Chapter 303

The big screen darkened then brightened, switching from the gloomy, terrifying underworld to a splendid, bright, celestial Heavenly Court, instantly eliciting gasps from the audience.

Translation: The big screen darkened then brightened, switching from the gloomy, terrifying underworld to a splendid, bright, celestial Heavenly Court, instantly eliciting gasps from the audience.

The big screen darkened then brightened, switching from the gloomy, terrifying underworld to a splendid, bright, celestial Heavenly Court, instantly eliciting gasps from the audience.

We'll keep as one line.

As mentioned, Jiang Heng had already shown the appearance of the Heavenly Court in his previous "Journey to the West" works.

Translation: It is said that Jiang Heng also showcased the Heavenly Court's appearance in his previous "Journey to the West" works.

But back then it was just a passing glance, incomparable to the meticulously crafted, highly three‑dimensional visuals shown here in the most stunning 3DIMAX version.

Translation: But back then it was merely a passing glance, whereas here the painstakingly crafted, full‑depth visuals, shown in the most shocking 3DIMAX version, are incomparable.

The audience originally thought the scene of "Spirit Terrace Fangcun Mountain" was already very shocking, but after seeing the Heavenly Court they realized the visual effects could be even better.

Translation: The audience originally thought the visuals of "Mountain of the Spirit Terrace" were already very shocking, but after seeing the Heavenly Court they realized the visual effects could be even better.

Seeing this, some young directors felt a deep sense of helplessness.

Translation: Seeing this, some young directors felt a deep sense of helplessness.

With visual effects reaching this level, as long as the plot isn't brain‑dead, it's bound to become a phenomenon‑level film!

Translation: With visual effects at this level, as long as the plot isn't brain‑dead, it's bound to be a phenomenal film!

Just like the original Jurassic Park, if you set aside the classic lens, the plot is actually very melodramatic.

Translation: Just like the original Jurassic Park, if you set aside the classic filter, the plot is actually very melodramatic.

All kinds of bizarre maneuvers, all kinds of protagonist halos.

Translation: All kinds of bewildering operations, all kinds of protagonist halos.

But back then the audience's attention was captured by the super‑realistic, shocking dinosaurs, so they didn't notice those.

Translation: But back then the audience's attention was captured by the super‑realistic, shocking dinosaurs, so nobody noticed those.

And this film, under the promotion of being the world's best 3D movie, is guaranteed to be a box‑office smash!

Translation: And this film, under the promotion of being the world's best 3D movie, is guaranteed to sell big at the box office!

How on earth are we supposed to catch up to this?

Translation: How the hell are we supposed to catch up to this?

Some people regard Jiang Heng as a surpassing target, silently thinking so in their hearts.

Translation: Some people regard Jiang Heng as a surpassing target, silently thinking to themselves.

As for ordinary viewers, they basically just say, "Holy shit, that's awesome!"

Translation: As for ordinary viewers, it's basically "Holy shit, that's awesome!"

"This is too beautiful!"

Translation: "This is too beautiful!"

"No way, I'll have to watch it again later!"

Translation: "No way, I'll have to watch it again later!"

"I'll bring my mom to see our country's best film!"

Translation: "I'll bring my mom to see our country's best film!"

"It's so good it doesn't seem like something domestic could produce!"

Translation: "It's so good it doesn't seem like something domestic could produce!"

…… (ellipsis). We need to translate ellipsis as "...", but keep as is? The line is just "……". We'll output "……" as translation? Probably we should keep the ellipsis as is. The instruction: translate faithfully; ellipsis is punctuation. We'll output "……". But we need to output on a single line: 【18】 …… (maybe we keep the same characters). However we need to translate to English; ellipsis is same in English. We'll output "……". Or we could output "...". But to be faithful, we keep the Chinese ellipsis? The source uses Chinese fullwidth ellipsis. We'll output the same characters. We'll output "……". We'll keep as is.

While the audience was discussing, the big screen had already reached the scene where the Dragon King sues Sun Wukong, and also King Yama presented a memorial on behalf of the Netherworld Sect's leader, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Translation: While the audience was discussing, on the big screen the scene had arrived at the Dragon King suing Sun Wukong, and also the King Yama presented a memorial on behalf of the Netherworld Sect's leader, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

King Yama presented a memorial on behalf of the Netherworld Sect's leader, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Tang Guoxiang, playing the Jade Emperor, asks about the demon monkey's situation, and the Thousand‑Mile Eye and Wind‑Accompanied Ear step forward to explain.

