Journey to the West: Life Simulation of Sun Wukong

"Why is the Spirit King here?" Taibaijinxing composed himself and asked, bowing.

"Old brother, you see me as an outsider." Sun Wukong draped his arm over Taibaijinxing's shoulder, "I was just doing my duties in Heaven, had some free time, and took a stroll to show my two maidens around the scenic celestial palace… But as for you, old fellow, you also seem to have leisure to enjoy such elegance."

Taibaijinxing's cheeks reddened slightly, he coughed twice, "Just passing by, couldn't help myself, couldn't help myself."

Sun Wukong didn't dwell on the topic, but instead said, "These fairies, they are rehearsing for the Flat Peach Banquet in ten years' time, aren't they? I wonder if my old Sun will be invited to the banquet?"

Days in the Heavens are long; ten years on Earth is but ten days in Heaven.

It isn't too early to mention it.

"At the banquet, the old rule is to invite the Buddha of the Western Heaven, Bodhisattvas, Holy Monks, Arhats, the Southern Guanyin, the Eastern Holy Emperor of Grace, Immortal Elders of the Ten Continents and Three Islands, the Northern Mysterious Spirit, the Central Yellow Extreme Yellow Horn Great Immortal; these are the Five Elders of the Five Directions. Plus, there are the Five Dou Star Lords, those from the Upper Eight Caves such as the Three Pure Ones and Four Emperors, as well as the Taiyi Heavenly Immortals and others. From the Middle Eight Caves are the Jade Emperor and the Nine Terraces, as well as the divine immortals of the mountains and seas; and from the Lower Eight Caves, the Sect Hierarchs of the Netherworld and the recording Earth Immortals. All the respected deities from each palace and hall, without exception, are invited."

Taibaijinxing stroked his beard and smiled contentedly, "This time at the banquet, Spirit King you are certainly included, no need to worry. If they forget to invite you or overlook you, this old man will be the first to petition His Majesty on your behalf and personally descend to the mortal realm to invite you up."

"Haha, that's why I like you, old brother." Sun Wukong took out the Jadescent Nectar, spirit fruit delicacies, and shared a drink with Taibaijinxing, although the spirit fruits were left for Yuyan and his wife to eat.

"Ah~"

Midway through eating, Taibaijinxing sighed.

"Why does Taibai sigh?" Sun Wukong was curious.

"It's just that at the time of the Flat Peach Festival, there will be one person who, even if invited, cannot attend. I have some connection with that individual and regret not being able to converse with them. Hence, the sigh," Taibaijinxing said.

"Oh? Who is it?"

"It's the True Martial Great Emperor who guards the Northern Jambu Continent. There, demons wreak havoc, it's survival of the fittest. Although it's just for sustenance, there are five major demons, extremely troublesome… but things seem to have improved recently as they are missing one demon." As he said this, Taibaijinxing glanced at Sun Wukong.

"You can't hide it from Old Taibai; that Flood Demon King is indeed with me. But now he's infatuated with lust, which whittles away his body and spirit; he's hardly worth mentioning," Sun Wukong briefly explained. "If he reforms in the future, it will be a good thing; and if he does not change his wicked ways, he will be courting his own destruction."

"However, Old Sun has also encountered the True Martial Great Emperor once before."

"Oh? Really?" Taibai was surprised and pleased.

"Indeed."

Sun Wukong thought to himself, (In the simulator.)

"Since the old brother is concerned, why doesn't Old Sun take a trip to the Northern Jambu Continent?" This wasn't a spontaneous decision for Sun Wukong; he had previously traveled to three major continents, only the Northern Jambu Continent he hadn't personally visited yet.

And in his heart, the Northern Jambu Continent was the one in greater need of teachings.

"I will thank you on behalf of the True Martial Great Emperor, Spirit King," Taibaijinxing stood up and thanked Sun Wukong but was stopped by Sun Wukong from bowing.

"Old brother, you're still seeing me as an outsider. Just invite me for a drink next time," Sun Wukong said nonchalantly, waving his hand. After finishing the last cup with Taibaijinxing, he left with Yuyan and his wife towards the Northern Celestial Gate.

