Chapter 4: Southern Continent’s Subhuti - (2)

“…That was close.”

I had narrowly avoided serious injury. The moment I slipped from the cloud, my quick reflexes kicked in, and I managed to dig my arm into the cliffside, securing my body.

If I had fallen from that height without any defenses, no matter how powerful a demon I was, I would have been badly hurt.

Launching myself back up to the peak, I landed before Subhuti as he opened his mouth to speak.

“Tsk. I miscalculated. I underestimated your natural resilience.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“From now on, you will train while standing on my Somersault Cloud, not on a mountaintop, but in midair.”

If I fail this time, I won’t have a cliff to cling onto.

Master, are you sure about this? Why does learning Daoist magic feel like military training?

Didn’t you say you wouldn’t force me?

“What are you waiting for? Is this all the resolve you have to master flight?”

Master, I’m starting to think that the great calamity in the world… might actually be you.

Or should I become the calamity myself?

* * *

And so, I fell from the sky several more times.

Unlike before, there was no cliff to break my fall—just my poor body taking all the impact.

At least I landed headfirst, which probably saved me. If I had fallen feet-first, I might have gone into shock… Well, I wouldn’t have died, but I probably would’ve blacked out for a while.

I should take pride in my Bronze Head, Iron Forehead.

“Now that you understand the trick, if you continue training, you’ll soon reach mastery.”

In the end, I succeeded. When I stopped overthinking and simply threw myself onto the cloud, it finally worked.

So this is how you wield nature and borrow the power of the clouds.

Though, to be honest, I feel like the cloud just got tired of dropping me.

“The key was to completely let go of fear and surrender your body to the cloud’s embrace. You could have told me that earlier.”

“Ah-ah. True enlightenment is only meaningful when realized on one’s own.”

“My bruised and battered body would beg to differ, Master.”

“Keuhahaha…”

Smack!

Before I knew it, a lightning-fast flick struck my forehead.

Was this my master’s true nature? Until now, he had seemed slightly impatient while teaching me. Perhaps it was his frustration over my struggle with Somersault Cloud.

Subhuti finally withdrew his laughter and approached me on his cloud.

“I do not easily teach others Daoist arts. Unlike my master, Buddha, I do not possess the ability to read minds (Telepathy).”

“The wrong hands wielding power can lead to disaster. I understand.”

“And yet, do you know why I sought you out and taught you everything?”

I nodded slowly.

The great calamity foretold in my master’s divinations—he must have chosen me to prepare for it.

Well, I won’t complain. I got to learn real Daoist magic, after all.

“Yes. As I told you, a shadow looms over the world.”

“But I don’t see how I could do anything about it. There’s Heaven, and then there’s Buddha and Immortal Zhenyuan…”

“Wukong.”

Master’s voice sank deeper.

“Do you know why I chose you as my disciple?”

“……”

“Despite being a demon, you have never committed senseless slaughter or acts of malice. You never terrorized the nearby humans, nor did you let your instincts and wild nature control you. You are different from other demons.”

Even though we stood high above the world, where fierce winds roared, my master’s words reached me clearly.

“I hope you keep that heart of yours and bring peace to the world.”

“…Why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye, Master?”

“Keuhahaha. Just something I’ve been wanting to say.”

The way he spoke made me uneasy, as if this was a parting message.

This was a world where supernatural powers existed—anything could happen at any moment.

“If you perfect Somersault Cloud, then I will have nothing more to teach you.”

“Hm. In that case, can I take a trip to Dongsheng Shenzhou to practice my flight?”

“Go ahead.”

Of course, I was curious about how the monkeys in Huaguo Mountain were doing.

But the real reason I wanted to return to Dongsheng Shenzhou was something else entirely.

Now that I had learned Somersault Cloud and Water-Avoidance Mantra, I finally had a way to enter the ocean.

And in the underwater world of Journey to the West, there existed a legendary underwater kingdom—the Dragon Palace.

Inside that palace lay the Ruyi Jingu Bang, also known as the Ruyi Staff.

I had spent years building a good reputation near Huaguo Mountain precisely for this moment. If I wanted to claim the Ruyi Staff without causing trouble, I needed to ensure my name reached the Dragon King.

I had made sure not to torment any local mountain gods and had only beaten—not killed—any demons that threatened Huaguo Mountain.

With that track record, my reputation should have already spread to the Dragon Palace.

There’s no way I can ignore the Ruyi Staff. If I recall correctly, the Dragon Palace of the East Sea is called the Crystal Palace…

If I follow the waterway near Huaguo Mountain, I should reach it. Was the Dragon King’s name Ao Guang or Ao Shun?

Mulling over how I would persuade the Dragon King, I rode my cloud toward Dongsheng Shenzhou.

* * *

The vast ocean of Dongsheng Shenzhou.

Somewhere beneath these waters lay the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace—and the Ruyi Staff.

