Taibai Pavilion.
In the study, Grandmaster White sat serenely before his desk, slowly flipping through a small ledger in his hand. Every so often, he stroked his long beard, his expression calm and unhurried.
Standing before him, Warden Joel Chow and Captain Carl Chang were already growing visibly uneasy.
After much hesitation, Warden Joel Chow cupped his hands and said, "Last night, with your guidance, Star Lord, we worked through the night to revise the accounts and tidied up the Immortal Peach Orchard inside and out, guaranteeing that the Monkey won't spot any irregularities. But today, when we went to receive him, for some reason, he wouldn't even meet us. Frankly, we are at a loss as to what to do."
Having spoken, the two men carefully glanced up at Grandmaster White.
Grandmaster White slowly closed the ledger, tossed it aside, and tilted his head slightly, stroking his beard in thought. Without looking at them, he said coolly, "Dealing with the Monkey requires extreme caution. From what I know, his skills in stealth and concealment are unmatched; his investigative abilities must be just as sharp. If you use your old methods, it wouldn't take much—once he steps into the Immortal Peach Orchard, he could overturn everything and expose you. Right now, he has no troops at hand; your only advantage is your familiarity with Heavenly regulations."
"Star Lord, you are absolutely right," Warden Joel Chow quickly replied with a fawning smile. "At present, the Monkey has only requested one transfer—a newly ascended moon maiden, called... called something-ling."
"What could a mere celestial handmaid possibly do?"
As they spoke, the two exchanged smiles, but Grandmaster White did not join them. Seeing this, they hurriedly put away their grins.
Their laughter was abruptly cut off, as if choked in midair.
"That celestial handmaid is named Belle," Grandmaster White said coldly.
"Star Lord... you've heard of her too?"
"How could I not?" Grandmaster White slowly closed his eyes and mused, "Belle ascended to Heaven together with the Monkey—both under my escort."
The Monkey is one thing.
Although his Heavenly appointment was originally at Lord Lao's personal request, word is that Blossom Mountain and the Heavenly River Fleet have recently been at odds, and the Jade Emperor is already considering wiping out Blossom Mountain.
Lord Lao chose this moment to go into seclusion, leaving not a single word behind and letting the Jade Emperor handle things as he sees fit—clearly to avoid getting involved. Even if it comes to open conflict, that's nothing to fear.
But that celestial handmaid Belle...
It's said that when she was at Guanghan Palace, Lord Lao personally came to fetch her. Their conversation was more like that between grandfather and granddaughter, enough that even the Lunar Star Lord wanted to curry favor with her...
Thinking of this, Grandmaster White couldn't help but hesitate. He lowered his voice and said, "This time, our target is the Monkey alone. As for the celestial handmaid Belle, Her Majesty has already instructed: unless absolutely necessary, do not harm her under any circumstances. You must remember this."
The two were taken aback but dared not ask further, only bowing and saying, "We will strictly follow your instructions, Star Lord."
After a brief pause, Warden Joel Chow lowered his voice and asked, "Also, tomorrow, should we go again to the Imperial Horse Bureau? I ask for your guidance, Star Lord."
"Go—you must go," Grandmaster White said, taking a deep breath. "I've heard that at the Imperial Horse Bureau, he is generous and lenient with his subordinates. You must make him feel that you are just like his current staff—respectful and dutiful to him. If you can't get him in one day, wait two; if not two, then three. The longer you wait, the easier it will be for him to let down his guard."
"Understood," the two replied, bowing deeply.
...
Early the next morning, the two obediently boarded the floating ship to the Imperial Horse Bureau. Naturally, the Monkey found an excuse not to see them, dragging things out.
Thanks to Grandmaster White's reassurance, they were different from the day before—not the least bit anxious. They didn't bother sending anyone to check, nor did they question the obvious excuses; they simply treated the Imperial Horse Bureau's main hall as their own lounge, drinking tea and chatting to their hearts' content.
And so, another day passed.
The Monkey was content to drag things out. Though Joel Chow and Carl Chang were quietly frustrated, it didn't really matter—yet others were already losing patience.
"What did you say? He's stalling and won't assume his post?"
In the Jade Pool, the Queen Mother of the West glared fiercely at Grandmaster White, making him distinctly uncomfortable. He could only bow and say, "Your Majesty, in my view, the Monkey's failure to take up the post is actually a good thing. If he doesn't come, the peaches remain safe. After enough delay, we can submit a memorial to the High Sky Throne Hall, accusing him of dereliction. That should be punishment enough."
At this, the Queen Mother slammed her palm on the low table and roared, "Do you think he's that stupid? Has any monkey ever resisted peaches? With this matter hanging over me, I can't eat or sleep in peace. So you see this as just my private concern and toss it aside? I don't care—you said three days, and now two have already passed. If this isn't settled by then, I'll hold you personally responsible!"
After her tirade, Grandmaster White couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. In a low voice, he said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your concerns are my concerns. I have been remiss in my thinking. Please grant me three more days; I swear I will not fail you."
"Fine!" The Queen Mother glared at White. "You said it yourself. I'll give you three more days. If this isn't settled, you'll answer for it yourself!"
