Er Ming

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Er Ming (二明)
Alias(es)	Yuan Kongming; Monkey King; “Ming Venerable” (self-proclaimed) 142 147 162
Species/Race	Originally a Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape soul beast; later reborn as a black-furred stone monkey 21 142 158
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Huaguo Mountain; former disciple of Bhaisajyaguru at Nine Peaks Mountain; compelled disciple and protector in Tang San’s westward pilgrimage 142 147 153 254
Occupation/Role	Monkey King of Huaguo Mountain; combatant and pilgrimage protector
Status	Active; travelling with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang despite ongoing conflict 276 277
First Appearance	21

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Reborn stone monkey / Monkey King	142	After being enclosed in a stone womb at Huaguo Mountain, he is released when forty-nine lightning strikes shatter the rock. He awakens with strength far beyond his former self and becomes the monkeys’ Monkey King.
Nine Peaks Mountain disciple	147 148 153	Bhaisajyaguru accepts him as Yuan Kongming, guides him to awaken divine abilities, grants the Glazed Golden Body Art, and gives him the Adamantine Staff. Three years of cultivation inside the mountain pass as only three days outside.
Near the Golden Immortal realm	156	After surviving Kanmen’s staff strike and being restored by a Nine-Turn Soul Returning Pill, his mana becomes markedly stronger and more refined; he senses himself only one step from the Golden Immortal realm.

Background / History

Er Ming was originally a Titan Giant Ape living in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest with his brother Da Ming and Xiao Wu. After witnessing Xiao Wu’s suffering, he was consumed by hatred toward Tang Chen and Tang San, but still tried to pursue revenge rationally by proposing that Da Ming seek aid from the forest’s fierce beasts. 21

Selected by the Sky Screen, Er Ming was transported to the Prehistoric World. After briefly riding a Heavenly Horse from the Imperial Horse Bureau, he was sealed within a stone womb on Huaguo Mountain and reborn as a black stone monkey. The local monkeys welcomed him as their Monkey King, and he took up residence in Water Curtain Cave. 109 142

In a mortal town, Er Ming recognized the abused beggar girl A Xiu as the reincarnated Xiao Wu. He rescued her from her false father, sheltered her in the mountains, and provided for her despite her initial fear of him. Their bond gradually became affectionate, but Tang San defeated Er Ming and took A Xiu away. 143 145

Badly injured and unable to accept losing Xiao Wu again, Er Ming sought a master who could make him strong enough to confront Tang San. Bhaisajyaguru accepted him at Nine Peaks Mountain, bestowed the Dharma name Yuan Kongming, and trained him for three years. Their relationship ended after Er Ming stole and ate two Immortal Cranes, though Er Ming’s remorse showed his genuine attachment to his master. 146 147 153

Appearance

Following his rebirth, Er Ming is a large black-furred monkey whose glossy fur and golden eyes sharply distinguish him from his former Titan Giant Ape form. 142 158

• Pitch-black fur, later described as ink-dark. 142 206
• Golden eyes after emerging from the stone womb. 142
• Prominent white teeth visible against his dark face. 206
• Wears a golden tightening fillet after being subdued by Sunlight Bodhisattva. 207 208
• Often rides a manifested white horse in battle or travel. 153 206

Personality

Er Ming is intensely loyal to those he considers family. His devotion to Xiao Wu drives nearly every major decision he makes: rescuing A Xiu, seeking cultivation after Tang San defeats him, attacking Mount Ling, and later sparing Tang San when told that Xiao Wu remains imprisoned there. 143 146 154 206

Bhaisajyaguru characterizes him as simple and honest but possessing an obsession “as vast as the void.” He is impulsive, boastful, and easily carried away by apparent victories, as seen when he mistakes Mount Ling’s staged resistance for proof that he can claim its lotus throne. 147 159 162 164

Despite his stubbornness, Er Ming can show restraint and responsibility. He reluctantly agrees to help rescue Tang San because the failure of the westward journey could endanger Xiao Wu, and he initially tolerates Yu Xiaogang’s provocations before reaching his limit. 263 276 277

Abilities & Skills

Stone Monkey Physique

Er Ming’s rebirth grants him a body and innate power surpassing his former strength as a Titan Giant Ape.

• Emerged from a stone womb after enduring forty-nine lightning strikes. 142
• Possesses formidable physical strength, including the ability to casually hurl large rocks. 144
• Is resistant to most poisons; a poisoned palm strike left him disoriented but still able to fight. 255
• His physical durability has limits: Kanmen’s Vajra Subduing Demon Zen Staff shattered part of his skull. 156

Qi-to-Horse Manifestation

A spontaneous mobility divine ability awakened through the memories Bhaisajyaguru helped him access.

• Manifests a white horse from the void for rapid travel. 147 153 206
• Lets him evade slower and stronger opponents through speed and maneuverability. 154 156
• Can be used to retreat when an opponent exceeds his strength. 207

Ten Thousand Horses Galloping

A second spontaneous divine ability that calls forth a mass charge of Heavenly Horses.

• Summons countless Heavenly Horses to rush down like a tide. 207
• Functions as a large-scale disruptive attack and diversion. 161 207
• Bhaisajyaguru considered the ability unrefined and unsuitable for formal cultivation. 148

Glazed Golden Body Art

A defensive and foundational cultivation technique imparted by Bhaisajyaguru.

