Demon Monkey Kong was taken aback. What the hell? Was he really going out to seek death?
Yet, he dared not defy the orders of Western Buddha.
"Paralyze, you old rascal, I've known all along that you've always wanted to get rid of me!"
"Everyone knows about your little issues with Guanyin. I shouldn't have spoken the truth!"
Filled with resentment, Demon Monkey Kong took a few steps forward and cupped his fists towards Western Buddha, saying, "Buddha, I know my strength is lacking and I can't take on so many opponents. If it were one-on-one, I wouldn't be afraid of anyone. But with so many people, even a single spit from each could drown me. Don't you think that's reasonable?"
The plump Demon Monkey Kong, wielding a golden staff, had long lost the dominance he once had.
However, his mind was no longer that of a naive monkey easily deceived by anyone. He was quite aware of Western Buddha's intentions. He had significant objections to being used as a pawn by Western Buddha and was openly defying his orders.
Western Buddha shouted angrily, "Kong, do you want to disobey my command?"
"I wouldn't dare, but there are so many people here. Buddha, why do you insist on sending me to my death?" Demon Monkey Kong replied calmly.
Western Buddha roared in fury, "Demon Monkey Kong, your audacity is growing!"
"Buddha, it's not that I'm bold; I just feel I'm not in the wrong. Everyone knows about the situation with Guanyin. I'm merely speaking the truth," Demon Monkey Kong stated.
Western Buddha stood up and struck Demon Monkey Kong with a powerful palm, causing him to spit blood immediately.
"Demon Monkey Kong, don't push your luck!" Western Buddha bellowed in rage.
Demon Monkey Kong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and rolled his eyes before addressing Western Buddha again, "Buddha, please calm down. I'll go right now."
With that, Demon Monkey Kong quietly transmitted a message to Pigsy and Demon Monk Sha: "Old Pig, Old Sha, if this continues, we're all doomed. You've seen it; that guy isn't human. He wants me dead. You decide what to do."
"Big Brother, what will you do?" Pigsy quickly responded.
Demon Monk Sha also sent a message: "Big Brother, we came together and share life and death. Whatever you decide to do, we'll follow you. If it comes to it, we'll fight! All these years, we've been fooled by Western Buddha so much. Has he ever fulfilled his promises to us? I know he only sees us as pawns against Jade Emperor—no, three pawns."
"That's right, we are just pawns," the Demon Monkey Kong thought. "If I stay here in Thunder Sound Temple, the Demon Realm Army will eventually find a way to break through. When that happens, we're done for. It would be better to surrender now; at least then we can live freely and training in the Demon Realm wouldn't be a bad choice."
Demon Monk Sha and the Demon Pig both agreed with Demon Monkey Kong's words and were about to volunteer to fight alongside him when a stout monk, still retaining some of his former handsomeness, stepped forward.
"Buddha, Tang Seng is willing to fight alongside Demon Monkey Kong. Let the Demon Pig and Demon Monk Sha join us as well. The four of us have fought together before and are somewhat familiar with each other's coordination." The speaker was Tang Seng, who had once been tricked by the Western Buddha into seeking scriptures. At first, the Western Buddha seemed benevolent, but over time, Tang Seng realized that in the Western Buddha's domain, he was the boss—arbitrary and domineering—and had nearly monopolized Guanyin, which infuriated Tang Seng.
His decision to volunteer for battle was made with his own considerations in mind.
"Empty, Pig, Sha, once we leave Thunder Sound Temple, let's surrender. It doesn't matter under whose command we serve; the Western Buddha is not human!"
A voice simultaneously reached the ears of Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig, and Demon Monk Sha.
The three remained expressionless, but inside they were extremely excited. They thought to themselves that their master truly understood the greater good and saw through the situation!
After some contemplation, the Western Buddha said, "Alright, you four will fight together. You must win the first match to boost our Thunder Sound Temple's morale!"
"Understood."
Tang Seng stood alongside Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig, and Demon Monk Sha as they bowed deeply to the Western Buddha, while internally they were filled with a torrent of expletives.
"You want us to go die? Not a chance!"
"Buddha, you can play your games alone; I want to see how long you can hold out in Thunder Sound Temple. That protective barrier can't last forever."
"When I get out there, I'll give Thunder Sound Temple a good whack. Buddha, you can go to hell!"
"Heh heh, Buddha, so many people are with Guanyin... yet you won't let me be with Guanyin... I've disliked you for a long time now; siding with the Demon Realm is indeed the wisest choice!"
With their own thoughts in mind, Tang Seng, Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig, and Demon Monk Sha surged forward and flew out of the protective barrier.
The barrier could not be breached from outside but allowed those inside to fly out freely.
As they emerged, the Demon Realm Army erupted in excitement. Ji Dingxuan stepped forward and said to Wei Chen, "Wei Chen, for Min'er's sake, let me take this battle. It's my turn to show what I can do, right?"
"Lord Wei Chen, let me join Ji Dingxuan. I also want to face the experts from Thunder Sound Temple!" Sea Emperor Nanfeng, seeing Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig Jie, Demon Monk Sha, and Tang Seng flying out, eagerly volunteered.
Wei Chen nodded with a smile and said, "Go ahead. Two against four; you can't lose!"
"Don't worry."
Ji Dingxuan and Nan Feng flew out together, standing before Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig Jie, Demon Monk Sha, and Tang Seng.
