Fite fite fite

Facing the giant demon, Sun Wukong leapt to punch its face. However, the blow was blocked by a massive hand. It laughed and swung its massive sword, which was easily dodged. After a brief exchange of attacks and witty retorts, the Demon King had been hit several times but still fought on without hesitation. The Monkey King retreated to use magic.

Hundreds of small monkeys appeared to attack the demon. They bit and clawed, and then picked it up to toss to the ground. Sun Wukong stood before the fallen monster and finished it off with the sword it had once wielded.

Once the demons’ leader was taken care of, it was an easy matter sweeping the hideout for underlings. In the cave there were several monkeys who had been kidnapped, which the Monkey King easily carried back with him to the others. 

The return of the lost merited a fine feast. The monkeys were rapt with attention as Sun Wukong regaled them with tales of his journey. They enjoyed that night greatly.

And the following day they began to train.


I claim no ownership of the image.

Sun Wukong: Return

The Monkey King departed soon and, using one of the many spells he had learned over the many years, arrived back at the Mountain of Flower and Fruit within a few hours. Hearing his fellow monkeys crying out, he announced his presence.

They gathered around him and began to explain the situation. A demon had been harassing them and blocking off the idyllic cave discovered by the Monkey King. Furious at the demon’s audacity, Sun Wukong cried, “Who are they? These deeds shall not go unpunished. Tell me everything, then I shall go and defeat it.”

The leading ape bowed and said, “The Demon King of Confusion, as it calls itself, resides somewhere to the north. We have not been able to find the exact location of its lair.”

Sun Wukong departed and soon saw a massive peak that stood out from the surrounding mountains. Nearing, he saw several minor devils rushing about.

“Deliver a message to the Demon you serve,” he commanded. “I am king of the Mountain of Flower and Fruit to the South. You monsters have been mistreating my people, I demand that the Demon come out and fight me.”

The devils hurried to their leader and described the new contestant. After hearing of his words, the demon king laughed and prepared to fight.

From the cave emerged the massive Demon King of Confusion, who held a brilliant sword and wore a magnificent set of black armor, cape billowing in the breeze. Far below it hovered the Monkey King, in a simple robe and with nothing to fight with but his fists.

 

Who will win this fight? Read the next installment to find out!

 

Unless you have any degree of genre-savviness! But, I digress.


I claim no ownership of the image.

==>

The time came when the other disciples asked Sun Wukong of the magics he had learned. The monkey was eager to talk, attributing his mastery of the spells to the Immortal as well as to his own practice. This only excited the others more, and they asked him to show it. 

Sun Wukong flashed a grin and asked, “What’s it to be? Tell me what I should turn into.” 

“Turn into a pine tree!” one clamored, and he did so. Everyone clapped and chuckled upon seeing the dramatic display, and the tree changed back into a monkey.

Hearing the racket, Subhuti emerged from his room and inquired, “Who’s making all this noise?”

They were quick to explain what had happened so as to ease any worries about outsiders. However, the master was not pleased at their antics. The disciples were sent away until only the Immortal and the Monkey King remained. 

“Is that the way you wish to use those spells, for showing off? Might they not ask you to teach them? You can easily get in trouble this way.”

Sun Wukong balked at the admonishment, and desperately apologized. Subhuti made it clear that there was no anger, only disappointment. 

“You will have to leave. Return to where you came from, or explore, but you will never be able to come back here.”


I claim no ownership of the image.

Sun Wukong: Learn

The other disciples were angry at Sun Wukong for driving off the master. To them, he had offended by refusing to learn. Despite their loathing, the Monkey King was cheerful. In the back of his mind was the answer to the riddle, so he bore their resentment without response. The actions of Subhuti in leaving held subtle clues that suggested a meeting in secret to the keen mind of the monkey. For the rest of the day Sun Wukong waited impatiently in the cave, staring at the sky until dusk. He went to bed with the others, but made sure to stay awake.

At the third watch, the monkey would go to the back door. Lacking another method for keeping track of time, he breathed slowly and counted until the approximate time. Outside was a brilliant, clear sea of stars and emptiness in the sky. Sun Wukong made his way along an old path to the back door, which was ajar. Seeing this as confirmation of his belief, he quietly entered and crouched by the bed inside. Not wanting to disturb the Immortal who slumbered upon it, the Monkey King knelt and waited until they awoke. Subhuti was surprised to see the monkey inside instead of at the door, but once composed was impressed that he understood the cryptic message. They offered to teach Sun Wukong the Way of Immortality, and he accepted.


I claim no ownership of the image.

==>

Sun Wukong soon settled into the calm way of the monastery, learning and meditating with all the other disciples. In his free time he would do whatever work needed to be done. It was a simple life that provided all necessities of life, and years passed without the Monkey King noticing.

