Troops moved across the island, as the celestials marched towards the valley that led to Water-Curtain Cave. It was our most heavily fortified area. Li Jing must really think we’re all idiots.
“Once the rear troops cross into the valley throw up the barrier, drop the invisibility on our allies, and activate the non-lethal traps on the center and rear of their formation. Don’t activate the forward traps yet.” It was far too early to throw away our allies.
Beng and Liu relayed orders to the support and main troops. Wukong would be fighting on the front lines with our allies as well.
Once the final soldier crossed into the valley, the barrier rose up, cutting off their escape. I contacted Ba with a magical treasure. “Launch attack on their camp now.”
Traps were simultaneously activated, and the celestial soldiers sank into the ground as it liquefied, then hardened again trapping them. With a loud shout, our allies and Wukong sprung into battle.
They mowed down the enemy troops with ease thanks to their immobility. Unless the celestials pulled something out of their hat now, it would almost assure our victory.
I also kept an eye on our guerilla teams attacking the enemy camp. It was hard to tell from just dots, but none of them have blinked out yet which seems like good sign.
I watched as the enemy soldiers lights blinked out by the dozen and frowned. This was too easy. Sure they underestimated us, but this was heaven we’re talking about.
More than half the troops had fallen by the time our back barrier broke and the ground rumbled. Then the lights began retreating back to camp.
Well, it seems our first trap has been undone. But if they thought it would be that easy, then they have another thing coming.
“Tell Wukong and our allies to back off, once they’ve retreated to safety, activate middle and back lethal traps on the enemy.” Beng relayed my orders to Ma and Wukong while Liu directed the support troops to ready the correct traps.
Once they retreated, the traps instantly activated and I fancied I could hear the screams of celestial soldiers as they were all set ablaze with chi fire. Hundreds of dots began blinking out at once. The retreat dissolved into a rout.
“Activate long range weapons, and open fire.” Liu relayed my orders.
This was a risky gamble. While our long range weapons could annihilate the enemy, it also opened ingresses into the mountain an enemy could take advantage of. However, I believed they were well past trying to organize an effective attack.
My gamble paid off. More and more enemy lights blinked out. The massive army had been reduced to a small fraction of its former size. The soldiers began trickling back to their camp.
I contacted Ba. “The soldiers are returning to camp, pull out immediately, regardless of mission status.”
It seemed like all the guerilla teams had already retreated, but I wanted to be sure.
I sighed, sat back, and rubbed my temples. That went pretty well. It was mostly due to them underestimating us, but good nonetheless. We did some serious damage to them while taking none in return.
“Okay, have Wukong and Ma return home, and send some supplies to our allies to thank them.” Their morale should be high after today, but I wanted to keep it that way to ensure they didn’t leave. “Liu, have the support division put on standby mode again and remind them to stay vigilant on watch. Spin the wheel to see what traps we’ll use for the next battle. Once Ma and Wukong get back and I’ll get Ba’s report and we’ll hold a meeting to discuss the battle and our plan for tomorrow. But, preliminary good job. That went mostly to plan, and it was all within expectations. We took no losses while dealing significant damage to the enemy, showing the Siege Defense strategy is very viable for short-term conflicts.”
Liu puffed up with pride and Beng relayed my message to the troops before pounding his chest and screeching in victory. I let them have their moment, smiling to myself as I walked out to receive Ba’s report in private. They deserved to celebrate all the effort they put in over the past decades.
I’ll celebrate once we’ve won.
It was good news all around at the post-battle meeting. Wukong bravely regaled his battle against the Nine Stars, the Four Heavenly Kings, and Nezha. It seemed they still hadn’t found a way to deal with him duplicating himself, and he and his clones were able to beat them all back.
With some great assistance from Ma of course. Ma had taken down not one, but two enemy generals all on his own, which deeply impressed the other generals.
Ba had also executed his part flawlessly thanks to the celestials underestimating us. Most of their camp had burned to the ground, including food supplies and equipment.
Overall, we had delivered a crushing defeat to the army of heaven. I leaned back on my chair, considering. Our enemy was likely to ask heaven for reinforcements. Before that, I’d like to parley with the enemy again, to see if they were willing to negotiate for a settlement.
