Chapter 86: I Am Here to Kill You
Of course, this was not the Sun Wukong of mythology, but Sun Wukong manifested in the world in the form of a "Heretic God."
"As expected, the battle has already begun, but it seems this woman is currently at a disadvantage."
Shirou had come this time for Sun Wukong as well, so he naturally did not intend to stand by and watch.
Stepping forward a short distance, Shirou leaped violently, his silhouette immediately soaring into the sky. Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, who was currently pursuing Luo Hao, opened his mouth and recited a passage of Words of Power.
"Namo ratna-trayāya, namo āryā, valokite-śvarāya, bodhi-sattvāya."
As the chant continued, a burst of golden light erupted to Sun Wukong's right, and a man with a bare torso appeared. Blood-red eyes gleamed on his face, and his mouth split wide to the left and right, revealing sharp fangs.
The legends of Shodo Shonin tell of how a fierce god appeared on the opposite bank and built a bridge over the river in response to prayers when the torrential currents of the Daiya River blocked the monks who intended to open the land of Nikko. This is the origin of the Shinkyo Bridge. Furthermore, Shodo Shonin gave this demon god a name. That name was—'Deep Sand General' (Jinja Taisho)!
"Sha Wujing?" Shirou murmured, somewhat uncertain as he looked at the appearing figure.
Shirou had never read the original Journey to the West novel, having only seen works in the form of TV dramas and animations, which was why he felt a bit unsure the moment that figure appeared.
"AAAAHHHHH!!!"
The fierce god let out a loud, magnificent cry. It was the cry of a 'Heretic God' being born—a shout responding to the Great Sage's Dharani. Consequently, the roar and the torrents of the Daiya River erupted. Water surged from the ground into the sky like a rushing flood, a truly spectacular scene.
But it wasn't over. On Sun Wukong's other side, golden light bloomed once more. Appearing from within was a figure with a somewhat rounded build. He had a chubby appearance and a bloated physique, yet beneath the fat lay extraordinary muscle. His face was that of a 'pig.' His snout was long, his face covered in dense, short black fur, with round eyes and short, blunt triangular ears protruding upward. Small tusks sat on either side of his snout.
The 'Black Pig Spirit,' Zhu Ganglie (Zhu Bajie).
"Hahahahaha!! Old Pig finally gets to come out for once!"
With a high-pitched voice, a Nine-Toothed Rake appeared in Zhu Ganglie's hand. "Eldest Brother, consuming so much spiritual energy like this will leave you weakened. Is it really alright?"
"It's fine. Just hurry up and kick this annoying brat out of here," Sun Wukong said, shaking his head.
"Understood!"
In an instant, the three demons accelerated abruptly, charging at Luo Hao ahead of them.
"The Way of Heaven is clear and bright; the Way of Earth is peaceful and serene; the Way of Man is empty and tranquil." Luo Hao spun around instantly, chanting Words of Power as her voice and breath transformed into a demonic wind of ultrasonic waves, blowing toward the three Great Demon Gods. "Brilliant and solar, the lightning scorches with splendor. Sky is divine, Earth is divine, by the urgent order of the Supreme Lord Lao Zi!"
The incantation finished, and the sweeping demonic wind pushed them back with a force they could not resist.
"You've grown weak, little girl!" A sharp glint flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes as he looked at Luo Hao.
"Tch." Luo Hao furrowed her brows. "Even so, it is enough to defeat you!"
That said, the cursed power she had recovered in such a short time was still insufficient. After this strike, she could only use sorcery outside of her authorities. But against a god like Sun Wukong, using sorcery to resist was undoubtedly impossible. Yet, she was truly unwilling to retreat just like this.
"I didn't expect Leader Luo Hao to ever show such a troubled expression."
Suddenly, a voice came from one direction—a voice wrapped in magical power, capable of reaching her ears regardless of the distance.
"Who...?"
Luo Hao hurriedly looked toward the sound, her glaze-colored beautiful eyes widening slightly. "It's you!?"
She watched blankly as the man arrived before her, falling into silence as she stared at his back.
"Why have you come to help me?" Luo Hao's brow was tightly knit, somewhat confused by Shirou's current actions.
"Didn't you say you were going to defeat me after you grew stronger? Yet here you are, looking so pathetic," Shirou teased.
"Hmph! It's only because I consumed too much cursed power fighting you, otherwise I wouldn't be..." Luo Hao defended herself subconsciously, but suddenly stopped.
She realized that this version of herself felt rather foreign. Was it because she had been defeated by this man? She suddenly realized she felt no resentment at being protected by him. In the past, if anyone had the gall to say they were coming to protect her, she would have executed that fool who couldn't see their own lack of strength without hesitation.
But this man, who was even stronger than herself, was a bit different. Somehow, there was a strange feeling in her heart. In two hundred years, Luo Hao had never experienced romantic feelings, so she naturally could not understand the specific emotion currently arising within her.
"Oh? Another Demon King? Are you perhaps like this little girl, coming to take me away?"
Sun Wukong stood in the air, twirling the rusty iron bar in his hand—it was the 'Ruyi Jingu Bang' which had not yet had its true form revealed by his Words of Power.
"No..." Shirou shook his head, looking directly at Sun Wukong as lightning flashed across his pale gold eyes.
"I am here to kill you."
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While Shirou was in the Divine Realm, the Shrine Maidens and Knight-Princesses waiting bored in the outside world began to appreciate the surrounding scenery. They arrived at Futarasan Shrine; this shrine was surrounded by cedar trees and sat in a perpetual environment of tranquility. There were very few tourists, making it the exact opposite of the bustling Toshogu. It could be described as a place where the ethereal nature of the gods resided.
However, this place had a poor compatibility with Erica Blandelli's personality.
"While it is nice here, it feels so rustic. Let's go to that lively place next," Erica said, looking over the shrine with some boredom. She was referring to the Toshogu, decorated with gold leaf and golden Buddha statues.
"You really do love the flamboyant and luxurious. I prefer quiet places like this. Which one do you think our King would prefer?" Liliana crossed her arms over her chest.
"I think the King definitely prefers passionate and proactive women. After all, Lili, you haven't even been inside the King's room yet, have you? You surely don't know how incredible the King is." Erica lightly covered her mouth, whispering into Liliana's ear.
"You-you-you...! What are you saying! Shameless!" In the face of Erica's provocative words, Liliana felt the tips of her ears burning. She pointed at her and cursed her for being bold.
"Tch~ so what? I am currently the King's most favored First Knight. And you, Lili? Just follow obediently behind me and be a maid. I think that suits you quite well." Erica continued to tease her without a care.
"I... I...!" Liliana was so angry that steam began to rise from the top of her head. She couldn't even think of words to scold this rival-and-friend golden Knight-Princess. Finally, with a flushed face, she dropped a single sentence: "Hmph! I won't lose!"
Then, she walked quickly ahead, ignoring Erica's constant teasing.
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