The Great Sage Equal to Heaven

When passing by Tianci Temple, Zhuang Yan pressed his cloud head and descended gracefully.

The monks in the temple had not yet returned. Only Elder Guangde, after perceiving the heavenly secrets, returned first and was lighting the eternal lamp for the Guiding Buddha in the Hall of Three Sages.

Zhuang Yan revealed his form and stepped into the hall. The sound of his footsteps startled Elder Guangde.

"Prefect has arrived, what are your instructions?" Elder Guangde hurried forward to pay his respects.

"Come and offer some incense," Zhuang Yan said with a smile, taking out three sticks of clear incense. He bowed solemnly to the Buddha statue, and wisps of blue smoke disappeared into the incense burner.

Elder Guangde bowed deeply: "Prefect is merciful."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, stepped out of the hall, and turned into a rainbow light, flying away.

Returning to his divine mansion on Danchi Ridge, he saw that Vanguard Hu and Chi Ling had not yet returned. He asked the Fire Spirit True Immortal: "Has True Man Lü returned?"

"He has not yet returned," the Fire Spirit True Immortal replied respectfully.

Zhuang Yan mused: "The Guiding Buddha has delayed the tribulation by hundreds of years. Lü Dongbin and others may be able to resolve their karma through this opportunity."

Thinking of this, he arrived at Liu Zhen Peak on Spirit Platform Mountain.

In a small courtyard surrounded by green bamboo, the Deer Spirit Lu Hanzhi was watering the vegetable patch with a wooden bucket.

"It seems you have attained true freedom," Zhuang Yan chuckled and entered the courtyard.

Lu Hanzhi was startled and turned around, hastily abandoning the dipper and kneeling to pay respects: "This humble one greets the Prefect."

"Rise," Zhuang Yan said, offering a virtual hand. "I have something to entrust to you today."

Lu Hanzhi's spirits lifted upon hearing this. He cupped his fists and replied: "Please instruct me, Prefect. I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Through fire and water..." Zhuang Yan chuckled playfully: "Wouldn't that just be boiling deer meat?"

Lu Hanzhi's body trembled, and he hastily said: "Please do not tease your subordinate, Prefect."

Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and took out an earthen jar from his sleeve: "I don't need you to go through fire and water. You only need to take care of a pregnant woman."

Lu Hanzhi's face immediately brightened: "If you were to ask me to charge into battle, I'm afraid I wouldn't be up to the task. But when it comes to taking care of a pregnant woman, you've found the right person, Prefect."

Zhuang Yan raised an eyebrow: "Have you taken care of pregnant women before?"

"Although I haven't taken care of pregnant women, I served my parents for over ten years until their passing, so I have some experience in this regard," Lu Hanzhi replied.

"A filial one," Zhuang Yan said, undoing the seal on the earthen jar.

With a cracking sound, the unconscious Lian'er fell from the shattered jar. Lu Hanzhi caught her with quick reflexes.

"Take good care of her until she gives birth," Zhuang Yan instructed.

"Taking care of her on your behalf..." Lu Hanzhi looked at Zhuang Yan with a strange expression.

Zhuang Yan was taken aback for a moment, then understood: "What nonsense are you thinking?"

"N-nothing," Lu Hanzhi stammered.

Zhuang Yan smiled faintly: "I am a righteous god of the Heavenly Court. How could I not see your thoughts? Speak freely."

Lu Hanzhi hesitated for a moment, then whispered: "The Prefect once said that humans and demons cannot fall in love. Then... what about humans and immortals?"

"Naturally not. Heavenly rules strictly prohibit the union of immortals and mortals," Zhuang Yan said with a serious expression.

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

Zhuang Yan couldn't help but laugh: "You truly are a foolish girl."

Lu Hanzhi looked up blankly.

"How could the child in her belly be my flesh and blood?" Zhuang Yan said with a smile.

"Not yours?" Lu Hanzhi's eyes widened.

"How could I violate heavenly rules? As for the child's father, do not ask further, lest you invite a deadly disaster," Zhuang Yan warned.

Lu Hanzhi breathed a sigh of relief, secretly glad he had misunderstood the Prefect. He solemnly promised: "This subordinate will surely take care of her with all my heart."

Zhuang Yan nodded: "Extend your hand."

Lu Hanzhi obediently extended his slender hand. Zhuang Yan wrote two characters on his palm: "This is a life-saving talisman. Activate your magic power when in danger, and it will protect you."

Lu Hanzhi took the talisman paper with the two characters written on it and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your grace, Prefect."

Zhuang Yan took out ten thousand Purple Coins and handed them to him, then turned into a stream of light and returned to his divine mansion on Danchi Ridge.

