Volume 1: Unsayable – Chapter 17: The Cloud of Leaps

The Patriarch said upon attaining enlightenment, “One in the sky, one on the ground—how can they be compared?”
Wukong pretended to be anxious, “Master, you’re driving me crazy.”
The Patriarch replied, “This Cloud of Leaps is a skill uniquely yours. Why are you anxious?”
A thought struck Wukong—uniquely mine? He recalled carefully, and indeed, aside from himself, who else in the Journey to the West could travel 108,000 li in an instant? Aside from the Golden-winged Great Peng, no one else could match his speed. Could this ability to teleport over long distances be related to his identity as a divine ape? After some thought, he realized it was probably impossible to verify. This skill of the Cloud of Leaps seemed unique, with no one else capable of learning it.
The Patriarch taught Wukong the incantation for the Cloud of Leaps. Wukong recited the mantra silently and soared into the air with a single leap, rising high into the heavens. The cold wind was biting, and he had no idea where he was. Everything around him was pitch black. Though he now possessed extraordinary vision after attaining enlightenment, he could see nothing. He was alone in this vast expanse, unsure of how to return.
At that moment, the voice of Patriarch Subhuti came from below, “I’m here.” Wukong hurriedly followed the sound and landed back where he started, still in a state of panic. The experience had been too strange—what was that dark place? The Patriarch clapped his hands and laughed, “Why did you soar upward?”
Wukong was confused and didn’t understand. He replied, “I just recited the incantation; I don’t know why I went up.”
The Patriarch then explained the mystery in detail. The true essence of the Cloud of Leaps lay in its mantra, which could be adjusted in length as desired and used for any distance. Changing direction along the way also required control through the mind. Without a clear goal like Wukong’s, one would simply soar straight upward.
Wukong wrote down the mantra and practiced several more times, flying through the air. Below, he saw rivers, roads, mountains, and seas—filling him with indescribable joy.
He thought to himself, “The problem is I don’t know the direction. Otherwise, I could fly back to Flower-Fruit Mountain to check on things.” Unbeknownst to him, even if he flew for a year, he would never find Flower-Fruit Mountain in this world.
Wukong circled in the air several times, weaving through clouds, experiencing both sunny and rainy weather, passing through the four seasons, and soaring through the heavens. Such joy was beyond description—he felt as though the entire world was at his feet, filling him with pride. He decided to use his powerful spells to create chaos in a deserted place.
After playing around for half an hour, he returned based on his memory. The Patriarch was still waiting there, smiling silently as he watched Wukong.

Wukong felt uneasy under the Patriarch’s gaze—those eyes were like those of a craftsman looking at his creation, or a master watching his pet, with an indescribable hint of expectation lurking within. Wukong stepped forward and said, “Master, the disciple was indulging in play and was away for too long. Please forgive me, Master.” The Patriarch replied, “How could I not know your habits? It’s no problem.” Wukong added, “Master has bestowed upon me great blessings—magnificent powers and spells. But I wonder what I should do if I encounter skilled fighters?” Wukong thought to himself that the Journey to the West never mentioned him learning martial arts. Since he could wield the Ruyi Jingu Bang, it must mean brute strength alone wasn’t enough. He decided to ask out of curiosity; perhaps there would be another opportunity. The Patriarch was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. “You monkey are quite shrewd. None of my disciples are so bold as to ask to learn martial arts.” Wukong replied with fear, “The disciple grew up in the mountains and doesn’t know the rules. Please forgive me, Master.” The Patriarch said, “You’re lucky enough to have a quick mind. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten about this. Remember, martial arts are the lowest form of skill. If you wish to learn them, you certainly may.” With that, the Patriarch took out a palm-sized cloth bag from his bosom and shook it lightly, causing countless old books and scrolls to fall to the ground in a pile. Wukong was stunned. The Patriarch chuckled and said, “This skill of containing vast amounts in a small space also stems from the concept of ‘greatness through simplicity.’ Why be surprised? These are books I collected years ago; I haven’t used them in tens of thousands of years. If you like them, feel free to take them all.” Wukong knelt down and repeated, “The disciple dares not be greedy. Since Master says these are the lowest form of skill, I’ll just pick two books casually.” He stood up, glanced through the pile, and inwardly groaned—most of the titles were written in twisted characters like worms; he didn’t recognize a single one. Sighing, he regretted not having read more. Who knew these ancient scripts could be useful? He really needed to find time to study harder. Just as he didn’t know how to choose, he finally saw a title he could vaguely recognize—the first two characters were “Qi Tian,” but he couldn’t make out the last two. Wukong picked up that book and another thick one, then stopped looking further. The Patriarch nodded slightly and said, “You understand the principle of ‘following nature.’ That’s best. What one is fated to see must hold great significance.” Wukong put the two books in his arms, already quite satisfied. On his way back to his cave, he kept pondering the words “Qi Tian,” which coincided with “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” He wondered what the book contained.

