Chapter 272 - 226: Return to the Mansion

"Take these two straw men back to your cave mansion and place them on the table, waiting for that monkey to take them away," Feng Jiu instructed lightly.

"Monkey? Where did this monkey come from?" King of Summer Resort asked in surprise.

"You’ve captured the Golden Cicada, and Sun Wukong will naturally come knocking on your door," Feng Jiu’s indifferent voice echoed in King of Summer Resort’s ear, causing the Demon King to frown.

Even a monster from Xiniu Continent like him had heard of the name Sun Wukong; a formidable figure not to be taken lightly, said to be the protector of Tang Monk on his journey to the Western Heaven for scriptures.

"That monk is Tang Monk?"

Only at this moment did he realize that the monk he and his brothers had captured was the very Tang Monk from the legends.

"Rumor has it that eating a piece of his flesh will grant one immortality," King of Summer Resort murmured to himself.

Excitement lit up his eyes at these rumors, everything else—Sun Wukong, soul restrictions—all pushed to the back of his mind.

Despite their vast divine skills, these Demon Kings had not yet broken free from the shackles of life and death; their lifespans were just significantly longer compared to ordinary beings.

This was also why the immortals in the heavens ate peaches to prolong their lives; what mortals referred to as immortality was only relative to their own lifespan.

Just as the saying goes, "an insect of summer cannot discuss ice," mortals who see that immortals do not age in their lifetime claim that immortals are immortal, not knowing that immortals do age, just at a very slow rate, slow enough that years leave no significant mark on them.

Feng Jiu looked at the eager King of Summer Resort and let out a cold laugh, "Who do you think Golden Cicada is? Just because he has practiced cultivation for ten lifetimes, you believe eating his flesh grants immortality? That’s a laughable thought."

Her words pulled King of Summer Resort back from his delusions into reality.

"Is this all a trick, then? But why?"

Lin Fang, however, spoke up with a faint voice, "Why, if not to lure out greedy fools like you, to catch you all in one fell swoop? The Buddhist Sect really knows how to plot."

Upon hearing this, King of Summer Resort was startled; he suddenly realized that his brothers and he had unknowingly fallen into a massive trap, one misstep could lead to death or the obliteration of their paths.

Thinking this, anger boiled within him, and he gritted his teeth, "The Buddhist Sect really thinks we can be easily bullied? If he dares to come, I’ll make sure he regrets it profoundly."

Lin Fang just chuckled lightly, "Tang Monk may be a mere mortal at the moment, but his disciples are far from weak, especially Sun Wukong, who is powerful, versatile, and well-connected. Though you are strong, facing many hands alone, your defeat is inevitable."

In fact, King of Summer Resort was fooling himself. The Buddhist Sect was a top power of the Three Realms. The only reason they had thrived in Xiniu Continent was by deliberately avoiding the Buddhist Sect.

Now, because of Tang Monk, the Buddhist Sect could easily come knocking, and when that time came, there would be nowhere for them to run.

"Humph, if they push me to the edge, I’ll clean up that Tang Monk and cook him first. I’d like to see what the Buddhist Sect can do to me then."

With a fierce look on his face, King of Summer Resort stole a glance at Feng Jiu and Lin Fang, and took the straw men in hand, asking, "Do you two kings have any further commands?"

Feng Jiu waved a hand dismissively, "You may go. If you wish to survive, you could flee. I have my ways to ensure your safety."

After hearing this, King of Summer Resort summoned a dark cloud under his feet and flew back to his own cave mansion.

Little did he know that, at that moment in Xuanying Cavern on Qinglong Mountain, King Bihan and King Bichen were already growing impatient.

"Big brother, could it be that second brother acted on a whim and delayed our time?" King Bichen frowned as he spoke, it was just a matter of capturing a woman, why did it take so much time.

"If he doesn’t return soon, we won’t wait any longer. It will be perfect timing to cook that captured monk to accompany our wine," King Bihan said in a soft voice.

"Reporting to the great king, the monk we’ve just captured claims he comes from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, saying he has several powerful disciples who want us to release him quickly," a little demon ran over and knelt on the ground to report.

"A monk from the Eastern Land?" Upon hearing this, King Bihan exchanged a glance with King Bichen.

"Big brother, could this be the Tang Monk mentioned in the rumors?" King Bichen said, his face lighting up with excitement.

King Bihan nodded, "Judging by his appearance, it is very likely; only the Eastern Land could nurture such a person of spiritual ingenuity."

"Big brother, I’ve heard that eating a piece of his flesh can grant us immortality, what a tremendous fortune!" King Bichen immediately became excited.

"Indeed, eating a piece of his flesh can grant us immortality," King Bihan murmured to himself.

But for some reason, he couldn’t make up his mind. If it had been before, he would have indulged in such a treasure like the Tang Monk as soon as he got him, but today, he just didn’t have the heart for it.

On the contrary, he believed that a treasure like the Tang Monk must be consumed with grandeur, it would be a waste of heaven’s gifts otherwise.

"Second brother really, how much longer is he going to take? If he doesn’t come back soon, I might start without him," King Bichen said impatiently.

"Hold on!" King Bihan called out to his brother who was about to rush in to eat the man.

He looked at his bewildered brother and slowly said, "Third brother, consuming such a treasure in such a way would indeed be a waste of heaven’s gifts, we should deep fry him in sesame oil to enhance the flavor."

Upon hearing this, King Bichen immediately felt the idea was perfect, not realizing that their thoughts had been subtly influenced without their awareness.

This influence seemed very subtle, making one believe it was their own thought, unable to detect any abnormality.

While the two demons were discussing how to consume the Tang Monk, the cries of the little demons arrived, "Second King is back!"

"He’s finally back!" King Bichen exclaimed with a laugh.

As the laughter faded, they saw the King of Summer Resort walking in, his face a picture of utter dejection.

"Second brother, what’s with that look? Could it be that the little lady had extraordinary abilities and has completely drained you, a Demon King?" King Bihan said, laughing.

"Second brother, this isn’t like you!" King Bichen also teased.

"Don’t mention it, that young lady’s companion was a fair-faced man of high cultivation. If I hadn’t run fast, I’d be dead by now," the King of Summer Resort retorted.

As they heard this, the demons noticed for the first time that the King of Summer Resort’s breath was weak; it looked like he had suffered a great injury, yet there were no visible wounds on his body.

"What high cultivation man dared to strike at you? Just wait, we will seek revenge for you, brother," King Bihan said as he moved to get up.

But he was stopped by the King of Summer Resort, who grabbed his arm, "Brother, please don’t act rashly, that man has already left, and it would be difficult to trace him."