Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told Chapter 183: Arrows in All Directions

In the Guanghan Palace, the Lord of the Moon was relieved to see Chang’e unharmed. She knew Chang’e was deeply favored by the Jade Emperor, and any mishap might lead to blame falling on her. Still, she comforted her a few words and used magic to restore Tian Peng’s damaged area to its original state before leading the other immortals away.

Chang’e noticed that the four fairy guards at the entrance, though rescued, still seemed drowsy, so she told them to rest for now. She walked slowly back toward the palace gates, still pondering what had just happened. Tian Peng usually just glanced around and left after saying a few words, never as aggressive as today. Chang’e had never reported this to higher authorities not out of kindness, but because, aside from herself, perhaps only Tian Peng and her husband Hou Yi were involved. Thus, she had always chosen to tolerate him. Today, having committed such a grave offense, even if he survived, he likely would never have another chance to come here again.

Back in her bedroom, Chang’e gently placed the Jade Rabbit on the bed, then stood up to take down the hunting bow hanging on the wall. As she unstrung it, she said, “Husband, my husband… do you know how much I miss you?” Before she could finish, tears streamed down her face.

At that moment, a large hand reached out from behind and covered hers. A voice long awaited said, “Don’t take it down. I’ll go hunt for you.”

Chang’e was initially startled, then closed her eyes and murmured, “Alright, I know. It’s a dream. Even if it is, let me enjoy it a little longer…”

The voice continued, “Xiao Yi, I’m sorry for you. Let me take you home now, okay?” Chang’e’s real name was Chang Yi, but Hou Yi always called her Xiao Yi.

Like in a dream, Chang’e said, “Go wherever you want…” As soon as she finished speaking, she felt strong hands lift her. The voice said, “After all these years, you’re still so light.”

How could this still be a dream? Chang’e cried out, opened her eyes, and saw a face she longed for smiling at her. Overwhelmed with joy and shock, she fainted.

On the bed, the Jade Rabbit saw Chang’e being carried away and quietly slipped toward the door. Hou Yi, fearing it might run off and cause trouble, called out, “Wukong!”

Wukong appeared, grabbed the Jade Rabbit, and said with a smile, “This is a friend. Don’t run around.” The Jade Rabbit blinked its big eyes, showing no sign of fear.

After a while, Chang’e slowly regained consciousness. Only then did she truly believe she was in Hou Yi’s arms. Tears flowed freely as she choked up, saying, “Where have you been? You didn’t even tell me…”

Seeing Chang’e looking tearful, Hou Yi felt even more pity for her and said, “Xiao Yi, let me take you home first, and then I’ll explain everything to you slowly, okay?”
Chang’e nodded repeatedly, wrapping her arms tightly around Hou Yi, as if afraid she might lose him and he would leave again.
Hou Yi said to Wukong, “Back then, I entrusted Chang’e to the Queen Mother. It’s only proper to say goodbye to her today.”
Wukong nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll go with you.” With that, he transformed into a scholar in white, putting on an arrogant tone and saying, “Ancient Zhuanxu, please give me your guidance.”
Hou Yi laughed heartily and nodded, “You do indeed bear a fair resemblance to him.”
Wukong placed the Jade Rabbit in Chang’e’s arms, and the two flew away from Guanghan Palace, heading west.
Along the way, they encountered many heavenly soldiers. By the time they arrived at such speed, it was too late for them to stop them.
After Tian Peng caused chaos in Guanghan Palace, the Jade Emperor left the Jade Pool early and returned to the Tongming Hall to interrogate Tian Peng. Though Tian Peng was quite brave, he couldn’t match the overwhelming numbers of the heavenly troops. The Four Great Celestial Masters used magic along with the help of various stars, and after a fierce battle, they captured him.
Now standing in the Tongming Hall, the Jade Emperor signaled Gou Chen, the god in charge of punishment, to carry out the sentence. Gou Chen said, “Tian Peng violated the sacred grounds of the Moon Palace, played tricks on the palace maidens while drunk, and refused to obey orders, using force to resist. By law, he deserves to be struck by lightning and sent back to reincarnation.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a heavenly messenger reported from outside, “Your Majesty, there are two people outside who claim to be ancient figures and have come here to search for their wives.”
“Oh? Ancient figures? Please bring them in quickly,” said the Jade Emperor.
Hou Yi held Chang’e in his arms, with Wukong following behind. The two walked into the Tongming Hall with heads held high.
Upon seeing Hou Yi, Tian Peng trembled as if he’d seen a demon, collapsing to the ground in fear.
Seeing that the one in Hou Yi’s arms was indeed Chang’e, the Jade Emperor grew furious and demanded, “Who are you? How dare you pretend to be ancient figures? Put down the people of my heavenly court at once!”
Realizing the Jade Emperor was upset because of Chang’e, Hou Yi replied calmly, “My name is Hou Yi, and the one in my arms is my wife.” As soon as he spoke, everyone in the hall was shocked, and the officials below began to discuss it fervently. Hou Yi was a legendary figure who hadn’t appeared on earth for tens of thousands of years—no one expected him to still be alive!
Seeing all the celestial officials around, Chang’e became extremely ashamed. She broke free from Hou Yi’s arms and stood on her own, saying, “Your Majesty, this is my husband, Hou Yi.”
The Jade Emperor didn’t reply to her but said to the officials, “My lords, do you know Hou Yi?” It was as if he hadn’t asked at all—how could these immortals not know Hou Yi’s name?

