Over the ruins, a cold wind swept through, kicking up sand and dust that surged across the ground like waves.
In the corner by the wall, the monsters who hadn’t managed to escape trembled in terror.
Just half a day ago, before dawn, this place was still Lionback—the most prosperous demon-ruled kingdom in all Three Realms. Now, only ruins remained. Even the surrounding mountains had been leveled, and from afar it looked like some ancient wasteland city, worn down by endless years of wind and sand. Only the thick smoke rolling from one corner hinted at the strangeness here.
In the wind and sand, the Six‑Eared Macaque hunched over, gripping the Golden Staff. His eyes could barely stay open. His whole body trembled, every strand of fur bristling, and cracks like creeping vines split his skin. That body looked as if it might fall apart at any moment.
He tilted his head up slightly and saw Monkey flash by, silently landing atop a jagged stone peak opposite him—as if he’d always been standing there.
At this moment, though Monkey appeared far better off than the Six‑Eared Macaque, his hand clutching Iron Sentinel was also trembling. Every muscle in his body was taut, as if he’d forgotten how to relax. The web of his thumb was split open from the fierce fighting, and drops of fresh blood slowly seeped into the carved grooves of Iron Sentinel.
He stood atop the high stone, quietly looking down at the Six‑Eared Macaque, breathing heavily.
His eyes slowly narrowed to a slit.
For some reason, a flicker of unease suddenly rose in his heart.
It was the first time he’d ever felt this way. Though the two of them were split from the same soul, for Monkey, this was the first time he’d sensed it: the feeling that the one he was fighting was, in fact, himself—the self from over six hundred years ago.
That bloodlust, that instinct for battle, that explosive power... it was as if they were made from the same mold. It truly felt like he was fighting his past self.
Perhaps this was also the first time Monkey truly experienced what his past opponents had felt.
This kind of fight is terrifying; a single misstep could turn the tables. Even with superior strength, your hands would grow weak from exhaustion.
It felt like being trapped in a cage fighting a dying beast. Though the beast kept bleeding, it only grew fiercer. Even as it seemed weaker and weaker, you could never truly gauge its strength, nor predict its sudden bursts of power.
One careless move and you could be torn to shreds.
Of course, Monkey after six hundred years is completely different from the Monkey six hundred years ago. Monkey knew clearly that to defeat the Six‑Eared Macaque, the only way was to wait.
Wait patiently, wear him down slowly, and have enough patience. Never act rashly, or you could fall into a trap at any moment.
Amidst the wind and sand, the two of them stood fifty zhang apart, staring at each other from a distance. Neither moved.
After a long time, the Six‑Eared Macaque slowly began to laugh, baring his teeth: “What’s wrong? Not planning to make a move? Isn’t now the easiest time to kill me? Miss this chance, and there won’t be another.”
Monkey tightened his grip on Iron Sentinel, still staring coldly at the Six‑Eared Macaque without saying a word.
Heh, almost forgot—you can’t kill me." The Six‑Eared Macaque lifted his head and glanced toward King Earth‑Store and Saint Raymond, saying: "Oh, and I forgot to tell you one more thing. The Buddhists said if I put on the Golden Circlet and join them, they’ll guarantee I can kill you. So you can’t win. Hahahaha."
Monkey still stood motionless, watching the Six‑Eared Macaque from afar, constantly on guard for any new moves.
On the cliff’s edge, Saint Raymond gently shook his sleeve and sighed: “That’s about enough.”
Aren’t you going to say anything? I’m about to join the Buddhists. Hahahaha, don’t you want to say something?" The Six‑Eared Macaque turned, pointed at Monkey, and laughed: "Honestly, I don’t like the Buddhists either. Even though I’ve lost my old memories, they’re still my enemies, right? But… I have no choice. I need to survive, to replace you and live on. Hahahaha, whoever helps me, I’ll follow them. Being their dog is better than being dragged back into the void and never being reborn. Don’t you think I’m right?"
Monkey’s eyes slowly slanted toward the distant cliff, but after just a glance, his gaze locked back onto the Six‑Eared Macaque.
I just refuse to accept it! Why was it me who got taken away back then, not you? Why? Why did the Heavenly Tribulation only take me? Even now that I’ve returned, it still wants to take me away! Why!? You were good to Anna, but wasn’t I good to her too? Why does she only recognize you?" The Six‑Eared Macaque roared, raising the Golden Staff and pointing it at Monkey, but for a moment he couldn’t speak. He just gritted his teeth, trembling, smiling, and shaking his head.
Monkey said nothing and assumed a stance ready to fight.
