After that question, Monkey immediately understood the underlying meaning and became wary. He didn’t drink much and didn’t enjoy himself. At the end, Gavin Ao, who appeared to have drunk too much, kept saying 'apologies for our poor hospitality.'
The two demons Monkey brought with him, however, drank happily and ended up passed out.
Normally this wouldn’t be allowed, but thinking of the hard life on Blossom Mountain and how rare it was to indulge, Monkey didn’t say anything.
Because of these two, Monkey had no choice but to stay at the Dragon Palace for the night.
Of course, this so-called "night" was just a figure of speech—there’s no real division between day and night in the depths of the sea.
After the banquet ended, Monkey and his two drunken subordinates were assigned to a pavilion.
Once the palace maids had settled the two half-conscious demons and left, Monkey walked to the table, opened the box that had been sent along, placed his own Cloudwalker Staff on the table, and took out the one from the box, carefully recalling Gavin Ao’s earlier words and their hidden meaning.
He stepped outside into the courtyard and casually began to wield the staff.
His movements were smooth and seamless, instantly stirring the sea currents and nearly destroying the entire pavilion. Luckily, Monkey reacted quickly and suppressed the shockwave with spells before it could reach the building, so the palace guards weren’t alerted.
Standing in the empty courtyard, he looked down at the Cloudwalker Staff in his hand.
"Understood."
The palace maids who had been waiting quickly stepped forward and took the box away.
Monkey said nothing, simply cupped his hands in thanks, and the atmosphere instantly cooled.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the Turtle Chancellor thickened his skin and came over to smooth things over, making small talk about anything and everything. Before long, Gavin Ao himself came down to offer wine.
It took some effort, but the atmosphere finally eased. Still, the spectacle was so grand that even Coral Ao could hardly bear to watch, while Monkey’s expression remained indifferent.
To an outsider, it truly looked as if the East Sea Dragon King was fawning on Monkey, who remained aloof.
"What’s gotten into Uncle? This is way too strange," Coral Ao whispered.
Tina Ao turned to glance at Monkey and the Dragon King, replying softly, "I’m not sure either, cousin. I suppose Father must have his own reasons."
"Reasons?" Coral Ao grew more and more confused.
After all this, the Dragon King didn’t dare ask anything else for the rest of the banquet.
After that question, Monkey immediately understood the underlying meaning and became wary. He didn’t drink much and didn’t enjoy himself. At the end, Gavin Ao, who appeared to have drunk too much, kept saying 'apologies for our poor hospitality.'
The two demons Monkey brought with him, however, drank happily and ended up passed out.
Normally this wouldn’t be allowed, but thinking of the hard life on Blossom Mountain and how rare it was to indulge, Monkey didn’t say anything.
Because of these two, Monkey had no choice but to stay at the Dragon Palace for the night.
Of course, this so-called "night" was just a figure of speech—there’s no real division between day and night in the depths of the sea.
After the banquet ended, Monkey and his two drunken subordinates were assigned to a pavilion.
Once the palace maids had settled the two half-conscious demons and left, Monkey walked to the table, opened the box that had been sent along, placed his own Cloudwalker Staff on the table, and took out the one from the box, carefully recalling Gavin Ao’s earlier words and their hidden meaning.
He stepped outside into the courtyard and casually began to wield the staff.
His movements were smooth and seamless, instantly stirring the sea currents and nearly destroying the entire pavilion. Luckily, Monkey reacted quickly and suppressed the shockwave with spells before it could reach the building, so the palace guards weren’t alerted.
Standing in the empty courtyard, he looked down at the Cloudwalker Staff in his hand.
There was no doubt this was his old staff, now far too light to be of any use. Gavin Ao had deliberately presented the Cloudwalker Staff and then subtly asked about its origin, hinting at the craftsman. Combined with everything that happened today, the message was clear.
He only wanted to tell Monkey that he knew Monkey’s past—and that he wanted no part of that trouble.
Just from the Cloudwalker Staff alone, Monkey could tell Gavin Ao had already seen through the truth. The palace’s appraisal skills were famous throughout the world—likely even superior to Heaven’s. That talk of “unable to identify it” was just a pretext to start the conversation.
He was just probing to see what Monkey’s connection to Crescent Star Cave really was.
