Journey to the West: Great Saint Equal to Heaven

80: Chapter 80: The Struggle for Marshal 80: Chapter 80: The Struggle for Marshal In a secret location in the North Sea, Kunpeng fled there, to his true lair, unknown to anyone.

In human form, he fell into that cave dwelling.

The Primordial Demonic Qi was being extracted from his flesh and blood, without the supply of souls, it was no longer under his control.

Kunpeng’s body was almost falling apart, bathed in blood; the damage he had sustained was too severe this time.

To bluff Sun Wukong and the others, he had activated the Primordial Demonic Qi, which cost at least one-third of his amassed souls.

If the fight continued, the souls he had collected would soon be completely depleted.

“No, the Three Realms are not yet in enough chaos, and I haven’t collected enough souls.

Once my injuries heal, I will definitely plunge the Three Realms into utter turmoil.”

A cold light flickered in Kunpeng’s eyes.

To refine the Primordial Demonic Qi, he needed an endless supply of souls; only then, it might be possible to fully refine it.

He needed more souls.

This was why he kept stirring up various incidents.

If powerful Immortal Gods were to fall and their residual souls were collected by him, they could even be worth tens of thousands of mortals.

He began to heal his wounds by circulating his Mysterious Skill.

A figure appeared outside Kunpeng’s lair, looking in its direction, with a hint of sarcasm on his face.

“You’ve schemed from ancient times until now, just for a strand of Primordial Demonic Qi, ha, Kunpeng, I had overestimated you.”

At that moment, Kunpeng opened his eyes.

He was somewhat puzzled; it felt as if someone was watching him?

But, when he probed with his Divine Thought, he found no one there.

The figure still stood outside Kunpeng’s lair, sensed Kunpeng’s Divine Thought, and chuckled, showing no reaction.

Just disdain.

Kunpeng suppressed the doubt in his heart, sensing nothing amiss.

He continued to circulate his Mysterious Skill, tending to his injuries.

In the Netherworld, the Flood Dragon Demon King and the Roc Demon King appeared in the Buddhist Realm’s camp.

The Lamp-Burning Ancient Buddha directly conferred upon the Flood Dragon Demon King the title of Heavenly Dragon King Bodhisattva, and the Roc Demon King even more so as the Great Roc King Bodhisattva.

These two, from Demon Kings, were transformed in an instant into great Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist Sect.

However, no one present felt disgruntled.

They were among the seven great Demon Sages, ranking second and third respectively.

To be a Bodhisattva in the Buddhist Realm was actually an understatement for them.

With such strength, if they were willing to accept a mandate from the Heavenly Court, they could both be leaders of their marshals.

In the Buddhist Realm, aside from a few renowned Bodhisattvas, the title actually didn’t carry much weight.

The Roc Demon King, however, showed a delighted expression, appearing very honored.

It was the Flood Dragon Demon King who snorted derisively, “What’s there to be pleased about?

Even that Six-Eared Macaque can be made Victorious Fighting Buddha, and you’re just a Bodhisattva.

What’s there to be proud of?”

The expression on the Roc Demon King’s face instantly froze.

What had been happiness turned sour, suddenly finding the title of Bodhisattva far less sweet.

He glared at the Flood Dragon Demon King.

It was this guy, always saying things that dampened spirits.

Li Guangming had already left, having delivered the Flood Dragon Demon King and the others, and naturally did not wish to linger here.

The next day, the Flood Dragon Demon King and the Roc Demon King inspected atop the city wall.

The Yellow Emperor saw them, his expression slightly changing.

“Tianpeng, are those two among the mighty Demon Kings, the Flood Dragon Demon King and the Roc Demon King?”

Zhu Bajie observed carefully and likewise, his expression changed slightly.

“Indeed, it’s them.

How come they are at the Buddhist camp?

Could it be that they have joined the Buddhist Realm?”

Zhu Bajie’s expression was grave.

“This could be troublesome.

These two are sworn brothers of my Monkey brother, and their strength is formidable.

Even compared to my Monkey brother, they aren’t much inferior.

Their presence here could mean the Buddhist Realm is likely to declare war on us.”

Hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Yinglong sneered, “What seven great Sages.

I’d like to see them battle against me.”

