144: Chapter 141: Snatching the Bamboo Shoot 144: Chapter 141: Snatching the Bamboo Shoot He gave Sun Wukong a thumbs-up, then turned and left Huaguo Mountain.

Seeing Great Emperor Ziwei leave, He Xiangu couldn’t help but remind, “Great Saint, aren’t you afraid that he’ll use that scheme on you after giving him such an idea?”

Sun Wukong was still smiling, but upon hearing He Xiangu’s words, his expression stiffened.

Staring at He Xiangu, Sun Wukong said solemnly, “Why didn’t you remind me sooner?”

“You seemed to be quite happy talking about it.”

He Xiangu said with a sense of grievance.

Sun Wukong sat there, and after a while, he squeezed out a sentence.

“I’m so foolish, I merely thought Ziwei was a decent person, until this guy began to plot against me.”

He Xiangu: “…”

Indeed, not long after Great Emperor Ziwei left, the Decree was issued.

Gold Star Taibai announced the Decree with mana.

“By the Decree of Great Emperor Ziwei, appointing Great Sage Equalling Heaven Sun Wukong as the Demon-Subduing Great Sage of the Nine Heavens, charged with exterminating all the evil demons under the heavens.”

After reading the Decree, Gold Star Taibai turned and fled, fearing being hit.

The demons in the mortal world sneered.

The title of Demon-Subduing Great Sage of the Nine Heavens was indeed grand, tasked with exterminating all the evil demons under the heavens, but Sun Wukong would need the capability to do so.

However, this also made clear Great Emperor Ziwei’s attitude towards these demons; it was apparent his dissatisfaction had reached its peak and he was ready to take action against them.

At the Yang Mansion at Guan River Mouth, Immortal Master Erlang also heard Gold Star Taibai’s proclamation and couldn’t help but sigh that Sun Wukong had finally sided with Great Emperor Ziwei.

Just then, a presence appeared above Yang Mansion.

Gold Star Taibai emerged once again, took out another scroll of Decree, and read with mana: “By the Decree of Great Emperor Ziwei, appointing True Lord Erlang, Yang Jian, as Exorcist Heavenly Venerate of the Nine Heavens, to purge all the evil demons under the heavens, so be it.”

After reading the Decree, Gold Star Taibai continued his escape.

True Lord Erlang was taken aback; now he understood what had happened.

He wanted to refuse, but Gold Star Taibai had already made his getaway.

True Lord Erlang and Nezha looked at each other.

Had he just been branded a member of the Ziwei Sect?

Even if he went out and explained, it was doubtful anyone would believe him.

If he didn’t have relations with Great Emperor Ziwei, would the Emperor have appointed him a Heavenly Venerate?

“Second Brother, how did Ziwei know you had broken through?”

Nezha asked with some surprise.

It had been only a few days since Yang Jian had stepped into the Heavenly Venerate Realm, and only those close to him were aware of it.

An appointment as Heavenly Venerate required the cultivation of the Heavenly Venerate Level.

Great Emperor Ziwei’s appointment clearly indicated that he knew of Yang Jian’s breakthrough.

True Lord Erlang smiled faintly and said, “You’re underestimating the strategies of the Four Heavenly Kings; there’s not much in this world that can be kept from them.”

“The problem now is, you’ve been branded a member of the Ziwei Sect, Second Brother.

Wherever you go, others will treat you as one.”

Nezha frowned as he spoke.

True Lord Erlang suddenly smiled and said, “Being branded a member of Great Emperor Ziwei’s lineage isn’t so bad.

At least he still has the welfare of all beings in the Three Realms at heart.

As for the other three…

heh.”

At this point, True Lord Erlang’s face wore a cold smirk.

He had held some expectations for Lady Houtu.

But during that incident in the Netherworld, when Lady Houtu did not resist and chose to retreat directly, which led to the Netherworld’s fall, he had become extremely disappointed with Lady Houtu.

Upon observing the Three Realms, among the Four Heavenly Kings, it seemed that only Great Emperor Ziwei had some initiative.

