The Monkey King, having just received his new name, was overjoyed and quickly bowed to thank Master Bodhi. The master wasted no time and instructed everyone to take Wukong outside to teach him the basics, like sweeping the floor, interacting with others, and proper etiquette. As Wukong left, he didn't forget to bow to his senior brothers and then found a spot under the corridor to settle in. The next day, he started learning how to speak, be polite, listen to teachings, and practice calligraphy and incense burning with his senior brothers. His days were quite fulfilling. In his free time, he swept the floors, tended to the garden, took care of flowers and trees, or gathered firewood and fetched water, living a very enjoyable life.
Before he knew it, Wukong had been in the cave for six or seven years. One day, the master sat on the high platform, gathered all the immortals, and began to expound on the great principles. The scene was so captivating that golden lotuses seemed to bloom on the ground. The master's teachings were both profound and entertaining, and Wukong was so engrossed that he couldn't help but jump around with joy. The master noticed and asked, "You monkey, why are you jumping around instead of listening attentively to my lecture?" Wukong quickly explained, "Master, your teachings are so wonderful that I couldn't contain my excitement and started jumping without realizing it. Please forgive me!"
The master then asked Wukong, "How long have you been here?" Wukong replied, "I'm not quite sure, Master. I just remember going to the back of the mountain to gather firewood and finding a peach tree where I've eaten my fill seven times." The master said, "That's Rotten Peach Mountain. Since you've eaten there seven times, it seems you've been here seven years. What kind of path do you wish to learn?" Wukong replied, "I'll learn whatever you teach, Master."
The master continued, "There are 360 paths in the 'Dao,' each with its own achievements. Which one would you like to learn?" Wukong said, "I'll do whatever you decide, Master." The master suggested, "How about I teach you the path of 'Shu'?" Wukong curiously asked, "What does the path of 'Shu' involve?" The master explained, "It's about divining, seeking fortune, and avoiding misfortune." Wukong asked, "Can it lead to immortality?" The master shook his head, "No, it can't." Wukong decisively said, "Then I won't learn it!"
The master then offered, "How about the path of 'Liu'?" Wukong asked, "What does the path of 'Liu' entail?" The master said, "It involves Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, yin and yang, medicine, reading scriptures, chanting Buddha's name, or worshipping deities." Wukong asked, "Can it lead to immortality?" The master replied, "Immortality is like 'a pillar in the wall'." Wukong was puzzled, "What does that mean?" The master explained, "It's like a pillar inside a wall; when the house collapses, it can't hold up." Wukong said, "That's not lasting, I won't learn it!"
The master continued, "How about the path of 'Jing'?" Wukong asked, "What does the path of 'Jing' achieve?" The master said, "It's about fasting, meditation, and observing silence." Wukong asked, "Can it lead to immortality?" The master said, "It's like 'a brick at the kiln's mouth'." Wukong laughed, "Master, you're really funny. What does that mean?" The master said, "It's like a brick not yet fired, which crumbles in a heavy rain." Wukong said, "That's not long-lasting either, I won't learn it!"
Finally, the master said, "How about the path of 'Dong'?" Wukong asked, "What does the path of 'Dong' involve?" The master said, "It's about action, balance of energies, and alchemy." Wukong asked, "Can it lead to immortality?" The master said, "It's like 'catching the moon in the water'." Wukong asked, "What does that mean?" The master said, "The moon is in the sky, and the reflection in the water is intangible." Wukong said, "I won't learn it either!"
The master, hearing this, jumped off the platform, picked up the ruler, and pointed at Wukong, saying, "You monkey, refusing to learn this or that, what do you want to learn?" Then he tapped Wukong's head three times and walked into the inner chamber, closing the door behind him, leaving everyone astonished. They all blamed Wukong, "You troublesome monkey! The master was willing to teach you the Dao, but you refused and argued. Now you've angered him, and who knows when he'll come out again?" Everyone was upset with Wukong, but he remained cheerful, knowing the master's intention. He understood that the three taps were a sign to visit the master at midnight through the back door for secret teachings.
On that day, Wukong and his fellow disciples were in front of the Three Stars Cave, feeling extremely happy, just hoping for the night to fall quickly. At dusk, they each found a place to lie down, pretending to rest with their eyes closed. In the mountains, there were no night watchmen to announce the time, so they had to rely on regulating their breathing to estimate the time. Around midnight, Wukong quietly got up, dressed, and stealthily opened the front door, avoiding everyone as he slipped out. Looking up, he saw it was a perfect time with the moon bright, the dew cold, and the surroundings clear and dust-free.
