Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 75, Stealing the Treasure Lotus Cave (Part 1)
After Ao Tu escaped, Nezha and the others were rescued and returned home.

The twenty-eight constellations were taken to the Heavenly Court.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor asked the Twenty-Eight Constellations why they had rebelled.

The twenty-eight constellations knelt below and all answered that they had been threatened and controlled by the demonic dragon using its magic.

One said they had no choice, another said they were forced into it.

In short, all the blame lies with the demonic dragon.

The Jade Emperor was magnanimous. Seeing that the constellations had acted out of desperation, he did not punish them severely in the end. He only questioned them about their dereliction of duty and gave them a minor punishment as a warning.

Baoxiang Kingdom.

Wukong broke Ao Tu's spell and transformed Tang Sanzang back into human form.

Tang Sanzang, who had been transformed into a tiger and tormented for many days, was in a wretched state. Upon seeing Wukong, he couldn't help but feel ashamed and said:
"Wukong, you've suffered so much. I acted recklessly and made a grave mistake. I regret not listening to you. Everything that has happened now is my fault! This journey will take us to the West and back to the East. I will report to the Tang Emperor. Your contribution will be the greatest!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong said, "Master, please don't say such things. Just recite those scriptures less often in the future, and that will be the greatest kindness you can show your disciple."

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, I suffered from headaches in my previous life, and only then did I realize how difficult it is to abstain from those scriptures. From now on, I will never recite them lightly."

Wukong was extremely grateful upon hearing this.

The four members of the group reconciled.

Afterwards, Wukong found Princess Baihuaxiu, inquired about the name and birth date of King Baoxiang, entered the underworld, found King Yama, and asked him to search the Book of Life and Death to see if King Baoxiang had entered reincarnation.

The King of Hell dared not disobey, and searched the place thoroughly. He found the name of the King of Baoxiang, and seeing that he was still alive in the mortal world, fearing that he had made a mistake, he asked Wukong again. It was indeed the same person, so he cautiously said:
“Great Sage, the person you asked us to find seems to still be alive in the mortal realm.”

Wukong said angrily, "Look carefully, don't look in the wrong place!"

King Yama had no choice but to search twice more, and it was still the same person. He said, "Great Sage, that's right, it's this person, he's still alive!"

Wukong said, "Bajie said he dug nine holes with his rake, how could he still be alive? Are you sure you haven't got the wrong person?"

Yama, the King of Hell, said, "That's right, it's this person."

Wukong fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Yama said, "How about I send someone to lure him over beforehand?"

Wukong said, "You old Yama, you even summon people in advance? Alright, it's best if the person isn't dead, I'm off!"

Wukong vaguely guessed what was going on.

Based on his understanding of Ao Tu, Ao Tu wouldn't harm people indiscriminately. The fact that the king didn't die was most likely Ao Tu's doing.

Wukong jumped out of the underworld and returned to the mortal world. He told Tang Sanzang what had happened, and the group then went to find the king.

Soon, in a side hall of the palace, the group found King Baoxiang.

King Baoxiang told everyone that he had been saved by the Buddha of the West, and said that the Buddha had instructed him to stay in this side hall until everyone found him before he could leave. The luggage of Tang Sanzang and his disciples was also placed here.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together in front of his chest and silently recited, "Namo Vulture Peak Buddha."

Wukong, with his keen ears, asked, "Master, what are you chanting?"

Tang Sanzang said, "It's nothing."

Afterwards, King Baoxiang rewarded the four of them, master and disciples.

The banquet was prepared in simple style, and the East Pavilion was opened wide.

Several days later, the four of them, master and disciples, received the emperor's favor and bid farewell to the king before heading west.

On the other side, Ao Tu arrived in the Pingdingshan area.

After his battle with Guanyin, Ao Tu was seriously injured.

The dragon's body was cracked, its scales were shattered, and its internal injuries were extremely severe.

