Monkey picked up the Jade Tablet, his eyes bulging as wide as bronze bells.
Between the mortal world and Heaven lies the South Heaven Gate, making it impossible to transmit messages with Jade Tablets in the usual way. Even Heavenly orders must be relayed through the garrison stationed at South Heaven Gate. If not for this barrier, when Monkey was trapped in Heaven, he wouldn’t have needed to use the 'linked scrolls' to send messages to Yang Chan.
Still, activating the counterpart Jade Tablet across South Heaven Gate isn’t much of a problem.
So, whose hand holds the other half of this Jade Tablet?
The answer: Marshal Silver.
Then, under what circumstances would Marshal Silver use the Jade Tablet?
Undoubtedly, there’s only one reason Marshal Silver would activate the Jade Tablet: something has gone wrong in the mortal world, and the problem is beyond his ability to resolve.
Most likely... something has happened to Tripitaka.
In an instant, Monkey understood. He immediately raised his head, clasped his hands to Lord Lao, and said, "I have urgent business—please excuse me."
Before Lord Lao could reply, Monkey was already up and rushing out the door. He brushed past Qingxin without so much as a glance.
At the main gate, before General Lee could say a word, Monkey had already turned into a streak of golden light and soared into the sky!
Watching Monkey's receding figure, Lord Lao chuckled, stroking his long beard. "Did he just refer to himself as 'this humble one' in front of his master?"
"Yes, Master. He really did call himself 'this humble one.'" Sparrow, who was kneeling nearby, answered softly.
"'This humble one'..." Lord Lao slowly closed his eyes and sighed. "After all these years, he’s grown much more polite. Well, that’s good—very good."
Outside the door, Clara Heart watched Lord Lao, her brows tightly furrowed. After thinking for a while, she stepped into the hall.
......
Meanwhile, in a corner of the warship, General Draco Jiao was still pacing anxiously.
He looked up and saw Monkey leap from the floating stone land of Tusita Palace. Before the assembled Heavenly troops could react, Monkey had already plunged headfirst toward the lower realms, vanishing in an instant.
Suddenly, all the Heavenly soldiers and generals aboard the warship fell into stunned silence.
What on earth just happened?
The Heavenly generals aboard the warship exchanged bewildered glances, cold sweat breaking out all over.
Just then, General Lee appeared before them, landing steadily on the deck.
"Heavenly King, what should we do now?" All the generals stared blankly at General Lee, their faces dazed.
"Don’t worry, it’s fine now." General Lee pointed to King Virūḍhaka. "Notify South Heaven Gate to open for him. Something must have happened in the mortal realm."
"Yes, sir!" King Virūḍhaka bowed and turned to leave.
"One more thing."
King Virūḍhaka quickly stopped in his tracks.
General Lee continued, "Let His Majesty know, so he can be at ease."
"Yes, sir."
......
In the Imperial Study attached to the High Sky Throne Hall, a Heavenly General rushed in, knelt, and bowed. "Reporting to His Majesty: General Lee says the demon monkey will soon leave Heaven, and the emergency mobilization can be lifted."
The general lifted his head slightly, and his expression froze.
The immortals present all watched the Jade Emperor nervously, tiptoeing around him. The Jade Emperor’s face was already dark with anger.
Looking to the side, the general noticed that an officer bearing the Heavenly Marshal Corps insignia on his armband was already standing nearby, as if some intelligence had reached the Jade Emperor before his own report.
"Lifted?" The Jade Emperor’s eye twitched twice. He slammed his palm on the desk and roared, "Tell General Lee: South Heaven Gate’s troops are to return to their posts. Then, have General Draco Jiao lead his own forces to the Kingdom of Precious Elephant at once."
......
At that moment, South Heaven Gate thundered open as the order arrived.
Before the soldiers could even brace themselves, a streak of golden light flashed by—Monkey brushed past them from inside the gate and shot out.
The fierce wind he raised swept in a fan shape across both sides of South Heaven Gate.
......