High Sky Throne Hall, Imperial Study.
Lord Fortune, accompanied by the Gold-Head Warden, hurriedly pushed open the door and entered, bowing and reporting: "Your Majesty, the page from the Book of Life and Death that was sent to Spirit Mountain for unsealing has been returned."
"It's been returned?" The Jade Emperor paused, momentarily dazed.
Lord Fortune quickly presented the page from the Book of Life and Death with both hands, speaking softly: "Recorded on it is a woman named Belle. I have just verified—she is the same handmaid who once served in Heaven alongside the Monkey King."
Staring blankly at the page in his hands, the Jade Emperor asked in confusion, "What exactly is going on? Explain in detail."
Lord Fortune bowed and replied, "According to King Brightcourt, when Simon entered the Hall of Life and Death, the first soul he searched for was that of a canary. The page recording the canary's soul also had its 'soul destination' entry sealed. Because of this, Simon spent over a month in the Hall, exhausting every possible effort to search. Belle is the canary's reincarnation. Simon has likely been searching ceaselessly for the canary's soul, never realizing she has long been at his side."
The Jade Emperor stood frozen, eyes wide, as thousands of thoughts tangled in his mind, swiftly weaving together a clear pattern.
Looking at the Jade Emperor, Lord Fortune quietly added, "Belle once served as an immortal maid. I have already retrieved her imprint from Guanghan Palace, and according to the test, she is currently at Blossom Mountain."
"And the demon monkey?" the Jade Emperor asked.
"The demon monkey is accompanying the demon army, currently on the way back by sea."
"So, right now the demon army isn't at Blossom Mountain... Blossom Mountain's defenses are empty?"
Lord Fortune remained silent, simply gazing at the Jade Emperor.
Those crane-like eyes slowly narrowed to slits, his gaze shifting restlessly.
Taking a deep breath and stroking his long beard, the Jade Emperor muttered to himself, "So... if we capture her, nine times out of ten, we'll be able to restrain the demon monkey?"
Lord Fortune still said nothing, bowing and quietly watching the Jade Emperor.
After a moment, the Jade Emperor spoke in a low voice, "There's not much time. Take her imprint and go to Blossom Mountain at once."
Then, turning to the Court Herald at his side, he ordered, "Send word to General Lee to dispatch forces immediately. Before the demon monkey returns to Blossom Mountain, capture Belle at all costs!"
"Yes!"
...
Late at night, Lord Lao stood quietly atop the mountain, stroking his long beard, his spiritual sense expanded to encompass all of Blossom Mountain, vigilantly monitoring the entire region.
In his eyes, this vast, rolling land had long since fractured into countless tiny points.
Between lanterns and firelight, the demons bustled about, hanging Blossom Mountain flags on every house, painting festive colors, and raising red lanterns high—all to celebrate the wedding of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who had brought them a home, security, and even changed their entire world.
After a long while, Lord Lao could not help but sigh softly and shake his head. His gaze drifted far into the distance, toward Qi Tian Palace.
...
Night shrouded Qi Tian Palace, yet the halls blazed with light and rang with lively noise.
In the long winding corridor, Belle walked slowly, lips pressed together, head bowed, clutching the Soul Token tightly in her hand.
"The Great Sage should arrive tonight, right?"
"I heard it’ll be dawn at the earliest, but once he arrives, the wedding will begin right away. The palace officials are rehearsing all night—Qi Tian Palace has never hosted a celebration before."
"It’s long overdue. Once they’re married, the Third Saintess will truly be our matron of Blossom Mountain. She’s followed the Great Sage for so many years without title—she’s suffered enough."
"At last, true lovers will be united."
Threading her way through the bustling crowds, Belle kept her head down, afraid anyone might see her face.
She didn’t look up until she reached Simon’s study, where two palace officials stood guard at the door.
"Miss Belle, the Great Sage hasn't returned yet."
"I know... I just have something I want to leave for him."
"Then, may I deliver it for you?" The official extended both hands.
Belle gripped the Soul Token even tighter, shook her head forcefully, and blinked as she said, "I’d like... I’d like to place it on his desk myself, if I may?"
The two officials exchanged glances, hesitated for a long moment, then finally stepped aside and opened the door for Belle.
Clutching the Soul Token, she stepped into the empty study, gazing up at the intricately carved, gold-inlaid ceiling, the shelves filled with ornate decorations, and the large red 'double happiness' character at the center.
Moonlight slanted in through the window lattice, and distant drums and music from the wedding rehearsal drifted in.
Bathed in the warm glow of red candles, the entire room overflowed with a sense of celebration and luxury.
A cold, lonely feeling swept in from all directions, piercing her heart with a faint ache.
In the shifting light and shadow, Belle clutched her only Soul Token tightly to her chest, standing motionless, staring blankly at everything before her.
All of this truly felt like a dream.
More than a century ago, she had been a carefree disciple in Crescent Star Cave. And he was a monkey who had traveled eighty thousand miles, enduring countless hardships to seek the Dao.
He knelt at the gate, refusing to leave no matter what. Out of pity, she brought him food every day.
Under the bright sunlight, a little girl and a wild monkey... thus began a bond of fate.
