Chapter 427: I Have Someone in the Heavenly Court

「How are things? 」

In a secluded forest slope, Yu Lin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze turning to the respectfully standing Huang Wan before him, and he asked in a calm voice.

Huang Wan adjusted her hem and bowed, reporting everything that happened on White Tiger Ridge: "Reporting, Young Master."

"As you instructed, I have borrowed the remnants of Lady White Bone and the power of the Jade Ring Illusory Form to conduct three transformation tests."

"The first transformation was into a woman from Songzhai Village; this time Dharma Master Xuanzang was rather alert, noticing a strangely beautiful young woman appearing on the barren mountain and did not take it lightly."

"Instead, Zhu Bajie was infatuated, constantly fanning the flames, provoking Sun Wukong's displeasure and nearly causing a conflict, but Xuanzang finally restrained him, and the first transformation was thus exposed."

She paused briefly, then continued: "The second time, I transformed into an old woman searching for a daughter."

"This time, for reasons unknown, Dharma Master Xuanzang seemed slightly absent‑minded, actually believing Zhu Bajie's incitement that 'Sun Wukong indiscriminately kills the innocent and slays respectable women,' and he blamed Sun Wukong heavily, even considering expelling him."

"Fortunately, Sha Seng intervened to mediate, and Xuanzang reluctantly withdrew his decree, but a rift had already formed between master and disciple. Sun Wukong remained seething with resentment."

"The third time, I transformed into an old father‑in‑law searching for a wife and daughter, making a bitter accusation."

"This time Xuanzang seemed already prejudiced, his trust in Sun Wukong greatly reduced, and with Zhu Bajie again stirring the waters… In the end, Xuanzang recited the tightening headband spell, rebuking Sun Wukong as vicious and cruel, accusing him of harming three 'human lives,' and insisted on driving him away."

"Sun Wukong could not defend himself, feeling wronged and angry, and rode his somersault cloud back to Flower Fruit Mountain. The matter… was thus."

Having finished her report, Huang Wan waited quietly for Yu Lin's next instruction: "What would you like me to do next, Young Master?"

"No need," Yu Lin nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the outcome: "With Xuanzang's transformations like this, I suspect the Buddhist Sect is behind it."

"It would be best if this difficulty were impartial."

"Enough, this matter is temporarily concluded."

His gaze then shifted to the quiet, sleek, snow‑white demon wolf that had been lying at Huang Wan's feet.

The white wolf sensed Yu Lin's stare, instantly perking up its ears, its eyes showing anticipation.

"Next, I want you to do something," Yu Lin said to the white wolf:

"Come forward."

Upon hearing that it had been given a task, especially recalling how Yu Lin had previously granted Huang Wan the celestial method to reshape a spirit body and enlighten ghosts and immortals, the white wolf's heart surged with excitement.

Cheerfully trotting forward, it lowered its body before Yu Lin and spoke in human words: "Yes! Please command, Young Master! Little White will give its all!"

Yu Lin did not immediately reveal the task; instead, he flipped his hand to produce a perfectly round pill emitting a faint golden sheen, handing it to the white wolf: "This pill can cleanse your bloodline, increase your cultivation, and strengthen your spiritual intelligence."

"You should take it first."

"Yes!" The white wolf hesitated not a moment, opened its mouth and swallowed the pill.

The pill dissolved upon entering its belly, the massive pure medicinal force surging like a torrent instantly into the white wolf's limbs, bones, organs, and even its demon‑pill primordial spirit!

The white wolf could not help but emit a low growl, its body beginning to radiate a hazy WhiteLight.

Its form expanded visibly within the light, becoming more robust and agile.

Its previously snow‑white fur now showed a faint brilliant golden hue at the roots, especially on the mane, tail tip, and around the four paws, the gold especially striking, giving it an added sense of sanctity.

Its head outline seemed clearer, its gaze more lively and profound, with faint golden patterns flashing briefly on its forehead.

Its entire aura had transformed from a spiritually inclined mountain demon wolf into something closer to an auspicious divine beast!

When the medicinal force was fully absorbed and the light receded, the white wolf steadied itself again.

It bowed its head to examine its newly renewed body, feeling the surging power within, far stronger than before, and trembled with excitement.

