Great Sage, Equal to Heaven and Above Brockton Sakadāgāmi 2.02

Now we were speaking of the Handsome Monkey King, who, having received his name, jumped about joyfully and went forward to give Subodhi his grateful salutation. The Patriarch then ordered the congregation to lead Sun Wukong outdoors and to teach him how to sprinkle water on the ground and dust, and how to speak and move with proper courtesy. The company of immortals obediently went outside with Wukong, who then bowed to his fellow students. They prepared thereafter a place in the corridor where he might sleep. Next morning he began to learn from his schoolmates the arts of language and etiquette. He discussed with them the scriptures and the doctrines; he practiced calligraphy and burned incense. Such was his daily routine. In more leisurely moments he would be sweeping the grounds or hoeing the garden, planting flowers or pruning trees, gathering firewood or lighting fires, fetching water or carrying drinks. He did not lack for whatever he needed, and thus he lived in the cave without realizing that six or seven years had slipped by. One day the Patriarch Subodhi ascended the platform and took his high seat. Calling together all the immortals, he began to lecture on a great doctrine. He spoke: 

With words so florid and eloquent 

That gold lotus sprang up from the ground. 

The doctrine of three vehicles he subtly rehearsed,  

Including even the laws’ minutest title. 

The yak’s-tail waved slowly and spouted elegance: 

His thunderous voice moved e’en the Ninth Heaven. 

For a while he lectured on Dao; 

For a while he spoke on Chan— 

To harmonize the Three Parties is a natural thing. 

One word’s elucidation filled with truth 

Points to the birthless showing nature’s mystery

• Journey to the West, chapter 2

-x-

Sun Wukong relished, among other things such as a good napping spot and some tasty fruit, challenges. Ever since he was a young monkey frolicking about Flower-Fruit Mountain, adversity was a familiar face. To overcome and endure the tribulations of the world was the only path to greatness, to truly know thyself and the world around you. Was it not through the dare made by his simian brothers, to leap through the great Water Curtain, that he discovered the grotto and was crowned king for his bravery? Creation would have been a sadder place had he not taken that dare. Through the multitude of challenges thrown his way - or he caused himself - in the course of his long life, Wukong always faced them head-on, and had a good laugh by the end.

That being said, there were moments which were…not impossible per se (a word in his vocabulary which he seldom used, if ever), but irritating. Finding the solution to a challenge did not come in a flash of inspiration most of the time, as children would read in the stories. It often involved copious trial and error, and a great deal of prior consideration. 

And that was where Wukong found himself, perched upon his host’s roof and staring into the distance, contemplating the logistics of what appeared to be a rather trivial task.

‘How hard can it be to find a proper training ground within this city?’

Reaching into the bag in his hand, he withdrew a handful of candied orange peels and scarfed them down, hoping the sugar would provide a revelation.

‘Were it just myself, I could easily find a spot within the city and perform my meditation, or even leap to a random mountain nearby.’ He stroked his chin and helped himself to another serving. ‘The main issue, of course, is Taylor. I am…loath to withdraw her from the city so soon, even for training. If she wishes to become its protector, my disciple must live among its people and become known to them. She is not like my monkey subjects; she is too fragile. Yet fending off these heroes and bandits seeking her will prove…disruptive at this stage. No, she is a beginner, and this Old Sun must build her foundations.’

He tossed a single slice into the air. With a flick of his tail, he punted it right back into his gaping jaws, chewing happily. ‘Hmm, perhaps these mortals’ fondness for excess sugar is not too off-putting. If only I had some fresh peaches and pomegranate seeds on hand. A nice bowl and I’d have the most delightful snack!’

Swallowing the last piece, Wukong fiddled with the empty bag as his thoughts returned to the pressing dilemma. ‘It needs to be a wide space with plenty of room for exercise. Plenty of air and correct feng shui for proper mediation is a priority as well. That already rules out a great deal of places in this city. The ones left are rather…visible, for good and ill - but mostly ill in these circumstances.’

There were large plots of land adjacent to wealthy-looking houses on the western borders of the city, near the forest and woodlands. Were these the manors of the local nobility? These were viable options, but Wukong had enough experience with mortals to know that when nobles or wealthy merchants saw ‘lessers’ encroaching on their property, it became everyone’s problem and ended with platoons of guards ready to string fleshy beads out of the intruders.

A snort escaped his nostrils as he crumpled the bag into a bead. 

‘Bah, while I sit here and balance hollow weights, precious time slips through my disciple’s fingers!’ He rose and dusted off his robes. ‘This Old Sun cannot dally while she strives to improve herself! As a Master, I should be ashamed!’ 

