After bidding farewell to the Sunset Forest, Subodhi and his companions continued their Journey to the West.
Before long, they stepped onto the lands of the Gao Family Village.
As soon as they entered the village, Elder Gao hurried over to meet them.
His face was so filled with anxiety and despair that it seemed ready to overflow. Catching sight of Wukong, he burst into tears of overwhelming emotion:
"Elder Sun, you have finally come! That monster has seized my daughter once again!"
Subodhi and the others followed Elder Gao to his estate.
Tears streaming down his face, Elder Gao pleaded desperately: "Immortals, I beg you, save my daughter's life!"
Subodhi gave a slight nod, his voice deep and steady: "Elder, do not fret. This poor Daoist will do his utmost to help."
Inside the room, Bajie was sighing heavily as he looked at Gao Cuilan.
"Sister Cuilan, this old pig misses you!"
Bajie wore a complicated expression, looking so pitiful that anyone who saw him could not help feeling a pang of sympathy.
Gao Cuilan was pale with fright, her face a mask of terror. Her delicate body trembled, yet she lacked the strength to pull away from Bajie.
Wukong, by nature impatient, kicked the door open with a crash and roared, "Bajie!"
The shout rang out like a thunderclap.
Startled, Bajie scrambled around in a panic.
The moment he caught sight of Wukong, his tears broke like a shattered dam and he cried out at the top of his lungs: "Brother Monkey! I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime!"
Wukong's eyes also grew red. He strode forward, pulled Bajie into a tight embrace, and choked out:
"Bajie, your Old Sun has missed you so bitterly!"
Sobbing uncontrollably, Bajie stammered: "Brother Monkey!
Back then, Rulai beat Liu'er to death right in front of everyone.
This old pig knew right away that things weren't that simple. So one day while you were asleep, I tricked the old monk into chanting the Tight-Fillet Spell once more. As I quietly watched your reaction, tears silently fell from my eyes, for I knew my Brother Monkey would never come back.
After you left, life for this old pig became utterly agonizing!
Back in the day, when I was still Marshal Tianpeng, I merely pretended to flirt with Chang'e and was cast down to the mortal realm.
Those old immortals are all pettier than the eye of a needle, and I simply couldn't handle them.
I thought that once I reached the mortal realm, I could live a carefree life. Who could have imagined that after the Gao family grew wealthy, they would despise my ugliness and beat me like a common monster?
My heart has completely turned cold!
Later on, the Bodhisattva asked me to accompany you and the old monk to fetch the scriptures. Thinking of how righteous and loyal the Great Sage Equal to Heaven was, I agreed.
From our parting in the Heavenly Court to our reunion in Gao Family Village, five hundred years have passed.
Did you really think I didn't know it was you I was carrying on my back the night of the wedding?
I did it on purpose, just to tease you a little.
And what about the Bull Demon King disguising himself as me to trick you? That was the only time you ever fell for it.
I asked you why you hadn't seen through my disguise, and you said: 'You idiot, how could I bear to use my Fiery Eyes of Truth on you?' Right then, I knew I hadn't followed the wrong person.
From this day forward, you are my only Brother Monkey. You protect Tang Seng, and I'll protect you!"
Wukong gently patted Bajie's broad shoulder and comforted him: "Bajie, weep no more. We brothers still have a long road ahead of us."
Just at that moment, a wave of commotion and clamor broke out outside, mingled with panicked cries.
"This is bad! A bunch of monks are fighting, and they're heading this way right now!"
Shocked, everyone hurried outside to see what was happening.
Tang Seng had already recovered his memories of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, his eyes blazing red.
The Dharma instrument in his hand flashed with an eerie Buddhist light as he went on a frenzied slaughter against a group of Arhats from Lingshan, showing not an ounce of mercy.
Those Arhats displayed their various Buddhist arts, and for a moment, Buddhist light and Zen intent intertwined as they desperately tried to resist Tang Seng's attacks.
"Master!" Wukong shouted anxiously, trying to awaken Tang Seng's reason.
Yet Tang Seng merely glanced at them, his eyes filled with hatred, completely unmoved. He continued to brandish his Dharma instrument while chanting:
"These hypocritical wretches of Lingshan plotted against me for ten lifetimes; today I shall make you pay with your blood!"
Subodhi spoke in a ringing voice: "Deal with the matter at hand first!"
The group wanted to take Gao Cuilan and leave quickly, when suddenly a flash of Buddhist light burst forth like lightning.
It was none other than the Six-Eared Macaque, arriving with the As-You-Will Jinfeng Staff in hand. The staff radiated a gloomy black light that seemed capable of swallowing all light.
"Ha! Finally found you!"
The Six-Eared Macaque burst into wild laughter. His laughter echoed in the air, brimming with boundless madness.
Shaseng wore an indifferent expression, his Monster-Subduing Staff radiating a biting chill that made one's hair stand on end.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Subodhi's face grew solemn as he demanded sternly, his gaze like torches locked onto the Six-Eared Macaque.
The Six-Eared Macaque's eyes flashed with a murderous glint as he snarled viciously: "You have ruined the grand plan of the Buddhist Sect! Don't even think about getting away today!"
