The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 39 - 0 Yuan Shi Orders Summoning the Jade

However, Yuan Shi, revered among the Three Pure Ones, had also guided the Jade Emperor in his cultivation in the past. By all rights, he was still his teacher. Although the Jade Emperor was the supreme ruler of the Three Realms, with even Tathagata showing respect to him, he still had to follow the commands of Yuan Shi to some extent.

The Jade Emperor clenched his fist, then nodded and said, “I understand, prepare the carriage to the Jade Void Palace.”

The You Yi Ling Officer pronounced a resounding affirmative, proclaiming, “By the Emperor’s decree, prepare the carriage to the Jade Void Palace!”

Then, officials led out nine Heavenly Horses and a splendid carriage, adorned with all sorts of precious treasures, displaying the utmost in luxury and elegance. Yet the Jade Emperor’s heart was filled with displeasure. Whenever there was a significant decision to be made in the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Ones would intervene. Although they sent many treasures during the annual Peaches of Immortality feast, they would also be just as dismissive when they desired. He had tried to be on good terms with Laozi, who then responded by saying that he was only responsible for alchemy and treasure refining, and that if the Emperor had any issues, he should discuss them with his fellow disciple Yuan Shi. Thus, the Jade Emperor could only accept his lot. Even Lingbao Tianzun kept to himself and rarely got involved, with a temperament so fierce that the Jade Emperor had no means to appeal. Despite having ascended to the highest position in the Three Realms, he still felt suppressed by the Three Pure Ones. The court officials showed him the utmost respect on the surface, but most of them followed the Three Pure Ones’ commands, who were the ancestors of Daoism and the foundation of the Celestial Bureaucracy comprised mainly of Daoists.

It was like a human emperor who possessed the land, but whose generals and civil officials were all disciples of some noble, and his power was nearly completely undermined—a truly stifling situation.

Arriving at the Jade Void Palace and dismounting from the carriage, he was greeted by the White Crane Boy, who announced, “The Great Celestial Venerable Jade Emperor has arrived!”

Then, maids spread flower petals on the ground, respectfully inviting the Jade Emperor into the Jade Void Palace.

Seeing Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, the Jade Emperor immediately felt a sense of fear. He and the Queen Mother were once mere disciples under the Hongjun Daoist, but as Hongjun was preoccupied with managing the Heavenly Dao, he had left them in the care of his disciple, Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, who practically raised them.

“Zhang Bairin pays his respects to the Ancestral Taoist Master,” the Jade Emperor said, suppressing his frustration and giving a respectful bow to Yuan Shi.

“Dispense with the formalities, take your seat,” said Yuan Shi loosely, his black hair cascading freely, signaling a boy to bring over a chair.

Feeling secretly irate, the Jade Emperor was used to offering seats to others, but here in the Jade Void Palace, his title as “Great Celestial Venerable Jade Emperor” had no weight. He had to follow the disciple’s protocol in Yuan Shi’s presence and endure his meddling in affairs—something that was unbearingly aggravating to him. Yet, as a saintly figure, Yuan Shi was not someone the Jade Emperor dared to offend. Should divine retribution befall him and a new Enthronement of the Gods were to happen, his position as the Jade Emperor might even be replaced. Thus, he secretly harbored both fear and resentment towards Yuan Shi. He harbored contradictory thoughts but dared not show the slightest sign of it.

Keeping his irritation in check and with a pleasant demeanor, the Jade Emperor asked, “I wonder for what matter has the master summoned me here?”

Yuan Shi said indifferently, “Oh, I heard that you plan to reconcile with that Demon King Sun Wukong from Flower-Fruit Mountain, is that true?”

The Jade Emperor nodded, “Yes.”

Yuan Shi asked, “When do you plan to act?”

The Jade Emperor replied, “Within a day or two, I plan to issue the holy decree, and then have White Gold Star descend to the lower realm for reconciliation.”

Yuan Shi gave a slight nod and said, “If he accepts your reconciliation, give him a minor position like Protector of the Horses, but do not grant him a major title.”

The Jade Emperor thought bitterly, still requiring your instruction for appointing my own officials! This irked him so much he felt like laughing, but of course, he dared not loudly rebuke Yuan Shi. Being accused of disrespecting his teacher and challenging the Ancestral Taoist Master would likely provoke those already insubordinate courtiers to petition against him, and figures like True Martial might even dare to impeach him if he were the Jade Emperor. However, he could not afford to reveal his displeasure and so he said, “Did the master summon me just for this? You could have simply issued a divine decree, and I would follow it.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch forced a smile and said, “This is also to admonish you, heh heh…”

The Jade Emperor’s heart suddenly turned cold; his ascension to the Dao of Immortals and the position of Great Heavenly Master had all depended on Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch. The latter’s impressive reputation carried great weight in his heart, and he held an extreme fear towards him. Right away, a cold sweat soaked his back as he said, “Teacher is jesting.”

