Chapter 189: Suddenly Hearing the Monkeys Become Sisters

Ever since True Fairy Huo Ling took office as the Minister of Jade Extreme Lord’s Palace, she has often sat in the Jade Extreme Palace to manage affairs, and Zhuang Yan handed over all matters, big and small, to her.

Like the Jade Emperor, Zhuang Yan also makes full use of his talents whenever he can. Since the Fire Spirit Immortal is so capable, he will definitely be given a lot of opportunities.

Now that Zhuang Yan has a Taoist temple in the human world, all these matters are handed over to the Immortal Fire Spirit to deal with.

He also informed Liu Jin of Dongsheng Shenzhou and asked her to enshrine the tablet of Fire Spirit Immortal in Lingtai Temple, and to place him at the side of Lingtai Zhenjun.

In this way, when the creatures in the lower world burn incense and pray, those prayers and wishes will first go to the Fire Spirit Immortal. The Fire Spirit Immortal will handle it directly if he can, and report those that he cannot handle to Zhuang Yan for handling.

Fairy Huo Ling had no objection. She had long been accustomed to this busy official life. No matter how many things there were to do or how busy she was, she had no complaints and worked wholeheartedly and attentively.

On this day, Zhuang Yan was drinking tea with Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu in Qingqing Pavilion of Taixuan Zhenfu.

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang then talked about the incident at Xiangji Temple in Tianyao City. “This matter has spread throughout the Heavenly Palace and Lingshan. Everyone says that True Lord Lingtai is narrow-minded and should not be provoked.” Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said with a smile.

Zhuang Yan said nonchalantly, “Everyone has gossip behind their backs. The mouths are on other people’s bodies, so let them talk.”

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang asked curiously, “Is the Immovable Buddha really not angry?”

“He even invited me to have tea.” Zhuang Yan said with a smile.

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang nodded and said, “You, Lingtai Zhenjun, are still the most honorable one.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “After all, it would be too costly to trouble me. Why not treat me to tea and do me a favor?”

“That’s right.” Purple Mansion Shaoyang Emperor said, “I would do the same if it were me. At this point, I can basically live as long as the heavens. There’s no need to ask about the younger generation and create such a big cause and effect.”

As he was speaking, Zifu Shaoyang Emperor suddenly saw Zhuang Yan take out a basket of fist-sized fruits from his sleeve and put them on the table. He asked curiously, “What is this? Green apples?”

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “Taste one and you will know.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zifu Shaoyang took a grape in his hand, took a closer look and said in surprise, “A grape this big?”

Zhuang Yan nodded and said, “The grapes given by the Immovable Buddha are called ‘Jade-like Green Grapes’. I will give this bunch to you, Taoist friend.”

“Oh? The fairy fruit planted by Buddha is rare.” Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu said and put the grapes in his hand into his mouth.

After a moment, his eyes lit up and he praised, “Good, crisp, fragrant, worthy of being the immortal fruit planted by the Buddha.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist, please enjoy as much as you can.”

As he was talking, a little boy came over and bowed, saying, “Master, the Minister of the Jade Supreme Lord’s Mansion is outside. He said he wants to see the Spirit Supreme Lord for something.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zifu Shaoyang immediately said, “Please invite her in.”

“Yes.” The little boy bowed in response, then turned and walked out of the pavilion.

After a while, the little boy brought the Fire Spirit Immortal into the Qingqiong Pavilion. The Fire Spirit Immortal immediately stepped forward and bowed, “Your subordinate greets the Purple Mansion Shaoyang Emperor.”

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang said with a smile: “No need to be polite, Minister Huo Ling, please take a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Fire Spirit Immortal bowed his head and then came to Zhuang Yan, bowed and said, “Your Majesty.”

Zhuang Yan pointed to the embroidered stool next to him and said with a smile, “Sit down.”

“Yes.” Fire Spirit Immortal responded, then sat down, straightened his body, straightened his back, and worked meticulously.

The little boy turned around and was about to leave, but was stopped by Purple Mansion Shaoyang Emperor, “Tong’er, come here.”

Upon hearing this, the little boy stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Master, please give me your orders.”

