A mistaken fall into Pansi Cave (Twenty-nine)

Meanwhile, Ao Tu appeared to save the people.

The Spider Demon demons clung to Ao Tu, complaining of their grievances.

Ao Tu picked up a small spider, gently stroked it, and laughed, "Don't be afraid, I'll stand up for you."

After speaking, Ao Tu opened his palm, revealing a Fifth-Grade Black Lotus, which covered his head. Auspicious Light descended, and thunder could not be heard, nor could lightning penetrate.

Wukong was greatly alarmed and turned to leave.

Nezha paused for a moment, then slowed down.

Only Heavenly King Li angrily rebuked, "So it was you, you Demon Dragon, who instigated this! You have repeatedly offended the majesty of Heaven; what is your punishment?"

Ao Tu smiled faintly and did not reply. He took out a Treasure Banner, the Northern Black Origin Water-Control Banner. He unfurled the flag, placing one end on the Moon Star and the other end on the Sun Star. With a vigorous shake, the flag swept down, covering all the places illuminated by the sun and moon.

Wukong Somersault Cloud 108,000 li away, but he still couldn't escape and crashed head-on into the flag. He tried to strike the Treasure Banner, but it was like dancing with a sword in water—a waste of effort, and he was swept away whole.

Nezha escaped on his Wind Fire Wheels, but the banner was swept away, leaving him with nowhere to go in any direction.

Nezha threw out his Demon-Slaying Sword and Universe-Splitting Silk Demon-Chopping Saber, which landed in the flag without causing a ripple; he threw out his Universe Ring and Hun Tian Ling, which also landed in the flag without causing any disturbance; he kicked out his two Wind Fire Wheels, which landed in the flag, but still had no effect.

Nezha could only watch helplessly as the banner rolled down, enveloping him. He thrashed about, unable to escape, and was swept away in the blink of an eye.

Heavenly King Li and the Gods of the Thunder Department also fell into the flag. They used all their magic power but could not escape and were swept away in an instant.

Bajie was so frightened that he hid his head in the grass, Tang Sanzang hid under a pile of stones, Sha Wujing hid behind a tree. With a wave of the banner, they were all captured.

Suddenly, the clouds thinned and the wind calmed, and the sky appeared normal.

The Many-Eyed Monster transformed back into human form, and, filled with both respect and fear for Ao Tu, knelt and said, "Thank you, Your Great King, for saving my life."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You are working for me, so I should save you. Even if your Fleshly Body Divine Soul are destroyed, I will bring your True Spirit back."

Upon hearing this, the Many-Eyed Monster repeatedly bowed in gratitude.

Ao Tu shook the flag, and Tang Sanzang and his companions fell out, crashing to the ground unconscious.

Ao Tu said, "Take him away and lock him up."

Several Daoist stepped forward and took Tang Sanzang and his companions away.

Ao Tu shook the flag again, and Wukong fell out, also unconscious.

Ao Tu said, "Take him away and keep a close watch on him."

A Daoist stepped forward and dragged Wukong away.

Ao Tu shook the flag again, and Heavenly King Li and the Gods of the Thunder Department fell out.

Ao Tu said, "Imprison these people in the palace upstairs. When they wake up, come and report to me."

The Daoist Daoist agreed and took the group away.

The Eldest Sister Spider Demon, clinging to Ao Tu's waist, asked with some concern, "Your Great King, these are all Thunder Duke from Heaven. Will they be alright after we place them in the palace and they wake up?"

Ao Tu said, "Don't worry, I have some connections with these people. Just treat them with courtesy, and they won't cause trouble in the chaos."

The Second Sister hugged Ao Tu from behind and asked, "Won't that Heavenly King Li cause any trouble?"

The Many-Eyed Monster exclaimed, "Yes, Your Great King! That Heavenly King Li has been extremely disrespectful to Great King!"

