The Jade Emperor, upon hearing these words, was filled with anger, "Not only the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas but even the Yama Kings of the underworld have joined in. Do they not know who is the master of the Three Realms!"
Suppressing his anger, he said, "Yama King, you should return to the underworld for now. I will send troops to capture that demon monkey!"
King Qinguang nodded and withdrew.
Looking at the various heavenly officials and generals below, the Jade Emperor asked, "Do any of you know when this demon monkey was born and how he cultivated such abilities?"
Just then, two divine officials emerged from among the heavenly beings. It was Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Averse Ear.
They said, "Your Majesty, this demon monkey was born three hundred years ago as a stone monkey. At that time, we didn't pay much attention, and we don't know where he cultivated to become an immortal. He subdued dragons and tigers, erased his name from the Book of Life and Death, and caused the monkeys of Flower-Fruit Mountain to have an extended lifespan."
The Jade Emperor's eyes flickered. Among the Three Realms, only a few individuals could hide the traces of the monkey demon from the heavenly court. One of them must be involved.
He said, "Which heavenly general will go down to subdue this demon?"
Without delay, Tai Bai Jin Xing stepped forward and bowed, "I, Tai Bai Jin Xing, shall go down. I suggest Your Majesty issue a decree to invite him to the heavenly realm. If he is willing to obey, grant him a position and record his name on the official rolls. If he defies the heavenly decree, we can capture him without causing unnecessary trouble, and it will also conform to the way of immortals."
The words of Tai Bai Jin Xing were reasonable, leaving no room for objection. The Jade Emperor looked at the various heavenly officials below. Apart from a few close ones, most of them did not recognize his authority. Even Tai Bai Jin Xing acted according to the orders of the Supreme Old Lord.
Well, let's first invite the stone monkey to ascend to the heavenly realm, investigate his true intentions, and, if possible, use him to disrupt the plans of that individual. The Jade Emperor's mood improved slightly, "Agreed according to your proposal."
With that, he ordered Wen Qu Xing Jun to draft an imperial edict, instructing Tai Bai Jin Xing to invite the monkey demon.
Tai Bai Jin Xing received the edict and went outside the Southern Heavenly Gate. Riding on auspicious clouds, he headed straight for Flower-Fruit Mountain and the Water Curtain Cave.
In no time, he arrived outside the Water Curtain Cave. A little monkey hurriedly blocked his way.
Tai Bai Jin Xing said, "I am a celestial being sent by the Heavenly Court, holding a decree from the Jade Emperor. I request the Great Sage to go to the heavenly realm promptly and receive the heavenly record."
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong realized that his journey to the heavenly court was about to begin. His heart was filled with both excitement and uneasiness.
He said, "These past few days, I've been contemplating a visit to the heavens. It seems the heavenly officials are well-informed. Please bring the envoy in."
With that, he went to the entrance to welcome Tai Bai Jin Xing. Tai Bai Jin Xing walked directly inside and said, "I am Tai Bai Jin Xing from the Western Heaven, and I bring a decree from the Jade Emperor. You are invited to ascend to the heavenly realm, where you shall be granted a position and recorded in the official rolls."
Sun Wukong replied, "Invite me? I wonder what position the Jade Emperor is planning to bestow upon me. If it's a minor position, I won't go."
Tai Bai Jin Xing said, "The specifics will become clear once you arrive. Now, please expedite your journey to the heavenly court. You should meet the Jade Emperor as soon as possible."
Sun Wukong agreed, "In that case, I will accompany you to the heavenly realm."
After giving some instructions to the monkeys, Sun Wukong and Tai Bai Jin Xing soared into the sky on their respective clouds.
Sun Wukong was aware that his visit to the heavenly court could bring him great benefits. Besides the golden pills in the alchemy furnace of the Supreme Old Lord, just the peaches from the Queen Mother could provide him with immense benefits.
In the sky, Sun Wukong felt dissatisfied with the slow speed of Tai Bai Jin Xing's cloud-walking technique. He declared, "Your cloud-walking technique is too slow, Old Man. I'll go on ahead."
Saying so, he somersaulted away, leaving Tai Bai Jin Xing far behind, and soon arrived outside the Southern Heavenly Gate.
The gatekeeper, General Zeng Zhang Tian Wang, saw a stone monkey attempting to enter the Southern Heavenly Gate and immediately stopped him. He shouted, "Bold demon monkey! This is the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court. Leave immediately!"
Sun Wukong glared, saying, "It was the Jade Emperor himself who invited me. Dare you not let me in!"
The Gatekeeper General, Zeng Zhang Tian Wang, upon hearing this, burst into laughter and mocked, "You demon monkey, have you no shame? You're just a demon who descended to the mortal realm, with a lowly and humble status. How could you dare to claim you've heard the summons of the Jade Emperor?"
Enraged, Sun Wukong shouted, "You mere gatekeeper, how dare you insult me like this! Taste my cudgel!" He pulled out the Golden Cudgel and was about to strike Zeng Zhang Tian Wang.
At that moment, Tai Bai Jin Xing finally arrived and stood between Sun Wukong and Zeng Zhang Tian Wang, saying, "Great Sage, you must not act recklessly. This is a crucial area at the Southern Heavenly Gate. We should quickly proceed to meet the Jade Emperor."
Sun Wukong retorted, "You, old man of Venus, are truly cunning! You claim to invite me on behalf of the Jade Emperor, yet you let others block my way and prevent me from entering?"
Tai Bai Jin Xing smiled and said, "Great Sage, calm down. You have never been to the heavenly court before. Zeng Zhang Tian Wang is not acquainted with you, so how could he allow you to enter freely? Once you've met the Jade Emperor, received the heavenly decree, and been recorded in the celestial rolls, the Southern Heavenly Gate will be open to you."
Sun Wukong grumbled, "If that's the case, so be it. I'll forgive the gatekeeper then."
Zeng Zhang Tian Wang and the other heavenly soldiers glared at Sun Wukong with resentment, wishing they could execute him on the spot.
Tai Bai Jin Xing, seeing the situation, quickly said, "Zeng Zhang Tian Wang, this is an immortal from the mortal realm. I have the decree from the Jade Emperor to invite him to the Lingxiao Hall."
Hearing that it was a genuine summons from the Jade Emperor, although reluctant, Zeng Zhang Tian Wang had no choice but to let Sun Wukong pass and enter the Southern Heavenly Gate.