One day the Immortal called all the disciples together to learn the Way. Their profound teaching excited Sun Wukong, who began eagerly jumping and clapping. Disturbed by the commotion, Subhuti asked why he was leaping about instead of listening. Sun Wukong answered, “I was listening to your teachings with all my attention, but your marvellous words amazed me so much I jumped without realizing. Please forgive me.”

“If you truly understand my words, then tell me how long you have been here.”

The monkey did not know, but remembered that he had fetched firewood for the stove seven times. According to the Immortal’s words, that meant he had lived there for seven years.

With this knowledge, Subhuti queried what Way the Monkey King wished to learn. He was offered the Way of Magic Arts, the Way of Sects, the Way of Silence, and the Way of Action. Each time, Sun Wukong asked whether he could gain immortality through that method. Each time, the answer was no and he refused. Frustrated, the Immortal descended and slapped him three times, yelling “You won’t study this and you won’t study that, so what do you want, you monkey?” before leaving.


I claim no ownership of the image.

==> land

The raft did not reach land for several days, but the Monkey King’s determination did not wane. When he did finally reach a shallow point, he leaped off of the raft and raced to the shore. The people who saw him screamed and fled, but the Monkey King managed to catch one and make them give him a disguise. Afterwards he was able to wander as he pleased among their society.

He would imitate the people he saw, but never forgot his goal and was always asking of the Immortals and Sages. Nobody cared about death or the secret of immortality, and after years of exploring he realized there was nothing for him on the small island. After hearing of a continent to the west over a great sea, he built another raft and set sail once again.

The Monkey King arrived and journeyed over the land, always enquiring as to the nature and whereabouts of the immortal beings. The effort paid off eventually, when he arrived at a massive yet graceful mountain. Awed and uncaring of any predators foolish enough to attack, he climbed until he reached a small forest. From it came a simple melody, which was sung by a woodcutter engrossed in their work. It mentioned Immortals, at which the Monkey King interrupted delightedly, “So this is where the Immortals have been hiding.” However, when he greeted the worker as an Immortal his assumption was quickly refuted.

“No, no. I don’t even have enough to eat or drink, so how can I possibly let you call me an Immortal?” The Monkey King was confused, as the song had also used a term that he had learned to associate with the way of Immortality. When asked, the worker explained that they were taught the song by another and directed the monkey to the cave where the Immortal lived.  

The Monkey King made his way along a path until he reached a forest with doors set in a giant rock wall. He did not dare knock, and instead waited for somebody to emerge. When the doors finally did open, it was an apprentice with a noble bearing who he saw.

“Who is making that row out here?”


I claim no ownership of the image.

==>

Image result for spring of water

The monkey soon grew control and began exploring the land. He lived off the plants that grew on the mountain and was able to befriend all of the wild creatures that roamed. Other monkeys lived there too, and they often relaxed and played together. After eating, the monkeys would bathe in a small stream and sleep in a small forest. It was a simple, peaceful life and the stone monkey had not a care in the world.

The stream began high in the mountains, and of course the monkeys grew curious. After much gossip and speculation, they traveled along it to find its source. It emerged from a hole in the mountain and fell in a brilliant waterfall that shone with the rainbow. The monkeys were delighted and dared each other to enter the cave through the water in return for being made king. The stone monkey was eager to take the risk. He stepped forward and cried, “I’ll go! I’ll go!” He crouched and shut his eyes, then leaped through the spray.

When he looked up he saw a vast cavern spread out beneath him. At his feet was an iron bridge covered with emerald moss and mist. At the end was an empty house made of and furnished with stone. The stone monkey was overcome with glee and hurriedly rushed to the water curtain.

The other monkeys gathered around and listened with wonder as he described the contents of the cave. The monkeys doubtfully asked, “How ever could you see a house down there?” They challenged him to take them there. Following him, they gaped at the rare flowers and giant house. After taking it all in they rushed to take the stone plates and slam the stone benches within the house in accordance with their mischievous nature. The stone monkey reminded them,  “Gentlemen, those who break their word are worthless. Just now you said that if anyone was clever enough to come in here and get out again in one piece, you’d make them king. Well, then. I’ve come in and gone out, and gone out and come in. I’ve found you gentlemen a cave heaven where you can sleep in peace and all settle down to live in bliss. Why haven’t you made me king?”

They were, of course, eager to do so after receiving the benefits of the discovery he had made. They bowed and paid him homage, calling him the Great King of a Thousand Years. Of them was made a bureaucracy, which swore to use intelligence instead of acting as wild beasts did. They celebrated and lived for years in the splendor of the Monkey King’s court.

 


I claim no ownership of the image.

Skip to toolbar