With that, he brandished the As-You-Will Jinfeng Staff and charged forward like a gale, exuding an aggressive momentum.
As the As-You-Will Jinfeng Staff whipped through the air, it stirred up howling black whirlwinds that seemed ready to tear the space apart.
Seeing this, Wukong opened his eyes wide with fury and bellowed: "You imposter, how dare you still act so arrogant!
Today we'll settle old scores and new ones together!"
In an instant, the two engaged in a fierce battle.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang and the As-You-Will Jinfeng Staff clashed and crossed, sending sparks flying everywhere in a battle so intense it turned heaven and earth dark and blotted out the sun and moon.
Golden light blazed from the Ruyi Jingu Bang, every swing carrying a whistling wind that seemed capable of shattering the void;
Meanwhile, the As-You-Will Jinfeng Staff was shrouded in black light, and wherever it passed, the very air seemed to freeze.
Without a moment's hesitation, Bajie snatched up the Nine-Toothed Rake and plunged into the fray, roaring:
"Monster, taste the rake! How dare you impersonate my Brother Monkey."
A layer of cyan light surged over the Nine-Toothed Rake, and with every swing Bajie unleashed a wave of violent force.
Subodhi unleashed a powerful Taoist Magic, forming hand seals with both hands as he chanted incantations.
Mysterious runes flew from his fingertips, transforming into a curtain of light that stood at a stalemate with Shaseng.
For a time, magical lights intertwined in an intensely fierce battle, neither side able to gain the upper hand.
Just as the two sides reached a deadlock, an eerie laugh suddenly echoed from the high heavens.
"Hahahaha, you're all here!"
Everyone looked up to see a massive shadow descending—it was the Chaos Demon God, returned once more.
"Oh no, it's the Chaos Demon God!"
Subodhi's expression changed drastically.
The Chaos Demon God opened his blood-red maw and spewed a stream of black destructive energy straight toward them.
Wherever the destructive energy passed, space itself was corroded with black traces.
Subodhi's hands moved at lightning speed to form seals as he chanted, casting a powerful protective barrier.
The barrier flashed with multicolored light, barely managing to block the blow.
"Today, not one of you is leaving!"
Roaring, the Chaos Demon God launched another attack.
At this moment of crisis, a flash of sudden enlightenment struck the heart of the Six-Eared Macaque.
"I was originally a part of Wukong's true spirit, born from his evil thoughts.
Today, I am willing to merge with Wukong and return to our true origin!" the Six-Eared Macaque said sincerely, his tone filled with absolute resolve.
Then, brilliant as the midday sun, the Six-Eared Macaque transformed into a streak of light that shot directly into Wukong's body.
Wukong felt an incomparably powerful surge of energy suddenly pour into him. His true spirit grew more solid and stable, and a formidable aura emanated from his entire body.
A sharp gleam flashed in Wukong's eyes as he shouted: "Chaos Demon God, let Old Sun see what you've got!"
Brandishing the Ruyi Jingu Bang, he charged at the Chaos Demon God.
The light on the Ruyi Jingu Bang instantly surged, transforming into a golden dragon that lunged tooth and claw toward the Chaos Demon God.
The two immediately locked in battle, neither able to gain the advantage for the time being.
Just then, the Chaos Demon God suddenly pulled a bizarre trick: countless dark tentacles sprouted from his body and lashed out at the group.
Those tentacles were like black venomous snakes—flexible and fatal.
Bajie was caught off guard and tightly bound by the tentacles, unable to move an inch.
"Bajie!" Wukong was burning with anxiety.
Seeing this, Subodhi formed hand seals once more and shouted: "Break!"
A flash of light swept past like a sharp sword, severing the tentacles that held Bajie.
Breaking free from his restraints, Bajie rejoined the fight.
Working together with one heart, the group launched a fierce assault on the Chaos Demon God.
Yet the Chaos Demon God possessed immense power and gradually began to gain the upper hand.
Just as everyone was feeling outmatched, a crisp bird call suddenly rang out from the sky.
A giant Phoenix descended from the heavens, its entire body wreathed in flames as it exuded a mighty aura.
The flames burned in seven brilliant colors—beautiful yet deadly.
"This is the Chaos Demon God, a perpetrator of countless evils. I have come specifically to help!" the Phoenix spoke in human voice.
With the addition of the Phoenix, the tide of battle instantly turned.
In the end, under the joint siege of the group, the Chaos Demon God gradually weakened. Letting out a roar of reluctance, he vanished into a wisp of black smoke.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Seng also halted his slaughter, standing in place and panting heavily.
Subodhi looked at Tang Seng with deep eyes and slowly said:
"Golden Cicada, you and I share a bond of fate.
Back then when I took my true form to enter seclusion, you cultivated and grew upon the Bodhisattva tree, consuming many primordial spiritual fruits, the Bodhi seeds.
Now, accompany me on the Journey to the West to eliminate Buddhism and spread the Dao."
Tang Seng nodded slightly, brought his palms together, and said devoutly: "I am willing to heed the Patriarch's teachings."
The group tidied up, settled their minds, and once again set foot on the journey to the West to eradicate Buddhism and spread the Dao.