Chapter 6: Salvation Begins with the Monkey

Sun Wukong’s sincere, devout prostration and admission of fault was so earnest—after all, he was merely a beast who had just awakened his spiritual consciousness. Was it truly necessary to hold him to account? When the monkey spoke human words in front of everyone, they were all so frightened they nearly lost their wits, but Chu Xiaoyu had no intention of punishing him. It was, after all, an innocent mistake, one that could be forgiven.

Chu Xiaoyu waved her hand at the monkey and said, “Get up and speak.”

Sun Wukong stood up, trembling slightly.

Looking at the monkey, Chu Xiaoyu said, “Wukong, it’s time for you to learn some skills, to lay a foundation for your future.”

According to the story’s plot, the monkey would first take Bodhi Patriarch as his master, learning the art of immortality, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the Cloud Somersault. Thus, from a naive, unruly monkey who had only just awakened, he would gradually become a clever monkey with spiritual insight. This would mark the beginning of his first great tribulation: the havoc in Heaven.

Now that she knew the monkey’s fate, could she not simply spoil the plot and alter his trajectory?

After causing chaos in Heaven, the arrogant, unruly monkey would be slapped down by the Great Buddha and pinned beneath Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years—a wretched fate Chu Xiaoyu had no wish to see. For the sake of the monkey’s respectful address of “Immortal Master,” if not for his own sake, then at least for the Buddha’s, she felt obliged to save this impish monkey.

“Um… Immortal Master, are you alright? You look quite troubled,” Sun Wukong asked timidly.

Chu Xiaoyu’s expression grew solemn as she said, “Wukong, what I am about to say, you must remember every word and never treat it as a joke. Do you understand?”

Sun Wukong nodded seriously, “Yes, Immortal Master, rest assured. I will remember everything you say.”

“Last night, I observed the mists on my farm. The purple mist is growing thicker. When it reaches its peak, the gate to the immortal realm will open again, and by then, you’ll have no choice but to return.”

She had closely observed the pattern of the purple mist on the farm for many days and seemed to have discerned its rhythm.

Whenever the purple mist thickened, strange and ghostly events would occur. In the past, she had been too clouded to notice these sinister changes.

After a pause, Chu Xiaoyu continued, “When you return, go straight to Spirit Platform Mountain and seek out Patriarch Bodhi. Ask to become his disciple. Of course, this may not be easy.”

“Not easy? Immortal Master, what do you mean?” The monkey looked confused.

Chu Xiaoyu replied, “Let me put it this way—the Patriarch can be quite proud. After all, humans and demons walk different paths. He is likely to refuse you outright.”

“Ah! If that happens, what should I do?” Sun Wukong seemed rather anxious.

Chu Xiaoyu waved her hand, “Don’t worry. If the Patriarch refuses you, don’t be discouraged or leave. Instead, kneel and pay your respects at the cave entrance. This might take three to five days.”

“Kneel for three to five days? But, Immortal Master, if after all that the Patriarch still won’t accept me, what then?” Sun Wukong’s anxiety increased.

“That won’t happen. If three to five days isn’t enough, then kneel for seven. If, after seven days, he still refuses you, return to my farm and I will teach you myself.”

What a superb con—she had to put on a full act, not missing a single detail.

Following the script of Journey to the West, the Patriarch would never actually refuse; at most, seven days would suffice, and he would surely accept Sun Wukong as a disciple. If, by some chance, he didn’t, even Old Wu’s coffin couldn’t hold him—he’d climb out and settle accounts with the Patriarch himself.

Chu Xiaoyu’s words moved and excited Sun Wukong. “Hehe, then I must thank you, Immortal Master, for your kindness.”

Chu Xiaoyu continued, “Once the Patriarch accepts you, he’ll have you and your fellow disciples learn basic life skills—simple scriptures, cooking, carrying water, writing, burning incense, and so on.”

“This period will last about seven years.”

At the mention of seven years, Sun Wukong’s face fell. “Ah! Immortal Master, really? Just to learn basic life skills like cooking, carrying water, and writing will take seven years? Isn’t that a bit too long?”

Seeing his impatience, Chu Xiaoyu shook her head. “This is a test. If you can’t pass it, even if the Patriarch accepts you, your unruly, lazy ways will get you expelled sooner or later.”

“Heh, and then what will you do? Think about what you said before—you said you wanted to learn immortal arts, to rise above others, not remain a lowly beast.”

Sun Wukong was instantly frightened. “Ah! I could be expelled? Alright, Immortal Master, I will remember your teachings.”

“Good. That’s what a teachable student should be. After you’ve stayed the seven years, the Patriarch will ask what immortal arts you wish to learn.”

“When the Patriarch asks, no matter what he says, your answer should always be: ‘I wish to learn the art of immortality.’”

“The art of immortality? Good! That’s exactly what I want to learn. Please, Immortal Master, continue,” the monkey replied, grinning.

“At that point, the Patriarch may become very angry, even scold you harshly, saying you refuse to learn this or that, and demanding to know your intentions. The other disciples may also rebuke and curse you for being ungrateful and ignorant. Do not be afraid.”

“Though there may be scolding, in the end, the Patriarch will hit you.”

“Ah! Immortal Master, he won’t kill me with a single blow, will he?” Sun Wukong looked terrified.

“No, he won’t. When the Patriarch strikes you, it’s just for show. He will tap your head three times, then, appearing very angry, return to his room to rest.”

“Wukong, remember: those three taps on your head have a special meaning.”

“Three taps? A special meaning? Immortal Master, what do you mean?” The monkey was befuddled.

A faint smile played at Chu Xiaoyu’s lips. “It means that after midnight, you should enter through the back door. You will find the Patriarch sleeping, facing inward.”

“Say to him: ‘Master, you tapped my head three times today—was that a secret sign for me to come in after midnight, so you would teach me the art of immortality?’”

She had given the monkey such a detailed spoiler, down to the last detail.

If the monkey failed after all this, he’d be thrown straight into a pot of boiling water, not even left as hotpot for the New Year.

PS: It’s tough starting a new book—please save and recommend. Thank you!