Chapter 81: The Onslaught of the Fire Apes

“Second Brother, with your current cultivation having broken through to the Loose Immortal of Taiyi, what is there to fear from him!”

King Yurong’s unique bloodline had undergone a qualitative transformation after advancing to the realm of Taiyi Loose Immortal. His strength had soared, placing him far above ordinary Taiyi Loose Immortals—he now possessed the power to utterly crush those of the same rank.

Tiger Baisheng, too, was not to be underestimated. The Hundred-Demon Core within him was born from Yuan Wuji’s Myriad-Demon Golden Core, making him nearly invincible among his peers.

Should a battle truly erupt, the outcome would be difficult to predict.

“This time, I merely intend to settle an old score with him,” Yuan Wuji said, his words serving as a warning to King Yurong. Tiger Baisheng was once just a lowly soldier—now that he had grown powerful, what was there to fear? Yuan Wuji’s meaning was for King Yurong not to concern himself excessively with Tiger Baisheng; after all, a puppet under someone’s control was hardly worth so much effort. Unexpectedly, King Yurong misunderstood, thinking that Yuan Wuji was urging him to compete with Tiger Baisheng.

But Yuan Wuji did not bother to correct him. Things would unfold as they must. If he interfered constantly, King Yurong would grow dependent on him—and that was not what Yuan Wuji wanted.

Now, with Sun Wukong having stirred up havoc in the Dragon Palace and caused a scene in the Underworld, the journey to the West was about to truly begin. In Heaven, a day is equivalent to a year on Earth. By the time the Dragon Kings and Yama Kings finished reporting to the Jade Emperor and he issued new orders, more than half a year would have passed in the mortal world.

In other words, in about six months or so, Sun Wukong would likely be summoned by the Grand Marshal Venus and appointed as Stablemaster in Heaven.

By then, would he really remain in the mortal realm? Impossible. During Sun Wukong’s tumultuous time in Heaven, opportunities would abound. Yuan Wuji would not miss the chance to seize his destiny. His stay in Heaven would not be short—let alone his time in the human world.

Yuan Wuji could not allow King Yurong to become dependent on him, or else, when Yuan Wuji was in Heaven, how could King Yurong contend with Tiger Baisheng? As for Tiger Baisheng, Yuan Wuji would simply let him remain at Mount Wuzhang, serving as a whetstone for King Yurong’s growth.

“My lord! Second Lord!”

The demon soldiers guarding the entrance to Wuzhang Cave hurried forward to pay their respects when they saw Yuan Wuji and King Yurong return.

“My lord, while you were away, a demon king came and caused a huge disturbance at Mount Wuzhang, but the great general drove him off,” another demon soldier reported respectfully.

“Oh? A demon king? Did he say who he was?” King Yurong questioned the soldier.

“He didn’t say—but he did loudly insult Second Lord.”

“He insulted me? What did he say?”

King Yurong was taken aback. He had not offended any demon kings in the mortal realm, so why would one come looking for trouble? He had thought it was to seek Yuan Wuji, but apparently not. Could it be the demon king was not from the human world?

“He called… called Second Lord a bastard,” the demon soldier finally stammered out after King Yurong’s insistence.

At these words, King Yurong’s face flushed red. He knew instantly who it must have been. Who else would dare curse him so?

“Don’t be rash. Opportunities will come,” Yuan Wuji soothed the seething King Yurong.

This was the shadow hanging over King Yurong’s life. Vengeance against them was his lifelong purpose—so much so that he would sacrifice his own life for it.

“Big Brother, I understand,” King Yurong replied, calming his emotions before turning to enter Wuzhang Cave.

“My lord, I…” The demon soldier was so frightened his words stumbled. If he angered Second Lord, his days would be numbered.

“Go about your business,” Yuan Wuji said, paying the soldier no further heed as he walked away.

Now he needed to find Tiger Baisheng and get a clear account of what had happened—after all, it was Tiger Baisheng who had repelled the demon king. As King Yurong’s elder brother, how could he not be concerned? But first, he had to learn the details.

Tiger Baisheng’s residence on Mount Wuzhang was the most extravagant, built specifically to flaunt his triumph over King Yurong. It stood at another corner of Wuzhang Cave.

“My lord!” The demon soldiers guarding Tiger Baisheng’s abode immediately greeted Yuan Wuji. Yet, as they did, one of them tried to slip away unnoticed into the cave—no doubt to report to Tiger Baisheng. Yuan Wuji didn’t bother to stop him.

Tiger Baisheng’s ambition was no secret. All the guards at his door were his private men—such a situation was hardly surprising.

Even so, not one of them dared impede Yuan Wuji’s path. He entered Tiger Baisheng’s abode unchallenged.

“My lord, you have arrived,” Tiger Baisheng said respectfully, having composed himself to receive Yuan Wuji despite his initial panic upon hearing of his approach. He knew full well he was in no position to bargain with Yuan Wuji—his very life depended on Yuan Wuji’s whim.

“One does not visit the Three Jewels Hall for nothing. I am here because I have business with you.” Yuan Wuji strode to the seat of honor and sat down unceremoniously, addressing Tiger Baisheng below.

Tiger Baisheng dared not show the slightest temper. He remained standing dutifully, awaiting Yuan Wuji’s questions.

“Do you remember that demon king from some time ago?”

“Yes,” Tiger Baisheng replied earnestly. It was impossible to forget; he had seldom encountered demon kings from outside, and this was the first time one had come knocking at their door.

“Could you discern his true form? And what of his strength?” Yuan Wuji pressed.

“If I am not mistaken, he was a fiery red ape, about the same level as myself. His true strength, I do not know—we exchanged only a few hurried blows before he fled.”

A fiery red ape? That must indeed be a member of the Ancient Fire Ape clan.

Yuan Wuji knew something of the relationship between King Yurong of the Ancient Water Apes and the Ancient Fire Apes. King Yurong had occasionally confided bits to him, but each time the topic arose, the pain in King Yurong’s eyes was unmistakable.

Thus, King Yurong rarely spoke of his origins to Yuan Wuji, and Yuan Wuji never pressed him.

“I see,” Yuan Wuji said. “Next time, if you get the chance, you must kill him.”

He issued the order without concern for Tiger Baisheng’s thoughts. Whether Tiger Baisheng could slay the Ancient Fire Ape was not his concern.

As long as Tiger Baisheng possessed the Hundred-Demon Core and there was no significant disparity in their cultivation, there should be no problem.

“Understood, my lord,” Tiger Baisheng replied after a brief pause. He had no right to refuse Yuan Wuji’s command.

Tiger Baisheng was confident. During their brief exchange, he’d perceived his opponent was no stronger than himself. Unless the foe had some overwhelming secret technique, with the Hundred-Demon Core, Tiger Baisheng was certain he could accomplish the kill.