Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

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Upon seeing this, the old monkey called out three more times:

"Whoever has the ability, go in and find the source! We will make him our king!"

The shouts echoed amidst the rumbling of the water.

But suddenly, from among the throng of monkeys, the stone monkey leaped out and shouted in response:

"I'm going in! I'm going in!"

This stone monkey was born without fear, could understand the workings of the heavens, and knew geography.

Seeing that none of the monkeys dared to respond, his innate intelligence and courage surged forth, seizing the opportune moment.

It is truly said: Your beautiful name is destined to be revealed today, and your great fortune will naturally bring you good luck.

When the old monkey saw it was him, he was overjoyed and said:

"You can go! You can go! This matter cannot be left to anyone but you!"

Without hesitation, the stone monkey closed its eyes, crouched down, bent its waist, and leaped towards the waterfall.

Passing through the waterfall, one is suddenly greeted by a clear and open view, with no water ripples.

He steadied himself, opened his eyes and looked closely. He saw that there was no water or waves inside, only clear and bright water. It was a natural stone bridge, as if it were made of iron plates, lying across the middle.

The water under the bridge rushes out from the stone opening, flowing down in reverse, which perfectly covers the entrance to the bridge.

The stone monkey composed himself, bowed, and stepped onto the bridgehead, looking around.

The interior was spacious, with light filtering in. Stone tables, chairs, bowls, and basins were all present, making it seem as if a family had lived there.

This place is imbued with spiritual energy and blessed with auspicious feng shui; it truly is an excellent location.

He walked across the bridge and saw a stone tablet standing in the center, with a line of large characters in regular script that read "Blessed Land of Flower and Fruit Mountain, Grotto Heaven of Water Curtain Cave".

After seeing this, the stone monkey was so delighted that it scratched its ears and cheeks, then quickly turned around and jumped out of the water curtain again.

Back in front of the monkeys, he couldn't help but chuckle twice, saying repeatedly:

"What a stroke of luck! What a stroke of luck!"

Seeing the stone monkey leap out unharmed, the monkeys were overjoyed and swarmed around him, asking questions all at once:

"What's it like inside? How deep is the water? Have you seen anything?"

The stone monkey, full of energy, then described the scene inside in detail.

Finally, he added, "This is truly our place of refuge! It's very spacious inside; it can accommodate not only us, but also hundreds or thousands of family members."

Wouldn't it be better for us all to move in and live there than to suffer the sun, wind, frost, and rain outside, and endure the whims of nature?

Here, you can find shelter from the wind and shelter from the rain. You are not afraid of frost and snow, and you will never hear thunder.

The mist and clouds often shine upon it, and auspicious omens always rise in its air. The pines and bamboos flourish year after year, and wondrous flowers bloom anew each day!

The monkeys listened to his eloquent tales, as if they could already see that celestial abode.

He became increasingly itchy and restless, scratching his ears and cheeks, grinning from ear to ear, wishing he could crawl inside immediately.

Upon seeing this, the stone monkey shouted, "Come in with me! Come in!"

After saying that, he took the lead and leaped through the waterfall into the Water Curtain Cave.

Those who were bold and unruly, upon hearing the call, imitated the stone monkey, shouted, and then leaped into the waterfall.

The timid or young monkeys, filled with fear, would go to the edge of the cliff and pull at the old vines and creepers, linking them together to form a rope.

Trembling with fear, we climbed along the vines, inching our way behind the waterfall's curtain of water.

For a moment, there was a great commotion outside the cave, with water splashing everywhere, creating quite a lively scene.

This commotion, however, startled a large white python that was cultivating in seclusion at the bottom of the deep ravine.

This python was born in this beautiful and spiritual place. Over the years, it has gradually become spiritual. It usually lies dormant at the bottom of the water, inhaling and exhaling the essence of the water.

Startled by the commotion on the water, it silently swam to shallower water.

Through the clear water, I coldly observed the clumsy, chattering monkeys on the shore.

The stone monkey was the most enthusiastic, leaping back and forth between the inside and outside of the waterfall. It carried several young and weak monkeys into the cave and then leaped out again, displaying its agility and having a great time.

In the midst of their busy work, a shrill scream suddenly rang out, and water exploded with a deafening roar!

Suddenly, the large white python, which had been lurking for a long time, leaped out of the deep ravine.

With its gaping maw wide open, it grabbed an old monkey that was clinging to a vine with nowhere to hold on, and was about to drag it into the water!

Upon seeing this, the monkeys were terrified, screaming and creating chaos.

The stone monkey, carrying a small monkey on its back, leaped into the air. Hearing the sound, it turned its head, its golden eyes wide open.

