Journey to the West (Black Myth)

The feast couldn't proceed normally; the prospect of obtaining immortality was too exciting. The monkeys in Water Curtain Cave were filled with eagerness, and Sun Wukong, unable to wait, halted the festivities. Led by a few young monkeys, they crossed mountains and forests to the vast shoreline.

The boundless sea stretched endlessly, the distant thundering coming from its depths like a stormy prelude, giving Shi Yue the sense of a wild, unruly ocean unlike any he'd known.

Gazing over the vast sea, Shi Yue was lost in thought, while Sun Wukong paced restlessly, clearly worried about crossing such waters. The four monkey elders stood bewildered, yet Six-Eared Macaque, recently named Second King by Shi Yue, looked tense, traces of fear passing across his face.

Shi Yue knew Sun Wukong's journey would go smoothly, so he didn't interfere. He planned to watch silently, leaving leadership to Sun Wukong and following in his steps.

Originally, Shi Yue intended to build a colossal ship, considering the mythical dangers these seas might hide. But a large vessel would be a conspicuous target in this world of demons. Following the narrative, a small bamboo raft seemed wisest, keeping him aligned with Sun Wukong.

Indeed, it was Six-Eared Macaque who suggested tying bamboo together to form a raft, able to float on water and carry passengers safely across the sea. They quickly constructed a raft, simple and small, about three meters long and two meters wide, unevenly bound, and floating precariously in the water. Shi Yue's heart raced at the sight—if not for knowing Sun Wukong would safely cross, he'd never have stepped on it.

Sun Wukong, wildly enthusiastic, hopped onto the raft, fiddling anxiously before deciding they should have one last great drink and set out at dawn.

That night, Water Curtain Cave was once again a revelrous scene; the monkeys were brimming with excitement, no one feeling sad about the departure. Only Shi Yue quietly slipped away while all were drunkenly asleep, climbing Flower-Fruit Mountain's highest peak, the place of his birth.

Being a modern soul, he couldn't help feeling nostalgic at leaving. This journey's end didn't promise a return, nor the chance to ever visit again. But even if he met his end beyond those waters, he was determined to explore this world. Reincarnated in this mythological era, it was his ultimate goal to experience its world beyond Flower-Fruit Mountain.

As he stood silently on the peak, dawn broke. Shi Yue leapt down from the mountain.

Returning to Water Curtain Cave, he found Sun Wukong and the monkeys still in blissful slumber. Knowing not how many days he'd drift at sea, he too laid down on spare ground, trying to nap while he could.

The troop slept until dusk. Upon waking, they dashed to the shore. A couple of young monkeys had vigilantly guarded the raft, no issue arising. Following just behind Sun Wukong, Shi Yue leapt onto the raft, leaving the shore momentarily still.

Sun Wukong suddenly sensed something, turning sharply to the shoreline where the monkeys stood tearfully. Even he felt a pang, yelling, "Go back now, all of you. Once my brother and I learn the secret to immortality, we will surely return."

Turning away, seeming to want Shi Yue to speak, he met only silence; a mere "Let's go," from Shi Yue, knowing the true bond of hundreds of years shared. Even in its end, their inebriation was a testament to it.

Upon their synchronized push, they sailed outward, the mountain resounding with the cries of the monkeys,

"Great King, travel safely," said one, touching Shi Yue with its uncertainty.

"Great King, you must come back."

"Great King, we await you at Flower-Fruit Mountain."

Their figures on the bamboo raft grew smaller, vanishing from view, leaving the troop heading back from the shore except for Six-Eared Macaque, Six Paths, whose eyes shone with resolve. If he sensed the presence of immortals, how could he content himself with sameness?

Especially after his title as Second King, he faced countless challenges from other transformed monkeys who refused his rule. Planning to leave just as the Great Kings departed, he set his mind on adventuring beyond Flower-Fruit Mountain, fulfilling Shi Yue's bestowed title, choosing to travel by land.

As for Shi Yue and Sun Wukong, once Flower-Fruit Mountain disappeared in the distance, the sun set, bathing the sea in silver moonlight. Whether it was their sight or the mythic brightness of this era's moon, neither found the night dim.

The raft drifted like a leaf on the vast sea, battered yet resilient, as their efforts wore them out.

Shi Yue, remaining silent, was answered by Sun Wukong speaking up first, pausing with his bamboo pole.

"Brother, this endless sea is too vast and directionless. Why not rest for a while and drift where the wind takes us?"

"Good idea. Let's rest and regain some strength," Shi Yue agreed.

Amidst the vast sea, the rumbling below grew clearer. Sun Wukong felt none of it, but Shi Yue couldn't help harboring anxiety. Yet, Sun Wukong's emotions seemed to ease, letting him fall asleep quickly, leaving Shi Yue to sit by his side, lost in thought.

After two hours accompanied by constant roars, nothing happened. The bright moon hung high, the sea shone with silver ripples, peaceful in appearance, slowly drawing Shi Yue into sleep.

Perhaps it was due to Flower-Fruit Mountain's perpetual spring or his extraordinary physique—born a stone monkey, immune to cold and heat—that Shi Yue had never felt climate's extremes; absorbed by cultivation, neither hunger nor thirst approached. This time was different, without even basic provisions—did they expect to cross this endless sea overnight?

To his shock, upon awakening from hunger the next day, Shi Yue found they had indeed reached shore overnight!

