Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 153 The Battle of Wits in Chechi Kingdom (Twenty-Three)
Meanwhile, Wukong went to the Lingxiao Palace to recommend talented people.

In terms of rank, Wukong, as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, held the highest official rank and was indeed qualified to recommend talented individuals to the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor asked, "Wukong, who would you recommend?"

Wukong said, "In Chechi Kingdom of Xiniu Hezhou in the lower realm, there is a Taixi Zhenren, who is a Quanzhen who has attained enlightenment. He does many good deeds and his Taoist magic is boundless. He is capable of undertaking great responsibilities."

The Jade Emperor asked, "True Man Tai Xi, does any of the immortals know the origin of this True Man Tai Xi?"

Venus said, “Your Majesty, this True Man Tai Xi is a wandering immortal who attained enlightenment in the Western Continent of Hezhou. He is blessed with profound virtue and merit, and I am about to recommend him to Your Majesty.”

The Four Celestial Masters also said, "Your Majesty, we are also about to recommend this person."

Many other immortals also responded.

The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "In that case, Wukong, would you be willing to make a trip to invite this Taixi Zhenren to Heaven to receive his celestial ordination?"

Wukong laughed and said, "I'm willing! I'm willing! But please send some celestial officials to accompany me, otherwise I'm afraid that immortal won't believe me."

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "We will do as Wukong has suggested."

The Jade Emperor then ordered the God of Literature to draft an edict, bestowing upon Wukong a celestial tablet and golden seal, and to invite the True Man of the West to ascend to Heaven to serve as an official.

After waiting for a while, Wukong took the imperial edict, led many celestial officials, and happily descended to the mortal realm.

Arrive at Chechi Kingdom, northwest of the royal palace, where the alchemy room is located.

Wukong and the others descended on auspicious clouds.

He was accompanied by dozens of celestial officials.

Auspicious light shone, and five colors filled the sky; exotic fragrances wafted, and celestial music resounded.

When the people of Chechi Kingdom saw this, they all knelt down and worshipped, exclaiming that a god had descended.

The little princess was dozing at the door when she was startled awake by the noise. Seeing the scene, she hurriedly went to report it.

"Master! Master! That monkey is coming, and he's with a lot of people. They don't look friendly!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu said, "Don't rush, let me go and check."

Ao Tu straightened his clothes, and the little princess handed him a whisk. Ao Tu took it and went out to investigate.

Once outside, Ao Tu saw this scene and asked:

"Sun Wukong, why aren't you kneeling before the statues of the Three Pure Ones? What are you doing here? Have you recovered from your injuries and come back to challenge them again?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Old Taoist, you have misunderstood me. I am here on the orders of the Jade Emperor to invite you to serve as an official in Heaven."

Ao Tu said, "Oh, to become an official in Heaven?"

Wukong said, "Yes, look, this celestial tablet and golden seal were bestowed upon you by the Jade Emperor, and there are also these documents and imperial edicts as proof."

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu respectfully bowed and said, "Since it is the Jade Emperor who has invited me, I dare not refuse. However, please allow me to explain what I will do after I leave."

Wukong said, "Please do as you please, old Taoist priest."

Ao Tu instructed the little princess, "Go quickly and call your senior brother Alu over."

Upon hearing this, the little princess hurriedly set off, half-flying with the wind, to Zhiyuan Temple to call for Alu.

Ao Tu then sent two other disciples to inform the three national teachers and the King of Chechi Kingdom.

Before long, Alu returned, and the three national advisors arrived on the wind, along with the King of Chechi Kingdom.

The three immortals, Tiger Power, asked, "Master, what brings you here?"

Ao Tu said, “Your Majesty, the three national teachers, the Jade Emperor has decreed that I be summoned to Heaven to serve as an official. The celestial officials have arrived, and today I must bid you farewell.”

Upon hearing this, the three Great Immortals, Tiger Power, and his companions were overjoyed and said, "Congratulations, True Person, your merits have been fulfilled, and you have ascended to the Heavenly Realm."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Congratulations to you, congratulations to you."