The Yellow Emperor rebuked, “Don’t speak nonsense.

Each of the seven great Sages has Divine Skills, and while not all are as powerful as the Ox Demon King and Great Sage Equalling Heaven, they also wouldn’t be much weaker.

Yinglong, against them, you’d have at most a thirty percent chance of victory.”

This was not an exaggeration.

Yinglong was strong, but there was still a gap between him and the seven great Sages.

Yinglong was defiant.

Nu Ba felt the same, quite dissatisfied.

“Marshal, please call upon the Great Saint,” the Yellow Emperor said to Zhu Bajie.

In this world, if there was a sacred being willing to act, it could only be Sun Wukong.

And only he, with no ties or concerns, would be able to make a move.

But Zhu Bajie shook his head resolutely.

“Your Majesty, please don’t mention it again.

Even if Tianpeng dies in battle here, I won’t ask Monkey brother to come.”

The Yellow Emperor sighed.

Nu Ba scoffed, “If I were the Great Saint, I wouldn’t come either.

When the Great Sage suffered hardships, I didn’t see anyone remembering him.”

Zhu Bajie looked at Nu Ba approvingly.

Although she was a young girl, her thoughts were clearer than many men’s.

The Yellow Emperor glared at his daughter, wondering why her loyalties seemed to lie elsewhere.

“Father, don’t look at me like that.

I’m speaking the truth.

A great hero like the Great Sage Equalling Heaven has been tormented by plots and schemes, and of course, I can’t stand it,” Nu Ba said with a cold laugh.

The Yellow Emperor smiled wryly, conceding with a wave of his hand.

“If it’s futile, let’s withdraw,” he decided.

The Yellow Emperor in his heart also felt aggrieved, thinking everyone else was too much.

A problem that could have been easily solved, and yet they insisted on creating unnecessary difficulties.

Indeed, within three days, the Buddhist Realm took action.

With the addition of two Great Demon Sages, coupled with their already outstanding masters, they held the advantage.

When the strong forces of the Buddhist Realm attacked, the Yellow Emperor didn’t hesitate; he, along with Zhu Bajie, led his people to retreat from the Netherworld.

The situation was untenable, and he could not allow his brothers to fall here.

In the Pure Land, Amitabha Buddha received the news with a grim expression on his face.

After his defeat, Zhu Bajie returned to the Purple Forbidden Enclosure to report.

The Great Emperor Ziwei said indifferently, “This matter cannot be blamed on Marshal Tianpeng.

What crime has Marshal Tianpeng committed?”

Zhu Bajie said, “I am ashamed.”

“Marshal need not take this too hard.

Now that you are back, take some time to rest.

You may leave.”

The Great Emperor Ziwei spoke softly.

“Thank you, Great Emperor.”

Zhu Bajie prepared to leave.

However, Li Jing felt dissatisfied.

Clearly, Zhu Bajie had been defeated, yet the Great Emperor Ziwei did not punish him, which annoyed him greatly.

He resented Zhu Bajie for dividing his command, reducing the number of troops under his control.

Seeing Zhu Bajie about to leave, he quickly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I feel that your decision is unfair.”

The expression of the Great Emperor Ziwei turned cold instantly, and he glanced at the Pagoda-Bearing King before asking, “What do you mean by those words, my trusted official?”

“I beg to report to Your Majesty, Marshal Tianpeng has been defeated and should be punished.

If Your Majesty does not punish Marshal Tianpeng, I fear others will not be convinced,” said Li Jing with a grave voice, seemingly oblivious to the displeasure on the Great Emperor Ziwei’s face.

The Great Emperor Ziwei smiled faintly and countered, “Then tell me, how should I punish Marshal Tianpeng?”

Li Jing’s heart leaped with joy, thinking he had caught the Great Emperor Ziwei off guard.

Even if the emperor wanted to shield Zhu Bajie, he couldn’t do so openly.

He quickly replied, “Please, Your Majesty, strip Marshal Tianpeng of his military powers and relieve him of his position as Vice Marshal to satisfy everyone.”

Zhu Bajie watched indifferently, saying nothing.

He knew that ever since he had pledged allegiance to the Great Emperor Ziwei, Li Jing had always looked down on him, constantly targeting and suppressing him.

