Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 41 Let’s get started

Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Let’s get started

After the court was dismissed, Martial Emperor and Taibai Jinxing followed His Majesty the Jade Emperor to Miro Palace Hall of Universal Brightness.

The Jade Emperor changed into a pale moon-colored robe and lay back leisurely on a soft couch, listening to Taibai Jinxing recount more about Sun Wukong’s experiences investigating the case in the lower realm.

"Your Majesty, Sun Wukong’s talent is as exceptional as his strength," Taibai Jinxing finally praised. "Your servant congratulates Your Majesty on acquiring another fine talent!"

"Indeed, it’s quite unexpected," said the Jade Emperor, his fingers lightly tapping on his leg as if he were plotting something. "Sending him to tend horses was somewhat beneath his abilities."

Taibai Jinxing, with a smile, did not join the conversation, knowing that the Emperor had his own thoughts and as a subject, he could not presume to make decisions for His Majesty.

Martial Emperor stood by, still serious and not given to frivolity.

"Let’s not talk about him for the moment," the Jade Emperor continued. "What about that mysterious shadow, can we be sure who it is?"

"Your Majesty, it’s undoubtedly the demonic cult," Martial Emperor said, bowing respectfully. "As for who it is, that remains unclear. I have not seen them before, and with full demon tattoos, their appearance is hard to discern."

"Take a guess," said the Jade Emperor.

"Sun Wukong speculated that it might be someone from the Buddhist sect," Martial Emperor replied.

"Your Majesty, those are but jesting words," Taibai Jinxing hastened to say.

"I am not afraid, why should you be?" said the Jade Emperor, glancing at him.

"Your servant deserves death!" Taibai Jinxing hurriedly bowed.

"Be silent," the Jade Emperor withdrew his gaze and turned to Martial Emperor. "Now tell me what you think."

"Your servant thinks that what Sun Wukong said makes sense and is worth looking into," Martial Emperor replied.

"Carry out the investigation in secret, do not draw attention," the Jade Emperor mused. He understood the implications of an artifact and reincarnation; did a small cult really think they could rebel? Clearly, there was much more hidden behind this.

"Your servant understands," Martial Emperor replied, his expression unchanged. Then a gleaming broadsword appeared in his hand, and he addressed the Emperor solemnly, "Your Majesty, see this, what is it?"

How could the Jade Emperor not recognize the standard issue weapon of the heavenly soldiers? He held the broadsword in his hands and examined it closely, scoffing, "Their audacity grows, it seems they have forgotten who the Heavenly Emperor is."

He then looked at Taibai Jinxing. "Changgeng, what do you think?"

"Your servant is ignorant, whatever Your Majesty says is correct," Taibai Jinxing quickly responded with a bow.

"Go and investigate the Refining Fire Hall," ordered the Jade Emperor with a wave of his hand.

"Your servant takes his leave," Taibai Jinxing said, relieved, bowing and backing out of the Hall of Universal Brightness.

Flying away on clouds for a great distance, he looked back at the grand palace before shaking his head with a sigh, inwardly complaining, "Martial Emperor, oh Martial Emperor, couldn’t you have waited until I had left before producing that weapon?

Trees long for calm, but the wind will not cease. May I, Li Changgeng, escape the storm that is to come."

Inside the Hall of Universal Brightness.

The Jade Emperor glanced outside. "That excessively cautious and indolent fellow is surely blaming you in his heart right now."

Martial Emperor frowned. "He, too, is talented; Your Majesty should not allow him to continue acting this way. When your servant leaves the Heavenly Court, Your Majesty will need a reliable person by your side."

"So eager to leave already?" asked the Jade Emperor with a smile.

"Since the beginning of my cultivation, I have sworn to eliminate those evil demons," Martial Emperor replied gravely. "Now that I have achieved some cultivation, it is time to fulfill my oath, and incidentally, to trace the whereabouts of that demonic cult shadow."

"Indeed," agreed the Jade Emperor with a nod, "I have suddenly appointed you as an Emperor, catching them off guard. You must now demonstrate the dignity befitting a Great Emperor and silence their criticism."