With that, she flicked her sleeve, sending the teacup on the table crashing to the floor, shattering it to pieces.
A few drops of tea splashed onto Grandmaster White's sleeve, and he couldn't help but furrow his brow.
...
That night, Grandmaster White returned from the Jade Pool to the Taibai Pavilion, immediately sending a boy to summon the two from the Immortal Peach Orchard. After much deliberation, he quietly sent out a few more people to gather information.
And so, the night passed.
On the third day—the Monkey's sixty-third day in Heaven—early in the morning, the High Sky Throne Hall dispatched a Court Herald bearing the Jade Emperor's verbal command to urge the Monkey to take up his new post.
But before the Herald could reach the Imperial Horse Bureau, someone else arrived first.
The newcomer was a celestial handmaid serving under the Queen Mother of the West, bearing her imperial edict.
"Her Majesty wishes me to go to the Jade Pool to see her?" Monkey asked, frowning.
"Her Majesty means 'immediately,'" the handmaid corrected.
"Very well, Sister, please wait a moment. I’ll tidy up and depart right away." With that, Monkey turned and left the hall.
Just outside, he found Warden Joel Chow and Captain Carl Chang waiting at the door.
The two greeted him cheerfully, "We've been waiting for you, sir."
"I must first make a trip to the Jade Pool."
"Then let us take you there by ship, sir."
Monkey nodded silently.
Transferred from the Imperial Horse Bureau to the Immortal Peach Orchard, his superior had suddenly become the Queen Mother of the West. When summoned by subordinates before, he could ignore them and be called arrogant at worst. But defying a direct order from a superior was a different matter entirely.
'Dereliction,' 'neglect,' 'insubordination'—any number of charges could be leveled against him.
In the end, one must bow under the eaves.
Soon enough, Monkey finished washing up, donned his black flood-dragon scale armor, and, with Belle, boarded the floating ship from the Immortal Peach Orchard, setting out for the Jade Pool.
Along the way, Joel Chow and Carl Chang were unfailingly respectful and attentive to both Monkey and Belle, showing no sign of resentment for Monkey’s behavior over the past two days.
This made Belle furrow her brow, though she dared not ask questions in front of them.
The group soon arrived at the Jade Pool.
Since coming to Heaven, Monkey and Belle had already seen the Moon Tree’s magnificent spectacle, the grandeur of the High Sky Throne Hall, and the unique splendor of the Celestial Treasury. Yet arriving at the Jade Pool still left them speechless.
Dozens of floating stone disks, each over ten miles across, clustered together above an endless lotus lake; lotus leaves as wide as treetops, blossoms as tall as a person, star-scattered buildings, winding white jade corridors half-hidden in the mist… The scene, half-shrouded in clouds, felt like stepping into another world—unbelievably dreamlike and surreal.
Belle was left gaping in awe, and though Monkey’s face remained calm, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
After docking the ship, Monkey and Belle followed the handmaid along the corridor, with the scent of lotus leaves wafting everywhere they walked.
After a long walk, the two finally saw the legendary open-air Jade Pool Hall. Unfortunately, they could neither hear the famed celestial music nor see the dazzling dances of the moon maidens.
At that moment, the hall was lined with people—musicians, guest scholars, moon maidens, officers, even soldiers—all silently watching Monkey and his companions.
The Queen Mother of the West sat high on her throne, looking down with a cold, unmistakable contempt.
"Sun Wukong, Steward of the Immortal Peach Orchard (and Belle, celestial handmaid of the Orchard), pay respects to Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Their voices echoed through the vast hall, but all remained silent—no one replied.
The two could only hold their bows, unmoving.
After a long pause, the Queen Mother finally drew a deep breath and said coldly, "So you're the new Steward of the Immortal Peach Orchard?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Monkey answered loudly.
The Queen Mother let out a mocking laugh. "So you do know you're the Steward of the Immortal Peach Orchard?"
Everyone around was silent as mice; Monkey said nothing.
Tilting her head slightly, the Queen Mother looked down at Monkey and asked, "Do you know who oversees the Immortal Peach Orchard Steward?"
Monkey still said nothing.
"This must be your first time coming here to see me, isn't it?" The Queen Mother's smile vanished as she slammed her palm on the low table, scolding, "The imperial edict was issued three days ago! Three days! Not only have you failed to take up your post, you haven't even come here to pay your respects! If you truly dislike being Steward of the Immortal Peach Orchard, you could submit a petition to His Majesty. For a mere demon monkey to play such tricks with me—what do you think you're doing?"
Seeing the Queen Mother furious, everyone in the hall shrank back, fearing they'd be caught in the crossfire—even Belle was startled. Monkey, however, slowly raised his head and stared coldly at the Queen Mother. "Your Majesty, my rank may be low, but I know my duty. Thanks to His Majesty's favor, I was able to serve as Chief of the Imperial Horse Bureau. Even when transferred, I should put my affairs in order before leaving, shouldn't I? The imperial edict did not specify when to assume the post. If you are dissatisfied with His Majesty's appointment, you may submit a petition for someone else to take the job—there's no need to make a fuss here."
At his words, the Queen Mother's eye twitched.
Everyone in the hall unconsciously took a step back.