The Sage Lion King, who had been lifelessly lying on the ground, came to his senses and opened his eyes. Bam! Bam! Bam! He saw the Flood Demon King being roundly trampled on. ‘Ack!’ It was pitiful to see his brother shriveled up and beaten like a ragdoll. Who would look at that figure and see the cruel, iron-handed tyrant who ruled over Mount Meru, which was surrounded by the four seas?
The word ‘flood’ originally meant a gigantic sense of overflowing pride, that is, the pride of a Flood Dragon. He was a great demon king who others needed to be wary of in the heavenly world. It was not for nothing that the Flood Demon King was considered the second most powerful among the Seven Demon Kings, who, with only seven members, was comparable in power to the Chan or Jie Sect.
The Flood Demon King was well known for possessing a cunning and stinky temper, so he commanded respect and dignity. However, his dignity was thoroughly being neglected and trampled on at the moment.
The recognition of the Flood Demon King’s dignity only applied to the outside world. Within the Seven Demon Kings, he was largely a neglected being. Though the Flood Demon King led the Seven Demon Kings, instead of the Bull Demon King who did not pay much attention to internal affairs, none of the demon kings, his siblings, listened to him. This was especially the case for the youngest, who was the rowdiest.
Although he was called the ‘youngest’, Sun Wukong was the most reckless amongst the seven brothers. He only listened a little to the Bull Demon King, and he often abused the other brothers based on his whims. Thanks to this, the Flood Demon King was pressed from above and hit from the bottom like a little child’s drum.
When the Bull Demon King ordered the Flood Demon King to bring Sun Wukong, the Flood Demon King had felt a sinking feeling. ‘Ah. How did I end up like this?’
“Huh, bring over the youngest? Why me? There’s Sage Lion King and Macaque King!”
“Hey! Why are you dragging me into this?!”
“Since the eldest wants the youngest to come, the second oldest brother should carry this responsibility.”
“Fuck! No way! It’s obvious that he’s playing around. If he’s bothered, he’s going to unleash that temper on whoever bothers him!”
“So, you won’t do it?”
“Of course not! Who would want to do this?”
“I guess it can’t be helped.”
“…Phew! It’s good to see that you’re being sensible…!”
“Since you’re so concerned about being beaten by the youngest, I’ll have to beat you with my own hands.”
“Ack!”
The Sage Lion King could not shake off the image of his oldest brother smiling gently while loosening his hands… Although the Sage Lion King did not back down from anything, the pressure he felt at that time, even though it had not been directed towards him, was more than he could have imagined.
Though his personality had greatly improved, the Bull Demon King still was the ‘King of Demons’ who used to beat and destroy the Chan Sect all by himself. The Bull Demon King’s temper did not go anywhere. If his brothers decided to walk the wrong path or not listen to his words, the Bull Demon King was more than willing to use other, more forceful, measures.
The Bull Demon King was the first beast-like Opponent and the first ‘Hwang’ level being. He was a monster that achieved two seemingly impossible levels at the same time. It was reassuring to have him as an ally, but the Sage Lion King broke out in a cold sweat considering the possibility of having to face the Bull Demon King. The problem was that the youngest was just as scary of an entity.
“Hey? Have you already fainted? How can you be so weak?”
Soon, the Flood Demon King drooped down lifelessly while foaming at the mouth. Sun Wukong clicked his tongue, threw the Flood Demon King to one side, and turned his head towards the Sage Lion King.
The Sage Lion King quickly closed his eyes to avoid eye contact with his youngest brother. The Sage Lion King saw his life flash before his eyes. Step. Step. He could hear Sun Wukong’s steps getting closer and closer. He even felt the sensation of Sun Wukong squatting and observing him from above. A breath-stopping tension ensued. Cold sweat dripped down the Sage Lion King’s back.
“Fourth brother, won’t you wake up?”
“…”
“You know I know you’re awake, right? Why don’t you just get up?” Sun Wukong’s voice was full of life.
“…” The Sage Lion King flinched several times and almost stood up. If their eyes met, the Sage Lion King felt he would really face his own death, and that thought constantly cycled through the Sage Lion King’s mind.
“What? You’re really going to keep this act up, huh? I’ll give you until the count of three. If you don’t get up, this youngest sibling will smash your head in. One, two, three.”
“…”
“Hey? Are you really asleep?”
“…”
“Well…it’s not much fun to smash the head of someone who’s asleep…”
“…” The Sage Lion King breathed an inward sigh of relief after hearing the sound of Sun Wukong getting up and clicking his tongue. ‘I just needed to hold on like this’.
Once Sun Wukong’s anger subsided, the Sage Lion King would pretend to regain his consciousness and get up. This was what the Sage Lion King decided to do…at least…until he heard what Sun Wukong said next.
