Chapter 3: Southern Continent’s Subhuti - (1)
Following behind Subhuti as he strode ahead, I stepped into the cave—only to be met with a sight that defied all expectations of what a cave should look like.
Whether it was due to some mystical technique or an extraordinary spell, the interior was as bright as midday. Instead of the usual damp and musty air, the space felt even fresher than the outside. Small attendants, likely disciples of Subhuti, were bustling about.
“Master! You’ve returned! But... who is that behind you?”
“Everyone, gather here.”
At Subhuti’s words, his disciples quickly assembled.
They glanced in my direction with curiosity, murmuring amongst themselves. Ugh. This is a bit uncomfortable.
“Is he a new junior disciple?”
“Master, who have you brought back this time?”
“He doesn’t seem human… Is he a monkey? A demon?”
“Disciple! Mind your manners before our guest!”
“Ah! My apologies! I didn’t mean to...”
“Enough. Silence, all of you.”
The noisy chatter immediately ceased at Subhuti’s command.
At least it wasn’t an oppressive or overly rigid atmosphere. Despite being a disciple of the Buddha, Subhuti in Journey to the West had Taoist influences, so perhaps that explained the more relaxed demeanor.
“This child is my newly accepted disciple. His name is Sun Wukong, and he has come from the distant Dongsheng Shenzhou. Treat him well.”
Following my master’s introduction, I greeted my fellow disciples one by one.
Perhaps due to their Buddhist upbringing, they all had gentle expressions. More importantly, even though they immediately recognized that I wasn’t human, they didn’t seem to mind at all.
Looks like I won’t be discriminated against for being a monkey.
Does the Buddha’s teachings truly embrace even demons?
“You can call me Second Senior Brother. Oh, do you know what ‘senior brother’ means? It refers to a male disciple who joined before you under the same master. Female disciples are called ‘senior sisters’.”
“I’ve always wanted a junior disciple. Now I’m no longer the youngest!”
“If you’re hungry, you can eat the fruits the attendants bring, or you can go down the mountain to the village and find something there.”
As expected of a highly respected sage, Subhuti had a large number of disciples.
Exchanging greetings with what seemed like dozens of fellow practitioners was a whirlwind experience.
“Ahem! Anyway, it’s quite something to have a junior disciple with such soft fur… Wait, and a tail? No, that’s not what I meant—”
“......”
You really don’t have to force compliments from an animal’s perspective, unknown Senior Brother.
Besides, I used to be human in my past life.
* * *
From that day forward, Subhuti’s teachings began.
He first taught me the fundamentals of this world, including Zen meditation techniques to seek enlightenment, along with a variety of miscellaneous knowledge. It was quite the struggle.
Still, learning about demons and the celestial realms felt like memorizing a game’s lore book.
The thought of being able to use supernatural abilities made studying enjoyable. Reciting a chant could summon fire from my hands, and I could actually perform Shukuchi, a technique I had only heard about in stories. Of course, I had to study like my life depended on it.
“Remember the formula I taught you well. It’s a secret art that clears confusion and sharpens the mind.”
“I have it memorized.”
“Impressive. Next, I will teach you Fire-Avoidance Mantra, a spell that protects against flames.”
Though the raw strength of my demonic heritage was exhilarating, I was far more fascinated by wielding techniques like a sorcerer.
Of course, since this was the world of Journey to the West, I should call them Daoist arts.
I quickly grasped the spells.
From basic techniques that manipulated energy to spells like Fire-Avoidance Mantra, Water-Avoidance Mantra, which kept me dry even underwater, and Body-Fixation Spell, which immobilized opponents.
Fortunately, I seemed to have a natural talent for spellcasting. Was this the potential of Sun Wukong’s body?
“The next technique I will teach you is 72 Transformations. This powerful art allows you to transform into anything in existence. While you can change into insects or fruit, assuming the form of an animal requires detailed knowledge of its appearance.”
“As a demon, can I transform into a human as well?”
“Of course.”
At last, I could assume the form of a human.
I had grown used to being a monkey after quite some time, but my human appearance still felt more familiar.
I still occasionally woke up startled when my monkey tail got in the way.
Poof!
“Your tail is still showing. Keep practicing.”
Alongside the 72 Transformations, Master Subhuti also taught me the art of cloning.
It was the same Body-Replicating Technique where plucking a hair and chanting a spell created identical copies of myself.
But for some reason, Master seemed particularly insistent on teaching this technique quickly.
Was that ‘Great Calamity’ he mentioned such a dire concern?
“No matter how identical your clones may appear, their essence remains unchanged. The clones created by this technique can only mimic you perfectly, not truly become you.”
