Chapter 101: Feng Qitian, the Great Sage

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"The demon monkey is indeed hard to catch!"
The Heavenly King Zengzhang emphasized the words "hard to catch" with a heavy tone, as if mocking Li Jing standing before him. However, Li Jing pretended not to notice and simply smiled it off.
Under Yuan Wuji’s complex gaze, they returned together to the Lingxiao Palace.
The Jade Emperor seemed to have anticipated the outcome and was waiting for Li Jing’s return atop the Lingxiao Palace.
"Your Majesty, that demon monkey is truly extraordinary; we were unable to capture him," Li Jing reported.
"A mere little demon monkey, and you all failed to capture him—how am I to save face?" The Jade Emperor feigned anger as he spoke.
There are many ways to capture Sun Wukong, but this is all a performance—a play staged before the Heavenly Dao.
In Sun Wukong’s current cultivation level, he is not strong enough to protect Tang Sanzang on the journey to the West. The Buddhist sect’s opportunity for Sun Wukong still lies within the Heavenly Court; inevitably, Sun Wukong must return there.
What’s missing now is a suitable supporting actor, and naturally, none is better suited than Taibai Jinxing. Though not a being from the Investiture of the Gods era, Taibai Jinxing has risen to a position close to the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court, thanks largely to his tactful diplomacy.
"Your Majesty, if Sun Wukong can defeat Heavenly King Li, Third Prince Nezha, and the Great General of the Divine Apes, then surely his strength is extraordinary. Rather than having him oppose the Heavenly Court, why not bring him up and grant him the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’?" Taibai Jinxing suggested.
"What? That demon monkey worthy of the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’?" The Jade Emperor’s face darkened.
It’s not that the Jade Emperor wanted to end the farce of Sun Wukong in the Heavenly Court sooner; rather, his decree represents the Heavenly Court itself. To confer upon Sun Wukong the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ would be to acknowledge him as such by heaven and earth—how could he possibly agree?
But if he refuses, how can they lure Sun Wukong back to the Heavenly Court?
Taibai Jinxing also perceived the Jade Emperor’s dilemma. Though the ruler of the Heavenly Court appears magnificent, only those close to him truly understand his hardships.
Taibai Jinxing had to covertly convey to the Jade Emperor:
"Your Majesty, Sun Wukong would never dare to self-bestow the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ without Buddhist intervention. Since Buddhism is making such a move, it means they are determined to have him. If we thwart them, it will cause trouble with those above."
Hearing this, the Jade Emperor’s heart swelled with unwillingness.
Who truly rules the Heavenly Court? How is it that a mere monkey has dared to ride over me?
Clenching his fists tightly, the Jade Emperor’s deeply bottled anger seemed on the verge of eruption.
"A title is just a title. If we don’t grant him rank, it’s the same in the end."

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"Then so be it, as you say," the Jade Emperor replied wearily.
The exchanges were mostly formalities, but Yuan Wuji could sense the Jade Emperor’s profound helplessness and unwillingness. Perhaps the Jade Emperor is the most powerless sovereign—less so than emperors of the mortal realm, whose words carry absolute authority in their lands.
Taibai Jinxing was sent once more to Flower-Fruit Mountain to recruit Sun Wukong, while Yuan Wuji claimed injury from their confrontation and withdrew to recuperate. The Jade Emperor, disinterested, allowed Yuan to leave.
One day in heaven equals one year on earth. By the time Taibai Jinxing arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain, over half a month had passed. Meanwhile, Sun Wukong brooded deeply in the Water Curtain Cave about Yuan Wuji’s escape that day.
"Master, that old man who tricked you into going to heaven is here again," a monkey spirit interrupted Sun Wukong’s thoughts, rushing to his side.
"Oh? Bring him before me," Sun Wukong said thoughtfully, his eyes spinning in contemplation.
Soon, a group of monkey spirits carried Taibai Jinxing into the center of the Water Curtain Cave.
"Old Taibai, have you had enough of the Jade Emperor’s stinginess and come to join me here?" Sun Wukong stroked Taibai’s white beard playfully.
"No, no, this time I’m here to announce your ascension to heaven," Taibai Jinxing said.
"You dare mention that again? Last time you tricked me into tending your horses! What’s your plan this time?"
Feigning anger, Sun Wukong gripped his golden-banded staff, looking formidable.
"No, no, this time it’s good news. The Jade Emperor plans to confer upon you the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’."
"Really? You’re not lying to me?"
"Of course not. Master, when shall we depart for heaven?"
"As soon as possible."
After instructing some orders on Flower-Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong ascended to heaven with Taibai Jinxing.
On the way, Sun Wukong asked him:

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"Old man, in the Heavenly Court, does a higher rank mean greater power?"
"No, it mostly depends on one’s merits."
Most of the higher ranks in the Heavenly Court are held by beings from the Investiture of the Gods era. They possess the merits from the Investiture tribulation, hence their high ranks. Take Li Jing: his strength is average, but having lingered since the Investiture era, he holds the rank of Heavenly King in the Heavenly Court.
In contrast, immortals who ascend from the mortal realm lack such merits and thus cannot achieve high ranks.
Unless they have fought demons and monsters on earth; the stronger the demonic karma they eliminate, the more merits they earn.
"That’s good."
Seeing that Yuan Wuji only holds the position of Great General, Sun Wukong realized that if ranks were based on strength, he would not be so arrogant.
"Master, what do you mean?"
"Nothing much. Old man, what merits does that Divine Ape Great General have in the Heavenly Court?"
"The Divine Ape Great General? I heard he exterminated a great demon in the mortal realm, so the Jade Emperor granted him this title," Taibai Jinxing replied casually.
But he also observed Sun Wukong carefully; given Sun Wukong’s arrogant nature, if he mentioned Yuan Wuji, there must be a story behind it.
"Oh, are there any immortals in the Heavenly Court as strong as the Divine Ape Great General?" Sun Wukong asked lightly, though a trace of nervousness in his eyes did not escape Taibai Jinxing.
"Not many."
Taibai Jinxing knew what Sun Wukong was thinking and answered casually. Buddhism wants Sun Wukong’s reckless nature in the early stages to continue causing trouble, paving the way for the next move. If Sun Wukong knew there were many formidable immortals in the Heavenly Court, he would be more cautious there.
That would slow the pace of the Journey to the West, which neither side desires.
Similarly, Taibai Jinxing refrained from denying or confirming this, ensuring Sun Wukong would be somewhat restrained during his havoc in heaven, sparing the Jade Emperor embarrassment—a small consideration on Taibai Jinxing’s part.
Sure enough, upon hearing Taibai Jinxing’s words, the nervousness in Sun Wukong’s eyes vanished, but he was no longer as reckless as before. After all, Yuan Wuji had made it clear to him that the Heavenly Court was not as simple as he had imagined.