Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 532 Daily Life at Crimson Cloud Mountain

"Effective today, Erlang Shen Zhenjun Yang Jian is released from confinement... He is hereby appointed to succeed his mother, the 'Goddess of Justice,' to govern the Heavenly Laws, investigate good and evil in the Three Realms, supervise all gods, and uphold the Heavenly Order..."

"Venus, go."

As soon as the Jade Emperor finished speaking, a phantom image of a dark golden divine seal, gleaming with a chilling light and densely engraved with the true words of the Heavenly Dao, slowly condensed and took shape in the Jade Emperor's palm.

As the illusory figure flickered with light, it emitted a heavenly pressure that made even the soul tremble and the heart tremble—it was the "Seal of the God of Justice".

The Seal of the God of Justice is a symbol of the supreme authority of the God of Justice.

"Your humble servant will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

With a solemn expression, Venus received the seal of the God of Justice, bowed deeply to the ground, and without the slightest delay, his figure flashed, transforming into a stream of light, heading straight towards the Jade Pool.

After all, the relationship between the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West has been strained recently because of the Peony Fairy incident.

Only Venus, the planet of Venus, could help the Jade Emperor by delivering a message to the Queen Mother of the West, running back and forth between the two sides.

"Yang Jian, the newly appointed God of Justice in Heaven..."

Venus knew that this decree would surely stir up a monstrous storm once again in the seemingly peaceful Three Realms.

What would Erlang Shen, the True Lord of Manifestation, look like when he suddenly learned that he would be in charge of this divine position, which symbolizes the supreme rules and merciless laws of the Heavenly Court?
Was it shock, anger, or some other indescribable emotion?

Especially since this very altar was one of the root causes of the ruthless suppression of his mother and the resulting family tragedy...

The grudges and affections involved are too complex to be explained in just a few words.

……

The decision to invite Yang Jian to serve as the Heavenly Judge was a secret one made by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the Three Realms, in the Hall of Enlightenment in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

At that time, Xiao Chen, who was in the ninth heaven and was only a silver-armored heavenly soldier, was naturally unaware of this matter.

After all, the Jade Emperor intended to appoint Yang Jian as the judicial god of Heaven.

But right.

Yang Jian, however, might not readily agree.

Therefore, the Jade Emperor has not yet announced this matter to the Three Realms.

However, Venus went ahead to invite the Queen Mother of the West to speak with Yang Jian and persuade him to go to the Heavenly Court to assume the position of the God of Justice.

Only when Yang Jian truly goes to the Heavenly Realm and officially assumes the position of the God of Justice.

Only then would the Heavenly Court make a grand announcement to the Three Realms, letting all the gods know.

……

Although Yang Jian is within the Heavenly Court system, his position is truly very special.

Under Yang Jian's command were the Meishan brothers and 1,200 grass-headed gods.

These Meishan brothers are all highly skilled and possess great supernatural abilities, while the 1,200 grass-root gods are well-trained, incredibly brave, and are all elite troops.

Such a vast and powerful force is indeed a force not to be underestimated, and is capable of shaking the situation of the Three Realms.

Its combat power far surpasses that of the Heavenly Court's regular troops.

Think back to the battle at Flower Fruit Mountain, Yang Jian, along with his Meishan brothers and 1,200 grass-root gods, was able to confront Sun Wukong's tens of thousands of demon soldiers head-on without any fear.

The two sides were locked in fierce combat, their battle cries shaking the heavens and earth, obscuring the sun and moon.

However, Yang Jian had a long-standing habit of "obeying orders but not summons," and his soldiers only recognized Erlang Shen as their master, showing little loyalty to the Heavenly Court.

What exactly does "obey orders but not proclamations" mean?
"Listen to orders" refers to Yang Jian's willingness to respond to the Heavenly Court's military dispatches or missions when necessary, such as subduing demons and suppressing rebellions, fulfilling his duties as a Heavenly Court general, and fighting to maintain peace in the Three Realms.

"Refusing to obey summons" means that Yang Jian does not accept the Heavenly Court's regular summons, such as daily court meetings and routine reports. He is also not directly governed by the Heavenly Court's bureaucratic system, maintaining a high degree of independence, much like a regional lord with absolute authority in his own territory.

to be honest.

