CHAPTER 528: CHAPTER 470, INVADING THE HEAVENLY COURT

After returning to the Heavenly Court, Sun Wukong went around inquiring about the whereabouts of Emperor Gouchen. But what kind of connections did he have in the Heavenly Court? Although some divine beings were still unclear about Sun Wukong’s background, they all knew he represented trouble.

If this trouble reached Emperor Gouchen, wouldn’t their own troubles escalate?

Thus, all divine beings tacitly concealed news about Emperor Gouchen. When questioned by Sun Wukong, they all shook their heads and sighed, saying, "It cannot be said!"

This, instead, left Sun Wukong with an impression that Emperor Gouchen was unfathomably mysterious.

Half a month later, inside the Bimawen Mansion, Sun Wukong lay on a chair, one leg crossed over the other, grumbling to himself, "Where exactly is Emperor Gouchen? Why does nobody among the divine know? Does the Jade Emperor himself know?"

An attendant rushed in from outside, anxiously saying, "Sir, sir, Lord Huo De has arrived."

Sun Wukong remained indifferent and said, "Who cares who comes, what’s it to me?"

The attendant anxiously replied, "Sir, Lord Huo De is a righteous Star Lord, you need to go and meet him."

Sun Wukong’s eyes lit up, and he sat up asking, "I need to meet him? Must be a high-ranking official then!"

The attendant nodded repeatedly. Isn’t he a high-ranking official? The first righteous Star Lord to visit the Imperial Stables in a thousand years. Anxiety filled his heart—had the Imperial Stables made some mistake? Even if there was a mistake, it shouldn’t alarm a righteous Star Lord!

A thought struck Sun Wukong. A high-ranking official would likely know about Emperor Gouchen, right?

"Let’s go, let’s go see!" Sun Wukong hopped down from the desk and strode quickly outside.

...

Lord Huo De walked through the Imperial Stables, his gaze shifting from one Heavenly Horse to another, nodding slightly from time to time.

Sun Wukong, wearing his official uniform with his hat askew, bounced and hopped over, followed by the jogging attendant.

Lord Huo De turned his head to look at Sun Wukong and said, "You’re the new Horses’ Fortune!"

Sun Wukong looked up with chest puffed out and said, "Indeed, it is I, your officer! And you’re Lord Huo De?"

A peculiar gleam flashed in Lord Huo De’s eyes, and with a cold chuckle, he said, "A mere Horses’ Fortune dares to call himself an officer in front of me? Let me ask you, was it you who let the horses run amok in the Star River, causing chaos in the Star Domain?"

The attendant’s legs gave way, almost making him kneel, his face pale as he was overwhelmed with a sense of grievance. I had warned the Horses’ Fortune not to let the horses into the Star River, but he didn’t listen, and now, look what happened! A major incident has occurred!

"What if it was me?" Sun Wukong retorted.

Lord Huo De, enraged, shouted, "Don’t you know there’s a proper place for grazing horses? By causing disorder in the Star River, what crime should you be charged with?"

"I, Old Sun, am born free, and go wherever I wish!"

Lord Huo De bellowed furiously, "How audacious! An insignificant groomsman dares to be so reckless!" He swung a slap towards Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong’s Golden Hoop instantly appeared in his hand, and with a swing, a loud bang echoed. Lord Huo De screamed as he was struck and sent flying out of the Bimawen Mansion.

Sun Wukong, wielding the Golden Hoop, laughed heartily and said, "What a weak Lord Huo De, with such strength yet you dare to question me, Old Sun?"

The attendant behind him turned pale instantly, sweating profusely, and murmured, "He hit Lord Huo De, he hit Lord Huo De, what should we do now?"

Sun Wukong waved the Golden Hoop and chuckled, "Fear not, Old Sun is here!"

The attendant said, fretfully, "Sir, but that’s Lord Huo De!"

Sun Wukong blinked and asked, "Tell me, whose official rank is higher, Lord Huo De’s or mine?"

"Lord Huo De~"

Sun Wukong was taken aback and a doubt arose in his heart, how could every divine being he encountered have a higher official position than his?