Fine thoughts, but Wukong knew he couldn’t bury his rather valid concerns. Tossing the rolled-up bag between his palms, he ruminated on the matter for several minutes, weighing and judging the various locations of Brockton Bay he’d scouted so far. None of them were perfect, but at this early stage, he didn’t seek perfection. Just somewhere he could impart his teachings without disruption. 

No, without too much disruption. Knowing his luck, he was sure an incident would occur sooner or later.

‘Well, no use dawdling around.’

With that thought in mind, Wukong transformed into a cicada and flew back into the house, upon which he returned to his normal self. Opening his disciple’s door, he smiled amusedly at the sight of Taylor sitting cross-legged and performing his breathing exercises. 

“What did I say about proper rest, my disciple?”

Her eyes shot op`en and a squeak escaped her lips before she met his gaze, surprise and embarrassment flooding her. 

“Ah-um, Master Wukong! I know what you said, but I felt like I could really improve what you showed me and-”

“To overcome your weakness is a virtue,” Wukong cut her off. “But not at the expense of your health. What else did you repeat?”

“Just the breathing and some of the stretchings.” He stared into her eyes and she meekly nodded. “I swear, just those!”

He chuckled and waved at her to calm down. “Do not fret, dear girl; in fact, I wish to pose several questions regarding this city.”

At her nod, Wukong continued. “Recall how this Old Sun stated that he shall find a place suitable enough for you to train in? Well, I seem to have hit a snag. Much of this city is unknown to me, and so far the locations I have scouted, including the boat graveyard you mentioned, are somewhat lacking. Are you sure there are no other locations?”

Taylor pursed her lips, and Wukong could tell her mind was racing. “Well, I don’t really know that much. If we’re avoiding the gangs and the PRT, then they’ll find out sooner or later.” She shrunk in on herself at those words. “I know there are warehouses on the southeast side of town, but I don’t know if anyone else is using them. There’s also the Trainyard but -”

Wukong’s ears perked up.

“Trainyard? Where?” 

Taylor blinked at his grin. “Um…the north. West of the docks. I haven’t been there, but it’s not that far.”

How fortuitous! Karma had provided them with a prime opportunity! A training yard, and not far from their doorstep!

“Splendid!” he clasped his hands eagerly. “We must inspect it at once!”

Before his disciple could utter another word, he rushed out the door. “Come come, no time to dawdle! The sun is up and the rats hide in their tunnels!”

“Wha-wait up!” 

Wukong rushed down the stairs and stopped before the entrance to the shop. Peizhi, hunched over the counter, took one look at him and returned to his phone, attempting to break it with his stare. 

“I am venturing out with Taylor for a while, Peizhi-xiansheng. We should return by dinner.”

“Uh-huh.” A rather dull reply. Hmm, and another twitch in the arm. His host’s twitching had increased since he’d gifted him the cash. His eyes also kept darting to the stairs, as though some unspeakable horror was lurking on the floor above. Why, last night, Wukong spotted him in his room, clutching a wooden box and muttering in a mix of tongues and dialects with such speed he couldn’t keep up.

‘Ah, his gratitude has left him in a stupor! This Old Sun must really sit down and provide him with insight on the moderation of humility and pride. He seems to have trouble balancing them.’

Taylor then came down the stairs, wearing a dark ‘hoodie’. A funny name for a dull garment…though it was rather popular with the youth. Utilitarian as well! 

“W-we’re going there now?” she asked, adjusting her glasses. 

“Yes!” He kicked open the door and grabbed his disciple. In an instant, Wukong was atop a nearby rooftop, carrying Taylor in both arms. He held back a chuckle at her bewildered gaze, flickering back and forth between himself and the street below. 

He knew he shouldn’t surprise a frail one such as her…but it was too much fun to ignore. 

“C-could you at least warn me before you do that?” she exclaimed before her mouth clamped tight, with strands of her now-frazzled hair caught between her lips.

“Life may carry you to unexpected places, o disciple. You must always be ready to stand your ground, no matter where your feet might end up.” She tilted her head, the bafflement remaining.

“Now, where did you say this Train Yard was?”

She scanned her surroundings gingerly, first at the sea to the east and then to the west before raising a finger and pointing behind him. “If the ocean’s to the east…that way.”

Wukong turned his head in the direction of her finger, focusing his gaze on an area where no glass spires rose. The midday breeze didn’t blow eastward, but Wukong’s sensitive nose caught traces of rust and iron emanating from that direction. Hmph, so much dereliction in this city…he would endure, but it was mildly unpleasant. The wealth of the mountains for some good incense!

“Hold tight!” 

Gripping his disciple tightly, Wukong hopped on rooftops, with Taylor’s panicked yelps filling the air. As they ventured out of the district, he spotted a large PRT car - a ‘van’ - rolling around. Maybe a quick hello…no, priorities!