Translation: Tang Guosheng, playing the Jade Emperor, asked about the demon monkey's situation, and the Thousand‑Mile Eye and Wind‑Ear stepped forward to explain.

When the Jade Emperor asks which heavenly general should descend to subdue the demon monkey, Pagoda‑Bearer Li Tianwang, the thunder gods, the Twenty‑Eight Mansions, and others all volunteer to fight, even arguing over who should go destroy Flower‑Fruit Mountain.

Translation: When the Jade Emperor asked which heavenly general should descend to subdue the demon monkey, Pagoda‑bearing Heavenly King Li, the Thunder Department gods, the Twenty‑Eight Mansions, and others all volunteered to fight, even arguing over who should go crush Flower‑Fruit Mountain.

Li Jianyu, playing Tai Bai Jinxing, quickly steps forward to say that pacification would be best.

Translation: Li Jianyi, playing Venus, quickly stepped forward to say that pacification would be best.

The Jade Emperor briefly considers, then surprisingly agrees, ordering the Wenqu Star official to draft the edict and commanding Tai Bai Jinxing to carry out the pacification.

Translation: The Jade Emperor pondered a moment, then surprisingly agreed, ordering the Literary Star Official to draft the edict and directing Venus to carry out the pacification.

After the court disperses, the gods walk out, and Wu Lei, playing Nezha, wonders aloud: "It's just a demon monkey—why not just exterminate it? How could the Great Heavenly Venerable agree to pacification? If we always did this, wouldn't the lower realm fall into chaos?"

Translation: After the court dispersed, the immortals walked out; Wu Lei, playing Nezha, wondered aloud: "It's just a demon monkey—crush it and be done. Why would the Great Heavenly Venerable agree to pacification? If we always did this, wouldn't the lower realm be in chaos?"

Zhang Shan, playing the Pagoda‑Bearer Heavenly King, says: "Eighty percent chance they're just out of money!"

Translation: Zhang Shan, playing the Pagoda‑bearing Heavenly King, said: "Eighty percent chance they're just out of money!"

Nezha exclaims, "The Heavenly Court controls the three realms—how could it be out of money?"

Translation: Nezha exclaimed, "The Heavenly Court controls the three realms—how could it be out of money?"

The Pagoda‑Bearer Heavenly King strokes his long beard and smiles without speaking.

Translation: The Pagoda‑bearing Heavenly King stroked his long beard and smiled without speaking.

The scene shifts to Tai Bai Jinxing going to Flower‑Fruit Mountain to carry out the pacification, yet the scenery remains absolutely beautiful.

Translation: The scene shifted to Venus going to Flower‑Fruit Mountain to carry out the pacification, yet the scenery here remained absolutely beautiful.

After having seen the Spirit Terrace Fangcun Mountain and the Heavenly Court, the audience gradually becomes accustomed, focusing their attention on Wu Jing's portrayal of Sun Wukong.

Translation: After having seen the Mountain of the Spirit Terrace and the Heavenly Court, the audience had gradually grown accustomed, and their attention now focused on Wu Jing's portrayal of Sun Wukong.

Yet this monkey is like a student who has just received his assignment—exceptionally excited—as he follows Tai Bai Jinxing to heaven and is appointed to the post of Equator of Horses (Bimawen).

Translation: As for this monkey, he was like a fresh‑examinee who had just received his assignment, extraordinarily excited, ascending to heaven with Venus and attaining the post of Imperial Horse Superintendent.

After taking office, the monkey works diligently, greeting the supervisor, clerk, and strongmen each day to care for the heavenly horses together.

Translation: After taking office, the monkey was diligent, daily greeting the Superintendent, Archivist, and Strongman, together caring for the Heavenly Horses.

That day, the Wood Virtue Star Lord arrives to supervise, discovers thirteen major and minor issues, and orders them to be corrected within a deadline.

Translation: One day, the Wood Virtue Star Lord came to supervise, finding thirteen major and minor issues that required correction within a deadline.

Sun Wukong is indignant, argues with the Wood Virtue Star Lord, and is pulled aside by the supervisor.

