32: Chapter 33 Return

Inside Boyue Cave, Demonic Qi surged. Ao Lie was covered in wounds, and his Immortal Qi was dissipating.

Yet, he still desperately protected Tang Seng, locked in a life-and-death struggle with the Yellow Robe Monster, putting his all into every single Move.

The Yellow Robe Monster's Moves were ruthless and relentless. Watching Ao Lie's disheveled state, he sneered, "A mere Profound Immortal Realm cultivator dares to act tough in front of me? I think you're looking for death!"

Before the words left his lips, he gathered his strength and struck a claw fiercely at Ao Lie's chest. The force was so powerful that it sent Ao Lie flying.

He slammed heavily into the cave wall, causing cracks to instantly spread across it. If not for the Shadow Power quietly shielding him, he would likely have been smashed into a pulp.

"Ao Lie!" Tang Seng exclaimed, but he dared not Move, fearing what the two minor demons beside him might do.

Ao Lie struggled to climb up from the ground, leaning against the stone wall, gasping for air.

Blood dripped continuously from the corner of his mouth, and the Immortal Qi around him had weakened to the extreme.

He knew deep down that relying solely on his own cultivation, he could never be a match for the Yellow Robe Monster.

But he could not retreat. Behind him was Master. If he fell, Master would surely die. If he retreated, the pilgrimage would end, and how would he level up?

He secretly wanted to mobilize his Shadow Power and summon his Shadow Servants.

But on second thought, if he summoned the Black Bear Spirit, the Yellow Wind Monster, and the others right now, the massive Aura of the Shadow Power would inevitably expose his trump card.

The Heavenly Court and the Western Heaven would surely notice immediately. By then, before he could even confront the immortals and Buddhas, he would draw endless pursuit upon himself.

In this dilemma, Ao Lie's longing for the Monkey King grew increasingly intense.

He was originally the son of the West Sea Dragon King, Ao Run, who had taken the Incarnation of a white dragon horse to protect Tang Seng on his journey west. Later, after the Awakening of the Shadow Monarch's authority, he had remained hidden and low-key throughout the journey.

He never relied on others, but at this moment, he truly realized the importance of the Monkey King to the entire pilgrimage team.

Back then, during the three strikes against the White Bone Demon, the Monkey King's Fiery Eyes had seen through the demon's schemes, yet he was misunderstood and banished by Master.

At that time, although he knew of the Monkey King's grievance, he had not spoken up. Now, trapped in danger, he finally understood that without the Monkey King, every step of the pilgrimage was a dead end.

He looked toward the cave entrance, filled with anticipation, hoping only that Pigsy could bring the Monkey King back soon to subdue this evil demon.

"Master, this Disciple is incompetent; I fear I cannot protect you anymore..."

Ao Lie murmured softly, yet his gaze remained firm. Even if he only had a sliver of strength left, he would fight the Yellow Robe Monster to the end.

He stood up again, dragging his injured body, and charged toward the Yellow Robe Monster once more. There were no earth-shattering Divine Abilities, no immensely powerful Moves, only a heart filled with the obsession to protect his Master.

The Yellow Robe Monster looked at the reckless Ao Lie with disdain and waved his hand casually.

He knocked Ao Lie to the ground once again. This time, Ao Lie struggled several times but could not get back up.

"Ao Lie, just resign yourself to death!"

The Yellow Robe Monster walked step by step toward Ao Lie, his sharp claws gathering thick Demonic Qi, ready to deliver the killing blow.

Tang Seng watched this scene, tears streaming down his face, and screamed at the top of his lungs toward the cave entrance.

"Monkey King! Monkey King! Master knows he was wrong! Come back and save me!"

He had finally repented completely, regretting that he had been blind and mortal, unable to recognize the demon, and had listened to Pigsy's slander, insisting on driving the Monkey King away.

Now trapped in a desperate situation, he finally realized the Monkey King's worth, his heart filled with guilt and longing for him.

Just at this critical moment, a sky-shaking roar suddenly came from outside the cave.

Immediately after, a golden light pierced the darkness of the cave, and a vigorous figure wielding a Golden Cudgel charged straight into Boyue Cave, shouting sternly.

"Demon, cease your arrogance! Old Sun is here!"

This voice, familiar and resonant, was none other than the Monkey King, whom Ao Lie and Tang Seng had been longing for day and night!

As it turned out, Pigsy had gone through many hardships and finally arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain, putting aside his pride to bitterly plead with the Monkey King.

He explained everything about Tang Seng being captured and Ao Lie's desperate battle.

The Monkey King had always cared for his Master. Upon hearing that Tang Seng was in danger, he immediately cast aside his grievances, rode his Somersault Cloud with Pigsy, and rushed over at full speed.

Upon hearing this shout, the Yellow Robe Monster's expression changed drastically as he turned to look at the cave entrance.

He saw the Monkey King holding the Golden Cudgel, his whole body radiating brilliant golden light, his Aura imposing.

With eyes staring sharply at him, he was suddenly startled and instinctively took a few steps back.

"You are the Protector of the Horses who caused the Havoc in Heaven! You actually returned!"

The Yellow Robe Monster was full of disbelief; he never expected that the Monkey King, having been driven away by Tang Seng, would actually return.

The Monkey King couldn't be bothered to talk to him further; he lunged forward, arrived in front of Ao Lie, and helped him up.

Checking his injuries, he said in a deep voice.

