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yunsound · 4 months ago

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Chinese Mythology: The Four Dragon Kings

Does anyone remember Ao Guang? Or the other three Dragon Kings? Or did anyone watch Ne Zha 2025?

You may then know of the Four Dragon Kings of Ancient China (四海龙王).

Historically all four of them are male- some recent adaptations will show one (or more) of them as female just for fun. China, even in ancient times, did not have four seas around it- the four dragon kings each correspond to a body of water in the cardinal directions.

Ao Guang

The big guy, Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East, does have a “sea”: the East China Sea.

A carving of Ne Zha fighting Ao Guang (we all remember how that went, right?)

We know and love Ao Guang since he’s the one who got Ne Zha killed (after both he and his son got their asses beat) and is also the guy who gave Sun Wukong his mythical weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Staff (maybe will make a post on mythological weapons at some point).

His third son, Ao Bing, is famous for getting his tendons plucked out by Ne Zha.

Subtitles: I'll pull your tendons out, see if you can still hurt anyone after this! (sorry for Ne Zha being kind of naked, he's a kid who was just taking a bath)

Ao Guang is the biggest, most powerful Dragon King.

In the Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods post here), he’s a big dickhead who forces people to give him offerings or he’ll bring them drought and disaster. He’s very powerful, and is the leader of the Four Dragon Kings.

He’s also the sexy dragon dilf dad in Ne Zha 2.

I just cannot get over this character design, oh my goodness.

Ao Run

Ao Run, pronounced Ow Rwen (also sometimes called Ao Ji) is the Dragon King of the West.

He does not have a “sea”: in fact, he rules over the biggest lake in China, Qinghai Lake. It’s big enough that we consider it a sea, I guess. It used to be considered an actual sea (like, connected out to the open ocean) probably because it’s huge, but it was probably never actually a sea.

Lake Qinghai has shrunk a lot. You can tell in this picture: right now it’s about the size of Trinidad.

See all that dry land? Used to be lake.

It’s very blue, which is why it’s called Qinghai 青海 (blue sea). Qing generally refers to a bright blue-teal shade.

Ao Run’s son, Ao Lie, is the dragon that is sentenced to death by the Jade Emperor for setting fire to Ao Run’s palace accidentally and destroying a whole bunch of stuff. In the end, Guanyin Pusa spares Ao Lie’s life and sends him on the Journey to the West with Wukong, Tangsen, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing. You may recall that Tangsen had a big fancy white horse- that’s Ao Lie!

You may notice in this picture everyone else's names are labeled except for the horse. It's kind of sad- he's a little irrelevant.

A huge downgrade, from being a fancy dragon prince to a horse, but you can’t say he didn’t deserve it.

He's also featured in Fei Ren Zai (a very funny comic/animation series about mythical figures in modern-day also featuring Ne Zha, Wukong and Erlang Shen).

You may remember Ao Run from Ne Zha 2, 2025 as the sexy dragon lady with the killer sky-splitting manicure.

Sorry, she did things to me when I first saw her appear in her human form.

Ao Shun

Ao Shun, pronounced Ow Shwen, is the Dragon King of the North.

He also does not have a “sea”, like Ao Run. His patron body of water is what’s now known as Lake Baikal (Wikipedia better not fail me, I actually had no idea where the North China Sea was supposed to be).

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, it’s right up there in the south part of Siberia. North enough for you?

Back when the Han dynasty was fighting the Xiongnu (the Huns in Disney’s Mulan, basically), they beat the Xiongnu in a battle here. They saw this huge-ass lake, and decided they’d refer to it as the North China Sea. Lake Baikal is larger than Belgium. A little scary, no?

In Ne Zha 2, he was the freaky purple-green guy with blades all over his body. You may remember him fighting Ao Bing in a very exciting battle sequence. I’m not aware of any myths where he’s of any significance.

A hard pass. Sorry, second uncle. Your big brother and younger sister are much hotter.

Ao Qin

Ao Qin, pronounced Ow Chin (敖钦) is the Dragon King of the South.

The South China Sea of recent geopolitical tension fame is in fact a sea. Other than Ao Guang, he’s the only one with an actual sea. There’s not much to say about Ao Qin, he’s not that relevant.

If you remember him from Ne Zha 2, he’s the big red one who’s dumb as bricks..

The Four Dragon Kings are really not that important aside from Ao Guang and Ao Run. Ao Guang is a key mythological figure- he appears in many myths, and is a semi-major character in Journey to the West.

Ao Run contributes mainly by giving Tangsen a horse in the form of his son. Poor Ao Lie.

In the 1979 Ne Zha Conquers the Sea, they are all seen briefly scheming with Ao Guang to go Karen-style and ask for the manager (Jade Emperor).

They're all siblings (since they have the same last name, Ao), with Ao Guang being the oldest brother. The order of ages past that is a little harder to figure out- from what I know, their ages are

Ao Guang

Ao Shun

Ao Qin

Ao Run

I actually don't know where Ao Run is in the ranking, I just know Ao Qin is younger than Ao Shun. As such, Ao Run could be either the youngest, the second youngest or the third youngest.

#ancient china #ao bing #ne zha #nezha 2019 #nezha 2025 #chinese animation #ne zha 2 #chinese #chinese culture #chinese mythology #dragons #mythical creatures #mythology and folklore #china #ao guang

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comicaurora · 1 year ago

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hi red!! i'm doing an analysis of sun wukong's (and journey to the west in general's) impact on modern culture for my world mythology final, and for some reason i'm having a hard time finding sources. is there anything you can recommend?

The fact that Journey to the West has contributed an enormous number of tropes to modern media is very clear when the media in question is examined, but I don't know of a specific secondary source that's already done that analysis for you. However, this IS a very good excuse for you to plow through a metric buttload of shonen manga, since the lineage is basically Sun Wukong -> Son Goku -> like a solid third of all shonen action heroes written in the last forty years.

Dragon Ball kicks things off:

Started in 1984 and almost unquestionably the most influential manga ever made. Its first arc features the weird super-strong monkey-kid Son Goku - which is just the japanese pronunciation of the characters of Sun Wukong's name - meeting up with a wacky crew of thinly-veiled expys of the Journey to the West crew, with teen inventor Bulma filling the role of Tripitaka, Oolong the pig-man filling Zhu Bajie's role and Yamcha the desert-based bandit as Sha Wujing.

Hijinks ensue, and while the story drifts pretty far from Journey to the West's original plot, it actually stays pretty solidly referential in weirdly unexpected ways. Several the villains of the week are JttW references, and even the later appearance of three more Saiyans lines up with the surprise reveal of three more Wukong-like mystical apes in the original story.

The connection between Dragon Ball and JttW is very unsubtle and a frequent reference in the chapter covers and supplemental art.

Not every subsequent JttW reference is the result of Dragon Ball popularizing it or anything, since it was already enormously popular, but I think it's pretty hard to extricate Dragon Ball's influence on anime and manga from the original influence of Journey to the West itself.

One way that a distinction can be drawn is in the differences in characterization between Goku and Sun Wukong himself. A lot of the next generation of shonen protagonists were kind of Goku-alikes - pure-hearted dumbasses who only care for the three Fs: Food, Fighting and Friendship.

But the original characterization of Sun Wukong is not really all that similar. He's a trickster, sure, but he's far from a young, friendship-motivated goober. He's profoundly intelligent, pretty much the most well-educated entity on the planet, and routinely brings up that he's centuries older than most of his peers. The Goku-alikes from the later decades of shonen anime are tellingly far-removed from that original characterization. So you get characters based on Goku's cheerful idiocy, but it's just a small subset of the broader influence of Journey to the West on the space of literature.