Yang Jian acknowledged the authority and command of the Heavenly Court, but refused to accept its direct summons and routine constraints, maintaining a relatively independent status.

Unlike other gods, Yang Jian did not need to be subservient to the Heavenly Court. Instead, he coexisted with the Heavenly Court in a subtle relationship of "cooperation" rather than "subordination".

Yang Jian retains a great deal of autonomy when accepting missions from the Heavenly Court, such as whether he should go into battle and how he should act.

Yang Jian can decide for himself.

He can refuse the Heavenly Court's orders and not carry out missions, and he can also decide on battle plans based on his own judgment without having to consult the Heavenly Court on everything.

For example, when Yang Jian and Sun Wukong were gambling, Yang Jian laughed at the gods of Heaven:

“I have come here to fight him with a variety of tactics. You gentlemen, please make sure that the net of heaven and earth is not just covering the top, but is tight all around, so that I can fight.”

“If I lose to him, I need no help from you gentlemen, for I have my brothers to support me; if I win against him, I need no binding from you gentlemen, for I have my brothers to do it!”

What did Yang Jian mean by that?
It's clearly a case of, "I'll do my thing, you guys don't need to interfere."

It fully demonstrates its independence and self-reliance, and its ability to not be swayed by others.

This was a special privilege granted by the Heavenly Court to Yang Jian, allowing him to retain the right to "obey orders but not summons," thus utilizing his powerful abilities to serve the Heavenly Court while avoiding direct conflict and unnecessary trouble.

To put it bluntly, the "privileges of Erlang Zhenjun, the Manifestation Saint of Guanjiangkou" are quite similar to the "regional military governorship system" of the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, it is also possible that when the author of "Journey to the West" wrote about "Erlang Shen of Guanjiangkou", he was writing it based on the "fanzhen system" of the Ming Dynasty.

This can be understood as a compromise of power and responsibility between the central government (the Heavenly Court) and the powerful local warlords (Yang Jian's forces).

If we compare the Heavenly Court to the Ming Dynasty's imperial court, then the Heavenly Court is the central government, holding supreme power over the Three Realms.

Yang Jian's Guanjiang Estuary was like a powerful local vassal state or a vassal king in the Ming Dynasty, possessing independent armed forces (such as the Six Saints of Meishan and the 1,200 Grass Head Gods). He ruled over a region in the lower realm, enjoying the power to "ignore summons and decide life and death at his own discretion," and was the only one who could have the final say in his own territory.

Similar to Luo Yi of the Sui and Tang dynasties, who said, "I will forever guard Yanshan, obeying orders but not proclamations."

As recorded in Journey to the West:

"His heart was too proud to acknowledge the heavenly family, and his nature was too arrogant to return to the divine abode in Guanjiang. The holy spirit of Chicheng, whose manifestations are boundless, is called Erlang."

To some extent, Yang Jian can be considered the Jade Emperor's "maternal relative".

In the Ming Dynasty, the influence of maternal relatives on politics was far less than in other dynasties. The court strictly restricted the power of maternal relatives to prevent them from becoming too powerful and threatening the imperial authority.

To prevent interference in politics by relatives of the empress, emperors restricted the entry of vassal kings into the capital and strictly prohibited them from colluding with powerful officials in the court to plot rebellion.

Princes were forbidden from entering the capital, let alone bringing troops to meet the emperor, in order to prevent threats to imperial power and ensure the stability and tranquility of the court.

This also corresponds exactly to the Jade Emperor's arrangement for Yang Jian in "Journey to the West".

Yang Jian absolutely cannot bring his own troops with him when he goes to the Heavenly Court.

After completing his mission, Yang Jian returned directly to Guanjiangkou and did not participate in the Heavenly Court's celebration.

In the original story, after Erlang Shen subdued Sun Wukong, he said:
“Brothers, you have not received the Heavenly Register, so you are not allowed to meet the Jade Emperor.”

"Tell the Heavenly Armored Divine Soldiers to escort you. I will go to the upper realm with the Heavenly King and others to report back. You will lead your troops to search the mountain here. After you have searched it clean, return to Guankou."

……

In the celestial realm, above the ninth heaven, clouds and mist swirl, and celestial light emanates from the sky.

Chixia Mountain, with its overlapping peaks and auspicious clouds, is where Yang's Residence stands quietly, like a corner of a fairyland.

