Chapter Fourteen: First Arrival at the Fiery Cloud Cave

“This is my true form. You must remember it well,” Yuan Wuyi declared, dispelling his transformation technique. He wanted them to know exactly whom they were worshipping.

“We understand,” they replied.

“Old priest, do you know the Mighty Bull Demon King?” Yuan Wuyi, still a newcomer to this vast primordial world, found searching for the Bull Demon King akin to looking for a needle in a haystack. Seeing that the old priest had cultivated for some years, he hoped to ask for guidance here.

“Though I lack the divine powers of your lordship, I am nonetheless a practitioner who has achieved some success. How could I not know the name of the Mighty Bull Demon King?”

“Speak quickly then.”

“The Mighty Bull Demon King is a formidable demon lord of the Western Continent. In the demon realm, who dares claim ignorance of his name? With my cultivation, seeking his whereabouts might well lead to me being cooked and eaten by monsters on the way. May I ask what your lordship seeks him for?”

“My affairs are none of your concern. Just tell me what you know of the Bull Demon King,” Yuan Wuyi retorted, displeased that the old priest dared pause halfway, seemingly trying to elicit information from him. Naturally, he showed no courtesy.

“I understand, I understand,” the old priest hastily replied. “I may not know the Bull Demon King’s exact whereabouts, but to the west of the Black Chicken Kingdom lies a territory under his control, called Mount Hao, Dry Pine Ravine, and Fiery Cloud Cave. Great demons guard the mountain. If your lordship wishes to learn of the Bull Demon King’s movements, perhaps you could investigate there.”

“Very well. I shall visit Mount Hao and Dry Pine Ravine then.” Before leaving, Yuan Wuyi handed the old priest a strand of his hair, instructing him that when constructing his statue, this hair must be incorporated.

“Grandmaster, since the immortal has departed, we should return and discuss our offerings,” the king of the Black Chicken Kingdom said, watching Yuan Wuyi soar away.

“Your Majesty, there is no need to rush. This matter can be handled slowly,” the old priest replied, a meaningful expression crossing his face as if something had occurred to him.

“How can we not hurry? You yourself witnessed his divine powers. If we do not act swiftly, the consequences may be beyond our ability to bear.”

“Your Majesty, let us return to the palace and discuss it at length.”

…

Meanwhile, inside Fiery Cloud Cave, a group of demons were plotting important matters.

“Second Lord, who would have thought that old fox would dare provoke you?”

“Indeed! In Fiery Cloud Cave, everyone knows you are the sworn brother of the Bull Demon King. That old fox must be out of his mind.”

“Wait until the Bull Demon King arrives—he’ll teach that stinking fox a lesson and vent your anger,” a group of bull demons muttered noisily below.

“Hmph! That filthy fox thinks himself clever and dares challenge me. When my brother arrives, I’ll show him what power truly is,” the bull demon sitting above cursed.

Elsewhere in Fiery Cloud Cave—

“Strategist, that so-called True Immortal Ruyi relies on the Bull Demon King, his sworn brother, to throw his weight around here.”

“If the Bull Demon King weren’t backing him, he’d be no match for you, Master Strategist.”

“Exactly. When the Bull Demon King first said we’d manage Fiery Cloud Cave together, who could have guessed True Immortal Ruyi would try to rule alone and ignore your wise counsel?”

This group of foxes voiced their loyalty to the strategist.

“The Bull Demon King will be here soon. It’s true they are sworn brothers, but everyone knows True Immortal Ruyi is a useless coward. I doubt the Bull Demon King would punish me for your sake,” the strategist, just a fox swaying his tail, replied slowly.

Yuan Wuyi, having left Black Chicken Kingdom, accelerated westward.

“This speed truly is remarkable,” he mused. Compared to his previous life, it outpaced even airplanes, but in the primordial world, it was rather slow.

“There’s a trace of demon aura—Fiery Cloud Cave must be in that direction.” Yuan Wuyi flew to the skies above the cave, where demon soldiers lined the entrance: bulls on one side, foxes on the other, each group patrolling their own half.

Could it be that Fiery Cloud Cave was split in factions?

“True Immortal Ruyi, this kind of patrol won’t work. If enemies attack, chaos will surely ensue,” the fox strategist admonished the bull demon called True Immortal Ruyi.

“You want my men to obey your commands? That’s impossible. I won’t direct your troops either. Isn’t it perfect for each of us to control half of Fiery Cloud Cave? With my brother’s reputation, who would dare cause trouble here?” True Immortal Ruyi replied with self-satisfaction, as if pleased with his own arrangements.

“You’re too stubborn—when the Bull Demon King returns, he’ll surely punish us,” the fox strategist exclaimed in frustration.

…

“If anyone is punished, it will be you. My brother would never punish me,” True Immortal Ruyi emphasized, stressing the word “brother.”

The fox strategist ignored the foolish bull. If worst came to worst, he’d explain everything to the Bull Demon King upon his return—surely he wouldn’t be blamed.

True Immortal Ruyi saw the old fox fall silent, feeling secretly pleased. That’ll teach him for daring to challenge me last time.

“Second Lord, Strategist, trouble! Someone has come knocking at the door!” A fox soldier rushed in, panic written on his face, shouting loudly to the bull demon and foxes.

“What’s happened? Speak clearly,” the fox strategist demanded, wanting the soldier to recount the events, but was cut off before he could finish.

“What’s the point of talking? Fetch my weapons, and I’ll lead the troops out to battle!” True Immortal Ruyi, weapon in hand, led his bull soldiers out of the cave.

“Quick, tell me what’s happening outside,” the fox strategist ordered the fox soldier.

“Strategist, here’s what happened: a monkey appeared at the cave entrance and requested to see the Bull Demon King, asking us to report. But the Bull Demon King wasn’t present, so we tried to explain, fearing he might be an old friend. Yet the Bull Vanguard started boasting, claiming the Bull Demon King wasn’t someone a wild monkey could meet. This angered the monkey, who unleashed thunder several yards long, capturing us all.”

“Did he harm you?”

“No, he released us and asked me to return and report.”

“This is bad—it’s likely an old acquaintance of the Bull Demon King. That foolish True Immortal Ruyi better not provoke him, or I’ll be punished as well,” the fox strategist thought, rushing outside.

The Bull Vanguard, whom Yuan Wuyi had spared earlier, grew even more arrogant upon seeing his Second Lord emerge, forgetting who had granted him mercy before.

“Monkey, my Second Lord is here. Kneel and beg for mercy now, and perhaps he’ll spare your life if he’s pleased.”

Yuan Wuyi had already announced his visit to the Bull Demon King. Unexpectedly, some small demons dared disrespect him, so he had punished them lightly, sparing their lives. Yet now they still dared to bluster.