At this moment, Wukong followed the familiar path to the back door, finding it half-open. He was overjoyed, thinking, "Master indeed remembers to teach me the Dao, and has left the door open for me." So, he tiptoed inside and approached the master's bed. He saw the master lying curled up, facing inward, asleep. Not daring to disturb him, Wukong knelt by the bed, waiting. Before long, the master awoke, stretched, and muttered, "It's difficult! It's difficult! The Dao is most profound and cannot be taken lightly. Without guidance from a master, empty talk is useless!"
Wukong quickly responded, "Master, I have been kneeling here for a while." Hearing Wukong's voice, the master immediately sat up with a smile and scolded, "You monkey, why aren't you sleeping in the front, and instead come running here?" Wukong explained, "Master, you promised yesterday at the platform to teach me the principles at midnight through the back door, so I dared to come and pay my respects." The master was very pleased upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "This little one is indeed a natural talent! Otherwise, how could he have deciphered my hint?"
Wukong continued, "There is no one else here, only me. I beg you, Master, to show great mercy and teach me the way of immortality, and I will remember it forever!" The master said, "You are destined, and I am willing to teach. Since you could decipher my hint, come closer and listen carefully; I will teach you the wondrous method of immortality." Wukong quickly kowtowed in gratitude, listening attentively while kneeling by the bed. The master taught, "The true and wondrous formula of complete understanding, there is no other secret to nurturing life. The essence, energy, and spirit are always key; carefully preserve and do not let them leak."
Wukong listened intently, committing every word of the master to memory. The master continued, "Do not let them leak; store them within. With my teachings, you will thrive. Remember the formula; it is very beneficial. Remove evil desires and find coolness. When you are cool, you are pure and clean; it's good to admire the bright moon in the cinnabar field. The moon hides the jade rabbit, the sun hides the crow; naturally, the turtle and snake intertwine. When they are stable, life is firm, and you can grow a golden lotus in the fire. Gather the five elements and use them in reverse, and you can achieve Buddhahood and immortality."
Wukong, understanding deeply, was moved to tears, thanking the master for his profound kindness. He then exited through the back door to check the time. He saw the east was slightly white, and the west was shining with golden light. He returned along the original path to the front door, gently pushed it open, went back to his bed, and deliberately shook the bed while shouting, "It's dawn! It's dawn! Get up quickly!" The others were still asleep, completely unaware of the great benefit Wukong had received. Wukong was secretly delighted and thereafter practiced regulating his breath every day at midnight and noon, continuing his cultivation.
Another three years passed, and the master once again sat on the throne to give a lecture. This time, he discussed some profound philosophies and metaphors. Suddenly, he asked, "Where is Wukong?" Wukong quickly stepped forward and knelt, saying, "Disciple is here." The master asked, "What have you been cultivating lately?" Wukong replied, "Recently, I have gained some understanding of the nature of the law, and my foundation has become more stable." The master nodded and said, "Since you have understood the nature of the law and grasped the root, you should also be aware of the threat of the 'Three Disasters.'"
Wukong was taken aback and thought, "The master's words don't seem right. I've often heard that those who cultivate deeply can live as long as heaven and earth, free from all ailments. How could there be any 'Three Disasters'?" The master explained, "This is an extraordinary path, seizing the creation of heaven and earth and invading the mysteries of the sun and moon. After the elixir is completed, even ghosts and gods cannot tolerate it. Although it can preserve youth and prolong life, after five hundred years, a thunder disaster will occur. You must clear your mind and see your nature to avoid it in advance. If you can avoid it, your lifespan will match the heavens; if not, you will perish. Another five hundred years later, there will be a fire disaster. This fire is not ordinary fire but 'yin fire,' which burns from within the body, turning the internal organs to ashes. Another five hundred years later, there will be a wind disaster. This wind is not ordinary wind but 'bi wind,' which can blow in from the top of the head and dissolve flesh and bone. Therefore, you must learn to avoid these disasters."
Upon hearing this, Wukong was terrified and quickly kowtowed to the master, pleading, "I beg you, Master, to have mercy and teach me how to avoid the Three Disasters. I will remember it in my heart." The master said, "It’s not difficult, but you are different from others, so it’s not easy to teach." Wukong, puzzled, said, "I also stand upright with nine orifices, four limbs, and internal organs. How am I different?" The master laughed and said, "Though you resemble a human, you lack cheeks." It turned out that Wukong had a thin face and pointed mouth. Wukong touched his face and laughed, "Master, that's nothing. Although I lack cheeks, I have an extra 'simple bag,' which makes up for it."