Suddenly, a White Crane Boy entered to announce, “Leader Teacher, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun, Heaven-Penetrating Master have come to visit.”

The Jade Emperor’s heart jolted with surprise. Why had the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating come? He had always been at odds with Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch; why would he come here to visit?

Yuan Shi then said, “Please let my junior brother of Heaven-Penetrating enter.”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating entered the Jade Void Palace, and upon seeing the Jade Emperor seated to one side, he bowed deeply and said, “Oh, Jade Emperor, I offer my respects to you.”

The Jade Emperor hastened to reply, “Heaven-Penetrating Master, there’s no need for formalities.”

This Heaven-Penetrating held the same rank as Yuan Shi and presided over the Sect of Interception. Within the Heavenly Court, the number of Sect of Interception disciples was vast; the Jade Emperor also held considerable apprehension towards him. Of course, it was also proper to address him as ‘Teacher.’

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating also wore a smile that did not reach his eyes. Ever since he was defeated in the Ancient Divine Enthronement battles, his temperament had become slightly harsh and caustic. He said, “What were you discussing? Have you finished?”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch responded, “We have finished.”

The Jade Emperor nodded again and again.

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating then said, “Since it is finished, why have you not left yet?”

The Jade Emperor felt a surge of anger in his heart, but nonetheless he slowly stood up, gave a bow, and said, “Teachers, I shall take your leave now.”

With the permission from Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, the Jade Emperor swept his sleeves and departed. When he reached his chariot and lowered the beaded curtain, he couldn’t help but punch the cushion ferociously, cursing inwardly, “Yuan Shi, Heaven-Penetrating, two old men, taking advantage of your age, you’ve gone too far in bullying me! Too far!”

He had originally intended to win over Wukong, to bestow upon him the rank of a Marshall or something of that sort, to use him for his own purposes. After all, the strength of the Demon Monkey was extraordinary, which was a well-acknowledged fact. But considering Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch’s interference, the Jade Emperor could only drop the matter. He had to abide by Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch’s words and wait until the court assembly the next day to rearrange and bestow upon Sun Wukong the title of Protector of the Horses. The Three Pure Ones seemed to want to push Wukong into a pit of fire to suppress him and then lead him onto the Journey to the West to seek that so-called “True Fruition.” In doing so, the cost of the rivalry between Buddhism and Daoism would be reduced to its lowest.

Wukong was but a Taiyi Golden Immortal in strength; for both sides to deploy a few Daluo Golden Immortals was already a big deal. In this way, the clash would not extend to involve the Mixed Yuan Golden Immortals, the main force, and both sides could preserve their strength.

In total, the Journey to the West was a deception, and Wukong was merely a pawn, controlled by All Saints, and even the Jade Emperor himself had no control over it.

Meanwhile, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun sat down carelessly and said, “Yuan Shi, summoning the Jade Emperor at your whim and sending him away just as easily might cause dissatisfaction in his heart. If that ruins your plans, I wonder what you will do?”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch laughingly said, “Ever since this Zhang Bairin has assumed the position of Great Heavenly Master, he has become very self-inflated and utterly discontented with us Three Pure Ones who have been suppressing him. Initially, I was unwilling to act in this way, but he has become more and more excessive, continuously weakening our authority. Had I not acted, he would have kept on jumping around. If he had obediently governed the Three Realms, I would not have interfered in the governance. Alas, he and the Queen Mother are both shortsighted.”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating stroked his beard and let out a cold laugh, saying, “These two are nothing more than attendants who once served tea under the old teacher’s care, and now they dare to secretly collude with the Buddhist sect… Hmph, if they are not taught a severe lesson, they will truly think you, Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, are made of mud.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch frowned and said, “What brought you to me?”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating said, “Tathagata is already preparing for the Eastern enlightenment; what are your plans?”

In fact, among the Three Pure Ones, it was Yuan Shi who called the shots. Laozi governed by inaction and rarely ventured out, while Lingbao Tianzun, having been defeated in the Divine Enthronement war, was suppressed by Yuan Shi. Thus, many matters were planned and executed by Yuan Shi.

“What should be done, will be done!” Yuan Shi said calmly.

“I hope your strategy is faultless; do not drag my Mystic Sect, and even the entire Four Great Continents, into the abyss.”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating snorted coldly and swept his sleeves as he left.

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch sat in silence with lowered eyes, unmoving as a mountain.

To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the following chapter.