HomePull StringsChapter 745: Betraying Heaven

Chapter 745: Betraying Heaven

A golden light pierced the peaceful heavenly dome at the Southern Heavenly Gate, directly breaking through the gate.

While the Celestial Guards were still dazed, the golden light had already vanished into the horizon.

After a good while, the assembled Celestial Guards finally heard the shouting from behind:

“Stop the Imperial Horse Keeper! He has betrayed the Heavenly Court!”

The guards at the gate looked at each other in bewilderment, then gazed at the clouds on the horizon, but there was no trace of that golden light.

The Celestial General on duty at the Southern Heavenly Gate hurriedly went to report at the Hall of Divine Enlightenment, saying that Imperial Horse Keeper Sun Wukong had left the Heavenly Gate and headed toward the Flower Fruit Mountain in the mortal realm.

An uproar broke out within the Heavenly Court.

Betrayal of Heaven!

It was already causing discontent among many civil and military officials that they had recruited a Demon King to serve in the Heavenly Court. Now this Handsome Monkey King, dissatisfied with his appointed position, had struck a Heavenly Marshal and overturned the desk at the Imperial Stables before simply rebelling against the Heavenly Court.

This was intolerable!

Before the Crystal Palace, streams of light transformed into civil and military deities, rushing into the hall…

The beaten Marshal, still bruised and slightly injured, recounted his miserable experience from within the hall, claiming he had been ambushed by that monkey, which was why he was beaten so badly.

This unknown minor Marshal cursed: “If this humble official could properly battle that wild monkey, I would teach him a lesson!”

Unexpectedly, a minor clerk from the Imperial Stables kneeling behind the Marshal couldn’t help but whisper: “Weren’t you the one who struck first, Marshal…”

“Hmm?”

The Marshal turned his head to glare at the immortal clerk. As he turned back to speak, he felt an inexplicable pressure.

Looking up, the Marshal saw the usually good-natured Great White Star beside the Jade Emperor now staring at him expressionlessly, that gaze…

It made his divine soul tremble and his spiritual consciousness faltered, nearly collapsing on the spot.

The Jade Emperor calmly watched this scene, showing no anger but rather seeming amused.

The Jade Emperor wanted to see what this imposter beside him would do next; or rather, what his teacher, the Patriarch of Ways, was planning.

At that moment, Great White Star stood on the high platform, bowed to the Jade Emperor, and said:

“Your Majesty, that Imperial Horse Keeper refused to submit to authority and dared to act so presumptuously, betraying the Heavenly Court! When I previously recommended him for an official position in the Heavenly Court due to his exceptional divine powers and abilities, I failed in my duty of inspection. I request Your Majesty’s punishment!”

He was defining the nature of the incident, escalating its severity.

The Jade Emperor showed a slight smile, ignoring the ‘Great White Star’ beside him, and instead looked toward the assembled deities below, asking: “My beloved officials, who can go capture that Imperial Horse Keeper and bring him back to face punishment?”

The assembled immortals and deities looked at each other until Li Jing stepped forward half a step from the first row of military officials.

Consider Li Jing at this moment.

Several hundred years had passed since his deification, and he had achieved significant cultivation, leading armies in battle for the Heavenly Court and repeatedly establishing military merit.

Li Jing excelled at coordinated battle formations. His troop deployments were flawless, and with his son Nezha as the vanguard, he had never lost a battle across the Three Thousand Worlds, earning the title of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li.

However, Li Jing did not remember having a foster father before, nor did he feel any connection to the Jade Emperor’s messenger standing beside the Emperor on the high platform.

Li Jing only knew that he came from the Path of Degree Immortals, was valued by True Person Degree Hardship who accepted him as a disciple, and entered the Heavenly Court as a Marshal during deification thanks to his relationship with Nezha. Now he had gradually proven his strength.

Of course, this included the Jade Emperor’s special care.