The Dragon Girl Ao Yao gently held the large, purple-veined peach with a yellow pit in her delicate hands. The peach was radiant and seemed to contain the beauty of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon.

With a light touch of the fingertips, one can feel the surging vitality and boundless spiritual power flowing like a tide.

"The Third Prince of Jade Dragon, the Nine-Headed Insect, the Golden Horned King..."

Because Wan Shenglongnu was extremely beautiful and very talented, she had always had many suitors.

"King Golden Horn..."

After thinking it through.

The Dragon Girl of the Ten Thousand Saints no longer refused. She parted her lips slightly and swallowed all the peaches.

In an instant, an exceptionally sweet juice bursts in your mouth, its taste clear, sweet, and mellow, far surpassing any ordinary fruit or vegetable.

A pure and gentle life force, like a warm spring current, flowed down from my throat and instantly surged into my limbs and bones, bringing warmth and comfort wherever it went.

A faint purple glow, visible to the naked eye, emanated from Ao Yao's body, as if in a dream.

Its damaged foundation is like parched land receiving sweet rain, greedily absorbing the power of the peaches.

The tiny cracks are being slowly repaired, like a skilled craftsman mending porcelain, with meticulous care; the magical power, which had become somewhat weak due to the decline in his spiritual realm, is also becoming more solid, like turbid water gradually clearing, becoming clear and pure.

Although it is still a long way from returning to his peak, the feeling of stagnation and discomfort in his body has lessened considerably.

"call……"

Ao Yao gently closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, as if expelling all the weariness and pain of the past.

When she opened her eyes again, her bright eyes sparkled, and her gaze toward Xiao Chenzhi became increasingly complex, filled with gratitude and the lingering emotions stirred by his earlier words, "Why not repay him with your body?"

"Ao Yao, how does it taste?"

Xiao Chen looked at her satisfied yet slightly dazed expression and smiled.

"The peaches of immortality are a supreme delicacy, and their reputation is well-deserved."

Ao Yao's voice returned to its usual clear and melodious tone, but the blush on her cheeks had not faded, just like the rosy clouds on the horizon, delicate and beautiful.

While she was silently absorbing the power of the peaches, she was also carefully considering the half-joking, half-serious suggestion that King Golden Horn had made earlier.

The suggestion of "why not repay her with your body" was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, stirring up ripples and leaving her deeply troubled.

"nice! You love it."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, no longer continuing the sensitive topic of "token of love and marriage," as if his previous joke had been nothing more than a gentle breeze, leaving no trace.

As the saying goes, "What you can't have always stirs your heart, and those who are favored are always fearless."

Too much closeness breeds resentment, while distance breeds respect.

In matters of the heart, it's best to maintain a distance in the early stages and avoid being too direct.
That would make him, the Golden Horned King, seem too cheap.

Everyone should express their feelings, but that's enough.

However, the faint smile that Ao Yao, the Dragon Girl of the Myriad Saints, gave after silently accepting the peaches was like a spring breeze gently caressing a lake, causing ripples in Xiao Chen's heart.

An unspoken understanding has been reached between adults.

That silent agreement carried both the pride of a dragon princess and a certain expectation of reality, like viewing flowers through the mist, hazy yet alluring.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the air became somewhat ambiguous, as if a trace of affection was quietly spreading in the air, lingering and impossible to shake off.

"Hmm..." Xiao Chen coughed lightly and said seriously:
"Even the most delicious peaches have an end."

"This is your first time eating these peaches, so they're very effective. If you eat them again later, the effect will be less pronounced."

"Ao Yao, we should try to obtain the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass as soon as possible to repair the damage to your foundation. That would be the best way to resolve the problem."

"I have a brother in Heaven, who is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, also known as the Handsome Monkey King in the mortal realm."

Speaking of it.

Xiao Chen's gaze was firm as he smiled:
"I'll find a suitable excuse to meet with him."

"With the help of the Monkey King, this matter can be accomplished."

Xiao Chen's intention in seeking the Monkey King's assistance was undoubtedly to utilize Sun Wukong's transformation techniques.

In terms of the art of transformation, Sun Wukong, being a spiritual stone monkey, possessed "the ability to transform," which was one of his innate supernatural powers. His supernatural abilities were vast and his transformations were endless.

