The Demon Seed

When casting the spell to observe pregnant women, if the fetus appears, it is normal; if it doesn't, it is undoubtedly a demon fetus.

After Zhuang Yan imparted this technique to all the Immortal Officials, he ordered all Immortal Officials in Guangci Prefecture to investigate all pregnant women within their jurisdiction one by one.

He also specifically summoned Elder Guangde of Tianci Temple and taught him the Yin-Yang Fetal Observation Technique as well.

As the largest Buddhist temple in Guangci Prefecture, Tianci Temple had a deep foundation of believers. If the monks in the temple could be mobilized to participate in the investigation, it would be twice as effective with half the effort.

Elder Guangde accepted the order without hesitation. Upon returning to the temple, he immediately taught the technique and dispatched all the monks to travel to various places under the guise of spreading Buddhist teachings to search for demon fetuses.

The monks were particularly enthusiastic, as this Buddhist tribulation concerned their very survival.

Just as Zhuang Yan was busy with the demon fetus investigation in Guangci Prefecture, the Department of the Mortal Realm of the True Palace of Great Mystery suddenly issued an edict, ordering him to ascend to heaven immediately and appear before Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion.

Zhuang Yan did not dare to delay. After entrusting the affairs of the prefecture to the Fire Spirit True Immortal, he immediately set off to ascend.

Zhuang Yan ascended to the First Heaven and went straight to the True Palace of Great Mystery. As soon as he entered the palace gate, he saw Lü Dongbin, clad in immortal robes and with a precious sword on his back, standing by the corridor of the screen wall.

Zhuang Yan quickly stepped forward to pay his respects: "How can True Person Lü be here?"

Lü Dongbin turned around and smiled: "This humble one has come specifically to welcome the Prefect."

"Welcome me? Zhuang Yan asked in surprise, "I am merely a Seventh-Rank Immortal Official, how could I trouble a True Person to personally greet me?"

Lü Dongbin smiled and shook his head: "If the Prefect of Lingtai cannot be considered worthy, then who can? Enough idle talk, come with me quickly."

Zhuang Yan nodded and followed, asking as he walked, "Is Emperor Shaoyang's sudden summons related to the descent of Moluo?"

"That is only part of it."

"Oh? Then what is the other matter?" Zhuang Yan's expression showed surprise.

Lü Dongbin replied, "Ten days ago, the Four Seas Dragon Kings came to the Department of the Mortal Realm to file a complaint."

Zhuang Yan's heart stirred, and the image of a certain monkey flashed in his mind, but he showed no outward reaction: "May I ask what the Dragon Kings complained about?"

Lü Dongbin said, "A demon monkey from Flower-Fruit Mountain in the East Victory Divine Continent trespassed into the East Sea, stole the sea-calming treasure 'Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron', then snatched the North Sea Dragon King's Lotus-Root Silk Cloud-Treading Boots, the West Sea Dragon King's Chain Mail Golden Armor, and the South Sea Dragon King's Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, causing chaos in the East Sea. The Four Seas Dragon Kings filed a complaint with the Department of the Mortal Realm, and Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion ordered the eight of us to descend and capture the demon monkey."

Zhuang Yan asked, "Was he captured?"

Lü Dongbin shook his head: "That demon monkey possesses immense divine abilities. I fought him for sixty rounds before I was defeated; the other seven did not last even ten moves."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan's gaze shifted slightly, and he secretly mused that being able to fight Sun Wukong, who wielded the Golden Cudgel, for sixty rounds was no ordinary feat.

Lü Dongbin saw his expression and sighed: "To be honest, Prefect, my Pure Yang Sword is already damaged, its blade full of nicks."

"This demon monkey... does have some skill," Zhuang Yan said.

Lü Dongbin nodded: "Indeed, he is powerful. After we were defeated, he did not pursue us. Who knew that on our return journey, we would encounter Moluo."

"Moluo?" Zhuang Yan was startled, "Where did you encounter it?"

Lü Dongbin replied, "It should be within the territory of the South Continent of Jambu."

Zhuang Yan's heart trembled, and he immediately concluded that a demon seed had appeared in the South Continent of Jambu. He urgently asked, "What happened afterward?"

Lü Dongbin said, "As Demon-Subduing True Persons, we naturally had to eliminate the evil. We set up a formation and besieged it, fighting fiercely. In the end, we repelled it with Li Xuan and Zhongli Quan, but..." he paused, "this battle cost the lives of four fellow Daoists: Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, and Zhang Guolao."

"Fallen?" Zhuang Yan was stunned, "The Eight Immortals are true immortals of the Daoist Sect, how could they be involved in a Buddhist tribulation?"

Lü Dongbin gave a wry smile: "It was their own doing."

"What do you mean?" Zhuang Yan asked.

Lü Dongbin said, "Do you still remember the Eight Immortals Pavilion? It is precisely because it entangled Buddhist karma that we fell into this tribulation."

