Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong defeated Chaos Demon King after the demon tried to hide from him, then freed the captive miners. Impressed by Sun Wukong, a group of demon kings pledged allegiance to him, and he led them back to Flower Fruit Mountain.

• Chaos Demon King pretended to be a puppet, then fled and hid underground while Sun Wukong destroyed his decoys.
• Sun Wukong dragged Chaos Demon King from his hiding place and demanded that he revive the dead monkeys; when he could not, Sun Wukong killed him.
• Sun Wukong freed the demons from mining and told them to return home.
• A group of demon kings decided to pledge allegiance to Sun Wukong, who accepted them and took them to Flower Fruit Mountain.

Sun Wukong’s lavish feasts left Flower Fruit Mountain short of food, and he rejected Gui Ze’s suggestion to plunder weaker demons. The chapter ended with Gui Ze proposing that Sun Wukong go to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

• Old Long-armed Ape warned Sun Wukong that Flower Fruit Mountain’s stores were nearly empty after repeated banquets and the cost of feeding over a hundred thousand demons.
• Sun Wukong grew angry at the shortage but listened as Old Monkey explained that the mountain’s followers would scatter if they went hungry.
• The demons declared that they would stay loyal to Sun Wukong even without food.
• Gui Ze suggested sending demons to plunder nearby settlements, but Sun Wukong rejected the plan because he would not bully the weak.
• After dismissing several other proposals, Sun Wukong pressed Gui Ze for a solution, and Gui Ze told him to go to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Sun Wukong set out for the East Sea Dragon Palace after Gui Ze persuaded him that its riches could supply Flower Fruit Mountain. He reached the palace, marveled at its size, and learned that he needed an appointment to enter its core district and meet a Dragon Prince.

• Gui Ze described the East Sea Dragon Palace’s vast wealth and convinced Sun Wukong to borrow food, weapons, armor, and other resources for Flower Fruit Mountain.
• Sun Wukong immediately flew toward the East Sea Dragon Palace, leaving the demons behind to wait for him.
• After several days of travel and asking for directions, Sun Wukong arrived at the immense Dragon Palace city and was amazed by its scale.
• A Whale Clan gatekeeper told Sun Wukong to visit the Dragon Palace Office in the Dragon Heaven District and make an appointment before he could meet a Dragon Prince.

Sun Wukong sought out the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang and followed a guard’s directions to his private Crystal Palace. After the palace attendants refused to announce him, he fought his way inside and confronted Ao Guang at a banquet.

• A whale guard directed Sun Wukong to Ao Guang’s residence outside Dragon Palace City, while threatening a Loose Immortal who tried to imitate him.
• Sun Wukong found the Crystal Palace and introduced himself to its gatekeepers as the Dragon King’s neighbor from Flower Fruit Mountain.
• The shrimp soldiers and crab generals dismissed Sun Wukong and tried to drive him away.
• Sun Wukong killed several guards, fought through the palace attendants, and entered Ao Guang’s banquet hall.
• Sun Wukong told Ao Guang that forcing his way in had been easier than following the proper procedures.

Sun Wukong forced his way into the East Sea Dragon Palace and asked Ao Guang to lend him supplies for Flower Fruit Mountain. After Ao Guang declined his request for grain and 200,000 sets of armor, he brought out weapons for Sun Wukong to try, but none felt heavy enough.

• Sun Wukong barged into the Crystal Palace, introduced himself to Ao Guang, and claimed they were neighbors.
• Sun Wukong asked Ao Guang to lend him grain and armor, but Ao Guang said he could not spare the grain.
• Sun Wukong requested 200,000 sets of armor and weapons, and Ao Guang refused, explaining that the Dragon Clan needed them for its defenses.
• Sun Wukong asked Ao Guang to provide a weapon, and Ao Guang had dozens brought in for him to inspect.
• Sun Wukong tested the weapons, found them too light, and asked Ao Guang whether he had anything heavier.

Sun Wukong searched the East Sea Dragon Palace for a weapon and supplies for Flower Fruit Mountain, while Ao Guang and Mingxuan explained that the Dragon Clan’s elders controlled the palace’s wealth. In Ao Guang’s private treasury, Sun Wukong found a huge gray pillar that seemed to connect with him and asked if he could take it.

• Sun Wukong rejected the weapons on display, and Ao Guang claimed he lacked authority because the Dragon Clan’s elders controlled its wealth and influence.
• Ao Guang sent Mingxuan to guide Sun Wukong through the treasury and told him he could take whatever he wanted.
• Sun Wukong saw storehouses full of armor, weapons, grain, and treasures, but Mingxuan said they belonged to others and Ao Guang could not lend them.
• Mingxuan led Sun Wukong to Ao Guang’s private treasury, where the unimpressive objects were his to choose from.
• Sun Wukong felt an unusual connection to a huge gray pillar and asked Mingxuan if he could take it.

