Chapter Nineteen: So That's How It Is

"Little brother will leave everything to big brother to decide," said the King of Yurong cheerfully. This was exactly what he hoped for; after all, if the Demon Bull King was ever absent and they happened to cross paths, another battle would surely erupt. The King of Yurong could not bear the cost of repeatedly using his forbidden divine powers.

"I am also willing to follow big brother’s decision." Since the Demon Bull King had made his intentions clear, it was not appropriate for him to argue, especially when he had just been granted the Fire Cloud Cave.

Yuan Wuji bore traces of wounds himself, but with the Thirty-six Transformations and the formidable body of the Long-armed Ape, these injuries healed even as he conversed with the Demon Bull King. The king assumed Yuan Wuji must have swallowed some rare elixir.

The King of Yurong’s aura had also stabilized considerably; it seemed he too had a way to resolve the hidden dangers left by using forbidden sorcery.

"Big brother, your powers are extraordinary. Why have I never heard your name before?" The King of Yurong, having been bested by Yuan Wuji, was quite willing to acknowledge him as his elder. He was also deeply curious about Yuan Wuji’s origins.

"My name is Yuan Wuji. I have long cultivated in the Celestial Court, only recently permitted by my master to descend into the mortal realm for training." Yuan Wuji made no attempt to hide his connection to the Celestial Court—after all, he had already arranged for the Kingdom of Black Rooster to enshrine his golden image. Nor did he intend to cease drawing incense offerings from the mortal world; his master had spoken of the subtle uses of such power, and since he already had the means, he would make full use of his image to attract more worship.

"So that’s why Brother Wuji’s powers are so formidable—you’ve been training in the Celestial Court," the King of Yurong marveled. But how had the Demon Bull King come to know him?

"I, too, didn’t expect Brother Wuji to be training in the Celestial Court. If not for rescuing him when he was a child in the mortal realm and becoming sworn brothers, I might not have recognized him when he came to the Fire Cloud Cave," said the Demon Bull King, deliberately obscuring the true nature of their relationship. When he descended to the mortal world, he had acted on the instructions of Kui Niu, and Yuan Wuji understood that now was not the time to reveal his true identity—Mother Golden Spirit had cautioned him about this more than once in the Doumu Palace.

"But little brother Yurong’s background is not to be underestimated," the Demon Bull King swiftly changed the subject.

"When I battled with you, I sensed that your powers were extraordinary. Now, hearing the Demon Bull King speak, I see you are truly remarkable," Yuan Wuji picked up the thread, understanding the Demon Bull King’s intentions.

"It’s just a modest background," replied the King of Yurong, though a hint of pride colored his expression. Few could match his unique lineage.

"You are too modest, little brother Yurong. Brother Wuji is no outsider—let me tell you about his heritage. In the future, if you meet troublesome demons, just mentioning his name will suffice to awe them," said the Demon Bull King, flattering him further. The King of Yurong’s pride swelled, showing no objection to his background being revealed.

"Brother Wuji, this little brother Yurong is a descendant of both the ancient Water Apes and the ancient Fire Apes. These two clans have always been at odds, let alone interbreeding. Yet Yurong is one of those rare exceptions—born with the divine powers of both the Water and Fire Apes," the Demon Bull King explained.

"Truly remarkable," Yuan Wuji replied, though from the proud glint in the King of Yurong’s eyes, he detected a buried anger and helplessness. Clearly, the Demon Bull King hadn’t shared the full story; there was more to Yurong’s past.

"I think big brother is the extraordinary one; my water and fire arts are useless before you," the King of Yurong quickly suppressed his emotions, unwilling to dwell on his own history.

"Did you not also harm me? We fought to a draw," Yuan Wuji said, offering the King of Yurong some dignity now that they had reconciled.

"In our conversation, I almost forgot to check on your injuries. Here—this is a token of my concern, and it will do much to help you recover," said the Demon Bull King, handing over a blood-red pill.

"Then I am most grateful," replied the King of Yurong, visibly pleased; this pill would certainly aid his recovery.

"Rest well, little brother Yurong. We will take our leave."

"Safe travels, brothers."

After leaving the King of Yurong’s domain, the Demon Bull King suddenly turned to Yuan Wuji.

"What do you think of the King of Yurong?"

"I have studied the ancient Water and Fire Apes; both clans were said to be stronger than King Yurong."

"That’s right. Although Yurong is their descendant and was born with both their powers, their inherited talents are actually weaker in him. He can only grasp the superficial aspects of their arts; he cannot progress further. Even the technique he used to enhance his aura was something he obtained by luck, and it requires him to burn his own essence. The stronger the aura, the greater the toll on his blood."

"How did you come to befriend him?"

"His parents are high-ranking members of the ancient Water and Fire Ape clans. By their status, Yurong could have thrived in either clan, but since the two clans were always at odds, he was rejected by both. His parents were punished for giving birth to him, and because they knew who I was, they asked me to take him as a sworn brother. I couldn’t refuse."

The Demon Bull King shared all this to let Yuan Wuji know he need not invest too deeply in this friendship. The King of Yurong’s life would be just so.

But Yuan Wuji felt there was something more to Yurong, something even he had not realized—enough to stir the devouring hunger of the Heaven-Devouring Demon Heart. Yuan Wuji couldn’t believe Yurong was just another ordinary figure.

"Then why did you give him the pill for his wounds?"

"Because his parents are not people we can afford to offend. If his injuries were too severe, we would have trouble explaining ourselves. Sometimes it’s best to go with the flow." It was evident the Demon Bull King greatly feared Yurong’s parents.

After the Demon Bull King left, the King of Yurong did not immediately use the blood-red pill to heal himself.

"Hmph! Demon Bull King, do you think I can’t see through your intentions?" he muttered, crushing the pill in his palm.

He had once thought the Demon Bull King was someone worth befriending, but after the battle with Yuan Wuji, he had dragged his wounded body over, only to find the Demon Bull King more interested in talking with Yuan Wuji. He was sent off by a lowly soldier to recover, not even given a glance. Perhaps he had himself to blame for showing off his powers, but it was also inseparable from the Demon Bull King’s attitude; in the end, he was given only a single pill, almost perfunctory. Perhaps the pill itself was only offered out of respect for his parents.