Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

The barrier smoke gradually stabilized, and soon there was a response from Heavenly Court. Above the barrier smoke, a vortex appeared. King Qin Guang was overjoyed and quickly stepped into it with the memorial in hand.

Meanwhile, in the Fifth Hall of Yama King, Yama King too ignited the barrier smoke at the Divine Platform to communicate with Heavenly Court and opened the Heavenly Gate.

"Yama King, it's all up to you now to report the truth in front of His Majesty the Jade Emperor!"

"Yes, it's tough on you, brother!"

Kings of the Metropolitan City and Bian City, among other Yamas, bowed and sent Yama King off. The Netherworld faced great turmoil, and there were many issues they needed to handle themselves. The Ten Yama Kings could not all go to Heavenly Court to report, so they fully entrusted Yama King with the task.

"Rest assured, my lords, I shall not fail this trust...oh no, the First Hall has raised barrier smoke; King Qin Guang has already gone to Heavenly Court!"

As Yama King was bowing to the other Yamas, his expression suddenly changed, and with a cry of alarm, without having time to say more, he took a large step into the vortex of the barrier smoke, rushing towards Heavenly Court.

The barrier smoke connected to the channel of the Three Realms at the Eastern Heavenly Gate of the Ninth Layer of Heaven. This channel was exclusively for Heavenly Court, Netherworld, and Mortal Realm, typically not used except in emergencies, and usually opened only after receiving a request from Netherworld or Mortal Realm and with permission from Heavenly Court.

The Ten Yama Kings usually reported to Heavenly Court every hundred years, recounting the situations in the Netherworld, but they would travel through the channel connecting the Two Realms to the Mortal Realm and then ascend via clouds to enter the Heavenly Court through the Southern Heavenly Gate.

It was extremely rare to ignite the barrier smoke at the Divine Platform like this, requesting the opening of the Three Realms' channel.

"Yama King, why are you here too? King Qin Guang has just come out of there, looking all hurried. Did something major happen in the Netherworld?"

Mo Lishou, the Heavenly King guarding the Eastern Heavenly Gate, saw Yama King jump out of the channel in a hurry, approached him curiously and asked.

"Heavenly King Mo, greetings! Did you just say King Qin Guang came out?"

"Yes, just now. I originally wanted to greet him, but he just bowed from afar and flew away on his cloud, um, it looked like he was heading towards the Lingxia Palace. He must have some urgent matter to report to His Majesty the Jade Emperor … Hey, hey, Yama King, where are you going?"

Before Mo Lishou could finish speaking, Yama King, like a tail on fire, rode the dark clouds and hurriedly flew towards the Lingxia Palace, soon disappearing from sight.

"Strange, what's gotten into the Yama Kings today? They're all acting as if their eyebrows were on fire. Could it be that there really is a major upheaval in the Netherworld?"

Mo Lishou, somewhat puzzled, stroked his chin in thought, but he couldn't figure out how any serious turmoil could occur in the Netherworld guarded by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. He soon shook his head, setting the matter aside. It was his turn to guard the Eastern Heavenly Gate today, so he decided to focus on his duties instead of meddling.

"Your Majesty, that Demon Monkey, relying on his divine skills, caused havoc in my Netherworld, destroyed the Ghost Hall, harmed my ghost messengers, and forcibly snatched the Human Book from me. His evil deeds are clear, infuriating both heaven and earth. Please issue a decree to send Heavenly Soldiers to capture him, to restore order and serve as a warning to others!"

By the time Yama King reached the Lingxia Palace, King Qin Guang had already presented his memorial, accusing Sun Wukong of his violent acts. Strictly speaking, what he said was true, but he had omitted the causes and consequences of the events. Naturally, this infuriated the Jade Emperor, "What a Demon Monkey, daring to use his divine skills to disrupt the Netherworld, detestable indeed!

King Qin Guang, step back for now. I shall issue a decree to deploy soldiers to subdue him!"

"Your Majesty, I have a report to make!"

Although it was already late, Yama King boldly stepped into the great hall and presented his memorial to the Jade Emperor.

Yama King's memorial was much more temperate, narrating the whole course of events without shirking responsibility like King Qin Guang's memorial which was filled with denunciations of Sun Wukong. After reading it, the Jade Emperor was slightly surprised. How could there be such a vast difference between the memorials submitted by the two Yama Kings one after the other?

"The course of events is now clear to me. Both Yama Kings, step back for now. I shall issue a decree to deploy soldiers to subdue him."

With the Jade Emperor's response given, Yama King and King Qin Guang could not say much more. After bowing, they left the Lingxia Palace, exchanging glances and snorting coldly at each other.

"Yama King, His Majesty will surely send Heavenly Soldiers to capture that Demon Monkey Sun Wukong. Aren't you afraid you'll get yourself into trouble by siding with him?"

"King Qin Guang, I merely reported the truth. When have I ever sided with that Sun Wukong? On the contrary, it's you, who first provoked him with your improper words nearly destroying the entire Illusory Ghost City, and then, without authorization, used the Human Book to seal the barrier between the Two Realms, nearly inciting Sun Wukong to completely obliterate the Netherworld.

If we were to seriously investigate, I fear your culpability might be no less than that of the Demon Monkey Sun Wukong."

"You… Hmph! We shall see!"

Yama King and King Qin Guang had never gotten along, but owing to appearances, they had always been superficially polite, never clashing openly like today. A cold light flashed in King Qin Guang's eyes; Yama King had now utterly torn his face off with him. We shall see; I won't let you have the last laugh!

And that wretched, stinking monkey!

