Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 180 - 181 Li Jing: Capturing Tianpeng

Chapter 180: Chapter 181 Li Jing: Capturing Tianpeng

Above the Ninth Celestial Palace.

The Orthodox Deities gathered here looked surprisingly at Marshal Tianpeng, who knelt in the center of the Ninth Celestial Palace.

They were genuinely curious, not knowing what had befallen Marshal Tianpeng.

Only Taibai Jinxing knew, and watching Marshal Tianpeng kneeling, he could not help but shake his head, an undeserved disaster indeed.

But as long as it did not involve him, he naturally would not bother with whatever would happen to Marshal Tianpeng.

What did it have to do with him, anyway?

"Marshal Tianpeng, are you aware of your crimes?"

With the Celestial Official’s loud shout,

the hall fell silent, all eyes inevitably falling on Marshal Tianpeng’s face.

Marshal Tianpeng remained with his head held high and chest out, utterly unaware of the Celestial Court’s intention to move against him.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant knows not of any crime committed!"

"Audacious! Is consorting secretly with Fairy Chang’e not considered a crime?"

The duty Celestial Official shouted loudly, interrupting Marshal Tianpeng’s words.

Marshal Tianpeng frowned and continued, "How can mere slanderous accusations count as evidence!"

The crime of private consorting between the people of Celestial Court was quite severe, and having been in the Celestial Court so long, he naturally knew he could not admit to it.

Besides, now being accused of involvement with Chang’e, Marshal Tianpeng hurriedly defended himself.

At that moment, he could not help but remember his Honorable Master mentioning that his destined calamity was related to Chang’e.

Could it be because of his past actions...

Impossible, nothing had happened before, so how could he suddenly be caught red-handed?

Marshal Tianpeng frowned.

Although that was what Marshal Tianpeng thought internally, he still responded aloud, "Reporting to Your Majesty, there is no such affair. It surely must be the false accusations of others. My relationship with the Fairy of the Lunar Palace is purely platonic!"

"Hmph, purely platonic? Pretty words indeed!"

The Celestial Official scoffed coldly, seemingly very dissatisfied with Marshal Tianpeng’s refusal to admit his wrongdoing.

The Jade Emperor then waved his hand, and a powerful spiritual energy gathered, eventually collecting above the Ninth Celestial Palace into a mirror.

It was the Mystic Light Mirror.

Following that, the light of the Mystic Light Mirror converged, and slowly, the figures of two individuals appeared before all.

It was the very scene of Marshal Tianpeng meeting with Fairy Chang’e.

"I didn’t expect this to actually be true?"

"It seems that this time, Marshal Tianpeng is truly doomed!"

"This matter is significant. If not handled properly, Marshal Tianpeng is indeed in trouble!"

"..."

At this moment, many of the Orthodox Deities of the Celestial Court, witnessing this scene, displayed shock on their faces and began murmuring among themselves.

However, most of them did not care much about what was happening and took it only as watching a spectacle.

Of course, some more astute ones immediately recognized the crux of the matter.

After all, the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West was approaching, and such actions by the Jade Emperor

had already clarified certain matters.

And those who were unaware of what was happening also showed surprised expressions.

Private consorting between celestial officials and immortals was no minor accusation.

Facing such irrefutable evidence,

Marshal Tianpeng was left utterly defenseless.

"This..."

Seeing this scene, even Marshal Tianpeng couldn’t help but feel his mind buzz.

Thinking back to that day when Chang’e approached him and her suspicious behavior, how could he not understand?

He must have fallen into someone else’s trap without even realizing it,

Still believing he had done nothing wrong.

"Marshal Tianpeng, regarding the scene depicted in the Mystic Light Mirror, do you have any objections?"

The Jade Emperor slowly spoke.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards Marshal Tianpeng, but at that moment, he appeared resigned and did not attempt to defend himself further.

Which was normal; having seen such definitive proof, there naturally was no way to argue against it.

The Jade Emperor heaved a sigh of relief and then declared loudly, "celestial King Li, regarding the misconduct committed by Marshal Tianpeng, what punishment do you propose?"

Pagoda-Carrying Celestial King Li Li Jing stepped forward and respectfully said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the crime committed by Marshal Tianpeng warrants his removal from his immortal position, the stripping of his immortal essence, to be severely struck two thousand times with the Immortal Hammer, and finally to be banished to the mortal realm, never to be employed again!"

Upon hearing the words of Pagoda-Carrying Celestial King Li, the Jade Emperor nodded and then declared, "Very well, let it be as Celestial King Li has said. Guards, take Marshal Tianpeng to the Celestial Prison, and select a day for the punishment!"

"Wait, Your Majesty!"

Just as the Jade Emperor was about to pass sentence, Marshal Tianpeng suddenly spoke up.

"Marshal Tianpeng, your private meeting with Fairy Chang’e has been exposed. Now, with the evidence solid, do you still deny your crimes?"

Upon hearing Marshal Tianpeng’s words, Li Jing at the scene couldn’t help but scoff coldly.

Even at this stage, did Marshal Tianpeng still hope to overturn his fate?

With such irrefutable evidence, even if Marshal Tianpeng were innocent, it was likely he could no longer clear his name!

By the time Marshal Tianpeng was demoted to the Mortal Realm, the celestial River Naval Forces of the celestial Court could also be incorporated under his command.

Just thinking about the re-strengthening of his power in the celestial Court filled Li Jing with immense pride.

"Marshal Tianpeng, the truth is right before your eyes, do you still refuse to admit your guilt? What else do you have to say?"

