Chapter 68: Banquet for the Middle Immortals: Su Chen

As soon as Su Chen spoke these words, Sun Wukong’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Throw a banquet? Great!”

Sun Wukong slapped his thigh, so delighted he nearly jumped up.

He was a sociable soul; even as king of Flower-Fruit Mountain, he held a small feast every three days and a grand one every five.

Since coming to Tiangong, he’d been cooped up in this cold, empty Great Saint Mansion, long stifled.

“Brother, that’s a brilliant idea! Why didn’t I think of it? Let’s throw a massive one—invite every immortal in Tiangong. Let them see the grandeur of my Great Saint Mansion!”

Nezha chimed in beside him: “Exactly! Monkey Brother, hosting a meal is the best way to build bonds. I’ll help you invite Tianpeng and the others.”

The three reached instant agreement.

“Then it’s settled,” Su Chen stood and said to them, “I’ll handle all banquet preparations. You two, just draft the guest list—I guarantee everyone will leave thoroughly satisfied.”

“Hahaha! Good! With you handling this, I’m completely at ease!” Sun Wukong trusted Su Chen utterly.

As they left Yunlou Palace, Sun Wukong remained immersed in the excitement of the upcoming banquet.

He chattered nonstop, pulling Su Chen along.

“Brother, what fine wines should we prepare? Monkey wine is a must—it’s our specialty from Flower-Fruit Mountain!”

Su Chen listened, smiling and nodding.

Back at the Great Saint Mansion, Su Chen immediately summoned Left Assistant Immortal Zhang De and Right Assistant Immortal Li Ming.

“Immortal Zhang, Immortal Li, the Great Saint has ordered a banquet to be held in the mansion three days from now, inviting all immortals of Tiangong. I am in overall charge; you two will assist me.”

Zhang De and Li Ming heard this—host a banquet?

This was no small matter.

Especially one inviting the entire Tiangong pantheon.

The social courtesies, seating arrangements, dishes, and wines—all required deep expertise.

“The guest list will be finalized by me and the Great Saint,” Su Chen said calmly, “your task is to prepare the invitations; use the highest-grade design, and the wording must convey respect without flattery—you understand this balance better than I do.”

“Yes, yes!” Zhang De nodded hastily.

“Second, wine and immortal fruits,” Su Chen continued. “List everything in the mansion’s storage. Beyond that, I have some rare items from the mortal realm—I’ll add those too. Also, go to the Imperial Wine Monastery and the Immortal Fruit Orchard. Tell them the Great Saint Mansion is hosting a banquet and request a shipment of fine immortal brews and fruits. Note the cost, then come to me for reimbursement.”

Su Chen had brought many fine treasures collected by the demon kings of Flower-Fruit Mountain—he was quite wealthy.

“This…” Li Ming hesitated, “Chief Assistant, is this in accordance with protocol?”

Su Chen glanced at him, speaking coolly: “What’s unprotocol? My elder brother is the Great Saint, personally appointed by the Jade Emperor. Is it wrong to buy fine goods for a banquet? Go ahead. If anyone objects, let them come to the Great Saint.”

Li Ming’s heart tightened—he dared not speak further, bowing quickly: “Yes, sir.”

“Lastly, the banquet’s setup and arrangements,” Su Chen’s gaze swept over them. “These details are yours. My only demand: no mistakes, no shame to the Great Saint Mansion. Do well, and I’ll record your merit.”

“Rest assured, Chief Assistant! We shall spare no effort to see this done perfectly!” they both pledged in unison.

After dismissing Zhang De and Li Ming, Su Chen alone began discussing the guest list with Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong was blunt—he wanted only those like Nezha, whom he liked and could drink and brawl with.

Su Chen thought differently.

He held a brush, marking and crossing out names as Sun Wukong recited them.

“Elder Brother, Nezha must be invited. And his father, Li Tianwang, must be invited too.”

“Why invite him?” Sun Wukong sneered. “That old man’s nose and eyes are all wrong—I don’t like him.”

“Elder Brother, you’re friends with his son. Morally and socially, you must invite him. It’s proper etiquette,” Su Chen explained patiently. “We’re not throwing this banquet just for our own pleasure—we’re telling all of Tiangong we’re here not to cause trouble, but to follow rules and make friends.”

Sun Wukong nodded slowly, half-understanding: “Fine, do as you say. Invite him.”

“Also,” Su Chen’s brush circled a name heavily, “Tianpeng Yuan Shuai must be invited—I’ll deliver the invitation myself.”

“Tianpeng Yuan Shuai ?” Sun Wukong thought. “The one Nezha mentioned—the commander of the Heavenly River Army?”

“Precisely.”

“Why must you go personally?” Sun Wukong asked, puzzled. “Is he that important?”

“Elder Brother, he commands heavy forces and is a favorite of the Jade Emperor. By showing initiative and delivering the invitation ourselves, we honor him,” Su Chen smiled. “Besides, I’ve heard he’s generous and a man worth befriending.”

Of course, Su Chen’s true motive could not be revealed to Sun Wukong.

He needed an opportunity—a chance to meet Tianpeng Yuan Shuai .

Only then could his later plans unfold naturally.

“Alright! Since you say so, I’ll follow your plan—I don’t understand these things,” Sun Wukong accepted Su Chen’s arrangements without objection.

Over the next two days, the entire Great Saint Mansion bustled with activity.

Su Chen directed operations from the center, organizing every detail with precision.

Sun Wukong personally visited some of his friends in Tiangong; the rest were invited by Su Chen himself.

For the Great Saint’s first banquet since arriving in Tiangong, nearly all immortals—except those absent or too proud—agreed to attend.

Soon, the banquet day arrived.

That day, the gates of the Great Saint Mansion teemed with immortal carriages and swirling clouds.

Invited immortals and gods arrived one after another, some riding auspicious clouds, others in divine chariots.

Sun Wukong donned his divine armor and stood at the gate with Su Chen, greeting guests.

“Hahaha! Nezha, you’ve arrived! Go in, we’ll drink till we collapse later!”

Sun Wukong warmly welcomed every immortal he knew.

Su Chen followed behind, wearing a polished smile, bowing respectfully to each guest with perfect decorum.

As the two conversed with the immortals, a magnificent chariot drawn by eight heavenly horses approached from afar.

Seated within was a stern-faced general clad in black xuan armor.

It was Tianpeng Yuan Shuai .

Su Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly—the main actor had finally arrived.