Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told – Chapter 181: The Guanghan Palace

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. To be on the safe side, Wukong and Hou Yi arrived at the Great Luo Heaven early.
During these six months, Hou Yi devoted himself solely to practicing invisibility techniques. By combining the two variables of Tian Gang, he had mastered them to perfection. With nothing else to do, Wukong allowed the water essence within his body to move around, as this method was best for understanding water.
The two entered the South Heavenly Gate, concealed their forms, and tiptoed past the Tongming Hall. They then passed through the dilapidated Hunting Demon Garden, where celestial soldiers and fairies were busy discussing the Peach Banquet.
Wukong thought, “Sure enough, the Peach Banquet is tomorrow. It seems now is the perfect time.”
The two continued eastward, passing by no less than a hundred palaces. Above, a bright moon hung in the sky, seemingly real yet illusory. Palaces could be seen clearly, with faint figures moving within.
Wukong couldn’t help but exclaim, “As a child, I mistook the moon for a white jade plate. I also thought it was a mirror from the Jade Terrace, floating in the blue clouds. Only now, after seeing it, do I realize its true nature.”
Hou Yi said, “Wukong, you’re mistaken.”
Wukong was puzzled. “How can I be mistaken?”
Hou Yi replied, “This Moon Palace is not the real moon in the sky; it’s an imitation.”
“Ah!” Wukong was shocked. “Then where is the real moon on earth?”
Hou Yi said, “I’ve never been there either. It must be somewhere extremely far away.”
Wukong said, “Few people likely know about this.” Seeing the surrounding silence, he added, “Now is not the right time. Let’s wait here quietly.”
At this point, Hou Yi had no choice but to follow Wukong’s plan. Having endured tens of thousands of years, he could endure patience even in such urgency.
In the Great Luo Heaven, there were no days or nights. Those who could enter it must have at least the cultivation level of Earthly Immortals, so rest was unnecessary.
Wukong sat quietly, pondering that one day here equaled one year on earth. It was said that the power of creation could alter the pace of time, but why?
It was said that on the Spirit Mountain, “seven days there equal a thousand years on earth.” Wasn’t that an even faster passage of time than in the Great Luo Heaven? Were the immortals perhaps very lonely? Or was there some secret behind it?
Hou Yi sat as still as a mountain, not even a hair moving, though he tried to stay calm. His fierce eyes remained fixed on the Moon Palace, not daring to blink.
After what seemed like a long time, dozens of figures flew out from that bright jade disc. Wukong said, “They must be the fairies going to the banquet.”
Indeed, the leader was the Lord of the Moon, followed by over thirty fairies, each with a beautiful and exquisitely delicate appearance.

Hou Yi looked around and saw the fairy closely following to the left of the Lord of the Moon, her rainbow robes fluttering as she walked, a hint of worry on her brows—wasn’t that Chang’e, the one he had cherished throughout his life and could never forget?
Seeing Hou Yi trembling as if about to rush forward, Wukong quickly held him back by the shoulder and said, “Wait, it’s not the right time yet.” Hou Yi forced down his restlessness and watched helplessly as Chang’e flew out of sight.
Wukong said, “At this moment, the fairies in the Moon Palace must be going to the Peach Banquet. Don’t worry; they’ll return soon.”
Hou Yi asked, “Why do we have to wait for her to come back?” Wukong replied, “I’ll explain everything to you within a day.”
Hou Yi took a deep breath and said, “Alright, then I’ll wait—just one more day!”
Wukong was uneasy at this point. If Marshal Tian Peng wasn’t drunk at the Peach Banquet and remained sober enough to avoid entering the Guanghan Palace, he might have to resort to some trickery. But that would surely reduce the effectiveness of his plan and risk exposure.
Seeing the Lord of the Moon walk away with the palace maids, Wukong said, “There’s surely no one watching in the Moon Palace now—this is the perfect chance to sneak in.” So the two of them slipped back into the Moon Palace.
Indeed, only a few maids of low cultivation were guarding the palace, allowing Wukong and Hou Yi to move about as if unobserved. They wandered through corridors and around pillars and soon found the Guanghan Palace.
This place was different from the rest; the entire palace was built of white jade, and its grandeur surpassed even the Lord of the Moon’s palace. Wukong praised, “Chang’e’s residence is truly magnificent.”
Hou Yi replied indifferently, “She must be favored more than others.”
Wukong was surprised, but upon reflection, it made sense. Could the Jade Emperor really treat Chang’e differently? The ruler of all heavens would he be swayed by beauty?
Inside the Guanghan Palace, only four fairies were waiting outside the door; there was no one inside. The two entered the room and arrived at Chang’e’s bedroom. Hou Yi stepped in right away, while Wukong felt it was improper, but then thought they were husband and wife—what was there to worry about?
As soon as Hou Yi lifted the beaded curtain, he froze, his eyes the only part of his body moving. Wukong, following behind, was also astonished by the furnishings inside, but after a moment, he understood.
There was a wooden bed in the room, not even a curtain, a few animal skins hung on the walls, a long bow without a string, two bamboo stools, and a square table. Other than that, it was completely empty. This wasn’t anything fit for the heavenly palace—it clearly resembled a hunter’s home in the mortal world.
Hou Yi was stunned for a long time, until his eyes reddened and tears welled in his tiger-like eyes. It turned out that for these tens of thousands of years, Chang’e had lived like this. Just by seeing what was before him, he understood that in Chang’e’s heart, the love between husband and wife had never faded.

