Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

Chapter 59 Ksitigarbha King Takes Action

Sun Wukong, leaning on his Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod, stood before the palace gate of the Emerald Cloud Palace. As he gazed at the tightly shut doors, his feelings were complex. His interactions with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva weren't many, but this Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was definitely among the Buddhist Sect's strongest, perhaps even stronger than Guanyin Bodhisattva.

In his previous life, Sun Wukong only had Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze and not the Void-Breaking Divine Eye; his limited abilities prevented him from seeing through Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's true Cultivation. But if even the Ten Yama Kings were of Taiyi Golden Immortal level, wouldn't Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at least be a Daluo Golden Immortal?

Or even possibly, a Quasi-Saint!

Ever since discovering the true Cultivation levels of Qin Guang and others, Sun Wukong began to doubt his past encounters. His rampages in the Netherworld, the Heavenly Court, being suppressed under Mount Wuzhi, and the later Journey to the West to Seek Scriptures, now all seemed like they were staged.

The Netherworld and the Heavenly Court were not as weak as he had imagined, and the true experts seldom showed themselves. He felt as though he had merely played out a farce.

Take Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva for instance—if he had intervened when I was causing havoc in the Netherworld in my previous life, the outcome would have undoubtedly been different...

"Squeak!"

As Sun Wukong's mind was awash with myriad thoughts, the sound of the door opening echoed forth; the palace gate slowly swung open. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared, holding a seven-treasure staff, and rode out on his mount, Deva Listening, which resembled a unicorn in the shape of a lion, with Qin Guang King following closely behind.

"Qin Guang King, you finally dare to show yourself, huh!"

Sun Wukong sneered coldly, his gaze fixed on Qin Guang King like a cold electric light, "What, you sought backing under Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, thinking that your Old Sun wouldn't dare to touch you?"

"Demon Monkey, don't be too arrogant. In the presence of the Bodhisattva, rein in your pride. The Netherworld is not a place where you can run wild!"

With Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's backing, Qin Guang King spoke much more confidently, stepping forward from behind Deva Listening, yet still positioning himself a bit towards the rear, shouting at Sun Wukong with an air of ferocity yet underlying timidity.

"Is that so?"

A glint of cold light flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes, and in an instant, he moved, using Shrinking Earth into Inches to charge toward Qin Guang King. His Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod brought forth a stream of golden light, and he swung it right at Qin Guang King's head.

"Clang!"

Qin Guang King did not expect that Sun Wukong would dare to strike in front of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and in panic, he quickly drew Yama's Ornamental Sword to block the Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod. A force as heavy as Mount Tai bore down on him, and in the midst of a resounding clang of metal, Qin Guang King grunted, kneeling on one knee on the ground.

"Such immense strength this Demon Monkey has, truly formidable!"

Qin Guang King was shocked. His Cultivation was a level higher than Sun Wukong's, but he was decisively outmatched in terms of strength, and with the additional impact of Sun Wukong's earth-shattering strike earlier, Qin Guang King's fighting spirit was completely extinguished, and he glanced at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in panic, "Bodhisattva, save me!"

"Not even the Ancestral Buddha can save you now!"

Sun Wukong bellowed, swinging his Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod in a whirl, picking and lifting unpredictably. The vast force caused Qin Guang King to reel, unable to hold onto Yama's Ornamental Sword, which was struck flying from his grip. A swift sweeping blow followed, and Qin Guang King was sent flying, crashing heavily into the walls of the Emerald Cloud Palace.

The walls of the palace revealed Buddhist talisman seals, catching Qin Guang King's falling body, yet the walls remained undamaged.

"Bodhisattva!"

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Qin Guang King's mouth. Sun Wukong's Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod was not so easily endured. If it were not for Qin Guang King's deep Mana and high Cultivation, another Ghost General would have lost their life from such a blow. Even so, he was injured and cried out to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, "Bodhisattva, are you just going to watch this rascal run amok?"

From the moment Sun Wukong took action to Qin Guang King being struck flying, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's gaze had been locked onto Sun Wukong. However, he stayed mounted on the Psychic Divine Beast Deva Listening without any intention of intervening. Qin Guang King grew desperate—with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva refusing to take action, he couldn't beat Sun Wukong on his own.

This Demon Monkey was an abnormality!

Sun Wukong was surprised by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's inaction. He had been prepared to deal with any attack from Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at any moment, but the latter showed no intention of making a move, which was indeed strange.

Strange as it was, Sun Wukong did not cease his assault. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's lack of intervention was ideal. Sun Wukong presently had no confidence in facing the strongest among the four great Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist Sect, and it was best if he continued to watch from the sidelines.

"Qin Guang King, you deceitful villain, your Old Sun will not let you off today!"

The explosive True Solar Fire surged from Sun Wukong's body, enshrouding the entire Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod in a fiery casing. In a flicker, it split into seventy-two rod shadows, blanketing the sky and striking down upon Qin Guang King.

"Heaven-Breaking Seventy-Two Strokes!"

