Chapter 38

As he passed Tianci Temple, Zhuang Yan lowered his cloud and drifted gracefully down.

The monks had yet to return. Only Elder Guangde, having sensed the heavenly signs, had come back ahead of them and was lighting an eternal lamp for Guiding Buddha in the Hall of Three Saints.

Zhuang Yan revealed himself and stepped into the hall, his footsteps startling Elder Guangde.

"Your Excellency has arrived. What are your instructions?" Elder Guangde hurried forward and bowed.

"I came to offer incense." Smiling, Zhuang Yan took out three incense sticks and solemnly bowed to the Buddha Statue. Wisps of blue smoke curled into the censer.

Elder Guangde gave a deep bow. "Your Excellency is merciful."

Zhuang Yan gave a slight nod, stepped out of the hall, and turned into a streak of rainbow light that vanished into the distance.

Upon returning to the divine residence on Danchi Ridge and finding that Vanguard Hu and Chi Ling had not yet returned, he asked Fire Spirit True Immortal, "Has True Immortal Lü come back?"

"Not yet," Fire Spirit True Immortal answered respectfully.

Zhuang Yan mused, Guiding Buddha has delayed the calamity by several centuries. Lü Dongbin and the others may be able to use this opportunity to resolve their karmic ties.

With that thought, he went to Liu Zhen Peak on Spirit Platform Mountain.

Within a small courtyard shaded by emerald bamboo, Lu Hanzhi, the Deer Spirit, was carrying a wooden bucket as she watered the vegetable beds.

"It seems you have found the true joy of leisure." Zhuang Yan chuckled as he entered the courtyard.

Lu Hanzhi spun around in alarm, hastily tossed aside her dipper, and knelt. "This humble cultivator pays respects to Your Excellency."

"No need for ceremony." Zhuang Yan made a gesture to raise her. "I have come today to ask a favor of you."

Lu Hanzhi's spirits immediately rose. She cupped her fists and replied, "Please give your orders, Your Excellency. I would brave fire and water without hesitation."

"Brave fire and water..." Zhuang Yan teased with a laugh. "Wouldn't that make you stewed venison?"

Lu Hanzhi shuddered and hurriedly said, "Please do not tease your subordinate, Your Excellency."

Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and took a clay jar from his sleeve. "There is no need for you to brave fire and water. You only need to care for a pregnant woman."

Lu Hanzhi immediately beamed. "If you truly wanted this subordinate to charge into battle, I fear I would be unequal to the task. But caring for a pregnant woman—Your Excellency has certainly come to the right person."

Zhuang Yan raised a brow. "Have you cared for pregnant women before?"

"I have not, but I served my parents for more than ten years until their passing, so I have considerable experience in such matters," Lu Hanzhi replied.

"You are quite filial." As Zhuang Yan spoke, he removed the seal on the clay jar.

With a crash, the unconscious Lian'er fell from the shattered clay jar. Lu Hanzhi caught her with swift reflexes.

"Care for her properly until she gives birth," Zhuang Yan instructed.

"Care for her on your behalf..." Lu Hanzhi looked at Zhuang Yan with an odd expression.

Zhuang Yan was initially stunned, then understood. "What nonsense are you thinking?"

"N-Nothing," Lu Hanzhi stammered.

Zhuang Yan smiled. "I am an orthodox god of the Heavenly Court. How could I fail to see what is on your mind? Speak freely."

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Hanzhi asked softly, "Your Excellency once said that humans and demons must not fall in love. Then... what about humans and immortals?"

"Also forbidden. The heavenly laws expressly prohibit unions between immortals and mortals," Zhuang Yan said seriously.

Lu Hanzhi looked at Lian'er in her arms, wanting to speak but stopping herself. "But you... this..."

Zhuang Yan could not help laughing. "What a foolish girl."

Lu Hanzhi looked up blankly.

"How could the child in her womb be mine?" Zhuang Yan asked with a smile.

"It is not yours?" Lu Hanzhi's eyes widened.

"Would I violate the heavenly laws? As for the child's father, do not ask further, lest you invite a deadly calamity." Zhuang Yan warned her.

Lu Hanzhi breathed a sigh of relief, secretly glad that she had wrongly suspected him. She solemnly promised, "This subordinate will certainly care for her with all diligence."

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Hold out your hand."

Lu Hanzhi obediently extended her slender hand. Zhuang Yan wrote two words in her palm. "This is a Life-Protecting Charm. Should you encounter danger, channel your magic power into it and it will protect you."

Lu Hanzhi accepted the Talisman Paper bearing those two words and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for this gift, Your Excellency."

After giving her ten thousand Purple Coins, Zhuang Yan turned into a stream of light and returned to the divine residence on Danchi Ridge.