Just as the Guiding Buddha was sacrificing himself to delay the Buddha-Demon tribulation, an interlude occurred on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent. Since obtaining the Ruyi Jingu Bang and his armor, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had been roaming the Four Seas and visiting famous mountains and scenic spots daily. Sometimes he would use his divine powers to befriend heroes, and sometimes he would practice martial arts and make friends.

He became sworn brothers with six Demon Kings: the Flat Heaven Great Sage Bull Demon King, the Flood Demon King, the Heaven-Mixing Great Sage Peng Demon King, the Mountain-Moving Great Sage Lion Camel King, the Ventilating Great Sage Macaque King, and the God-Driving Great Sage Royal Monkey King. Together with him, the Handsome Monkey King, they were known as the Seven Great Sages.

The seven brothers discussed the Dao and practiced martial arts daily, holding banquets and drinking merrily, with music and singing constantly filling the air. One day, Sun Wukong hosted a banquet for his six elder brothers in the Water Curtain Cave. Amidst the fine wine and delicacies, all the sages became thoroughly drunk. After bidding farewell to the kings, Wukong lay drunk beneath the pine shade by the iron plate bridge.

The Four Valiant Generals led the monkeys, guarding the surroundings strictly, not daring to disturb him. In a daze, he suddenly saw two Underworld Emissaries holding official documents with Sun Wukong's name written on them. Before he could react, his Primordial Spirit was bound by chains, and he was taken in a daze to a gloomy city. He looked up and saw a plaque of the Underworld hanging above the city gate.

True Person Xuji Chongying was having a leisurely day with his official duties. He ordered his attendant to brew a pot of Spirit Tea and was enjoying it leisurely. After three cups, he felt refreshed and his mind clear. He glanced at the Jade Book of Fate on the right side of his desk—this was a secret register of yin and yang managed by the Department of the Mortal Realm, which, along with the Underworld's Book of Life and Death, formed a complementary pair, recording the lifespan and fortune of all beings in the Three Realms.

He casually flipped to soul number 1350, under which Sun Wukong was noted as a stone monkey born of heaven, originally destined to live for 342 years. Since she had secretly removed three hundred years from his lifespan earlier, she expected the monkey king to have already been summoned to the underworld. Only after he had witnessed the horrors of the Eighteen Levels of Hell would her lifespan be amended, allowing him to return to the mortal realm.

Just as she was about to close the book, the True Person's expression suddenly changed—Sun Wukong's name had vanished into thin air! Subsequently, the entire page of monkey-related names was annihilated. She suddenly stood up, her hands holding the Jade Book trembling slightly.

True Person Xuji Chongying stared at the Jade Book of Fate, only to find the monkey lineage registry rapidly disappearing. Not good! she exclaimed, losing her composure. Without regard for decorum, she leaped over the jade desk, clutching the book and rushing towards the Hall of Grotto-Heavens.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion was in discussion with True Man Wenshi when he saw her hurried entrance. He asked in surprise, "True Person, why are you in such a panic?"

"Forgive my rudeness," True Person Xuji Chongying said, bowing. "Something major has happened in the Underworld."

The expressions of both venerable beings changed drastically. "What exactly has occurred?"

The True Person carried the book into the hall. The Service Officer attempted to stop her, but the Emperor intervened. She unfolded the jade book, revealing a large expanse of blank space. "Your Majesty, please look."

"This..." Emperor Shaoyang frowned deeply. "How can the Jade Book of Fate have blank entries? The destinies of all beings in the Three Realms are fixed; this should never happen."

"It's the monkey lineage registry," the True Person pointed to the first blank space. "This was originally the name of the heavenly-born Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong."

Mentioning the demon monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain, the True Person's face paled slightly. The Emperor's eyes flashed, but he calmly gestured to a sandalwood chair. "Don't panic. Sit down and have some tea."

After the True Person took her seat as instructed, the Emperor immediately ordered the Service Officer, "Quickly send a dispatch to the Department of the Mortal Realm to inquire about the Book of Life and Death."

True Man Wenshi asked doubtfully, "Who dares to tamper with the Book of Life and Death?"

"Most likely that demon monkey," the Emperor mused.

"He has such ability?"

"The Ten Kings of Hell are not skilled in combat. The Four Judges and Ten Underworld Marshals are probably no match for him. After all, even the Eight Immortals from the Upper Grotto were defeated by him."

True Man Wenshi pressed, "Aren't there also Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Five Ghost Emperors?"

The Emperor sighed lightly, "Let's see if they can subdue the demon monkey. However, since the Book of Life and Death has already been altered, I fear..." He stopped speaking there, his words trailing off.

Emperor Shaoyang and True Person Xuji Chongying exchanged a look, understanding dawning in their eyes. With the registry in the Book of Life and Death crossed out, no one in the mortal realm could stop the demon monkey in the slightest.