It was as though space and time were shackled by the myriad rod shadows. Caught within, Qin Guang King felt an endless pressure overwhelming him, his bones creaking under the vast oppressive force without even being struck.

"Book of Life and Death of Reincarnation!"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva still hadn't made a move, and King Qin Guang, no longer able to hide his incompetence, spurred his Dharma Decree and summoned the Book of Life and Death. He brandished the Spring and Autumn Brush over it, drawing lines that turned into Dao Patterns and spread out, forming a circular protective shield in front of him.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"

The sky filled with the shadows of the staff, striking the protective shield and causing thunderous roaring sounds. The Book of Life and Death kept trembling, and King Qin Guang's face was flushed red with exertion. Without experiencing it personally, one could hardly imagine the ferocity of Sun Wukong's attack.

Even with the defense of the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush, he was barely holding on. Had he not had the protection of this top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, he would likely have been smashed to pieces by now!

"He actually blocked it? Worthy of being a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, its defensive capabilities are indeed formidable!"

After the bombardment, the dust settled and Sun Wukong, seeing that King Qin Guang was virtually unscathed, was somewhat surprised. But then, an even stronger urge to fight surged in his heart, "Old Sun doesn't believe that you can keep blocking with that Earth Book forever! Again!"

"Heaven-Breaking Seventy-Two Strokes!"

Once again, the sky filled with the shadows of his staff. King Qin Guang's face went pale. As one of the Ten Yama Kings, he could spur the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush, but the true master of the Human Book was not them—it was Yama, self-sealed deep within Hell's Yellow Springs to comprehend the Heavenly Dao.

They, the Ten Yama Kings, were only granted partial access by Yama to manipulate the Human Book. To block Sun Wukong's relentless and fierce attacks under such circumstances was nothing short of a fool's dream!

With a heavy heart, King Qin Guang spurred the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush once more, releasing a protective shield to block the barrage of staff shadows. Large beads of sweat incessantly dripped from his forehead, rolling down his cheeks. Moreover, the Mana required to drive these two Spiritual Treasures, especially when only borrowed, was immense.

He was truly struggling to hold on.

As the staff shadows dissipated, so did the protective shield, and King Qin Guang fell to the ground with a "plonk", completely spent.

The Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush, lacking Mana support, began to fall towards his hands, but Sun Wukong moved faster, instantly using the 'Shrinking Earth into Inches' technique to catch up and snatch the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush into his own hands.

"King Qin Guang, these aren't even your own Magic Treasures. What power can you even borrow from them? Laughable!"

Sun Wukong, holding the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Brush, forced his Divine Sense into them, attempting to overpower and claim them for himself. But an extremely powerful rebounding force surged from the two Magic Treasures, nearly blasting his palm open.

"Hahaha, Demon Monkey, don't waste your strength. These are the Lifebound Magic Treasures of the Emperor, and without his permission, even if you snatch them, you won't be able to use them—cough, cough, cough!"

Seeing the surprised and shocked expression on Sun Wukong's face, King Qin Guang laughed triumphantly but quickly succumbed to a fit of violent coughing.

"Emperor? Are you referring to Yama?"

Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow, then nodded, "He's quite a figure, just a pity I've never had the chance to meet him! Since the Human Book is his Magic Treasure, naturally, Old Sun won't covet it."

After a pause, Sun Wukong looked at King Qin Guang, a cruel, cold smile curling on his lips, "King Qin Guang, Old Sun may not be able to use this Human Book, but in this Netherworld, you are not the only Yama! One more or one less of you makes no difference, so, you may as well die for Old Sun!"

Before he had even finished speaking, Sun Wukong's Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod was already descending toward King Qin Guang's head. If it hit, King Qin Guang's head would probably burst open like a squashed watermelon, with bits of red and white splattering everywhere.

"Bodhisattva save me!"

At this moment, King Qin Guang was drained, no chance of dodging this strike. He saw the end coming and screamed in despair, eyes squeezed shut.

"Clang!"

Instead of the acute pain he had anticipated, a crisp sound rang out. King Qin Guang opened his eyes and his brows lifted with joy, "Bodhisattva, you finally made your move!"

Blocking Sun Wukong's blow was none other than Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, his Seven-Treasured Staff firmly intercepting the Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod. He cast a brief glance at King Qin Guang and said softly, "King Qin Guang, you go inside and take cover. I will handle this."

"Bodhisattva, this Demon Monkey is audacious. You must not let him off lightly; you have to make sure he..."

"I said, I will handle this! King Qin Guang, are you instructing me on what to do?"

King Qin Guang had not yet finished his sentence when he was abruptly interrupted by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, sending a chill through him. He swallowed the rest of his words obediently, struggled to his feet, and quickly hid himself within the Emerald Cloud Palace.

"Ksitigarbha King, are you really going to intervene? Do you know what King Qin Guang has done?"

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes. Truth be told, he was not eager to clash with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva just then, but that didn't mean he was afraid!