"Yeah! Is there anything good to introduce?" Raj had long grown accustomed to the Red Queen's unpredictable intrusions. With her authority inside the base, she could use various projection devices to create endless clones, so appearing out of nowhere was practically her greeting ritual by now.
"Then, Master, I suggest you go to the world of [Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons]. I have already prepared every measure required," the Red Queen said proudly.
"Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons?" Raj frowned a little. "That world has gods and Buddhas walking around. I don't want to end up as divine cannon fooder."
"Please rest assured, Master." The Red Queen's smile shifted into something mysterious. "I've prepared comprehensive defenses. Also… you'd better not bring your four little maids. Despite their growth, their abilities are insignificant compared to what exists there."
"But…" Raj hesitated. "They'll complain if I leave them behind."
The Red Queen leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "Master, that world contains countless natural treasures… techniques… opportunities. What if you obtain a dual cultivation method?"
Raj's pupils flashed gold.
…Dual cultivation?
Oh, this was worth the risk.
"Alright!" he said.
"Let's go!!"
Year 324 AD — Northern Ju Luzhou…
Cuiyun Mountain, Duan's Cave —
A lone figure materialized in the forest outside the cave entrance—white robes fluttering lightly, eyes bright as stars, a face so handsome it could be a divine proclamation. Anyone who saw him would think:
What an extraordinary young scholar…
"The scenery here really is something." Raj straightened his robe. Casual modern clothes in ancient times would make him look less 'mysterious' and more 'lunatic.' Clothes matter.
Towering trees, crisp birdsong, mountain wind… If he wasn't on a mission, he could genuinely enjoy this.
He found a wide clearing, roughly the size of a football field, and tapped his space wristband. With a hiss, three massive containers unfolded. The moment they opened, over three thousand Umbrella black-uniform inner guards marched out.
Raj didn't even need to speak. Shimmering with light, all three thousand clones dissolved into black mist and vanished into the forest. These were the Red Queen's newest batch—each clone enhanced with superpower gene chains.
Short-range teleportationAdvanced invisibilityUnshakeable loyaltyBuilt-in fanatic devotion to RajThree thousand space devicesThree thousand nuclear warheads
The Red Queen's "last resort" flashed in Raj's mind.
Nuclear blackmail… kidnapping the gods with mutually assured destruction.
A wonderfully insane plan.
After storing the containers, Raj exhaled in satisfaction and walked forward—until he saw the carved characters:
Duan's Cave (Banana Cave).
Just as he stepped closer—
"Hey! You there! What kind of monster dares wander onto Cuiyun Mountain!?"
A crisp, spirited voice rang out, and a beautiful woman in a rose-pink palace dress leapt into view.
Raj froze.
This was Miss Duan—the version of the Iron Fan Princess in Journey to the West: Dreams.
"This girl, I am not a monster," Raj said quickly.
Miss Duan narrowed her eyes. "Don't play dumb! Handsome face or not, I'll slice you if you lie!"
She drew her blade, pressing it against Raj's throat. "Within a hundred miles, only monsters roam. Humans would've been eaten ages ago. So—reveal your true form at once!"
"…I really am human." Raj resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Miss Duan blinked, suspicious but wavering. Yet caution remained. "You're not that Bull Demon King transformed?"
"…Do I look like a bull?"
"How would I know!?" Miss Duan demanded. "Prove you're not a bull!"
Raj opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again… nothing. Then—
"Wait. I've got an idea. Don't move." With a sonic boom, he disappeared.
Miss Duan stared blankly. A minute later, Raj returned holding a calf. "I'll grill beef and eat it. Bulls don't eat bulls, right?"
Miss Duan hesitated. "That… does make sense."
Raj skinned the calf on the spot, set up a fire, and began seasoning the meat. The scent rose quickly—rich, smoky, intoxicating.
Miss Duan's stomach betrayed her with a tiny, hungry twist. She edged closer, sword lowered. "What spice is that…? Why does it smell so good?"
"Want a taste?" Raj grinned. "I promise you'll want more afterward."
"…M-maybe." Her cheeks reddened.
Raj glanced at her. "Why do you hate the Bull Demon King so much? Did he offend you?"
Miss Duan huffed. "He's ugly! And he keeps courting me as if being persistent makes it romantic. He even tried to trick me with transformations—but he always smells like grass, so I didn't fall for it."
Raj's expression screamed disbelief. So the legendary Bull Demon King was just… persistent. And stinky.
"Next time he comes," Raj said, "I'll help you deal with him."
"You?" Miss Duan scoffed. "He's one of the Seven Great Demon Sages! Don't get eaten."
"…Are you worried about me?"
"Tch—who said that!" she snapped, cheeks turning red.
Raj didn't push further. Instead, he plated slices of sizzling grilled beef, cooled them with a breath, and handed them to her. "Try it."
"…Thank you…" Miss Duan whispered, taking the plate. The moment she tasted the meat, her eyes widened.
"This… this is—delicious!"
Raj only smirked. He took out a bucket of draft beer, poured a glass, and offered it. "Here. Beer goes with grilled meat."
Miss Duan sipped—and her face twisted. "Bitter!"
"You have to drink it properly," Raj said. He raised his mug and downed it in one go.
"Like that?" Miss Duan stared at her glass, then at Raj, then at the beer again.
"You'll enjoy it. Trust me."
"Fine… If you dare lie to me, you're dead!" She didn't notice how her tone had softened—almost… spoiled. She lifted the glass and drank it all in one long swallow.
Cold. Sharp. A strange bitterness… followed by a faint sweetness and a refreshing coolness. "Haah…" Miss Duan exhaled. "It really does feel different…"
Raj laughed. "See? Beer and grilled meat always work together." He filled her glass again and nudged the plate toward her.
"Eat more. And don't worry—if that Bull Demon tries to bother you again, I'll be here."
Miss Duan paused, eyes flickering. "…Then you'd better not run away."