Chapter 18: Wukong’s Request

Buzzing! Under the influence of the sacred chant, Wang Liang felt as if his head was about to burst. The sound made him feel that everything he had done before was wrong; he shouldn’t have killed so many people, nor committed so many misdeeds...

“Nonsense,” Wang Liang said, drawing his Life-Slaying Blade as he stood up. “I’ve never been wrong in my actions.”

As he spoke, his Golden Core flew out from within him, enveloped by a purple aura that surrounded his body. Simultaneously, sixteen ancient guardian statues materialized around him, forming a protective shield within the small cavern.

When this purple shield appeared, Sun Wukong, crouched atop a massive rock, quietly opened one eye to glance down at the scene below.

“Sure enough, these are Old Official’s kin. Now there’s hope,” Sun Wukong thought to himself, watching intently.

Since the purple aura and shield had emerged, the sacred chant no longer echoed in Wang Liang’s ears. At last, he could calm his mind and consider what was truly happening.

Soon enough, Wang Liang realized this was a method designed to target Sun Wukong—a strange chant intended to brainwash him.

As for the final effect of this brainwashing, Wang Liang hadn’t grasped it fully from the brief exposure but knew that if he were to listen continuously, it would drive him mad.

Looking around at the near pitch-black cave, imagining being trapped here for centuries with no human contact and barely able to move, Wang Liang felt admiration for the fierce Sun Wukong’s ability to survive in such conditions.

Just as Wang Liang’s attention wavered, the buzzing chant pierced through the purple shield and filled his ears once more.

Annoyed, Wang Liang quickly calmed himself and sat down to cultivate the teachings of the Supreme Profound Scripture.

As he cultivated, waves of purple energy replenished the protective shield, stubbornly withstanding the assault of the chant.

“I see now. Truly Old Official’s tactic. Hmph, for his sake, I’ll give him a chance,” Wang Liang muttered.

One defended, one observed in secret—the hour passed swiftly.

Then the sacred chant gradually ceased. Wang Liang exhaled deeply, but before he could fully react, Sun Wukong, still perched on the giant rock, spoke.

“Brother, young one, those little things you released are quite interesting. Mind if I take a look?”

Wang Liang was momentarily stunned, then realized what Sun Wukong meant. He intended to refuse but saw the mischievous, half-smiling expression on Sun Wukong’s face.

Moved by a sudden impulse, Wang Liang obediently extended his hand, causing the sixteen ancient guardian statues to simultaneously appear beside him.

This time, the sixteen statues didn’t split into two groups but merged silver and black figures into a defensive formation, glaring at Sun Wukong.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong grinned.

“Interesting indeed. It’s been ages since someone bared their teeth at me. Quite amusing. Back off.”

With a roar, Sun Wukong forced all the ancient guardians to retreat a step, except Wang Liang, who remained outside their range and unaffected.

Sun Wukong then rose to his feet, a formidable aura surging from him. Facing such a fierce figure, Wang Liang had no choice but to step back.

Yet, as chains pulled Sun Wukong back, he didn’t relent but fixed his gaze on Wang Liang.

“No need to be so tense. I won’t misuse your little toys. Besides, as you’ve seen, I suffer daily from that chant. I need these to block those strange sounds.”

Wang Liang looked doubtful.

After all, Sun Wukong’s earlier outburst had revealed his true nature.

Wang Liang knew well that this small, seemingly affable fellow was actually a ruthless predator.

Were he not currently trapped, he wouldn’t be so easy to deal with.

Seeing Wang Liang retreat, Sun Wukong sensed the problem. He adopted a friendlier facade and smiled at Wang Liang.

“Don’t be afraid. You’re Old Official’s disciple—I wouldn’t kill you. Come on, hand over those things. I promise I won’t break them.”

The more Sun Wukong coaxed, the more Wang Liang refused. He wasn’t a fool; these ancient guardians were his strongest defense. If Sun Wukong took them, what would he rely on?

Seeing Wang Liang’s hesitation, Sun Wukong said, “Kid, consider yourself lucky. Those sixteen things aren’t even complete. I’ll give you a chance. Hand them over, and I’ll teach you a little trick.”

“No,” Wang Liang replied flatly.

“Say that again?” Sun Wukong glared, and if not for the chains binding him, he would have stormed forward.

But he was clever and soon understood the problem.

Sun Wukong relaxed his fierce expression and began rummaging through himself.

Finally, he pulled out a small object from his ear.

It was a golden pill, thumb-sized, which Sun Wukong placed in his palm.

“I’ll trade this for them.”

Wang Liang eyed the golden pill from afar, letting out a soft “Hmm.” A memory surfaced from deep within.

“This is…”

“You guessed right. Old Official’s sugar pill. You’ve probably eaten quite a few. I’ll trade this for your little toys.”

Wang Liang pressed his brow, uncertain what “sugar pill” meant but sensed it was something valuable. Still, was it worth risking his strongest defense?

After all, they were trapped inside a cave. If Sun Wukong gained the upper hand, there’d be nowhere to flee.

Seeing Wang Liang hesitate, Sun Wukong grew angry. He slammed his hand against a stone.

“You say no to this and no to that. What exactly do you want? Name it, and if I have it, I’ll give it to you—just hand over those sixteen little things.”

Sun Wukong’s outburst made Wang Liang understand his true need: the ancient guardians, or at least the means to create them, were crucial to Sun Wukong’s survival.

Perhaps this was his chance to save himself.

Nonetheless, Sun Wukong’s previous demeanor left Wang Liang distrustful. At least, he wouldn’t entrust his life-saving tools to him as he had with food before.

Seeing Wang Liang’s reluctance, Sun Wukong gritted his teeth.

“Kid, don’t push your luck. This is my final offer. If you refuse again, I’ll give up.”