Journey to the West (Black Myth)

When Shi Yue woke again, they had indeed crossed the Western Sea and arrived on the east coast of the Western Continent. To his immense frustration, he discovered that his pants had disappeared! He was left exposed, with Sun Wukong barely managing to suppress his laughter, clearly reveling in his brother's minor embarrassment.

Having no choice, Shi Yue tied his upper clothes around his waist. His powerful physique, bronzed skin, and sparse black hair now left little to the imagination, marking him distinctly non-human. He muttered internally, wishing he could find those mischievous culprits.

After experiencing the southern continent, which was a world of humans with several countries resembling those of ancient China, Shi Yue realized that despite the similarities, it did not align with any historical period he recognized. Stepping onto the Western Continent immediately highlighted differences—sparsely populated and dominated by mountains, resembling a primeval forest multiplied by a thousand.

Mountains reached into the heavens, their peaks lost in clouds, ancient pines sprawling like guardians of the ages, casting an eerie aura. The very air breathed of myth and echoed with traces of demon kind.

As two small demons wandered, Sun Wukong seemed immune to fear, but Shi Yue remained vigilant and uneasy. Yet alongside this fear was a burgeoning sense of grandeur—this was the mythic era! This feeling puzzled Sun Wukong, who scratched his head in bafflement at his brother's odd enthusiasm.

After seven days of travel with no sign of human presence, they stood at the base of a colossal mountain, its peak lost to the sky, clouds hanging halfway up its slopes.

Shi Yue contemplated the sight, but Sun Wukong, ever tireless, was perplexed. "Brother, do you think there's a god on this mountain? We've seen no one—we can't ask anyone for directions."

Shi Yue mused aloud, "The aura of these mountains is extraordinary, but they stretch endlessly beyond sight. Do we climb each one to check?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head, stymied by the suggestion to ascend each peak aimlessly. "Then what should we do?"

Shi Yue shrugged, suggesting indifferently, "Let's climb a bit, but cautiously. If a great demon inhabits it, we'd just be food if we go too far. If immortals dwell here, surely disciples roam the forest—perhaps they'd guide us."

Sun Wukong's eyes flickered with understanding, except for the bit about being "food." He nodded, saying, "Seems that's our only choice."

With that, Sun Wukong began ascending, Shi Yue following, while internally grumbling. Since they had been sent here, why struggle through unknown territory?

The more Shi Yue thought, the more he fumed. Even a stone monkey would tire eventually. So, after only a short ascent, he halted Sun Wukong. "Wukong, perhaps this mountain is desolate for a reason and not home to immortals. Let's find another."

Sun Wukong looked upwards, the peak hidden, agreeing, "Okay, though this mountain doesn't look like Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. Let's move on; maybe we'll meet someone to guide us."

But no sooner had he spoken, than an ethereal song drifted down the mountain, its source an enigma, its notes divine.

Shi Yue's heart leapt—this was it!

Sun Wukong's eyes brightened with realization—a sign of divine presence!

Exchanging a glance, their mutual excitement propelled them upward toward the song. Shi Yue couldn't recall the song's exact words but knew undoubtedly this was the woodcutter's song from the tales, every note familiar, like a reminiscence of childhood spent with countless versions of Journey to the West.

His heart thumped with exhilaration, the reality of living in the mythic era sinking in—Golden Core practices, the havoc in Heaven, Sacred Bodhisattvas, demonic foes like the White Bone Spirit and Spider Spirits, the Jade Empress, every element of those grand tales came alive, igniting his pulse.

Soon, they met a woodcutter on their path, singing as he swung his ax, dressed exactly as the tales described. Shi Yue stifled a knowing smile—right out of a TV serial! Deep breaths calmed his thrill, while Sun Wukong gleefully cried out for the old immortal's blessing.

"Elder Immortal, I respectfully greet you," Sun Wukong declared.

Startled, the woodcutter set down his ax, returning the greeting with haste, "I'm no immortal; merely a poor man tending his needs—would never dare claim such a title!"

Sun Wukong's eyes probed, questioning, "You're not an immortal, yet speak immortal words?"

The woodcutter was puzzled. "What immortal words did I utter?"

Sun Wukong explained, "When we arrived at the forest's edge, I heard you sing about meeting an immortal or a sage, speaking of contemplating the Yellow Court. Isn't the Yellow Court the essence of Daoist teachings, which only an immortal would discuss?"

The woodcutter smiled, "Truthfully, the song, 'Man Ting Fang,' was taught to me by an immortal neighbor. He saw my burdens and advised reciting this to ease my heart and mind. I sing when troubled, unaware you'd hear."