“Master, I have a question.”
While practicing, a thought crossed my mind.
Couldn’t I apply the technique differently—like in that ninja anime I saw in my past life?
“If I create clones, have them train, and then absorb their memories afterward…”
“Absolutely not. That is an extremely dangerous act. Never attempt it.”
“Why not?”
“To cultivate or acquire refined knowledge, a clone must possess self-awareness. This is precisely why the method I am teaching you is the safest approach.”
For the first time, Subhuti, who had always looked at me with calm eyes, spoke in an uncharacteristically stern tone.
Wait—wouldn’t the clones just turn back into hair once dispelled?
“Judging by that look, you’re thinking you could simply dispel them if something went wrong.”
“...Why wouldn’t that work?”
“A clone with enough self-awareness to train on its own would not obediently follow your commands. In the worst-case scenario, the master becomes the servant, and the servant dreams of becoming the master.”
So I could assign simple tasks, like wielding a staff and striking a target, or even manually control my clones, but absorbing their training experience was out of the question.
Still… wouldn’t it be possible if I grew stronger?
I had a long way to go before becoming the great demon king, Sun Wukong.
For now, I would keep training.
* * *
Time had passed considerably.
Caught up in intense training, I had watched the seasons change outside the cave multiple times. Now, I had mastered every spell except for the Somersault Cloud.
Why was it so strangely difficult to learn Somersault Cloud? Wasn’t I supposed to be naturally gifted in Daoist arts?
Technically, I could summon the clouds just fine. But for some reason, when I placed my foot on them, they wouldn’t support my weight.
“Phew…”
I stood atop the highest peak of Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, gazing down at the world below, lost in thought.
With the keen eyesight of a demon, I could see people moving at the base of the mountain. Among them, I spotted a woodcutter’s family—the same family that had often come here to chop trees. Their familiar figures stirred a flood of thoughts in my mind.
It must have been several years by now… Were the monkeys back in Huaguo Mountain doing well?
What about my parents from my past life? A saying came to mind—dying before one’s parents was the greatest act of unfiliality.
What were my college friends up to? If they found out I had become Sun Wukong, they would probably pass out from shock.
My master’s voice suddenly cut through my wandering thoughts.
“Wukong.”
“Ah! Yes, Master.”
I hadn’t even noticed when he had arrived. Subhuti stood there, watching me silently. For some reason, I had a bad feeling about this.
“I’ve come up with a way to help you master Somersault Cloud, since you seem to be struggling with it.”
“Huh? What kind of method? Is it some kind of elixir?”
“The success of a spell is greatly influenced by the caster’s state of mind. Even though I let you ride on Somersault Cloud before, you still seem to believe deep down that soaring through the sky on a cloud is impossible.”
So this was all because of my own mental block?
But even after experiencing it firsthand, did I still subconsciously believe it couldn’t be done?
“Normally, it’s not ideal to force someone to grasp a technique that doesn’t suit their natural talents…”
“You mean I have to learn it quickly because of that calamity you spoke of? But it’s been years since I came here, and I haven’t noticed anything strange.”
“…I will simply tell you the method. If you truly wish to fly, then you may attempt it.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Subhuti slowly walked toward the edge of the peak.
Just one more step, and he would fall straight down the sheer cliffside.
“From today onward, you will practice here.”
“But… if I fail…”
“Then you will fall. No matter how strong your body is, it will surely hurt. That is why I won’t force you.”
This place, Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, was no ordinary mountain.
It was a sacred place filled with spiritual energy, where the great Daoist sage and immortal, Subhuti, resided and trained.
Looking down from the peak, I could see clouds drifting below and birds soaring through the air.
Ordinary humans couldn’t even dream of reaching this height—most never ventured beyond the middle of the mountain.
If I fell from here, I wouldn’t die… but I might break a few bones.
I thought I had grown used to my identity as the Monkey King, battling demons that approached Huaguo Mountain and training in Daoist arts.
But was my difficulty with Somersault Cloud due to the lingering memories of my past life?
Even so, I couldn’t give up.
I wanted to fly with my own power. After all, I had already learned Daoist arts—owning my own personal Somersault Cloud was only natural.
“…Alright. I’ll follow Master’s instructions.”
I chanted a spell and summoned a suitable cloud.
Subhuti remained still, hands behind his back, watching me quietly.
“Come on, now. I’m a pretty powerful demon. How bad could this really be?”
I whispered the incantation to lighten my body and gently placed my foot onto the cloud—
…Or at least, I tried to.
Whoosh!
“Huuaaaahh!!!”
Somersault Cloud still found Sun Wukong too heavy.