Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 198

New Journeys to the West
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau, Cheng, Marcus - 12
I
t was a sweltering and sultry day. Four people were struggling on a winding, tortuous mountain path.
They were moving forward in slower and slower steps. Sand was blinding them. As they brushed the
grains of sand away from their faces they tried to fend their eyes from the glare. “Why do we have to
trek through this stupid Gobi Desert?” asked Monkey King impatiently.
“Be patient, Monkey King, it is essential to search for the sacred sutras which are to be found
Southwest in India. Our journey is a spiritual pilgrimage and don’t forget we are on an important quest for
truth. Calm yourself, Monkey, your emotions are overcoming you with impatience.”
“Yeah, Monkey King, Listen to Xuan Zang!” Friar Sa admonished in a friendly tone.
“Wow! Monkey King! How patient!” sneered Pig Bajie a little sarcastically.
They trudged on wordlessly for several days, but in unison. Their minds were set on their mission.
Suddenly, after they rose, Monkey King exclaimed on an early morning trek. “It’s unbelievable. I see a
cactus before me! Finally, some vegetation and water. What a blessing!” Monkey King rushed to a flowering
cactus plant standing verdantly in the bare desert. “Let’s not go anywhere anymore. Let’s just stay here and
rest!” Monkey King exclaimed excitedly.
“There are leaves so we can rest in the breeze.” Monkey King told the others.
“Oh! Interesting. Let’s get a sip of water. Quick! Let’s stop here and relax a while” Pig Bajie was
drooling when he looked at the cactus. Moving at lightning speed, Monkey King overtook him and ran to
the cactus and took a mouthful of water. “Let’s just stay here and rest!”, he echoed.
Friar Sa exchanged a knowing look with Xuan Zang. They both shared the same view that
Monkey King was indeed intelligent but too distracted.
Meanwhile, somewhere beyond, a few yards behind the cactus, rushed out some threatening
creatures with horns and three eyes. They threw stones and shot arrows at the four. Monkey King, Pig Bajie
and Friar Sa leapt aside to escape from the volley of arrows. Moreover, Pig Bajie pulled out his trident and
mercilessly struck their enemies. Monkey King just as quickly brandished his golden rod and gave a war-
cry. Too devoted to his prayer and meditation, Xuan Zang failed to escape. The arrows whizzed straight at
his heart and he fell forward lifeless.
The others gasped in shock and reeled in horror. Pig Bajie and Monkey King saw their beloved
leader die in front of their eyes. Friar Sa wept and told the others to pray for the peace of his soul. The Pig
Bajie immediately set to work with his trident. They all worked together to bury Xuan Zang with dignity.
Their mission was far from complete and they had to decide what to do next. It was obvious that the
mission was too important to end prematurely. Remembering Xuan Zang’s words, the trio decided that
whatever happened, they must continue their pilgrimage to the West.
“Can I be the leader?” asked the Monkey King, “I want to prove that I am patient and dedicated
to the mission that Xuan Zang had set for us. What do you think? Will you give me your support?”
“Emm… OK!” they chorused. “However, you have to listen to our opinions and not depend
solely on your own judgement.” Friar Sa told him.
“I agree.” exclaimed Monkey King. He accepted the role as a leader even though he realized it
would be difficult to follow Xuan Zang’s footsteps. They continued their journey to the West with hope
and confidence as the team would work with one heart and one mind.
After ten days of weary trudging, they reached an unexpected river. Surprisingly, they also heard
screams for help from a distance. Monkey King ran forward to investigate what was happening. A girl was
struggling in the gurgling and menacing water.” Help! Help me!” the girl shouted at the top of her lungs,
she was waving her arms desperately. What Monkey King saw in front of him was a drowning girl crying to
be rescued. He hesitated for a while, and decided the rescue should be undertaken by Pig Bajie who was
fearless of water.
Pig Bajie plunged in a flash and rescued the crying girl without difficulty. The girl was wet and
breathless. She was around twelve years old with long hair and pale skin. She cried with relief and tightly
gashed Pig Bajie’s trotters in her gratitude. “A moment too late and I would be drowned! Thank you! You
saved my life! What can I do to repay you? I fell into the water when I was washing the clothes.”