Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 93 Exorcising Demons in Wuji Kingdom (Part 6)
It is said that the twenty-second day of the second month in the human world is the Flower Festival, but this festival is not a creation of the mortal world, but was passed down from the heavens.

Today, in the celestial paradise of Yaochi, all flowers are in full bloom. The Queen Mother has invited all the immortals to Yaochi for a gathering to admire the beauty of the flowers.

The deities invited include: Laozi, Lishan Laomu, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, Antarctic Longevity Emperor, Three Holy Immortal Maidens, Dongfang Chongen Shengdi, Jiutian Yingyuan Leisheng Puhua Tianzun, Zhenwu Emperor, Taiyin Xingjun, Wenchang Emperor, Kaiyang Xingjun, Da Kui Xingjun, Taibai Jinxing, Chijiao Daxian, Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun, etc.

Wukong, Nezha, and Ao Tu quietly slipped outside the Jade Pool and peered inside.

Nezha said, "Look, there's Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun over there. Let's go in and call him!"

Wukong said: "Wait a minute."

Nezha asked, "What's wrong?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Third Prince, all the gods are here, so it's best not to make a fuss."

Nezha said, "Why shouldn't we make a fuss? His lion descended to the mortal realm to commit evil deeds; does he think he's in the right?"

Wukong advised, "Third Prince, even if it is the fault of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun for not investigating this matter, it is not appropriate for you and I to question him in front of all the gods. If we do so, wouldn't we be putting the Tianzun in an awkward position?"

Nezha thought about it and realized that what Wukong said made sense, so he asked:
"Then what do you think we should do?"

Wukong said, "In my opinion, I will have to trouble you, Third Prince, to go in and tell him the matter quietly, without disturbing the gods. Just let him come out alone and we will discuss the mistake then."

Nezha said, "You clever monkey, you really know how to make me do the things that offend people!"

Wukong laughed and said, "Thank you for your trouble! I have some old grudges to settle with the Queen Mother."

Nezha gave a soft snort and entered the Jade Pool.

After Nezha left, Wukong smiled and said to Ao Tu:

"Let's change our approach and follow along to see how the Third Prince acts."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Good!"

The two transformed themselves: Wukong became a butterfly with golden patterns and yellow clothes, and Ao Tu became a butterfly with dazzling golden light. Together they flew into the Jade Pool and landed among the hundred flowers.

Wukong landed on a peony fairy flower, and Ao Tu landed on a crimson pearl fairy herb. The two buried their heads and pretended to be sucking the nectar, but in reality they were secretly observing Nezha's movements.

The Heavenly Venerable of Universal Transformation and Responding to the Origin of Thunder exclaimed, "How strange! How strange! Where did these two butterflies come from?"

Seeing this, the Old Mother of Lishan covered her face and smiled, saying, "Heavenly Venerable, let me tell you, I recently gained a son-in-law..."

Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but look at Ao Tu.

Ao Tu stood on the Crimson Pearl Fairy Grass as if nothing had happened, and the fairy grass swayed gently.

On the other side, Nezha paid his respects to the Queen Mother, without mentioning Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, only saying that he had come to admire the flowers.

The Queen Mother naturally invited Nezha in.

As soon as Nezha entered the Jade Pool, before he even reached Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, he was pulled aside by Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun and forced to drink three cups of celestial wine, making his little face flushed. He then said, "Something's up," and ran away.

Wukong and Ao Tu watched and chuckled to themselves.

Nezha found Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun.

At this moment, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun was chatting with the Barefoot Immortal.

Nezha tugged at the robe of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun and said, "Tianzun, I have something to ask you."

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun asked, "Third Prince, what brings you to me?"

Nezha glanced at the Barefoot Immortal but remained silent.

The Barefoot Immortal laughed and said, "There are amazing sights there, I'll go and see them first."

As he spoke, he floated over.

Only Nezha and Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun remained in the same spot.

Nezha then quietly told Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun about the affairs of Wuji Kingdom.

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun laughed and said, "Third Prince, you've come to the wrong person."

Nezha said, "Heavenly Venerable, now that things have come to this, are you still going to protect that wicked beast?"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun laughed and said, "Third Prince, it's not that I'm protecting you, it's that you've chosen the wrong master. That monster is not mine."

Nezha naturally didn't believe it, saying, "We've already been to your palace and checked; it's your lion beast!"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun smiled and shook his head: "Third Prince, you must have come to the wrong place. My lion beast would never descend to the mortal realm. I think you should look elsewhere!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and used magic to push Nezha away.

Upon seeing this, Wukong and Aotu flapped their wings, flew up, and went out to reunite with Nezha.

Outside the Jade Pool, the three gathered together once again.

Nezha angrily said, "That Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun is really something! He actually protects his subordinate's mount from descending to the mortal realm to become a demon. I tried to reason with him, but he insisted on protecting it and refused to admit it even to the death!"

Wukong angrily said, "This one is from the same source as that monster. I originally wanted to give him some face, but now that he has acted this way, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Nezha asked, "Monkey, what are you going to do?"

Wukong smiled, plucked a hair from his body, and transformed it into a stack of petitions, saying, "Watch me cast my spell."

Wukong soared into the air, inhaled towards the southeast, and exhaled, creating a strong gust of wind that blew the stack of petitions in his hand into the Jade Pool.

In the Jade Pool, a strange wind suddenly appeared, the world darkened, all the flowers closed, and the gods covered their faces.

One by one, petitions were blown in by the wind. They were accusations that the Heavenly Venerable Taiyi Jiuku had allowed his mounts to descend to the mortal realm as demons and usurp the throne.

The gods picked up the petition, and upon seeing its contents, they couldn't help but look at Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun.

