Volume One, Chapter Three: The Journey Westward, Part One

Tang Dynasty (Era of Emperor Taizong):

In Chang'an, within the Daci Temple, the morning bells resonated. The student monks were already seated. The abbot, holding a wooden mallet, observed that everyone had gathered and began to rhythmically tap the wooden fish, creating a steady, percussive sound.

The chanting of sutras drifted out from the temple. Situated in the southern suburbs of Chang'an, the sound did not disturb the public. Amidst this chanting, a tall figure sat cross-legged in the back row, his grip on his wooden mallet tightening and loosening as he recited.

Yet, the sutras he chanted seemed different from those of the others. While the abbot and the rest chanted the Heart Sutra, he recited the Great Compassion Mantra. As the pace of the chanting accelerated, the voice of the Great Compassion Mantra grew steadily louder. By the time the session neared its end, his voice had completely drowned out everyone else in the temple. Even the abbot could not help but open his eyes to glance at Xuanzang in the back row, though he did not interrupt him. In Buddhist temples, monks generally avoid being interrupted during meditation or chanting to maintain focus and piety.

The morning chanting concluded; the wooden fish fell silent, and the abbot stopped. He opened his eyes and looked toward Xuanzang’s seat. The next second, his gaze was filled with confusion. Xuanzang, who had been chanting the Great Compassion Mantra a moment ago, had vanished from his seat. Having finished his mantra, Xuanzang had already stepped out of the Daci Temple.

He looked up at the sky. The clear morning seemed to be gathering dark clouds. No emotion could be read in his eyes as he looked at the nine-ringed monk's staff in his hand and slowly walked into the distance.

"Finally, has it begun?"

Xuanzang walked for the entire morning before finally arriving at the Daming Palace in Chang'an. His journey was unimpeded; even the officials within the palace showed him great respect upon meeting him.

Stepping over the threshold of the Daming Palace, Xuanzang saw a figure standing upon the palace stairs. Clad in magnificent, deep purple robes adorned with golden dragon patterns, the man radiated the majesty of imperial power even while standing still. Xuanzang did not hesitate, walking straight toward Emperor Taizong. Upon seeing him, the Emperor offered a smile reserved for a friend.

"Royal Brother, you have come."

"I have."

"It seems that this battle is unavoidable." Emperor Taizong looked at the dark clouds in the sky, which were fast swallowing all the light, his eyes filled with worry.

Xuanzang followed his gaze and smiled calmly. "The survival of the human race is at stake. Since he has called upon me, I must go."

Without further words, Xuanzang gathered the provisions he needed for the journey and prepared to depart. Emperor Taizong and his court watched him go with heavy hearts, but no one moved to stop Tang Xuanzang; they simply watched in silence.

After nearly a week of travel, Xuanzang finally stopped at the foot of the Five Elements Mountain. There, a monkey head was leisurely basking in the last rays of sunlight. Suddenly, the sunlight was blocked by a shadow. Looking up, he saw Tang Xuanzang standing before him, holding his nine-ringed staff.

Sun Wukong, initially annoyed, looked at the visitor with a playful, mocking gaze. "Heh, Golden Cicada, have you been pinned down by the gods and Buddhas too? Could that old Tathagata not protect you?"

"Monkey, I am not here to trade barbs. You must be aware of the omens in the sky, surely?"

"Naturally, I know."

"Then you?"

"I'm not going!" Sun Wukong said dismissively, turning his gaze away from Xuanzang. Xuanzang looked at him and said softly:

"Do you not also wish to destroy these heavens and Buddhas? If we borrow the fortune of the human race, why could your dream not be realized? You would no longer have to suffer these five hundred years of confinement under this mountain."

Seeing Sun Wukong remained unmoved, Xuanzang continued: "Do you think the demon realm of today is the same as it once was? Are you certain it is only human essence being used to irrigate the Peaches of Immortality in the garden? Do you truly believe the demons above are merely being used as mounts?"

"What do you mean?" Upon hearing this, the playfulness on Sun Wukong’s face abruptly turned to fury.

Seeing that his words had an effect, Xuanzang pressed on: "You, a legendary Demon King born of the world, forged from the divine stone used by the Empress Nuwa to mend the heavens—have you not realized during these five hundred years that your power of chaos has been draining away?"

"Do you truly believe that if you submit, the demon realm will be spared? That the Fruit and Flower Mountain will remain safe as they promised?"

Xuanzang grew more intense, a ruthless look appearing on his face. Having been reincarnated ten times as a human, he knew exactly what state the world was in.

"Stop dreaming! Once your power of chaos has been fully harvested by them, the entire demon realm will become a plaything for the Heavenly Court and the Buddhas. By then, the world you wish to protect will be nothing more than a slave to these gods."

Xuanzang held up two fingers. "I give you two choices: either join me in following the Emperor's will to crusade against the heavens, or end your own life beneath this mountain and await the birth of a new Demon King. But as for what this world will look like while you wait, I cannot say."

Hearing this, Sun Wukong dropped his irreverent demeanor. His brows locked in a deep frown as he spoke slowly: "The Tang Dynasty... the transition from the Shang to the Tang has happened many times, yet the gods and Buddhas remain. You understand what that means, don't you?"

The monkey spoke with absolute sincerity. In his heart, he wanted to join, but the sight of the gods and Buddhas filling the heavens in this future era made him lose interest in the war. If the gods were destined to exist in the future, was there any point to the battle?

Xuanzang shook his head. He understood the monkey's concerns, but his eyes were filled with pity. "Monkey, have you not realized? In these five hundred years, you have lost the one thing you should never have parted with. Great Sage, let me fight this war against the heavens in your stead."

With that, Xuanzang performed a Buddhist bow and prepared to leave. The monkey was no longer the one who feared nothing, the one who would charge ahead regardless of the consequences. He had grown burdened by too many concerns.

Listening to Xuanzang, Sun Wukong fell into deep contemplation. Watching the monk’s retreating figure, the monkey’s face was filled with resentment. These five hundred years had not smoothed his edges, but for the sake of the world, he hesitated—he hesitated because of a battle he believed was lost before it began.

Just as Xuanzang was preparing to mount his horse to leave, the hope in Sun Wukong’s heart overcame his fear. The irreverent voice rang out once more from beneath the Five Elements Mountain:

"Old monk, get me out of here. I haven't stretched my limbs in centuries. Let me see if this heaven has actually improved. Heh."

Hearing this, a smile touched the corners of Xuanzang’s lips:

"Great Sage, then let us have another go!"