[PREVIEW] Great Sage Above Brockton Ch 17

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 that were 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 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 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 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 guard 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 his robes. ‘This Old Sun cannot dally while she strives to improve herself! As a Master, I should be ashamed!’