Though Monkey was versatile and boasted supernatural powers, Great Sage Sun as he was called, was fooled into coming up to heaven by the Great White Planet. The Jade Emperor conferred upon Monkey the title of Protector of the Horses. When Monkey realized that his job was to look after the horses he became so angry that he returned to his Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. Upon returning, he put up a sign which declared himself “the Great Sage Equalling Heaven.” The Jade Emperor swiftly ordered two heavenly generals to command some heavenly troops to capture Monkey. Li Jing and Ne Zha served as the commanders of the heavenly troops. When they arrived at the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, they ordered the Mighty Magic Spirit to challenge Monkey. Great Sage Sun asked the Mighty Magic Spirit to forward his message to the Jade Emperor that if he was conferred the title of “The Great Sage Equalling Heaven,” he would refrain from attacking the Heavenly Palace of the Jade Emperor.

The Mighty Magic Spirit was too headstrong to flaunt his superiority but he was bitterly defeated by Monkey. Ne Zha changed into a fighter with three heads and six arms each holding a different weapon. Just as he was charging at Great Sage Sun, Monkey also changed into three heads and six arms wielding three gold cudgels. The two were soon engaged in a heated battle. Cudgels and spears were soon engaged in a heated battle. Cudgels and spears were wielded while swords and broad swords emitted flashes of light in front of a water-covered cave at the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. The troops in either camp shouted and waved flags to express support for Great Sage Sun and Ne Zha. The sky was darkened by the asnd and stone stirred up by their bitter fight. When Monkey saw that it was hard to win the battle, he pulled out a thread of his hair and made it become an image of himself while his real body leapt behind Ne Zha for a surprise attack. Monkey wielded his cudgel and hit Ne Zha from behind. Ne Zha was forced to withdraw.

When Li Jing, also known as Heavenly King, saw that two of his generals were defeated, he sent out the signal to retreat. The Jade Emperor was thus forced to confer the title of “the Great Sage Equalling Heaven”upon Monkey.