Chapter 102: The Residence of the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven?

Having left the Lingxiao Hall, Yuan Wuji encountered the eunuch Duonu, who was accompanying the Jade Emperor, followed by several young eunuchs. Judging by their direction, they were heading toward the Stable of Heavenly Horses, suggesting the Jade Emperor’s implicit intent.

These eunuchs were not ordinary men from the mortal realm but belonged to the Celestial Beings race. Strangely, though their cultivation level remained stagnant throughout life, once castrated, their power noticeably increased, as if some invisible shackles within them were removed.

Those from the Celestial Beings who became eunuchs were assigned by the Jade Emperor to serve at his side, making eunuchs among the Celestial Beings a high-ranking class. Even minor officials in the Heavenly Court sought favor from these eunuchs; compared to ordinary Celestial Beings, the disparity was vast.

“Lord Duonu, where are we headed?” one young eunuch asked as they followed behind. Judging by their demeanor, they were recently castrated, perhaps having chosen this path out of dissatisfaction with their previous treatment.

“Silence! That’s not your concern,” Duonu snapped angrily, as though the young eunuch had touched upon a forbidden subject. “You’ve just assumed your position. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear your question. Remember, unless your master instructs you, do not go anywhere. Understood?”

“Yes,” the group replied nervously.

Duonu’s eyes betrayed his worry—countless Celestial Beings had perished in this line of work. Most only saw the privileges enjoyed by the eunuchs, unaware of the bitterness beneath. Many Celestial Beings were deceived by this allure into becoming eunuchs.

The rest, either due to physical issues or disdain for such servitude, chose otherwise. Among the Celestial Beings were many proud prodigies.

When these young eunuchs first arrived, they felt no shame at what they had lost, only joy.

Yet they did not realize that the risk of losing their lives in this role was no less than that of soldiers on the battlefield.

Duonu shook his head helplessly and continued leading them toward the Stable of Heavenly Horses. Unbeknownst to him, a figure clung tightly to the back of one young eunuch, unnoticed by all.

“This is the Stable of Heavenly Horses—so big!” the young eunuch murmured. Yuan Wuji, riding on his back, rolled his eyes. The stable was quite shabby, far inferior to Yuan’s former residence, but the young eunuchs seemed awestruck, as if seeing such a large estate for the first time.

Yuan first noticed the Stable’s Chief and Deputy Chief. There were no celestial soldiers here, only a few Celestial Beings sweeping about, and the two officials.

Duonu swiftly located the Chief and Deputy Chief.

“May I ask, Lord Duonu, what brings you here?” they asked with apparent reverence, though their true thoughts were beyond Duonu’s guess.

Notably, neither the Chief nor Deputy Chief were eunuchs, indicating they had their own agendas.

“By the Jade Emperor’s decree, from now on, the Stable of Heavenly Horses shall become the Residence of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. You two will no longer serve as Chief and Deputy Chief of the stable but shall be in charge of the Departments of Tranquility and Serenity. Always keep those names in mind. As for changes to the stable itself, that shall be your responsibility,” Duonu announced.

The officials were taken aback but dared not question the Jade Emperor’s will; it was a fate they could only accept.

Yuan Wuji was also surprised. Not even repairing a residence for Sun Wukong? Did they truly consider him a fool so easily deceived? Or was it that the artisans of the Heavenly Court possessed genuine, miraculous craftsmanship?

After giving his orders, Duonu left with the young eunuchs. Though of the same Celestial Beings race, their choices diverged so greatly that there was no common ground for conversation. Duonu now wished to teach these young eunuchs more about survival in the Heavenly Court, which was crucial to their continued existence.

Yuan Wuji, however, remained. Sun Wukong should be arriving at the stable soon, and Yuan wished to observe how the Chief and Deputy Chief would alter the Stable of Heavenly Horses. According to the Journey to the West, Sun Wukong did not cause a commotion over his residence; could the Heavenly Court’s artisans truly be so remarkable?

What followed astonished Yuan even more: the stable remained almost unchanged. The only obvious difference was the replacement of the signboard with one reading “Residence of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” and the solitary table was swapped for several more.

This so-called Great Sage’s residence was less grand than those of mid-level officials.

“Is this really all that’s required?” the Deputy Chief asked uncertainly.

“Taibai Jinxing’s word should be infallible, but I don’t understand why that monkey offended him. This residence is no better than a minor official’s—such a waste of the title ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven,’” the Chief lamented.

“Honestly, that monkey’s cultivation is the strongest I’ve seen in any Stable Master here. Even some marshals don’t match him. It feels as if he’s being...” the Deputy Chief began.

“Enough. Let’s focus on our tasks!” the Chief interrupted, wary of eavesdroppers. Caution was their greatest lesson in the Heavenly Court.

Celestial Beings were plentiful in the Heavenly Court, but their status was abysmally low—lower than even the horses in the stable.

Countless Celestial Beings had perished before them, their frequent deaths only underscoring their lowly position.

Only later events would alter the standing of the Celestial Beings.

Yuan Wuji understood their plight well. Their status resembled that of minor stars among the Heavenly Court’s eight divisions. Unlike these stars, who, though low in rank, lived carefree lives and could cultivate exceptionally to attain positions in any division, the Celestial Beings were shackled.

Their internal chains capped their cultivation at the Heavenly Blossom realm, far from the celestial immortals. Born into lowly circumstances, they were suppressed at every turn, living a life of servitude. Cultivation was difficult; survival itself was a challenge.