Chapter 150 - 135: Evacuation

A tenuously concluded war abruptly came to an end, yet its impact was profoundly far-reaching.

The moment the golden giant net that shrouded above disappeared, all the monsters breathed a sigh of relief, and countless little demons jubilantly celebrated the rare victory.

However, the monsters with insight all had ashen faces.

Was this their victory? No, it was the Daoist Sect’s victory.

With this declaration, they successfully made the Buddhist Sect yield, consolidating the authority of the Heavenly Court and the Daoist Sect and suppressing the influence of the Buddhist Sect.

But for these members of the Demon Clan, apart from losing their kin and brethren, they gained nothing.

Lin Fang, looking over the wailing mountains and forests, felt a deep sense of powerlessness. The Heavenly Court, the Daoist Sect, and the Buddhist Sect were like three huge mountains relentlessly pressing down on the Demon Clan, preventing them from rising up.

"Is this what the Demon Clan is?" White Ape said softly, holding the Treasured Sword and slowly walking up to Lin Fang’s side.

"Yes, this is the Demon Clan," Lin Fang sighed.

Their fate is like weeds—this is the true depiction of their current state, seemingly enveloped by countless conspiracies, turning them ignorant, dull, and devoid of wisdom.

He looked down to see countless little demons supporting each other as they moved forward, gathering up their deceased companions one by one.

"This damned world!" a little demon shouted angrily.

"I want to go to Shituo Kingdom," another little demon suddenly yelled out loudly.

All the little demons turned to look at him, their isolated knowledge rendering them clueless as to where this so-called Shituo Kingdom actually was.

"The Great Sage Pingtian is formidable, but there are three Demon Kings in Shituo Kingdom as powerful as him. They have established their kingdom there and command a group of demons. Wouldn’t going there to seek refuge be much better than staying here?"

Some of the little demons were somewhat tempted, but no one responded, as no one wished to leave their homeland unless absolutely necessary.

Nevertheless, legends about Shituo Kingdom began to spread across this land, with more little demons talking about its might. In their mouths, it seemed like a bastion of freedom, a perfect place.

"Shituo Kingdom, what place is that?" White Dragon curiously asked.

"Just a trap," Lin Fang said with a flick of his mouth.

If Lin Fang didn’t know the origin of the three monsters, he might have really believed they were heroes of the Demon Clan. But now, upon careful reflection, these three monsters, leading a group consuming human flesh, seemed fierce but were absolutely useless. For the Demon Clan, human flesh could only sate hunger and had no function in enhancing their cultivation level.

Apart from making the Human Clan despise them even more, it was utterly useless. Moreover, because of their desire for Tang Monk’s meat, many little demons in that area were killed or injured; the wild monsters along the entire Journey to the West Path were almost completely eradicated.

At the same time, Old Wolf, weighed down with heavy thoughts, entered Zhilei Mountain and immediately saw King Niumo indulged in wine and women, and said with a tone of disappointment, "Does Your Majesty know what is being feverishly discussed outside?"

King Niumo turned around, his face somewhat flushed from too much fine wine, and slurred, "What are they discussing?"

"Everyone is saying that there is a Shituo Kingdom in the West with three powerful Demon Kings, and they want to go there to seek refuge."

"Shituo Kingdom, what place is that?" King Niumo said, already somewhat out of his senses.

"Where it is doesn’t matter; what matters is that people’s hearts are scattering. If these rumors continue, I fear many will leave," Old Wolf said with some trepidation.

"Go ahead, let them go!" King Niumo said nonchalantly.

Old Wolf looked at King Niumo, perplexed. He couldn’t understand why his liege would utter such dispirited words.

"My lord, without these Little Demons, Zhilei Mountain is finished."

"Old Wolf!" King Niumo suddenly raised his voice.

He fixed his gaze on his old companion before continuing, "What’s the use of staying here, then? To wait for death?"

"This..."

"The moment Maitreya made his move, I realized that the Buddhist Sect would never allow me freedom. Zhilei Mountain will eventually be annihilated by them, that is the inevitable outcome."

Hearing this harsh reality, Old Wolf involuntarily stepped back, his face a picture of disbelief as he gazed at King Niumo.

"Maitreya barely exerted himself, and I couldn’t defend myself. Had it not been for Lin Fang’s assistance, I might already be captive at Mount Ling. Tell me, what do I have to fight them with? Should I lead these brothers to their deaths?" King Niumo roared, his eyes ablaze with a crimson fire.

"Is this really the only path left for us?" Old Wolf asked, feeling equally hopeless.

"In this world, weakness is the original sin."

"My lord, so long as the green hills are there, we won’t worry about firewood—why don’t we leave this place? Zhilei Mountain can be forsaken," Old Wolf urged anxiously.

"Forget it, if I were to leave, the Buddhist Sect wouldn’t just let things be; let me enjoy myself as it is." King Niumo waved his hand listlessly, his face no longer showing his previous boldness and fighting spirit but instead wearing a look of utter dejection.

Although he was still the same as before, Old Wolf understood that King Niumo had lost his will to fight.

He left Zhilei Mountain with a heavy heart, his silhouette appearing exceptionally forlorn, as if he had lost the entire world.

Flashes of the moment they first met crossed his mind. Back then, he was but an unknown Little Monster, and King Niumo had invited him with a smile, "What do you think, interested in exploring the vastness of this world with me?"

Back then, King Niumo radiated a vibrant power, inspiring hope in those who followed him.

Yet today’s King Niumo left him with a feeling of the sun setting in the west, knowing that King Niumo no longer possessed that same fighting spirit. Perhaps the comfortable life had dulled his spirit. He feared challenges and dreaded leaving his comfort zone.

"Sigh," Old Wolf sighed deeply, the sound echoing through the vast Cave Mansion, as if carrying endless unspoken words.

King Niumo watched Old Wolf’s lonely departing figure, reminded of their once glorious days. He lifted his head to drink the wine in his cup, but a tear unwittingly slipped down from the corner of his eyes.

This is destiny!

Countless Buddhist Soldiers began their journey back, reclaiming the Buddhist Treasures they had deployed and starting an orderly retreat. Yet, internally they vowed that their next visit would definitely flatten Zhilei Mountain.

Subduing Tiger, Arhat, delayed his departure due to his injuries, casting one last deep glance at Zhilei Mountain before he led the remaining Buddhist Soldiers away.

However, as they reached Bibo Pond, suddenly a Monster leapt out from the water, wielding a Crescent Shovel, blocking their path.

"Where do these Baldies think they’re going, daring to cross over my head?" The Monster appeared cursing and swearing, showing no respect for the Buddhist devotees.

"Monster, you have some nerve!" Tiger Tamer, Arhat, shouted.