The Sheep Transformation Technique was of short duration, but it was quite effective when used at crucial moments. As the Golden Hoop slipped onto the lamb’s head, the lamb instantly transformed back into the Scorpion Demon.
Almost simultaneously, the single hoop split into five.
One hoop encircled the head while the other four separately confined each of the Scorpion Demon’s limbs.
Although she had long since learned of the Golden Hoop’s purpose from Tathagata’s own mouth, the Scorpion Demon still attempted to remove the hoops that were affixed to her body.
Jiang Liu didn’t rush to chant the spell; he was observing whether the Scorpion Demon could free herself, given that her cultivation level was much higher than that of Sun Wukong, Red Boy, and Black Bear Demon from the original story.
Could she possibly break free from the Golden Hoops’ restraint with her Daluo Golden Immortal-level cultivation?
However, no matter what the Scorpion Demon tried and despite spending much more time, she simply couldn’t remove the five hoops. It was then that Jiang Liu began chanting the mantra to control the Golden Hoops.
There were three types of hoops: the Tight Hoop, the Prohibited Hoop, and the Golden Hoop, each with different effects. Like the Tight Hoop in the original tale that encircled Sun Wukong’s head, it would constrict continuously as soon as the incantation was chanted, causing unbearable headaches.
And the Prohibited Hoop? As the name suggests, once the incantation was chanted, it could seal all the wearer’s movements—somewhat similar to an immobilization spell.
It was far more powerful than an immobilization spell, for as long as it wasn’t unlocked, the Prohibited Hoop could immobilize someone for a century, even a millennium, until they grew old and died, whereas an immobilization spell had a limited duration.
Last but not least was this Golden Hoop, originally meant to be put on Red Boy in the tale. This hoop could split into five and secure the head and limbs. Once the mantra was chanted, one could control the wearer’s every move with the hoop’s power, treating them like a puppet on strings.
As Jiang Liu’s mantra was chanted, he immediately made the Scorpion Demon stand still and then said, "Stand at attention, lift your head, puff out your chest, tuck in your stomach, lift your buttocks…"
Following Jiang Liu’s instructions, the Scorpion Demon obediently performed a series of movements in a very docile manner.
Finally, Jiang Liu said, "At ease!"
Stepping half a step diagonally with her right foot, the Scorpion Demon immediately assumed the at-ease posture, very standard and precise.
"Holy Monk, stop, stop, please stop…" Feeling as though her body was no longer under her control, the Scorpion Demon hastily shouted, "I realize my mistake, I know I was wrong!"
"Alright, now do you understand how formidable this is?" Without needing severe punishment, just controlling her to perform a series of movements, Jiang Liu knew the Scorpion Demon must have realized the severity, and he asked her.
"I understand, I do!" the Scorpion Demon promptly nodded in response to Jiang Liu’s words.
While speaking, she looked at Jiang Liu with pitiful eyes, "At worst, from now on, whatever you want me to do, Holy Monk, I’ll do it, of course…"
At this point, the Scorpion Demon’s tone shifted as she continued, "No matter what posture you want me to assume, I can do it!"
"Speak properly!" Seeing the Scorpion Demon so beautiful and pitiful uttering such seductive words, Jiang Liu’s face darkened, and he said irritably.
After this was said and observing the Scorpion Demon’s expression become much more serious, Jiang Liu continued, "From today onwards, you can stay at Flame Cloud Cave. Red Boy is there; he’ll tell you what to do!"
"Flame Cloud Cave? What would I do there!?" Upon hearing Jiang Liu’s words, the Scorpion Demon was slightly stunned and asked in surprise.
Now that he had subdued the Scorpion Demon and intended for her to stay at Flame Cloud Cave, naturally, Jiang Liu had no intention of concealing his true purpose from her.
"You should know that my journey to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures is not just about scripture-seeking; it is also to save Gaoyang. If everything goes smoothly, all the better. If not, I might have to take matters into my own hands. Flame Cloud Cave has already gathered a considerable force!"
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"So, your journey to the Western Heaven hides such a purpose!?" The Scorpion Demon’s eyes widened in disbelief as she heard Jiang Liu’s words.
Clearly, Jiang Liu’s speech was entirely unexpected to the Scorpion Demon and left her deeply shaken.
"Do you know how powerful Tathagata is? Do you know what kind of power the Buddhist Sect possesses? The power of the Buddhist Sect is far beyond your imagination!" the Scorpion Demon said, looking at Jiang Liu earnestly.
"I am well aware of the might of the Buddhist Sect!" Jiang Liu replied calmly to her words.
Looking at Jiang Liu intently for a long while, seeing that he did not seem to be joking, the Scorpion Demon suddenly smiled with an insinuation and said, "Well, alright then, who makes you capable of controlling my every word and action now? In the future, I can’t refuse anything you want me to do…"
"Okay, let’s add each other as friends. If anything comes up, I will let you know. Also, drop a bit of your essence blood on this Mystical Mirror…" Unaffected by the Scorpion Demon’s tempting demeanor and suggestive teasing, Jiang Liu simply continued.
