Wen Ning had always imagined that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven's home would be a grand spectacle: red flags flying, gongs and drums thundering, firecrackers bursting, monkeys everywhere, ranks drilling, and sabers, spears, swords, and halberds laid out across the ground.
But what he actually saw was nothing like that. This place was more like a secluded paradise, untouched by worldly strife.
A stone table stood in the middle, surrounded by a few stone stools. A purple clay teapot and several cups sat on the table.
Under an old pine nearby, a figure sat cross-legged on a large blue-gray rock, leaning against the trunk and engrossed in a book he held.
Wen Ning had seen countless versions of Sun Wukong before—in television dramas, cartoons, and games. Every version wore gleaming golden armor and had fiery eyes with golden pupils, looking imposing and majestic.
But if not for that distinctive thunder-god mouth and the faint halo of Buddhist light above his head, Wen Ning would almost have mistaken this Sun Wukong for an ordinary monkey on Mount Huaguo.
Sun Wukong had clearly heard Wen Ning's footsteps. He raised his head and looked over.
A half-amused smile spread across his face.
"I was wondering why I kept sneezing today. Turns out I've got visitors. Two of you, at that—one Heavenly Official from the Thunder Department, and another Heavenly Official from the Thunder Department. Come on, sit down. Don't just stand there."
With that, he poured Wen Ning and Lu Ming a cup of tea each.
Wen Ning stepped forward, set his basket of peaches on the stone table, and cupped his hands in greeting.
"I'm Wen Ning, serving under the Heavenly Venerable of Universal Thunder of the Nine Heavens. Please forgive this unannounced visit and the interruption to your secluded cultivation,