Chapter 32: The Monkey King Takes Office

“But since this has already happened, there’s no changing it now. So, Wukong, do you know what official position you hold in Heaven?”

A mere Stable Supervisor, tending horses for the Jade Emperor—a post so lowly, it’s scarcely different from sweeping the streets.

Sun Wukong scratched his head, looking rather embarrassed. “Heh, Immortal Master, I was only just appointed. I haven’t even had the chance to ask anyone yet. I’ll find out later and let you know.”

“There’s no need to ask, and no point making a fuss. Your position is simply to look after the horses,” Chu Xiaoyu said plainly.

“What? Looking after… horses? That scoundrel! Damn that blasted Old Star of Great White, that’s not what he told me at all! I’ll have to settle the score with him.”

“Come back here. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Immortal Master, I was going to—”

“Sit down and listen to me.”

The furious Monkey King had no choice but to sit obediently.

Seeing him droop his head in dejection, Chu Xiaoyu let out a sigh. “Don’t take it so hard. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with looking after horses. You’re a monkey, after all. The Jade Emperor was never going to invite you into the grand hall of Heaven. Tending horses isn’t such a big deal.”

“But, Immortal Master, I can’t help feeling dissatisfied. I—”

“What’s there to be dissatisfied about? You just feel you’re being looked down on, humiliated, and you can’t swallow the indignity.”

Chu Xiaoyu shook his head with a smile. “Let me put it this way, Wukong: If you can’t keep your own house in order, how can you hope to manage the world? It’s a menial post, sure, perhaps dispensable to them. But if you throw yourself into it, do it with flair, and prove you’re better than anyone at the task, then you’ll have shown your worth.”

Sun Wukong mulled this over, and though he still felt a bit conflicted, he had to admit Chu Xiaoyu made sense.

Still, sending a monkey to Heaven to look after horses—how ironic and absurd.

“Don’t dwell on these trivial matters. If you hope to achieve great things, you must first temper your temperament and strengthen your resolve.”

“I’ll tell you what. When you return, pick out a fine horse for your Immortal Master. Secretly send it to my manor.”

To raise a celestial horse from Heaven—it would be the rarest breed in all the world, worth a fortune beyond measure.

It was wise to plan ahead for what the future might hold.

“Ah! So that’s what you’re after, Immortal Master? Understood! I’ll make sure those horses are fat and shiny for that old Jade Emperor.”

“Immortal Master, it’s been so long since I’ve tasted your exquisite cooking. Could you make some of that fragrant claypot rice for me?”

It was the first time Sun Wukong had ever dared to make such a request.

Since he’d already been forced to play the part of the big bad wolf, this “Immortal Master” would simply have to play along.

But as a lofty Immortal Master, not having even a single maid to prepare tea or tend the fire? Such a lack of dignity was intolerable.

No, that wouldn’t do! He’d have to find one or two good maids to tend the stove and highlight his immortal status.

That Fan Maiden seemed a fine choice—he’d have to bring her over.

Chu Xiaoyu’s thoughts were lively and abundant.

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, left waiting with no answer for so long, began to feel rather aggrieved. “Immortal Master, I was too forward. I shouldn’t have—”

“All right, all right, look how pitiful you look. For you, just this once, I’ll make an exception and cook for you.”

“Heh, thank you, Immortal Master!” The monkey bowed and prostrated himself. “Immortal Master, I promise, when I return, I’ll pick out the very best horse in all of Heaven and secretly send it to you.”

A promising pupil indeed.

Chu Xiaoyu turned into the kitchen, and Sun Wukong didn’t see the faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

One day in the manor equaled a year in the Journey to the West.

Ever since understanding this strange pattern, Sun Wukong dared not linger at the manor too long—especially now, with his new post to attend.

After stuffing himself on delicious claypot rice and an array of side dishes, until his belly bulged round as a drum, the monkey finally fell silent.

He prepared to leave.

Chu Xiaoyu said casually, “Wukong, next time you come, bring that fat Bull and Fan Maiden along.”

Sun Wukong instantly looked puzzled. “Uh… Certainly, but I don’t quite understand. Does Immortal Master like them both so much? Are you planning to take them as disciples too?”

Chu Xiaoyu waved a hand. “Take them as disciples? Nothing of the kind. I just happen to miss them, that’s all.”

“All right, Immortal Master, next time I’ll bring them both. I’ll be going now.”

“Mm.”

Monkey King, true to form, never left empty-handed. Anything edible or fun to take along, he’d seize without hesitation.

His clothes and bags were stuffed to the brim.

Every time Sun Wukong paid a visit to his “hometown,” he never held back.

And Chu Xiaoyu, the so-called Immortal Master, always turned a blind eye.

What the monkey took was nothing but food—sodas, cigarettes, candies, trifles that most would scorn. But to Sun Wukong, anything from the manor was a rare and precious treasure.

Ah! If only he had a storage pouch.

As he stepped through the Immortal Gate, Sun Wukong mused on this thought.

...

The sudden visit from Village Head Zhu Fugui was not without motive—it was obvious he had an agenda.

“Ah, look at your manor! Compared to half a year ago, it’s like heaven and earth,” Zhu Fugui exclaimed, his small, beady eyes darting about, his face full of sly cunning.

Chu Xiaoyu smiled faintly. “Village Head Zhu, what brings you here?”

Zhu Fugui’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Little Fish, your fortunes are surely thriving. Just yesterday’s fruit sales must have brought in tens of millions, no? With all that money, you ought to be thinking of the village elders’ welfare.”

The implication was clear as day.

“Village Head, that’s not quite fair. It’s true, I’ve made some money, but it was all earned by my own hands, fair and square. Still, I agree, it’s only right to do something for the elders. I have no objections.”

“Heh, I knew you were a good kid, Little Fish. Always warm-hearted,” Zhu Fugui grinned, sly as an old fox.

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