Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 378

New Journeys to the West
Kowloon Tong School (Primary Section), Wan, Ching - 10
“S
un Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, White Dragon Horse, Bull Demon King,
Yellow-tooth Elephant, Lion Lynx Demon……” I murmured as I drew the poster for my
university project. “Done!”
Suddenly, there was a deafening bang and a blinding flash of light. In the mist, there appeared the
blurry outlines of a monkey, a pig, a bald monk and a hideous, hairy man.
“Aaaah!” I shrieked. The characters from the Journeys to the West were now real-life people!
Looking back at the paper I had drawn the four disciples beginning their journey, I saw that it was
blank.
A question mark formed in my head. Where were the antagonists? Oh, well, I thought. I have no
time to worry about that now.
So I turned my attention to the situation in front of me.
“Where are we? Who are you?” the monkey asked threateningly.
I struggled to keep myself calm. “Um, you guys are, uh, the characters of a well-known book, and
have just appeared a thousand years after your time in Hong Kong. I suppose I can help you get the sutras;
According to the legend, it’s in India, Vulture Peak,”
Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing agreed, and that was the beginning of our
amazing adventure.
Our first stop was Vietnam. To cross the country, we had to pass through the Phong Nha Caves. I
decided to give my company a tour.
“These special rocks have all been given names,” I told the Disciples. “This one’s the Lion, that’s
the Buddha, and……”
Suddenly, the rock named Lion sprang into life! I squinted to see better. It was the Lion-Lynx
Demon!
“Years I have waited to get my revenge! Now, it is finally mine!” The ferocious demon thundered
at the Monkey King.
Sun Wukng didn’t even flinch. Using his 72 transformations, he turned into a great poison-green
crocodile. Lashing out on the demon beast, he roared with anger.
The Lion-Lynx Demon was hurt, but it wasn’t ready to give up yet. It poked Wukong’s eyes,
causing the croc to topple in pain.
I was getting worried. As the battle raged on, an idea popped into my head. What if every time I
drew something, it would appear just like the characters from the Journeys to the West did?
I pulled out a sheet of paper and started drawing Manjusri. With a bang and a dazzling ray of light,
the Bodhisattva appeared. Seeing its owner, the fearsome beast changed back into its original shape and went
back with its master to its home.
We then went to Combodia. Tang San Zang suggested going into Angkor to pay respect to the
Gods. We went in quietly.
“Wait,” said the monkey, his nose held up high like a dog who caught a scent. “There’s a demon
in there.”
But the Monk wasn’t going back now. So we went on until we saw a bronze bull.
It wasn’t long before we realized the monkey was right. The statue moved just a bit at first, then
jumped up. With its fearsome horns, magnificent armour and sharp, glistening weapon, it was the
unmistakable Bull Demon King.
“I have waited long enough!” roared the demon. “My son is in great pain --- doing work for
Guanyin! You will suffer for this……” He rambled on and on without stopping.
The demon and Sun Wukong started to fight, but the monkey was weak from his last battle, and it
wasn’t looking good for him.
I knew Bull Demon King had two lovers. And I also knew both would do anything to get rid of
the other. So I picked up a pen and drew the two princesses --- Princess Iron Fan, his wife and Princess
Jade Face, his concubine. A second later, two shrill voices rang across the room.