It is said that Jiang Yuan heard the Land Deity mention that the chaotic demon was connected to Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, so he dispersed the clouds and mist to listen clearly.
Jiang Yuan asked, "Land Deity, please explain the matter. If it is indeed the fault of Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, I will help you eliminate the demon and restore your peace."
The Land Deity replied, "Immortal, listen to my tale. I was originally a Land Deity a hundred miles away, doing good deeds during the day, promoting kindness and suppressing evil, ensuring peace in the area. Though not a great sage, I was still competent.
Unexpectedly, the demon came to my door, taking advantage of my heart, using its ferocity and power to kill me, occupying my home and taking my position, leaving me with nowhere to hide or escape.
I asked the demon where it came from, and it claimed to have great divine power since childhood, coming from the Southern Zhanbu Continent, worshipping at Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, and receiving various true teachings, thus it is a person of Fang Cun Mountain."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood in his heart that it was likely a disciple from the mountain who had become a demon, harming this Land Deity.
He said, "So it is indeed from Fang Cun Mountain?"
The Land Deity bowed, "I dare not deceive the Immortal. The demon speaks the truth; the Immortal has a way to subdue it!"
Jiang Yuan said, "If what you say is true, I will definitely help you eliminate the demon and ensure your safety. Please point me in the right direction."
The Land Deity then pointed forward, clearly indicating the direction.
Jiang Yuan understood the direction.
He summoned clouds and mist beneath his feet, traveling a thousand miles in an instant, arriving at the place indicated by the Land Deity.
He pressed down on the cloud head and looked down, only to see that the area was densely forested.
Here was a thousand-year-old cypress, and there was a ten-thousand-year-old pine.
If he were to proceed, he would need to climb the vines; otherwise, he could not advance.
This place was indeed filled with trees that obscured the view, and the mist rose, enchanting the heart.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuan designated that area, reciting a spell, and called out "Wind."
In a moment, a howling wind arose, sweeping away the mist entirely.
He focused his qi and, after a short while, saw a person sitting in a tree hollow.
This person wore a wide robe and had red eyes, resembling a demon afflicted by a disease.
Inside the tree hollow, he had captured seven or eight people, both men and women, young and old, all tightly bound with tree vines.
Jiang Yuan descended from the cloud head and landed in front of the tree hollow, where he saw a horizontal stone slab with the large characters "Ancient Peak Forest Immortal Cave" inscribed on it.
There was also a stone slab labeled "Land Deity Residence" that had been knocked down.
He stepped forward and shouted, "Those inside, come out!"
The demon afflicted by the disease opened the stone door of the tree hollow and asked, "Who disturbs the peace of my immortal cave?"
Jiang Yuan looked around and asked, "Are you not a disciple of Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, from the Xie Yue San Xing Immortal Cave, under the Bodhi Patriarch?"
The demon replied, "How do you know me? I am indeed a disciple of the Xie Yue San Xing Immortal Cave, known as 'Nature of Suffering'!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan thought to himself, "Nature of Suffering? This is the seventh generation. Indeed, he is a disciple under my master, but I have never seen him before. He must have entered the mountain and left during my arduous cultivation, practicing some unorthodox methods, and I do not know how he ended up like this."
He then said, "Since you are a disciple of the San Xing Immortal Cave, how did you come to cause trouble here, calling yourself 'Immortal Cave'?"
The demon cursed, "What does this have to do with you? I see you have an imposing aura, but I do not wish to harm you! Quickly leave, do not enter my domain! I have no connection with you!"
Jiang Yuan said, "Do you know who I am?"
Hearing this, the demon looked closely and saw that although Jiang Yuan wore plain clothes, he had an immortal demeanor, exuding an aura of authority, with eyes like lightning.
He was indeed a true immortal, and the demon felt a hint of fear, calling out, "Who are you?"
Jiang Yuan shouted, "I am Jiang Yuan, the eldest disciple of Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, Xie Yue San Xing Cave, under the Bodhi Patriarch! My dharma name is Guangxin. According to the generation, you should call me 'Eldest Senior Brother.' Yet you have caused trouble today, harming the Land Deity and injuring innocent lives, tarnishing the reputation of our master. How can you say there is no connection? I cannot spare you!"
