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Wukong: The Monkey King
Chapter 17 The Cloud Somersault

Chapter 17 The Cloud Somersault

The Patriarch said after attaining enlightenment, "One in the heavens and one on the earth, how can they be compared?"

Wukong became anxious, "Master, your teaching really makes me anxious."

The Patriarch said, "This Cloud Somersault is a skill that belongs to no one but you. Why are you anxious?"

Wukong thought to himself, a skill that belongs to no one but me? He recalled carefully and indeed, in the Journey to the West, aside from himself, who else had the ability to instantly travel eighty thousand miles? Except for the Golden-winged Roc, truly no one could match his speed. Could it be that this ability for long-distance instant travel was related to his identity as a divine monkey? He pondered carefully, but this was probably impossible to verify. The skill of Cloud Somersault, likely unique, was not something others could learn.

The Patriarch taught Wukong the incantation for the Cloud Somersault. Wukong silently recited the magic words, and with a somersault, he soared into the air, shooting straight up to the ninth heaven, feeling the biting cold wind, not knowing where he was. Wukong, having attained the great Tao, had exceptional eyesight, yet he could see nothing around him, stranded in a solitary space, not knowing how to return.

At that moment, the voice of Patriarch Subhuti sounded from below, "I am here." Wukong hurriedly followed the sound and landed back to where he started, still in shock. The feeling was too strange; what was that dark place? He saw the Patriarch clapping and laughing, "Why did you soar upwards? What was the logic in that?"

Wukong, puzzled, replied, "I just twisted the incantation, not knowing why I went up."

The Patriarch then elaborated on the profound mystery, explaining that the true meaning of the Cloud Somersault lies in the incantation, which can be long or short, changing as the heart desires, usable for distances far and near. The ability to change directions mid-journey also relies on the will, like Wukong's aimless action, naturally shooting straight up.

Wukong memorized the technique and practiced it several times, flying through the air, seeing the checkerboard of mountains and seas below, feeling indescribable joy.

He thought to himself, if only I knew the way, I could return to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit to report my safety. However, he didn't realize that no matter how he flew, he would not find the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit in this world.

Wukong turned a few circles in the air, shuttling through clouds, experiencing sunny and rainy weather, crossing all four seasons, dancing in the nine heavens. The exhilaration was indescribable, feeling as if the heavens and the earth were within his sight, suddenly filled with heroic spirit, freely using his magic to turn rivers upside down and move mountains and stones where no one was around.

After playing for half an hour, he returned to where the Patriarch was waiting, only to find him smiling silently at Wukong.

Wukong felt uncomfortable under the Patriarch's gaze, as if a craftsman was looking at his work or a master at his pet, with an indescribable expectation hidden within.

Wukong approached and said, "Master, your disciple was momentarily playful and stayed out too long, please do not take offense."

The Patriarch said, "I am well aware of your nature, it's fine."

Wukong then said, "Master, you have granted your disciple great Fate, all powerful spells and magic, but I wonder what to do if I encounter a skilled fighter?" Wukong thought to himself, the Journey to the West did not mention Wukong learning martial arts, but since he could wield the golden cudgel, relying solely on brute strength was unlikely. He decided to test the waters, perhaps there was an opportunity.

The Patriarch was surprised, then laughed heartily, "You monkey are indeed clever. None of my disciples dared to ask for martial arts like you do."

Wukong, sincerely fearful, said, "Disciple grew up in the mountains, unaware of the rules, please forgive me, Patriarch."

The Patriarch said, "You are blessed with a keen spirit. Had you not mentioned it, I would have forgotten. You should know, martial arts are the least of skills, but if you wish to learn, you certainly can."

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With that, the Patriarch took out a palm-sized cloth bag, gently shook it, and countless ancient books fell to the ground, piling up like a mountain. Wukong was dumbfounded.

The Patriarch chuckled, "This technique, deriving from the Minor and Major Wishes, why are you surprised? These are books I collected over the years, unused for ten million years. If you like them, feel free to take them."

Wukong knelt on the ground, repeatedly saying, "Disciple dares not be greedy. Since the Patriarch says these are minor skills, I will just pick a couple." He stood up beside the pile, glanced over it, and inwardly sighed. Most of the titles were in ancient script, which he recognized none. Alas, regretting not having read more, who knew these ancient texts would come in handy? It seems he should find an opportunity to study them thoroughly.

