Chen Tong's Request

Although he and Chen Tong had never been close—in fact, they were enemies—Chen Tong had ended up in this predicament because of him, and that left him feeling somewhat guilty.

"Hahaha... It's rare for Bodhisattva Guanyin to visit my Heavenly Court. Why not come inside and sit for a while before you leave?"

A hearty laugh rang out from within the South Heavenly Gate. As purple light burst forth, a figure appeared before Guanyin, his eyes brimming with authority, like an emperor descended from the heavens.

"Amitabha!" Guanyin bowed. "So it is Your Majesty, the Jade Emperor."

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" King Guangmu and the other gods below immediately knelt to pay their respects.

The Jade Emperor glanced casually at the assembled gods, then looked at Chen Tong, standing beside Guanyin with vacant eyes. He smiled faintly. "I already know why Guanyin has come. I thank you for your assistance."

"Your Majesty is too kind." Guanyin bowed again. "This fellow has disturbed Spiritual Mountain repeatedly. By Buddha Ancestor's decree, he should be captured and brought back to Spiritual Mountain for punishment. There was no need for any assistance."

"Hahaha..." The Jade Emperor gave a genial laugh. "What a coincidence. This fellow is also an important criminal of my Heavenly Court. He just caused a scene at the South Heavenly Gate. So naturally, he should be handed over to my Heavenly Court for safekeeping."

Guanyin frowned slightly. The Jade Emperor was clearly trying to snatch Chen Tong from him. Although Spiritual Mountain did not fall under the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction, the Three Realms all acknowledged the Heavenly Court's supremacy, and he could hardly deny it that respect. What was he supposed to do?

The Jade Emperor, meanwhile, wore a faint smile, looking as if victory were already his as he waited for Guanyin to decide. What a joke—he was the ruler of the Three Realms, and this was his territory. Of course he was confident.

Their standoff gave Chen Tong time to recover a little strength. This might be his only chance to escape the crisis. He steeled himself and said, "You all know I have a secret. I can reveal it, or I can destroy it. What I choose depends on what you do."

The Jade Emperor gave him a cold smile. "You're a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Do you think you're in any position to bargain?"

"Heh!" Chen Tong sneered too. "The secret is in my hands, so I have every right to bargain. Otherwise, when I lose all hope of surviving, you won't get it either."

After thinking for a moment, the Jade Emperor finally smiled. "You want to live, but unfortunately, you have no chance or hope of doing so."

"No!" Chen Tong hurriedly objected as soon as the Jade Emperor finished speaking. "I can give up on living, but I want you to agree to one request."

"Hmm...?"

The Jade Emperor and Guanyin both looked at him in confusion. They truly had no idea what he could be thinking at a time like this.

"Fine! Tell me what it is. If it's not too much, I'll grant it."

Guanyin's expression gradually darkened. He was the one who had captured Chen Tong, and Chen Tong was still in his hands. Yet the Jade Emperor had so openly decided everything, as if Guanyin weren't even there.

"Spare... spare Juanlian!" Chen Tong said weakly.

"Hmm...!"

The Jade Emperor was taken aback once more, and regarded Chen Tong with interest. Hearing those words, Guanyin's expression finally turned stern.

Juanlian's demotion was part of Spiritual Mountain's plan. There could be no mistakes. Yet Chen Tong had made this request. Considering everything that had happened before, had he somehow learned of the Journey to the West plan?

"No! That's absolutely impossible!" Guanyin immediately dismissed the thought. Only he and his master knew of the Journey to the West plan at Spiritual Mountain. None of the other Buddhas knew, let alone an outsider like Chen Tong.

"Is this... is this request too much?" Seeing the Jade Emperor hesitate, Chen Tong used the last of his strength to ask.

"Heh..." The Jade Emperor glanced down at Juanlian, who was still bewildered, then looked back at Chen Tong and studied him closely.

"Fine! I..."

"Wait!" Guanyin blurted out without thinking. The Jade Emperor looked at him in confusion, while Chen Tong glared at him with burning hatred. He'd been this close—this close to completing the mission! And that damn Guanyin had stopped him. He really deserved a spanking.

"Does Bodhisattva Guanyin have something to say?" the Jade Emperor asked.

"I've heard that Juanlian committed an offense. Although his punishment was rather severe, Your Majesty has already given your word. How could you take it back over such a trivial matter?"

The Jade Emperor gave Guanyin a long look, wondering what the man was up to this time. But as a shrewd old fox who had cultivated for billions of years, he certainly wouldn't believe Guanyin's word alone.

Guanyin's strange behavior suggested that Spiritual Mountain was up to something. But why would both of them care about a mere heavenly general like Juanlian? Chen Tong's concern was understandable—they might have some connection. But what was Guanyin's reason...?

After thinking it over for a moment, the Jade Emperor still decided to grant Chen Tong's request. After all, compared with Spiritual Mountain, Chen Tong was nothing.

"Bodhisattva Guanyin makes a fair point, and I'm gratified to hear it. But his words also served as a reminder. Juanlian has served me faithfully for years. Even if he has no great merit, he has certainly worked hard. He only broke a cup by accident, yet received such a heavy punishment. That was indeed my fault."

The Jade Emperor glanced down at Juanlian and waved his hand. A streak of golden light entered Juanlian's body, restoring his former divine rank.

Juanlian was dumbfounded. He looked at the divine power restored to him, and before he could even react, the Jade Emperor's voice came from above.

"Juanlian, you were at fault, but you served me faithfully for many years. You may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment. Return to the Forbidden Light Palace and reflect on your actions for three thousand years."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for your great kindness!" Juanlian knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, practically wiping away tears and snot.

Chen Tong watched what was happening below, but it wasn't what he cared about. He was waiting for a voice—the one heavenly sound he still hoped to hear.

"Haha..." The Jade Emperor chuckled warmly. "My young friend, I've agreed to your request. Now come back to the Celestial Palace with me."

"Hold on!"

As soon as the Jade Emperor finished speaking, Guanyin's voice rang out. But at that moment, a cold voice sounded in Chen Tong's mind too, making him forget everything else.

[Beep! Congratulations, host. You have completed a hidden mission.]

[Beep! Congratulations, host. You have received your mission reward: You may make one request, and as long as it is within the system's capabilities, it will be granted.]

"Hmm...!" Chen Tong was stunned by the reward, then overjoyed. This was the first time he'd received a reward like this, and he could make any request he wanted. If he had the system raise him to the level of the Heavenly Dao Ancestor, then what would a lousy Jade Emperor, a pathetic Guanyin, or a disgusting Tathagata amount to? He could deal with them all with ease!

"System, can you really grant any request?" Chen Tong held back his excitement and asked again to make sure. This concerned his future, after all. He couldn't afford to be careless.