“I guess I’ll have to see how far I can kick you.”
“…”
“Like kicking a soccer ball? It looked fun seeing others do it on the beach. I wonder how far my fourth brother will fly?”
The sound of Sun Wukong lightly loosening his legs could be heard. And once the tense aura of an oncoming kick was felt, the Sage Lion King quickly got up.
“Oh. Oh. Just. Regained. My. Consciousness.”
The Sage Lion King tried to speak in an awkward, cracked voice, but Sun Wukong had already started his soccer kick with a cold smile on his face.
“It’s too late, brother.”
Boom!
“Ack!” The Sage Lion King soon became a star in the distant sky as he drew an arc and fell into the sea.
***
“So you need me to find Li’s fragments, right?”
“Y-Yes…”
“T-This is big brother’s order!”
“Hmm.” Hearing that the Bull Demon King had personally given him an order, Sun Wukong stroked his chin with his hand and fell into deep thought.
Sun Wukong knew that his oldest brother would not call on the brothers unless it was something important. This was especially the case for him, the youngest brother. The fact that the Bull Demon King called for Sun Wukong directly meant that the matter was that important.
While Sun Wukong was deep in thought, the Sage Lion King and Flood Demon king were on their knees tending to their badly bruised faces. They felt relieved that they no longer had to suffer from the youngest, but their current situation, of being thoroughly beaten like rag dolls, was very depressing.
‘Why did the Heavenly Demon turn the wheel and bring back such an existence?!’ The Sage Lion King wanted to verbalize and shout out what he was thinking in his heart, but of course, he did not.
“Hmm? Brother, you look quite dissatisfied. You were just thinking why that stupid Heavenly Demon brought me back to life, right?” It was as if Sun Wukong received some sort of divine message.
“Hahaha! How could that be the case! Hahaha! You know I love my siblings, youngest brother!” Sage Lion King denied having such a thought. All the while, sweat dripped down like a waterfall from his brow.
With narrowed eyes, Sun Wukong looked at his fourth brother for a while. The Sage Lion King knew that if he showed any gap, he would be finished. He focused on maintaining his composure, as his life depended on it.
“If you’re ever caught, just once, you wait. I’ll make sure you’re cleanly cut into two.”
“…”
“Anyway, you said you’re looking for Li’s fragments, right? I understand that it would be nice to find the face of the Heavenly Demon there…but why is the older brother looking for the fragments suddenly? No matter how many times the ‘wheel’ turns, if it doesn’t interfere with his work, he’s not one who would care about such matters, right?” Sun Wukong made a puzzled face. He could not make sense of the situation.
The Sage Lion King looked at the Flood Demon King. Though the Sage Lion King was present when the Bull Demon King gave his orders and explained the situation, he did not really pay attention. Thus, the Sage Lion King was looking at the Flood Demon King to speak up and fill in the blanks.
The Flood Demon King frowned, but he had no choice but to answer, as Sun Wukong was staring at him. “To obtain Gnosis (spirit power).”
“Spirit power? The eldest has no need for that…!” Sun Wukong stopped in the middle of speaking and crossed his arms as he clicked his tongue. “Is it because of Ji-ho?”
The Flood Demon King nodded. “It’s because the current Heavenly Demon’s strength is scraping at the bottom of the barrel since he’s constantly turning the ‘wheel’. Eldest brother seems to think that if things keep going on like this, something big might happen.”
“I’m sure the Heavenly Demon will take care of his own matters…”
“To be precise, it’s because of you, youngest. Because the Heavenly Demon and you share a soul.”
“…Hmm.” Sun Wukong stroked his chin with his hand. He already felt the feeling that the endless battle between the Heavenly Demon and the Black King had now reached a critical limit. As they were tied together with the comprehensive concept of ‘face’, the Heavenly Demon and Sun Wukong also shared a soul. Thus, Sun Wukong was also well aware of the hardships that the Heavenly Demon was currently having.
This was also the reason why the Heavenly Demon was confining himself to the Changgong Library. He was trying to replenish his Gnosis, to build up the spirit energy he was running out of. This was also the reason why the Heavenly Demon built the Tower. It was his last gamble.
It seemed that the Bull Demon King was determined to actively help the Heavenly Demon.
‘Still. Why join hands with that goblin? Phew.’ Sun Wukong lightly clicked his tongue while recalling the contradictory existence of Yvlke, the Black King’s ego that also possessed the face of the Heavenly Demon.
Sun Wukong knew very well what that existence’s wish was: a world free of the Heavenly Demon and the Black King. The ultimate goal would be the birth of a safe haven, or Pian.
