Chapter 112: Muzha

After Yuan Wuji arrived at Mount Huaguo, a figure of great significance in the legend of the Journey to the West also arrived at the Heavenly Court: Guanyin Bodhisattva.

At the very moment Guanyin reached the Heavenly Court, the Four Heavenly Kings in the projection were defeated by Sun Wukong, and the Five Planets Sovereigns had stepped in to take their place.

After Yuan Wuji had sent the Macaque King away, the Five Planets Sovereigns easily subdued the Lion-Camel King. Seeing the defeated Four Heavenly Kings, they filled the void left by them. Meanwhile, Yuan Wuji had quietly slipped away from the battlefield as soon as the Four Heavenly Kings fell. He chose to hide elsewhere, knowing that many more influential figures would soon arrive. He felt it was better to wait for the right opportunity in the shadows than to remain exposed.

"Jade Emperor, Guanyin Bodhisattva has come to pay her respects."

"Guanyin?"

The Jade Emperor was well-versed in the affairs of the Journey to the West and knew much about Guanyin. As an indispensable figure in the upcoming pilgrimage, her arrival at the Heavenly Court did not surprise him in the slightest.

"Invite the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin in at once," the Jade Emperor commanded the attendant who had reported her arrival.

Before long, Guanyin, treading upon a lotus platform, arrived at the Hall of High Heaven. Behind her followed a young acolyte holding a jade vase—undoubtedly Muzha.

"Bodhisattva, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my Heavenly Court?" the Jade Emperor asked.

"I heard that the Jade Emperor was facing difficulties, so I have come specifically to assist."

*Assistance? It is nothing more than your own Buddhist agenda; you all speak so sanctimoniously,* the Jade Emperor cursed inwardly.

"It is a source of shame, really. There is a stone monkey on Mount Huaguo. I dispatched King Li to subdue the demon, but to this day, he has yet to be brought to heel," the Jade Emperor said, gesturing toward the projection of Mount Huaguo.

"Oh? Father is there as well? Bodhisattva, your disciple wishes to go and provide reinforcements," Muzha said to Guanyin.

"Audacious! The Jade Emperor is present; how dare you speak so rashly?"

"Bodhisattva, it is no matter. When soldiers go to battle, a father and son together is only natural. If Muzha wishes to go and aid his father, I see no harm in it."

The Jade Emperor knew exactly what level of strength Sun Wukong possessed. Muzha was roughly on par with Nezha, perhaps even inferior in combat, so how could he possibly be a match for the Monkey King?

"Since the Jade Emperor has spoken, you may go."

Being in the Hall of High Heaven, Guanyin could not object to the Jade Emperor’s words and had no choice but to let Muzha proceed.

"Yes."

Muzha accepted the order immediately. Before coming to the Hall of High Heaven, Guanyin had spoken to him about Sun Wukong. While Muzha dared not show disdain on the surface, in his heart, he looked down upon the monkey entirely, believing that there was no need for Guanyin to intervene—he alone was sufficient.

Receiving the affirmation, Muzha flew rapidly toward Mount Huaguo.

"Muzha? You were at the side of Guanyin Bodhisattva; why are you here?" Li Jing asked, startled by his son’s arrival.

"I am acting under the orders of the Jade Emperor and the Bodhisattva to provide reinforcement to you, Father."

"With your level of strength, you had best return to the Bodhisattva’s side. Don't go throwing your life away," interjected Nezha.

The Investiture of the Gods had seemed, on the surface, to be the greatest victory for the Chan Sect, but in truth, it was the Buddhist Sect that reaped the real rewards. Not only did they gain the opportunity for their own resurgence, but they also absorbed the three thousand visitors of the Jie Sect, and many from the Chan Sect joined their ranks as well. Guanyin was one such figure, and consequently, Muzha had joined the Buddhist fold.

