Sun Wukong, the Hot Potato

At least Nezha was willing to talk to him, even though Nezha often disobeyed or contradicted him. But Li Jing didn't care at all; as long as Nezha was alright, that was enough.

"You challenge Sun Wukong, and after a fierce battle, you are injured because you are no match for him. That monkey will definitely take advantage of your weakness to kill you, because for him, if you don't die, he will be captured and taken back to the Heavenly Prison to suffer endless torment."

"But according to you, after defeating you, the demon monkey sat cross-legged on the spot to recover its strength, instead of taking advantage of your weakness to kill you, and even letting you leave. This is simply unreasonable."

"Furthermore, the story you fabricated later—that you wandered around the mountains twice and then had two opportunities to break through your strength, and that you actually succeeded both times—is even more illogical."

"So you should tell your father the truth."

After Pagoda-Stealing Heavenly King Li Jing, shared his analysis, he asked Nezha to tell him the truth.

"Sigh, well, as expected, nothing I do can escape Father's notice. You have such discerning eyes."

After hearing what Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, said, Nezha seemed to resign himself to his Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing the truth. However, to avoid being overheard by too many people, Nezha went to Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing's side and whispered in his ear.

"Actually, the story is like this: I believe you heard me call him 'Oppa' when I introduced myself to Sun Wukong, right? You also know how much I like this title and how much I hope someone will acknowledge it."

"And what happened? Ever since I received this title hundreds of years ago, I've introduced it to almost everyone I meet, but either I'm interrupted before I finish, or people say they're not interested halfway through, or they laugh at me after I've finished explaining everything. No one has ever listened to me seriously or addressed me by this title."

"But after I finished telling Sun Wukong about the name 'Oppa,' he only said one thing to me: 'This name is cool, it's catchy, and it suits you perfectly. Those who don't appreciate your name are just as blind as the Jade Emperor.' Do you know how moved I was when I heard Sun Wukong say that?"

"He respects me, so I can't disrespect him either. That's why he calls me Oppa, and I call him Great Sage. From that moment on, even though we had just met, we became friends."

"So I went to test his abilities, which turned into a friendly contest that ended without a fight. But I have to admit, he was indeed stronger than me, and after our written test, he even invited me to visit his Water Curtain Cave."

"However, it was because of Sun Wukong's invitation that I entered his Water Curtain Cave and soon sensed an opportunity for breakthrough, which I successfully seized, thus taking a small step forward in my strength."

"When I was being treated to hospitality by those little monkeys there, it was like heaven. They all called me 'Oppa,' and I had a lot of fun there."

"Having let go of the fatigue that had accumulated in my heart and mind over the years, I encountered another opportunity for a breakthrough. Once again, I successfully seized this opportunity and achieved a breakthrough, which greatly enhanced my abilities."

"However, by the time I completed my second breakthrough, it was already late. In this situation, I quickly said goodbye to Sun Wukong and the little monkeys, summoned my Wind Fire Wheels, and rushed here to you."

"Father, what I've said is the whole truth, and this time it's 100% real; I haven't made anything up."

Nezha was ultimately unable to withstand the attack, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, with his keen senses, revealed everything.

"Nezha, don't you know what a crime it is to collude with the enemy?"

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, earnestly said these words to Nezha.

"What harm is there in knowing!"

"I've disliked that Jade Emperor for a long time. I think Sun Wukong is right: emperors take turns ruling, next year it'll be my turn."

Nezha answered Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing's question without any fear.

Why are you still so outspoken?

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Since you've already lost to Sun Wukong, then tomorrow the weather will clear up, and we'll tell the Jade Emperor to get rid of this hot potato."

Although he verbally reprimanded Nezha for his behavior, he still kept a close eye on Nezha's safety.

"Reporting to the Jade Emperor, that demon monkey was indeed formidable. He first bowed to my vanguard, the Giant Spirit God, and then fought my son Nezha for hundreds of rounds before finally defeating him."

"Outside that monkey's gate is a banner that reads 'Minister, Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' He says that if you give him this official position, he will immediately cease hostilities and surrender. He also says that if you don't give it to him, he will single-handedly smash your Hall of Numinous Treasure."

On the second day, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, returned to the Heavenly Court with a group of heavenly soldiers and generals, as well as Nezha and the Giant Spirit God. After arriving at the Heavenly Court, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing went alone to the Hall of Numinous Treasure and reported the entire battle situation to the Jade Emperor, asking him to make a decision.

"What kind of medicine did this demon monkey take? How did it become so arrogant?"

"Men, surround and kill this demonic monkey! Bring me his head!"

Upon hearing the report from Diagram Pagoda Heavenly King Li Jing, about the battle situation and Sun Wukong's demands, the Jade Emperor was enraged and shouted that he would cut off Sun Wukong's head.

However, just as the Jade Emperor was selecting people to send down to the mortal realm to capture Sun Wukong, Taibai Chang Gengxin suddenly stepped forward from the crowd and told the Jade Emperor his plan.

"That demon monkey only knows the title of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but he doesn't know the significance of that title. We can use this to our advantage."

The Taibai Changgengxing) uttered these words.

"What exactly should we do?"

The Jade Emperor suddenly became interested in the plan to Taibai Cheng Gengxin.

"Your Majesty, if you were to mobilize a large force to capture that demon monkey, you might not be able to capture it in a short time, and it would only exhaust the army. Therefore, Your Jade Emperor, you should be magnanimous and bestow this official position upon Sun Wukong."

Taibai Changgengxiang began to offer explanations about the Jade Emperor.

Are you asking me to grant that monkey's wish?

Upon hearing Taibai Changgengxing's words, the Jade Emperor instantly flew into a rage.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's true that you bestowed upon him the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but you can grant him this title without any salary."