Chapter 31: Paying Respects to King Shi

The sound of rushing water echoed in Shi Yu’s ears. At the same time, a damp, refreshing mist brushed against his face, carrying with it a vibrant, living essence.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Before him was a silver waterfall, cascading down from the mountain peak. It looked like thousands of strands of silver thread, shimmering and sparkling with crystalline brilliance under the sunlight. Beneath the waterfall lay a deep, crystal-clear turquoise pool.

This was exactly where he had left six years ago—the Water Curtain Cave of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.

Time had flown, and he had returned once more.

In front of the cave, monkeys were playing; some were chasing each other, while others climbed and leaped about. Many furry monkeys were drinking and splashing by the pool, letting out joyful cries. There were also numerous stone tables, benches, and platforms, all laden with countless rare immortal peaches and spiritual fruits—each one plump and fresh, wafting an enticing fragrance.

It was incredibly lively.

Shi Yu slowly looked around, filled with deep emotion. Having embarked on the path of cultivation, his perception this time was different from his previous two visits to this world. He could clearly sense that this realm possessed an incomparably pure and vibrant primordial energy of heaven and earth. Compared to the world of Blue Star, the difference was like heaven and earth. Even without circulating his cultivation techniques, he could feel the energy of the world rushing into his body in a scramble.

"Hiss..."

Shi Yu gasped. Given these conditions, even if the birds and beasts of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit didn't know how to cultivate, just by eating and drinking here, they were effectively practicing cultivation.

"Who are you? I haven't seen you before."

A crisp voice interrupted his thoughts. Shi Yu looked down to see a small golden monkey, its fur thick and fluffy, glinting like gold in the sunlight. It stared at this unexpected guest with wide, curious eyes.

Shi Yu smiled gently and crouched down. "I've come to find your King. Is he home?"

The little monkey shook its head, its lively eyes blinking as it answered, "Our King is out."

"Where did he go?"

"To fight, of course!" The little monkey scratched its fur, looking as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

"...Does your King go out to fight often?" Now it was Shi Yu’s turn to widen his eyes in surprise.

"Of course!" The little monkey puffed out its chest, declaring proudly, "Our King has never lost a fight!"

*Hmm... what excellent upbringing.*

Shi Yu marveled. If he had gone out looking for a fight, Auntie Lan would surely have grabbed him by the ear and dragged him home.

"Then when will he be back?"

The little monkey spread its hands, indicating it didn't know. "Sometimes when the King goes out to fight, he's back in two or three days, other times seven or eight. Whenever he hears that some mountain demon is bullying our monkey troop, he goes there to settle the score. I heard from the elder monkeys that among the major monkey troops on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, ours has the most members and the largest territory. All of it was won by the King!" The little monkey spoke with immense pride.

Shi Yu gave a thumbs up. "Impressive!"

And so, this large human and small monkey began to boast and chat, enjoying themselves immensely.

Just as their conversation was in full swing, an old long-armed ape strolled over leisurely. It had intended to find a comfortable spot to bask in the sun, but its old eyes caught sight of the figure on the rock, and he seemed somewhat familiar. The old ape moved closer, and suddenly, its eyes cleared and its back straightened.

"Isn't that the King's immortal brother!"

"Children, come quickly and pay respects to King Shi!" the old ape bellowed at the top of its lungs.

Shi Yu and the little monkey, who were happily eating watermelon and having a seed-spitting competition, were startled. They both turned to look at the old ape. It was already trembling as it knelt on the ground, performing a grand kowtow.

Shi Yu and the little monkey stared at each other.

"Do they call you King Shi?" Shi Yu asked the little monkey.

The little monkey shook its head like a rattle.

"Do they call you King Shi?" the little monkey asked Shi Yu in return.

Shi Yu pondered. "My surname is Shi... but I am not a King. My name is Shi Yu."

Upon hearing this, the little monkey’s eyes went wide as saucers. "I heard the elders in the tribe say that King Shi is Shi Yu, and Shi Yu is King Shi!"

It immediately threw down the melon in its hand and scrambled off the rock. Then, imitating the old ape, it began to bow respectfully.

At this moment, more and more monkeys gathered around. Many of them had seen Shi Yu back then and were all incredibly excited!

"Greetings, King Shi!"
"Greetings, Immortal Shi!"

The shouts rose one after another, and the entire Water Curtain Cave was in an uproar. If one were to look down from the sky, they would see countless monkeys with their red bottoms facing the sky, looking like a ground covered in ripe red apples.

Shi Yu was bewildered. When did he become an "Immortal King"?

...

Just as Shi Yu reappeared in the world, far away in a mountain hollow, the Stone Monkey was riding on the back of a massive wild boar, roughly two or three stories tall. He was raining down thunderous punches onto the boar's head! The black wild boar, known as the "Black Whirlwind Boar King," was a local tyrant who ruled over all demons within a hundred miles. Not long ago, it had raided a monkey nest, prompting the monkeys to seek out the Handsome Monkey King of the Water Curtain Cave to demand justice. This had led to the Stone Monkey’s thousand-mile journey to bash the boar.

"Let me show you the power of your Grandpa Shi!"

The Stone Monkey unleashed a flurry of blows, feeling his chest swell with exhilaration. Suddenly, his invincible fist stalled in mid-air for no reason. His entire body froze, as if struck by lightning.

The Boar King, who had been begging for mercy while shielding its head, was baffled by this sudden turn of events. *Why did he stop? Is this monkey plotting something else? Like stewing me for a wild boar leg feast?* The Boar King shivered and proactively rubbed its massive head against the Stone Monkey's fist, signaling, *Great Monkey King, please, hit me a few more times. That would make me feel more at ease.*

The Stone Monkey paid no attention to the beast. He had felt a sudden tremor in his heart. It seemed as if something had happened in the distance. The mountain wind blew from afar, carrying with it a scent from the distance.

The Stone Monkey’s eyes widened instantly. He felt that familiar aura reappear in this world!

"This is..."

His body began to tremble slightly. The Boar King was so terrified that it knelt on the ground, head bowed and eyes closed, wondering what had possessed the Monkey Lord.

The next moment, the Stone Monkey let out a strange cry, like a sudden clap of thunder across the heavens, the sound waves rolling outward. The Boar King fainted on the spot from sheer fright.

"BOOM!"

After the thunder came a louder, massive roar—the sonic boom caused by breaking the sound barrier! The Stone Monkey’s figure vanished from the spot. Looking from afar, one could see a plume of dust soaring into the sky, cutting a straight line through the mountain forest!

At the front of the dust was a golden streak. Under the sunlight, it looked like a divine arrow capable of piercing all things, splitting mountains and crossing rivers. Forward, ever forward! The momentum was magnificent, unstoppable!

In just the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Stone Monkey had crossed a thousand miles. From a nearby mountain peak, he saw that familiar figure in the distance. The Stone Monkey rubbed his eyes. It was real. Day after day, month after month, year after year. This time, it was truly him.

"Brother!!!"

The long howl echoed through the mountains, startling countless birds into flight.

In front of the Water Curtain Cave, that figure slowly turned around and looked toward the Stone Monkey on the mountain peak.

He smiled.

Their gazes met.

Six years later, the brothers were reunited.