Opening the friends list face-to-face, Jiang Liu added the Scorpion Demon to his list. Then he had her drop a droplet of essence blood onto the Mystical Mirror, so he could control her actions and behavior anytime, and only then did he release his control over the Scorpion Demon’s movements.
"Holy Monk, you can be so annoying..."
Feeling that her body had finally regained freedom of movement, the Scorpion Demon’s face wore a seductive expression as she pouted and spoke, "Are you using the Mystical Mirror to look at me again? Do you want to peek at me bathing every day? If you want to watch, you can do so anytime; why sneak a peek like this?"
"Hmph!" The King of Women’s Kingdom couldn’t help but let out a cold snort at this moment, looking at the Scorpion Demon with displeasure.
She had clearly lost her patience after the Scorpion Demon repeatedly teased Jiang Liu.
"Enough, stop your nonsense and hurry back to Flame Cloud Cave. If I catch you doing anything improper, don’t blame me for making you perform shameful acts in public or, even, taking your life!"
Unaffected by the Scorpion Demon’s seductive words, Jiang Liu wondered if perhaps his determination had strengthened. He interrupted her and said.
"Alright, Holy Monk, I understand. I’ll pack up and leave in a moment!" The Scorpion Demon nodded, not daring to defy Jiang Liu.
Yet, as soon as she said this, the Scorpion Demon suddenly spoke up again, "Holy Monk, remember, every day at dusk, right when the sky begins to darken, that’s when I bathe. Don’t forget!"
"Rest assured, I will definitely not peek at you bathing!" Jiang Liu, both angry and helpless at the Scorpion Demon’s words, retorted irritably.
Holding the Mystical Mirror in his hand to sneak peeks at what the Scorpion Demon was doing, or even at her bathing?
How could he, such an innocent child, do such things!?
Having subdued the Scorpion Demon with the Golden Hoop and able to control her location with the Mystical Mirror, Jiang Liu wasn’t worried about her causing trouble any longer.
After a quick tidying up, Jiang Liu left Poison Enemy Mountain with Sun Wukong and, of course, the King of Women’s Kingdom and her entourage, heading back toward the Royal Palace of Women’s Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, thank you for coming to my rescue!" On the way back, Jiang Liu said, walking beside the King of Women’s Kingdom, who was struggling to mount her horse.
"Imperial Brother, you know, coming to your rescue was my own choice. Between you and me, there’s no need for thanks," said the King of Women’s Kingdom from horseback, turning her head to glance at Jiang Liu, her eyes filled with silk-like affection, entwining around him in threads.
This look was something Jiang Liu found hardest to withstand; he silently hung his head, saying nothing.
When it came to emotions, Jiang Liu indeed didn’t dare to provoke further; on one hand, he was responsible for Gaoyang, and on the other, it was for the best for the King of Women’s Kingdom.
Caught up in the grand scheme of the Journey to the West, even he couldn’t guarantee his own safety, so how could he dare to drag the King of Women’s Kingdom down with him?
After returning silently to the Royal Palace, the King of Women’s Kingdom ordered her generals to take the female soldiers back to their barracks, each to their post.
The King of Women’s Kingdom? Naturally, she returned to the Royal Palace and changed out of her armor back into her Phoenix Robe.
And Jiang Liu? Naturally, he and his disciples returned to the Eastern Hall.
Having accidentally drunk the water from the Child-Mother River but countered it with the water from the Abortion Spring, all that was left was to wait for the King of Women’s Kingdom to exchange the Travel Permit Plaque, and then they could set off once more.
The King of Women’s Kingdom truly harbored deep feelings for him, evident from how she dared to personally take action, almost mobilizing all the troops to rescue him from Poison Enemy Mountain.
Such actions deeply moved Jiang Liu; such sincere emotions could melt any heart, unless it was made of stone. Discover hidden content at freewebnovel
Therefore, Jiang Liu wished to leave quickly, fearing that if he didn’t, he might end up like the Tang Monk in the original tale, unable to leave.
In the original story, the Tang Monk’s Zen mind was much firmer than his, yet he almost got retained by the King of Women’s Kingdom, which speaks volumes.
...
Leaving aside the situation in Women’s Kingdom, on the other side, in Pipa Cave, after Jiang Liu and his party left, the Scorpion Demon, with nowhere else to go, returned to the cave to tidy up her things.
However, before packing, she went to the Stone Chamber where Jiang Liu had been imprisoned.
Indeed, the antidote that had been on the table was no longer there.
"Could it be? She really fed the Holy Monk the antidote!?" murmured the Scorpion Demon to herself.
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly narrowed, and she went to an inconspicuous corner of the Stone Chamber to pick up a blue pill she found on the ground...