Fortunately, Ao Tu had many treasures.

After refining a nine-thousand-year-old peach, Ao Tu not only recovered from his injuries, but his cultivation level also increased.

At this time, the reward for obstructing the journey in Baoxiang Kingdom had not yet been settled. Ao Tu estimated that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had not yet left Baoxiang Kingdom, so the progress was still increasing.

There's no need to worry about the rewards.

The progress reward for the past six months was already achieved during the battle with Guanyin; now it's just a matter of how many more days it can be gained.

I wonder what changes will occur after he refines the Ancestral Dragon's essence blood.

Ao Tu has come to the Pingdingshan area with the intention of making arrangements in advance to block Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

The Pingdingshan area spans approximately 600 li (about 300 kilometers) and is the territory of Jinjiao and Yinjiao.

These two are two attendants of Laozi, who were reincarnated in the mortal realm. They carry five treasures with them for protection: the Seven-Star Sword, the Banana Leaf Fan, the Golden Rope, the Purple-Gold Red Gourd, and the Jade Purification Bottle.

These treasures are all top-tier spiritual treasures, even more powerful than the treasures on Ao Tu's body.

Unfortunately, Gold Horn and Silver Horn were not the owners of the treasure and could not unleash its full power. In addition, their strength was far inferior to that of Sun Wukong. Therefore, in the original story, the two suffered a miserable defeat in the end.

Ao Tu plans to join forces with Golden Horn and Silver Horn to further strengthen their efforts and obstruct the pilgrimage team.

Upon entering the Pingdingshan area, one is greeted by a magnificent expanse of mountains.

Majestic mountains, with sharp, pointed peaks; deep ravines, solitary, steep cliffs.

Peak Ridge, with its sheer cliffs, resembles a ladder or a bench, a trench or a pit.

The mountains are so high they block out the sun and stars, and one often encounters demonic beasts and wolves. The overgrown paths are too difficult for horses to traverse, so how can one reach the Thunderclap Monastery to see the Buddha King?

Ao Tu had previously sent Tiger Vanguard to the Blackwater River, telling him to wait for him at Pingdingshan after his return. He figured Tiger Vanguard should be somewhere in the mountains right now.

Ao Tu looked out over the mountains and saw a familiar tiger demon aura in the forest to the north. It was the aura of Tiger Vanguard, so he went to find him.

Soon, Ao Tu arrived at the northern forest, where he saw many lesser demons searching for something. Intrigued, Ao Tu transformed into one of these demons and went to investigate.

A little deer demon was seen exploring the forest, its legs trembling as it searched, saying:

"May the gods protect me! May the gods protect me! Please don't let me find that tiger spirit. I've heard that tiger spirits love to eat deer. If I see him, I'm afraid he'll snatch me away before I can even call for help."

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu stepped forward and patted the little deer demon on the shoulder.

The little deer demon froze, then its legs sprang up, and it ran wildly forward.

Ao Tu pressed him down and said, "Why are you running?"

Upon hearing this, the little deer demon turned around and, seeing that it wasn't a tiger demon, breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Where are you from? You scared me to death!"

Ao Tu said, "I am also a demon from our cave. The king ordered me to come and find that tiger demon as well."

The little deer demon felt much better after hearing this.

Ao Tu asked, "Sir, do you know why the King is looking for that tiger spirit?"

The little deer demon asked, "Aren't you from the cave too? How come you didn't know?"

Ao Tu said, "I'm new here."

The little deer spirit said, "Is that so? I might as well tell you. That tiger spirit recently came to our Pingding Mountain. The Second King saw that he was agile and extraordinary, so he wanted to capture him and use him as a mount."

Ao Tu said, "So that's how it is."

The little deer demon probed the grass nearby and reminded him:
"Newcomer, since you called me 'commander,' don't blame me for not warning you. That tiger spirit is extremely ferocious. I saw the Second King chasing it with my own eyes the other day. The tiger spirit revealed its true form and fled through the mountains like a black wind. It was this, that big! Don't risk your life just for the reward!"

