Ox-King

"Bulma, are you alright?"

Ziye looked at the terrified Bulma in his arms and asked with concern.

"I... I'm fine!"

"Thank you for saving me, Ziye."

Bulma's face flushed instantly, her eyes darting toward his handsome face every now and then.

"Not bad, little one, you actually dodged that!"

As a rough voice rang out, the group suddenly snapped back to reality to see a burly man standing before them. Strangely, a pair of ox horns sprouted from his head.

"Ox-King?"

Seeing the newcomer, Oolong screamed in terror.

"Oh?"

"You actually know who I am?"

"What are you lot doing skulking around my castle?"

"Are you here to steal my treasures?"

The Ox-King let out a roar, questioning them aggressively.

"N-n-no, Lord Ox-King, we're just passing through!"

Oolong said, his body trembling.

"You're the Ox-King? We came here because we wanted to borrow something from you..."

Before Ziye could finish, Oolong ran over and covered his mouth, then bowed to the giant and said, "I'm sorry, Lord Ox-King! My friend here has a bit of a problem with his head. I'll take him away right now!"

"Hmph."

"You think you can just come and go as you please? What do you take this place for?"

The Ox-King snorted coldly and bellowed at them.

"Take this!"

Without waiting for them to react, the Ox-King swung his axe down directly.

"Watch out!"

Ziye's expression tightened. He shoved Oolong aside and moved with blinding speed, narrowly dodging the Ox-King's lethal strike.

"Not bad, little one, you've got quick reflexes. Let's see how many hits you can take!"

With that, the Ox-King swung his axe at Ziye again. Not daring to be careless, Ziye leaped into the air and landed on the giant blade of the axe.

He then darted forward with rapid footwork toward his opponent. In the next second, Ziye channeled all his strength into a fierce kick to the Ox-King's face, but to his surprise, the giant didn't budge an inch.

"So strong!"

Ziye murmured.

"Little one, that attack of yours is barely enough to scratch an itch!"

"Hahaha!"

With a laugh, the Ox-King launched another attack at Ziye!

BOOM!

Ziye dodged the axe strike, but he didn't expect to be hit by the giant's massive fist, sending him flying backward.

"Sss... that hurts."

Ziye clutched his chest and groaned. Ever since his strength surpassed Goku's, he hadn't encountered an opponent, let alone been injured. It seemed the Ox-King was truly a tough nut to crack.

"What do we do? Ziye doesn't seem to be a match for this big guy!" Bulma said, worried.

"I told you, the Ox-King is terrifying, but you wouldn't listen!"

Hearing Oolong's words, Bulma grew even angrier and shouted, "What's the point of saying that now? Think of something!"

Oolong spread his hands helplessly. "What could I possibly do?"

"I don't care! If anything happens to Ziye, I won't let you off!" Bulma roared in anger.

"Hey, what does this have to do with me?"

Oolong pouted, feeling aggrieved.

"Ziye, I'm here to help!"

Just as Ziye was being suppressed, Goku suddenly flew in on the Flying Nimbus!

Seeing Ziye injured, Goku was filled with rage. He grabbed his Golden Cudgel and charged forward, but the Ox-King blocked it easily with his axe and gave a casual swing, sending Goku flying away as well!

"Is... is that the Flying Nimbus?"

Upon seeing Sun Wukong's Flying Nimbus, the Ox-King hurriedly stopped what he was doing and questioned him, "Kid, tell me quickly, where did you get this Flying Nimbus?"

"Master Roshi gave it to me," Sun Wukong answered truthfully.

"Master Roshi! You mean Master Mutten?"

"Do you know where Master Mutten is now?" the Ox-King asked with an excited expression.

"Ziye, do you remember Master Roshi?"

"Hm?"

Ziye nodded, then spoke indifferently, "I remember he lives on a small island by the sea!"

"That's wonderful! I finally have news of Master Mutten; I can finally return to my castle!" the Ox-King shouted in excitement.

"Huh?"

"Kid, was that the Ruyi Golden Cudgel you were using just now?"

The Ox-King's eyes lit up as he asked Sun Wukong.

"Yeah."

"It was left to me by my late grandfather."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and replied with a smile.

"Is your grandfather's name Son Gohan?"

The Ox-King asked in surprise.

"Uncle, how did you know?"

Hearing Sun Wukong's words, the Ox-King burst into laughter and said:

"So you are Gohan's grandson. Today, it's truly a case of family fighting family."

"Uncle, did you know my grandfather?"

Sun Wukong asked with a puzzled look.

"Of course. Son Gohan was Master Mutten's top disciple, and I was his second disciple," the Ox-King explained earnestly.

"Is what you're saying true?"

"Of course."

Hearing their conversation, Bulma couldn't help but recall that lecherous old man by the sea, and she said in surprise:

"I never expected that old man to have such a significant background!"

Oolong nodded and said calmly, "I finally understand why Ziye and Sun Wukong are so powerful."

"Damn it, no wonder I couldn't beat them. So they are Son Gohan's grandsons; it's no injustice that I lost to them."

At this moment, hiding in the shadows, Yamcha also heard their conversation. He clenched his fists tightly and said with unwillingness.

"Young Master Yamcha, do you know his grandfather?"

"Yes, he was a legendary figure, an existence we absolutely must not provoke. I never imagined such a powerhouse had already passed away; no wonder I never heard any news of him!"

Yamcha nodded, his face revealing a look of both fear and yearning.

"Since Young Master Yamcha says he was powerful, then he must be truly formidable!"

"By the way, Sun Wukong, can I ask you for a favor?" the Ox-King pleaded with Sun Wukong.

"What is it?"

The Ox-King rubbed his palms together and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Could you help me borrow the Banana Leaf Fan from Master Mutten to extinguish the flames around my castle?"

"That? I suppose I can, but after it's done, you have to give the Dragon Ball to me!" Sun Wukong rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and said.

"Dragon Ball? What is that?"

The Ox-King scratched his head, asking in confusion.

"It's this. As long as you collect all seven Dragon Balls, you can have any wish granted!"

Sun Wukong took a Dragon Ball from his pocket, placed it in front of the Ox-King, and said sincerely.

"This bead? I think I've seen one before. No problem, I agree!"