"Since we have a moment, let’s talk. What’s your plan for me now? Are you sending me down to the mortal world, or keeping me locked up here to waste away?"
After asking, Monkey carefully lifted his eyelids and watched Lord Lao, his eyes full of caution, though his hands and mouth never stopped moving.
The alchemy room was utterly silent.
Lord Lao tilted his head slightly, stroking his long beard as he pondered for a moment, then lowered his gaze and replied, enunciating each word: "You guess."
"That again?" Monkey snorted with a laugh, instantly showing his rogue side. He tossed a few more pills into his mouth and crunched them noisily. After swallowing, he shot Lord Lao a glare and said, "Guess what you’re thinking? Am I crazy? Of all people, I’d never try to guess the mind of Lord Lao. I prefer things straight—let’s just open the window and speak plainly. Whatever you have to say, just say it, all right?"
At this, Lord Lao chuckled, "That’s exactly why, even though you’ve dabbled in the Sage’s Path, you haven’t grasped its essence. Is my mind really so hard to read?"
"Heh, if your mind’s easy to read, whose isn’t?" Monkey retorted.
"That’s where you’re wrong. My mind is the easiest to read." Lord Lao shook out his sleeves and rose to his feet, speaking slowly, "The way of dealing with the world lies in ‘non-action.’ Using force against force, you can move mountains with a feather. The key is leveraging others’ thoughts and desires. Tell me, all this time, have I ever forced you to do anything?"
"Well, no, you haven’t," Monkey admitted, though his brow furrowed even tighter.
Lord Lao smiled faintly, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly paced the room.
"Back on Blossom Mountain, you wanted to strengthen the demon nation—I knew it all along, yet never intervened. I may have advised the Emperor to grant you a Heavenly post, but I never forced you to accept it. The rebellion was your own decision; I didn’t interfere. As for the golden pills… I only told the young lady that she could use any elixir here, and she stuffed all the golden pills into your mouth, terrified you wouldn’t wake up. How could you blame me for that?"
"So what are you getting at?" Monkey asked.
Lord Lao glanced at him and countered, "What do you think?"
"You mean… you want me to decide for myself?" Monkey asked hesitantly.
"That’s one way to put it," Lord Lao replied coolly. "But before you decide, I should remind you of something. I am currently in seclusion, so who could have guessed that Belle, the handmaid of Tusita Palace, would dare to forge my letter and demand your transfer here, then release a condemned criminal on her own, cause havoc in my alchemy room with said criminal, and feed you all my golden pills…"
At that, Monkey’s eye twitched involuntarily, and he turned in alarm to glance at Belle, who was sleeping soundly by the bedside.
Damn it, not again…
He says it’s not coercion, but every time, there’s no real choice at all.
With things as they are, how could Monkey not descend to the mortal world? Even if he dared stay, could he really leave Belle here any longer?
Forging the Three Pure Ones’ letter, releasing a condemned criminal, causing chaos in the alchemy room, stealing golden pills… are these minor offenses? Soon the Three Realms’ wanted list will have Monkey at number one, and Belle at number two. Even if Monkey could rely on Lord Lao’s protection and stay here while Blossom Mountain besieges Heaven, could he possibly let Belle remain in Heaven any longer?
Every step was calculated to perfection, advancing cautiously...
The Sage's Path—how detestable. That was Monkey's final conclusion.
"Fine, I get what you mean." Monkey sighed helplessly. "But if I want to go down to the mortal realm, you'll just let me? The Jade Emperor went to so much trouble to capture me, and you just let me go... isn't that a bit careless?"
"I said I’m still in seclusion. How could I be the one letting you go?" Lord Lao replied with a smile.
"Then what do you mean? If you don’t intervene, will General Lee open South Heaven Gate for me to leave?"
Lord Lao coughed lightly, "South Heaven Gate is open right now."
"Open?" Monkey was stunned for a moment, eyeing Lord Lao suspiciously, then glanced back at Belle sleeping soundly. "Even if it’s open, it won’t work. My cultivation’s improved, but I’ve lost my Golden Staff. Taking Belle and breaking through the encirclement will be tough. How about you hurry up and make me a new weapon?"
Lord Lao pretended not to hear the last request.
He smiled faintly, took out the Adamantine Ring from his sleeve, and gently placed it on the table.
With a clang, Monkey’s brow twitched, and his monkey eyes couldn’t help but glance at the treasure that had nearly killed him.
"Is it good enough now?" Lord Lao asked softly.
Monkey’s eyes spun, and he shamelessly replied, "Just a little more, just a little. If I had another magical treasure, it’d be even safer."
Gazing at Monkey, Lord Lao said meaningfully, "You’ve already gained plenty from this trip. Everything in moderation."
Without waiting for Monkey’s reply, he sighed lightly, turned, and walked step by step out of the alchemy room, saying loudly, "Beware that greed may swallow you whole. Contentment brings happiness."
As he neared the tightly closed door, Lord Lao’s figure flickered and turned into a wisp of green smoke, vanishing without a trace.
But his voice continued, as if coming from all directions, vibrating Monkey’s eardrums painfully.
"These Three Realms still belong to Heaven. As for those five hundred thousand celestial troops, I won’t hold it against you. But you can’t completely undermine His Majesty’s prestige. Cloudrealm Sky Harbor and Cloudwatch Harbor are now in Blossom Mountain’s hands. Once you escape, you must return them to Heaven immediately."
"Don’t worry, I have no interest in those two sky harbors. Even if you have other motives, you’ve helped me this time. I always repay kindness and grudges alike. I’ll return the favor."
"Remember what you said."
"The Handsome Monkey King always keeps his word!" Monkey shouted, raising his left hand.