Chapter 45

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King urgently asked, "Prefecture Lord, can you recover the magic treasures and weapons that were taken from us?" At his words, all the Heavenly Generals turned to look at Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan nodded and transmitted his voice into the jar. "Wukong, give me the Vajra Ring."

Sun Wukong muttered to himself, Is Uncle really going to disown all his kin?

Zhuang Yan answered with a smile, "I'm only borrowing you, Monkey Head, to earn a military merit."

Sun Wukong's eyes rolled. "Not many of these immortals have any real skill. I'm not convinced."

"There will be a time for you to show your prowess," Zhuang Yan said meaningfully.

"Then Uncle can't interfere again."

"Of course."

Hearing this, Sun Wukong readily handed over the Vajra Ring. Zhuang Yan tossed it into the air, and in an instant, countless golden beams burst forth as innumerable magic treasures and weapons rained down.

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King was the first to reclaim his Linglong Pagoda. Nezha leaped up to catch the Fire-Tipped Spear and his other treasures. Erlang Shen casually summoned the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear and his slingshot, while also retrieving the weapons of the Six Sages of Mount Mei.

As Erlang Shen stepped forward, the Heavenly Soldiers hurriedly made way. Though Zhuang Yan had captured the Demon Monkey, the gods had personally witnessed this True Lord Erlang fight Sun Wukong barehanded to a draw. He was truly the undisputed God of War of the Three Realms.

Erlang Shen walked up to Zhuang Yan. Zhuang Yan swiftly tucked the clay jar into his sleeve, cupped his hands, and bowed. "Greetings, True Lord Erlang."

After returning the salute, Erlang Shen stared at Zhuang Yan. "You stole my greatest merit."

At those words, Zhuang Yan's expression froze slightly. Behind him, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Nezha, and the other Heavenly Generals exchanged looks as the atmosphere abruptly tightened.

Unexpectedly, Erlang Shen threw back his head and laughed, patting Zhuang Yan on the shoulder. "Just kidding."

Zhuang Yan broke into a smile, and the surrounding Heavenly Soldiers and Generals also burst into laughter.

Erlang Shen asked curiously, "I thought you were merely a messenger immortal. I didn't expect you to possess such abilities."

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King cut in, "True Lord, you may not know this, but he is Lord of Lingtai Dongming, personally appointed by the Jade Emperor. He is currently the Mountain God of Lingtai, ranked as a Seventh-Rank Immortal Official."

"Seventh rank?" Erlang Shen raised a brow. "With cultivation like this, how can he be relegated to the seventh rank? The Heavenly Court truly buries talent."

The Heavenly Generals could only laugh awkwardly. Zhuang Yan alone answered calmly, "The rank of one's immortal post is irrelevant. We all serve the Heavenly Court."

Erlang Shen nodded, then suddenly asked, "What should I call you, Daoist friend?"

Zhuang Yan cupped his hands. "I am Zhuang Yan."

Erlang Shen patted his shoulder again. "Come find me at Guangjiang River Pass when you have time."

Zhuang Yan smiled. "I certainly will."

Erlang Shen turned to the gathered generals. "All of you, go and see His Majesty first. I will personally escort the Demon Monkey down to the mortal realm."

After the generals agreed, they split into two groups. The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King brought Zhuang Yan and the others to Lingxiao Hall to report their success, while Erlang Shen led the Heavenly Soldiers down to the mortal realm.

When the Six Sages of Mount Mei saw their lord return, they hurriedly asked about the battle. Erlang Shen smiled. "Thanks to Lord of Lingtai Dongming capturing the Demon Monkey, all your weapons have been recovered."

The six sages were astonished. "Who is this Lord of Lingtai Dongming?"

Erlang Shen flicked his sleeve. "The Three Realms are full of capable people. What is so strange about that?" He then ordered the Heavenly Soldiers to escort the troop of monkeys, instructing the six sages to return to Guangjiang River Pass first and await their rewards.

Within Lingxiao Hall, Erlang Shen spoke only of his subordinates' merits. The Jade Emperor asked curiously, "My dear minister, why do you not report your own achievements?"

Erlang Shen cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, this minister was incompetent. Though I led my men to search mountains and caves and pursue the monkey demon, I failed to capture Sun Wukong. I truly have no face to claim merit."

Zhuang Yan suddenly stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, this minister has a memorial to present."

The Jade Emperor turned his gaze toward him. "Speak freely, my dear minister."

Zhuang Yan said respectfully, "If not for True Lord Erlang's divine powers and countless transformations, which exhausted the Demon Monkey beyond endurance, how could this minister have captured him so easily? Half the credit for capturing Sun Wukong belongs to the True Lord, and the other half rests on the might of the hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers. This minister merely succeeded by luck."

All the immortals were shocked. None had expected Zhuang Yan to be willing to yield all the credit. Among the Twelve Earthly Branches, Dragon of the Heavenly Stem quietly sighed. "Spirit Platform Prefecture Lord is truly honorable." The other immortals also nodded to themselves.