After a minute or two, Wukong finally landed in the middle of a…well, derelict was certainly the proper word for it…enclosure. Iron lines ran parallel to each other along the ground, stretching into the westward distance. Metallic boxes, reaching twice his height, with paint so faded it melded with the rust, maintained a silent vigil among weeds and trash. Between them, he spotted a fence encircling the yard, not of stone or wood, but of even more metal, laced in diamond patterns. Wukong sniffed the air and frowned as an odious scent violated his nose, a mixture of human waste and other unknowns whose true nature he’d rather remain ignorant of.

‘By the eighteen hells, do these people have aversions to cleanliness? And such a waste of metal! Honestly, are there no forges around that can melt down and reshape this clutter?’

“Disciple, are you sure this is the place?”

Taylor blinked at his question, still held in his arms and frazzled. Regaining her bearing, she looked around in discomfort, no doubt sharing his reaction. “Um…yeah. There isn’t anywhere else in the city where trains can go. They don’t run through much anymore but…this is it.”

Wukong held back a scoff. Absurd! Such disorder and jumble…how could anyone train in such squalid conditions? At least the shipyard had a view of the sea -

Wait.

“Trains?” he stared at his disciple. “What are trains?”

Was there something in her words that he missed? Did she not refer to this place as a Training Yard?

If the confusion Taylor displayed in Peizhi’s house was a candle, then the sight of her dropped jaw and choking noises was a volcano erupting with enough force to destroy the Polestar Palace. Wukong remained where he was, still holding onto his disciple, partially because he feared she would collapse if he released her right away.

Eventually, Taylor reached into her core and found her voice again, though the befuddlement remained. 

“A…a train is a…car, or a series of cars…that move along rails…like the ones over there.”

Wukong stared past her at the iron strips on the ground, and metal boxes on the ground. Indeed, one of the boxes had wheels affixed to the bottom, inlaid with a wide groove. So these…carts ran on these tracks, as cars would run on the black stone?

Fascinating, but what did that have to do with -

“…ah.”

It should be noted that despite sampling from the knowledge of the six realms and cultivating from the eternal font of Sukhavati, even the fabled Mantra of Amitabha, when bestowing the understanding of tongues, suffered from translation errors regarding the more…plebeian aspects of language, such as expressions and homophones. While Wukong experienced a similar lapse beforehand, the wonder of the moment afterward had caused it to slip his mind.

It would’ve proven a moment of great dishonor and shame, for failing to interpret such a simple rule, but fortunately, the Monkey King cleared his throat and set Taylor down, maintaining dignity befitting of a former official of the Heavenly Court.

“...yes, thank you. Forgive this Old Sun, his ears aren’t what they were in his youth.”

Of course, within the confines of his head, he was smacking himself repeatedly while cursing and begging for the Lightning of Tribulation to strike him down and spare him the embarrassment of shaming his disciple with his ignorance. After all that talk of setting an example! Master Tang would disown him outright; this time, for good! Not even Guanyin, the merciful lady herself, would excuse his behavior!

Nonetheless, he must endure. He gave the area another scan, stroking his mane in the same dignified manner. He still thought it unsuitable for mostly anything…but it was feasible, at least until he found a better alternative. All they needed was a spot where the fence and the cars would obscure them. The ground might require some tidying up and he’d have to move a cart or two to allow better feng shui…

…it couldn’t be worse than the Pig’s stomach.

“This will suffice for now. Follow me.” 

He marched ahead between the carts, avoiding broken bottles and clumps of rotten garbage. Taylor followed him like a duckling, though he could feel her puzzled eyes linger. The scent of mortals was nearby, but it was mixed with so much foulness and neglect he didn’t bother. If they came, he would turn them away. Anyone who chose to dwell here was either beyond desperation or beyond regard.

Eventually, Wukong found a patch bereft of weeds or trash. Spotting four metal cars lying nearby, Wukong walked over to one and hefted it up, holding the metallic construct with both hands.

‘Hm, a few thousand or so catties [1] heavier than my staff. Crude yet effective light training implements for the future.’

The metal creaked under his palms as he walked around Taylor and placed it on the ground behind her. Ignoring her sputtering and wide eyes, he repeated the motion with three more carts of identical size and arranged them along the four cardinal directions. Satisfied, he walked into the makeshift square and clapped. 

“I am flattered by your awe, my dear, but there shall be plenty of time for that later. Before we begin, I want to try something different.”

Despite her earlier mystification, Taylor quickly recovered and listened intently. “Like what?”

“Your powers.”

For a moment she froze, and then a slow but eager grin overcame her. “You mean…you want me to use them? But you said that I should focus on my foundations first.”

“Indeed, and you will still do that. However, during my rooftop meditation, it occurred to me that we should at least infer their basic functions before we commit to further plans.”