At that moment, Yu Lin finally spoke slowly, posing a question the white wolf had not anticipated:

"You… would you like to become a star deity in the heavens?"

The white wolf heard this, its massive head snapping up, its golden‑brown eyes filled with bewilderment:

"Ah? Young Master… what does that mean? Star deity? The celestial star god of the heavens?"

Yu Lin raised his hand, pointing toward the distant western horizon, where a faint outline of a city‑state could be seen.

The nation appeared peaceful, with a subtle cultured aura, yet upon closer inspection, a faint obscure demonic aura seemed to coil around the Royal Palace.

"Ahead lies Baoxiang Nation."

"Now, the Kui Mu Wolf, one of the Heavenly Court's twenty‑eight star deities, has secretly descended to the mortal realm, taking the form of a yellow‑robed demon, occupying Bowzi Mountain's Wave‑Moon Cave, wreaking havoc in the area."

"It forcibly took Princess Baihua Shou as its wife, imprisoning her for thirteen years, delights in blood‑eating, harms people and lives, and has committed great sins."

"I am greatly displeased with such conduct, therefore I intend to present the Heavenly Court with a new 'Kui Star.'"

His gaze returned to the white wolf: "Although you are of wolf‑demon origin, your nature is pure and you know how to repay kindness."

"Having followed Huang Wan all these years, you have been exposed to human etiquette and can discern right from wrong."

"Your foundation, reshaped by my pill, is no longer comparable to ordinary demonic beings."

"Would you… be willing to undertake this journey, seize that corrupt Kui Mu Wolf and replace it, attaining a star deity rank, overseeing a celestial phenomenon, and being worshipped by the mortal world?"

The white wolf felt its heart surge, its breathing quickening.

It is merely a mountain wolf‑demon, having cultivated for centuries, seeking only successful transformation and refined cultivation, at most hoping for a demon king title.

Never did it imagine that one day it might be linked to the lofty star deity throne that governs the celestial sphere.

And to replace a current star deity who has broken heavenly law!

This is literally… a leap to the heavens!

From the dust of the earth, soaring straight to the nine heavens, becoming white clouds!

It revered Yu Lin's vast divine power beyond measure; even a star deity of the Heavenly Court can be swapped at a word—what a heavenly mastery!

With hardly any hesitation, the white wolf nodded repeatedly: "I am willing! I am willing! I am willing ten thousand times!"

"Please, Young Master, show me what I must do. I will brave fire and death without hesitation!"

Yu Lin, seeing its acceptance, nodded and outlined the plan: "Actually, this does not require you to walk through fire."

"You only need to lurk near Baoxiang Nation and wait for the opportunity."

"When the time comes, Sun Wukong will inevitably clash with that Kui Mu Wolf; when they fight, the Heavenly Court will notice and intend to summon the Kui Mu Wolf back for judgment—"

"That will be your moment to act; then you must find a gap, approach, swallow it whole, refine it, and from that moment you become the new 'Kui Mu Wolf', bearing the star deity seat and residing in the celestial sphere."

White Wolf heard it and his heart raced with longing, yet a trace of concern remained: "Young master, I will certainly obey and act."

"Only… if the Heavenly Court were to investigate…"

"The Heavenly Court side, you need not worry," Yu Lin waved his hand, saying softly:

"I have someone in the Heavenly Court looking after me."

"The constellations may change, and there are regulations, but every event has cause; the evidence against Kui Mu Wolf is conclusive, so replacing him is fine."

White Wolf heard this, his heart steadied, and his admiration for Yu Lin's background rose even higher.

His curiosity got the better of him, and he asked another: "Young master… do you know the Northern Polar Ziwei Emperor who commands ten thousand stars?"

In his view, who else could intervene in such matters of star constellations besides the Ziwei Emperor who governs the stars?

However, Yu Lin shook his head: "Ziwei Emperor? I have not yet met that sovereign."

"Only that I have some acquaintance with the Jade Emperor."

"This is a trivial matter; a greeting suffices, no problem."

White Wolf: "…………"

"Having… some acquaintance with the Jade Emperor… this trivial thing… no problem?"

He was stunned for a good half‑minute before White Wolf could recover from those casually spoken yet earth‑shattering words:

"Young master… magnificent!"

