Chapter 47: A Hundred Thousand Celestial Soldiers Descend, Thunder Rolls

With the establishment of The Great Sage Equal to Heaven in Flower Fruit Mountain, The Jade Emperor of The Heavenly Court was in no hurry. The situation had fully unfolded, akin to raising the banner of rebellion in the human realm. Under the awe-inspiring celestial authority of The Heavenly Court, no matter how capable a mere demon monkey was, he was like an ant trying to shake a tree, ultimately doomed. Even if the celestial order was briefly disturbed, who could truly challenge it?

The Jade Emperor's lack of urgency led to a renewed clamor within the Hall of Miraculous Mist, as one celestial minister and general after another stepped forth, loudly denouncing Sun Wukong's rebellion and calling for his execution. Leading the charge was none other than Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, with the backing that even The Jade Emperor had to consider.

Unexpectedly, after a long silence, The Jade Emperor suddenly declared, "Then let Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing lead the troops to the mortal realm and capture the demon monkey."

Instantly, silence fell over the Hall of Miraculous Mist as everyone looked down, feigning slumber, except for Venus Tai Bai, who sighed inwardly.

Li Jing was dumbfounded, freezing in place. He hadn't volunteered to go. Everyone knew the monkey's immense power and deep cultivation; he wasn't foolish. He muttered, barely audible, "I'm not going. Whoever wants to go can go."

No sooner had he spoken than a series of loud shouts erupted nearby, startling him.

"Li Jing! What did you say?" demanded Virudhaka, Heavenly King of Growth.

"Li Jing! Do you dare defy orders?" challenged Virupaksha, Heavenly King of Broad Vision.

"Li Jing! Say that again if you dare!" pressed Dhritarashtra, Heavenly King of Holding the Nation.

"I request Your Majesty to punish Li Jing for defying orders and execute him immediately as a warning to others!" suggested Vaisravana, Heavenly King of Hearing Many Teachings.

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing was even more flabbergasted, shrinking his neck and meekly repeating, "I'm not going. Whoever wants to go can go."

Even The Jade Emperor's face turned slightly green. Across the hall, Perfected Taiyi stepped forward and sternly urged, "Li Jing, do you really intend to defy orders? That demon monkey has only recently attained the Dao, so what are you, the illustrious Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, afraid of?"

Left with no other option, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing grudgingly relented, "Fine, I'll go, but I need at least a hundred thousand celestial soldiers."

The Jade Emperor's voice echoed again: "Thus, let Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing lead a hundred thousand celestial soldiers to the mortal realm to capture the demon monkey. Great Deity of the Three Altars of the Oceanic Assembly, Ne Zha, will accompany him."

"What?!"

Hearing that his rebellious son, Ne Zha, was also to go, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing nearly had his eyes pop out. But having accepted the order, all he could do was withdraw with a worried expression. He immediately returned to his domain to marshal his forces, assembling his closest commanders, with the God of Great Strength leading the vanguard, Fish-Belly Generals bringing up the rear, and Yaksha Generals driving the troops. The hundred thousand celestial soldiers descended upon the earth with tremendous force, making the heavens dim and thunder roll, sweeping toward Flower Fruit Mountain and striking terror into countless beings below.

The descent of heavenly might was believed by the human world to mean that demons were causing chaos. However, the demon kings and deities knew it was because Flower Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent had proclaimed The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, prompting the celestial army to descend for battle.

At Flower Fruit Mountain, Shi Yue, Sun Wukong, and Six Paths immediately sensed the disturbance and looked at each other, eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.

Shi Yue said, "They're here!"

The Six-Eared Macaque, Six Paths, was the first to stand, saying, "Brothers, please stay seated and let me meet them first."

Sun Wukong quickly objected, "Six Paths, how can you take this from me? Stand by and wait for now."

Shi Yue knew that this time, the celestial army of a hundred thousand wouldn't truly engage or set a relentless trap for Flower Fruit Mountain. They were just playing a role, with a Peach Banquet set to follow. Knowing the sordid dynamics between The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, Shi Yue had other ideas. The time for an all-out effort hadn't come, and he didn't want to reveal his abilities too soon, nor miss the Peach Banquet. Hence, he wouldn't participate in this encounter.

Shi Yue suddenly laughed, "This time, it's Li Jing leading the troops. Just a few stray cats. I dare say that if you win a couple of skirmishes, Li Jing will surely retreat with his ten thousand celestial soldiers, tails tucked."

Sun Wukong laughed boisterously, "Truly a coward."

Shi Yue added, "This time, you'll handle them; Six Paths and I will act as the reserve of Flower Fruit Mountain. There will be a time for us to emerge, and soon, a true battle awaits."

Without needing further explanation, the word "battle" alone made the two monkeys' faces flush deeply. Sun Wukong exclaimed, "Good! Good! I don't fear The Heavenly Court. As the saying goes, risk your life to pull that Jade Emperor off his horse. If they truly anger me, I'll storm into his Hall of Miraculous Mist, and we three brothers will take turns as The Jade Emperor."

Shi Yue couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking how much Sun Wukong had "learned" from him, even quoting such sayings. He laughed, "Let's go out and watch."