The Jade Emperor's smile deepened. "Subduing the Demon Monkey was the combined achievement of all my ministers. I shall naturally reward you." His expression then turned solemn. "Erlang Shen, receive your appointment!"

Erlang Shen stepped forward. The Jade Emperor proclaimed, "I hereby appoint Erlang Shen as Law-Enforcing Heavenly Lord of the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, promote him to Third-Rank Immortal Official of the Upper Yuan, and permit him to continue guarding Guangjiang River Pass. I further grant him the authority to heed orders but not summons, along with ten jars of Imperial Wine and ten Golden Flowers." This reward both preserved the dignity of ruler and minister and erased their past grievances.

Erlang Shen bowed deeply in gratitude. "This minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

The Jade Emperor continued, "The Six Sages of Mount Mei are appointed divine generals of Guangjiang River Pass and granted the rank of Seventh-Rank Immortal Official of the Lower Yuan, along with six jars of Imperial Wine and six Golden Flowers. Each of the twelve hundred Grass Head Gods shall receive fifty thousand Purple Coins and one jar of immortal wine." Erlang Shen bowed again on their behalf, accepted the decree, and returned to Guangjiang River Pass to await further orders.

The Jade Emperor called again, "Lord of Lingtai Dongming, step forward." Zhuang Yan hurried forward and bowed.

"I hereby confer upon you the title Spirit Platform Manifesting Wonder Divine Lord. You shall continue to oversee the Spirit Platform Prefecture, while concurrently retaining the offices of Mountain God and Demon-Subduing True Person. You are promoted to Fifth-Rank Immortal Official of the Middle Yuan and granted ten jars of Imperial Wine and ten Golden Flowers."

Zhuang Yan was secretly delighted at rising two ranks in succession, but recalling his agreement with Wukong, he could only bow respectfully. "This minister, Zhuang Yan, thanks the Great Celestial Venerable for his grace."

The Jade Emperor waved with a smile. "Divine Lord, hand the Demon Monkey over to the Thunder Department, then return to your prefecture and await orders."

Zhuang Yan respectfully bowed. "This minister obeys." He then handed the clay jar sealing Sun Wukong and the Unsealing Talisman over to the Gods of the Thunder Department before taking his leave.

The Jade Emperor also rewarded the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Third Prince Nezha, and the hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, but did not promote their official ranks, granting only treasures such as immortal pills, Imperial Wine, and Golden Flowers.

Once the rewards had been distributed, the Heavenly Court began interrogating Sun Wukong. The Gods of the Thunder Department used Zhuang Yan's talisman to remove the seal. With a sound, Sun Wukong broke free of the jar. Grand Supreme Elder Lao swiftly threw out the Golden Rope of Illusion, binding him to the ground.

The immortals demanded to know the whereabouts of the peaches of immortality and the golden pills. Sun Wukong replied that he had distributed them to his monkey descendants to eat. The immortals flew into a rage and repeatedly petitioned for the Demon Monkey's execution. The Jade Emperor therefore ordered True Lord Pi Li, Divine Might Subduing Demons, to lead the Gods of the Thunder Department in escorting Sun Wukong to the Demon Slaying Platform.

An immortal official suggested executing all the monkeys as well. The Jade Emperor said, "Sun Wukong is the principal offender. The other monkeys merely followed him and committed no evil. Executing the chief culprit will suffice." Another immortal official reported that the monkeys of Flower-Fruit Mountain had already had their names erased from the registers of life and death, and might thus live forever. The Jade Emperor ordered the monkeys escorted to the Southern Dipper and Northern Dipper Prefectures, where their names would be entered anew into the records of life and death before they were released back into the mountains and forests.

The Thunder Department carried out the execution as ordered, yet neither blades, axes, lightning, nor fire could harm Sun Wukong in the slightest. True Lord Pi Li, Divine Might Subduing Demons, reported this to the Jade Emperor. Grand Supreme Elder Lao then advised, "This monkey has eaten peaches of immortality, drunk Imperial Wine, and stolen immortal pills. He has already attained a Vajra Indestructible body. It would be better to hand him over to this old Daoist and refine him in the Eight Trigrams Furnace." The Jade Emperor approved the memorial and ordered the Six Ding and Six Jia to escort Sun Wukong to Tushita Palace.

Not long after Zhuang Yan returned to Danchi Ridge on Spirit Platform Mountain, the Heavenly Court's decree of rewards arrived. Zhuang Yan led everyone in receiving the decree. Once the celestial envoy finished reading it, he left behind the rewards and departed.

Fire Spirit True Immortal, Vanguard Hu, and Chi Ling received the rewards, and everyone bowed in thanks for the heavenly grace. Zhuang Yan ordered Fire Spirit True Immortal to distribute the Imperial Wine and Golden Flowers among them, while storing the remainder for later use.

Afterward, Zhuang Yan went to the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars on Mount Fangcun. Cloudy Boy was already waiting at the mountain gate and led him inside.

Zhuang Yan entered the main hall, where Patriarch Bodhi had already prepared fragrant tea at the table. Seeing him arrive, the Patriarch smiled and beckoned. "You have come at just the right time, little friend."

