The Heavenly Sin Blade

Zhuang Yan happily accepted it and put it into his sleeve. The Fire Spirit True Immortal said impatiently, "We must go mark that spiritual peach tree. Since it bears spiritual fruit, it has become a spiritual root!"

Watching the backs of the two as they left, Zhuang Yan glanced at Vanguard Hu and said, "What are you standing around for? Go lend a hand!"

Vanguard Hu puffed out his chest and retorted, "You never used to do manual labor yourself, Divine Lord. Why are you only talking about me?"

Zhuang Yan burst into laughter, then kicked out. The Heavenly Sin Blade blocked his foot, but even so, the kick sent Vanguard Hu stumbling several steps.

Zhuang Yan cursed with a laugh, "I am the Spirit Platform Divine Lord. If I had to do everything myself, what use would I have for you, you foolish tiger?" With that, he leaped up and transformed into a streak of immortal light, breaking through the air.

Midway, he suddenly saw a brilliant pillar of light descending from the nine heavens, blocking his path. He steadied himself and looked closely, then smiled and cupped his hands. "Lord Taibai? What brings you to the mortal realm today?"

Lord Taibai stepped forward with a smile and asked, "Where are you headed, Spirit Platform Divine Lord?"

Zhuang Yan replied, "I was just about to patrol Southern Jambudvipa. I've recently taken on the duties of the Demon-Subduing True Person in the Department of the Mortal Realm, so I'll use this opportunity to investigate any traces of demons and monsters." This position gave him freedom of movement; even leaving the Yanfu Great World wouldn't be considered desertion—he could travel anywhere within the mortal lands without restriction.

Lord Taibai, however, said, "Hold off on going to Southern Jambudvipa. Come with me to the Heavenly Court for a moment."

Zhuang Yan looked surprised. "Is there something important happening in the Heavenly Court?"

"The Great Celestial Venerable has issued an edict summoning you. He specifically sent me to announce it," Lord Taibai replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan immediately straightened his robes and solemnly cupped his hands. "Zhuang Yan respectfully obeys the edict."

The two ascended directly to the Great Luo Heaven and arrived at the Mi Luo Hall in the Taiwei Yuqing Palace. Inside the hall, the Jade Emperor sat on his high throne, with over twenty immortal maidens lined up on either side, some holding palace fans, others carrying immortal flowers, or offering elixirs and tea, all graceful and elegant. Truly: Auspicious mist coiled around the painted beams, immortal maidens swayed with fragrant steps. Within the Hall of Longevity, they received grace, forever enjoying the long days of heaven and earth.

Lord Taibai stepped forward and reported, "Reporting to the Great Celestial Venerable, the Spirit Platform Divine Lord has arrived."

Zhuang Yan strode forward. "Your Subject, Zhuang Yan, pays respects to the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable."

The Jade Emperor smiled and raised his hand. "Be seated."

After Zhuang Yan bowed in gratitude and took his seat, the Jade Emperor nodded slightly to Lord Taibai. Understanding the signal, Lord Taibai bowed and exited the great hall. Immediately after, the Jade Emperor flicked his sleeve, and all the immortal maidens bowed in unison, exiting the hall with dainty steps. The vermilion palace doors slowly closed.

Zhuang Yan sat and waited quietly. After a short while, he heard the Jade Emperor speak, "Were you perhaps going to Southern Jambudvipa to visit that person just now?"

"Your Majesty sees clearly for ten thousand miles," Zhuang Yan replied frankly. "This subject was indeed going to visit Sun Wukong."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly and suddenly asked, "When that monkey wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Court, I ordered you to secretly assist him. Do you know the deeper meaning behind that?"

It turned out that the technique Zhuang Yan had used on Sun Wukong was at the Jade Emperor's secret command. Although he didn't know Zhuang Yan possessed such divine abilities, the Jade Emperor had long known of his profound magic and had specifically instructed him to help.

Zhuang Yan replied respectfully, "This subject is dull-witted. I beg Your Majesty to enlighten me."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly and said, "If Sun Wukong couldn't evade the Vajra Ring, he would have been captured by Erlang Shen and the Six Sages of Mount Mei. Erlang Shen is my nephew, and naturally trustworthy, but the Six Sages of Mount Mei have always been unrestrained by the Heavenly Court. If they were to achieve great merit this time, the Heavenly Court would have to reward them handsomely. However, the Heavenly Court must carefully vet its personnel and only promote those whose character is upright. The Six Sages of Mount Mei possess powerful magic and are under Erlang Shen's command, only obeying his orders and not responding to summons. If they were granted high positions without vetting, and caused trouble in the future, it might harm the uncle-nephew relationship between me and Erlang Shen. Do you understand?"

