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.