Chapter 98: Clairvoyance and Keen Hearing

Returning to Wuzhang Cave, King Yurong sensed something was amiss, though he could not discern what exactly was wrong.

As for the Monkey King and the Lion King still lingering at Flower Fruit Mountain, it was inevitable that they, too, would depart in time. To declare oneself Equal to Heaven atop Flower Fruit Mountain—such a proclamation surely did not escape their understanding. To defy the Celestial Court was not a feat mere demon kings could accomplish.

Meanwhile, Yuan Wuji, who resided within the Celestial Court, had also made his way to the Hall of Divine Majesty. This was but a minor upheaval in the saga of havoc in heaven, yet Yuan Wuji wished to witness it firsthand.

Upon the lofty throne, Martial Star knelt in the hall, his voice tinged with tears, "Your Majesty, that monkey not only scorned the lowly position bestowed upon him but has also wounded your humble servant. Now he has returned to the mortal realm."

The Jade Emperor gazed down at Martial Star, amused. The trouble he himself had stirred up, yet Martial Star wore the aggrieved look of one beset by calamity. Over the years, Martial Star had grown far more cunning.

Initially, the Jade Emperor had intended to grant Sun Wukong a minor official rank, perhaps of the fifth or sixth degree, to resolve the matter swiftly. But Martial Star had leapt forward, insisting that the only post available was Keeper of the Royal Stables. The Jade Emperor had not intervened further, for he knew Wukong would soon rebel and descend to the mortal realm; any title would make little difference. Thus, Sun Wukong was named Keeper of the Royal Stables.

Martial Star had once been soundly beaten by Yuan Wuji upon his release from isolation, so upon seeing the monkey, he couldn't help but recall that day. Seeing Sun Wukong arrive in the Celestial Court, Martial Star hurried out to meddle.

"Clairvoyant Eyes, Keen Ears, go forth and ascertain Sun Wukong's current whereabouts in the mortal world."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Yuan Wuji, observing Clairvoyant Eyes and Keen Ears for the first time, noted that their eyes and ears surpassed those of mortals, and the gleam that radiated from them bespoke extraordinary power. He stepped forward, intent on discerning the nature of this light, for it stirred a sensation of devouring within his Celestial Demon Heart. Surely, this was no ordinary phenomenon.

As Martial Star knelt, his eyes darted about. When Yuan Wuji stepped forward, Martial Star immediately caught sight of him.

"You demon monkey, you dare come to the Hall of Divine Majesty!"

Martial Star sprang to his feet, shouting at Yuan Wuji.

This act drew the attention of all within the hall. To rise without the Emperor's command? Martial Star, realizing his mistake, hastily knelt before the Jade Emperor once more.

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"Your Majesty, that demon monkey once obstructed your humble servant's duties. Now, before Your Majesty, I beseech you to punish the demon severely."

Martial Star would not admit to having been beaten by Yuan Wuji; instead, he subtly implied he was merely carrying out his official responsibilities. And here, in the Hall of Divine Majesty, Martial Star believed Yuan Wuji would not dare lay a hand on him.

Yet he failed to notice the signals from his peers—several immortals who shared amicable relations with him were casting him meaningful glances.

Martial Star did not know Yuan Wuji's true identity, but some among his acquaintances did.

"General Divine Ape, is there any truth to this?" The Jade Emperor looked to Yuan Wuji with a faint smile.

Yuan Wuji regarded the panicked Martial Star impassively. Such insignificant figures dared challenge him? Were it not for the hall, Yuan Wuji would already have struck him down.

"There is no such matter. I believe Martial Star has mistaken me for someone else."

Now that Martial Star knew who he was dealing with, he would not dare utter a word of denial, not even if he had the courage of ten men.

"It must have been a mistake, Your Majesty. Your humble servant is at fault—how could it possibly have been General Divine Ape?" Martial Star replied hurriedly.

He knew his own status, and Yuan Wuji's. Unless Martial Star had lost his wits, he would never provoke Yuan Wuji.

"Worthless!"

The speaker was not Yuan Wuji, but Nezha, whose animosity blazed at the sight of his enemy. Nezha had not realized Yuan Wuji was in the hall until Martial Star began his tirade. Though Nezha did not expect Martial Star to cause trouble for Yuan Wuji, he thought he might stir up some minor inconvenience. Yet Martial Star capitulated at the mere mention of Yuan Wuji's name, prompting Nezha, who was enjoying the spectacle, to curse him.

Martial Star recognized the insult came from Nezha, but dared not retort; Nezha's backing was far beyond what Martial Star could contend with.

"You recover quickly!"

That Nezha could recover so swiftly was no surprise to Yuan Wuji; with the skills of Taiyi True Man, such wounds would not linger.

"I will settle accounts with you sooner or later."

No one could act in the Hall of Divine Majesty; indeed, none would dare.

"Let us hope you possess the capability."

Nezha had fallen at Yuan Wuji's hands twice, losing even the Nine-Dragon Fire Shield. How could he hope to be a match? To Yuan Wuji, Nezha's words were mere bravado, uttered to preserve his dignity.

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"Settle your personal affairs elsewhere. Do not quarrel in the Hall of Divine Majesty," the Jade Emperor said, displeased.

Nezha and Yuan Wuji's behavior was a grave disrespect to the Jade Emperor. Were this an earthly royal court, they would have been dragged out and executed. Yet in the Celestial Court, things were different. Their backgrounds were formidable indeed. If Martial Star, a mortal who had cultivated to immortality, had acted so, the Jade Emperor would not have been so lenient. But neither Nezha nor Yuan Wuji were ordinary.

"Your servant obeys."

"Understood."

Within the Hall of Divine Majesty, the Jade Emperor's authority still held sway. Once he spoke, Yuan Wuji and Nezha withdrew to their original places.

As for Martial Star, the Jade Emperor, displeased with him, ordered him to leave.

Clairvoyant Eyes and Keen Ears finished their observations and returned to the hall.

"Your Majesty, Sun Wukong has now fled back to Flower Fruit Mountain, declaring himself Great Sage Equal to Heaven. The Bull Demon King and other demon kings have also proclaimed themselves Great Sages."

"What? He dares to declare himself Great Sage Equal to Heaven!" The Jade Emperor's rage was palpable.

The Buddhist order had audacity indeed, to permit a mere Taiyi Immortal monkey to claim such a title.

The Jade Emperor's face grew grim. He was the master of the Celestial Court, the Jade Emperor himself; for a monkey to claim equality with him—was this not a challenge to his supremacy?

Yet the Jade Emperor had his own constraints. Should he defy the will of that one, his position as ruler of the heavens might soon be forfeit.

"Outrageous! A mere monkey dares proclaim himself Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Your Majesty, allow me to lead the troops against Flower Fruit Mountain," spoke Li Jing.

Li Jing had received news before Sun Wukong's arrival in the Celestial Court and knew what he must do. Otherwise, with his timid nature, how could he dare to attack Flower Fruit Mountain? After all, Li Jing's cultivation was merely at the Celestial Immortal stage.

His combat prowess depended entirely on his tower. Without the Exquisite Pagoda, his strength barely surpassed that of the heavenly soldiers.

"Very well. As Li Heavenly King suggests, you shall take charge of this campaign."

Behind Li Jing stood the Lamp-Lighting Buddha. Since Li Jing was to descend and attack Flower Fruit Mountain, it was clearly a Buddhist arrangement. The Jade Emperor seized the opportunity to curry favor, letting Li Jing handle the matter. If Sun Wukong were injured, he could not answer to the Buddhist order, thus sparing himself further trouble.