Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning
Chapter 29 - The Monk Recommends Two Gods

Chapter 29: The Monk Recommends Two Gods

The great deities of the Three Platforms Sea Assembly, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Nine Luminaries Star Lords, and the Twenty-Eight Constellations were all defeated and forced to retreat.

Qin Chuan’s side was relatively unscathed, but the Monkey King showed no mercy—three of the Nine Luminaries Star Lords were slain under his Golden Cudgel, their true souls returning to the Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Bang).

Once consigned to the Fengshen Bang, returning again is no easy feat. Every time a named immortal listed on the Fengshen Bang dies, a portion of their original spiritual consciousness is worn away.

Too many deaths, and what the Fengshen Bang eventually gives rise to is a complete puppet of the Heavenly Dao, retaining only the instinct needed to fulfill their divine duties.

In the Jade Pool above, the Jade Emperor sat solemnly upon his throne, surrounded by celestial deities and immortals. The pool’s surface shimmered, reflecting the sky’s clouds.

At this moment, the water was displaying the scenes of the recent demon-suppressing battle at Mount Huaguo. The celestial troops were shown in retreat, with Li Jing blowing the retreat horn. The Jade Emperor’s expression remained unreadable—neither joy nor anger.

The higher-ranking immortals watched pensively. In contrast, many common celestial officials and minor gods looked visibly shocked—they hadn’t expected just one man and one monkey from Mount Huaguo to cause such trouble for the Heavenly Court’s mighty legions.

Just then, an attendant outside announced:

“Merciful and Compassionate Bodhisattva Guanyin of the South Sea, along with her disciple Huian Xingzhe, requests entry to the Jade Pool Pavilion.”

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, granting them permission.

Guanyin entered, palms pressed together in a respectful bow.

“Reporting to the Great Heavenly Lord, this humble monk has heard of the matter regarding the demon monkey Sun Wukong at Mount Huaguo. My disciple Huian may be able to assist.”

Huian Xingzhe, upon receiving Bodhisattva’s command, took up his iron cudgel and descended straight to Mount Huaguo.

Upon arrival at Li Jing’s military camp, he saluted:

“Father, by the command of the Bodhisattva, I have come to aid you in this campaign. I intend to test the strength and nature of that Monkey King.”

Li Jing was overjoyed—this Huian Xingzhe was none other than Muzha, Li Jing’s second son, who had become a disciple of Guanyin.

Li Jing said, “Be careful, my son. That demon monkey possesses great divine powers. Just yesterday, even Nezha and the Nine Luminaries were defeated.”

Huian Xingzhe nodded, then asked, “And what of that Qin immortal?”

Li Jing replied gravely, “He is even more formidable. He commands the Great Divine Arts of Bean-Soldier Summoning and Reversal of Yin and Yang. Truly, not easy to deal with.”

“Is Nezha alright?” Huian asked.

Li Jing shook his head slightly. “No serious harm. He is currently recovering in the rear camp.”

“I see,” Huian said. “Father, rest assured. I shall go and engage that monkey in battle. As for the other man, the Bodhisattva has already granted me a special magical treasure to counter him.”

“Report!”

“Two Lords, there’s a monk outside claiming to be a disciple of Guanyin. He’s calling out for battle!”

Qin Chuan and the Monkey King were enjoying a feast in the Water Curtain Cave. Though the previous battle had taken its toll—many celestial troops were slain and there were casualties among Mount Huaguo’s side—most of the Seventy-Two Cave Demon Kings bore the losses, while the monkey king remained unharmed.

Only the two one-horned demon kings had been captured by the Four Heavenly Kings and dragged away. Meanwhile, several thousand celestial soldiers had been captured and held in the cave.

The Monkey King scoffed, “Keeping them around is just wasting food—better to kill them off,” but Qin Chuan stopped him.

“These heavenly soldiers might come in handy. Perhaps we can use them to negotiate later.”

“If all the gods and immortals end up as puppets of the Heavenly Dao,” Qin Chuan mused, “then the Jade Emperor will be left all alone, surrounded only by empty shells.”

The Monkey King scratched his head. “I, old Sun, have no grudge against Guanyin in the past, nor recent quarrels. Why’s she meddling in this now?”

Then, without hesitation, he grabbed his Golden Cudgel and marched out to face the challenger.

Qin Chuan said, “Perhaps they’re just probing us. Huian Xingzhe is, after all, Nezha’s second brother in the mortal world. Defeating him should be enough—there’s no need to take his life.”

For those not listed on the Fengshen Bang (Investiture of the Gods), death is permanent—there is no resurrection.

“No problem, no problem! Let Old Sun go out and take care of him!” said the Monkey King. With that, he hefted his Golden Cudgel and leaped out of the Water Curtain Cave.

Above the clouds in the vast sky, the Great Sage stood with his Golden Cudgel, exuding boundless might. Facing him, Huian Xingzhe wielded his iron cudgel, majestic and fierce. The two divine warriors fought with both wit and strength in a fierce battle.

The Great Sage moved like lightning, swift as a meteor—at times transforming into a tiger descending from the mountain, at times into a dragon leaping from the sea. Huian was nimble, his cudgel technique exquisite—sometimes like a torrential storm, other times like gentle drizzle.

After dozens of exchanges, Huian began to falter, though his skill remained formidable. The Great Sage, on the other hand, fought with rising momentum, his divine powers proving superior.

Back in the cave, Qin Chuan sat cross-legged, taking the opportunity to refine the golden core within his body. Suddenly, a single willow branch came gliding along the stream, darting into the cave like a flash of lightning.

