Riding the Iron Staff to Heaven

Lingji Bodhisattva was a bit bewildered, not expecting this to be the issue.

However, this suited him perfectly, as his incense had run out, and he could conveniently get some from Tang Sanzang.

"As the Buddha commands."

Lingji Bodhisattva responded, took the kasaya, and quickly put it on.

He then rushed down to the mortal realm.

After taking a couple of puffs, the Buddha returned to his throne on Spirit Mountain, continuing to observe the westward journey.

Flowing Sand River.

The water rippled slightly, and Tang Yu chuckled inwardly. At the same time, Zhu Bajie glanced at Tang Yu.

"Why isn't Wukong back yet?"

Tang Yu said casually, as if it were an afterthought.

"Maybe Brother Monkey went quite far," Zhu Bajie secretly tightened his grip on his rake.

At this moment, Tang Yu stood up, "Second Brother, let's go get him."

Zhu Bajie was already prepared, and he swung his rake into the river.

Sha Wujing, hidden beneath the water, was a bit confused, wondering how he had been discovered.

It had been many years since he was banished to the Flowing Sand River. However, every few decades, a monk on a pilgrimage would pass by, allowing him to feast.

He had eaten all nine bald donkeys who had passed, preparing them in various ways.

This time, he was contemplating whether to steam or braise them.

After some thought, he decided on steaming half of it, with a good mix of fat and lean meat, dipped in garlic paste.

It should taste delicious.

He planned to air-dry the other half and make some cured meat to eat slowly.

Thinking of this, Sha Wujing's mouth began to water.

But he found that this time, the bald donkey had gotten smarter and brought bodyguards.

A monkey and a pig.

Fortunately, this bald donkey had sent that monkey to find food.

Still thinking about food? I'll eat you in a bit.

He stealthily crept closer, but before he could make a move, the pig, wielding his rake, had already attacked.

He quickly raised his weapon to meet the charge.

Bang.

Sha Wujing felt a powerful force and thought to himself, This is bad, this demon pig is quite strong.

Just as he was about to dive back into the water, planning to find an opportunity later to kill this pilgrim, Suddenly, an iron rod rose directly from beneath his backside, lifting him skyward.

What is happening?

He was sitting on Sun Wukong's Golden Cudgel, still a bit dazed.

If this kept up, they would reach the Heavenly Court soon.

However, going to the Heavenly Court wouldn't be bad; he could see his old friends.

Thinking of this, Sha Wujing sat firmly on the rod.

He hadn't been back in so many years; he wondered how his old friends were doing. Would they still recognize me, Juan Lian?

Heavenly Court.

The Jade Emperor was holding court.

Just as he was about to speak, an iron rod suddenly flipped over the table in front of him.

The fruits and melons scattered all over the floor.

The Jade Emperor flinched from the shock.

On top of the iron rod sat something, seemingly human.

All the immortals were stunned, looking at the scene in disbelief.

"Hi, everyone."

Sha Wujing waved and greeted them, but the iron rod didn't stop, continuing to lift him upwards.

The Queen Mother was trying on clothes in her palace.

She didn't know where that old rascal, the Jade Emperor, had gotten these clothes from; they made her feel quite embarrassed.

The Queen Mother's face flushed slightly as she carefully tried them on in front of the bronze mirror.

These clothes were quite beautiful; no wonder that old rascal, the Jade Emperor, insisted she wear them.

"Hmph, you old lecher."

Bang.

An iron staff thrust out, startling the Queen Mother with a shriek.

Sha Wujing felt a bit displeased. What was going on? He'd ascended to heaven, yet he wasn't even allowed to catch up with an old friend.

Immediately after, a bad premonition stirred within him.

This is going to be bad.

Would this iron staff fling him all the way to the Thirty-third Heaven?

Just then, a scream sounded beside him. Instinctively, he swiped out, pulling the Queen Mother into his embrace as the iron staff continued its ascent.

The Queen Mother hadn't even processed what was happening. She was trying on clothes, and someone dared to barge into her private chambers.

"Ah... Who are you? Let go of me, Your Highness!"

The Queen Mother cried out in alarm, realizing she was being held by a bearded man.

The River of Flowing Sand!

Sun Wukong leaped out from the river. In truth, he had returned long ago, but remembering Tang Yu's instructions, he had hidden himself in the River of Flowing Sand without a trace, catching the monster completely off guard.

Watching the Golden Cudgel still ascending, Sun Wukong laughed heartily, "Retract."

The Golden Cudgel instantly appeared in Sun Wukong's hand. He tilted his head back and looked towards the sky.

"Wukong, well done," Tang Yu praised.

Having lost the Golden Cudgel, and carried by inertia, Sha Wujing shot up a few more meters before beginning to descend rapidly.

And he was still holding the scantily clad Queen Mother in his arms.

In the Heavenly Court, everyone seemed to still be recovering from the shock.

But... wasn't that Sun Wukong's Golden Cudgel? What was going on?

Could this monkey be planning to cause another Havoc in Heaven?

Before anyone could fully react, the Golden Cudgel vanished before their eyes, and along with it, the bearded man plummeted down. However, this time, he was holding someone in his arms.

It looked like the Queen Mother.

And her attire seemed a bit...

The Jade Emperor's face instantly turned ashen. He could tell at a glance that it was his wife, the Queen Mother.

And she was wearing the clothes he had personally selected and prepared.

Such clothes were meant for a couple in their private chambers, to be admired secretly. Now, they were seen by everyone.

The Jade Emperor felt as if he had been cuckolded, and by many people at that.

And who was that bearded man?

Could it be that the Queen Mother was having an affair with someone?

Her destined one is a bearded man, who will one day ride an iron staff to marry her...

"Damn it, find out who it is!"

The Jade Emperor was furious. How dare someone embrace his Queen Mother.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it seems... it seems to be Juan Lian," Taibai Jinxing said.

Although Juan Lian had transformed into this state, some people recognized him at a glance.

"Li Jing."

The Jade Emperor roared.

"Your subject is here."

"I order you to immediately take fifty thousand heavenly soldiers to apprehend Juan Lian. No, kill him directly," the Jade Emperor said furiously.

Wait.

The Queen Mother was scantily clad. If more people saw her, wouldn't it be even more humiliating?

"Summon two hundred thousand heavenly soldiers. I will accompany you."

The Jade Emperor was desperate and decided to descend to the mortal realm.

As he plummeted down with the Queen Mother in his arms, Sha Wujing was about to use his powers to stabilize himself.

Suddenly, a golden light appeared beside him. A monkey, wielding an iron staff, swung it towards his head: "I'll hit you."

Sha Wujing's brains splattered, and he was instantly gone.

Sun Wukong didn't even glance at him. He reappeared by the River of Flowing Sand, preparing to roast and eat a wild rabbit.

The rabbit was half-cooked when a small black dot slowly appeared high in the sky, growing larger and larger.

Plop.

Sha Wujing's corpse fell into the River of Flowing Sand. After a long while, it floated to the surface again, gently drifting into the distance with the ebb and flow of the river water