The news of the Chief of the Imperial Horse Bureau spending Gold Essence like water in the Treasury quickly spread throughout all of Heaven.
In Mi’luo Palace on the Thirty-Fifth Heaven, more than ten bamboo slips glowed faintly as they floated in a circle around a white-haired elder.
"One Xuanwu Heavy Hammer, one Nine Heavens Dark Halberd, one Moonlight Spirit Bow, a pair of Tiger-subduing Spiritwing Blades... One Listening Tide Silken Robe, a set of Profound Soul Taiyi Battle Armor... one name plate, ten Soul-calling Stones, one Heaven-supporting Feather, five taels of Xin Qin Grass, eight taels of Wulong Bestowed Leaves... one Vermilion Lotus Purple Gold Hairpin, one top-grade Night-Luminescent Pearl..."
After carefully reading through all the bamboo slips from start to finish, the white-haired elder couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Master, what makes you laugh?" the kneeling boy in front of him asked softly.
Stroking his long beard, the white-haired elder said, "That monkey has not been tamed at all. He lacks the strength, so he chooses to keep a low profile, but on the other hand, he is still meticulously preparing."
The boy hesitated slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "This disciple is dull-witted. I beg Master to enlighten me."
Pointing to several of the bamboo slips, the white-haired elder said, "Never mind those materials and miscellaneous items—look at these: they are all weapons and armor. That monkey already possesses the Golden Staff and Black Jiao Hide Armor, two treasures, yet he has bought so many top-grade weapons and armor. There’s no way he bought them for his own use. Frankly, he’s likely preparing them for the demon crowd of Blossom Mountain. If he were truly tamed, why would he need all these?"
"Now that Master mentions it, that does seem to be the case." The boy frowned slightly, then added, "But there’s one thing I don’t understand. That monkey has only been in Heaven for such a short time—where did he get so much Gold Essence? Could it be... he has already stolen from the Treasury without anyone noticing?"
"Heaven’s Treasury is not so easily stolen from." The white-haired elder waved his hand and stroked his long beard. "Anyone with sense can see through this at a glance, so there’s no need to worry. What I’ve always been unsure of is whether that monkey has truly been tamed. Now it’s clear he has not..."
He nodded slightly, then gave a faint smile and gazed at the boy, saying, "It’s worth finding an opportunity to meet with him."
......
Inside the High Sky Throne Hall, General Curtain maintained his bowing posture, barely moving, his eyes slightly raised as he cautiously watched the Jade Emperor seated before him.
With one hand stroking his long beard, the Jade Emperor’s other hand slowly clenched tight. He said calmly, "This monkey truly fears neither Heaven nor Earth. He openly uses the Gold Essence he looted from the Heavenly Fleet without a trace of hesitation."
"Your Majesty, should we... order him to hand over all the items he purchased, along with the remaining Gold Essence?"
The Jade Emperor lowered his head slightly and asked, "Do you know the exact total amount?"
"This..."
"Everyone can guess where the monkey’s Gold Essence comes from, but who knows the actual amount? There has never been a precise figure. When the time comes, whether he turns in more or less, no one can say for sure, and the result will inevitably be a muddled account. If this had been raised at the time of his recruitment, it would have been simple; now that the matter has passed, bringing it up again would only invite ridicule." The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, gently stroking the dragon armrest as he sighed, "As for this, it’s best to pretend not to know."
General Curtain took a deep breath, bowed again, and said, "Your Majesty, although the demon monkey has caused unrest in Heaven, he has not yet provoked any major disaster. But I’ve heard that under his command, Blossom Mountain has gathered millions of demons, their armies and horses are fierce and proud, and they regularly test the borders against the Heavenly Fleet. The items the monkey just purchased are likely meant for the demon crowd of Blossom Mountain... In the last battle, Blossom Mountain inflicted terrible losses on the Heavenly Fleet. If left unchecked, it will be even harder to suppress in the future, even if Heaven sends forth all its elite forces. Lord Lao’s intentions are deep and inscrutable; he protects the demon monkey, and naturally has his own reasons. Yet judging by the current situation, if this continues, the demon monkey will surely become a great calamity for Heaven. Your Majesty should make early plans to deal with him."
Seeing that the Jade Emperor did not respond, General Curtain continued, "I do have a plan to eliminate this hidden threat, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to mention."