The next morning, a light rain began to fall from the overcast sky.
In this gloomy weather, Monkey and Anna Yang received envoys from various factions in the Ten Thousand Demons Hall.
This audience had a hint of tribute, but was not formal tribute.
Blossom Mountain annihilated the Heavenly Court’s main force, the Heavenly Fleet, and besieged South Heaven Gate to welcome back the Handsome Monkey King. All factions witnessed these events and know that Blossom Mountain now holds the advantage while the Heavenly Court’s position is precarious.
However, until the Three Pure Ones make an official statement, Blossom Mountain is only considered a regional power; the Heavenly Court remains the ruler of the Three Realms, and longstanding precedent forbids factions from formally taking sides at this time.
Weighing the pros and cons, all parties sent lavish gifts, mostly in a private capacity rather than officially. They also all chose to meet separately.
With drums and music resounding, the first to enter the hall were the envoys of the Four Dragon Kings.
The East Sea Dragon Palace sent Ao Tingxin, the West Sea sent Ao Cunxin, and the South and North Seas each sent a crown prince.
As the court officials read out the Dragon Kings’ gift list, the shrimp and crab soldiers carried box after box into the hall, unsealing them before Monkey, then Blossom Mountain’s demon soldiers stored them away in the treasury.
Looking over them, they were merely luxuries—rare red coral, giant luminous pearls, and the like. Though not practically useful, they were worth considerable gold essence.
When the shrimp and crab soldiers opened the third box, Monkey couldn’t help but pause.
"Lotus-thread Cloudwalking Shoes, Golden Lockmail Armor, Phoenix-winged Gold Crown... It’s actually these pieces. Is this fate?"
Monkey’s eyes slowly narrowed to a slit.
Anna Yang, hearing this, whispered: "These are all treasures from the seas, but while they look splendid, their practical use is limited. The Four Dragon Kings are clever—every item is priceless, but none are truly important. They’re trying to curry favor with us while avoiding trouble with the Heavenly Court."
Box after box was carried in, more than forty in total.
The Four Dragon Kings were generous, with all manner of gifts worth three to five million gold essence. Yet not a single pill or useful weapon or magical artifact was seen.
After announcing and displaying all the gifts, Ao Tingxin, representing the East Sea Dragon Palace, presented the Dragon King’s personal letter to Monkey.
Upon opening it, the words were full of flattery, but not a mention of Blossom Mountain’s withheld rain.
Monkey’s brows twitched slightly.
Seeming to understand Monkey’s thoughts, Anna Yang whispered: "Forget it, we can make it rain ourselves anyway. At this juncture, the Four Dragon Kings can’t say much, so let’s not make things difficult for them."
Monkey cast a faint glance at Anna Yang, then nodded silently.
With both Listening-Heart Ao and Inch-Heart Ao as intermediaries, the Four Dragon Kings had no reason to make trouble, and Monkey himself found it difficult to move against the Four Seas unless truly provoked. Besides, their etiquette had been flawless, showing no intention of causing difficulties.
After a few polite exchanges, the Four Seas' envoys accepted Monkey’s personal letter to the Dragon Kings and took their leave.
Next to enter the hall were envoys from several neighboring human kingdoms.
Since these kingdoms had no direct allegiance to the Heavenly Court, they were far less concerned with Heaven’s stance than the Four Dragon Kings. Some even sent their own monarchs as envoys, and their letters to Monkey were filled with extravagant praise—one could almost read them as declarations of fealty.
However, the gifts they brought were rather unremarkable.
What use did Blossom Mountain have for gold or silk? As for weapons and armor, the mortal-made ones were hardly worthy of the eyes of Blossom Mountain’s demons. One human king, hoping to curry favor, even went so far as to offer his own daughter to Monkey...
In these times, even flattery requires skill—a misplaced compliment can backfire.
Unfortunately, this inventive king clearly had no grasp of Blossom Mountain’s customs. Just as Monkey was about to accept all tributes regardless of their nature, Anna Yang’s expression changed and she coughed twice—promptly, the king was ushered out in confusion, trembling with fear. Only after receiving a return gift from the Handsome Monkey King did he regain some composure.
The third wave to pay respects were representatives of the mortal cultivation sects.
Most were minor Daoist temples, and their offerings consisted of rare materials. Monkey responded generously, leaving several sect leaders overjoyed and profusely grateful.
With all the formalities complete, it was time for the real challenge—the emissaries of the Ten Judges of the Underworld, scheduled last.
When Officers Ox-Head and Horse-Face entered the hall with several ghost attendants, the smiles Monkey and Anna Yang had worn all morning instantly faded.
"I am Ox-Head of the Underworld Bureau."
"I am Horse-Face of the Underworld Bureau."
"We pay our respects to the Handsome Monkey King!"
Their deep voices echoed throughout the hall.
They remained bowed, hands clasped, waiting. For a long moment, no one bid them rise.
"I am Ox-Head (Horse-Face) of the Underworld Bureau. We pay our respects to the Handsome Monkey King!" The two exchanged a glance and repeated their salute in unison.
Neither Monkey, Anna Yang, nor any of the attending officials moved a muscle.