Chapter 21: The Water Curtain Cave of Flower-Fruit Mountain

Sun Wukong was heading to the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain, Fatty Ox was returning to Thunder Mountain, and Iron Fan was making her way back to Banana Cave on Emerald Cloud Mountain. The three parted ways for now.

Freshly graduated from their training, they passed straight through the Gate of Immortals and entered a strange, fantastical new world. Everything they saw and everyone they met differed greatly from what they'd known before. Beyond the Gate of Immortals lay the place they had always dreamed of, their hearts' deepest longing.

After bidding farewell to his companions, Sun Wukong leapt onto his cloud and sped away, riding the wind. In the blink of an eye, he arrived at his destination.

Landing with a somersault, Sun Wukong was instantly awestruck. Crystal-clear streams flowed, nature's handiwork was on full display, and words could barely capture the splendor of the rare stones and mystical landscape. Towering forests surrounded the mountains, reaching up to the sky and obscuring the sun—a sight of unparalleled grandeur. A waterfall hung like a silver ribbon from the heavens, its torrents plunging thousands of feet in a dazzling cascade.

To rise like the great roc, soaring ninety thousand miles in a single day—how exhilarating! What a place! What a world! What a paradise on earth!

“Ah! Everyone, come quickly, we have a new member joining us!” Lost in the boundless beauty of this realm, Sun Wukong suddenly caught sight of an elder monkey who, with a call, summoned a throng of monkeys to gather.

Many of the younger monkeys, not yet able to speak, bounced about in excitement. The whole troop, faced with this unfamiliar intruder, were both fearful and intensely curious. Though he looked like them, he was also different—a massive figure clad in human clothes, moving with a dignity that resembled a person.

“Hey, hello there! Are you the monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain?” Sun Wukong waved to the bouncing crowd.

He spoke like a human! Such skill!

The elder monkey motioned for the troop to settle down.

The elder, both nervous and hesitant, asked, “Are you a monkey too? Why are you so much larger than us? Where did you come from? What brings you here?”

Sun Wukong hopped onto the highest stone, leaned back, and crossed his monkey legs. “Old fellow, you ask if I’m a monkey? I can tell you clearly, yes, I am the same as you—a monkey. But also, I am not quite the same.”

“How so? I was born of heaven, without father or mother—a spirit monkey—while you are born of flesh and blood, nurtured by your mothers. That’s what sets us apart.”

Sun Wukong’s eloquence stemmed from his idle days in the village, where he occasionally read books and broadened his knowledge.

A spirit monkey without parents, born of heaven? That sounded impressive.

The monkeys were dumbfounded, and their fear grew. This enormous spirit monkey could easily bully them, leaving them helpless.

The elder, even more anxious, asked cautiously, “May I ask, great king, what brings you here?”

“You call me king? King? Ha ha… King! I like the sound of that.” Sun Wukong sat up, “Rest assured, I won’t harm you. I came here for a reason. This place is called Flower Fruit Mountain—do you know it?”

Flower Fruit Mountain? They didn’t know, but the name sounded lovely.

The monkeys looked confused, the little ones especially adorable. They only knew the surrounding hills, full of fruit year-round, never lacking food or drink. Yet their days passed in a haze, unaware of the passage of time.

Sun Wukong shook his head, “Never mind. Seeing you reminds me of myself in the past—ignorant, eating raw meat, barely surviving… Later, I was fortunate to meet the Immortal Master, who guided me to civilization, and my life finally became like that of a person.”

“Monkeys, do you want to change your lives? I can teach you a different way of living, so you may live like humans. Are you willing?”

“Great king, can we really change? Can we live like humans? Is it possible?”

Hope shone in their eyes.

Sun Wukong leapt into the air, floating above the waterfall, and called out, “Of course you can! Wait for me here while I cross the Water Curtain. I’ll be back shortly.”

With that, Sun Wukong dove boldly into the waterfall…

Wow! What a magnificent monkey!

His daring leap raised Sun Wukong’s prestige several notches in the eyes of the troop.

Passing through the waterfall, Sun Wukong found himself standing on a bridge—a chain-linked iron bridge spanning between stone caverns, with rushing water flowing out between the rocks.

What splendid craftsmanship of nature!

Filled with joy, Sun Wukong bounded along.

Crossing the stone bridge, he entered a new world within. Stone chairs, beds, pots, pans—everything was there.

Marvelous!

Such a paradise on earth—how could the Immortal Master have foreseen this? The Immortal Master’s abilities were truly extraordinary.

In the midst of his happiness, Sun Wukong suddenly discovered a stone tablet standing in the center of the cave. With a leap, he landed beside it and saw inscribed words: “Blessed Land of Flower Fruit Mountain, Cave of the Water Curtain.”

“Ha ha! Wonderful words! I love it!”

Unable to contain his delight, Sun Wukong somersaulted through the cave again and again.

Immortal Master! Immortal Master! Your disciple loves you dearly!

Heaven bless the Immortal Master, may earth and sky share his longevity!

Such a paradise could only have been revealed thanks to the Immortal Master’s guidance and favor.

Sun Wukong’s joy could not be contained; better to share happiness than keep it to oneself.

With a leap, he bounded out of the cave.

Emerging from the Water Curtain Cave, Sun Wukong called out, “Monkeys, come quickly! I have great news for you!”

The noisy troop quieted at his call.

“Did you know? Behind the waterfall lies a paradise—a cave called Flower Fruit Mountain Water Curtain Cave.”

Flower Fruit Mountain Water Curtain Cave?

The words from Sun Wukong’s mouth sent the monkeys into a frenzy, roaring with excitement.

“Great king, is it true, what you said?” The elder asked, unable to contain his excitement.

“What do you mean, is it true? Of course it’s true!” Sun Wukong waved grandly. “Now, little ones, follow me into the cave. I promise you’ll love it. Let’s go!”

With a rush, led by the newly crowned Monkey King, all the monkeys surged forth.

Thus was born the Monkey King of Heaven and Earth, and a magnificent new chapter began…