Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 565 The Real Golden Horn Meets the "Fake Golden Horn"

skyline.

The thirty-tiered sky is vast and boundless, with clouds rising and falling, displaying ever-changing weather.

Sun Wukong rode on clouds, rushing about, passing through palaces and towers.

Along the way, the guardian deities and celestial officials they encountered, upon seeing that familiar figure carrying the golden cudgel on his shoulder and exuding an imposing aura, all became solemn, bowed their heads, and repeatedly uttered obeisances.
"Meet the Great Sage!"

"May the Great Sage be well!"

……

The heavenly realm has strict rules and a clear hierarchy; insubordination is a grave offense.

Even if some deities might have had some complaints in private, in this public setting, under the watchful eyes of everyone, none of them dared to utter any disrespectful words towards the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Sun Wukong grinned and casually waved his furry paw:
"No need for formalities, go about your business!"

After saying this, Sun Wukong charged forward again, rushing through the palaces and pavilions like a whirlwind. Wherever he passed, the clouds surged like waves, and the immortals retreated as if all feared his might.

Finally, they reached the depths of the thirtieth layer.

Ahead, the sea of ​​clouds surged, as if a giant dragon was hidden within, stirring up the wind and clouds, and the weather changed drastically.

A magnificent and imposing divine pavilion, with its flying eaves and brackets entwined with colorful auspicious clouds that have lasted for millions of years, rises from the ground and hangs majestically in the void!
The pavilion was shrouded in a mesmerizing, seven-colored light, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. It was so extraordinary that even a distant view was enough to dazzle and bewitch the viewer.

Before the pavilion gate, several golden-armored generals stood with their hands on their swords, holding the massive, door-like swords. Their figures were as upright as towering peaks, and a chilling aura emanated from them, making them awe-inspiring and unapproachable.

However, upon seeing Sun Wukong's arrival, the murderous aura on the faces of these divine generals instantly vanished. They stepped back with utmost respect, joined forces to open the radiant, multi-layered protective gate, and their chants resounded:
"Welcome, Great Sage!"

"May the Great Sage live a long life!"

……

Sun Wukong waved his hand dismissively and laughed:

"No need for formalities. I brought a new friend with me today to do some shopping."

"I hope you can be lenient with me."

After saying this, Sun Wukong beckoned Xiao Chen to step inside.

The golden-armored generals guarding the gate glanced at Xiao Chen's celestial official's waist token and wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

Passing through the light barrier that ripples like water, the core of the pavilion comes into view.

Sun Wukong was extremely familiar with this place. He took a few steps forward and, with a creak, lifted the silk curtain and pushed open the heavy ebony door, which was engraved with mysterious Daoist patterns.

Suddenly!
The world before my eyes suddenly changed!

Behind the door was not an elegant room or a grand hall, but a small, independent world created through the wondrous arts of immortals!

……

Deep within the Thirty Heavens, lies the Jade Capital Heavenly Treasure Palace.

But one sees jade pavilions and terraces rising one after another amidst the ever-changing, colorful clouds, arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion. Such heavenly palaces are hard to find on earth.

A rainbow lies across the water, connecting pavilions in all directions and linking all parts of this celestial paradise.

The hazy glow of the sunset, like tangible silk and brocade, flowed slowly through the air, intertwining with the omnipresent and refreshing fragrance.

Jade palaces and pavilions float in the air, adorned with terraces and waterside pavilions, and exotic flowers and plants release intoxicating fragrances.

"Heavenly King..."

"marshal……"

"True Lord..."

Numerous immortal figures lingered among them, some draped in auspicious clouds, engaging in lofty discussions on exquisite jade platforms, exchanging esoteric teachings and revealing the wisdom of the immortals in their words; others gathered in twos and threes, sipping tea and chatting merrily in the flying pavilions and jeweled towers, their laughter and conversation exuding carefree ease.

The pavilions and celestial palaces stand side by side, their plaques gleaming with divine inscriptions.

"Taibai Pavilion" - the seal script is simple and vigorous, and the aura of Danxia is faintly floating, which is obviously the name of Venus.

The plaque of "Shuide Pavilion" features a design of blue waves, with wisps of water vapor rising like smoke, creating an ethereal and misty atmosphere. It must undoubtedly be the Water Deity Star Lord.

"Plague God Pavilion" - a chilling aura emanates from the surroundings, with a faint green mist swirling around it, an atmosphere that keeps the living away, proclaiming the authority of the Plague Emperor.

