Chapter 1427: Bestowed the Southern Dipper to Govern Life and Death; Six Ears Receives the Title Equal to Heaven (3/5, subscriptions s

"Taibai, are there any immortal offices in the Heavenly Court that have yet to be filled?"

The Jade Emperor was sincerely intent on recruiting talent of worth, to stabilize the Heavenly Court's fortune.

After the body double monkey handed Six Ears over to the Heavenly Court, he prepared right there in the hall to bestow an immortal office upon the monkey.

Taibai Jinxing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the True Lord of Longevity-Preservation of Tianliang Palace has gone through reincarnation and has not returned in ten thousand years; the date of his return is uncertain. You may bestow the office upon a demon immortal of the lower realm."

The Jade Emperor nodded lightly: "Sun Wukong of Huaguo Mountain, hear your decree. You have rendered merit in subduing demons for the Heavenly Court; your might has pacified the Three Realms; your virtue has spread to all living things; your name is recorded in the Southern Dipper. I hereby bestow upon you the title True Lord of Longevity-Preservation."

The Northern Dipper governs death; the Southern Dipper governs life.

The Southern Dipper Star Lord, that is, the Six Ministers of the Southern Dipper, ranks among the fourth tier of the Heavenly Court, within the Three Pure Ones, the Four Emperors, the Five Elders, and the Six Ministers.

It can be said that the Jade Emperor's reward was exceedingly generous.

The Southern Dipper Star Lord may seem lesser than the original title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but in truth it is not so.

Great Sage Equal to Heaven is merely a nominal post, a "one-seven-three," with no real authority.

The Southern Dipper Star Lord, on the other hand, is a figure of real power, presiding over all living beings of heaven and earth—humans, demons, spirits, gods, and immortals.

"Sun Wukong receives the decree and gives thanks."

The Jade Emperor, seeing that Sun Wukong knew how to read the room, was pleased in his heart and waved his great hand.

"Now that the demon monkey has been subdued and the Heavenly Court has gained another Star Lord, let us celebrate!"

Thus, the immortal banquet began at once.

The gathered immortals had already witnessed the body double monkey's divine powers, and they also knew the Jade Emperor intended to cultivate him; they lavished Sun Wukong with flattery, and the atmosphere on the scene was at its most fervent.

On the other side.

Six Ears had already broken free of his bonds, his face full of smiles.

"This way, Senior Brother has no path of return. The seat of the Victorious Fighting Buddha is mine!"

Six Ears drew out the Golden-Banded Staff, and with a flourish in the wind it transformed into a gleaming great iron rod. Raising the rod, he struck, slamming it straight down upon the world below.

He also wanted to seize this moment to steal the Golden Pills and the Peaches of Immortality.

But upon reflection that the timing was not yet ripe, and that to rush in rashly would likely bring no advantage, he could only let the matter be.

Returning to Huaguo Mountain, Six Ears knew that Sun Wukong could no longer be an obstacle to his success. In high spirits, he hung out the banner of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, recruited demons and monsters, and once again raised an army to rebel against Heaven.

With the previous battles, and added to that the feat of having fought his way out of the Heavenly Court, the demons Six Ears recruited this time were even more numerous, and his prestige even more illustrious.

"Good, good, good. One more bout of fighting, and once the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven is secured, I shall enjoy the Peaches of Immortality and the Golden Pills, and forge an indestructible Golden Body. Hehe, once that time comes, all my plans will be in place."

Six Ears was in high spirits. Gazing down at the clamoring host of demons below, his resolve grew even firmer.

"I must climb step by step to the very top. Beings like them, unable to penetrate the mysteries of heaven and earth, treated as pawns by others—truly pitiful."

He refused to believe that, once he had become the Victorious Fighting Buddha, anyone would still dare to scheme against him.

The Heavenly Court.

After the immortal banquet ended, the body double monkey came to Tianliang Palace.

This was precisely the residence of the Longevity Star Lord.

From now on, this place would be the site of his official residence.

Seeing him arrive, the immortal scribes hurried forward to greet him, presenting immortal robes and a jade seal, and respectfully welcoming him to take charge of Tianliang Palace.

The body double monkey was by nature a lazy and easygoing sort, with a mild temperament, and he quickly won the devotion of all the immortal scribes of Tianliang Palace.

"I am not yet familiar with this Tianliang Palace. Are there any matters I should be aware of in serving as this immortal official?"

"Sir, please set your mind at ease. The Southern Dipper is a place of pure and noble duty. Though it wields supreme authority, it has few actual tasks—unlike the Northern Dipper Star Lords, who are burdened with much business. You need only report for duty once every sixty years at the mansion of the Great Emperor of the Southern Pole of Longevity. At other times, you are free to arrange things as you wish."

The body double monkey was surprised.

"Is it not said that the Southern Dipper governs life, and presides over the lifespans of the Sons of Heaven among men, and over the ranks and emoluments of prime ministers?"

"That is not false. If Sir wishes to manage these matters, naturally you may; if you do not wish to, the Ten Yama Kings may also use the Book of Life and Death to assign the fortunes of life and death among mortals."

The body double monkey understood at once.

His authority was very high; he could directly interfere in these matters.

But if he did not wish to bother, he could slack off and let the Underworld handle things.

If it were anyone else, they would surely feel that their authority had been divided and be quite displeased.