New Journeys to the West
St . Paul ' s Co-educational College , Lam , Justin - 14
A bell tolled in the distance as the rays of the rising sun bathed the hill in golden light . A young monk stood before a shrine , head bowed .
“ I will finish what you started , Master Xuanzang ,” he said , face set with determination . He shouldered his bag and walked out of the pagoda , casting one last look at the tomb of the legendary monk .
Zhizhou was a fourth-generation monk in Xuanzang ’ s temple . He had been personally instructed by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang to bring precious texts back from the West , and he didn ’ t intend to fail . First , he needed allies , and he knew exactly where to find them . ~ A bedraggled monk was led into the throne room , ushered in by monkeys in armor . The situation would be funny if it weren ’ t for the massive axes in their hands . A broadshouldered monkey with golden fur stood in the center of the room , his back facing Zhizhou . “ You wished to see me ? Why are you here ?” the Monkey King asked , though it sounded like an order . The very words seemed to penetrate Zhizhou ’ s being , wresting the answer from his mouth . “ I am Zhizhou . I ’ m here to ask you to join me in a new pilgrimage to the West ,” Zhizhou said , his voice shaking in apprehension . “ The documents could provide new insights into stopping the mounting chaos in our empire .”
Sun Wukong turned , eyes shining like molten gold . Zhizhou stepped back a little . “ The Tang dynasty is beyond help now , young one . No amount of magic or Buddhist texts can save it .” Zhizhou blinked in confusion . “ I thought you went on the first Journey to the West ! I thought you would -” Wukong laughed hollowly . “ Help ? Decades of watching a nation fall to ruin can turn the most starry-eyed idealist into a cynic . Xuanzang is long gone . You will never save the dynasty . Take a leaf from my book and stay out of this . There ’ s no point in risking your life for nothing .” Zhizhou left without a word . As he trudged down the mountain , even the birdsong around him sounded mocking and cruel . ~ The Gao village was run-down and dilapidated , the result of years of neglect . The distant sound of pots smashing could be heard . Zhizhou made his way towards the house at the far end of the road . He pushed the rotting wooden door open , ducking as a wine pot nearly decapitated him . “ Who is it ?” An anthropomorphic pig stood up , swaying drunkenly , his speech slurred . “ Who dares to disturb me ?” Zhizhou chose his words carefully . “ Master Zhu Bajie , I am Zhizhou . I ’ m here to ask for your help in a journey to the West -” He stepped aside , narrowly avoiding another pot . “ I will not be bothered with earthly matters !” Bajie squealed in anger . “ I have earned the right to relax ! You are trespassing !”