King Golden Horn could have easily stolen the "real Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass" and then had Sun Wukong help him conjure up a "fake Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass" to switch it with another and deceive everyone.

At that time, he would use the top-grade innate spiritual treasure "Ancestral Dragon Pearl" to cover up this "fake nine-leaf lingzhi grass". In this way, it would be difficult to be discovered, and it would also give them more time to leave the Heavenly Court. It was a perfect plan.

"Well, so good."

Sensing the concern in Xiao Chen's words, Wan Shenglongnu smiled sweetly, her beauty as radiant as spring flowers in bloom.

……

The pure air of the heavens becomes more concentrated with the height of the heavens, and the passage of time also accelerates accordingly.

The celestial realm consists of thirty-three heavens, layer upon layer, with time passing at different rates in each heaven.

If we consider the passage of time, it can be divided into the highest heaven, the four seasons, the twelve months, and the solar terms.

Time flows most rapidly in the highest heavens; one day in heaven is equivalent to a whole year on earth.

The four seasons are represented by a single day, which corresponds to one season in the human world.
In the twelve months, one day in the heavens corresponds to one month on earth.

The passage of time during the solar terms is calculated according to the "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" in the human world.

The passage of time corresponds to the solar terms in the human world.

One day in the celestial realm corresponds to one solar term on earth, which is approximately fifteen days in total.

……

The sun, moon, and stars in the sky, as they move and shift, not only adorn the vast celestial dome but also represent the year, four seasons, twelve months, and twenty-four solar terms on earth.

In the mythological world, rain, weather, and so on in the human realm are all controlled by the heavens, and time is no exception.

The celestial realm governs the flow of time and changes in weather in the mortal realm.

All things in the world grow, reproduce, decay, and revive in accordance with the rhythm of heaven and earth, endlessly regenerating and repeating themselves.

This is the law governing the operation of the human world.

……

The ninth heaven is located within the "Twelve Heavens" of the celestial realm.

The Dragon Maiden of Ten Thousand Saints had previously fallen in cultivation level, suffering a significant loss in her cultivation and lifespan.

She then went through several more fierce battles, leaving her extremely weak.

Fortunately, with the help of the Great Fruit Peaches of Immortality, although the Dragon Maiden of Ten Thousand Saints was still far from returning to her peak, the feeling of stagnation and obstruction in her body had been greatly reduced, just like the dark clouds had dispersed and the bright sun had reappeared, revealing a trace of vitality and hope.

then.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wan Shenglongnu quietly recuperated at the Yang residence to restore her depleted vitality.

Knowing that Wan Shenglongnu was unwell, Xiao Chen felt sorry for her and stayed with her at the Yang residence for two or three days.

In the past two or three days, King Golden Horn and Dragon Girl Wansheng stayed at Yang's residence, brewing tea and playing chess in their spare time.

The aroma of tea rises gently, filling the air with warmth and comfort, seemingly isolating one from the hustle and bustle of the world; sipping tea and chatting, words flow leisurely, recounting past friendships and heartfelt thoughts, the affection growing ever stronger in the fragrance of tea.

King Golden Horn and Dragon Girl Wansheng lived a carefree and leisurely life, like a divine couple in a paradise, far removed from the strife and clamor of the Three Realms.

However, matters of the heart are like a wildfire; once that hazy layer of mystery is gently broken, they spread rapidly and develop extremely quickly.

In the past two or three days, the relationship between Xiao Chen and Wan Shenglongnu blossomed rapidly, like a spring flower.

Some minor physical contact.

Like the slight tremor when your fingertips touch, it spreads through your body like an electric current; the subtle friction when you sit side by side, it stirs the strings of your heart...

It was already commonplace, as if it were a natural and harmonious process, fully demonstrating the warming of the feelings between the two.

This day.

After completing the daily training tasks of the heavenly soldiers.

Xiao Chen and Wan Shenglongnu each washed up, feeling refreshed both physically and mentally.

Chixia Mountain.

Inside the Yang residence, a tranquil and warm atmosphere permeated the air, with a subtle, ambiguous ambiguity that seemed almost imperceptible yet captivating.

"Your Majesty, come and eat some grapes."

The Dragon Girl of Halloween parted her cherry lips slightly and spoke softly.

