12dz Chapter 280 Houtu Fishing, Those Who Are Willing Will Take the Bait!
Chapter 280 Houtu Fishing, Those Who Are Willing Will Take the Bait!
Chapter 280 Houtu Fishing, Those Who Are Willing Will Take the Bait!
Sun Wukong transformed into a golden ray of light and headed straight for the underworld.
Just as Zhunti had said, the guards of the underworld were much more lax than before. The news of Houtu's seclusion had obviously spread throughout the entire underworld. The Ten Kings of Hell all looked worried. Although Pingxin and Meng Po were still in charge, it was clear to everyone that the underworld was no longer the underworld with Houtu in charge.
However, instead of using his magical powers, he swaggered in as if he were entering his own home.
"Oh, isn't this the Great Sage Equaling Heaven?" King Qin Guang saw Sun Wukong from afar and sensed the quasi-saint aura emanating from him. He quickly came forward, forcing a smile, "What brings you here?"
Sun Wukong laughed heartily and patted King Qin Guang on the shoulder: "Old Qin, it's been a hundred years, why are you still the same?"
"What? Now that Houtu Niangniang (the Goddess of the Earth) is in seclusion, you've all lost your backbone?"
King Qin Guang smiled wryly and said, "Great Sage, you jest. The Empress is in seclusion, and there are many things to do in the Underworld. We, as her servants, naturally have to take care of them."
"Alright, alright, don't try that on me." Sun Wukong waved his hand. "I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm here to have a drink with you guys."
"It's not because of the previous suppression that you're causing trouble, but rather—drinking?" King Qin Guang was taken aback.
"What?" Sun Wukong's eyes widened. "Not welcome?"
"Welcome, welcome, of course you're welcome!" King Qin Guang hurriedly replied. "It's our honor that the Great Sage would grace us with his presence! Come, come, I'll go invite the other Kings of Hell right now, and we'll have a good drink together!"
Before long, all ten Kings of Hell arrived.
King Qin Guang, King Chu Jiang, King Song Di, King Wu Guan, King Yama, King Ping Deng, King Tai Shan, King Du Shi, King Bian Cheng, King Zhuan Lun.
Ten people gathered together and a banquet was set up.
"Great Sage, it's been a hundred years, and you've become more and more imposing." King Chujiang raised his wine cup: "Victorious Fighting Buddha, tsk tsk, this status is far more prestigious than the Great Sage Equaling Heaven back then."
Sun Wukong also picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and laughed, "What's so glamorous about that? That place, Mount Ling, has a ton of rules and regulations; it's nowhere near as carefree as the Underworld!"
King Yama smiled bitterly, "Great Sage, it's not as carefree as you imagine. Take that incident you did back then, for example. Although it didn't cause any serious consequences, it still caused us a lot of trouble, and we were punished by the Earth Goddess for a full hundred years!"
"Hahahaha!" Sun Wukong laughed loudly, "That's what you deserved! Who told you to capture my monkey grandsons back then!"
Everyone laughed.
They clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, and after several rounds of drinks...
The ten Kings of Hell were all quite drunk and started talking a lot.
"Great Sage, you have no idea."
Suddenly, King Qin Guang lowered his voice, "With Her Majesty in seclusion, we servants are all very worried. What if something happens later?"
Why is King Qin Guang telling me this?
Sun Wukong's heart skipped a beat, but he feigned doubt: "What could possibly happen? The Underworld has the magnanimous Meng Po in charge, and you Ten Kings of Hell too. Who would dare to cause trouble?"
"That's true," King Qin Guang sighed, "but lately, I've had a feeling something's not right. The cycle of the Six Paths of Reincarnation seems to be running slower than before, and—"
He paused, looked around, and lowered his voice, saying, "Furthermore, before Her Majesty went into seclusion, she specifically instructed us to keep a close watch on that forbidden area next to the Six Paths of Reincarnation. She said no one was allowed to approach it."
Sun Wukong's heart stirred.
This King Qin Guang seems a bit off!
He feigned curiosity: "What forbidden area? How come I, Old Sun, don't know about it?"
"Of course you don't know," King Qin Guang shook his head. "That place was only revealed to us by the Empress after she recently went into seclusion. However, I've heard that some secret of the underworld seems to be hidden in that forbidden area!"
"Oh?" Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. "What secret?"
Qin Guangwen said mysteriously, "I don't know the specifics, but once, I happened to pass by the area, and it seemed to be emanating some kind of powerful aura, far surpassing that of a sage!"
After drinking for a while, everyone gradually became a little drunk.
Sun Wukong stood up: "Alright, we've had enough to drink, it's time for me to head back."
"Great Sage, are you leaving already?" King Qin Guang asked hastily. "Won't you stay a little longer?"
"No, no," Sun Wukong waved his hand. "I have things to attend to at Mount Ling, so I have to go back. I'll come find you guys for a drink another time!"
Having said that, he transformed into a golden ray of light and vanished.
Watching his departing figure, the drunkenness on King Qin Guang's face vanished instantly. He then turned and left as well, heading in what seemed to be the location where Ksitigarbha was cultivating.
Leaving aside the bizarre behavior of King Qin Guang.
After leaving the Yama Palace, Sun Wukong did not immediately return to Mount Ling. Instead, he circled around and arrived at the "forbidden area" next to the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
Of course, he did not go in, because next to the forbidden area stood a woman who, just standing there quietly, gave people a sense of oppression that could destroy all the heavens and the universe with a wave of her hand.
Upon seeing the woman, Sun Wukong turned around, bowed, and said, "This humble one, Liu Er, greets the Goddess Houtu."
Houtu wore a long black dress, her face was cold and aloof, and she wore a crown with tassels on her head. Behind the crown were a pair of all-seeing eyes.
"Did Zhunti send you here?" Houtu asked calmly.
Sun Wukong said, "Your Majesty, Zhunti has instructed me to scout out the location of the tunnel."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Houtu's eyes: "As expected, these two old men are still so despicable. They don't dare to take action themselves, so they want to use the Heavenly Dao to deal with the Earthly Dao."
Sun Wukong dared not respond; this was a battle of magic between sages, and he was merely a pawn.
After a moment, Houtu spoke calmly: "When you get back, tell Zhunti the location of this place."
"Just say that you sensed the aura of the Earthly Path of Reincarnation while you were near the Six Paths of Reincarnation."
"But—" Sun Wukong hesitated, "Won't that old man Zhunti come to see for himself?"
"He won't." Houtu sneered, "That old man Zhunti is very shrewd. He won't take the risk himself; he'll definitely send someone else to test him."
She paused, then continued, "However, no matter who comes, they will never see the underground passage, but rather the Twelve Heavenly Gods and Demons Formation."
Sun Wukong was startled.
He finally understood Houtu's plan.
This true Taoist master is fishing!
Use the earth as bait to catch Zhunti Jieyin, the Three Pure Ones, and all those who peek into the underworld!
If anyone actually arrives, the Twelve Heavenly Gods and Demons Formation will ensure they never return!
"Disciple understands." Sun Wukong bowed deeply.
"Go." Houtu waved her hand: "Remember, from now on, you are still the Victorious Fighting Buddha. You know nothing; you have only found the location of the tunnel."
"Your disciple obeys." Sun Wukong bowed and turned to leave.
Houtu watched his departing figure, remaining silent for a long time.
The six realms of reincarnation rotated slowly, emitting a low hum.
"Zhunti, Jieyin," Houtu murmured to herself, "You want to help the Heavenly Dao find the location of the Earthly Dao? Fine, I'll give it to you."
"But what price will you offer in exchange?"