36. I’m the Most Well-Behaved One Here, Aren’t I?
Sun Wukong snorted. He’d been startled at the news of being sued, but he wasn’t afraid. After all, he’d been through this countless times before. The solution was simple.
Just don’t show up to court.
If the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, refused to attend the trial, what could they possibly do? And if they passed judgment in his absence, so what? Who could enforce the law against Sun Wukong?
He erased any thought of the trial from his mind. He was just curious.
Has King Yama lost his mind? Why would he sue me, of all people?
“For what crime?”
“Did you really destroy two souls?”
Ah, so that was it.
Sun Wukong cleared his throat.
It was about erasing the souls of the Serpent of Mt. Chiljeol and the Demon King of Chaos.
What’s the big deal? Sun Wukong felt no guilt.
“Those who should rot in hell for eternity were reincarnated as humans and committed evil deeds. How could I, Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the true Buddha, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, just stand by and watch?”
“Judging the crimes of souls is the authority of the underworld’s judges. Isn’t that the problem?”
“Hmph. I just corrected a wrongful judgment, that’s all.”
Sun Wukong spoke shamelessly, his eyes shining with unwavering conviction.
He was the very picture of confidence, without a shred of doubt in his actions. Master Jangkyung, expecting this reaction, only gave a wry smile.
Still, being sued was annoying. Sun Wukong’s face twisted in irritation. Seriously. I didn’t even do anything wrong, and they’re making a fuss.
“Ugh, when I go to the Heavenly Realm, they’re going to bother me about this everywhere.”
“Fortunately, that won’t happen, Great Sage.”
“Why not?”
“Guanyin Bodhisattva has actively explained and supported your actions.”
“Huh?”
Sun Wukong uncrossed his arms and leaned toward Master Jangkyung.
Guanyin Bodhisattva, that one?
He’d expected Guanyin to be the first to object to his actions…
“Your journey to the Mortal World was carried out under the will of Guanyin Bodhisattva and Shakyamuni Buddha. Whatever you do, they’ve expressed their support as being in line with the Buddha’s will.”
“…What?”
This time, he was genuinely surprised.
He never imagined they’d back him up so strongly.
His surprise faded quickly, replaced by a sharp glint in his eyes. Instinctively, his whole body tensed with caution.
“Damn it, what are those baldies thinking?”
“……”
Even Master Jangkyung fell silent at Sun Wukong’s casual disrespect toward Guanyin Bodhisattva and even Shakyamuni Buddha.
“What are they really looking at?”
Sun Wukong wasn’t pleased.
Someone like Guanyin Bodhisattva could foresee the future.
If even Shakyamuni Buddha was lending him support, it meant his path ahead wouldn’t be easy.
Wasn’t it Guanyin Bodhisattva who deliberately created trials and hardships on the journey to Tianzhu?
Like sending the Golden and Silver Horn brothers to block his way…
He’d thought that as long as he found Tang Sanzang’s soul, there’d be no problem…
But even that was proving difficult.
Sun Wukong complained to Master Jangkyung.
“Ah, who knows what those schemers are thinking. Anyway, do you have any ideas for finding Tang Sanzang? Now there are two more kids tied to the String of Karma.”
“So, there are four people here connected by the String of Karma?”
“That’s right, Master Jangkyung. It’s driving me crazy.”
“That’s a tough one. I think the only way is to carefully uncover each person’s past life, one by one.”
It was the only reasonable approach. There was nothing to do but slowly uncover the true identities of each soul.
That was why Sun Wukong had volunteered to help Muhwa.
With Namgung Jin-Baek and Muhwa, and now two more kids—Namgung Mu-yeong and Namgung Seo-wol—appearing, Muhwa, who seemed the closest to Tang Sanzang, was the top priority.
To find out, he needed to get close, break down her walls, just like he did with Zhu Bajie.
“Try to relax. Didn’t Tang Sanzang always say? You have to keep your heart at ease to find peace in life.”
“Heh, he did say that…”
Sun Wukong nodded. With Master Jangkyung only able to borrow a cat’s body to speak, there wasn’t much more he could do.
