Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"Should I perhaps go and greet the Queen Mother? It seems a bit inappropriate to keep stealthily stealing her Peaches of Immortality!"

At the Heavenly Court, outside of the Jade Pond Water Pavilion, Sun Wukong watched the Heavenly Soldiers guarding the entrance to the pavilion and stroked his chin in contemplation.

After parting ways with the Puti Patriarch and the others, Sun Wukong rode the clouds to the Heavenly Court. To Demon Master Kunpeng, Sun Wukong had gifted a gourd of Triumph in Battle Wine, allowing him to use the wine's energy to refine the Spirit Emperor. As a result, there wasn't much of the Triumph in Battle Wine left.

There were still quite a few ginseng fruit remaining, but no more Peaches of Immortality. Wukong had no choice but to make another trip to the Heavenly Court and take a stroll through the Peach Garden.

In these times of great conflict, no one could predict when a great battle might erupt. It was always right to prepare in advance, gathering more Triumph in Battle Wine for when the critical moment arrived—surely it would prove useful!

However, making a rare trip to the Heavenly Court, especially to pick Peaches of Immortality, meant that he should at least notify the Queen Mother. After all, Sun Wukong's disagreement was with the Jade Emperor, not the Queen Mother, with whom he shared quite a good relationship.

With a flash of his figure, Sun Wukong darted past the Heavenly Soldiers, who seemed oblivious as he sauntered into the Jade Pond.

Deep within the Jade Pond, inside the Queen Mother's chamber.

"Queen Mother, Old Sun has come to see you!"

The Queen Mother, resting with her eyes closed at her desk, was startled by Sun Wukong's abrupt voice.

Opening her eyes and seeing Sun Wukong, a hint of surprise and pleasure flashed in the Queen Mother's eyes, but she feigned displeasure and glared at Sun Wukong, "You little monkey, moving so silently. You're very bold to dare come here!"

"If it was that old Jasper's place, Old Sun couldn't be bothered to visit, but I made a special trip to see you because this is your territory, Queen Mother!"

With a chuckle, Sun Wukong made himself comfortable on a nearby lounge chair, grabbed a bunch of grapes, and started munching on them with relish.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh and scolded as she rolled her eyes at Sun Wukong, "Sounds nice! You, monkey, never do anything unless there's something in it for you. Did you come to the Heavenly Palace just to see me, or do you have something else in mind for my palace?"

"Well... Heh heh!"

Scratching his head, Sun Wukong replied, "Queen Mother, you're spot-on. Old Sun indeed wanted to ask you for something..."

"What thing?"

"To borrow a few Peaches of Immortality."

"Get out! I knew you, monkey, were up to no good, coveting the Peaches of Immortality again!"

The Queen Mother glared, "Do you think the Peach Garden is open just for you, ready for you to pluck whenever you fancy?"

"Queen Mother, Old Sun's intentions in borrowing the Peaches of Immortality are sincere; it's not mere gluttony!"

Sun Wukong pursed his lips. He never curtailed his appetite, but he wouldn't go out of his way to the Heavens just for a peach craving.

"Oh? If it's not because you're craving, then why?"

The Queen Mother eyed Sun Wukong skeptically. Everyone knew that monkeys loved peaches, and back in the day, Sun Wukong certainly didn't hold back in taking peaches from the Peach Garden!

"To brew wine!"

As Sun Wukong spoke, he flipped his palm over, revealed a gourd of Triumph in Battle Wine, and offered it to the Queen Mother, "Queen Mother, this is the Triumph in Battle Wine that Old Sun has brewed. What do you say to trading it for some Peaches of Immortality?"

"Combat Victory Wine? You sure talk big for a monkey!"

The Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh as she looked at Sun Wukong, pulling the cork out of the gourd and bringing it to her lips, "Let's see what's so special about this wine... Huh?"

A strange fragrance wafted from the gourd, and a look of surprise flashed across the Queen Mother's face. As the scent entered her nose, it transformed into a warm current that flowed into her body, and she suddenly felt an increase in the upper limit of her Immortal Primordial Force.

"What kind of wine is this?"

The Queen Mother looked at Sun Wukong in astonishment.

"Combat Victory Wine!"

Sun Wukong responded, completely unflustered.

"How did you brew it?"

"It's made from ginseng fruit and nine-thousand-year peaches, along with a few other types of Immortal Fruits. But now, while there's still ginseng fruit, the nine-thousand-year peaches and other Immortal Fruits are gone, so that's why I came to you, Queen Mother, to find a solution!"

Sun Wukong said playfully, the reaction of the Queen Mother was exactly what he had anticipated; everyone who first encountered Combat Victory Wine reacted this way.

"Ginseng fruit?! Did you get it from Zhen Yuanzi?"

The Queen Mother was even more astonished upon hearing this. Zhen Yuanzi's ginseng fruit tree bears only thirty fruits every ten thousand years, which are even more rare than the nine-thousand-year peaches. Zhen Yuanzi cherished them greatly, so how could he have given them to Sun Wukong?

"That's right! Brother Zhen Yuanzi and I have become sworn brothers. I exchanged the Combat Victory Wine for his ginseng fruit, and since you have so many peaches, Queen Mother, why not exchange some with me?"

"Fine, go pick them yourself from the Peach Garden, but don't waste them. Leave some for me!"

The Queen Mother agreed almost without hesitation, quickly corking the gourd and deftly pocketing the Combat Victory Wine. The wine contained incredibly pure Primordial Essence Qi, which was immensely effective for enhancing cultivation, healing injuries, and breaking through bottlenecks—its value far surpassed that of the nine-thousand-year peaches!

"Thank you, Queen Mother. I knew you would agree!"

Sun Wukong chuckled with delight and was about to head towards the Peach Garden when the Queen Mother called out to him.

"Wukong, do you know about Zi Lan's matter?"

The Queen Mother was unaware that Zi Xia Fairy had already recognized Sun Wukong as kin, and she now resided within the Heaven-Piercing Tower at Flower-Fruit Mountain. Having the chance to see Sun Wukong, she did not wish to keep him in the dark about this matter.

"Queen Mother, are you talking about Zi Lan being reincarnated as Zi Xia? I already know about it!"

Upon hearing her, Sun Wukong instantly understood what the Queen Mother meant. Zi Xia Fairy's title was bestowed by the Queen Mother herself, so she was naturally aware of Zi Xia Fairy's true identity. However, he did not expect the Queen Mother to bring it up voluntarily.

"You already know?"

The Queen Mother was startled—Sun Wukong knew? How had he found out?

"I have already recognized Zi Xia. She is currently cultivating in the middle of Flower-Fruit Mountain. But please, Queen Mother, keep this a secret and don't let it slip out. I believe you wouldn't want Zi Xia to suffer any more harm!"

Giving the Queen Mother a meaningful glance, Sun Wukong said no more and turned to leave the hall. He trusted that the Queen Mother would know what was best for Zi Xia Fairy.

"They've already recognized each other? This means Zi Xia must have regained her memory. I wonder if it's for better or worse? Let it be, let Wukong handle it. I won't worry about it anymore!"