Translation: Sun Wukong objected, argued with the Wood Virtue Star Lord, and was pulled aside by the Superintendent.

"They say you don't fear officials, you fear managers! Our Heavenly Horse Supervision is under the Wood Virtue Star Lord's jurisdiction; since you took office, you've never visited and refuse to make offerings—this gate will be hard to pass.

Translation: "As the saying goes, fear not officials but fear managers! Our Imperial Horse Bureau falls under the Wood Virtue Star Lord's jurisdiction; since you took office, you've never visited and refuse to make offerings—this checkpoint will surely be hard to pass."

In my opinion, you at least need to offer this amount to pass the checkpoint."

Translation: "In my opinion, you at least need to send this amount to clear the checkpoint!"

Wu Jing, playing Sun Wukong, sees the old supervisor first extend his hand with five fingers spread, then flip it, and instantly flies into a rage.

Translation: Wu Jing's Sun Wukong saw the old Superintendent first spread his five fingers, then flip them over, and instantly flew into a rage.

"Ya ya peh, this old monkey's mastery lets me go anywhere, do anything—I was king and ancestor on Flower‑Fruit Mountain. Up in heaven, just helping that old geezer tend his horses would be fine, but a contemptible scoundrel worse than a pig or dog dares to oppress me?"

Translation: "Yah yah pah, my old Sun has mastered all‑powerful abilities that can reach heaven and earth; on Flower‑Fruit Mountain I was king and ancestor. In heaven, helping that old geezer tend the horses is fine, but a damned scoundrel worse than a pig or dog dares to oppress me?"

He immediately pulls out his wish‑fulfilling golden staff and strikes at the Wood Virtue Star Lord.

Translation: He immediately whipped out the Golden Cudgel and swung it at the Wood Virtue Star Lord.

He lets out a cold chuckle, waves his hands, and the grass on the ground grows wildly, instantly reaching the height of several people, thick as wrists, and lunges to grab Sun Wukong.

Translation: He let out a cold snort, waved his hands, and the ground's grass grew wildly, instantly reaching several people's height with wrist‑thick stalks, lunging to grab Sun Wukong.

"All these heavenly beings are of orthodox origin; why did you bring a demon monkey up here? Today I will cleanse the Heavenly Court's gates!"

Translation: "All these heavenly gods are orthodox‑born; why did you bring a demon monkey up here? Today I will purge the Heavenly Court's gates!"

Seeing this, Sun Wukong drops to the ground, lifts his golden staff, and it becomes like a giant lawnmower.

Translation: Seeing this, Sun Wukong fell to the ground, raised his Golden Cudgel, and it resembled a massive lawn‑mower.

From above, each sweep cuts a huge swath—it's incredibly satisfying.

Translation: From the sky, one sweep cuts a huge swath—it's incredibly satisfying.

Sun Wukong follows the sound, finds the Wood Virtue Star Lord, and knocks him down with a single blow.

Translation: Sun Wukong followed the sound, found the Wood Virtue Star Lord, and knocked him flat with a single blow.

Yet he dare not linger, hastily rushes to the Southern Heaven Gate and escapes to the next cycle.

Translation: Yet he dared not linger, rushing hastily to the Southern Heaven Gate and fleeing to the lower realm.

Only now does the audience have a moment to discuss, talking about the plot and the fight scene they just witnessed.

Translation: Only at this moment did the audience have a chance to discuss the plot and the fight scene just shown.

"That fight just now looks really stress‑relieving!"

Translation: "That fight just now looks really satisfying!"

"Holy shit, who would've thought mowing the lawn could feel so good!"

Translation: "Holy shit, who'd have thought mowing the lawn could feel so great!"

"Maybe we could make a little game!" said a viewer who likes games.

Translation: "Maybe we could make a little game!" said a viewer who likes games.

One of the friends said, "We could make a chibi Sun Wukong, with opponents like the Wood Virtue Star Lord, Fire Virtue Star Lord, etc. —it would definitely be fun!"

Translation: His friend replied: "We could make a chibi Sun Wukong, with opponents like the Wood Virtue Star Lord and Fire Virtue Star Lord—it'd definitely be fun!"

