It took nearly a full hour for Borosen Jeti to give Monkey a clear, thorough explanation of how to break out through the South Heaven Gate from the inside.
An hour—this was already the absolute maximum Borosen Jeti could afford to stay.
As he escorted Borosen Jeti and Anna Yang out, Monkey quietly said, "For such help, Jeti, I am endlessly grateful. However, I'm afraid tonight's events won't remain airtight—please be vigilant."
Borosen Jeti replied calmly, "If it's those few above the Thirty-Three Heavens, even if they know, it doesn't matter. You and I only need to guard against others."
With that, he pressed his palms together in a gesture of respect.
That tranquil, almost water-like expression made Monkey even more uncertain of his true intentions.
Could it be that he truly has some hidden agenda behind such help?
What is the "Buddha" really thinking? Monkey found it impossible to grasp. In any case, with no evidence yet, is it too petty to suspect others out of nothing but caution?
Before boarding the ship, Anna Yang stood silently before Monkey, gazing at him for a long time. At last, Monkey said in a low voice, "All these years, you've worked hard in the mortal world. When I return, you'll finally be able to rest."
Anna Yang looked at Monkey full of resentment, reached out to straighten his clothes, and whispered, "They're not all united. In the Heavenly Court, you have to make use of every faction's disputes. Whenever things get tough, if you hold back a little, someone else might step up for you. And... don't go running around for scraps of gossip—if you get into trouble, it's not worth it."
After a moment's hesitation, she added, "The Heavenly Court has its own rules, and the edict comes first. As long as you do nothing, no one can catch you out—just remember, close relations between a fairy maiden and a male god are strictly forbidden."
Monkey touched his nose and glanced around, saying, "I'm just a monkey."
Anna Yang frowned, glared at Monkey, and snapped, "You're still a male monkey! You'll understand if something goes wrong!"
After all that roundabout talk, what was she really trying to say?
Helpless, Monkey rolled his eyes and said, "Fine, next time I go for a stroll, I'll take a handmaid, not a Chang'e, alright?"
The corners of Anna Yang's mouth twitched, as if she wanted to smile but held back. She whispered, "Taking a handmaid isn't out of the question, but you still need to be careful."
She cast a furtive glance at Belle, who had been quietly watching her from behind Monkey. Anna Yang took a step back and said, "Alright, I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself."
"You take care too. Don't wear yourself out."
Anna Yang just smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Standing in the ship's cabin, she quietly watched Monkey until the drawbridge lifted, the hatch sealed, and the vessel set sail.
As she watched the Buddha-marked banner fade into the distance, Belle's mind replayed the recent scene, and her gaze fell.
Staring after the departing skybarge, Monkey sighed softly, "Let's go back."
Belle asked quietly, "Is war coming again?"
"Yes," Monkey sighed.
"Once war breaks out, we won't be able to stay in the Heavenly Court anymore, will we?"
"That's certain."
"Will... will Lord Lao do nothing?" Belle asked hesitantly.
"I don't know." Monkey turned and walked into the inner room, "Who knows what that old man is thinking? In any case, it never hurts to be prepared."
Belle hurried after him, "Should I talk to him?"
Monkey glanced at her and said softly, "Trust me, if he wants to stop it, he will—without you saying a word. If he doesn't, you probably won't even get the chance to speak. To be number one in all Three Realms, he's far more formidable than you imagine, both in means and in power."
With that, Monkey let out a long sigh, stretched lazily with both hands behind his head, and wandered into the inner room, leaving Belle standing alone.
That night, she hesitated again and again, picking up and putting down the Jade Tablet meant for contacting Lord Lao, but in the end, she didn't dare use it.
Compared to Blossom Mountain, she actually preferred the Heavenly Court a bit more. Though people here were often hostile, at least in the little world of the Imperial Horse Bureau, she was left in peace—and Monkey was here.
She also believed Lord Lao had the power to stop the war.
But Monkey never told her the true cause of the looming war. What if she accidentally revealed his plans?
Belle trusted Lord Lao, but she couldn't take that risk.
So she sat before the Jade Tablet all night, lost in thought.
...
In the High Sky Throne Hall, in his study, the Jade Emperor couldn't help but massage his temples.
The dragon-shaped desk was piled high with battle reports, all detailing clashes between the Heavenly River Navy and 'unknown' demons.
Overall, casualties on both sides have been light, but the Heavenly River Fleet has lost more than it has won.
"Your Majesty, the matter of Blossom Mountain cannot be delayed any longer," General Curtain said, bowing.
"No more delays?" The Jade Emperor pressed his lips together. "Then tell me—how do we break the deadlock?"
General Curtain fell silent.
Taking a deep breath, the Jade Emperor asked, "After so many skirmishes, has the Heavenly River Fleet not captured a single prisoner?"
General Curtain slowly shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. I have investigated thoroughly. Blossom Mountain now has a cadre of high-level Traveler’s Path demons stationed at each encounter. Capturing any alive is extremely difficult."
"What about the dead? Surely there must be souls?"
