Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 55: Taking Office Immediately

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Taking Office Immediately

After some brainstorming, Sun Wukong had a clear understanding of the current situation and also received two pieces of advice.

Investigate Xiao Zhen and Deng Hua’s acquaintances secretly, or wait for the smugglers to make mistakes.

These two suggestions were not mutually exclusive, he could do both.

The problem now was how to continue the investigation.

Although the case of Deng Hua’s death was not yet concluded, and he still had the imperial decree to investigate anything related to immortals, a direct and undisguised investigation would certainly alert the other party.

"Hey, why rack my brain over this!" Sun Wukong thought, it should be the Jade Emperor who was worrying.

Then, he immersed his consciousness back into his mind; he still had two treasure boxes to open.

One was a Fourth-Rank Treasure Box obtained by clearing his name, and the other a Third-Rank Treasure Box acquired by completing the glyph restoration.

"Open, open!"

[You opened the Fourth-Rank Treasure Box, congratulations on obtaining Divine Power: Samadhi True Fire, Divine Power: Three Heads and Eight Arms]

[You opened the Third-Rank Treasure Box, congratulations on obtaining a drop of Luo Tian Soul Fluid]

"Oh, two Divine Skills?" Sun Wukong was very delighted, mastering them easily as he knew one and hence knew them all.

Then, he checked the other rewards.

Luo Tian Soul Fluid: Requires demonic qi or similar to activate its poisonous properties, one drop can kill a Daluo Golden Immortal.

"Kill a Daluo Golden Immortal?" Sun Wukong was astounded, looking at the black droplet floating before him, its strange aura very familiar.

It was certain that Deng Hua was killed by this poison, though not in such a large amount, probably just a fraction of this drop.

"What a wonderful treasure, it’s a pity there’s only one drop." Sun Wukong carefully stored away the Luo Tian Soul Fluid.

After years of influence from senior netizens, he didn’t think of it as something cruel or ruthless; any treasure that could kill an enemy was a good treasure!

Next, Sun Wukong planned to find a place to enjoy himself.

Having been in heaven for so long, aside from cultivating and raising horses, he spent most of his time playing and enjoying himself everywhere, only recently becoming entangled in these matters.

However, before he could leave the Royal Horse Supervision, an official came to report that Taibai Jinxing and Mude Xingjun had arrived.

Sun Wukong knew there was something afoot and quickly tidied up to greet them.

At the gate of the Royal Horse Supervision, he saw Taibai Jinxing and Mude Xingjun waiting outside.

"Lords, what brings you to my place?" Sun Wukong greeted them with a smile.

Mude Xingjun ceremoniously saluted, but did not speak.

Taibai Jinxing, however, laughed heartily and said, "I have come to congratulate the Great Saint."

Sun Wukong was very surprised, "From where does my joy originate?"

Taibai Jinxing continued, "His Majesty remembers the Great Saint’s excellent horse-raising and recent investigative success, and has thus promoted the Great Saint as the Master of the Refining Fire Hall Weaponry, in charge of the Heavenly Weapons."

"Me, as the Master of Weaponry?" Sun Wukong was immediately puzzled, could the Jade Emperor really trust him that much?

This was obviously a continuation of his detective work, though it wasn’t specifically stated it was to investigate the weapons smuggling case, investigating Deng Hua’s death would also lead to the true criminal of the smuggling case.

Clearly, he had no reason to refuse.

"Around and around it goes, the Royal Horse Supervision returns to Lord Mude, congratulations, congrats indeed." Sun Wukong then smiled at Mude Xingjun.

"The Great Saint jests, we all serve His Majesty, and I ask for the Great Saint’s guidance in the future," Mude Xingjun replied with a small smile.

"You raise horses, I manage weapons, what can I possibly guide you on?" Sun Wukong chuckled.

"The Great Saint should know that the heavenly horses are dragon horses," Mude Xingjun said, "Each year, the Refining Fire Hall needs to take a batch of dragon scales, dragon bones, and dragon tendons from the Royal Horse Supervision to forge into armor and weapons, naturally, there will be areas where the Great Saint’s guidance is needed."

