The White-Metal Star and the Handsome Monkey King left the cave's innermost chamber and rose together on cloud-borne breath. But Wukong's tumble-cloud ran like a thought set loose; it flung the Star behind and shot him straight to the Gate of the Southern Heavens. He had barely drawn in his cloud to step forward when Virūḍhaka arrived with a wall of celestial braves—blades and halberds bristling—closing the gate and refusing him entry.
The Monkey King snapped, "That old star's a slick-tongued cheat. If you truly came to invite me, why do you plant spears in my path?"
Even as he raged, the Star arrived; Wukong shoved the accusation right into his face. "Old man, what game is this? You said you carried the Jade Emperor's summons—so why did you set these guards to choke the gate and shut me out?"
The Star laughed. "Cool your temper, Great King. You've never set foot in this court, your name is nowhere in its ledgers, and the gate troops don't know your face—how could they open on their own say-so? Once you've met the Celestial Sovereign, received your immortal writ, and had your office entered on the rolls, you'll pass in and out at will; who would dare bar you then?"
Wukong huffed, "If that's the rule, then fine—I'm not going in."
The Star caught his sleeve. "Not alone. Come in with me."
Near the gate, the Star called out loud: "Gate generals, officers and soldiers of every rank—clear the way. This is an immortal from the lower realm. I carry the Jade Emperor's sacred decree, summoning him in person."
Only then did Virūḍhaka and the celestial troops withdraw their weapons and step aside. The Monkey King finally believed him and entered slowly with the Star, eyes turning loose on everything. And truly it was this: his first climb into the Upper Realm, his first step into Heaven's front hall.
Ten thousand currents of gold rolled up crimson rainbows; a thousand auspicious breaths coughed out violet haze. There stood the Southern Heaven Gate—deep green as pooled jade, cast in glazed crystal; bright as a struck mirror, dressed in jewels.
On both sides stood dozens of marshal-generals, each one a pillar bearing the roof's weight, holding banners and spears. Below them in four ranks stood a dozen golden-armored divine men, each gripping halberds, whips, blades, and swords.
Outside was impressive enough; inside stunned the soul:
Along the inner walls rose great pillars, each wrapped with golden-scaled dragons—red beards blazing in sun-fire. Across them arched long bridges, where phoenixes with colored feathers circled in midair, crimson crowns gleaming.
Bright clouds shimmered, reflecting heaven-light; green mist hung soft, veiling the Dipper's mouth.
In this upper realm stood thirty-three celestial palaces: the Cloud-Dispatch Palace, the Vaiśravaṇa Palace, the Five-Brightness Palace, the Sun Palace, the Flower-Joy Palace—each roof-ridge swallowing golden stabilizer-beasts.
Seventy-two treasure halls rose in layers: the Assembly Hall, the Void-Treading Hall, the Treasure-Light Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Spirit-Guardian Hall—each hall lined with jade qilin pillars.
On the Longevity Terrace bloomed flowers that had not wilted in a thousand years; beside the Elixir Furnace grew embroidery-grass ever-green for ten thousand ages.
At the Sage-Worship Tower stood ministers in crimson gauze robes, stars blazing upon their chests; lotus crowns gleamed, gold and jade brilliance.
Hairpins of jade, shoes of pearl; purple ribbons, golden seals.
When the golden bell struck, the Three Offices' spirits advanced up the crimson steps; when the heavenly drum sounded, ten thousand sages bowed before the Jade Emperor.
Then they came to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall: golden nails clustered on jade doors, painted phoenixes danced on vermilion gates.
Covered walkways and winding corridors—everywhere, delicate and translucent; triple eaves and four clusters, layer upon layer, dragons and phoenixes soaring.
Above sat a gourd-shaped finial—purple-vaulted, bright-shining, round-hung, brilliant-glowing, all in great gold.
Below, heavenly maidens held suspended palm-fans; jade girls holds immortal towels; fierce-faced generals guarded the court; proud immortals protected the imperial carriage.
In the center, on a lapis plate, lay layer upon layer of Taiyi pills; in an agate vase stood several branches of curved coral tree.
Truly: every strange thing in Heaven had its place here; nothing like this existed in the mortal world.
Golden gates, silver thrones, and purple mansions; jewel-flowers, jade-grass, and qiongpa.
