Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Sun Wukong said, "I'll remember that."

The first secret plan is to be opened after the great battle.

The second piece of advice should be opened when you encounter danger.

The third pouch should be opened when all hope is lost.

Li Yan's lips curled up slightly.

"Your Majesty has a very good memory."

Sun Wukong grinned and said, "That's right."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows.

Li Yan and Sun Wukong stood side by side on the mountaintop, overlooking the entire Flower and Fruit Mountain.

In the mountains, monkeys frolic and chase each other.

General Bengba was leading a group of strong young monkeys in practicing staff techniques in a flat area in the mountains.

Marshal Ma Liu and Marshal Liu led another group of young and strong monkeys to patrol the mountains and guard against external enemies.

Everything was in good order, and the atmosphere was completely refreshed.

Sun Wukong looked at all this, his golden eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Brother, look at my kids, they're really doing pretty well now."

"Your Majesty's teaching is excellent."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "What teaching methods do I, Old Sun, have?"

It's all thanks to you, brother.

"If you hadn't taught them cultivation methods and self-defense techniques, how could they be where they are today?"

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty is too kind."

I only did my bit; the real work was done by them.

Sun Wukong grinned and said, "Brother is just being modest."

Li Yan smiled and said no more.

The two stood quietly, gazing at the monkeys in the mountains, each with their own thoughts.

After a long silence, Sun Wukong finally spoke:

"Brother, do you think I, Old Sun, will one day become like those gods, high above, looking down upon all living beings?"

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said:

"The king will be high above, but will not look down upon the common people."

Sun Wukong was taken aback: "Why?"

Li Yan said, "Because Your Majesty has feelings in your heart."

Those with feelings will not look down. They will only look straight ahead or look up.

"The king treats those monkeys like his own children; this is true affection."

They treated me like a brother, this is true friendship.

Even though it was a transaction, the Four Dragon Kings were treated with courtesy; this was a matter of human kindness.

"Those who have feelings will not lose their original nature, even if they become immortals or Buddhas."

Even ordinary mortals can be cold-hearted.

"Your Majesty is a compassionate person. Even if you attain enlightenment in the future, you will not look down on the common people."

He will only protect all living beings with a compassionate heart.

Sun Wukong listened, his golden eyes seemingly lost in thought.

After a long while, he grinned and said:

"Brother, I like to hear what you say."

Li Yan smiled.

"I hope Your Majesty will enjoy hearing this."

As evening fell, the setting sun painted half the sky red.

In front of the Water Curtain Cave, a large group of monkeys gathered.

Generals Bengba and Marshals Ma Liu, along with their troop of monkeys, hosted a farewell banquet for Li Yan.

The table was laden with all sorts of mountain fruits, as well as wine brewed with spring water from the mountains.

Sun Wukong sat at the head of the table, while Li Yan sat in the guest seat.

The monkeys took their seats in order of age and seniority.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The two marshals, Ma and Liu, emboldened by the wine, began to perform a play in the open space, singing and chanting in unison.

This time, however, the story is about the day when five demon kings attacked and Sun Wukong displayed his divine power.

The monkeys laughed heartily and clapped their hands in approval.

Not to be outdone, General Bengba the Second also performed a juggling act.

The monkeys were dazzled by the sight, and their cheers rose in waves.

Li Yan sat in the guest seat, a smile on his face, watching the joyous celebration unfold across the mountain.

A grey sable sat perched on his shoulder, its amber eyes reflecting the firelight, silently watching everything.

In my arms, the jade mouse poked its little head out, its bright little eyes full of curiosity.

Although it had seen such a lively scene before, it still watched with great interest.

If you could only read one fantasy novel in your life, it would probably be "Gou Zai Xi You De Dao Chang Sheng" (苟在西游得道长生).

Li Yan lowered his head and rubbed its little head.

The jade mouse squeaked twice, then shrank back into his arms, curled up into a ball, and fell fast asleep.

The sable nuzzled his cheek and closed its eyes, seemingly half-asleep.

Li Yan looked up at the bright moon.

The moonlight, like water, bathed the mountains and forests.

Tomorrow, I will be going to the Heavenly Court.

As the moon passed its zenith, the monkeys gradually dispersed.

Only Sun Wukong and Li Yan remained in front of the Water Curtain Cave.

Sun Wukong took a big gulp of wine from the wine jar and handed it to Li Yan.

Li Yan took it and drank a sip as well.

The two remained silent, simply drinking their wine.

After an unknown amount of time, Sun Wukong suddenly said:

"Brother, I, Old Sun, have something I've been keeping to myself for a long time."

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Sun Wukong said, "I am so fortunate to have met you at the mountain gate in my entire life."

Li Yan was taken aback, then immediately used the phrase "Guicang" to conceal the secrets of heaven.

Sun Wukong continued, "I, Old Sun, am a stone monkey, born of heaven and earth, without father or mother."

When I was in the mountains, although I had many fellow disciples, they all disliked me, Old Sun, because I was a monkey, and they were unwilling to get close to me.

Only you don't dislike me, and often guide me in my spiritual practice.

"After coming down the mountain, I, Old Sun, thought that this was how my life would be."

He ruled the mountain, living a carefree and unrestrained life.

But you followed me to Flower Fruit Mountain, teaching me, Old Sun, how to behave and speak, and how to deal with those immortals.

"My children, those of mine, were originally a group of ignorant and naive ordinary monkeys."

"It was you who taught them the methods of cultivation and the techniques of self-defense, giving them the ability to protect themselves."

"And then there's the underworld's soul-reaping ceremony, the five demon kings' attack, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's attempt to capture you. In every single one of these incidents, you shielded me from harm and thought of me."

"Although I, Old Sun, am a muddle-headed monkey, I am not someone who doesn't know what's good for him."

Brother, I'll always remember how good you've been to me.

"Brother, I, Old Sun, salute you!"

Li Yan looked at him, his golden eyes filled with sincerity.

A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and he raised his wine jar and clinked it against his.

"Junior brother, we are brothers, this is only natural."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

Sun Wukong put down the wine jar and grinned:

"Brother, you're going to Heaven tomorrow. I, Old Sun, will give you a piece of advice."

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Sun Wukong said, "When you arrive in Heaven, don't wrong yourself."

If any of those deities dare to bully you, send a message back.

"I, Old Sun, will somersault and storm the Southern Heavenly Gate to avenge you!"

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Li Yan will remember this."

Sun Wukong nodded and took another sip of wine.

"Brother, I, Old Sun, have one more thing to say."

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Sun Wukong looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his golden eyes.

"Brother, I know you have many things you can't tell me."

I, Old Sun, don't blame you.

All I, Old Sun, hope for is that whatever you do, you must first protect yourself.

"If anything happens to you, I, Old Sun, will drag you back from the deepest hell!"

Li Yan's heart skipped a beat.

He gazed at Sun Wukong, his golden eyes filled with unwavering determination.

He took a deep breath before saying:

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will certainly protect myself. Your Majesty, please take care as well."

Sun Wukong grinned and said, "That's for sure."

"I, Old Sun, am waiting for you to come back so you can tell me about the Golden Elixir Path!"

Li Yan nodded.

"must."

The next day, at dawn.

As dawn broke, the sunlight bathed Huaguo Mountain.