Yu Lin nodded and left a line:

"Go."

As soon as the words ended, his figure turned into mist like the morning fog in the mountains, dissolving thread by thread, silent and soundless, completely vanishing from Huang Wan's and White Wolf's sight and perception.

The next moment, the Heavenly Court.

As if having foreseen his arrival, the Jade Emperor was not seated behind the imperial desk; instead, in a pavilion by the Jade Pool, he had prepared an exquisite Immortal banquet.

Delicacies and fine dishes, jade wine and nectar, were displayed on the warm jade table, their fragrance filling the air.

Seeing Yu Lin materialize at the pavilion entrance, the Jade Emperor set aside a jade ruyi he was twirling, his face breaking into a warm smile as he waved him over:

"Arrived? Please sit quickly, try the new dishes the imperial kitchen has been refining lately, see if they suit your palate."

Yu Lin did not decline the courtesy and walked straight to the seat opposite the Jade Emperor.

He glanced at the dazzling array of Immortal fare, casually lifted his chopsticks, picked up a piece of crystal‑clear, faintly silver‑shimmering steamed Immortal fish flesh, and placed it in his mouth.

The fish flesh melted instantly, exquisitely fresh, and its warm spiritual essence nourished his innards.

He savored it for a moment, then nodded: "The cooking is perfect, flavors develop layer by layer, the spiritual energy is well‑contained. Absolutely delicious."

The Jade Emperor, seeing his approval, laughed heartily, looking quite pleased: "As long as you're satisfied, that's all that matters! Come, try these as well, no need for formalities."

He personally lifted the pot and poured Yu Lin a cup of emerald‑colored Immortal Brew.

Yu Lin raised the cup but did not drink immediately; instead he looked up at the smiling Jade Emperor opposite and asked directly:

"You're not blaming me?"

"Blame what?"

"Knowing full well, yet asking."

"Haha," the Jade Emperor set the wine pot down, brushed his long beard, his smile fading, and sighed lightly, "Of course not, back then, I…"

He seemed about to explain, tracing back some past causes and understandings.

However, just as he began, outside the pavilion the Immortal Light flared intensely!

A majestic, boundless aura that commands the myriad stars suddenly descended, bathing the Jade Pool beyond the pavilion in a splendid violet hue.

Immediately, an authoritative voice pierced the barrier, reverently announcing:

"Servant Ziwei, may I have an audience with Your Majesty."

Before the words finished, the Purple Light swirled and contracted, and a figure had already stepped into the pavilion.

The newcomer wore a purple imperial robe embroidered with the heavens' stars and the patterns of mountains and rivers, a tasselled crown upon his head, pearl curtains fluttering, his visage handsome and dignified, eyes like bright stars, and his gaze seemed to make constellations rise and fall.

He was indeed the Northern Polar Ziwei Emperor, who commands ten thousand stars and holds great authority!

The Ziwei Emperor first faced the Jade Emperor and, according to protocol, bowed deeply.

Then his gaze fell upon Yu Lin, bearing no malice, but a hint of friendliness.

Retracting his sight, he straightened, faced the Jade Emperor, and was about to speak:

"Your Majesty, I have come here to…"

"I know what you intend to say," the Jade Emperor waved his hand to cut him off, his tone returning to the usual courtly authority, neither joy nor anger discernible: "In those years, my little Seven descended to the mortal realm to undergo the love tribulation, and fell in love with that Dong Yong."

"Although she descended of her own accord, she never harmed the Human World nor committed any great sin."

"Even so, had it not been for Yu Lin intervening, enlightening Dong Yong, helping him achieve immortality and resolving the karmic debt, according to the Heavenly Court's rules, the little Seven would still inevitably face punishment."

"That Dong Yong, being merely mortal and corrupt, would have perished long ago without any immortal fate."

The Jade Emperor's gaze was calm as he looked at the Ziwei Emperor: "Now, your subordinate Kui Mu Wolf has descended of his own accord, turned into a demon, forcibly seized a mortal woman, devoured blood, and harmed a region; the evidence is conclusive."

"With a single phrase, 'subordinate descended to undergo tribulation,' you wish to gloss over his crimes of harming living beings and disturbing the Human World?"

