In the depths of the mountain forest, there was a clear stream and a turquoise pool.

Chen Xu commanded the puppet Daoist soldiers to lie in wait outside the pool, silently observing.

A group of monkeys gathered on the empty ground by the pool, at times anxious, at times angry.

Moreover, waves of accusations struck Little Monkey Twelve like a rapid storm.

The large monkey angrily said, "Little Twelve, oh Little Twelve, how could you be so careless? You smelled the healing medicine and didn't tell us.

If you had said something earlier, we could have gone together, and perhaps we could have exchanged for that healing medicine!"

Some other young monkeys, who were also just beginning to develop intelligence, gathered around, mocking: "Ji ji ji, Little Twelve is so stupid..."

Another young, particularly strong monkey sneered and said, "Even if this fool had said anything, what of it? In my opinion, its nose is only sometimes accurate, and its words aren't necessarily trustworthy.

What healing medicine can cure our ancestor's illness?

Even the Heavenly Lotus couldn't do that; it's not like the ancestor hasn't tried such good things.

If you ask me, it would be better to refine our essence blood every day..."

Pa!

A long-armed old monkey suddenly leaped over and slapped the young monkey on the head and face.

This strike knocked the young monkey clean off the rock with a tragic "Ow" cry, leaving it momentarily seeing stars and completely bewildered.

The old monkey said in a deep voice, "The king has forbidden the use of evil techniques. Monkey Seven, if you continue to talk nonsense, you'll have to leave our clan and join that group of black monkeys outside the mountain!"

The young monkey named Monkey Seven immediately turned over and sat up dejectedly, holding its head, speaking in a muffled yet stubborn voice:

"We're doing this voluntarily, I, I volunteer! I'm willing to offer essence blood to the ancestor. Since it's voluntary, how can it be considered evil technique? Ah—"

Bang!

"How dare you speak! The king has declared this absolutely forbidden. If you go ahead with it, you'll have fallen for that group of black monkeys' tricks. I think you just need a beating!

Haven't you seen the terrifying appearance of those people down the mountain? Is this something you can learn?

I'm telling you to learn the good, but you insist on learning the bad!"

Pa pa pa!

"Ouch ouch... Uncle Curly Tail, hit lighter, I'm also trying to save the ancestor! Ow ow ow, boo hoo hoo..."

There was another flurry of slaps. Although the old monkey appeared shorter than Monkey Seven, its speed was astonishingly fast.

Every strike left a peculiar afterimage, and the air occasionally emitted a burst of explosive sounds.

Even though Monkey Seven was agile, in just a few brief exchanges, it received dozens of hard blows.

After this pounding, Monkey Seven's once robust form seemed to hunch down, its once sleek and glossy gray fur now disheveled and patchy.

Patches here and there were bald, a mix of red and gray, making it seem quite pitiful.

Some monkeys quietly hid to the side to watch the commotion, while others huddled behind a nearby peach tree, chirping softly. Of course, there were also those standing by, wanting to intercede but unable to find a way, ultimately just stamping their feet and shouting:

"Uncle Curly Tail, Uncle Curly Tail, Little Twelve snuck into the Hundred Fruit Cave!"

"Ow! Ow—"

The wailing was still from Monkey Seven.

Monkey Seven was furious: "Ow, it's not fair. Monkey Twelve clearly went into the Hundred Fruit Cave, so why am I the one getting beaten? Ah..."

Bang!

Monkey Seven was hit again and knocked to the side. After beating it, Uncle Curly Tail's eyes glistened.

"Children, the king is seriously ill; at a time like this, why not let Little Twelve have a try? No matter what it brings back, trying is better than doing nothing."

"But Little Twelve said that the person wasn't willing to trade healing medicine with us."

By the water pool squatted a pale gray monkey, looking particularly gentle.

The monkey sighed softly and said, "Even if Little Twelve takes our spirit wine over, it might not be able to exchange for the healing medicine that person mentioned."

Uncle Curly Tail contemplated for a moment, then said, "If that's the case, Little Nine, you go with Little Twelve for a trip. Go... go fetch our Hundred Treasures Wine!"

Monkey Nine was taken aback: "Uncle Curly Tail, how can we easily allow the use of the Hundred Treasures Wine? I, I... I can't easily leave the Hundred Fruit Cave either. If I go, how do you guard the cave with only a few left?"

"No need to worry." Uncle Curly Tail, however, smiled, "Little Nine, before you gained intelligence, your Uncle Curly Tail had already been enlightened for a hundred years.

Though you're young now and I'm getting on in years, you shouldn't underestimate your Uncle Curly Tail's combat abilities.

Even if those black monkeys come, do you think I can't hold them off for a moment or two?

You just go. If there's any danger here, I'll definitely send a token, and you just come back then."

Monkey Nine was still hesitating, and the battered and bruised Monkey Seven yelled out: "Old Nine, what are you gloating about? You only know two more magics than me, but when it comes to fists, you're no match for me... Ow!"

Pa!

Monkey Seven was hit again, tumbling headlong to the ground, seeing nothing but white light, and finally sulking into silence.

Little monkeys on the outer edges giggled, carefree and unaware of the troubles vexing the clan by the pool.

In truth, the concerns of the monkey clan seemed complex, but were actually simple.

Uncle Curly Tail sighed, his gaze passing over the clear stream and turquoise pool, looking at the rocky cliffs and mountain caves on the other side.

In the mountains, there is a group of monkeys that call themselves the Gray Monkey Clan, and on the other side of the mountains, a group that calls themselves the Black Monkey Clan.

The two monkey clans coexist in this stretching mountain region. Although they are both monkey clans, due to the significant distance between their territories, they actually had little interaction in the past.

Until nearly a hundred years ago, a few strong monkeys in the Gray Monkey Clan suddenly gained intelligence, acquiring mana, and became monkey demons.

Gray monkeys are naturally skilled at brewing spirit wine, and even before gaining intelligence, they could brew excellent wine. Once enlightened, the spirit wine they brewed had all sorts of magical effects.

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