Chapter 005: Monkey King of Three Stars Cave Becomes a Disciple

It is said that Subhuti ordered his serving child to wait for Wukong. He transformed into an old man cutting wood in the forest, singing as he worked.

The song went, "Watching the chess pieces decay, chopping wood incessantly, slowly traversing by cloud-bordered valleys, selling firewood and wine with wild laughter indulging one's own joy. In the vast paths of autumn, lying against a pine root under the moon, waking at dawn. Recognizing the old woods, climbing cliffs and crossing ridges, wielding an axe to sever the withered vines. Gathering them into a bundle, singing through the markets, bartering for three measures of rice. There's no striving for competition, the prices are fair and even, without schemes or cunning calculations, no glory or disgrace, prolonging life in tranquility. Where we meet, one is either an Immortal or a Taoist, calmly discussing the Yellow Court."

Upon seeing this old man, Wukong immediately knew that he must be sent by Patriarch Subhuti, as when he first sought to learn arts under a master, he had encountered this old man who sang this very song. Although he knew the location of the Slanted-moon Three-star Cave, he still restrained his impatience and asked, "Old Immortal, your disciple bows to you!"

The child disguised as an old man was slightly surprised to see a monkey, but remembering what the Patriarch had said about this junior being exceptionally gifted, he did not dare to neglect him and replied, "I dare not accept such honor! I am not some Old Immortal. If you seek the Old Immortal, you must head south for seven miles. There, you will find the Spiritual Platform of Mount Square Inch, and atop the mountain is the Slanted-moon Three-star Cave where a mighty Old Immortal resides!"

Even though Wukong was reborn, he could not figure out who Subhuti really was, nor why he refused to appear during his major crises. There definitely was something amiss, so it must be investigated one by one. Now no longer the naive Stone Monkey, he was the enlightened Sun Wukong, determined to avoid the plots and take control of his own fate.

Wukong did not engage much in conversation with the child disguised as a woodcutter and simply bowed his hands, saying, "Thank you, elder, for the guidance."

With these words, he hurried towards the Slanted-moon Three-star Cave.

The old man pinched a spell between his fingers, reverted to the form of a child, slightly smiled, and then transformed into a blue light, arriving at the Three Stars Cave ahead of Wukong.

Wukong reached Mount Square Inch only to see the gates of the Three Stars Cave tightly shut, covered in golden lacquer shining brilliantly, imposing and majestic, causing him to halt right there, feeling as if his previous life was merely a dream. Everything seemed like a dream, and waking from it he found himself back at Flower-Fruit Mountain, then following the dream to the Three Stars Cave... It was all but an instant of demonic obstruction. Recalling Tang Sanzang's stern rebuke of Tathagata before his death and his resolute act of cutting flesh to feed himself, he knew it was not a dream.

All of this overturned Wukong's understanding. Tathagata meant to harm him, Ksitigarbha and Guanyin feared Tathagata and dared not speak more... What kind of magic did Tathagata possess that made so many fear him? Everything that happened in his past life made Wukong feel oppressed, or rather, after being suppressed under the Five Elements Mountain, he was no longer the same Sun Wukong. With the Tight Hoop on, he had completely fallen.

With the Tight Hoop, was he still the same Sun Wukong?

Standing outside the Slanted-moon Three-star Cave for a long while, the child, not having heard anyone knock, opened the door and upon seeing Wukong, asked, "Who comes to disturb this blessed land of immortals? Leave quickly!"

Wukong hurriedly said, "Immortal Child, I am here to visit the Old Immortal, not to disturb."

The child then said, "Oh! So you've come to seek teachings? Very well, follow me inside."

Wukong followed the child into the Three Stars Cave. The Slanted-moon Three-star Cave was unchanged, seemingly a world unto itself, where pearl palaces adjoined treasure pavilions, jade towers responded to each other, cranes called as they flew, divine horses ran through clouds. The journey here took another eight or nine years, living in the wilderness, and finally arriving gave Wukong a sense of relief. Having a master for protection always brought comfort.

For now, the identity of Subhuti remained unclear. Naturally, Wukong would not reveal all that he knew. Even if Subhuti was "one of their own," who knew if Tathagata, who infiltrated everywhere, might plant a spy by his side? The current Wukong felt his heart shudder, each step was like treading on thin ice. He could no longer afford to be as carefree as before. He had to be cautious and strategic, otherwise, he would sooner or later be played to death by Tathagata.

Tathagata employed the tactic "Swap Heaven and Earth" because midway through, Wukong had sensed something amiss about the Journey to the West. Awakening was perhaps inevitable, and in order not to jeopardize the grand plan of fetching the scriptures, to avoid any mishaps, Tathagata still decided to opt for the most reliable method—letting the Six-Eared Macaque kill Wukong, substituting one for the other.

When Wukong arrived at Subhuti's Jade Terrace, he knelt and kowtowed.

Subhuti asked, "Where have you come from?"

Wukong pointed towards the east and said, "To answer Master, your disciple came from Ao Lai Kingdom in the Dongsheng Immortal State."

Subhuti suddenly scolded, "You macaque, get out! Dongsheng Immortal State is separated from here by a Southern Toad Continent and two vast seas. How did you cross them?"

Wukong quickly replied, "Master, Master! Your disciple entered the Eastern Sea where fierce winds buffeted me daily, disorienting me for who knows how many years. When hungry, I caught fish from the sea to eat; when thirsty, I drank rainwater. Finally reaching the shore and then walking for another eight or nine years, together with drifting at sea, it took altogether more than a dozen years to get here."

