Chapter 47

Zhuang Yan gladly accepted it and tucked it into his sleeve. Fire Spirit True Immortal said impatiently, "We need to mark that Spiritual Peach tree. Since it has borne Spirit Fruit, it has become a spirit root!"

Watching the two receding figures, Zhuang Yan shot Vanguard Hu a sidelong glance. "What are you standing around for? Go lend a hand."

Vanguard Hu craned his neck and said, "The Divine Lord never does any work himself on ordinary days. Why single me out?"

Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and sent a flying kick at him, only for the Heavenly Sin Blade to block it. Even so, Vanguard Hu staggered back several steps.

Zhuang Yan laughed and scolded, "I am the Spirit Platform Divine Lord. If I have to do everything myself, what use is there in keeping you, you foolish tiger?" With that, he leaped up, transformed into a streak of immortal light, and shot through the sky.

Halfway there, he suddenly saw a dazzling pillar of light descend from the Ninth Heaven, blocking his path. He steadied himself and looked closely, then smiled and cupped his hands. "Lord Taibai? What brings you down to the mortal realm today?"

Lord Taibai stepped forward with a smile. "Where is the Spirit Platform Divine Lord headed?"

Zhuang Yan replied, "I was about to inspect Southern Jambudvipa. I now also serve as the Demon-Subduing True Person of the Department of the Mortal Realm, so I can take this opportunity to investigate the traces of demons and monsters." This position granted him freedom of movement. Even leaving the Great World of Yantou would not count as abandoning his post—so long as it was within the mortal realms, he could travel freely.

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

Zhuang Yan was surprised. "What important matter does the Heavenly Court have?"

"The Great Celestial Venerable has issued a decree summoning you. I was specially ordered to deliver it," Lord Taibai replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan immediately straightened his attire and solemnly cupped his hands. "Zhuang Yan obeys the decree."

The two flew straight up to Great Luo Heaven and arrived at the Miro Hall of Taiwei Yuqing Palace. Inside, the Jade Emperor sat high above. More than twenty immortal maidens stood in rows on either side, some holding palace fans, some carrying immortal flowers, some presenting pills and tea, all graceful and elegant. Truly: Auspicious mists curled around painted beams, immortal maidens swayed, their steps leaving fragrance. Within the Hall of Longevity, they received divine favor, enjoying heaven and earth, sun and moon forevermore.

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

Zhuang Yan hurried forward. "Your subject Zhuang Yan kowtows before the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable."

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

After Zhuang Yan thanked him and took his seat, the Jade Emperor gave Lord Taibai a slight nod. Lord Taibai understood and bowed as he withdrew from the hall. Immediately afterward, the Jade Emperor lightly flicked his sleeve. The immortal maidens all bowed in unison and withdrew outside with delicate lotus steps. The vermilion palace doors slowly closed.

Zhuang Yan sat quietly and waited. Before long, he heard the Jade Emperor say, "Were you about to visit that one in Southern Jambudvipa?"

"Your Majesty's insight reaches ten thousand miles," Zhuang Yan answered frankly. "I was indeed going to visit Sun Wukong."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "When that Monkey Head caused havoc in the Heavenly Court, I ordered you to aid him in secret. Do you know the deeper meaning behind it?"

It turned out that the technique Zhuang Yan had cast upon Sun Wukong back then had been done under the Jade Emperor's secret decree. Though he did not know that Zhuang Yan possessed such divine abilities, the Jade Emperor had long known that his magic was profound and wondrous, which was why he had specifically instructed him to help.

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

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly. "If Sun Wukong had not evaded the Vajra Ring, he would certainly have been captured by Erlang Shen and the Six Sages of Mount Mei. Erlang Shen is my nephew, so naturally he is trustworthy. But the Six Sages of Mount Mei have never been subject to the Heavenly Court's control. If they achieved great merit this time, the Heavenly Court would have had no choice but to reward them generously. Yet the Heavenly Court must carefully evaluate those it employs, confirming that their character is upright before entrusting them with important duties. The Six Sages of Mount Mei possess formidable magic and serve under Erlang Shen. They heed only his commands and do not answer summonses. If they were granted high positions without first being evaluated, then should trouble arise in the future, it might harm the uncle-nephew bond between Erlang Shen and me. Do you understand?"

