Chapter 58: The Monkey King Demands the Moon, the White Jade Star Returns Empty-Handed

The White Jade Star’s smile froze instantly.

A first-rank official?

What nonsense!

What kind of status do first-rank officials in the Heavenly Court even hold?

The Three Pure Ones and the Four Sovereigns—all were primordial deities existing since the dawn of creation.

Even those who attained Dao later, like the Five Directions’ Five Elders, were giants of immense merit, suppressing entire regions.

You, a demon monkey who only recently attained Dao, have accomplished not a single deed, yet you dare demand a first-rank official post?

Why don’t you just go straight to heaven?

Oh, he’s about to go to heaven.

But even so, you can’t demand a post like this!

As for comparing himself to the Dragon King and the King of Hell…

The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Ao Guang, may have been humiliated before Sun Wukong, but he is an ancient dragon clan member, officially appointed by the Heavenly Court, governing the Four Seas and commanding clouds and rain—he is a second-rank true deity.

The Ten Yama Kings of the Underworld wield immense authority over the netherworld, and their ranks are likewise high.

This monkey opens his mouth and demands to match them—his ambition is far too great.

The White Jade Star cursed the monkey in his heart, yet his face still wore a smile.

His mind raced, thinking how to deflect this topic.

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, lifting his wine cup to mask his embarrassment, “Great Sage, the rank of an official is entirely the Emperor’s sacred decision. With your extraordinary powers, the Emperor will surely not slight you. Once you reach heaven and meet the Emperor, he will surely grant you a satisfactory appointment.”

His words were flawless.

He neither agreed nor refused, passing the ball to the Jade Emperor.

But who was Sun Wukong?

Though impulsive at times, his mind was far from foolish.

Moreover, he had already decided this was a trap.

The more the White Jade Star evaded, the more suspicious Sun Wukong became.

“You’re right, little brother—these Heavenly Court bastards have no good intentions. Think they can trick Old Sun into heaven with empty words? Not a chance!”

Sun Wukong’s smile slowly vanished.

He tossed the peach onto the table, fixed his gaze on the White Jade Star, and his voice turned cold.

“Old Immortal, I don’t like what you’re saying.”

The White Jade Star’s heart lurched—he sensed trouble.

Why did this monkey turn hostile so suddenly?

“Great Sage, why speak thus?” he tried to salvage the situation.

“Hmph!” Sun Wukong snorted, rising from his seat.

“You came from heaven, claiming your Jade Emperor admired Old Sun’s talent and wished to invite me to serve as a high official. But when I asked what post, you stammered and gave no answer. Is it because your Jade Emperor never intended to give Old Sun a proper position—only to lure me up, assign me some lowly duty, and keep me under watch?”

Sun Wukong’s voice grew louder, his tone sharper.

“Let me tell you! On Flower-Fruit Mountain, I am king! I command countless monkey subjects and seventy-two demon kings—all obey my orders. I call myself ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ Hear that title—how mighty it is!”

He slammed his chest—golden armor clanged.

“If your Heavenly Court truly wishes to invite me, show sincerity. If you grant a title, it must match my ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’! If you give me some lowly post, I’d rather stay here as mountain king—it’s far more enjoyable!”

“If you lack such sincerity, then don’t come!”

Sun Wukong finished speaking and hurled his wine cup to the ground with force.

“Crack!”

The crisp shattering echoed through the cave.

The monkeys and apes who had been laughing and playing fell silent instantly.

Each bared their teeth, snatching up swords, spears, staves, and clubs, glaring menacingly at the White Jade Star—ready to pounce the moment Sun Wukong gave the order, tearing the white-bearded old man to shreds.

The entire Water Curtain Cave’s atmosphere turned deadly.

The White Jade Star was startled by Sun Wukong’s sudden outburst.

He stared at Sun Wukong’s furious, furred face and the surrounding monkeys radiating malice—this monkey possessed terrifying aura!

Only now did he realize he had underestimated the situation.

This was no ignorant wild monkey—he was a cunning, crafty demon.

“Great Sage, calm down!” The White Jade Star leapt to his feet, waving his hands frantically, “This was my oversight, my words were ill-considered—please don’t take offense.”

“Hmph! This is just my nature!” Sun Wukong crossed his arms, glaring at him. “Go back and tell your Jade Emperor: I’ll come to heaven—but only if the title is settled first. If the rank is too low, I won’t go. And my whole family won’t come without me—I won’t leave my monkeys behind!”

“Yes, yes, yes!” The White Jade Star nodded rapidly, like a chicken pecking grain. “I shall surely deliver your words to the Emperor.”

“Then, Great Sage, if there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?” the White Jade Star ventured.

“Old Immortal, take your time—I won’t see you off,” Sun Wukong now wore a broad smile again.

“This monkey is utterly unpredictable,” the White Jade Star thought, watching Sun Wukong’s mood shift so swiftly.

He no longer uttered empty formalities—turned and left, already pondering how to explain his failure.

Watching his retreating back, Sun Wukong’s lips curled into a cold smirk.

“Hmph, think you can outwit Old Sun?”

He turned, gazed at the scattered debris and the monkeys still poised for battle, and burst into laughter.

“Children, put away your weapons! Keep drinking!”

The Water Curtain Cave erupted once more into noise.

Sun Wukong returned to his throne, narrowed his eyes, and bit into a spirit peach, lost in thought.

…

Above the Nine Heavens, in the Supreme Palace.

The atmosphere was solemn and dignified; the immortals stood in two lines, hands clasped.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed outside—the White Jade Star rushed in.

He didn’t bother straightening his disheveled robes or beard, bowed deeply, and declared himself guilty.

“Your Majesty! Your servant has failed your will—please punish me!”

The Jade Emperor, seated high upon the dragon throne, slowly opened his eyes, frowning down at the White Jade Star.

“Why are you in such a state? How went the pacification mission?”

All the immortals in court turned their gazes toward the White Jade Star.

They too wondered—how had the Heavenly Court’s famed negotiator ended up so disheveled?

The White Jade Star raised his head, his aged face flushed with shame and fury.

He recounted, embellishing every detail, his ordeal on Flower-Fruit Mountain to the Jade Emperor.

“That demon monkey—I tried to reason with him, to guide him onto the righteous path. But he not only refused, he spoke blasphemy, claiming he is the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’ and if the Heavenly Court grants him a low rank, he will not come!”

“He also said that if you wish to appoint him, the title must be worthy of his ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ name. And he insists that if he comes to heaven, he must bring his entire mountain of monkeys and apes.”