Chapter 24: Return to Nan Tian Men

The wind stopped.

It didn't stop on its own; it was forcibly held down by the pressure of that single staff.

The golden light veil of Nan Tian Men continued to swirl, densely covered with runes.

Each rune represented the divine power of a star lord: thirty‑six Heavenly Gang, seventy‑two Earthly Sha, plus the 365 regular gods of the Zhou heavens.

It is more than just a formation.

It is the foundation of the Heavenly Court spanning hundreds of millions of years.

It is claimed that even a Saint cannot break it; touch it and you die.

Behind the veil, Mo Li Qing stuck out half his head, and the Azure Cloud Sword in his arms trembled.

He swallowed, and his voice traveled through the veil, tinged with flattery and pleading.

"Great Sage... we've known each other a long time."

"You know, the few of us brothers are just gatekeepers, making a living."

"This formation was opened personally by His Majesty; the key is in Lingxiao Hall, so please don't make things difficult for us..."

Mo Li Hong also came over, holding a mixed‑primordial umbrella without a rib.

With a bitter expression, he said, "Indeed, Great Sage, if you want to get in, perhaps... use the back entrance? The North Heaven Gate should be a bit looser..."

Sun Wukong smiled.

He weighed the Golden Cudgel in his hand.

"Back entrance?"

"I, Old Sun, went through it once five hundred years ago."

"Back then I was naive, thinking all the gods and Buddhas in the sky were big shots, so I had to give them some respect."

Sun Wukong lifted his head, and his golden pupils reflected the indestructible veil.

"Today is different."

"Today I'm here to collect the debt."

"Use the back entrance? That's a job for the grandson."

He took a step forward.

Just one step.

The Yúncéng beneath his feet exploded, creating a void ten thousand miles in diameter.

The Golden Cudgel in his hand swelled as if blown by wind.

One zhang.

One hundred zhang.

Ten thousand zhang.

Finally it became a sky‑piercing pillar, its dark iron body blocking half the sky, the Golden Cudgel on it flashing a chilling light that made hearts race.

Mo Li Qing's eyes were about to pop out.

"Run quickly!!!"

He shouted hoarsely, dropped the Azure Cloud Sword, and turned to run.

Too late.

Sun Wukong clasped the Tiěbàng, thicker than a mountain, with both hands.

No fancy moves.

Just pure strength.

Absolute violence stemming from the Chaotic Demon God's flesh.

"Give me, Old Sun..."

"Open!!!"

The Tiěbàng, roaring with world‑shattering sound, slammed heavily onto the golden veil.

No stalemate.

No resistance.

It was like striking glass with a hammer.

Crack—!!!

A crisp, explosive crack rang through the Three Realms.

The formation, famed as unbreakable except by a Saint, shattered in an instant into a sky of golden dust.

Countless runes exploded.

The backlash force traveled back along the formation's nodes.

Across the Heavenly Court, the star lords maintaining the formation each spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, their spirits waning.

Rumble—

A massive shockwave swept outward.

The four Great Heavenly Kings, first in the line, didn't even have time to emit a Cànjiào before the gust lifted them away.

Their armor shattered, their treasures exploded.

The four became like four rubber balls flung with great force, turning into meteors that vanished beyond the nine‑sky clouds.

The golden plaque of Nan Tian Men could not escape either.

The three characters "Nan Tian Men" turned to powder beneath the Tiěbàng.

Only a bare, naked doorway frame remained, standing alone in the ruins, looking especially comical.

The smoke and dust cleared.

Sun Wukong collected the Dharma Aspect, shrank the Golden Cudgel back to the size of an embroidered needle, and stuffed it into his ear.

He brushed the dust off his hand and glanced back.

Kong Xuan stood behind, staring blankly at the shattered great gate.

On that absolutely beautiful face, shock was written all over.

Five hundred years ago, this monkey rampaged through the Heavenly Palace; although he fought his way in, it was only by borrowing the power of stealing the Golden Core and Peaches, and with various immortals turning a blind eye, that the commotion arose.