Wukong sat up and cheered. “Okay, I think we all know how incredible we were today. So let’s celebrate! Bring out the wine and get the party started in the throne room!”
The generals whooped and hollered and I pulled Liu off to the side. “Distribute wine to the support division too. Our victory today is thanks to them.”
Liu nodded eagerly, and I followed Wukong to the throne room, pleased, but still nervous about the battles to come.
After nursing his hangover for a day, we were ready to set up a parley tent and wait for the enemy to contact us. A few monkeys volunteered to bring the materials and build the tent.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
This time, it was Wukong, me, and Beng who went to the meeting. We included some light refreshments including fruit and tea.
As we waited for Li Jing or another general to arrive, I briefed Wukong on our negotiation strategy again.
“Remember, we’re coming from a position of strength, but we can’t demand things. The goal is a truce so we can negotiate a settlement with heaven. Start by gloating a bit, then move into the pitch to give them some of our technology. Nothing too important, but enough to make up for all the chaos you caused.”
“I know the plan Yue, but are you sure about this? Heaven immortals are known for their arrogance. I don’t think they’ll be too interested.”
I sighed. “Well, it’s the best I’ve got. And they don’t have much to be arrogant about right now.”
He snorted. “Ain’t that the truth. I honestly expected more from heaven. It’s disappointing how few strong warriors they have.”
“I think your definition of strength is skewed. Shhh. Someone is coming from the camp.” I followed the figure with my chi sight. Something was different about this one.
Their amount of chi was average, but it seemed to be circulating in their body rather than just sitting in there. It indicated they might know some chi manipulation techniques, but not any ones I knew. We needed to be cautious around them.
The flap opened, revealing another human. This one didn’t have any floppy fur, in fact he had no fur at all. He sat down in front of us, and nodded in greeting.
“Good morning to the Monkey King and Queen. I am Muzha, son of Li Jing, and disciple to Guanyin, the Buddha of Mercy. My Buddhist name is Benevolent Pilgrim.”
Wukong cocked his head in confusion. “Erm, no offense, but aren’t Buddhists nonviolent? Why are you on a battlefield?”
Muzha nodded. “I am here on behalf of Guanyin to take stock of the situation. It appears you’ve caused quite a bit of trouble in heaven, throwing the Peach Banquet into disarray, and then defied the will of heaven in a rebellion. I’m here to confirm the situation on the ground.”
So, he was just a message boy. One who wasn’t even affiliated with the people we want to negotiate with. This was a massive waste of our time. Maybe I shouldn’t have expected anything from heaven.
We should leave. I turned to Wukong to say something, but he belted out before I got the chance. “Well, Muzha, as you can see we’ve been dominating the heavenly army. Their camp is in tatters and is at a fraction of it’s former size. Best of all, we have not lost a single monkey!”
Wait. He was going forward with our negotiating plan. To this messenger.
He puffed up his chest. “Heaven’s reputation must be built on false rumors! Why, I bet we could take the war to heaven itself and win!”
That was not a part of my negotiation strategy. Wukong, why the fuck are you escalating this!?
Muzha turned a peculiar shade of red. “I see the stories about you are not unfounded. Your arrogance and mischief are truly boundless, and you must be brought to justice.” Muzha stood up and summoned a wooden staff. He levelled it at Wukong. “I shall defeat you here and now, and you shall answer for your crimes.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Wukong also stood up and drew his staff out of his ears. “Very well, but just know I’ve bested stronger foes than you. Let’s take this outside.”
I watched in horror as Wukong followed Muzha out of the tent. I sat there, stunned for a moment before scrambling after them.
Beng followed me, and we stood out side as Wukong and Muzha stood across from each other and started the battle.
They both moved swiftly, flying into the air with a series of fierce clashes. I activated my chi sight and watched as Wukong beat Muzha back. Muzha was forced farther and farther until he turned into a streak of light and ran towards heaven in the northeast.
Wukong proudly floated down. “Ha! Did you see that Yue? He was all talk, no action.”
I stared at him in horror. “What have you done?”
