Chapter 14: Patriarch Bodhi Imparts the Tao

So it was that Bai Feng and Kun Bu settled down at the farmstead. The old adage holds true: the host's intentions lie not with the wine. Unless one refrains from action, secrets cannot be kept; the purpose of their arrival here was plain for all to see. Yet Chu Xiaoyu cared not in the least for their true intentions. Life is not like Lin Daiyu, enchanting in sorrow; one simply carries on with what must be done, calm and untroubled.

At this moment, Sun Houzi was already among his fellow disciples, listening attentively to Patriarch Bodhi's instruction. The patriarch cleared his throat, his stern gaze sweeping over the assembly. "Disciples, seven years have passed in the blink of an eye. Now, based on each of your talents and dispositions, I have personally assigned cultivation methods suited to you."

"When your name is called, step forward."

"Yes, Master!" the disciples replied in unison.

"Guangsheng, you are honest and steady by nature, calm and sincere. The path suited to you is the Five Elements Great Shield."

"Chongyang, you were born with great strength and a fiery temper. You must guard against arrogance and impatience; your path shall be the Five Thunders Method."

"An Niu, you are robust, strong-limbed, but simple-minded—your cultivation shall be the Thirty-Six Heavenly Laws."

"Tie Shan, you are the only female disciple I have taken in—petite and agile. The Nine Word True Light Technique shall be yours."

And so, the patriarch called each disciple by name, assigning them a method that harmonized with their nature.

Only when he reached Sun Wukong did Patriarch Bodhi pause, stroking his beard as his deep eyes glimmered. "Wukong, though you were born a monkey, you awakened spiritual wisdom by chance—a rare fortune granted by the heavens. Over these seven years, I have watched you in secret. Sometimes you are obedient, sometimes unruly; at times tranquil, at times mischievous... In short, your nature is mercurial and hard to restrain."

These words made Sun Wukong's heart skip a beat. The patriarch rarely praised him, more often offering criticism.

Heh! He was born a monkey, lively and restless by nature—what else could he do?

The patriarch still had not said which method was suited for him. Impatient as ever, Sun Wukong could not help but ask, "Master, what cultivation method is right for me?"

Patriarch Bodhi pondered, stroking his beard again. "I can offer you the Purple Star Divination, Stargazing Art, Spirit Summoning, Talismanic Magic, Reversal of Yin and Yang, Shifting Stars and Planets—choose as you wish."

Sun Wukong immediately asked, "Master, if I learn these arts, can I attain immortality?"

Patriarch Bodhi's brow furrowed, and he shook his head. "No, you cannot."

Disappointed, Sun Wukong shook his head. "If they do not grant immortality, I do not wish to learn them."

Ah! What an unruly monkey, proud indeed.

The patriarch stifled his irritation. "There are still the arts of Reversing Heaven and Sun, Summoning Wind and Rain, Shaking Mountains, Stirring Rivers and Seas—"

"Master, can any of these grant immortality?"

Sun Wukong always remembered the Immortal's command: if the art cannot grant immortality, it is as worthless as chicken ribs—best left unlearned.

Hmph! Truly an irredeemable monkey.

At last, Patriarch Bodhi was angered, glaring at the monkey. "You impudent creature! This you will not learn, that you will not learn—what is it you desire?"

The patriarch's anger frightened Sun Wukong, but with the Immortal's command as his shield, he grew bold. "Master, if learning these arts cannot grant immortality, I want none of them. Even if you were to beat me to death, I will only pursue the way of eternal life."

"You... you ungrateful monkey!"

Enraged, the patriarch raised his hand, as if to strike Sun Wukong dead, but in the end only tapped his head three times before sweeping away in his robes.

"Bah! You damned monkey, just as Master said, you don't know what's good for you. Now you've angered him—serves you right!"

"Indeed. Master offered you so many arts and skills, and you turned up your nose at all of them. Now he's angry—serves you right!"

"Bah! Damned monkey, serves you right!"

The other disciples cursed him roundly, but Sun Wukong paid them no heed. The three knocks to his forehead matched exactly what the Immortal had foretold—a secret sign that he should enter by the back door at midnight, and all would be accomplished.

Heh! Bumpkins, what do you know!

Let them curse as they please; he, Old Sun, would not stoop to their level.

The barrage of invective from his fellow disciples did not upset Sun Wukong in the least; on the contrary, he grinned impishly, as provoking as ever. The others, tired of his antics, took their manuals and left.

Only Tieshan remained, looking at Sun Wukong with concern. "Wukong, you shouldn't have angered Master just now. See, now he's upset and won't teach you any art. What will you do?"

They had all endured hardship for seven years, and now each had received a path to cultivate—except for this monkey, who had been cast aside.

Tieshan regarded Sun Wukong with pity. "Don't worry about me, Tieshan," said Sun Wukong, nonchalant as ever. "Go and study your art. The sooner you master it, the better."

Seeing his careless attitude, Tieshan gave up persuading him—she had her own troubles to worry about.

...

The moon hung like a hook on the edge of the sky.

At midnight, Sun Wukong crept to the back door of the patriarch's quarters, his heart leaping with joy. The Immortal had spoken true; the patriarch had indeed left a way open, waiting for him.

He slipped inside. The patriarch lay with his back to the room, facing the wall as if in deep sleep.

Suppressing his excitement, Sun Wukong called softly, "Master, Master, are you awake?"

No response.

He called again, "Master, I have come at your bidding, in the dead of night."

Only on his second call did Patriarch Bodhi turn and sit up in bed, his cool gaze sweeping over the monkey. "Why are you here at this hour, instead of sleeping?"

Sun Wukong immediately knelt. "Master, when you tapped my head three times today, it was a sign for me to come at midnight through the back door to learn the way of immortality. I beg you, please teach me!"

Kneeling there, recalling the seven years of hardship, the monkey could not help but sob in grievance.