"This monkey is much more sensible than in the original story; I didn't let him read this Tao Te Ching for nothing."
Inside the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, Xu Xiao held the All-Heavens Star Mirror and took in all the sights of Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Seeing Sun Wukong stay true to his principles, uphold the righteous path, and defeat the Demon King of Confusion, Xu Xiao was filled with satisfaction.
This is a good monkey; it has Magic Power and is restrained, so it won't cause the same terrible chaos as before!
Instead of racking your brains to change some major events, it would be better to fundamentally guide Sun Wukong onto an alternative path.
The original Sun Wukong, whether due to his easily influenced nature or the scheming of the Buddhist Sect, was arrogant and domineering because of his self-confidence in his Magic Power and achievements. This ultimately led to his crimes of storming the Dragon Palace, causing havoc in the Underworld, and gathering a group of demons to fight against the Heavenly Court.
Now, in addition to cultivating divine powers, Xu Xiao also used his influence to help the monkey cultivate its virtue.
A Power of Variables emerged in Xu Xiao's hand, indicating that the monkey's original trajectory had indeed been altered.
"However, the Western Sect should be furious now. It's just a matter of how they'll react, making this monkey cause trouble for the Heavenly Court once again."
Xu Xiao could see clearly that both the Daoist Sect and the Western Sect actually wanted to make this Destiny Monkey feel hostile towards the other party, so as to bring him into their camp.
In the original story, Sun Wukong was easily misled and instigated because he only cultivated supernatural powers and magic, and no Humanity Sect him to cultivate virtue.
Whether it's stealing treasures and weapons from the Dragon Palace or having one's soul captured by the Soul Reaper and dragged into the Underworld, causing chaos Underworld, Xu Xiao wouldn't believe in these things without the influence of the Western Sect.
Even the Heavenly Court had no choice. The journey to the Journey to the West was arranged by the Heavenly Dao and the Sage, and they were just cooperating, putting on a show to earn merit.
Now that Xu Xiao has taken the lead, some people have started to actively get involved in this calamity.
"It's not enough for me to step in alone. Since this is a struggle centered on winning over the monkeys, if I'm going to take the lead, you all need to contribute as well."
Xu Xiao got up and left the Sky-Patrolling Bureau, heading towards the Lingxiao Palace located in the Thirty-Second Heaven.
He was going to meet the Jade Emperor, to first bring the monkey under his wing in Heavenly Court.
With him mediating in the Heavenly Palace, even the unruly Sun Wukong might not have followed the same path of causing Havoc in Heaven.
Even if it was just an act, such a thing was extremely shameful to the Heavenly Court.
In the human world, another half year has passed in a flash. Flower-Fruit Mountain is peaceful and serene. Apart from the occasional sight of groups of monkeys practicing, everything is no different from before.
These monkey spirits, who were already capable of speaking human language, greatly improved their martial arts skills under Sun Wukong's tutelage, and many even embarked on the path of cultivation, developing Magic Power.
With over 40,000 monkeys, all heavily armed, they have become a major force in Flower-Fruit Mountain.
The Seventy-Two Cave Demon Kings also sent people to make their presence known, but Sun Wukong rebuked them all and sent them away, and he also strongly restrained his monkey followers from associating with the demons.
If it weren't for the fear of harming his monkey followers if he fought, Sun Wukong would have almost fought the surrounding demons to uphold justice in the world.
Even when those old monkeys advised Sun Wukong to go to the Aolai Kingdom to get some weapons and armor, Sun Wukong obtained them by bartering with Yamanaka delicacies and herbs, completely abandoning his original style of directly robbing.
On this day, an auspicious cloud descended from the sky and landed on the outskirts of Flower-Fruit Mountain, revealing the figures of two immortals.
One of them had white hair and beard, with a gold star between his eyebrows, and was dressed as a serene old man; the other was a young Daoist priest, and that was Xu Xiao.
"Star Lord, please!"
"Officer, please!"
The two politely declined each other's offer, but Taibai Jinxing took the lead and walked ahead, while Xu Xiao lagged behind, walking to the side.
The reason the two of them came was that Xu Xiao had persuaded the Jade Emperor to recruit this virtuous and naturally born being into the Heavenly Palace as an official.
Led by Taibai Jinxing, with Xu Xiao as a guest, they come together to recruit Sun Wukong to Heaven.
The two had only walked a few steps when monkeys carrying gleaming knives and spears emerged from the roadside, pointing them at the two and saying:
"Halt! Who are you people, daring to trespass on Flower-Fruit Mountain?"
The two exchanged a glance, and then Taibai Jinxing replied with a smile:
"We are celestial beings from heaven, and we have come here specifically to invite your king to serve as an official in heaven."
"To become an official?"
The monkey with the gun darted around with its eyes, immediately realizing what this meant.
It turned and scurried up to the treetop, shouting at the top of its lungs, "Your Majesty! A celestial being has come from heaven to invite you to become a god!"
The sound echoed three times through the valley, startling all the birds flying across the mountain.
Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Sun Wukong, who was explaining the Tao Te Ching to the monkeys, suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise on his monkey face.
"Report! Your Majesty, a celestial being has come to invite you to ascend to heaven and become a deity!"
A little monkey rushed in from outside the cave and repeated the message that had been sent to it.
"Are you sure you saw it clearly? Are you sure it's a deity!"
"It's confirmed. The brothers guarding the mountain said he's an immortal who descended on a white cloud, wearing Hagoromo, and looks extremely handsome. They also said he's come to fulfill our promise to meet again after we've achieved some success in our studies."
An agreement? Could it be?!
Sun Wukong was so excited that he jumped around on the stone seat for a while before he came to his senses.
"Quickly, tidy up the cave properly, then send someone to come with me to welcome the immortals."
Sun Wukong gave the order, and then, rather impatiently, darted out of the Water Curtain Cave.
Outside the mountain stream, Xu Xiao was strolling leisurely with Taibai Jinxing when they suddenly heard a sound of something breaking through the air.
Turning my head, I saw a golden monkey somersault in mid-air and land silently in front of me.
"An immortal!"
Sun Wukong stared intently at Xu Xiao, his Adam's apple bobbing twice before he managed to utter, "You said back then... you said we'd meet again... I've now achieved enlightenment, and you've indeed come."
"The monkey has grown up, and I've come to pick you up this time." Xu Xiao chuckled. Although the two hadn't spent much time together, the inexplicable connection between them was growing stronger.
The monkey's attachment to him was genuine; it seems the monkey had a profound influence on him back then.
Seeing this, Taibai Jinxing stroked his beard and smiled to himself, thinking to himself that the Celestial Sky-Patrolling Bureau had quite the methods.
This time, the Daoist Sect has found a capable assistant!
"Immortal, I'll go, I'll go with you!"
As Sun Wukong spoke, he stood directly next to Xu Xiao, looking incredibly obedient.
No one but Subhuti, who taught him the Dao, had ever seen him in this state.
Star Lord Taibai and Xu Xiao exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with disbelief. This was it?
"Monkey King, don't you hear what kind of official position the Heavenly Court has given you? Aren't you going to explain this to your monkey subjects?"
"No, I believe the immortals wouldn't harm me. I'll just go with you!"
The monkey, however, firmly believed that Xu Xiao would not harm him, and grabbed Xu Xiao's sleeve, refusing to let go.
"Well... okay, then let's talk as we walk."
A lucky cloud lifted the three of them up, and then they soared into the sky.
"My children, I'm going to heaven to become an official!"
The monkeys below and the Buddhism spies in the shadows felt a pang of anxiety, realizing that things were spiraling further and further off course.