To say I was pissed at Wukong would be an understatement. I was in my own room back at the palace trying to nurse the giant headache Wukong just gave me.
He was sitting outside the door and begging. “Please Yue, I told you I’m sorry! I got caught up in the moment! Please forgive me.”
I didn’t answer. I was still pissed at him.
“Please Yue!”
I growled, marched over to the door and threw it open. “Wukong, do you even know what you just did?”
“Um, I gloated?”
“You just antagonized someone we aren’t at war with and brought a new enemy into the war against us. He used some kind of strange chi technique I didn’t recognize, and his master is sure to bring more. You’re gloating could have just cost us everything!” I screamed at him and he shrank back.
“Yue, he wasn’t that tough to defeat. I can handle anything they want to throw at us. We’ve already destroyed them once. Why don’t you think I can handle this!?” Wukong started yelling.
“Wukong, I know you think you can handle anything, but you have no idea what kind of monsters are out there waiting to prove you wrong! It’s just a matter of time until someone comes along and smacks you down! And I don’t want to be around to see that happen!”
“Yue, I keep telling you I’m strong, but you never seem to believe me! Fine! I’ll prove it to you! Tomorrow, I’ll wipe heaven off our island for good!”
“Wukong! Don’t you dare!”
Wukong was furiously walking down the hallway as I called after him. I stepped after him then flinched, and rubbed my temple. My headache was worsening.
I went back into my room and flung myself back into bed with a huff. Fine. If he wanted to throw himself at death then he can! The only reason we were even in this mess in the first place was him! He just had to accept a position in heaven and leave me for ten years!
Anger stirred in my heart, and I fell asleep.
I woke up late the next day, to knocking at the door. Fucking Wukong. He was probably here to gloat about his victory over heaven. I dragged myself out of bed and to the door.
I opened it up.
“Beng?” Beng and the other four generals were outside. They seemed… distressed.
“Your Majesty. We apologize for interrupting your rest.”
I sighed and rubbed my face. “It’s fine. How did Wukong’s attack go? Did we have any casualties? Is heaven receiving reinforcements? Are they on the move?”
They all stilled. Beng swallowed. “Your Majesty, we have grave news. During the attack this morning the king… was captured.”
No. My blood ran cold. Why didn’t I stop him? Because I thought the only people on the island were people we’ve already beaten.
I stepped out of my room, and started walking towards the entrance. “Tell me everything.”
Beng and the generals followed me. “The King organized all of our troops for an assault on the enemy camp. However, we met a powerful band of enemies along the way. They called themselves Erlang and his brothers. The King engaged Erlang and they fought sixty rounds. The King’s usual tricks didn’t faze him, and they both grew massive to fight at full power. But they were too close to the troops and they panicked. Once the King realized his forces were routed, he tried to retreat using his shape shifting powers, but Erlang matched him. Finally, a net fell from the sky and ensnared him, and Erlang dragged him away.”
We’d reached the entrance. “The heavenly troops?” I asked.
Ba shook his head. “They’ve started to pull out of the island. They have what they came for after all.” A somber silence settled over them.
“Plan Z. I’m going after Wukong, and neither of us might ever come back. I know the four of you will be good leaders to our people.”
They raised a cry. Each of them spoke over each other, exclaiming none of them could possibly replace me or Wukong. I gave them a small smile.
They really were loyal. And dependable. I was going to miss them.
I raised my hand and they fell silent. “I understand you’re all worried, but I have to go after Wukong. He’s my husband. And I know the odds of us coming back are slim. So please, don’t ask me to stay. I know I’m being cruel to you.”
Ma huffed and shook himself. “We wouldn’t dare Your Majesty. But we shall wait for you and the king’s return. For however long it takes.”
“Thank you. Working with you for all these years has been an honor.” I summoned my sword and stepped onto it.
Beng had one final thing to say. “Your Majesty, are you sure you don’t need help? What is your plan to attack heaven?”
“No, its less risky if I go on my own. As for my plan,” I readied myself to blast off. “I’m going to burst their bubble.”
Do you want bonus chapters from Wukong's POV for fights?