Zhuang Yan bowed. "Your Majesty's foresight is profound. This subject understands."

The Jade Emperor smiled broadly. "This matter was greatly aided by your assistance; otherwise, I truly couldn't find a suitable candidate. Looking back, this action was indeed improper, and it could be seen as suppressing my nephew."

Zhuang Yan quickly said, "Your Majesty is too modest. All beings in heaven and earth are grateful for your benevolent heart."

The Jade Emperor smiled faintly. "I merely act in accordance with the Heavenly Dao and natural order; I do not seek the gratitude of all beings. In the Three Realms, many curse me, but I simply pretend not to hear. However, you must keep this matter absolutely secret and not reveal it to anyone, understand?"

Zhuang Yan solemnly kowtowed. "Your Subject respectfully obeys the sacred decree and will never utter a single word carelessly."

The Jade Emperor gestured. "Zhuang Yan, come closer."

Zhuang Yan immediately stepped forward. The Jade Emperor channeled his magic power and presented the Profound Firmament Azure Jade Ruyi in his hand to Zhuang Yan. "This object has been with me since I attained the Dao; it is my token. I bestow it upon you now. With this Ruyi, you may freely enter and exit the heavenly gates and see me at any time."

Seeing this jade Ruyi, Zhuang Yan knew he had been granted immense privilege, allowing him to meet the Emperor without waiting for a summons. He quickly took it with both hands and respectfully bowed. "Your Subject, Zhuang Yan, thanks Your Majesty for your great grace."

The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile. "My dear minister, since you are going to visit your nephew, descend to the mortal realm quickly. If you have important matters in the future, you may bring the Ruyi to see me."

Zhuang Yan bowed again. "Your Subject receives the decree and thanks you."

After bidding farewell to the Jade Emperor, Zhuang Yan exited the Mi Luo Hall. The immortal maidens and female officials waiting outside immediately entered to attend to their duties. Lord Taibai, who had been smiling warmly, froze mid-smile the moment he saw the jade Ruyi in Zhuang Yan's hand.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yan deliberately swayed the jade Ruyi, cupped his hands in a salute to Lord Taibai, and strode away with his head held high.

Leaving the South Heavenly Gate, Zhuang Yan descended directly from the thirty-third heaven, heading towards the Five Finger Mountain in Southern Jambudvipa.

Beneath the Five Finger Mountain, the earth was newly turned. The vegetation in the wilderness was sparse, creating a desolate scene.

Sun Wukong had been imprisoned for over five months. Day after day, he stared at this barren land, his longing for the prosperity and liveliness of Flower-Fruit Mountain growing stronger.

He looked up at the clouds floating in the sky, a trace of melancholy in his eyes, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Wukong."

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. Sun Wukong snapped back to attention and looked in the direction of the sound—

He saw Zhuang Yan, clad in the "Heavenly Fighting Spirit True Golden Crow Immortal Robe" and with the "Glazed White Jade Belt" at his waist, his hair tied up high. He stood before the mountain with a smile.

Sun Wukong struggled with all his might but remained unable to move. He could only exclaim excitedly, "Uncle-Esteemed! How did you get here?"

Zhuang Yan smiled slightly. "I came specifically to see you." With that, he took a few steps forward and sat down beside Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong sized up his magnificent official robes and grinned. "Uncle-Esteemed, have you been promoted?"

"Indeed," Zhuang Yan nodded. "Thanks to you, I was rewarded for my meritorious capture and promoted to a Fifth-Rank Immortal Official."

Sun Wukong burst into laughter. "That old Jade Emperor is too stingy! Someone like me, Old Sun, is only worth a fifth rank? He should have made you a first rank!"

After laughing, he lowered his voice and asked, "Uncle-Esteemed, if the Jade Emperor finds out you came to see me, won't it implicate you?"

Zhuang Yan calmly shook his head. "It's fine."

He took a spiritual peach from his sleeve and offered it to Sun Wukong. "Try this."

"Peaches!" Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. He took the spirit peach and began to devour it.

After a few bites, he smacked his lips and said, "Sweet! Even better than the fruits in the Peaches of Immortality Garden! Uncle, do you have any more?"

Zhuang Yan chuckled, "Only this one. Do you know who made this peach?"