The Jade Rabbit passed by the altar worshipping the Emperor; the Golden Crow flew beneath, paying homage to the Sages.
The Monkey King had his share in this celestial realm—he would not fall into the mud of the mortal world.
The White-Metal Star led the Handsome Monkey King to the Lingxiao Hall's outer court. Without waiting for announcement, he went straight before the throne and bowed. Wukong stayed upright at his side—no kneeling, no prostration—only angling an ear to catch every word.
The Star reported, "By imperial command, your servant has escorted the demon-immortal here."
The Jade Emperor asked from behind his lowered curtain, "Which one is the demon-immortal?"
Wukong gave a token dip of the body and said, "Me."
The ministers blanched. "Savage ape! He won't even bow, yet he dares answer the Son of Heaven with that mouth—he deserves death, death!"
The Jade Emperor issued a calm decree: "Sun Wukong is an outsider spirit newly come into human form. He has not learned court rites. Let him be spared this once."
The ministers called out, "Grace received!"
Only then did the Monkey King bow deeply toward the throne.
The Jade Emperor summoned the Civil and Military Selection Immortals to check which office lacked a post, so Sun Wukong could be assigned.
From the side stepped the Martial-Tune Star and spoke plainly: "Across the palaces and bureaus, posts are already filled—only the Celestial Stables lack a chief steward."
The Jade Emperor decided at once: "Then appoint Sun Wukong as Bimawen."
The ministers called out, "Grace received!"
He too only bowed deeply toward the throne.
The Jade Emperor then sent the Wood-Virtue Star Official to escort him to the Celestial Stables to assume his post.
At that moment, the Monkey King went happily with the Wood-Virtue Star Official straight to his post. When the matter was done, the Star Official returned to his palace.
In the stables, Wukong gathered the stable supervisors, deputy supervisors, record-keepers, laborers, and officials of every rank. He checked the bureau's affairs and found exactly one thousand heavenly horses.
They were:
Hualiu, Qiji, Lu'er, Xianli;
Longmei, Ziyan, Xieyi, Sushuang;
Jueti, Yintuo, Yaoniao, Feihuang;
Taotu, Fanyu, Chitu, Chaoguang;
Yuhui, Mijing, Tengwu, Shenghuang;
Zhuifeng, Juedi, Feiben, Xiaoyun;
Yipiao, Chidian, Tongjue, Fuyun;
Conglong, Huchi, Juechen, Zilin.
From the four quarters came Ferghana stock; there were Eight Steeds and Nine Flyers, unmatched across a thousand miles.
Such were the heavenly horses—each one screaming into the wind and chasing lightning with a proud, fierce spirit; each one treading mist and climbing clouds with strength that would not wear out.
The Monkey King checked the ledgers and counted the horses clearly.
In this bureau, the record-keeper handled fodder collection and supplies; the laborers handled washing the horses, chopping straw, drawing water, and cooking feed; the supervisors and deputy supervisors assisted and pushed the work along.
As for the Bimawen—he scarcely slept at all, nursing the herd day and night.
By daylight he still found room to clown, but after dark he watched like a hawk: any horse dozing was jolted up to graze; any horse roaming was caught and driven back to the trough.
Those heavenly horses, seeing him, laid their ears flat and gathered their hooves. Under his care, they grew fat and full-flanked.
Unknowingly, more than half a month passed.
One day, during leisure, all the stable officials prepared a banquet—first to welcome him, second to congratulate him on his appointment.
Mid-feast, the Monkey King suddenly set down his cup and asked, "Tell me—this 'Bimawen' post of mine, what sort of title is it?"
They answered, "The title is exactly what it's called."
He pressed again: "And what rank does it hold?"
"No rank at all."
Wukong brightened: "No rank—then it must sit above ranking."
They hurried to correct him: "Not above—below. It's 'outside the grades.'"
Wukong asked, "What does 'outside the grades' mean?"
They said, "Lowest of the low. A post so small it can only be used to mind horses. Even if you work yourself thin and fatten every flank, you'll gain nothing but a word—'fine.' Let one horse grow scrawny and you'll be blamed; let one be injured badly and you'll be fined and punished."
