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

The poem says: Originally there is neither birth nor death, yet we forcefully distinguish between them. Just as sin and merit have no root, their wondrous essence has never increased or decreased.

I possess a bright mirror, which has always been used only to conceal my true nature. Today, its brilliance shines upon heaven and earth, revealing all things beyond reproach.

After Tang Sanzang and his disciples left, Li Fa stayed at Wuzhuang Temple for some time, chatting with Zhenyuan Daxian about everything under the sun, discussing the Dao and mysteries, and he also gained considerable enlightenment.

On this day, Li Fa said to the Great Immortal, "Brother, I have been lingering here for quite some time. I figure that Tang Sanzang will be arriving at White Tiger Ridge soon, so I intend to set off for the ridge to avenge my child."

Upon hearing this, the immortal took out an object from his sleeve, which was the dragon-skin seven-star whip, and said, "Since you have important business to attend to, I will not keep you here. Please accept this dragon-skin seven-star whip; it has a wonderful use."

Li Fa said, "Brother, isn't this whip an ordinary instrument of torture? It didn't hurt or itch when it was used on Sun Wukong, so what's its use?"

The immortal laughed and said, "My disciple doesn't know the magic formula of this treasure, so when he whipped that monkey's head, he just used brute force. If you use the magic formula, this treasure can borrow the power of the Big Dipper and fall like a meteor. Even if he has a copper head and iron arms, it will make his bones soft and his muscles numb when it hits him."

Furthermore, it possesses the ability to transform at will, becoming anything from adzes and chisels to saws, swords, spears, and halberds. While not a supreme treasure, it is certainly quite powerful.

After Zhen Yuanzi imparted the secret technique, Li Fa accepted the whip with immense gratitude.

So he and Baili Bo climbed the clouds and headed straight for Baihu Ridge.

When they arrived at White Tiger Ridge, the two realized that they had actually caught up with Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Most importantly, the Merit Chart does not issue any tasks!

This frustrated Li Fa, so he could only stand on the mountain and look around.

But what one sees is: overlapping peaks and winding ravines. Tigers and wolves roam in packs, and deer and elk travel in herds. Countless roe deer and jackals dart about, and foxes and rabbits gather in clumps all over the mountain.

Thorns and brambles entwine along the roadside, while pines and nanmu trees stand gracefully atop the ridge. Ivy and creeper abound, and fragrant grasses stretch to the horizon. Through the ages, they have always contained primordial energy, and a thousand peaks stand majestically, bathed in the cold sunlight.

He pondered for a while, then said to Baili Bo, "Brother, I sense some demonic energy in this ridge. It seems that the Corpse Demon is entrenched in this vicinity."

Baili retorted, "No need to think about it anymore. This demonic energy must be caused by that adulterous woman. Brother, let's go and kill her!"

Li Fa said, "Don't rush, now is not the time to make a move."

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo said anxiously, "Brother, why is it not the right time? I've been thinking about this day day and night!"

That corpse demon occupied my cave, and that old monster stole my relics. I swear I will not be human if I do not avenge this!

Now that we're right here on this ridge, let's first slay the Corpse Demon, then get rid of that old monster. Why are we still hesitating?

Li Fa waved his hand and said, "Brother, you don't know this, but I have some divine abilities. Last night I observed the celestial phenomena and calculated that if we act now, it might disrupt the heavenly order and lead to an unpleasant outcome."

He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Besides, that monkey is heading west and will definitely pass through this area. If he fights that monster, wouldn't we be able to take advantage of the situation? Just be patient and wait a few days."

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo's face turned pale and then red, and he remained silent for a long time.

He was truly anxious: he had been driven out of his cave by the corpse demon and had suffered greatly while wandering outside; now that he had eaten two ginseng fruits and his magical power had greatly increased, he was eager to avenge his previous humiliation, but unexpectedly he was left to wait here in vain!

But Li Fa had done him a favor after all, so he couldn't show his anger. He could only respond sullenly and follow Li Fa to a secluded spot to rest for the time being.

Little did they know that their conversation had already been overheard by a minor demon in the mountains.

It turns out that there really is a Corpse Demon on White Tiger Ridge, named Lady White Bone.

She had a black fox spirit as her strategist.

The black fox spirit patrolled the mountain every day, solely to gather information.

That day, while he was patrolling the ridge, he saw two streaks of light fall on the ridge in the distance. He quietly crept over and happened to overhear the conversation between Li Fa and Baili Bo.

Upon hearing the words "we must slay the Corpse Demon," he dared not delay for a moment and ran back to the cave to report to Lady White Bone.

The lady sat upright in the cave, cultivating herself.

She was originally a female corpse who cultivated into a spirit, absorbing the yin energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon to create a true skeletal body. She was also skilled in the art of corpse transformation, making her extremely cunning.

Upon hearing the report from the black fox spirit, she sneered, "So it was that nemesis! That Baili Bo, though he's quite capable, I still managed to seduce him completely, even tricking him into giving up the relic."

"I only regret that I'm no match for the Yellow-Robed Monster, otherwise I wouldn't have given him that relic for free! I never expected this scoundrel to bring a helper here today seeking revenge. Does he really think I'm made of clay?!"

The black fox spirit's eyes darted around as she leaned forward and said, "Madam, I overheard those two talking just now. They said they'd wait some time before seeking revenge... In my opinion, we should strike first before they make a move!"

Lady White Bone said, "Oh? What's your plan?"

The black fox spirit said, "From what I've observed, Baili Bo is very hostile towards Madam, while his henchmen seem less hostile."

"I believe that Baili Bo will leave his henchmen first and come straight to Madam. We can take advantage of this situation, first harm his henchmen, and then..."

He then whispered in my ear and repeated it in this way.

Lady White Bone beamed with delight upon hearing this, exclaiming, "Excellent! Excellent! This plan is brilliant! If it succeeds, that old Taoist priest and Baili Bo will both be mine!"

Leaving aside his calculations, Baili Bo was restless in his resting place, growing angrier the more he thought about it.

You see him pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, "Big Brother keeps saying 'wait! wait! wait!' How long will it take?"

Li Fa said, "Brother, please be patient. We've already waited three or five years, what's a little more time?"

Baili retorted, "Brother, why do you insist on waiting for that monkey? That Corpse Demon's skills are mediocre, and his martial arts are ordinary. Even if I went myself, I could make sure he dies without a burial place!"

Li Fa advised, "Brother, I know you're anxious. But that White Bone Demon is cunning and has some connections with the old monster. If we act rashly, we might suffer unforeseen consequences."

Baili retorted, "That old monster has a family business; he's definitely not here. Are you really that cowardly, brother?! Besides, my magical power has greatly increased; why would I be afraid of her? Fine, if you refuse to go, I'll go myself!"

After saying that, he stood up and left.

Li Fa quickly stood up and grabbed him, saying, "Brother! Listen to me—"

Baili Bo shook off his hand and angrily said, "What's there to say? That corpse demon occupied my cave and seized my territory. I've been holding this grudge for years! If you truly consider me a brother, then come with me; if not, I'll go by myself!"

Seeing that his eyes were red, Li Fa knew he couldn't persuade him otherwise, and sighed, "Brother, if you insist on going, I won't stop you. But you must promise me one thing."

Baili retorted, "What is it?"

Li Fa said, "If you see that White Bone Demon, be careful. That fellow is skilled in deception and trickery; don't fall for her schemes!"

Baili Bo paid no heed to any of this, casually gave a reply, and then soared into the clouds, heading straight for the ridge.

Li Fa watched Baili Bo's departing figure, thinking to himself, "The Catalogue! Why hasn't it issued any missions yet!"