Shortly after leaving Water Curtain Cave, the overwhelming thunderous sound rapidly engulfed the sky over Flower Fruit Mountain. The sky was filled with a forest of spears and banners waving proudly. Yet, while the hundred thousand celestial soldiers appeared to threaten annihilation, Flower Fruit Mountain held a million demon soldiers. This standoff nullified the celestial army's intended intimidation, instead, the soldiers of The Heavenly Court were awed by Flower Fruit Mountain's formidable presence.

Seeing this, the million-strong demon army of Flower Fruit Mountain became even more imposing, surging upward. However, the top was shrouded in a thin mist that allowed them to see the sky from below, while concealing them from those above, otherwise, the sight alone might have terrified the celestial soldiers into retreat.

Shi Yue, Sun Wukong, and Six Paths stood at the entrance of Water Curtain Cave. Before long, a giant nearly ten feet tall descended from the sky, resembling an oversized Cheng Yaojin, wielding a massive axe. He landed and immediately glared with eyes like copper bells, shouting, "Where is Sun Wukong, the Bimawen? I am a great general of heaven, sent by The Jade Emperor to capture you. Surrender quickly!"

Shi Yue smirked, thinking this deity must have scrambled his brains doing heavenly work.

Sun Wukong's reaction was immediate and furious. Hearing the title "Bimawen" from someone in The Heavenly Court was especially grating, feeling it as an insult.

In a flash, he soared into the sky, shouting, "What sort of minor god dares speak such madness before me? State your name, lest you die an unnamed ghost by my staff."

The heavenly general was also instantly enraged, "You deceitful monkey! Don't you recognize me? I am the vanguard under the great celestial Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, the Giant Spirit God! I have come by The Jade Emperor's decree to subdue you. Surrender and show loyalty to heaven's grace, sparing these beasts a massacre. Say 'no,' and you'll turn to dust in an instant!"

Shi Yue couldn't help but let out a "Yikes," recognizing that the God of Great Strength did indeed possess impressive skills, reaching the Golden Immortal stage. If The Six-Eared Macaque Six Paths were to fight now, it might be a good contest; however, with an enraged Sun Wukong, it would likely be settled with a single blow.

The guy's words were utterly foolish! Regardless, his final remark provoked Sun Wukong into a furious rage, leading him to shout, "You idiot! Stop bragging! I meant to kill you with one blow, but now I'll spare you, so you can take a message to The Jade Emperor: I, the naturally-born Great Sage, will be his equal, The Great Sage Equal to Heaven. If he agrees, there will be peace between Heaven and Flower Fruit Mountain; otherwise, I'll storm his Hall of Miraculous Mist and steal his Queen Mother!"

Shi Yue nearly lost his balance, utterly floored by Sun Wukong's last words, his eyes wide in shock. Steal the Queen Mother? He's audacious! At the same time, Shi Yue couldn't help but reflect on how Sun Wukong, once so innocent, had been led astray under his influence. If destiny brings them on the Journey to the West, what a headache this "Big Brother" would be for Tang Monk and Guanyin.

Sun Wukong, reveling in his impromptu boastfulness, laughed uproariously, while the hundred thousand celestial soldiers turned pale, and the God of Great Strength seethed with rage.

"You insolent monkey, how dare you! Prepare to die!"

But before the words left his mouth, Sun Wukong moved faster, swinging his Ruyi Jingu Bang. A single step placed him above the general, striking down fiercely.

The sound of "crack" echoed as the axe's handle snapped in half, the Ruyi Jingu Bang unimpeded, smashing down onto the general's head, sending his body plummeting. As he fell through the thin veil of clouds above Flower Fruit Mountain, he realized the mountain was teeming with demon soldiers, each armored and ready for battle. Their fierce presence exceeded even that of the hundred thousand celestial soldiers, prompting the giant to tremble and quickly flee on clouds back to his formation, followed by Sun Wukong's resounding laughter.

"Coward! Absolute coward! I'll spare your life for now. Spineless Li Jing, do you dare to step forward and challenge me?"

These words sent a shiver down Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing's spine. If the God of Great Strength, a Golden Immortal, had been smashed down with a single blow, how could he, a mere True Immortal, possibly contend with that? His only asset, the Exquisite Pagoda, was mainly for display and defense against his rebellious son, Ne Zha. To face Sun Wukong directly was out of the question.

While he was caught in this dilemma, the God of Great Strength returned to their ranks, kneeling and admitting with a laugh, "Bimawen truly has extraordinary skills! I was no match for him and return defeated, seeking your forgiveness."

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing couldn't contain his anger, shouting, "You disgrace my forces—take him away and execute him!"

This order almost made the God of Great Strength collapse with fear. Ne Zha quickly stepped forward to intervene, but before he could speak, Li Jing jumped back in fear, saying, "Ne Zha! What do you intend to do?"

Ne Zha covertly rolled his eyes and said, "Father, calm your anger. Pardon the God of Great Strength for now. Let me go and face this monkey to gauge his strength. It won't be too late to execute him afterward if warranted. It seems that demon monkey has some skill."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was overjoyed, thinking, "Great, you go and hopefully never return." Out loud, he said, "Be extremely careful."

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