At that, fire jumped behind Wukong's teeth. He gritted them and roared, "So this is how they scorn me! I, who am called King and Ancestor on Flower-Fruit Mountain—how did they trick me into tending horses for them? Horse-tending is a job for low-born youths and base servants. Is this how they treat me? I won't do it—won't do it. I'm gone!"
With a crash he overturned the desk, hooked his treasure from his ear, and gave it a shake; it swelled to the thickness of a bowl. Then he stormed out in a whirl of blows, smashing his way from the stables straight toward the Southern Gate.
The celestial troops, knowing he had received an immortal register and was now the Bimawen, did not dare block him. They let him fight his way out of Heaven.
In an instant, he drew down his cloud-head and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
There he saw the Four Health Generals and the demon kings of each cave drilling their troops.
The Monkey King called out in a sharp voice, "Little ones, your Old Sun has returned!"
A troop of monkeys came kowtowing to welcome him into the cave's innermost chamber. They invited the Monkey King to ascend his treasure seat, and on one side prepared wine to welcome him home.
All said, "Congratulations, Great King. You've been in the upper realm for over ten years—you must return crowned with glory!"
Wukong said, "I've been gone only half a month. Where did ten years come from?"
The monkeys said, "Great King, up in Heaven you don't feel the turning of time. One day in Heaven is one year down here. May we ask—what office do you hold?"
Wukong waved his hand. "Don't ask—don't ask. It's shame enough to choke me. That Jade Emperor can't place a capable hand: he looked at me and dubbed me 'Bimawen'—a nobody post, just feeding horses, not even counted among ranks. When I first took the post, I didn't know—I only played around in the Celestial Stables. Today I asked my colleagues and learned the truth: such a base, low thing. My heart burned with anger; I overturned the banquet, refused the title, and walked out."
The monkeys said, "Well come, well come. In this blessed land and heavenly cave, you are King—how much more honorable and joyful than being a horse-groom for them?"
They ordered the little ones to quickly prepare wine to ease the Great King's frustration.
Just as they drank in joyous gathering, someone came to report: "Great King, two Single-Horned Demon Kings wait outside to see you."
Wukong said, "Let them in."
The demon kings straightened their clothes and ran into the cave, throwing themselves down in prostration.
The Handsome Monkey King asked, "What brings you to see me?"
The demon kings said, "We have long heard Your Majesty welcomes talent, yet we had no road to your presence. Now you return with Heaven's writ upon you, so we offer this tawny-yellow robe to mark your glory. If you will not despise our low birth but take us in, we will serve you with the loyalty of hounds and horses."
Wukong delightedly put the robe on, and the whole mountain court lined up to bow.
He immediately appointed the demon kings as Vanguard Governors of the Front Division.
After thanking him for this grace, the demon kings spoke again: "Great King, you spent so long in Heaven—what office were you given?"
Wukong said, "The Jade Emperor thinks lightly of talent. He appointed me as 'Bimawen.'"
The demon kings heard this and said, "Great King, with your divine power, why tend horses for him? Why not call yourself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"
Wukong heard this and rejoiced beyond measure. He said "Good! Good! Good!" several times over.
He ordered the Four Health Generals: "Make me a banner at once—write 'Great Sage, Equal to Heaven' in four huge characters. Raise the pole and hang it high. From this day, no one calls me King again; you will address me only by that sage-name. Send word through every cave and every demon court—let the whole range learn it."
This need not be told in detail.
The next day, the Jade Emperor held court. The Zhang Celestial Master led the Celestial Stables' supervisors and deputy supervisors, who knelt below the crimson steps and reported: "Your Majesty, the newly appointed Bimawen Sun Wukong, dissatisfied with his small office, rebelled and fled Heaven yesterday."
Even as they spoke, Virūḍhaka from outside the Southern Heaven Gate led the celestial troops and also reported: "The Bimawen, for unknown reasons, has walked out of the Heavenly Gate."
The Jade Emperor heard this and immediately issued a decree: "Order the two route spirit-generals to return to their posts. I will send heavenly troops to capture this monster."
From the ranks stepped Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, and Nezha, the Third Prince. They advanced and said: "Your Majesty, your humble servants, though untalented, request imperial permission to subdue this demon."
