After finishing his conversation with the Monkey King, Miles Moon turned and cast a glance outside the tent, where Rhino lay sprawled on the ground, snoring like thunder. He transformed into a moth and slipped through the twisted window woven from branches and leaves.
He fluttered across the empty camp and slipped into another tent, where he resumed his human form.
The moment he landed, he spotted Shortbeak, slouched by a wooden stake, staring at him wide-eyed.
Shortbeak looked haggard, his shoulders and belly swathed in thick bandages, one wing wrapped up as well. But those two enormous eyes were still full of spirit.
"Can't sleep?" Miles Moon walked over to the battered, bandaged old bull, reached out, and checked his temperature.
"Owls are always awake at night."
"Heh, I almost forgot."
"How is he?"
"He'll be fine. The fever's broken." Miles Moon sighed, wiping his hands with a silk cloth.
Shortbeak glanced indifferently at the still-unconscious old bull, then looked up at Miles Moon and asked, "Who are you, really?"
"Sun Wukong is my martial uncle. My name is Miles Moon."
"Who is Sun Wukong?"
"He never told you? You all call him Monkey King."
Hearing this, Shortbeak was clearly startled. "Monkey King... Sun Wukong... He has a name, but why has he never mentioned it?"
Miles Moon smiled faintly. "Not everything needs to be explained, nor can everything be explained, right? Come, give me your hand."
Shortbeak lowered his head and reached his hand out to Miles Moon.
"Who is his master? You said you're his junior, and you've already reached the Spirit-Focusing Realm. What about your master? What about his master?"
"You should ask him yourself. I'm just here to heal you." Miles Moon checked Shortbeak's injuries. "You're recovering nicely. At this rate, you'll be up and walking in a few days. My poor pills..." He pulled a medicine bottle from his sleeve, popped the lid, and handed Shortbeak a pill. "Here, take this."
Shortbeak took the pill and swallowed it in one gulp, then asked, "What about White Ape? How is he? You saved us, but not him?"
"How would I know? I've never even met him. It was chaotic—I was lucky to recognize you all."
"The Monkey King has been appointed Cavalry Marshal. Did he ever say he'd bring us into the city?" Shortbeak looked up, his eyes filled with hope as he stared at Miles Moon.
Miles Moon remained silent for a long time, his head lowered. "Just focus on recovering for now. We'll talk about the future when it comes."
At that moment, the distant sound of commotion echoed from outside the camp.
...
The next day, Gene Elk took sole command, while the Monkey King cultivated alone in his room. No one came to ask him to fulfill his duties.
It was as if the newly appointed Cavalry Marshal had never existed.
Another day passed. On the third day, inside the Serpent Lord's grand hall.
"What did you say? They refused to join us?" The Serpent Lord's eyebrows arched, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Ridiculous. Do they really think they can stand alone against the Heavenly Army?"
Kneeling before the throne, Gene Elk lowered his head and bowed. "Your Majesty, there are rumors outside the city... that Your Majesty intends to sell the incorporated demons to the Heavenly Court..."
The Serpent Lord's expression changed instantly. He narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at Gene Elk. "Who leaked the news?"
Gene Elk shrank beneath that gaze, fear clutching his heart. He kowtowed again and again, voice trembling: "I... I truly don't know!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." The Serpent Lord drew a long breath, fingers playing across the dragon throne as he looked down at Gene Elk groveling on the floor, voice slow and menacing: "If not you, who else? Only you knew."
Terrified, Gene Elk knocked his head against the floor harder and harder, each thud echoing his desperation.
"I swear, Your Majesty! I truly don't know! I've never breathed a word of this to anyone!"
Seeing Gene Elk so panicked and drenched in sweat, the Serpent Lord finally softened his sharp gaze. "And the Monkey King? How is he?"
"I followed Your Majesty's instructions and sidelined him. He hasn't voiced any objections."
"Oh?" The Serpent Lord slowly raised his head. "And these past few days, what has he been doing?"
"The spies report that he spends every day hiding in his room, cultivating."
"He hasn't left the city?"
Gene Elk slowly shook his head. "He hasn't left the city, hasn't contacted anyone outside, nor brought his original subordinates into the city. He just cultivates every day."
"Could someone have secretly snuck into the city?"
"All his original subordinates outside the city have already been registered and are under surveillance, checked daily for any unusual activity. Only Scribe Squirrel occasionally leads a group of little demons out to forage, but they don't have the ability to sneak into the city."
Rubbing his temples, the Serpent Lord furrowed his brows. "This is strange. Could it be that the Monkey King has truly been subdued?"
