Year after year passed. Before he knew it, Sun Wukong had spent three hundred years serving this harsh sentence. What a miserable existence. Wukong thought of his friends, remembering all the happy times they’d shared. Back then, life had felt so free. He wondered how they were doing now. He also remembered his childhood. Don’t judge him only by his mischief. The truth was, he’d been a very good kid when he was little.
His life story was a tragic one. It all began on Tung Zheng Island. Legend had it that in a land full of islands stood an ancient stone. It continually absorbed the mystic energy released by heaven and earth, until a magical embryo took shape within it. Then, one evening, Wukong was born into the world.
That day, in Heaven’s palace, the clouds rumbled fiercely, and lightning flashed among them. The Jade Emperor, whose name was Giok Tai, was baffled by the turmoil in Heaven. Just then, two of the palace’s mighty generals came before him.
“I am Divine Eye,” said one palace servant, kneeling to pay his respects to the emperor. He wore the red tunic customary for palace officials. He was called Divine Eye because he had a third eye on his forehead that could see everything.
“I am Divine Ear,” said the one beside him, dressed the same way. He had a pair of enormous ears, wider than his entire face.
“We have come before Your Majesty,” they said in unison.
When they arrived, Giok Tai said, “Divine Eye, Divine Ear, go to the southern gate. Find out who’s causing trouble down there on earth.”
Divine Ear spoke up. “Your Majesty, we know what’s happening.”
“Your Majesty, on Tung Zheng Island stands a mountain called Huaguo. A great stone on that mountain has been absorbing mystic energy, Your Majesty—from heaven and earth. It gave birth to a strange creature that’s causing a commotion there,” Divine Eye added.
“Hmm... So that’s what happened,” said Giok Tai, stroking his long beard as he considered the matter. Then the emperor looked over all the generals and commanders in the palace. “Which of you is willing to go down to earth and kill it?”
A commander promptly stepped forward and volunteered. “Your Majesty! Allow me to kill it!” cried a commander named Tian Feng. Every official in Heaven’s palace knew Tian Feng. He was renowned for his courage and valor, and he carried his ultimate weapon, the Nine-Toothed Iron Rake. It was a formidable magical weapon, a powerful rake with nine tines at its end.
“Very well, Tian Feng. You may go down to earth and kill that demon.”
“I obey!”
Meanwhile, in a village on Tung Zheng Island, the terrified villagers poured into the streets and fled. A giant was rampaging, demolishing every building in the village. The creature had two arms and stood on two legs. Its face resembled a monkey, and thick brownish fur covered it from head to toe. It stomped the village houses flat, then beat its chest furiously with both hands.
At last, General Tian Feng descended from the dark night sky to earth. He spun through a quick movement, and in moments his body had grown to match the creature’s size.
“Tian Feng is here!” he announced, startling the giant. “Demon! It’s my duty to protect the peace. Prepare yourself!”
The increasingly irritated, furry creature kicked one of the villagers, sending him flying into the sky. Fortunately, General Tian Feng deftly caught him. “Are you all right?” he asked. Without another word, he carefully lowered the man to safety.
Tian Feng turned to face the giant.
“Get ready! Death Kick!” he shouted.
Tian Feng leaped high into the air, then hammered the huge creature’s stomach and chest with a relentless flurry of kicks. Landing several solid hits made Tian Feng feel as though he had the upper hand. But then his eyes widened. The creature swung its hand into Tian Feng’s leg, sending him flying. Tian Feng crashed to the ground. The strange creature seized its chance and kicked him, knocking him sprawling.
Tian Feng was stunned. But he had no time to marvel at the creature’s strength. He sprang to his feet and raised his right hand toward the dark night sky.
“Magic Rake!” he bellowed. Thunder rumbled across the sky, and lightning roared. A nine-toothed iron rake descended from the darkness—his beloved weapon. Tian Feng snatched it out of the air with ease.
Now Tian Feng was done playing around. He swung his magic rake brutally at the furry creature. A fierce battle began.