The Heavenly Court had stood among the Three Realms for no short time, experiencing periods of weakness and long struggles before achieving its current prosperity.

Since its establishment, very few immortals and deities had so blatantly deserted.

Resigning from office and betraying Heaven, though resulting in the same outcome, were entirely different.

Moreover, the betrayer was a Demon King.

Hearing the Jade Emperor’s inquiry, Li Jing immediately stepped forward and reported:

“Your Majesty, this humble official is willing to capture the traitor Imperial Horse Keeper!”

Several Grand Marshals beside him grudgingly withdrew their steps, having reacted too slowly again.

The Jade Emperor said: “With beloved official Li taking charge, I can rest assured. Deploy your troops now and go to Flower Fruit Mountain to capture that demon monkey.”

“This humble official accepts the command!”

Li Jing bowed to accept the order, then turned around, his golden silk cape fluttering. His left hand rested on his sword hilt at his waist, his right hand holding an ancient pagoda, the jewel on his helmet swaying gently as he strode toward the hall doors.

Drums thundered outside the hall!

As Li Jing’s tiger tally fell, streams of light shot out from the Hall of Divine Enlightenment. Squad after squad of Celestial Soldiers quickly gathered at the Southern and Eastern Heavenly Gates, waiting only to organize before departing to capture Sun Wukong.

With Li Jing’s expedition, Nezha could not be absent from the accompanying generals, along with martial officials like Mighty Spirit God, Mighty Strength God, and Mighty Foot God.

Most immortals and deities didn’t take this matter too seriously at this point, viewing it simply as the Handsome Monkey King not understanding the rules and committing a capital offense. Sending Li Jing to suppress a local Demon King was like using a cleaver to kill a chicken.

Heavenly Court campaigns naturally centered on martial officials;

Only when the Heavenly Court faced critical survival threats or difficulties would civil officials go out to ‘settle matters.’

There was no need to request intervention from the leaders among the Eight Departments of Proper Spirits just to defeat a Demon King.

The Heavenly Court’s military preparations naturally required some effort, but we’ll set that aside for now.

Let us speak of Sun Wukong’s return to Flower Fruit Mountain, where he immediately began cursing his monkey children and grandchildren, saying the Heavenly Court looked down on monkeys. Getting a minor official position was one thing—he had endured it, wanting to see what the Heavenly Court was like.

Starting small and working up wasn’t impossible.

But in this Heavenly Court, they had a mediocre martial official come before him throwing his weight around for no reason!

This was more than any monkey could bear!

How could they indulge this?

The various cave Demon Kings who came to Flower Fruit Mountain upon hearing the news were quite anxious.

The Demon Kings had thought they had lucked out, following a Demon King accepted by the Heavenly Court, so they could live more peacefully in the world from now on, without having to worry as before.

But how had the Handsome Monkey King suddenly returned? He had only been gone a few days.

At that moment, a monkey asked: “Great King, why have you returned? Was life in the Heavenly Court not to your liking?”

Sun Wukong then explained his experience, and the monkeys immediately became righteously indignant, while those Demon Kings gradually grew pale.

“Great King!”

A deer demon called out: “Did you perhaps… perhaps leave without even resigning your position?”

Sun Wukong laughed mockingly: “Your Great King gave that troublemaking Heavenly Marshal a good beating! Tore off those vulgar immortal official robes, changed back into this mighty battle armor, then kicked over that worthless desk, told them I wouldn’t serve as an official anymore, and just strode out through the Southern Heavenly Gate. How splendid, how splendid!”

The monkey tribe immediately cheered and celebrated, while the group of Demon Kings changed color upon hearing this.

This… this was unthinkable!

Could one simply quit being a Heavenly Court official whenever they pleased?

Some Demon Kings wanted to speak up about the severity of this matter but were pulled back by nearby demons. These dozens of Demon Kings exchanged glances, each already forming their plans.