The King of Chechi Kingdom said, "Please wait patiently, Master. I will immediately order a banquet to bid you farewell." Ao Tu replied, "Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated, but I cannot keep the Jade Emperor waiting any longer. After I have given some instructions, I will ascend to Heaven."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chechi Kingdom couldn't help but shed tears and said:
"The Master has been of great kindness to me, and I have not yet had the chance to repay him. He is about to leave. How can I bear it!"

Tiger Power Immortal said, "Your Majesty need not be sad. The Great Immortal has ascended to Heaven to serve as an official. From now on, he will enjoy the bounty of immortals and live a long and healthy life. This is a joyous occasion!"

Upon hearing this, the King of Chechi Kingdom stopped crying and said:

"The Grand Preceptor is absolutely right; this is truly fortunate!"

Ao Tu smiled and nodded, then called his eight disciples to his side and gave them instructions:

"After I leave, you must not forget cultivation. I have passed on to you the methods of alchemy, the Dao, and cultivation. You must practice diligently in the future, and you may also take on disciples and grand-disciples to pass on the Dao lineage."

Upon hearing this, the eight disciples all shed tears and bowed, saying, "Yes, Master, we will never forget your teachings."

Ao Tu then said, "Alu."

Alu stepped forward and said, "Master!"

Ao Tu said, "Among all the disciples, you are the eldest and the senior brother. You should take good care of your junior brothers and sisters in the future. I will pass on the alchemy furnace to you. I hope you will not fail me."

Moved to tears, Alu said, "Thank you, Master. I will live up to your expectations."

Ao Tu said, “Come here, I will teach you a ‘furnace protection technique.’ If any villains come to steal the alchemy furnace, you can recite the incantation and put them into the furnace. If a hundred people come to steal it, you can put in a hundred people; if ten thousand people come to steal it, you can put in ten thousand people. No matter how many people come, they will all be turned into ashes.”

Alu was overjoyed and quickly came over to listen.

Ao Tu spoke to him softly, first imparting the magic formula, and then carefully instructing him, teaching him word by word how to take care of Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Upon hearing this, Alu knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times, and said, "This disciple has remembered it all."

Ao Tu nodded and prepared to leave.

Upon seeing this, the little princess ran over and hugged Ao Tu's leg, saying:
"Master, I can't bear to leave you. Please take me with you to serve you!"

Ao Tu said, “Heaven has its rules, how can you be so presumptuous? Although you are my disciples, I cannot take you to the upper realm privately. The cultivation method I teach can lead directly to the Great Dao. If anyone comprehends the Dao and sheds their mortal form in the future, I will personally come to guide you to the upper realm and continue our master-disciple relationship.”

The little princess reluctantly let go of his hand upon hearing this.

All the disciples bowed.

Ao Tu wanted to leave.

The little princess said again, "Master!"

Ao Tu turned around.

The little princess wept and said, "Master, the path to enlightenment is arduous. This parting may be our last. Take care, Master!"

Ao Tu smiled, reached out and ruffled the little princess's hair, and said:
"My youngest child, among all the disciples, you are the youngest. You have served your master for many days, serving tea and water without any oversight. Your diligence is commendable. After your master leaves, you must diligently cultivate and not slack off. The path to enlightenment is difficult to reach. Considering your foolish nature and filial piety, if you can achieve perfection in the future, your master will protect you from falling into the cycle of reincarnation."

The little princess exclaimed happily, "Thank you, Master!"

This time, Ao Tu turned around and rode the clouds, heading directly to the heavens with Wukong and the celestial officials, all under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

When Ao Tu arrived in the heavens, the Heavenly King of the Southern Heavenly Gate, who did not recognize Ao Tu, blocked his way with a group of soldiers.

Wukong led the way, and then they went inside.

Once inside, outside the Lingxiao Palace, Wukong said, "Old Daoist, this place is not ordinary. We must not be impolite. Please allow me to go in and report first."

Ao Tu said, "Go ahead. I am also an enlightened person. How could I be ignorant of etiquette and trespass?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong felt somewhat embarrassed and hurried inside.

Laughter came from beside him, and it was a child, male with female features, wearing a lotus-patterned brocade robe, sitting barefoot on the jade balustrade—it was Nezha. He was laughing because he had just seen Wukong's embarrassed state.

(End of this chapter)