Distinguishing

The two red clouds on the horizon were locked in a fierce battle.

Both sides had clearly developed a murderous intent long ago.

However, this didn't affect Su Qing much. She wasn't worried about either of them emerging as the victor.

Wukong could certainly do nothing to the Six-Eared Macaque, and the Six-Eared Macaque was unable to best Wukong either.

They were perfectly evenly matched; neither possessed the means to truly defeat the other.

Thus, there was no need to worry about one killing the other. In the end, they were merely trading harmless blows.

The only thing Su Qing had to worry about was ensuring these two fellows didn't wreck her Changbai Mountains!

After all, this was her home, not some random place. Naturally, she cherished it.

Su Qing watched the distance and muttered to herself, "It looks like those two will keep fighting for quite a while... Fine, let them have at it. As for me, I'll have some tea and enjoy the show!"

"In the meantime, I'll go and arrange things over in Linzhou City."

Although Su Qing had no particularly urgent matters in Linzhou City, there were still things she wanted to keep busy with.

So, while things were quiet on this side, she wouldn't neglect her affairs on the other.

Since the two Wukongs were still clashing, it gave her some time to settle things elsewhere.

This way, she could focus more of her attention here later.

Truth be told, the Body Outside Body Technique wasn't entirely perfect.

Although she had a clone, it ultimately required her direct control and couldn't act autonomously.

While this enhanced her sense of participation, it was also a bit of a hassle.

But Su Qing didn't dislike it.

Arranging things in Linzhou City wasn't difficult.

As Su Qing sipped her tea, she finished organizing the affairs on the other side.

Shortly after she finished, the two Wukongs finally fought their way from the horizon back to the Changbai Mountains.

Upon reaching the mountains, they both stopped simultaneously, no longer continuing their duel.

Both knew they couldn't keep fighting here.

However, their reasons for stopping were different.

Approaching Su Qing, both Wukongs hurriedly called out, "Big Sister!"

Su Qing nodded, looked at the two of them, and said, "It seems... on this trip, even Tang Xuanzang couldn't distinguish which of you is Wukong and which is the Six-Eared Macaque."

"Hmph! That master of mine has nothing but fleshly eyes and a mortal frame. How could he possibly see through the transformations of that Six-Eared Macaque? All he could do was recite that tight-fillet spell, leaving my head throbbing with pain!"

"Hmph, you Six-Eared Macaque certainly put on a good act!"

The two Wukongs went back and forth, on the verge of arguing again.

Su Qing rubbed her temples at the sound. She was glad she had sent the girls out earlier.

Otherwise, this courtyard would be even noisier.

After all, those girls loved to watch a spectacle, and it wasn't impossible that they would have joined in the commotion themselves.

One could only say they were all quite a handful.

Su Qing shook her head and said, "Alright, stop arguing. You won't figure out who the Six-Eared Macaque is this way. Since you've visited so many places and still can't distinguish the truth, we have no choice but to go to the Buddha. Only he can reveal who the Six-Eared Macaque is. His Holiness has supreme magic power; surely the Six-Eared Macaque will have nowhere to hide before him!"

As Su Qing spoke, she glanced at the Six-Eared Macaque before shifting her gaze back to Wukong as if unintentionally.

Having mastered the secret technique taught by Guanyin Bodhisattva, Su Qing had already identified the real Wukong the moment they arrived.

However... Su Qing couldn't reveal that she had discovered the truth just yet.

After all, if she exposed it now, where would the fun be later?

It was better to finish watching the play before fulfilling her promise to Guanyin!

The Six-Eared Macaque gave a cold laugh upon hearing Su Qing's words and said, "Big Sister is right! His Holiness will certainly have a way to tell who the Six-Eared Macaque is! Hmph, monster, just you wait for your death!"

"The Six-Eared Macaque knows best who the real one is. You're acting arrogant now, but if you can still act this way before the Buddha, I'll respect you as a brave soul," Wukong said coldly, clearly exasperated.

The Six-Eared Macaque and Wukong continued their usual bickering and threats.

Su Qing just shook her head with a smile.

