Chapter 25: The Great Heavenly Venerable Is Highly Dissatisfied

King Dhritarashtra did not strike; he merely played his pipa continuously. With every strum, the Six-Eared Macaque suffered a surge of agony, a torment from which there was no escape. Whether it was the manifestation of the Immovable Wisdom King or any other technique, all dissolved into nothingness under the melody of the King’s instrument.

"Fellow Daoist, will that demon immortal be killed by the King?" asked He Xiangu, who had yet to depart, her voice trembling with fear.

Lu Dongbin shook his head. "Unlikely. The King is merely punishing him. If he truly intended to kill him, he would have done so already; there would be no need for such melodic discipline."

"True, but isn't this demon immortal a bit too reckless? Daring to challenge the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals!" He Xiangu remarked, astonished.

"He is usually quite friendly when we meet. I have no idea why he is acting so impulsively today! These are the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals acting under the Great Heavenly Venerable’s decree—how could he dare to obstruct them?"

The two chatted for a while, unable to fathom the Macaque’s motives. Their conversation was overheard clearly by the Six-Eared Macaque, who was suffering under the King’s punishment. Blessed with the innate divine ability to hear all things between heaven and earth, he cursed silently. If not for his master’s orders, he would never have bothered with this mess! What did the affairs of the Dragon Clan have to do with a monkey immortal? If not for the Old Dragon King of the East Sea being tied to his master’s future schemes, he would never have invited this trouble upon himself.

"Mercy, Great King! I know my wrongs! I know my wrongs!" the Macaque finally conceded.

The Law is not transmitted to the six-eared; aside from his master, the great deities were all wary of him. His cultivation and realm were far inferior to King Dhritarashtra's, leaving him no match for the divine warrior. At this point, he dared not resist any further. Though the King seemed to have recognized the Buddhist light upon him, the Eastern Divine Continent was ultimately the territory of the Heavenly Court. Even if the King were to slay him here, neither Mount Ling nor his master would have much to say.

"Hmph!" King Dhritarashtra sneered at the Macaque’s pleas. "To defy the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable! A capital crime may be spared, but your transgressions are difficult to forgive. Reflect here for a hundred years!"

As he spoke, a golden scroll appeared in the King’s hand. He unfurled it, revealing a document, and cast it toward the Six-Eared Macaque. Upon touching the Macaque, the document instantly manifested into a small mountain, pinning him beneath it. No matter how he struggled, it was in vain.

Once the Macaque was exhausted and motionless, King Dhritarashtra descended slowly. With a wave of his hand, he blocked Lu Dongbin and He Xiangu from hearing anything further. Approaching the pinned Macaque, the King’s gaze was sharp. "Spirit beast from Mount Ling, tell the Buddha behind you that the Great Heavenly Venerable is deeply displeased with your actions! The Great Tribulation has yet to begin, and the one destined to face it has not yet been born. Be careful not to trip over your own schemes by planning too early."

Without waiting for a response, the King vanished.

***

In the Heavenly Court, the Dragon Maiden Yancai was being escorted to the Celestial Prison. Although the Old Dragon King had claimed that sending her to the Heavenly Court was for her protection, Jiang Wang saw no sign of such "protection" upon her arrival.

Taibai Jinxing had arrived in person, immediately producing the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable. "Yancai, daughter of the East Sea Dragon King, guilty of stealing secret treasures from the Dragon Palace! A grave violation of the Heavenly Law! She shall be severely punished," Taibai Jinxing declared.

Yancai showed little emotion, as if she had long foreseen this outcome. Jiang Wang watched from the side with a calm expression. Yancai knelt gracefully. "I shall strictly obey the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable!"

Moments later, she was led away to the Celestial Prison. After she was gone, Taibai Jinxing did not leave. He glanced at Jiang Wang and asked curiously, "What is this fellow Daoist’s name?"

Jiang Wang was startled. He looked left and right, asking in confusion, "Is the Immortal addressing me?"

"Yes, you," Taibai Jinxing stared at him. "You possess an aura somewhat similar to my own."

"Ah?" Jiang Wang was stunned again. What was this about? Those unfamiliar with Taibai Jinxing might mistake him for a mere messenger serving the Great Heavenly Venerable. While his primary role was as the special envoy for the Jade Emperor, he held another status. In reality, he was one of the few orthodox martial gods of the Heavenly Court. Unlike the less formal "Martial Gods of Wealth" like Zhao Gongming, Taibai Jinxing was a true martial deity and a star of ill omen, governing war, blades, and slaughter.

His words implied that Jiang Wang possessed a natural aptitude for the paths of slaughter, war, and destruction.

"I am Jiang Wang," he introduced himself, then denied the implication. "The Immortal must be mistaken. I am but a guard at the South Heaven Gate. How could I possibly compare to you?"

"Haha, you are an interesting one. Since you say so, I shall say no more. Farewell." With that, Taibai Jinxing rode a cloud away from the South Heaven Gate.

Jiang Wang ignored him. Only a fool would play along with Taibai Jinxing’s observations. A soldier suited for the path of slaughter hiding as a mere guard at the South Heaven Gate? That would be suspicious, a sign of hidden malice. He would not admit to it. In fact, he preferred to avoid any relationship with the heavenly deities beyond that of superior and subordinate.

As he returned to his post, a tremor echoed deep within his consciousness. Someone in the chat group was looking for him. He sank his awareness into the group.

[Golden Generation of Spirit Hall: @Guard of South Heaven Gate, Immortal, I sent another spirit stone to you today. Seven more, and I can trade for a celestial pill. Can I tell you in advance what kind I want?]

[Queen of the Snake People: Are you doing this because we discouraged you, deciding to become a god yourself to show us your true combat power?]

[Wasteland Prophet: There is really no need. The gods of your world have already chosen their inheritors; there is no point in embarrassing yourself.]

[Golden Generation of Spirit Hall: You have to try to know, don't you? You say my gods are weak, so I will become a god and show you if they truly are!]

[Old Heavenly Master: A commendable spirit.]

[Enemy of Mosquitoes: Another day without a supermarket sale.]

[Little Spider: I can't understand your logic. If the gods are weak, that has nothing to do with you. Why shackle yourself to this?]

[Golden Generation of Spirit Hall: You don't understand!]

[Guard of South Heaven Gate: @Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, very well. What kind of celestial pill do you desire?]