Sun Wukong awakened the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, which became the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and claimed it from the East Sea Dragon Palace. When Mingxuan explained that the weapon held back the sea and begged him to leave it, Sun Wukong refused and stormed off to confront Ao Guang.

• Sun Wukong insisted he had chosen the gray pillar and would not change his mind, so Mingxuan granted it to him.
• Sun Wukong touched the pillar, causing it to shed its stone shell and reveal the golden Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, also known as the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
• Sun Wukong commanded the Divine Iron to shrink and swung it, shaking the East Sea and alarming the aquatic folk in the Crystal Palace.
• Mingxuan explained that Taishang Laojun had forged the Divine Iron for Emperor Yu, who used it to control floods before placing it in the East Sea to keep its waters calm.
• Mingxuan begged Sun Wukong to leave the weapon, but Sun Wukong accused the Dragon King of breaking his promise and refused.
• Sun Wukong left the treasury with the Ruyi Jingu Bang and a haul of supplies, then headed to settle accounts with Ao Guang.

Sun Wukong confronted Ao Guang over his attempt to reclaim the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron and demanded a full set of armor. After the Four Sea Dragon Kings gathered and supplied him with equipment, Sun Wukong left the East Sea.

• Sun Wukong stormed into Ao Guang’s hall, accused him of breaking his promise about the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, and attacked the palace’s defenders.
• Ao Guang warned Sun Wukong that taking the needle could bring storms and Heavenly Retribution, but Sun Wukong refused to return it and demanded armor as well.
• Ao Guang summoned his three brothers, and the Dragon Kings of the South Sea, West Sea, and North Sea presented Sun Wukong with a crown, armor, and boots.
• Sun Wukong insisted Ao Guang also give him something, so Ao Guang sent over a crimson cloak.
• Sun Wukong happily left the East Sea wearing his new equipment.

The Four Sea Dragon Kings agreed to cooperate with Sun Wukong’s role in Western Flourishing, while plotting to lodge an exaggerated complaint and bargain for Merit. Sun Wukong returned to Flower Fruit Mountain with food and weapons, then ordered the Demon Kings to come back.

• After Sun Wukong left, Ao Guang told the Three Sea Dragon Kings to follow the plan for Western Flourishing and treat Sun Wukong with courtesy.
• Ao Guang decided they could be casual with Zhang Bairen and instructed Ao Shun to accuse Sun Wukong of stealing vast quantities of treasure and supplies.
• Sun Wukong returned to Flower Fruit Mountain and learned that the monkeys had sent the Demon Kings away because their food stores were empty.
• Sun Wukong produced mountains of grain, weapons, and supplies, then ordered the old monkey to count them and summon every Demon King.
• The monkeys celebrated their newfound provisions, and the hundred and eight Demon Kings returned with their lesser demons, stunned by the sight.

Sun Wukong showed the Demon Kings of the 108 caves the supplies and divine armor he had obtained from the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, then hosted a ten-day celebration at Flower Fruit Mountain. The Bull Demon King and five other powerful Demon Kings arrived to befriend him, and the gathering ended with a proposal to swear brotherhood.

• The Demon Kings of the 108 caves marveled at Sun Wukong’s supplies and armor, and he told them the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas had given him the outfit as an apology gift.
• Sun Wukong revealed his divine weapon, which grew from an embroidery needle into a pillar reaching between the Nine Heavens and the Underworld Bureau.
• Sun Wukong hosted a ten-day feast at Flower Fruit Mountain, but six powerful auras arrived and startled the celebrating demons.
• The Bull Demon King introduced himself and the Dragon Subduing Demon King, Peng Demon King, Lion-Camel King, Macaque King, and King Yu Rong as visitors seeking friendship.
• Sun Wukong and the Dragon Subduing Demon King put aside their past grievance, and the gathered Demon Kings drank, sparred, and discussed Divine Abilities.
• The Bull Demon King asked Sun Wukong to become sworn brothers with the group.

Sun Wukong and six demon kings swore brotherhood, taking titles that included Great Sage Equal to Heaven for Sun Wukong and Great Sage Pacifying Heaven for Bull Demon King. After a month of feasting, Underworld Bureau ghost officials seized Sun Wukong’s soul, but he woke, destroyed them, and charged into the Underworld Bureau.