The demon, frightened and trembling, turned to flee.
Jiang Yuan recited a spell, targeting Nature of Suffering, and spoke the word "Still."
He used a "Stillness" spell, and in an instant, Nature of Suffering was frozen in place, gritting his teeth, eyes wide open, unable to move or speak.
Jiang Yuan stepped forward and entered the tree hollow.
Inside were seven or eight people, and he untied the tree vines, saving their lives.
The group knelt and bowed, saying, "We are grateful to the Immortal for your mercy! You have saved our lives!"
Jiang Yuan said, "Please rise, please rise! I do not know what this person captured you for. If you have any information, please tell me."
An elder stepped forward, trembling, and said, "Immortal, that demon captured us for different purposes."
Jiang Yuan asked, "What do you mean?"
The elder replied, "The demon captures us; the young ones are kept for refining red lead and autumn stone, while those of us who are old are washed and scrubbed repeatedly, thrown into a pot, either boiled or fried, according to its taste."
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, was filled with rage.
He did not expect a disciple of the San Xing Immortal Cave to engage in such activities, refining red lead and autumn stone.
This was the path of the unorthodox "Movement" sect.
He understood the gravity of the situation; such acts were monstrous and truly demonic.
Understanding the reason, he thanked the elder for clarifying, but the elder hurriedly bowed again, not daring to accept.
Jiang Yuan returned outside the cave, only to see Nature of Suffering still standing frozen in place, unable to break the spell.
He released the spell and recounted what the elder had said, asking, "Nature of Suffering, do you have anything to say about this?"
Nature of Suffering asked, "If I do not eat these humans, the demons will eat them. What is the difference?"
Jiang Yuan scolded, "You cultivate your body but not your heart."
Nature of Suffering grew angry, revealing a fierce expression, and said, "I did not notice earlier, but now you have used your spell on me. What skills do you possess to teach me?"
Saying this, Nature of Suffering drew a knife from his waist and swung it at Jiang Yuan, the demonic influence clouding his mind, disregarding the words of his fellow disciples.
Jiang Yuan said, "I cannot allow you to continue. If I kill you, I will report to my master!"
He took out the Yu Ding, channeling his full power, and struck down from above.
The Yu Ding, filled with strength, truly moved like thunder, smashing Nature of Suffering into a pulp.
Now that Jiang Yuan had attained the Dao, even if he had not yet formed his Golden Core, killing Nature of Suffering required some effort, but now it was done with a mere gesture.
Jiang Yuan, with a calm heart, looked at the seven or eight people.
He could not carry them, so he used a "Drive Spirit" spell to summon the Land Deity.
Before long, the Land Deity arrived, having seen the situation and knowing that the demon had been eliminated.
The Land Deity knelt and said, "Thank you, Immortal! Thank you, Immortal!"
Jiang Yuan said, "No need for thanks. Now that this demon has been subdued, I will take my leave. There are still living people here; you must ensure their safe return."
The Land Deity bowed and said, "As you command, as you command!"
Jiang Yuan stepped back and rose, ascending on clouds and mist, returning to Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain.
...
After a short while, Jiang Yuan returned to the San Xing Immortal Cave.
He landed on the cloud head and saw a monkey on the mountain path, carrying a bundle of firewood, returning to the immortal cave.
Jiang Yuan felt admiration in his heart, thinking, "Good monkey, with a decent temperament, knowing etiquette and being steadfast. This monkey has been on the mountain for over a year, discussing scriptures and doctrines during the day, practicing writing, burning incense, sweeping the ground, tending the garden, nurturing flowers and trees, gathering firewood, and fetching water. He does all these tasks continuously, day after day, yet he remains patient. Compared to the other disciples in the immortal cave, how remarkable he is; he is indeed a likable monkey."
Seeing Jiang Yuan, Sun Wukong approached and bowed in greeting.
(End of Chapter)