Zhuang Yan was speechless and after a long while said, "Indeed... asking for trouble."

Originally, there should not have been an Eight Immortals Pavilion in the Western Ox Continent, but because of him, the Eight Immortals established a pavilion there, which caused the heavenly destiny to change and karma to arise.

He then asked, "How are the four True Persons now?"

Lü Dongbin said, "Their Primordial Spirits have returned. Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion has sent a letter to the Prefect of Mount Tai. After receiving a reply, they will be sent for reincarnation and re-cultivation."

Zhuang Yan frowned: "Cannot their physical bodies be reformed?"

Lü Dongbin sighed lightly: "Those who fall in tribulation, even if their physical bodies are recast, their karma will still be difficult to eliminate, and they will eventually face tribulation again. Only through reincarnation can karma be completely severed."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, and the two arrived outside the Hall of Grotto-Heavens. After the Heavenly Soldiers announced their arrival, Lü Dongbin led Zhuang Yan into the hall.

Inside the hall, Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion sat at the head, with True Lord Xuandu and True Man Wenshi flanking him. The four divine beings of the Department of the Mortal Realm were all present: Auspicious God Lu Wu, Bai Ze, Fierce God Bi Fang, and Shang Yang. Among the Eight Immortals, Tieguai Li, Zhongli Quan, He Xiangu, and the Director of the Department of the Mortal Realm, True Person Xuji Chongying, were also seated.

Lü Dongbin stepped forward and saluted: "Reporting to the Grand Minister of Grotto-Heavens, the two Junior Ministers, the Prefect of Lingtai has arrived." After the Emperor's nod, he retreated to the Eight Immortals' seats and took his place.

Zhuang Yan respectfully saluted: "Your subject, Zhuang Yan, Lord of Lingtai Dongming, pays respects to Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion, True Lord Xuandu, and True Man Wenshi."

The Emperor smiled and raised his hand: "Prefect of Lingtai, please rise." He gestured for Zhuang Yan to take a seat next to True Person Xuji Chongying. Zhuang Yan thanked him and took his seat, exchanging greetings with his colleagues.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion spoke: "The Four Seas Dragon Kings have accused the demon monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain of stealing treasures and causing chaos in the East Sea. Do any of you know the origin of this demon?"

The assembled immortals and gods shook their heads. Seeing Zhuang Yan remain silent, the Emperor continued: "This demon's magical power is formidable, and the Department of the Mortal Realm cannot control it. I propose to report this to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion. Do any of you have any objections?"

True Lord Xuandu and True Man Wenshi immediately seconded the proposal. Once the decision was made, the matter would be handled by the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion.

The Emperor changed the subject: "As for the matter of Moluo's descent, it is not the responsibility of our Department of the Mortal Realm."

True Lord Xuandu added: "This is a Buddhist tribulation and has nothing to do with the Heavenly Court."

True Man Wenshi nodded in agreement: "The conflict between Buddha and Demon, what does it have to do with us?"

The Emperor, however, said: "However, eight of our Demon-Subduing True Persons from the Department of the Mortal Realm have been drawn into the tribulation, and four have already met their fate. We cannot ignore this matter." He then turned his gaze to Zhuang Yan: "Prefect of Lingtai."

Zhuang Yan immediately stood up: "This subject is here."

The Emperor said gently: "Please sit. I have summoned you here today precisely because of the Eight Immortals' tribulation. Since the karma originated from the Eight Immortals Pavilion, it should also end there."

Zhuang Yan understood: "What does the Emperor mean?"

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion said calmly: "Li Xuan, Zhongli Quan, Lü Dongbin, and He Xiangu, the four immortal beings, will accompany you to the Lingtai Divine Manor to reside temporarily. By being at the source of the karma, you may find a way to resolve it."

Zhuang Yan seemed to grasp something, but then heard the Emperor continue: "If, in the end, the karma cannot be resolved, then let them face their tribulation in the Western Ox Continent, completely severing the karmic entanglement, lest it create further complications and hinder their cultivation in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan couldn't help but look towards Lü Dongbin and the others. He saw the four immortal beings looking at him with calm smiles.

Zhongli Quan laughed heartily: "Prefect of Lingtai, we will be troubling your manor from now on."

Zhuang Yan's face showed surprise: "Lan Caihe and the other four fellow Daoists have already met their fate, yet you can still joke and laugh like this while still in the midst of the tribulation?"

Everyone present chuckled at this. He Xiangu smiled faintly: "Which one of us here has not experienced life and death, reincarnation? It is merely re-entering the mortal world, to taste the joys and sorrows of life once more. It is hardly worth mentioning."

Lü Dongbin clapped his hands and said: "To be able to have a few drinks and meals at the Lingtai Divine Manor before facing the tribulation is not a wasted trip."

Zhuang Yan turned to Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion: "Your Majesty, will the True Palace of Great Mystery reimburse this expense?"

