"Report~"
General Sun Beng, one of the two macaque brothers, hurried in and said, "My lord, underneath the iron tile bridge, a dragon princess has pushed through the water and requests an audience."
A dragon princess?
Sun Wukong's thoughts raced, and he immediately remembered that while in Nanshan Continent, he had once saved a golden-scaled fish, and was thus in its debt.
Unforeseen, it turns out the creature was indeed of the dragon's lineage—and a dragon princess at that.
When he wandered through Nanshan Continent, he also heard of a dragon princess repaying a favor, not paying it much attention at first—his intention was just to save that sentient carp. He hadn't expected her to actually come.
Furthermore, she had approached from beneath the iron tile bridge of Shuilian Cave, which likely meant she was a dragon princess from the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea. This presented an opportunity for him to obtain the Jingu Bang, a weapon that he found perfectly suited to his liking.
That very Ruyi Jingu Bang, in the simulator, had truly been fated for him—it was a treasured item that matched his desires perfectly, and he was its destined master.
Moreover, at this moment, he was in need of a handy weapon.
With this in mind, Sun Wukong said, "Let her in."
"Yes!"
Sun Beng departed and soon brought a dragon princess inside.
She appeared in a colorful dress, phosphorescent and shimmering, with a graceful figure and a full face adorned by two lovely dragon horns on her forehead, exquisite and adorable.
"It really is you!"
The dragon princess smiled from ear to ear, "I initially thought you were just a monkey who had become a spirit in Nanshan Continent. I searched there for several years, only to find out that you are actually the Monkey King of Huaguo Mountain."
"Right, do you still remember me?"
"I am that very little carp you once saved."
Little?
Not so little.
Enough for a family of three to eat for three days and nights.
But of course, Sun Wukong would not utter such an insensitive phrase. Instead, he said, "I remember, I remember. When I released you back into the ocean, I never expected you were really a dragon princess."
"You're not bad yourself, little monkey. I didn't expect such a large home," the dragon princess remarked, equally astonished.
Along the way, she had also seen the pagodas and pavilions within Shuilian Cave, the strange flowers and exotic plants, countless in number. To occupy such a blessed land of caves and paradise must mean he had great abilities.
"Ah, those are just small matters."
Sun Wukong laughed heartily and stopped Sun Beng, who was about to teach this impertinent dragon princess a lesson, then said, "May I ask, dragon princess, why have you traveled so far to find me? If it's to repay a favor, it's not necessary."
The dragon princess sighed and said, "My name is Ao Yun, the youngest daughter of the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang. I've come here to repay a favor, but it seems the lord doesn't think highly of me..."
"However, we dragons always repay our debts," she continued.
"My body is weak, but I wish to serve the lord with what useful strength I have and hope for an opportunity."
Sun Wukong fell silent for a while, then suddenly said, "There's no need for service. I am currently in need of a suitable weapon. I've heard that the Dragon Palace is full of treasures; perhaps Ao Yun could recommend some?"
A hint of disappointment flashed in Ao Yun's eyes, but she still answered cheerily, "This matter is simple."
"That's excellent."
Sun Wukong nodded and commanded Sun Beng to prepare gifts of gold, silver, ceramics, textiles, and other worldly goods.
Although the Dragon Palace lacked none of these, gifts must still be given.
Especially gold and silver, which in the world of mortals are a solid currency. When dragon offspring visit the human realm, they always find a use for them. Moreover, humans are good at crafting various items from materials—practices which even immortals find useful at times.
With gifts in hand, Sun Wukong and the dragon princess entered the waterway beneath the iron tile bridge, traversed the tortuous tunnel that was secluded and quiet, and arrived at the vast Eastern Sea, where all kinds of marine life opened Sun Wukong's eyes.
In a little while, one following the other, they reached the exterior of the Dragon Palace.
He pushed through the water and entered the area outside the palace.
In this place, a barrier separated the sea water from the outside, creating an exceptionally dry environment.
"I have seen the princess."
A yaksha accompanied by shrimp soldiers and crab generals hurried over, saluted Ao Yun, and glanced at Sun Wukong standing behind her, "May I ask who this is?"
