"My dear brother..."

In Shuilian Cave, Immortal Zhen Yuan let out a long sigh, "Elder Jin Chan has truly gone missing this time."

Sun Wukong glanced at him.

"Immortal, are you doing this on purpose, not looking for him?"

He didn't understand why Immortal Zhen Yuan wasn't fond of Golden Cicada, but Golden Cicada was currently on his way leaving Huaguo Mountain.

"Brother, it's not me who made him go missing."

Immortal Zhen Yuan smiled slightly, then said, "It's rare for Elder Jin Chan to descend to the Lower Realm; he should not always stay in Huaguo Mountain, he ought to visit the human world."

Sun Wukong thought this made sense too; he himself would visit the Dragon Palace and the Kingdom of Aolai, whereas Golden Cicada had not left Huaguo Mountain for three years, even more reclusive than him.

The incarnation of Golden Cicada was bound by him, but after all, being a high disciple of Buddha, he wouldn't have any problems moving about in the human world.

Sun Wukong didn't mind any longer.

He continued entertaining Liu Heng.

At night, Immortal Zhen Yuan, not seeing Golden Cicada, felt his ears were finally at peace and hurriedly pulled Sun Wukong to discuss Tao.

"You come and join too."

Seeing Liu Heng with a face full of curious wonder, Sun Wukong invited him over as well.

Immortal Zhen Yuan usually disliked interruptions from mortals when discussing Tao, but today he was in a good mood and didn't say anything about it.

The three sat on the mountain peak, and Liu Heng, like in a dream, listened to the two immortals discussing Tao.

He, of course, couldn't understand what they were saying. But occasionally, Sun Wukong would turn back and give him a few pointers on cultivation, which would make Liu Heng suddenly enlighten, promptly memorizing them.

"How comfortable it is for immortals to discuss Tao, I really wish to come here to seek it!" thought Liu Heng.

It seemed as if Immortal Zhen Yuan heard his inner thoughts and suddenly laughed, "You can't seek to become an Immortal and ask about the Tao."

Liu Heng couldn't help himself: "Monkey King, could I learn Tao from you?"

Sun Wukong shook his head: "No, you are entangled in worldly affairs and it's very difficult to get away from them."

He looked up at the night sky; Liu Heng followed his gaze, watching as a thread of starlight gradually extinguished in the bright night sky.

Liu Heng seemed to tremble slightly in his heart.

Sun Wukong shook his head, "I'll go make some tea."

He mimicked the way Golden Cicada made it, brewing a pot of tea for the two of them, pouring it into cups.

Liu Heng, flattered, picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and found the tea not hot at all but instead refreshing and invigorating, immediately dispelling any drowsiness.

"How is it?" Sun Wukong asked with a smile, "My tea brewing isn't bad, right?"

After Liu Heng snapped back to his senses, he quickly expressed his thanks.

"Thank you for the Monkey King's Immortal Tea."

Sun Wukong smiled softly, his figure ethereal like a dream.

To himself, Liu Heng marveled, thinking that even a real immortal could not compare to the temperament of the Monkey King in front of him.

"If only I weren't a demon from Huaguo Mountain," Liu Heng thought regretfully. "Otherwise, I could surely learn the Tao here."

"There is no difference between demons and humans."

Sun Wukong saw through his thoughts and said, "Humans can also cultivate the Tao; it's just that you have more important things to do."

He added with a smile, "Actually, I envy humans. You possess something that demons do not have."

"What is that?"

Liu Heng eagerly inquired.

"Time," Sun Wukong answered with two words.

"Time?"

Liu Heng was confused.

But Immortal Zhen Yuan frowned slightly, showing a thoughtful look.

The same time, for different races, held different meanings.

Sun Wukong told Liu Heng that humans, having short lives, hence valued time more and had great initiative.

Before Huaguo Mountain, almost all technologies in this world were invented by humans.

"Never underestimate humans."