The Jade Emperor greatly rejoiced and immediately appointed Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing as the Great Demon-Quelling Marshal, and Third Prince Nezha as the Great Spirit of the Three Altars and Seas. He ordered them to raise an army and descend to the lower realm at once.
Li Jing and Nezha kowtowed to take their leave, went straight to their palace, assembled the three armies, gathered the troop leaders, appointed Giant Spirit God as vanguard, Fish-Belly General to sweep the rear, and Yaksha General to urge the soldiers forward.
In an instant they exited the Southern Heaven Gate and went straight to Flower-Fruit Mountain. They chose a flat plain to set up camp and sent orders for Giant Spirit God to challenge.
Giant Spirit God received the order, dressed himself in full armor, wielded his Preaching-Flower Axe, and arrived outside the Water-Curtain Cave.
Outside the small cave door stood many demons—wolves, insects, tigers, leopards, and the like—forked and crossed, brandishing spears and dancing swords, leaping and roaring there.
Giant Spirit God called out in a sharp voice: "That beast-creature! Go quickly and tell the Bimawen: I am a heavenly general from above, carrying the Jade Emperor's decree to subdue you. Order him to come out early and surrender, lest you all be wounded and maimed."
Those demons ran hurriedly and reported into the cave: "Disaster! Disaster!"
Wukong asked, "What disaster?"
The demons said, "Outside the door stands a heavenly general, calling himself by the Great Sage's title. He says he carries the Jade Emperor's sacred decree to subdue us. He orders us to surrender early, lest our lives be harmed."
Wukong heard this and ordered: "Bring me my armor."
He put on his purple-gold crown, fastened his golden armor, stepped into his cloud-treading shoes, and gripped the Compliant Golden-Hooped Staff in his hand. He led the troops out, arranged their battle formation.
Giant Spirit God opened his eyes wide and looked—truly, a fine Monkey King:
Golden armor bright and shining,
Golden crown gleaming and reflecting.
In hand he raised the Golden-Hooped Staff,
Cloud-shoes on feet, all in proportion.
A pair of strange eyes like bright stars,
Ears past shoulders, hard and sharp.
Upright body, transformations many,
Voice loud and clear like bell and chime.
Pointed snout, bared teeth—the Bimawen,
Heart high, aspiring to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
Giant Spirit God called out in a sharp voice: "That splashing monkey! Do you know me?"
The Great Sage heard this and quickly asked, "What hairy god are you? Your Old Sun has never met you. Speak your name quickly."
Giant Spirit God said, "You heart-deceiving macaque! You don't know me. I am Giant Spirit Heavenly General, vanguard under the High-and-Mighty Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. Today I carry the Jade Emperor's sacred decree to subdue you. Remove your armor quickly, submit to heavenly grace, and spare all the beasts on this mountain from execution. If you say half a word of refusal, I will turn you to dust in an instant."
Wukong heard this and his heart burned with rage. "Hairy god! Stop puffing that mouth and wagging that tongue. I could crush you in one stroke, but I need a messenger, so you live. Run back to Heaven quickly and tell the Jade Emperor: he doesn't know how to use talent. I, Old Sun, have infinite skill—why did he make me tend horses? Look at the title on my banner. If he promotes me according to that title, I won't move sword or spear, and naturally Heaven and Earth will lie quiet. If he refuses, I'll break into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and make sure his dragon throne never sits steady again."
Giant Spirit God heard this and quickly opened his eyes to look against the wind. Indeed, outside the gate stood a tall pole, and on the pole flew a banner with four huge characters: "Great Sage, Equal to Heaven."
Giant Spirit God laughed coldly three times. "This splashing monkey—so ignorant of human affairs, so bold in outrage. You want to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven? Eat my axe properly."
He swung it down toward Wukong's head.
The Monkey King, as one who knows the trade is never flustered, met it with his Golden-Hooped Staff.
This fight was truly fine:
Staff named Heart-Obeyer,
Axe called Blossom-Herald.
They met in a blink—neither yet had measured the other;
axe and staff rang left and right, crossing and biting.
One kept his wonders tucked away; one bragged with an open throat.
They drove their arts: cloud-breath and fog-spit;
they flung their hands: sandstorm and flying grit.
Heavenly general's divine power had its way;
Monkey King's transformations knew no edge.
Staff raised like a dragon playing in water;
Axe came like a phoenix threading flowers.
