Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

Chapter 345: Chapter 345 Emptying the Duanmu Family’s House (Second Update)

(This is the update for the 14th. There were some computer issues and by the time they were sorted it was already past 12 o’clock, a few minutes late. Please forgive the delay and the third chapter will be uploaded shortly.)

“It is said that only the wise can understand the times, but it all depends on how one understands them. Duanmu Bai had already pledged allegiance to Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan ahead of Duanmu Feng. Even if Duanmu Feng also pledged his allegiance, his standing in the heart of Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan would not compare to Duanmu Bai’s, especially since Duanmu Bai had already succeeded to the position of Family Head with the support of Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan.”

Duanmu Feng had always been at odds with Duanmu Bai, fiercely vying for the position of Family Head for a long time, harboring deep resentment. Even if he were willing to settle for a status beneath Duanmu Bai, Duanmu Bai might not tolerate him!

No, absolutely not! Surrender was out of the question, and so was sitting idly by waiting for death!

A vicious glint flashed in Duanmu Feng’s eyes as he threw the subordinate who had brought the news out.

“Go, gather our people immediately, take everything we can carry. We’re going to throw in our lot with Jidu Demon Emperor!”

“Huh?”

The subordinate scrambled to his feet, stunned, and unable to comprehend Duanmu Feng’s intentions.

“What, you don’t understand?”

Duanmu Feng’s brow furrowed, and a cold light flashed in his eyes, “I’m telling you to gather everyone and empty the Duanmu Family!”

“Yes, Eldest Son! No, Family Head!”

The subordinate finally realized—Duanmu Feng was set on being a Family Head himself, planning to take away all the manpower and resources of the Duanmu Clan to join Jidu Demon Emperor!

The old Family Head Duanmu Ci was a close confidant of Jidu Demon Emperor—this Duanmu Feng knew long ago, just as Duanmu Bai did. However, Duanmu Feng also knew something Duanmu Bai didn’t: Jidu Demon Emperor had always wanted to absorb the Duanmu Clan’s influence, turning Duanmu Ci completely into his retainer. Yet considering Duanmu Ci’s strength and the family’s power, he had stalled on taking action.

Duanmu Feng was certain that if he came forward with the manpower and resources of the Duanmu Clan to serve Jidu Demon Emperor, Jidu would welcome them with open arms. Although from then on they would be vassals to Jidu, without any freedom, it was still much better than being under Duanmu Bai’s thumb!

At the issuance of Duanmu Feng’s command, the entire Duanmu Clan was thrown into chaos. No one had anticipated the sudden death of the old Family Head Duanmu Ci, or that the second son, Duanmu Bai, would announce his succession, or that the Eldest Son, Duanmu Feng, would also claim the title of Family Head for himself, intent on stripping the Duanmu Clan to its bones and joining it with Jidu Demon Emperor’s forces.

“No way! Our Duanmu Clan has endured for so many years; how can we simply become someone else’s subsidiary? I absolutely disagree!”@@novelbin@@

“It wouldn’t matter which son succeeds as Family Head, but to so readily abandon the foundation it took us ages to create and become someone else’s vassal—this is something I will never agree to!”

“Ungrateful! This is ungratefulness! The foundation of our Duanmu Clan cannot be destroyed by your hands!”

Naturally, those under Duanmu Feng’s command had no complaints about his orders, but that wasn’t the case with everyone else, especially the elders of the Duanmu Clan. They too were shocked by Duanmu Ci’s abrupt death and were incensed that Duanmu Bai would stand by and watch his father die without intervening. Yet dwelling on that was not the correct approach to solving the problem. Right now, the priority was to ensure the survival and continuation of the Duanmu Clan amidst the tumult of leadership change.

But the actions of Eldest Son Duanmu Feng were clearly going to sacrifice the foundation that generations of the Duanmu Clan had fought for, handing it over to Jidu Demon Emperor for nothing!

These elders of the Duanmu Clan could accept that the Family Head Duanmu Ci acted as a servant to Jidu Demon Emperor and could accept Jidu using the Duanmu Clan’s resources. However, they could not accept the entire Duanmu Clan becoming Jidu’s private property, completely subsumed under Jidu’s command—the fundamental difference was paramount!

A schism emerged, with perhaps a small portion of the Duanmu Clan’s disciples willing to follow Eldest Son Duanmu Feng to serve Jidu Demon Emperor, but the majority were unwilling to leave. Under the direction of several elders, they confronted those who came to plunder the Duanmu Clan’s resources and defectors, leading to conflict. A few harsh words turned into open hostility with blades drawn and a fight ensued.

Seeing the situation going awry and fearing that if he delayed any longer, Duanmu Bai would return with his forces and they wouldn’t be able to leave at all, Duanmu Feng had to abandon his plan to take all of the Duanmu Clan’s manpower and resources with him. He took with him as many resources as he could carry with the small portion of people willing to leave, hurriedly departing the Duanmu Clan and heading towards Demonic Light City, the capital located at the very heart of the Demonic Realm Continent and ruled by Jidu Demon Emperor.

Not long after Duanmu Feng and his followers departed, the Chasing Wind Gryphon with its thunderous patterns brought Sun Wukong and his companions to Duanmu City, landing in the Beast Taming Grounds of the Duanmu Clan.

“What happened? Why is it so chaotic?”

As soon as he landed, Duanmu Bai felt something was off. There were signs of smoke and battle everywhere in the Duanmu Clan, clearly indicating that a fierce fight had taken place, and it was no small skirmish!

“Second Son, you’ve finally returned!”

