Inside the grand hall of the flagship of the South Heaven Gate's main fleet.
"King Broadgaze is safe?"
"Reporting to General Lee: King Broadgaze and the other two Heavenly Generals have safely left Blossom Mountain. We are now regrouping with King Virūḍhaka. However, King Broadgaze's injuries are truly severe... That demon monkey is utterly ruthless. I'm afraid King Broadgaze will need to be sent back to South Heaven Gate for long-term care."
"Make sure it's not the demon monkey in disguise. Conduct a thorough verification."
"Already verified. No mistakes."
"Then take good care of King Broadgaze." General Lee replied expressionlessly, slipping the jade tablet into his sleeve.
His clenched fist trembled uncontrollably.
At this moment, besides General Lee seated at the center, there was Nathan Young standing with his spear and King Virūḍhaka holding his pipa.
Upon hearing General Lee's words, King Virūḍhaka visibly relaxed and said, "Now we can finally launch a full-scale assault on Blossom Mountain."
"According to intelligence, Blossom Mountain now has a hundred thousand demons, including many at the Spirit-Refinement and Divine-Transformation stage. Even several infamous wanted demons are among them." General Lee stroked his long beard and sneered, "Though their combined worth is less than ten million Gold Essence, at least it's a decent subsidy. King Virūḍhaka!"
"At your command!" King Virūḍhaka quickly bowed and clasped his hands.
Supporting himself on his knee, General Lee slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as he declared, "Leave only twenty thousand troops of the Xuanzheng Division to guard South Heaven Gate. Order all other divisions to assemble here within half a month! South Heaven Gate will mobilize in full force—we'll slaughter the demon monkey and vent our rage!"
"Yes, sir!"
After leaving the grand hall, King Virūḍhaka hurried off to issue military orders, while Nathan Young quietly slipped aside. Making sure no one was watching, he discreetly took out the jade tablet hidden at his waist and cupped it to his mouth.
"Second Brother, Second Brother!"
"What is it?" Erik Yang's voice came from the other end of the jade tablet.
"The mobilization order has already gone out. You'd better find a way to get Sister Anna out of Blossom Mountain. There's no way Blossom Mountain can hold. I can protect her, no problem, but I don't want you getting dragged into this."
Erik Yang paused for a moment, then asked softly, "Have you sent any scouts into Blossom Mountain?"
"No, we haven't. Blossom Mountain is heavily guarded—it's almost impossible for anyone but a demon to get inside. We've only been able to scout the perimeter. Their strength is impressive, but nowhere near enough to withstand South Heaven Gate. When the time comes, I'll hold off the demon monkey, and my father will lead the army in. Blossom Mountain is doomed to fall."
"Good. When the time comes, I'll come in person and wait for my chance. Also," Erik Yang paused briefly and reminded, "be careful when facing the demon monkey."
"Huh?" Nathan Young lifted his head, suddenly bewildered.
Meanwhile, as South Heaven Gate scrambled to gather its scattered forces, Blossom Mountain was busy dividing peaches.
The announcement of the thirty-five Peach of Immortality recipients was posted for all to see, stirring excitement throughout the city.
One reason was fairness; another was... with sixty-five peaches left, everyone still had a chance.
After all, Peaches of Immortality are treasures that extend lifespan. Every demon under Heaven covets them.
Of course, excitement aside, many were anxious. After all, everyone knew they might face the entire South Heaven Gate corps. To win a peach, you had to excel in battle—and Blossom Mountain had to win.
If Blossom Mountain fell, forget fighting for peaches—even if you’d already eaten one, the Celestial Army would still tear you apart, body and soul, leaving nothing behind.
In truth, using peaches as rewards was just icing on the cake. Monkey was taking the chance to demonstrate Blossom Mountain’s fairness to all demons.
But what was shown was Blossom Mountain’s fairness—not Monkey’s.
Carrying three enormous peaches on a tray covered with silk, Monkey flew through the pitch-dark tunnels.
These peaches were far larger than any ordinary fruit—perfectly round, flawless, with a soft, fuzzy feel. In the darkness, they glowed faintly.
Up close, their strange fragrance was intoxicating, clearing the mind.
Monkey’s mouth watered; several times he almost couldn’t resist taking a bite.
Now he finally understood the other monkey’s feelings—if he had to stare at a pile of peaches like these every day, sooner or later, trouble would follow.
If his life followed Journey to the West, he might have become the Immortal Peach Orchard’s gardener, able to eat his fill of even finer peaches.
But would he go? Only if he’d lost his mind.
It seemed these peaches were truly out of reach for him.
With a helpless sigh, he found himself in the underground city.
Under the eager eyes of countless demons, he pushed open the door to Jade Cauldron Immortal’s refining chamber and shouted, “Jade Cauldron—Wukong’s brought you peaches!”
At once, every demon turned to look at him.
Jade Cauldron Immortal, covered in dust and tinkering with a giant barrel, looked up abruptly: “Peach of Immortality? Where did that come from?”
“I traded it from King Broadgaze,” Monkey said, placing the tray before Jade Cauldron and whipping off the silk cover with a grin. “Here, one’s yours. Take it.”
Jade Cauldron’s mouth twitched and his eyes bulged at the three peaches. “You… you captured King Broadgaze, traded him for peaches, and now you want me to eat one… Are you trying to get me killed?”
“How could you say that? These are Peaches of Immortality—so many want one and can’t get it. I only have a few, and I brought one just for you. Yet you say I’m trying to harm you?” Monkey frowned, looking wronged. “It’s hard being a good guy, really hard.”
“Hey, you’ve forced me to stay here and work on these things. If I eat your peach, I’ll never clear my name—no matter what! Don’t tell me you’re not doing this on purpose?”
Monkey’s face darkened. “Want me to pry your mouth open and shove it in?”
At these words, Jade Cauldron Immortal relented. That was just like Monkey.
“Don’t… don’t mess around, okay? I appreciate your kindness, but I really can’t eat this peach.”
Monkey raised his eyebrows, gazing at Jade Cauldron’s helpless face. After a moment, he sighed: “Fine, it’s you who won’t eat it. Just don’t say I never gave you one.”
“Can’t I just say you already gave it to me?”
At this, Monkey nodded, pleased. “Whatever you want. If you don’t eat it, I save one.”
With that, he turned and left.
After Monkey left, Jade Cauldron frowned at his tools, then smiled faintly. “That monkey’s not bad, really. He even remembered me with a peach. Too bad he’s a demon—otherwise he might have done great things. Hey, you, pass me the number-three brush. This formation needs more work…”
Flying back through the tunnel, Monkey thought, “Knew he wouldn’t accept it. Favor’s delivered, peach saved—can’t lose. Next up: Tina Ao. Keep going.”
He chuckled, eyes fixed on the peach, mouth watering again.
In a flash, he arrived at the alchemy chamber, bypassing the main entrance and flying straight to the spire.
Landing on the balcony, he saw Tina Ao lounging in a rocking chair, snacking and watching the sunset.
Since coming to Blossom Mountain, Tina Ao had shed her reserved Dragon Palace image. Sometimes Monkey wondered if he’d kidnapped the wrong princess.
“Brought you a peach!”