Subhuti slightly nodded and asked, "In that case, do you have a name?"

Wukong then said, "Disciple was born from a mystical rock with nine openings and eight holes and has no name. I earnestly beg Master to bestow upon me a name."

Subhuti had twelve generations of disciples with "vast wisdom, true nature as vast as the sea, keen understanding and complete enlightenment," and now Wukong belonged to the generation bearing the character "Wu," Hence, Subhuti thought of the possible future of Wukong entering the Buddhist Sect and thus named him "Wukong." Seeing that he was a Macaca, Subhuti then gave him the surname Sun, and this was how the name "Sun Wukong" came about. Once again, having received his name from Subhuti, Wukong felt deeply moved and was grateful to his master, although he had not shown himself much afterward. After all, he was the first to pass on teachings and bestow a name — how could that be forgotten?

Wukong bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Master, thank you, Master!"

Subhuti, slightly surprised, asked, "Why are you crying?"

Wukong wiped his tears and said, "Disciple was born without father or mother, without brothers or sisters, nameless and surnameless. Today, for Master to bestow a name upon me, my heart cannot contain its gratitude, and that's why I cry."

Indeed, Wukong couldn't help but sigh emotionally, recalling all that had happened, reliving the past in the present, which truly made him reflective.

Subhuti chuckled and said, "Stop your crying. From today, you will have many brothers and sisters. Wusheng, take him to meet all the fellow disciples."

The female Taoist called Wusheng stood up, and Wukong hurriedly stood up as well, then followed her to meet these fellow disciples who he already knew. However, unlike Wukong whose Primordial Spirit had transcended Heavenly Dao and retained his memories, upon this new beginning, none recognized him, so Wukong had to play along and meet each one. The fellow disciples greeted Wukong warmly and respectfully bowed to him.

After paying respects to all his fellow disciples, Wusheng then led Wukong to bow before Subhuti, and Wukong said, "Master, I've met all the fellow disciples."

Subhuti nodded slightly and said, "Good, from now on, your sister Wusheng will guide you in writing, reading, burning incense and praying, and learning etiquette. Once your Taoist heart is well-rounded, I will then teach you skills."

Wukong naturally had no objections. He remembered that it was only after seven years in the Three Stars Cave that Subhuti had taught him spells. Now, he dared not disturb the balance or let others know that he could cultivate Taiyi Golden Immortal mana at any time, as it would alarm Tathagata who might then change his plans, and Wukong would certainly not be able to stand against such a great figure. His only advantage now was knowing the causes and consequences!

After everything was arranged, Subhuti let the disciples go, telling them to return the following day when they would be notified about the lecture.

Wukong didn't leave, but followed Subhuti. Turning around, Subhuti asked, "Why are you following me?"

Wukong chuckled and said, "Master, I have traveled here from the Southern Toad Continent seeking immortality and Tao, and people say that Western Buddhism is far more formidable than the Eastern Taoist Sects. I heard the name 'Subhuti' belongs to a Buddhist Sect; I wonder if Master is part of the Western Buddhist Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Subhuti became furious, thinking, 'Good one, Tathagata, extending your influence to the Southern Toad Continent so quickly. Could it be you intend to meddle in the affairs of Human Teachings dominated by Laojun?' At the same time, hearing Wukong saying Buddhism was superior to Taoism made Subhuti displeased and he replied, "Buddhism originates from Taoism; all things in the world fall within the Tao, where does the notion of superiority or inferiority come from? My name is Subhuti, but I am not from the Buddhist Sect; I am truly from a Taoist background."

Seeing his facial expression and hearing his tone, Wukong felt secretly pleased, thinking, 'It seems Master is not one of Tathagata's, otherwise wouldn't he be greatly praising Buddhism?'

"Why do you say that Buddhism originates from Taoism? Does Buddhism come from Taoism?" Wukong asked further.

Subhuti, a bit pleased, thought, 'This monkey seems to understand some principles, rightfully the transformation of the Crystal Stone left by Goddess Nu Wa!' He smiled and said, "The statement that Buddhism originates from Taoism does not mean Buddhism is Taoism; rather, the Great Dao shares the same origin. Whether it's Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism, all are paths that lead to the Heavenly Dao. The Great Dao has three thousand paths, each leading to the ultimate truth of Hunyuan and the Heavenly Dao. Saying Buddhism originates from Taoism means just that, Buddhism and Taoism share the same origin, both are merely paths seeking the Heavenly Dao."

"Oh!" Wukong appeared to understand. If it had been earlier, he would have dismissed these principles, but now he realized that mastering advanced skills required understanding these profound truths; otherwise, they were mere castles in the air.

Subhuti spoke enthusiastically but inadvertently let something slip. He said, "Buddhism, known as the Western Religion in Ancient Times, propagated the Taoist Sect's teachings but later, the Two Saints of the West suddenly had a vivid dream during daylight, dreaming of the essence of Buddhism, and thus renamed it Buddhism. These Two Saints, speaking of which, also shared a master-pupil relationship with the Three Pure Ones, all once disciples of the same master."

This statement was a secret within and outside the Three Realms. Many knew of Tathagata but not of the Two Saints of the West. Unwittingly, Subhuti had revealed too much, and Wukong found it quite astonishing to hear.

Subhuti, with an odd expression for a moment and seeing Wukong's puzzled look, felt relieved and then said, "Alright, that's enough for today. Follow your sister Wusheng diligently, and when the time comes, I will pass on the spells to you."

After Subhuti swept away, Wukong, deep in thought, returned to his quarters.

To know what happens next, stay tuned for the next episode.