Journey to the West

JOURNEY TO THE WEST Episode 1

The story of Tripitaka and his 3 disciples going to India,

Has been told through the ages.

They went through 81 tribulations,

Defeating demons and finally reaching enlightenment.

Wu Chen gen of the Ming Dynasty...

...wrote a novel based on this popular legend,

An important work of literature...

"Journey to the west"

When earth and heaven were divided...

...the world was separated into the East, West, South and North continents.

Beyond the seas of the Eastern continent...

...there's a country called "Aolai".

It has an ocean near by.

In the middle of that ocean stands a famous island...

..."Flower Fruit Mountain".

Tongbi!

What was that?!

What is going on?!

Thousand Mile Eye! Wind Following Ear!

Yes, Emperor.

Go investigate this phenomenon.

Yes Sir!

A stone exploded with a huge crash...

...and a little monkey was born magically.

He was quickly accepted by the monkey tribe,

And gained the right to live.

From then on,

Sadness and happiness would join him in his journey.

My King, this child is so cute.

Let's take him in!

Alright. Let's give him a name.

Your Highness, let's call him...

-Stone Monkey. -Alright!

Your Majesty, we found the cause of the phenomenon.

It came from Aolai, in the Eastern sea.

There's the Flower Fruit Mountain.

A magical stone exploded...

...and gave birth to a stone monkey.

His body threw out that golden glow.

The glow has now vanished,

And both heaven and earth returned to normal.

Everything in the world was born from the essence of heaven and earth.

That's how it is.

For the time being, let him live and die.

There's no need to interfere.

What a shame, you still look like a bird!

I just need to get rid of this tail...

...and I'll become human.

Why did you steal my Golden Pill and ruin my transformation?!

Who said the Golden Pill is yours?

I found it first in the horizon!

I can only say we didn't have much luck,

The heaven didn't bless us with the Pill.

We must practice hard the next centuries!

I don't think the Pill just disappeared,

I'm going to look for it right now!

The cruelty of nature can change any second.

A merciless disaster is about to strike...

...the peaceful Flower Fruit Mountain.

Everybody run towards the river!

Run with the flow of the river! Hurry!

Tongbi, lead the way!

Hurry up! Run!

Run!

Father!

Father!

Get out of here!

Don't worry about me!

Father?

-Father!... -Great King!...

Heaven!

Why did you send us the disaster?!

Why did you take away my father?!

Why?!

We have been living on this side for so long...

..yet we didn't know the depth of this waterfall.

Our King passed away, listen,

Whoever gets to the other side of the waterfall...

...and comes out alive will be our new King. How is that?

-Yes! -Yes!

Mother, look around for a way out.

There is none. What should we do?

Stone Monkey!

Why isn't he out yet?

Let's wait for him.

Here he comes!

What a luck, Mother!

Is the water deep there?

No water at all, just a great place for a new home!

It's this mountain's paradise, the "Water Curtain Cave".

We can all live there...

...and never suffer from the storms again!

Great! Everybody, follow me!

Let's go!

Here we go!

All of you, get over here, come.

-Everyone be quiet and listen to me. -Quiet!

It is very important to keep your promises.

You said who can get in and out will be your new King.

I came in and went out, and then came in again...

Shouldn't you honor me as King?

Yes! The late King asked me to find a new King.

Let's all bow to our new King!

-Your Highness. -We salute you.

Get up.

Your Highness, I have something to report.

The previous King was "Black Monkey King", you should get a new name too.

You all call me Stone Monkey, my name should be "Stone Monkey King".

Doesn't sound good.

Your fur is gold and you are the handsomest in our tribe.

Let's call you...

..."Handsome Monkey King"

"Handsome Monkey King"? Am I handsome?

-Handsome! -Handsome!

Then I am Handsome Monkey King!

-Handsome Monkey King! -Handsome Monkey King!

Handsome Monkey King! That's my name from now on!

A natural disaster too away his father's life,

And sickness took away his mother's life.

The little stone monkey started to ponder about life and death.

My King, your mother passed away long ago, why are you still so sad?

I thought that after coming to this cave...

...we would never have to worry about storms and monsters again.

When I became King..

...I thought I would live a happy and untroubled life.

Now i realize...

...someday I'll become old and weak, and wouldn't scape from death.

Life is fragile.

We have no choice.

You know...

When death comes, we just cant escape.

Yama's book of the Life and Death can find us anywhere.

My King, are you afraid you will die one day?

Tongbi, you are very wise...

...you know the way to become immortal?

In this world, there are just 3 kinds of being Yama can't touch.

Which 3 kinds?

Buddhas, Deities and Gods. They don't have to go through reincarnation.

They exist as long as the earth and the heavens.

Where do they live?

They live among the heavens and in ancient caves.

I'm going to travel around the world...

...and find them to learn how to be immortal.

-Tongbi. -Yes?

Tomorrow morning...

...Ask the children to make a raft, then wait for me by the sea.

Yes Sir!

-Great King! -Come back soon!

The little stone monkey traveled across the sea in his search for immortality,

And arrived to the southern land inhabited by the humans.

Who is there?!

He wore human clothes and talked the human language,

But soon discovered humans are perverted by alcohol, sex and money.

They don't care about life.

Excuse me, are you alright?

Stinks!

Give that back!

This is good wine! How can it stink?!

Mister!

Mister, what are you doing?

Miss, would you join me for a cup of wine?

I don't do it for free.

Of course, I have money.

I have lots of money!

Then I'll go with you.

Get out!

What are you doing? She's my woman!

-Step aside! -I don't care.

I have a lot of money, I want your woman!

-Money? -Yeah?

-I have money too! -Who do you think you are?

Don't fight!

That's my money!

Out of here! That money is mine!

The man is dead!

This wine is good!

He once again traveled across the sea...

...and arrived to a legendary western land, where Gods and Deities lived.

Old Deity, I salute you!

Wait, young boy. I'm just a lumberjack.

I'm not a Deity.

Didn't you just say "the Deity is in front of you"?

Oh, you're talking about the song.

Actually, a Deity taught me that song.

He said a Deity is someone who lives a untroubled and cheerful life.

Like me, I cut trees, sell the wood and take care of my parents.

I don't need great wealth.

That's why I live like a Deity.

You are a loyal son, sorry for the inconvenience.

Don't worry.

May I ask where does that Deity live?

Not far...

...just over that mountain. Walk about 8 li and you'll be there.

It's the "Mountain of the Mind", where the "Moon and 3 Star Cave" is located.

Master Bodhi, the Deity lives there.

"Moon and 3 Star Cave"

I found it!

Such a place exists!

What is all that racket?!