Another monkey shouted:

“Great King! That Heavenly Court isn’t such a great place! You had no restrictions in the mountain, but in Heaven, you had to be managed by others! Better to be free and unfettered here in the mountain with us!”

Wukong jumped back onto his stone throne and laughed: “Children, bring some good wine and fruit, your Great King wants to get drunk!”

The monkey spirits responded with a thunderous cheer.

Several hundred monkeys immediately darted out of the Water Curtain Cave, spreading across the mountain to gather fruits and transport wine.

Those Demon Kings took the opportunity to come forward and bow. Sun Wukong glanced at them a few times but didn’t say much, just telling them to do as they pleased.

Before long, Flower Fruit Mountain was bustling with activity, monkeys jumping about everywhere, and greater and lesser demons also enjoying themselves.

However, many elder demons had already fled overnight, fearing that if they were too slow, heavenly thunder would strike their heads.

Sun Wukong paid this no mind.

His Flower Fruit Mountain wasn’t someplace people couldn’t come and go from freely.

When Sun Wukong left Flower Fruit Mountain years ago to seek immortal techniques, there were already many monkey spirits on the mountain. Though they had no specific cultivation methods, they absorbed the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, gaining some magical power.

It was precisely these monkey spirits who had lived for over two hundred years. When Sun Wukong returned after achieving the Dao, the mountain’s monkeys still respected him as their Great King.

At his master’s place, Sun Wukong had also obtained some immortal cultivation methods;

His master didn’t allow him to pass down the techniques he personally cultivated, but these immortal methods could still be given to the monkey spirits for cultivation and extending their lifespans.

Now, Flower Fruit Mountain had numerous monkey soldiers, all with some capability, and Sun Wukong had several rare ancient species of monkeys under his command, all promising Demon King candidates.

Because of the Handsome Monkey King’s growing fame, many powerful monkey-type demons had previously come to join him, settling down at Flower Fruit Mountain.

The demon tribe of Flower Fruit Mountain had already become a force to be reckoned with.

Wukong feasted with the demons on the mountain for several days, all in high spirits.

At noon on this day, thunder suddenly rolled, as if thousands upon thousands of troops were approaching overhead. Heaven and earth grew dark, and the demons were greatly alarmed. Wukong also sobered up with a start.

Then a roar was heard among the thunder:

“Audacious Imperial Horse Keeper! Come out and surrender! Return with us to the Heavenly Court for trial!”

Sun Wukong’s form flashed as he jumped directly to the peak of Flower Fruit Mountain, looking up at the dark clouds overhead, his battle armor emanating a dark golden light.

A giant face condensed in the center of the dark clouds, a pair of azure eyes that seemed formed from divine thunder opened, and the magnificent voice echoed through heaven and earth again:

“Imperial Horse Keeper! Surrender quickly!”

“Oh?”

Wukong chuckled dismissively, “Don’t use that title. I, Old Sun, won’t serve as Imperial Horse Keeper anymore!”

“How dare you!”

The giant face roared: “How can a Heavenly Court position be treated so frivolously? Do you think you can simply quit whenever you want?

“Your betrayal of the Heavenly Court is already an unforgivable crime! If you surrender now, there might still be a chance for survival. But if you force me to appear in person, I’m afraid your Flower Fruit Mountain will be razed to the ground by me!”

“Hmph, such big talk!”

Sun Wukong cursed: “Your Heavenly Court doesn’t know how to use talent, and now people aren’t even allowed to leave on their own? What kind of tyrannical logic is this!”

“Sun Wukong! Stop your jokes!”

The dark clouds trembled as the giant face descended directly, followed by a neck and torso.

This was a giant, nearly ten thousand feet tall, fierce and imposing in appearance, with a mighty and dignified form. In his hands were two great axes, looking exactly like that tribal warrior woman with twin ponytails from years ago.

Boom!

