Lingxiao Palace of the Heavenly Palace
"Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, there's news from the Western Paradise. The Peng Demon King, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, and Bodhisattva Manjushri's mount, the green-furred lion and the yellow-fanged elephant, have rebelled against the Western Paradise. They have fled in the company of the Yellow Wind Monster and their whereabouts are currently unknown. Furthermore, Sun Wukong, who had been conferred the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha, engaged in a fight with Tathagata for some unknown reason. Having been defeated, he has also fled Spiritual Mountain. The Messenger of the Altar Zhu Bajie, the Golden Body Arhat Sha Wujing, have also escaped. It is presumed they are likely to return to Flower Fruit Mountain."
"Hahaha, this is good news! That fellow has finally started trouble with Tathagata. It seems even their place isn't peaceful anymore. What do you all say, will that monkey also make a big commotion at Spiritual Mountain?"
"Your Majesty, this servant thinks there's something fishy about this matter. Sun Wukong has stayed in Western Paradise for several hundred years, why would he suddenly have a dispute with Tathagata? I fear that something is amiss."
"The Platinum Star of the White Emperor, you are not ignorant of that monkey's temperament. Even without a reason, he would stir up trouble. These several hundred years, I suppose the monkey had endured enough. Hehe, my loving subject, there's no need for excessive concern. Over this century, my Heaven has not been idle. If that monkey dares to cause another uproar, I will ensure he comes but cannot leave. Now then, do the rest of you have any matters to report?"
"Your Majesty, recently, the demonic creatures of the lower realms have shown signs of restlessness, with frequent and highly secretive communications amongst the various Demon Kings. Additionally, the Macaque King, one of the Seven Great Sages of the past, has appeared in Northern Jambudvipa, but it is unknown for what purpose. This servant wonders if it might be time to dispatch troops..."
"Such a mere macaque is not worth worrying over. Let it be. Now, if there are no other matters, let's end the court session."
Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain in Aolai Country, East Shengzhou
"Brother Monkey, this time, we might have gone a bit too far. If we lose, your brother Pig here might never see Chang'er again," Bajie said as he ate.
"Fool, if you're scared, you don't have to join in. I never forced you."
"No, no, that's not it. Your brother Pig has also endured in silence for several hundred years. Initially, it was all for the hope of returning to the Heavenly Palace, and I bore much. But in the end? I am still this pig. I, old Pig, have thought it over and hold no hope for the Heavenly Palace anymore. If we win this time, I will live in seclusion with Chang'er away from this world and strive to cultivate and shed this pig form. If we lose, it's not scary either—we'll just return to the Six Paths of Reincarnation."
"And you, Sandy?"
"The decision made by Big Brother is also that of old Sandy. Win or lose, as long as I can be with my brothers, old Sandy is willing."
"Haha, truly worthy of being a Brother of Sun Wukong. It's a pity Master isn't here, or the five disciples could have been all together. Tomorrow, everything will depend on tomorrow."
"Big Brother, where has Master gone anyway? We haven't seen him once in the several hundred years at Spiritual Mountain."
"Old Sandy, do you still remember the Kingdom of Women we visited during our journey to the West?"
"Aye, I remember, every citizen in the Kingdom of Women was as beautiful as a flower."
"Of course, you remember. If Big Brother hadn't fetched the antinatal water, you'd probably have a whole nest of piglets by now, hahaha."
"Shut it, it's all because you, you foul monkey, deliberately made a fool of me. Old Pig here lost face so bad, I don't know how I'll ever face Chang'er again."
"Since you remember the Kingdom of Women, do you also remember the Queen of the Kingdom of Women?"
"The one who wanted to be joined in wedlock with Master?"
"Yes, now, it's the tenth incarnation of that very Queen. Master has… gone to resolve this tie."
"I knew it, Master never stopped thinking about the Queen of the Kingdom of Women, and you didn't believe me. You don't understand what true love is."