Giant Spirit's fame spread under Heaven,
But his skill did not match the other:
The Great Sage lightly swung his iron staff,
One strike to the head—his whole body went numb.
Giant Spirit God could not hold against him. The Monkey King struck him on the head with his staff. Giant Spirit hastily blocked with his axe—crack!—the axe handle broke in two. He quickly withdrew and fled the battlefield to save his life.
The Monkey King laughed, "Weakling, weakling. I've spared you. Go report—go report quickly."
Giant Spirit God returned to the camp gate and went straight to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. He hastily knelt and said, "The Bimawen truly has vast divine power. This humble general could not fight him and has returned from defeat to beg punishment."
Li Jing raged, "This fellow blunts my sharp spirit—push him out and behead him!"
From the side stepped Prince Nezha and bowed, pleading: "Father King, calm your anger. Forgive Giant Spirit's crime this time. Let your son go out to battle once, and then we will know the depth of his skill."
The Heavenly King heard this counsel and ordered Giant Spirit to return to camp and await punishment while handling affairs.
Prince Nezha, his armor and helmet in full order, leaped out of the camp and charged to the Water-Curtain Cave's outer court.
Wukong was just coming to gather his troops when he saw Nezha approaching with fierce courage.
A fine prince he was:
Hair-knots just covering his forehead,
Fur not yet grown to his shoulders.
Divine wonder, quick and perceptive,
Bone-elegant, clear and beautiful.
Truly a Heaven-sent qilin child,
Indeed a mist-and-clouds colored-phoenix immortal.
Dragon seed, naturally not common in appearance,
Youthful age, simply not of the mortal dust.
Body carrying six divine weapons,
Flight and transformation boundless and wide.
Now bearing the Jade Emperor's golden-mouthed decree,
Commanded and titled "Three Altars of the Sea Assembly."
Wukong went forward to meet him and asked, "Whose little fellow are you? Breaking into my gate—what business do you have?"
Nezha called out, "Splashing demon-monkey! Don't you know me? I am Nezha, Third Prince of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. Today I carry the Jade Emperor's special commission to capture you."
Wukong laughed, "Little prince, your milk-teeth have not yet fallen, your birth-fur is not yet dry—how dare you speak such big words? I will spare your life and not strike you. Just look at what title is on my banner, report to the Jade Emperor: with such an office-title, no need to mobilize troops—I will submit willingly. If it does not satisfy my heart, I will surely break into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall."
Nezha raised his head and looked—there were the four characters "Great Sage, Equal to Heaven."
Nezha said, "How much divine power can this demon-monkey have, daring to claim this title? Don't fear—eat my sword!"
Wukong said, "I will stand still and not move. Cut at me as many times as you like."
Nezha, furious, shouted loudly: "Transform!"
He transformed into three heads and six arms, fierce and grim, holding six weapons: the Demon-Slaying Sword, the Demon-Cleaving Knife, the Demon-Binding Rope, the Demon-Quelling Pestle, the Embroidered Ball, and the Fire Wheels. Forked and crossed, he rushed forward to strike.
Wukong saw this and his heart startled. "This little fellow knows some tricks too. Don't be rude—watch my divine power."
The Great Sage shouted: "Transform!"
He too transformed into three heads and six arms. He shook the Golden-Hooped Staff once, and it too became three. Six hands holding three staffs blocked the attack.
This fight truly shook the earth and moved the mountains—a fine battle it was:
Six-armed Prince Nezha,
Heaven-born Stone Monkey King—
True opponents met, origin streams encountered.
One sent by mistake to the lower realm;
One with heart-deception troubling the Ox-Division.
Demon-slaying sword, edge swift and keen;
Demon-cleaving knife, cruelty haunting ghosts and gods;
Demon-binding rope, flying like a python;
Demon-quelling pestle, wolf-head fierce;
Fire wheels drawing lightning, blazing bright;
Embroidered ball rolling to and fro.
The Great Sage's three Heart-Obeying staffs
Blocked front and rear with strategy.
After bitter struggle, neither gained advantage;
The prince's heart refused to rest.
He transformed all six weapons
Into hundreds of thousands of millions,
Throwing them at Wukong's head.
The Monkey King, unafraid, laughed aloud;
His iron staff turned and turned, self-directed.