At the same time, she marveled at the Six-Eared Macaque's prowess...

His mental fortitude was truly impressive. Even though he was about to face the Buddha, he didn't show a hint of panic.

Of course, it was also possible he simply had absolute confidence in his own strength, believing that even the Buddha couldn't see through his disguise.

Regardless of the specifics...

The Six-Eared Macaque was now stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Fleeing would be an admission of guilt; staying meant gambling that even the Buddha couldn't pierce his transformation.

So, while the Six-Eared Macaque remained arrogant, he was actually already in a dead end.

Su Qing spoke up, "Since neither of you has any objections, let us depart now! We shall see the Buddha and let him distinguish who the real Wukong is."

The Six-Eared Macaque chuckled and said, "Big Sister is right! Let the Buddha see who the real Wukong is!"

"Heh, let's go then. Who's afraid of whom?" The real Wukong was naturally fearless. Whether the Buddha could tell or not, the truth was the truth, and a fake could never become real.

Thus, Su Qing and the others rode the clouds toward Spirit Mountain.

Because Su Qing was with them, Wukong and the Six-Eared Macaque were quite well-behaved, obediently refraining from fighting.

They flew swiftly toward Spirit Mountain.

Su Qing and the others were very fast, and before long, they arrived at the foot of Spirit Mountain.

The two Wukongs followed Su Qing onto the mountain. The several Vajras acting as gatekeepers immediately grew serious upon seeing them.

They asked, "What business brings the three of you to Spirit Mountain?"

"We are here to see the Buddha," Su Qing said calmly. "Please lead the way."

The Vajras looked at each other, appearing somewhat bewildered.

However, they didn't make things difficult for Su Qing.

After all, Su Qing was well-connected.

Normally, she wouldn't even need to use the front gate and could just fly over. Coming through the main entrance was actually showing them a great deal of respect.

Thus, the Vajras said politely:

"Then please, follow us!"

"But if I may ask a somewhat impolite question... how did there suddenly come to be two Handsome Monkey Kings?"

The corners of Su Qing's mouth curled up as she explained the situation with a smile.

Upon hearing the story, the Vajras couldn't help but marvel.

When they first saw the two Monkey Kings, they had assumed it was some spell Wukong had cast.

They hadn't expected it to actually be another Sun Wukong.

Even if it was a fake, it was certainly impressive enough.

None of them had been able to tell who was the imposter.

However, they didn't feel discouraged. After all, if even Su Qing couldn't tell, what was so strange about them failing to do so?

They asked no more questions and led Su Qing and the others to the Buddha.

At that moment, the Buddha was explaining sutras to the assembly of monks.

Seeing Su Qing arrive with the two Wukongs, he temporarily halted his sermon.

"Amitabha. Sovereign Su, what brings you to my domain this time?" the Buddha asked, though he already knew the answer.

Su Qing smiled. Although she knew he was asking a question he already knew the answer to, she replied seriously. Her words weren't really for the Buddha's benefit, but for the Bodhisattvas present.

After all, was there any chance the Buddha didn't know about this?

Asking Su Qing was likely just his way of providing an explanation to the monks and Bodhisattvas listening to the sermon.

"So that's how it is. To think such a miraculous thing exists in this world. Amitabha, truly there is no end to wonders!" the Buddha said with a smile. "Wukong, both of you come to my side. Let me see which of you is the Sun Wukong of old."

Hearing the Buddha's words, Wukong walked over without hesitation.

The Six-Eared Macaque followed suit.

He was naturally incredibly confident in his transformation arts, but whether he could successfully maintain the act before this Buddha remained to be seen.

However, he didn't panic. At the very least, he couldn't show even a hint of fear on the surface.

The moment he showed fear, he would be exposed.

The two Wukongs stood before the Buddha.

The Buddha leaned down and stared at the two Wukongs, examining them closely with a look of serious concentration.

The Buddha's display of seemingly great effort made Su Qing, who was watching from the side, struggle to hold back her laughter... she didn't want to laugh, but seeing the Buddha's dedicated performance made it truly difficult to resist.