• Bull Demon King proposed ranking the seven demon kings by age, making himself the eldest brother and Sun Wukong the seventh.
• Gui Ze suggested that Sun Wukong take the title Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and the demons bowed to him.
• Sun Wukong bestowed the title Great Sage Pacifying Heaven on Bull Demon King, while the other demon kings chose titles for themselves.
• Sun Wukong ordered another feast, and the demons drank for a month until they passed out across Flower Fruit Mountain.
• Underworld Bureau ghost officials seized Sun Wukong’s soul and dragged him to Ghost Gate Pass, where he woke and learned they claimed his lifespan had ended.
• Sun Wukong smashed the ghost officials and charged into the depths of the Underworld Bureau.

Sun Wukong rampaged through the Underworld Bureau after its ghost constables dragged him there despite his immortality. The Ten Yama Kings pleaded with him and checked the Book of Life and Death, which said his mortal lifespan had ended.

• Sun Wukong smashed his way through the Underworld Bureau, furious that its ghost gods had brought him there without explaining why.
• The Ten Yama Kings appeared and confronted Sun Wukong, but he challenged them and defeated the ghost gods who attacked him.
• King Yama insisted the Book of Life and Death authorized the arrest because Sun Wukong's mortal lifespan had ended.
• Sun Wukong chased the Ten Yama Kings into Yama Kings Hall and demanded an explanation, accusing them of trying to extort him.
• King Yama examined the Book of Life and Death and told Sun Wukong it confirmed that his mortal lifespan had ended.

After learning that the Book of Life and Death listed his lifespan as ended, Sun Wukong blamed his Disaster-Evasion Method and confronted King Yama over the Underworld’s mistake. He left with grain after extracting a deal, while King Yama went to Heaven to report him to the Jade Emperor.

• Sun Wukong realized his Disaster-Evasion Method had kept Heaven from knowing he cultivated immortality, leading the Book of Life and Death to record his lifespan as ended.
• Sun Wukong tore out the monkeys’ entries in the Book of Life and Death and demanded compensation from King Yama for his wrongful arrest.
• The Ten Yama Kings persuaded Sun Wukong to accept two million jin of grain while signing a document that claimed he had taken eighty million jin.
• After Sun Wukong left, the Ten Yama Kings organized their losses and King Yama traveled to the Heavenly Court to complain to the Jade Emperor.
• King Yama accused Sun Wukong of invading the Underworld, killing ghost officials, destroying buildings, erasing the Book of Life and Death, and extorting the Underworld; an immortal reminded the Jade Emperor of the being born centuries earlier amid golden light piercing the Nine Heavens.

The Jade Emperor heard the Dragon Kings and King Yama accuse a mischievous monkey of wrecking the Dragon Palace and Underworld Bureau, then asked his ministers how to respond. Taibai Golden Star proposed recruiting the monkey into the Heavenly Court, but Martial Virtue Star Lord opposed the idea and urged that he be killed.

• An immortal official explained that the Stone Fetus’s birth centuries earlier had alerted the Heavenly Court and led Zhang Bairen to investigate before becoming the Jade Emperor.
• The three Dragon Kings accused the monkey of injuring their eldest brother, destroying the Dragon Palace, killing aquatic clansmen, and stealing its treasury’s treasures.
• King Yama claimed the monkey had no entry in the Book of Life and Death and had slaughtered underworld officials and taken resources from the Underworld Bureau.
• The Jade Emperor dismissed the complainants and asked his ministers for their opinions, but the court officials stayed silent in resistance to his rule.
• Taibai Golden Star proposed bringing the monkey to heaven and giving him an official position so the court could recruit and control him.
• Martial Virtue Star Lord rejected recruitment and argued that the monkey should be killed rather than welcomed into the Heavenly Court.

Martial Virtue Star Lord persuaded Zhang Bairen to send Li Jing and his sons to capture Sun Wukong, while Taibai Golden Star’s allies opposed recruitment. When the heavenly army reached Flower Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong fought them with ease and charged toward Li Jing.

• Martial Virtue Star Lord rejected Taibai Golden Star’s proposal to recruit Sun Wukong and urged Zhang Bairen to capture him.
• Zhang Bairen approved Martial Virtue Star Lord’s plan, and Li Jing led his sons and thirty-six thousand heavenly soldiers and generals toward Flower Fruit Mountain.
• A monkey woke Sun Wukong to report that heavenly immortals had come to arrest him, and Sun Wukong went to face them.
• Juling Shen attacked Sun Wukong, but Sun Wukong toyed with him and then defeated the divine generals who joined the fight.
• Li Jing sent Jin Zha and Muzha into battle, while some demon kings joined Sun Wukong; Sun Wukong swept the immortals aside and charged at Li Jing.

