Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"Wukong!"

Watching a figure emerging from the barrier of the Netherworld, Nezha the Third Prince was still stunned when Zi Lan Fairy already called out in surprise and immediately lunged toward Sun Wukong, burying herself into his embrace.

"Zi Lan? What are you doing here?"

Looking down in some astonishment at Zi Lan Fairy, whose eyes brimmed with tears in his arms, Sun Wukong was very surprised. This place was the space at the node between the Netherworld and the World of the Living; how could Zi Lan Fairy be here? Shouldn't she be in the Heavenly Court?

"I was worried about you, so I came to find you!"

Wiping away the teardrops from the corner of her eyes with her hand, Zi Lan Fairy looked up and gave Sun Wukong a sweet smile before whispering to him, "Wukong, King Qin Guang and the Four Seas Dragon Kings have filed a complaint about you to His Majesty the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor has sent thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to Polar Realm of Heaven to capture you.

You must be extremely careful!"

"So they really did file a complaint after all?"

A cold glint flickered through Sun Wukong's eyes; some things indeed never change. However, in this life, he would not let off those intent on harming him!

King Qin Guang, Four Seas Dragon Kings, just wait and see. I, Old Sun, have noted this score and will settle it with you sooner or later!

"Who is leading those thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals? It's not Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li, is it?"

Sun Wukong asked, speaking out loud without avoiding Nezha the Third Prince standing nearby. In this life, it was Sun Wukong's first encounter with Nezha, but in his past life, he had shared a good relationship with Nezha. Since Nezha was here, that meant Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing must certainly be the marshal in charge of the thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

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However, Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised that this time the Jade Emperor hadn't decreed that Great White Golden Star go to recruit him but had come directly to besiege him instead.

"You're Sun Wukong? You're not quite what I imagined! There are such handsome individuals among the Monkey Tribe?"

Nezha stared wide-eyed at Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong's appearance was different from that of the typical members of the Monkey Tribe. According to the Human Race's standards of beauty, he was quite handsome. Nezha had always been confident about his own looks, but seeing Sun Wukong's appearance, he couldn't help but feel an instant sense of goodwill.

Sun Wukong also laughed; in this life, his appearance was indeed much more handsome compared to how he looked in his past life. He was well aware of how vain Nezha was about his appearance, something that, in this respect, made Nezha somewhat similar to Luo Bai.

"If I'm not mistaken, you must be Nezha the Third Prince, correct?"

"You know me?"

Nezha looked surprised, then turned towards Zi Lan Fairy. Could it be that Zi Lan Fairy told Sun Wukong about him?

"I can tell by your attire—the Qiankun Ring, the Huntian Ling, the Fire-tipped Spear. There should also be the Wind-Fire Wheels. Plus, such elegant and dashing bearing... who else could it be but Nezha the Third Prince?"

Everyone loves to hear praise, and with Sun Wukong's flattering words, Nezha's face broke into a broad smile. His opinion of Sun Wukong soared, and he slapped Sun Wukong's shoulder, "Ah, too kind, too kind! You're not bad yourself, Wukong—it's just that you fall a bit short of me!"

Sun Wukong silently chuckled to himself, knowing that Nezha liked to hear such compliments.

"By the way, Zi Lan, what did you say this place was called? Polar Realm of Heaven?"

Sun Wukong turned his gaze to Zi Lan Fairy, hearing for the first time of this place. Could there be such a place within the Three Realms?

"The Polar Realm of Heaven is located at the easternmost end of the Heaven Realm, believed to be the location of Mount Buzhou, the Heavenly Pillar in Ancient Primeval times, where Goddess Nuwa mended the sky with refining stones. Now, it is the boundary between the Heaven Realm and all other realms, and is the only place that won't be sealed by the Human Book.

Currently, the entire barrier between the Netherworld and the World of the Living has yet to recover from the seal. The only way for you to leave the Netherworld, Wukong, is through this single path. Therefore, the Heavenly Army has been stationed outside here for more than a decade, just waiting for you to show up, in order to capture you in one swoop!"

Before Zi Lan Fairy could speak, Nezha eagerly rushed to explain. He had a positive impression of Sun Wukong and didn't want to see him captured just like that—the notion of not wanting his stepfather Li Jing to reap a significant achievement also lingered in his mind.

"Those thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals are led by my old man, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing. I'm the vanguard officer. Wukong, you should leave quietly once you get out, and I'll pretend I never saw you."

Nezha spoke with great earnestness. Although Sun Wukong's cultivation was also at the level of Taiyi Golden Immortal, Nezha wasn't aware of his capabilities and didn't think he could stand alone against thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.

"Nezha, I appreciate your kindness!" Sun Wukong said, giving Nezha a grateful pat on the shoulder. His eyes suddenly sparkled with a dazzling light, and an aura of hubris burst forth from him, "So what if it's thirty thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals? Even if it were one hundred thousand or three hundred thousand, what would Old Sun have to fear!"

What a guy, such a strong presence, so domineering!

