Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told, Chapter 121: Thoughts of You

In the Eastern Victory Continent, at the mouth of Guan River in Guanzhou, several majestic mountain ranges stretched out. One of these ranges resembled a blade, with a handle and edge, extremely steep—people called it “Blade Ridge.” Now, however, it had been renamed “Thoughts of You Ridge,” a name changed by Erlang Shen Yang Jian specifically for Wu Kong.

Wu Kong and Yang Jian hit it off immediately. After a joyful drink and long conversation, they became sworn brothers. Though their acquaintance was short, there was no estrangement between them; they felt as if they had met a true friend. Compared to Yang Jian, Wu Kong knew him even better. That’s why, before attacking the Heavenly Court, he entrusted all the people and creatures on Flower-Fruit Mountain to Yang Jian, as if entrusting his family before leaving.

Wu Zhiqi, Wang Yu, and Feng Tong moved the entire Flower-Fruit Mountain to the vicinity of Guan River mouth. Without hesitation, Yang Jian designated “Blade Ridge” as a settlement for the former soldiers of Flower-Fruit Mountain, forbidding any other demons from setting foot there.

That night, Yang Jian held a grand banquet and invited the three of them. Upon learning that Wu Kong had arranged for everyone else to retreat while he, together with the Bull Demon King and the Golden-Winged Roc, would head straight for the Heavenly Court, Yang Jian’s eyes filled with tears. Raising his cup, he said, “Since Wu Kong has made such arrangements, given his wisdom, he must know this mission will end in disaster. He is willingly stepping into danger, hoping to calm the Heavenly Court’s wrath with his own life, so that none of you will be blamed later.”

His brother Kang Anyu didn’t understand and asked, “If that’s the case, won’t the Bull Demon King and the Golden-Winged Roc also—” Yang Jian cut him off, saying, “Those two have strong backers. Even if the Heavenly Court captures them, it can’t do much to them. Only Wu Kong has no support. If captured, he will surely be seen as the ringleader and face extreme danger!”

Wu Zhiqi grew anxious upon hearing this and said, “Then we should go save Wu Kong!” Feng Tong stopped him, saying, “Wait. Wu Kong is aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders and would never risk his life recklessly. If we act rashly, not only will we fail to live up to our good intentions, but we might also ruin his plans.”

Seeing Feng Tong’s cautious words, Yang Jian felt a glimmer of hope. From that day on, Erlang Shen fasted and chanted scriptures daily, praying for Wu Kong’s safety.

The people in Guan River mouth, seeing Yang Jian’s loyalty, grew even more respectful toward him.

One day, news came that Wu Kong had been captured by Laojun and taken to the Tushita Palace. Everyone was shocked, but Yang Jian remained calm. That night, he drank heartily. When asked why, he said, “If Wu Kong were captured by someone else, I might still worry. But since it’s the magnanimous Laojun who captured him, Wu Kong needn’t worry at all.”

A few days later, rumors spread that Wu Kong had been thrown into the Eight Trigrams Furnace by Laojun and reduced to ashes. At that point, Yang Jian was also unsure and broke protocol to go to heaven to inquire. When he returned, his eyes were red and swollen; when others spoke to him, he would only repeat, “The Supreme Being is drunk, the Supreme Being is drunk…” Since Yang Jian had investigated personally, the news was undoubtedly true. It seemed that the ingenious and tactful Sun Wukong had truly vanished from the world. Upon hearing this news, all the demons at Hengdao Ridge wept bitterly, and the mountains were covered in mourning clothes.

Wu Zhiqi wanted to take revenge in heaven, but was firmly stopped by Feng Tong and Wang Yu. In anger, he left Guanjiangkou and went to the Northern Sea to seek the Sea Dragon. The next day, the Bull Demon King, having somehow learned of the news, arrived at Guanjiangkou. After sighing deeply and crying bitterly, he disappeared without a trace. Just as he left, the Golden-winged Roc arrived. He did not cry but, filled with rage, went back to heaven and guarded the South Heavenly Gate. Whenever heavenly soldiers tried to leave, he would slaughter them frantically. With his abilities, no one in heaven could subdue him, so the South Heavenly Gate was declared off-limits, and heavenly soldiers were ordered to use the West Heavenly Gate for any urgent matters.

