Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 344: Is the Holy Monk Using Us?

Withered Pine Stream, Flame Cloud Cave.

The night had deepened, and inside a stone chamber, only two candle flames, the size of beans, were barely dispelling the darkness of the chamber.

Soft sobs arose, and Red Boy stood quietly, before him was the memorial tablet of Princess Iron-Fan.

In front of others, Red Boy did not show his sadness, but when alone, he could no longer maintain his outward calm, and could only hide here and cry by himself.

"Mother, Holy Infant misses you..." Red Boy stared at the memorial tablet and sobbed softly.

Although he had long been used to living alone away from his parents, a simple parting was naturally completely different from a permanent separation by death.

"Mother, don’t worry, the Holy Monk gave me a Demon Emperor Pill, I’ve become more powerful now, no one can bully me anymore, and I will definitely avenge you!" Red Boy said in a low, halting sob.

"Ah..."

However, just as Red Boy was hiding alone in front of Princess Iron-Fan’s memorial tablet sobbing softly and speaking intermittently, suddenly a deep sigh resounded within the stone chamber.

Startled by this sudden sigh, Red Boy turned his head.

He saw a tall figure standing next to him, who else could it be if not Demon King Ox?

"Father!" Seeing Demon King Ox standing behind him, Red Boy quickly wiped away all the tear marks on his face, unwilling to let anyone see his vulnerable side, even if it was his own father.

"Alright, Holy Infant, if you want to cry, cry it out. You, this child, are really very much like me!" extending his large palm, Demon King Ox touched Red Boy’s head and spoke with a sigh.

"No, I won’t cry, I need to be strong, I believe Mother would also want me to be a strong person! Just like you, Father, very strong!" With a somewhat immature face filled with resolution, Red Boy spoke earnestly.

"Holy Infant, a strong person is not someone who never feels sad or cries, but rather someone who, despite feeling sad and crying, can still carry on with sadness and tears!" Demon King Ox said, rubbing his son’s head with profound sincerity.

At this point, Demon King Ox paused slightly, then continued, "Moreover, when I say you are like me, I mean this temperament as well, hiding the sadness and grief, not wanting others to see, just crying alone!"

As his words fell, Demon King Ox put down his hand and turned to walk to Princess Iron-Fan’s memorial tablet, picked up three sticks of incense, lit them and placed them in the incense burner, silent, not speaking.

However, standing behind Demon King Ox, Red Boy could see his father’s shoulders slightly trembling, as if he was crying silently.

Seeing his father’s demeanor, tears also welled up in Red Boy’s eyes, trickling down once again.

All along, Red Boy had always thought that his father was an unshakable pillar, believing that his father was capable of anything.

Red Boy also thought he didn’t need to worry about anything, since, even if the sky fell, his parents would support it for him, there was nothing to fear.

But now, having witnessed his father crying silently here, it struck Red Boy profoundly.

In the battle with the Fire Flood Dragon, Father could defeat the opponent, but could not protect Mother.

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It turned out that his father was truly powerful, but not all-powerful, and there were many things he could not achieve.

Red Boy had also always thought that his father had an iron-willed temperament.

But now, seeing Father silently crying before Mother’s memorial tablet, Red Boy understood that his father was also a person who could cry, not as steadfast and emotionless as he usually appeared.

All along, Red Boy had thought highly of himself, believing he was a distinguished figure in all the realms and paths, capable of commanding Samadhi True Fire, born with a Fire Spirit Body, with an Innate Taoist Body, which made him feel extraordinary and rebelliously arrogant.

However, after a trip to Yunmeng Marsh, Red Boy deeply felt his powerlessness facing the Great Luo Realm.

It turned out that, although extraordinary, was he really nothing in the grand scheme of all realms and paths?

"Father!"

The father and son stood in front of Princess Iron-Fan’s memorial tablet, both silencing for a long time until Demon King Ox’s silent crying had stopped, then Red Boy finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "Don’t worry, I won’t be naughty anymore, I will definitely cultivate diligently, and in the future, I will avenge Mother!"

"Hmm, Holy Infant, you have finally grown up!"

With his back to Red Boy, after wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Demon King Ox turned his head, looking at him with relief and said.

Only, for a man, the cost of growing up is too great.

A man, at the beginning, always feels he is the most special one under the heavens, always believing he is very powerful.

Until one day he suddenly realizes that he is not that special, in this world he is just an ordinary person, he is not strong enough...

This may indeed be the true sign of a man’s coming of age.

However, such growth usually requires painful tempering!

If it had been earlier, Red Boy might have been very happy if his father had praised him for finally growing up, but now, Red Boy’s mood was very calm.

Just as the conversation turned, he seemed to think of something and suddenly said, "Father, there is one thing I do not understand and I hope you can enlighten me!"

