Journey to the West: Upon seeing the Yellow-Eyebrowed Demon, why not pay homage?

"Calm down."

Huang Mei shared a drink with him, then asked, "Do you know what to do in this situation?"

Sun Wukong said, "If you piss me off, I'll find a chance to teach him a lesson, and maybe then there won't be so much trouble."

Huang Mei shook his head: "He is the master, and you are the disciple. If you teach him a lesson, wouldn't that be betraying your master and ancestors? If the people of the current Buddhist lineage find out, they will definitely not let you off easily."

For five hundred years, Sun Wukong had heard him talk about the three major powers of Mount Ling, and thus understood what the Buddhist lineage in the present world meant. He said helplessly, "Circumstances are beyond our control..."

Huang Mei pursed his lips and smiled, "I'll teach you a method that's guaranteed to work."

Sun Wukong's eyes brightened slightly: "What method?"

Huang Mei said softly, "Manage upwards!"

Just as he was explaining the concept of "managing your boss" to Sun Wukong in detail, on the journey to the West, Sanzang leaned on his staff in one hand and held the reins in the other, leading his white horse slowly forward, looking rather melancholy.

Before long, when he arrived at a mountain path, he saw an old woman carrying a brocade robe with a flowered hat on it, coming towards him.

Sanzang quickly led his horse aside, but to his surprise, the old woman stopped in front of him and asked with a smile:

"Elder, who are you from, and why are you traveling alone here?"

Sanzang immediately introduced himself and his mission, and then complained about the runaway Sun Wukong, lamenting that the other party was disobedient.

The old mother smiled slightly and handed him the clothes and hat, saying, "When he returns, you should give him these clothes and hat to wear."

Sanzang frowned and said, "He's disobedient, should I still try to curry favor with him?"

The old woman shook her head: "I will pass on to you a spell called the 'Heart-Stabilizing Mantra,' also known as the Tightening Spell."

"As long as he wears these clothes and this hat, and he disobeys you again, just silently recite this incantation, and I guarantee he won't dare to do anything violent again."

With a sudden thought, Sanzang took the clothes and hat and listened carefully.

After he learned the incantation for the golden headband, he saw the old woman transform into golden light and depart. He immediately understood that this was the Bodhisattva imparting true words, and he was overjoyed. Instead, he looked forward to the return of that mischievous monkey...

Little Western Paradise.

Xiao Leiyin Temple.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Huang Mei had already imparted all his management skills to Wukong, making the monkey scratch his head with delight, eager to go back and try it out.

Huang Mei saw this and said, "Let's stop here with the food and wine. Before we part, I have one more thing to tell you."

"What is it?" Sun Wukong asked, getting up.

Huang Mei turned to look at the door and said in a deep voice, "You have a wild personality and are not easy to control. The current Buddhist lineage will definitely not tolerate you."

In other words, they will definitely try to restrict you.

For example, putting a ring on your head or a collar around your neck, like piercing a bull's nose, to force you into submission through pain.

Sun Wukong's expression changed drastically, and every hair on his body stood on end: "I already promised to protect that monk on his journey to the West, and they still want to treat me like this?"

Huang Mei said, "They definitely will. I know them too well. What they want is absolute control, not to beg you for favors."

Sun Wukong remained silent.

"So, when you get back, you must be extra careful. Don't let a moment of carelessness turn you into a monkey with a nose ring," Huang Mei warned.

Sun Wukong took a deep breath: "I understand, thank you Huang Mei."

Huang Mei waved his hand: "You and I are dear friends and family, brothers and sisters, there's no need for thanks."

Sun Wukong's mind stirred, and he suddenly said, "Without the eight oaths of brotherhood, how can we be considered true friends and brothers? Yellow Eyebrows, how about we become sworn brothers?"

Huang Mei laughed and said, "I am hundreds of years older than you. If we become sworn brothers, you will no longer be the same age as me, but my second brother."

Sun Wukong waved his hand: "What's the big deal? Among the Seven Great Sages, I'm the youngest. Besides, you've taken much better care of me than the other six Great Sages."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel saddened.

He could understand the silence of the Six Great Sages who defied the heavens, but understanding was one thing, but it was still a thorn in his side, and he felt uncomfortable whenever he thought about it.

Huang Mei raised his hand and patted his arm, then gave the order:

"Susu, prepare a black ox and a white horse. I want to become sworn brothers with Wukong."

Bai Susu, who had been calm and composed, immediately stood up and strode out of the main hall.

Sun Wukong blinked his golden eyes and asked curiously, "Why a black ox and a white horse?"

Huang Mei laughed and asked, "Does Wukong know about the Oath of the Peach Garden?"

Sun Wukong nodded: "I know, I know, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei."

Huang Mei's expression suddenly turned serious: "It is said that the three sworn brothers of the Peach Garden Oath prepared a black ox and a white horse."

Sun Wukong, being such a clever monkey, immediately understood what he meant.

As is well known, the story begins with Zhang Fei giving away his vast fortune, continues with Guan Yu refusing high-ranking official positions and salaries, and ends with Liu Bei abandoning his vast empire.

From the beginning to the middle and the end, it all demonstrates what brotherhood truly means.

Huang Mei was showing him through his actions that he was different from his six demon brothers; he wanted to be like Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was the kind of man who would give up his entire family business for his brothers!

A short while later.

Inside Xiaoleiyin Temple.

The black ox was offered to Heaven, the white horse to Earth. Amidst the rising white smoke, Yellow-Eyebrowed Wukong and Sun Wukong knelt side by side before the sacrificial table, saying in unison:

"Heaven and Earth bear witness, I, Huangmei (Wukong), and Wukong (Huangmei) swear an eight-sworn brotherhood, vowing to live and die together, share blessings and hardships!"

"The ceremony is complete!"

Bai Susu silently counted the two of them bowing to heaven and earth until she counted to eight, then said loudly.

Huang Mei and Wukong helped each other to their feet, looked at each other and laughed. This warm atmosphere also made Su Su, who was standing to the side, smile and feel happy.

The Oath of the Peach Garden was a romantic tale of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei; today's Oath of the Little Thunder Temple is a romantic tale of one's own king and the Monkey King...

"Brother Huangmei, I'll head back now."

After laughing, Sun Wukong said with sparkling eyes.

Huang Mei nodded and cautioned, "Don't forget what I just told you. I don't have the power to suppress the world, nor do I possess the wisdom to fathom all the wise men in the world. I only have some foresight and an understanding of human nature. If you really get your nose pierced, it will be difficult for me to remove it for you."

Sun Wukong nodded solemnly: "I understand, brother. With your reminder, I will try my best not to fall into the trap!"

Huang Mei raised her hand and patted his shoulder: "Go ahead. If you need my help or if you have any problems that you can't solve, you can come back to me anytime."

I may not be able to solve your problems, but I can offer some advice, or at least give you a general direction.

Sun Wukong grinned: "Alright, I'm off..."

Watching him transform into golden light and disappear into the distance, Huang Mei let out a soft breath.

This bow completely changed the nature of his relationship with Sun Wukong.

Initially, he only wanted to use the other party to achieve his goal.

For example, advancing the main storyline of containment, deeply participating in the journey to the West, and cracking down on the existing Buddhist lineage.

But now...

The relationship has evolved from exploitation to mutual dependence, which has a completely different meaning!