"How come? Still standing there without moving!" The Heavenly River water soldiers saw Sun Wukong standing expressionless and reached out to push him.
"Hmm, you monkey has some strength!" The Heavenly River water soldiers pushed twice but couldn't move Sun Wukong. The force in their hands grew stronger, their faces turned red, yet Sun Wukong remained motionless.
"Hey, I say, stop playing around and quickly get rid of this monkey. We have to change shifts later." Another Heavenly River water soldier thought his companion was intentionally doing this to relieve boredom.
"Something's not right. This person is skilled. Quick, come and help... Ah!" Before he could finish his words, he was sent flying, crashing heavily next to his companion.
"You two blind fools, today, I, Monkey King, must teach you a lesson!"
Sun Wukong leaped up, using a sweeping kick to knock down the other water soldier still standing. Then, he delivered a series of punches and kicks to both, rendering them helpless, crying for mercy.
Just then, a deep voice rang out near Sun Wukong, "Who is this immortal showing off his might in my Heavenly River territory?"
As the voice spoke, a divine general descended from the sky. The general was clad in golden armor, radiating a majestic aura. With a handsome and gentle appearance, he carried an air of self-imposed authority stronger than the Bull Demon King!
Sun Wukong's heart skipped a beat. While he knew that General Tianpeng was formidable, he hadn't expected him to be this powerful!
Considering his identity as one of the Four Saints under the Northern Purple Emperor, General Tianpeng held an immensely high position.
In the original story, when Sun Wukong wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, he had an intense battle with the subordinate of the benevolent Saint, King Linguan. It was a fierce contest with no clear victor.
In this world, where strength was revered, especially in the military, King Linguan could compete evenly with Sun Wukong. This indicated the terrifying strength of Benevolent Saint.
And this Benevolent Saint was only the deputy to General Tianpeng!
"General, save us!" The two Heavenly River water soldiers, seeing General Tianpeng's arrival, were thrilled and immediately sought rescue.
General Tianpeng assessed Sun Wukong with a glance and said, "I assume you are the one who made a commotion in Heaven not long ago, Bi Ma Wen."
Seeing General Tianpeng's amicable attitude, Sun Wukong released the two Heavenly River water soldiers and respectfully said, "I came to the Heavenly River to make friends. These two spoke disrespectfully to me, so I had to teach them a lesson."
Initially slightly displeased with Sun Wukong, General Tianpeng softened when he observed his subordinates' expressions and heard the explanation.
Look, this newcomer, who hasn't been in the Heavenly Palace for long, has already heard of my great name and even came to visit me!
Feeling proud, he tossed aside his discontent and scolded the two Heavenly River water soldiers, "Shameful fools, quickly get lost."
The two water soldiers shrank their heads. They were originally the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Seeing Sun Wukong's formidable strength and their own general not pursuing the matter, they nodded and quickly retreated.
"Your reputation precedes you, General Tianpeng, and you indeed live up to my expectations," Sun Wukong said.
General Tianpeng was momentarily taken aback. His position was lofty, and besides the Jade Emperor and the Purple Tenuity Emperor, no one had ever addressed him in such a manner. He immediately burst into laughter and said, "You, Bi Ma Wen, are truly extraordinary. Come, let's go inside."
With that, he invited Sun Wukong to his marshal's residence, arranged a feast, and the two enjoyed wine and conversation.
Sun Wukong, housing a soul from the 21st century, often spoke astonishing words, earning praise from General Tianpeng. The two conversed joyfully.
Sun Wukong stared at the nine-toothed rake that General Tianpeng always kept by his side and asked, "You, the Marshal of the Heavenly River's 800,000 water troops, why are you wielding a rake used for farming?"
Taking a sip of wine, General Tianpeng chuckled, "Your drinking capacity is decent, but your observation skills are lacking. Can an ordinary farming rake compare to the one I hold?"
Sun Wukong, brimming with interest, asked, "Does your rake have a remarkable origin?"
General Tianpeng took another sip of wine and, slightly intoxicated, said, "Listen to me. This nine-toothed rake was co-designed by the Five Emperors of the Five Directions. Huode Star spewed fire, the Six Ding and Six Jia assisted, and Laozi personally wielded the hammer to forge this divine weapon! When I achieved the Dao and became a Grand Luo, the Jade Emperor appointed me as the Heavenly River Marshal and bestowed upon me this nine-toothed rake!"
Hearing this, Sun Wukong silently pondered the information contained in these words and said, "So, your nine-toothed rake is indeed a treasure!"
General Tianpeng replied, "Treasure, when it comes to treasures, do you know what the most precious thing in the world is?"
Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned and asked, "What is it?"
With a smile, General Tianpeng said, "The most precious thing in the world is naturally the hearts of two individuals who love each other sincerely."
As he spoke, his eyes began to look distant, and a sorrowful expression appeared on his face. Muttering to himself, he said, "The husband has intentions, but the wife is indifferent. I had sincere feelings for Fairy Chang'e, but she turned a blind eye to me. Alas, to achieve the affection of the fairy, what does this rake matter?"
Sun Wukong said, "If you like her, then go after her."
General Tianpeng sighed deeply, with a lonely expression, waved his hand, and said, "You don't understand."
Sun Wukong said, "Isn't it just wooing someone? That's not difficult. Let me teach you a few moves, and I guarantee that Chang'e will be smitten with you."
With wide eyes, General Tianpeng asked, "You, this monkey, understand love too?"
Looking at him disdainfully, Sun Wukong said, "As long as you learn these three moves from me, there's no woman you can't win over."
With a skeptical look, General Tianpeng, with a try-it-out attitude, asked, "What are these three moves?"