"All right, Sun Wukong. What exactly do you want? Just say it."
King Yama sighed heavily. It had suddenly dawned on him that from the moment this monkey had entered the Underworld, he had seemed to see through all their schemes.
They had thought they'd set a trap, but who knew the Mischievous Monkey had been completely unafraid all along!
They'd thought they were playing the monkey, but in the end, the monkey had played them!
And he'd gotten them in a bind!
"This Old Sun's soul was snatched here for no reason at all. You nearly scared the life out of me! You owe me compensation for emotional distress, at the very least! Hand over eight or ten Innate Spirit Treasures to calm me down. Not one less!"
Sun Wukong didn't hold back. When he'd finished speaking, he plopped down right in the middle of Yama Hall, stretched out his legs, and looked utterly righteous, as if he intended to settle in for good.
King Yama's mouth twitched. He spread his hands helplessly.
"Forget eight or ten. I couldn't even produce one... I'm only a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Innate Spirit Treasures are incredibly rare! How many Grand Unity Golden Immortals in this world can't get their hands on one? What makes you think I deserve such a treasure?"
He wasn't lying.
The Primordial Wilderness was vast, but there were only so many Innate Spirit Treasures. Every one was a treasure renowned throughout the Primordial Wilderness. What sort of treasure could a puppet King of Hell, pushed into his position, possibly have?
The monkey merely grinned and shook out his fur.
"If you won't give them to me, then come on. Let's go find Empress Pingxin and have her hear our case. I refuse to believe there's nowhere in this vast Underworld that'll give us a fair hearing..."
At that, King Yama's head began to ache. By now, he was certain Sun Wukong had seen through everything.
King Yama took a deep breath and dismissed everyone else. Only then did he speak, each word deliberate:
"Sun Wukong, now it's just the two of us. You don't need to keep up the act. I know... you've already figured it out!"
At his words, Sun Wukong's usual cheeky expression vanished. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and thunder seemed to gather deep within them.
"Heh... King Yama, you're not as stupid as I thought. At least you're better than that idiot dragon from the Eastern Sea!"
He rose slowly and advanced on King Yama, step by step, his voice icy.
"I have already reached the peak of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. I've long since transcended the Three Realms and escaped the Five Elements. I share the same lifespan as Heaven and Earth, and I'm immortal!"
"Your little Underworld dares to seize my soul... Do you really think I wouldn't dare slaughter every one of your ghost officials in this hall?"
Before he'd even finished speaking, a surge of immortal might erupted like a raging sea. The ghostly flames throughout Yama Hall roared and flickered, while the pillars cracked with a series of sharp snaps, as though they could barely withstand the pressure.
King Yama shuddered, his legs giving way. He hurriedly grabbed the throne to steady himself, his face as pale as paper.
"I've even dared to kill two Bodhisattvas from Spirit Mountain. Why would I fear a puppet King of Hell like you?"
Sun Wukong sneered. Faint thunder and blazing demonic aura swirled around him, while his golden fur gleamed with an eerie chill in the gloom. His killing intent spread from his feet like a rising tide, and the entire hall seemed to plunge into a storm of blood and slaughter.
King Yama could barely breathe. Cold sweat ran from his temples down his neck as he begged hoarsely, trembling:
"Please calm your anger, Exalted Immortal! I—I was only following orders... I beg you to show mercy..."
Sun Wukong gave a soft snort and strolled a couple of steps with his hands behind his back, wearing a half-smile.
"Hmph, King Yama, all you want is for me to cross my name off the Book of Life and Death so you can answer to the Buddhist sect. That's simple enough, as long as... you agree to a few small conditions."
King Yama's eyes lit up. He said excitedly:
"If you can really do that, I'll be forever grateful, Exalted Immortal! What would you have me do?"
Sun Wukong smiled, baring a flash of fangs, and coldly enunciated each word:
"I don't want much: Water of the River of Forgetfulness, Seeds of the Other Shore Flower, Netherworld Ghost Fire, Fruit of Reincarnation, Seeds of the Grass of Forgetfulness, Seeds of the Mandara Flower, and Heart of the Netherworld Lotus... Not one can be missing."
At his words, the ghostly wind in the hall abruptly stopped, and the smile froze on King Yama's face.
"This... Exalted Immortal..."
These things were unique to the Underworld. Although they weren't the only ones of their kind, they were still extremely precious treasures, each with its own unique function.
Seeing this, Sun Wukong's gaze hardened. He said coldly:
"What, you're unwilling? The things I want aren't one-of-a-kind treasures. Surely you're not too stingy to part with them, King of Hell?"
King Yama felt a chill run through him. Gritting his teeth, he slowly took jade boxes, porcelain bottles, and a purple-gold case from his storage ring. He held them out to Sun Wukong with both hands, smiling ingratiatingly.
"Please calm your anger, Exalted Immortal. These... these are all the treasures you asked for. Please take them."
Sun Wukong accepted them, shook them casually, and sniffed one of the Seeds of the Other Shore Flower. Satisfied, he nodded, then patted King Yama on the shoulder and leaned down to murmur in his ear with a beaming smile:
"I rule Flower-Fruit Mountain and command a million demon tribes. Lately, I've been a little short on funds!"
"And your Underworld, year after year, is nourished by the incense offerings of the mortal world, while countless Shade Souls pay tribute and make offerings!"
"I'm sure you're not short on gold and silver. I won't ask for much. From now on, send one-fifth of your offerings to Flower-Fruit Mountain every year. What do you think?"
At those words, King Yama's face suddenly stiffened.
This monkey really was cunning!
"Exalted Immortal... This... one-fifth is far too much..."
"Hmm?"
Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow. His smile was as cold as a blade, and his fists clenched with a series of sharp cracks, as if he might smash Yama Hall to pieces at any moment.
"King Yama, I don't want to make things difficult for you. You have two choices: either I beat you to death right now, or I go find Empress Pingxin and have her judge the matter!"
At that, King Yama's face turned green and cold sweat poured from his forehead. He hurriedly raised a hand.
"Please calm your anger, Exalted Immortal. I think this matter... might be negotiable. It's just that one-fifth would severely weaken the Underworld. We still have to grease the palms of the Heavenly Court, the Buddhist sect, and Daoism, top to bottom. How about... one-eighth?"
Sun Wukong nodded, grinning so widely that his teeth showed.
"Fine! One-eighth it is! But, Old King Yama, you'll have to swear a great oath. And you'll have to make the offering every year from now on. No going back on your word!"
King Yama's mouth twitched. He gave a bitter smile, clasped his hands, and swore the oath. Only then was Sun Wukong satisfied!
Once all that was done, King Yama eagerly produced the Book of Life and Death and Judge's Brush, then held them out to Sun Wukong with an ingratiating smile.
"Exalted Immortal, can you cross your name off the Book of Life and Death now?"
"Hand it over!"
Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes, looking thoroughly haughty.
King Yama quickly took out the Book of Life and Death and Judge's Brush and respectfully handed them to Sun Wukong.
"Exalted Immortal, please!"
But Sun Wukong only glanced at them and dismissed them with a scoff.
"I want to cross my name off the Netherworld Book! Not the Book of Life and Death!"
"Bring out the Netherworld Book. Don't hide it away!"
King Yama stared at him in shock and cried out:
"What? You want to cross your name off... the Netherworld Book?"
Before you continue