Just then, Sun Wukong was heard jumping and shouting outside the Jade Pool: "Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, you are protecting your subordinate mount who has descended to the mortal world to become a demon! Quickly come with me to see the Jade Emperor to settle this matter! Go see the Jade Emperor to settle this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun couldn't help but angrily say, "This wicked monkey has framed me in this way; how can I forgive him?"

Having said that, he leaped outside the Jade Pool, drew his sword from his waist, and said:
"You impudent monkey, how dare you spout such nonsense! Take this!"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun threw his sword into the sky, which manifested as the Nine Suns and struck at Wukong.

All the gods left the Jade Pool to watch the magical contest.

Enjoying flowers at Yaochi is a yearly occurrence, but magical duels are a rare treat.

Wukong brandished his golden cudgel to block the sword, but was forced to retreat repeatedly. He couldn't help but say, "You old man, how come you're also skilled in martial arts?"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "You impudent monkey, shut up! You've ruined my reputation, so let me strike you down with three swords first!"

As he spoke, he channeled a burst of Nine Yang magic power, making the sword even more formidable.

Wukong was finding it increasingly difficult to withstand the attack and exclaimed, "This sword technique is truly powerful! Third Prince, Monk, come and help me!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu and Nezha flew over. Nezha used the Universe Ring, and Ao Tu used the alms bowl. Together, they fought against the sword of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun.

The gods commented from the sidelines:

"The monkey's martial arts skills have improved again."

"The Third Prince is not bad either."

"Who is that monk? Why have I never seen him before?"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun used thirty-six sword moves, which were barely blocked by the three of them working together.

Seeing this, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun laughed and said, "You monkey, you do have some skill, you actually managed to block my precious sword!"

Wukong shouted, "I, Old Sun, have many skills! Quickly, come with me to the Jade Emperor to settle this matter!"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun smiled and raised his hand to release a precious banner.

The banner grew longer in the wind, obscuring the sun and moon, covering the thirty-three heavens, concealing the nine netherworlds, and blocking the islands overseas, thus encircling Wukong, Nezha, and Ao Tu within it.

Wukong tried to somersault inside, but couldn't get out. He swung his golden cudgel wildly left and right, but couldn't damage the banner in the slightest. Instead, he accidentally hit Nezha.

Nezha angrily cursed the monkey, enduring the pain in his left arm. With his right hand holding Ao Tu, he flew wildly left and right on his Wind Fire Wheels, and even threw his Universe Ring to fight, but he still couldn't get out.

Having no other choice, Nezha plopped down and sighed, "Oh no, monk, we're stuck now."

Ao Tu asked, "Is your hand alright?"

Nezha said, "It's nothing serious. I was hit by that rascal. I'll be fine in a couple of days."

Ao Tu said, "Let me see."

Ao Tu lifted Nezha's arm, dipped it in a drop of the Three Lights Divine Water, rubbed it on the wound, and healed it.

Nezha exclaimed happily, "Monk, you have this trick up your sleeve!"

Wukong then leaped over and said, "Third Prince, don't underestimate him; he has many tricks up his sleeve!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Now that you're all out of options, I'll have to step in and get you out of here."

Nezha doubted, "Monk, do you have a way to get out?"

Ao Tu smiled, clasped his hands together, and golden light emanated from his body.

Outside, the Great Savior of Suffering, Taiyi, had already retrieved the precious banner. The three little figures hanging on the banner were none other than Wukong, Nezha, and Ao Tu.
Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "This impudent monkey has gone too far in bullying me. He should be punished properly!"

The gods all laughed.

At this moment, Ao Tu, one of the three little men, shone with golden light, broke free of the precious banner, and landed outside, revealing his six-zhang-tall golden body.

His golden body shone brightly, illuminating the Jade Pool. He had eight arms, one holding a bowl, one holding Nezha, one holding Wukong, and the remaining arms forming mudras.

The gods were all somewhat surprised by what they saw.

Nezha exclaimed happily, "Monk, you have this trick up your sleeve! Amazing! Amazing! But put me down first, this is too embarrassing!"

Ao Tu put Wukong and Nezha down and returned to his original form.

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun stopped attacking and asked, "Who is Your Excellency?"

Ao Tu performed a Buddhist salute and said, "Heavenly Venerable, this humble monk is a disciple of Mount Ling, and has come to accompany the Great Sage to thoroughly investigate the injustice in Wuji Kingdom."

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "This matter was truly not caused by my mount."

Wukong said, "Old man, we've all been to your palace, and you still won't admit it!"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "You impudent monkey, how dare you trespass into my palace!"

Wukong said, "You have something to hide, that's why you won't let anyone in!"

Ao Tu said, "Great Sage, Heavenly Venerable, please stop arguing. Listen to what this humble monk has to say. Now that all the gods are here, why not explain the whole story in detail, and the truth will naturally come out?"

Wukong said, "Fine! Old man, do you dare to confront me?"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "Speak."

At that moment, in the Jade Pool, in front of all the gods, Wukong explained the whole story of the Wuji Kingdom from beginning to end.

Wukong said, "That poor old king, a mere mortal soul wronged, has traveled all over the underworld, the ten courts of hell, the three mountains and five peaks, and the four seas, yet there is nowhere he can seek justice! Old man, do you still dare to say that you didn't cover it up?"

Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun said, "Great Sage, if what you say is true, this monster is indeed being protected by someone, but how dare you say that this monster is my lion?"

Wukong said, "I went to your Wonderful Words Palace, to the lion's den. The chains were on the ground, and the lion was nowhere to be seen. With the Third Prince and the monk as witnesses, do you still dare to deny it?"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun shook his head and said:
"Boy, bring my lion beast here to confront the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

(End of this chapter)