In general, Journey to the West frequently shows up in very small, bite-sized tropes in other stories. It's less "this is wholly based on Journey to the West" and more "oh, I know where they maybe got this idea/aesthetic/power/weapon/villain of the week from." There are way too many to list, but some of the ones that tend to jump out at me are-

Sneaky characters with monkey motifs:

Tricksy, highly mobile characters who fight with a staff:

Characters afflicted with a magical restraint artifact that allows a much weaker character to stop them from misbehaving:

Specific esoteric weapons, eg. magical fans, rakes, gourds, namedropping The Sword of Seven Stars, etc.

Villains with prominent ox or pig design motifs:

Characters whose primary combat strat is just making Shitloads Of Disposable Copies Of Themselves:

Honestly it just keeps going like this. It's kinda everywhere. Finding the JttW in things is my favorite conspiracy theory rabbit hole because it's 100% harmless and more often than not completely correct.

#asks #not aurora #media recs

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sketching-shark · 1 year ago

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What's really to say about this except

New year, New you

Author note; Learned a lot while writing this story and tried to copy JTTW writing style here or there

No warning on this on, bit of angst, comfort, and humor. Long fic.

Enjoy!

The air was brisk, and the road covered in beautiful white, blanketing the landscape and mountains in snow. All was quiet expect for the sound of crunching; footsteps and hooves leaving marks on the path behind them. The four pilgrims and their white horse on their years’ long journey to the west, each special in their own right and memorable. All expect for one, the often forgotten white dragon horse.

Bailong, dragon prince and third son of the Dragon king of the west sea, huffs and puffs white clouds against the cold air. Keeping his golden eyes forward with the holy Tang Monk on his back. Another year is closing for a new to arise and yet the melancholy refuse to shake off like fleas or ticks. Instead, it burrows deep within and rise memories, one Bailong wishes to forget.

It will be the year of the dragon for the new year, one his family back in the western sea exclusively celebrated and no other zodiac. Sadly for Bailong, the rarely celebrated new years he always missed, his family never waited for him and even forgotten him among the festive celebration. This left him feeling hollow inside and with other emotions swimming within him. In the beginning, it was an overwhelming sadness that was drowning him, then resentment made way like an ocean wave in a storm, before settling in the sands of acceptance beneath waves, forgotten and never seen. He huffs again and shakes the thoughts away.

“Master, the path is becoming difficult. Let us stop at the nearest town and rest. At least until the roads are cleared.” A voice, like that of bells chimes during prayer, a familiar hand brushes against Bailong’s white furry neck. His eyes drift down to the fearsome thunder god, Pilgrim Sun, an infamous being with many names and titles, but best known as his elder brother, Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong study him carefully with his fiery eyes before smiling. “Besides, I think our young dragon horse might’ve fall under the weather.” Wukong tease deftly dodges a bite from Bailong sharp fangs, his laughter echoing in the mountains.

“Wukong,” a warm, but firm voice spoke up above Bailong. “I’ll take your advice, but refrain from teasing.” A delicate hand reaches out, the fingers comb through his fur. The owner of the hand can be no other than the holy Tang Monk. The one who started the journey to complete his quest. Tensions wash off of Bailong and briefly close his closing his eyes. The holy monk knew the best spots. “When is the closest village?” Sanzang asks.

“Yes, big brother! Use your nimbus to scout ahead.” Zhu Bajie pipe in, kicking up snow as he trudges up. Sha Wujing measly catch up behind Zhu Bajie, bits of frost covering the tips of his red beard. The pig and water demon turned disciples, each one with their own names and past, join the other three. “Little brother is freezing and see! His fiery beard is turning blue like his skin!”

“Do not worry about me my brothers, bits of frost nor snow won’t stop me in completing our quest.” Sha Wujing reply with a hum, keeping the rear and smiling gently to the others.

“You say that little brother, but old monkey can hear your teeth chattering from here.”

“Yes, and you’re losing your hue, my disciple.”

“Wukong, hurry up! Find a shelter soon or Sha Wujing will turn into an ice block!”

“Idiot, little brother would be more of an ice boulder than a block.” Wukong said, with more insults ready to throw at Zhu Bajie.

“Please stop bickering, you two! Sun Wukong, please go forth and look for everyone’s sakes.” Sanzang said, stopping them before they truly start.

“Of course, master.” Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie said in union with heads bowing. Bailong huff at the usual display, a normal occurrence and always lively compare to his quiet palace home. His heart feels warm at the concern, even light-heartedly, at the youngest disciple. Even Wukong’s teasing at him as well, far different from his home.

He idly listens to the group’s conversation and suppresses a laugh when Sanzang offers some of his outwear to warm Sha Wujing up; only for the three disciples to dog pile on him with their own winter clothes and becoming a fabric lump with a tiger skin skirt on top. Bailong won’t complain about the added weight, all part of his atonement and added benefit. He watches as the eldest brother somersault onto his cloud and speed ahead. Nothing more than the spec in the sky in a matter of seconds.

Things soon return to the tranquil quiet as before, with sounds of foot and hooves crushing snow in the white landscape. The thoughts of his family far gone from Bailong’s mind, the group continues on with light snow fall until only an hour later Pilgrim Sun returns with news. Bailong didn’t pay no mind to it, only the important bit; the nearest village is only a few hours away and Pilgrim Sun already establish a lodging for them all. An empty home they can all stay for with food provided. He tune out Zhu Bajie as he starts the normal hungry complaints and the distance. Or when the two oldest brothers go at it again and Sanzang muffles a sigh under the pile. Sha Wujing smiles through his chattering teeth, always keeping up in the rear and never complaining. Together, the monk and his disciples travel to their destination, with the eldest leading the way.

True to Sun Wukong’s word, the party arrives just a few hours with a small home fit for a family of five. “I didn’t realize it was of the new years already. It’s nice of the locals to have our lodge decorated for the occasion.” Sha Wujing said, stepping towards to the door, using his transformation to shrink down to the size of an average man. “Though it’s a shame there isn’t any bamboo for us to burn, I always did enjoy hearing the crackles during this time of year.”

“Maybe there will be plenty of food then.” Zhu Bajie reply, rushing forward and doing the same as Sha Wujing, almost matching his height. “A nice hot meal will be nice to shake off the bitter cold! Better yet, a feast!” Zhu Bajie said with excitement, passing the youngest brother and first through the door into the house with Sha Wujing behind him.

Wukong quietly watches his two brothers before he leads Bailong to the stables with a now sleeping Tang monk softly snoring on top of him. “Little Bailong,..” Bailong always hated that, he’s not that young, “…come inside with Master and old monkey. It’s much too cold for you to be out here.” Speaking in a hush tone, Wukong grows into size enough to grab the bundles of fabrics that is his master. He carries the monk like a parent does with a sleeping child. Sanzang’s red nose was the only thing peeking out. Wukong chuckles as the dragon horse, the extra warm gone and now left his body shivering, “See, come with me and I’ll prepare tea for you and Master.” Titling his head to the side, he studies Bailong’s state; flakes and dull skin, even his eyes lost their shine. “Ah, even as a horse you still molt, old Sun shall draw you a bath. Let me bring Master into our lodging and I’ll come back for you.” Bailong bobs his head in reply, watching the two leave. The cold seeps into his bones and feels of constriction of his skin with an itch that won’t go away. A wooden beam stands only a few steps away from him with ever-growing temptation, soon the satisfaction of the coarse wood against his hide. He sighs, his thoughts of his family back at the forefront of his mind, along with hollowness. Perhaps this year they’ll send a letter or even wishes or gifts. Anything to remind him he’s still family. His ears perk at the distance sound of chatter coming from the house.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing stood in the kitchen discussing among themselves of tonight’s feast and the rooms they briefly explore. A main room where everyone can eat, one with a tub for washing, a kitchen, and two for sleeping or storage. The sound of a door opens and closes draws their attention. Peeking out, they see their oldest brother carrying their master. Their eyes on him as he disappears into the bathroom and shortly coming out, then in another room where the two store everyone’s luggage and out again. At this is when Sha Wujing spoke up. “Brother, the sleeping quarters are down the hall at the end.”