As they were speaking, the Service Officer who had left earlier returned to the Hall of Grotto-Heavens in a hurry. He bowed to Emperor Shaoyang and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, King Qin Guang of the Underworld, under the orders of the Lord of the Underworld, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, has brought a memorial to the True Palace of Great Mystery, wishing to present it to the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable."

Emperor Shaoyang immediately said, "Please bring him in quickly."

Not long after, King Qin Guang, the foremost of the Ten Kings of Hell, entered the hall holding the memorial. He first paid his respects to Emperor Shaoyang, then meticulously recounted the upheaval in the Underworld. It turned out that the demon monkey Sun Wukong, after his soul was captured, had wreaked havoc in the Underworld. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Five Ghost Emperors, the Ten Kings of Hell, the Four Judges, and the Ten Underworld Marshals were all powerless against him. He had crossed out the Book of Life and Death and left triumphantly.

Everyone in the hall was horrified to hear this. A demon monkey that 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 ashen, and she tremblingly rose to bow, saying, "This matter is entirely my subordinate's fault..."

Emperor Shaoyang raised his hand to stop her. "The advice came from you, but the decision was mine. You may return; I will report this to the Great Celestial Venerable along with King Qin Guang."

The True Person insisted, "How can I let Your Majesty bear the blame alone? Since this advice was proposed by me, I should bear the responsibility."

Emperor Shaoyang chuckled lightly. "You cannot bear this responsibility, nor can I. We can only report it truthfully and ask for the Great Celestial Venerable's judgment." He then turned to the Service Officer, "Send a dispatch quickly, asking the Dragon King of the East Sea to come to the True Palace of Great Mystery immediately."

A short while later, Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, arrived in a hurry. Seeing King Qin Guang also in the hall, he asked in surprise, "Why is the Underworld King here?"

King Qin Guang said gravely, "Dragon King, quickly draft a memorial. We will present it to the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable together."

"To meet the Great Celestial Venerable?" Ao Guang was greatly alarmed and quickly asked Emperor Shaoyang for the reason. Emperor Shaoyang reassured him, "Dragon King, do not panic. You only need to memorialize the matter of the demon monkey wreaking havoc in the Dragon Palace and forcefully seizing treasures, and then accompany me to the Supreme Harmony Palace."

Ao Guang suddenly looked at King Qin Guang. "Could it be that the Underworld also..."

King Qin Guang gave a wry smile and nodded. "That demon monkey just crossed out all the names of monkeys from the Book of Life and Death."

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Kings of Hell couldn't do anything to him?" Ao Guang exclaimed in disbelief.

"If they could have subdued him, why would we be here?" King Qin Guang sighed.

Ao Guang did not dare to delay and immediately drafted the memorial. The three then proceeded to Great Luo Heaven and presented their report in the Supreme Harmony Palace. The Jade Emperor immediately ordered the two kings to return to their respective posts. Regarding the Department of the Mortal Realm's attempt to educate the demon monkey, the Jade Emperor, considering that their intentions were good but their methods were flawed, only issued a decree to reprimand Emperor Shaoyang and did not pursue the matter further.

The Jade Emperor wished to send heavenly soldiers to apprehend the demon monkey, but Lord Taibai suggested a recruitment. The Jade Emperor approved the proposal and ordered him to descend to the mortal realm to summon Sun Wukong to the heavens to receive a title.

One day, Zhuang Yan was examining heavenly secrets when he suddenly saw the account of Sun Wukong wreaking havoc in the Underworld, crossing out the Book of Life and Death, and being appointed Bimawen. He calmly erased this heavenly secret and continued to examine others. Half a month later, he saw a new report: Sun Wukong had rebelled against the Heavenly Court, declared himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and his son led troops to conquer him but were defeated. Lord Taibai again proposed recruitment. The Jade Emperor enfeoffed him as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and, following Xu Jingyang's advice, ordered him to guard the Peach Garden.

Zhuang Yan smiled and summoned Fire Spirit True Immortal, Vanguard Hu, and Chi Ling. "Recently, you need to diligently practice your magic treasures and conserve your energy." Fire Spirit True Immortal asked if they were going to subdue demons. Zhuang Yan smiled and replied, "No, the opportunity to earn merit and rewards is approaching."

Two days later, a Purple-Robed Immortal Maiden from the Jade Palace of the Jasper Lake came to visit, inviting Zhuang Yan to the Peach Banquet seven days later. As he was seeing the guest off, he saw Chi Ling arrive in a huff. It turned out that Fire Spirit True Immortal's mortal peaches had been stolen by some mountain spirits. Fire Spirit True Immortal was unconcerned, saying they were just some uncivilized beings.

Chi Ling said indignantly, "Those immortal peaches we worked so hard to cultivate. If they had asked, we might not have refused. Stealing so sneakily is truly hateful."