Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 277 - 278: A Person Who Looks Exactly Like Me, Sun Wukong

Chapter 277: Chapter 278: A Person Who Looks Exactly Like Me, Sun Wukong

It should be known that if the figure of demons and monsters appeared nearby, they would scarcely escape Sun Wukong’s senses.

Moreover, given Sun Wukong’s current strength, if someone transformed into his likeness, he would invariably sense it in the deep unseen ways. Yet, this time, he had not felt anything at all.

This is why this mysterious being’s terror lies.

After thinking it over for a long while, everyone remained baffled, feeling only that their opponent was formidable and that they must proceed with caution.

Only then did the group continue on their way.

But, unbeknownst to them, there was a monkey in the shadows, secretly observing the Journey to the West travelers.

At first glance, this monkey bore an uncanny resemblance to Sun Wukong; a closer look might reveal some discrepancies, and indeed, this was none other than the Six Eared Macaque.

The macaque’s gaze flickered as it watched the four travelers in the distance.

It suppressed its own aura, not daring to let even a bit of it leak out.

One should know that the members of the Journey to the West quartet were no ordinary figures.

Having received teachings from two Saints, Xuanzang’s power had also greatly improved, and he observed Sun Wukong and the others closely.

The Six Eared Macaque was exceedingly careful, and had it not been for the Saints’ prior admonishments to avoid drawing the attention of the other three travelers, it would have doubtlessly gone up and violently clashed with that Sun Wukong.

But now was clearly not the right time.

"It seems the previous schemes haven’t had much of an effect on them,"

the Six Eared Macaque muttered to itself.

"If that’s the case, it looks like I need to come up with some other plan!"

With these words, a treacherous glint shone in the eyes of the Six Eared Macaque.

It smirked coldly as it watched the distant travelers of the Journey to the West.

It then pondered what action to take next.

Meanwhile, the four travelers of the Journey to the West had no inkling of what was happening and continued on their way.

They set off at dawn, rested at night, drank when thirsty, ate when hungry.

And so they continued for several days.

One day, as the sky gradually darkened, the group stopped.

Xuanzang looked at the approaching evening and, dismounting his steed, said, "Disciples, where shall we camp for the night?"

After discussing amongst themselves, Sun Wukong gazed into the distance.

"It’s hard to say around here. Why not let Old Sun go ahead and check if there’s any housing before we decide?"

Sun Wukong furrowed his brow before finally speaking.

Xuanzang greatly approved of Sun Wukong’s words, for it would be good to know in advance if there were any dwellings ahead.

After coming to an agreement, Sun Wukong dashed into the clouds in an instant.

Xuanzang and the others rested where they were.

The Six Eared Macaque, having witnessed this scene, showed a hint of elation, knowing its opportunity had arrived.

"I wonder if Xuanzang and Zhu Bajie will recognize me!" said the Six Eared Macaque, with a dark smile spreading across its face.

With that, the macaque’s form blurred, taking on the appearance of Sun Wukong. It then made adjustments to its demeanor and expressions.

It had been observing Sun Wukong all along, just to make its impersonation more convincing.

After ensuring there were no issues, it approached the resting travelers.

Meanwhile, the real Sun Wukong had just left and was naturally unaware of these developments.

In no time, the Six Eared Macaque had landed near the four travelers and began walking towards them.

Zhu Bajie, who had been resting on the ground, noticed the macaque’s approach and couldn’t help but express his doubts, "Brother Monkey, why have you returned so soon? Have you already found a place for us to stay tonight?"

The Six Eared Macaque inwardly chuckled, aware that it had not given itself away, and that Zhu Bajie, too, had not noticed anything amiss.

However, keeping a neutral face, it replied, "Ah, don’t mention it. The mountains ahead are steep and high; I couldn’t spot a single dwelling. It seems we have no place to stay tonight!"

Zhu Bajie’s face fell upon hearing this.

Xuanzang and Sand Monk were also somewhat puzzled.

After all, even a cursory search shouldn’t have allowed for such a quick return.

But they didn’t think much of it.

After all, they had no idea that their companion monkey was an impostor in the form of the Six Eared Macaque.

Seeing that they were still somewhat dubious, the Six Eared Macaque quickly changed the subject and said, "Never mind, we monks do not need the same comforts as laypeople. No point in complaining!"

Intrigued, Zhu Bajie asked, "What’s the difference between monks and laypeople?"

Xuanzang and Sand Monk also turned their attention to the conversation.

It was clear they had all been distracted by the Six Eared Macaque’s preceding words.

Seizing the moment, the Six Eared Macaque elaborated, "Laypeople have warm blankets and comfortable beds, houses to shelter them from wind and rain, and the freedom to sleep as they please. We monks can’t compare to that!"

"We can only travel under the stars, exposed to the elements. Where there’s a road, we walk; where there’s none, we rest!"

