Sun Wukong, Let's Not Contact Each Other Anymore, I'm Afraid the Heavenly Court Will Misunderstand

"Great King, an imperial envoy has arrived outside. He says he bears the Jade Emperor's decree and has an imperial edict for you."

"An imperial edict?"

Sun Wukong froze at the words. Bold as he was, he never considered that his crimes had been exposed. Thinking it must be good news, he personally went out to receive the visitor.

Outside Water Curtain Cave, Xiao He held a whisk and wore celestial robes. He had decent looks to begin with, and now he cut quite a respectable figure. Seeing a rather humanlike monkey approaching, he gave a slight bow. "Great King, I am Taibai Jinxing of the West. By the Jade Emperor's edict of recruitment, I have descended to invite you to Heaven, where you may receive a place in the celestial register."

So you're Taibai Jinxing!

Looking at the young, clean-shaven Xiao He, Sun Wukong found something off about him. In his mind, he replaced Xiao He with a kindly old man sporting a white beard. That fit Taibai Jinxing's image much better.

In the monkey's subconscious, Taibai Jinxing ought to have been an old man. A young fellow like this simply made it hard to immerse himself.

"Thank you for making the journey, Star Lord. Please, come in quickly. Old Sun has already arranged a banquet in your honor."

"Great King, I bear an imperial edict and dare not linger long!"

"It's only a cup of tea. It won't delay us much..."

Sun Wukong grabbed Xiao He by the wrist and, without allowing any argument, dragged him into Water Curtain Cave.

Though the monkey was wild by nature, he was an ambitious monkey. Deep in his soul, a voice had always told him that a position on the official payroll was a wonderful thing, and that he could not