In the sunny days of March, with grass growing and orioles flying, a trade caravan stopped outside the library.

"…With your extensive knowledge, there is no one in Wanling City who does not know of you. Miss Jade-faced has been tasked with visiting various countries and wishes to invite you to join her."

The old Fox Demon stood deep in the library, respectfully extending the invitation to Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong put away the Heavenly Book and went out with him.

The regulars at the library could not help but talk among themselves at this scene.

"Someone actually managed to invite him?"

"No wonder he's always declined to teach. It seems he's been wanting to enter government service!"

The regulars thought they had discovered the truth.

However, the reality was that Sun Wukong chose to take on a human form to participate in the negotiations to better investigate the Golden Path.

To his surprise, Ao Luan had entrusted the task to the Jade-faced Fox.

What surprised him even more was that the Bull Demon King was also part of the caravan.

It seemed he was invited by the Jade-faced Fox.

Among those in the caravan, the Bull Demon King possessed the highest mana, but even he did not recognize Sun Wukong's true identity.

Throughout the journey, Sun Wukong remained as silent as the other scholars, clandestinely listening in on conversations between the Jade-faced Fox and the Bull Demon King.

To his ears, most of their chatter was trivial, with only a few snippets of useful information.

"If not for those binding Heavenly Rules, we would have plenty of ways to force humans to submit."

The Jade-faced Fox said to the Bull Demon King, "With the prosperity of Wanling, we could defeat them without shedding a drop of blood."

"Are the Heavenly Rules really so fearsome?" asked the Bull Demon King curiously.

"Of course," the Jade-faced Fox nodded, revealing the truth, "The Demon originally in charge of negotiations, for making threats against a king, was struck by lightning. That's why Miss Ao Luan called me here."

"The punishments of the Heavenly Rules are so severe?"

Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised to hear this.

He had no knowledge of this at all.

However, within the Heavenly Rules, one clause forbade active coercion or interference in the administrations of countries, which naturally included trade.

Trade negotiations have a profound impact on Wanling, and negotiations inherently require a combination of soft and hard tactics.

Because of the Heavenly Rules, Wanling was already at a disadvantage before negotiations with other countries even started.

As long as other countries learn of any coercive actions from Wanling, even the mere threat is considered a violation of the Heavenly Rules.

Hence, if the human countries are resolute in opposition, they can freely cut off trade without too much concern.

And for Wanling to persuade them to reopen trade, the available methods are vastly limited.

But Sun Wukong, after all, is a Heavenly Venerate, and not many would dare to offend him.

"I want to see who's playing tricks."

Sun Wukong thought.

His trip was intended to discern whether those human kingdoms were genuinely interested in the money, or if there was a hidden agenda.

When the caravan arrived at the Kingdom of Chechi, the king welcomed them warmly, with nothing appearing out of the ordinary.

But when the negotiations began at night, they hit a deadlock.

Wanling hoped that the Kingdom of Chechi would reduce the various charges imposed on the Golden Path.

For this purpose, the Jade-faced Fox had brought a detailed financial report.

The report stated the appropriate tax rates and long-term benefit estimations.

"Your Majesty, should you follow our plan and lessen the burden on merchants, the future revenues will surely far exceed current ones," the Jade-faced Fox persuaded the king in a pleasing manner.

"This matter cannot be decided by my country alone," replied the king politely, "even if I reduce the burden, other countries will surely intensify their efforts, resulting in the same outcome."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will also negotiate with other countries," said the Jade-faced Fox, "Your Majesty just needs to agree."

"Then let's wait until all countries have agreed!"

The king responded noncommittally.

This reply was almost unassailable.

The Jade-faced Fox sighed in resignation.

At this point, there was no need to continue negotiations with the Kingdom of Chechi.

"I think his point also makes sense," said the Bull Demon King that evening.

"No," the Jade-faced Fox shook her head unwillingly, "we'll go see the other countries."

They next visited Wuji Kingdom, only to receive an identical response.

"Miss Ao Luan told me that they've been giving this kind of response for years now," the Jade-faced Fox sighed as they left Wuji Kingdom.

Without visiting, she could guess that no country would give an affirmative response.

Sure enough, the remaining countries responded just like the first two.

Even the suggestion from the Jade-faced Fox that countries send representatives for united negotiations was declined courteously by every country for various reasons; not a single one agreed.

"It's just an excuse."

The Jade-faced Fox frowned deeply and said, "They simply don't want to negotiate."

Sun Wukong agreed with her sentiment.

Having visited several countries, he was quite certain that there was something complex happening behind the scenes.

"The Heavenly Rules really are unfair," said the Bull Demon King.

"Sir, what do you think?" the Jade-faced Fox inquired of Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong had not spoken much throughout the trip, but whenever he did, his points were well-received and highly valued by the Jade-faced Fox.

"The Heavenly Rules?" Sun Wukong smiled, "They aren't necessarily unfair."

In terms of trade, the Heavenly Rules indeed imposed greater restrictions on Wanling Country, which was determined by the developmental path of Wanling Country itself.

But for the tripartite game, the Heavenly Rules set by the Jade Emperor restricted all three parties, and he himself made a major mistake—making it impossible for the Heavenly Palace to completely control the Southern Continent.

Bound by the Heavenly Rules, Sun Wukong and Buddha would both have opportunities to seize the Southern Continent a hundred years later.

The value of the Southern Continent far exceeds that of short-term trade restrictions.

