"Congratulations! You have won! Hahaha. Guards, bring him into the city!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
"You must revive him! If you can't, I'll have your lives!"
"But Your Majesty, his injuries are too severe."
"That's your problem to solve! I haven't met such an interesting demon in ages. If he dies, you'll all be buried with him!"
...
"His condition is stabilizing. I've never seen such tenacious vitality. Quick, go report to His Majesty!"
...
"Uncle Samson, it's me, Miles Moon! Can you hear me? I've rescued Anna Yang, so you don't need to worry. All right, someone's coming—I have to go."
...
"Still not awake? Didn't you say his condition was improving? Are you trying to fool me?"
"Your Majesty, forgive us! His condition truly is improving, but for full recovery, he'll need more time."
"Oh? I'll give you only two days. He must be able to get out of bed and walk!"
"But... Your Majesty..."
"Can't do it?"
"Uh..."
"Enough, I understand. Guards, drag them out and execute them!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Spare us! Please, spare us!"
"And you? Can you get him out of bed in two days?"
"We... we will do our utmost!"
...
"Monkey King, please wake up soon. If you don't, all us old folks are doomed."
...
Slowly opening his eyes, the monkey found himself lying on bedding woven from silk, his mind still hazy.
In a lavishly decorated room, several elegantly dressed demonesses bustled about.
In a daze, he seemed to see White Ape, sitting alone on a rock like an old farmer, face full of sorrow. He heard him say, "The Heavenly Court doesn't care about them. If we turn our backs too, isn't it too pitiful to be a demon?"
He heard him say, "It's already miserable enough to be a demon—why must we fight among ourselves?"
In his haze, he saw Shortbeak clutching his chest, shouting, "As long as there's a chance, we have to try!"
He clenched his teeth tightly.
He seemed to see Big Bull gripping his hand, saying he wanted to marry a princess.
He seemed to see that sour-faced squirrel spirit proudly showing off to him.
Countless scenes flashed through his mind—those familiar faces, now shattered to dust.
He clenched his teeth tightly.
A sharp pain shot through his chest, blood sprayed out, staining the light silk canopy red.
"He's awake! He's awake!"
"Quick! Quick! Go notify His Majesty."
People bustled all around. The demons in black robes grinned from ear to ear, as if they'd just escaped death.
The Serpent Lord arrived, standing at a distance and speaking enthusiastically, but the Monkey King didn't hear a word.
His world was as silent as death, not a sound remained—only silence.
Staring blankly, he gazed at the bloodstained canopy hanging from the ceiling, tears streaming down his face.
Sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating his pale face. Amid endless despair, shards of ice began to form on his cheeks.
The sun rose and set; for two whole days, the Monkey King didn't take a drop of water.
The black-robed demons were nearly in tears with worry.
On the third day, he sat up by himself and started eating again, completely reversing his earlier behavior.
He removed his bandages and donned the brand-new black armor brought by the demonesses.
His wounds weren't healed yet; even the slightest movement brought overwhelming pain.
Yet there was no hint of pain on his face; he moved as usual, his expression so cold it sent chills down one's spine.
Dressed in black armor, crowned with tall pheasant feathers, gripping the Cloudwalker Staff, he quietly followed the demon guide down the empty corridor.
He arrived at the training ground and saw the Serpent Lord seated on the high platform.
"You can finally stand on your own feet. Hahaha, not bad, not bad. My efforts weren't wasted."
With a heavy fist pounding his breastplate, he knelt cleanly on one knee. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, the Serpent Lord was momentarily stunned. Then excitement spread across his face: "Good! Very good! You know how to adapt—you're a promising talent!"
With that, he gestured, "Bring him up."
Behind the Monkey King, ranks of demon soldiers quickly reformed, opening a passage.
At the end of the passage, two minor demons escorted White Ape, now left with only one arm.
"I hear you weren't the original leader of your group. Humans say a loyal minister serves no second master. Today, I want you to kill your former leader in front of me. Do it, and from this day forward, you'll be my most valued general!" The Serpent Lord clicked his tongue and laughed. "Well? Can you do it?"
White Ape was forced to kneel beside the Monkey King, his clouded eyes brimming with tears, blinking at the Monkey King without a word.
After a long time, he lowered his head and whispered, "Do it..."
Those two short words—no one knew how much pain hid behind that cold mask, in that heart, at that moment.
When this world leaves no way out, he learned to take up arms and fight.
He slowly stood up, the grating sound of armor scraping filling the air.
A long sword was handed to him.
Taking the sword, he slowly walked to stand before White Ape.
"Any last words?" His voice trembled weakly.
"If... I mean if... if one day there's a place for demons in this world, help me see that beautiful world."
"I promise you."
With a lightning-fast stroke, the head that always cared for others flew high, smiling as it drifted, blood splattering across the world.
Turning around, he knelt on one knee.
...
He remained stubbornly ignorant, even to the end.
This absurd old White Ape, along with his unrealistic dreams, vanished completely from this cruel world.
From beginning to end, no one knew where he came from, who his immortal master was, or why he was cast out from his sect.
No one knew, as if he had never existed at all.
He never truly belonged to this world.
A ridiculous life, leaving behind an indelible scar only in the heart of that one monkey.
...
"Well done! Hahaha! Go claim your reward!" The Serpent Lord slapped the table, laughing wildly as he left.
The army behind him slowly dispersed.
On the vast training ground, only the Monkey King remained, still kneeling alone.
...
The Serpent Lord arranged a lavish mansion for the Monkey King in the city.
All of Drake City was abuzz about this promising new war hero.
The military appointment came down—Cavalry Marshal, in charge of the demons outside the city.
Civil and military officials flocked to present lavish gifts, congratulating the new rising star.
Amid the bustling crowd, he sat in a daze, radiating an unapproachable chill.
When night fell and the guests had all departed, the Monkey King sat quietly in the pitch-dark, empty room.
A shadow appeared behind him.
"It's good you're all right."
"Anna Yang."
"Hmm?"
"Could you do me a favor? I want the Heavenly Warship Battle Plan."
In that moment, in the dim light, Anna Yang saw his clenched fist trembling.
The look on his face was so much like her brother's.