Sun Wukong said.

He revered humans; this tiny race, as recorded in the Heavenly Book, has achieved industrialization in just a few hundred years.

In Huaguo Mountain, despite Sun Wukong's urging, the progress of the demons was still slow.

The difference therein was actually the different concept of time.

The demons did not cherish every minute and every second as humans did.

In his heart, Liu Heng was shocked; he never expected that in this world there would be such regard for humans.

Even those immortals in heaven always looked down upon them with an exalted gaze.

"If he is the Human King, he will surely treat our Human Clan well."

Liu Heng couldn't help but think so.

A moment's thought, and a seed was sown, a cause and effect established.

The next day, Liu Heng bid farewell to Sun Wukong.

"Wait."

Before leaving, Sun Wukong called over a young man.

"Go with Prince Liu Heng and have a look outside."

He said to the youth.

The young man nodded and then bowed to Liu Heng, "Please instruct me, Prince."

"No need to bow."

Liu Heng hurriedly helped the young man back to his feet.

He then looked at Sun Wukong with a face full of confusion.

"This child was the one who originally delivered the Hundred Herbs Scripture."

Sun Wukong said.

Hearing Sun Wukong mention the origins of the Hundred Herbs Scripture, Liu Heng looked at the young man with new respect.

"Over the years, he has helped me compile the Hundred Herbs Scripture and learned quite a lot."

Sun Wukong went on: "His mortal engagements are not yet concluded, you take him back, find him a job, and let him broaden his knowledge. After a long stay, he will naturally return."

"No problem."

Liu Heng agreed immediately.

He bade farewell to the Monkey King several times, and left Huaguo Mountain with the youth.

Watching the island of Huaguo Mountain fade into the distance, Liu Heng couldn't help but sigh aboard the ship.

"When I deliver the Hundred Herbs Scripture to Empress Lü, finish mundane affairs, I'll bring my mother here to Huaguo Mountain to enjoy her remaining years."

Liu Heng thought to himself, his heart still yearning for the Tao.

His days of cultivation on Huaguo Mountain would surely be joyful.

Liu Heng longed to complete his tasks; yet, his journey home was not smooth, and it took him half a year to return to the Southern Continent.

An official had been waiting for a long time.

"Prince."

The official greeted him with a bow: "Empress Lü has passed away."

"What?"

Liu Heng was slow to react.

Realizing what had happened, his face instantly turned pale.

"Who is in charge now?"

With the death of Empress Lü, wouldn't the Lü clan be unrestrained and create chaos?

"Don't panic, Prince."

The official continued: "The Lü family rebelled and has been executed by Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, Prime Minister Chen Ping, and Marquis of Zhu Xu, Liu Zhang."

Liu Heng was stunned.

How could this have happened?

"Then who is the Emperor now?"

He hurriedly asked.

The official looked up at him: "The court officials discussed and agreed that you are benevolent and magnanimous, hoping that you will return to Chang'an to ascend the throne."

Liu Heng took a step back and then fully understood.

The mundane affairs the Monkey King spoke of were these.

He remembered that just before leaving, Sun Wukong had given him a scroll, a gift meant for Empress Lü.

Liu Heng unfurled the scroll, but it only had four characters written on it.

"The world is of utmost importance."

Seeing these four words, Liu Heng sighed.

It turned out that the Monkey King had detained him for several days, not for the sake of his seeking the Tao, but to make him treat the people kindly.

Liu Heng's heart was complicated, and once again, he turned to look in the direction of Huaguo Mountain and bowed three times.

Since the Immortal Dao is not to be sought, one should give priority to the well-being of all under heaven.

Liu Heng kept the Monkey King's words close to his heart, vowing to exhaust all capabilities in advancing technology.

From then on, Liu Heng returned to the Han Dynasty, ascended the throne, and promulgated the Hundred Herbs Scripture.

After many years, the name of the Wise Monkey resounded once again throughout Chang'an City.

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