his behalf."

Mingniang hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare!"

Ao Tu said, "I already know what you are asking for. If you do one thing for me, I will not only grant your request and give you the opportunity to enter the Heavenly Court, but I will also return the Water Palace to you and your daughter. What do you say?"

Mingniang was overjoyed and asked, "Fifth Master, what do you want me to do?"

Ao Tu said, "This matter is not difficult for you. You just need to tell my ninth brother..."

The next day, the little alligator dragon woke up groggily.

But then they saw Mingniang waiting beside them with her luggage.

The little alligator dragon exclaimed in surprise, "Mother Ming, what are you going to do?"

Mingniang said, "Your Majesty, Mingniang is leaving."

The little alligator dragon asked, "Where are you going?"

Mingniang said, "My father found me a marriage outside. He came to tell me last night. After learning about the man's family background, I was very fond of him. That's why I came to say goodbye to Your Majesty."

The little alligator dragon roared, "Who is it! Who is that person! I won't let you leave, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"

Mingniang said, "That man is an old monk who tends the fire under the tutelage of Manjushri Bodhisattva. I have already fallen for him, so why does Your Majesty have to stop me?"

The little alligator dragon exclaimed in shock, "An old monk? Mingniang, you've betrayed my good intentions and now you're going to marry an old monk?"

Mingniang said, "Your Majesty, he is not an ordinary old monk, but an old monk who tends the fire under Manjushri Bodhisattva!"

The little alligator dragon asked, "What's the difference?"

Mingniang said, "Your Majesty, don't you understand? He is a monk under the tutelage of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Even an old monk who tends the fire has his own power and influence. How can a wild demon or water monster like you compare?"

(End of this chapter)