Emperor Ziwei immediately abandoned the idea of attacking Sun Wukong.

Both possessed divine skills that could influence the True Dragon. Once they fought, it would surely have far-reaching effects on the future of the Southern Continent.

Moreover—Emperor Ziwei couldn't defeat Sun Wukong.

"Great Saint."

Emperor Ziwei's expression slightly eased as he asked, "What would it take for you to let go?"

Sun Wukong put forward two conditions.

Emperor Ziwei slightly frowned and began to bargain with him.

As they spoke, the dragon aura in the mist grew denser and a faint dragon chant was heard, making the Emperor Star shine brightly.

Emperor Ziwei, sensing the dragon aura and watching the composed Sun Wukong,

knowing delay could bring change, agreed to the two conditions.

Their divine souls left their bodies and had a tense confrontation in the air, almost unnoticed.

Once the conditions were settled, they quickly returned to the sleeping chamber.

Only a few minutes had passed.

"Great Emperor."

Gold Star Taibai hurried forward, about to inquire what had happened.

"Let's go."

Emperor Ziwei shook his head and said solemnly, "Leave it to them."

"But this Human King..."

Gold Star Taibai exclaimed in surprise.

"No matter, they won't change anything."

Emperor Ziwei said, pulling Gold Star Taibai away with him.

"Wukong."

Master Puti, watching them leave so abruptly, asked in confusion, "What did you say to Emperor Ziwei?"

Sun Wukong did not answer, because someone was waking up.

"Monkey King...is that you..."

Liu Heng's voice was husky and weak.

Emperor Donghua had frozen everyone in the sleeping chamber, but considering the Human King's illness, he had not frozen him.

Sun Wukong approached the bed.

The bed, covered with beautifully soft brocade bedding, was intricately carved.

But these could not retain a king's life.

Sun Wukong looked at Liu Heng, who was at his last gasp and seemed no longer able to see clearly.

"How did you know it was me?"

Sun Wukong asked.

"Perhaps it's a momentary resurgence, a feeling in my heart..."

Liu Heng spoke very slowly, catching his breath before saying, "I dreamt of Huaguo Mountain, dreamt of that delightful night we spent talking together."

Sun Wukong felt melancholic.

"It's a pity I'm about to die."

Liu Heng sighed, "Huaguo Mountain is as beautiful as a paradise, yet I can't go there."

Suddenly remembering something, Liu Heng softly laughed, "Monkey King, did you see my Chang'an? Does it resemble Huaguo Mountain?"

"Similar."

Sun Wukong nodded and then said, "You wish to see Huaguo Mountain; I can take you there."

Liu Heng's voice turned bitter, "You don't need to comfort me, I know, it's fate."

"Fate can be changed."

Sun Wukong's eyes softened, "I once said you were entangled in worldly matters, hard to escape. Now, there's a chance."

He withdrew his hand and pulled out a Jade Bottle from his body.

"Snap"

Emperor Donghua grabbed Sun Wukong's hand; Sun Wukong turned to see the Emperor shaking his head with a stern face.

He knew that Sun Wukong intended to save Liu Heng, but that would violate the Heavenly Rules.

"Wukong, you can't do this."

Master Puti also frowned, advising him.

Sun Wukong shook his head, withdrew his hand, and poured an Immortal Pill from the Jade Bottle, handing it to Liu Heng, "Eat this."

Liu Heng shakily stretched out his hand.

Sun Wukong placed the Immortal Pill in his hand and moved it to his mouth.

Liu Heng smelled the unusual fragrance of the Immortal Pill.

"Why?"

He didn't swallow it, but instead asked, "The immortals who came to see me all said there was no medicine that could help."

Liu Heng was not stupid; it would be simple for the immortals to save him, but they didn't want to change the fate of the mundane world.

Why would Sun Wukong defy the heavens?

"I have bargained for your freedom with the Heavenly Palace."

Sun Wukong said with a smile, "Once you consume this Immortal Pill, you will leave with me and no longer meddle in the affairs of the mortal world."

This was one of the conditions he discussed with Emperor Ziwei—to take Liu Heng's life in his own hands.

To avoid affecting the politics of the Southern Continent, from now on, Liu Heng must never step foot here again, nor speak of the matters concerning the Southern Continent.

To the people here, Emperor Liu Heng is already dead.

What Sun Wukong took away was merely a powerless mortal.

"You must let go of everything to seek the Dao at Huaguo Mountain."

Sun Wukong said.

Liu Heng did not hesitate for long before placing the Immortal Pill in his mouth.

The next moment, the chamber was filled with a fragrant scent.

An auspicious cloud enveloped the night sky above the chamber, while the flowers outside bloomed simultaneously, and the winds that blew felt as warm as spring.

The guards outside the chamber saw this unusual phenomenon and knelt down in worship.

Liu Qi strode into the chamber, but the phenomena had already vanished.

The guards and physicians inside were freed from immobilization; however, the dragon bed was devoid of any person.

"The empire is now in your hands."

Only a letter was left behind.

Liu Qi picked up the letter, seemingly understanding something.

"Father has finally been liberated..."

Liu Qi bowed twice toward the west and left the chamber.

The next day, Chang'an City was shrouded in sorrow.

With the new king's ascension, the officials asked Liu Qi to posthumously honor Liu Heng with the temple name Taizong and the honorary title Emperor Xiaowen.

On the seventh day of the sixth month of the same year, he was buried in Baling.

No one knew that a Taoist had settled down in Huaguo Mountain.

After Sun Wukong returned to Wanling City, Ao Luan was the first to come out to greet him.

His heart warmed, he recounted the events of his journey to Ao Luan.

"Is this a good way to settle him?"

Ao Luan expressed her doubts.

"No worries, he has been weary all his life; let him focus on his cultivation there."

Sun Wukong said, "If one day he grows bored, he will surely come to find us."

There was no doubt, Liu Heng was a man of talent.

Ao Luan nodded, lamenting, "I didn't expect the Heavenly Palace would hand him over to you."

"They were reluctant."

Sun Wukong responded, "But since I relinquished the position of Emperor's Master to them, how could they care about this trivial matter?"

Ao Luan was shocked.

"Brother, you've been wise all your life, how could you be so muddled in this matter?"

She became anxious.

"It's not confusion, but rather a necessary compromise."

Sun Wukong answered with a wry smile.

He had wanted to take the newly born True Dragon Emperor as his disciple, but the Jade Emperor would not let him succeed.

"Why so?"

Ao Luan did not understand.

"The Southern Continent."

Sun Wukong replied with four words.

Ao Luan suddenly realized.

The Southern Continent was under the control of the Heavenly Palace; the Jade Emperor could easily unleash natural disasters, bringing misery to all living beings.

Even if Sun Wokung took away the True Dragon, the Jade Emperor had plenty of ways to regain the initiative.

"Older brother's heart is kind."

Ao Luan sighed, "It's just that this opportunity was missed, and after a hundred years, the Southern Continent will be completely controlled by the Heavenly Palace."

"The Human King is not so easily manipulated."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "I have left behind a thread of fate, which might be useful in the future."

The streak of light he waved was the hope for the future.

"Moreover, I have also exchanged two immortals from the Heavenly Palace..."

Sun Wokung smiled, "They have long wanted to come over; the Jade Emperor, fearing their abilities could be utilized by me, has always been obstructing them."

Ao Luan became curious, "Which two immortals?"

"Thousand-mile Eye, Sharp-Hearing Ear."

Sun Wokung answered.

If not for the Jade Emperor's obstruction, those two fellows would have come ten years earlier.

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