Chapter 160: Chapter 157: Yingzhou Island and the Yamata no Orochi Chapter 160: Chapter 157: Yingzhou Island and the Yamata no Orochi So, the Ox Demon King had come back from Cave Moyun and halfway met the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light pursuing the Jade-faced Fox. He helped out and almost let the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light escape. Luckily, Enlightenment Dao happened to pass by and saw the scene. He used the Sword Leading Immortal Flight and ended the Buddha’s life immediately.

It is said that karma is determined by one’s actions. The Long-eared Brightness Immortal betrayed his sect and even stole the Six Soul Banner, destroying the last chance of survival of the Sect of Interception. For the people of the sect, his sins were heavy, and countless people cursed him in secret. His death seemed to fit the consequences of his deeds.

Enlightenment Dao said, “This evil monk practiced the Delightful Zen Method and caused much harm to numerous families—it’s good that he was killed!”

The Ox Demon King nodded repeatedly, and as he went by the clouds with Enlightenment Dao, he said, “The main issue is that I couldn’t stand his behavior, so I fought with him.”

In his heart, Enlightenment Dao cursed, “I’m afraid you intervened because you found that Jade-faced Fox very beautiful. If she had been an ordinary woman, I doubt you would have bothered with this trouble.” Although he cursed the Ox Demon King in his heart, he said aloud, “Brother Bull truly has the heart of a hero. Indeed, you are a hero among bulls.”

The Ox Demon King, with his mouth almost stretching to his ears, said, “You flatter me too much. I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”

When the two reached the side of the Jade-faced Fox, the Ox Demon King said, “Miss, I have killed that monk in vengeance for you! Don’t worry now.”

“My name is Hu Li,” the Jade-faced Fox replied through tears. “Your Majesty can simply call me by my name. Thank you for your mercy and for helping me. I am eternally grateful.”

Watching from the side, Enlightenment Dao couldn’t help but roll his eyes. These Green Hills Foxes are really something else. Wasn’t there a Daji during the Divine Enthronement who had misled King Zhou of Shang? It seems these Fox Spirits are indeed adept at seduction. Although Hu Li didn’t use any spell, just her crying was enough to break the hearts of many men.

The Ox Demon King was stunned and wiped the saliva at the corner of his mouth, smiling and said, “Miss Hu Li, don’t be sad. You just mentioned that your land in Yingzhou, Green Hills Country, was taken over by a Nine-Headed Serpent?”

Hu Li nodded slightly and replied, “Yes…the Nine-Headed Serpent conquered our Green Hills Country, ate all my sisters as blood food. Only I managed to escape.”

The Ox Demon King then said, “Seeing you are alone and unsafe outside, you should first come with me and my worthy brother back to Flower-Fruit Mountain to settle down. Later, we can make plans to take your revenge and kill that Nine-Headed Serpent.”

Seeing that the Ox Demon King had killed the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light and knowing how powerful Buddhism was, Hu Li feared potential pursuit by Buddhism if her actions were exposed. She agreed and followed the Ox Demon King and Enlightenment Dao back to Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Enlightenment Dao thought to himself, “You, dead bull, will suffer in the future. I don’t know how Princess Iron Fan will deal with you.”

In Princess Iron Fan’s possession was one of Laojun’s Banana Leaf Fans. Laojun had two, one kept in Doulu Palace to fan the pill furnace, and one with Princess Iron Fan, specifically used to fan people. The wife of the Ox Demon King was quite fierce, and now he had met the gentle-as-water Jade-faced Fox. The difference between them made him incredibly restless.

The three together arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain, and immediately, little demons saw and shouted that the Equal-to-Heaven Great Sage had returned.

“Heh, my real name is Great Strength Bull Demon King, and my nickname is Equal-to-Heaven Great Saint!” The Ox Demon King proudly told Hu Li.

“The King’s name and nickname both sound quite imposing,” Hu Li complimented, making the Ox Demon King very pleased.

Flower-Fruit Mountain’s other five brothers came out to meet them, and seeing both Enlightenment Dao and a woman with them, they were slightly surprised.

“Is this perhaps the sister-in-law?” Yu Rong King asked.

Hu Li blushed, and the Ox Demon King said, “Don’t talk nonsense; she is just a friend from the country of Qingqiu. Her name is Hu Li.”

The brothers looked at the Ox Demon King with strange expressions, making him blush a bit, feeling as though the secret of the Ox Demon King was known to all.

The Ox Demon King said, “Hu Li, let me introduce you. This is Jiao Demon King, the second brother; this is Peng Demon King, the third; this is Lion Camel King, the fourth; this is Macaques King, the fifth; and this is Yu Rong King, the sixth. There is also a seventh one called Monkey King, a Protector of the Horses, but he’s too mischievous. He fought the Jade Emperor and was suppressed beneath Five Elements Mountain by Tathagata. It’s uncertain when he will be able to come out.”

The brothers, hearing the Ox Demon King bring up Wukong’s scandalous past, immediately laughed heartily, while Enlightenment Dao was so furious he wanted to kick the Ox Demon King’s butt, hoping it would topple him and bring some satisfaction.

Hu Li bowed and said, “I have seen all the great kings.”

Peng Demon King said, “Why so formal? We demons hate those kinds of courtesies. Stop referring to yourself as ‘this concubine’ and just say ‘I’. It’s making me sick.”

Hu Li then said, “Yes.”

Several people entered the Water Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain, where they ordered the Little Demon to serve wine and water. They also brought out plenty of fruits and gourmet food, dismissed the attendants, and dined together.

“I wonder where Lady Hu Li comes from? Would you care to share your story?” the Macaques King asked, squatting on a stone stool.