The master nodded and said, "Alright, which type of transformation would you like to learn? There are the Thirty-Six Transformations of Heavenly Gang and the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiend." Wukong said, "I want to learn more, so I'll learn the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiend." The master said, "Very well, come forward, and I will teach you the incantation." Then, the master whispered something mysterious into Wukong's ear. This Monkey King Wukong, being extraordinarily intelligent, understood quickly and soon mastered the Seventy-Two Transformations.
One day, the master and the disciples were enjoying the evening scenery in front of the Three Stars Cave. The master asked, "Wukong, have you mastered your skills?" Wukong replied, "Thanks to your guidance, Master, I can now ascend to the heavens." The master said, "Then fly for me to see." Wukong then displayed his ability, leaping into the air, riding the clouds and mist, flying for a while, about three miles, before landing back in front of the master, respectfully saying, "Master, that is ascending to the heavens." The master laughed, "This can only be called climbing the clouds. Since ancient times, immortals could travel from the North Sea in the morning and reach Cangwu by evening. You only flew three miles in half a day; that’s not cloud riding."
Wukong asked, "What does 'travel from the North Sea in the morning and reach Cangwu by evening' mean?" The master explained, "A true cloud rider departs from the North Sea in the morning, travels the four seas, and returns to Cangwu by evening. Cangwu is a place in the North Sea. Being able to travel the four seas in one day is true cloud riding." Wukong sighed, "That's difficult!" The master encouraged, "Nothing in the world is difficult if you have the will." Hearing this, Wukong quickly kowtowed in gratitude, "Master, since things should be done thoroughly, please have great mercy and teach me the art of cloud riding as well."
The master said, "Ordinary immortals use their feet to kick off for cloud riding, but you are not like that. I saw you fly just now, flipping several somersaults to get into the sky. I'll teach you the 'Somersault Cloud' instead." Wukong thanked him repeatedly, and the master taught him the incantation: "For this cloud, you chant the spell, clench your fist, shake your body, jump up, and one somersault will take you 108,000 miles!" The fellow disciples laughed, "Wukong is fortunate! Learning this skill, he won't have to worry about delivering messages and reports for food!"
The master and disciples chatted until dark and then returned to their caves. That very night, Wukong began practicing the Somersault Cloud, gradually mastering its mysteries. From then on, he was free and unrestrained, enjoying the pleasures of immortality.
One day, as spring turned to summer, everyone gathered under the pine trees for a long time. The senior brothers asked, "Wukong, what kind of fate is this? A few days ago, the master taught you the art of avoiding the Three Disasters. Have you learned it all?" Wukong smiled and said, "To be honest, thanks to the master's good teaching and my diligence, I have learned it all." The senior brothers said, "The weather is nice. Why don't you transform into something for us to see?" Hearing this, Wukong was invigorated and asked, "What would you like me to transform into?" The senior brothers said, "Transform into a pine tree." Wukong chanted the spell, shook himself, and indeed transformed into a pine tree, lush and verdant, soaring into the sky with graceful posture.
Wukong transformed into a pine tree, and it looked so real, with no trace of the demon monkey, its branches and leaves lush, as if it had weathered wind, frost, snow, and rain. Everyone applauded and cheered, laughing heartily, "Good monkey! Good monkey!" The commotion was significant enough to alarm the master. The master hurriedly came out with a cane and asked, "Who is making such a racket here?" Hearing the master's arrival, everyone quickly stifled their laughter, straightened their clothes, and went to greet him. Wukong also reverted to his original form, mingling with the crowd, saying, "Master, we were gathering here to chat, and there was no outsider causing noise."
The master, somewhat annoyed, said, "You are shouting and making noise, how does that resemble practitioners? Practitioners scatter their spirit when they open their mouths and create disputes when they move their tongues. How can you make noise here?" Everyone quickly explained, "We dare not hide it from you, Master. Just now, Sun Wukong was performing tricks, and we asked him to transform into a pine tree, and he indeed became a pine tree, so everyone praised and cheered, disturbing you. Please forgive us." The master sighed, "You may all rise." Then he called Wukong, "Come here, let me ask you, what spirit are you using, transforming into a pine tree? Can such skills be flaunted in front of others? If you see someone with skills, wouldn't you want to learn? If others see you have skills, they will also ask you to teach them. If you fear trouble, you must teach them; if you don't, they might harm you, and then your life will be in danger."
