26 Gao Village

(Starting from this chapter and the following ones, the focus will be more on other characters, so our main character won't have much dialogue.)

In a dark cave, littered with discarded fruit peels, there was a petite girl, about 9 to 10 years old, with brown hair tied up in two buns resembling dumplings and monkey ears atop her head, her tail swaying back and forth.

She peeled a banana and ate it as if nothing else mattered. After finishing, she discarded the banana peel and yawned, looking out of the cave to see an old monkey approaching.

"Grandpa!" She stood up, ran to the monkey, and hugged him tightly.

"Are you enjoying your meal?"

"It's delicious!"

"Good." The old monkey smiled kindly, then took her hand.

"Today is an important day, don't cause any trouble."

"Why?" She tilted her head.

"Just come outside and you'll see."

They walked towards the light at the entrance of the cave, greeted by the twilight glow.

Many monkeys below were eating enthusiastically, but when they saw the two, they immediately abandoned their food and came to pay their respects.

Both stood on the cliff, looking down at the monkeys.

"Do you know what day it is today?"

"...Yes."

The old monkey grinned, but the little girl didn't smile at all.

"Today is an extremely special day. Mount Huaguo officially has its first king to rule over this place."

"And that person is you." The old monkey pointed to the little girl.

The girl looked at the sunset and then at the kneeling monkeys.

"Our elders have discussed for a long time and have decided on a name for you, a name that only you deserve."

The girl turned back to look at the old monkey.

"From now on, you will be the Monkey King."

That name would seal the fate of the little girl, leading to many controversial decisions and a tumultuous history across this world.

Responsibility and pressure would weigh heavily on the girl, but praise and expectations would pierce her heart.

There was no turning back.

She was compelled to become the Monkey King for the sake of Mount Huaguo.

But in her eyes, this title was nothing more than a puppet for the elders to control her.

"I just want to enjoy life like a normal monkey," she thought.

Leaving behind a lost little girl, who still wasn't ready to witness the cruelty of the world.

And from there, her origin began to be remembered as the king of monkeys.

***

Wukong opened her eyes, gazing at the star-filled sky.

She sat up, observing the simple campfire she and her master had made together.

She looked around, only to see Yu Long and her master both fast asleep.

She sighed, lay back down, and closed her eyes.

The dreams she had been through were just unpleasant memories, as it was the time she lost the innocence that children should have.

But she didn't resent it cus thanks to that, she had become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, causing chaos in the heavens today.

So she considered it necessary.

Besides, she could boast of her glorious achievements to her master and the new disciples.

Hehehe.

***

"Wukong, why are you more energetic than usual today?"

"Why? Maybe I had a fantastic dream."

Wukong, Yu Long, and I were about to head to a quite large village, spacious and densely populated.

"Wukong, Yu Long, I think we should head to that village for accommodation."

"In that case, let me go first for safety." Wukong smiled and immediately set off.

"Then be careful on the road!"

"I know, I know!"

Wukong ran at a fast pace, then saw a man walking in exhaustion. He walk on a wooden bridge, his face dark and weary.

"Oh... why did he make me go? He even said I didn't know how to work!" He grumbled.

Suddenly someone touched his shoulder, making him jump and turn his head behind.

"Who-"

His face froze as he looked at the girl holding his shoulder.

'Who is this?! So beautiful! Even the daughter of the Mr. Gao couldn't compare to her even a bit!'

But seeing her monkey ears and tail, his face turned pale, fear causing him to break into a cold sweat.

"Monster!!"

"Hey! I was going to ask for directions, why are you so rude?"

"Stay away from me!!"

"What's the name of this village?"

"Help me!!!"

"Can't you be quiet?"

"..."

Seeing this, Wukong smiled and continued to ask "So what's the name of this village?"

"..."

"Oi, I told you to be quiet, not to be mute."

"Wukong! Who are you talking to?" Yu Long and I caught up, looking at the man being held by Wukong.

"I don't know! I asked, but he didn't answer."

"If you want to know, go ask the old man over there! Excuse me!" He hastily said, trying to escape.

"Hey, why are you in such a hurry?" But Wukong held him tighter, preventing him from moving.

"Sorry, she's a bit careless," I approached to apologize, looking at Wukong.

Seeing this, Wukong released him, scratching her ear.

He sighed in relief, then looked at me.

"I'm sorry too, I've been overwhelmed with things lately, so I haven't been emotionally stable."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He looked at me, then at Yu Long, then back at Wukong.

"Why are you looking at us like that? Admiring my beauty?"

"N-No!"

Then he grabbed the railing of the bridge and sighed.

"I am a retainer of Mr.Cao. He has a daughter with exquisite grace and beauty-"

"Is she as beautiful as me?" Wukong interrupted.

"...no."

"Good."

"In short, because she's beautiful, she was kidnapped by a monster, I thinks?" he explained.

"Mr. Gao assigned me the task of finding someone strong to capture the monster. Unfortunately, this monster is too powerful. Even level 3 individuals couldn't handle it."

"So Mr. Gao got angry and scolded me, telling me to continue searching. But where can I find someone strong now? Level 3 are already hard to find, so is really a pain to find someone stronger..."

"In that case, let me go," Wukong innocently pointed to herself.

"W-What?!"

"What do you mean 'what'? Isn't dealing with monsters a normal thing?"

"...Are you not kidding me?"

"If you don't believe me, you can ask our master. He'll be able to subdue that monster or demon no matter how strong it is!"

"Oi."

What's going on? Why drag me into this all of a sudden??

"...Fine, if you can't catch it, don't involve me."

"Don't worry!"

After that, they all passed through the gate and entered the village.