50: Chapter 51: Take it!

Upon hearing this, Monkey King finally understood everything completely. He smiled and said, "So they are disciples under the Taishang Laojun. Since the Taishang Laojun has come in person, I, Old Sun, will naturally give him Face."

Having said that, Monkey King untied King Gold Horn and peeled off the Talismanic Incantation from the purple-gold red gourd, opening its lid. At this moment, King Silver Horn had not yet completely melted into pus and blood inside the gourd. He was saved by a wisp of Immortal Qi from the Taishang Laojun, flew out of the gourd, restored his true form, and knelt before the Taishang Laojun alongside King Gold Horn, bowing their heads in admission of their faults, their Faces full of remorse.

"You two, you descended to the mortal realm without permission, stole my Magic Treasure, obstructed the great cause of the pilgrimage, and committed many evils. After we return, you shall be severely punished!" the Taishang Laojun scolded coldly, his tone severe. He then beckoned with his hand, and the five Magic Treasure items in Monkey King's hands—the Palm Leaf Fan, the purple-gold red gourd, the sheep-fat jade purifying bottle, the Golden Binding Rope, and the Seven-Star Sword—all flew back into his possession.

The two boys, King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn, having experienced this tribulation, had their cultivation scattered, their soul bodies severely damaged. Their Faces were pale, their breaths weak, and as they knelt on the ground, trembling all over, they were already on the verge of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

Tang Seng stepped forward, pressed his palms together, and bowed to the Taishang Laojun: "Many thanks to the Taishang Laojun for coming to subdue the demons and resolving the tribulation for my disciples and me."

The Taishang Laojun nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Tang Seng, your Master and disciples are on a pilgrimage to the Western Heaven, which is inherently fraught with tribulations. This event was a destined fate; only after passing this trial can you continue your journey westward. On the road ahead, you must remain careful and proceed with caution."

Having said this, the Taishang Laojun said nothing more. Taking the two boys, King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn, he turned around, stepped onto his green ox, and prepared to ride the clouds back to Doushuai Palace.

Just at this moment, no one noticed that Ao Lie, who had been lurking by Tang Seng's side in silence, had a flash of imperceptible dark light in his eyes. Taking advantage of the moment when the Taishang Laojun's Immortal Qi enveloped the area and everyone's attention was focused on the Lord and the two boys, he quietly circulated his Shadow Power, condensing it into two invisible threads of shadow. Fast as lightning, they instantly drilled into the soul bodies of King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn, who were on the verge of soul dissipation.

These two shadow threads hid deep within the two boys' soul bodies, alerting no one. Even the Dao Ancestor, the Taishang Laojun, did not detect this faint trace of Shadow Power. Ao Lie's movements were extremely fast. Once done, he instantly withdrew behind the others, acting as if nothing had happened, though the coldness and mockery in his eyes could not be fully concealed.

The Taishang Laojun departed with King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn. The auspicious clouds gradually vanished into the horizon, and calm returned to the front of Lotus Cave, leaving behind only the corpses of demons scattered across the ground and the chaotic, ruined Immortal Cave.

Tang Seng pressed his palms together and bowed to the horizon in gratitude. He then turned to look at Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sand Monk, saying with a Face full of remorse, "This tribulation was entirely because I did not heed your advice. With my mortal eyes, I blindly trusted the demons, causing you all to fall into danger and suffer greatly. It is truly my fault."

Monkey King scratched his head and comforted him with a smile, "Master, you speak too seriously. The pilgrimage to the Western Heaven is inherently fraught with tribulations. Experiencing this trial has only made us, Master and disciples, more united. Besides, the demons have already been subdued, and we are safe and sound; that is the best outcome."

Pigsy also hurriedly chimed in, rubbing his stomach which was rumbling with hunger, and said, "Master, Senior Brother is right. The tribulation is over; we should hurry and search inside this Lotus Cave to see if there is any food to fill our stomachs, so we can continue our journey sooner."

Sand Monk also nodded and said, "Master, Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother are right. This place is not suitable for a long stay. We should tidy up and set off as soon as possible to head toward the Western Heaven."

Tang Seng nodded and said no more. The Master and disciples entered Lotus Cave together to pack their bags and look for food. Pigsy was the most enthusiastic, rummaging through boxes and cabinets in the cave, finding quite a bit of rice, flour, grain, oil, as well as dried and fresh fruits. He immediately set to work, lighting a fire to cook. Before long, the aroma of a meal drifted through the cave.