Sun Wukong defeated Li Jing with a single blow and routed the Heavenly Court’s forces. At Flower Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong ordered a purge of Demon Kings who had hidden during the battle, while Li Jing and Nezha argued at the Southern Heavenly Gate.

• Li Jing attacked Sun Wukong, but Sun Wukong broke his sword and struck him so hard that he was crippled.
• Nezha shouted that Li Jing had been beaten to death and urged the heavenly army to flee, causing the battle formation to collapse.
• Sun Wukong returned to Flower Fruit Mountain, where the demons celebrated his victory.
• Sun Wukong ordered Bengba and Maliu to investigate the Demon Kings who had hidden and reclaim ten times the resources given to them.
• At the Southern Heavenly Gate, Li Jing blamed Nezha for spreading news of his death, and Nezha defended his actions while insulting Li Jing’s command.

After the Heavenly Court’s forces failed to capture Sun Wukong, Taibai Golden Star proposed winning him over with an official post and brought him an imperial decree. Sun Wukong accepted the invitation and ascended to Heaven with Taibai Golden Star.

• Li Jing and Nezha argued their way into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, where Martial Virtue Star Lord ordered them to stop.
• The Jade Emperor asked the immortals how to restore the Heavenly Court’s honor after Sun Wukong defeated their forces.
• Taibai Golden Star suggested inviting Sun Wukong to serve in Heaven, and the Jade Emperor authorized him to deliver an imperial decree.
• Taibai Golden Star allowed patrolling Monkey demons to capture him and told Sun Wukong that the Jade Emperor had invited him to become an official.
• Sun Wukong arranged Flower Fruit Mountain’s affairs and ascended to Heaven with Taibai Golden Star.

Taibai Golden Star brought Sun Wukong to the Heavenly Court to seek him an official post, where the monkey’s curiosity and informal manners drew scorn from the immortals. After they mocked his title and demanded he kneel before the Jade Emperor, Sun Wukong angrily rebuked them, and the Jade Emperor intervened.

• Taibai Golden Star escorted Sun Wukong through the Heavenly Court, where Sun Wukong eagerly inspected its gates and buildings despite the immortals’ disapproval.
• Taibai Golden Star reported Sun Wukong as an independent cultivator to Zhang Bairen, who summoned him into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
• Sun Wukong introduced himself as the Handsome Monkey King and Great Sage Equal to Heaven and respectfully greeted the Jade Emperor.
• The immortals mocked Sun Wukong’s title and demanded that he kneel before the Jade Emperor.
• Sun Wukong furiously told the immortals to be quiet and challenged them for speaking before the Jade Emperor did.
• The Jade Emperor stopped the argument, saying Sun Wukong’s unfamiliarity with Heaven’s rules was understandable.

Sun Wukong accepted the Bimawen post at the Imperial Horse Bureau after Martial Virtue Star Lord presented it as important, then diligently cared for the Heavenly Horses. After a feast celebrating his work, he learned the office was unranked and the job was merely horse keeping.

• The Jade Emperor ended the dispute over Sun Wukong's conduct and agreed to appoint him to a Heavenly Court post.
• Martial Virtue Star Lord offered Sun Wukong the vacant Bimawen position at the Imperial Horse Bureau, and Sun Wukong accepted it as an important post.
• Sun Wukong arrived at the Imperial Horse Bureau, saw its vast grasslands and many Heavenly Horses, and gathered the staff to discuss their care.
• For ten days, Sun Wukong worked diligently to feed, exercise, and water the Heavenly Horses until they became plump and glossy.
• After Martial Virtue Star Lord praised the horses, the bureau's officials held a feast where an assistant supervisor told Sun Wukong that the office was unranked and Bimawen was only a horse keeper.

Sun Wukong learned that Bimawen was an unranked post and angrily confronted Martial Virtue Star Lord in the Military Department. Martial Virtue Star Lord defended the appointment as a desirable position, and Sun Wukong’s challenge remained unresolved.

• At a drinking party in the Imperial Horse Bureau, the assistant supervisor and immortal clerks discussed their low-ranking jobs and congratulated Sun Wukong on a possible future promotion.
• Sun Wukong asked whether Bimawen was truly not a great official post, then stormed out after the assistant supervisor confirmed it was unranked.
• The assistant supervisor sent clerks to report Sun Wukong’s departure to the Military Department, while he and the deputy supervisor avoided taking the risk themselves.
• Sun Wukong reached the Military Department first, barged in, and demanded to see Martial Virtue Star Lord.
• Martial Virtue Star Lord mocked Sun Wukong’s low status and argued that becoming Bimawen was an achievement, since many Heavenly Court interns wanted official posts.