[Journey to the West + Social Maneuvering + Wild Imagination + Subverting Expectations]
After three thousand years of earning merit and ascending to immortality, I, Li Chang Geng, have ended up as the Heavenly Court's HR director.
When the Journey to the West project begins, the Jade Emperor appoints me head of the "Eighty-One Tribulations HR Team" because of my "extensive experience."
I rub my hands together, ready to rake in the spoils.
Instead, I discover that I've become the battlefield in a power struggle between the bigwigs of the Heavenly Court and Spirit Mountain!
Immortals bearing gifts flood my doorstep, but every one of them has powerful connections. I don't dare offend anyone, but I can't agree to anything either.
The Jade Emperor wants me to keep Spirit Mountain in check, Spirit Mountain treats me like I'm invisible, and the gift-givers complain that I never get anything done.
Caught between all sides, I can barely take a step.
But after going through countless "tribulations," I uncover a shocking secret:
This scripture-fetching journey has been a carefully planned scheme to funnel benefits from beginning to end!
The immortals and Buddhas claim the merit, while the demon race takes the blame.
Fuming with rage, I remember the Journey to the West I once read. It's my only golden finger.
Fine. You all love putting on a show, do you?
You think of me as a pawn?
Then I'll use my authority as HR director to put on a proper performance with you!
From today on, I'll decide which demons get hired, which immortals come to the rescue, and how the merit gets divided. I'll arrange it all.
When the final tribulation ends, Spirit Mountain expects Buddhism to flourish, and the Heavenly Court waits for merit from the Heavenly Dao.
But then they discover that nine-tenths of the merit has gone to Li Chang Geng's team.
I'll show all the gods and Buddhas in heaven who the real director behind this grand "Journey to the West" production is!