Both Shi Yue and Sun Wukong had, astonishingly, been netted up by a group of dark-skinned fishermen. Awakened by the voices around them discussing:

"They really are two hairy monkeys! One black, one yellow."

"Strange, how did monkeys end up in the sea?"

"They're huge monkeys, especially the black one. He almost looks human!"

"Human? Humans don't have fur like this! Hurry, let's wake them and send them away; they're too big and strong to keep."

Somehow, Shi Yue and Sun Wukong found themselves stark naked, their makeshift grass skirts long gone by unknown events that night.

As both suddenly awakened to the chatter and strange-looking surrounding people, Sun Wukong's temper flared. Showing his teeth, he tore the net apart, shouting in human words, "What kind of creatures are you? Why imprison us brothers?"

Shi Yue rolled his eyes at the classic scenario, fearing the worst. Indeed, panic ensued:

"Aaah! Demons!"

"Run! It's monkey demons!"

"The monkey demon is here, run!"

Sun Wukong stood bewildered, utterly confused until Shi Yue felt compelled to explain.

"We're likely in the human realm; they're humans, thus unlike us. To them, talking monkeys are demons—only demons can speak after centuries. Understand, my friend?"

Baffled by Shi Yue calling him "friend," Sun Wukong, a Lingming Stone Monkey, quickly understood, thanks to sharing countless of Shi Yue's subconscious insights. Embarrassed, he scratched his head, "Then what should we do?"

Shi Yue suggested, "We need disguises. We almost resemble them naturally. Dress like them, hide our features, and we'll move freely among them."

Half a day later, they had pilfered clothes from a village. Shi Yue adopted a rough look with short robes, shaved his prominent "beard," transforming into a wild-haired man, appearing just human enough except for a peculiar mien. Sun Wukong struggled with his monkey nature, refusing to shave his thicker "beard," opting for a simple head wrap.

Amongst humans again, they navigated freely without causing alarm. Yet Sun Wukong, having embarrassed himself before Shi Yue, grew silent, introspective, questioning how to restore his dignity until an idea struck him at a marketplace.

"Brother, though the human world is captivating," Sun Wukong began, eyes darting cleverly, "it's not a place for us. Somehow, I sense our opportunity lies in ancient caves and celestial mountains. I think I even heard a name—but I'm not sure."

Watching Shi Yue closely, he sought approval, but Shi Yue was truly surprised—might Sun Wukong recall the location of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave?

Feigning surprise, Shi Yue nodded solemnly, "Though we share a birth of heaven and earth, we differ greatly. I trust your intuition; let's follow it."

Thus, Sun Wukong asked everyone they met about the whereabouts of Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. Shi Yue silently noted how deeply Sun Wukong had been influenced by him, remembering his identity and even Lingtai Fangcun. It remained to be seen how much more he foresaw. Clearly, however, his insights were minimal and disjointed.

Nearly six months went by, traversing the southern continent by foot or cart, without finding Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. Shi Yue occasionally considered dropping hints but hesitated after feeling watched.

Previously masked from Sun Wukong, the sensation persisted, heightening his caution—was it protection or something else now observing, displeased? Silence prevailed, feigning ignorance for survival.

Six months later, unwavering in belief, Sun Wukong faced the Western Sea. Building another raft, they pushed off with the wind in their favor.

Much like before, Sun Wukong tired and quickly fell asleep, but Shi Yue remained vigilant, outwardly appearing asleep, yet with consciousness alert to every ripple and sound.

The constant rumble persisted. It didn't feel like the sea. Suddenly, Shi Yue's ear caught soft voices.

"Brother, why are there two monkeys? How did they arrive so quickly? This black monkey—if not for my eyes, I'd mistake him for human."

A deep voice followed, "I don't know why there are two monkeys. Look closer; both are Lingming Stone Monkeys from the Chaos Stone! I've had it confirmed from Flower-Fruit Mountain. Truly a tangled web of fate, this twin stone monkey occurrence was unforeseen."

"So, what do we do, brother?" asked the soft voice.

The deep voice replied, "What options do we have? Deliver them as planned. Even if something goes wrong, it's not on us. You handle this stretch of the Western Sea, but be wary of that human-like black monkey. Something about him is strange. I've watched him for nearly six months with no findings."

"What's odd about a monkey?" the soft voice questioned.

"His root is significant! Um, but that's not my point. Forget it, I'll use more dragons' musk to ensure nothing is sensed."

Shi Yue felt a wave of indignation—what's so strange about being a bit larger? The soft voice gasped, "Dragons' musk? Brother, you're using dragons' musk on this peculiar black monkey? He's just a small, newly-transformed demon, even if a Lingming Stone Monkey..."

He succumbed to an irresistible drowsiness and fell into a deep sleep.

Shi Yue realized both he and Sun Wukong were part of some orchestrated scheme—Sun Wukong long predestined, while he was an unexpected element. Mention of chaotic fate confirmed no one anticipated twin stone monkeys, a fate sealed before birth for Sun Wukong, now doubled.

The identity of these conspiring figures loomed evident—most likely the soon-to-be-seen Bodhi Patriarch, with the aquatic escort being Eastern and Western Sea Dragon Kings.

Shi Yue noted the casual term "small demon" used by the conversants. As mere transformation-stage demons, they needed guardian powers in this god- and monster-filled mythic era to avoid being devoured. Many forces envied spirits like them, yearning to tame them as disciples, guardian beasts—or worse, a demon king's meal.