“Ha! Fool getting lost in a small home, is that the reason you bother everyone in heaven because you couldn’t find your way?” Zhu Bajie laughs, his belly shaking and wiping a tear. His laughter doubles and clutching his gut when Sun Wukong glares at him.

“Quiet Idiot! Are you trying to wake Master?” Sun Wukong whispers harshly with narrow fiery eyes, briefly glances at the sleeping monk. “And I see you haven’t gained more weight yet. Why don’t you make yourself useful and cook for us tonight.”

“I don’t know, perhaps you should, Mother Sun.” Zhu Bajie replies, grinning when Sha Wujing covers his mouth and looking away, his shoulders shaking.

“I guess you make a poor husband who can’t cook. Old monkey can see why your wife and in-laws wanted you gone.” Wukong smiles, smug when Idiot’s ears flaps and his face turn red like Sha Wujing beard. At this, the youngest brother couldn’t contain his joyful laughter, using the wooden beams to support himself.

“I’ll show you! I’ll make the finest dish that you’ll offer any daughters to marry me and honor me as your son-in-law!” Zhu Bajie declares and return to the kitchen. Wukong proudly watches and sees Idiot’s outstretch hand grabbing Sha Wujing. The youngest brother yelps when he’s yank in with barks of orders. Sun Wukong shakes his head with a smile, carrying the Tang Monk down the hall and gently laying him on the bed. Even tucking the monk before leaving.

“It’s amazing master slept through all that. Old monkey thought he’ll wake from Idiot’s blubbering and little brother’s laughing.” Walking back towards the kitchen, the sound of chopping and bickering reaching his ears. He steps closer and listens.

“Little brother! You’re chopping that wrong! Are you trying to feed rabbits like that? You’ll make a poor husband.”

“I don’t want to be a husband. I want to be a monk, big brother.” Sha Wujing mumbles, pricking his fingers for the third time.

“And you’re bleeding again! You want the master to break his vows? Go clean your wound again and tend to the fire.” the second brother ordered with his back turned.

“I see why your marriage failed.” the youngest brother mumbles

“Hmm!? What did you say?” Zhu Bajie whips his head at Sha Wujing’s direction.

“Nothing big brother! Must have been the wood crackling.” Sha Wujing reply sweetly.

Sun Wukong silently chuckles behind his hand, leaving his two brothers as the cold hits his golden fur. Chills burrow into his bones, the thick snow falling now and some landing on him. He admires the beauty of nature for only a moment before he trudges over to the stables. The sight of the youngest member of the group rubbing his side on the old wooden support beam, tilting dangerously. “Stop! Stop! Let Monkey help you before that beam collapses on us both…. I said, hold still!” Sun Wukong shouts, both hands on Bailong and a tail around the beam. He nods to himself, patting Bailong’s stomach. “Quite impatient today, young Bailong”

At this, Bailong shifts into a more humanoid appearance, with antler like horns and teal hair. His features resembles of that a boy on the cusp of adulthood. “Don’t call me that!” His voice cracks just like his skin.

“And moody too. Is it has becau-“

“That it’s the year of the dragon and my family hasn’t sent word or wishes. Treating me as if I don’t exist, as always.” Bailong turns his back to Wukong with arms crossed. His emotions swirl like a whirlpool inside, ready to burst.

“I thought it was the year of the monkey.” Wukong said, stepping closer to the young boy on the cusp of adulthood. Frowning at the poor condition he’s in from his molt and the sudden outburst.

“You say it’s the monkey’s year, every year.” Bailong said flatly as he spun back around, his eyes firmly on the spec of snow beneath him.

“Well, Idiot fell for it during the year of the pig, but I suppose it’s the dragon’s year, if you say so. As for your family…” Wukong reaches up to his ear, “…do you want Old Sun to pay them a vis-“

“No! I just….” Bailong when he interrupts a second time, but he continues. “…I just never spent new years with them, I just…” He sighs, his shoulders sagging. He was a dutiful son and never voiced or went against his family’s wishes until his mishap almost got him executed. If it wasn’t for this journey, he shivers at the thought. “I.. I just want to know that my family cares for me…” A part of him misses home, the luxury and the comforts. However, the other side of him loved seeing a world he’ll never get to see behind his watery palace or the people he met along the way. Did he truly misses his family or is he telling himself that? Familial loyalties can be the strongest and yet it was his father who sent him to the heavenly courts and his execution. Even in the years he travels with the monks, not once did his family reach out or seek him out. His eyes water as his thoughts swarm around him, intrusive and hostile, like the old and inhospitable world.

Until powerful arms wrap around him, protecting him and dashing his train of thought. Bailong buries his face against Wukong’s chest and staining his robes. Tears now flowing freely as he feels a hand rub against his back gently. No one exchanges words, and Bailong doesn’t mind or care as he quietly weeps. Only feeling Wukong lifting and carrying him like he did with the holy monk; the cold snow before the warmth of inside. His ears perking as the other brothers bickering and then laughing in the other room. Wukong carried him further into the home, the joyful sounds fading away.

A door opens and closes, the room far more humid compare to the main room and hallway. The moisture in the air doing wonders for his flaky skin. Bailong lifts his head from Wukong’s chest to see a bath ready with all the essentials. In the corner of his blurry vision, he spots what could only be a clone making final preparations and setting new clothes for after his bath.

Bailong didn’t have the chance to think more of where the clothes came from or if it was even his, when his feet dip into the steaming waters. His mind was blank and his body moved on its own. Quickly stripping away garments and diving into the waters. Splashing and spilling over, Wukong can be overheard grumbling about being wet and something else. It didn’t take long to feel the heat to soak into him and, like a weighted blanket, ease him into a peaceful sleep.

Sun Wukong watches all of this with annoyance and amusement, shaking the water off his fur and wringing his soggy robes. A plan forms in his mind as he glance at Bailong, closing his eyes and drifting off. Wukong sighs. He’ll have to leave the young man alone for his plan to work, but he wants to ensure that Bailong is up when dinner is ready or when Master is awake. He leaves and walks towards the kitchen, knowing the only ones still awake can help him.

“Little brother, how on earth or heaven did you survive on your own like this?” Bajie ask in astonishment, wrapping Wujing’s bleeding finger in cloth.

“I only know how to pickle and pickled anything that came to my river and eat when it was necessary. I’m not a cook like you,” Wujing said with his head hanging low.

“Please forgive your big brother. I got blinded by my attempt to prove to our eldest that you needed help.

Sha Wujing clasps Zhu Bajie’s shoulder and smiles. “Then please enlighten me on the ways of cooking, so that I can be an excellent monk.”

“You mean husband?” Zhu Bajie teasingly asked with a smile.

“No, I think he meant monk, Idiot.” Wukong said, standing in the doorway. Firey eyes wrinkling when the two jump and nearly hit each other. “I need to leave and gather supplies for tonight. Our dragon horse is dispirited- “he pauses as the two gasp and talk among themselves over poor Bailong. Wukong clears his throat and continues talking. “He’s soaking in the bathroom. Bring him out once dinner is ready. I’m-”

“Perhaps we should cook some of his favorites.” Bajie said, a hand under his chin with his eyes close.

“Maybe we can further decorate the home and I can gather bamboo. I remember seeing some on the way here.” Sha Wujing suggests. His eyes focus on the window.