She nodded tucked in her arms, ready to use her newfound gift -

“Ah, I recommend you discard your jacket, disciple of mine. You wouldn’t wish to damage Peizhi-xiansheng’s generosity, no?”

Wukong held back a chuckle as Taylor nearly tore off the jacket, revealing her long-sleeved shirt. Ah, the joys of youth! Not that he would act differently; at least he apologized to the guai whose homes he wrecked when trying out his staff for the first time.

Taylor closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. The moment her breath left her body, her fists clenched and a thin veil of anger marred her features. A shimmer bloomed from behind her, and the fusion of clinking glass and rustling leaves filled the air. 

‘She’s been practicing in secret…how far did she go?’

The golden leaves began streaming out of her back, coalescing into the twin pairs of wings that steadily grew longer with each leaf that joined the end. But once the wing reached past her head, her knees buckled. 

A heartbeat later, Wukong was in front of her, raising his arms reassuringly and speaking in a gentle tone. 

“Taylor, remember the breathing. Are you in pain?”

She forced herself to breathe again before wincing. “It’s…yes, no…it stings…and when I use it…I remember…”

Wukong’s lips twitched downwards before he composed himself. He feared this would happen, which was why he asked her to abstain beforehand. Emotion played a big factor in her powers…but from where? Was she recalling the incident?

“I want you to focus only on your back. Do not open your eyes, do not think of anything else. Those jade-masked pigs? The swords of their scorn and jealousy can no longer stab you. You are safe with me, I give you my word as the Monkey King.”

Steadily, Taylor’s breathing evened out, the raspiness of her breath smoothing into a wavy gust. More golden leaves streamed around her wings, spiraling around them and joining at the tips. Thus it continued, with each breath lengthening the glowing appendages. The chiming and rustling of the leaves drowned all noises around them, singing a tongueless ode to the winds. Finally, his disciple released one more breath, and the shaking that plagued her ceased.

Wukong stepped back, admiring the wings at their full size. Their size was the same as when they first appeared in the school, more than a bu [2] in length for the primary set, extending above her head, and half a bu’s length for the secondary set reaching below her elbows. The leaves had melded into the wings perfectly, arranged in flowing, wave-like patterns. 

‘Such a simplistic ability at first glance, one used by celestial maidens and spirits to preen and vaunt. It evokes no fear or dread before the forces of evil, nor inspires hope to legions…yet the same could be said regarding my staff. A simple pillar wasting beneath the sea became renowned across the realms in my hands.’ Wukong didn’t stop the creeping grin from splitting his face. ‘And I would bet the Garden of Immortal Peaches that your power will receive the same reception in your hands, dear girl.’

“Um, did I do it?” Taylor asked, opening her eyes. Her firsts were still clenched at her sides, but the aura of dread from her dark memories had abated. 

“Turn your head and see for yourself, disciple.”

Taylor did as he told, slowly craning her head until she glimpsed the aureate shape. 

“That…that’s my power?” she whispered. “I…I didn’t know…I thought it was just the leaves. What are they? Wings? Can I fly?”

“All excellent questions, and we shall endeavor to answer them. For now, try walking. Control your breathing, and do not release your concentration.”

Taylor did so and took tentative steps around the yard, eyes constantly flickering to her wings. They shimmered and gleaned with every step, and every vibration sent the faint sound of rustling leaves into the air.

“Try moving them around. Keep your arms against your body.”

A puzzled look crossed her face as she tried to figure out his instructions. She rolled her shoulders and brought her arms closer to her chest. Her wings shifted with the movement of her arms, drawing both closer and further apart depending on how she moved. Strangely enough, they bent and curved whenever Taylor drew them closer, in contrast to their rigid appearance. The leaves rippled in place in tune with the motions, akin to mahjong tiles flipping with perfect synchronicity. 

‘Flexible. Intriguing. Hundreds of those leaves, linked together and woven like cloth.’

His disciple, bless her inquisitive mind, began experimenting on her own, albeit with limited success. She tried bringing the wings over her face but they refused to pass her shoulder level. Rapidly moving her shoulder caused them to flap, but not at the pace she desired, if her furrowed brow meant anything. When she tried to reach for the lower wings, they pulled away at the last second…but so did she.

‘Reservations and hesitance about her own power? No, the memories involved? Understandable, for now at least.’

She directed her gaze to the northern cart, and Wukong spotted her fists clenching again. What was she bracing for?

That question was answered when she sharply turned her elbow and the wing slammed against the metal box. The scream of iron rang through the yard as the glowing appendage bounced off and sent Taylor stumbling back. Wukong hopped over and grabbed her arm, preventing her from meeting the dirt.

“Careful, child. Are you alright?” he asked.

Despite being shaken by the attempt, she quickly nodded. “Y-yeah. I just thought that…well, these…wings…have to do something. I don’t think I can fly with them.”

