Chapter Seventy-One: Sun Wukong Through Different Experiences

The final scene unfolds at Mount Huaguo, a place that could well be called a paradise on earth.

“Who are you, and what business do you have at our Mount Huaguo?”

A yellow-furred monkey, holding a spear, led a troop of young monkey soldiers, blocking the path of the Bull Demon King and his companions as he questioned them.

One does not act rashly when visiting the Handsome Monkey King—especially when there are several powerful presences lingering nearby. Those who come to Mount Huaguo are rarely here for trivial reasons; none would expose their true intentions over a minor matter.

“We have come to pay our respects to your king,” the Bull Demon King replied, his tone somewhat deferential.

The yellow monkey heard his words, cast a scrutinizing glance over the group, and responded with feigned formality, “Then I’ll go inform our king, but whether you’ll see him or not is another matter.”

“Naturally,” the Bull Demon King replied.

With that, the yellow monkey led his soldiers away under the Bull Demon King’s watchful gaze.

“Brother Bull Demon, why are you putting on such airs for a mere monkey?” the Macaque King asked loudly.

The Bull Demon King could not help but feel a headache coming on; bringing the Macaque King along was clearly a mistake. He simply ignored the self-important Macaque King. The Dragon Demon King only smiled and watched in silence until the Macaque King, feeling uneasy under his gaze, wisely fell silent.

Before long, a golden monkey appeared before the Bull Demon King, clad in a gleaming chainmail of gold, a purple-gold crown adorned with phoenix feathers on his head, and lotus-silk boots upon his feet.

“We have come to visit the Handsome Monkey King,” said the Bull Demon King with a tone that seemed sincerely admiring upon seeing Sun Wukong.

“You flatter me, Brother Bull Demon. You are the true model for us demons. If anyone should pay respects, it should be me to you,” Sun Wukong replied.

It seemed the Bull Demon King’s renown among the demon race was well established—even the nascent Monkey King, Sun Wukong, recognized him.

“I heard the Handsome Monkey King defeated the wicked Marauding Demon Lord. That is truly a model act for our kind. I came especially to see you,” the Bull Demon King continued.

At the mention of the Marauding Demon Lord, an unnatural look flickered in the Monkey King’s eyes—he clearly did not wish to dwell on the topic.

“You are all renowned elders of the demon race. Since you have come to Mount Huaguo, please, enter my cave. If my hospitality is lacking, I, Old Sun, must beg your pardon.”

Sun Wukong gestured invitingly, leading the demon kings toward the Water Curtain Cave.

The cave was hidden behind a waterfall—a fact not lost on the Bull Demon King, the Dragon Demon King, or the Roc Demon King. Yet for the Macaque King and the Lion Camel King, it was still a marvel.

“Handsome Monkey King, your Water Curtain Cave is truly a celestial abode,” the Macaque King could not help but praise, his eyes brimming with unconcealed envy.

“What a fine place, such a fine place!” echoed the Lion Camel King, his gaze never resting for a moment, as if beholding such wonders for the first time.

The Lion Camel King, as humans might say, was simple-minded and strong of limb; his words were always direct, and Sun Wukong could not help but feel proud.

As Sun Wukong chatted amiably with the demon kings, a female voice echoed through the cave:

“My son, who are you speaking with that brings you such joy?”

An elderly female monkey emerged from the back of the cave, slowly approaching Sun Wukong.

My son? Wasn’t Sun Wukong born from a stone? How could he have a mother? Could the chronicles be mistaken?

The sight startled Yuan Wuji, who nearly cried out in surprise.

“Mother, this is the mighty Bull Demon King,” Sun Wukong said, gesturing towards him.

“And this is…”

He introduced each guest to his mother one by one, making clear her importance in his heart.

“Since these are esteemed elders of the demon race, my son, you must be a good host. I shall take my leave,” she said, not expecting to meet so many prominent figures at once. After a few polite words, she withdrew.

“Brother Bull Demon, let us continue.”

Yuan Wuji, unsettled by the presence of Sun Wukong’s mother, turned into a flea and leapt onto her, following as she left—he had to uncover her origins.

After leaving the Water Curtain Cave, the old monkey made her way to a cave inhabited by a white ape.

What was she doing here?

“Marshal Ma, today my son has befriended powerful demon kings such as the Bull Demon King. Do you think this is good fortune or ill?”

She wasted no words, indicating it was not her first visit.

“Empress Dowager, since our king returned with new skills, it’s only natural for him to seek out powerful allies among the demons. There's no need for alarm,” replied the white ape.

Before Sun Wukong’s birth, the monkey tribe of Mount Huaguo was led by another monkey king, whose wife was this very female monkey.

When Sun Wukong was born, the monkey king and his wife happened to discover him. As they were childless, they took him in as their own, making him prince of the tribe.

But what was Sun Wukong’s true identity? Could he be an ordinary demon? Not long after, disaster struck Mount Huaguo—a raging storm and landslides obliterated the monkey tribe. The monkey king perished in the calamity; only the old monkey, Sun Wukong, and countless women and children survived.

After the disaster, Mount Huaguo’s spiritual energy surged, making it more verdant and enchanting than ever—a true paradise that inevitably attracted many beasts. How could the few surviving monkeys possibly defend it?

It was then that Sun Wukong first hungered for power; only with absolute strength could he protect what he cherished.

Thus, when he studied under Patriarch Bodhi, he trained with utmost diligence. Coupled with his extraordinary talent, ten years of hardship equaled a thousand years of cultivation.

The Sun Wukong of today might well be stronger than Yuan Wuji remembered.

“Let us hope so,” the old monkey sighed.

While the white ape was unconcerned, the old monkey worried for Sun Wukong’s safety. To make a name for oneself among the demons, few are of simple character.

After a few more words, the old monkey left the white ape’s cave.

“Empress Dowager, our king’s ambitions are beyond our understanding. Was it right or wrong that you and the old king took him in?” the white ape muttered softly after she left.

Yuan Wuji, unwilling to depart, overheard him.

“So, Sun Wukong is but their adopted son, not their blood. No wonder—even with the butterfly effect, there shouldn't have been so great a change.”

The white ape’s words put Yuan Wuji at ease. If Sun Wukong had truly been born of flesh, the meaning of the Journey to the West would have been utterly changed.

A stone-born Sun Wukong is blessed by the great merit of Nüwa mending the heavens—only such a being could bear the tribulations of the journey. What merit would a flesh-born Sun Wukong have? Could he still be the protagonist of the Great Calamity?

By now, Sun Wukong must have already obtained the Sea Calming Staff from the Dragon Palace of the East Sea. With the arrival of the Bull Demon King and the other demon kings, the Seven Sages of Mount Huaguo would soon swear their brotherhood, followed by the descent into the Underworld. Once the Underworld arc concluded, the true Journey to the West would be ready to begin.

Perhaps the seeds I planted earlier will let me reap much merit from the calamity when the time comes.