Chapter 65: The Monkey King Battles the Third Prince

Sun Wukong pulled Su Chen out of the Great Sage’s mansion, like a bird freed from its cage, wandering wildly across the celestial court.

With his title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, no one dared to stop him.

The patrolling celestial soldiers and generals all bowed respectfully upon seeing him, calling out, “Great Sage!”

This greatly satisfied Sun Wukong’s vanity.

He walked with his head held high, strides carrying a gust of wind, greeting one celestial official here, clapping another warrior on the shoulder—his naturally familiar demeanor laid bare.

Su Chen followed behind him, quietly observing.

He noticed the celestial deities’ attitude toward Sun Wukong was subtle.

Most deities looked at him with curiosity, as if watching a novel curiosity.

But a few deities, particularly those of demonic origin who had ascended to immortality, showed him a measure of goodwill.

“So the celestial court isn’t as unified as it seems,” Su Chen thought silently.

As the two strolled, a commotion suddenly erupted ahead.

A group of celestial soldiers were escorting a young general, wielding a fire-tipped spear and draped in a heavenly silk sash, walking toward them.

The young general had red lips, white teeth, clear brows and delicate features, yet his expression carried an arrogant, unyielding pride.

Sun Wukong instantly took interest.

“Hah! This kid looks mighty impressive! Who’s he?”

Before Su Chen could answer, the young general had already arrived.

His soldiers, spotting Sun Wukong, immediately bowed: “Hail the Great Sage!”

The young general merely lifted his eyelids, sizing up Sun Wukong with his sharp, clear eyes, lips curling slightly in disdain.

“You’re the monkey who calls himself Great Sage Equal to Heaven?”

His tone was immediately confrontational.

Sun Wukong’s temper flared instantly.

“Hey! How dare you speak like that! I’m the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—what of it?”

The young general pointed his fire-tipped spear at Sun Wukong.

“Nothing. I just want to see what kind of power a demon-immortal fresh from the mortal realm possesses to dare claim equality with Heaven.”

“Bold words!” Sun Wukong roared. “You brat, with such arrogance—I’ll see what you’re truly made of!”

Saying this, he pulled out his golden cudgel, swung it into the wind, and it expanded to the thickness of a bowl, swinging down straight at the young general’s head.

“Come on!”

The young general was a battle-loving soul—he didn’t flinch, but grinned with delight, roaring as he thrust his fire-tipped spear forward to meet the blow.

“Clang!”

The golden cudgel and fire-tipped spear crashed together with a deafening metallic ring.

A powerful shockwave erupted from between them, surging outward.

The surrounding celestial soldiers scrambled backward, eager to avoid being caught in the crossfire of such powerful beings.

Su Chen, recognizing the young general’s attire, stepped back quickly, his heart pounding.

“Such immense power! Is this what top-tier combat in the Three Realms looks like?”

He immediately activated his spiritual arts and retreated far enough.

Above them, Sun Wukong and the young general were locked in fierce combat.

One wielded a heavy, powerful iron cudgel—each strike carried the force to split mountains and shatter rocks.

The other used a nimble, swift spear—its thrusts like a coiling dragon, angles sharp, movements too fast to follow.

They clashed above the clouds, fighting from heaven to earth, then back to heaven again, stirring winds and clouds, shaking celestial energy.

The surrounding deities, alerted by the commotion, gathered around.

“Isn’t that the Great God of Santanhai Society? Why is he fighting the new Great Sage Equal to Heaven?”

“Who knows? This monkey causes trouble the moment he arrives—he’s truly unruly.”

“Still, this monkey’s skills are no joke—he’s holding his own against the Third Prince!”

Su Chen watched the battle silently from the side.

Sun Wukong grew fiercer with each strike—he was born for battle, growing stronger against stronger foes.

Nezha, too, was a deity forged in the Divine War, his combat experience terrifyingly vast.

Each met a worthy opponent, each found a true match—and for now, neither could gain the upper hand.

“Hahahaha! Thrilling!” Sun Wukong laughed loudly as he fought. “You’re a good kid! Again!”

Nezha, too, hadn’t fought so exhilaratingly in ages. He snorted: “You monkey’s got some brute strength. Watch my magic treasure!”

Saying this, he hurled his Cosmic Ring into the air.

The Cosmic Ring spun rapidly, transforming into a streak of golden light, hurtling toward Sun Wukong’s head with unstoppable force.

Sun Wukong didn’t dodge—he raised his golden cudgel and roared: “Watch me break your ring!”

Su Chen, seeing they were now truly fighting to the death, shouted loudly: “Brother Monkey, Third Prince, please stop!”

His voice, thick with spiritual power, drowned out the battle’s clamor.

Both Sun Wukong and Nezha paused, startled. Nezha gestured, recalling his Cosmic Ring.

Seizing the moment, Su Chen darted forward and stood between them.

“Gentlemen, talk it out—why fight?” Su Chen bowed repeatedly to both. “We’re all colleagues of the celestial court—we’ll see each other every day. Why ruin harmony?”

Nezha frowned at this sudden mortal-immortal interloper.

“Who are you? Who gave you the right to interfere with this prince?”

Sun Wukong was also puzzled: “Little brother, why’d you come out? I was having fun!”

Su Chen sighed and whispered to Sun Wukong: “Brother Monkey, this is Nezha, the Third Prince—not a child. He’s the Great God of Santanhai Society, a straightforward man. I see you’re both powerful, but fighting like this in the celestial court is inappropriate—if the Jade Emperor finds out, trouble will follow.”

Sun Wukong scratched his head—he realized Su Chen was right.

Nezha, hearing his identity revealed and finding Su Chen’s words reasonable, softened the hostility in his expression.

He’d never truly intended to kill Sun Wukong—only wanted to humble his arrogance.

After a long battle with no clear victor, continuing made no sense.

He retracted his Cosmic Ring and fire-tipped spear, snorted at Sun Wukong: “I’ll spare you—for the sake of your brother. Monkey, you’ve got skill. I’ll remember you.”

Sun Wukong, seeing he’d sheathed his weapons, laughed heartily and put away his golden cudgel.

“You brat’s got guts too! I’ll remember you!”

Without fighting, they’d become acquainted—these two proud, unruly beings now felt a spark of mutual respect.

Nezha looked at Sun Wukong and grew fonder—he liked how the monkey was blunt, honest, and direct, far better than the scheming, backstabbing deities of the celestial court.

He waved his hand and said to Sun Wukong: “I like you, monkey. Come, let’s have a drink at my place.”

“Perfect! I love drinking!” Sun Wukong agreed instantly, grabbing Su Chen’s arm. “Little brother, come along!”

Nezha glanced at Su Chen, nodded: “Your brother’s a sensible man. Fine, come along.”

Thus, Su Chen was dragged along by Sun Wukong, half-dazed, heading toward the Third Prince’s mansion.