Today.

This strike was a genuine crushing blow.

That pure aesthetic of violent beauty made Kong Xuan's heart, silent for countless years, flutter two beats faster.

This is what a true strong one is.

Even if it's crude, even if it's barbaric.

Yet it is far more pleasing than those hypocrites who spout benevolence and morality while scheming behind backs.

"What are you looking at?"

Sun Wukong turned and glared at her.

"Never seen demolition before?"

"Hurry and keep up; if you fall behind, old Sun won't be responsible for pulling you back."

Kong Xuan snapped out of his daze, lowered his head, and silently followed.

Only his steps became much lighter.

Even the shackles on his shoulders, which had felt heavy, seemed a few pounds lighter.

Nezha, riding his wind‑fire wheels, had already surged to the front.

"Mother!"

He shouted, and his voice echoed across the open Heavenly Street.

No one answered.

Only the uniform footfalls.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

At the end of the Heavenly Street.

A sea of golden clouds surged forward.

They were a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers.

Golden armor and helmets, spears like a forest.

In the very center of the formation.

A middle‑aged man clad in Golden Armor, holding a pagoda in his hand, his face grim, stood atop a war chariot.

The Pagoda‑holding King Li, Li Jing.

In his other hand he held no weapon.

Instead he grasped a binding‑immortal rope.

The other end of the rope bound a gaunt Beauty.

Yin Shiniang.

Nezha's figure suddenly halted.

The flames spewed from the wind‑fire wheels turned the jade tiles on the ground a blazing red.

"Li Jing!"

Nezha's eyes glowed crimson, his fiery spear pointing at the man.

"Release my mother!"

Li Jing sneered.

He tightened his grip on the binding‑immortal rope; Yin Shiniang let out a painful cry, blood marks appearing on her wrist from the rope.

"Rebel son."

Li Jing's voice was icy, without a hint of warmth.

"Colluding with the demon monkey, daring to trespass the Heavenly Court, you are driving the Li family toward an irredeemable catastrophe!"

"Turn back now, kill that demon monkey, and I'll carve out your treacherous bones, then kneel before Lingxiao Hall to beg forgiveness; perhaps I can still spare your mother's life."

"Otherwise…"

Li Jing pressed hard, pulling Yin Shiniang into a stumble, nearly toppling onto the war chariot.

"Today I will forge your mother into this Exquisite Tower, so she may never be reborn!"

"Don't worry about me!"

Yin Shiniang lifted her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Nezha, run! He's gone mad! He really will strike!"

Nezha's hand gripping the spear trembled.

He wished he could thrust his spear and kill the old beast.

But he dared not.

That was his mother.

She was his only warmth in this cold, icy Heavenly Court.

"King Li."

A lazy voice sounded.

Sun Wukong staggered over, standing beside Nezha.

He glanced at the pagoda in Li Jing's hand, then looked at the bound woman.

"It's been five hundred years, and your prospects keep getting bigger."

"Back then you couldn't beat me, Old Sun, so you relied on your son."

"Now your son won't obey, so you're starting to rely on your wife?"

Sun Wukong shook his head, wearing a look of contempt.

"You scum, and you still dare to be a heavenly king?"

"Is the Heavenly Court's personnel department all blind?"

Li Jing's face turned ashen.

Being humiliated in public by a monkey dealt a huge blow to his self-esteem.

"Demonic monkey!"

"Don't rely on slick talk!"

"Today's Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap were prepared just for you!"

Li Jing raised the exquisite treasure pagoda in his hand.

The pagoda's body blazed with golden light; though originally only seven stories, it now emanated an aura comparable to a primordial spiritual treasure.

That was the divine power granted by the Jade Emperor.

"All troops, hear my orders!"

"Kill!"

One hundred thousand heavenly soldiers roared in unison, their killing intent piercing the heavens.

Nezha grew anxious.

"Monkey, watch out for that pagoda! It was bestowed by the Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha, specifically to counter..."

He didn't finish speaking.

The silent Bodhi Patriarch stepped forward.