“Brother, what do you think?” Zhu Bajie asks their eldest brother, “And the ugly bastard gone.” He grumbles at the empty spot Pilgrim Sun was in. Zhu Bajie asks their eldest brother, "Brother, what do you think? And the ugly bastard has disappeared." He grumbles at the empty spot Pilgrim Sun was in.

The two concluded on a plan without the eldest and went their separate ways, each completing tasks with intensity. Bajie cooked all meals the young dragon horse mentions over the years on the road. Add flavors and spices to Bailong’s personally loved. His mouth waters and his snout twitches as each of the dishes he set at the table, but he’ll abstain until he sees the delight on Bailong’s face. Bajie admires the handy work of Wujing’s decoration.

The villagers have set some up to make them as a welcome gift. One they were certainly grateful for, though Wujing took it further by writing scrolls and handing fabrics. Bajie’s ears twitch at the sound of the door and footsteps. He spots Wujing with bundles of bamboo under his arms and snow mix with his hair. “Once you set those down, please wake and retrieve our master and Bailong. I’ll set the final preparations and ensure everything is ready.” Bajie said, he watches as his little brother nods and disappears further into the house.

It doesn’t take long for Sha Wujing to return with tears in his eyes and something shrivels in his arms. Bajie feels his heart stop at the sight. “Zhu Bajie! Brother!” Wujing’s voice is loud as it echoes off the walls. Bajie rushes over to him. “It’s Bailong! He’s…he’s” Wujing wobbles, his body shaking and his breathing shallow. Bajie gasps, finally getting a better look before he, too, sob over what was once was Bailong. In Sha Wujing’s arms lies a husk, shell and translucent of Bailong’s body. Still warm and droplets dripping from his hands with tears landing on his frail body. Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie collapses, each with arms wrap around the other.

“Why are you two crying? Did something happen?” Sun Wukong asks, his eyes searches for the source of the cause for his younger brothers’ sorrows.

“Brother! Bailong, he’s…he’s” Sha Wujing wiggle away from Zhu Bajie to show the eldest disciple of what has become Bailong.

“That’s what you two were crying about? Just toss it and wak-“

“How could you?!”

“You rotten ugly bastard!”

“Disciples, why all the shouting at this hour and right before supper?” All eyes whip towards Tripitaka, rubbing his eyes and holding hands with a yawning Bailong. Who’s skin and hair shine brightly against the lights, his features closer to that of a young man, but with a hint of boyishness still lingers.

The second and third disciples cried again, practically tackles the monk and dragon into a hug. Once free from two burly men’s hugs; Bailong explains he sheds his skin every few years. His shedding always landed on the New Year, the year of the dragon, to be exact. The sea cold waters made it grueling process overall. However, this time it was easier on Bailong’s body thanks to the hot bath Sun Wukong prep for him. Wukong’s chest puffed up and smug with such praise.

“You ape! Why didn’t you say anything before?! Sha Wujing and I wouldn’t have to bawl our eyes out if you told us!”

“I would’ve if you kept your mouth shut and allowed me to speak. Not old monkey’s fault you lack manners.” Sun Wukong said matter-of-factly.

“You!”

Tripitaka sighs as moves himself over to the table, Bailong joining him while Sha Wujing set the table and the dishes. Soon he joins the other two as they help themselves to the food and watch the daily entertainment of the two older disciples argue like a comedic skit during a play. A dinner and a show, an array of flavors and non stop snickering laughter as Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie go at it. It took some time for both the disciples to tire themselves out before joining the others.

Bailong soon enough became the focus of attention from the other men. Zhu Bajie asking his thoughts on the dishes, many he recognizes as his favorites from his home, but more importantly from the travels with everyone. Each bite brings memories of the places they stop at and the stories it holds.

However, Bailong didn’t have the chance to answer the second disciple before the third was asking him about the decorations. His golden eyes wander the room, his cheeks puffy with food. The deep color of red littering the room with mixtures of yellow, none quite matching with the red. It’s nothing to compare to the one back at the western sea palace. However, despite that, everything felt warm to him, like when he was in the bath or when Tripitaka scooted over to allow him under the covers for a nap.

Finally, his eyes landing on the bamboo and his eyebrows raise, that was something his family definitely didn’t partake. He heard about burning bamboo to get it to crack and crackle. Even seen and heard it from a distance during the journey, but to partake in it? This was something he couldn’t contain his excitement, nearly bouncing in his chair and scarfing down the food.

“If you’re excited over burning bamboo, then Old Monkey has something even better.” Now this got everyone’s attention and eyes on Pilgrim Sun. Which leads to everyone with the same thought. Where did the oldest disciple run off to? “Old Monkey remembered an old acquaintance and pay them a visit. Kind enough to gift me a newly made invention! One that can light up the sky.”

“You mean you stole it.” Zhu Bajie said between bites, smugly when he sees the familiar frown etch on Sun Wukong’s face.

“No, Idiot, I did not steal it. I did a favor of exchange for it and it will make our new years a memorable one.”

“How long will we have to wait?” Bailong spoke up, hands on the table and leaning over. “Can we see it now? After dinner?” his voice was louder with a wide smile.

“After dinner.” Tripitaka announces, “After dinner and we’ll see what Pilgrim Sun brought.” Calmly declare with poise and elegance as he ate his food at a faster pace than he usually does. Although no one paid much mind as the rest soon clear off the rest of the dishes.

With much haste, everyone finishes dinner and rush out the door. Pushing the eldest disciple out first with unrestrained glee. “What happens to the men and who replaces them with children?” Sun Wukong laughs, making himself a little heavier. Let them work for it if only a little.

Outside in the brisk air, the group stands off by the entrance as Sun Wukong stands a respectful distance away with an object in his hand. A quick light and a good throw, the object soar high into the night air. With bated breath, everyone stares at the sky and waits.

“Nothing happ- “Bailong’s words die in his throat as the once darken sky soon turns into an explosion of colors with a thundering boom. He and the others feel it in their bones, but no one dare move as they watch vibrant colors spread across the sky before fading back into the darkness. This was nothing he could have imagined witnessing in all his life, nor does he ever wish to forget. Bailong spends the rest of the night among his fellow traveling companions, his family, celebrating the new years together. Until a heavenly official arrives about a noise complaint.

#sun wukong #journey to the west #jttw #xiyouji #bai longma #tripitaka #zhu bajie #sha wujing #long fic #WEH #that was very cute #and I'm always a sucker for more attention given to bai longma #especially when there's some more reference to his life before the journey #which given that he was tortured & almost executed by the jade emperor at his father's seeming request #uhhhhh probably wasn't that great #get cherished idiot

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itsabouttimex2 · 7 months ago

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I was re-reading some of the Primal Moon stuff and I just kept thinking... If this is how badly everyone else gets affected, imagine how Chang'e gets during the Primal Moon!!!

Poor girl is probably losing her marbles up there, all by herself!!

Primal Moon Tier List

Actually… Chang’e is doing just about the same as canon! She’s a little lonely to be on her own, and a little worried for the world down below… but she’s managing!

For reference, here’s what I’ve workshopped for Primal Moon so far!

Humans and Celestials, if they have no animalistic features or demonic heritage, are unaffected by the creeping Viridescence, and are therefore free of any harmful effects of the lunar cycle. Which gives us a total of eleven characters (temporarily twelve with Seasons 1-3 MK) who are left the same in Primal Moon.