"Now you omit the Heavenly Court's strict regulations, disregarding the suffering of all beings' equality?"

His words were light, yet each struck the crucial points.

However, contrary to the Jade Emperor's expectation, the Ziwei Emperor, upon hearing this, did not argue or plead, but shook his head, his face showing a hint of resignation and misunderstanding.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood."

The Ziwei Emperor's voice remained steady: "I have come not to plead for the transgression of Kui Mu Wolf."

"He has violated the heavenly decree, harmed living beings, his crime is unforgivable, and should be dealt with according to his culpability, to uphold the heavenly authority."

He shifted his tone, his gaze again on Yu Lin, his voice bearing a hint of negotiation: "I have come, truly, to speak with you, fellow Daoist."

"After this tribulation is resolved and Kui Mu Wolf is punished… may I ask you, fellow Daoist, to permit the White Wolf, who is about to inherit the position of Kui Constellation, to accompany me to the Ziwei Enclosure for a period of time?"

Purple Tenuity Great Emperor explained: "Kui Star is one of the twenty‑eight mansions' key posts, overseeing one of the Seven White Tiger mansions of the West; it concerns the operation of celestial phenomena and mortal warfare, and is no trivial matter."

"Even newly promoted constellations, though their foundations are deep, must be familiar with the rotation of the star palaces and divine regulations before they can be competent."

"I can personally give some guidance, helping it swiftly and thoroughly refine the star's origin, solidify the Divine Seat, and better serve the Heavenly Court, protecting the lower realms."

He paused, the look of being "misunderstood" on his face deepening, even tinged with a bit of "pain," and retorted:

"Your Majesty, do you consider me among those who disregard heavenly rules and selfishly protect their own interests?"

"I oversee the celestial bodies of the heavens and understand the weight of propriety and limits. Truly… it leaves me a bit disheartened."

Jade Emperor: "…………"

He stared at the Purple Tenuity Great Emperor's face, righteous and businesslike, even with a hint of grievance, and was momentarily at a loss for words, his prepared speech completely blocked.

A flash of awkwardness crossed his face, and he cleared his throat twice to cover it:

"Ahem… this… of course not."

"Your Excellency Purple Tenuity has always fulfilled duties diligently; how could I be unaware? Your profound sense of righteousness for the long‑term of the Heavenly Court comforts me. Very good, very good!"

The Jade Emperor smoothly changed the subject, his face again forming a smile, and invited: "Since you're here, and Yu Lin is also present, sit together and join me for a few drinks, and taste the new dishes from the imperial kitchen."

"I obey the command," the Purple Tenuity Great Emperor replied, humbly and promptly.

He walked to the seat beside Yu Lin, did not sit immediately, but first gave a slight nod toward Yu Lin as a greeting:

"Purple Tenuity, pleased to meet you, fellow Daoist."

Yu Lin also rose and returned the courtesy: "Yu Lin, pleased to meet you, Purple Tenuity Great Emperor."

As this Heavenly Court banquet drew to a close, below in the Human World, the western journey had already taken on a different scene.

In the Treasure Elephant Kingdom, Tang Seng was transformed into a Ferocious Tiger by the Yellow Robe Monster and imprisoned in an iron cage.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng fought the Kui Wood Wolf together to no avail; Sha Seng was captured, and Bajie, seeing the unfavorable turn, found a gap, broke free from the fight, rode up on clouds and fled.

He felt both ashamed and anxious; his master was trapped, his junior brother captured, and he could not defeat that monster. After much thought, the only one who could now save the situation was the senior brother who had been driven away by the master!

Though he was the one who originally fanned the flames, now asking for help left his face without light, but urgency overrode everything else.

Bajie gritted his teeth, determined the direction, and flew with all his might toward Huaguo Mountain on the Eastern Victory Continent.

The somersault cloud was swift, and his ride was no slower; before long he saw the familiar immortal mountain, its waterfall like a silk ribbon.

He pressed the cloud's reins and landed before the gate of Huaguo Mountain.

Several imposing, robust monkey demons wielding staffs instantly leapt out to block the path and shouted sternly:

"Where does this wild boar spirit come from? How dare you trespass Huaguo Mountain!"