"I have already resigned from the post of Earthly Fiends Marshal. What more can they say?" True Martial scoffed coldly.

The military forces of the Heavenly Court were mainly divided into the Celestial Thearchs and the Earthly Fiends, the former defending the Heavenly Palace and the latter campaigning across the Three Realms, subjugating the insubordinate.

Both marshals held high positions and wielded great power within the Heavenly Court.

Just now, within the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, various marshals and divine generals had clamored to fight, descending to the lower realm to capture the Six-Eared Macaque, vying for the vacant position of the Earthly Fiends Marshal.

However, His Majesty the Jade Emperor did not grant their wishes, but only ordered the Duke of Effulgence to descend to the lower realm, commanding all mountain gods to track down the Six-Eared Macaque without granting military authority.

"Now without troops at your command, you only have five hundred spirit officers, which is indeed less burdensome," the Jade Emperor said again.

"Each of my five hundred spirit officers is capable of holding their own," True Martial’s face finally revealed a hint of a smile, "Descending to suppress demons and evil, it’s actually more convenient to act with them. Though the troops of Earthly Fiends are numerous, they can be cumbersome."

"Very well, I shall not keep you then," the Jade Emperor said with a smile, "Go make a name for yourself in the lower realm. When the time comes, I shall personally celebrate your achievements.

As for my safety, you need not worry. Now that Sun Wukong is here, what is there to fear?"

"With that, Your Majesty, take care. I shall take my leave," True Martial bowed once again, and, with a hand on his treasured sword, he turned and strode away.

The Jade Emperor rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back, his penetrating gaze sweeping over the Heavenly Holy Realm bathed in rosy clouds and auspicious vapors, and softly murmured, "Then let it begin."

...

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, led by the Wood Deity, arrived at the Horse Administration.

On the way, he was surprised to learn that the Wood Deity was the former head manager of the Horse Administration. After being promoted to Wood Deity, the position had been left vacant, and to this day, remains unoccupied.

Now that he was taking over the Horse Administration, the past manager was escorting him to his new post.

What surprised Sun Wukong even more was that the Wood Deity, having brought him to the doorstep, had no intention of going inside.

"Great Saint, this is the Horse Administration. Please allow this subordinate to take his leave," the Wood Deity said respectfully. Although his rank was high, his level of immortal record was not as high as that of the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, nor was his strength, so he did not dare show any negligence.

"What, you won’t go in with me for introductions?" inquired Sun Wukong.

"The Horse Administration’s celestial steeds number only a thousand, and there are but a dozen or so officials, large and small. The Great Saint need only take a look inside to know everything, no need for this subordinate to make introductions." The Wood Deity glanced at the great door of the Horse Administration, his tone carrying a trace of grievance and dissatisfaction.

Sun Wukong caught on and did not insist, saying with a clasped hand, "Many thanks, Deity, for showing me the way. Old Sun shall surely return the favor in the future."

"Dare not, dare not," the Wood Deity sighed in relief and promptly took his leave.

"Hmm, interesting, very interesting," Sun Wukong mused as he watched him depart, thinking that the Wood Deity’s time in the Horse Administration must have been quite unsatisfactory.

It seems just as the seniors on the forums have said, the bureaucratic world is as deep as the ocean. Even this small Horse Administration has so many hidden complexities.

Without the numerous years of guidance from those seniors, he probably would not have noticed all these subtleties.

With his prior carefree and guileless nature, not to mention the vast Heavenly Court, even this small Horse Administration could have easily made a fool of him.

Thinking this, Sun Wukong turned his attention back to the great door of the Horse Administration, his lively eyes twinkling with mischief: "Heh, now that old Sun has arrived, if these petty officials inside don’t know their place and obstruct my leisure, they will taste the might of old Sun’s staff!"

With bold strides, he stepped through the great door of the Horse Administration and bellowed, "You rabble, Sun Wukong is here. Come out and welcome me at once!"