As for the others, with potential targets outside of Y/N listed in parentheses…

Sun Wukong is a monkey, c’mon. He; by the very nature of his species, needs company and affection. So what if he snatches up a darling cub (or two) from the streets and bundles them home as they kick and scream for help anticipate a week long stay with the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. He’ll dote and smother until you’re all worn out from begging for your freedom receiving his affection to tuck the both of you into bed, ready to spend a quarter of the month in a frenzy of familial love. (MK, Macaque, Ne Zha, Tang Sanzang, Ao Lie, Zhu Baije, Sha Wujing)

The Azure Lion has been burdened by primal want for family since his earliest days in the Celestial Realm, quite often being “given” a still-young Ne Zha to coddle, sitting for hours with the little deity in his lap, grooming his hair to perfection with a massive tongue. But that was centuries ago, and now he needs someone new to “parent”… most likely being Y/N. (Sun Wukong, Macaque, Peng, Yellowtusk, DBK, young Ne Zha, MK, Mei, Red Son)

Bereft of his lover, Kui Mulang devolves into a more merciful and someone brooding individual, sometimes refusing to devour souls even when the ones presented to him are choice selections. He mostly manages to compose himself, however- until a pup or kit is presented to him, at which point he slowly begins to mold them into the “perfect child” for him and his lovely Jade Maiden- and he’s sure that she’ll love Y/N as much as he does. (MK, Mei)

Arrogant as they may be, the Golden-Winged Peng is indeed still an avian, with powerful brooding instincts. They have some vested interest in little stragglers and chicks, souls who haven’t found their footing yet. If you have wings of some kind, expect lots of flying lessons and feather cleaning. For younger or smaller individuals, Peng will frequently perform brooding, though in a very gentle way- they’ll have you sit on their lap and then squish themselves all around you with feathery neck fluff and muscular arms and then their golden wings over all that to firmly ensnare you. (Macaque if he’s much younger than they are, Mei)

———————————————————————-

The Spider Queen isn’t usually interested in making heirs- she wants the throne all to herself for as long as she can have it… but if a charming and powerful individual were to wander into her sewers, maybe the lady wouldn’t red be able to deny herself an attempt at courting them? After all, a child of your blood and hers would be a magnificent creation (and weapon) indeed- although the means of birth would be by magic. She doesn’t have any interest in nine months of pain or suffering, after all. (Sun Wukong, Macaque, Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan, Scorpion Queen)

As always, our lonely Scorpion Queen longs for companionship in any form, be it partner or paramour. Expect her to try and hook up with the friendliest face she can find, often in the form of the sweet little mortals who go hiking past her lair in an attempt to separate from the wildness of the city. After all, maybe a little darling child would help ease her loneliness! (Tang, Pigsy)

Huntsman is out on the streets looking for a suitable partner, not necessarily for want of a lover so much as he wants his pick of the “superior” stock showing off their strength to lure in mates- the thought of having a child to pass on all his knowledge to doesn’t exactly deter the arachnid. However, he’d be content with “just” getting a lifelong sparring partner out of it.

———————————————————————-

After the death of his beloved son, Ao Guang goes from “almost unaffected” by the rising moon to borderline delusional. He usually stays locked up tight inside his chambers, away from anyone who he might “confuse” with his departed Ao Bing. If one seems to be young in either appearance or behavior, he’s not unlikely to snatch them up and spirit them away to his chambers for a week of grief-fueled doting. If one outright looks similar to the dragon prince, expect him to treat them as a reincarnation or descendant. (Mei, Ao Lie)

Ao Lie tries to step up and take care of those around him, but tends to stumble and fail along the way as his mind deteriorates. There’s some bass understanding of the world (eg: fire burns, raw meat sickens, clothes keep you warmth) but a lot of the finer details are lost on him. Still, he just wants to help! If his target/targets outright reject this behavior/try to run, Lie will assume draconic form and wrap them all up in his massive green coils. (Mei, Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing)

If anyone is “losing it” mentally, Xiangliu probably shows it the clearest. There are moments of blatant hysteria as he screams about “monsters” and “chaos” and “caves”, pounding cracks into the tiles beneath his feet and etching his feelings across the walls of any residence- and then he’s horribly silent and withdrawn, each little snake on his head leering and limp. It’s hard to tell what he actually wants, given that he’ll never communicate outside of hysterical shrieking and wanton destruction. (Sun Wukong)

———————————————————————-

Macaque’s most blatant changes are internal, the Viridescence stripping his inner inhibitions away- unlike Red Son below, this doesn’t manifest in tears or desperate pleas for love, but a wide spur of self-injurious behavior that displays itself in many forms- often trending towards stereotypies such as overeating, scratching away skin, and picking out clumps of hair. For “his own good”, Macaque tends to be the victim of other demons during the moon’s rising.

Twice a year Red Son makes himself a promise- “This time I won’t break,” he says to himself, working through a dozen new techniques and tactics to try and prevent himself from cracking and falling apart in a messy puddle of tears… all of which fail in a tidy little row, leaving poor Red Boy to weep into the lap of whoever his mother has kidnapped to tend to him… he’s actually mostly in his right mind, just incapable of biting back his tongue or tears, allowing potential romance to bloom as the verdant moon rises. (MK, Mei)

As for Mei, she’s… well, an entirely different person in Primal Moon. She’s spent so very long being taught to constantly repress herself in order to keep others from harm and agony, which the poor girl always has on her mind, no matter the day or circumstance. She’s quieter, clumsier, lonelier. She speeds on busy roads, plays with lighters, trauma-dumps to her followers… deep down, Mei believes that her inevitable fate is to be a monster. At some point this belief leads her true nature to unlock under the power of the Viridescence, causing Mei to transform into a dragon and start hoarding “treasure”… often in the form of her dearest friends/romantic interests. (MK, Red Son)

———————————————————————-

Like I’ve gone over before, MK grows extremely unstable after spending years perfectly suppressing his demonic heritage- like a spring wound too tight, he just snaps. He’s one of the few that grows legitimately violent with any “darling” he might have, forcing them to become troop-mates. He willingly falls under the command of Sun Wukong, who has become equally delusional. It’s not impossible for them to build a “troop” made entirely out of kidnapped friends and family. (Mei, Red Son, Macaque)

Though the Demon Bull King’s behavior towards his wife alone would put him halfway in the “looking for a mate” category, his behavior towards everyone else (minus Red Son) is extremely violent to the point of essentially returning to his former warlord days- and unlike many others on this list, doesn’t even bother to fight his desires. He’s just... letting go. And everyone else is left to suffer for it. The only way he ends up with a new “family member” is if he either talks Iron Fan into a new child, or she kidnaps a mortal herself to take care of Red Son.

Sha Wujing just... regresses. Back to his bone pit, to constant fighting, to streams of blood flooding his lonely river. Back to before the monk and his dear brothers. Everything just... smears to a splash of bright red and he settles for grinding anything he finds “upsetting”. Most of this is born of blind fear and repressed sorrow, so Wukong (if he’s holding himself together) is usually sent to bear Wujing’s mighty swings one after the the other as he moves in for a hug. Once the big blue giant has cooled off and come to his senses, he’s utterly overwhelmed with guilt at the sight of all Wukong’s bruises and cuts, and spends the next week taking care of him like a little brother.

———————————————————————-

As a goddess from time immemorial, Nüwa is… a little “out of touch“ when it comes to interacting with mortals. You can’t spend a handful of forevers hiding away and come out of it with stunning social skills, after all. She’s not exactly skillfully soft, but doesn’t see the need to be horribly cruel or vicious with. When the lunar haze from above softens her inhibitions, Nüwa turns to undermining the agency of her ward, subtly working to convince them that she- and she alone- can tend to their needs. (MK)

In his current state, Sandy really is the most “harmless” a yandere can be, settling for only the very occasional drugging to keep you complacent and docile while the musclebound monster man pampers you through the settling haze. The only thing changed by the Primal Moon’s impact is that Sandy becomes much more willing to verbally strike down the notion of independence by guilt-tripping you into staying “to keep him calm” as he wraps your smaller form in thick fleece blankets and pours another cup of tea with a strange layer of film on the top. (Pigsy)

Goliath doesn’t mind the viridescence too much, all things considered- more than ever during the event so people want to fight, so he’s never too busy “thinking” or “planning”- he’ll just pummel down any threat to his Queen and drag the body off to be converted into a fellow spider demon. The only real difference is that he’s not afraid to drag you out to bear witness to the growing violence and danger bred under the verdant lunar light, and then force you to patch his wounds as a show of the “affection” he expects you to have.

