The Seven Great Sages Gather at Flower-Fruit Mountain; Sun Wukong Raises the Banner in Rebellion Against Heaven

The Heavenly Court swiftly issued a decree assigning him an office, investing Sun Wukong as the "Bimawen," placing him in charge of the Heavenly Court's Imperial Horse Office, tasked solely with grazing the Heavenly River's celestial steeds.

Sun Wukong's nature was pure, and he knew nothing of the Heavenly Court's rules. Overjoyed, he faithfully fulfilled his duties with utmost diligence.

The Heavenly River was abundant in Innate Spiritual Qi, its clouds and mist vast and boundless, where countless celestial steeds bred and dwelled.

Each day, Sun Wukong patrolled the Heavenly River, tending the herds and raising countless celestial steeds until they were extraordinarily majestic.

Under his care, the Imperial Horse Office was kept in perfect order, surpassing every Bimawen before him.

Yet such peaceful days did not last long. A conflict erupted, utterly shattering Sun Wukong's favorable impression of the Heavenly Court.

That day, Martial Virtue Star Lord acted under the Heavenly Court's laws, leading a team to inspect the Heavenly River territory and supervise the Immortal Officials in all directions.

Martial Virtue Star Lord was an Orthodox God of the Heavenly Court, exalted in status and power, ever arrogant and severe.

He most despised wandering immortals with neither roots nor backing, and looked down even more on Immortal Officials like Sun Wukong, who tended livestock.

Leading a troop of heavenly soldiers into the heart of the Heavenly River, he saw Sun Wukong letting the celestial steeds run about freely, showing none of an Immortal Official's bearing. His face immediately darkened, and he sternly rebuked him.

"Bold wild monkey!" Martial Virtue Star Lord flicked his immortal sleeve, his gaze lofty and icy.

"The Heavenly River is a sacred ground of the Heavenly Court, where laws are strict!

You, a mere lowly clerk of the Bimawen Office, born crude and uncouth,