Splash!

I activated Water-Avoidance Mantra and leaped from my cloud into the sea.

The spell worked perfectly, repelling the water from my body and allowing me to breathe with ease.

Finally, all that relentless training under Subhuti was paying off.

Bloop, bloop—

But wait… how was I supposed to find the Dragon Palace in this vast ocean?

I had been diving deeper for quite some time now, yet there was no sign of the palace.

All I could see were the endless fish swimming past, the drifting seaweed, and an overwhelming darkness.

At this rate, who knows how long it’ll take to find the Dragon Palace? Should I make them come to me instead?

Saaaa—

Sinking to the ocean floor, I slowly released my demonic energy.

As the fierce aura—something only demons could wield—began seeping out, I watched as the nearby fish panicked and darted away in all directions.

Even the sea-dwelling demons lurking in the distance suddenly flinched, their eyes widening in fear before fleeing. Was that a shark demon?

If the soldiers of the Dragon Palace weren’t complete idiots, they would sense my presence and come to investigate.

Ah, here they come.

While all the other sea creatures were frantically escaping, a group of figures was cutting through the water, swimming straight toward me.

Wait, what are those? Giant flounders? Stingrays with spears?

“—Who dares to cause trouble in the Eastern Sea?!”

“—This sea is ruled by Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea! If you value your life, leave at once!”

Why are they so ugly?

I was expecting noble retainers of the Dragon King, but for a second, I mistook them for demons.

Ahem.

“Greetings. I am Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of Huaguo Mountain, and a disciple of Patriarch Subhuti.”

“The Monkey King…?”

“I’ve long heard of the great name of the Dragon King of the East Sea. I wished to visit the Dragon Palace, but, unfortunately, I had no idea how to navigate the ocean, so I had no choice but to make my presence known.”

To add to the effect, I gave a small, respectful bow.

By now, they must have sensed the power in my aura—there was no way they could just ignore me.

Not only was I the disciple of Buddha’s direct disciple, but I was also a Great Demon. If I approached this politely and they still refused to invite me in, it would be an insult to both my master and my title.

Heh. The Ruyi Jingu Bang is as good as mine.

As soon as I finished speaking, the Dragon Palace soldiers murmured among themselves, exchanging uncertain glances.

After a brief moment, one of them, a giant armored flounder, hesitantly stepped forward.

“We have indeed heard of the Monkey King who pacified the lands around Huaguo Mountain. But… are you truly the disciple of Patriarch Subhuti?”

“Yes. If I weren’t, how could a mere land-dwelling beast like me have learned the Water-Avoidance Mantra?”

“…Very well. We shall escort you to the Dragon Palace. Ride on this one’s back.”

The flounder gave a quick side glance, and one of the stingrays immediately expanded its body, offering its back for me to ride on.

As expected of sea creatures, it was absurdly slimy.

The journey to the Dragon Palace didn’t take long.

Turns out, it was a straight path—I was just slow because I wasn’t used to moving underwater.

“We have arrived. You may dismount now, Monkey King.”

The palace before me was a grand spectacle, reminiscent of the opulent palaces of the Joseon Dynasty.

The enormous underwater palace was encased in a translucent barrier that prevented water from entering, creating an awe-inspiring sight.

As I stepped inside, I was greeted by fish wearing ceremonial robes.

Wait… even giant crabs and eels were dressed up?

And on the throne at the center of the grand hall sat—

“Welcome, Monkey King! I am Ao Guang, also known as Changning De Wang!”

Somehow, I had a feeling he was the strongest one here.

He was a middle-aged man with two horns sprouting from his forehead, clad in magnificent golden robes. The Dragon King smiled at me.

“Hahaha! I have long wished to meet you in person!”

“It is an honor to meet the great Dragon King of the East Sea.”

“Honor? Nonsense! A disciple of Patriarch Subhuti is more than welcome as a guest in my palace. Come, this way.”

At Ao Guang’s gesture, we moved to a grand banquet hall overflowing with sumptuous delicacies from both land and sea.

They must have prepared this feast in advance upon hearing of my arrival.

Well, unlike the original Journey to the West version of Sun Wukong, who stormed into the Dragon Palace causing havoc, I was being treated like a proper guest.

Indeed, courtesy and diplomacy were the best tools when making requests.

As an enlightened monkey demon, I understood this well.

“Ao Guang, the reason I have come to the Dragon Palace…”

“Ah, I already know!”

“…You do?”

“The Monkey King of Huaguo Mountain is said to be a demon who does not take life lightly and cherishes his subordinates. And now, you are even the disciple of Patriarch Subhuti!”

His voice rose with excitement.

“Surely, you have come because there is some great disturbance among the wicked demons, or perhaps to forge an alliance with us for the future of Dongsheng Shenzhou. If so, I wholeheartedly welcome the idea!”

“…?”

Wait, no.

I just came for the Ruyi Staff.