Shi Yue silently critiqued the simplistic deception, musing how it scarcely fooled the directionless Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong, though elated, was skeptical. "If you live near an immortal, why not cultivate yourself for immortality?"

The woodcutter sighed deeply, "From a young age, wretched luck marked my life. With parents deceased, I've a widow mother who relies solely on me. With no siblings, I toil alone, selling wood just to feed us so I can't pursue cultivation."

Sun Wukong nodded, heedless of inconsistencies. "That sounds noble—a filial man may find fortune. Could you show us to the immortal's dwelling?"

"It's not far. This is Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. There's a Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave where Immortal Subhuti resides. Many learn from him. Follow that path; a half-day's climb leads there."

With that, the woodcutter turned to leave. Sun Wukong, sensing an opportunity, grabbed his sleeve, "Good sir, come with us. If we benefit, we'll acknowledge your kindness."

Irritated, the woodcutter shook free, "Man, don't you understand? I've explained—I can't neglect my mother for you. Leave me to my work."

Turning away, the woodcutter departed, leaving Shi Yue to dismiss the encounter with humor. "Brother, let him be. Have our travels revealed nothing? In this world, filial piety reigns supreme. We born from heavens still find fathers in our mentors. Treat him as greater than heaven. Remember—to honor our master is paramount."

As Shi Yue played his part with affection, the woodcutter vanished into the woods. Sun Wukong, though bemused, was too eager at nearing enlightenment to care, eagerly motioning Shi Yue to follow.

Following the path, they soon encountered a stone marker at a mountain gate, proclaiming, "Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave."

Their excitement peaked as a young acolyte emerged, surveying until he spotted them, sudden delight in his features.

"My master interrupted his sermon, sending me here, saying two souls stand at the gate. That must be you," the acolyte announced.

Sun Wukong beamed, "Indeed, it's us. Thank you, little Master. May I know your name? I am Sun Wukong and this is my brother, Shi Yue. We seek an apprenticeship—perhaps brothers we shall be."

"Hmph! Who's your brother?" the acolyte huffed. "Follow quickly, lest the patriarch grow angry."

Without waiting, he led them onward, the brothers hastening in step, marveling at the mountaintop's majesty beyond the threshold.

Amid swaths of clouds and towering pines, rocky formations lay beneath their feet, marking paths like veins upon earth, and at their pinnacle stood a singular expansive tree, bark like stone, roots mingling with the earth—its hidden form blending into the natural tapestry.

Beneath this arboreal giant sat a wise old Daoist, his hair and beard like snow, seated upon a smooth stone, chanting the Yellow Court Sutra before an array of disciples.

Shi Yue knew without doubt this venerable figure was Patriarch Bodhi, exuding an approachable warmth.

Sun Wukong leapt forward to join the disciples, Shi Yue matching his pace, kneeling side by side.

"Master!" Sun Wukong addressed, "Your disciple, Sun Wukong, bows to you."

"Master," Shi Yue added, "Disciple Shi Yue greets you—may your life be eternal."

The two voiced their greetings in unison, drawing Bodhi's gaze, softly yet intently assessing them, his expression a mystery. After several scrutinizing glances, his focus lingered upon Shi Yue, concern creasing his brow—a reaction shocking to the gathered pupils unaccustomed to their sage's change of demeanor, yet leaving Shi Yue feeling bare before his insight.

From above, an aged voice descended, calm and querying, "Who stands below? Whence do you come?"

Apparently taken aback by their intrusion, Bodhi's reaction felt procedural, humorous to Shi Yue who thought, We already introduced ourselves!

Before the thought could settle, Sun Wukong eagerly proclaimed, "Master, I am Sun Wukong, and this is Shi Yue, my brother. Both of us hail from Flower-Fruit Mountain."

Shi Yue quickly added, "We were born of heaven and earth, emerging from a stone."

Sun Wukong, not one to be outdone, continued, "We inherently know our names, as well as the existence of Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave. Clearly, Master is fated to teach us. Master, we humbly salute you."

"Indeed, Master," Shi Yue chimed in, "this meeting feels destined. You seem so kind; surely, you won't punish us easily. Master, we bow to you."

Patriarch Bodhi, while maintaining a serene exterior, was internally at a loss. Their eager introductions left him momentarily speechless. The phenomenon of twin stone monkeys was itself astounding, and now they already knew their supposed names, claiming innate knowledge. What was happening?

Two stone monkeys born together from chaos—his carefully considered plans suddenly seemed unwieldy, challenged by the unforeseen nature of the brothers before him. Though prepared with names and futures, Bodhi found himself rethinking, grappling with this peculiar twist of fate's tapestry.