Underwater?
Sun Wukong, full of confidence, declared:
"What's so hard about that?"
Standing tall, he proclaimed loudly:
"Ever since I gained enlightenment, I've mastered the seventy-two Earthly Transformations, the art of Somersault Cloud, and various powers to conceal and escape.
'I can walk the heavens, delve into the earth, traverse the sun and moon unseen, and pass through metals unhindered.
Neither water can drown me, nor fire burn me.'
Going underwater? There's nowhere I can't go!"
The four elder monkeys chorused, "Wonderful! Great King, since you have such divine powers, there's a waterway beneath our Iron Bridge that leads straight to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.
The Dragon Palace is brimming with treasures. If you, Great King, would deign to visit the Dragon King, why not request a weapon worthy of your might?"
Hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes sparkled. His face lit up with joy.
"Splendid! I'll go to the Dragon King right now!"
The Great King Yellow Wind's eyes gleamed as he rose and said,
"Monkey Brother, I'll go with you. If we don't find a weapon suitable for you, I can at least gather some materials to forge one."
Sun Wukong laughed.
"Good, my virtuous brother. Let's go, let's go!"
With one leap, Sun Wukong vaulted over the heads of the gathered demons and landed at the Water Curtain Cave's bridgehead.
He performed a water-repelling spell, muttered an incantation, and with a splash, dove into the waves, parting the waters as he walked toward the seabed.
Though the Great King Yellow Wind was not adept at water travel, his mastery of the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations included techniques for traversing and entering water.
With a flick of his hand and a shift of form, he transformed into a golden fish, leaping into the waterfall and swimming to catch up with Sun Wukong.
Before long, the two encountered a sea patrol led by a yaksha.
The yaksha, with keen eyes, noticed the unusual monkey entering the sea.
"Strange! Could this be a demon king or an immortal?"
Stopping them, the yaksha asked,
"Who are you, and where do you come from? State your business clearly so I may report it."
Sun Wukong replied,
"I am Sun Wukong, the Heaven-Born Sage of Flower Fruit Mountain, your Dragon King's close neighbor. Why do you not recognize me?"
Flower Fruit Mountain?
The yaksha was startled.
"Could this be the one who recently stirred the sea and made waves with their powers?"
Not daring to delay, the yaksha hurried back to the Dragon Palace to report.
Upon hearing this, the Dragon King rose immediately. Accompanied by his dragon children, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals, he left the palace to greet the visitors.
Seeing not one but two figures, he frowned at the yaksha, who scratched his head in confusion.
How did another one join?
The Dragon King shook his head, thinking:
"Trouble never comes alone. If one is a headache, two make no difference."
With his experience and composure, the Dragon King approached them with a smile, warmly welcoming,
"Two celestial visitors—please, come in, come in."
Inside the Dragon Palace
The Great King Yellow Wind scrutinized the Dragon King.
Species: Dragon · Golden Dragon (30%)
Realm: Refining Spirit · Taiyi Scattered Immortal
Traits: True Dragon Bloodline (Gold), Control Wind and Rain (Gold), Dragon Might (Purple)...
Yellow Wind was surprised.
The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea is only a Taiyi Scattered Immortal?
And his bloodline purity wasn't much higher than that of the Little Carp?
No wonder, then, that the Four Dragon Kings were so subservient in Journey to the West, often referring to themselves as "little dragons."
It wasn't an act—they truly were of humble standing.
Perhaps these four were merely figureheads, while the truly powerful dragons remained hidden.
After all, to the common folk and weaker demons, a divine or celestial title was invaluable.
But to a being of immense power, such a title could feel like a shackle.
Why be bound when freedom under heaven is far more appealing?
Touring the Palace
The two guests strutted boldly into the palace.
Everywhere they looked, there were magnificent halls adorned with pearls, coral, and crystal.
Guards stood vigilant, stationed every few steps.
Beautiful dragon maidens and clam girls bustled gracefully through the halls, their delicate figures and flowing skirts adding elegance to the grand decor.
Seated and served tea, the Dragon King began probing their background.
"May I ask when you two celestial beings attained the Way, and what immortal techniques you practice?"
Sun Wukong, ever shrewd, smiled and replied,
"My brother and I left our homes to cultivate and have attained an indestructible body of no birth or death."
With this clever response, he evaded the Dragon King's probing and got straight to the point:
"Recently, I've been training my sons and grandsons to guard our mountain cave, but alas, I lack a proper weapon.
Hearing of your grand palace with its many treasures, I've come to humbly request a suitable divine weapon."
A weapon?
That wasn't too difficult.
Besides, this visitor hailed from Flower Fruit Mountain—the very one that had displayed its might not long ago.
Wasn't this a veiled show of power aimed at the Dragon Palace?
The Dragon King couldn't refuse. He immediately ordered his officer, Guì Dūsi, to present a crescent moon blade.
Sun Wukong picked it up, examined it briefly, and handed it back.
"I don't use blades. May I trouble you for another?"
The Great King Yellow Wind's eyes glinted as he stepped forward.
"Let me take a look!"
Taking the crescent moon blade, he scanned it with his divine sense. It weighed 1,800 jin and had nine layers of postnatal enchantments.
It was even a spiritual weapon.
What intrigued Yellow Wind most was that four of its enchantments were ones he'd never encountered before—perfect for study.
Grinning, he said,
"Dragon King, I'll take this blade. Name your price!"
The Dragon King glanced at him.
Standing tall and lean with an air of cleverness, this mouse-faced demon seemed far more refined than the monkey.
What's more, there was a faint dragon aura about him. Had he dealt with dragons before?
The Dragon King's thoughts turned as he said,
"Ah, what price? If you like it, take it. The Dragon Palace has no shortage of treasures!"
The Great King Yellow Wind didn't hesitate.
"Good, I'll accept it then."
Next, the Dragon King ordered Bà Dàwei to bring out a nine-pronged trident.
Sun Wukong tried it out, wielding it briefly, and then set it aside.
"Too light! Too light! It's not suitable either. May I trouble you for another?"
The Dragon King replied,
"Do you not know? This trident weighs 3,600 jin!"
"It's still not suitable!" Sun Wukong insisted.
The Dragon King was alarmed, but Yellow Wind stepped up again.
"Let me take a look!"
The Great King Yellow Wind examined the weapon and found it had twelve layers of enchantments, three of which were also unfamiliar to him.
Elated, he said,
"Dragon King, how much for this trident?"
The Dragon King sighed inwardly.
"What's with this mouse? Does he think he's here for a shopping spree?"
Feigning magnanimity, the Dragon King said,
"It's a gift, celestial being."
Yellow Wind replied with mock modesty,
"Oh, how can I refuse your generosity? Since the Dragon King insists, I graciously accept!"
Ignoring the Dragon King's stunned expression, he placed the nine-pronged trident beside his seat.
The Dragon King wiped his brow and ordered his officers to bring out another treasure—a painted pole halberd weighing 7,200 jin.
Sun Wukong tried it briefly before planting it in the ground.
"Still too light! Too light!"
The Dragon King, now visibly panicking, said,
"This halberd is the heaviest weapon in my palace. I have nothing else to offer!"
As he spoke, the Great King Yellow Wind had already moved to inspect the halberd, wielding it a couple of times.
Despite having only six enchantments, its material and craftsmanship were exceptional.
Yellow Wind turned to look at the Dragon King.
The Dragon King sighed,
"Here we go again…"
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