Returning to his small chamber, Wukong shut himself inside and devoted himself entirely to practicing the new supernatural powers he had learned. He practiced day and night, forgetting about the passage of time, in a state akin to that of a madman with no sky, no earth, no objects, and no self.

The master had long instructed the acolytes not to disturb Wukong during his seclusion, and before he knew it, three months had passed in a flash.

One day, as the master was preaching in the hall—knowing well the profound teachings of both Taoism and Zen—he slowly swayed his deer-tail whisk and spoke eloquently, his words so brilliant they seemed to make the heavens tremble and golden lotuses bloom on the earth. Just as he was at the height of his speech, someone rushed in from outside the hall, holding a half-broken willow branch covered with hundreds of flowers. Pointing at the master, he shouted, “Forget heaven and earth—just think of the mortal world! Who dares to disrupt order? I possess the power of golden light that can move the earth!”

The acolytes were all stunned speechless. Wasn’t this the Wukong who had been in seclusion for three months? Seeing him in such a state, surely he must be mad! Huineng stepped forward and shouted, “You reckless monkey! How dare you act wildly in front of the master? Kneel down and admit your mistake!”

Wukong glanced at Huineng and said, “Watch me reverse heaven and sun!” Then he unleashed his powers, but it seemed he lacked the strength. In an instant, half a day outside the hall vanished, and Wukong collapsed weakly to the ground.

The master’s expression darkened, and he ordered the acolytes, “Carry this stubborn boy to the back hall.”

Seeing Wukong lying limp on the ground, the master felt both amused and annoyed. His own spiritual power was insufficient, and forcing himself to practice such heavenly powers had clearly led to exhaustion and the brink of obsession. If not treated promptly, it would harm his cultivation.

So the master took out a pill, forced open Wukong’s mouth, and put it inside. Soon, Wukong slowly regained consciousness. His first words were, “Watch my seventy-two transformations of Earthly Fiends—sure to make demons vanish!” After saying that, seeing the master right in front of him, he tried to get up, forcing himself to stand.

The master stopped him and shouted, “There are mantras for gods of grass, and mantras for gods of ghosts. All evil ghosts and gods cannot slander them. I invoke the ten-level ghosts to destroy them!”

Wukong’s ears tingled, and his mind became much clearer. By then, the power of the pill had taken effect, giving him strength. His spiritual energy surged forth from his dantian like a spring, and in moments he was back to his normal state.

He knew full well that this was thanks to the master’s healing. He got up and bowed, saying, “Disciple thanks the master for saving my life!”

The master said nothing and simply ordered Wukong to remain kneeling on the ground.

After a long while, the master sighed deeply and said, “Wukong, I named you, taught you skills, and saved your life—all because of fate. You need not be grateful. Now that you’ve mastered these skills and can protect yourself in this world, you may go.”

Wukong was at a loss. “Master, where should I go?”

“The world is so vast—wherever you want to go, you can.”

“The disciple is willing to follow the master for life. Though the world is vast, there is no home but with you!” Wukong’s crystal-clear eyes were filled with tears.
The Patriarch seemed unable to bear it either and said, “If you follow me, how can I live in peace? From today onward, we shall be strangers again!”
Wukong knelt before him, crying, “The Patriarch has shown me boundless kindness. If I fail to repay it, I will live in guilt for life.”
The Patriarch grew angry and shouted, “Stop talking! I’ll give you three more elixirs, which can save your life if necessary. From now on, all ties of kindness are severed. Do not claim to know me, and I will no longer recognize you!”
Wukong said, “Master, if you insist on sending me away, please teach me a way to see you again someday.”
The Patriarch replied, “By the time we meet again, you may not even recognize me. There’s no need to talk about ‘someday’.”
Wukong tried to speak further, but with a mere gesture from the Patriarch, he was unable to move. The Patriarch then gently pushed him out of the cave, and only then could Wukong move freely again.
The Patriarch turned around and said, “Wukong, take care of yourself!”
Realizing the Patriarch’s decision was final, Wukong bowed to the ground once more, kowtowing eight times, and said slowly, “I will never forget the master’s kindness!” With that, he soared into the air without looking back.