Just as he was unsure of which to choose, he finally saw a book title that he vaguely recognized, able to discern only the first two characters as "Equal to Heaven," but not the last two.

Wukong picked up this book and randomly grabbed another thick one, then looked no further.

The Patriarch nodded slightly, saying, "You also understand the principle of 'the Tao follows nature.' This is best. What you encounter by fate must hold great wonders."

Wukong placed the two books in his bosom, feeling quite satisfied. On his way back to his cave, he pondered over the words "Equal to Heaven," which coincidentally aligned with the title 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' He wondered about the content within.

Returning to his own chamber, Wukong closed the door and dedicated himself to practicing the newly learned divine powers, day and night, forgetting the world's passage of time, in a state of madness without heaven, earth, beings, or self.

The Patriarch had already instructed the disciples not to disturb Wukong's meditation, and three months passed in a blink of an eye.

One day, as the Patriarch was imparting teachings in the hall, a master of both Taoism and Zen, suddenly, someone burst in from outside. Holding a half-broken willow branch with hundreds of flowers twined around it, he pointed at the Patriarch and shouted, "Forget talking about heaven and earth; just speak of the mundane world. Who dares to turn rivers and seas upside down? I possess the Dashing with Golden Light!"

All the disciples were stunned, seeing it was Wukong, who had been meditating for three months, looking as if he had gone mad. Huineng stepped forward and shouted, "You insolent monkey, how dare you act wild in front of the Patriarch, kneel down and admit your mistake!"

Wukong glanced sideways at Huineng and said, "Watch me Reversing Time and Bring Back The Sun!" But as he attempted his magic, it seemed he ran out of strength. Only a half-day's sun flickered outside the hall, and Wukong collapsed weakly to the ground.

The Patriarch, with a stern face, ordered, "Take this rebel to the back hall."

Seeing Wukong collapsed and limp on the ground, the Patriarch was both amused and annoyed. Wukong's cultivation was insufficient for the divine powers he forcibly practiced, clearly showing signs of exhaustion and nearing demonic possession. If not treated in time, it could hinder his cultivation.

Therefore, the Patriarch administered a pill into Wukong's mouth. Soon after, Wukong slowly regained consciousness, the first words out of his mouth were, "Watch my seventy-two transformations of the Earth Fiend, teaching demons and ghosts to flee!" Seeing the Patriarch before him, he tried to stand up.

The Patriarch stopped him, chanting, "There are Dharanis for plant deities, and for ghost deities, all evil spirits cannot slander, inviting the destruction of ghosts from the ten directions!"

Wukong's mind cleared significantly upon hearing this. The pill's power unfolded, and strength returned to his body, his magical power flowing from his dantian like spring water, quickly recovering to his original state.

He knew this must be the Patriarch's doing and thanked him for saving his life.

The Patriarch said nothing, instructing Wukong to kneel on the ground.

After a while, the Patriarch sighed deeply, "Wukong, I named you, passed on my skills, and saved your life. All because of fate, you need not thank me. Now that you have learned your skills, you can protect yourself in this world. You, can go now."

Wukong, lost, asked, "Patriarch, where should I go?"

"The world is so vast, where can't you go?"

"I wish to follow Master for life. The world may be vast, but it doesn't have my home," Wukong's eyes filled with tears.

The Patriarch, seemingly reluctant, said, "If you follow me, how can I be at peace? After today, we shall not know each other."

Wukong prostrated and cried, "Patriarch, your kindness is as heavy as a mountain, if I don't repay it, I will live in guilt."

The Patriarch, now angry, shouted, "Say no more! I'll give you three more immortal pills, which can save your life in critical times. From now on, our gratitude and grievances are clear. Do not say you know me, and I will not acknowledge you!"

Wukong said, "Master, if I must go, then teach me a way, when can I see you again?"

The Patriarch replied, "When you see me again, you may not recognize me. What's there to talk about 'when'?"

Wukong wanted to say more, but the Patriarch gestured, and Wukong couldn't move, only to be gently pushed outside the cave, then regaining his freedom.

The Patriarch turned and said, "Wukong, take care of yourself."

Knowing the Patriarch's mind was made up, Wukong bowed deeply eight times, saying, "Master's kindness, I will never forget!" Then he soared into the sky, not looking back.