Zhuang Yan bowed. "Your Majesty is far-sighted. Your subject understands."

The Jade Emperor smiled broadly. "I have you to thank for this matter. Otherwise, I truly could not have found a suitable candidate. Still, this action was indeed somewhat improper and might appear to be suppressing my nephew."

Zhuang Yan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is too modest. All creation between heaven and earth is grateful for your benevolent heart."

The Jade Emperor smiled faintly. "In all I do, I seek only to follow the Heavenly Dao and accord with nature. I do not seek the gratitude of all beings. Throughout the Three Realms, many curse me, but I merely turn a deaf ear. However, you must keep this matter absolutely secret and reveal it to no one. Do you understand?"

Zhuang Yan solemnly kowtowed. "Your subject obeys the sacred decree. I would never dare utter a single reckless word."

The Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable gestured. "Zhuang Yan, come closer."

Zhuang Yan immediately stepped forward. The Jade Emperor circulated his magic and sent the Profound Firmament Azure Jade Ruyi in his hand before Zhuang Yan. "This object has accompanied me since I attained the Dao. It is my token. I bestow it upon you now. With this ruyi, you may freely enter and leave the Heavenly Gates and seek an audience with me at any time."

Seeing the jade ruyi, Zhuang Yan knew he had been granted immense privilege. From now on, he would not need to await a summons before seeing the Jade Emperor. He quickly accepted it with both hands and bowed respectfully. "Your subject Zhuang Yan thanks Your Majesty for this great grace."

The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile. "Since you are going to visit my nephew, descend to the mortal realm at once. If anything important arises in the future, bring the ruyi to see me."

Zhuang Yan bowed again. "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty."

After bidding farewell to the Jade Emperor, Zhuang Yan left the Miro Hall. The immortal maiden officials waiting outside immediately entered to attend the Jade Emperor. Lord Taibai had originally greeted Zhuang Yan with a smile, but the instant he saw the jade ruyi in Zhuang Yan's hand, his smile froze.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yan deliberately waved the jade ruyi, cupped his hands toward Lord Taibai, and strode away with his head held high.

After leaving the South Heavenly Gate, Zhuang Yan descended through the Thirty-Three Heavens toward Five Finger Mountain in Southern Jambudvipa.

Beneath Five Finger Mountain, the earth was still fresh, while the vegetation in the wilderness was sparse and desolate.

Sun Wukong had been imprisoned for more than five months. Day after day, he gazed upon this barren land and increasingly missed the prosperity and liveliness of Flower-Fruit Mountain.

He raised his head toward the drifting clouds in the sky, a trace of melancholy appearing in his eyes as he let out a soft sigh.

"Wukong."

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded. Sun Wukong abruptly came back to his senses and looked toward it—

There stood Zhuang Yan before the mountain, clad in the Heavenly Fighting Spirit True Golden Crow Immortal Robe, with the Glazed White Jade Belt hanging at his waist and his hair bound high in a topknot. He wore a smile.

Sun Wukong struggled with all his strength several times, but he still could not move. He could only shout excitedly, "Uncle! Why have you come?"

Zhuang Yan smiled faintly. "I came especially to see you." With that, he stepped forward and sat cross-legged beside Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong looked over his luxurious official robes and grinned. "Uncle, have you been promoted?"

"Indeed." Zhuang Yan nodded. "Thanks to you, I earned merit in the capture and was promoted to a Fifth-Rank Immortal Official."

Sun Wukong burst into laughter. "That old Jade Emperor is far too stingy! A figure like Old Sun is worth only fifth rank? He should have made you a first-rank official!"

After laughing, he lowered his voice and asked, "Uncle, if the Jade Emperor finds out you came to see me, will it implicate you?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head calmly. "It will be fine."

He took a Spiritual Peach from his sleeve and held it out before Sun Wukong. "Try it."

"A peach!" Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. He took the Spiritual Peach and began devouring it in huge bites.