The Great Emperor Ziwei let out a faint smirk and said lightly, “I think it’s not about satisfying the courtiers, but satisfying you, Li Jing.

How about I let you become the Great Emperor Ziwei and you deal with Marshal Tianpeng?”

Li Jing’s face turned white in an instant, and he knelt down, his voice trembling, “Your servant wouldn’t dare.”

The Great Emperor Ziwei smiled faintly and said, “You wouldn’t dare?

It seems to me that you dare quite a bit.

Well then, if you really have grievances against Marshal Tianpeng, the two of you can battle it out.

If Marshal Tianpeng loses, I will revoke his position as Vice Marshal and have him serve as my personal guard.

If you lose, you will give up your position as the Great Marshal to Marshal Tianpeng.”

“Ah, Great Emperor, the Marshal is the leader of all Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, how can such a decision be made so frivolously?”

Li Jing exclaimed in alarm.

The Great Emperor Ziwei said indifferently, “A general is the courage of the military, a marshal is the soul of the army.

Moreover, if the commander of an army does not possess the supreme strength among his troops, how can he be the commander?

We are not like the mortal army, only those with the greatest personal strength are qualified to be the commander.

I believe Marshal Tianpeng is stronger than you.”

“Impossible, he cannot be my match,” Li Jing said angrily.

“Then the two of you should fight it out,” the Great Emperor Ziwei said with a slight upward curl of his lips.

Li Jing: “…”

Zhu Bajie immediately produced his Nine-Toothed Rake, staring at Li Jing, “Pagoda-Bearing King, let’s take our fight outside.”

Li Jing gritted his teeth.

He knew the Great Emperor Ziwei always intended to strip him of his military command—appointing Zhu Bajie as the Vice Marshal was with this purpose in mind.

Now, the emperor was outright seizing his military powers.

“I’m not afraid of you!

I haven’t fought for a long time, but has someone started seeing me as an easy target?

Let’s fight, who’s afraid of whom?” Li Jing said with a cold laugh.

With concern, Mu Zha asked, “Father, you must be careful.

Marshal Tianpeng is not weak.”

“What have I to fear?

Even Nezha that kid can’t turn the tables on me, what’s a Zhu Bajie to worry about?” As he spoke, he tossed back his cape and walked out with Zhu Bajie.

“I’ll be back shortly, wait for my victorious news.”

The Pagoda-Bearing King Li Jing left with a confident air, his voice carrying an intense self-assuredness.

Even the Great Emperor Ziwei showed a hint of surprise, wondering if he might have underestimated the Pagoda-Bearing King.

Outside, two formidable auras rose up; they heard the roaring of the Pagoda-Bearing King and the loud shouts of Zhu Bajie.

The powerful ripples of mana vanished in less than a dozen breaths.

Apparently, the outcome outside had already been decided.

Nobody used their Divine Thought to probe; they all stretched their necks, looking outside.

Even the Great Emperor Ziwei couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.

Had Zhu Bajie performed so poorly, so easily losing to Li Jing?

Just as this thought arose in his mind, Zhu Bajie’s figure appeared at the entrance of the palace.

He was dragging one of the Pagoda-Bearing King’s legs, and Li Jing’s entire body was scraping along the ground as he was pulled towards the inside of the palace.

“Let go of my father!”

Jin Zha and Mu Zha stepped out, yelling at Zhu Bajie.

Zhu Bajie simply let go, and the Pagoda-Bearing King collapsed onto the ground, motionless.

“Father.”

“Father.”

Jin Zha and Mu Zha rushed over.

“It’s alright, the King has just fainted, no need to worry,” Zhu Bajie reassured them, not wanting them to misunderstand.

“Haha.”

The Great Emperor Ziwei suddenly burst into laughter.

Zhu Bajie knelt down and said solemnly, “I was heavy-handed and caused the Pagoda-Bearing King to faint.

I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“Good, haha, from today on, you, Tianpeng, are the Great Marshal of Heavenly Soldiers and Horses of the Ziwei Sect, in charge of all the troops of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Zhu Bajie did not decline.

Li Jing came to his senses and heard the words of the Great Emperor Ziwei.

He was so enraged that he fainted once again.