The next few weeks were spent doing exactly that. I repaired the palace, taught more cooking techniques and then basic fire safety to the monkeys who worked in the kitchens,and showed the generals how to stop aging using chi.

He still didn’t come back. I didn’t receive any word.

So I moved on. I decided to begin some chi agricultural practices. Imbuing flowers with chi to create different effects, like different colors, smells, and even medicinal properties. This took me through winter and into the next spring.

He still hadn’t contacted me. I talked to the generals about it. They said he once went on a journey that took twenty years. He… wouldn’t leave me for that long. I just had to be patient.

That summer, I tried to create more formal chi training for the monkeys, with more advanced students as the teachers. It gave mixed results. It seemed like it was best to teach chi manipulation one on one, but most of the monkeys on the island knew the basics now.

That winter, we were visited by an immortal who expressed interest in the chi flowers I grew. I traded some of them for scrolls that taught the basics of formations and spells. They were forms of chi manipulation I’d never seen before. The next year, I started my research into them in earnest.

It had been two years since Wukong left.

My research was beginning to bear fruit. I could arrange the plants in formations to produce more chi and fruit on the island. Which is good because the anti-aging technique was spreading and fewer monkeys were dying every year. Many of them have become significantly smarter too. A few even invented techniques I’ve never seen before.

That was how year three passed.

The fourth year I began to slow down. The generals tried to keep me engaged with running the island, but I spent more and more time in my bed.

Year five passed in a haze. I officially spent more time in this world without Wukong than I have with him. I began contemplating the easy choice again.

I thought he had forgotten about me.

Year six. We were attacked by a demon that left heavy damages on the island and killed several monkeys. I had to save them myself. Afterward, I began organizing an official military under the four generals. I taught them offensive chi techniques, set up defensive formations and created different strategies for different situations. I made the hard choice again.

Year seven. I put away my wedding bracelet. I headed up new research into formations, spells, and chi techniques. By organizing teams to use chi to change the landscape, we managed to turn the entire island into one giant defense formation. No more monkeys will die while I’m in charge.

That summer I continued to use formations to advance our agriculture. Other monkeys were advanced enough to help me, and I taught them how to maintain and create them.

The rest of the year was devoted to creating treasures. By inscribing formations onto materials, we can create treasures that freeze enemies, melt then harden the land to trap them, and heat oil we can then pour onto enemies from the mountain. I feel confident in our defenses now. Moreover, several monkeys began to show interest in crafting. I went to human lands and collected many tools and blueprints they’ve been experimenting with.

We threw a giant banquet at the beginning of year eight. Many monkeys gave gifts to me and the four generals to thank us for saving them and making the island more safe.

The rest of the winter and spring, I devoted to practicing fighting. I wanted to lead by example. The generals helped me learn. The research division made a breakthrough in infusing chi into objects. Now treasures could be activated on a timer, remotely or, when linked to a chi-gathering formation, operate indefinitely. We put a few defensive treasures in high-security areas around the palace.

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I spent our anniversary in my room. I eventually got my wedding bracelet back out and put it back on. I just hoped he was still alive out there.

The craftmonkeys made great progress. Rudimentary furniture and clothing was being circulated in the population. I hoped as they continued to refine their techniques, we could begin getting good quality furniture for the palace domestically. I was getting tired of stealing everything from humans.

That fall, I took a break at the encouragement of the generals. So much had changed on the island. The more I looked, the more I was reminded of my world. We’re still far off, but maybe one day…

Year nine began. Most of the research was beyond my rudimentary understanding of chi, so I focused on domestic issues. That winter, I established the first school on the island, to decent success. Most mothers appreciated having a safe place for children and babies to play, and it was run by older ladies who were experienced with children.

That spring, I formalized planting and harvesting schedules for all the different plants on the island. Now the agriculture teams could fully run autonomously, barring any emergencies.

That summer, the first few basic houses went up. We threw a three day party to celebrate. Most monkeys still stayed in the palace, but those who chose to live outside appreciated having a roof over their heads.

The fall and winter, I looked at the calendar and established official rest days and holidays. Important holidays included the day Wukong found Water Curtain Cave, the day he brought me to this world, and the new year, held in the spring.

Finally, fabric. The craft monkeys collaborated with the research and agriculture teams to create plants that could be turned into a soft fabric. Variations were still being created, but the new year’s festival had colorful strips of fabric for decorations, and it became wildly popular among the population.

Year ten, summer. These past few weeks, I’ve been establishing an official chain of command, beginning with me and Wukong, down to the four generals in charge of defense, and then the head of each division, including agriculture, domestic affairs, research, and crafting. Each division reported to a different general, and they would bring any important affairs to my attention as they judged fit.

I had pretty much nailed it down, but there still needed to be procedures for when the heads wanted to step down. I was thinking they could designate their replacement, and train them for a season before retiring.

I needed to get Liu’s input on this. He was in charge of domestic affairs, which was the largest department. He would know best how to organize this.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting late. Perhaps you should retire for the night.”

I looked up at Beng. “It is? I didn’t even notice.” I set down the plans. They were etched on a thin bit of fabric. Still figuring out paper.

I stood up and stretched. My muscles protested after sitting for so long. I guess I had been working for a while. “Okay Beng. We’ll have another sparring session in the morning tomorrow. Also, I’ll need to talk to Liu tomorrow, so please ask him to be there too. Two against one should be a good challenge for me.”

“As you wish Your Majesty.”

I bid him good night, and went into the Royal Wing, as I decided to call it. It sounded grander than it was. It was just a few rooms and the baths.

A bath sounded nice. I walked into the bath and used my necklace to undress. I hopped in.

Ah. That felt nice. Moments to relax were few and far between nowadays.

I let the warmth wash over me and floated. Like always, whenever I had a moment to think my thoughts turned to Wukong.

I rubbed my left wrist. I took my bracelet off to bathe, but I could feel the hole where it was.

Every day I debated putting it back in my drawers. It’s been ten years. He’s either forgotten about me, or dead. I wasn’t sure which outcome I would prefer.

If he was alive, I could at least ask him why. But if he was dead I’d have someone to blame. A target for all the hurt I’ve felt.

This was useless. I should get out and go to bed.

I sighed and swam over to the edge. When I heard yelling.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

Beng burst through the doors of the bath, breathing hard. I shrieked and submerged myself behind the ledge.

“Beng! I’m naked! Get out!”

“My apologies Your Majesty, but I needed to tell you right away!”

“Is it a demon attack or something? It can wait until I get dressed! Out!”

“It’s him Your Majesty. He’s back! The Monkey King is back!”

It felt like everything froze. I could hear my heartbeat for a few titular moments. He was back. Wukong was alive and he was back.

And he would be lucky to stay that way once I got a hold of him.