“Patience, disciple,” he gently chided. “A thousand miles cannot begin without a single step. We have only beheld a fraction of this power’s capabilities; it is presumptuous to assume that is its limits.” He then gestured with his head to the crate. “And we are already seeing results.”

Right at the ledge where the wing struck, the metal had dented deep, about a hand’s length inward. Focusing on the newly formed cavity, Wukong noticed that some of the metal appeared…sheared.

‘A blade and a club,’ he thought, eyeing the dent and the wings. ‘Hmm…versatile indeed.’

“Try again. Strike the crate twice, using the same motion,” he said and stepped back.

Taylor looked at him with nervous eyes, a shiver running through her thin frame as a winter breeze flew by. Wukong gave her his most reassuring smile and gestured at the crate. Steeling herself again, Taylor swung her shoulders in succession, and steel rang twice more. 

Two more dents appeared, slanting downward, and each groove bore a narrow cut within. Her golden wings shimmered behind her, illuminating the faint rising of her lips.

“Excellent, o disciple. With every drop of sweat, the cloak of mystery shadowing your powers unravels. Now, repeat the strike, but visualize a blade. Instead of a blunt stick, imagine a perfect line, parting all under it. Do not seek to bash the metal, but to cut.”

“Cut?” she asked, then she narrowed her eyes at the dents before an ‘oh’ of understanding escaped her. She tucked in her arms, and with a barely-hidden grunt, she swung her shoulder, a far sharper motion than last time. The wing swung toward the cart, bending as it trailed through the air before swiping the metal. Metal shrieked once more under the sun, and a tear had indeed appeared on the crate’s side. Compared to a man’s wound, it was naught but a shallow cut…

…but the shaky laugh of his disciple elevated it to the parting of an ocean. 

“A mighty blow indeed!” Wukong exclaimed with applause. “How do you feel?”

“...strange. It’s like an arm is coming out of my back, but I’m not feeling it. And…I don’t know how to say it, but I feel a bit…lighter?” her nose wrinkled at her words. “I thought I’d feel tired but…it’s like air was pumped into my lungs.”

Taylor swung her wings several more times, and to his surprise, the wings adjusted themselves as they sailed through the air, with the edge always facing forward. Then, without any input, his disciple narrowed her eyes and tried again. This time, however, the flat side of the wings struck the ground, leaving a thick imprint.

‘Heightened control. Impressive,’ Wukong thought as the girl lightly panted, staring at her handiwork. 

“How are you feeling?”

“Still not tired,” she replied. “I mean, I was for a second, but it’s gone now.”

Wukong raised an eyebrow. That was odd. Weariness did cling to her, but he had little way of knowing how much was emotional or physical. And she should feel at least a tad winded, considering her skill level. However…

He activated his Golden Eyes, observing the world beneath its material shell. The fragmented, ever-shifting form of Taylor’s apparition hovered before him, expanding and contracting amidst a river of green and black. He held back a grimace, lest he upset his student; there were some truths he would rather not be reminded of every time he used his eyes. Investigating these apparitions was far more unpleasant because of it. 

The flashing thread linking Taylor to her apparition pulsated in tandem with the shimmering of her wings. As Wukong observed the hidden spectacle, gleaming sparks hovered and flitted around his disciple, drawing ever nearer. 

‘First my sorry attempt at healing, then her impressive recovery time…and now she claims to feel rejuvenated?’ His eyes followed a mote of light as it flew from the river of miasma and into her wings, vanishing in a flicker. ‘I had my suspicions at first, but seeing this…’

“Disciple!” he called out. “Draw your arrow. Repeat until I give the word.”

Taylor immediately nodded and began the exercise, settling into her stance and swiping her arm across her torso. As her arm finished the crescent motion, the motes of light rushed down her wings and into her body. And when she drew back the arm and extended the other, a pulse of gold flashed around her. 

Wukong felt his jaw drip before forcing it shut. He was aware that his…interference with her apparition’s awakening had caused changes, but this?

She repeated the exercise, and the phenomenon continued. Every breath drew in those fragile lights from around, and every exhale suffused them. 

‘…my word. There can be no doubt.’

A blink later and the world returned to normal. “You may stop now,” he said, not bothering to hide his excitement. 

“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked. “Did I mess up?” 

“Far from it! Observe your arms.”

Taylor looked down and yelped at the sight of the faint shine enveloping her arms. A moment later, it vanished without a trace.

“What the f- what was that!?” she exclaimed, frantically looking over her shoulders at the wings.

“Peace, dear child. This Old Sun believes we have witnessed another aspect of your abilities.”

“My…what do you mean?” her eyes threatened to bulge from her glasses.