The demons throughout the world were stirred, and the Immortals and Buddhas of the Three Realms were also shocked.

Great Emperor Ziwei had appointed two War Gods one after another.

This meant that both Sun Wukong and True Lord Erlang were now considered members of the Ziwei Sect.

The influence that would come from the two strongest emerging talents between heaven and earth siding with Great Emperor Ziwei was imaginable.

Gou Chen Great Emperor’s heart trembled, his eyes flickering.

His brother had finally made his move.

Yet, as soon as he made his move, it was with great momentum, even recruiting Sun Wukong and Immortal Master Erlang.

It seems he is also starting to make his move, otherwise, the position of the Great Heavenly Venerate of the Three Realms might just fall into someone else’s hands.

Lord Taishang’s attitude towards Great Emperor Ziwei was noticed by him, and deep concern filled his heart.

In the Traveling Palace of the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor frowned, speaking coldly, “Hmph, it’s ultimately like raising a tiger, we should have killed him along with the rest from the beginning.”

“He is, after all, your nephew.”

Lady Houtu said softly.

The Jade Emperor’s gaze was icy as he scoffed, “What nephew, he is just a mongrel born of a union between immortal and mortal.

Keeping him till now, I never expected him to become so influential.”

It was clear that the Jade Emperor was very angry.

During his reign, Immortal Master Erlang never sided with him; he was insubordinate at the Guan River Mouth.

Now Immortal Master Erlang has sided with Great Emperor Ziwei, indicating a complete break with him.

After all, Immortal Master Erlang knew he was still alive.

Seeing how angry the Jade Emperor was, Lady Houtu sighed and said no more.

Sun Wukong had a look of bad luck about him, eager to cause trouble for Great Emperor Ziwei at Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

Great Emperor Ziwei was terribly cunning.

He took Wukong’s own advice and turned it against him.

All the opportunities in this world had been snatched up by him.

“Great Saint, calm your anger.

Why not meet with Immortal Master Erlang first before deciding?”

Immortal Maiden He Xiangu reminded him.

Sun Wukong thought about it and realized she was right.

However, he would definitely not tell Immortal Master Erlang that the idea was his own.

Otherwise, Immortal Master Erlang would certainly mock him.

He had intended to trap someone else, but ended up trapping himself as well.

Within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, Great Emperor Ziwei was feeling uneasy.

After a moment of thought, he said to Gold Star Taibai, “Taibai, take charge here for now.

I’ll make a trip to Doushuai Temple to hide.

If Sun Wukong and Immortal Master Erlang arrive, tell them I’m at Elder Lord’s place attending a lecture.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Gold Star Taibai smiled slightly, knowing exactly what Great Emperor Ziwei was worried about.

Great Emperor Ziwei immediately left for Doushuai Temple.

At Elder Lord’s, Sun Wukong and Immortal Master Erlang would probably not dare to be reckless.

Otherwise, if they came looking for trouble later, Great Emperor Ziwei wasn’t sure if they would beat him up.

Those two rash fellows were capable of anything.

He decisively left.

Indeed, shortly after Great Emperor Ziwei had left,

Sun Wukong and Immortal Master Erlang came together, and the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals did not dare to obstruct them.

The two of them went straight into the grand hall.

“Ziwei, come out to Old Sun,”

“Yang Jian seeks an audience with Great Emperor Ziwei,”

Both voices rang out, and Gold Star Taibai revealed a knowing smile.

He greeted the two with a bow.

“Greetings to the Demon-Subduing of the Nine Heavens Great Sage and the Exorcist of the Nine Heavens Heavenly Venerate.”

Two piercing gazes immediately landed on Gold Star Taibai.

Unperturbed, Gold Star Taibai said with a smile, “The two of you must be here to receive your official seals.

I have had them prepared in advance.

These are the official robes and seals specially forged by His Majesty, please accept them.”

A flash of light in Gold Star Taibai’s hands, and two sets of official robes and seals appeared in his grasp.