Just as Guiding Buddha sacrificed himself to delay the calamity between Buddha and demons, an incident unfolded on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Divine Continent. Since acquiring the Sea-Calming Divine Needle and his armor, Great Sage Equal to Heaven had spent his days riding clouds across the Four Seas and visiting famous mountains and scenic lands. At times, he used his divine powers to befriend heroes; at others, he sparred with friends and forged countless bonds.

He had sworn brotherhood with six Demon Kings: Great Sage Equal to Heaven Bull Demon King, Great Sage Who Covers the Seas Flood Demon King, Great Sage Who Mixes the Heavens Peng Demon King, Great Sage Who Moves Mountains Lion Camel King, Great Sage Who Hears the Wind Macaque King, and Great Sage Who Drives Gods Royal Monkey King. Together with him, the Handsome Monkey King, they were known as the Seven Great Sages.

The seven brothers discussed the Dao, practiced martial arts, feasted, and drank every day, with strings and pipes playing without cease. That day, Sun Wukong held a banquet in the Water Curtain Cave for his six elder brothers. Amid fine wine and jade liquor, the Great Sages drank themselves senseless. After seeing off the various kings, Wukong drunkenly lay beneath the pines beside the Iron Slab Bridge.

The Four Valiant Generals led the monkeys in guarding the area, not daring to disturb him. In his haze, two Underworld Emissaries suddenly appeared, holding warrants bearing Sun Wukong's name. Before he could react, chains bound his primordial spirit, and in a daze he arrived at a gloomy city. Looking up, he saw an iron plaque above the gate that read: Netherworld.

True Person Xuji Chongying had little official business that day, so she ordered a servant boy to brew a pot of Spirit Tea and leisurely savored it. After three cups, she felt refreshed. Her gaze then fell upon the Jade Book of Fate to the right of her desk—an arcane register of yin and yang administered by the Department of the Mortal Realm, corresponding to the Underworld's Book of Life and Death, recording the lifespans, fortunes, and misfortunes of all living beings in the Three Realms.

She casually turned to entry number 1,350 under the category of souls. Beneath Sun Wukong's name, it read: Heaven-born Stone Monkey, destined to live three hundred and forty-two years. Since she had secretly cut three hundred years from his mortal lifespan earlier, she presumed that the Monkey King had by now been summoned to the underworld. Once he witnessed the horrors of the Eighteen Levels of Hell, she could amend his lifespan and let him return to the world of the living.

Just as she was about to close the book, the True Person's expression abruptly changed—Sun Wukong's name had vanished into thin air! Then the entire page listing monkeys was erased. She shot to her feet, her hands holding the jade book trembling slightly.

True Person Xuji Chongying stared at the Jade Book of Fate and saw the monkey registry disappearing at a rapid pace. "This is bad!" she cried. Forgetting all decorum, she vaulted over the jade desk and rushed toward the Hall of Grotto-Heavens with the book in her hands.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion was discussing matters with True Man Wenshi when he saw her barge in so hurriedly. Surprised, he asked, "True Person, why are you so flustered?"

"Forgive this minister's discourtesy." True Person Xuji Chongying bowed. "A great incident has occurred in the underworld."

The expressions of the two venerables changed at once. "What exactly happened?"

The True Person carried the book into the hall. The Service Officer attempted to stop her, but Emperor Shaoyang halted him. She opened the jade book, revealing a vast expanse of blank space. "Please look, Emperor."

"This..." Emperor Shaoyang frowned deeply. "How could there be a gap in the Jade Book of Fate? All living beings in the Three Realms have their ordained fates. This should never happen."

"It is the monkey registry." The True Person pointed to the first blank space. "This was originally where the name of the heaven-born Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong, was written."

At the mention of the Demon Monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain, the True Person's face turned slightly pale. Emperor Shaoyang's eyes flickered, but he calmly pointed to a sandalwood chair. "Do not panic. Sit and have some tea."

After the True Person sat as instructed, the Emperor immediately ordered the Service Officer, "Quickly send an official dispatch from the Department of the Mortal Realm to the underworld. Investigate the matter of the Book of Life and Death."

True Man Wenshi asked in confusion, "Who would dare alter the Book of Life and Death?"

"It was most likely that Demon Monkey," Emperor Shaoyang said thoughtfully.

"He possesses such ability?"

"The Ten Kings of Hell are not skilled in battle. The Four Judges and Ten Underworld Marshals are likely no match for him. After all, even the Eight Immortals of the Upper Grotto-Heavens were defeated by his hand."

True Man Wenshi pressed, "But what of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Five Ghost Emperors?"

Emperor Shaoyang sighed. "We shall see whether they can restrain the Demon Monkey. But since the Book of Life and Death has already been altered, I fear..." His words came to an abrupt stop.

Emperor Shaoyang and True Person Xuji Chongying exchanged a glance, both already understanding. With the names in the Book of Life and Death erased, no one in the world could restrain that Demon Monkey any longer.