"Your Majesty, the Monkey King's current cultivation is only at the Spirit Channeling Stage. For him, being allowed to live in the city and hold a high position is already a great favor from you. How could he dare to have any ulterior motives?"
The Serpent Lord was silent for a long time before he spoke. "The Monkey King's talent is beyond my understanding. He's truly remarkable. But his nature is too wild. If he can be incorporated, it would be wonderful; if not, he must be killed to prevent future trouble. I was only trying my luck out of boredom. I never thought he'd be subdued so quickly. Ah... it's rather dull. Let him handle the matters outside the city."
"But..." Gene Elk was startled and slowly raised his head. "Your Majesty, if you let him go, what if..."
"What are you afraid of? Worried he'll turn against us?" The Serpent Lord chuckled, a cold edge in his laughter. "If he rebels, does he think he can defeat me? Or the Heavenly Army?"
Gene Elk slowly lowered his head.
"Let him go. I hardly need to dirty my own hands with such trivial matters. Besides, his reputation out there is far greater than yours. Don't forget that battle—none of those rabble will ever forget it." He bared his teeth in a wide grin. "It's settled. Hahaha!"
Leaving the grand hall, Gene Elk boarded a carriage and headed straight for the Monkey King's Cavalry Marshal's Residence.
Upon arrival, he didn't wait for the servants to announce him, but rushed directly into the residence, heading straight for the front hall.
The moment he entered the front hall, Gene Elk saw the Monkey King brewing a pot of tea, sitting at the table and savoring it slowly.
Seeing Gene Elk arrive, the Monkey King wasn't surprised. He simply looked up and smiled gently. "General Gene, what a rare visit. Welcome, welcome."
Gene Elk was stunned for a moment.
After regaining his composure, Gene Elk forced a smile. "You are the Cavalry Marshal, and His Majesty has instructed me to assist you. Ultimately, the responsibilities are yours, yet you've left everything to me and sit here enjoying tea. That's not quite right, is it?"
"These past few days..." The Monkey King picked up a teacup and placed it before Gene Elk. "Thank you for your hard work, General. These duties should be mine, but I know nothing about them. Sorry for troubling you."
"We're colleagues; there's no need for such words. Even if you don't understand, you should use this opportunity to get familiar with military affairs. Come with me to the camp—don't let His Majesty's favor go to waste."
With that, he was about to get up.
"No rush, General. Have a cup of tea first. This is fine tea sent by the Chancellor." With that, the Monkey King poured Gene Elk a cup and leisurely continued drinking his own.
This dawdling dragged on until the sun set behind the western hills.
Watching the Monkey King brew pot after pot of tea, Gene Elk couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up and shouted, "How long are you going to wait before coming with me?"
The Monkey King simply looked up at the sky. "General, it's getting late. Why don't we go tomorrow instead?"
Does he truly have no interest in military power? Gene Elk wondered.
If that were true, it would be good news for him.
But given the current situation, he couldn't feel happy at all.
"The Heavenly Army is already at our doorstep, and you still have time to brew tea! Military affairs are urgent; how can we wait until tomorrow?"
With that, Gene Elk reached out, forcibly dragging the Monkey King out the door.
The two of them wrestled their way onto the carriage and sped off toward the city gates.
By then, a massive military camp had been set up outside the city, but inside, it was completely deserted.
The carriage sped along and stopped at the entrance to the camp.
Getting out, the Monkey King saw the conscription board hanging high, but in front of it were only a handful of scattered demons.
In fact, there were fewer demons coming to enlist than there were officials in charge of recruitment.
Seeing this, Gene Elk grew anxious, but the Monkey King remained calm.
"His Majesty said you know more about the situation outside the city, so you'll handle the reorganization. I'll just assist with distributing weapons." Gene Elk sounded uncertain as he spoke.
He was the one who had previously sidelined the Monkey King, and now he was the one asking for his help.
At this moment, Gene Elk's nerves were on edge, already wondering what he'd do if the Monkey King started mocking him.
But the Monkey King simply walked to the front of the camp, glanced around, then turned and asked, "Looks like the problem is that the demons outside the city aren't responding, right?"
"Exactly!"
"Hmm..." The Monkey King folded his arms, stroked his chin, and stood there thinking for a moment before asking, "How many troops are stationed here?"
"A thousand. All transferred from my city guard."
"Can you give me another thousand?"
"Another thousand... My city guard only numbers four thousand in total, and you want two thousand? At most I can give you seventy percent—one thousand four hundred!"
"Then can I take seventy percent of the demons I recruit as well?"
Gene Elk gritted his teeth and replied, "Two thousand it is. Have it your way!"