Look at them all, their hands going slack, their heads drooping, their eyes closing. One by one they all fell asleep. The Great Sage took his choice of delicacies and tidbits went into the hallway. He settled down next to the urns of wine and ate and drank himself silly. After a while he was full and very drunk.
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Journey to the West – Chapter 4.2
The Wood Star left a happy Wukong introducing himself to the deputy stablemaster, the assistant stable master, the recordkeeper, the stablehands – officials in positions big and small at the Imperial Stable. He toured the stables and found heavenly horses numbering in the thousands: chestnuts, bays, piebalds, thoroughbreds – each and every one spirited andContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 4.2”
Journey to the West – Chapter 4.1
I am experimenting with narration style, so hopefully you’ll find that things are different in this chapter. The Handsome Monkey King and old Gold Star Taibai1 ascended their clouds bound for Heaven. Wukong’s somersault cloud was especially swift. He quickly left the Gold Star behind and arrived alone in front of the South Heavenly Gate,Continue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 4.1”
Journey to the West – Chapter 3.5
We turn now to the heavens, to discuss the Most High Sage, the Merciful and Awesome Jade Emperor in the Lingxiao Cloud Palace, who one morning was holding court with his civil and military officials when the immortal Qiu Hongji1 came forth with a report: “Your Majesty, Aoguang, Dragon King of the East Sea, hasContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 3.5”
Journey to the West – Chapter 3.4
The banners were unfurled and drums and gongs rang in celebration. Hundreds of delicacies were prepared, coconut water and grape juice overflowed, and they all feasted for a long time. They continued as before with the military exercises. The Monkey King appointed the four old monkeys his top advisors. The two red-buttock monkeys he namedContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 3.4”
Journey to the West – Chapter 3.3
stopping hearts and draining bloodIn the text, the Dragon King’s gallbladder fights and heart startles 胆战心惊, while the dragon princes’ spirits take flight and bodies scatter 魂飞魄散. Where do you feel fear? Such power that monkey had! He spun the staff in his hands, feinting and striking in mock battle all the way back toContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 3.3”
Journey to the West – Chapter 3.2
The Monkey King jumped off the bridge, muttered an incantation, and dove right in. The waves parted before him forming a path that lead straight to the bottom of the East Sea.1 About halfway, a yaksha2 on patrol suddenly blocked his way, and said, “You who command the waters, what manner of immortal or godContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 3.2”
Journey to the West – Chapter 3.1
I am experimenting with narration styles in chapters 3 and 4. Click here to learn more. They say that the Handsome Monkey King defeated the Demon Lord of Mayhem and returned victorious with his trophy: the demon king’s big dao. He trained every day in the fighting arts. The other monkeys cut bamboo to makeContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 3.1”
Journey to the West – Chapter 2.4
The patriarch said, “Once you go, nothing good can come of you. In all your violent troublemaking, I forbid you from saying that you are my disciple. I will know if you let even one word slip, and I will skin you and crush your bones. I will banish your spirit to the furthest reachesContinue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 2.4”
Journey to the West – Chapter 1.3
While he was looking around, he suddenly heard a voice coming from deep in the woods. He hurried through the woods toward the sound and found a person singing. “Watching chess, the axe handle rots.1 Thwack, thwack, I’m chopping wood. I walk through valleys at the edge of clouds and trade my wood for wine.Continue reading “Journey to the West – Chapter 1.3”
Etymology Adventures 