Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 110 Battle Against Red Boy (Part Fourteen)
Meanwhile, Li Tianwang and his entourage received an imperial decree and descended to the mortal realm to vanquish demons.

However, the demon was incredibly powerful, and even the nearly one hundred generals of the Tai Sui Department were no match for it; instead, most of them were captured by it.

Fortunately, Li Tianwang anticipated the enemy's move and retreated to the heavens in advance, thus managing to escape.

However, if I go back now, I'm afraid it will be embarrassing.

Therefore, Li Tianwang hesitated at the entrance to the Heavenly Realm.

Wukong caught up and asked, "Li Tianwang, what are you doing here?"

Li Tianwang said, "The demons are fierce, I will be here to help you."

Wukong said, "I just went back and took a look. All the gods and generals have been captured by that monster. Only Jiazi Tai Sui and Riyou Shen survived."

Just then, Jiazi Tai Sui flew down from below in a panic, staggering and crashing into the South Heavenly Gate. In his haste, he did not notice Wukong and Li Tianwang beside him.

In Lingxiao Hall.

At this time, it had been less than half a cup of tea's time since Li Tianwang led his followers down to the mortal realm.

The Jade Emperor is inquiring about the recent inspection tour of the Three Realms by True Lord Kehan ​​Si.

Just then, the Jiazi Tai Sui returned in a disheveled state, his face charred and his court robes torn.

Upon seeing this, the Jade Emperor asked, "Jiazi Tai Sui, why are you in such a sorry state?"

The Jiazi Tai Sui said, "Your Majesty, that demon is truly vicious! We, the gods, followed Li Tianwang and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven to the mortal realm to subdue the demon, each using our own methods to surround it in the air. Who would have thought that the demon's body was indestructible and impervious to all magic? Its left hand could unleash demonic fire, its right hand could spew demonic water, a hum could unleash demonic thunder, a cough could unleash demonic lightning, and a single breath could unleash a whirlwind of demonic wind from the heavens. We, the gods, were no match for it and suffered heavy losses!"

At this moment, Li Tianwang and Wukong also walked in.

Li Tianwang knelt down and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your Majesty, the demons were fierce, and I was unable to defeat them. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

The Jade Emperor said, "How can such a mere demon possess such abilities? What is the origin of this demon?"

Li Tianwang said, "Your Majesty, I only know that this demon calls himself the Blood Sea King. I did not bring the Demon-Revealing Mirror, so I do not know his specific origins."

The Jade Emperor looked at the Jiazi Tai Sui and said:
"Jiazi Tai Sui, you previously proclaimed peace and tranquility in the Three Realms, yet now such a poisonous demon has emerged. Do you have any plans to eradicate it?"

The Jiazi Tai Sui kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is my fault for not investigating. If we wish to eliminate such evil demons, we must invite the four divine generals of thunder, battle, water, and fire to descend to the mortal realm. Only then can we succeed."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor immediately ordered the four divine generals to descend to the mortal realm to subdue the demons. He also ordered Li Tianwang to retrieve the Demon-Revealing Mirror to examine the origins of the demons, and the Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear to monitor the demons' movements.

Meanwhile, Ao Tu gathered the gods of the Tai Sui tribe and returned to the Blood Sea Cave.

Tiger Vanguard and White Bone Demon said, "Congratulations on your triumphant return, Your Majesty!"

Ao Tu laughed and shook the black lotus, which released more than seventy people.

Tiger Vanguard exclaimed in surprise, "So many people!"

Ao Tu said, "These are all heavenly generals. You should tie them up carefully and lock them in the cell."

Tiger Vanguard said, "Yes, Your Majesty. But should all these people be locked in one cell or separated?"

Ao Tu said, "Interrogate them. If they are together, lock them up together."

Tiger Vanguard nodded, cast a spell to bind these people, and then took them away for interrogation.

The White Bone Demon took off Ao Tu's cloak and poured him wine to quench his thirst.

Shortly after, Tiger Vanguard returned to report:
"Your Majesty, it's all taken care of. Most of those divine generals were from the Tai Sui Department, with only a few under the command of Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. They have all been imprisoned."

Ao Tu nodded and said:
"Tiger Vanguard, go and get me another large banner with the words 'Great Sage Who Pacifies the Blood Sea' written on it, and erect it on the mountain."

Tiger Vanguard said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Should we recruit some lesser demons to bolster our forces?"