Wukong quickly kowtowed, saying, "I only ask for your forgiveness, Master!" The master said, "I won't punish you, but you must leave this place." Upon hearing this, Wukong began to cry, "Where should I go, Master?" The master replied, "Return to where you came from." Wukong then realized, "I came from the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain in the land of Ao Lai in the Eastern Continent." The master nodded, "Then hurry back there to preserve your life. Staying here won't do."
With no choice, Wukong bid farewell to his master and everyone else. He understood that the master was right, so he had to leave. The master gave him a final warning: "After you leave, you are bound to cause trouble. You must not say that you were my disciple. If you utter even half a word, I will know and will strip you of your skin and bones, banishing you to the Nine Netherworlds, ensuring you never rise again!" Wukong quickly promised, "I will never mention you, Master. I will claim that I learned it all on my own."
Wukong thanked the master, chanted the incantation, and used the Somersault Cloud to fly back to the Eastern Sea. In less than an hour, he saw the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain. The Monkey King was overjoyed and thought to himself, "When I first came here, I was a mortal, but now I have attained enlightenment and feel light. Few in the world are determined to cultivate, yet I have achieved profound understanding. Crossing the sea used to be difficult, but now I come and go with ease. The master's teachings still echo in my ears, and in no time, I've reached the Eastern Sea."
Wukong descended from the clouds and headed straight for Flower Fruit Mountain. Along the way, he heard the cries of cranes and monkeys, echoing through the sky. The monkeys' cries were sorrowful, evoking compassion. Wukong shouted, "Children, I've returned!" From the cliffs, stone ledges, flowers, grass, and trees, large and small monkeys leaped out, surrounding the Monkey King, bowing and exclaiming, "Great King, you have finally returned! Why were you gone for so long? We've been longing for you eagerly! Recently, a demon came to bully us, trying to take over the Water Curtain Cave. We fought desperately, but he took our possessions and captured many of our kin, leaving us restless day and night, guarding our home. Thankfully, you've returned! If you hadn't, our cave would have become someone else's!"
Hearing this, Wukong was furious, "What demon dares to be so audacious? Tell me in detail, and I'll seek revenge." The monkeys kowtowed and said, "Great King, the demon calls himself the Demon King of Chaos, residing to the north." Wukong asked, "How far is it from here to his place?" The monkeys replied, "He comes and goes like wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, so we don't know how far it is." Wukong said, "In that case, don't worry. Go play, and I'll settle the score with him!"
Our Monkey King is truly a man of action! He leaped onto his Somersault Cloud and headed straight north. Along the way, he flipped through the air, and soon he saw a towering mountain ahead, incredibly steep! This mountain was extraordinary: its peaks soared straight and high, and deep ravines wound and twisted. On either side of the cliffs, flowers, grass, and trees competed in beauty, with pines and bamboo lush and green. To the left were dragons, gentle and docile; to the right were tigers, lying quietly. There were often iron oxen plowing the land and golden flowers flourishing. Birds chirped in secluded places, and red phoenixes stood in the morning sun. The stones were smooth, and the water clear, truly a strange and wondrous place. Though there are many famous mountains in the world, few have such scenery that lasts through the seasons, making it a cave that nourishes the five elements in the Three Realms!
The Monkey King was admiring the view when he suddenly heard voices. Following the sound, he descended the mountain and found that in front of the steep cliff was the Water Cave. Outside the cave entrance, some small demons were dancing. Upon seeing Wukong, they ran away. Wukong shouted, "Don't run! Lend me your ears to express my concerns. I am the master of the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain in the south. Your Demon King of Chaos has been bullying my monkeys, so I have come to challenge him!"
Upon hearing this, the little demons quickly ran into the cave to report, "Great King! There's trouble!" The Demon King asked, "What is it?" The little demon replied, "A monkey has arrived outside, claiming to be the master of the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain. He says you've been bullying his monkeys and has come specifically to challenge you." The Demon King laughed, "I've often heard those monkey spirits say they have a king who went off to cultivate. It seems he has returned this time. What does he look like, and what weapons did he bring?" The little demon said, "He didn't bring any weapons. He's bareheaded, wearing a red garment, a yellow belt, and black boots. He doesn't look like a monk or a Taoist, and he's outside shouting empty-handed." The Demon King said, "Bring me my weapon!" The little demon immediately fetched his weapon. The Demon King donned his armor, wielded a large sword, and led his demons outside, shouting, "Who is the master of the Water Curtain Cave?"
Wukong fixed his gaze and saw the Demon King:
He wore a black gold helmet that gleamed in the sunlight, a black robe billowing in the wind. His lower body was clad in black iron armor, tightly cinched with a belt; he wore patterned boots, exuding the aura of a mighty general. His waist measured ten spans, his height three zhang, and he wielded a large sword with a blade that gleamed coldly. He called himself the Demon King of Chaos, truly looking like a fierce and malevolent spirit.
