After leaving the Jade Pool, Xu Fang saw a graceful figure standing ahead, her face filled with concern as she looked at him. Xu Fang patted his head, realizing he had been so preoccupied with Sun Wukong's situation that he had completely forgotten about the task Yang Jian had entrusted to him.

  The figure before him was none other than the Goddess of Huashan, Yang Chan!

  "Senior Brother Xu, are you alright?"

  Clearly, Yang Chan had been keeping an eye on Xu Fang's actions in the Heavenly Court. Among the Three Realms, she was one of the few who knew the true relationship between Xu Fang and Sun Wukong.

  Thus, she was well aware of the immense burden Xu Fang was carrying.

  "I'm fine."

  Hearing Yang Chan address him with the same familiarity as during their time at Mount Fangcun, Xu Fang felt a warmth in his heart. He understood the meaning behind her words.

  "Junior Sister Yang, I met your brother in the mortal realm. He asked me to pass on a message: the Heavenly Court is a murky place, and you should not involve yourself in its affairs. Return to Huashan as soon as possible."

  Upon hearing this, Yang Chan's beautiful eyes widened in surprise. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Senior Brother, I... I don’t want to go back..."

  "Why not?"

  Xu Fang was taken aback. "You’ve seen how chaotic the Heavenly Court has become. Your brother doesn’t want you to get caught up in this..."

  "No, no, it’s not because of my brother."

  Yang Chan hesitated for a moment, then seemed to make up her mind. She mustered her courage and said, "I’m worried about you. I want to stay by your side. If I’m with you, my brother won’t stand idly by. With his help, it might be easier for you to save Sun Wukong..."

  "Junior Sister Yang, you..."

  Xu Fang was momentarily stunned.

  He wasn’t oblivious to Yang Chan’s feelings for him, but at the moment, he had no interest in matters of romance. He had straightforwardly agreed to Yang Jian’s request to persuade Yang Chan to return to Huashan.

  But now, Yang Chan was expressing her desire to stay by his side.

  While part of it was undoubtedly her wish to be close to him, Xu Fang also recognized the genuine care and concern she had for him.

  "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

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  Xu Fang smiled gently. "I know what I’m doing, and I’m not in any danger. You should listen to your brother and return to Huashan. Once I’ve dealt with matters in the Heavenly Court, I’ll come to Huashan to see you. Until then, stay in Huashan and avoid this place of turmoil."

  "But..."

  Yang Chan wanted to say more, but Xu Fang shook his head slowly. "Be good."

  The tenderness in his voice made Yang Chan’s heart flutter, a mix of worry and sweetness filling her mind.

  "You... you’ll really come to Huashan to see me?"

  Yang Chan could hardly believe it, her heart racing like a startled deer.

  After all, since she had first met Xu Fang at Mount Fangcun, his attitude had always been somewhat distant, never giving any indication of his feelings, let alone promising to visit her at Huashan.

  "Yes, I always keep my word. Don’t worry."

  Xu Fang spoke softly. Yang Chan was innocent and inexperienced in the ways of the world, and he didn’t want to drag her into his troubles.

  Although he could have used her to draw Yang Jian into the situation, Xu Fang couldn’t bring himself to do so.

  ...

  Watching Yang Chan skip away happily, Xu Fang let out a long sigh of relief. Then, his expression hardened once more as he flew toward the Tushita Palace on the Thirty-Third Heaven.

  Since the Tushita Palace was now holding Sun Wukong, the usually quiet palace was heavily guarded by celestial soldiers.

  "Divine General Xu, what brings you here?"

  The guards, though not under Xu Fang’s command, recognized him.

  Xu Fang replied, "Sun Wukong and I were sworn brothers. I’ve come to see him one last time. I hope you can make an exception."

  "This..."

  The guard looked troubled. "Divine General Xu, we don’t have a problem with letting you in, but the Tushita Palace is Laozi’s domain. If you want to see Sun Wukong, you’ll need Laozi’s permission."

  "I understand."

  Xu Fang nodded. "Please inform Laozi for me. I won’t cause any trouble for you."

  "Very well, General. Please wait here."

  The guard handed his weapon to a comrade and hurried into the Tushita Palace to deliver the message.

  Before long, the guard returned, accompanied by a golden-robed boy.

  "Divine General Xu, my master invites you inside."

  The golden-robed boy bowed slightly to Xu Fang.

  Xu Fang nodded, studying the boy.

  If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the boy who guarded Laozi’s furnace, and would later become the Golden Horn King on the Journey to the West.

  "Thank you, brother."

  Xu Fang spoke politely, and the golden-robed boy nodded before leading him into the Tushita Palace.

  They soon passed through the main hall and arrived at the alchemy room where the furnace was located.

  Laozi, dressed in a red and yellow Daoist robe, sat cross-legged with a calm smile on his face.

  "Divine General Xu, what a rare guest. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve come for that monkey, haven’t you?"

  As he spoke, Laozi’s gaze shifted to the Eight-Trigrams Furnace, where flames roared.

  Xu Fang took a deep breath and nodded, clasping his hands in salute. "Xu Fang pays his respects to the Dao Ancestor. No matter what, Sun Wukong was once my sworn brother. Please allow me to see him one last time. I would be eternally grateful."

  "One last time?"

  Laozi’s smile deepened. "Divine General Xu, how can you be so sure this is the last time?"

  "What does the Dao Ancestor mean?"

  Xu Fang was puzzled. "In the Hall of Divine Mists, you personally declared that Sun Wukong would be reduced to ashes in the Eight-Trigrams Furnace..."

  "Haha."

  Laozi chuckled and shook his head. "As expected of the disciple he chose. Your talent is indeed extraordinary. Very well, Sun Wukong is inside the furnace. If you have anything to say, you may speak to him directly."

  With that, Laozi slowly stood up, and the golden-robed boy stepped forward to support him.

  "I’m getting old. Sitting for a while makes my back ache..."

  Laozi pretended to rub his lower back as he left the alchemy room.

  "Does Laozi know my master?"

  Xu Fang watched Laozi’s retreating figure, deep in thought.