Already something of a troublemaker, Zhu Bajie mostly remains his old self during the semi-annual event, knowing which cards to play to get the Great Monk to do as he pleases, often to either his own or Sun Wukong’s detriment. Now he’ll direct that worsening (and at times downright malicious) manipulative behavior to you, trying to second-handedly browbeat you into submission. It’s not even that Bajie understands why- the moon just fucks his brain up so bad that he doesn’t bother pushing back against the notion that you should suffer for his own amusement.

———————————————————————-

Throughout many centuries, Yellowtusk has trained long and hard to repress the worst of his instincts, to utterly astounding success. When not working with his sworn brothers, the pachyderm demon is traveling about to aid little mortals in need, though his brain is just fogged enough to disregard basic autonomy and personal boundaries. The big guy ends up pretty “hands-on” as a result, often holding and moving about mortals like dolls.

Given that he was an actual human to start with, Syntax works the opposite of MK- he’s not just “not repressing” the moon, it simply has no impact on him. Then upon his baleful transformation, Syntax just… isn’t all that different. You can change a body, but not the soul beneath it. He’s still a person, deep down.

Mr. and Mrs. Dragon have put themselves under the same rigorous training that they ensured Mei underwent, leaving them mostly untouched by any form of enthralling bestial behavior, both rather rational and composed. Still, they aren’t exactly above snatching up maybe a new worker -cook or maid or cleaner- from a lower class to “dote on” through the week- and if that individual is young enough they may well pursue adoption when the haze lifts.

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tuima11 · 5 days ago

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So I’ve been telling JttW to my tiny niece

She freaking loves it? She demands “Naughty Monkey Story” at every opportunity. She has, however, formed a few Opinions I have to work around.

-Tripitaka is now a princess. I showed Niece a picture of him from a Pinterest board I made specifically for story time with her, and he was looking very pretty in his “crown.” Niece made an executive decision.

This has proven to be an utterly seamless change.

-I turned the furnace into a magic cooking pot and tried to make the whole thing as child-friendly as possible. Was slightly croggled when she solemnly suggested they were going to eat Naughty Monkey for dinner because he had eaten their peach dinner. This kid has heard too many fairy tales.

-Bajie is The Best And Nicest. I dare not persuade her otherwise. She was strongly taken with him being both round and pink (qualities she herself possesses).

-I kinda overdid it on the suspense when they met Sha Wujing and she got very freaked out. She now refers to him as “the nice water man,” with careful emphasis, and I have to reassure her every time that yes, he’s nice now.

-Guanyin is her favorite. Her mum has told her that Guanyin is a kind of angel, and Niece is on board with that. Briefly disappointed with the lack of wings, entirely assuaged when I explained that she flies around on a flower instead.

The Bajie thing aside, I gotta say Niece’s version cooks.

#journey to the west #story time #Uh no of course the dragon didn't EAT their horse #The horse is fine!#Promise #She ran away and lives happily with the other horses in the sky #Instead of a cassock that crooked abbot stole Trip's fancy princess crown #Truly a dastardly villain #Also I have been informed that the reason Princess Tripitaka is bald #is that the fish (??) ate his hair. (?????)#This is now a part of his origin story #I don't make the rules #I have lost control #Send help #tang sanzang #zhu bajie #sha wujing #sun wukong #Naughty Monkey strikes again!!!

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quitealotofsodapop · 6 months ago

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Unbeknownst to Heaven and Wukong himself, there was once a person who did attempt to take advantage of his fate changing powers in drafted fates au, multiple times in fact. Only the Pilgrims had known of this, and they had taken that secret to their graves, making a silent pact to not even tell Wukong of the true plans the LBD had for when they had sealed her away all those centuries ago

Hehehehehehe

Our idea in DMs: what if the events surrounding the White Bone Spirit/Yellow Robed Demon arc weren't as "simple" as the text makes it out to be?

In this case; LBD wasn't interested in eating or bedding Tripitaka - her plans exceed well beyond such common vices.

Tripitaka *noticed* that something was off about the skeletal demon who harassed them. The rice she offered the monk had quickly turned black with decay, but wasn't poisoned, merely altered as to give the monk terrible digestion.

Upon the second encounter with the spirit, and with Bajie loudly complaining and accusing his shorter brother of harming innocents, the monk noticed something concerning.

The spirit wasn't interested in the Tang Monk at all. Her gaze (no matter was body she took) was fixated on the Monkey King. Whatever the creature had planned, it involved the monk's bodyguard.

At the third encounter, Tripitaka's brain was going into overdrive. Clearly this spirit *couldn't be killed* in the traditional fashion. And it wanted Wukong - someone well up to this point Tripitaka mostly sees as a barbaric, blood-thirsty monster. If the skeleton spirt got a hold of the Monkey King and all of his power then- no, he shouldn't think of it. It would be safer if Wukong was away from the bone spirit's grasp. Tripitaka needed a way to send Wukong away from here.

The problem was; Tripitaka didn't think Wukong would believe him (irony).

In the monk's mind, it was easier to go along with Bajie's accusations than to explain why he wanted Wukong away from here.

Wukong flies back home, heartbroken at his terminated employment (and losing his chance at freedom). He reunites with his subjects and Stalwarts, and protects them from the odd influx of hunters that capture monkey demons.

In the meantime with the Pilgrims; they have some trouble with the Yellow Robed Demon/Kui Mulang. But they aren't helpless.

With Tripitaka transformed into a tiger, Sha Wujing captured, and Ao Lie injured but ready to prepare a strike; Bajie manages to convince Wukong to come home; letting it slip that "Master wanted to protect you". Wukong is intrigued by the monk's concern, and agrees to come back to the fold.

Only they never get there.

Ao Lie manages to expose Kui Mulang as a liar when werewolf-demon makes a drunken jackass of himself inside of his unwilling-father-in-law's palace (as what happens in JTTW). Whilst the dragon prince ends up captured, Sha Wujing is tipped off that this is no mere demon - but a powerful celestial. Kui Mulang is so present in Ao Lie's memory scroll because the dragon was crucial in defeating him.

Sha Wujing escapes in the chaos of Ao Lie and Mulang's fighting to send an inquiry to Earth Star of Saturn. As a former celestial, the fish man still remembers what authorities to contact, and gets in touch with the overseer of the 28 Mansions. The Wood Wolf of Legs is confirmed to be missing - and the Jade Emperor is quick to cover up the incident to save face. Princess Hundred-Flower is returned to her father (with or without any half-celestial children), and Tripitaka is returned to human form.

But where is Bajie and Wukong?

They find the pigman beaten to a pulp among the black pines. Bajie manages to explain that he *did* convince Brother Wukong to return to the pilgrimage, but on the way they were set upon by a very powerful warrior. One which smiled and politely asked that the Monkey King be presented to "the ivory lady" before attacking.

Tripitaka pales.

Sun Wukong... captured? The one in peril?!

The King of Precious-Image explains that "Ivory Lady" most likely refers to the new advisor to a small nearby dynasty - a woman clad in all-white.

In a sense it confirms the monk's fear on the White Bone Spirit - someone truly had been fixated on his disciple and had the means to subjugate him. But gloating isn't a virtue, and they need their monkey back!