Hou Yi entered the room and gently stroked the long bow on the wall, saying, “This bow was used by me for hunting in the mortal world. Since I often went out, I asked Chang’e to store the bowstring to prevent it from becoming too loose after being stretched for too long.” Hou Yi went to the square table, opened a drawer, and indeed found a bowstring inside. He fitted the string onto the bow and pulled it a few times, then sighed, “I really miss hunting for her!”
Wukong laughed and said, “Don’t worry, senior. It’s right here!”
Hou Yi hung up the bow and asked, “Shall we wait here for her to return?”
Wukong replied, “We need to wait not only for your wife but also for one more person before your doubts can be dispelled.”
Hou Yi asked, “Who is that person?”
Wukong said, “Feng Meng!”
“Feng Meng?” Hou Yi was shocked beyond measure, his eyes filling with rage in an instant. “Is that scoundrel still alive?”
Wukong said, “You’ll know whether he is or not soon enough. But you must promise me that you won’t show up unless I call you!” Hou Yi retorted, “Do you think I’m some naive kid? Have I lived these tens of thousands of years for nothing?”
Wukong laughed and said, “That would be best.”
Suddenly, both of them heard strange noises coming from outside. They quickly used their supernatural abilities to pass through the wall. The next room was a study, filled with dozens of bookshelves. It seemed Chang’e used reading to pass the time when she was alone.
With their supernatural powers, it was easy for them to pass through the white jade wall. They saw a jade rabbit hopping in from outside, leaping onto Chang’e’s wooden bed and lying down to sleep.
Hou Yi couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t expected Chang’e to keep a rabbit. When Wukong saw the jade rabbit, he thought, If we succeed this time, you little thing won’t be able to cause trouble in Tianzhu anymore.
The two waited for a long time until they heard movement outside. It was Chang’e returning, accompanied by another person. Chang’e said, “Lord Lingyun, since we’re at the door, how could I not come in and have a chat?”
Lord Lingyun laughed gracefully and said, “Lady Guanghan, your dancing skills outshone everyone today. In front of you, I can only feel ashamed of myself.”
Chang’e replied calmly, “Oh, no. It was a group performance; it was all the sisters’ efforts.”
Lord Lingyun said, “You’re too modest. You always seem so indifferent, neither happy nor sad. I wonder why you’re so melancholic.”
Chang’e said, “There’s nothing to be sad about, nor anything to be happy about.”
Lord Lingyun said, “If I were you, I would have already agreed to serve the Jade Emperor in the Jade Pool. It’s much better than being here in this desolate place.”
Chang’e said, “If you bring this up again, then please leave.”

Only the sound of a sleeve being flung could be heard as the Lord of Lingyun Palace said, “Hmph, always asking you to leave—yet it’s all for your own good.” After saying that, there was no further sound, seemingly indicating that she had indeed been “asked to leave” by Chang’e.

Once inside the Guanghan Palace, Chang’e stopped using any stealth techniques and walked in slowly, step by step, with heavy steps, just like an ordinary person. Hearing Chang’e approaching, Wukong grew worried, fearing that Hou Yi might lose control and rush out, so he placed his hand on Hou Yi’s shoulder. Hou Yi nodded slightly, and only then did Wukong feel a little relieved.

When they reached the door of the bedroom, Chang’e let out a soft sigh. That sigh was gentle yet melodious, carrying a hint of deep sorrow and resentment. Though Wukong was an outsider, he still felt pity upon hearing it.

Hou Yi’s body trembled slightly, and Wukong sent a message: “Don’t let your efforts go to waste!”

Chang’e entered the bedroom, sat on the bed, stroked the fur of the jade rabbit, and gently opened her lips to sing, “All day I gather greenery, yet it fills not even a handful. I start weaving patterns, then quickly return to wash my hair. All day I pick orchids, yet they fill not even a sleeve. Five days was the agreed time, yet six days pass without his return. That man is out hunting; he says he’ll tighten his bow…”

At first, the song seemed unremarkable, but after a few lines, a strong longing became evident. Wukong didn’t understand its meaning, but Hou Yi was deeply moved. Chang’e had sung this song to him before—it told the story of a woman whose husband was away, who longed for him, kept looking toward the village entrance, and wondered why he hadn’t returned after the agreed five days…

Suddenly, Wukong heard something strange outside. The four maids outside the Guanghan Palace were breathing heavily. Though their ranks were low, they had long mastered internal breathing and didn’t need to breathe through their mouths and noses like ordinary people. From their sounds, it seemed they had been struck by drowsiness or some immobilizing spell.

Soon, a figure drifted in like a ghost and stood motionless in front of Chang’e’s bedroom. Wukong and Hou Yi could see clearly—it was Marshal Tianpeng!

Wukong was overjoyed—he had indeed arrived.

Seeing Marshal Tianpeng’s appearance, Hou Yi turned to look at Wukong, his eyes filled with shock. Wukong understood the meaning in his gaze: first, shock that Fengmeng had reappeared in the heavenly court; second, shock at Wukong’s foresight for knowing that Fengmeng would come here.

Marshal Tianpeng’s face was red, clearly drunk, yet his eyes held a hint of resentment and endless desire.

Chang’e was lost in the melody and didn’t notice anyone outside. Tianpeng’s expression was uncertain, as if hesitating. Just as he was wavering, Chang’e looked up and accidentally saw the hunting bow on the wall—she was shocked.

The bow had a string installed on it! Chang’e blurted out, “Who is there?”

This sound startled Tian Peng. Gathering his courage, he pushed aside the beaded curtain and said, “My wife, it’s me!”