Zhuang Yan cupped his hands in greeting, then sat down directly opposite the Patriarch.

Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard and smiled. "Congratulations, little friend, on your promotion to a Fifth-Rank Immortal Official and your ascension to the rank of a Heavenly Court Divine Lord."

"Do not mock me, Daoist friend." Zhuang Yan shook his head. "This official post was bought with that monkey."

Patriarch Bodhi laughed heartily. "The Monkey Head ultimately belongs to the monkeys, yet little friend has used him to rise swiftly through the ranks. You owe quite a large debt of gratitude."

"Indeed." Zhuang Yan nodded. "This debt must be repaid. He should be in Laojun's Eight Trigrams Furnace by now, so there is no need to seek out any wind vent for him to hide in."

Patriarch Bodhi looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

Zhuang Yan explained, "The true fire inside that furnace cannot harm him. Instead, it will help him refine the golden pills within his body and forge true Fiery Eyes Golden Gaze."

Patriarch Bodhi was initially stunned, then suddenly understood. "Could it be that the method he used earlier to evade Laojun's Vajra Ring and Guanyin's Jade Bottle was your doing, little friend?"

Zhuang Yan was somewhat surprised instead. "Daoist friend did not know of this?"

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and shook his head. "How could others possibly see through the heavenly secrets surrounding you, little friend?"

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly. He was originally an anomaly, and he had stolen Heavenly Dao Power for his own use. Not to mention others, even the Heavenly Dao of this world found it difficult to detect him.

Patriarch Bodhi suddenly smiled again. "At the time, I thought it was someone from Spirit Mountain protecting him in secret."

Zhuang Yan was taken aback. He had not expected someone else to take the blame for him.

At the same time, within Lingxiao Hall.

Sun Wukong had already been thrown into the Eight Trigrams Furnace. The immortals had dispersed, leaving only the Jade Emperor and the various emperors in the hall.

Great Emperor Gouchen said in a grave voice, "Great Celestial Venerable, when Laojun unleashed the Vajra Ring earlier, the Demon Monkey's method of evasion was quite suspicious."

Great Emperor Ziwei agreed. "It was indeed strange. It seemed as though some external force had secretly aided him."

Great Emperor Houtu added, "I had the same feeling when he later evaded Guanyin's Jade Bottle."

The Jade Emperor stroked his long beard, deep in thought.

Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole pondered aloud, "There are very few in the Three Realms capable of interfering with Laojun without leaving a trace."

Heavenly Venerable Puhua of Thunder's gaze flickered. "Could it be Tathagata of the Western Heaven?"

"What could the Buddha's intentions be in doing this?" The Four Imperial Lords immediately dismissed the possibility.

Emperor Zhenwu speculated, "Perhaps because the Buddhist-Demonic Great Calamity is approaching, Buddhism intends to bring that Monkey Head into Buddhism to answer the tribulation?"

The hall fell silent for a moment. The argument did make sense.

The Jade Emperor closed his eyes and focused his mind. All the immortals knew that His Majesty was deducing the heavenly secrets.

The Jade Emperor slowly opened his eyes and said with a smile, "Just now, I deduced the heavenly secrets and found that the one who helped Sun Wukong evade the Vajra Ring and Jade Bottle was indeed in the west."

Upon hearing this, all the immortals and gods revealed shocked expressions. "Could it truly have been the Buddha? Does he intend to protect that Monkey Head?"

The Jade Emperor shook his head. "Not necessarily the Buddha. There are quite a few Buddhas in Buddhism with such power." He paused, then added, "Moluo is about to emerge, and in a hundred years will come the Buddhist-Demonic Great Calamity. Buddhism needs to find someone to answer the tribulation. Sun Wukong possesses formidable divine powers and fits this fate perfectly."

Queen Mother of the West remained doubtful. "Then why was Spirit Platform Divine Lord later able to subdue Sun Wukong so easily?"

Heavenly Venerable Taiyi of Salvation explained, "Spirit Platform Divine Lord's method of capture cannot be evaded." The Four Imperial Lords all agreed, recalling how Sun Wukong had used his Somersault Cloud the moment Zhuang Yan appeared, yet had still been collected into the clay jar.

By this point, the Jade Emperor and the immortal lords had reached a clear conclusion: Buddhism intended to subdue Sun Wukong.

"While the gods were present earlier, I secretly discussed this matter with the Grand Supreme Dao Ancestor. That is why I ordered Erlang Shen and Zhuang Yan to return to their respective residences," the Jade Emperor said. "Since that is the case, we might as well fulfill Buddhism's wishes."

He sighed softly. "The stability of Buddhism is a blessing for the Three Realms. Buddha is always better than demon. Since this matter benefits all living beings, what harm is there in giving Buddhism a Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"

East Duke, Queen Mother of the West, and the other immortal lords looked confused. "Has Sun Wukong not already been thrown into the Eight Trigrams Furnace to be refined? What does it mean to give them a Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"

Only the Four Imperial Lords understood. In unison, they said, "The Great Celestial Venerable is compassionate."