“He’s a real old fox. If only he cultivated the Sage’s Path—what a waste.” Monkey smiled helplessly. “But this works out well; at least I don’t need to state my request.”
In the future, as long as he didn’t go too far, Gavin Ao would likely turn a blind eye to his activities in the Eastern Sea.
Monkey slowly tightened his grip on the Cloudwalker Staff, his eyes narrowing to slits.
This way, he could win himself a little more time.
During the Marshal Silver Case, demon kings sprang up across the mortal realm like bamboo shoots after rain. Heaven couldn’t let that continue forever. Now that the case was closed, a large-scale purge was bound to follow soon.
Those demon kings might swagger now, but once the Celestial Army arrived at their gates, they’d just grab their valuables and run for their lives.
In the end, it would just be demons wailing and blood flowing everywhere.
Monkey understood the rules of the demon world.
His own Blossom Mountain would inevitably come under the Celestial Army’s scrutiny. War was unavoidable—Monkey didn’t fear fighting Heaven, but he’d at least prefer not to be the first target.
At the very least, he had to win a little more time.
On this trip, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace knew Monkey’s past but said nothing, treating him with lavish hospitality. Clearly, they wanted to avoid trouble and play dumb.
Now, there was an understanding with the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace—as long as the underground city wasn’t discovered, Monkey would appear to the Celestial Army as just another demon king, and wouldn’t face an immediate invasion.
He just needed a little more time—a little more time would be enough.
As long as that pill recipe succeeded, his real plan could go forward.
"Just twenty years… No, ten. After ten years, there’ll be no more need for secrecy."
Monkey raised his head and saw, half-hidden in the distant kelp forest, the faint glint of the Golden-Hooped Staff.
In ten years, he could do as he pleased—retrieve the Golden-Hooped Staff, descend to the Underworld, and have no more worries. Even Heaven would have to think twice before acting against him.
As he thought this, he slowly turned to head inside, only to see Coral Ao and Tina Ao approaching, arm in arm.
“Aren’t you going to get some rest?” Monkey casually asked, leaning on his Cloudwalker Staff.
“You’re here because I introduced you, so I have to check on you, right?” Coral Ao craned her neck to peer into the room. “Are those two all right?”
“They’re fine, just drunk.”
Tina Ao gave a simple bow as a greeting, and Monkey nodded in return.
“Good, then.” Coral Ao sighed, then suddenly her expression changed. She lowered her voice and fixed Monkey with a suspicious look: “What happened today?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why such a big spectacle? What did you do?”
Monkey gave a dry laugh. “You’re joking, right? What could a monkey like me possibly do?”
If you didn’t do anything, why… why did Uncle treat you with such grand ceremony?
Really? Today was grand? I thought Dragon Palace receptions were always like this." Monkey scratched his head and feigned confusion.
Nonsense. Tell me the truth—stop pretending.
Maybe…” Monkey raised his head, thought for a moment, then looked seriously at Coral Ao. “Maybe Gavin Ao has admired me for a long time.”
At this, Tina Ao covered her mouth and giggled, and Monkey laughed along.
Only Coral Ao remained doubtful, glaring at Monkey. “When I was at Blossom Mountain, I never realized you were such a smooth talker. Be serious!”
She was clearly taking on the air of an elder.
Clearly, there’d be no leaving today without an explanation. Helpless, Monkey dropped his smile and answered seriously: “I really don’t know. I find it strange too. Wasn’t it only because you introduced me that I met Gavin Ao? I was just thinking, Cousin, you’re quite popular here at the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.”
Monkey made up an excuse, and Coral Ao thought it over, then nodded, seemingly convinced.
How about it? Want to tour the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace with me?
Already did earlier.
You can’t see all of Dragon Palace in one day." Coral Ao rolled her eyes at Monkey.
Well, Cousin, I want to rest. Maybe another time.
At this, Coral Ao’s displeasure grew more obvious, but Monkey had made his refusal clear—she couldn’t force the matter.
After a brief farewell, Monkey went inside, and the two dragon princesses left arm in arm.
As they walked away, Tina Ao, who hadn’t spoken until now, pursed her lips and a faint smile spread across her face. She sighed softly: “Sister.”
Yes?
Your future brother-in-law is no ordinary man.