012 CHAPTER FOUR: B. CONSEQUENCES
Now listen, on the very next day, during the heavenly court session, Zhang, the Heavenly Teacher, led the officials from the Imperial Stables to the Halls. He bowed and reported, "Long live the Emperor, the newly appointed Horse Care Assistant, Sun Wukong, has left Heaven because he feels the position is beneath him."
Just then, the Heavenly Guardian of the Southern Gate and his attendants stepped forward and reported, "The Horse Care Assistant, Sun Wukong, has left through the gate for unknown reasons."
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor immediately ordered, "Summon the divine troops. They must capture this creature."
Li, the Tower-Bearing Heavenly King, and Prince Nezha from the higher ranks stepped up and requested, "Long live the Emperor; we are at your service to capture this monster."
The Jade Emperor was overjoyed and appointed Heavenly King Li as the Great Marshal for Demons' Subjugation and Nezha as the Great God of the Three Altars' Sea Assembly. "Assemble your forces and descend to the mortal realm," he ordered them.
Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha bowed in thanks and headed straight to their palace. They mobilized their three armies and appointed the head commanders, with Giant Spirit God as the vanguard and General Fishmaw and General Medicine-Fork as the rear forces.
In no time, they arrived outside the South Gate, heading straight to Flower Fruit Mountain. They set up their camp in the sunny flats while Giant Spirit God was ordered to issue a challenge. With his Exorcising Blossoms Axe in hand, he arrived at the entrance of the Water Curtain Cave. There, he encountered numerous demons and monsters, wolves, worms, tigers, and leopards, all brandishing weapons and displaying their fierce skills, ready for battle.
Giant Spirit God shouted, "You beasts! Hurry and inform the Horse Care Assistant that I am a celestial general sent by the Jade Emperor to subdue this place. Advise him to come out and surrender early to spare you all from harm."
The monsters hurriedly rushed back to report to their cave, exclaiming, "Trouble! Trouble! Trouble!"
The Monkey King asked, "What's the trouble?"
The monsters replied, "There's a celestial general outside the gate, claiming to be the Great Sage and bearing the authority of the Jade Emperor. He has come to subdue us. He advises us to surrender early to avoid casualties."
Hearing this, the Monkey King ordered, "Get my armor!"
He donned a purple-gold crown and yellow-gold armor, along with cloud-stepping shoes and a golden-Banded staff. Leading his army, he assambled a battle formation.
Giant Spirit God’s eyes opened wide as he observed the sight of the handsome Monkey King:
In shining armor, he stands so grand,
With golden crown, a radiant band.
He wields the hoops, a rod of gold,
On cloud shoes, he's brave and bold.
His strange eyes twinkle like stars on high,
Ears strong and long, they reach the sky.
With transformations plenty, he's deft,
His voice resounds like a bell's sweet breath.
With pointed mouth and teeth so keen,
His heart aspires to be a sage, it's seen.
A great sage equal to heaven's his aim,
In the epic journey, he'll rise to fame.
Giant Spirit God shouted with a commanding voice, "Hey, pesky monkey, do you know who I am?"
"Which deity are you ?” The Great Sage asked. "I haven’t met you before, so speak your name."
Giant Spirit God proclaimed, "I'll show you, you arrogant primate! I'm the vanguard, General Giant Spirit God under the esteemed Heavenly King Li. I'm here because of the Jade Emperor's decree to subdue you. Shed your disguise, submit to the divine will, and I’ll spare the creatures on this mountain from annihilation. Refuse, and you'll be crushed into powder instantly."
Hearing this, the Monkey King flared with rage, "You bragging spirit! Stop your big talk and long tongue. I originally planned to crush you with a single blow, but I'm afraid no one would carry the message. I spare your life for now, hurry back to the heavens, and tell the Jade Emperor he doesn't value the wise. I possess infinite abilities, so why make me a mere horse keeper? Look at the inscription on my banner. If he promotes me according to it, I'll avoid using weapons, and harmony will naturally prevail in heaven and earth. Otherwise, I'll storm the Spirit Cloud Palace, ensuring his jade throne won't last."
