Ao Tu and Mahamayuri Bodhisattva each wielded their supernatural abilities, capturing the people on either side.
Neither could get the better of the other.
The remaining immortals, gods, and demons fled far away, afraid that another clash between the two would once again catch innocent fish in the crossfire.
After a long stalemate, both needed to extricate themselves, so they agreed to release their captives together and exchange hostages.
With hostages in hand this time, neither broke the agreement, and they released them simultaneously as promised.
Mahamayuri Bodhisattva released Red Boy.
Ao Tu released Nezha.
Mahamayuri Bodhisattva released Six-Eared Macaque.
Ao Tu released Erlang.
Mahamayuri Bodhisattva released Scorpion Demon.
Ao Tu released Heavenly King Li.
Mahamayuri Bodhisattva still held Bull Demon King.
Ao Tu still held several dozen immortals and gods.
The two had agreed to release them together, but Mahamayuri Bodhisattva broke his word, taking Heavenly King Li, Nezha, and Erlang with him and turning to leave.
Unable to catch him, Ao Tu could only take the demons back to the cave first.
When Princess Iron Fan learned that Mahamayuri Bodhisattva had captured Bull Demon King, she grew frantic. Removing her hairpins and jewelry, pinning up her dark hair, and dressing in mourning white, she knelt before Ao Tu and wept mournfully. "I beg you, Brother, save my husband's life! Our family could never repay you."
Jade-Faced Fox and Little Fox also knelt behind Princess Iron Fan.
Ao Tu hurriedly bowed. "Sister-in-law, why go so far? You'll be the death of me! Please get up. I will certainly rescue Brother Bull. How could I not give it my all?" He reached out to help her up, then felt it inappropriate and instead told Red Boy to support her and take her to a back room to rest.
Meanwhile, Mahamayuri