Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"What are you doing here today, Monkey?" Lu Yu asked irritably, knowing all too well the nature of the monkey. Having known each other for many years, he could tell there would be trouble just by looking at his expression.

However, the monkey just licked his face and smiled, "Scholar, look at what you're saying, I haven't seen you in a long time and specifically came to visit my few little disciples."

As Lu Yu walked him in, he remarked, "I know you well enough. The moment you open your mouth, I know there's nothing good. Don't use my disciples as an excuse either. Tell me, what trouble have you gotten into this time that you need my help for?"

The monkey then laughed and said, "Still, you, Scholar, understand me, Grandpa Sun best. Right now, I indeed have a matter that I need your help with, and I think in all Three Realms, there's no one but you who can help me."

"You are also a Buddha; why is your mind still so unsettled? What disaster have you caused this time?" In fact, Lu Yu was very curious about what the monkey could possibly need, as there were not many things in the Three Realms that could pose a problem for him now, and whatever it was, it apparently had to involve him.

"Did you see the Hongluan Star stirring a few days ago?"

"I did see it. I figured that it was a scheme by All Saints. However, my virtues are sufficient, and I need not step into the fray for these merits, but rather should quietly focus on my cultivation, waiting for All Saints' transcendence," Lu Yu earnestly persuaded the monkey, hoping to keep him out of this trouble.

Unexpectedly, the monkey said, "It's too late, I have been plotted against, and now, even if I wanted to, I couldn't extricate myself."

He then explained the whole situation to Lu Yu. It all started at this year's Peach Banquet hosted by the Holy Mother.

As the Victorious Fighting Buddha, the monkey was naturally on the guest list. Unlike the last time he caused havoc at the Peach Banquet, this time he planned to behave properly since he was tired of the Peaches of Immortality and primarily wanted to join in the fun.

Halfway there, however, he encountered Barefoot Immortal. This immortal had been tricked by the monkey last time and thus grabbed him for a thorough rebuke, which left the monkey at a loss for words. During their casual conversation, Barefoot Immortal unintentionally revealed a piece of news — Erlangshen's sister, the Third Holy Mother, was in a clandestine relationship with a mortal, and apparently, she was about to have a child.

This was big news indeed, as Erlangshen's prestige was known across all Three Realms. His sister's secret liaison with a mortal was a violation of the Heavenly Stripes.

"You need to keep your mouth shut about this, Monkey. Don't let it slip, or, given Erlangshen's pride, he would certainly not let it rest, and an innocent romance would be ruined," Barefoot Immortal cautioned the monkey, holding his hand.

"Don't worry, I'm not a gossipmonger. Why would I blabber?" the monkey replied nonchalantly, evidently indifferent. Given his nature, he never took Heavenly Stripes seriously, so violation of them was of little concern to him.

At the Peach Banquet, with all immortals present and his own mana quite high, the monkey had a wide acquaintance and flitted among the immortals, thoroughly enjoying himself. The only restraint he felt was around Erlang Yang Jian, for he had once thought himself unbeatable in the Heavenly Court, yet it was Yang Jian who had captured him. That might have been bearable, but the fact that he owed Yang Jian a huge favor for protecting his monkey kin gnawed at him.

His discontent stemmed from the time he was captured due to Elder Lord's Vajra Bracelets. Had they truly fought hand-to-hand, he might not have lost.

Yang Jian also wasn't in good spirits today. His sister had ignored his warnings and secretly descended to the mortal realm, which worried him deeply. Now, during the time of All Saints' transcendence, countless eyes were closely watching these three romantic entanglements — previously, the Weaver Girl and the Seven Fairies had descended to marry mortals without securing any fortune and destiny. Now his own sister had also taken a fancy to a mortal.

He knew his uncle was watching closely, ready to seize this great opportunity. Although there were great merits and fortunes to be gained, given Yang Jian's character, he was reluctant to let his sister get involved in this potential scandal, as his mother had once suffered similarly.