Nezha marveled inwardly, feeling a trace of envy surge within him. When could he become fearless like Sun Wukong, acting solely on courage, daring to challenge the heavens on impulse? What a thrilling thought that was!

However, this idea flickered by quickly, merely a fleeting thought. Not to mention contending with the heavens, he had been utterly subdued by the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, rendering all his grand words meaningless!

"Wukong, don't be reckless! The Heavenly Court is filled with powerful experts; it's not as simple as you think! I am the Vanguard Officer; if you really start fighting with the Heavenly Army, I can't just turn a blind eye!"

Shaking his head, Nezha sighed and tried to persuade him.

"Yes, Wukong, that's thirty thousand heavenly soldiers and generals. Don't be reckless, I'll worry about you..."

Zi Lan Fairy was naturally inspired by the heroic spirit emanating from Sun Wukong, feeling dazzled and enchanted. He was the man she had chosen, unlike anyone else in this world, proud and uninhibited, looking down on the world, daring to challenge the heavens! However, while she admired and revered him, her heart was filled more with worry.

She knew all too well how terrifying the forces of the Heavenly Court were. Sun Wukong, wanting to fight the entire Heavenly Court on his own, Zi Lan Fairy could see no hope of victory!

Maybe thirty thousand heavenly soldiers and generals might not stop Sun Wukong, but what after he defeated them? More troops, stronger immortals and gods, would emerge. How many could Sun Wukong confront alone?

"Don't worry, old Sun has it all figured out!"

Sun Wukong tightened his grip around Zi Lan Fairy's arm, and with his other hand, he embraced her, patting her back reassuringly. "No matter what, I must fight this battle! Not just fight, but fight fiercely, to show my prowess! Only by demonstrating my strength will the Heavenly Court take me seriously and be willing to negotiate and compromise!"

Sun Wukong was well aware that he was always in opposition to the Heavenly Court, and a decisive battle was inevitable sooner or later. Of course, that day wasn't today, but he had to make the Heavenly Court aware of his capabilities. That old Jade Emperor was a typical bully, afraid of those who stood up to him.

As long as he displayed sufficient strength, the emperor would surely back down and try to appease him through conciliatory measures. This would buy time for Flower-Fruit Mountain to develop and also buy him time and opportunities to become stronger!

"Nezha, you have nothing to worry about. We're on different sides now; since you are the Vanguard Officer, let's give it our all against those thirty thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, no holding back! After the fight, we can still be brothers!"

Sun Wukong looked at Nezha, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "You'd better be careful, old Sun will show no mercy. I'm afraid you might not be a match for me!"

These words were quite a concession from Sun Wukong. He was much stronger now than in his previous life when Nezha had fought with him and was not his match. Now, even less so. However, Sun Wukong would not actually say this to Nezha. First, it would be too arrogant, and second, they were already friends. It wasn't right to be so disrespectful!

"I don't see it that way!"

Nezha, too, was roused by Sun Wukong's fighting spirit. Since Sun Wukong was ready for a fight, they would have a proper fight. He wanted to see for himself just how capable the Beautiful Monkey King, who had thrown both the Dragon Palace Netherworld and the Ten Yama Kings, as well as the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, into a state of tremor and fear, really was.

"Wukong..."

Zi Lan Fairy wanted to say more, but Sun Wukong put a finger to her lips. "Zi Lan, I've made up my mind! You go with Nezha now, get far away. Don't get involved; I will join you shortly. Remember to stay well away, so you don't get dragged in; I don't want to be distracted!"

"Wukong, be careful! Don't be too reckless!"

Seeing that Sun Wukong was resolute, Zi Lan Fairy knew that her persuasion was futile. She sighed and nodded, reluctantly leaving Sun Wukong's embrace, and she and Nezha breached the barrier of the Polar Realm of Heaven and made their way out.

In the military camp of the Heavenly Army, within the tent of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Unfilial son, you still know how to come back!"

Seeing Nezha enter the tent with Zi Lan Fairy, the anger Li Jing had been suppressing welled up, and he erupted with a roar, slamming a palm down on the table beside him, shattering it to pieces.

"Father, calm your anger. Your son only sought to capture that Demon Monkey Sun Wukong, purely to fulfill His Majesty the Jade Emperor's decree!"

A hint of fierce coldness flashed in Nezha's eyes, but he quickly bowed his head to hide it, paying his respects to Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing.

"To capture Sun Wukong? What a noble excuse!"

Li Jing sneered. "I ask you, why did you involve Zi Lan Fairy and take her to that junction between the Two Realms? Don't you know she is the Envoy sent by His Majesty the Jade Emperor to comfort the troops? If anything happens, who will take the responsibility, you or I?"

"And, you say you went to capture the Demon Monkey Sun Wukong. Where is this demon monkey? Where is he?"

No sooner had Li Jing's words fallen than an arrogant and unrestrained voice came from outside the tent, echoing loudly:

"Your Sun Grandfather is here! Which of you rats from the Heavenly Court dares to come and meet their death?"