One became thousand, thousand became ten-thousand,
Dancing wildly through the sky like flying dragons.
It frightened each cave's demon kings to close their doors;
Ghosts and monsters across the mountain hid their heads.
Divine soldiers' rage—clouds grew bleak;
Golden-hooped iron staff—whistled through the air.
On that side, celestial troops shouted—everyone afraid;
On this side, monkey-demons waved flags—each one worried.
Both sides fought fiercely in their rage,
Not knowing which was hard, which was soft.
The Third Prince and Wukong, each displaying their divine might, fought for thirty rounds.
The prince's six weapons transformed into thousands upon thousands; Sun Wukong's Golden-Hooped Staff transformed into tens of thousands upon tens of thousands.
Like raindrops and meteors in midair, neither could gain victory.
Wukong's hands were quick and his eyes fast. In the midst of chaos, he plucked a single hair, shouted "Transform!"—and it became his own form, staff raised, drawing Nezha's eyes and fury. Meanwhile his true body slipped in a single vault to the prince's back and cracked the staff down on the left shoulder.
Nezha, mid-spell, heard the whistle of the staff too late. He twisted to dodge but could not act in time. The blow landed. Pain burning through him, he fled.
He withdrew his spell, returned all six weapons to his body, and retreated from the battlefield.
On that line, Li Jing had already seen and was about to raise his troops to aid the fight. But suddenly the prince was before him, trembling as he reported: "Father King, the Bimawen truly has skill. With all my divine power, I could not overcome him. He has wounded my arm."
The Heavenly King blanched in shock. "This fellow—such divine power. How can we win?"
The prince said, "Outside his cave door he has erected a pole with a banner reading 'Great Sage, Equal to Heaven' in four characters. He declared openly: if the Jade Emperor confers this title upon him, he will stop fighting and submit. If not this title, he will surely break into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall."
The Heavenly King said, "If that is so, do not engage him further. Let us go to the upper realm and report these words. We can send more heavenly troops to surround and capture this fellow—there is no delay in that."
The prince, still in pain, could not fight again. He returned with the Heavenly King to Heaven to report. This need not be told.
The Monkey King, victorious, returned to the mountain. The seventy-two cave demon kings and the Six Brothers all came to congratulate him. In this blessed land and heavenly cave, they drank and rejoiced beyond measure.
Wukong said to the Six Brothers, "Since I call myself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you too may call yourselves Great Sages."
Within the group, the Bull Demon King suddenly called out loud: "Younger brother speaks rightly. I will call myself the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven."
The Demon King said, "I will call myself the Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas."
The Peng Demon King said, "I will call myself the Great Sage Who Confuses the Heavens."
The Lion-Tusk King said, "I will call myself the Great Sage Who Moves Mountains."
The Macaque King said, "I will call myself the Great Sage Who Communicates with the Wind."
The Snub-Nosed Monkey King said, "I will call myself the Great Sage Who Drives Out the Gods."
At this time, the Seven Great Sages created their own titles, proclaimed their own names, enjoyed themselves for one day, and then scattered.
Li Jing and the Third Prince led the generals straight to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and reported: "Your servants carried the sacred decree to descend to the lower realm and subdue the demon-immortal Sun Wukong. Unexpectedly, his divine power is vast—we could not gain victory. We humbly hope Your Majesty will send more troops to exterminate him."
The Jade Emperor said, "A mere demon-monkey—how much skill can he have? Still more troops are needed?"
The prince stepped closer and said, "I hope Your Majesty will pardon your servant's death-crime. That demon-monkey wields an iron staff. First he defeated Giant Spirit God, then he wounded my arm. Outside his cave door stands a pole with a banner reading 'Great Sage, Equal to Heaven' in four characters. He says: if you confer this office-title upon him, he will stop fighting and submit. If not this office, he will surely break into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall."
The Jade Emperor heard this and said in astonishment, "How dare this demon-monkey be so arrogant? Order all generals to execute him immediately."
Just as they spoke, from the ranks stepped the White-Metal Star again and said: "That demon-monkey knows only how to speak bold words, not their weight. If we send troops to fight him, I fear we cannot subdue him quickly and will only exhaust our army. Better that Your Majesty shows great grace and mercy: issue another summons of reconciliation and make him the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Only give him an empty title—office without salary, that is all."
