Chapter 176

Even though he had just made friends with the Bull Demon King, Zhizunbao felt that if he wasn't mistaken, this Bull Demon King seemed already married and even had a child—what kind of girl would a married man pick up, and yet he's using the Moonlight Treasure Box to do it?

"Hey, little brother, I'm telling you, you can't do this—you just married my sister today, and you're using this to threaten me?" The Bull Demon King grabbed Zhizunbao's shoulder in one motion, lowering his voice to issue a warning.

"To be honest, Brother Niu, this isn't really a threat, it's just…." Zhizunbao looked at the Bull Demon King speaking softly, stretched out his neck, then lowered his head to look at the wooden box in the Bull Demon King's hand.

"Alright! I get it, we brothers don't need to say more—now I'm going to pick up girls, you just honestly marry my sister, and if you ever get a chance to cheat, I definitely won't tell anyone." The Bull Demon King cut off Zhizunbao's words with a single grab, saying it with a face of brotherly camaraderie.

"No, Brother Niu, I'm saying…." Zhizunbao looked at the old bull who had cut him off, his eyes widening slightly, then he gazed at the Moonlight Treasure Box in the Bull Demon King's hand.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, monkey—don't push your luck, don't think that just because you've got leverage over me you can threaten me; worst case I just won't pick up girls, don't think I'm afraid of that yellow‑faced woman." The Bull Demon King looked at the restrained Zhizunbao and became thoroughly displeased.

"Princess Iron Fan is here." A shout echoed from afar; the Bull Demon King's formerly mighty and imposing expression instantly stalled, a hint of surprise showing on his dark face—clearly contrary to what was said, he was not at all afraid of Princess Iron Fan.

"Big brother…" Zhizunbao heard the shout, saw the Bull Demon King's shrinking figure, and couldn't help a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, then he fixed his gaze on the Moonlight Treasure Box in the other's hand.

"What am I afraid of? I haven't even picked up girls yet! Monkey, today you're using this to threaten me—another day you'll wait for me." The Bull Demon King didn't notice Zhizunbao's gaze on the Moonlight Treasure Box; he just thought Zhizunbao was threatening him, spat out a harsh remark, then turned and walked away.

"No, big brother, I just wanted to say, give me the Moonlight Treasure Box and that's fine." Zhizunbao watched the angry Bull Demon King leave, feeling a surge of frustration—all I want is the Moonlight Treasure Box, I have no intention of threatening you, and I'm not Sun Wukong.

"Sun Wukong." A voice came from beside him; Zhizunbao instinctively turned his head to look at the newcomer, but this glance gave him a start.

I'm telling you guys, don't come over—I can't guarantee whether that guy will show up or not.

That means that guy doesn't come out every time. Zhou Shuo looked at the frightened Zhizunbao, raised his eyebrows slightly—this guy's behavior shows he's not the same person as that violent ape, and he knows the violent ape exists.

Big brother, I haven't offended you either—you're looking for trouble with me now, and it's not worth the loss. Zhizunbao gave a bitter smile; he didn't understand why this person had suddenly barged into his life to do whatever, but it was surely not a good thing, since he felt he hadn't encountered anything good so far, and Jingjing was still waiting for him to go back and save her.

Senior Brother. Facing Zhizunbao's bitter smile, Zhu Bajie and Sha Heshang squeezed forward, both fixing their gazes on Zhou Shuo, as well as on Ying Nüxia and Feiyan nü behind him.

I actually don't mean you any harm; I just hope you can embark on the journey to retrieve the scriptures. Zhou Shuo looked at Zhizunbao's bitter face, as well as the pig-headed and dark‑faced monk beside him, and said.

I've said it many times—I'm not Sun Wukong at all; I just want to go save Jingjing. Zhizunbao's face was grim; he felt his path was truly unsmooth.

You've already gotten three moles—you are Sun Wukong; this is an inescapable fate. Zhou Shuo looked at the grim‑faced guy and was unconvinced.

Senior Brother, just who are these three people? Zhu Bajie looked at Zhou Shuo and the two girls behind him, then nudged Zhizunbao to ask.

I don't know, don't ask me—I'm not Sun Wukong either. Zhizunbao felt inexplicably low‑spirited and depressed; fate, an inescapable fate—he had used the Moonlight Treasure Box to cross over so many times yet still hadn't rescued Bai Jingjing; is this fate? Could it be that he really is Sun Wukong?

Senior Brother, don't be like that—Master is still waiting for you to save him! The bald‑headed Sha Heshang, whose hair was tied up with a headband, couldn't help speaking up.

I really… Upon hearing Sha Heshang's words, Zhizunbao felt an urge to erupt, but Zhou Shuo's single sentence stopped him.

Monkey, do you want the Moonlight Treasure Box or not? Zhou Shuo looked at the utterly dejected, low‑spirited man, glanced at Ying Nüxia and Feiyan nü, and then smiled as he asked.

You have a way? Upon hearing Zhou Shuo's words, Zhizunbao unconsciously lifted his head; he himself hadn't realized that he had never resisted the name 'Sun Wukong'—what he resisted was the fate of Sun Wukong.

You'd better go find Princess Iron Fan and think of a plan. Zhou Shuo looked at the guy whose eyes showed expectation, and couldn't help curling the corner of his mouth slightly as he glanced sideways.