"Enough talk, let's all rest. Tomorrow, we will face a great battle."
"Brother Monkey, your brother Pig has a question, but I am not sure if I should ask it, fearing it might anger you."
"You have something you're embarrassed to ask? Go ahead, ask away."
"Brother Monkey, between all the demon soldiers and demon generals in our Flower Fruit Mountain, we number no more than over a hundred thousand. Apart from the three of us, there isn't really anyone else capable of fighting. Just relying on us, can we win?"
"Fool, so that's what worries you. Rest easy, rest easy. When have I, Old Sun, ever engaged in something I was not sure of? We will have demon soldiers, we will also have demon generals, and even, there might be some surprises beyond your imagination."
"Always so mysterious, Brother Monkey, you're being unfair. But whatever, let's wait for tomorrow. After a good meal, your brother Pig will go on a killing spree. Let them all see the imposing might of the once Tianpeng Marshal."
That night on top of Flower Fruit Mountain, a monkey sat quietly, staring at the star-filled sky, perhaps lost in thought. After a long while, the monkey reached up and touched his head, then plucked out a single monkey hair and transformed it into a golden hoop, which he put on his head.
"Heh heh, this looks more handsome."
The next day, in Lingxiao Palace
"Report, report, report, this is, this is a great disaster."
"Who is in the hall? Why such a panic? What kind of decorum is this?"
"Your, your Majesty the Jade Emperor, there's a great disaster."
"Giant Spirit God, how could you be so impolite."
"Your, your Majesty the Jade Emperor, it's not because this soldier is being impolite, it's, it's that Sun Wukong has once again attacked the Heavenly Palace. Now he has reached the outside of the South Heaven Gate, where the Four Heavenly Kings are engaged in fierce battle. This soldier has come especially to inform the Jade Emperor."
"What, that monkey has attacked again? How is that possible? Hasn't he had a falling out with Tathagata? How does he still have the time to attack Heaven? King of the Heavenly Tower, King of the Heavenly Tower, where are you?"
There was no response in the hall.
"Where is the King of the Heavenly Tower? Has anyone seen the King of the Heavenly Tower?"
"Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, before morning court, this humble servant saw the King flying towards the direction of East Heaven Gate with the Third Prince, but the exact whereabouts are unknown."
"At this time, Li Jing has actually gone to East Heaven Gate? The God of the Warrior Star, where is the God of the Warrior Star?"
"This soldier is present."
"I now command you as the Great Marshal of Banishing Demons, to lead all the Heavenly Soldiers of Heaven to South Heaven Gate and capture the Demon Monkey Sun Wukong. You must halt him outside the South Heaven Gate."
"Yes, your servant obeys."
"Where is Wen the Great Teacher?"
"Your servant is present."
"I command you to lead the Thunder Department gods, the Nine Luminaries Celestial Lords, and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, along with the dual authorities over wind and rain, thunder and lightning, to the East Heaven Gate to pursue King of the Heavenly Tower, Li Jing. Should Li Jing show any signs of unusual activities, capture him on the spot."
"Yes, your servant obeys the order."
"The Platinum Star of the White Emperor, notify the Great Emperor Ziwu, Great Emperor Gouchen, and Hou Tu immediately to come to the Lingxiao Palace."
"Yes, your humble servant obeys the order."
"Thousand Li Eye."
"Your minor officer is present."
"Head immediately to the Star Dou Great Hall, and inform the Stars of the Southern and Northern Dippers to come and assist us in the fight."
"Yes, your minor officer receives the command."
"Favorable Wind Ear."
"Your minor officer is present."
"Set off at once to Guanjiangkou and summon the Erlang God here to help in the battle. Also, have him lead the Meishan brothers and 1,200 grass-headed gods."
"Yes, your minor officer receives the command."
"Martial Virtue Celestial Lord."
"Your subordinate is present."
"Go to Spiritual Mount immediately and request Buddha to come here. Tell him the Demon Monkey Sun Wukong is causing trouble again."