The Jade Emperor said, "What is meant by 'office without salary'?"
The Star said, "His name is Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but give him no affairs to manage, no salary to draw. Let him dwell between Heaven and Earth, gather in his evil heart, so he does not give birth to arrogance. Thus the cosmos will be peaceful, the seas and lands will find clarity and quiet."
The Jade Emperor heard this and said, "As you have reported."
He immediately ordered the decree written and sent the Star again to lead him.
The Star exited the Southern Heaven Gate once more and went straight to Flower-Fruit Mountain, outside the Water-Curtain Cave to observe.
This time was different from before: awe-inspiring, killing-energy dense. Demons of every kind, creatures of every sort—each one gripping swords and spears, handling blades and staffs, roaring and leaping there.
Seeing the Star, they all moved to attack.
The Star said, "You heads—go and report to your Great Sage: I am an angel sent by the Highest Lord. I carry a sacred decree to invite him."
The demons ran in and reported: "Outside stands an old man. He says he is an angel from the upper realm, with a decree to invite you."
Wukong said, "Well come, well come. This must be the White-Metal Star who came before. That time he invited me to the upper realm—though the office was unworthy, I walked Heaven once and learned the roads inside and outside the Heavenly Gates. This time he comes again—surely with good intent."
He ordered the heads to open wide their banners and drums, arrange ranks to welcome.
The Great Sage led the troop of monkeys, crowned and armored, the tawny-yellow robe cast over his armor, cloud-shoes on his feet. He rushed out of the cave door, bowed in greeting, and called out loud: "Old Star, please enter. Forgive my failure to welcome you properly."
The Star stepped forward quickly, went straight into the cave, stood facing south, and said: "I inform the Great Sage: previously, because the Great Sage despised the small office and fled the Imperial Horse Bureau, the officials of that bureau reported to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor transmitted a decree: 'All offices are bestowed from low to high—why despise small?' Then Li Jing led Nezha to the lower realm to battle. Not knowing the Great Sage's divine power, they suffered defeat. They returned to Heaven and reported: 'The Great Sage has erected a pole and banner, wishing to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' The martial generals still wished to resist, but this old man, for the Great Sage's sake, risked blame and reported to spare the army's mobilization and invite the Great King to receive his register. The Jade Emperor approved the report, and for this reason I have come to invite you."
Wukong laughed, "Previously you took trouble; now again you show love. Many thanks, many thanks! But I ask—does Heaven grant me the office-title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"
The Star said, "This old man dared not take the decree and come unless this title was approved. If it does not satisfy you, let the blame sit upon this old man alone."
Wukong greatly rejoiced. He earnestly invited the Star to stay for the banquet, but the Star would not.
Wukong and the Star rode auspicious clouds together to the Southern Heaven Gate. Those celestial troops and generals all clasped their hands to welcome.
They went straight into the Lingxiao Hall's lower court.
The Star bowed and reported: "Your servant, carrying the decree, has summoned the Bimawen Sun Wukong—he has arrived."
The Jade Emperor said, "Sun Wukong, come here. Today I proclaim you the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Your office-rank is supreme—but you must not act recklessly."
The Monkey King only bowed toward the throne and said, "Grace received."
The Jade Emperor immediately ordered the craftsmen Zhang and Lu to build a Great Sage Equal to Heaven Mansion on the right side of the Peach Garden of Immortality.
Inside the mansion were established two bureaus: one called the Bureau of Quietude, one called the Bureau of Serenity.
Each bureau had immortal officials, left and right, to support.
He also sent the Five-Dipper Star Lords to escort Wukong to assume his post, and additionally bestowed two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers, ordering him to settle his heart and fix his will, and never again act recklessly.
The Monkey King believed and carried this out.
On that day, he went with the Five-Dipper Star Lords to the mansion, opened the wine bottles, and drank fully with the assembled officials.
After sending the Star Lords back to their palaces, his heart was satisfied, his will content. Rejoicing in Heaven, he was happy, without worry or obstruction.
Truly:
Immortal name forever inscribed in the Register of Long Life,
Not falling into reincarnation—transmitted for ten thousand ages.
After all, one does not know what follows.
Listen to the next chapter's explanation.