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang pointed to the fruit basket on the table and said, “These are the immortal fruits sent by True Lord Lingtai. Pick a few and share them with everyone.”

The little boy’s face lit up with joy, and he bowed quickly and said, “Thank you, Master, for the fruit.”

Then he turned around and walked to the table, stood on his short legs and reached into the basket, picked five jade-green grapes that were bigger than his hands from the branches and vines, held them in his arms, and said to Zhuang Yan, “Thank you, Master Lingtai.”

Zhuang Yan smiled slightly and said, “No need to be polite.”

The little boy walked out of the pavilion holding the fairy fruit. The moment he left, an expression of unbearable pain appeared on his face, and he kept swallowing saliva.

After the little boy left, Zhuang Yan asked the Fire Spirit Immortal, “What’s the matter?”

Fire Spirit Immortal quickly said, “Yes, Wukong is here.”

“Oh?” Zhuang Yan asked, “What difficulties did he encounter again?”

Fire Spirit Immortal shook his head and said with a smile: “It’s not difficult this time. I just want to ask for your permission for something.”

“What’s the matter?” Zhuang Yan asked.

The Fire Spirit Immortal said, “He said he wanted to become sworn brothers with someone, and wanted to ask the True Lord if it’s okay?”

“Hahaha.” Zhuang Yan laughed out loud upon hearing this. “This is his own business. He can make the decision himself. Why are you asking me?”

Fire Spirit Immortal said: “True Lord, in Wukong’s heart, you are his only relative.”

Zhuang Yan nodded when he heard this, then stood up and bowed to Emperor Shaoyang of Zifu, saying, “Fellow Daoist, I will take my leave now.”

Emperor Zifu Shaoyang smiled and said, “Okay, thank you for the fruit, fellow Taoist. Come to my place for tea more often in your spare time.” “Sure.” Zhuang Yan bowed, then bid farewell to Emperor Zifu Shaoyang and left with Immortal Huo Ling.

In the Jade Extreme Lord’s residence, in the Jade Extreme Hall, Zhuang Yan saw Sun Wukong squatting on a sandalwood chair.

A figure flashed outside the hall. Sun Wukong turned around abruptly and looked outside. Seeing Zhuang Yan and Fire Spirit Immortal appear, he quickly jumped onto the chair and put his legs down.

“You don’t know how to sit properly.” Zhuang Yan said after entering the hall.

Sun Wukong quickly stood up and greeted him, laughing: “Look at what you said, uncle. I am a stone monkey, and I don’t have the fussiness of those sour scholars. I just do whatever makes me comfortable.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and asked, “I heard you want to become sworn brothers with someone?”

Sun Wukong nodded and said, “Yes, I came here just to ask you, uncle, and invite you to watch the ceremony.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “Wukong, although I am your uncle, you are also the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. You can make the decisions on these matters by yourself. You don’t need to ask me.”

Sun Wukong said: “Uncle is right, but if you have any questions, you should ask your elders. This is also the way for a nephew to be filial.”

“You are indeed filial.” Zhuang Yan looked at Sun Wukong and smiled, “You are the most filial monkey in the world.”

Sun Wukong scratched his head and smiled, then asked, “Can uncle go to watch the ceremony?”

Zhuang Yan asked: “Where is it?”

Sun Wukong quickly said, “Wuzhuang Temple, I became sworn brothers with Zhenyuan Daxian.”

“Immortal Zhenyuan?!” Immortal Huo Ling was horrified. “But is it Immortal Zhenyuan, the ancestor of earthly immortals?”

Sun Wukong laughed when he heard this and said, “It was him. This man has great magical powers, especially his ability to control the world. He made me suffer a lot. But I am not a pushover. He was stabbed with a few sticks until his waist was bent, but he couldn’t do anything to me. This time, I asked Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea to help him heal the fruit tree, and he wants to become my brother.”

Fire Spirit Immortal was shocked, but he quickly reacted and stared at Sun Wukong for the first time.

Because she had known them for a long time, she treated Sun Wukong and Chi Ling as her younger brothers and sisters, but only at this moment did she officially realize that this was the Monkey King who had caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago, and who was on equal footing with many great gods of heaven and earth.