The giant landed steadily on a side peak of Flower Fruit Mountain, his steps creating layers of cracks in the mountain, his mighty form emanating shocking pressure.

Above this giant’s head, layers of dark clouds overlapped and spread, with hundreds of bare-chested Celestial Soldiers vigorously beating drums, and countless spear-wielding Celestial Soldiers standing silently behind them.

The might of Heaven was vast!

Sun Wukong’s gaze focused as he put away his previous playful expression and pulled the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Staff from his ear.

With a clang, he planted the staff behind him. The two wings of his Phoenix-Wing Purple-Gold Crown swayed gently, his Chain Mail Golden Armor blazing with golden light, his dark golden monkey fur radiating intense fighting spirit.

The giant shouted:

“I am General Mighty Spirit, here to capture you!”

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes, his form suddenly expanding, growing to several hundred feet, then thousands of feet in an instant, directly facing the Mighty Spirit God!

Divine Sky Simulation? Or Divine Sky Manifestation?

This monkey knew the Dao School’s protective divine techniques!

Mighty Spirit God’s eyes showed panic, but he immediately pressed forward, raising his great axes to chop down at Sun Wukong’s head.

Sun Wukong, however, was unwilling to fight a major battle here. His thousand-foot form flashed, appearing directly behind the Mighty Spirit God.

So large, yet still able to use Space Shifting?

Mighty Spirit God immediately panicked.

His divine form technique had easily defeated dozens of Demon Kings before, but today he had met such a formidable opponent.

Just as he was about to turn around, Mighty Spirit God felt his neck gripped by an iron-like hand, a tremendous force pulling at him, moving his body at will, throwing him like a sack toward the ten thousand miles of waves in the East Sea!

This… this?

Wasn’t this Imperial Horse Keeper just a Golden Immortal Demon King? Why was he so powerful?

Mighty Spirit God shouted angrily as he stabilized himself in mid-air, stepping into the shallow sea and charging back toward Sun Wukong.

The earth constantly trembled, and seawater churned everywhere.

Though transformed to a thousand feet tall, Sun Wukong didn’t lack agility and grace. His feet barely touched the mountain as he rushed to the East Sea’s edge to engage the Mighty Spirit God in battle.

Those twin axes seemed capable of splitting mountain ranges, while that iron staff nearly shattered the universe.

White clouds rolled in the sky, and waves in the East Sea reached the heavens.

But Mighty Spirit God’s combat techniques were truly too rigid. After just a few exchanges, he had already been hit several times by Sun Wukong’s staff, beaten into repeated retreat, his hands barely able to hold onto his great axes.

And this was with Sun Wukong holding back.

Mighty Spirit God knew something was wrong. Just as he was about to shout some face-saving words and retreat, the drums of withdrawal sounded from above.

Mighty Spirit God secretly rejoiced at his luck, leveraging the momentum to trade one last blow with the monkey before quickly jumping back.

“The battle ends today! Don’t be too arrogant, demon monkey!”

Mighty Spirit God cursed loudly, his form suddenly shrinking as he transformed into a stream of light shooting toward the horizon.

Sun Wukong didn’t give chase, instead looking up at the battle formation in the sky with a slightly mocking smile. He dispelled his divine form technique and flew back to Flower Fruit Mountain carrying his Gold-Banded Staff.

He had easily won this first battle.

When Sun Wukong returned to the mountain, the monkeys naturally came forward to congratulate him, but most of those Demon Kings had disappeared, with only seven or eight newly promoted young Demon Kings coming forward to offer congratulations.

Regarding this, Sun Wukong didn’t say much, only ordering the monkey soldiers to drill and prepare for war.

Speaking of the Mighty Spirit God’s return to the main army camp, he looked embarrassed and troubled as he changed back to human size and knelt on one knee before Li Jing.

“This humble official has failed the mission, please punish me, Marshal.”

“General Mighty Spirit need not request punishment. It was I who underestimated this Imperial Horse Keeper’s abilities.”

