Entering the Southern Heavenly Gate, a completely different landscape unfolded before their eyes.
Here, clouds and mist intertwined, with myriad colors of rosy clouds and sparkling golden lights.
In the sky were thirty-three heavenly palaces, adorned with carved dragons and phoenixes on the palace walls. There were also seventy-two treasure halls, with jade unicorns adorning the pillars.
Walking along the path beneath their feet, everything was exquisite and translucent, a beautiful and fantastical sight. Even Sun Wukong, who had seen the world in his previous life, was astonished by the opulence and beauty before him.
Tai Bai Jin Xing led Sun Wukong and quickly arrived outside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. Without waiting for the Jade Emperor's summons, they passed the guarding general and went straight to the front.
Inside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the celestial officials secretly assessed Sun Wukong, trying to figure out who this chess piece was.
Approaching the front of the civil and military celestial officials, Tai Bai Jin Xing bowed. "Your servant has received orders and has brought the demonic immortal here."
Sun Wukong stood upright, feigning ignorance and reluctance, refusing to kowtow to the Jade Emperor.
Seeing an immortal step forward from the crowd, it was none other than Li Jing, the Commander-in-Chief. Li Jing glared, shouting, "Bold demon monkey, daring to not kowtow upon seeing His Majesty! You deserve death!"
Sun Wukong was taken aback. Was this guy insane? It seemed like I owed him millions, the way he was eager to condemn me to death as soon as we met.
The Jade Emperor said, "Sun Wukong is a demonic immortal from the mortal realm, newly acquiring a human body and unfamiliar with court etiquette. For now, let's forgive his transgressions."
Li Jing retorted, "Your Majesty, this demon monkey is ignorant of proper etiquette and should be held accountable!" His voice was strong and resolute, with conviction.
After hearing this, Sun Wukong raised his hand and said, "The Jade Emperor understands righteousness, and I admire that. However, this Monkey is just curious whether the Lingxiao Treasure Hall is under your authority or his!"
This cutting remark immediately frightened Li Jing, who turned pale and knelt on the ground, saying anxiously, "Your Majesty, the minister is terrified! The minister is terrified!"
The Jade Emperor, fully aware of Li Jing's character, knew he had no disloyalty in his heart. With a gentle expression, he said, "Rise, Lord Li."
He continued, "You, monkey, indeed have a sharp tongue. Look at how scared General Li is."
Li Jing slowly stood up and expressed gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your insight." He gave Sun Wukong a sharp look, conveying a clear message of "Just wait and see."
Sun Wukong stared back without hesitation, disdain and indifference apparent. Even though Li Jing held a high position in the heavenly court, Sun Wukong remained fearless.
The Jade Emperor asked, "Celestial officials, which position is currently vacant and suitable for Sun Wukong?"
The Star of Literature stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, all palaces and halls in the heavenly court are filled, but the position of chief steward at the Imperial Horse Stable is currently vacant."
The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Appoint him as the chief steward."
After arranging Sun Wukong's official position, the Jade Emperor instructed Mu De Xing Jun to take him to the Imperial Horse Stable.
On the way to the Imperial Horse Stable, Sun Wukong felt a myriad of emotions, "Now that I have become the destined chief steward, I must use this idle position to secure some benefits for myself. Above all, I must expand my social circle."
In no time, Sun Wukong arrived at the Imperial Horse Stable with Mu De Xing Jun.
Mu De Xing Jun pointed to the gate of the Imperial Horse Stable and said, "There you go, the Imperial Horse Stable." After that, he left without showing any goodwill towards Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong didn't mind and, with some anticipation, pushed open the gate of the Imperial Horse Stable.
A giant at the gate looked at the stone monkey outside and, in a moment of confusion, asked, "May I ask what brings the celestial being here?"
Sun Wukong replied, "I am the newly appointed chief steward. Hurry and open the door to let me in."
The giant at the gate looked incredulous and asked, "Are you the newly appointed chief steward?"
Seeing the doubt in the giant's eyes, Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes, and a powerful aura, like an abyss, pressed down on him. The terrifying pressure instantly overwhelmed the giant, beads of sweat the size of beans forming on his forehead. With a fearful expression, he begged for mercy, "Mercy, celestial being! Mercy!"
Sun Wukong snorted coldly, retracted the pressure, and said, "Get up and lead the way!"
The giant, in panic, stood up carefully and led Sun Wukong forward.
Inside the Imperial Horse Stable hall, upon learning Sun Wukong's identity, the chief and deputy supervisors arranged a feast to welcome him.
Sun Wukong had no interest in managing the Imperial Horse Stable. He delegated all the tasks, big and small, to the chief and deputy supervisors while he roamed freely around the Eastern and Western parts of the heavenly court, making friends.
One day, Sun Wukong lounged on the back of a celestial horse with his legs crossed, allowing the horse to gallop aimlessly.
It was unclear how long the celestial horse had been running or how far it had traveled. Suddenly, it neighed and came to a halt.
With a single leap, Sun Wukong jumped off the celestial horse.
It turned out there was a vast Milky Way stretching ahead, and the celestial horse had stopped.
Patting the horse's head and letting it return to the Imperial Horse Stable on its own, Sun Wukong flew towards the upper reaches of the Milky Way.
"Halt! Intruders, stay where you are!" Suddenly, at the upper reaches of the Milky Way, two celestial river guards with long spears blocked Sun Wukong's way.
Sun Wukong said, "I've heard that General Tian Peng is a hero. I've come to get acquainted."
One of the celestial river guards burst into laughter and disdainfully said, "Our general is one of the Four Great Generals of the North Pole. How can a little monkey like you meet him at will?"
The other celestial river guard added, "Exactly, if you don't leave now, don't blame us for being ruthless!"
Angry and annoyed, Sun Wukong thought he had tried to reason with them, but these two minor gods dared to mock and ridicule him. Did they think he had no temper?