Wukong sprang onto his Somersault Cloud and flew straight into the heavenly gate.
Before his cloud had even settled, the Four Heavenly Kings at the South Heaven Gate had spotted him.
The monkey clutched his head with one hand, his face thunderous and golden light flickering wildly in his eyes.
The Wide-Eyed Heavenly King hurried forward with his hands clasped in greeting.
"Where are you headed, Great Sage?"
Wukong swept past him.
"To settle a score."
His words were still echoing before the gate when he was already through it.
The Four Heavenly Kings stepped aside in unison.
Not one tried to stop him.
With the monkey looking like that, anyone who stood in his way would be asking for trouble.
Wukong entered the heavenly gate.
He never broke stride.
He did not head up to Lingxiao Hall.
He did not enter Dou Niu Palace.
The Star Officials coming and going saw him clutching his head, murderous fury rolling off him, and hastily stepped aside.
Wukong turned off the cloud steps and made straight for the realms beyond the thirty-three heavens.
He passed through tier upon tier of heavenly palaces.
He pierced layer upon layer of the Cloud Sea.
He reached the outskirts of the Heaven of Parting Hatred, before Doushuai Palace.
Wukong landed outside the gate.
The palace gate stood half closed.
Alchemical smoke curled from the eaves and wound halfway around the entrance.
Wukong opened his mouth and shouted.
"Old man!"
"Get out here!"
Two young Immortal Children stood in attendance at the gate.
At the sight of Wukong, they exchanged a glance and hurried forward to stop him.
"Who are you?"
"Where do you intend to go? Why are you shouting outside our palace?"
Wukong did not even look at them. He lifted his foot and strode