Watching King Qin Guang leave with a flick of his sleeves, Yama King's expression was uncertain, finally clenching his fists tightly. In life, one must sometimes make choices; he hoped he hadn't backed the wrong person this time!

Inside the Lingxia Palace.

"My ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter? When was this demon monkey born, where did he attain his divine powers, and how did he come to possess such abilities that he could cause such an uproar in the Netherworld?"

When the Jade Emperor posed this question, everyone was at a loss. When Sun Wukong was born in this era, there were no golden beams shooting straight up into the heavens, and therefore, the deities of Heavenly Court had never heard of such an individual. How could they possibly answer right away?

"Your Majesty, I, Ao Guang of the Eastern Sea, have something to report!"

"Your Majesty, I, Ao Shun of the Northern Sea, have something to report!"

"Your Majesty, I, the Dragon King of the Southern Sea..."

"Your Majesty, I, the Dragon King of the Western Sea..."

As it happened, today was the day for the routine royal audience of the Four Dragon Kings, and with none of the celestial officials uttering a word upon the Jade Emperor's inquiry, the four of them exchanged glances, stepped forward, and knelt to make their report to the Jade Emperor.

"Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, what matters do you wish to report?"

The Jade Emperor felt somewhat surprised; the Four Dragon Kings coming forward to report at this time couldn't possibly be related to that demon monkey Sun Wukong, could it?

Sure enough, as soon as the Four Dragon Kings began to speak, they took turns revealing how Sun Wukong had caused havoc in the Eastern and Northern Seas, forcefully demanded the Sea-Calming Golden-Hooped Rod, the Ruyi Qiankun Bag, the Yin Yang Taiji Furnace, and many other magical treasures.

Of course, the details of the Dragon Race bowing and scraping before Sun Wukong were conveniently omitted; in the words of the Four Dragon Kings, Sun Wukong was portrayed as a fiend deserving death ten thousand times over.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"How could such a vile demon be born in the lower realm without you hearing anything about it?"

Hearing this, the Jade Emperor became even more irritated and shouted loudly, "Where are Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears?"

"We are here!"

Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears quickly stepped forward.

"Hurry and ascertain the origins of this demon monkey and report back!"

"As you command!"

Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears took their leave and soon returned to report, "Your Majesty, we have found out that the demon monkey is named Sun Wukong, born in the Water Curtain Cave of Flower-Fruit Mountain in Aolai Country, East Victorious Divine Continent, a stone monkey delivered by Heaven.

We do not know where he cultivated immortality, but now he has gathered a large group of demons at Flower-Fruit Mountain, though their intentions are not yet clear."

The report by Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears was somewhat vague, leaving the Jade Emperor unsatisfied. What did it mean by 'do not know where he cultivated immortality'? What did it mean by 'do not know their intentions'?

"I ordered you to find clear answers, and this is all you've found?"

The Jade Emperor's slight cold huff frightened Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears so much that they immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, forgive us! It is not that we are shirking our duties but rather that we could only find so much.

Sun Wukong is still in the Netherworld, and with the seal barrier still intact between the Netherworld and the World of the Living, even we brothers cannot investigate thoroughly!"

"Your Majesty, Flower-Fruit Mountain appears to be covered by a grand formation that blocks investigation. We brothers could only vaguely see a large gathering of the Demon Clan there; we really do not know the details!"

With Sun Wukong not on Flower-Fruit Mountain, Sun Wushuang and Sun Tong could only ensure the normal operation of the Primordial Unity Grand Formation. They couldn't completely block the innate divine abilities of Thousand-Mile Eyes and Listening Ears. Otherwise, if the formation were fully operational, they would not have been able to find out anything at all.

"Causing an uproar in the Dragon Palace Netherworld, assembling demons at Flower-Fruit Mountain, and setting up a formation that blocks scouting—what exactly is this demon monkey planning? My ministers, who is willing to take the command to go to Flower-Fruit Mountain and exterminate this demon, thereby proclaiming the mighty authority of Heavenly Court?"

At the Jade Emperor's question, the assembly hall was suddenly filled with lively debate. Some recommended the Four Great Heavenly Kings, others recommended the Giant Spirit General, and still others suggested various divine generals and heavenly soldiers; the opinions were numerous and varied.

"Your Majesty, this demon monkey, Sun Wukong, is still trapped in the Netherworld. Sending troops to besiege his lair now will hardly be effective. What if he escapes the Netherworld, sees his lair destroyed, and in his anger, goes into hiding to seek revenge? It could be very difficult for us to locate him then," someone argued during the heated debate.

Just as the celestial officials argued endlessly, the Great White Golden Star stepped forward and spoke his advice to the Jade Emperor.

"Hmm, Great White Golden Star, your words make sense! In your opinion, what should we do then?"

The Jade Emperor thought, "That's right! As long as Flower-Fruit Mountain, that lair, remains, Sun Wukong the demon monkey will still have concerns. If the lair were destroyed, wouldn't this monkey go mad? Then if he really does something rash, won't it be a trouble for Heavenly Court?"

"Your Majesty, since this demon monkey has already cultivated an immortal body, why not take him into our ranks? Let's recruit him to Heaven, grant him an official position, and bind him within Heavenly Court. If he behaves, he should be promoted gradually; if he continues to be defiant, we can easily capture him within Heavenly Court, thus avoiding any large-scale mobilization."

"Great Venus, your words are most wise! But as Yama reported, Sun Wukong intends to pass through the Six Paths of Reincarnation and Hell's Yellow Springs to return to the World of the Living, which surely won't be an easy feat, will it?"