Chapter 11: Delivering to the Door

Sun Wukong and Ao Luan talked for a day. Although he was not particularly satisfied in his heart, she demonstrated a strong learning ability.

"Should I keep her?"

Sun Wukong pondered, and at this moment, an old monkey standing behind him reported in a low voice.

"Great King, the old turtle says that the little princess of the East Sea Dragon King is also called Ao Luan."

"The East Sea Dragon King?"

Sun Wukong was stirred and immediately made a decision.

Perhaps there was no one in this world who could fully satisfy him; the lack of wisdom and experience could be compensated through later learning.

Even without the identity of a Dragon Girl, there were few candidates more suitable than Ao Luan.

The next day, Sun Wukong announced his appointment in the Shuilian Cave.

Ao Luan became the second Great King of Huaguo Mountain, below one demon but above ten thousand.

As a Dragon Palace princess, Ao Luan's capabilities, although still flawed in Sun Wukong's eyes, allowed her to command the demons with ease due to her strong background, and she quickly established her authority in Huaguo Mountain.

She also established a palace in the nearby seafloor, where shrimp soldiers and crab generals guarded the surrounding waters of Huaguo Mountain, truly justifying her position as the second Great King.

Another year passed, and Ao Luan constructed an administrative institution for Huaguo Mountain similar to that of the Dragon Palace.

"You've done very well."

Sun Wukong was deeply pleased; indeed, it was better to leave troublesome matters to professionals.

"Brother, your subordinates are not obedient at all!"

Ao Luan clapped her hands, and a group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals brought forward several Demon Kings.

"What's happened to them?"

Sun Wukong asked.

"They attempted to flee Huaguo Mountain and I captured them on their way."

Ao Luan answered.

Sun Wukong looked towards these Demon Kings, among them a Fox Demon King, a Deer Demon King, and an Elephant Demon King.

"Why do you want to leave?"

Sun Wukong asked.

"Great King, we are not convinced."

The Demon Kings hurriedly responded: "We serve you, not her."

"Ao Luan has brought her own trusted confidantes from the Dragon Palace to control us, the lesser demons of Huaguo Mountain only recognize the second Great King and have forgotten your authority."

The Demon Kings incited.

Ao Luan became furious upon hearing this: "Nonsense!"

"There's no need to sow discord."

Sun Wukong also smiled: "Is it that you are unhappy staying in Huaguo Mountain?"

The Demon Kings remained silent.

Sun Wukong had long noticed that some demons in Huaguo Mountain held dissatisfaction—they were naturally free-spirited, not allowed to eat humans, and moreover required to learn this and that; it was almost like asking for their lives.

"You can leave."

Sun Wukong said: "Huaguo Mountain will not force anyone to stay, if you dislike it here, you may leave now."

The Demon Kings were shocked.

"Are you serious, Great King?"

"Of course."

Sun Wukong nodded; after all, there was a bond of two years, and these Demon Kings had not caused any trouble. He did not compel them to stay.

"Do not harass the Kingdom of Aolai on your way out."

Sun Wukong continued to say.

"Of course!"

The Demon Kings quickly nodded and then joyfully took their leave.

"Brother, you really are reckless!"

Ao Luan sighed while holding her forehead: "Without imposing punishment on them, won't this inspire even more demons to run away?"

"Let them run."

Sun Wukong responded: "Issue a broad invitation for talents on my behalf."

He added: "As long as regulations are followed, anyone is welcome at Huaguo Mountain."

Ao Luan immediately understood.

Sun Wukong wished to make an appearance of tolerance, to attract more capable individuals.

Ao Luan immediately went down to issue the order to recruit the wise.

"Great King."

The four elder monkeys watched her leave and reminded Sun Wukong, "Those Cave Masters were right; the Dragon Palace's influence in Huaguo Mountain must not become too large."

Sun Wukong was unconcerned, "The Dragon Palace has many talents; once I have recruited enough people, I will be able to suppress them."

"What if you can't find enough?"

The four monkeys appeared somewhat worried, "Wouldn't that mean Ao Luan will render you a figurehead?"

Sun Wukong shook his head, "No need to worry."

Having Ao Luan set up the organization, he then had to take matters into his own hands next and completely transform Huaguo Mountain.

At this time, another monkey spirit came in.

"Great King, those Great Saints have gathered together again."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately stood up and said, "I'll go and meet them."

With a somersault, he rode the Somersault Cloud tens of thousands of miles and in less than half an hour, he arrived at another cave dwelling.

"They are indeed here."

Sun Wukong looked closely and saw six demons walking out from the cave dwelling.

He landed on the ground.

"It's you, this macaque again!"

The Bull Demon King saw him and became angry, "You've come again; I told you we won't go to Huaguo Mountain!"

With that said, other demons present all burst into laughter.

"Even forbidding us from eating meat; Monkey King, we don't intend to join you for a vegetarian diet."

Sun Wukong sighed again after listening.

He'd visited many times over the year, with the same result each time.

Never mind, he wouldn't be disheartened, the alliance of the seven Great Saints only existed in the Heavenly Book—why should he be so insistent?

Sun Wukong somersaulted back onto the Somersault Cloud, ready to return to Huaguo Mountain.

At this moment, a distant Daoist shouted loudly.

"Wise Monkey, please wait!"

"Wise Monkey?"

Sun Wukong stopped on his cloud and looked down to the ground, noticing an old Daoist with a girl about eight or nine years old standing on a mountain cliff, waving at him.

"Old man, are you calling me?"

Sun Wukong descended.

"Yes, it is I."

The old Daoist answered respectfully, "I've heard that there's a Wise Monkey in Huaguo Mountain, who humbly visited this place several times. That Bull Demon King, blind to talent, refuses to heed the call. I'm willing to take his place and go to Huaguo Mountain."

The girl next to him thought it strange: The Bull Demon King was a formidable Demon Saint, what abilities did this monkey possess to compare with him?

"Master, are you getting confused?"

The girl couldn't help saying.

"Be quiet."

The Daoist quickly scolded, then said to Sun Wukong, "My disciple is impolite, I hope the Wise Monkey will not take offense."

Sun Wukong replied with a smile, "Since you address me as the Wise Monkey, how could I possibly blame a little girl."

He glanced at the girl and then asked the Daoist, "What capabilities do you have to replace the Bull Demon King?"

"I have a treasure."

The Daoist took out a leaf from his sleeve, "This object is as valuable as a Demon Saint and can be offered to the Wise Monkey."

"Master," the girl suddenly became anxious, "you said that you would give it to me as a personal spiritual treasure!"

Sun Wukong looked at the leaf, seeming to understand, "What is this?"

The Daoist hurriedly replied, "This is a Spiritual Treasure formed naturally by the world after Chaos opened up, behind Kunlun Mountain. It's the essence of the sun; if it's used to fan someone, they will be blown eighty-four thousand miles away."

"Palm Leaf Fan."

Sun Wukong immediately understood.

He then looked at the girl again, "What is this girl's name?"

"My disciple's name is Rakshasa."

The Daoist answered.

Sun Wukong was immediately surprised.

He did not manage to invite the Bull Demon King, but his wife had taken the initiative to come knocking at his door.