"Summon the Handsome Monkey King Simon Sun of Blossom Mountain to the hall—!" The Court Herald shouted at the top of his lungs, three times in succession, his voice echoing across the vast expanse for a long while.
Monkey, with Belle by his side, stepped onto the white jade stairs, only to be blocked by a Heavenly soldier wielding a halberd.
"What do you think you're doing?" Monkey glared angrily.
The Heavenly soldier shrank back in fright, momentarily unable to speak.
Grandmaster White hurried over to Monkey and said, "You may enter, but His Majesty did not summon her."
Monkey turned his face to glance at Belle. "What do you mean? I'm allowed in, but she's not?"
"Naturally," Grandmaster White said, clasping his hands and straightening up. "To be frank, neither a celestial handmaid nor the Chief of the Imperial Horse Bureau are considered respectable positions. If not for your status as the Handsome Monkey King, you wouldn't need to enter the hall at all—a simple proclamation from the Court Herald would suffice."
"Neither are considered respectable positions?" Monkey couldn't help but chuckle.
Such bluntness, really. Could it be that being a little rude actually wins people over?
"Fine, just wait for me here." Monkey said coolly.
Belle nodded silently.
Following Grandmaster White, Monkey climbed the steps one by one.
Halfway up the stairs, Monkey crossed paths with Marshal Silver, who was being escorted away in chains.
Beneath his disheveled hair, Monkey glimpsed Marshal Silver’s vacant eyes—an indescribable sense of loss.
"Has Marshal Silver been cast down to the mortal realm?" Monkey asked in a low voice.
Grandmaster White waved his hand and said, "Not so. The criminal Marshal Silver has been stripped of his rank by His Majesty, and by law will be imprisoned in Heaven’s great prison for eternity."
"Hmm?" Monkey couldn’t help but take another look at Marshal Silver.
So he hasn’t been cast down yet? What’s going on? Is there an even greater crime to come?
Ever since the Dragon’s Pool, Marshal Silver’s fate had been radically altered by Monkey’s actions. If Lord Lao went to such lengths to bring Monkey into Heaven early, would he really leave Marshal Silver unpunished?
Thinking this, Monkey lifted his leg and stepped over the high threshold, entering the inner court.
The Lingxiao Palace consists of three buildings in succession, separated by two large plazas. The main hall stands at the far end; where Monkey had just been was only the outermost gate.
As he walked, Monkey carefully observed the scenery around him.
Mist drifted over the jade-paved stone floor; the plaza was so quiet that only the wind could be heard. On both sides, two neat rows of Heavenly soldiers stood with spears three zhang tall, their red tassels swaying gently in the breeze like flickering flames. Towering pavilions flanked the plaza, their banners fluttering. The decor was all carved dragons and inlaid jade, gilded and silvered—luxurious yet tasteful, truly an eye-opener.
After passing through the second gate, Monkey soon reached the front of the main hall.
Grandmaster White raised a hand to stop Monkey, then entered the hall ahead of him.
Soon, a Court Herald shuffled out and bowed, "Handsome Monkey King, please come in."
Monkey cleared his throat, lifted his head, straightened his back, and strode into the hall.
Whether by prior arrangement or instinct, as soon as Monkey appeared, the hundred or so immortals in the hall quickly split into two groups.
Those in armor—the martial officials—stepped forward, one hand on their magical weapons. The robed immortals—the civil officials—stepped back, likewise gripping their own treasures. Both sides regarded Monkey with intense hostility.
Monkey simply pretended not to notice their hostility.