Taibai Jinxing was best at guessing the emperor’s intentions. He stepped forward and said, “Sure, we know it’s true, but we’ve never seen the real person.” Zhang Daoling was the second to realize this and immediately added, “Everyone knows Chang’e is Hou Yi’s wife, but Hou Yi has been missing for tens of thousands of years. According to rumors, he has long passed away.”

Li Jing, the Heavenly King who wielded a tower, had gained some experience after several major events. He stepped forward and said, “That’s right. I’ve also heard about it.”

Taibai Jinxing said, “If this man really is Hou Yi, then it’s only right to bring back his wife.”

Li Jing replied, “But if someone is trying to deceive us, that’s certainly unacceptable.”

Zhang Daoling added, “Lady Chang’e, don’t let anyone deceive you and cause you to make a lifelong mistake!”

The three of them spoke in unison, implying that since you claim to be Hou Yi but your words aren’t decisive, in our view, you’re more likely to be a fraud. Of course, Chang’e’s words don’t count either—her powers are weak, and ordinary spells might not be enough to expose the truth. Who really has the final say, and whether you can take Chang’e away, depends on the person of highest status—the Jade Emperor.

Hou Yi was in high spirits when he saw Chang’e. Hearing the three of them talk as if performing a play, he wasn’t annoyed. He said, “What the immortals say makes sense. But how can we prove that I am indeed Hou Yi?”

Taibai Jinxing replied, “I have an idea. There are many talented and extraordinary people in my heavenly court. Let them go to the mortal world and investigate. If they find any news about Hou Yi’s birth, they will return and report back. What do you think?”

Hou Yi asked, “What if they can’t find anything?”

Li Jing said, “If they can’t find him, then you’re a fake!”

Hou Yi replied, “Whether I’m real or fake, there’s someone here who can testify. Why go to such trouble?”

Li Jing smirked and said, “Lady Chang’e’s testimony doesn’t count. There are countless unorthodox spells—who knows if you’re capable of using them—”

“It’s not her who needs to testify,” Hou Yi interrupted Li Jing, pointing at Tian Peng lying on the ground. “Let him testify instead. Is that okay?”

“Good!” It was the Jade Emperor who spoke. “Tian Peng, it’s up to you to determine whether this man is Hou Yi or not. You’re still under punishment, so be careful with your answer. Don’t lie!”

Hearing the Jade Emperor’s words, which seemed to imply forgiveness, even a fool like Tian Peng knew how to respond. He immediately shook his head vigorously and said, “No, no! This man is definitely not Hou Yi!”

