Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 99 Step Back

Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Step Back

Tongming Hall.

Taibai Jinxing recounted Wukong’s actions in the Earthly Fiends Division in great detail, and concluded with praise, "Your Majesty possesses insight like a blazing torch. Even I had not noticed that, apart from his unexpected strength, the Great Sage also possesses such military talent.

From establishing his might to gaining trust, every word and action followed a clear method, easily gaining basic control over the complex situation in the Earthly Fiends Division."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, feeling equally surprised in his heart, but his expression remained as serene as clouds and as light as the breeze. He said, "Don’t be hasty in your flattery, the Ji brothers may be of no great use, but Ziwei and Hook Chen must not be underestimated.

The two brothers, one versed in the pen and the other in the sword; if Wukong can get past this hurdle, then he would truly be formidable."

"Your Majesty sees every detail; you will surely help the Great Sage turn calamities into blessings!" Taibai Jinxing quickly said.

"I never said I would send you down this time, so what are you worried about?" the Jade Emperor turned and glanced at him,

"This servant thanks His Majesty for the heavenly grace!" Taibai Jinxing bowed respectfully and breathed a sigh of relief.

His Majesty had ordered Wukong to take charge of the Earthly Fiends Division, and soon he would descend to the mortal world to join forces with the Martial Emperor in a campaign against the Demon Sect.

Recently, he had also been observing Wukong and the Earthly Fiends Division upon imperial orders, which worried him—he feared His Majesty might casually order him to join the army descending to the mortal world to vanquish demons.

In his view, fighting and killing were the dullest affairs. No one could win a hundred battles out of a hundred, and should he encounter a powerful foe, his life could be lost in an instant.

Therefore, it was best to stay obediently in the Heavenly Court, by His Majesty’s side.

...

In the northern part of Heavenly Court lies the North Star Ziwei, atop which a magnificent and majestic palace stands.

Su Hu rushed here, and after being announced by the guards, was permitted to enter the hall.

He saw a handsome young man, dressed in red imperial robes, sitting loftily upon the throne.

Below him stood a young man who bore a resemblance to him, his face a mix of anger and anxiety.

These two were none other than Ziwei Great Emperor Bo Yikao and his brother Ji Shuming.

"I pay my respects to Ziwei Great Emperor." Su Hu bowed respectfully.

"Dispense with the formalities." Ziwei Great Emperor said with a smile, raising his hand.

Ji Shuming quickly inquired, "General Su, has that demon monkey Sun Wukong made any other moves after defeating Yuan Hong?"

"I was just about to report this to the Great Emperor," said Su Hu resentfully. "That Sun Wukong is exceedingly arrogant; not only does he treat the Earthly Fiends Division as his own, but he also spoke disrespectfully of the Great Emperor,

claiming that the division’s military resources should be distributed according to his own rules, as if he intends to break away from the Great Emperor’s control."

"Insolent, utterly insolent!" Ji Shuming raged, "Elder brother, why not ask Changsheng Great Emperor and Hook Chen Great Emperor to intervene, and urge the Heavenly Emperor to issue a decree to quickly dismiss this demon? How can the position of Marshal of the Earthly Fiends Division be seized by a demon monkey!"

Ziwei Great Emperor’s expression remained calm as he looked at Su Hu: "Tell me everything about Sun Wukong’s words and actions, in detail."

Su Hu was moved, but dared not conceal anything and hastily narrated all the actions of Sun Wukong since arriving at the Earthly Fiends Division.

When he heard that Sun Wukong wanted to inspect the military officers’ roster and the military provisions ledger, Ziwei Great Emperor nodded lightly: "He knows the military well; no wonder His Majesty has called upon him to take over the Earthly Fiends Division."

Ji Shuming pressed urgently, "Elder brother, are we just going to let this go? Was it not Xu Gai who should take charge of the Earthly Fiends Division?"

He detected the implication in Ziwei Great Emperor’s words, acknowledging Sun Wukong’s position as the Marshal of Earthly Fiends Division.

Previously, upon hearing the announcement from the heavenly soldiers that His Majesty had appointed the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, as Marshal of the Earthly Fiends Division, he deliberately left the division’s camp.

This act had already offended Sun Wukong, and if he were to work under this demon monkey in the future, he would undoubtedly face obstruction at every turn.

