Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 322 : Unity In Diversity (5)

Chapter 322: Chapter 322 : Unity In Diversity (5)

The Monkey King of the Monkey Mountain was a figure of immense power and a famous hero who was known throughout the three realms. Yet, despite his countless adventures and encounters with a vast array of women, he had never experienced the stirrings of romantic attraction.

He had encountered men and women of captivating beauty and charm from his own clan.

He had been drawn to the exceptional human ladies, their refined grace adding a touch of warmth to their endless charms.

He had witnessed the allure of gods goddesses and deities, their ethereal beauty illuminating the heavens.

And he had been captivated by the seductive charm of demonesses, their mysterious allure whispering promises of forbidden pleasures.

Yet, despite the undeniable beauty and enchantment of these men and women, the Monkey King remained untouched by the flames of love. He could appreciate their beauty, their grace, and their allure, but his heart remained unmoved, a mystery even to himself.

Until of course, he laid his eyes on Crown Prince Xie Jianyu.

Ahhh, the Crown Prince.

His beauty was not adorned with the artifice of jewels or the strokes of a paintbrush; it was an inherent grace that radiated from within, a symphony of perfection that needed no embellishment. Like a finely sculpted statue, every line and curve of his form was a testament to nature’s artistry, a harmonious blend of strength and elegance.

But no, no.

In a fit of artistic fury, the Monkey King scraped the painting he just made and crumpled it into a ball of paper waste. With a playful flick of his wrist, he sent the ball soaring through the air, aiming for a metal loop that one of his loyal subordinates had nailed into the nearby tree months ago.

The ball of paper arched gracefully through the air, its trajectory perfectly aligned with the metallic ring. As it sailed through the loop, a round of cheer erupted from the crowd of young monkeys gathered under the tree. Their joyous calls echoed through the tranquil forest, a symphony of admiration for their formidable king.

The Monkey King popped his head above the railing and grinned at the young monkeys.

"Now, who is the strongest one in this Monkey Mountain?" he asked.

"Our Monkey King is!" they replied in unison.

"And who is the most handsome one in this Monkey Mountain?" he asked again.

"Our Monkey King is!" they again replied in unison.

"And who is the bravest one in this Monkey Mountain?"

"Our Monkey King is!" a male voice was heard behind the Monkey King. One that did not belong to the monkey clan.

The Monkey King whipped around so quickly that he might snap his neck if he weren’t careful. Behind him stood Zhang Fengxi and a sour-looking man, presumably another alpha from the Heavenly Realm.

His cultivation was above the clouds, but he did not sense their presence at all.

"What are you doing in my Monkey Mountain?" he snapped. "Are you aware that you are intruding into my territory???"

Zhang Fengxi shot the ruler of the mountain a placating smile.

"Apologies. I know that I am intruding, but I don’t have time to climb up your mountain just to be granted passage. I need to see you urgently."

"Hmph!"

The Monkey King plopped down on a comfortable couch made of rattan wood and crossed one of his legs above his other leg. He leaned to the side and observed both men in front of him with sharp, keen eyes. Despite the attention he gave them, he found his interest in them waning with each passing second.

"And what is so urgent that you must forgo your manners?"

"I recall," Zhang Fengxi began, his voice a resonant melody amidst the hushed murmurs of the other members of the monkey clan, "that you were prepared to bend your knees in homage to the Crown Prince, should he ascend the throne. Has your resolve remained steadfast?"

The Monkey King’s eyes grew wide in astonishment.

"Are you telling me that the time has come for the monkey clan to join the ranks of the Heavenly Realm?"

A mysterious smile laced Zhang Fengxi’s lips as he replied, "Almost. We are here to invite the monkey clan to be part of a new reign in His Majesty the Crown Prince’s name."

"I am listening," the Monkey King said slowly. "Go on."

The Monkey King listened intently as Zhang Fengxi, the Crown Prince Consort and a general of the Heavenly Empire, recounted the recent events that had plunged the Heavenly Empire into chaos. With each passing minute, the Monkey King’s eyes smoldered with growing fury, his fiery gaze a tempest of emotions swirling beneath his placid exterior.

The Monkey King’s anger intensified whenever the name of Xie Jianyu, the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Realm, crossed Zhang Fengxi’s lips. The tales of Xie Jianyu’s resilience in the face of adversity, and his unwavering spirit amidst trials and tribulations, ignited a protective fire within the Monkey King’s heart.

As Zhang Fengxi recounted the harrowing tale of Xie Jianyu’s valiant battle against the formidable First Demon King, which resulted in him experiencing an episode of severe bleeding, both the Monkey King and Jiang Muchen ripped their eyes open in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Knowing the Monkey King’s awful temper, Zhang Fengxi was prepared to receive a punch from him across the cheek. And then another crafty one right after, courtesy of Jiang Muchen.

"You asshole!" Jiang Muchen cried out, his voice bearing testament to all the indignation he harbored against Zhang Fengxi. "How could you let my Little Uncle go through such a horrendous experience! You should consider yourself GRATEFUL that he is willing to conceive your child! You irresponsible husband, neglectful father-to-be!"

It was said that no stronger bond existed beyond a common enemy. Judging from the looks these two alphas threw each other, the idiom could not ring more true at the moment.

Zhang Fengxi wiped the ends of his bleeding mouth, masking a grin that formed around his lips.

"What is your decision?" He asked, dismissing the two punches lightly. "Are you going to fight for the Crown Prince’s sake?"

The Monkey King’s pride swelled like an inflated balloon, his chest expanding with a profound sense of self-importance.

"Without my participation, will there even be a battle?" He asked haughtily in response.