She wore a loose-fitting dress, which fluttered gently in the breeze, outlining her graceful figure and making her so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

The Dragon Girl bent down and gently peeled the purple grapes with her slender, jade-like fingers, her movements elegant.

Subsequently.

The Dragon Girl gently fed the purple grapes to Xiao Chen, her movements gentle and graceful, displaying her elegant demeanor.

Completely unaware that when she bent over, a large expanse of snow-white skin was revealed.

Her skin was like fine jade, delicate and smooth, radiating a captivating luster, revealing the woman's tenderness and charm, as if gently inviting Xiao Chen to touch it.

For a moment, Xiao Chenzhi's gaze was hard to look away from, feeling that "viewed from the side, it is a mountain range; viewed from the front, it is a peak; its appearance varies from near to far and from high to low."

The scenery is ever-changing and beautiful in every way, truly breathtaking and dazzling.

The alluring scenery here is just as described in the poem:
"Her fair wrists are raised high, her body turns gracefully, her snow-white breasts rise high in her silk robe."

Its appearance is graceful and charming; its color is as bright as the moon and as pure as frost and snow.

As Wan Shenglongnu approached.

A gentle, lingering fragrance of orchids and musk wafted over.

The fragrance, delicate and lingering, enveloped Xiao Chen's nose.

He was so captivated by it that he felt as if he were in a dream world.

At this moment.

Xiao Chen lay lazily on the rocking chair, looking relaxed and content.

He opened his mouth to take the purple grapes fed to him by the Dragon Girl of the Holy Maiden. The grape juice overflowed, sweet as honey, and went straight to his heart and soul.

It's as if all the world's delicacies have gathered here, leaving one with an unforgettable aftertaste.

at the same time.

Its full curves, like the majestic snow-capped mountains, whisper of a woman's gentleness and myriad charms.

Her delicate skin, smooth as silk, was so alluring that it made one's heart itch and one couldn't help but want to touch it.

Its curves are beautiful and moving, like the most exquisite masterpiece in the world. Every undulation contains endless allure, making people's hearts flutter.

"Ao Yao, how are you recovering lately?"

Xiao Chen asked Wan Shenglongnu, his eyes full of concern.

"It's okay."

Wan Shenglongnu responded softly, her voice carrying a hint of shyness and sweetness.

"Well, since we're already here, there's not much difference between stealing grass and stealing peaches. I'll find you some peaches to eat later."

Xiao Chen smiled.

"King Golden Horn, no!"

Upon hearing this, Wan Shenglongnu hurriedly offered words of advice, her expression filled with worry:

"The Peach Garden is a very important place in the Heavenly Court, and the peaches are of great importance; if one thing is done, it will affect the whole situation."

"I will be content with finding the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass, you must not take any risks for it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled but remained silent.

He kept the matter of the "monkey's escape" very well hidden, and very few people knew about it.

Previously, this Wan Sheng Dragon Girl was not "one of their own," and he had never mentioned it.

Now, he has a new plan in mind.

Stealing one peach is stealing, whether you steal a hundred peaches or not, it's still stealing...

The mess at the Peach Orchard is so complicated that it's impossible to untangle it all.

Since he's already here, King Golden Horn might as well go to the Peach Garden and pack some peaches to take back with him.

Only by becoming strong can one gain a foothold in this complex world.

Before the "Journey to the West Calamity" begins, it would be the right thing for him to use these peaches to strengthen his own power.

He is now the Chief of Ceremonies and Literary Envoy of Yaochi, in charge of the poetry recitation ceremonies for grand gatherings in Yaochi, such as the Peach Banquet and the poetry recitation ceremonies for the pilgrimage of the immortals. All matters related to poetry are arranged by him.

In fact, Xiao Chen had already figured out his plans in the past two or three days.

He could use his identity as the "Wangchi Master of Ceremonies and Literary Envoy" to go to the Peach Garden, visit Sun Wukong who was guarding the Peach Garden, and say that he was going to admire the beautiful scenery of the Peach Garden.

This is also a way for him to gather material for poetry for the next "Peach Banquet" at Yaochi.

In this way, it would be perfectly reasonable and justifiable for King Golden Horn to go to see Sun Wukong.

It won't arouse suspicion.

(End of this chapter)