The "Temple of the God of Wealth" is bathed in golden light and auspicious energy. The dazzling brilliance of the jewels is almost blinding. It resembles a mountain of gold and a sea of ​​silver. Who else could it be but the temple of the God of Wealth, Zhao Gongming?

……

Cranes spread their wings and sang sweetly as they soared over the clouds, while a divine tortoise carried a treasure box and leisurely patrolled the streets.

"This celestial fruit is extraordinary; it seems to be destined for me..."

"This pill is exactly what I need..."

"True Lord, it's been a long time..."

High-ranking celestial officials and divine messengers moved among them, exchanging rare spiritual materials with sharp eyes, selecting precious items; or they appraised supreme Daoist techniques, discussing the mysteries of cultivation with focused expressions.

What a magnificent and prosperous world of immortals!
Here.

Elixirs and elixirs, divine iron materials, celestial birds and beasts, jade talismans and treasure bottles, exotic flowers and fruits... all kinds of rare treasures are displayed here, dazzling and radiant.

Of course, there are also some magical treasures and weapons.

However, with Xiao Chen's current discerning eye, ninety-nine percent of these items on display are just ordinary acquired magic treasures, which are no longer worthy of his attention.

The best weapons and magical artifacts in the celestial realm were mostly crafted by Laozi and Master Lu Ban.

Most of the high-level magical treasures in the Heavenly Realm were bestowed by the Jade Emperor himself.

For example, the demon-subduing staff of the Curtain-Rolling General was forged by Master Lu Ban himself, and the Jade Emperor personally bestowed it upon him as a sign of honor when he was appointed as the Curtain-Rolling General.

Marshal Tianpeng's weapon—the renowned "Shangbao Qinjin Rake"—was meticulously forged by Laozi himself using rare and precious materials in the Eight Trigrams Furnace. It was originally an unparalleled divine object used to guard the Lingxiao Danque Palace!

Later, at the ceremony of bestowing the title of Marshal Tianpeng, the Jade Emperor bestowed this rake upon Marshal Tianpeng as a royal ceremonial weapon to display his majesty.

……

Of course.

Like Sun Wukong's Ruyi Jingu Bang, which grants his will and can overturn rivers and seas; the Black Eagle Banner of Zhenwu the Great, which sweeps away evil and conquers the universe; and the Primordial Pure Yang Sword of Donghua the Emperor, which slays demons and vanquishes monsters with its profound and mysterious light...

These top-tier magical weapons are half a cultivator's lifeblood, and they are usually held tightly in their hands, not easily taken out for trade.

However, in this Jade Capital Heavenly Treasure City, there are a few magical treasures that are not bad.

While strolling around.

"Monkey, um, um..."

Xiao Chen wasn't idle either.

He discreetly "admired" and played with the artifact, replicating it.

On the one hand, he used Sun Wukong's influence to exchange for several items that suited his taste, as well as some rare refining materials and exotic fruits containing the essence of heaven and earth.

"Lord of the Wood Star, it's been a long time..."

"You old Taoist priest, don't try to fool me, Old Sun..."

Sun Wukong understood immediately and stepped forward with a smile to chat. In just a few words, he exchanged the rare materials and fruits that Xiao Chen needed for refining, showing off some of the prestige and power of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Sun Wukong and Xiao Chen were strolling leisurely through the dazzling Heavenly Street Market, enjoying the carefree life of immortals amidst the bustling crowd.

suddenly.

A slight commotion arose from the crowd ahead, attracting the attention of Sun Wukong and Xiao Chen.

Sun Wukong and Xiao Chen took a closer look.

Two clever young Taoist boys, dressed in Taoist robes and with their hair styled in double buns, strolled leisurely along the ethereal Heavenly Street with their hands behind their backs.

One of them had bright eyes and wore a dazzling golden Taoist robe. He was like the rising sun, sharp and piercing, exuding a vigorous and heroic aura.

The other person, with elegant features, wore a pure white, flawless silver Taoist robe, and had a gentle and peaceful demeanor.

Strangely, wherever the two went, even the seasoned stall owners and worldly-wise shopkeepers under the Star Lord's command would nod slightly in greeting, their expressions revealing a hint of respect, which showed that their status in Danque was extraordinary.

"what?"

Sun Wukong paused slightly, his golden eyes narrowing and flashing with surprise:

"Aren't these the two little kids, Jinlu and Yinlu?"

"Weird!"

Sun Wukong muttered to himself, scratching his ears and cheeks:
"The Dan Yuan Conference is imminent, right before our eyes. We are at the crucial moment of adding fuel to the fire and refining the golden elixir in front of the Eight Trigrams Furnace."