He finished it in two or three bites, smacked his lips, and said, "Sweet and fragrant! It is even better than the fruit in the Peach Garden! Uncle, do you have any more?"

Zhuang Yan smiled. "There was only this one. Do you know who grew this peach?"

Sun Wukong's eyes rolled. "Could it have been Sister Huoling?"

"Precisely." Zhuang Yan nodded. "She planted several hundred peach trees. Only now has one finally borne Spirit Fruit. This was its first peach."

Upon hearing that, Sun Wukong's gaze drifted once more toward the distant clouds, and his expression turned dazed.

Memories drifted like smoke—cultivating on Spirit Platform Mountain with teachers and friends at his side; leaving the mountain, declaring himself a sage, causing havoc in the heavens, until he was crushed beneath this mountain... It all felt like a dream.

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

Sun Wukong shook his head, turned to look at him, and asked with hope in his eyes, "Uncle... will you come see me often from now on?"

Zhuang Yan answered warmly, "Of course."

He took the peach pit from Sun Wukong's hand, used magic to dig into the soil at his left, buried the pit, summoned clear spring water to irrigate it, and finally infused it with spiritual power.

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 it can provide shade from the sun and shelter from the rain."

Sun Wukong curled his lip. "When the fruit grows, Old Sun still will not be able to reach it!"

Zhuang Yan smiled. "By then, someone will pick it for you."

"Good, good, good." Sun Wukong agreed repeatedly.

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

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

Zhuang Yan smiled. "Not at all. The Jade Emperor has ordered someone to restore the names of the monkeys you erased from the Book of Life and Death. They have all been released back to Flower-Fruit Mountain."

"Really?" Sun Wukong asked in surprise.

Zhuang Yan smiled. "Why would I lie to you?"

Sun Wukong nodded. "Then that old Jade Emperor is not entirely heartless."

"It is just..." Sun Wukong hesitated. "I am still somewhat worried."

Zhuang Yan said lightly, "The monkeys of Flower-Fruit Mountain now have their own destiny. No matter how much you worry, it will be futile. If you truly cannot stop thinking of them, I can go take a look on your behalf."

"Oh? Uncle, do you mean that?" Sun Wukong quickly pressed.

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Naturally. Your Red-buttocked Macaque and Long-armed Ape Monkey can still be cultivated. It will not be difficult for me to offer them some guidance and teach them to protect the mountain's foundation."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately cupped his hands in salute. "If so, Old Sun thanks you here, Uncle!"

Zhuang Yan waved a hand and chatted idly with Sun Wukong for a while longer, only leaving at dusk.

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

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

At that moment, the monkeys of Flower-Fruit Mountain wailed in grief, and the forest was in turmoil. Teams of Hunters were chasing monkey troops fleeing in every direction.

The Red-buttocked Macaque and the Long-armed Ape Monkey had already been injured. Though they had studied under Sun Wukong for many years, they were ultimately no match for the Hunters' traps, arrows, hunting dogs, and falcons.

Zhuang Yan watched as the monkeys fled all over the mountain. Hunting dogs lunged and bit at them from time to time, while arrows shot through the air. Neither the old nor the young could escape disaster.

He immediately circulated his magic and pointed with a raised hand. In an instant, a wild gale erupted, sending sand and rocks flying and toppling trees.

The hunting dogs were blown into tumbling, howling masses, the falcons spun crookedly as they fell, and the Hunters sensed that something was wrong and withdrew from the forest.

Though the monkeys stood amid the wind, they suffered no harm. Only after the Hunters had retreated did they dare gather the bodies of their dead kin.

Before 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 only blank expressions and grief-stricken helplessness.

The two monkeys exchanged a sigh. Had it not been for that gale, more than half of them might have perished today.

Suddenly, a streak of immortal light descended from the sky and landed before the cave.

The monkeys shrank back in fear, while the two monkeys raised their weapons and stood guard at the front.

When Zhuang Yan revealed himself, the expressions of the two monkeys changed at once. They hurried forward. "Greetings, Spirit Platform Prefecture Lord!"

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan looked surprised. "You recognize me?"