In the blink of an eye, the willow branch wrapped tightly around Qin Chuan, binding him in place. But the bound Qin Chuan instantly turned into a puddle of earth—his true form appeared on the other side of the cave, staring in shock at the willow branch.

“Master?”

Aoxue cried out in alarm, her Dragon Guts Silver Spear appearing in hand. But Qin Chuan shouted: “Stand down!”

Opening his Heavenly Eye, Qin Chuan saw the willow branch’s green leaves dancing gently in a breeze laced with compassion. He muttered in surprise, “Seriously? Guanyin came down personally?”

The willow branch glowed with spiritual light and once again shot toward him.

Qin Chuan was startled. He raised his Ice-Snow Dragon Roar Spear, thrusting it forward. The Water Curtain Cave instantly became a land of frost and ice, the air filled with biting cold. Yet the willow branch remained unfazed, twining along the spear shaft and binding him again in a flash.

“Subdue Dragon, Tame Tiger!” Qin Chuan roared. Vast divine power erupted, the cave shaking like thunder, as if mountains were splitting and seas collapsing.

Everything within trembled violently as if on the verge of crumbling—yet the willow branch still could not be shaken off.

Then, exercising divine magic, Qin Chuan transformed into a tiny insect. The willow branch also shrunk with him, becoming as small as a mustard seed.

Qin Chuan sneered, “So, you want to test my limits?” With a thought, he reversed Yin and Yang again and unleashed the Divine Prison Heavenly Tribulation.

Heaven and Earth lost their order, the sun and moon lost their rhythm, all things fell into chaos. The willow branch lost its divinity, returning to a mere ordinary twig, falling powerlessly to the ground.

Outside, Huian Xingzhe was defeated and returned to camp, racing toward the Celestial Palace to report.

The Monkey King laughed wildly, “Is there no one left in Heaven?!”

Huian returned to the Heavenly Court, which stood resplendent in gold and jade, surrounded by drifting cloud seas. He entered the Jade Pool and knelt before the Jade Emperor, who asked about the battle. Huian told him everything truthfully.

The Jade Emperor laughed bitterly, “Just a mere monkey demon, yet he possesses such divine power that even the Bodhisattva’s chosen disciple was defeated. I wonder—is there still any immortal willing to descend and subdue these two?”

At that moment, a faint ripple stirred in the Willow Branch inside Guanyin’s Jade Purity Bottle, as if whispering something.

Guanyin formed a lotus mudra, calculated with her fingers, then stepped forward and said to the Jade Emperor:

“Great Heavenly Sovereign, please be at ease. This humble monk recommends two divine beings—they are certain to defeat these two.”

At this moment, the surface of the Jade Pool was displaying the scene of the demon-subduing battle at Mount Huaguo. The celestial generals had all been defeated, and Li Jing had sounded the gong to withdraw. The Jade Emperor sat on his throne, his expression solemn—neither joyful nor angry, his emotions unreadable.

The renowned immortals all looked thoughtful, while the lesser heavenly officials and celestial attendants appeared shocked. None of them had expected that just one man and one monkey from Mount Huaguo could be so powerful that even the Heavenly Army was helpless against them.

Just then, someone outside announced, “The Merciful and Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea and her eldest disciple Huian Xingzhe requested entry to the Jade Pool Pavilion.”

The Jade Emperor gave a slight nod, signaling for them to be admitted.

Guanyin entered the Jade Pool, palms together, and respectfully bowed to the Jade Emperor. “Great Heavenly Sovereign,” she said, “this humble monk has heard of the demon monkey Sun Wukong of Mount Huaguo. My disciple, Huian, may be of help in this matter.”

Receiving his master’s command, Huian Xingzhe, wielding his iron cudgel, descended to the mortal world and made his way directly to Mount Huaguo. Upon reaching Li Jing’s military camp, he saluted and said, “Father, I have come at the order of Guanyin Bodhisattva to assist you. I intend to test the Monkey King’s true strength.”

Li Jing was delighted upon seeing Huian. This Huian Xingzhe, Guanyin’s disciple, was in fact none other than Mu Zha, second son of Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

Li Jing said, “Be careful, my son. That demon monkey is quite skilled. Even Nezha and the Nine Celestial Star Lords were defeated yesterday.”

Huian Xingzhe nodded, and Li Jing added, “And beware of the other one, the immortal with the surname Qin. He has mastered the divine arts of summoning armies from seeds and reversing yin and yang. He is no easy opponent.”

Huian asked, “Is Nezha unharmed?”

Li Jing shook his head. “He should be fine. He’s currently recovering in the rear camp.”

Huian responded, “I see. Please rest assured, Father. I will go and duel the monkey. As for the other one, the Bodhisattva has already given me a divine artifact to deal with him.”

…

“Report!”

“Two Lords! There’s a wandering monk outside who claims to be a disciple of Guanyin and is challenging us!”

At that moment, Qin Chuan and the Monkey King were feasting together inside the Water Curtain Cave. After the previous battle, many celestial soldiers had perished, and Mount Huaguo had also suffered some losses—mainly among the seventy-two cave-dwelling demons. However, the monkeys and monkey offspring were all safe.

Only the two one-horned demon kings had been captured by the Four Heavenly Kings and taken away. Meanwhile, several thousand celestial soldiers were still held captive within the cave.

According to the Monkey King, keeping them was just a waste of food—they should simply be executed. But Qin Chuan stopped him, reasoning that these captured soldiers might one day be useful for negotiation.