The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 77 - 0 Realizing Hunyuan Great Luo is Imminent

The immortals of The Heavenly Court were mostly indifferent. Wukong had been contemplating for quite some time, but not many took notice. They all went about their own business, for after all, his title of Great Sage Equalling Heaven was merely nominal and attracted little concern.

But one day, Xu Jingyang stepped up in the ranks and reported, “Your Majesty, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, has been absent from his mansion for years and his whereabouts are unknown.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “Oh? Has he gone down to Flower-Fruit Mountain again?”

Xu Jingyang replied, “The heavenly generals from the eastern, southern, western, and northern gates report no sight of the Great Sage.”

The Jade Emperor chuckled, “An immortal’s light bulb moment can lead to closing off for years, even decades. There’s no need for concern, Minister Li Changgeng is also in retreat, isn’t he?”

Xu Jingyang said, “Your Majesty, this demon monkey has a mischievous nature. Even though he holds an office, I fear he might cause trouble. It may be wise to assign him a task to keep him from becoming restless.”

The Jade Emperor nodded, “Minister’s words are reasonable. Let him tend to the Peaches of Immortality Garden; just in time for the Flat Peach Banquet at Yao Pond.”

Asking a monkey to guard peaches—isn’t that just offering food right to someone’s mouth for them to eat? The immortal officials murmured in their hearts, but dared not speak out, as the Jade Emperor had been irritable in recent years, prone to thunderous rage at the slightest provocation, harming many officials. Thus, those present dared not say more, thinking to themselves that the Jade Emperor would soon regret his decision.

The gap between a Taiyi Golden Immortal and a Daluo Golden Immortal was like a chasm, a barrier that had thwarted countless outstanding figures throughout the ages.

Even a character like Yang Jian spent so much time just to cultivate into a Daluo Golden Immortal, and now he found further progress extremely difficult.

Only today did Wukong finally come out of his trance.

He saw the three Daoists sitting and playing chess, not the black and white Go, but a game with black, white, and red pieces, with the three of them playing together, which was quite interesting.

When the black pieces dominated, the red and white would join forces to surround them, and when the red pieces dominated, the white and black would band together to attack. Thus, a balance was maintained, no one piece prevailing over another.

Wukong felt like the young woodcutter who watched the immortals play chess in the mountains and returned home only to find that his family had aged, as decades had passed without him realizing it.

“What game are the three of you playing?” asked Wukong.

The Xuan Du Daoist couldn’t help but laugh, “This is Three Talents Chess. As you have comprehended the Three Talents, we too have grasped its mysteries and thus created this game of Three Talents Chess. Ha ha!”

Green Wander Daoist said with a smile, “Who was your master, and where did you learn such principles of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism?”

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Wukong did not answer, but as he calculated with his fingers, he realized that nine years had passed. He slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “Ah! Nearly ten years have gone by.”

With a sharp mind, he remembered the favors these three had shown him, but Patriarch Subhuti had instructed him not to reveal his lineage, so he had no choice but to change the subject.

Xuan Du Daoist nodded and said, “For an immortal to comprehend the Dao, it is normal to be engrossed for several years, decades, or even centuries. There is no need for alarm or surprise.”

Wukong could only offer a sheepish laugh, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Xuan Du Daoist put away the chessboard and pieces, and said to Wukong, “It was a pleasure conversing with you this time. If fate allows, we may meet again in the future. I take my leave now.”

“Farewell,” Wukong said.

The three Taoist figures performed a spell, and their figures vanished into thin air.

Wukong hurriedly said, “Thank you, three Taoist friends, for your protection!”

“It was nothing, it was nothing,” they said in unison, their voices drifting from afar though their figures were no longer in sight.

Suddenly, Wukong had a realization and thought to himself, “Xuan Du Daoist, Jade Void Daoist, Green Wander Daoist!”

“Xuan Du” is the title of the Xuandu Grand Master, a disciple of the Grand Supreme Lord Laojun, but Laojun’s residence, the Doulu Palace, also seems to be called “Xuan Du Purple Mansion”! As for Jade Void Daoist, there is no need to mention any further, as the Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch is also known as the Yuqing Tianzun, and his abode is the Jade Void Palace! The last, Green Wander Daoist, naturally refers to the Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun of the Three Pure Ones, whose residence is the Biyougong Palace… At this moment, Wukong broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that these three beings spoke effortlessly of the Primordial Great Way, obviously possessing extremely high cultivation, and since he had not seen them in the Heavenly Court and had never heard their names before, it was very likely they were incarnations of the Three Pure Ones.

Wukong thought to himself, “Could it truly be the Three Pure Ones? Otherwise, why would I have had the chance encounter with Xuan Du Daoist? And then coincidentally, Jade Void Daoist and Green Wander Daoist appeared.”

The Three Pure Ones were also one of the architects of this arrangement, and his recent enlightenment was greatly indebted to the valuable words of the Three Pure Ones. He was now certain that these three Taoists must be the ancient ancestors of the Daoist sect.

The Mystic Sect was founded by Hongjun Laozu, who then passed it down to three friends, dividing it into the Human Teachings, Interpretation Sect, and Sect of Interception. The Two Saints of the West subsequently founded their Western Religion, which differed substantially from the tradition of the Mystic Sect.

He then had another realization, recalling that Xuan Du Daoist’s mention of the Primordial Dao seemed to refer to the foundational principle of the Human Teachings; Jade Void Daoist spoke of the foundational principle of the Interpretation Sect, acting in accordance with Heaven’s will and bearing Heaven’s mandate; lastly, Green Wander Daoist mentioned deriving the Dao from forty-nine, escaping one, to grasp that one chance at life, aligning with the philosophy of the Sect of Interception. The doctrines of the Human, Interpretation, and Sect of Interception, coming from their mouths and combined with their titles, left Wukong with a firm belief that these three were undoubtedly the Three Pure Ones!

“Who would have thought that the Three Pure Ones could be so patient as to protect me for nine years,” he thought, unable to suppress a sense of pride.

This time, through his enlightenment, he had sensed the power of karmic forces, a principle of the Daluo Golden Immortal realm. Once he absorbed enough True Qi, he could attain the Daluo Golden Immortal status.

If he were to meditate slowly, it would probably take a long time, but there was an excellent opportunity before him—the Jade Emperor would assign him to guard the Peaches of Immortality!

Once he reached the Peach Garden, just a few dozen peaches would suffice for him not to worry about reaching the realm of Daluo Golden Immortal.

Contemplating his plan, Wukong rode the clouds down from the immortal mountain and headed towards Equal Heaven Mansion.

Just as he arrived at his residence, he received a sacred edict from the Jade Emperor, urgently summoning him to the presence in the palatial hall.

“I see you’re unoccupied, so I have decided to appoint you to manage the Flat Peach Garden, and I trust you to pay close attention morning and evening,” the Jade Emperor stated.

Wukong’s heart leaped with joy at the news, feeling as if a pillow was presented just as he was dozing off, or as if peaches were offered just when his mana was low. He bowed and said, “Then I thank Your Majesty, Old Sun is most grateful.”

The Jade Emperor felt irritated in his heart, fully aware that this would benefit that monkey head yet still having to comply; otherwise, how could he withstand the blame coming from Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch?

Overjoyed, Wukong took the Seal Ribbon and set off on his task, entering the Peach Garden.

To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the next part of the story.