At these words, Zhu Bajie heaved a sigh and said, "Brother Monkey, you see one side, but you don’t see the other!"

"Oh?"

The Six Eared Macaque, feigning curiosity, inquired.

"What do you mean by that, you dimwit?"

"Brother Monkey, the journey ahead is long and arduous. We’ve had a tough trek so far and must find a good place to rest for the night—only then can we restore our energy for tomorrow’s travels. Otherwise, won’t we exhaust ourselves to death?"

The Six-Eared Macaque finally succeeded in completely diverting everyone’s attention.

Following Bajie’s suggestion, he said, "Exactly, exactly! Let’s make use of the moonlight and keep going, see if we can find some lodgings for the night."

With that, he chose to lead the way.

Under the guidance of the Six-Eared Macaque, everyone followed.

For a while, they continued on their path.

However, they did not realize that the Sun Wukong among them was no longer the original Sun Wukong.

After walking under the starry sky for a while, they suddenly heard a deafening roar.

They saw a broad river blocking their way.

This river was extraordinarily wide, like a road-blocking tiger, standing in their way.

Seeing the river, everyone had no choice but to stop.

Zhu Bajie made an even more troubled face.

"It’s over, there’s no way forward. After walking half the day, it seems we’ll have to endure the elements overnight after all. If only we had rested a while ago."

The Six-Eared Macaque chuckled and said, "Quit your whining, numbskull. Just make do for tonight and set up camp!"

Saying so, they all got busy.

But just then, the Six-Eared Macaque seemed to sense something.

He looked back toward the road they had come from, clearly the Intelligent Stone Monkey was making his return.

A smirk appeared on the Six-Eared Macaque’s face as he said, "At last, I’ll meet you, Intelligent Stone Monkey; I’ve long wanted to see you. Heh, Intelligent Stone Monkey, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’ll show you who truly is the chief of The Innate Four Monkeys!"

Soon, a figure dashed swiftly from the distance.

Along the way, he kept cursing, "Damn it, why didn’t you wait for Old Sun? I was away for just a moment, and you all disappeared!"

Hearing this voice, everyone turned to look.

But after just one glance, they broke out in a cold sweat. The newcomer was also a monkey and looked exactly like Sun Wukong, naturally leaving them shocked.

You see, Sun Wukong was right beside them, so why did another identical monkey suddenly appear?

What in the world was going on?

Everyone looked toward the distant monkey, then glanced again at the one beside them.

They were confused, like monks who can’t find their heads.

The approaching monk finally came close and, not noticing anything amiss, immediately began scolding, "Why didn’t you wait for me? You left before Old Sun came back. Weren’t you afraid of running into demons and monsters...?"

As Sun Wukong spoke, he suddenly froze, looking at the monkey who bore his exact likeness with a bewildered expression.

The Six-Eared Macaque also seemed surprised at the sight of the approaching Sun Wukong.

Both, almost simultaneously, questioned, "Who are you? Why are you impersonating Old Sun?"

Seeing the other say the same words with the same expression, they both shouted in surprise again.

"Why are you copying Old Sun’s speech?"

Having said the same thing twice, they both were briefly stunned.

To the unaware, they might seem like each other’s shadows.

Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sand Monk stood by, watching the scene in utter confusion.

Before them stood two identical monkeys, speaking the same words, with the same expressions.

Zhu Bajie muttered to himself, "What’s going on? Why are there two monkeys? What’s happening?"

Xuanzang also couldn’t help expressing his incredulity, "Truly bizarre. I’m afraid even my cultivation level isn’t sufficient to distinguish these two— which one is the real Sun Wukong!"

While everyone was perplexed, the two monkeys stared at each other with grave expressions.

They could both feel a sense of repulsion in their bloodline, filling the space between them.

It was as though they were innate archenemies.

The two stood there confronting each other, as if waiting for the other to lose patience first.

At that moment, seeing the Six-Eared Macaque among Xuanzang and the others, Sun Wukong could hardly keep still and shouted, "Who exactly are you? Why are you pretending to be Old Sun?"

"I should be asking you that. Who exactly are you, and why are you impersonating Old Sun? Now, the villain is playing the victim!"

The Six-Eared Macaque scoffed with a sneering smile.

Hearing the Six-Eared Macaque’s words, Sun Wukong’s face darkened as he said, "Clearly you’re pretending to be Old Sun. You monster, spit it out—why are you impersonating Old Sun, and what’s your motive?"

At that time, deep within a cave dwelling on Mount Huaguo.

Wang Yang and Sun Wukong sat facing each other.

Sun Wukong had opened his eyes, which seemed as if they could see through endless illusions, mysterious and unfathomable. At the moment, he appeared somewhat puzzled, clearly having sensed the information from his clone.

"Brother, what’s going on? Why has Old Sun encountered someone who looks exactly like him?"

Sun Wukong asked.

At that moment, Wang Yang opened his eyes.