He himself had once split Peach-Splitting Mountain to save his mother, and the hardships of that were indescribable to outsiders. With these thoughts in mind, he was downcast today, continually drinking wine in silence.

This year, the Jade Emperor had really splurged at the Peach Banquet, serving the finest Jade Liquor to the immortals. This divine wine, though excellent, was potent, and after a round of drinking, the monkey began to feel dizzy.

Just then, the peaches were being distributed, and the monkey, in his drunken stupor, insisted on having one more, which amused all the immortals to laughter.

The Holy Mother sat at the head of the table and laughed, "You mischievous monkey, I have assigned these peaches fairly—one for each. If you want more, someone from the Immortal Clan must give up theirs for you."

The monkey, thumping his chest, replied, "Then if someone doesn't show up, can their Peach of Immortality go to Lao Sun?"

A smile flickered across the Holy Mother's face, "If you find such a person, why not let the peach be yours?"

"Then let it be known, the Third Holy Mother from Mount Hua hasn't attended today; her peach should rightfully belong to Lao Sun."

"Oh! The Third Holy Mother isn't here? That's quite unusual; I wonder what my niece is so busy with," said the Jade Emperor, who had been silent until he suddenly spoke up.

As these words were spoken, Yang Jian's expression changed drastically. Looking between the seated Jade Emperor and the Holy Mother and surveying the other immortals around, he seemed to realize something and abruptly left with a flick of his sleeve.

The monkey was confused and didn't understand why, until he saw the Jade Emperor's enigmatic smile and realized that the Jade Emperor and the Holy Mother had intended for him to speak thus.

With this realization, he grew sober from the Jade Liquor and quickly left the Peach Banquet. Shortly after departing, he found out that the Third Holy Mother had secretly married a mortal—a violation of the Heavenly Rules—and Yang Jian had dutifully imprisoned her beneath Mount Hua.

At that moment, the monkey understood that everything was just a trap set to entangle him and Yang Jian. Now that the information about the Third Holy Mother came from his own mouth, he was obligated to resolve the consequences.

Thinking of this, he was extremely infuriated; the manipulators behind the scenes were obviously the two seated on their thrones above, who had even plotted against their own niece for one final act of merit.

Perhaps in their eyes, exchanging some suffering for a powerful ally was a very worthwhile transaction, never considering familial love.

When the monkey descended to the mortal realm, out of distress, he wielded his Jingu Bang, striking aimlessly at the sky. Then, an Angel appeared, looking down at the monkey with a smile.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing up before Lao Sun. Don't tell me you want to taste the iron rod in Grandpa Sun's hand," the monkey threatened menacingly, advancing with his Jingu Bang in hand.

But the Angel, not one to be easily intimidated and although no match for the monkey, stood firm, his face always bearing a benevolent smile.

This behavior made the monkey feel as though he was punching cotton—extremely frustrated. Yet at this moment, he could not bring himself to strike, and this restraint drove him mad.

The Angel quietly waited for the monkey to calm down and then spoke, "It seems the Great Saint has already understood the full story."

The monkey was silent, feeling once again that he was being manipulated by the supreme being, shelving his contempt as he calmed himself and asked, "What brings you to seek out Lao Sun?"

The Angel still maintained a smile and said, "His Majesty asked me to give a message to the Great Saint; that unborn child depends on you now."

After saying this, the Angel left without turning back, leaving the monkey alone to ponder. He understood the Jade Emperor's implications; the matter started because of him, and naturally, he should take care of the child. His conscience wouldn't allow otherwise, but he knew nothing about caring for children. He struggled even to care for himself.

Suddenly, the image of Lu Yu flashed across his mind. After all, Lu Yu's teaching capabilities were well recognized across the three realms, and he knew that Lu Yu had several junior disciples—a child more, a child less, made no difference.

Thus, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, with his own ulterior motives, went to visit his good friend, Lu Yu, at Mountain Luoxia.