When Giant Spirit God heard the challenge, his eyes widened. On a high pole outside the gate hung a banner inscribed with "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" in massive letters. Giant Spirit God sneered thrice. "You insolent monkey. You are oblivious to your place, daring to act arrogantly, and now you want to be the Great Sage. Prepare yourself to taste my axe." He swung his axe, ready to strike.
The Monkey King, ever resourceful, met it head-on with his golden-banded staff.
In this fierce encounter, their weapons displayed their might - the staff named Compliant Gold-Banded Rod, and the axe known as Exorcising Blossoms. As they met, neither knew restraint; axe and staff clashed from all sides. One concealed mystical skills, the other boasted with every blow. They unleashed their techniques, clouds and mist filled the air; with sweeping gestures, they raised dust and sand. The celestial general showcased his divine talents, while the Monkey King's transformations knew no bounds. The staff rose like a dragon frolicking in water, the axe flew like a phoenix darting through flowers. Though Giant Spirit God's fame was known far and wide, in truth, his abilities fell short compared to the Great Sage. With a swift swing, the Monkey King wielded his iron staff, and each strike left Giant Spirit God numb.
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Giant Spirit God couldn't withstand his opponent's strength.
The Monkey King swung his staff down, forcing the axe to block. With a loud crack, it shattered into two pieces.
In a panic, Giant Spirit God retreated from the battle and fled for his life.
"Coward, coward! I spared you this time.” The Monkey King laughed. "Go and spread the word, go and spread the word!"
Giant Spirit God returned to the camp and immediately knelt before King Li. "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven indeed possesses vast powers. I couldn't defeat him in battle and had to retreat in defeat. Please forgive my failure."
King Li was furious and commanded, "This scoundrel has damaged my reputation, drag him out and behead him!"
But then Prince Nezha stepped forward and pleaded, "Father, calm your anger and pardon Giant Spirit's offense. Let me lead the troops and show Sun Wukong his place."
The King heeded his son's advice and ordered Giant Spirit God to return to the camp and await punishment.
In his shining armor, Prince Nezha leaped out of the camp and dashed towards the entrance of Water Curtain Cave.
Wukong, who was gathering his troops, marveled at Nezha's bravery.
> In the realm of wonders, he stands tall and grand,
> With a majestic horn, his shoulders draped in strands.
> His brilliance astounds, a mind quick and keen,
> Elegant grace, a beauty rarely seen.
>
> He's the celestial Qilin, born in heavenly hue,
> A phoenix in the mist, with colors bright and true.
> His lineage divine, unlike mere earthly kin,
> In his youth, he's extraordinary, not of mortal skin.
>
> With six divine tools, his powers on display,
> He soars through transformations in a boundless way.
> Proclaimed by Jade Emperor's golden decree,
> The Three Altars' title, a prince of the sea.
As the prince approached, Sun Wukong asked, "Who's this little guy trespassing at my gate? What's your business?"
"You wicked monkey! Don't you recognize me? I'm Nezha, the third son of the Tower-Carrying Heavenly King Li, and I'm here by Jade Emperor's command to capture you," Nezha shouted.
"Young prince, your baby teeth haven't even fallen out, and your hair hasn't dried yet. How dare you talk so big? " Sun Wukong laughed. "I'll spare your life for now. No need to fight. Just look at the title on my flag and take this message to the Jade Emperor: If I get this official position, there's no need for a battle. I'll willingly submit. But if you dare to defy me, I'll storm the Jade Emperor's palace."
Nezha looked up and saw the words "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" on the flag. "You monkey must think you’ve got some amazing powers to claim such a title. Don't be afraid; I'll show you my sword."
"I'll just stand still and let you swing your sword. Go ahead, swing away!" Sun Wukong replied.