"Why are these two little boys not tending to the furnace and protecting the Dharma, but instead having the leisure to stroll around the market? How strange, truly strange!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's heart stirred, and his gaze fixed on the golden-robed boy:
“Golden Furnace Boy, Silver Furnace Boy…” “In other words, aren’t these the original ‘Golden Horn King’ and ‘Silver Horn King’ from the Journey to the West world?!”

What a coincidence! It's truly a case of the imposter bumping into the real deal!
Just, at this moment.

Who exactly is Li Kui?
Who is the imposter?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's heart stirred, and he asked Sun Wukong again for confirmation:
"Monkey, you're saying these Golden Furnace Boy and Silver Furnace Boy... could they be the two celestial boys in the Tushita Palace, the ones who guard the Golden Furnace and the Silver Furnace before Laozi?"

"That's them."

Sun Wukong scratched the golden hair on his neck and added confidently:
“In the past, I, Old Sun, would go to the Tushita Palace to ask that old man, Laozi, for tea and elixir.”

"I see those two kids fanning the fire nine times out of ten! There's no mistake!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen raised his eyes again, his gaze sharp as he carefully examined the pair of distinguished-looking Daoist disciples in their robes:
"This... King Golden Horn, the real deal has arrived."

According to the original plot of "Journey to the West", these two fairy children should be the real Golden Horn King and Silver Horn King, who are famous in the Lotus Cave of Pingding Mountain!

On their journey to the West, Guanyin Bodhisattva borrowed the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy from Laozi and sent them to the mortal realm to transform into demons, testing the sincerity of Tang Sanzang and his disciples in their pilgrimage.

These two attendants, the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy, occupied Pingding Mountain, changing their names to "King Golden Horn" and "King Silver Horn," respectively. Each wielding numerous magical treasures, they gambled and fought with Sun Wukong, obstructing Tang Sanzang and his disciples from their journey to the West.

However, things change, and circumstances bring us together.

Now, he has taken over the title of "Golden Toad King" from "Golden Furnace Boy's Future Name" and changed his name to "Golden Horn King," and is quite famous in the mortal world.

Then this Golden Furnace Boy might not be called the Golden Horned King anymore.

However, in this Three Realms, titles are also something that one must claim first!

Names are like trademarks; whoever registers them first owns them.

Once the trademark is affixed first, no matter how legitimate your origins are, you're bound to become a "counterfeit" product later on.

The current situation is a perfect example:

"A fake has run into the real deal!"

The "fake Golden Horn King" meets the "real Golden Horn King" on a narrow path!
However, the struggle over titles is, in essence, a struggle over reputation.

Zhuangshan is not terrible, whoever is ugly is embarrassed.

It's not scary to have the same name as someone else; the one with less fame is the one who feels embarrassed.

Whoever is renowned and possesses great magical power is the universally recognized "Golden Horn King"!
Those with little fame will naturally fade into obscurity.

Avoid its sharp edges.

……

Of course, the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horn King may actually be "hornless"; these are just their "aliases".

King Golden Horn (Golden Furnace Boy) and King Silver Horn (Silver Furnace Boy) were originally celestial children in the palace of the Supreme Dao Ancestor, not demons from the mortal realm.

In the original description of "Journey to the West", there is no mention whatsoever of them having "horns" on their heads.

The Golden Horned King is described as having: "His helmet plume gleamed brightly... His round eyes flashed with lightning, and his steel beard billowed with smoke."

The Golden Horned King is described as fierce, yet he is not depicted as having horns.

The Silver Horn King is described as: "Wearing a phoenix helmet that defies the snow... with a handsome appearance, his face is like that of the living lord of Guankou, and his appearance is no different from that of the giant spirit."

The Silver Horned King was also extraordinary in appearance, but he had no trace of horns.

On the other hand, the original text clearly describes the green ox demon as having "a single, jagged horn, bright, gleaming eyes, rough, protruding skin on its head, and shiny black flesh at the base of its ears..."

The existence of the Green Ox Demon's horns is obvious at a glance.

So, where did the names Golden Horn and Silver Horn come from?

Upon closer examination, the Golden Horned King's helmet plume is made of gold, while the Silver Horned King's helmet plume is made of silver.

The term "horn" refers to the plumes that stand tall on the helmets of the Golden Horned King and the Silver Horned King, which, from a distance, resemble horns standing upright.

It gets its name from the golden horn and silver horn.

The titles "Golden Horn King" and "Silver Horn King" are just like "Yellow Robe Monster".

Kui Mulang was originally a star in the celestial realm, but due to his love for the mortal world, he descended to earth and became a demon.