Ao Tu laughed upon hearing this, saying, "Although Heavenly King Li may have the desire to incite chaos, he lacks the power to do so!"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

Ao Tu shook the flag again, and the Demon-Slaying Demon-Slaying Sword, Demon -Demon-Chopping Saber, Universe Ring, Universe-Splitting Silk, and Wind Fire Wheels fell out. Nezha also fell out of them, head down and feet up, and fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Ao Tu grabbed Nezha's ankles, held him upside down, and ordered, "Someone bring a frame and carry him to the side hall to rest."

Upon hearing this, two Daoist carried over a carrying frame.

The elder sister warned, "Your Great King, don't let her appearance fool you; she's quite fierce, wielding a vicious sword and knife. Don't underestimate her!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You don't know, he's not a girl, but Heavenly King Li's third son, Third Prince Nezha. Because he caused trouble in the sea when he was seven, he was forced to disembowel himself and return his flesh and blood to his parents, so as not to burden them. Afterwards, he took the form of lotus roots, hence his current appearance. You mistake him for a girl because he's handsome, with feminine features. He has a younger sister who looks exactly like him, and she's even older than him now!"

Upon hearing this, the Spider Demon demons all said, "So that's how it is," and chuckled.

Nezha couldn't help but curl his five toes slightly, wanting to get up and fight the Demon Dragon. How dare it spread his past here! It was truly hateful.

Ao Tu realized that Nezha had woken up, and changed the subject:

"Once he wakes up, you must not neglect him; treat him with the same respect you would show me."

The Second Sister asked, "Your Great King, why? Do you have any connection with him?"

Ao Tu said, "That's right, I have a lot of friendship with him. In the past, I was ambushed and my Life and Death was unknown. He risked his life to avenge me. This is a friendship forged in poverty and hardship, and I must never forget it."

Upon hearing this, the Many-Eyed Monster and the Spider Demon all said, "In that case, we will treat him as we would our Great King, and dare not be negligent in the slightest."

Ao Tu nodded slightly.

Nezha gave a soft snort in his heart and remained still.

The two Daoist then carried Nezha away.

Ao Tu returned to the main hall, looked at the multicolored Spider Demon, and said:

"Alright, you guys should come down now. The lightning has stopped outside. How long are you going to stay here any longer?"

Upon hearing this, the Spider Demon demons all climbed off Ao Tu's body and transformed back into human form, becoming six beautiful women.

Ao Tu squeezed the Little Spider Demon in his hand again and laughed, "You come down too!"

The Little Spider Demon wiggled its rear end, climbed down Ao Tu's arm, and transformed back into human form, its face rosy.

Ao Tu instructed, "You must diligently practice the Dharma Method I have taught you and not be negligent. A great battle will be fought soon. Although you will not have to fight, you must still protect yourselves."

Upon hearing this, all the Spider Demon earnestly agreed.

Ao Tu said, "Alright, go down now."

The Second Sister said, "Your Great King, don't rush to send us away! Those young disciples are clumsy and useless. If we leave, who will serve Your Great King? Besides, we still have questions about cultivation that we would like to ask Your Great King in detail!"

The other Spider Demon all chimed in, "Yes, Your Great King! Yes, Your Great King!"

Ao Tu said, "You can ask me about your cultivation questions another day. I have other people to see today, so don't delay any longer. You may leave now."

Hearing this, the Spider Demon demons had no choice but to leave.

The seven had barely left when the Many-Eyed Monster came in and reported, "Your Great King, Sun Wukong has woken up and keeps demanding to see you, saying you plotted against him and that he wants an explanation."

Ao Tu said, "Bring him here."

The Many-Eyed Monster advised, "Your Great King, that Monkey is cunning and has escaped several times. Should we tie it up tightly with Rope before bringing it to see Great King?"

Ao Tu said, "No need. I have some connections with him and I'm sure he won't escape. Just bring him here."

Upon hearing this, the Many-Eyed Monster couldn't help but wonder, "How can the Great King be on good terms with everyone? He's on good terms with the Immortal of the Dipper Department, he's on good terms with the Immortal of the Thunder Department, he's on good terms with Third Prince Nezha, and now he's on good terms with Sun Wukong."

Wouldn't that mean that everyone except the monks of Spirit Mountain is the Great King's friend?

Demon have more friends than gods and Buddhas, so who exactly is the Demon Evil?