Still, just bringing news from the Heavenly Realm was a huge help.
“And by the way, I spoke with Grand Marshal Tai Shang about the Seven Star Sword.”
“Oh? What did he say?”
“He was quite flustered. He has no idea why the Seven Star Sword was broken up and scattered.”
“Hmph. Can’t even keep track of his own stuff?”
“He said he entrusted it to the Golden Pavilion.”
“…!”
Sun Wukong’s brow furrowed.
Golden Pavilion. It had been a long time since he’d heard that name.
During the journey to Tianzhu, there were a few who really made things difficult.
Golden Pavilion was one of them.
“Didn’t that guy get beaten up by me and then taken in by Grand Marshal Tai Shang?”
Originally, Golden Pavilion was Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s attendant.
But after stealing his master’s treasures and becoming infamous as a demon, he was eventually beaten and sealed by Sun Wukong, only to be forgiven and taken back as an attendant.
Truthfully, Golden Pavilion wasn’t that strong.
‘He was just tricky because he used Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s treasures so well.’
And one of those treasures was the Seven Star Sword.
Sun Wukong tilted his head.
“So why was Golden Pavilion in the Mortal World, and with the Seven Star Sword, no less?”
“I don’t know the details, but Grand Marshal Tai Shang left the Seven Star Sword in the Mortal World.”
“And?”
“But then, the Heavenly Realm and the Mortal World became completely separated, so even Grand Marshal Tai Shang can’t just come down here anymore.”
Master Jangkyung looked at Sun Wukong as he said this.
‘Just what is this monkey…’
Even the highest god of the Heavenly Realm, Grand Marshal Tai Shang, was reluctant to descend to the Mortal World.
Yet Sun Wukong, despite much of his power being sealed, could move about freely…
It really drove home just how much of a shock the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had been to the Heavenly Realm in the past.
“So he sent Golden Pavilion down instead?”
“He reincarnated him as a human, using a Spell Technique to imprint in his mind the mission to find the Seven Star Sword.”
“So all these demons and reincarnations searching for the sword are Golden Pavilion’s doing?”
“That’s definitely not the case.”
Master Jangkyung licked his paw before continuing.
“The thread connecting Golden Pavilion has been severed.”
“…Someone must have done him in.”
“Probably one of those you dealt with, trying to get the Seven Star Sword.”
“Honestly, Grand Marshal Tai Shang is so careless. How did he ever become a high god?”
Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.
“So?”
“He wants you to retrieve the Seven Star Sword.”
Sun Wukong smirked and nodded. He’d planned to do that anyway. He knew all too well how troublesome Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s treasures could be in the hands of Golden and Silver Horn.
If the ones who stole Tang Sanzang’s soul had them…
It’d be a real headache for Sun Wukong, too.
Of course, he wouldn’t do it for free.
“Sure, I’ll do it. But once I find the Seven Star Sword, it’s mine.”
Sun Wukong planned to swallow the sword whole.
More precisely, until he found the Ruyi Jingu Bang, he intended to melt it down and coat his iron staff with it.
“Ah… Well, I’ll pass that along. Also, he wants you to find Golden Pavilion, too.”
“Golden Pavilion? That’s a hassle.”
“…Actually, the Seven Star Sword isn’t the only thing he left with Golden Pavilion.”
Sun Wukong’s expression twitched. Not just the Seven Star Sword? That meant there was something else.
“What else?”
“Since finding the sword would be tough, he sent the Golden Binding Rope with Golden Pavilion as well…”
“The Golden Binding Rope?”
Sun Wukong’s jaw dropped. His face twisted in dismay.
“That cursed rope?”
“Yes.”
Sun Wukong pressed his forehead. The Seven Star Sword was trouble enough, but if the Golden Binding Rope fell into the wrong hands…
He ground his teeth at the Heavenly Realm’s gods all over again.
“Honestly, I’m the most well-behaved one here.”
Seriously, those Heavenly Realm types. They cause all the trouble and act like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.
Master Jangkyung gave an awkward laugh.
‘Is this karma?’
Maybe this was payback for stealing a few of Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s elixirs.
