New Journeys to the West
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School , Chung , Erin - 11
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But what is the route now it ' s blocked ? If we want to pass the mountain , let alone India , we have to use another route ." Bajie rambled anxiously . His salmon pink , rotund body stomped on the icy bamboo mat as he paced . He pulled a face , as if he didn ' t want to think of what the four might have to do .
" I don ' t know ." XuanZhang replied as he pondered this question . He rested his head on his callused hand as he formed a plan , the other hand rolling out the map . He caressed the paper , soft from wear . He traced nimble fingers across the drawings of mountains , villages , rivers and forests . The colours of the drawings were once vivid , amazing , perfect even . The charming little houses were so warm and welcoming that he wished to stay . The only two options was to go over the mountain , which was a treacherous path , since it would take at least two days . He could go left , but it was where a demon lurked . Specifically , the legendary White Bone Demon . He wasn ' t even sure it existed , but it was powerful if it did . No one knew much of it because if you got to see it , you ' d probably be dead . There was also a small village , according to the dingy map they had acquired from the sketchy seller four years back . It was yellowed from age , edges pale brown and crumbling to pieces , a tear ripping through the edge . Jagged , zigzagging lines crawled across the paper from the many times when the four had stuffed the map into satchels .
" Well , if you you ' re going to tell me not to kill off seemingly innocent people , we are NOT going to the left ." WuKong suddenly declared . He puffed up his chest , as he tended to do when determined . His faced was set in stone as his eyes gleamed . Once he made a decision , he never backed down .
" Fine ." ***
The mountain stood in it ' s majesty , evoking a sense of astonishment in the four . The image sent chills down Bajie ' s spine . He shivered . It taunted him , as if to say , Run away if you want . Leave your friends to face me alone , scaredy-pig . Bajie told himself firmly , I will NOT run away . It was true that he was scared to death , but his determination and loyalty made him stand his ground .
Web-like streams branched out through the mountain , as if they were veins of the earth . Lush , vivid forests bathed it in dark green , a stark contrast to the grey sky . SanZhang ' s eyes were wide as he gawked at the sight . He sucked in a deep breath at the heavy , humid haze that shrouded the mountain in mystery . This was the perfect condition for moonberries . Those spherical , snow white berries ... He had a moonberry plant . It was thriving , green leaves and impeccably ripe moonberries hanging onto every branch , every stalk ... He craved and ached for them .
Next to him , XuanZhang shook his head in despair . WuKong was right . They ' d have to go around the side .
***
" Hello , kind sirs . What brings you to our village ?" Her skirts swished around her as she questioned . Brown eyes as milky as chocolate curiously gazed at the four . She smiled graciously as her midnight hair fell from her ears and cascaded down her shoulders . She beckoned the four in , offering a bowl of moonberries . SanZhang ' s eyes were as wide as saucers as he stared at the bowl , hardly believing the sight . " Yes , those are moonberries ," she interjected ," My favourite ." She left to make tea .