The Emperor laughed heartily: "Just put it on the True Palace of Great Mystery's tab."

Zhuang Yan immediately bowed: "If that is the case, then the four immortal beings are welcome to stay as long as they wish."

"They might not be able to stay long," True Lord Xuandu sighed lightly, "Karmic tribulations are the most unpredictable. If they can be resolved, it would be a great fortune. If not..." He paused, "then we will have to trouble you, Prefect, to send their Primordial Spirits back to the True Palace of Great Mystery."

True Man Wenshi added: "To put it plainly, he's asking you to help collect their bodies."

Zhongli Quan jokingly chimed in: "And perhaps cry at our funeral and offer some incense."

Zhuang Yan also laughed: "I can cry at your funeral, but it'll cost extra."

As soon as he said this, laughter erupted throughout the Hall of Grotto-Heavens, completely dispelling the somber atmosphere of life and death tribulations.

Meanwhile, the matter of the demon monkey on Flower-Fruit Mountain reached the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, and it was True Lord Pi Li, Divine Might Subduing Demons, who was on duty. On the Thunder Hub Treasure Hall, the True Lord sat at the main seat, with Generals Azure Thunder and Stone Thunder flanking him, and the Five Directional Thunder Emperors arranged on either side. Below the hall stood True Lords Tianpeng, Tianyou, and Yisheng, as well as the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Marshals Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Guan, Nezha, and many others.

Marshal Deng stepped forward and reported: "Reporting to the True Lord, the Department of the Mortal Realm of the True Palace of Great Mystery has forwarded a memorial: On Flower-Fruit Mountain in the East Victory Continent, a demon monkey has declared himself king and is training soldiers. Recently, it forcibly entered the East Sea and stole the Sea-Calming Divine Needle and the armaments of the Three Dragon Kings. Although no lives were taken, many aquatic creatures in the East Sea were injured. Previously, the Four Dragon Kings requested the Department of the Mortal Realm to subdue the demon, but the Eight Immortals were defeated. On their return journey, they encountered an incarnation of Moluo, and thus four True Persons met their fate. Therefore, the Department of the Mortal Realm specifically requests the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion to subdue the demon."

True Lord Pi Li asked in a deep voice: "Did that demon monkey take any lives?"

Marshal Deng replied: "It only stole treasures and injured people, it did not take any lives."

True Lord Pi Li pondered for a moment and continued: "That monkey spirit is claiming kingship and gathering troops on the mountain. Has it encroached upon the mortal realm?"

Marshal Deng cupped his hands and replied: "Reporting to the True Lord, although that monkey spirit has subdued seventy-two cave demon kings and declared itself king, it has only operated within the territory of Flower-Fruit Mountain and has not attacked any mortal cities."

"In that case, it has not brought disaster upon the common people?" True Lord Pi Li pressed.

Marshal Deng said: "It has indeed not disturbed the mortal world. However, this demon forcibly entered the Dragon Palace and stole the treasures of the Four Dragon Kings, thus committing the crime of plundering immortal abodes."

True Lord Tianpeng stepped forward and said: "Since this monkey was able to cause havoc in the East Sea, it must have extraordinary abilities. Since it has achieved enlightenment, why not guide it towards goodness? Perhaps it can achieve a righteous fruit in the future."

Nezha disagreed: "Stealing a few treasures from the Dragon Palace, what's the big deal? The Four Dragon Kings have mountains of treasure..."

"Silence!" The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King glared and shouted.

Nezha said with a playful grin: "Father, you are right. Your grandson should not speak carelessly about grandfather." This remark made the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King's face turn green.

True Lord Yisheng chimed in: "True Lord Tianpeng's words are very true. If we can enlighten this monkey and guide it to righteousness, it would indeed be a meritorious deed."

"Who will go to enlighten it?" True Lord Tianyou asked.

True Lord Tianpeng chuckled: "Our Divine Thunder Jade Mansion specializes in conquest. Matters of education should be handled by the Department of the Mortal Realm."

True Lord Pi Li turned to the Five Directional Thunder Emperors: "What are your thoughts?"

The Eastern Thunder Emperor, representing everyone, replied: "We will obey orders regarding matters of conquest. For ordinary affairs, the True Lord may make the decision."

"Very well," True Lord Pi Li decided, "Order the Department of the Mortal Realm to send someone down to the mortal realm to persuade the demon monkey."

When the imperial decree reached the Department of the Mortal Realm, Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion was discussing matters with True Lord Xuandu and True Man Wenshi.

After reading the decree, Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion smiled: "It is quite rare for the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion to ask us to educate a demon monkey."

True Man Wenshi played with the decree and laughed: "The Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, which has always been swift and decisive, why are they being so merciful this time?"

True Lord Xuandu stated concisely: "They find it troublesome."

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion smiled knowingly. Although it wasn't entirely the case, he understood the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion's considerations.

If this demon monkey could truly turn over a new leaf, why would they need to mobilize troops to suppress it?