Netherworld.
Monkey King unleashed all his strength, determined to break through the blockade and return to the mortal world. Lord Genesis, in turn, exerted every ounce of his power to hold him back.
In the midst of their struggle, the center of the swirling vortex overhead slowly split open, revealing a colossal maw. Crimson lightning leapt between the clouds, bathing everything in the color of blood. It was as if a giant mouth had torn wide, ready to devour heaven and earth.
The scene was unspeakably terrifying.
Despite the immense suction, spiritual energy kept pouring into Monkey King’s body, while Lord Genesis’s own reserves were slowly running dry.
His pale brows furrowed ever tighter; faced with Monkey King’s ever-growing cultivation, he remained helpless.
......
Inside the High Sky Throne Hall.
The Imperial Jade Seal descended, its vermilion imprint pressed upon yellow silk.
The Jade Emperor slowly withdrew his hand and stared at the words on the imperial edict, hesitating once again.
Seeing this, a celestial official stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, if Marshal Silver truly has no connection to that demon monkey, what harm is there in questioning him? But if he has indeed colluded with the enemy... this matter could be grave.”
The official said no more.
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor finally set the Imperial Jade Seal on the nearby desk.
The attendant at his side quickly stepped forward, rolled up the edict, tucked it into his sleeve, then retreated and walked out of the grand hall, step by step.
The assembled immortals watched in silence—some angry, some secretly pleased, but most wore expressions of indifference.
Grandmaster White quietly stifled a yawn.
The Lucky Star standing beside him was puzzled, but said nothing.
......
At Blossom Mountain, Yisu’s forces—combined with those willing to join her expedition—numbered twenty thousand and had already set sail.
On deck, Many-Eyes the Centipede hurried over to Yisu with seven junior sisters, bowing respectfully.
Isabel was stunned for a moment and quickly reached out to steady him. "Many-Eyes, you and I are equals. I’m deeply grateful that you’re willing to join me in this cause, but what is this about...?"
"I have something to say, if the Commander is willing to hear it."
Isabel hesitated briefly, then replied in a soft voice, "Please speak, Many-Eyes."
Many-Eyes glanced around habitually, then pulled Isabel to a quiet corner of the deck and lowered his voice: "The Netherworld is filled with killing qi, and among our troops, fewer than a thousand have reached the Spirit-Refinement Stage. On top of that, the Great Sage is now facing Lord Genesis—one of the Three Pure Ones. Forgive my bluntness, but this campaign is like throwing an egg against a stone. It’s doomed to fail."
Isabel’s eyes widened slightly at his words. "So you joined me just to persuade me to turn back?"
"You misunderstand, Commander." Many-Eyes pursed his lips, watching Isabel carefully as he spoke. "The Great Sage is trapped in the Netherworld, yet the demon generals in the palace only think of guarding Blossom Mountain for their own peace, not how to rescue him. I cannot respect that. If the Great Sage returns victorious, he will surely punish them. Your loyalty is truly admirable. But in this situation, only cunning will help us—brute force is useless. I hope you understand."
Isabel looked at Many-Eyes in confusion. "You have a plan?"
Many-Eyes stepped back, bowed, and said, "I do have an idea. If you carry it out, it may not turn the tide, but it will surely help our cause."
Isabel fixed her gaze on Many-Eyes. "Speak."
......
South Heaven Gate.
A Court Herald, flanked by a group of Imperial Guards, slowly made his way through the camp. The Heavenly soldiers and generals parted to let him pass.
He walked straight to the command tent, whispered something to the sentry at the entrance. The sentry’s eyes widened in surprise and he hurried inside.
Moments later, General Lee emerged from the tent, with Nathan Young following behind.
"Thank you for your trouble," General Lee said, nodding to the Court Herald. He extended his hand and, expressionless, asked, "May I see the imperial edict first?"
The Court Herald nodded silently and drew the imperial edict from his sleeve, handing it to General Lee.
General Lee unrolled the edict and glanced at it, his expression changing slightly.
The Court Herald spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty’s intention is for Marshal Silver to quietly return with us, so as not to alarm the troops or disturb morale. After all, colluding with the enemy is hardly something to be proud of. Fortunately, Marshal Silver is newly appointed and has no real faction in the army yet. From now on, the position of Grand Marshal will be yours to hold."
Nathan Young gripped his Fire-Tipped Spear tightly.
General Lee handed the edict back, his voice cold: "Whose idea was this?"
"Many immortals have advised this; as for whose idea it was, I honestly couldn’t say."