"In that case, I understand," Sun Wukong scratched his face thoughtfully, catching the subtext in Mude Xingjun’s words.

As he was leaving, he noticed that those officials from the imperial stable were all secretly pleased, prompting him to scoff, "Dear Star Lord, do give these filth a good lesson on my behalf."

"Rest assured, Great Saint, you won’t see them the next time you come," Mu De Star Lord replied with a laugh, absent the resentment and dissatisfaction from before.

"Very good, very good, Wukong shall take his leave!" Sun Wukong laughed heartily as he left, still able to hear the desperate pleas for mercy from the officials in the distance.

On the road, he asked Taibai Jinxing, "Old Star Lord, did His Majesty have any other instructions?"

Taibai Jinxing laughed, "What other instructions could there be? It’s just a reminder for the Great Saint not to forget that this case hasn’t been closed yet."

Sun Wukong feigned anger, "Is he even reasonable? He fined my salary and still expects me to do so much!"

Taibai Jinxing quickly said, "Rest assured, Great Saint, His Majesty remembers everything. Once the case is closed, there will surely be a reward."

Sun Wukong sneered, "Empty promises are easy to make, aren’t they?"

Taibai Jinxing could only respond with a forced smile, "I will definitely convey the Great Saint’s words to His Majesty."

Sun Wukong then dropped the subject, as he had no interest in matters that offered no benefits!

According to the words of online friends from before, they dislike leaders who make vain promises.

Afterward, he traveled southward, arriving at the Refining Fire Hall near the Southern Heavenly Gate.

On the way there, Sun Wukong had already gleaned a rough understanding of the Refining Fire Hall from Taibai Jinxing.

This was not just a single palace, but included one main hall, two vice halls, and four smaller auxiliary halls.

The premises housed the Armory Department, Supply Procurement Department, Forging Department, and Craftwork Department.

Each department was managed by officials, all supported by celestial officials on either side.

Above these four departments were two Vice Hall Masters, Tufu Xingjun and Huofu Xingjun, each managing two departments, with the Armory Department and Supply Procurement Department under the jurisdiction of Tufu Xingjun.

The entire Refining Fire Hall belonged to the Heavenly Fire Department, with the Hall Master being Huo De Star Lord.

The arrival of Sun Wukong caused a stir among the department heads on duty, who had all witnessed Sun Wukong’s imposing presence at the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

Upon learning that Sun Wukong was the new Armory Head, the three officials were all shocked.

Although they all held the same rank, due to Sun Wukong being a Daluo Golden Immortal and the esteemed Great Sage Equalling Heaven with superior immortality talismans, they had to respectfully greet him.

"Greetings, Great Sage Equalling Heaven!"

"Please, there’s no need for formalities," Sun Wukong said very smugly, while not forgetting to keenly observe the three of them.

The General of Supply Procurement, Tiangui Xingjun, flashed a glint of sullenness in his eyes, seeming displeased.

The General of Forging, Lishi Xingjun, was a simple giant, who looked rather naïve and only managed to smile upon seeing him, appearing even happier than he was.

The General of Craftwork, Guchen Xingjun, appeared rather stern, but was the most respectful among them.

After meeting with these three, Sun Wukong together with Taibai Jinxing went to meet the two vice hall masters.

Both vice hall masters had already been waiting outside the hall due to Sun Wukong’s strength and high rank of immortality talismans.

"Greetings, Great Saint," Tufu Xingjun and Huofu Xingjun greeted with respect.

"Please, there is no need for formalities," Sun Wukong continued with a smile, waving his hand.

He noticed that Huofu Xingjun and earlier, Guchen Xingjun, both showed great deference.

As for Tufu Xingjun, his sleazy demeanor made his smile particularly unsightly.

Sun Wukong had a rather distinct impression of him; not long ago at the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, when he had spoken disrespectfully, suggesting that the Saint from the Dispelling Teachings might have died, this scoundrel had also joined in the outcry.

Meanwhile, Taibai Jinxing, standing by and watching, couldn’t quite decide what to say, unsure who exactly was the superior and who was the subordinate here.

It was only when he went to the main hall to meet Huo De Star Lord that there seemed to be a proper greeting.