Unaware of the role’s lowly status, the Monkey King went happily with the Star Spirit of Jupiter to the stables in order to assume his duties.
More than half a month soon went by, and on one leisurely morning, the various department ministers gave a banquet to welcome and congratulate him.
While they were drinking happily, the Monkey King suddenly put down his cup and asked: “What sort of rank is this BanHorsePlague(Bimawen) of mine?” “The rank and the title are the same,” they said. “But what ministerial grade is it?” “It does not have a grade,” they said. “If it does not have a grade,” said the Monkey King, “I suppose it must be the very highest.” “Not at all,” they replied, “it can only be called ‘the unclassified’!” The Monkey King said, “What do you mean by ‘the unclassified’?” “It is really the meanest level,” they said. “This kind of minister is the lowest of the low ranks; hence he can only look after horses. Take the case of Your Honor, who, since your arrival, have been so diligent in discharging your duties. If the horses are fattened, you will only earn yourself a ‘Fairly Good!’ If they look at all thin, you will be roundly rebuked. And if they are seriously hurt or wounded, you will be prosecuted and fined.”
Wukong’s Rampage in the Celestial Court
When the Monkey King heard this, fire leaped up from his heart. “So that’s the contempt they have for old Monkey!” he cried angrily, gnashing his teeth. “At the Flower-Fruit Mountain I was honored as king and patriarch. How dare they trick me into coming to look after horses for them, if horse tending is such a menial service, reserved only for the young and lowly? Is such treatment worthy of me? I’m quitting! I’m quitting! I’m leaving right now!”
With a crash, he kicked over his official desk and took the treasure out of his ear. One wave of his hand and it had the thickness of a rice bowl. Delivering blows in all directions, he fought his way out of the imperial stables and went straight to the South Heaven Gate.
Great Sage, Equal to Heaven
In a moment, he lowered the direction of his cloud and returned to the Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Two one-horned demon kings soon arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain to pledge allegiance to the Monkey King. One presented a red and yellow robe (imperial robe), while the other urged the Monkey King to proclaim himself ‘Great Sage, Equal to Heaven’ (or Great Sage Equaling Heaven).
Crusade Against Flower-Fruit Mountain
News of Wukong’s rebellion in the Celestial Realm and his unauthorized departure soon reached the Jade Emperor’s jade ears. Heavenly King Li, the Pagoda-Bearer, was immediately dispatched with the Third Lotus Prince Nezha to subdue the ape.
In a moment they left by the South Heaven Gate and went straight to the Flower-Fruit Mountain.
A level piece of land was selected for encampment, and the order was then given to the Mighty-Spirit God(Giant Spirit God) to provoke battle.
Giant Spirit God: The Shattered Vanguard
The Mighty-Spirit God grasped his spreading-flower ax and came to the Water-Curtain Cave.
“Damnable beasts!” shouted the Mighty-Spirit God. “Hurry and tell the BanHorsePlague(Bimawen) that I, a great general from Heaven, have by the authorization of the Jade Emperor come to subdue him. Tell him to come out quickly and surrender, lest all of you be annihilated!”
When the Monkey King heard those words, he was filled with anger. “Reckless simpleton!” he cried. “Stop bragging and wagging your tongue! Old Monkey has unlimited abilities. Why did he ask me to mind horses for him? Take a good look at the words on this banner. If I am promoted according to its title, I will lay down my arms, and the cosmos will then be fair and tranquil. But if he does not agree to my demand, I’ll fight my way up to the Treasure Hall of Divine Mists, and he won’t even be able to sit on his dragon throne!”
The Giant Spirit God opened his eyes wide, facing the wind, and saw indeed a tall pole outside the cave. On the pole hung a banner bearing in large letters the words, “The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.”
With a contemptuous snort, the Giant Spirit God swung his spreading-flower ax in a crushing arc. The Handsome Monkey King met the assault with his rod, the impact splitting the tiger-mouth tendons and shattering the celestial warrior’s pride. The Mighty-Spirit God could oppose him no longer, he turned swiftly to flee for his life.
Witnessing his vanguard’s humiliation, Heavenly King Li’s wrath ignited. The cosmic commander summoned Nezha to challenge the stone-born rebel.
Nezha’s Triple Manifestation: When Lotus Meets Stone
“Little prince,” said Wukong laughing, “your baby teeth haven’t even fallen out. How dare you challenge me? Just take a look at the words on my banner and report to the Jade Emperor to grant me this title, and you won’t need to stir your forces. “
“What great power does this monstrous monkey possess,” said Nezha, “that he dares claim such a title?”
Young Nezha grew angry. “Change!” he yelled loudly, and he changed at once into a fearsome person having three heads and six arms. In his hands he held six kinds of weapons. Brandishing these weapons, he mounted a frontal attack.
Wukong also transformed himself into a creature with three heads and six arms.
Each displaying his divine powers, the Third Prince and Wukong battled for thirty rounds, but victory or defeat was not yet determined.
Right in the midst of the confusion, the Monkey King plucked a piece of hair and shouted, “Change!” It changed into a copy of him, also wielding a rod in its hands and deceiving Nezha. His real person leaped behind Nezha and struck his left shoulder with the rod.
Nezha took the blow and fled in pain. He returned to his camp in defeat.
“Father King! The BanHorsePlague is truly powerful. Even your son of such magical strength is no match for him! He has wounded me in the shoulder.”
The Devarāja(Heavenly King Li) said: “Let’s not fight with him for the moment. Return to the region above and report to Jade Emperor. There will be time then for us to send for more celestial soldiers and take this fellow on all sides.”
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