Wukong's Western Journey: The Perilous Adventures

After Pangu separated heaven and earth, the world was divided into four continents: Dongsheng Shenzhou in the east, Xiniu Hezhou in the west, Nanzhan Buzhou in the south, and Beiju Luzhou in the north. In Dongsheng Shenzhou, there was a kingdom called Aolai. Off its coast, a majestic mountain known as Huaguo stood tall, rooted in the sea. This "Mountain of Flowers and Fruit" was the ancestor of all mountains, towering over the waves with a commanding presence. The mountain was a paradise, lush with exotic flowers, rare herbs, and vibrant wildlife. Its evergreen landscape thrived in all seasons, making it an unparalleled treasure. At the peak of Huaguo Mountain stood a mystical stone, 36 feet 5 inches tall and 34 feet wide, with nine orifices and eight holes. No large trees surrounded it, only some lingzhi mushrooms and orchids growing beneath. Since the dawn of time, when Pangu separated heaven and earth, this stone had been exposed to the elements, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Over the eons, it developed a spirit of its own. One day, the stone suddenly cracked open, and from it emerged a round, egg-like stone embryo. As it rolled down the mountain, it was caught by the wind and transformed into a stone monkey. Though made of stone, this monkey had fully formed features and limbs, and soon, it learned to walk. Its agility was remarkable, and its eyes gleamed with a golden light that shot straight into the heavens. The light pierced through the sky, reaching the Heavenly Palace, where the Jade Emperor, seated in the Hall of Miraculous Mist, noticed something unusual. Curious, he sent his loyal scouts, the Clairvoyant and the Clairaudient, to the Southern Gate of Heaven to investigate. After examining the situation on Earth, the two scouts returned and reported to the Jade Emperor: "Your Majesty, the golden light originated from a stone monkey on Huaguo Mountain in Dongsheng Shenzhou. But there’s no need for concern; once it drinks the water and eats the food of the human world, it will cease to emit the light." The Jade Emperor replied, "This stone monkey was born from the essence of heaven and earth—there's nothing extraordinary about it. Let it be." After his birth, the stone monkey quickly adapted to life on Huaguo Mountain. He roamed freely, feeding on the mountain's fruits and drinking from its springs. He befriended wolves, tigers, leopards, and deer, and became close with the other monkeys. At night, he slept under rocky overhangs; by day, he explored the peaks and caverns, living a carefree life for many years. One scorching day, the stone monkey and his companions sought refuge in the shade of the pine trees. The monkeys played and frolicked, climbing and leaping through the branches, picking flowers, and searching for fruit. Some dug in the sand, others chased dragonflies and grasshoppers, or made hats from vines. Still others sat grooming each other, enjoying the lively scene. After a while, a few monkeys suggested going for a swim in the mountain stream. Laughing and chattering, the group made their way to a spring. After swimming, the monkeys became curious about the source of the spring water, which flowed continuously from the mountain's peak. "We have nothing better to do," they said. "Let's follow the stream and see where it comes from." They climbed up the mountain, eventually reaching a waterfall. The water cascaded down with thunderous force, splashing everywhere, creating a curtain of white mist that looked like a pearl necklace hanging in front of them. The monkeys marveled at the sight, clapping their hands in excitement. "What a sight!" they exclaimed. "The water flows all the way to the sea!" One monkey then challenged the group: "We've found the waterfall, but who among us is brave enough to find its source? Whoever goes in and comes out unharmed, we'll make him our king." No sooner had the words been spoken than the stone monkey leaped forward. "I'll go!" he declared. He dove into the waterfall, swimming through the curtain of water, only to discover a wide iron bridge behind it. The stone monkey climbed onto the bridge, looking around. In the middle of the bridge stood a stone tablet inscribed with the words: "Huaguo Mountain Blessed Land, Water Curtain Cave Celestial Realm." Venturing further, he found a spacious cave on the other side of the bridge. Inside, it was cool and inviting, with stone tables, chairs, beds, cooking pots, and even stone bowls. Bamboo and plum trees grew in the corners, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. Delighted by his discovery, the stone monkey rushed out of the cave and called to his companions, "It's amazing! It's amazing!" The other monkeys crowded around him, eager to know what lay behind the waterfall. "There's no water behind it," the stone monkey explained. "Instead, there's an iron bridge leading to a cave filled with all kinds of things." Curious, the monkeys asked for more details, and the stone monkey described the scene: "The waterfall is like a door that hides a wonderful place. On the bridge, there's a stone tablet that reads, 'Huaguo Mountain Blessed Land, Water Curtain Cave Celestial Realm.' Beyond the bridge, there are flowers, trees, and a stone cave with stone beds, stools, bowls, and even stoves. The place is cool and spacious enough to house hundreds of our brothers. Let's all move in and escape the heat!" The monkeys were overjoyed at the news and eagerly said, "Lead us there right away!" With a shout, the stone monkey dived back into the waterfall, followed by the braver monkeys, while the more timid ones hesitated before eventually joining in. Inside, they found a paradise, with monkeys scrambling to claim the best spots. The stone monkey then reminded them, "Remember what we agreed on outside? Whoever entered the cave and came out safely would be made king. I found this cool and comfortable place and brought you here. Isn't it time you made me your king?" Hearing this, the monkeys knelt before the stone monkey and crowned him their "Great Sage." The stone monkey, overjoyed, took his seat on the stone throne in the center of the cave, officially becoming the king of the monkeys. From that day on, the stone monkey dropped the word "stone" from his name and called himself the Handsome Monkey King. The Handsome Monkey King then led his band of monkeys, including gibbons, macaques, and baboons, to live in the Water Curtain Cave. They spent their days gathering wild fruits and playing, and their nights resting in the cave. For many years, they lived a carefree life, free from worry and strife, almost like immortals.