Li Jing spoke thus while stroking his beard in thought from his armchair.

He didn’t like keeping a beard, but now that he held military authority and led armies, he needed to maintain a sufficiently dignified appearance to command respect.

Beside him, another Golden Immortal Celestial General stepped forward and declared loudly:

“Grand Marshal! This Imperial Horse Keeper is indeed quite capable in his martial prowess. This humble official is willing to lead a force of Celestial Soldiers down to capture him, striking with battle formations!”

Li Jing was about to nod, but he suddenly recalled the advice from the Jade Emperor’s messenger before he left.

‘Marshal Li, in the matter of capturing the Imperial Horse Keeper, patience is better than haste.’

Li Jing didn’t like that old fellow, but he was a close minister to His Majesty the Jade Emperor, known as ‘His Majesty’s Voice.’

His meaning was equivalent to His Majesty’s will.

As a minister, his first duty was loyalty to His Majesty.

“There’s no rush,” Li Jing said, “Let’s wait a bit and send brave generals to capture him tomorrow.

This is the land of the Five Continents, a prosperous place in the Three Realms. If we can capture Sun Wukong directly, there’s no need for large-scale warfare.”

“Yes!”

Behind the generals, Nezha hugged his Fire-Tipped Spear and yawned, his youthful face showing traces of boredom.

The next day, another Celestial General went out to challenge, and Sun Wukong gladly met the challenge, dispatching the general in two or three moves and kicking him back into the sky.

Demon morale soared, and the monkeys were beside themselves with joy.

On the third and fourth days, various generals went out to challenge, all easily dispatched by Sun Wukong with minimal effort.

How could the demon tribe not be encouraged by this?

One by one, the Demon Kings who had previously fled reappeared near Flower Fruit Mountain, and many radical ancient demon experts came upon hearing the news.

Sun Wukong merely sneered at this, ordering that only monkeys could enter the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain.

The fifth day.

Thunder rolled in the sky, and Flower Fruit Mountain’s morning was full of clamor.

In the sky, the Celestial Soldiers and Generals had increased in number, their drum beats becoming extraordinarily uniform.

On the ground, demons gathered with demon energy reaching the clouds, while monkey soldiers arranged in formations, wearing simple armor and holding weapons, shouting across the mountains.

The atmosphere had become quite tense.

Sun Wukong stood alone at the mountain peak, looking up at the dark clouds above.

He spoke leisurely: “Heavenly Court generals, don’t you have anyone who can fight?”

“Imperial Horse Keeper, do you think you’re that capable in combat?”

A response came from the clouds as a layer of fire-red shadow appeared at the bottom of the dark clouds, a pure and wonderful Dao rhythm flowing through heaven and earth.

Suddenly the clouds parted as a figure broke through, descending from the sky.

Sun Wukong looked carefully and saw the arriving general had delicate features, appearing as a youth, standing on a pair of fire wheels.

He held a pointed spear and wore lotus flower battle armor, with two hair buns on his head and a somewhat childish face.

Nezha.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong immediately laughed and cursed: “The Heavenly Court must be out of generals to send a little kid like you.”

“Little kid?”

Nezha raised an eyebrow and said calmly: “Before you were even born, I was already a proper deity of the Heavenly Court. If we’re counting years, it wouldn’t be inappropriate for you to call me grandfather.

Don’t think that knowing how to say a few harsh words makes you a tough figure in the primordial chaos.

You can’t overturn Heaven;

You can’t upend Earth.

You’re just a monkey being played with in someone’s palm, yet you pretend to be some monkey hero of the demon tribe.”

Sun Wukong immediately bared his teeth in a fierce expression.

Nezha pulled out a faint smile, twirling his Fire-Tipped Spear in a flourish as streams of flame wrapped around him. His hair buns undid themselves, his long hair dancing with the flames.

The spear tip pointed down.

“Let’s fight.”

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