On the cliff, King Earth‑Store glanced at Saint Raymond and said, “What will he do next? Keep fighting? He probably can’t hold out much longer, right?”
He’ll probably fight until his very last ounce of strength," Saint Raymond sighed. "If he doesn’t fight to the last moment, he wouldn’t be Sun Wukong."
To the last moment?" King Earth‑Store couldn’t help but smile. "So we’ll have to step in and save him, then?
King Earth‑Store looked around at the sky and took a deep breath: “If there were only one opponent, as long as he doesn’t forcibly ascend to the Heavenly Dao, you and I together could still restrain him. But now, there are many great powers watching us: Lord Lao, Lord Genesis, Lord Skygate, Master Sage Subhuti—if even two of them side against us… Forget about rescue, even we might not escape unharmed.”
We should have reinforcements, right?' said Saint Raymond, glancing toward Spirit Mountain. 'As long as he himself says he’s willing to take refuge in the Buddha.'
Great Thunderclap Temple, Spirit Mountain.
At this moment, the main hall was utterly silent. The Arhats exchanged glances, while the Buddhas stood motionless, not even blinking, like statues.
In the temple of the Women’s Kingdom, Master Sage Subhuti sat in silence.
In Calmforge Palace, the Three Pure Ones said nothing.
“Aren’t you going to say anything to me?” The Six‑Eared Macaque breathed heavily, gazing weakly at Monkey. “Try to persuade me, or… say something. Right? I still remember when you came to Lionback Kingdom to take Anna away—you were quite the smooth talker, weren’t you? Now I’m about to join your enemies, and you have nothing to say?”
Monkey took a deep breath, lifted his head and thought for a moment, then asked, “Join the Buddhists? Are they making you the Victorious Fighting Buddha?”
King Earth‑Store and Saint Raymond both paused in surprise at these words.
The Six‑Eared Macaque blurted out, “You knew?”
Monkey replied, “I know everything. I know far more than what you’ve heard.” He smiled helplessly. “Maybe it’s all fate. You only know what others have told you about the past. But there are some things that, in the Three Realms, only I know. And that’s a nightmare.”
After a pause, Monkey continued, “Here we are, fighting to the death over who’s real. But to the people of the Three Realms, it doesn’t matter which of us is real. It’s just that the winner hasn’t been decided yet. I suppose you think so too. But I have to tell you, between you and me, truly, truly, there is only one real Sun Wukong. There’s no need for victory or defeat—there is only one. Perhaps it’s me, perhaps it’s you. Right now, it seems more likely to be you… Hey, I don’t know, and I don’t care to know. Eight hundred years, I’ve had enough headaches over this. I don’t want to dig any deeper. I won’t persuade you, and I don’t want to. If it’s fate, you either surrender or crush it. No amount of words will change that.”
The Six‑Eared Macaque looked utterly bewildered. He stared at Monkey, his gaze flickering as if something had occurred to him, but he wasn’t quite sure.
Gripping Iron Sentinel, Monkey spoke slowly: “Whatever happens, one of us will survive. And I hope the one who does doesn’t have to be anyone’s dog. Not the Buddhists’, not the Daoists’.”
In Calmforge Palace, Lord Lao let out a helpless sigh and smiled.
Monkey replied, “I know everything. I know far more than what you’ve heard.” He smiled helplessly. “Maybe it’s all fate. You only know what others have told you about the past. But there are some things that, in the Three Realms, only I know. And that’s a nightmare.”
After a pause, Monkey continued, “Here we are, fighting to the death over who’s real. But to the people of the Three Realms, it doesn’t matter which of us is real. It’s just that the winner hasn’t been decided yet. I suppose you think so too. But I have to tell you, between you and me, truly, truly, there is only one real Sun Wukong. There’s no need for victory or defeat—there is only one. Perhaps it’s me, perhaps it’s you. Right now, it seems more likely to be you… Hey, I don’t know, and I don’t care to know. Eight hundred years, I’ve had enough headaches over this. I don’t want to dig any deeper. I won’t persuade you, and I don’t want to. If it’s fate, you either surrender or crush it. No amount of words will change that.”
The Six‑Eared Macaque looked utterly bewildered. He stared at Monkey, his gaze flickering as if something had occurred to him, but he wasn’t quite sure.
Gripping Iron Sentinel, Monkey spoke slowly: “Whatever happens, one of us will survive. And I hope the one who does doesn’t have to be anyone’s dog. Not the Buddhists’, not the Daoists’.”
In Calmforge Palace, Lord Lao let out a helpless sigh and smiled.