Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Only then did he turn his attention to the reward he had received for killing Jiedi.

Without hesitation, I chose the simplified version of the "Fetal Transformation and Shape Change" app.

But then he shook his body and transformed into a silver-armored general, just like the Silver-Headed Jiedi.

It shook again, and then it turned into the shape of Xiongshanjun.

Sure enough, this orthodox method is really useful; it has no limitations and consumes far less mana.

Suddenly, he turned around and saw the wind-chopping pestle on the ground.

This treasure is good, but it's also a tricky thing and can't be used lightly.

Li Fa even considered just leaving it there.

But this treasure is indeed very effective.

It can stabilize the wind.

Although it might not be as effective as Lingji's Wind-Fixing Pill, it would still be a safeguard if we encountered the Yellow Wind Monster or any other wind-controlling demons in the future.

Thinking of this, Li Fa picked up the wind-chopping pestle.

[The magic item "Wind-Slaying Pestle" has been detected. Do you wish to acquire it?]

Li Faxuan was then completely absorbed into his mind by the essential techniques of using the wind-chopping pestle.

"What a wonderful treasure!" Li Fa was overjoyed, then shrunk the wind-dispelling pestle to the size of his palm and tucked it into his waistband.

But then he dug a pit and buried the bodies of Xiong Shan Jun and Yin Tou Jie Di before leaving.

Upon returning to Shuangcha Ridge, Li Fa did not go to the Skinning Pavilion first. Instead, he transformed into the appearance of the Mountain Lord and entered his cave.

The little demon in the cave was overjoyed to see Li Fa arrive, exclaiming, "Grandpa's back! Grandpa's back!"

One of the lesser demons, resembling a bird, quickly stepped forward and said, "Grandpa visited General Yin with gifts last time, but he hasn't returned for days! We were so worried!"

Because of the Merit Record, Li Fa already knew the name of the sparrow demon in front of him.

[Target for execution: Que Jiuhan (Chief Steward and Clerk under Xiong Shanjun)]

……

"So it was Que Jiuhan," Li Fa waved his hand. "Let's not talk about this anymore! General Yin and Master Te, for some reason, got into a fight and both of them were injured."

When I arrived, I ran into a vicious man, incredibly powerful. He killed two of them, and I almost fell victim to his attack myself. I barely managed to escape.

"Is this really true?!"

"Who is this vicious person, so formidable?"

The demons were all talking at once, their hearts filled with surprise and doubt.

"Thanks to Grandpa's great fortune, we were able to return safely," Que Jiuhan said, bowing slightly. "However... since General Yin and Master Te have met with misfortune, and that man is so fierce... I wonder if they will come after us..."

"Yes!"

"If that guy really comes, we'll probably be in big trouble!"

Chaos erupted again inside the cave.

Li Fa slammed his hand on the table and scolded, "What kind of behavior is this, making such a fuss!"

To tell you the truth, I fought that fellow and we were evenly matched. I don’t think he’ll dare to come anytime soon. It’s just a shame that he’s taken over the Skinning Pavilion and the Hermit’s Residence.

Therefore, don't leave the cave easily recently, otherwise you'll provoke that fierce man, and even Grandpa can't save you.

"May Your Majesty be mighty!"

"I will obey Your Majesty's command!"

All the lesser demons responded in unison, and only then did Lord Xiongshan wave his hand, and the demons dispersed.

Only Que Jiuhan remained.

But then the sparrow demon stepped forward and took out a letter from its bosom.

He said, "Grandpa Qibing, my great-uncle Heifeng Mountain sent a letter yesterday, asking you to come and celebrate his 800th birthday next year on the third day of the third lunar month!"

Upon hearing this, Li Fa took the letter, which read:

Dear Nephew Shan Jun:

As autumn arrives, the wind howls across the western mountains. Last night, I gazed at the moon atop the mountain, its clear light spreading far and wide. Suddenly, I recalled the first time we met. You were only three feet tall then, but now you stand majestically atop Shuangcha Ridge, your fame spreading far and wide. Time flies by, and I can't help but sigh.