"Yes. Your subordinate obeys the command."
After issuing a series of orders, the Jade Emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, what the Jade Emperor did not know was that at this very moment, Heaven was already surrounded on all sides.
"Brother Monkey, where are the reinforcements you mentioned? The South Heaven Gate is about to be taken down. If they don't arrive soon, we'll be marching upon the Lingxiao Palace."
"Fool, what's the hurry? As soon as we take down the South Heaven Gate, lead some demon soldiers immediately towards the Heavenly River. Break through the riverbed, and you'll find our helpers there."
"You wretched monkey, always bossing old Bajie around. The Heavenly River's riverbed, I can't believe you thought of that. If a squad of demon soldiers burst out from there, the Jade Emperor is in for a spectacle. Haha, old Bajie is on his way."
"Report, emergency at the South Heaven Gate! Marshal, the South Heaven Gate can't hold on much longer; that monkey is extremely formidable."
"Don't panic, go and inform the Nine Luminaries Star Lords and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions to deploy the Zhu Tian Lunar Mansions Great Formation. Use the power of the Lunar Mansions to seal the South Heaven Gate."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys the command."
Meanwhile, within the Lingxiao Palace, chaos reigned.
"Oh, Jade Emperor, what are we to do? That monkey has really gone to extremes this time. The East Heaven Gate has already fallen. Who would have thought that King of the Heavenly Tower, Li Jing, would collude with those demons? He truly harbors ulterior motives."
"The Platinum Star, what is the situation at the South Heaven Gate?"
"Reporting to the Jade Emperor, Marshal Wuqu Xing has activated the Lunar Mansions Great Formation, holding the gate for now. However, your humble servant worries about the North Heaven Gate and the West Heaven Gate—they may also be in danger."
Before The Platinum Star could finish speaking, another report came.
"Report, to inform the Jade Emperor, enemy forces from the Demon Clan have been sighted at both the West Heaven Gate and the North Heaven Gate. At the West Heaven Gate, the Bull Demon King is leading his demon soldiers in a fierce attack, while at the North Heaven Gate, two great Peng birds are using Gang Wind to destroy the gate's formation. And still, outside the North Heaven Gate lies a vast army of demons, watching closely, ready to burst forth should the gate fall."
"Two great Peng birds? Could it be the Peng Demon King? And who is the other? Investigate further and report back."
"Yes."
"Where are the Eight Immortals?"
"Your subordinates are present."
"You must rush to the Heavenly River and deploy the Eight Immortals' formation to seal the river."
"Yes."
"Your Majesty, this is the moment to deploy our troops. Why not have the Eight Immortals fortify the South Heaven Gate? If the South Heaven Gate falls, it will be the end."
"Alas, I am aware. But I always feel something is not right. This time, that monkey is truly intent on a decisive battle, utilizing the full force of the Demon Clan—we cannot be too cautious."
No sooner had the Eight Immortals left than someone else came to report.
"Report, Heavenly River has been breached. The former Tianpeng Marshal led demon soldiers to break through the riverbed, and the Flood Dragon Demon King emerged with two hundred thousand naval troops, overwhelming the eighty thousand defenders of the Heavenly River. Now, the Flood Dragon Demon King is leading his troops along the river towards the North Heaven Gate."
"Heavenly, Tianpeng? He, how could he appear at the Heavenly River? Could it, could it be..."
"Report, South Heaven Gate has fallen. The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, while setting up the Great Formation, suddenly turned and injured the Nine Luminaries Star Lords, joining the demon forces. Now, Sun Wukong leads his troops into the Ninth Layer Heavens."
The Jade Emperor slumped in defeat, thinking how Heaven, in all its glory, had been invaded by a hoard of demons in such a short time, and that so many deities had defected.
"Quick, hurry to the Thirty-Third Heaven and request the Supreme Elder Lord to take action."