He said he would master immortal arts, never again be at anyone's mercy, and would kill all who dared covet him.
She never understood that kind of sorrow, that obsession, that despair, nor what he had truly been through. Yet she wanted to help him—instinctively, utterly.
Like a moth spreading its wings, she flew headlong into the flame, without hesitation.
Back then, she did not know it was destiny—a continuation of a bond from a former life.
Thinking this, she opened her emerald eyes and smiled faintly.
Round and round, it had been more than a hundred years.
She tried desperately to catch up, but no matter what, she could never match his pace.
More than a century ago, he knelt before the vermilion gates, begging to be let in, refusing to bow his head even in Crescent Star Cave, and she did everything she could to protect that foolish monkey. Now, he was king of all demons.
Just as he once said, he truly became the Great Sage Equal to Heaven... but there was no longer a place for her at his side.
This whole journey truly felt... like a dream.
She lowered her head slightly, lips pressed together in a smile, as tears slid down one by one, splashing onto the vermilion carpet, bright as blood.
She spoke softly: "Truly, I wish, I wish so much, that everything could be like when we were in Crescent Star Cave. Those quiet days—no schemes, no Heavenly Court, no Heavenly Dao... just the two of us, quietly together, cooking for you each day... Do you remember that little cabin? While you were gone, I kept it clean every day, always hoping... you might suddenly return."
"The script you taught me, I always remembered. I even wanted to write you a letter in it. But..."
"Simon, I'm sorry... I wrote letters to everyone, but... I didn't write one for you, because I didn't want to lie to you, nor make you sad, so..."
"You don't know how happy I was when I heard you say that if I were Birdie, you would never consign me to the Eighteenth Hell... And how overjoyed I was when I heard you had rescued Sister Anna."
"The old gentleman promised me that as long as I follow his instructions, he will protect you. Even if marrying Sister Anna harms the Heavenly Dao, he will find a way to repair it, and will never intervene to tear you apart."
"The Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the Third Saintess are the ones who truly belong together..."
"The old gentleman also promised to choose a proper time to send Birdie from Tusita Palace back to you, and never let you know where I have gone..."
"This way, you won't have to suffer over Birdie any longer."
"He won't deceive me."
As she spoke, her lips trembled, lifting into a faint smile.
She stood there for a long, long time. Then Belle took a deep breath, gently placed the Soul Token on Simon's desk, and whispered, "Let this be my wedding gift to you and Sister Anna. This time, don't forget to use it... No matter where she goes, you'll always know. If danger comes, you can be by her side in an instant... This way, she won't vanish suddenly like I am about to."
"Goodbye forever, Simon..."
...
Demon army.
In the cabin, Isabel Su quietly approached Simon from behind and said, "Great Sage, Elder Skyreach and the others have already arrived at Blossom Mountain."
"Already arrived? Those senior brothers are quick indeed." Simon straightened his armor and said, "Perfect, I should go prepare as well. Tell them to wait in my study—I’ll be back soon."
"Great Sage, are you really going to wear this?"
"Why not? This is my finest battle armor. I could have a new one made, but... I’m afraid it wouldn’t be ready in time for the wedding." Simon took a deep breath and sighed, "I don’t want to wait any longer."
...
As Belle opened the door to leave, she suddenly saw Elder Skyreach, Danny Crimson, Ewan, and Stillwater walking down the corridor. Startled, she quickly retreated into the room.
Outside, the two palace guards hurried forward and bowed, "Greetings, honored elders."
"Hey, no need for formalities. We don’t stand on ceremony."
"Honored elders, the Great Sage has not yet returned... Perhaps you’d like to wait in the side hall..."
"No need," Danny Crimson shouted, his voice echoing, "We’ll wait in the study. That’s what your Great Sage told us—he wants us all to wait for him there."
"Understood. Please, honored elders, this way."
...
Standing atop the mountain peak, Lord Lao’s brows furrowed slightly.
...
In Crescent Star Cave, a faint smile appeared on Master Subhuti’s aged face.
...
In a panic, Belle hid behind the bookshelf.
The closed door swung open, and the four senior brothers strode in, cheerful. But as soon as they entered, they all stopped abruptly.
Elder Skyreach glanced subtly toward Belle’s hiding spot, his brow creasing as he exchanged looks with the others.
In that instant, everyone seemed to understand.
They each sat on chairs on either side of the study, remaining silent.
Danny Crimson and Elder Skyreach exchanged glances for a long time, but neither decided who should speak first.
Behind the bookshelf, Belle watched nervously, eyes wide, hand over her mouth, quietly waiting for them to leave.
...
In the biting wind, Simon raced toward Blossom Mountain, accompanied by the Nine-Headed Wyrm, King Bullhorn, and King Roc.
...
Fifty miles north of Blossom Mountain, in a forest clearing, Lord Fortune gathered with General Lee, Nathan Young, General Titan, the Four Heavenly Kings, and more than twenty Heavenly Generals.
Holding the seeker disk, Lord Fortune quietly instructed, "Before the demon army returns to Blossom Mountain, capture the immortal maid named Belle. Remember, alive if possible—if not, bring back her soul. This is His Majesty’s command."
Hearing this, General Lee’s brows lifted slightly.