The Jade Emperor's sudden behavior caught Shen Gongbao somewhat off guard. Before coming to Fire Cloud Cave, the Jade Emperor had never said he intended to do this.
But Shen Gongbao quickly composed himself. Standing to one side, he wiped away his tears as well, playing along with the Jade Emperor.
Then, with a thud, Shen Gongbao dropped to his knees beside the Jade Emperor and cried, "Your Majesty, you absolutely must not think this way! You are the lord of the Heavenly Court—how can you so easily speak of death?"
"Alas! My situation is so difficult now. If I do not die here, then I will die at their hands. In life, I belong to Fire Cloud Cave; in death, I will be a dead man of Fire Cloud Cave. I will never be killed by others. Even if I must die, I will die here!" The Jade Emperor sighed and continued.
Shen Gongbao said, "Your Majesty, this servant has always been utterly loyal to you. If you die, then this servant will certainly not live alone. I am willing to follow Your Majesty, whether to the Heavenly Court or hell, and I will never regret it, even unto death!"
Many disciples of Fire Cloud Cave had gathered here. Seeing the ruler and his minister kneeling on the ground and weeping bitterly, they were deeply moved.
They discovered that the Jade Emperor did not seem to be as worthless as everyone had claimed. He did have some redeeming qualities.
The Three Sovereigns sat there without speaking, quietly watching them as the ruler and his minister continued weeping, one echoing the other.
"Enough. Are you two really going to keep crying here?" the Human Sovereign said.
Shen Gongbao and the Jade Emperor immediately stopped.
"Your Majesty the Human Sovereign, I