Eh, Senior Brother, maybe this really is a good plan—I've heard you get along well with Princess Iron Fan, so perhaps we can use this to save Master. Zhu Bajie's eyes lit up.

What? I have connections with Princess Iron Fan? Zhizunbao stared wide‑eyed at Zhu Bajie.

Isn't that so? I've heard many things—Senior Brother, you're not only close to Princess Iron Fan, but also to Niu Xiangxiang, Pan Si Daxian, his disciple Bai Jingjing, Chun Sanshi Niang, and your relationships with them are all quite deep!

Sha Heshang stared foolishly at the distant bride; the string of words caused Ying Nüxia and Feiyan nü beside him to whisper to each other, their expressions full of astonishment—Sun Wukong not only wants to marry the Bull Demon King's sister, he's also cuckolded the Bull Demon King, and his relationships with Bai Jingjing and Chun Sanshi Niang are anything but ordinary, tsk tsk.

Monkey Brother, I'm impressed. Zhou Shuo looked at the foolish Sha Heshang, then turned to Zhizunbao, whose expression was uncertain whether to be happy or angry, and said.

Is Heaven playing with me? Zhizunbao, at a loss, lifted his head to look at the sky—he actually had affairs with so many women, no, that should be Sun Wukong, no, Jingjing's affection should rightfully be for me.

I don't know whether Heaven is toying with you, but I want to know what you most want to do right now. Zhou Shuo looked at the clueless man, his eyes shifting slightly—this Sun Wukong appears not only to need to dispel his inner demon, but also to be lost in confusion, and must be guided to face himself.

I want the Moonlight Treasure Box so I can go back and save Jingjing! Zhizunbao blurted out without thinking.

Good, go find Princess Iron Fan! Zhou Shuo looked at Zhizunbao, felt some satisfaction inside—although he was in confusion and harbored ill will, this guy actually still had a good heart.

Brother, you're joking—if the Bull Demon King finds out, he'll kill me. Zhizunbao's face showed difficulty.

It's not about finding the Bull Demon King, it's about finding Princess Iron Fan—use some sweet talk, get the thing, and you'll be fine. Zhou Shuo very "kindly" offered advice.

You're really clever—if the Bull Demon King hunts me down five hundred years later, what then? I was chased here by him; I only want to save Jingjing, my beloved! Zhizunbao's face showed a smile worse than crying.

You slept with his wife, of course he bears a grudge for five hundred years—if you want him not to bear a grudge, just do this! Zhou Shuo looked at the weeping‑laughing Zhizunbao, raised his eyebrows.

You can't bear a grudge—can't you teach me a way to make him not bear a grudge? Zhizunbao heard Zhou Shuo's words, his expression seemed about to break, he murmured and gestured with his lips twice.

Simple—just don't love, then there's no hatred; love and hatred in the world never arise without cause. Zhou Shuo looked at the Zhizunbao on the verge of collapse, spoke solemnly.

I don't understand what you're saying, and I don't want to talk to you anymore—I want to take a walk, relax, and think of a solution. Zhizunbao looked at Zhou Shuo, flung his hands up, completely unable to comprehend.

May you have smooth winds. Zhou Shuo looked at the impatiently departing Zhizunbao, plus the pig and monk following him, and raised his eyebrows.

Zhou big brother, what did your words just mean? Feiyan nü covered her little head, somewhat confused—she could feel Zhou Shuo's earlier words were interesting, but she still couldn't figure them out.

Quite simple: love and hatred arise from emotion, they are a great ailment of the body, so cultivating the Dao first requires abandoning emotion and cutting off love. Ying Nüxia spoke earnestly.

You're right, but also not entirely right—abandoning emotion and cutting off love isn't that simple; humans aren't plants, yet even plants must follow their nature, turning toward yin or yang, needing sunshine and dew; though one may be emotionless, one cannot completely cut off love. Zhou Shuo shook his head, correcting Ying Nüxia's words.

Then how should we stop the thoughts of love and hatred? Ying Nüxia fell into the problem—if it's not about stopping feelings, then how do we stop love and hatred?

Use great love to see small love; love and hatred lie in a single thought—just like Zhizunbao, he is mired in love, this love gives rise to inner demons, his ill will isn't actually the biggest problem; the biggest problem is that he can't find direction, he doesn't know why he loves, nor how to love. Zhou Shuo extended two fingers.

Too profound. Feiyan nü blinked her eyes; the more mature‑minded Ying Nüxia also shook her head in bewilderment.

Profound is normal—you girls are actually softer‑hearted than the monkey's inner self; people are all a heart‑ape, need to be tempered through travel, after gazing at autumn moon and river wind long enough, one can attain great enlightenment. Zhou Shuo nodded with a smile— not understanding is normal, lacking experience, one cannot see the essence of love and hatred.

You're going further and further off topic. Ying Nüxia looked at the smiling, nodding guy, couldn't help twitching the corner of her mouth, observing his words and deeds, which seem somewhat like the master's, and he even calls her "little girl".

Kind of like that—never mind, let's not say more; we'll just stand aside and watch the show, for fear that something fun will show up soon. Zhou Shuo looked at the twitching‑mouth Ying Nüxia, gave a carefree laugh.

Is it Zhizunbao, Princess Iron Fan, and the Bull Demon King? Feiyan nü instantly showed an amused expression; though pure‑hearted, she still has a bit of gossip in her nature.