Hou Yi asked, “If you don’t recognize me, then why do you collapse the moment you see me?”

Tian Peng snorted twice and said, “I’m just tired. What of it?”

Hou Yi laughed in response. “What a heavenly court! As if I’ve never been here. Don’t blame me for being rude!” With that, he took Chang’e’s wrist and said, “Let’s go!”

“Dare you!” Li Jing stepped in front and shouted, “If deception fails, will you resort to force?”
Hou Yi sneered and said, “Force? If I wanted to use force, could you stop me?”
Li Jing roared, “Nezha, capture him!”
Nezha raised his Demon-Slaying Sword, ready to engage in combat in the court. Seeing all the warriors staring fiercely, Chang’e, who had never witnessed celestial battles before and had no idea whether Hou Yi was stronger or weaker than them, hurriedly said, “Husband, be careful!”
The Jade Emperor, filled with jealousy and anger at Chang’e’s concerned expression, ordered, “Capture them both!”
As Nezha approached Hou Yi, he saw no sign of Hou Yi moving. Instead, there was a sound like a zither string being plucked, followed by a sharp impact. His wrist went numb, and his Demon-Slaying Sword was sent flying by some unknown force, embedding itself deep into the stone pillar behind him.
Nezha was shocked and quickly stepped back several steps. What kind of dark magic was this?
Hou Yi said, “Wu… Brother Zhuanxu, keep an eye on Chang’e for me.”
Wukong laughed and said, “Go ahead and fight. I’m here.”
Hou Yi gently took down the giant bow behind him and murmured to himself, “I haven’t used it in many years. I wonder how much of my shooting skills I still remember.”
Seeing the giant bow, Nezha realized that his Demon-Slaying Sword had been knocked away by an arrow. Such precision and power were truly astonishing. He then whispered to Li Jing, “Father, I think he must be Hou Yi.”
Li Jing gave Nezha a glare but shouted at the warriors, “Capture him!”
Hou Yi smiled at Li Jing and said, “Good!”
Holding the giant bow in his arms, he didn’t even raise it to aim. With a slight pull on the string, there was a soft click. Before Li Jing could react, a small arrow had already pierced the top of his helmet. Hou Yi said, “These are Mind-Intent Arrows. Wherever my mind directs them, there the arrowhead goes.”
Li Jing pulled out the arrow, horrified. If that arrow had hit his throat, he wouldn’t have been able to dodge it.
At that moment, three celestial generals attacked from behind. Without turning around, Hou Yi pulled the string again, and the three men screamed in pain as they fell to the ground. Wukong saw clearly that the three arrows formed a circle in front of Hou Yi before flying backward. Hou Yi asked, “How does this move, ‘Twisting Paths’?”
No one else answered; only Wukong exclaimed, “Good!”
The other celestial generals, intimidated by Hou Yi, dared not approach. Seeing the Jade Emperor’s displeased expression, Li Jing gritted his teeth and summoned the Linglong Pagoda in his hand. Its full name was the Eight-Treasure Linglong Transparent Ruyi Relic Golden Pagoda, known for subduing demons and monsters. Even Nezha, the Third Prince, had once been subdued by this pagoda.

Seeing the pagoda spinning toward his head, Hou Yi’s expression turned solemn. He somehow produced a long arrow from somewhere on his body, nocked it on his bow, pulled the string to seven-tenths of its tension, and shot the arrow like a meteor, which pierced through the bottom of the pagoda. The pagoda, once shining with brilliant light, immediately lost its luster and fell down dull and gray. Li Jing was shocked and terrified; he tried to use magic to recall the pagoda, but there was no response. Since the pagoda was extremely important to him, he disregarded his pride and rushed over to pick it up. Hou Yi said, “Breaking Magic Arrow!” On the throne, the Jade Emperor was both astonished and enraged by Hou Yi’s audacity in displaying such powers in the Hall of Clarity. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Hou Yi take out another arrow, his bow drawn taut like a full moon, aiming straight at him.