In an instant, Jiang Chen replaced the Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King, becoming the supreme commander of this military campaign.
This was just as it should be. Jiang Chen was the Heavenly Emperor, presiding over all the gods of the Thunder Department, holding sway over the punishments of Heaven and Earth. His noble status surpassed even that of the Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King.
Naturally, he should lead the Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King, not be led by him.
"I will accept your decree and will not fail the trust you put in me," Jiang Chen willingly accepted the command. Then, he made a small request to the Jade Emperor, "Your Majesty, I wish to ask a favor from you, I want to borrow the Martial Virtue Star Lord."
"Regardless of the outcome, as the one who recommended Sun Wukong, the Martial Virtue Star Lord cannot escape the blame for his oversight."
"But the Martial Virtue Star Lord, after all, is a veteran of the Heavenly Court. Although he may be a bit foolish and has contributed little to the Heavenly Court, he has still put in some effort."
"Consequently, I do not wish for him to suffer the consequences of Sun Wukong’s transgressions. Therefore, I plead with the Jade Emperor to grant him an opportunity to capture Sun Wukong with his own hands, serving as his redemption for his misjudgment."
Jiang Chen’s request was perfectly reasonable and seemed to be for the benefit of the Martial Virtue Star Lord. Had anyone else made this proposal, the Jade Emperor might have readily agreed.
However, it was Jiang Chen who proposed this. Everyone knew that he has a grudge against Martial Virtue Star Lord. Suddenly considering him at this point could hardly avoid raising suspicion.
Remembering the grudge between Jiang Chen and the Martial Virtue Star Lord, the Jade Emperor scornfully glared at the Martial Virtue Star Lord. He had acted foolishly, implicating Jiang Chen over trivial matters.
Now it turned out that Jiang Chen was petty and held grudges in his heart. At his first opportunity, he would retaliate, not intending to kill, but constantly annoy, making it unbearable and truly distressing.
While the Jade Emperor was considering how to politely decline Jiang Chen’s proposal, the Martial Virtue Star Lord caught the Emperor’s gaze on him and stepped forward, humbly saying:
"Your humble servant is willing to go. Please grant me an opportunity to make amends for my mistakes and to capture the demon monkey personally to cleanse my disgrace."
Upon hearing his words, the Jade Emperor inwardly cursed his luck.
Surely enough, when he looked at the Martial Virtue Star Lord through his divine sight, he saw his life star suddenly dimming. All futures were fading with it, leading ultimately to absolute darkness.
The dimming life star and the oncoming darkness were ominous signs of an impending downfall.
Given this mission to capture Sun Wukong, it appears that there could be grave dangers awaiting the Martial Virtue Star Lord on the Huaguo Mountain, likely becoming the place of his fall.
The Jade Emperor was about to say something, but when he saw the determination in the Martial Virtue Star Lord’s eyes, he realized that words were futile. With a sigh, he said, "Your words make sense, I grant your request."
Having said that, the Jade Emperor no longer looked at the Martial Virtue Star Lord.
The Martial Virtue Star Lord was ignorant of the Jade Emperor’s intentions. Seeing the Emperor’s approval, he grinned and happily received the command: "I shall obey your decree, and will not disappoint you."
At his side, Jiang Chen looked at the Martial Virtue Star Lord with deep, meaningful eyes, as if he had foreseen his death.
Providing the Martial Virtue Star Lord with an opportunity to prove his merit and redeem his error?
How could this be possible? He was simply tired of the game and did not wish to continue. Therefore, he planned to seize this opportunity and eliminate the Martial Virtue Star Lord.
In the past, Jiang Chen had used the Innate Eight Diagrams to predict that the six demons, who were like Sun Wukong’s sworn brothers but were no longer truly part of him, would go to Huaguo Mountain after rebelling against the Heavenly Court.
They seemed to want to lend a hand to Sun Wukong and resist the Heavenly Court together.
As for what those six great demons planned, Jiang Chen was not very clear. But he knew that each of the six demons was more formidable and more resourceful than the last. If Martial Virtue Star Lord confronts them, his death is certain.
As to how to make Martial Virtue Star Lord confront the six demon kings, it was easy. The Innate Eight Diagrams are not only good at deduction but also excel at guidance.
With the turns of the Eight Diagrams, encompassing all the changes in the universe, transforming the forces of Heaven and Earth for personal use, Jiang Chen needs only to slightly guide the situation. This would ensure a clash between the Martial Virtue Star Lord and the six demon kings, allowing him to conveniently dispose of the Martial Virtue Star Lord.
After that, he could use the death of the Martial Virtue Star Lord as an excuse, label the six demon kings as criminals of the Heavenly Court, and eliminate them all in one fell swoop.
This was Jiang Chen’s strategy.
As for capturing Sun Wukong, that was too simple. Even if Jiang Chen did nothing, the monkey would be captured by the Heavenly Court because that was part of the Buddha’s plan. The Heavenly Court’s actions were merely procedural; the outcome had already been predetermined.
After the army had finished assembling, under the leadership of Jiang Chen, a surge of 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals descended onto the mortal world with formidable might.
Such movement caused great shock to the cultivators on the four continents, who sensed a great disturbance.
The heavenly soldiers moved quickly, soon reaching Huaguo Mountain and deployed their forces there.
They had in their party: Four Heavenly Kings exerting supreme control, the Four Heavenly Direction Generals commanding countless soldiers. Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King Li led the central army, and fierce Nezha headed the vanguard. The Generals of the Hour Directions, having extraordinary strength. The Five Plagues and the Five Sacred Mountains in the east and west, the Six Ding and Six Jia marching...
Upon their arrival at Huaguo Mountain, Jiang Chen, who was in the center of all these gods, immediately commanded, "Generals, listen to my order. Quickly cast the heavenly net and surround Huaguo Mountain. Do not let a single demon escape."
Immediately, countless heavenly soldiers and generals obeyed the order, spreading out to form a layered formation. They built 18 heavenly nets in the sky and deployed 18 earth nets on the ground.