He was puzzled why the princess had brought a monkey back with her?
It was very strange.
Ao Yun said, "This is my lifesaver; you must go and inform my father at once."
"Yes!"
The yaksha rushed inside.
Upon hearing this, the Dragon King hurried out to greet them and said, "I am deeply grateful to the immortal for saving my daughter. Thank you."
"It's nothing, I just happened to be there," Sun Wukong waved his hand, "At that time, any ordinary mortal who wanted to buy that carp could have saved your daughter's life."
"Please come in, immortal." The Dragon King invited Sun Wukong inside the Dragon Palace.
Sun Wukong followed the Dragon King into the palace and presented the gifts he had prepared, saying, "My Huaguo Mountain is quite close to this Eastern Sea, yet we have never interacted before. These humble gifts are not much, but please, King, do not refuse them."
"Where would that leave us, immortal?" the Dragon King laughed, instructing the gifts to be accepted. Although he was not in need of gold or silver, such items were always welcome in abundance.
"May I ask where the immortal has attained his Dao?" The Dragon King asked subtly, with a squint in his eyes.
"I am but a stone monkey from Huaguo Mountain, born from a split boulder. After drifting across two vast seas, I came to the Western Nanshan Continent and met a patriarch who was proficient in all three teachings. Under his guidance, I practiced and obtained an indestructible body, becoming a fruit of both Daoism and Buddhism."
Sun Wukong smiled faintly, and behind him, a golden halo emerged, shining like the eternal sun that illuminates the universe, accompanied by faint Buddhist chants. Above his head, three green lotuses appeared, signifying the wonder of all creation and boundless transformation.
The Dragon King was astounded, his eyes wide as he quickly stood up and bowed, "Immortal, you are truly blessed by the heavens, what fortune! What fortune!"
He had never before encountered such a being.
Yet, he could also see that this immortal carried little merit, suggesting he hadn't spent time experiencing life among mortals and had not yet joined the ranks of immortals or been recorded in the celestial register.
However, such a person, whether in Heaven or Spirit Mountain, would be treated with high respect by both immortals and Buddhas—a worthwhile immortal to befriend indeed.
Moreover, he approached with his daughter without using force, showing an understanding of human affairs and proprieties.
And some time ago, someone from Huaguo Mountain had displayed the Divine Skills, growing as tall as a mountain—could it be this very monkey before him?
Since that day, many demons had left Huaguo Mountain, and the rest grew much more compliant, even establishing trade relations with Ao Lai, showing a newfound sense of morality.
If this was due to the monkey's teachings, when Heaven discovers it, it would be considered a great meritorious deed.
"I wouldn't dare," Sun Wukong helped the old Dragon King to his feet, "Speaking of which, my visit with Ao Yun is also because I heard the Dragon Palace has treasures, and I wished to acquire a suitable weapon."
"I am willing to pay for it."
Ao Guang hurriedly said, "Immortal, you are being too formal. We are neighbors, and you have saved my daughter's life. It would be shameful for me to demand payment."
"It's just a weapon, not worth much. Consider it a token to strengthen the bond between neighbors."
"Servants, bring—"
"Oh, immortal, what kind of weapon do you wish to wield?"
Sun Wukong smirked to himself; this time was different from the simulator.
In the simulator, the Dragon King wanted to send him away quickly... But now, having saved the dragon princess in the Nanshan Continent, shown his own capabilities, and observed proper etiquette, the Dragon King took more interest in him and even asked what kind of weapon he used.
"I'm proficient with all sorts of weapons, a thousand varieties, but in cultivation, it is best to be consistent. Something from the class of staves or sticks, heavier, would be suitable," Sun Wukong stated his preference.
"A stick or staff? Now, that's difficult. We do have such divine weapons in the Eastern Sea, but their weight... How much can you handle, immortal? Our heaviest stick here in the Dragon Palace is a Water-Fire Staff, weighing three thousand six hundred jin."
With that, the Dragon King had two or three dozen shrimp soldiers bring out the Water-Fire Staff...