Wukong chuckled and strolled up to her. “Tell me, when you performed the exercise, did you feel the same lightness in your chest? “

The inquiry halted whatever questions Taylor had as she bit her lip in unsurety. “A little? I still emptied my lungs like you said, but I didn’t feel the strain like before.”

He let out a bark of laughter. “That settles it! Rejoice, dear Taylor! Your wings are more than mere constructs!”

Raising his finger to the heavens, he then pointed at her dramatically. “They are conduits! What you can manipulate, my disciple, is qi!”

A gust of wind flew by as Taylor gaped at his proclamation. Wukong smiled patiently, letting her digest the information. It was a momentous feat, for sure; a practitioner would require years of meditation and study before they could even begin to gather qi at the rate she showed. No doubt her elation would soar even further. Oh, the excitement of the young, he’d witnessed it countless times -

“Qi? What’s qi?”

…

…

…

“...you have never heard of qi before?”

Taylor shook her head in the negative. “Not really. I’ve seen it mentioned in Chinese places like those acupuncture salons near the boardwalk and on the net, but that’s it.”

“...oh.” 

Wukong’s eyebrow twitched. That explained a great deal, even though he struggled to believe it. This was absurd! When he wandered the lands in his youth, even the simplest of peasants were aware of qi and the importance of maintaining its proper flow! It was a basic principle, passed down from father to son, from elder to child since the first days! No wonder the qi was so foul in this city, there was no effort to cultivate it! How could an entire city - nay, maybe further - not be aware of qi?

“Um, Master Wukong? Are you okay?”

He blinked and flashed his concerned disciple another grin. “A stray thought, dear Taylor; nothing you need concern yourself. Do not fear, for this Old Sun shall elucidate!”

After using his tail to swipe some of the trash away, The Monkey King sat down in the lotus position and gestured for Taylor to do the same. Once she made herself mostly comfortable, he cleared his throat and began to recite from distant memory:

“In all of creation, there flows a vital energy which connects all living beings. It is in the air, the water, the mountains, and the sun. It runs within the rivers, sails on the breeze and flows through the body. It shapes the world as much as the world shapes it. Without it, life could not exist. That energy, disciple mine, is called qi.”

Taylor was utterly focused on his words, though he detected rising skepticism. Even after all she’s seen?

“When you breathe, it is not just air that enters and leaves your body,” Wukong said as he gestured to himself. “Qi circulates through you, in and out until you leave this earth. To maintain a healthy body, it is important to maintain a steady flow of qi through your meridians. Most mortals go through their lives knowing only these basic facts…but you are my disciple, and thus a cut above most mortals.”

He held back a giggle as she grew flustered, trying to retreat into the jacket which wasn’t even on her person. 

“With proper training, one can increase the flow of qi circulating through their body. When the flow passes a certain threshold, the qi begins to affect the body acutely, improving its functionality. Does that sound familiar?”

“... everything you just said sounds a lot like those yoga scams on the internet,” she hesitantly said, though her gaze flickered to her lungs. “You said the wings were conduits. Maybe it’s solar power, and the wings are like panels that turn sunlight into energy?”

Solar power? Yet another strange term, but thankfully easier to discern than ‘train’. “So mortals have discovered a way to harness the sun’s light? Interesting, but no. Few are as knowledgeable about qi as I am, and this Old Sun sees the qi coursing through your body.”

Her skepticism remained, though her focus was now entirely on her arms, where the sun’s light shone upon the faintest aura of gold. 

“...what else can…qi…do?”

“Oh, many things. With proper cultivation, qi no longer merely sustains the body but improves it.” Wukong plucked a hair from his head and turned it into a knife, bringing it down on his other hand immediately after. Taylor leaned back in surprise…

…only to see a bent blade and an unharmed palm.

“That was qi?” Taylor whispered. “Not your powers?”

“Indeed; and that demonstration was a parlor trick compared to the vast repertoire of a master.”  Of course, being a magic stone monkey meant that Wukong was naturally resilient against most mortal weapons, but he spoke no lies. She opened her mouth to ask but Wukong brought his hand up. “Do not rush to expectations, my disciple. To even reach this rather simple stage requires great dedication and effort. Your powers provide you an advantage that most practitioners would kill to have, but it is no instant solution.”

Taylor was mollified by his words, and her wings vibrated in place. For a moment he was reminded of a dragonfly perched on a branch, watching a babbling brook. The leaves within the wings rippled again, and the construct wobbled in an unseen wind.

‘Hm, there is more at work here…but what else?’

“Can you retract them?” he asked.

Taylor paused and grimaced. “I…think so, yes.”

She closed her eyes and exhaled. The wings vibrated but otherwise didn’t budge. After a few seconds, her knuckles turned white. Wukong reached over and gently grasped her shoulder.