General Curtain bowed. "All the fallen have had their souls collected. None were left at the scene."
The Jade Emperor snorted coldly, stroking his long beard. "Thorough work, indeed. Does he plan to resurrect them all? Those souls cannot all be stored at Blossom Mountain—some must have gone to the Netherworld. Reviving so many demons would be impossible even for Heaven, let alone Blossom Mountain."
"There should be some, but they must be traced through the Underworld."
The Jade Emperor commanded sharply, "Deliver my verbal order: the Ten Judges of the Underworld must cooperate fully. Ferret out the souls of Blossom Mountain’s fallen demons sent to the Netherworld! Find a few who will cooperate—bring them to Heaven to testify. The rest, cast them into the Eighteenth Hell, never to reincarnate. Any future Blossom Mountain casualties will be dealt with the same way! Let’s see if these monsters still dare to join Blossom Mountain!"
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General Curtain was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly bowed. "Your servant obeys."
Early the next morning, the Jade Emperor rushed to Tusita Palace, only to be stopped at the gate by Lord Lao’s boy servant. "My master has entered seclusion and is not receiving visitors. Your Majesty, please return."
The Jade Emperor was taken aback and quickly asked, "Did Lord Lao leave any instructions for me?"
"None."
After a moment’s thought, the Jade Emperor asked, "What if I face something I cannot decide, and urgently need Lord Lao’s advice?"
The boy servant coughed lightly, bowed, and said quietly, "My master asks Your Majesty to make your own decisions. There is no need to worry."
The Jade Emperor slowly raised his head, his crane-like eyes half-narrowed, as if suddenly enlightened.
...
At that moment, in the front hall of the Imperial Horse Bureau—
The boy from Tusita Palace bowed. "My master entered seclusion yesterday, with no set date for return. He sent me to inform you both."
Belle’s eyes widened in surprise.
Monkey stared at the boy, half-smiling, half-sighing. "So he means not to be disturbed for now, right?"
The boy did not answer.
"Is that what he means?"
The boy bowed again. "My master said, if Miss Belle finds the Imperial Horse Bureau too stifling, she may move to Tusita Palace. There are several fairy maidens there who could keep Miss Belle company."
"Lord Lao wants me to move to Tusita Palace?" Belle was so shocked she could hardly speak. "Why would he suggest that now...?"
"Oh? He really said that?" Before Belle could recover, Monkey chuckled. "How considerate of him. Belle, go with this boy and stay at Tusita Palace for a while."
Belle looked at Monkey in panic. "Why?"
"It's nothing, just stay there a few days," Monkey replied coolly.
"I’m not going!" Belle shot to her feet, panic in her eyes.
Monkey was taken aback by Belle’s outburst. The boy’s expression remained calm, as if he’d expected it.
"Let me explain—"
"I’m not going!"
Belle’s blue eyes widened, locking onto Monkey. Tears shimmered in their depths.
The two stared at each other for a long, long time. Finally, Monkey bowed his head with a deep sigh. "You should go. Moving to Tusita Palace would be better—for both of us."
"I won’t go. As long as I stay, he—"
"Do you think he’ll hesitate just because you’re here? He’s Lord Lao, the Taishang Laojun, Dao Ancestor. If he couldn’t be ruthless, how would he ever master the Heavenly Dao?"
Belle bit her lip and frowned, lowering her head, silent.
With the truth laid bare, the boy’s expression remained unchanged.
He slowly stepped back and bowed. "Since Miss Belle is unwilling, so be it. If you change your mind, Monkey King, just let me know—I’ll come at once."
Monkey opened his mouth to offer a polite reply, but found himself at a loss. He simply nodded.
The boy bowed once more, turned, and left.
The small hall was left with only Belle and Monkey.
All was silent.
Belle sat down, head bowed, still silent.
"You should go to Tusita Palace." After a long pause, Monkey said quietly, "Lord Lao’s seclusion makes it clear—he expects me and Heaven to fall out. There will be war. If it were Blossom Mountain, that’d be one thing, but here, in Heaven... At least in Tusita Palace, I don’t believe Lord Lao means you harm. If you’re not by my side, it’ll be easier for me to act. None of Heaven’s generals can beat me—they only have numbers. If they really trap me here, who knows who’ll lose more."
"Why does he want you to fall out with Heaven? Wasn’t he the one who convinced the Jade Emperor to accept your surrender?" Belle asked softly.
...
"..."
"Are you hiding a lot from me? Sister Anna knows everything, but I know nothing."
Her head bowed, tears kept falling onto the back of her hand.
"I know you want me at Tusita Palace for my safety. But... what if something really happens to you?"
"This is Heaven. Can you really escape? If I leave with him now, this might be the last time we ever meet... Do you really not know why I left Crescent Star Cave? If it was just for safety, why would I go through all this?"
"I don’t want anything—I just want to stay by your side."
Her head hung low, hair falling over her cheeks.
She wiped her tears and whispered, "You said if anyone bullied me, you’d stand up for me. But every time, it’s you who pushes me away..."