As they spoke, the Service Officer who had departed earlier hurried back to the Hall of Grotto-Heavens and bowed to Emperor Shaoyang. "Reporting to the Emperor, King Qin Guang of the underworld has come to the True Palace of Great Mystery by order of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Lord of the Underworld. He bears a memorial for presentation to the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable."

Emperor Shaoyang immediately said, "Bring him in at once."

Before long, King Qin Guang, foremost among the Ten Kings of Hell, entered the hall holding a memorial. He first bowed to Emperor Shaoyang, then described the upheaval in the underworld in detail. After Sun Wukong's soul had been seized, the Demon Monkey wreaked havoc in the underworld. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Five Ghost Emperors, the Ten Kings of Hell, the Four Judges, and the Ten Underworld Marshals had all been unable to stop him. He erased the Book of Life and Death, then swaggered away.

Everyone in the hall was horrified. A Demon Monkey whom even Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Five Ghost Emperors could not subdue was beyond the Department of the Mortal Realm's ability to handle. True Person Xuji Chongying's face turned deathly pale. Trembling, she rose and bowed. "This matter is entirely this subordinate's fault..."

Emperor Shaoyang raised a hand to stop her. "The counsel came from your mouth, but the decision was mine. Return for now. I will personally report to the Great Celestial Venerable together with King Qin Guang."

Yet the True Person insisted, "How can I allow the Emperor to bear the blame alone? Since I proposed this counsel, I should bear the responsibility."

Emperor Shaoyang shook his head with a faint smile. "You cannot bear this responsibility, and neither can I. We can only report the truth and request the Great Celestial Venerable's judgment." He then turned to the Service Officer. "Send a dispatch at once. Summon the Dragon King of the East Sea to the True Palace of Great Mystery immediately."

Not long after, Dragon King of the East Sea Ao Guang hurried over. Seeing King Qin Guang in the hall as well, he asked in surprise, "Why is the king of hell here?"

King Qin Guang said gravely, "Dragon King, quickly prepare a memorial and accompany us to meet the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable."

"Meet the Great Celestial Venerable?" Ao Guang was greatly alarmed and hurriedly asked Emperor Shaoyang for the reason. Emperor Shaoyang reassured him, "Do not panic, Dragon King. Simply set down in a memorial the Demon Monkey's rampage through the Dragon Palace and his seizure of its treasures, then accompany me to the Supreme Harmony Palace."

Ao Guang looked at King Qin Guang in sudden understanding. "Could it be that the underworld also..."

King Qin Guang nodded bitterly. "That Demon Monkey has just erased the names of every monkey from the Book of Life and Death."

"Even Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings of Hell could do nothing to him?" Ao Guang exclaimed.

"If we could subdue him, why would we have come here?" King Qin Guang sighed.

Ao Guang did not dare delay and immediately drafted the memorial. The three then proceeded together to Great Luo Heaven and presented their reports at the Supreme Harmony Palace. After hearing them, the Jade Emperor ordered the two kings to return to their respective posts. Regarding the Department of the Mortal Realm's attempt to enlighten the Demon Monkey, the Jade Emperor deemed its intentions good but its methods improper. He merely issued an imperial reprimand to Emperor Shaoyang and did not pursue the matter further.

The Jade Emperor wished to send heavenly troops to capture the Demon Monkey, but Lord Taibai proposed offering him amnesty. The Jade Emperor approved and ordered him to descend to the mortal realm and summon Sun Wukong to Heaven for appointment.

That day, as Zhuang Yan examined the heavenly signs, he saw news that Sun Wukong had wreaked havoc in the underworld, erased the Book of Life and Death, and been appointed Bimawen. He calmly erased this heavenly sign and continued examining the others. Half a month later, he saw new information: Sun Wukong had rebelled against the Heavenly Court and proclaimed himself Great Sage Equal to Heaven; the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and his son had led troops against him and suffered defeat; Lord Taibai had again proposed amnesty. The Jade Emperor appointed him Great Sage Equal to Heaven and, following Xu Jingyang's counsel, ordered him to serve as Guardian of the Peach Garden.

A smile appeared on Zhuang Yan's face. He summoned Fire Spirit True Immortal, Vanguard Hu, and Chi Ling. "In the coming days, cultivate your magic treasures diligently and conserve your strength." When Fire Spirit True Immortal asked whether they were going to subdue demons, Zhuang Yan answered with a smile, "No. An opportunity to earn merit and receive rewards is approaching."

Two days later, the Purple-Robed Immortal Maiden from the Jade Palace of the Jasper Lake came to visit and invited Zhuang Yan to the Peach Banquet seven days hence. As he was seeing her off, Chi Ling arrived in a fury. It turned out that the Mortal Peaches of Fire Spirit True Immortal had been stolen by mountain spirits. Fire Spirit True Immortal did not think much of it, saying they were merely uncivilized creatures.

Chi Ling said resentfully, "We worked hard to grow those immortal peaches. If they had asked for some, we might not have refused. Sneaking around and stealing them like this is truly hateful."