The Heavenly King Who Hears Much had already received the jade dew and Qiankun Bag given by the Heavenly King Who Increases, and upon seeing Sun Wukong approaching, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, asking, "Why has the Spirit King come this way? The path below here leads to the Northern Jambu Continent, not the Nanshan Continent or the Eastern Victory Divine Continent." Fi%nd t#h%i*s cha#p^te.r-'s s^our&ce% on M+V-LE^M-PYR.$

When Sun Wukong ascended from Huaguo Mountain to Heaven, he would head towards the Southern Celestial Gate because Huaguo Mountain, though in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, is close to the Nanshan Continent and is nearest to the Southern Celestial Gate, thus he often used it.

The Heavenly King Who Hears Much thought perhaps the Spirit King was not familiar with Heaven and had taken the wrong path.

"Heavenly King Who Hears Much, I'm indeed intending to go to the Northern Jambu Continent for a look," Sun Wukong said with a grin. "My Huaguo Mountain is a place where humans and demons dwell together, all beings have a spirit, but the Northern Jambu Continent practices survival of the fittest, lacking the ultimate truth and devoid of immortals and saints. Therefore, I want to go down for a look to see if teachings could be imparted, to carry out my way."

"Merciful Spirit King!"

Heavenly King Who Hears Much lamented without end, and immediately granted passage.

The three of them rode the clouds out of the Northern Gate, heading towards the territory of the Northern Jambu Continent.

Yuyan suddenly said, "This Heavenly King Who Hears Much has the same color as the Heavenly King Who Increases Prosperity, it's green."

Iron Fan, however, had a different opinion, "The Heavenly King Who Increases Prosperity is clearly blue."

"Ah? That's blue?" Yuyan looked to Sun Wukong.

"Blue comes from indigo," said Sun Wukong. "The Heavenly King Who Increases Prosperity is indeed blue, but sometimes it indeed looks somewhat cyan due to the radiance of his divine light."

Yuyan complained, "These gods really do like to put on airs, with those discs above their heads—how ostentatious."

Sun Wukong said, "People prefer to believe that is how they look, hence the gods manifest such divine light, resonating with the hearts of the people."

"Thankfully, all they want is to be worshipped."

Iron Fan felt that her King's words were suggestive but not explicit.

In fact, Sun Wukong was reminded of his experience simulating the heavens, where the "gods" of that world feasted on the souls of all beings, truly a breed of demons and goblins, who had lost their true nature.

The Northern Jambu Continent was also a place of vast lands and abundant resources.

However, this place was mostly made up of mountains and rivers, lacking open plains, resulting in many demons and few humans, who were both scarce in numbers and often cunning and profit-driven.

Such an environment necessitated this behavior; one could not survive without adopting such traits.

Hence, the Buddha of the West often said, "The Northern Jambu Continent, though guilty of taking lives, does so only for subsistence. Its nature is clumsy and its feelings sparse, without much malice."

However, in the eyes of Sun Wukong, one cannot let things slide just because the environment is harsh.

In the future, this region must surely demonstrate the image of wisdom!

Sun Wukong first went to see the Great Emperor Zhenwu, who stood with disheveled hair and bare feet, clothed in a dark robe and golden armor with a jade belt, wielding a sword with an angry gaze, standing on a tortoise and snake, with Yuanguang halo above his head—a man of stately appearance and extraordinary valor.

"Forgive me, Spirit King, I have long resided in this place and have not yet attended your banquet. I hope you bear no grudge! No grudge!" Great Emperor Zhenwu said as he clasped his fist.

"The Great Emperor is truly a forthright person," said Sun Wukong, also clasping his fist, bowing slightly, and smiling, "I have come here for two reasons. First, I heard from Brother Taibai that the Great Emperor is subduing demons here, and I wished to observe. Second, I desire to teach here and to verify the Way for all spirits."

Great Emperor Zhenwu, unable to contain his joy, said, "I have heard of the Spirit King's teachings to the spirits of heaven and earth at Huaguo Mountain, living among the people with supreme truth. Now that I see you, indeed you possess noble virtue."

"Just that—"

Great Emperor Zhenwu sighed again, "This place is fraught with extreme peril, where demons and men alike kill living beings to survive, not to mention the frequency of cannibalism."

"If there are demons or men who view you with malice, they will harbor a murderous intent and then strip you of your wealth and carve the flesh from your body."

"Without Great Divine Power or great Mana, one cannot establish a foothold here."

"Spirit King, you have likely attained the Way not long ago, not adept at combat; it is best to leave quickly, lest the people or demons of this land harm your life and take your physical body. To rebuild what is lost, who knows how many years and months it would take."

Yet Sun Wukong was all smiles: "Great Emperor Zhenwu, there's no need to worry, Ol' Sun has plenty of tricks up his sleeve!"