Our Monkey King was no pushover! He shouted at the Demon King, "You wretched demon, your eyes are so big, yet you can't see your Grandpa Sun!" The Demon King laughed, "You little runt, not even four feet tall, barely thirty years old, and without any weapons, how dare you come to challenge me?" Wukong wasn't pleased and retorted, "You wretched demon, your eyesight is poor! Don't be fooled by my small size; growing larger is no challenge for me. Don't be fooled by my lack of weapons; these hands can grasp the moon in the sky! Don't be afraid, take a punch from me!" With that, he leaped and aimed a strike at the Demon King's face.
The Demon King raised his hand to block and said, "You're so short, and I'm so tall, using fists isn't satisfying. If I cut you with a sword, others would laugh at me. Never mind, I'll put down my sword, and we'll fight barehanded." Wukong said, "Good man! Bring it on!" So the Demon King set aside his weapon, and they began to brawl. They exchanged punches and kicks, locked in fierce combat. Though Wukong was small, his fists were solid, landing several blows on the Demon King's vital points. The Demon King, heavily struck, quickly stepped back and grabbed his large sword to slash at Wukong. Wukong dodged, causing the Demon King's attack to miss. Seeing the Demon King's fierce momentum, Wukong immediately used his body separation technique, plucking a handful of hairs, chewing them, and blowing them out with a shout of "Transform!" Instantly, three to four hundred little monkeys appeared, surrounding the Demon King.
Since cultivating immortality, the Monkey King had 84,000 hairs, each capable of transforming into something. These little monkeys were agile and impervious to blades and spears, jumping up and down, enveloping the Demon King tightly. Some monkeys hugged, some tugged, while others crawled between his legs, pulled at his feet, scratched his eyes, and pinched his nose, leaving the Demon King dizzy and disoriented. Wukong seized the opportunity to snatch the Demon King's sword, parted the little monkeys, and delivered a blow to the Demon King's head, splitting him in two. Then, he led the little monkeys into the cave, wiping out all the demons inside. Wukong shook his hairs back onto his body. Suddenly, he noticed some little monkeys that couldn't be retracted; they were the captive monkeys from the Water Curtain Cave. Wukong asked, "How did you end up here?" About thirty to fifty little monkeys, tearfully said, "Great King, after you left to cultivate, we were captured by the Demon King over these past two years. He also took our possessions, like stone basins and stone bowls." Wukong said, "Since they are ours, let's take them back." Then, he set fire to the Water Cave, burning it clean, and told the monkeys, "Let's go home." The little monkeys said, "Great King, when we came here, we only heard the wind in our ears and suddenly arrived here. We don't know how to get back." Wukong said, "That's just a spell he used, nothing difficult! I can do it too. Everyone close your eyes, don't be afraid!"
Wukong recited an incantation, conjuring a whirlwind that carried the little monkeys back to their homeland. He shouted, "Children, open your eyes." The little monkeys felt the ground beneath their feet, recognized their homeland, and joyfully ran back to the familiar cave entrance. The monkeys inside gathered around, lined up, and saluted the Monkey King, preparing wine and fruits to celebrate Wukong's triumphant return. Wukong recounted the tale of defeating the demon and rescuing the monkeys, and everyone praised him, "Great King, where did you learn such powerful skills!" Wukong said, "After leaving you, I drifted with the waves, crossing the Eastern Ocean to the Southern Jambu Continent, adopting human form, wearing these clothes, and wandered for eight or nine years without learning much Tao; later, I crossed the Western Ocean to the Western Ox Continent, traveled for a long time, and finally met an old patriarch who taught me the true art of immortality." The monkeys congratulated him, "What a rare opportunity indeed!" Wukong laughed, "There's more good news. From now on, our lineage will have a surname." The monkeys asked, "What is your surname, Great King?" Wukong said, "I now bear the surname Sun, with the Dharma name Wukong." The monkeys clapped and cheered, "The Great King is Old Sun, and we are Second Sun, Third Sun, Little Sun, Tiny Sun, a family of Sun, a nation of Sun, a nest of Sun!" Everyone flattered Old Sun, presenting large and small bowls of coconut wine, grape wine, celestial flowers, and fruits, truly a joyful family reunion! Ah, sharing the same surname, returning to the roots, just waiting for the day to ascend to the celestial register. As for how the story unfolds, stay tuned for the next installment.