Wukong doesn't remember the surrounding incident so well. LBD had been testing how much magic she needed to fully possess the King, and in the meantime kept him frozen in her crystal ice.

Before she met the Tang Monk on the road by chance, LBD had not realised that the monkey she was looking for was the infamous Monkey King himself. Her Emperor's best hunting party had confirmed it when they were sent back from Alolai bloodied and broken once the monk's bodyguard decided to visit home.

It seems the reason FFM was only being targeted by hunters in the last two years was because of the Ivory Lady letting slip to her Emperor that there was a powerful beast out there that could change fate itself...

The Tang Monk enters the small kingdom, innocently requesting travel papers - only to be summoned forth to the Emperor's palace by the Ivory Lady herself.

After all, the Golden CIcada would be a fine trophy.

Awkwardly the monk asks the court of nobles; "Hey, have there been any monkey demons sighted around here?"

The Emperor and his posse laugh - trotting out nearly a whole troop of captured Alolai monkeys, carrying drink trays and dancing robotically as jesters.

Tripitaka pales. Bajie whispers that he recognises the face patterns as being the same as the King's people. Wujing is holding himself back from throttling the Emperor and his posse then and there. Ao Lie is keeping to himself, still injured from his tussle with Kui Mulang.

The Pilgrims are in for a real hard mission.

Bajie manages to let slip to the monkey demon servants that their King is in danger and nearby, but that they'll need their help to save him. (btw ty for the tasty dialoge)

Monkey Servant: "If you truly saw our king among his people, what eas he doing when you approached him?" Bajie, confused: "He was cuddling a baby monkey and speaking baby talk to it." Monkey Servant, overjoyed: "OH ITS HIM!" Tripitaka: That… that's all you need from us to believe we know your king? Monkey Servant: King Wukong is a shí bǎomǔ. He always cares for the troupes' cubs!

No hesitation. No care for their own safety. These monkeys drop everything to save their King. Which is a major surprise to Bajie and Wujing, as they heard nothing but celestial rumours that the Monkey King had been a bloodthirsty tyrant. But the reactions and actions of his subjects are not that of a repressed people. They speak of their King with the same familiarity as an elder family member - their Lao Sun.

What the mortal Emperor not accounted for was that the "silly monkeys" he kept as slaves had been trained by the Monkey King himself in the art of war. As long as their lives had not been in danger, they still held the cards over him. And his new servants had spent the last two years learning every nook and cranny and secret passage of his castle...

It is with the servants' help that the Pilgrims manage to find their eldest younger brother - frozen in otherworldy ice. Tripitaka's hand nearly burns when he tries touching it.

And outside? Something BIG id going down:

Wukong's icy prison turns out to be the "heart" of LBD's first bone mech - much like what would become of Mei in the later model. This Bone Mech is a far more "rugged" design than what she would build centuries onward. The bones and armour of fallen soldiers can only go so far in aesthetics.

When the Ivory Lady reveals her true intentions to the mortal Emperor, and the Chief of War erases the man from human history - the Pilgrims are just looking up at the Bone Mech like: 0_0

Ao Lie discovers in all of chaos of the Pilgrims' fight against the demon's possessed soldiers; that the Bone Spirit flinches away from fire when a torch from their surroundings rolls dangerously close to her.

Ao Lie is a rare dragon. A royal sea dragon that can wield fire - a trait inherited from his "commoner" mother's side of the family (something about a "Torch Dragon?).

(this ability and heritage is also why many years later, Ao Lie was able to carrying the Burden of the Samadhi Fire even as a sea dragon).

But setting things on fire is eaxctly why the Prince got into trouble in the first place! He hesitates to fight back, especially with survivors of Alolai's Great Burning nearby. What if he messes up Again!?

It's only through encouragement from the other Pilgrims that Ao Lie musters the courage to bring the heat down on the icy mech.

Bajie and Wujing keep the transformed Chief of War occupied so their Master can get closer. For you see, the Ivory Lady's death magic is strong. Only a truly holy being can weaken in...

So, terrified and in pain, Tripitaka is forced to find his power. Inside the chamber of the Mech's heart, he places his hands on Wukong's prison. Rambling off his apologies; how he sent his disciple away, how he ignored his warnings at so many turns, how he thought the demon couldn't understand his fear, how he mistakenly thought the Monkey King was a tyrant and a beast, and how his own actions indirectly led to his disciple's capture.

Wukong isn't particularly coherent. He's half-possessed when he hears his Master's sobbing pleas. They ring louder than any mantra could. The warrior king blocks an attack from hitting the monk, proving that even in an altered state, he would protect him.

Kṣitigarbha, the bodhisattva of the dead, appears to assist the Tang Monk in sealing the Bone Demon away (hopefully) for good. The bodhisattva explains that as a being of the Underworld, the Bone Demon could not be killed, only barred from the world of the living. The only way to weaken her power in this Realm is to trap her somewhere meant for the dead.

Luring her onto holy ground, the Tang monk starts an incantation to seal her inside a burial tomb meant for the mortal Emperor's family.

As much as the Bone Demon thrashes and resists against her chains, she smiles. She knows that it's only time before she can return to the land of the living. The Monkey King has already caused innumerable damage to the fate of others.

And her hunters hadn't turned up with just servants in those two years... seems that the Monkey King had a dear friend in his ranks that could hear the Past, Present, and Future.

Now she and her Chief of War just needed a way to get their claws on the Six Eared Macaque...

Amongst the destruction of this small kingdom, Wukong is carried to shelter by his Master. It takes the king some time to reawaken, but is surprised to see the faces of his pilgrim brothers and his own subjects when he does. The servants, spared from the carnage by the Pilgrims' intervention, hug their king joyfully. Even confused and drained, Wukong hugs his people back, fretting over the youngest of them as a good king should.

Subject: "My King! Your pilgrim brothers told us you were in peril, and did whatever they could to free you!" Wukong, shocked: "They did?" Rest of the Pilgrims: (*awkward smiles of concern. all are messed up from battle*) Subject: "Yes yes! Mr Pig in particular proved he knew you by recalling your gentleness." Wukong, baffled: "What... exactly happened?" Tripitaka: "Let's just say I will endeavor not to blindly disregard your warnings anymore Wukong." Wukong, amused: "Heh."

The Tang Monk recinds his diciple's banishment, promising to do better to heed Wukong's concerns, and not hold his own to himself. The King's subjects get a safe passage home with aid from the flying dragon-horse and the King himself.

As for the Bone Demon? They agree to just tell Wukong about the sealing part. They don't need to burden him with the knowledge that he was nearly used as a battery for a gargantuan bone construct. :)

Wukong is only hit with the memories of the incident during the events of New Years - the webs of the Spider Mech unlocking the key of his time as the First Construct's heart. But why? What was the bone demon's angle? Why did it *need* him?!

Looks like he needs to get digging ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#lmk drafted fate au #sun wukong #lmk tripitaka #lmk lady bone demon #lmk lbd #lmk ao lie #lmk zhu bajie #lmk sha wujing #lmk the mayor #lmk the thrall #lmk the mortal emperor #lmk the pilgrims #lmk aus #lmk #lego monkie kid #long post

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starii-void · 11 months ago

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yknow i just realised

in the og jttw when macaque was impersonating wukong he had even trained a group of monkeys and like used illusions or something (idr its been a while) to make them look like the pilgrim gang (tang sanzhang, sha wujing, zhu bajie and long ma/ao lie)

wonder if the monkeys still remember him as that. did they ever find out the ‘wukong’ trying to get them to impersonate the pilgrims and go on the journey to the west themselves wasnt the real wukong?? is that where macaque’s bond and fondness for the monkeys came from?

idk i just think itd be cute n silly. a nice lil reference even though it probably wasnt on purpose and im jhst overthinking it

#lmk #lego monkie kid #the void #macaque #lmk macaque #flower fruit mountain #lmk monkeys #journey to the west #six eared macaque

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slugtranslation-hypmic · 3 months ago

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hi!! i'm pretty new to hypnosis mic and have found your blog through your manga translation archive a month ago. i genuinely admire your work and hope you feel well right now or will feel well. can you translate fighter's road at some point? thank you :D

Sure thing! Under a cut for length

I assume this was requested because the anon wants information on the various references and allusions in the song. So I'll keep to a literal slant (adding words when necessary to avoid confusion-inducing sentence fragments) and leave a metric shit ton of footnotes. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of allusions, particularly in terms of visuals.