This was not malicious conjecture; when Sun Wukong served as the Vice Hall Master of the Refining Fire Hall, he made it difficult for his brother Ji Shuqian to fulfill the purchasing orders, sending him to the mortal world to search for Artifact Refining materials.

A full thirty years have passed, and he has yet to return to Heavenly Court.

And Sun Star Lord Xu Gai was a great general under Ziwei Great Emperor and even more so his good friend. Up to now, he had always been the most promising candidate to take over the command of the Earthly Fiends Marshal.

If Xu Gai became the Earthly Fiends Marshal, then the Earthly Fiends division would truly be under the control of Ziwei Great Emperor.

At this moment, Ziwei Great Emperor remained calm but spoke astonishing words, "Shuming, go and tender your resignation to Sun Wukong, and ask him to request from His Majesty the Jade Emperor permission for you to leave the Earthly Fiends division."

"Great brother!" Ji Shuming’s eyes widened.

They hadn’t even fought, and they were admitting defeat? And what’s more, they were voluntarily retreating!

Ziwei Great Emperor ignored him and said to Su Hu, "General Su, if you feel uncomfortable, you may also leave the Earthly Fiends division. I will temporarily arrange for you to be stationed elsewhere.

However, by doing so, I’m afraid it might inconvenience you for a while."

Su Hu was originally surprised, but upon hearing the latter part, he solemnly paid his respects and said, "Su Hu will comply with whatever the Great Emperor arranges."

Seeing this, Ji Shuming could only suppress his anger and pay his respects reluctantly.

Impulsive as he was, he dared not disobey the word of his elder brother, Ziwei Great Emperor.

The two took their leave, heading for the Earthly Fiends division.

Ziwei Great Emperor sat alone in the slightly dim great hall, lost in thought for a long time. Finally, he sighed, "Sometimes one must step back in order to see the current situation more clearly."

After all, Sun Wukong was a man of His Majesty the Jade Emperor.

...

At this moment, inside the Commander’s Main Hall, the Azure Dragon Star Lord Deng Jiugong, one of the Divine Skills generals, was paying his respects to the Earthly Fiends Marshal, Sun Wukong.

In Wukong’s heart, this astute old man was no less capable than Yuan Hong, and thus he valued him highly.

Back in the Divine Enthronement War, after Wen Zhong met his end at Juelong Ridge, it was Deng Jiugong who took over as the Shang Dynasty’s Great Marshal of Soldiers and Horses.

And Yuan Hong was the last marshal of the Shang Dynasty.

The capabilities of these two Shang marshals each had their own areas of strength, one in planning, the other in combat, perfectly serving as his left and right arms.

Moreover, according to the speculations of netizens on Zhinu, due to his daughter Deng Chanyu being manipulated, Deng Jiugong supposedly would not side with the Zhou camp after Divine Enthronement.

This could be discerned when he was checking the military officer roster and the supply ledgers earlier on.

As these thoughts flickered through Wukong’s mind, he asked, "What brings General Deng here?"

Deng Jiugong solemnly paid his respects, "I’ve come to thank the Marshal for saving my daughter from dire peril."

Knowing the answer but pretending ignorance, Sun Wukong smiled and said, "The death of General Tu was by Bai He’s hand; what does it have to do with me?"

Deng Jiugong hurriedly replied, "If it weren’t for the Marshal’s vast Divine Skills and inventing the method of the Spirit Guiding Instrument, which led to their mutual destruction, how could General Tu have met his demise?"

Sun Wukong was flattered by such compliments and laughingly said, "Since that’s the case, there’s no need for further thanks. In the future, just dedicate yourself to your duties in the Earthly Fiends division. That would be helping me, old Wukong."

Deng Jiugong earnestly paid homage, "The Marshal just needs to give his orders; I, Deng Jiugong, will give my wholehearted efforts!"

Sun Wukong was delighted, "Haha, good! With the old general’s assistance, old Wukong feels more at ease!"

He then pulled Deng Jiugong aside to gain a detailed understanding of the specific situations of the various units and camps within the Earthly Fiends division.

The previous roster and ledger only allowed him to understand the overview.

Moments later, the guard outside the hall reported that the Divine Skill general, General Su of the Earth, and General Ji of the Lake, Ji Shuming, had come to pay their respects.

"Hehe, they’ve finally arrived!" A glint flashed in Sun Wukong’s eyes.

He knew this signaled Ziwei Great Emperor making a move.