I am writing to inform you that my 800th birthday will be on the third day of the third month next year. Of all my blood relatives, you are the closest to me. I have prepared thousand-year-old honey and hundred-year-old lingzhi mushrooms, and invited my dear friends, the White-Robed Scholar and Lingxuzi, to join me. I hope you will attend so we can enjoy this time together.

However, you are in the East, and I am in the West, thousands of miles apart, with high mountains and long roads. Therefore, I have specially sent an envoy to inform you as soon as possible, so that you may know.

I also attach a few other instructions:

1. When you come to my place, the mountains are high and the roads are long, and there are often tigers, leopards, wolves and jackals. If you are no match for them, you may tell me my name.

Second, I have recently heard that the Tathagata Laozi of Xiniu Hezhou and the Jade Emperor in Heaven have some movements. Therefore, we must be wary of monks and Taoists along the way and avoid causing any trouble.

Third, birthday gifts need not be extravagant. If you obtain magical treasures from human cultivators or Buddhist items, you may secretly bring them with you; I will be pleased with them.

Though this letter is short, my feelings are deep; I hope you will make preparations early.

Uncle Black Wind King's Respectful Pen

After reading the letter, Li Fa thought to himself, "I didn't expect this black bear spirit to be so refined. It seems there's some significance to this birthday banquet."

So he asked, "Where is the messenger?"

Que Jiuhan said, "I have already settled him in the guest room, and we are just waiting for Your Majesty to return."

Li Fa said, "Alright, call him here."

Que Jiuhan withdrew, and not long after, he indeed brought over a little demon.

Li Fa said, "You set off now and tell your uncle that I will definitely come next spring to celebrate his birthday."

After saying that, he was about to write a reply, but suddenly remembered that he was not really Lord Xiongshan, so he instructed Que Jiuhan: "Jiuhan, my handwriting is not good, you write it for me."

Que Jiuhan agreed and wrote a reply, which he then handed to the messenger.

The messenger then departed without further ado.

Que Jiuhan said, "Your Majesty, since my great-uncle has invited us, should we prepare a gift?"

Li Fa nodded and said, "Of course, but I don't know what to prepare."

Que Jiuhan said, "Our Shuangcha Ridge specialties are nothing more than mountain delicacies and common herbs, which my great-uncle must have plenty of in the mountains. He has been practicing Buddhism and observing a vegetarian diet since childhood, so it's really difficult to prepare a birthday gift for him."

Li Fa asked, "In your opinion, what should we prepare?"

Que Jiuhan said, "Your Majesty, I recently heard that a vicious dragon has appeared in Eagle's Sorrow Gorge. It is pure white and majestic. I suspect this monster must possess some treasure. Why doesn't Your Majesty capture it and seize its treasure to celebrate Blackie's birthday?"

Upon hearing this, Li Fa glanced at the sparrow demon and thought, "Why did this sparrow demon want me to provoke the White Dragon? In the original story, Lord Xiongshan was no match for the White Dragon. I need to trick him."

So he pretended to scold, "You scoundrel Que Jiuhan, you have ill intentions! You want me to summon that evil dragon? How do you know I'm his match? If I'm not his enemy, wouldn't I be throwing my life away? Tell me, what exactly are you up to?!"

Upon hearing this, the sparrow demon was filled with fear and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I truly had no other choice..."

Li Fa interrupted him, saying, "Tell me the whole story."

The sparrow demon said, "I am actually from Eagle Sorrow Valley. Since that evil dragon came, it no longer eats people, but it has devoured all the birds, deer, and roe deer in my Eagle Sorrow Valley. My parents and brothers all died in its mouth, so..."

"I see." Li Fa nodded, stroking his chin, and after a long while said, "I still need to think about this matter."