While wondering what had occurred, Duanmu Bai saw a group of the Duanmu Clan’s elders leading a large number of Duanmu Clan disciples into the Beast Taming Ground, rushing toward the Chasing Wind Gryphon.

“Third Elder, what has happened? Could it be that someone has attacked the Duanmu Clan?”

Duanmu Bai asked the leading Third Elder Duanmu Xiong.

“Second Son, the Eldest Son took away nearly half of our people and a large number of resources and went to pledge allegiance to the Jidu Demon Emperor!”

Third Elder Duanmu Xiong sighed as he clasped his hands toward Duanmu Bai.

“What? That bastard, Duanmu Feng!”

Duanmu Bai’s eyebrows instantly furrowed; Duanmu Feng had received the news so quickly, which was somewhat unexpected. Surely, someone must have tipped him off!

Dammit!

A flash of anger shot through his eyes, and Duanmu Bai nodded toward Third Elder Duanmu Xiong, “Third Elder, let those who have left go. From today onwards, they are no longer part of our Duanmu Clan, and we do not need such traitors!”

“Second Son, has the Family Head really, really fallen?”

Someone asked, their voice tinged with barely concealed sorrow.

“Yes! Father is dead! The Demon Emperor gave him a chance, but he still made the wrong decision!”

Duanmu Bai nodded, glanced at Third Elder Duanmu Xiong, then scanned the gathered Duanmu clan elders and disciples, and spoke with a heavy voice, “From this day forward, I, Duanmu Bai, am the new Family Head of the Duanmu Clan. I will lead our Duanmu Clan to true glory under the guidance of the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor, to ensure that our Clan’s foundation in the Demonic Realm flourishes and endures forever!”

“Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor…”

Third Elder Duanmu Xiong’s gaze shifted to the loft on the back of the Thunder-Patterned Chasing Wind Gryphon where Sun Wukong and three others stood at the forefront of the loft, their eyes fixed on them as well. Unlike the other members of the Duanmu Clan, Third Elder Duanmu Xiong had seen the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan; he had been one of the Demon Race participants in the Great Celestial-Demon War, and instantly recognized him. The Demon Emperor looked much the same as he had years ago, but his strength had grown even more formidable, reaching the threshold of Demon Saint Cultivation!

Third Elder Duanmu Xiong’s feelings were complex. The old Family Head Duanmu Ci had died at the hands of Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan, and by all rights, he should hate Mu Chenxuan. But just as Duanmu Bai had said, the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan had given Duanmu Ci a chance, which Duanmu Ci had outright refused, choosing a path to his own demise. If Third Elder were in Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan’s position, he probably would have made the same unfaltering decision to kill.

The Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan had been sealed in the Three Realms for many years, and now that he was back in the Demonic Realm, it was evident that he had come to settle scores with the Jidu Demon Emperor. The outcome between the two would directly affect the power distribution and future of the Demonic Realm, and also determine the rise or fall of the Duanmu Clan.

Now that the old Family Head Duanmu Ci was dead and Duanmu Bai had assumed the position of Family Head, having sworn fealty under Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan, those who had not left with the Eldest Son Duanmu Feng had but one path to follow: allegiance!

To recognize Duanmu Bai as the Family Head and serve under Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan meant that the future of the Duanmu Clan was now tied to the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor. Should the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan triumph over the Jidu Demon Emperor, the Duanmu Clan would surely rise to new heights, surpassing the Liushui Family in prestige and power in the Demonic Realm!

But what if the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan were defeated?

“The Demon Emperor will not lose, for the Great Sage is with us!”

Duanmu Bai, seeing Third Elder Duanmu Xiong’s hesitation, hurriedly sent a private message explaining about Sun Wukong, Bull Demon King, and Six-Eared Macaque, especially highlighting Six-Eared Macaque’s feat of wiping out numerous demon race experts and Sun Wukong’s mastery of Domain Power.

“Great Sage Equalling Heaven? There is such a formidable power within the Demon Clan of the Three Realms!”

Third Elder Duanmu Xiong was deeply shocked, his gaze astonished as he looked at Sun Wukong and the others. He did not doubt Duanmu Bai’s words, as he had also received news about the battle at Dragon Abyss City, which essentially matched what Duanmu Bai had shared.

The Jidu Demon Emperor’s cultivation was comparable to that of the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan; the outcome of their confrontation was hard to predict. But with the addition of Sun Wukong, Bull Demon King, and Six-Eared Macaque, the situation was different. According to Duanmu Bai, both Bull Demon King and Six-Eared Macaque were not weaker than the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan, not to mention the even more formidable Sun Wukong. With their help, the Jidu Demon Emperor would undoubtedly be no match for the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan!

No wonder Duanmu Bai did not hesitate to swear loyalty under Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor Mu Chenxuan—it was indeed the most correct choice for the Duanmu Clan!

With this thought, Third Elder Duanmu Xiong didn’t hesitate any further. He knelt on one knee before Duanmu Bai, loudly declaring, “I pay my respects to the Family Head! I pay my respects to the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor!”

“I pay my respects to the Family Head! I pay my respects to the Heaven-Defying Demon Emperor!”

As the highest-ranking elder remaining in the Duanmu Clan, once Third Elder Duanmu Xiong openly acknowledged Duanmu Bai’s position as Family Head, the others naturally had no reason to hesitate anymore and they too followed suit, kneeling on one knee and shouting in unison.

A smile appeared on Duanmu Bai’s face; from this moment on, he was firmly the Family Head of the Duanmu Clan!

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