"With the naked eye alone, even I cannot distinguish the real from the fake. Why don't you two spar before me? Let me see whose skills are more like the real thing," the Buddha said with a smile.

Su Qing would bet that the Buddha definitely wanted to watch a fight, which was why he said that on purpose.

But Su Qing couldn't say anything...

After all, she was also here to enjoy the show.

She wasn't much better than the Buddha in that regard.

The two Wukongs didn't hesitate and immediately began to duel...

Meanwhile, Su Qing walked to the Buddha's side and sent a Sound Transmission: "Senior Buddha, what do you plan to do? Give me a hint so I can cooperate with you to save the Six-Eared Macaque."

Hearing this, the Buddha turned to look at Su Qing with a smile, then went back to watching the fight, showing no intention of explaining.

It was as if Guanyin's earlier request to Su Qing hadn't been the Buddha's idea at all.

Seeing this, Su Qing just rolled her eyes at him.

"Fine, if you won't say it, then don't. If I fail to save him later, don't blame me," Su Qing pouted and sent another Sound Transmission to the Buddha.

After that, she stopped talking and quietly watched the show.

The Buddha glanced at Su Qing but said nothing, simply continuing to watch the fight just as she was.

The two Wukongs were still locked in an inseparable struggle.

The Buddha still hadn't spoken...

Instead, the other Bodhisattvas watching from the side began to whisper among themselves about who the real Wukong was.

Eventually, perhaps having seen enough, the Buddha spoke in a calm voice.

"Alright, there is no need to fight further. I already know who the real Wukong is," the Buddha said with a smile. "However, before that, I have one question. Wukong, are you willing to continue assisting Tang Xuanzang on his journey to the West to obtain the True Achievement?"

Hearing this, the Six-Eared Macaque chuckled and said in a very monkey-like manner, "Since you've spoken, Buddha, how could I possibly disagree?"

Wukong, on the other hand, said, "I'm not going, I'm not going! Even if you ask, Buddha, I won't go. He drove me away; if I go back now, wouldn't I be acting thick-skinned? Besides, Buddha, you keep talking about True Achievement, but this Old Sun doesn't know what True Achievement even is."

"To obtain True Achievement is to take refuge in my Buddha," the Buddha said somewhat cryptically.

Then, the Buddha reached out his hand toward the Six-Eared Macaque...

The Six-Eared Macaque, seeing his identity truly exposed, was greatly alarmed. He immediately transformed into a fly to escape.

Wukong saw this and prepared to strike.

At that moment, Su Qing also made her move.

She pinched a hand seal and, with a gentle point of her finger, captured him.

This scene left Wukong slightly stunned.

The Six-Eared Macaque's strength was equal to his own. It wouldn't be strange if he were captured like this by the Buddha, but to be caught so easily by Su Qing was a bit unexpected.

Wukong certainly knew his Big Sister was powerful.

But he hadn't expected her strength to have reached such a level.

With just a flick, she had taken down the Six-Eared Macaque, whose strength was on par with his own.

However, after a moment of surprise, Wukong snapped out of it and made a move to beat him to death.

Right then, the Buddha gave a light cough and said, "Wukong, this is the Hall of Great Might. There shall be no killing!"

Hearing the Buddha's words, the Golden-Hooped Rod in Wukong's hand paused. He didn't strike the Six-Eared Macaque dead, but his hair stood on end as he bared his teeth.

Wukong said, "You're lucky this is inside the Hall of Great Might and I cannot kill. If we were outside, I would surely tear you into ten thousand pieces today."

"Wukong, do not let your hostility be so heavy," the Buddha said with a smile. "Now that your identity has been confirmed and the culprit has fallen into the Sovereign's hands, go back and continue protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West!"

Wukong bared his teeth and said, "It's no problem for me to go back and protect Master, but it's very frustrating that I can't kill this Six-Eared Macaque."

"Killing him would make him useless; keeping him around serves other purposes," the Buddha laughed. "This Six-Eared Macaque possesses great powers. Why not leave him to the Sovereign to serve as a gate-keeping monkey?"

Su Qing: "..."

You've stolen the whole show; what am I even supposed to say!?