"Brother Kong, please stop fooling me,"
"Everyone knows that among the most hated monsters by Spirit Mountain are us, the four mixed-world monkeys. Only you have this destiny; how could the three of us?"
"I know you don't want me to sell my body, but to sell my youth. Yet, please think carefully, for us wild monsters, who would genuinely accept us?"
Wuzhiqi spoke more and more outrageously.
From initially performing without selling his body, to now not even wanting to sell his youth to Sun Kong, it left him utterly bewildered.
He had no idea what kind of logic this was.
It was at this moment that Sun Kong finally recalled the feeling of astonishing everyone on Spirit Mountain and rendering them speechless a while ago. It was probably this same feeling.
But why did Wuzhiqi completely fail to understand his good intentions?
Was this guy not of average intelligence?
As Sun Kong stood there, utterly confused.
He heard Wuzhiqi rambling further and further, until finally, kneeling on the ground, he presented the Biyou Palace pass with both hands. As he handed it back to him.
He also spoke his true feelings from the bottom of his heart!
"I'm returning this to you. Please don't mention these unreliable things, like chasing the moon in the water, or reflections of flowers in a mirror. Although I am a monster, I know I am not valued by the orthodox Buddhist, Daoist, or Heavenly Courts."
"It's good enough if they don't try to kill us. Who would promote us?"
"I'll guard this lonely and desolate Huai River by myself; it's not bad. One day, if you remember your three brothers, please come by for a chat."
"I don't have anything else good, but a cup of water wine, I won't be short of for Brother Kong."
After speaking.
This Red-Tail Macaque, Wuzhiqi, was truly about to dive back into the Huai River.
To continue being a monkey demon.
But how could Sun Kong behind him let such a great opportunity slip away? He certainly wouldn't lose his patience because they were not on the same wavelength, and have to retrace his steps and join forces with those three pig teammates.
"Little Wu, wait!"
"Little Wu, you've truly misunderstood my intentions, Brother Kong. What I mean is... alas, it's so troublesome."
"Fine, I'll tell you the truth in one go."
"Do you know why there were thunderclaps that shook the Three Realms a few days ago?"
Sun Kong's chasing question forced Wuzhiqi to stop.
He turned back, revealing an extremely dull face.
"Could it be that some powerful being is about to achieve sainthood?"
This answer almost choked Sun Kong to death.
It was from this conversation that Sun Kong finally realized that, apart from himself, the other three mixed-world monkeys were likely all simpletons.
He hadn't met the latter two monkeys yet, so he wouldn't comment.
However, this one before him, the Red-Tail Macaque Wuzhiqi, was definitely the most amusing and adorably dim-witted that Sun Kong had ever seen in his two lifetimes.
Bar none!
"Little Wu, don't rush off. Listen to me tell you a story. This story is related to the thunderclaps a few days ago. It wasn't really someone transcending tribulation to become a saint."
"It was me, your Brother Kong. Yes, look into my eyes, listen to me, don't get distracted."
"It was the commotion I caused."
"The specific process is too complicated, so I won't waste words. In short, you just need to remember that I fancy the three of you monkeys not just because we are all mixed-world four monkeys, but more so because I now have influence on Spirit Mountain and among the Buddhist sect."
"Yes, that's right, this is the word: influence."
"These past few days, I've managed to trick... no, I mean, I've persuaded Jin Chanzi, Tathagata's second disciple, to awaken and run away from home. In the future, his prospects will definitely be much better than being controlled by Tathagata and the others."
"Similarly, the reason why I shamelessly... cough cough, you misheard, I mean, I righteously joined the Buddhist sect, is for a similar reason."
"Currently, Tathagata and the Jade Emperor both fear me. As for the Eight Bodhisattvas, Five Hundred Arhats, and Three Thousand Diety, they don't dare to provoke me."
"With me there, the three of you can come and join my sect, follow me, and follow my lead. To put it mildly, you'll be at least an Arhat. To put it heavily, at most, you'll become a Bodhisattva or Buddha. Isn't that appealing?"
"Or do you and the other two monkeys want to be monsters for your entire lives?"
"This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Consider it carefully. I believe that although there are some discrepancies in our words, you should be able to..."
Sun Kong went to great lengths to find three capable teammates for himself, so that he wouldn't have to go through the frustrating Journey to the West again.
He wasn't just earnestly persuading him.
He also incorporated some marketing and pyramid scheme tactics, almost to the point where he himself was moved to tears.
He believed that this Wuzhiqi would also be able to empathize...
Right?
"Or, perhaps I should just give him a few days to think about it, and I can take this opportunity to subdue the other two monkeys. It shouldn't be too late?"
While Sun Kong was somewhat worried that he didn't have Jin Chanzi's natural persuasive ability.
Wuzhiqi on the other side had already given him an answer!
"Brother Kong above, Little Wu completely understands. To summarize, it's just one sentence: you've brought Flower-Fruit Mountain to Spirit Mountain, continuing to become sworn brothers and hold assemblies."
"How dare we three kindred spirits not think of joining? Brother Kong... oh no, from today onwards, I should change my address."
"Brother Kongkong Buddha above, your disciple, Little Wu, deeply appreciates your great kindness today and is willing to join your sect, study diligently, and strive for progress every day. I will never dare to violate the Buddha's will, and I will uphold the brotherhood between us, until the end of time, through all eternity, and also..."
Wuzhiqi surrendered even faster than Sun Kong had anticipated!
What he said was incredibly pleasing to the ear.
From "Grandpa Sun" to "Brother Kong," and then from "Brother Kong" to "Brother Kongkong Buddha," tsk tsk, this subordinate was truly not taken in vain; it was simply too wonderful.
However, words like "until the end of time" and "through all eternity" were not suitable for brotherhood. He wondered where this fellow had learned them by eavesdropping on private conversations?
He would have to educate him properly in the future!
Thinking of this, Sun Kong dared not let Wuzhiqi continue his nonsensical talk. He helped him up and established a special relationship between them.
Externally, they were superior and subordinate.
Internally, they were brothers.
As for "Kongkong Buddha," it was too ostentatious. It wasn't suitable for the moment. It would be better to wait until the Journey to the West was completed before singing such praises!
"Everything is as Brother Kong commands!"
"Then, Brother Kong, what do we do next?"
Wuzhiqi was becoming increasingly proficient in his subordinate role.
This single address, "Brother Kong," was far more sincere than that destined second disciple, Zhu Bajie, and it touched Sun Kong, making him feel as if his old friend from a past life was before him.
"The next step, of course, is to find the other two monkeys. Oh no, two brothers. This time, I won't be too heavy-handed; I'll use a monkey to defeat a monkey."
"You won't make things difficult, will you?"
Sun Kong snapped back to attention, adopting the demeanor of an elder brother. These words carried affection for his second brother, Wuzhiqi, and a test of his loyalty.
Upon hearing this, Wuzhiqi didn't hesitate. He took the lead, guiding Sun Kong towards the vicinity of the other two monkeys' cave dwellings.
The second stop.
It was indeed one of the mixed-world four monkeys, the Long-Armed Ape, Zhou Wuxian!