Here's the video to follow along.

It is also helpful to know that each character is dressed like someone from classical Chinese epic Journey to the West. Gentarou is Sha Wujing, Dice is Zhu Baije, Ramuda is Sun Wukong, Jakurai is Tang Sanzang, and Doppo and Hifumi are collectively the White Dragon Horse.

Jakurai: And thus have I heard [1] the theory of evolution [2] is current once more! Your journey is not yet over--inside all that darkness, all that wickedness in your soul, there's still a chance to shape up. Better yourself! Spread your wings and fly to heaven! [3]

Hifumi: It's me, Gigolo, coming in like Ryuujin [4] swooping down from the skies. What time did you all get here? Say what? I don't understand a bit of it--your lame ninjutsu [5] is all nonsense to me! [6]

Doppo: One step, two steps, three--here comes the Doppo [7] horse. Yeah, that's right, tense up. Hey, where do you think you're going? Don't try to hide in the shadows, and watch out, because these hindquarters have a kick! [8] I've been through my fair share of battles [9], but you guys are just amateurs by comparison.

Gentarou: If you ask me, you're not worth our time[10]--just a few wannabe rappers bumbling around in the dark. [11] If you want to take us on before you're ready and get washed away by my flow [12], that's your prerogative. You're just an illusion that wouldn't exist without light. [13]

Dice: Here's some advice from Dice: I'm a rare breed [14]; I've got more luck and skill than I know what to do with. But you wouldn't know how to handle it. Sharing with you the thrills I seek is casting pearls before swine. [15] You're just acting tough when you've got no rap skill to speak of.

Ramuda: Waah, waah! [16] Who's crying now? This is just a minor monkey's obstacle [17] before my main goal. 'Cause life got in the way, and oopsy, I took a bit of a fall. [18] But now I've set off again. Yeah, I've had a few setbacks along the way, but I don't let it get me down! I keep on keeping on, and now I'm flying through the sky on my cloud! [19]

All: Catch this sick flow! Suffering and Buddhist training; to the east, west, and the east again. Fighter's road! [20] (Fighter's road) Fighter's road! (Fighter's road) A journey of the spirit through the power housed in words [21]; forging new paths. Fighter's road! (Fighter's road) Fighter's road! (Fighter's road)

As we encounter hardships along this road, we'll take each other's hands and keep going. Fighter's road! (Fighter's road) Fighter's road! (Fighter's road) Casting off our mud-stained clothes; you gotta understand that now there's a light worth fighting for on this fighter's road! (Fighter's road) Fighter's road!

Try this drop! [22]

[23]

[1] This is a common sutra opening.

[2] "evolution" is synonymous with growth, so less literally this is like "There's always room for growth!" The "theory" part is there for the rhyme.

[3] Not Christian heaven; consider it more like mystical divinity or the dwelling place of the gods.

[4] An ocean god.

[5] Come on, you've all seen Naruto, you should know what this is. Broad term for ninja moves. Hifumi's saying the opponent's "moves," maneuvers, or raps--I don't remember the context of this episode--suck ass.

[6] Literally "nenbutsu in our ears." An outrageous pun. "[Reciting the] nenbutsu, a Buddhist mantra, in a horse's ear" is a proverb similar to English's "casting pearls before swine"--the horse gets no value out of the nenbutsu. As Hifumi is currently in a horse costume, he's the referenced horse getting nothing out of the opposing team's raps.

[7] Kanji joke. Doppo's name also has the kanji for "step" in it.

[8] Again, please remember that Doppo is in the horse costume.

[9] Another outrageous pun. Literally "a thousand warriors and ten thousand horses" which, in this case, refers to someone who's "fought" a ton of metaphorical battles. Normally, one assumes this metaphorical veteran is fighting the thousand warriors, but perhaps Doppo's boasting of defeated ten thousand other pairs in horse costumes...

[10] Literally, "a kappa fart." This image should evoke a slight bubble in a river at most--the kappa is presumably underwater. Note that Gentarou sings this by a river.

[11] Referencing the previous verse's bit about hiding in the shadows. Also, ninjas. But not good ninjas, because these ninja-rappers are lost in the darkness.

[12] Also being washed away literally by the river. I am making an assumption that he means "by my [rap's] flow" based on both the chorus and basic word association. The word used for "washed away" here is actually a noun containing the noun for "flow," so virtually any Japanese reader will put two-and-two together.

[13] This is partially just for the rhyme/"yooo Gentarou said the i-word" factor, but it's also going back to the idea of ninjas and shadows. A shadow can't be cast without light kind of vibes.

[14] The word he uses here is partially just for rhyme and partially to evoke the image of an exotic or mythical animal.

[15] Literally. This is a proverb Japanese borrows from English, and as such it usually has a more Western feel than would be appropriate for this song. But it rhymes, and pearl is one of the Eight Treasures and often included in lists of "traditionally Eastern" gemstones. So it still fits. In this part of the video, you can see the other team trapped in pearls.

[16] Yet another outrageous pun. Ramuda--who, again, is dressed like Sun Wukong or the monkey king--spells his crying noises with the kanji for monkey.

[17] More puns. A "monkey's obstacle" is the name of a mushroom, although the mushroom's name means "a monkey's seat."

[18] Right before he falls, he references a nursery rhyme about that same mushroom mentioned above: Monkey's seat/Sit down!/Sit down now!/The monkey plops down with a/BUMP! Ramuda brings it up here to tie into him falling down, ie. having a setback, and also to reinforce the monkey angle.

[19] In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong learns how to somersault from cloud to cloud to cover huge distances very quickly. This is usually depicted in art as cloud(s) carrying him. In the video, Ramuda's got... a skateboard...? reminiscent of his staff. Sun Wukong's staff flies too, although turning into a flying skateboard is a new trick haha.

[20] It's fair to assume "fighter's road" should evoke the image of a literal road and also a tao in the sense of a way of living or being.

[21] Kotodama is the concept that certain words or phrases contain magical or spiritual power. Hypmic references this constantly to refer to the force the mics imbue in their raps or, occasionally, the figurative power of words to effect major change.

[22] Drop of...what? Outside of Ramuda's usual association with the word "drops," the video shows him blowing a hair to make lots of little flying Ramuda clones. This is one of Sun Wukong's many powers. So... drop of hair? Drop of spit? (Sun Wukong sometimes spits on the hairs.) Given the shot just before this and the importance of light/shadow imagery in this song, I could also see an argument for a "drop" of light. Light is usually treated as a liquid in Japanese imagery.

"Try this" should be more like "Take that!" or "Try this on for size."

[23] The anime version of the song ends here, but it looks like there a few more choruses in the full version. Most of it repeats what's said elsewhere in the song, but the new text is as follows:

Searching for the true purest of hearts, come on!

Let me hear your voices, yo! Come on, brothers!

Posse! Matenrou! We've still got it in us to walk the rest of this road!

A pox upon uta-net.com for not letting me copy/paste those...

#asks #hypmic asks #hypmic translations

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