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "No need. Once you've prepared the banner, just leave and head to the Blackwater River."

Tiger Vanguard replied, "Yes."

Ao Tu took the wine from the White Bone Demon's hand and said, "You should go with Tiger Vanguard too."

The White Bone Demon said, "Your Majesty, I'm leaving now. You'll have no one to serve you. Please let me stay a little longer!"

Ao Tu said, "No need, you go."

The White Bone Demon had no choice but to agree.

Tiger Vanguard transformed into a fierce wind, went outside, found a cloth shop, and asked someone to prepare a twelve-foot-long black and yellow banner, embroidered with the six characters "Great Sage Who Pacifies the Blood Sea". After returning, he hung it on the mountaintop.

Tiger Vanguard reports: "Your Majesty, the banner has been prepared, so I will take my leave."

Ao Tu nodded, allowing the White Bone Demon to accompany him.

The two prepared to leave.

Ao Tu said, "That's right."

The two stopped.

Ao Tu said, "Fix the door."

Tiger Vanguard found a piece of bluestone, cut it open with his sharp claws, and made it into a stone gate.

The two then left.

Ao Tu sat alone on the throne in the Blood Sea Cave, gazing at the empty cave, feeling somewhat lonely.

Current progress: 270 days

However, he wasn't entirely alone.

Ao Tu went into the cell and took Red Boy out.

Pigsy said, "Old monster, what are you doing? Let go of my nephew!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "I'm hungry today, so I'll eat him to fill my stomach."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy cursed incessantly, got up and tried to budge the cell door, but couldn't.

Ao Tu came out carrying Red Boy and said, "Red Boy, choose how you want to die. Should I boil you, roast you, or steam you?"

Upon hearing this, Red Boy thought he was really going to die and couldn't help but shed tears, saying:

"King of the Blood Sea, after you eat me, could you please pass on a message to my parents?"

Ao Tu asked, "What message do you want to convey?"

Red Boy wept and said, "Please tell them: 'Your son is unfilial. If there is an afterlife, I will stay by your side and take good care of you.'"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You child, you've become quite sensible these days. How about this, I won't eat you, as long as you promise me one thing."

Red Boy said, "I will not betray my master, Uncle Sun, and Uncle Pig." Ao Tu said, "You don't need to betray them."

Red Boy asked, "Then what do you want me to do?"

Ao Tu said, "I'm short-handed these days, so you'll stay by my side and do whatever I say. When you're hungry, cook for me; when you're thirsty, pour me wine; when your shoulders ache, massage them; when your legs hurt, pound them. If you do well, I won't eat you, and I'll even release Tang Sanzang and the others."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy was overjoyed and asked, "Are you telling the truth?"

Ao Tu said, "I always keep my word, but you keep changing your mind."

Red Boy blushed and said, "I kept repeating myself because..."

Ao Tu said, "Alright, go and cook for me quickly. Make some fish ball soup for me to try today."

As he spoke, he released Red Boy's magic.

Seeing that his magic power had been restored, Red Boy asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid I'll run away?"

Ao Tu sneered:
"Don't worry, if I can catch you once, I can catch you twice or three times. If you dare to run away, I'll catch you again, tear you apart, and eat you. The arms and legs are the sweetest, so I'll steam them; the hands and feet are soft and chewy, so I'll roast them; the heart and liver are nourishing, so I'll stew them in soup; and the rest of the meat, I'll debone it and chop it into filling to make buns!"

Upon hearing this, Red Boy felt a chill run down his spine.

Ao Tu continued, "Not only that, I'm implicating others here. If you alone commit a transgression, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing will all be punished to death."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy dared not harbor any rebellious thoughts and obediently went to cook.

Ao Tu chuckled inwardly.

With Red Boy by their side to amuse them, life wasn't boring at all.

About twenty days later, divine clouds covered the sky outside the cave, and thunder roared. Ao Tu saw this and knew that the Heavenly Court had sent people again.

Ao Tu summoned Red Boy and said:

"Red Boy, didn't you say you wanted to rebel against Heaven? Today, I, the Great King, will set an example for you! I'll lend you my weapon."

Outside, the four divine generals of thunder, battle, water, and fire gathered. Li Tianwang, seeing the great banner atop Mount Aotu bearing the inscription "Great Sage Who Pacifies the Blood Sea," roared in anger:

"You audacious demon, how dare you presume to call yourself a saint! Guards, set fire to your demon flag!"