He passed between Sun Wukong and Nezha and stood before the two armies.

In his worn Daoist robe, he looked out of place amid the glittering heavenly soldiers.

Li Jing frowned.

He did not recognize this old Daoist.

But his intuition told him this person was dangerous.

"Who are you?" Li Jing shouted.

The Bodhi Patriarch ignored him.

His gaze fell upon the exquisite treasure pagoda.

It was refined by the Burning Lamp Daoist from leftover scraps back then, considered a decent acquired spiritual treasure.

But it was merely decent.

"Using a woman as a shield."

The Bodhi Patriarch sighed.

"You dare call yourself a father?"

His voice was soft.

Yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Li Jing flew into a rage: "You're asking for death!"

He furiously flung out the pagoda, intending to first capture this clueless old Daoist inside to establish his might.

"Seal!"

The pagoda flew out, expanded against the wind, and came crashing down toward the Bodhi Patriarch.

The base of the pagoda was a dark void, emanating a tremendous suction.

The Bodhi Patriarch did not move.

He merely raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

Snap.

A crisp sound.

That pagoda, which had been mighty and imposing, suddenly halted in mid-air.

As if someone had pressed pause.

Immediately after.

The pagoda began to tremble.

Not an excited tremor, but fear.

Like a dog encountering the wolf king.

Hum—

The pagoda suddenly reversed direction.

Its base aimed at Li Jing on the war chariot.

Li Jing froze.

"What... what is happening?!"

He frantically formed hand seals, trying to recall the pagoda.

To no avail.

The magic treasure originally linked to his mind and spirit was now completely severed.

Since you like this tower so much.

Bodhi Patriarch said lightly.

Then go in and stay for a few days.

Hoo—

A terrifying suction burst from the base of the tower.

It was more than a hundred times stronger than the one just now aimed at Bodhi Patriarch.

Li Jing only felt his body become light.

Before he could even let out a Cànjiào, his whole body was ripped away from the war chariot by that massive suction.

No!!!

He flailed his arms and legs in the air, struggling desperately.

But it was all in vain.

Swish—

Li Jing was sucked into the tower.

Clang—

The tower doors slammed shut.

Immediately after, a raging fire ignited inside the tower.

It was Samadhi True Fire.

It was originally meant to burn Nezha, but now it was all directed at Li Jing.

Ah—!!!

It's scorching me to death! Help!

Nezha! I'm your father! Save me!

A chilling Cànjiào echoed from the tower, making the scalp tingle.

Nezha was stunned.

One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers were also stunned.

Is this even possible?

That's the Pagoda‑Bearing Heavenly King's signature treasure!

How did it betray?

Sun Wukong glanced at Nezha.

Why are you still staring?

Go save your mother.

Nezha snapped out of his daze.

He surged onto the war chariot, and with his fire spear he snapped the celestial binding rope.

Yin Shiniang fell softly into his arms.

Mother!

Nezha hugged his mother, and tears fell again.

It's okay… It's okay…

Yin Shiniang stroked Nezha's face, crying with joy.

What… what should we do?

A Heavenly General, holding a great sword, looked at the headless dragon situation, feeling at a loss.

The commander was taken by his own treasure.

How can we fight this battle?

What should we do?

Sun Wukong hoisted the Golden Cudgel and stepped forward step by step.

Cold dish.

He waved his hand casually.

The Golden Cudgel swept out a golden wave of qi.

No technique at all.

Just a simple push.

Boom!

The thousands of Heavenly Soldiers ahead were blown away like wheat caught in a gale, flying out in a flash.

They couldn't get close at all.

The remaining Heavenly Soldiers, seeing this, dared not advance.

One by one they discarded their armor, clearing a path to Lingxiao Hall.

Sun Wukong led at the front.

Bodhi Patriarch trailed behind with his hands behind his back.

Nezha supported his mother, standing aside.

This road leads straight to the core of Heaven's authority.

The Great Celestial Venerable who once stood lofty above.

Is at the end of the road.

Waiting for them.