"Overall, Wanling Country isn't losing out."

Sun Wukong said.

The Bull Demon King and the Jade-faced Fox suddenly realized.

"Then, Sir..." the Jade-faced Fox continued to ask, "Do you see why the countries resist the Golden Path so much?"

Sun Wukong nodded, "They may be intentionally obstructing the Golden Path."

"This... can't be..."

The Jade-faced Fox was stunned and very puzzled: "This is supposed to be a mutually beneficial matter, why would they want to obstruct the Golden Path?"

"I'm not sure yet."

Sun Wukong answered, "Perhaps when we get to the next country, we will know."

Upon arrival in the Kingdom of Baoxiang, the situation remained as usual.

However, here Sun Wukong suggested to the Bull Demon King to cast a spell, and after the caravan left, he secretly stayed behind in the royal palace of the Kingdom of Baoxiang.

A day after the caravan departed, a figure visited the royal palace of the Kingdom of Baoxiang.

"True Immortal, the plan given by Wanling Country is indeed good."

The King welcomed that figure in his own room.

"Your Majesty, don't be greedy for the benefits at hand."

That figure said, "If you agree to them now, Wanling Country will become stronger, and once trade flourishes, the Kingdom of Baoxiang will eventually become a vassal state to Wanling Country, and Your Majesty's royal authority will not be passed down."

The King hesitated slightly, "But the rumors say the Great Saint is not such a person."

"The world is divided into three parts today; how could the Great Saint resist the Heavenly Palace and Lingshan without turning against you?"

The figure continued, "Your Majesty's concerns, of course, are clear to me. The Great Saint is a Heavenly Venerate, there is no need for you to be his enemy."

He paused for a moment, and then continued, "Just fob them off and slow down Wanling's development. When the Heavenly Palace is established again, everything will return to its original state, and Your Majesty will surely gain immense merit."

The King nodded, unable to suppress a sigh, "Wanling is truly formidable; their growth in influence over these twenty or thirty years is indeed astonishing."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, they are hindered by the Heavenly Rules and cannot move against you for a hundred years."

With confidence in his chest, the figure said, "After a hundred years, the Heavenly Palace will be able to take over here."

"Then I can be at ease."

Reassured by the constant promises of the True Immortal, the King's heart slightly settled.

The figure then left.

"So that's how it is..."

The Bull Demon King now completely understood.

This was surely the Heavenly Palace causing obstacles, but he found it strange in his heart—supposedly the Heavenly Palace was also constrained by the Heavenly Rules, so how could they interfere with human politics?

He intercepted that figure in the sky.

"What are you doing?"

The Bull Demon King asked coldly, "How are you colluding with the Heavenly Palace?"

That figure was a Daoist, but he had another identity: the brother of the Bull Demon King.

"Big brother, it's been a long time."

Immortal Ruyi bowed to the Bull Demon King and said, "I have no collusion with the Heavenly Palace."

"How dare you quibble!"

The Bull Demon King was furious, "Then what are you doing?"

"This isn't the Heavenly Palace's directive."

Immortal Ruyi shook his head, "This is something I've done on my own initiative. Big brother, do you not see that this is a chance to gain recognition?"

The Bull Demon King looked puzzled, not understanding what Immortal Ruyi meant.

Immortal Ruyi then smiled and said, "The Independent Immortals and Devils of the Three Realms all know of those Heavenly Rules. The Heavenly Palace can't act to obstruct Wanling, but we can take the initiative to help them. In the future, when the Heavenly Palace claims victory and rewards are given, why should we worry about not obtaining a semi-immortal position?"

The Bull Demon King understood and couldn't help but ask, "But what if the Great Saint wins?"

"Big brother, you too should be clear-headed."

Immortal Ruyi shook his head, "How can the forces of the Great Saint compare to the millennial foundation of the Heavenly Palace?"

In his view, Sun Wukong could absolutely not win.

"Big brother, if you want to earn a name as an immortal, you should in these five hundred years."

Immortal Ruyi said, "I advise you to leave the Great Saint's command, choose the Jade Emperor or the Buddha to do some tasks for them, and you will inevitably soar to great heights in the future."

He gave a bow and then left swiftly.

The Bull Demon King stood still, unsure whether to stop him or not.

And at a higher altitude, Sun Wukong watched this scene with a thoughtful look.

"So there is such a move."

He had underestimated the beings of the Three Realms; even an Immortal Ruyi knew how to invest in the future.

But this incident was obviously not just an act of Immortal Ruyi.

What Immortal Ruyi said was correct, as long as they don't join any side, their spontaneous actions won't be bound by the Heavenly Rules.

However...

Sun Wukong believed that behind Immortal Ruyi, there was most likely the Heavenly Palace's inducement.

"As long as they don't intervene directly, indirect inducement is indeed possible, huh?"

Sun Wukong pondered in his mind, in fact, he had long had this feeling, and Dongfang Shuo was a future possibility.

But the Jade Emperor started earlier, and it seemed to have proved this point.

He truly was not a simple character.

"If that's the case, then I'll play a game too."

Sun Wukong made a decision.

He glanced down at the Bull Demon King, then discreetly returned to the Jade-faced Fox's caravan.

All along, Sun Wukong had been wanting to handle some matters gently, but the world always has its imperfections.

The uproar in the Heavenly Palace had made him realize that when you have to act, you must.

Sometimes, a short pain is better than a long one.

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