“Relax,” he whispered. “Release your fears and doubts to the wind.”

His disciple's scrunched-up face loosened with his words, and moments later, the wings slowly broke off, dissipating into golden leaves that blew into the azure sky. When the last one vanished from her back, Taylor opened her eyes and reached backward, trying to feel the nonexistent constructs, but only touched bare skin.

“I did it…” she whispered. She then looked Wukong in the eye. “What now?”

Wukong caught a stray leaf in his fingers and rubbed it, his curiosity growing as he felt texture in his hands. ‘Solid?’

“Now?” He rose from his position and offered her a hand. “We adapt. There are several more exercises I wish for you to try, and you must get used to moving around with your powers. If you have any hesitation, voice it.”

Taylor accepted the offered hand and rose up, her determined look returned. “I’m not backing down.”

Wukong grinned, and he snickered internally at the slightest widening of her eyes. “Oh, we shall see.” 

He then gestured to the makeshift cart circle. “For now, run around these carts until I tell you to stop. When I clap my hands, you will stop and activate your wings again, then resume running. I clap again, you stop and retract them.”

Allowing her a little time to process the task, Wukong crossed his arms behind him as Taylor looked at the four carts. 

“Can I try to hit the boxcars when you clap?”

Wukong perked up and nodded. “Excellent suggestion! If you are to use your powers in combat, all scenarios must be examined!”

Taylor smiled, despite a lingering hesitation. Aeons - or was it a few seconds - passed, and Wukong snapped his fingers.

“Idle water does not flow, disciple! Pick up your feet!”

“Yeah, sorry!” With those words, Taylor took off to the edges of the circle and started running. Wukong sat down on the ground and pulled out a bag of dried bananas from his robes. Opening it, he savored the faint scent of fruit before popping one in his mouth, watching as the girl he’d plucked from shadows, amidst a canvas of disrepair and neglect, run vigorously in the sunlight.

‘I should figure out a solution to the clothes problem. Peizhi-xiansheng’s generosity shouldn’t be abused.’ Wukong finished munching on the banana piece and raised his hands to clap. ‘As for her training, I have some ideas. But oh, what fun this will be!’

-x-

“Is this accurate?”

“I want to say no, but nothing else makes sense.”

Kaiser leaned back, a restrained sigh escaping his lips. “I admit, this wasn’t in the range of my predictions. With their leader gone, the Asians have no lynchpin or shield. How good were they?”

Crusader, or Justin in his current guise, shifted in place, a frown marring his otherwise handsome features. “Too good, almost military-style. The guys who made it back described them as, and I quote, ‘something out of a Vietnam movie’. Rifles, vests, demon masks, the whole shebang. By the time I went there to investigate, there wasn’t any sign of them.”

“Transportation as well…” he mumbled and idly stared at the statue to his left. A beautiful piece he was gifted as thanks for Medhall’s contributions. But right now, its twisting steel branches were mocking him, mirroring the sudden problem dropped onto his lap.

“I presume the assailants didn’t spew out anything useful?” At Justin’s shake, he frowned. “This makes little sense. The ABB was a rabble held by a cautious brute. To suddenly get both nerve and proper training to match…and nothing else was claimed? No proclamation or warning even?”

“No, they just came in, fists and guns blazing, then left. A few hours later, I got reports of another attack on Somer’s street. Chinks wearing the same masks stopped them on the sidewalk and beat the tar outta them before slitting one boy’s throat. Next thing they knew, they were gone.”

Kaiser tapped the table, his vista showing no signs of discontentment, yet the gears were spinning fast. For a fallen gang to recover so quickly…

“This reeks of outside help. A blow such as the ones they suffered is not shaken off easily.”

“Maybe it’s Oni Lee?” Justin asked. “We haven’t spotted him in a while. He could’ve trained them.”

“That is…not beyond the realm of possibility,” he acquiesced. “It is also likely that either he or the remaining captains of the ABB scrounged up whatever was left in their coffers to hire trained muscle. Perhaps it is even a combination of the two.”

Justin crossed his arms and stared out the panoramic window. “We can’t let them get away with this. Attacking our men in broad daylight? We need to hit back.”

“I agree,” Kaiser said. “But certain facts don’t add up. When you visited the locations where our men were attacked, there were no signs of any ABB men moving in?”

“Nothing. No tags, not even a chink loitering around.”

“Then these attacks are meant to send a message: to show they were alive and active. But why did they not attempt to reclaim any territory? There were no reports of attacks on the turf the Empire claimed following Lung’s defeat, and Alabaster reported no unusual activity on the streets.”

A ping sounded from his computer. He glanced at the screen and moved the mouse to close the annoying notification, but the subject of the email made him pause.