After hearing what Sun Wukong said, Zhuang Yan was surprised and asked, “Why did you ask Guanyin Bodhisattva to help him heal the fruit tree?”

“This…” Sun Wukong laughed and said, “This. I have always been kind and helpful.”

“Really?” Zhuang Yan asked with a smile.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong sighed and had to briefly tell Zhuang Yan what had happened in Wuzhuang Temple.

After listening to this, Zhuang Yan said, “You monkey, you are always so impatient. Why don’t you just say what you want to say nicely? Why do you have to overturn other people’s treasure trees?”

Sun Wukong scratched his head with an embarrassed look on his face and said, “I will never do the same thing again as my uncle taught me.”

The Fire Spirit Immortal smiled and said, “It’s all because of my greed.”

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “Fortunately, with the help of Guanyin Bodhisattva, things didn’t get out of hand. All right, then I’ll go to Wuzhuang Temple.”

Sun Wukong was overjoyed when he heard this and said, “Thank you, uncle.”

Zhuang Yan asked the Fire Spirit Immortal, “Do you want to go with us?”

Huo Ling Zhenxian bowed and said, “True Lord, there are still some matters in the palace that have not been properly handled, so I will not go.”

Sun Wukong said, “My dear sister, it’s okay to deal with these matters in a few days. Today is my brother’s wedding, why don’t you go and show your support?”

Upon hearing this, the Fire Spirit Immortal hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll go too.”

Sun Wukong said happily, “Okay, that’s right, uncle. Let’s go. The Bodhisattva and the gods are waiting for us at Wuzhuang Temple.”

Zhuang Yan nodded and smiled: “Okay.”

After saying that, the three of them left Jade Extreme Lord’s residence and headed for the Wuzhuang Monastery in Xiniu Hezhou. Zhuang Yan did not activate the “Anywhere Go” function, but rode on a cloud with Sun Wukong and Fire Spirit True Immortal.

When the auspicious cloud ridden by Zhuang Yan, carrying Sun Wukong and the immortal Fire Spirit, landed in front of the mountain gate of Wuzhuang Temple, they saw a Taoist with an immortal look, wearing a purple gold crown on his head, a crane cloak on his body, a silk ribbon around his waist, the body of a boy and the face of a beautiful woman, coming towards them with two immortal boys.

Sun Wukong quickly jumped off the auspicious cloud and said to Zhuang Yan, “Uncle, this is the Great Immortal Zhenyuan, and those two are his boys Qingfeng and Mingyue.”

Zhuang Yan collected the auspicious cloud, landed on the ground, and walked up with the Fire Spirit Immortal.

Zhen Yuan Da Xian came before him, waved his whisk, bowed to Zhuang Yan and said, “I have heard of your great name for a long time, but never had the chance to meet you. Today I am honored to see your true face.”

Zhuang Yan also bowed his head in return and said with a smile, “I have long admired the demeanor of the Great Immortal. Seeing you today, I can see that the saying is true: there is no false reputation under a great name. The ancestor of earthly immortals really deserves the title.”

“Hahaha.” Zhenyuan Daxian laughed brightly.

At this time, Guanyin Bodhisattva also came over with the three great immortals Fu, Lu and Shou, as well as Tang Monk, Xiao Bailong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing and others. After everyone greeted each other, Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, “Wukong calls Lingtai Zhenjun uncle, and today I have become sworn brothers with Taoist friend Zhenyuan. I’m afraid it will be difficult to discuss the seniority when we meet in the future.”

Hearing the Bodhisattva’s words, everyone was stunned, and then looked at Zhuang Yan and Zhen Yuanzi with smiles on their faces.

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, “We are all immortals, and we don’t have as many complicated etiquette as in the mortal world. Let’s discuss this matter separately. Wukong and Taoist Zhenyuan became sworn brothers because of their friendship. There is no such involvement between Taoist Zhenyuan and me. We can just call each other Taoist friends and treat each other as peers. What do you think, Taoist Zhenyuan?”

Zhen Yuanzi stroked his long beard and said with a smile: “Okay, okay, Lingtai Zhenjun’s words are very good, let’s discuss our own affairs.”

Hearing this, everyone started laughing.

(End of this chapter)