Upon hearing this, the Fire God released three thousand fire crows to burn the banner.

Seeing this, Ao Tu went out of the cave, offered up the black lotus, and hung it on the banner to block the divine fire.

Upon seeing this, Li Tianwang issued a general's order: "Exterminate the demons!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all the gods exerted their power.

The Fire God released 30,000 fire crows, 30,000 fire horses, 30,000 fire knives, 30,000 fire swords, and 30,000 fire rats.

The Fire God, residing high in the sky, commanded all the gods of fire. He released a treasure, a fire arrow named "Ten Thousand Miles of Clouds and Smoke," which landed in Broken Arm Mountain.

Instantly, fires raged in all directions across the mountains, billowing black smoke and leaping red flames. The wind carried the fire, sending flames soaring over a thousand feet high; the fire, wielding the wind's might, sent ash flying into the heavens.

When Red Boy saw this, he dared not show his face and hid behind the door to watch.

Ao Tu stood outside the Blood Sea Cave with his spear in hand, and the thousands of flames could not get close to him.

The Water Deity chanted incantations in the air, and together with a group of water gods, they unleashed a massive flood, with waves thousands of feet high. The surging waters destroyed forests and moved mountains, displaying their overwhelming divine power.

Red Boy felt even more nervous upon seeing this.

Ao Tu stood outside the Blood Sea Cave with his spear in hand, unmoved by the raging waters.

The generals of the Thunder Department unleashed divine thunder.

The twenty-eight constellations of the Dipper descended their starlight.

Ao Tu stood in the air, resisting the entire attack with his bare body, remaining unmoved.

Red Boy was deeply shocked.

Wukong swung his staff down and struck at Ao Tu.

Ao Tu raised his gun to meet him.

The Twenty-Eight Constellations, each wielding a weapon, surrounded Ao Tu from above and below, and attacked him all at once.

Ao Tu conjured up three heads and six arms to defend against the crowd, but as the saying goes, two fists can't beat four hands, let alone a full twenty-eight people.

Especially since Ao Tu also had to fight against Sun Wukong, it was inevitable that the other twenty-eight constellations would find an opportunity to attack him. One would strike with a spear, another with a staff, and yet another with a sword, and Ao Tu began to suffer injuries.

Blood fell from the sky.

Red Boy watched from below with a heavy heart. Although he and the Blood Sea Demon were enemies, he inexplicably hoped that the Blood Sea Demon could survive.

In the air, Li Tianwang took out the Demon-Revealing Mirror and shone it on the Blood Sea King.

The image in the mirror was still that of the Blood Sea King, with no difference in figure, appearance, clothes, or shadow.

Li Tianwang exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that this is not a demon, but a human who has cultivated to become one?"

The divine general beside him said, "Heavenly King, whether he is human or demon, capture him first and hand him over to His Majesty for disposal!"

Li Tianwang nodded. At this time, Nezha was injured and still recuperating in the Cloud Tower Palace. The demon below had been surrounded by the generals and was fighting like a trapped beast.

Seeing that victory was assured, Li Tianwang no longer had any doubts. He threw the pagoda in his hand down towards the demon town.

As Ao Tu was fighting with the others, his body suddenly sank, and a pagoda flew down from above his head.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu raised his hand and took out the Soul-Scattering Gourd.

When Wukong saw the gourd, his expression changed, and without hesitation, he turned and ran.

Ao Tu raised the gourd and sprayed out a cloud of red sand.

In an instant, the sky and earth turned crimson, the pagoda lost all its spiritual light, and more than seven hundred holes appeared on it.

Before Li Tianwang in the heavens could even grieve over the pagoda, he felt a sudden buzzing sound, his soul scattered, and he fell from the clouds, unconscious.

The Water Deity and Fire Deity, being far away, were affected by the residual power and felt completely disoriented. They could not move their hands, could not grasp their feet, could not breathe through their eyes, could not look at people through their noses, could not speak through their ears, and could not hear through their mouths.

The two of them went east and west, wandering aimlessly for countless miles before finally colliding and falling off the clouds.

If this is the case for those who are far apart, then it goes without saying that it is even more true for those who are close by.

The gods and generals from all directions fell from the sky like dumplings being dropped into a pot. If Ao Tu hadn't stopped, their souls would have been scattered, and they wouldn't have been able to reincarnate.

(End of this chapter)