"My son has really grown up!" Upon hearing Red Boy’s words, Demon King Ox felt both bitter and relieved in his heart.

If it had been before, whatever the child thought was right, he would stubbornly think he was correct.

Where would he consult or even ask for advice from himself?

"Ask away!" Although his feelings were complex, Demon King Ox’s exterior revealed nothing as he nodded and spoke.

"Holy Monk, he..." Red Boy hesitated as he spoke, saying, "Is he using us?"

Once he had spoken, Red Boy continued, "Holy Monk asked us to set up the entertainment at Flame Cloud Cave, which must be just a pretext, right? His purpose is for his own development? Is he using us? Is the Demon Emperor Pill what he calls a reward?"

"That you can think of this shows you have really grown up, but looking at things, it’s not just about the appearances!" Demon King Ox said.

Having said this, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Remember, Holy Monk first offered you the Demon Emperor Pill to ingest, then he made his request, note, it was a request, not a demand..."

"Child, I tell you, to be afraid of being used by others, you must fear that you have no value to be used at all. In childhood, everyone just needs to play together simply; if they play happily, they can become true friends. But once really grown up, who isn’t carrying burdens forward?"

"So, the friends you need are no longer just for playing around. True friends are those who can provide actual value and help others, while also being helped in return. More accurately, they are companions on the same journey!"

"Holy Monk first offered the Demon Emperor Pill, then made his request, which shows his sincerity. If we had refused his request, he would have nothing to complain about, right? Thus, Holy Monk’s action is very experienced!"

"Child, let me tell you, among Gods, Immortals, Buddhas, Demons, Humans, and Ghosts in the World, there is a vast struggle, but the essence of the World is not just about conflict, but human relationships! The intricacies of this, even I might not fully understand, there’s much for you to learn."

"Furthermore, I agreed to Holy Monk not because of the Demon Emperor Pill, and he is not using us. More accurately, our relationship is one of cooperation!"

Red Boy didn’t feel impatient hearing his father’s earnest teaching; he just thought that these were experiences developed over thousands of years by his father. If not for their blood relationship, why would his father speak so openly and sincerely?

But hearing this, Red Boy couldn’t help interjecting, "Cooperation?! Father, isn’t cooperation supposed to benefit both parties?"

Yes, what is the basis of cooperation? Mutual benefit. However, regarding this matter, Red Boy couldn’t see any benefit he was gaining.

Was it just because some entertainment had been established that made him happier?

Playing, although important, is trivial in the face of real significant issues, isn’t it?

"Holy Monk said that there is something suspicious about this matter, a calamity of heaven and earth, and certainly, someone is scheming in secret! Although Holy Monk didn’t remind us, your father, having experienced the calamities of heaven and earth a few times, has some suspicions about the mastermind behind this!"

As he spoke, Demon King Ox paused slightly before continuing, "If my suspicions are not wrong, our opponent is very strong, so it’s best for us to be on the same side as Holy Monk! Thus, helping him is also helping us, though unspoken, we are essentially forming an alliance!"

"I see, now I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Father!" After hearing Demon King Ox’s analysis, Red Boy suddenly saw the light.

All this time, Red Boy had been self-centered and rebellious in character, finding his parents’ advice nagging and hard to listen to.

But today, these heartfelt words and exchanges made Red Boy realize how naive he had been before.

At least, regarding the matters between himself and Holy Monk, he couldn’t see clearly, but his father could see them very clearly!

"Alright, child, Flame Cloud Cave is yours, naturally, these matters are mainly up to you. Manage the affairs of Flame Cloud Cave well, and in time, as you gain more experience, you will naturally understand!" Demon King Ox said, nodding contentedly as he watched his child finally look grown up.

"Ah!? Father, you’re letting me handle it!?" Red Boy exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Demon King Ox’s words.

He felt completely unqualified and feared he wouldn’t do well. Continue your journey at novelbuddy

"You feel like you can’t do it well, and that is a sign of your growth. Moreover, Holy Monk’s intention is also for you to do it! Otherwise, why did he give you the Demon Emperor Pill, and not me? Moreover, being in charge of the entertainment makes more sense for you, a child!" Demon King Ox laughed and said.

"Furthermore, child, remember, if you want to do something, go ahead and do it boldly. If errors occur, your father is here to help you. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes! And don’t let the fear of errors make you hesitant! Understand? This is your father’s only advice to you!"

"Yes, I understand!" Red Boy nodded emphatically.

As he watched Red Boy turn and leave, Demon King Ox felt a mix of emotions and turned his head to look at the spirit tablet of Princess Iron-Fan: "My lady, our child has finally grown up!"

"Furthermore, Holy Monk is very clever. Although his cultivation level is low, his methods are magical, and with his team, each member is extraordinary. This calamity seems to indeed be a trial for Immortals and Buddhas..."