General Lee let out a dry laugh. "He just returned from battling in the Netherworld. Maybe it wasn’t a great victory, but he lost all his cultivation—and now you... Isn’t this a bit too heartless?"
"It’s precisely because he lost his cultivation that he’s no longer fit to serve as Marshal. I suppose Marshal Silver’s luck has run out—he’s simply not fated to be Grand Marshal." The Court Herald bowed. "Congratulations, General Lee. In Heaven, you’re the one truly suited to command. The Grand Marshal’s office belongs to you alone."
Unable to continue the conversation, General Lee could only take a deep breath and step aside.
With a glare from General Lee, Nathan Young also had no choice but to step aside.
The Court Herald bowed, lifted the tent flap, and strode inside with a cheerful smile. "Greetings, Marshal Silver. His Majesty heard you were wounded and sent me to check on you. I also bring a confidential edict."
On the bed, the bloodless Marshal Silver—supported by King Eastwell—finally managed to sit up, trembling as he said, "I accept the edict."
Nathan Young, standing to the side, clenched his teeth.
......
In the Netherworld, Monkey King lay pinned to the ground, unable to move, yet he burst out laughing.
His eyes were already shot through with red veins, and his pupils were turning crimson.
Staring at Lord Genesis, who was pouring out spiritual power without pause, Monkey King sighed, "The World-Bearing Banner really is a fine treasure. If I still had my old cultivation, you’d have crushed me to death by now... We’ve been at this for fifty hours. Well? How much longer can you hold out? Five hours? Ten? Come on, tell me. Will that be enough time for the Taoist disciples of Kunlun Mountain to escape?"
Lord Genesis’s face was grim as he swallowed several pills, saying nothing.
......
Guang River Estuary. Isabel's fleet sailed slowly onward.
In the distance, a warship under Erik Yang’s command appeared at the horizon. A spirit-soldier stood at the prow and shouted, "Identify yourselves! State your names at once!"
Isabel raised her head and called out, "Isabel of Blossom Mountain, seeking audience with the Third Saintess! Please, General, deliver my message."
The spirit-soldiers on deck began whispering amongst themselves. After a short while, one shouted, "The War God has ordered that Guang River Estuary and Blossom Mountain are to have no further dealings. Please turn back!"
"What now? They won’t see us…"
Many-Eyes, who had been standing beside Isabel the whole time, whispered, "Then we change our story—and our identity."
Isabel considered for a moment, then called out, "Isabel, chief disciple of the Holy Mother of Mount Hua, seeks audience with her master, the Holy Mother of Mount Hua! Please, General, deliver my message!"
The spirit-soldier on deck paused, then whispered with his companions. Soon, they produced a jade tablet and seemed to be contacting someone.
After a moment, one of the spirit-soldiers shouted, "The War God has ordered: No demons may enter Guang River Estuary for any reason. Violators will be executed. Please turn back!"
"See? I told you Erik Yang would never let us meet the Holy Mother. Last time, he threw us out of his estate without a word."
Many-Eyes waved for Isabel to say no more, then turned to one of his junior sisters and asked, "How far are we from General Erlang’s estate?"
"Twenty li, I think."
"Twenty li..." Many-Eyes hesitated, then said to Isabel, "Signal the cannons. Let them all fire at once—the Holy Mother will hear. Once she does, she’ll know we’re here."
......
In Heaven, the Court Herald walked ahead with the Imperial Guards, while two Celestial Generals followed close behind, carrying a stretcher.
Marshal Silver lay expressionless on his back, staring blankly up at the lightless sky.
"Your cultivation is gone. Do you think I’ll kill you? Relax—I won’t. I’ll spare your life so you can see your own fate."
Monkey King’s final words still echoed in his ears.
After a long while, he slowly closed his eyes, suddenly recalling something an old man had told him years ago. He smiled faintly, mocking himself: "It’s not just beauties who are ill-fated—even the loyal. Wounded and not yet healed, and already bound for the execution ground? Well, at least I’ll die for a cause."
Behind him, Nezha hurried forward, grabbed Marshal Silver’s wrist, and stared fiercely at the Court Herald ahead, whispering, "Treason is a grave crime—and now you’ve lost your cultivation... Last time, you already offended the Jade Emperor. You mustn’t go through with this. In a moment, I’ll slow our pace; once there’s some distance, the guards will help you escape. With things so chaotic, as long as you get past South Heaven Gate, no one will pursue you. Clear your name later—survive this first."
Marshal Silver was stunned.