Furious, Nezha shouted, "Transform!" and changed into a figure with three heads and six arms. Fierce and menacing, he wielded six weapons: the Demon-Slaying Sword, the Demon-Cutting Blade, the Demon-Binding Rope, the Demon-Subduing Staff, the Fiery Ball, and the Flaming Wheel. With lightning speed, he lunged forward, brandishing his arsenal.
Sun Wukong was amazed and thought, "This kid's got some tricks up his sleeve. I respect that and show him my full powers."
So the Great Sage shouted, "Transform!" and also turned into a figure with three heads and six arms. He brandished the Gold-Banded Rod and duplicated it into three. With six hands, he held the three staffs to block Nezha's attack.
The ground rumbled, and the mountains shook during this battle full of fury and might:
> In the realm of the gods, a prince with six arms,
> And a majestic stone monkey king, fate's finest charm,
> They met as worthy rivals, a clash of their core,
> One sent on a mission, the other seeking more.
>
> ith a sword that cuts demons like a lightning flash,
> And a wicked axe that makes spirits tremble with a clash,
> A binding cord swift as a serpent's graceful flight,
> And a mace, like a wolf's head, ready to smite.
>
> A fiery wheel burning bright with a dazzling hue,
> A flying embroidered ball, a spectacle so true.
> The great sage wields three staves with mastery profound,
> Defending and attacking, strategizing all around.
>
> They fought fiercely, neither yielding an inch,
> The prince's heart set, he wouldn't flinch.
> Their weapons transformed in countless array,
> An onslaught of might, a display so fey.
>
> The monkey king, unfazed, laughing with might,
> His iron staff dances, as he plans with insight.
> One to a thousand, to millions they grew,
> A chaotic whirlwind of blows they threw.
>
> The demon lords trembled, their domains shut tight,
> Ghosts and ghouls in hiding, fearing the fight.
> Gods' wrath and anger, a tempest so grand,
> The sound of their clashing, like the echoes of a band.
>
> From one side, celestial soldiers chanting cries,
> While on the other, monkey monsters shake in ties.
> A fierce contest of strength, they'd never agree,
> Who's the stronger, which side shall it be?
The third prince and Wukong displayed their divine powers, clashing fiercely for thirty rounds. The prince wielded six kinds of weapons, transforming them into countless forms. At the same time, Sun Wukong's golden-Banded rod morphed in myriad ways. Their battle in mid-air resembled a meteor shower. Neither side could claim victory.
However, Wukong proved that he was quick-witted and nimble. Amidst the chaos, he plucked a single strand of hair and shouted, "Transform!" Instantly, an illusion appeared, holding a staff and acting like the Monkey King. Meanwhile, his real form darted behind Nezha, striking his left shoulder forcefully.
Caught off guard while using his techniques, Nezha heard the sound of the staff's approach but couldn't react in time. He took a blow to the shoulder and hurriedly retreated in pain.
Withdrawing his magic, Wukong restored his true self.
The Monkey King emerged victorious as Nezha fled in defeat.
Heavenly King Li had been closely monitoring the situation on the battlefield. Just as he was about to call for reinforcements, his son appeared before him, visibly devastated.
The prince reported, "Father, General Horse Care Assistant is truly formidable. I couldn't defeat him even with my magical powers, and he injured my arm."
The Heavenly King was greatly alarmed and asked, "With such extraordinary abilities, how can we win against him?"
The prince replied, "He has placed a flag outside his cave with the words 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' written on it. He boasts that if he's honored with this title by the Jade Emperor, he'll stop causing trouble. Otherwise, he threatens to attack the Heavenly Palace."
The Heavenly King decided, "In that case, we shouldn't confront him directly. Let's return to the Heavenly Realm and report this matter. We'll send more heavenly soldiers to surround and capture him. We can't delay any longer."
Due to the prince's injury, they withdrew from the battle. Together they returned to the Heavenly Realm to report their findings and make further plans.