Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 131

New Journeys to the West
Renaissance College Hong Kong, Chow, Theodore - 16
“I
just can’t get enough of this,” said Zhu the Pig as he shoved more food down his throat. “Clean
up that mess, Piggy,” Sha the Monk responded hurriedly while mopping the floor. “The Great
Master of China is soon to arrive and all you do is make my life difficult!” “Don’t call me Piggy!
I’ve changed my name! It’s Gip!” Zhu the Pig yelled back with his mouth full of food. “Oh! You just
reversed the letters! I would hardly call that a name change,” teased Sha the Monk.
“Relax! He won’t arrive in the city until this afternoon,” said Wukong as he jumped onto the sofa. “Well, it
has been a hundred years since we last gathered together. I think he deserves a more than proper welcome,”
said Sha, as he eyed the crumbs falling from Zhu’s mouth.
Suddenly, everyone’s head turned as a guard burst into the room, but before he could say anything, the
Great Xuan Zang announced his own arrival. “How are you, my dear friends?”
“The Great Buddha of Sandalwood Merit! Welcome! Welcome! What brings you to our humble place on
this fine day?” Sha asked humbly and bowed at Xuan Zang. “Please, there is no need for formalities, my
friends,” replied Xuan Zang. “I’ve come to ask you for another favour. Oh, legendary warriors! I know all
of you here have already atoned for your sins in the past. But I stand here today asking in good faith. One
more journey! One last adventure! Would you consider doing it for your Great Master?”
Upon hearing this request, the three of them went silent for a moment and looked at each other in search of
a response.
Zhu couldn’t stand it. Thinking about the good food he had in their last journey, he licked his lips and
broke the silence. “As long as there is food and we’ll be able to taste the delicacies of the world, I’m in!”
“Yeah, I haven’t had a good thrill ever since our last adventure,” Wukong added. “Guys, just wait a second.
Before we make a decision, let's look at the facts here, okay?” Sha suggested and asked, “Great Master, could
you please tell us where we would be going and what the mission involves?”
“I’m sure you have heard of the great tales from the West in the past hundred years: the life of happiness.
Our fellow countrymen are now living a much better life. However, they look miserable. Guanyin, the
Goddess of Mercy, who heard the sounds of misery of the world, asked me to help. I’ve heard from reliable
sources that there is a secret to this life of happiness in the West that we can bring back to our poor people.
But to obtain this secret, we must travel to the West again and seek out their Secret Keeper who lives in a
white palace. I understand that in our last adventure, we flirted with death numerous times and I know this
is no easy decision. Whether or not you all come with me, I leave in two days from the Shanghai
Pier. You’ll know which boat is mine when you see it,” explained the Great Master. And with that, he took
off into the horizon.
**********
The swishing and swooshing of the waves against the pier echoed throughout the interior of an ordinary
fishing boat. On the deck sat the Great Master Xuan Zang who was looking out towards the sea, meditating.
The sun was setting and the chilly evening wind battered the trio as they made their way towards the boat.
“Maybe we should turn back,” suggested Sha. Wukong immediately replied, “No! We’ve made it this far,
and besides, the Great Master needs us!” “Yeah, and think about the yummy food in the West,” said Zhu, as
they stepped onto the boat.
“I’m glad you three could make it,” said Xuan Zang. “We’ll be taking this boat from Shanghai, down the
Yangtze River as far west as we can. Then, we go by horse. I hope you are fully prepared. This journey isn’t
going to be smooth.”