Because of this defection, the third-generation disciples of the Chan Sect felt deep hostility toward those who had betrayed their teachings. Thus, when Nezha saw Muzha, he could not help but mock him.

"Nezha, judging by your posture, you have already been defeated by that monkey. If you cannot handle him yourself, do not act so arrogant in front of me," Muzha retorted sharply.

"I hope you can still speak so confidently later."

Having said this, Nezha closed his eyes to recover, ignoring Muzha entirely. Seeing the situation, Li Jing quickly stepped in.

"Muzha, that monkey is truly formidable. You had better ask your master to come!"

"Father, just watch as I subdue that demon monkey."

Muzha would not listen; Li Jing’s words had no effect on him. Left with no choice, Li Jing opened a gap in the Heaven-and-Earth Net to let Muzha inside.

At that moment, the Five Planets Sovereigns, currently locked in battle with Sun Wukong, felt a crushing pressure emanating from him. Sun Wukong was far more powerful than the Lion-Camel King. Even with the Five Planets Sovereigns attacking him in a group, they could barely hold their ground and were on the verge of being overwhelmed.

"Nine Luminaries, step back! I shall subdue this demon monkey!"

Feeling the immense pressure, the Five Planets Sovereigns heard Muzha's words and immediately retreated, leaving the battlefield to him. Once clear of the fray, the Sovereigns could not stop their arms from trembling; the residual force of Sun Wukong's power still lingered in their limbs.

Yuan Wuji, who had been observing Sun Wukong the entire time, noticed something amiss. Compared to his previous displays of strength, Sun Wukong was now unprecedentedly powerful. It seemed the Flat Peaches and the Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs had granted him immense benefits, allowing him to elevate his cultivation to such a terrifying realm in such a short time.

Yuan Wuji no longer felt certain of victory against Sun Wukong; in fact, he might even find himself at a disadvantage. Watching the battle between the Four Heavenly Kings and the monkey earlier, it was clear that Sun Wukong had been holding back. Only now, facing the genuine strength of the Five Planets Sovereigns, had he revealed his true power.

Now, the true-powered Sun Wukong faced off against Muzha. Muzha finally felt the true pressure of the monkey, and within just a few exchanges, he was already in dire straits.

"How can this monkey be so strong?"

Muzha struggled desperately, reaching his limit. However, as a disciple of Guanyin, he was bound to have life-saving methods.

"Monkey, witness this treasure!"

A brilliant blue gourd appeared out of thin air in Muzha’s hand, pointed directly at the charging Sun Wukong.

*Whoosh!*

A massive deluge of blue floodwater surged from the gourd like a giant water dragon, attacking Sun Wukong. Under Muzha’s control, the water dragon managed to hold Sun Wukong to a stalemate. However, one was a magical treasure, and the other was raw, personal power—the difference in quality was clear at a glance.

*A low-grade Immortal Treasure of the Pre-Heaven?*

Yuan Wuji recognized the rank of the gourd instantly. Only Pre-Heaven treasures possessed the might to challenge those of a higher cultivation level, though Muzha’s limited strength prevented him from unleashing the gourd’s full potential.

Muzha’s defeat was only a matter of time; his only concern now was how to escape from the reach of Sun Wukong’s golden-hooped staff.

*Damn it.*

Muzha was drenched in cold sweat, desperately looking for an opening to flee. But Sun Wukong’s onslaught grew increasingly ferocious, leaving Muzha with nothing but defensive maneuvers, unable to even contemplate a retreat.

High above, Li Jing was frantic.

"Withdraw a section of the Heaven-and-Earth Net! I must help my son escape shortly," Li Jing commanded the heavenly soldiers nearby.

Below, Yuan Wuji felt the fluctuations in the sky. The Heaven-and-Earth Net was clearly shifting; it seemed Li Jing intended to help Muzha escape. Seeing this, Yuan Wuji could not help but sneer inwardly: *Do you really think it will be that easy to get away?*