The Dragon King's Lair

“Wukong! What brings you to my humble lair?” boomed the Dragon King.

“I am in search of a weapon and some armor that is worthy of my skills and power,” replied Wukong.

“I think I can help with that. On the last full moon the Ruyi Jingu Bang began to emit heavenly light. Ever since then I have been waiting patiently for someone worthy to come and claim it,” said the Dragon King.

“That’s great! Where is it so that I can try it out?”asked Wukong.

“It is not as simple as that, young monkey. I must first discern your worthiness. We shall play a game of Go to see if you are worthy enough for the Ruyi Jingu Bang. I assume you have had some experience with the game?” mocked the Dragon King.

“It’s a good thing that I played Go a lot back when I was training with my master. Hopefully it will give me an advantage if the Dragon King thinks I am simply a novice,” Wukong thought to himself. “I have seen the game played a few times and have played it just one or two times. However, I do believe that I know all the rules,” replied Wukong.

“Excellent! Let’s get started. However, I propose that we make the game interesting. If you win the game of Go, that will show me that you are in fact worthy of Ruyi Jingu Bang. However, I still have no incentive to give it to you. To make it more interesting I propose a wager. If you win, I will give you Ruyi Jingu Bang. But if you lose, you will have to join my army and work as a slave for me for the rest of your days. What do you say, stone monkey?” asked the Dragon King.

“I accept!” Wukong hastily replied.

The game of Go was short and Wukong made quick work of the Dragon King. The Dragon King begrudgingly handed over Ruyi Jingu Bang after. As Wukong was turning to leave the Dragon King called out, “You are leaving so soon. Do you not require armor as well?”

“You are quite right. Shall we play another game of Go?” asked Wukong mockingly.

“Why yes of course! Let us make it even more interesting. If you win, you get your armor and can leave here undisturbed. However, if I win not only do you return Ruyi Jingu Bang to me but you and your precious monkeys will have to join my army for the rest of your lives. What do you say, stone monkey?” asked the Dragon King.

“There is no way that I lose a game of Go to the Dragon King. I won the last one so easily,” Wukong thought to himself. “I accept! I am always down for a wager,” answered Wukong.

The next game did not go as quickly as the first. In fact it took much much longer. Wukong and the Dragon King played for days. On the third day Wukong noticed something that he had not before: the Dragon King was cheating! Wukong realized that he must have been too engrossed in the game to have noticed earlier.

Wukong did not stay long after seeing that the Dragon King was cheating. Upon noticing it he picked up his staff and began to make copies of himself using his hairs. He was delighted to see that his copies also had copies of Ruyi Jingu Bang as well. He was able to quickly overcome not only the Dragon King but his armies as well. Wukong ordered the Dragon King to outfit himself and his monkeys with his finest suit of armor. He then left taking the best weapons and armors from the Dragon King’s armory.

Wukong ended up traveling up and down the world facing many challenges and enemies. However, no matter where he went or what happened to him he always had his trusted Ruyi Jingu Bang with him. My story for Wukong ends here. However, some say he is still out there and that you can find the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers with all of his monkeys if he deems you worthy enough.