Zhong Yuan was curious and asked the Mouse Scholar a few more questions in detail.
This Mouse Scholar, although not strong compared to other mouse demons and perhaps even a bit weaker, had a surprisingly deep understanding of their own history.
Zhong Yuan learned that the country they were previously in was called the Harris Kingdom, which actually wasn't located in its current position, but some distance away.
Back in the day, the Harris Kingdom was even known as the Golden Buddha Kingdom before the King of the Sand Kingdom decided to abolish Buddhism, having erected countless golden Buddhas.
However, after the abolition of Buddhism, they faced retribution and were attacked by a powerful insect demon.
Later, the Great Sage of the Yellow Wind, passing by from Mount Ling, came to their aid and killed the insect demon.
As a result, the Harris Kingdom revered the Great Sage of the Yellow Wind as their national teacher and issued the decree to honor mice.
Not long after, everyone in their kingdom suddenly turned into mice overnight.
The Great Sage of the Yellow Wind said it was all his fault and took them away from their original homeland.
When they arrived at the Yellow Wind Ridge, the Great Sage encountered a group of stone spirits who were fighting a strange stone spirit covered in Buddha heads.
The Great Sage of the Yellow Wind killed the strange stone spirit, and those stone spirits were willing to honor him as their king, so he settled down in the Yellow Wind Ridge.
But later on, they encountered Sun Wukong and his companions who were on a journey to seek scriptures.
In the end, the Yellow Wind Monster was taken away by Ling Jipu Sa and later returned.
However, not long after returning, after arranging for everyone to guard the entrance, the Yellow Wind Monster activated the Yellow Wind Formation and began his closed-door cultivation.
Now, the Yellow Wind Ridge is guarded by Tiger Vanguard and Stone Vanguard at two entrances to the formation.
Zhong Yuan fell silent after hearing all this.
From this story, it seemed that it was indeed because of the Yellow Wind Monster that these people turned into mouse demons, but it was clear that Buddhism was behind all this chaos.
It was obvious that the people of the Harris Kingdom wanted to eradicate Buddhism and drive away the followers, and when they suddenly became disobedient, a demon insect was unleashed to teach them a lesson.
It was hard to say who was truly unfortunate; clearly, at that moment, the Yellow Wind Monster, who had just left Mount Ling, kindly defeated the demon insect and saved the Harris Kingdom.
This should have set the stage for them to once again seek the Buddha, making them never dare to disrespect Buddhism again, but that script fell apart.
Moreover, it was likely that the people of the Harris Kingdom, upon hearing that the Yellow Wind Monster came from Mount Ling, placed all their reverence upon him.
This is why they not only honored the Yellow Wind Monster as their national teacher but even issued the decree to honor mice.
It was probably because of this that Buddhism, in a fit of anger, completely transformed the entire population of the kingdom into mice.
The Yellow Wind Monster's claim that it was all his fault was indeed not without reason.
But in reality, the true culprit was clearly not the Bodhisattvas of Buddhism; the Yellow Wind Monster simply offended the wrong person and inadvertently took something from Buddhism, leading to his punishment.
Buddhism may sound beautiful and their teachings may be well-written, but in practice, no one truly follows what they preach.
They are truly hypocrites.
……
On a higher mountain, a pig demon dressed in a yellow robe was tossing a piece of gold while nodding repeatedly, saying, "So that's how it is."
"So the Golden Ancient Kingdom isn't right here; no wonder I couldn't find it."
"I didn't expect that such a mouse demon would know quite a bit."
"Is reading really useful?"
"The stories down there sound like that Yellow Wind Monster is actually quite nice, and the Sand family father and son are quite pitiful too."
"I see that this monkey doesn't seem to want to continue fighting. Aren't you going to do something?"
A headless monk quietly appeared from the side and replied, "Whether they fight or not, we won't know until we see."
"They brought this upon themselves; they aren't worth pitying."
"I don't think he's the type to be soft-hearted either."
The pig demon in the yellow robe didn't mind and was just curious, "He didn't kill that black bear demon at Black Wind Mountain; he shouldn't be a heartless person, right?"
"And do you hope he is heartless or kind?"
The headless monk did not answer.
They hoped for obedience.
……
At this moment, in the training ground, after hearing Sha Erlang's loud shout, the King of the Sand Kingdom comforted him, saying, "My son, how could a father not know the hardships you speak of?"
"But as long as the king doesn't come out of the valley, you and I must endure another day."
"Only by enduring can we survive."
"A few days ago, the boys went to scout the dojo again; the stench was worse than usual, and the ground was littered with bones that didn't look like human or sheep, but were about our size."
"This damned furball, when the king finds out, he will definitely not spare him."
Sha Erlang, upon hearing this, also threw his head back and roared.
Zhong Yuan, seeing this, simply jumped down from the gate tower.
It seemed that the Sand family father and son were indeed quite unfortunate, now being eaten by a Tiger Vanguard.
He directly suggested that they lead the way, which wasn't out of the question.
Moreover, there might even be a chance to directly speak with the Yellow Wind Monster through them.
Seeing the sudden appearance of a person, the Sand family father and son were momentarily stunned, and the King of the Sand Kingdom sniffed the air, pleasantly surprised, and waved to Sha Erlang beside him.
"Who would have thought there would be a two-legged sheep in this cursed place?"
Sha Erlang was even more direct, laughing heartily as he charged towards Zhong Yuan with his large hammer in hand.
"……" Zhong Yuan was momentarily speechless.
Well, these two father and son were not worth pitying.
"I didn't want to make a move, but since you insist on seeking death, then I'll fulfill your wish." He didn't make a move, wanting to see if the people behind him would have any objections.
If he made a move, he might even gain a little "reward" for obedience; in fact, he could do either.
Zhong Yuan took out the golden staff, instantly gathering power, leaped to avoid Sha Erlang, and struck directly on the head of the King of the Sand Kingdom hiding behind.
This King of the Sand Kingdom, for his own power, had no strength yet dared to abolish Buddhism; after being attacked by the insect demon, he regretted it and blindly worshiped the Yellow Wind Monster, directly issuing the decree to honor mice.
It could be said that everything was due to his ignorance and selfishness.
Despicable!
With just one strike, the King of the Sand Kingdom, whose strength was not as it seemed, was turned into a pulp, vanishing into thin air.
Sha Erlang turned around, his eyes turning red, and once again threw his head back to roar, his aura suddenly rising significantly.