Gilded renovation - URGENT

The sender was one of the wealthier citizens of Brockton and had a vested interest in supporting the Empire’s cause. He’d met Max Anders at a fundraiser and they’d ended up discussing the sorry state of their beloved city. Once Max whispered the correct words in his ear, on how the Empire could bring order and quell the rising chaos within the city, Kaiser and the Empire had gained a new backer. Nothing to draw prying eyes: a small donation, a tip about undesirable persons encroaching in the neighborhood. A small step towards spreading their control away from the PRT’s prying eyes.

Most news from such backers was dropped by personal meeting, but in certain cases when face-to-face was too risky or unfeasible, an email could be sent to a private address, with a code word in the subject field.

Never before did that backer attach the word ‘urgent’ to the subject.

Max opened the email and felt his eyebrows rise as a picture, captured by a high-quality phone camera, popped on the screen. 

“You okay, sir?” Justin asked. Instead of replying verbally, Kaiser turned the screen around and his lips twitched as he beheld his subordinate’s expression overtaken by surprise. 

“Where was this taken?”

“Captain’s Hill, I believe. It appears the newest cape in Brockton Bay is doing some sightseeing.”

The image showed who else but Sun Wukong, perched on a tall roof and scanning the horizon with a hand over his eyes. His robes were different, far cleaner than the tattered ones he wore on the news articles and social media feeds.

Justin leaned forward, his brow creasing. “This can’t be a coincidence.”

“Oh? Explain.”

“It makes perfect sense,” he said and began listing off the reasons with his fingers. “First he gets chummy with the slants near the docks. Then he takes out Lung, scares off Lee, then shows the rest who’s boss. When they’re all in line, he sends the gang under his control to get payback from us.”

“Except for the fact that barring a couple of encounters, Sun Wukong has stuck to the Asian district and nearby,” Kaiser replied. “And from what we’ve gathered of him so far, he prefers a more personal style of confrontation.”

“Doesn’t mean he isn’t doing it,” Crusader retorted, steel seeping into his tone before he dialed it back. He knew his position well; even if he returned from his little vacation with full honors, the others doubted him. “You still didn’t say what we should do about him after that video with the Ward got posted.”

Kaiser allowed himself to smile at the memory of the video. A Ward - and a black one apparently - with known violent tendencies bullying a hapless student, and from what his sources at the PRT whispered, she was bullied to the point of Triggering. It was as though God himself had gift-wrapped them the perfect propaganda video. Alabaster was ready to contact the Gesellschaft to spread the word, and he’d begun drafting a speech of his own…but he’d barely typed three lines before the entirety of the video registered in his mind. Yes, a black Ward, bullying a white girl…topped and exposed by a Chinese cape. Or a sinophile. It was hard to tell from his simian face. Regardless, it would spoil the purpose of the rallying cry. He could edit that part out, but it wouldn’t take much to find the true story on the internet.

He sent men to find the girl of course, and offer a spot within his ranks, but they’ve had no success tracking her so far. Unfortunate, but not a pressing matter. No, the serious issue was indeed, what to do about the monkey who brazenly challenged everyone in the Bay with his antics. So far, Max was content to observe and prepare for the inevitable clash between his forces and the newcomer. Even his dear Kayden had reached out, voicing her concern. Not enough to join, but she sounded far more open than their last conversation. Others like Justin followed when the rumors of Purity’s return flittered through Medhall, further bolstering their forces. He wished he’d more time to further hone their dulled edges, but alas, it would seem fate would force him to act.

Leaning into his plush chair and steepling his fingers, Kaiser hummed in contemplation as he juggled the facts in his head, and then threw in the balls of theory to see which one would drop.

“While I have doubts as to Wukong’s involvement, you are correct that something suspicious is afoot. We are lacking the full picture, so I believe it’s time we investigate the lair of our enemies.” His gaze hardened and he sat straighter in his chair. “If they insist on hiding, we might need to draw them out. Prepare accordingly and take one of the lieutenants with you. Once the PRT forces arrive, you’ll need backup.”

A smile crossed Justin’s lips. “I’ll get right on it. And the monkey?”

Kaiser tapped his chin and then gave his reply.

“If he shows up, you may test his mettle, but do so with caution. A lesser breed he may be, but one does not take down a cape like Lung and evade the Protectorate and the PRT without a few tricks.”

He sat up straight and lowered his voice to a tone sharper than any steel he could create. Theatrics aside, it helped that he truly meant every word he was about to say.

“One way or another though, we will have answers. We were dealt a cowardly blow and such insults cannot be ignored. If the ABB are indeed trying to make a comeback, it’s time we remind them where they belong: either they crawl on the ground to serve us, or sleep in it.”

[1] Chinese unit of weight. 1 catty ≅ 0.5-0.6 kilograms

[2] Chinese unit of measurement. 1 bu ≅ 1.23-1.47 meters