But Sun Wukong shook off his regrets quickly. Nothing dumber than clinging to the past.
“So where’s Golden Pavilion?”
“He’s at Wudang Mountain, one of the most powerful places in this land.”
“Wudang Mountain?”
Sun Wukong’s expression grew curious.
There was another reason he’d agreed to help with the Wudang Sect’s diplomatic mission.
The Wudang Sect itself.
Because of Wudang Mountain.
‘The Earth God of Wudang Mountain.’
One day, he’d have to visit Wudang Mountain, meet that guy, and find out where the Ruyi Jingu Bang was.
Sun Wukong nodded.
“I’ll take care of it soon. But tell Grand Marshal Tai Shang this.”
“What should I tell him?”
“If I find the Golden Binding Rope, I’m keeping that too.”
Master Jangkyung nodded awkwardly.
“I’ll pass it on, but I can’t say how he’ll react.”
Sun Wukong could already picture Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s response.
He grinned mischievously.
“If he doesn’t like it, he can come down and get it himself.”
“Grand Marshal Tai Shang’s really in a bind, haha.”
Master Jangkyung laughed, clearly amused.
Ah, it’s always funny to see those stuffy immortals flustered in front of this stone monkey.
As Sun Wukong and Master Jangkyung laughed together, Sun Wukong’s smile gradually faded.
“That’s enough talk for now, Master Jangkyung.”
Master Jangkyung seemed to sense it too and nodded slowly.
“Someone’s coming. Understood. I’ll keep you updated on news from the Heavenly Realm.”
“Take care, Master.”
Meow.
The cat shivered and snuggled tightly into Sun Wukong’s arms.
When he reached out, it rubbed its face against his palm. Watching the cat’s affection, he spoke.
“What’s going on?”
“…!”
A figure approaching from behind flinched.
Sun Wukong turned his head.
It was Namgung Mu-yeong and Namgung Seo-wol.
Actually, their faces weren’t the first thing he noticed. It was the two bright white threads connecting them.
‘…Sigh. How am I supposed to get close to these two kids?’
Yeah, no need to rush.
First, he’d find out Muhwa’s true identity before approaching them.
If Muhwa turned out to be Tang Sanzang, there’d be no need to worry about the others.
“Um, Great Hero…”
“Call me Mr. Sun.”
“Yes, Mr. Sun. We just wanted to come and thank you.”
Sun Wukong glanced at Namgung Mu-yeong.
He bowed politely, but his eyes were carefully studying Sun Wukong. There was clear wariness in his gaze, and his demeanor was cautious.
‘Hmm.’
Sun Wukong folded his arms and watched him.
Polite and proper. He looked gentle on the outside, but… he seemed solid inside.
‘Looking at him, he seems the most like Tang Sanzang.’
Namgung Jin-Baek and Muhwa had both acted in ways that made it hard to believe they were Tang Sanzang.
And the sullen-faced Namgung Seo-wol beside him… didn’t seem like Tang Sanzang either.
Based on appearance and demeanor alone, Namgung Mu-yeong seemed the most similar to Tang Sanzang.
“A thank you?”
“Yes. After we returned, thanks to your help, the Azure Hero Society matter, as well as the Blood-Iron Fiend and Honam Island incidents, were all resolved smoothly.”
Sending the heir Namgung Mu-yeong and the former clan leader’s daughter to express gratitude…
Sun Wukong pondered why Namgung Jin-Baek had sent these two in particular.
“So, is there something else you want to ask me?”
“…!”
Namgung Mu-yeong’s eyes widened slightly. He quickly bowed his head, embarrassed.
“I would never try to force or command you, Mr. Sun.”
Namgung Mu-yeong looked up at Sun Wukong.
Beneath his golden hair, those striking golden eyes.
Sun Wukong’s lips curled into a strange smile.
Was it a bright grin, a sneer, or just a playful smirk? It was hard to tell.
Sun Wukong crossed his arms and asked,
“So, what is it?”
Namgung Mu-yeong thought Sun Wukong looked completely uninterested, as if he already knew everything.