On the big screen, Sun Wukong accepts the One‑Horned Ghost King who comes to surrender, puts on the reddish‑yellow robe, and proclaims himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Translation: On the big screen, Sun Wukong accepted the surrender of the One‑Horned Ghost King, donned the reddish‑yellow robe, and proclaimed himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Upon learning this, the Jade Emperor becomes furious and orders the Pagoda‑Bearer Heavenly King and Nezha to lead the troops into battle.

Translation: Upon learning this, the Jade Emperor flew into a rage and ordered the Pagoda‑bearing Heavenly King and Nezha to lead the troops into battle.

After the heavenly king departs, Tai Bai Jinxing goes to the Jade Emperor to apologize.

Translation: After the Heavenly King departed, Venus went to the Jade Emperor to apologize.

Sun Wukong came up through his pacification; now that he has beaten the Wood Virtue Star Lord and fled to the lower realm, he naturally bears responsibility for the oversight.

Translation: Sun Wukong came up via his pacification; now he has beaten the Wood Virtue Star Lord and fled to the lower realm, so he naturally bears responsibility for the oversight.

The Jade Emperor waves his hand and says, "Don't blame yourself!"

Translation: The Jade Emperor waved his hand and said, "Don't blame yourself!"

Tai Bai Jinxing, moved to tears, then says, "I've heard that because of the demon monkey's rebellion, the Heavenly Horse Supervision lost over a hundred heavenly horses, and the grain and fodder shortage amounts to more than six million catties!"

Translation: Venus felt grateful and tearful, then said, "Your humble servant has heard that because the demon monkey caused chaos, the Imperial Horse Bureau lost over a hundred Heavenly Horses, and the grain and fodder shortfall exceeds six hundred thousand catties!"

The Jade Emperor slams the dragon‑inscribed desk and shouts, "Outrageous!"

Translation: The Jade Emperor slammed the dragon desk and shouted, "Outrageous!"

Tai Bai Jinxing is so frightened that his residence kneels, and he dares not speak.

Translation: Venus was so frightened he knelt down in his residence and dared not speak.

Over on Flower‑Fruit Mountain, the battle segment begins.

Translation: Over on Flower‑Fruit Mountain, the battle segment had arrived.

First to appear is the Giant Spirit God, a role cameo‑played by Zang Jinsheng, created using motion capture and CG to form a heavenly general over three zhang tall, powerfully built, wielding a xuānhuā battle‑axe.

Translation: First to appear was the Giant Spirit God, a role cameo‑played by Zang Jinsheng, using motion capture and CG to create a figure over three zhang tall, stalwart, wielding a xuānhuā battle‑axe as a heavenly general.

However, in several Journey to the West-type works before Jiang Heng, similar characters also appeared.

But none of them had the ordinary-looking Giant Spirit God, which gave the audience a stronger sense of oppression.

"The 3D technology is truly amazing—just looking at it makes you feel as if you're standing right in front of him!"

"I just felt like he was about to chop me with his axe—it felt so real!"

However, though the Giant Spirit God is huge in size, he's a total weakling, easily taken down by Sun Wukong.

Immediately after, the film's first-half climax arrived—a fierce battle with Ne Zha.

To highlight Ne Zha's prowess, his Wind Fire Wheels raced like wind and lightning, and a casual swing of his Fire-tip Spear set the sky ablaze.

The colors were magnificently vivid—hundreds of times more beautiful than the flame blade effect on later Douyin.

Just a few shots had the audience shouting in delight.

As for the later three-headed, six-armed form, it left the audience dazzled.

Wu Jing's Sun Wukong, seeing Ne Zha reveal his three heads and six arms, also transformed into three heads and six arms with three golden hooped rods, battling Ne Zha in an earth-shaking clash.

In the end, Sun Wukong still had the upper hand, wounding Ne Zha's arm.

Seeing this, the Pagoda-bearing Heavenly King hastily withdrew his troops, first going to the Jade Emperor to apologize, reporting how formidable the demon monkey was and how hard it was to subdue.

The Jade Emperor was astonished, and could only order the Venus God to pacify the situation.

The Pagoda-bearing Heavenly King then went to the True Lord of the Dragon Tiger Mystic Altar, Zhao Gongming, to report the materiel losses: over six hundred divine weapons and more than a hundred sets of armor…

(End of chapter)