Laozi's words only deepened Xu Fang's confusion. Although he was a transmigrator, he now felt as though he could see nothing clearly. From being an outsider, he had been pulled into this grand game of chess.

  And the one who had pulled him into this game was likely his master, Master Bodhi.

  Everything that had happened today might have been foreseen by Master Bodhi from the moment he and Sun Wukong entered Mount Fangcun.

  Xu Fang didn't know whether his master, who had secluded himself on Mount Fangcun, was also a player in this grand game.

  After all, in the original story, Master Bodhi was an extremely mysterious figure. He lived in seclusion on Mount Fangcun, cultivating in peace, yet his shadow seemed to loom over the entire universe.

  Everyone seemed to have some connection to him.

  Even the Heavenly Court seemed to be closely tied to him.

  And now, with Laozi's words, Xu Fang was even more certain that his master, Master Bodhi, was one of the key players in this chaotic era.

  He, Sun Wukong, and perhaps others he didn't know, were likely the chess pieces Master Bodhi was using in this grand game.

  At this thought, Xu Fang's heart trembled slightly. He suddenly felt a sense of caution and an inexplicable fear. Even though he knew the outcome of Journey to the West and all the events that would unfold, once he became involved in this game, he felt utterly powerless, pushed along by the forces within it.

  Everything seemed to be happening according to plan.

  "Now, I can't trust anyone!"

  Xu Fang thought to himself, his guard rising as he looked at Laozi's seemingly kind eyes.

  "Dao Ancestor, you must know the purpose of my visit. Sun Wukong is my sworn brother. Although... I still hope you can spare his life. I will repay this debt to you in the future!"

  Xu Fang clasped his hands and bowed to Laozi. Although he knew Laozi wouldn't actually kill Sun Wukong, he had to play his part to the fullest.

  Moreover, since the Jade Emperor had sent him to the Tushita Palace, he had to put on a convincing act.

  His future plans were also tied to the Jade Emperor, so he needed to gain the Emperor's trust.

  The Jade Emperor admired him, didn't he? Good. Then he would play along. After all, on this chessboard, the Jade Emperor's weight far exceeded his own.

  When Laozi heard Xu Fang's words, he shook his head and smiled. "It seems the Divine General still hasn't fully understood my words. Very well, let me tell you directly, so that you and those behind you can understand. Although I have placed the demon monkey in the furnace to be tempered, I never said I would kill him."

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  Laozi's face was calm, but his words sent a chill through Xu Fang's heart.

  The Buddhist and Daoist sects were like fire and water, neither willing to be the first to pierce the veil. But now, Laozi had directly revealed this in front of Xu Fang.

  What did this mean?

  It meant that his words weren't meant for Xu Fang alone, but for the person behind him—the Jade Emperor.

  He was clearly telling the Jade Emperor, "I know your plans. Bring it on!"

  Seeing the dawning realization in Xu Fang's eyes, Laozi nodded. With a wave of his horsetail whisk, he said, "Divine General, you may go now. Remember these two karmic debts. When the time comes, you may repay them to me."

  With that, Laozi's figure slowly faded away, and the two attendants at the door politely stepped forward.

  "Divine General, please return."

  Xu Fang nodded, but his heart was filled with confusion.

  His trip to the Tushita Palace seemed to have accomplished nothing, yet at the same time, it seemed he had done everything.

  His role was merely that of a messenger, connecting the Buddhist and Daoist sects, as well as the Jade Emperor.

  Bang!

  The two attendants, dressed in gold and silver robes, escorted Xu Fang out of the Tushita Palace and closed the door behind him with a loud bang, snapping Xu Fang out of his thoughts.

  "These two little guys, you're not very polite!"

  Xu Fang shook his head. The celestial soldiers guarding the Tushita Palace, seeing Xu Fang being 'escorted' out by the two attendants, couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

  "Divine General Xu, your brother... try to take it easy."

  As the Demon-Slaying Divine General, Xu Fang was well-known in the Heavenly Court. Although these soldiers weren't under his command, they had heard of him.

  They had also heard that the Divine Strategy Camp had grown stronger under Xu Fang's leadership, so they held him in high regard.

  Xu Fang nodded. "It's alright. Thank you for your hard work."

  After exchanging a few words with the soldiers, Xu Fang sighed and left the Thirty-Third Heaven.

  Although he didn't yet understand the grand conspiracy behind the eastward spread of Buddhism, or see through the fog of deception, he was determined to uncover the secrets of this grand game once he gained enough power and influence.

  Descending from the Thirty-Third Heaven, Xu Fang headed straight for the Jade Pool.

  Sun Wukong had been imprisoned in the Eight-Trigrams Furnace. In a few dozen days, he would cause chaos in the Heavenly Court.

  During this time, Xu Fang had to make thorough preparations. For him, this wasn't just about helping Sun Wukong rebel against heaven and earth—it was also an opportunity.

  "Since you want to stir up this world, I'll let you do so without restraint. Even if we can't change the outcome, I will ensure that the name of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven shakes the heavens!"

  With this resolve, Xu Fang began to plan his next steps.

  He had thought he could change something, but he was still being pushed along by the predetermined plot, powerless to alter it. This feeling was deeply frustrating.

  Although Xu Fang had saved most of the monkeys from Flower-Fruit Mountain, some had still been captured by Li Jing and brought to the Heavenly Court.

  Now, as Xu Fang hurried to the Jade Pool, aside from reporting to the Jade Emperor, he also intended to rescue these monkeys, ensuring that Sun Wukong would have no worries and could act freely.

  If he couldn't change the outcome, he would do his best!

  Soon, Xu Fang returned to the Jade Pool.

  The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother were in high spirits, strolling through the gardens together. A large entourage of celestial servants and female immortals followed behind, holding up the long trains of their robes.

  For them, Sun Wukong had been captured, and the next step was to prepare for a celebration, setting the stage for the next phase of their plan.

  "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, the Demon-Slaying Divine General requests an audience."