Above the celestial Palace, the Jade Emperor slightly furrowed his brows, and his expression darkened a bit.

Although this matter was the intention of two Saints, the celestial Court was ultimately under his control. He did not want the discontent of the celestial River Naval Forces after dealing with Marshal Tianpeng, as it could lead to disastrous troubles!

"Replying to Your Majesty, your servant does not accept this. The images shown on the Mystic Light Mirror are the work of a villain, not truly Tianpeng engaging inappropriately with the fairy!"

"Moreover, I hope Your Majesty allows me to meet my Honorable Master, Grand Dharma Xuandu. Once I meet him, the truth will certainly be uncovered, and I will be vindicated!"

"Grand Dharma Xuandu!"

Although many Deities of the celestial Court were aware of the matter, hearing it from Marshal Tianpeng’s mouth still startled them.

Who is Grand Dharma Xuandu?

He is Taiqing Daode Tianzun’s disciple, the prime disciple of the Human Teachings Sect.

After the Divine Enthronement War, he was even bestowed with the title of Emperor Lingguan.

Such a figure, even the Jade Emperor, must give three parts respect upon meeting.

Even Li Jing became somewhat timid after hearing this, despite being ordered by the Jade Emperor to capture Marshal Tianpeng, he was somewhat scared.

Just as the Immortals heard of Marshal Tianpeng bringing up his master, and the Jade Emperor perhaps should spare Marshal Tianpeng, they heard the Jade Emperor speak thus.

"The mistake you made has already been communicated to your master. Everything will be handled according to the laws of the celestial Court, do not think of escaping your responsibilities!"

Upon hearing this, Marshal Tianpeng’s face showed disbelief, he exclaimed, "Impossible, I cannot believe it, my Honorable Master would actually ignore me?"

"Tianpeng, even your Honorable Master won’t interfere now, do you have anything else to say?"

Hearing the Jade Emperor’s words, celestial King Li’s presence suddenly felt greater.

With a grand wave of his hand, he said to the Four Great Marshals, "Four Great Marshals, heed my command, imprison Marshal Tianpeng in the celestial Prison, and await disposal!"

"Your subordinates obey!"

The Four Great Marshals from the Ninth celestial Palace stepped forward, ready to seize Tianpeng at once.

"No, I cannot believe it, my master would actually ignore me!"

As the Four Great Marshals approached, the Gang Qi around Marshal Tianpeng suddenly expanded, his powerful energy burst forth, and the ropes around him snapped. Then, twisting his body, he bolted towards the exit of the Ninth celestial Palace.

"How dare you, Tianpeng, not only secretly meeting with Chang’e but now you even dare to defy the Order of Law, add one more charge to your crimes, bring people quickly to capture Tianpeng!"

Seeing this, celestial King Li also roared angrily, directly pointing at the fleeing Marshal Tianpeng and shouting.

Immediately taking the lead, he pursued along with the Four Great Marshals.

Soon, Li Jing and the others caught up with Tianpeng.

With nearly equal power, how could Tianpeng escape?

Seeing no way out, a look of determination appeared on Tianpeng’s face.

"celestial King Li, do not stop me. Once I see my Honorable Master, I will surely come back to accept my punishment!"

Tianpeng believed that as long as he saw his master, there was still a chance for everything.

"Tianpeng, do not be obstinate; surrender yourself!"

Li Jing naturally would not give Tianpeng this chance.

"Tianpeng, both of us are Marshals and colleagues in the celestial Court, do not force us to take action!"

"Tianpeng, we have relations too; don’t make things difficult for us!"

"..."

At this time, the Four Great Marshals, including Wang Mo, surrounded him from behind in the Ninth celestial Palace, hoping to persuade Marshal Tianpeng to give up his obstinacy.

Meanwhile, countless celestial Soldiers and Generals had already gathered into a celestial Net, blocking all of Marshal Tianpeng’s escape routes.

Seeing this, Li Jing couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, Marshal Tianpeng’s strength was not weak, and it was his responsibility to capture him, yet Tianpeng had escaped from the Ninth celestial Palace right under his watch.

If Tianpeng really escaped, that would truly dishonor his title as Great Demon-slaying Marshal.

At this moment, the Immortals in the Ninth celestial Palace also chased out.

Seeing this scene, they also sensed that Tianpeng had no way out and could not help but advise Marshal Tianpeg.

"Tianpeng, it’s better not to resist stubbornly; just put down your weapons, or else your crimes will only increase!"

"Tianpeng, we have known each other for a long time, just surrender yourself, and I will surely appeal to the Jade Emperor on your behalf, to spare you from the crime of escape!"

"Tianpeng, since you have committed a major fault, do not be ignorant of what is good for you; if His Majesty orders your capture, we must meet in battle!"

"Tianpeng..."

"..."

At this moment, Marshal Tianpeng looked at the many celestial Court Immortals advising him and couldn’t help but frown slightly.

However, he must see his Honorable Master; otherwise, today he had no other choice but to be subdued and captured, and then he would have to be demoted to the Mortal Realm.

"There’s no need to speak anymore, I will not accept my fate without seeing my Honorable Master today!"

Hearing Marshal Tianpeng say this.

The Immortals could not help but shake their heads.

Leading them, Li Jing sniffed coldly, "No need to say more, seize Tianpeng!"

...

ps: I’m still feeling dizzy today, not quite in spirit, will try to resume updates next month, sigh, I hope not to catch a cold, that would mean isolation!