Chapter 60: Tai Bai Jin Xing

In the great hall, after hearing the words, all the immortals fell silent.

They had to admit that Tai Bai Jin Xing’s move was truly… ruthless!

High upon his throne, the Jade Emperor smiled inwardly.

“This Tai Bai Jin Xing is truly a clever fellow. His reasoning is sound and logical—it gives the Heavenly Court a face-saving exit while naturally guiding that monkey onto the path long prepared for him. Excellent, excellent.”

Though the Jade Emperor had already agreed in his heart, he still feigned great reluctance on the surface.

After a long pause, he sighed and said, “Tai Bai Jin Xing’s words hold some merit. But… the title ‘Equal to Heaven’ is of grave significance—how can it be casually granted to a demon monkey?”

Seeing an opening, Tai Bai Jin Xing seized the moment.

“Your Majesty, in extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary measures. This is merely a temporary expedient! If we can resolve this without bloodshed, what matter a mere title? Please, Your Majesty, reconsider and grant this old minister one more chance. I swear, this time, I shall surely bring that demon monkey down from the mountain, obedient and submissive!”

The Jade Emperor pretended to hesitate for a long while, then finally, as if making a monumental decision, waved his hand.

“Very well! Very well!”

With a look of deep sorrow, he said, “To spare the beings of the Three Realms from devastation, I shall trust you once more!”

“Go back to Huaguo Mountain and tell that demon monkey: I grant him the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ He must come with you immediately to receive his investiture!”

“But make this clear to him: this is my final offer! If he dares show even the slightest disrespect again, next time, it will not be you, Tai Bai Jin Xing, who comes—but Li Tianwang’s hundred thousand heavenly soldiers.”

“Your servant obeys!” Tai Bai Jin Xing was overjoyed and bowed deeply in thanks.

He felt this mission was now certain to succeed.

That monkey, upon hearing this news, wouldn’t be ecstatic?

Su Chen rode a gentle breeze out of the secluded valley and flew toward the Waterfall Cave.

The closer he drew to the Waterfall Cave, the more he sensed the tense, deadly atmosphere.

In the forests, the monkeys, usually so lively and playful, no longer frolicked or fought.

They gathered in small groups, wielding crude weapons, guarding every key pass and bottleneck, watching their surroundings with vigilance.

Some elder monkeys patrolled constantly, directing the troop.

All of Huaguo Mountain was shrouded in a climate of fear and paranoia.

“It seems Brother Monkey truly intends to go to war with the Heavenly Court.”

Su Chen thought to himself.

He knew Sun Wukong feared nothing—but these ordinary monkeys and monkey children were different.

In the original tale, the monkey was crushed beneath Mount Wuzhi; nearly all the monkeys of Huaguo Mountain perished, and the sacred mountain itself was ravaged by the Heavenly Court, taking years to recover.

He casually stopped a patrol monkey—he vaguely remembered this one, who had once served him in the Waterfall Cave.

“What’s going on?” Su Chen asked.

The young monkey, seeing Su Chen, froze for a moment, then his face lit up with delight.

“Second King! You’ve emerged from seclusion?”

“Mm.” Su Chen nodded. “I asked you a question—what’s happening in the mountain?”

The young monkey quickly recounted everything that had happened in the past few days.

“A few days ago, the Heavenly Court sent an old immortal with a white beard, saying he wanted to invite the Great King to take office in heaven. But the Great King thought they lacked sincerity and scolded him away. Now the Great King fears the Heavenly Court will send troops, so he ordered us to strengthen our defenses.”

The young monkey spoke, worry still on his face.

Su Chen listened, understanding dawning.

“So the plot has shifted—this time, Brother Monkey didn’t go up with Tai Bai Jin Xing. The pacification failed. Now I wonder what the Heavenly Court will do next. I must hurry and warn Brother Monkey—he must leave Huaguo Mountain. He mustn’t drag this war here and endanger all these monkeys.”

He pondered.

Having decided, Su Chen wasted no time—he accelerated, becoming a streak of blue light racing toward the Waterfall Cave.

…

Meanwhile, outside Huaguo Mountain.

Tai Bai Jin Xing descended again, stepping on auspicious clouds.

This time, his expression was far more confident and composed than last time.

In his hand, he seemed to hold an unbeatable trump card.

“Hmph, you monkey, you wanted the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’? This time, your old star lord brings it to you. Let’s see—what excuse will you have now to refuse?”

Smiling, he strode into the mountain.

Before he’d taken a few steps, the same group of monkeys burst out of the woods once more, surrounding him in a circle.

The lead elder monkey, seeing the white-bearded old man again, immediately scowled.

“It’s you again? Got scolded away last time, and you dare come back?”

“Hehehe…” Tai Bai Jin Xing wasn’t angered. He flicked his dust whisk, smiling.

“Little monkey, show some respect. Go inform your Great King—I come bearing a momentous piece of good news!”

“Good news?” The elder monkey eyed him skeptically. “What good news?”

“This is heavenly secret—cannot be revealed.” Tai Bai Jin Xing teased. “Just tell him I’ve received the Jade Emperor’s decree—he has granted your Great King’s request.”

The elder monkey was doubtful but, seeing Tai Bai Jin Xing’s demeanor, dared not delay—he sent a young monkey sprinting back to the Waterfall Cave to report.

Inside the Waterfall Cave.

Sun Wukong paced anxiously, troubled by the fear of the Heavenly Court’s attack.

Hearing the young monkey’s report, he froze.

“What? That old man’s back?”

Sun Wukong stopped pacing, his monkey face filled with suspicion.

“He came back so soon? Says the Jade Emperor granted my request? Could that Jade Emperor really be willing to make me ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’?”

He simply couldn’t fathom why the lofty Heavenly Court would so easily agree to his unreasonable demand.

“No—there must be trickery here. I must be cautious.”

“Go, bring that old immortal in,” he ordered the young monkey.

“Yes!”

Soon, Tai Bai Jin Xing was led into the Waterfall Cave.

This time, Sun Wukong did not sit on his throne—he stood in the center of the cave, arms crossed, scrutinizing the old immortal.

“Old immortal, why are you back?” Sun Wukong’s tone was far from courteous.

Tai Bai Jin Xing paid no mind. He smiled warmly. “Great Sage, you misunderstand. This old Taoist has come solely to bring you good tidings.”

“Good tidings? What good tidings?”

Tai Bai Jin Xing cleared his throat, ready to solemnly announce the Jade Emperor’s decree and deliver a grand surprise to the monkey.

But just as he opened his mouth—

A clear voice suddenly echoed from the cave entrance.

“Brother Monkey, I’ve emerged from seclusion!”

With the voice, a figure in blue stepped into the Waterfall Cave.

He wore a simple blue Daoist robe, his face refined and ethereal, a plain-looking axe pendant hanging at his waist.

It was Su Chen, who had rushed here after emerging from seclusion.

Sun Wukong’s face instantly brightened upon seeing Su Chen.

“Little brother! You’ve finally come out!”

He dashed forward, grabbed Su Chen’s arm, and bounced with excitement, completely forgetting the still-standing Tai Bai Jin Xing.

Tai Bai Jin Xing had just opened his mouth to announce the good news—when this sudden interruption shattered his moment.

He stood there, mouth agape, staring at the young Daoist, then at the monkey king’s warm familiarity, his mind momentarily blank.

What was going on?

Who was this Daoist? Why was he so close to this demon monkey?

This wasn’t in any of his intelligence reports.