The little deer demon gestured with both hands to make a huge gesture, but then felt it wasn't big enough, so she pointed to the tree next to her and said, "As big as this tree!"

Ao Tu remained unmoved.

Seeing this, the little deer demon pointed to a large rock, seven or eight zhang long, on the mountainside not far away and said, "It's even bigger than that rock!"

Ao Tu remained unmoved.

The little deer demon looked around, unsure of how to describe it.

Ao Tu laughed and asked, "Is it about the size of the person behind you?"

The little deer demon turned around and saw the tall and mighty Tiger Vanguard standing behind him. He was so frightened that his eyes rolled back, his legs crossed, and he fainted.

Tiger Vanguard ignored the little deer demon, and instead knelt on one knee, bowing to Ao Tu:

“Your Majesty, I have safely delivered the two children to the Blackwater River. After leaving the Blackwater River, I came here to await Your Majesty on Your Majesty’s orders.”

Unexpectedly, during a foraging trip, I was exposed and spotted by the Silver Horn King of Lotus Cave, who wanted to subdue me as his mount. I have been hiding in the mountains for many days, and am late in welcoming you today. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Ao Tu said, "Get up. This is not your fault. Prepare some gifts and come with me to Lotus Cave to pay our respects to King Golden Horn and King Silver Horn."

Tiger Vanguard asked, "Your Majesty, what gift should we prepare?"

Ao Tu said, "Doesn't the Silver Horn King like riding mounts? Go and catch him two dung beetles and put them in a box!"

Tiger Vanguard suppressed a laugh and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!" He then turned to prepare.

Ao Tu said, "Wait, grab the big one."

Tiger Vanguard replied, "Yes!"

Tiger Vanguard sniffed, searched the forest for areas with lots of cow and dog dung, then caught two dung beetles about half the size of his palm, whittled them into a wooden box, and put them inside. He said to Ao Tu, "Your Majesty, the gift is ready!"

Ao Tu said, "Let's go."

The two arrived at the lotus cave.

The little demon guarding the gate recognized Tiger Vanguard and quickly reported inside:
"Second King, that tiger demon has come knocking on our door!"

King Silver Horn got up from the bed and asked, "Which tiger spirit?"

The little demon guarding the gate said, "It's that tiger spirit you wanted to capture as a mount!"

Silver Horn King laughed, "Heh heh! Good! I didn't go to catch him, but he delivered himself to my door!"

Silver Horn King's shout woke Golden Horn King from his bed.

The Golden Horned King asked, still confused, "Brother, what's wrong?"

Silver Horn King said, "Brother, I wanted to catch that tiger spirit to be my mount, and today he delivered himself to my door! Minions, come with me to catch the tiger spirit. If we catch it, you can ride it for a few days and have some fun!"

Upon hearing this, the little demons in the cave all cheered.

Silver Horn King led a group of lesser demons out of their cave.

Outside, they indeed saw the tiger spirit, but besides the tiger spirit, there was another person with it.

Silver Horn King asked his subordinates, "Who is this person?"

The underling said, "Second King, I didn't know. I didn't notice this guy just now."

The Silver Horned King said, "Let me ask!" Pointing at Ao Tu, he asked, "What kind of monster are you?"

Tiger Vanguard beside him said, "This is my king, whose name is King Lingshan!"

Upon hearing this, King Silver Horn looked at the little demon beside him and said:
"Have you ever heard of this so-called King of Ling Mountain?"

The lesser demons all shook their heads and said:
"never heard of that."

"I have no idea who this King of Ling Mountain is!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't know my name. I've heard of your names, Golden Horn and Silver Horn. I've even prepared gifts for you!"

Upon hearing this, King Silver Horn exclaimed with delight, "A gift? What gift? Bring it up here so I can see!"

(End of this chapter)