• Is intended to make the body clear like glazed glass and indestructible as diamond. 148
• Allows gradual recovery from heavy wounds so long as the user’s inner fire remains unextinguished. 148
• Was specifically given to compensate for Er Ming’s reckless fighting style and weak foundation. 148

Staff and Cannon Combat

Er Ming fights with the Adamantine Staff, which he later employs in its cannon form as the Titan Firmament Cannon.

• Uses the staff’s adjustable size and weight for close combat. 148 154
• Transforms the weapon into a massive cannon capable of destroying a hill. 148
• Fires compressed golden blasts powerful enough to injure Tang San and destroy Moonlight Bodhisattva’s Full Moon Dharma Image. 155 160
• The cannon’s force can be excessive; prolonged attacks leave him vulnerable to stronger opponents. 156 161

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Adamantine Staff / Golden-Hooped Rod — A Post-celestial Spiritual Treasure given by Bhaisajyaguru. It responds to Er Ming’s thoughts, changes size and weight, and can transform into a cannon. 148 154
• Titan Firmament Cannon — The artillery form of his staff, used for compressed mana blasts. 159 160
• Tightening Fillet — A golden hoop placed on his head by Sunlight Bodhisattva; Tang San receives the incantation that causes Er Ming immense pain when recited. 207 208
• Nine-Turn Soul Returning Pill — A medicinal pill administered by Subduing Dragon Arhat after Kanmen nearly kills him; it restores his shattered skull and vitality. 156

Relationships

• Da Ming — His brother and fellow ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest. Da Ming worries over Er Ming’s recklessness but remains proud of his growth and fiercely supports his wish to protect Xiao Wu. 21 145 157
• Xiao Wu / A Xiu — His longtime companion and central emotional attachment. Er Ming recognizes A Xiu as Xiao Wu after her reincarnation, protects her from abuse, and remains determined to free her from Mount Ling. 143 145 206
• Tang San / Tang Sanzang — His mortal enemy, whom he blames for Xiao Wu’s death, separation, and his five-hundred-year suppression. Buddhist arrangements later force Er Ming to serve as Tang San’s disciple and pilgrimage protector. 145 206 207 254
• Bhaisajyaguru — His former master at Nine Peaks Mountain. Bhaisajyaguru names him Yuan Kongming, teaches him cultivation, and later expels him for stealing Immortal Cranes. 147 148 153
• Sunlight Bodhisattva — The Bodhisattva who blocks Er Ming’s escape, subdues him with the tightening fillet, and binds him to the westward journey. 206 207
• Moonlight Bodhisattva — A mediator who later helps Er Ming locate Yu Xiaogang and orders the two to cooperate as Tang San’s protectors. 270 271
• Great Immortal Jinding — A powerful loose immortal who earns Er Ming’s trust, helps rescue Tang San from the Jiuli Tribe, and persuades Er Ming to act for Xiao Wu’s sake. 262 263 264
• Yu Xiaogang / Wuneng — A fellow protector on the westward journey. Er Ming repeatedly clashes with and attacks him, particularly over Yu Xiaogang’s mistreatment of women and his attempts to order Er Ming around. 270 271 276 277

Story Role / Major Arcs

Assault on Mount Ling

After leaving Nine Peaks Mountain, Er Ming attacks Mount Ling to force Tang San to return Xiao Wu. He defeats the gatekeepers through speed and mischief, then escalates the conflict with cannon fire. 154 155

Kanmen’s unexpected intervention nearly kills him, but Subduing Dragon Arhat restores him with a Nine-Turn Soul Returning Pill. Mistaking his recovery and the Arhats’ retreat for proof of his superiority, Er Ming becomes increasingly arrogant. 156

He devastates the Great Leiyin Temple, seats himself on its lotus throne, and declares himself the “Ming Venerable.” The apparent resistance at Mount Ling was largely a staged performance that Er Ming failed to recognize; the Heavenly Emperor ultimately suppresses him. 161 162 164 166

Five-Hundred-Year Suppression

Er Ming is sealed beneath Mo Mountain for five hundred years following the Mount Ling incident. Upon his release, he immediately confronts Tang San and nearly kills him before learning Xiao Wu is still imprisoned on Mount Ling. 206

Westward Pilgrimage

Sunlight Bodhisattva forces Er Ming into Tang San’s pilgrimage party with the tightening fillet. Although he refuses to accept Tang San willingly as his master, fear for Xiao Wu’s safety repeatedly compels him to continue the journey. 207 208 254

When Tang San is captured and tortured by the Shanli Tribe, Er Ming initially refuses to help but agrees after Great Immortal Jinding explains that Tang San’s death could jeopardize Xiao Wu. He later shows awkward concern for Tang San after the rescue. 263 264

Conflict with Yu Xiaogang

Er Ming pursues and severely beats Yu Xiaogang after Yu Xiaogang abducts Li Xiangxiang and escapes using a foul cloud of gas. Moonlight Bodhisattva later reveals that Yu Xiaogang is another protector assigned to Tang San’s journey. 269 270 271

During the journey, Yu Xiaogang repeatedly exploits Er Ming’s imposed role by ordering him to carry luggage and gather fruit. Er Ming endures the abuse for a time before finally confronting him. 276 277

Notable Quotes

“From this day forth—I am the Lord of Mount Ling! The Prehistoric World shall honor me as—Ming Venerable!!!” 162

“You stole my Xiao Wu. And made me suffer five hundred years of being sealed...” 206