Zhu Bajie quickly put on a smiling face, puffed out his belly, and shouted: "Go, go, go! What wild boar spirit! Open your monkey eyes and see clearly!"

"I am the Heavenly Marshal Tian Peng descended to earth; now I protect Tang Seng on his western pilgrimage, and I am the junior brother of your Great Sage!"

"Hurry and report, saying that Bajie has come to request the senior brother to return and subdue the demon to rescue the master!"

"Oh?" the gate‑keeping monkey demons said, exchanging glances with each other.

Though they had never seen Zhu Bajie, the titles "Heavenly Marshal Tian Peng" and "Tang Seng's disciple" were names they had heard their Great King mention, especially since the Great King had recently been in a bad mood, seemingly linked to the master and junior brother of the pilgrimage.

An elder monkey resembling a leader nodded and said to Zhu Bajie:

"Stay here for now, do not rush in! We will report to the Great King."

Having said that, he gave a signal to a clever little monkey beside him.

The little monkey understood, turned immediately, and after a few hops vanished into the dense peach forest, deftly passing through the Water Curtain and entering the Water Curtain Cave.

Deep within the cave residence, Sun Wukong reclined diagonally on a tiger‑skin stone chair, idly gnawing a celestial peach while watching a group of little monkeys practice martial arts.

A little monkey rushed forward, kneeling on one knee to report: "Great King! Outside the gate came a long‑snouted, big‑eared one, claiming to be the Heavenly Marshal Tian Peng descended, your junior brother, saying he has urgent business to see you, requesting you return to subdue the demon and rescue the master!"

Sun Wukong heard this, stopped mid‑bite of the peach, and a playful smile appeared on his monkey face:

"Yo ho? Now you realize the master is in trouble, demons are hard to deal with—so you think of old Sun Wukong? Where have you been all this time?"

His golden eyes flickered as he recalled how that fool on White Tiger Ridge had fanned the flames, coaxing the master to chant the tightening spell to drive him away, and a surge of suppressed anger rose in his heart again.

His pupils shifted, thinking: Perfect! This troublesome one has come to the door himself; if I give him a good hard time, crush his bravado, then flat‑out reject him, sending him scurrying away in disgrace, wouldn't that be satisfying?

It will also make that clueless master realize that without old Sun Wukong, he cannot take a single step.

Thinking this, Sun Wukong curled the corner of his mouth, showing a sly grin, and ordered the little monkey:

"Go, tell him to come in. Say that old Sun Wukong is 'awaiting' him inside the cave."

"Yes, Great King!" the little monkey replied, and darted off swiftly.

Outside the gate, Zhu Bajie waited anxiously, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth.

When the little monkey emerged, he hurried forward: "How's it going? Did your Great King agree to see me?"

The little monkey puffed his chest, mimicking Sun Wukong's tone, deliberately speaking in a theatrical manner:

"My Great King said, send you in. He is 'awaiting' you inside the Water Curtain Cave!"

Upon hearing the word "awaiting," Zhu Bajie's heart thumped uneasily, sensing something off. Yet rescuing the master was urgent, so he quickly bowed and said, "Very well, very well, thank you for guiding the way, thank you for guiding the way!"

He followed the little monkey, passing through the bustling troop of monkeys, and arrived before the waterfall.

Staring at the plunging Water Curtain, Zhu Bajie was about to ask how to enter, when the little monkey suddenly leapt in with a "whoosh," disappearing behind the Water Curtain.

Zhu Bajie also lunged into the Water Curtain.

He felt a chill on his body, already having passed through the waterfall; his eyes opened to a bright expanse—the famed Huaguo Mountain Water Curtain Cave.

Inside the cave was spacious and bright, with stone tables and chairs, fruit‑laden trays—a true immortal dwelling.

Directly ahead, on the high stone chair, Sun Wukong sat with his legs crossed, one hand resting on the Golden Cudgel, the other holding a massive celestial peach, looking at him with a half‑smile that made Zhu Bajie's hair stand on end.

"Hehe, senior brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I am your most beloved second junior brother!"

"Two chapters, ten thousand words; I ask who still says I'm short!"

"And let me wish you a Happy New Year in advance!!"