Sun Wukong's eyes darted around. "Could it be Sister Fire Spirit?"

"Indeed," Zhuang Yan nodded. "She planted hundreds of peach trees, and finally, one has borne spirit fruit. This is the first one."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's gaze drifted to the distant clouds, his expression lost in thought.

The past was like smoke—cultivating on Spirit Platform Mountain, with friends by his side; after leaving the mountain, he became a sage and wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Court, until he was crushed beneath the mountain... Everything felt like a dream.

"Wukong, what are you thinking about?" Zhuang Yan asked.

Sun Wukong shook his head and turned to look at him, his eyes filled with hope. "Uncle... will you visit me often in the future?"

Zhuang Yan said gently, "Of course."

He took the peach pit from Sun Wukong's hand, dug a hole to its left with his pháp lực, and buried the pit. He then summoned clear spring water to irrigate it, and finally infused spiritual energy to nourish it.

Sun Wukong asked curiously, "Uncle, what are you doing?"

Zhuang Yan replied, "Planting a peach tree for you. It can bear fruit to satisfy your cravings and also provide shade and shelter from the rain."

Sun Wukong pouted. "When the fruit grows, I still won't be able to reach it!"

Zhuang Yan smiled faintly. "Someone will pick it for you to eat when the time comes."

"Okay, okay, okay," Sun Wukong agreed repeatedly.

Zhuang Yan sat down again and looked at Sun Wukong. "Wukong, is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Sun Wukong said hurriedly. "Uncle, how are my monkey descendants? Has the Heavenly Court wiped them out?"

Zhuang Yan laughed. "Not at all. The Jade Emperor has ordered the names of the monkey clan that you crossed off the Book of Life and Death to be re-entered. They have all been returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain."

"Really?" Sun Wukong exclaimed in surprise.

Zhuang Yan asked with a smile, "Would I lie to you?"

Sun Wukong nodded. "If that's the case, then that old fellow the Jade Emperor is quite decent."

"It's just..." Sun Wukong hesitated. "I'm still a little worried."

Zhuang Yan said calmly, "The monkeys on Flower-Fruit Mountain now have their own destiny. Worrying about them is futile. If you are truly concerned, I can go and take a look for you."

"Oh? Are you serious, Uncle?" Sun Wukong quickly pressed.

Zhuang Yan nodded. "It's true. Your Red-buttocked Macaque and Long-armed Ape Monkey can still be cultivated. It won't be difficult for me to guide them a little and teach them to guard the foundation of their mountain."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately cupped his hands in a salute. "If that's the case, I, your subject, thank you, Uncle!"

Zhuang Yan waved his hand and chatted with Sun Wukong for a while longer, leaving only when dusk arrived.

Five days later, on Flower-Fruit Mountain in Aolai Country, Eastern Continent.

Zhuang Yan transformed into a young Daoist, without changing his appearance, and flew directly into the mountain.

At this time, within Flower-Fruit Mountain, monkeys wailed, and the forest trembled. Teams of hunters were chasing the fleeing monkey groups.

The Red-buttocked Macaque and the Long-armed Ape Monkey were already injured. Although they had learned from Sun Wukong for many years, they were ultimately no match for the hunters' traps, arrows, hunting dogs, and falcons.

Zhuang Yan saw the monkey group being chased all over the mountain, with hunting dogs pouncing and arrows flying, sparing neither old nor young.

He immediately activated his pháp lực, raised his hand, and pointed. Instantly, a fierce wind arose, kicking up sand and stones, and toppling trees.

The hunting dogs were sent tumbling and howling, the falcons fell askew, and the hunters, sensing something was wrong, retreated from the forest.

Although the monkeys were in the wind, they were unharmed. After the hunters retreated, the monkeys dared to collect the bodies of their fallen kin.

In front of the Water Curtain Cave, the Red-buttocked Macaque and the Long-armed Ape Monkey buried the dead monkeys. Looking back at the survivors, they saw that the monkeys' expressions were dull, desolate, and helpless.

The two monkeys looked at each other and sighed. If not for that gust of wind, they would have lost more than half of their numbers today.

Suddenly, a beam of immortal light descended from the sky and landed in front of the cave.

The monkeys trembled in fear and cowered. The two monkeys held their weapons and stood protectively in front.

When Zhuang Yan revealed his true form, the expressions of the two monkeys changed drastically, and they hurried forward. "Greetings, Spirit Platform Prefecture Lord!"

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan's face showed surprise. "You recognize me?"