Although this was quite in line with the goal that Sun Wukong and the Heavenly Demon hoped to achieve someday, it was not an easy task. Nevertheless, Yvlke worked tirelessly to achieve his goal. He tried to somehow find a way in the constantly turning ‘wheel’, and it seemed that he had found something.
However, because Yvlke had brought upon too much damage in the process, Sun Wukong had always disliked Yvlke. Even if they shared the same soul, not all the Heavenly Demon’s faces were the same. Although they could be called ‘faces’, each of the Heavenly Demon’s faces pursued different purposes and possessed individually unique identities.
“I’ll think about it.”
In the end, the answer that Sun Wukong gave to the Flood Demon King and Sage Lion King was that he would think about it.
“You…!”
“But the eldest is considerate of you, the youngest… He wants to help you…!”
“Okay. You both can go.”
The Flood Demon King and Sage Lion King shut their mouths when they saw one of Sun Wukong’s eyes slightly perk up. Up until now, Sun Wukong had treated them in a half-joking manner, but right now, Sun Wukong had become serious.
“I’m well aware that eldest brother is trying to help me and that Heavenly Demon fool… But Li’s fragment shouldn’t be touched recklessly. What if an accident happens again, like in the case of Luciel?”
“…”
“…”
At the mention of Luciel, the two demon kings were at a loss for words.
“I’ll think about it for a day and give you an answer, so go.”
“…”
“…”
“Aren’t you both going to leave? Shall I help you on your way out with my foot? I’m sure it’ll help you get back quicker.”
“Oh, no. We’ll be going!”
“Hahaha! Well then, youngest, we’ll await your answer!”
The Flood Demon King and Sage Lion King ran away as if the bottoms of their feet were on fire.
Sun Wukong let out a deep sigh with an annoyed expression as he quickly turned his head to one side.
“It seems like you’ve overheard my conversation. Who are you guys?”
As soon as Sun Wukong finished speaking… The space opened up and Erlang Shen and Yeon-woo stepped out.
“Long time no see.”
“It looks like the Jie Sect has latched onto the eldest brother. Did you come here to ask me to stop it?”
“Similar. But more than that, this person here wanted to talk to you.”
“Hmm.”
Erlang Shen slowly stepped aside and introduced Yeon-woo. At the same time, Erlang Shen did not neglect his preparations so that he could release his divine powers if needed. After seeing the Sage Lion King and Flood Demon King beat up for bothering Sun Wukong’s surfing, Erlang Shen felt that the same fate may befall him.
However, Sun Wukong did not pay much interest in Erlang Shen. His gaze was fixed on Yeon-woo. He used Fiery Golden Eyes, the shining golden eyes he obtained from the fiery path of Palgwae.
“Are you like Yvlke?”
In an instant, Yeon-woo frowned.
Sun Wukong seemed to be smirking as if he was having fun. “You stink. It smells like darkness. How could that be? Did you rob the Marble Mountains or something?”
Yeon-woo gave off a strong scent of the Monkey King’s exuviae.
While Yeon-woo was contemplating what to do to avoid the Sage Lion King and Flood Demon King, the Monkey King’s exuviae offered a solution: to intentionally let out the Monkey King exuviae’s scent to let Sun Wukong recognize their presence.
The reason why Sun Wukong had pushed away his brothers by stating that he would give them an answer later was because he had recognized the scent.
Sss. Yeon-woo’s shadow flowed out and soon took the shape of the Monkey King’s exuviae.
For whatever reason, the Monkey King exuviae’s expression was filled with dissatisfaction.『It’s been a while.』
“Hey. I don’t know who you are, but you have a very handsome face.”
『Stop spewing nonsense. I have a favor to ask you.』
“What?”
『Let me smack you once.』 The Monkey King’s exuviae was being sincere. Having worked hard and having carried out his responsibilities, the Monkey King’s exuviae was infuriated at the sight of Sun Wukong fooling around and having fun.
However, Sun Wukong just smiled. “Why don’t you try?”
『What?』
“If you think you can smack me, go ahead and try.”
『…』
Crack! The Monkey King’s exuviae gritted his teeth. Even though he knew that his main body would come out like this, he still felt dirty when it happened. Flash! However, that dirty feeling only lasted a moment.
The Monkey King’s exuviae smiled widely as he looked at Yeon-woo.『By the way, did I mention? That any promise I make also applies to my true body? I represented the ‘Monkey King’ in the Tower. That was the condition for me being left in the Tower.』
“Is that so?” Yeon-woo nodded while speaking in a monotone voice, as if he was reading from a textbook.
Sun Wukong felt that something was off and frowned.
The Monkey King’s exuviae smiled brightly as he stated, “Daddy has arrived, why are you not greeting him, son?”