“I am originally from the people of Green Hills Country in Yingzhou, but not long ago, a Nine-Headed Serpent invaded and fed on the blood of all my sisters, leaving only me to escape. I traveled overseas to the Southern Toad Continent and then met the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light. Since his mana was superior to mine, he wanted to cultivate with me. I feigned compliance, and when he was not prepared, I used an illusion spell to confuse him and then escaped. However, while on the run, he chased me down again and I would have been caught if not for the Great King and the Taoist master rescuing me…” Hu Li said sorrowfully, tearfully.

The brothers nodded, understanding that Hu Li’s luck was indeed terrible. She had run from Yingzhou overseas to the Southern Toad Continent, only to be targeted by the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light.

Beyond the Eastern Sea lies Yingzhou, and above the Heavenly Court, there is an island called the Immortal Island of Yingzhou. However, it is not the same island that lies outside the Eastern Sea. The Immortal Island of Yingzhou of the Heavenly Court was managed by Donghua the Great Emperor, who was the previous life of Lu Dongbin. Now reincarnated due to karmic reasons, the island fell into the hands of the Great Emperor Qinghua. It’s unclear whether it was offered to him by the Jade Emperor as a bribe to win him over.

The emperors of the Heavenly Court, other than the Great Emperor Qinghua who obeys the Jade Emperor’s orders, all practice ostensible compliance while actually defying him secretly. Sometimes they don’t even bother with compliance and simply shut their doors, letting the Jade Emperor deal with them as he sees fit. Thus, the Jade Emperor is quite frustrated in the Heavenly Court, his power undermined by the other emperors. How could he compete with others when Wukong had already forced him beneath the table?

Returning to the topic at hand, the Macaques King continued, “Yingzhou is nothing but a land of barbarians. It once produced formidable figures; the Ancient Demon Emperor Taiyi, for instance, originated from the Divine Fusang Tree in Yingzhou. Xu Fu once tricked Emperor Qin, sailed across the sea to Yingzhou, and declared himself ‘His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor.’ However, he’s now returned to dust.”

Comparing the Overseas Yingzhou with the Four Great Continents, Yingzhou really is barbaric. The people there even lack basic clothing and consume raw flesh and blood, their civilization extremely rudimentary. The Green Hill Fox Demon tribe resides in Yingzhou. Since the destruction of Xuanyuan Hill in ancient times, they had relocated en masse to Yingzhou. However, as fate would have it, the population of Green Hill Fox Demons dwindled over time. Recently, a Nine-Headed Serpent devoured the remaining fox demons as blood food, with only Hu Li escaping.

In ancient times, formidable individuals emerged from Yingzhou, like the powerful Demon Emperor who fought fiercely against the Witch Clan with his fiery power. He was born in Yingzhou as a Three-legged Golden Crow, conceived atop the Divine Fusang Tree. Today, however, that tree has long since vanished without a trace — it’s unclear whether someone took it as a magical treasure or if it disappeared on its own.

The people of Yingzhou consume raw flesh and blood, their civilization is uncivilized, and their stature small, far inferior to those from The Eastern Land by many measures.

“And what’s the origin of this Nine-Headed Serpent? Having nine heads must mean it’s a formidable being. I’ve heard of Xiangliu, Guiche, and Nine Phoenixes, but never a Nine-Headed Serpent,” the Macaques King said.

Well-read and knowledgeable, he knew that nine is the supreme number according to the Taoist Sect, and any being with nine heads must be endowed with extraordinary talents, their cultivation undoubtedly profound.

“That Nine-Headed Serpent calls itself the Yamata no Orochi,” Hu Li expressed. “I don’t know its origins.”

With one hand counting five fingers, typically reflecting four sections, having nine heads would indeed make it Yamata, wouldn’t it?

After thinking for a moment, the Macaques King said, “I have never heard of this name, I don’t know who it is, we will have to see when the time comes.”

His curiosity piqued about a creature that could grow nine heads, but he did not know what the origins of the Yamata no Orochi were.

The Bull Demon King declared, “Of course, that Yamata no Orochi’s tyranny has gone too far, merely stepping in to annihilate the Green Hill tribe is utterly horrid! We must not stand by idly; we will strike and teach the Yamata no Orochi a lesson about the righteousness and chivalry of Flower-Fruit Mountain!”

Feeling amused, Protector of the Horses thought to himself, “What righteousness and chivalry are you talking about? Aren’t you just interested in this Jade-faced Fox?”

The other brothers smirked and chuckled maliciously, sensing that the Bull Demon King definitely had a significant interest in Hu Li!

Overjoyed, Hu Li heard their willingness to avenge her and said, “If the Great King can help me attain retribution, I shall be eternally indebted, ready to serve the Great King like an ox or horse.”

The Macaques King laughed mischievously, “We don’t have horses here, only oxen. Why not serve the Old Bull then!”

“Ha ha, ha ha!”

The brothers burst out laughing, turning the Bull Demon King so red with embarrassment. Hu Li turned away, her face burning with shame. Since ancient times, beauties have loved heroes. The Equal-to-Heaven Great Saint, with his imposing stature, gallant bravery, vigorous spirit, and formidable martial arts skills, had struck and defeated the Delighted Buddha of Fixed Light, avenging Hu Li and winning much gratitude and admiration from her.

Disgusted, the Bull Demon King spat out, “You lot, keep your improper talk to yourselves, I am not one to take advantage of others in their time of need!”

The Macaques King replied, “Bull, don’t be modest. She’s already offering to join you in servitude, why say anything more?”

With that, everyone couldn’t help but burst into uproarious laughter again, leaving the Jade-faced Fox embarrassed beyond measure, feeling that this group of Demon Kings was truly indolent to jokingly discuss such matters.

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the following part.