Ao Lie did not busy himself with the others. He remained standing at the entrance of the cave, seemingly gazing at the road ahead, but in reality, he was secretly concentrating, sensing the movements of the soul bodies of the two boys, King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn, who were far away in the clouds, being taken by the Taishang Laojun to Doushuai Palace.

Earlier, the two shadow threads he had struck into the two boys' soul bodies while the Taishang Laojun was off guard were not merely simple bindings, but a unique Soul Contract technique of the Shadow Monarch. It was specifically designed for beings whose soul bodies were damaged and on the verge of collapse. Once the Soul Contract was planted, it would take root deep within the other's soul body, and even if they were taken back to the Heavenly Realm, they would be unable to break free.

At this moment, King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn were being healed by the Taishang Laojun's Immortal Qi, but their soul bodies remained weak. The shadow threads quietly spread deep within their soul bodies, permeating bit by bit, thoroughly merging with their souls. The two boys were completely unaware, and the Taishang Laojun simply assumed their soul bodies had been too severely damaged for their cultivation to recover, failing to detect the existence of the shadow soul contract.

Standing at the cave entrance, Ao Lie closed his eyes and used his Shadow Power to communicate with the Soul Contract deep within the two boys' soul bodies, leaving behind the mark and command unique to the Shadow Monarch within their consciousness. There was no earth-shattering commotion, no leakage of Demonic Qi; in total silence, the shadow subjugation was completed.

From now on, King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn might appear to still be the fire-tending boys under the Taishang Laojun, but in reality, they had become Ao Lie's shadow subordinates, obeying Ao Lie's secret commands. Lurking in Doushuai Palace, hiding their identities, they would neither expose Ao Lie's secrets nor affect the great cause of the pilgrimage. In the future, if Ao Lie had need of them, he could mobilize their power with a single thought, making them a major asset hidden within the Heavenly Realm.

All of this was completed in silence, and Tang Seng, Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sand Monk were completely unaware. Monkey King was inside the cave checking for any remaining demons, Pigsy was eating his meal in large mouthfuls, Sand Monk was packing the Master and disciples' luggage, and Tang Seng sat quietly to the side, silently reciting scriptures. Everything was just as it usually was.

Ao Lie slowly opened his eyes, the dark light in them flashing and then vanishing, restoring his usual calm and forbearance. There was not a hint of abnormality about him. He understood in his heart that this subjugation of King Gold Horn and King Silver Horn was the first important piece he had secretly placed on his journey of the pilgrimage. It neither violated his original intention for the pilgrimage nor exposed his identity as the Shadow Monarch, and it laid a crucial Foundation for his future plans.

Before long, the four Master and disciples had eaten their fill, packed their luggage, led the white horse, and walked out of Lotus Cave. Tang Seng looked at the Pingding Mountain before him, filled with many emotions. Having experienced this tribulation, they had finally passed it safely, without any disaster.

Monkey King swung his staff toward the direction of Lotus Cave, igniting a raging fire that reduced the entire Lotus Cave to ashes, completely severing the Foundation of the demons' lair there. He then said to Tang Seng, "Master, the tribulation here is over. We can continue our journey and head west."

Tang Seng nodded, mounted his horse, and Monkey King led the way. Pigsy followed closely behind, carrying his rake. Sand Monk carried the luggage, and Ao Lie led the white horse, guarding Tang Seng's side. The five Master and disciples once again embarked on their journey to the Western Heaven.

The sunlight spilled down, shining upon the four Master and disciples and the one horse. Their figures gradually faded into the distance, crossing over Pingding Mountain and steadily heading westward. Behind them, Lotus Cave turned to ashes in the raging fire, and the tribulation of Pingding Mountain became a thing of the past.

As for Ao Lie, he walked slowly while leading the white horse, his heart calm and without ripples. He remained that low-key, forbearing White Dragon Horse who silently protected his Master, the most inconspicuous existence in the pilgrimage team. Yet no one knew that his shadow command had already gained two capable subordinates hidden within the Heavenly Realm.

The road to the Western Heaven for the pilgrimage is long, with endless tribulations. Ao Lie continued to hide his sharp edge, lurking all the way. He protected Tang Seng on the pilgrimage to the Western Heaven, fulfilling his heavenly destiny, while also secretly laying plans to strengthen his own Shadow Power, carving out his own path amidst the various destined tribulations. The road ahead remains perilous, but he is already prepared, quietly awaiting the arrival of the next tribulation.