Chapter 1424

"Now it's safe!"

The substitute monkey glanced at the familiar Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Here it was still full of birdsong and blossoms, untouched by the world. He closed his eyes once more and fell into a deep sleep.

The Underworld.

"Who would have thought this monkey actually has some Dao-nature!" Guanyin praised, "Only, he's not suited for the scripture-fetching mission of Lingshan."

Dizang smiled and said: "No matter — isn't there still the Six-Eared Macaque?"

"Good." Guanyin nodded, and sent a transmission to Yama.

Soon, the Six-Eared Macaque was also hooked down into the Underworld.

This time, the Six-Eared one followed Sun Wukong's original script — he drew out the Golden-Banded Staff at once, burst into Yama's great hall, and was utterly arrogant.

"Truly a wild monkey!"

Guanyin and Dizang exchanged a glance, a flash of delight in their eyes.

Only a monkey like this was fit to play the great drama of Journey to the West.

A moment later.

Once the Six-Eared one departed, the Underworld returned to calm.

Although the Six-Eared one had insisted on striking the mortal registers of the Flower-Fruit Mountain monkeys, Yama had held back a trick — with a light brush of his hand, the names of the Flower-Fruit Mountain monkeys were restored to the Book of Life and Death.

Guanyin laughed: "Lord Yama is quite sentimental after all — to actually give Sun Wukong that much face."

"He shows me one measure of respect, I show him ten." Yama laughed, "Sun Wukong may be a monkey, but he has already attained the Dao. Next time we meet, I should address him as a Dao-friend."

Guanyin and Dizang exchanged a glance and said in unison: "Good."

Although the substitute monkey and the Six-Eared one shared the same realm and the same divine abilities,

in the hearts of the three, their standing was vastly different.

Even though the Six-Eared one had entered the Journey to the West game, in the eyes of the three he was still just a monkey being played.

The substitute monkey, on the other hand, though no longer in the Journey to the West game, was held in higher regard by the three.

With a perfectly rounded Dao-heart, plus his own fortune, and the backing of Bodhi — one could say this one's future was the one who could truly stand as a Dao-friend alongside them.

As for the Six-Eared one, whether he could attain the Dao was still unknown.

Flower-Fruit Mountain.

The Six-Eared one returned, beaming all over.

He drew out the Golden-Banded Staff and bragged about everything he'd done in the Underworld, drawing cheers from the gathered demons.

The Heavenly Court.

The Lingxiao Hall.

The Jade Emperor's gaze fell on Flower-Fruit Mountain, and he nodded lightly: "It seems Lingshan's plan has changed. Taibai, what do you think we should do about that Sun Wukong?"

"Your Majesty, the demon monkey has already cultivated great divine abilities, and his Dao-nature lies deep within — he could serve as an immortal official of our Heavenly Court." Taibai stepped forward. "With his fortune upon us, even if Fomen flourishes greatly, our Heavenly Court can still maintain the authority over the Three Realms unchanged."

"These words match my intent exactly." The Jade Emperor nodded. "However, at present he has no merit — to bestow a title rashly would be hard to convince the masses. Taibai, what do you think should be done?"

Taibai smiled: "That Six-Eared Macaque goes against the natural order, acting recklessly and wantonly — he is just the one to be credited for merit."

The Jade Emperor smiled: "Just so. This beast is arrogant — he has thrown the Underworld into chaos and seized treasures from Long Gong. We should send troops to suppress him."

Taibai took the hint and nodded lightly.

A moment later, memorials from the East Sea Dragon King and the Underworld's Yama arrived directly at Lingxiao Hall.

The Jade Emperor and Taibai exchanged a glance, and the Jade Emperor's majestic voice rang through Lingxiao Hall: "Bear forth my decree — order Li Tianwang to descend to the mortal world and subdue the demon!"

One day in Heaven, one year on earth.

While the Heavenly Court deliberated, several months had already passed in the mortal world.

The Six-Eared one grew ever more arrogant; the substitute monkey grew ever more leisurely.

"Senior brother, a crisis is coming. Please lead the monkey troop elsewhere, so they won't be caught in the war." The Six-Eared one found Sun Wukong and said this.

The substitute monkey nodded: "Be careful."

The Six-Eared one grinned: "Leave it to me — senior brother can rest easy."

At this point, he suddenly paused.

"Senior brother truly doesn't covet power — then what's the use of cultivating such great divine abilities?"

The substitute monkey laughed freely: "Is freedom not enough?"

Saying this, he swept his sleeve, gathered up the monkey troop, and left Flower-Fruit Mountain.

"Freedom?" The Six-Eared one chuckled, eyes full of contempt. "Without a high position, how can one attain the great freedom? Senior brother, you're far too naive!"

He gazed toward the Heavenly Court, his fighting spirit soaring.

"In the future I shall be the Victorious Fighting Buddha. Senior brother, if you don't block my path, we can still be fellow disciples — you do well, I do well, everyone does well. Otherwise, don't blame me for turning against you without mercy!"

At the thought, the Golden-Banded Staff appeared in his hand. He gave it a light tap — and Flower-Fruit Mountain immediately quaked and shook.