I'm Dreaming of a Journey to the West

"This is a long story! Back in the day, in the ancient Xianning area, a terrible plague suddenly swept across.

The plague was raging across the land like a demon, leaving people sick and dying. No matter what they tried, they couldn't stop the spread of the scourge. Even Wu Gang's kind and loving mother was not spared, falling gravely ill and confined to her bed, nearing death.

Just as Wu Gang was desperate and at his wit's end, a miracle happened one night. In his dream, he received mysterious guidance, telling him that only the sweet osmanthus flowers from the Moon Palace could save the world and cure the terrible plague. So, Wu Gang resolutely embarked on this journey filled with danger and uncertainty.

Along the way, he encountered countless hardships and dangers: violent storms, towering mountains, wolves, tigers, and leopards. But nothing could deter Wu Gang's determined steps. After a long journey, he finally arrived on the full moon of August 15th. Under the bright moonlight, Wu Gang summoned his courage and climbed with all his might, ultimately reaching the lofty, enchanting Moon Palace.

Standing in the Moon Palace, gazing at the lush osmanthus trees before him, Wu Gang shook them without hesitation. Instantly, golden osmanthus blossoms drifted down like snow, drifting slowly toward the human world on the gentle breeze. Most of them fell into the river beneath Guabang Mountain, instantly dyeing the once crystal-clear water a dazzling golden color.

When people discovered this miraculous change, they flocked to the river in hope, hoping to drink the sweet-scented osmanthus-infused water. The miracle happened. Those suffering from the plague gradually recovered after drinking the water, and their health was revitalized. The entire Xianning region regained its former bustle and prosperity.

However, just as the people were celebrating their victory, the Jade Emperor, far away in the Heavenly Palace, learned of the fallen cassia tree. Furious, he believed Wu Gang had violated the rules of the Moon Palace and must be severely punished. Thus, instead of receiving the proper reward for saving the people, poor Wu Gang was cruelly punished by the Jade Emperor—he was to remain in the Moon Palace forever and chop down the cassia tree.

Day after day, year after year, Wu Gang kept swinging his axe, chopping at the osmanthus tree that seemed to never fall. His figure became a lonely and resolute landscape in the Moon Palace.

Nezha recounted this bizarre and twisting story in detail to Li Chen and the other women. Afterward, they all fell into a deep silence. Normally, a hero like Wu Gang, with his heart for the world and his courage and fearlessness, deserved to be rewarded and praised! Yet, the unfair treatment he endured was truly infuriating.

At this moment, everyone couldn't help but sigh in their hearts: No wonder the graceful, elegant, and noble Qingxiao Jade Maiden would so resolutely rise up against the Heavenly Court. It turns out that the Heavenly Court is indeed filled with countless unfairness and injustices! Qingxiao Jade Maiden's brother is dedicated to the welfare of the people, and everything he does is beneficial to the people. According to common sense, he should be rewarded. But who could have imagined that simply because he failed to report his actions to the almighty Jade Emperor, he would be severely punished!

Nezha continued to tell Li Chen, "Brother Li Chen, do you know that this Jade Girl of the Azure Sky has an extremely glorious past? Back then, when the Yan Emperor and the Yellow Emperor fought that earth-shattering battle with Chi You, this extraordinary woman, who was as brave as any man, stepped forward to lend a helping hand.

At that time, she gently stroked the elegant and exquisite lyre in her hand, and as the melodious and pleasant sound of the lyre rang out, she saw snow-white, crystal clear frosty snowflakes fluttering down from the sky, as light and graceful as dancing fairies.

The frost and snow were like a layer of soft gauze, slowly covering the earth. Wherever it touched, no matter it was the foul air and filth in the world, the evil spirits and monsters, or the rampant disasters and plagues, they were all completely frozen and sealed in an instant.

With these unclean things buried deep beneath the ice and snow, the plague that had been spreading everywhere was effectively contained, and people were finally able to live peacefully and without worries. Because of this, Qingxiao Yu Nu became the goddess who saved the common people and brought good fortune. With the power of ice and frost, she obscured all the filth and dirt of the world and single-handedly controlled the spread of the plague. She is truly a heroine!

Listening to Nezha's high praise for the Jade Maiden of Azure Sky, Li Chen began to have a new understanding of Heaven. He had disliked Heaven since he was a child. The rules there were so troublesome. Sha Seng was banished from Heaven for breaking a glass lamp, and suffered the pain of flying swords every seven days. There were also the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies.

"Nezha, what you do in Heaven is too absurd and outrageous!"

Li Chen could no longer suppress his rage and shouted indignantly. His brows were furrowed, his eyes wide, and his face was filled with resentment. The last bit of goodwill he had towards the Heavenly Court was gone, replaced by burning rage and deep dissatisfaction.

"What crime have those two people committed? They simply failed to report the situation to the Jade Emperor in time! Should they suffer such severe punishment just because of such a small negligence?" Li Chen became more and more excited as he spoke, and his voice unconsciously rose eight octaves.

You have to know that those two were by no means ruthless criminals; they were law-abiding individuals. Their failure to report this incident promptly might have been inappropriate, but it certainly wouldn't have warranted such a severe punishment. Yet, the Heavenly Court showed no mercy, imposing punishment without any basis for investigation. It was truly chilling.

Facing Li Chen's questioning, Nezha let out a helpless smile and sighed softly, "Alas, I know this is unfair. However, the imperial power is greater than heaven! The Jade Emperor is the supreme ruler of the Three Realms, and his will is the highest holy decree. Who dares to disobey? Those two acted without consulting the Jade Emperor first, committing such a mistake. Naturally, they will be punished."

At this point, Nezha couldn't help but think of his own situation. If it weren't for the powerful Seven Treasures Pagoda gifted to his father, Li Jing, by Tathagata Buddha, he probably wouldn't have wanted to remain under the control of the Heavenly Court and be ordered around by others.

He should have been free to roam between heaven and earth as he had been before, exorcising demons, protecting the common people, and seeking the well-being of the people of the world. Why did he have to follow the will of the Heavenly Court and obey the constraints of all those cumbersome formalities?

"I understand. I'll leave the snow house and meet this Jade Maiden of the Blue Sky. If she listens to my reasoning, I'll explain the pros and cons to her and get her to submit to us. Then I'll go to the Heavenly Palace to plead with the Jade Emperor, stand up for the siblings, and seek justice for her and her brother! If she refuses to submit to us, then we'll have no choice but to fight!"

Li Chen had already made his decision: if Qing Xiao Yu Nu was willing to submit, he would help her make the decision and go to the Heavenly Palace to ask the Jade Emperor to revoke the punishment imposed on Qing Xiao Yu Nu and her brother Wu Gang. If she was unwilling to submit, then there would be no choice but to fight.