Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning
Chapter 21 - Southern Heavenly Gate

Chapter 21: Southern Heavenly Gate

Nezha was struck by the Golden Cudgel and retreated, his face pale. “Father, that demon monkey has incredible powers. I’m no match for him, and I was defeated!”

Li Jing, suspicious, looked at Nezha and said seriously, “After two defeats, the morale of the army is low. If we continue to push for an attack, it will only lead to more casualties. Let’s return to the Heavenly Court and report to the Jade Emperor, asking for reinforcements to capture this demon monkey!”

“You’re right, Father,” Nezha pouted.

At Huaguo Mountain, the Stone Monkey, known as “The Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” used his divine staff to break through ten thousand heavenly soldiers as easily as an autumn wind sweeping away leaves. This news spread like wildfire, shaking the three realms. It spread faster than birds could fly and swifter than horses could run.

If there weren’t hidden forces behind it, Qin Chuan would never believe it. It seemed like they were trying to make the monkey famous too quickly.

In a deep and mysterious valley, the mighty Bull Demon King heard a report from his subordinate demons. He thought to himself, “At last, things are getting serious. The fight between Buddhism and Taoism is heating up. Watch how I, Old Bull, take advantage of the situation.”

He then said to the nearby demons, “Haha, Old Seven is really impressive. Since he’s called the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’ I’ll call myself the ‘Great Sage Equal to the Sky.’ What do you think?”

The surrounding demons cheered, and the Bull Demon King laughed loudly.

Soon, news spread that the Bull Demon King had named himself the “Great Sage Equal to the Sky.” Other demon kings, including the Flood Dragon King, responded in kind. The second demon king, the Flood Dragon King, called himself the “Great Sage Who Covers the Sea.” The third demon king, the Roc King, called himself the “Great Sage Who Holds the Universe.” The fourth demon king, the Lion King, called himself the “Great Sage Who Moves Mountains.” The fifth demon king, the Monkey King, called himself the “Great Sage Who Winds Through the Air.” The sixth demon king, the Yan King, called himself the “Great Sage Who Drives Away Spirits.”

With the Monkey King now known as the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” the seven great sages of the demon clan were the most talked about.

The Monkey King, hearing this, laughed.

“These guys spread the news faster than anyone else, but none of them have come to help me in battle. They’re just fake brothers!”

Qin Chuan heard the Monkey King’s disappointment and comforted him.

“They were just drinking buddies. It’s better they don’t come.”

“When Nezha and the others return to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor will surely send the real elite forces. Old Sun isn’t afraid, but what about all the monkeys and apes here… Qin Chuan, what should we do?”

Though the Monkey King was bold, he wasn’t foolish. He was very perceptive and had probably guessed some things from the conversation between Qin Chuan and Nezha.

The visit to the Underworld had left a deep impression on the Monkey King, especially from the Queen of the Underworld. He no longer seemed as clueless as in the original story.

Qin Chuan smiled wryly and looked at the Monkey King. When the Monkey King started to feel uneasy, Qin Chuan spoke, “Maybe, just maybe, the Jade Emperor will grant your request and officially make you the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.'”

The Monkey King remained silent.

“Report! Great King, that old man with the white beard is here again!”

The Monkey King looked oddly at Taibai Jinxing, the celestial messenger. Taibai Jinxing said, “Great Sage, Great Sage, last time it was all a misunderstanding. The gods in the Heavenly Court didn’t recognize your powers, which led to the incident with the Horse-Taming Bureau and General Li’s descent to the mortal realm. But now, I have fought for you and reported to the Jade Emperor. The Heavenly Court has officially built a ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s Office’ for you!”

“Oh? The ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s Office’?” The Monkey King’s eyes lit up. He turned to Qin Chuan and said, “Qin Chuan, just as you said, the Jade Emperor has really made me the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven!'”

Taibai Jinxing looked at Qin Chuan in surprise. He had heard that this monkey was accompanied by a human cultivator who could even see through the Jade Emperor’s intentions.

Qin Chuan smiled at Taibai Jinxing and said, “Thank you, Gold Star. Since the Jade Emperor has made my brother the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’ that’s wonderful news!”

Taibai Jinxing, the Jade Emperor’s special envoy, was responsible for delivering commands. He was also a star god in charge of life and death. His cultivation was no less powerful than General Li Tianwang, the Heavenly Court’s Great Marshal.

“Please wait a moment, Gold Star. My brother and I will pack up and join you shortly to ascend to the heavens.”

“What? This immortal is going to the Heavenly Court too?”

Taibai Jinxing looked at Qin Chuan in surprise, then hesitated. “Immortal, the Jade Emperor’s decree only allows the ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven’ to ascend. Should I go back and report to the Jade Emperor, or would you prefer to wait for another invitation?”

As the words fell, the monkey beside him angrily said, “Old man, I, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, can’t even bring someone to the heavens?”

“If that’s the case, then I, Old Sun, won’t go!”

“…” Tai Bai Jin Xing was left speechless and could only say, “Please bring the Great Sage to the heavens, but I have no authority to let outsiders freely enter the heavenly realms.”

Qin Chuan stopped the monkey and laughed, “Jin Xing, just guide the way; I will make sure not to cause you any trouble!”

A mere Tai Yi Jin Xian had no standing, and Qin Chuan didn’t want to become an official in the heavenly court either. In the future, when he achieves the Dao and reaches the state of ‘Hong Yuan,’ he would make the Jade Emperor himself address him as “Immortal.”

The entire commotion in the Heavenly Palace, the monkey’s second trip to the heavens, was of utmost importance.

If the big shots didn’t allow it, how would the monkey get the elixirs and peaches?

And if the monkey didn’t get them, how could Qin Chuan?

Tai Bai Jin Xing saw Qin Chuan’s confidence and, fearing that the monkey might get angry, could only bow and say, “Since that’s the case, I will take you to the South Heavenly Gate!”

“The Great Sage now holds the highest position, please be careful not to act recklessly!”

The implied meaning was clear: I will only guide you; whether or not you can enter depends on you, and Monkey, please don’t make a scene.

In a moment, Qin Chuan, the monkey, and Tai Bai Jin Xing all traveled on clouds, and soon they heard the monkey’s voice from above: “Old man, you’re too slow, we’re already ahead!”

Tai Bai Jin Xing hurriedly said, “Great Sage, Immortal, wait for me!”

The South Heavenly Gate, also known as the Heavenly Gate, was the main entrance to the Heavenly Court, directly leading to the Jade Emperor’s Lingxiao Palace, located above the Nine Heavens.

In an instant, Qin Chuan and the monkey had arrived outside the South Heavenly Gate. The heavens didn’t even have road signs, and if it weren’t for the monkey leading the way, Qin Chuan, having never been here, wouldn’t have been able to find it.

Below the South Heavenly Gate, colorful clouds swirled, and auspicious air filled the atmosphere. The gate was tens of meters high, splendidly gilded and majestic. Four Heavenly Kings led the heavenly soldiers and generals, standing solemnly to guard the gate.

The Heavenly Kings—Holding Nation King Mo Li Hai, Growth King Mo Li Qing, Wide Eye King Mo Li Shou, and More Hearing King Mo Li Hong—were all seasoned Golden Immortals.

“Li Jing, oh Li Jing, how could you manage this?”

“Who dares to trespass the South Heavenly Gate?”

The Growth King drew his sword, it’s cold light flashing, and shouted in a stern voice.

The monkey, quick as ever, flashed to the side of the Growth King, pressing his arm down and laughing, “Growth King, Old Sun has only been away for a short time. Have you already forgotten me?”