Seeing this, a nameless rage suddenly surged within him. With a shout, undeterred by the python's ferocity, he tossed the little monkey onto the shore.

He leaped out and landed squarely on the white python's wet, cold body, his arms and legs clinging to it like iron hoops!

What a fine stone monkey!

He was born with extraordinary intelligence, and his appearance was truly remarkable.

Although he did not obtain the methods of cultivation and was not versed in supernatural powers, he was born of heaven and earth and possessed a breath of innate energy.

After birth, it feeds on the clouds and drinks the dew, and absorbs the essence of the sun and moon and the beauty of the mountains and rivers of Huaguo Mountain. Its physique is strong and far superior to that of ordinary beings, and it also possesses an innate courage and spirituality.

But his eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his anger was raging within him, which was completely unpredictable.

With only a fierce and intelligent spirit, he swung his fists and feet, fiercely striking the python's vital points such as its seven inches and head!

"Bang! Bang! Throat!"

The muffled thuds were like the beating of drums, and where the fists and feet landed, there was a faint sound of metal clashing against stone.

The white python, in pain, hissed and shrieked, abruptly releasing the old monkey it was holding, its massive body twisting and writhing wildly.

The python's tail swept across the mountain, causing rocks to crumble, trees to break, and the stream to surge with waves several feet high, shaking the mountains and forests and startling birds and beasts into flight.

He spotted an opening, pressed down hard on the enormous python's head with one hand, and clenched his other fist.

He used all his strength to strike the scales on the top of the head of the animal, and then punched it more than ten times!

At first, the white python was still fierce, but gradually it lost strength, its rolling slowed down, and its roar turned into a mournful cry.

In the blink of an eye, this stone monkey, who knew nothing of martial arts and relied solely on brute force, had broken his bones and tendons. There was no more breath on the ground.

The python crashed onto the rocky beach by the stream, splashing water everywhere, and then remained motionless.

The scales on his forehead were shattered and bleeding was seeping out.

The stone monkey jumped down, still managing to kick the lifeless python's head once more, and cursed:

"You scoundrel! How utterly unruly!"

The monkeys were completely stunned, their jaws dropping as they stared at the dead, enormous white python.

Then he looked at the stone monkey beside the lone python corpse, which still exuded a menacing aura, and for a moment there was no sound at all.

The stone monkey turned back to look at the still-stunned monkey troop and called out loudly:

"What are you all standing there for? The scoundrel is dead, hurry up and come with me into the cave! It's safe inside, and there won't be any more of this filthy creature causing trouble!"

The monkeys then seemed to awaken from their daze, their fear gradually fading. With a cheer, they followed the stone monkey without hesitation into the blessed cave behind the water curtain.

Upon entering the grotto, his monkey-like nature resurfaced.

One by one, they scrambled for bowls and plates, fought over stoves and beds, moving things around, shouting and yelling, creating a deafening commotion.

They were truly mischievous monkeys, never having a moment of peace, making a ruckus until they were exhausted and finally began to rest.

The stone monkey did not compete with them, but instead leaped onto a flat, high rock and sat down.

After the noise in the cave subsided slightly, he cleared his throat and said in a loud voice:

"Gentlemen, 'A man without faith is worthless.' You said that whoever can enter and leave without injury should be made king."

I have come in and gone out, gone out and come in again, and found this secluded place for you all to sleep peacefully and soundly. From now on, may you be protected from wind and rain, and fear neither heat nor cold, and may each enjoy the blessings of establishing your own families and careers.

"Should this merit still be counted? Why not make me king?"

When the monkeys heard him mention his previous promise and were impressed by his achievements in exploring the cave and killing the python, which one of them disagreed?

They immediately dropped what they were holding, hastily bowed and prostrated themselves before the stone platform, shouting, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

The stone monkey, delighted, scratched its ears and cheeks on the stone platform, laughing heartily and bending over with joy, repeatedly saying:

"Very well! Very well! From this day forward, I shall be your king!"

After a moment of joy, an old monkey suddenly stepped forward and asked:

"Your Majesty ascends the throne today. I wonder... what kind of king do you wish to be?"

The stone monkey asked in surprise, "Oh? There are many rules about kings? What kinds of kings are there?"

The old monkey replied, "There are many kings in the world."

There are demon kings who occupy mountains and devour people, ghost kings who gather and disperse in the netherworld, human kings who rule over all people, beast kings who command beasts, and dragon kings who control clouds and rain…

"It is said that not far from here there is a dragon king, who is powerful and influential in the region, and is truly extraordinary."

"What kind of king does Your Majesty wish to be?"

Upon hearing this, the stone monkey's golden eyes darted around, as if deep in thought.

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