Chapter 5: The Great Sage Equal to Heaven Creates a Uproar in Heaven

Summary

Chapter 5 depicts the Great Sage Equal to Heaven’s battle with the forces of heaven. After causing chaos at the Peach Banquet, the Great Sage is confronted by the Nine Planets Star Officers, who fail to defeat him. King Li Tian and the Four Heavenly Kings join the battle, but the Great Sage manages to turn the tide by using his magical abilities. After a fierce fight, the Great Sage uses his powers of transformation to overwhelm his opponents and returns to the cave victorious.

Meanwhile, the Peach Banquet is disrupted, and Guanyin sends Hui’an to gather intelligence. Hui’an attempts to challenge the Great Sage but is quickly defeated. The Jade Emperor, seeing that the Great Sage is too powerful for his current forces, sends Erlang Shen to join the fray. The chapter sets the stage for further conflict as the heavenly forces attempt to subdue the unruly Great Sage.

Content

King Li Tian led his troops to Flower-Fruit Mountain, set up camp, and ordered the Nine Planets Star Officers to battle. The Nine Planets Star Officers arrived before the Water Curtain Cave, shouting a challenge. A little monkey rushed inside to report that the Great Sage was drinking with the demon kings in the cave. Upon hearing this, the Great Sage replied, "Ignore them." Just as he finished speaking, another little monkey rushed in, saying, "Great Sage, if we don’t fight, they will break the cave door and come in to kill us!" The Great Sage, enraged, said, "These wild gods have some nerve! I wasn’t planning to deal with them, but now they’re coming to bully me?" He quickly donned his armor and led the One-Horned Ghost King and the seventy-two demon kings out of the cave, setting up a formation in front.

Seeing the Great Sage appear, the Nine Planets Star Officers scolded, "You thieving monkey, first you stole the peaches, then the royal wine, disrupted the Peach Banquet, and stole Laozi’s elixir. Do you even know your crime?" The Great Sage laughed, "That's right! I did all those things. So what do you want to do about it?" The Nine Planets Star Officers said, "We come under the command of the Jade Emperor to capture you. We advise you to surrender, or we’ll flatten this mountain and turn your demon cave upside down." The Great Sage angrily retorted, "You insignificant gods dare to speak like this!" With that, he swung his staff and charged. The Nine Planets Star Officers, knowing the Great Sage was formidable, rushed at him together. The Great Sage was undaunted, blocking their strikes and wearing them out until one by one, they dragged their weapons and retreated in defeat.

The Nine Planets Star Officers reported to King Li Tian, "This monkey is truly powerful, we are no match for him." Upon hearing this, King Li Tian led the Four Heavenly Kings and the Twenty-Eight Constellations to join the battle. The battle raged on, the sky grew dark, and stones flew as sand filled the air. It continued until sunset, when the One-Horned Ghost King and the seventy-two demon kings were all captured by the heavenly soldiers, causing the monkeys to flee into the depths of the Water Curtain Cave. The Great Sage, swinging his Golden Cudgel, fought fiercely with the Four Heavenly Kings, King Li Tian, and Nezha for some time. As it was growing dark, he plucked a strand of hair from his body, chewed it, and shouted, "Change!" Immediately, hundreds of versions of the Great Sage appeared, pushing back Nezha, the Four Heavenly Kings, and King Li Tian.

After the victory, the Great Sage returned to the cave, where the four elder monkeys and the rest of the monkeys cried and laughed together. The Great Sage asked, "Why are you crying and laughing upon seeing me?" The four monkeys explained, "We cried because the One-Horned Ghost King and the seventy-two demon kings were captured by the heavenly soldiers. But now we laugh because you’ve returned victorious and unharmed." The Great Sage replied, "Victory and defeat are common in battle. No need to worry. Let's eat and rest first, and tomorrow we’ll get revenge with my magical powers." The monkeys ate and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Guanyin and Hui’an arrived at the Peach Banquet, only to find the banquet hall in disarray, with only a few immortals discussing what had happened. Upon learning that the Great Sage had caused the disturbance, Guanyin went to see the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor recounted the events from the Great Sage’s birth to the disruption of the Peach Banquet. Guanyin then instructed Hui’an to go to Flower-Fruit Mountain to gather intelligence and assist King Li Tian if necessary.

Hui’an, following his orders, arrived at the camp, where the Heavenly Net had surrounded Flower-Fruit Mountain. He approached the guards, introducing himself as the second prince of King Li Tian, Mu Zha, and Guanyin’s senior disciple. After confirming his identity, the guards let him in. Inside, King Li Tian received Hui’an and explained the situation. Just as they were talking, a messenger arrived to report that the Great Sage and his monkeys were challenging outside the camp. Hui’an decided to take action and asked to face the Great Sage. King Li Tian warned him to be cautious, as he had been practicing with Guanyin for some time.

Hui’an went out with his iron rod and called, "Which one of you is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Great Sage responded, "I am he. Who are you?" Hui’an replied, "I am Mu Zha, second prince of King Li Tian and disciple of Guanyin, my name is Hui’an." The Great Sage mocked, "You’re supposed to be practicing with Guanyin, yet you’ve come here to challenge me?" Hui’an declared, "I’m here to investigate your arrogance and take you down!" The Great Sage laughed, "You dare speak such nonsense. Stop running and take my staff!" The two battled for fifty to sixty rounds, with Hui’an eventually tiring and retreating.

Seeing Hui’an’s defeat, King Li Tian sent a report to the Jade Emperor, who decided to summon Erlang Shen, the Celestial Hero of the Second Rank, to assist. Erlang Shen, along with his six brothers and twelve hundred grasshead gods, arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain to face the Great Sage.