He was dressed in a yellow robe, hence the name "Yellow Robe Monster".

The Yellow Robe Monster was not actually a spirit dressed in a yellow robe; he simply wore a yellow robe, hence the name "Yellow Robe Monster."

All these names are fabricated, intended to "deceive people and make it difficult for them to discern their true nature."

In fact, most of the gods, children, and mounts from the celestial realms who descend to the mortal world will change their appearance and take on a new look.

Back when Sun Wukong was thrown into Laozi's Eight Trigrams Furnace, the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy might have been outside "fanning the flames" to help Laozi refine him...

Sun Wukong had seen the true faces of the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy.

Kui Mulang and Sun Wukong also crossed paths; they even fought each other during the battle of Flower Fruit Mountain.

However, after Kui Mulang descended to the mortal realm, Sun Wukong no longer recognized him.

This is all because immortals descend to the mortal realm, concealing their true forms in the mundane world, changing their appearance to avoid heavenly secrets, and "changing their names to hide their identities."

Therefore, it is difficult to recognize old acquaintances.

……

At this moment.

Sun Wukong was delighted to see the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy, these two "fat sheep." His eyes gleamed with cunning, and he immediately transmitted his thoughts to Xiao Chen:

"Brother Guoshan! What a great opportunity has come your way! These two young boys are close associates of Laozi in his alchemy room."

"They have quite a few good things in their hands."

"Even a tiny bit that slips through your fingers is a treasure trove!"

Sun Wukong rubbed his hands together, looking every bit the cunning merchant.
"Let's go over and chat with them for a bit."

"Firstly, I'll go and ask them for a few pills to eat, just to have a little treat."

He winked at Xiao Chen and whispered:
"Secondly, I promised Sister-in-law Wansheng that I would get her some of Laozi's Enlightenment Tea, and this is just the perfect opportunity to have it delivered to her lips."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen was immediately delighted.

Beside Laozi were cowherd boys, golden furnace boys, silver furnace boys, and so on, each with their own duties.

Among them, the cowherd boy is responsible for watching over the blue ox with its flat horns and is in charge of the Vajra Bracelet.

These Golden Furnace Boys and Silver Furnace Boys were mainly responsible for assisting Laozi in refining elixirs. They had banana leaf fans to fan the fire, jade bottles to hold water, and purple-gold gourds to hold the elixirs...

These treasures, if you touch any one of them, are an incredible stroke of luck!

Moreover, the foundation of Red Boy's "Samadhi True Fire," the fire bricks in the Eight Trigrams Furnace... isn't this the best way to obtain such a thing?
With this thought in mind, Xiao Chen's eyes burned with intensity, and he immediately said to Sun Wukong:
"Alright! Monkey, you may use the treasures in my magic bag as you see fit."

Even if we use it all up, it won't be a big problem!

He lowered his voice, with a hint of eagerness:
"Take a look and see if there's any way... to coax them into letting us play with Laozi's gourd for holding elixirs, his water bottle, his fan for stoking the fire... even just a few glances would be fine?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head, his monkey face full of confusion, and asked in bewilderment:

"Toad, your scheme... I, Old Sun, am completely confused!"

"We went through a lot of trouble to 'purchase' those treasures, only to get to touch theirs in return?"

"Isn't this deal a complete loss?"

"No way! I, Old Sun, can't do this kind of unprofitable business!"

Xiao Chen already had a plan in mind, and smiled mysteriously:
"It's alright, monkey. I have a clever plan. Just follow the instructions."

Although Sun Wukong was full of doubts, seeing Xiao Chen's firm gaze, he stopped asking questions, and his monkey-like decisiveness prevailed.

Without a word, Sun Wukong nimbly somersaulted and landed about ten feet in front of the two boys, Jinlu and Yinlu, blocking their path. He grinned and said:
"Golden furnace! Silver furnace! What a coincidence!"

"I heard that the Dan Yuan Conference is coming up in a hurry in the next few days. How come you two have such free time to come to this Que City to stroll around and have some fun?"

The Golden Furnace Boy was startled when the mischievous monkey that had suddenly descended from the sky blocked his path.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the lawless Monkey King.

A look of deep wariness immediately appeared on the Golden Furnace Boy's face. His little hand unconsciously covered the hem of his Taoist robe, as if afraid that Sun Wukong would steal something from him. He quickly spoke first:
"You greedy monkey!"

"Why have you run into us today?"

"Let me make this clear from the start: I don't have any golden pills for you to enjoy!"

His expression and tone clearly showed that he was afraid of being "visited" by Sun Wukong.

(End of this chapter)