"Brother Ao Lie, you've suffered. Leave the rest to Old Sun!"

Looking at the suddenly appeared Monkey King, the heavy stone hanging in Ao Lie's heart finally fell, and his tense nerves instantly relaxed.

A look of relief appeared at the corner of his mouth as he slowly nodded, unable to hold on any longer, and passed out.

Even so, his mind was quite clear, because he was faking it, in order to pretend that he had given his all...

The Monkey King gently helped Ao Lie to the side and entrusted him to Pigsy, who had just rushed in.

He then turned around, looked coldly at the Yellow Robe Monster, pointed the Golden Cudgel directly at him, and shouted sternly.

"You bold demon, how dare you hurt my Master and harm my brother! Today, Old Sun will surely tear you to pieces to vent my hatred!"

Tang Seng watched the returned Monkey King, already sobbing uncontrollably, and said with a choked voice.

"Monkey King, Master was wrong. Master really knows he was wrong. Please forgive Master..."

The Monkey King looked back at Tang Seng, his expression softening slightly, and bowed.

"Master, do not cry. This Disciple does not blame you. With me here, I will surely subdue this demon and keep you safe!"

Having said that, the Monkey King said no more. Waving the Golden Cudgel, he charged toward the Yellow Robe Monster.

The Golden Cudgel danced with the sound of a roaring tiger; golden light and Demonic Qi collided instantly, and the entire Boyue Cave shook violently.

Although the Yellow Robe Monster's cultivation was not weak, in front of the Great Sage the Equal of Heaven who had caused the Havoc in Heaven, he was simply vulnerable.

After only a few dozen rounds, the Yellow Robe Monster gradually fell into a disadvantage, his Demonic Qi becoming chaotic.

He was beaten back by the Monkey King, struck repeatedly by the Golden Cudgel, and covered in wounds.

Pigsy was tending to Ao Lie on the side. Seeing the Monkey King slaughtering his way through, he instantly became spirited, waved his Nine-toothed Rake, and shouted loudly.

"Senior Brother is amazing! Let me assist!"

Princess Baihuaxiu stood aside, watching the unstoppable Monkey King, her heart filled with joy.

She knew she finally had a chance to return to the Baoxiang Kingdom and return to her father's side.

The Yellow Robe Monster became more and more alarmed as he fought. Knowing he was no match for the Monkey King, he began to harbor thoughts of retreating, wanting to seize the opportunity to escape.

But the Monkey King had already seen through his thoughts. How could he give him a chance? He immediately unleashed the 72 Transformations.

His figure flickered, turning into countless Clones, surrounding the Yellow Robe Monster and sealing off all his retreat paths.

"Demon, where are you running!"

The Monkey King shouted loudly, the Golden Cudgel gathering all his magical power, and smashed it fiercely toward the Yellow Robe Monster.

The Yellow Robe Monster had nowhere to run and could only use all his strength to resist, but he could not block this full-force strike from the Monkey King.

He was struck directly by the Golden Cudgel, thrown heavily to the ground, vomited blood, his Demonic Qi dissipated, and he was no longer able to resist.

The Monkey King stepped forward, placing a foot on the Yellow Robe Monster, and shouted sternly.

"You evil demon who has committed many misdeeds, entrenched in the Black Pine Forest for years, kidnapping the princess and harming living beings, today is your death day!"

Having said that, the Monkey King was about to end the Yellow Robe Monster's life with a strike of his cudgel, but Princess Baihuaxiu hurriedly stepped forward to plead for mercy.

"Great Sage, please show mercy. Although he has committed many misdeeds, we have been husband and wife. I hope the Great Sage will spare his life!"

The Monkey King looked at Princess Baihuaxiu, hesitated for a moment, and eventually put away the Golden Cudgel with a cold snort.

"Since the Princess is pleading, I will spare his life, but I will cripple his cultivation so he can never again bring disaster to the world!"

After the words fell, the Monkey King waved his hand, crippled the Yellow Robe Monster's cultivation, and handed him over to Princess Baihuaxiu to deal with.

Subsequently, the Monkey King hurriedly walked to Tang Seng's side, untied the ropes binding him, helped Tang Seng, and bowed.

"This Disciple came late and let Master suffer grievances."

Tang Seng took hold of the Monkey King's hand, tears falling again, and apologized continuously.

"Monkey King, it was Master's fault, Master was muddled. From now on, Master will never drive you away again. Please, never leave Master again."

"This Disciple understands. This Disciple will surely protect Master and finish the journey to the Western Heaven." The Monkey King replied in a deep voice.

At this time, Ao Lie also slowly woke up. Looking at the scene of the Master and Disciple reconciling before him, his heart was filled with gratification.

He looked at the Monkey King's figure and thought to himself.

"The Heart-Ape has returned, the evil demon can be removed, and the path of the pilgrimage has finally returned to the right track."

Through this battle, Ao Lie completely understood that even if he had the power of the Shadow Monarch, he still needed to remain patient and dormant.

And the Monkey King was the most solid reliance on the road of the pilgrimage.

From then on, the four Master and Disciples would work together to overcome tribulations and Move forward without fear.

The Monkey King saved Tang Seng and Ao Lie, subdued the troublesome Yellow Robe Monster, and comforted Princess Baihuaxiu.

He immediately helped Tang Seng, took Pigsy and Ao Lie, walked out of Boyue Cave, and headed toward the Baoxiang Kingdom.