285: Mouse Play

In Japanese legends, there is a monster called the Iron Rat, rumored to be the transformation of an enlightened high monk, with copper teeth and iron fangs, capable of biting through steel.

And before he died, when he was still a monk, he wore a set of Japanese monk robes!

This fellow before me, with his rat-like appearance, was already shaped like a rodent. Combined with the tattered monk's robe under his cloak, if Tang Ku couldn't guess his origins, he would truly be blind.

"Master, I don't quite understand. Why was this guy able to evade the detection of so many powerful figures in the city? Isn't he a monster? And the Si Tian Jian has Magic Treasure specifically for detecting monsters. How did he deceive everyone's eyes and ears to hide beneath the Du Xin Domain?"

Sha Wujing asked, his Face full of confusion.

Tang Ku narrowed his eyes, held his blade horizontally against the throat beneath the rat's head, and chuckled softly, "My disciple doesn't know. Can you tell him?"

The Iron Rat's Face turned ashen, trembling, unable to speak.

Tang Ku smiled, "If you won't say it, then I will... Monk Sha, you must know that even if the Yao Race's concealment methods are strong, it is impossible to evade all detection. Because the Demonic Qi inherently carried by the Yao Race cannot be completely eliminated. Even the Saint Nuwa has Demonic Qi on her... Of course, there are good and bad among the Yao Race, just like there are bad people and good people among humans, so Demonic Qi cannot define good and evil. However, the existence of Demonic Qi is inevitable. Therefore, anyone who understands a little about Qi can see the existence of Demonic Qi. But in this world, only the one before us is a complete exception..."

Tang Ku chuckled, "This guy was originally not part of the Yao Race, but a monk—a monk from Japan. Some say he was persecuted to death, others say he fell into Qi Deviation while Cultivating. In any case, he entered the demonic path and became a rat monster. The difference between him and other members of the Yao Race is that he was originally a high monk proficient in Buddha Dharma. With the power of basic Buddha Dharma, he could conceal the aura of the Yao Race... Am I right?"

The Iron Rat's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but sigh helplessly, "Since things have come to this, I have nothing to say. Since you know my origins, you should know who your opponent really is. I advise you not to go against my Master anymore and let me go back. Otherwise, they will send an endless stream of demons to cause trouble. By then, you will be so busy you won't even have time to eat, let alone Cultivate or develop... You are a smart person, I think you should understand what I mean!"

"Oh, are you threatening me?"

Tang Ku scratched his bald head and suddenly laughed, "I, a monk, am afraid of everything, except threats!"

"No, this has nothing to do with threats. This is just stating a fact!"

The Iron Rat said unhurriedly, as if he wasn't afraid that Tang Ku would refuse at all.

"Is your Master Darwin or Tesla?"

Tang Ku asked, suddenly ignoring the previous topic, "You haven't answered my question from just now!"

The Iron Rat's eyes rolled, and before he could speak, Tang Ku suddenly shouted, "Oh, I understand, it's Darwin!"

"How did you know..."

Halfway through the sentence, the Iron Rat already regretted it.

He instantly understood that Tang Ku was tricking him. From his reaction to hearing the name, he could deduce exactly which "Master" it was!

Tang Ku smiled slightly, "As expected. It seems he is the one who provided the new crops to Japan. Heh, he really can't leave his old profession behind!"

The Iron Rat's Face was ugly, "I advise you..."

"Alright, alright, stop advising me. You don't have that much Face. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that I have things to ask you, I would have killed you already... But it works out perfectly. When we launch our campaign against Japan, you can serve as a guide!"

Tang Ku laughed.

The Iron Rat's eyes widened, his Face full of disbelief. Suddenly, he stood up and roared, "A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated! Just kill me. I will never betray my Master, never!"

"Hmm, loyal, but stupid..."

Tang Ku sneered, "Do you really think you can return home safely? Heh, Monk Sha, just hand this guy directly over to the two Daoist priests of the Si Tian Jian. Use the Daoist sect's Soul Searching Technique to probe his memories. See if we can find the weak points of the Japanese islands and if we can come up with a suitable strategic plan..."

"Are you crazy? You actually have this idea? Don't you know how powerful my Master is? You crazy monk, you actually dare to plot against my Master! You will die, you will die a miserable death! Not only you, but you will also implicate all your friends and family, and they will all die horrible deaths!"

The Iron Rat screamed in panic, "Do you know that this biochemical virus was refined by Professor Darwin from my own body? You must know his capabilities!"

"So what?"

Tang Ku suddenly scoffed, "This time it was my carelessness. I didn't expect anyone to use such despicable means against the common people of Chang'an... Now that I know your methods, we have learned our lesson. No matter what methods you employ next, I will take them on, and I guarantee there won't be any more mistakes!"

"This is impossible!"

The Iron Rat seemed to have a kind of fanatical worship for Darwin, and he said in astonishment, "You are too delusional. You are not my Master's opponent. You... where do you get your confidence from!"

"If we don't even have confidence, then do we still have a self?"

Beside him, Sha Wujing suddenly put his hands together and said respectfully to Tang Ku, "Master, am I right?"

"Heh, good Zen. Monk Sha, you are gaining more and more insight into what I have taught you!"

Tang Ku smiled.

"You... you are all crazy, truly crazy..." The Iron Rat jumped up and down, shouting, "What you should be considering now is how to refine an antidote to save the people of Chang'an, not engaging in reckless aggression to cause trouble for my Master! You will die a miserable death!"

Tang Ku slapped the fellow across the Face and curled his lips, "We don't need a babbling rat monster to instruct us. Monk Sha, seal his mouth and send him to the Si Tian Jian. Remember, this Immortal Binding Rope must not be loosened even a bit, otherwise, it is very likely that this guy will use his magic power to break free. Do you understand?"

Sha Wujing nodded, walked up to the still-clamoring Iron Rat, and gave him another slap. He beat the fellow until his nose was bruised and his Face swollen, and he spun around three times before finally returning to his original position.

"Did I... did I just get hit?"

The Iron Rat murmured. This slap felt like being swung at by a sledgehammer, beating the Iron Rat's entire Face into a doughy mess.