Before they could speak, they saw Tang Seng, Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig Jie, and Demon Monk Sha bowing respectfully and clasping their fists.
"Don't make a move; we're not here to fight. We surrender."
"That's right; we surrender. We have long been displeased with that grandson from Western Buddha."
"Two esteemed experts, we are no match for you. You are both renowned at the level of Demon Emperor. We don't want to fight; we surrender and hope you will accept us and treat us kindly as captives!"
Demon Monkey Kong and the others bowed deeply to Ji Dingxuan and Nan Feng, their attitude exceedingly respectful.
Ji Dingxuan and Nan Feng exchanged bewildered glances. What on earth was happening?
No matter how they calculated it, they never expected such an inexplicable situation.
Were the people from Thunder Sound Temple really this cowardly?
Seemingly noticing the disdain on Ji Dingxuan and Nan Feng's faces, Tang Seng, Demon Monkey Kong, the Demon Pig Jie, and Demon Monk Sha explained further:
"Esteemed seniors, there's no need for doubt; we truly come in surrender. But please don't look down on us. In the Western Realm, morale has long since collapsed. After being here for a while, everyone knows what kind of person Western Buddha is. If given a chance to change sides, no one wants to serve under him."
"Yes, esteemed seniors, please don't strike us! We sincerely surrender. We don't want to suffer under that grandson any longer; he's not human!"
"We may have surrendered, but please show us some respect. We have turned to the light; we are not cowards, nor are we weaklings!"
"My lords, if you don't believe us, we will demonstrate right now."
Demon Monkey Kong, along with the Demon Pig Ring, Demon Monk Sha, and Tang Seng exchanged glances. After a brief discussion in their minds, they immediately turned around and unleashed their strongest attack against the defensive barrier of Thunder Sound Temple.
Although the effectiveness of their attack was not impressive, it was clear that they were serious and not just putting on a show. Each of their strikes was executed with all their might...
Ji Dingxuan and Sea Emperor Nanfeng felt as if they had been struck by misfortune. They had hoped to make an impression in front of the Demon Realm Army, but this was the situation they found themselves in!
The Demon Realm Army was stunned. What on earth was happening?
"Damn it, those fellows... they must be Demon Monkey Kong and the Demon Pig Ring, along with Demon Monk Sha!"
"Yes, that's them! I've read their story; it was written so well that I thought they were incredibly powerful characters."
"Well, it's not entirely true, but Tang Seng and Demon Monkey Kong, along with the Demon Pig Ring and Demon Monk Sha, are indeed quite strong. They're all around the Martial Emperor Realm."
"Exactly! Just look at their attacks; they are indeed powerful!"
"But no matter how strong they are, what does it matter? They've surrendered and are now attacking Thunder Sound Temple."
"This is ridiculous! The Western Buddha is so embarrassing. Although the Jade Emperor is unpopular, at least those around the Jade Emperor Palace won't turn against him."
"Right? The most embarrassing one is Thunder Sound Temple. They wanted to hide away, but now look—those people have defected to our side."
...
The Demon Realm Army was dumbfounded. Dark Mage, Wei Chen, and Demon Lotus Emperor were equally astonished.
However, Wei Chen was quite pleased with the request from Tang Seng, Demon Monkey Kong, and the others. After all, in the demon realm, Demon Monkey Kong and the others were well-known figures; who could forget how popular that book praising them had become? Once it spread from Nine Immortal Realm to the demon realm, it had sold like hotcakes!
Countless people grew up reading that book, all fans of Tang Seng, Demon Monkey Kong, and the Pig of the Demon Realm, as well as Demon Monk Sha!
Wei Chen ordered Ji Dingxuan and Sea Emperor Nanfeng to bring Demon Monkey Kong, the Pig of the Demon Realm, and Demon Monk Sha up without further testing them. In front of Wei Chen, no one's thoughts could hide; he knew that Demon Monkey Kong, the Pig of the Demon Realm, and Demon Monk Sha had genuinely surrendered. They were not joking or trying to deceive anyone. Wei Chen was confident that it was impossible to fool him.
Inside Thunder Sound Temple, when they saw that Demon Monkey Kong, Tang Seng, the Pig of the Demon Realm, and Demon Monk Sha were not fighting against the forces of the Demon Realm but instead turned to attack Thunder Sound Temple's protective barrier, everyone felt inexplicably confused. When Tang Seng and the others boarded the Divine Vessel with the forces of the Demon Realm and disappeared, it finally dawned on those inside Thunder Sound Temple: Tang Seng and his companions had betrayed them!
This sudden betrayal dealt a tremendous blow to the overall morale of Thunder Sound Temple.
Western Buddha angrily waved his hand, knocking over nearby porcelain vases, his face dark with fury.
"Buddha's anger is upon us; I am willing to battle against the forces of the Demon Realm!" At that moment, a Buddha stepped forward to volunteer.
"Good! I hope you can help us restore our dignity at Thunder Sound Temple!" Western Buddha exclaimed with delight.
The Buddha respectfully bowed to Western Buddha and then flew out of Thunder Sound Temple.
The Demon Realm Army saw a plump bald man flying out and was about to prepare for action when the Buddha shouted, "Monks surrender! Don't attack; I come to surrender!"
Inside Thunder Sound Temple, Western Buddha's face turned pale as he collapsed into his chair...
Comment 0 Comment Count