Later, Wu Zhiqi, along with the Sea Dragon and the Nine Spirits Sage, arrived together. The Nine Spirits Sage bowed several times in front of Wu Kong’s makeshift memorial hall, weeping bitterly, but refused to allow Wu Zhiqi and the Sea Dragon to ascend to heaven. Wu Zhiqi naturally refused to comply, ignoring Feng Tong and Wang Yu’s attempts to stop him. The Nine Spirits Sage, unable to tolerate it any longer, subdued Wu Zhiqi and handed him over to Feng Tong for custody, then ordered the Sea Dragon to return to the Northern Sea. He usually acted quietly and patiently, but now, in the face of crisis for the eight sages, he showed his true nature as the eldest. Seeing that Wu Zhiqi was no match for the Nine Spirits Sage, the Sea Dragon also refused to suffer defeat and obediently returned to the Northern Sea. No longer carefree, he spent his days searching for descendants of the dragon race and training diligently.

After arranging everything, the Nine Spirits Sage returned to Yuhuazhou. Feng Tong and the bound Wu Zhiqi argued all night, until Wu Zhiqi finally gave up on avenging Wu Kong. By then, the only one who still didn’t believe Wu Kong was dead was Feng Tong. Since he had met Wu Kong, Wu Kong had always been resourceful and never failed, always adding surprises beyond expectations. Such a clever and extraordinary being would never throw himself into danger; surely there was some great plan hidden behind it.

Yet more than half a year passed without any news at all, leaving him uneasy. So he first sent Wu Zhiqi to the Northern Sea to assist the Sea Dragon in governing the aquatic creatures, instructing him to seek out the Nine Spirits Sage in case of emergencies. He also entrusted the monsters of Yi Jun Ling to Yang Jian for protection, then took Wang Yu and soared high into the heavens, disappearing without a trace.

The Golden-Winged Roc guarded the South Heavenly Gate for some time. Seeing the Heavenly Court constantly backing down, his hatred subsided slightly, and finding it boring, he spread his wings and flew westward.

Yang Jian was deeply depressed. If Wukong had been harmed by others, he could have raised an army for revenge. But the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court was his uncle, and the Supreme Lord Laozi was his mentor-like figure. Not only could he not defeat them, but it would also be embarrassing for him. All he could do was drown his sorrows in wine, lamenting the loss of a true friend.

At this time, Wukong was enjoying himself in the palace of the Nine-Headed Worm. After a feast, the Nine-Headed Worm took him on a tour of the palace.

Although Luoyun City called itself a city, its territory was far larger than that of a nation—almost half of Can Shui Zhou was under its control. These palaces were not built by the Nine-Headed Worm but by ancient immortals, extremely luxurious. Even those who had visited the Heavenly Palace found them fascinating.

The Nine-Headed Worm said, “At first, I had no interest in such trivial things. But after living here for a while, I realized their exquisite beauty—it’s truly rare.”

Wukong replied, “It’s fine if you don’t like them. Just don’t ruin them.”

The Nine-Headed Worm laughed and said, “Now I can’t bear to part with them.”

He led Wukong to a main hall to rest, ordered his subordinates to serve them well, then took his leave. Wukong didn’t have a quiet day—first fighting with Hong Haier, then having a confusing dream, and causing trouble in Luoyun City. Though full of energy, even immortals grow tired after prolonged exertion, so he meditated in the hall to rest.

There was no conversation that night. Early the next morning, the Nine-Headed Worm came to talk to Wukong.

To his surprise, Wukong’s first words were an invitation to leave. The Nine-Headed Worm exclaimed, “Since we get along so well, why leave after just one day? If I failed to treat you properly or offended you in any way, please tell me.”

Wukong laughed and said, “What are you saying? You’re no ordinary person. Our friendship doesn’t depend on being together day and night. I won’t leave this realm right away. I’ll come whenever I want.”

The Nine-Headed Worm agreed. Then he joked, “If you don’t come, where will I find you?”

Wukong was startled and said, “How could I not come?” He added, “In eight days, there will be a lively event at the Daoist sect in Evil Land Continent. If you don’t mind the company of an ordinary man, you might want to go check it out.”

The Nine-Headed Worm laughed and said, “I’ve always loved a lively scene. Even if I didn’t, just to see my dear brother, I would definitely go.”
Wukong bowed and bid farewell to the Nine-Headed Worm.
Having left Cloudfall City, he now had a goal: to head to the Southern Remnant Fire Continent in search of the monkey who resembled him. Although the Nine-Headed Worm was familiar with the route and could have led him there, the secrets of the Divine Ape were no trivial matter, requiring extreme caution at every step. Thus, Wukong became even more cautious, preferring to take the effort himself.