Chapter Forty-Five: Seeking Trouble

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“Jade Emperor, my eight brothers and I have brought Yuan Wuji here to receive his title.”

“Wuji, come and pay your respects to the Jade Emperor.”

The Solar Star Lord chose his words carefully—he said “pay respects,” not “kneel.” Yuan Wuji shot the Solar Star Lord a strange look, then glanced at the Jade Emperor’s somewhat grim face. It seemed the Jade Emperor was already used to this situation. In the mortal realm, who would dare stand before their sovereign without kneeling? Any who refused would be dragged out and executed.

Yuan Wuji briefly sensed the cultivation levels of the immortals on both sides; the strongest among them was only at the Loose Immortal of Taiyi stage.

“This is Yuan Wuji’s first audience; kneeling is not required,” came the measured voice of Venus, the Grand Marshal. It was precisely because Venus understood how to conduct himself that he had risen from a minor immortal to his current position.

Venus’s words eased the Jade Emperor’s dark expression, and the Nine Luminous Star Lords did not quibble over such trifles.

“Yuan Wuji pays respects to the Jade Emperor and awaits your decree,” Yuan Wuji said, stepping forward from behind the Nine Luminous Star Lords. He cupped his fists and saluted, fulfilling Venus’s suggestion.

The Jade Emperor was seeing Yuan Wuji for the first time, and even he was taken aback by Wuji’s peculiar aura. The lesser immortals present might not be impressive, but the Jade Emperor’s cultivation was formidable; nothing about Yuan Wuji could escape his notice.

“I have heard from the Nine Luminous Star Lords that you have performed meritorious deeds in the mortal world?”

“That is correct.”

“It has come to my attention that you are worshipped among mortals. In accordance with the incense offerings you receive, I shall confer upon you the title of Divine Ape General. Your rank shall be—”

He had intended this to be a mere formality, but was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

“Father, I have something to report.”

A fairy in blue interrupted the Jade Emperor’s decree, ignoring the protests of the young attendant beside her.

“What is it?” The Jade Emperor’s face softened somewhat when he saw it was his own daughter, but his tone was not exactly warm. The fairy in blue, however, was undeterred.

“I believe that unless he can defeat my cousin Erlang, he doesn’t deserve to be General.”

Erlang Shen was a sensitive topic for the Jade Emperor; no one dared mention him lightly, for fear of punishment. Yet here was the Sixth Princess, bold enough to bring him up right in front of her father.

“Sixth Princess, what does Erlang Shen have to do with the Divine Ape General? Such talk is improper,” Venus quickly interjected, hoping to salvage the situation. Was the Jade Emperor’s authority now subject to Erlang Shen’s approval?

“I don’t care. Hey, you—if you admit you’re afraid of my cousin Erlang, I’ll let you keep your title.”

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The blue-clad fairy pointed at Yuan Wuji, her expression suggesting she had expected this all along.

“You’re talking about Erlang Shen? What’s so great about him?” Yuan Wuji was baffled—what was it about Erlang Shen that inspired such devotion in the Jade Emperor’s daughter? Did she not notice her father’s stormy face behind her?

“If you look down on my cousin Erlang, do you believe that even his brother Nezha could beat you into submission?” she retorted.

“Nezha? I nearly killed him at the Southern Heavenly Gate not long ago. I wonder if he’s recovered yet—Li Heavenly King?” Yuan Wuji turned to the middle-aged man with the Pagoda, the only one of his kind in the Celestial Court, and easily recognized him.

“Nezha’s wounds—was that your doing?” Li Jing could not remain silent when his son’s shame was laid bare before all.

“It was.”

“You—”

“You—”

Yuan Wuji’s frank admission left both the blue fairy and Li Jing speechless, reduced to glaring at him in fury.

“I was wondering why Nezha had been missing these past days. So you’re the one who injured him. My cousin Erlang will never let you off,” the blue fairy threatened again.

“Enough! Leave at once!” The Jade Emperor could no longer bear to hear his daughter mention forbidden names before him.

“But father—”

“Sixth Princess, please don’t make trouble. You’d best go,” Venus urged, knowing the Jade Emperor could say little more on the matter. He had dealt with such antics from his daughter more than once.

Seeing the darkening of her father’s face, the fairy in blue finally retreated.

The little attendant, relieved that nothing had happened to Yuan Wuji, smiled brightly—a happiness that did not go unnoticed by Venus.

“Yuan Wuji, step forward and receive your title. I hereby appoint you Divine Ape General, fourth rank,” the Jade Emperor declared hastily, then quickly dismissed the court.

With the Jade Emperor’s decree, Yuan Wuji was officially recognized as the Divine Ape General, and a golden light rose from his body, as if a new path of cultivation had opened to him.

“So this is the power of incense offerings. But why does most of it come from White Bone Village?” Yuan Wuji could sense that the majority of the mortal devotion he received originated from White Bone Village, with very little from the Kingdom of Black Rooster.

The Jade Emperor’s edict changed the very nature of his worship on earth.

The largest statue of Yuan Wuji in White Bone Village now radiated an even more powerful aura, aweing all the villagers.

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“Come quick, the Divine Ape General has manifested again!”

“Village chief, the General is performing miracles!”

“Hurry, bring the children to worship the General!”

And so on.

Ever since Yuan Wuji’s aura had driven away the local spirits, his status in White Bone Village had become even more sacred. The monkey hair within his statue emitted an alternating blend of righteous and sinister energy, which enveloped the entire village.

From that day forth, every child born in White Bone Village would possess either a wholly righteous or a wholly demonic aura—but all carried divine power.

Thus, Yuan Wuji’s position in the village became unassailable; his statue continually emitted that dual aura, regarded as holy by the villagers. Pregnant women, in particular, would come to kneel before his likeness.

“Nine Luminous Star Lords, how do you use the power of incense offerings?” Yuan Wuji asked as the star lords escorted him from the Hall of Highest Heaven.

Just as the star lords were about to answer, a blue figure blocked Yuan Wuji’s path.

“Hey, since you dared harm Nezha, my cousin Erlang will never let you go!”

“Sixth sister, let’s just go. Don’t be like this,” pleaded a purple-robed girl tugging at her sleeve.

“Sixth Princess, this is not your concern. You’d best return to the Jade Emperor’s side,” said the Lunar Star Lord, for she had heard all about the princess’s infatuation with Erlang Shen from Chang’e.

“Lunar Star Lord, I wasn’t talking to you. I have something to say to the monkey behind you.”

“Oh? You wish to address me?”

“You’d better—”

But even as the Sixth Princess spoke, Yuan Wuji suddenly unleashed a powerful aura, forcing her back. The thick scent of blood washed over her, and the pallor on her face and the fear in her eyes left no doubt of her defeat.

“I’m sorry, sixth sister—let’s just leave!” the little attendant pleaded, her thoughts simple: her sister must have angered Yuan Wuji, and out of respect for the Jade Emperor, he had merely repelled her. If she took her sister away, all would be well.

The blue-clad princess, cowed by Yuan Wuji’s presence and at a loss, gratefully seized the chance to withdraw when her sister pulled her away.