Sun Wukong directly asked, "What official rank is this ’Horses’ Fortune’?"

The supervisor whispered, "The official title is just that."

Sun Wukong asked again, "What grade is this position?"

The supervisor whispered back, "There is no grade."

Sun Wukong inquired, "No grade? Does that mean it’s supremely high?"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the supervisor bent over and said, "It’s called ’not in the stream’."

"What does ’not in the stream’ mean?"

"It’s the lowest. A position like this, the lowest and smallest, is only suitable for horse-care. After your esteemed self takes office, with such diligence, if you feed the horses until they’re fat, you only get a word of ’good’. But if they become slightly lean, you’ll still have to face reprimand; and if they’re seriously damaged, you’ll still be fined and asked to take responsibility for your offense."

Sun Wukong was stunned for a moment, then clenched his teeth in great fury and bellowed, "What a Jade Emperor to dare to belittle me so! I, Old Sun, was a king and ancestor at Huaguo Mountain; how could he deceive me into tending his horses for him? Tending horses is a task for juniors, a lowly service, not fit for someone like me!"

How would Emperor Gouchen view me now that I’m just a mere horse caretaker?

Enraged, Sun Wukong’s heart burst into flames, and he soared into the air; with a flick of his hand, the golden Jingu Bang appeared, glinting and shining, and he roared, "Shatter for Old Sun!"

Boom~ The entire Bimawen Mansion collapsed into rubble, the Heavenly Horses and the Assistant Officers, all terrified and fleeing in panic.

...

In the Heavenly Court’s Palace of the Polestar, it was time for the grand assembly of ministers. The Jade Emperor sat in the main seat, with Zhou Tian Star Lord and the Eight Divine Beings below.

"Report~" a voice called out from outside the hall.

Riguang rushed in, speaking in a panic, "Your Majesty, bad news. The newly appointed Horses’ Fortune Sun Wukong, displeased with his minor position, has destroyed the Imperial Stables and rebelled against Heavenly Court."

The Jade Emperor’s face remained calm as his mighty voice sounded, "What gall this impudent monkey has! Who can capture this creature for me?"

Li Jing immediately stepped forward, bowing and cupping his fists to say, "Your Majesty, I am not much, but I request your decree to subdue the Evil Spirit."

The Jade Emperor happily said, "Excellent! I appoint you as Demon Suppressing Marshal, leading the Heavenly Soldiers and Divine Generals to capture this Demon."

"Understood!" Li Jing turned and strode out.

...

Elsewhere, within the Bird’s Nest, Bai Jin sat in the hall, inwardly criticizing that both Master Puti and Taiyi True Man are of the same ilk, simply imparting skills but not teaching morality. Both Sun Wukong and Nezha are utterly lawless, but that’s also appropriate—what would Tang Sanzang be needed for if Master Puti taught it all?

A thought suddenly flashed across Bai Jin’s mind: what if Sun Wukong was taken to the Judicial Temple for some proper discipline? But he immediately dismissed the thought, for even if the Western Two Saints didn’t take action, Eldest Uncle and Second Master certainly would. They too must ensure that the Westward Journey proceeds as intended.

Ao Bing walked in briskly from outside, entering the hall, saluting respectfully and saying, "Greetings to Master!"

Bai Jin said, "Ao Bing, the new Horses’ Fortune has rebelled and gone to the Lower Realm. Li Jing has been commanded to capture him. With his abilities, catching Sun Wukong will be difficult; you go and lend him a hand, and bring Sun Wukong to see me."

Ao Bing answered solemnly, "Understood!" and quickly left.

...

Above East Sea Huaguo Mountain, the White Clouds tumbled, and the atmosphere was spectacular, with countless Heavenly Soldiers and Generals standing atop the clouds, looming over Huaguo Mountain. Leading them was none other than Demon Suppressing Marshal Li Jing.

On Huaguo Mountain, seventy-two Demon Kings gathered, leading numerous Demons, all sorts of wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, brandishing weapons, dancing with spears and swords, roaring and brawling there. The whole Huaguo Mountain surged with Demon Qi, immense and boundless.