One day, Sun Wukong frowned and muttered, “These weapons are fine, but this broadsword of mine is dull and clunky. It’s not working for me.”

Hearing this, four old monkeys shuffled up and whispered, “Great King, you’re no ordinary monkey anymore. You’re a celestial being! Mortal weapons won’t cut it. If you’re feeling brave, why not try your luck underwater?”

Wukong grinned. “Since I mastered the Way, I’ve learned seventy-two transformations. I can fly, dive, walk through fire and water. A dip in the ocean? Child’s play.”

The old monkeys clapped. “Perfect! There’s a secret path under Iron Plate Bridge that leads straight to the Dragon King’s Palace of East Sea. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something just right down there.”

Wukong gave a quick nod. “Say no more. I’m on it.”

He dashed to the bridge, mumbled a water-proofing spell, and cannonballed into the river. Like an arrow, he shot straight toward the depths of the East Sea.

He hadn’t swum far before a sea patrolling Yaksha blocked his way. “Who are you? State your business!”

“I’m Sun Wukong from Mount Huaguo,” Wukong declared. “The Dragon King and I are practically neighbors. How do you not know me?”

Startled, the Yaksha spun around and rushed to report to the palace.

Inside the sparkling Crystal Palace, the Dragon King Ao Guang was equally shocked. “Wukong’s here? Quick, roll out the welcome mat!”

With sons, nephews, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals in tow, the Dragon King met him at the gate, smiling nervously. After serving tea, Ao Guang asked, “When did Your Excellency achieve immortality? And what sort of magic have you learned?”

Wukong sipped his tea. “Trained since childhood. I’ve mastered the art of eternal life. Now I’m teaching my monkey troops how to fight. But I need a real weapon. I heard your treasure hoard is legendary, so I came to borrow something.”

Ao Guang couldn’t exactly say no. He ordered his guards to bring out a massive halberd. Wukong tried it, then frowned. “Too light. Also, I don’t really do blades.”

Next came a nine-pronged fork. Wukong spun it a few times and shrugged. “Still too light.”

“That one weighs 3,600 pounds!” the Dragon King protested.

Wukong waved him off. “Still not right.”

With a nervous gulp, the Dragon King wheeled out a 7,200-pound glaive. Wukong gave it a few swings. “Better, but nope. Still not my style.”

The Dragon King started sweating. “That’s literally the heaviest weapon in the entire palace. I’ve got nothing left.”

Wukong smiled slyly. “Come on, this is the Dragon King’ Palace of East Sea. You’ve gotta have something. Check again.”

Just then, the Dragon Queen and the Dragon Princess wandered in: “That iron pillar in the treasury. Hasn’t it been glowing lately? Maybe it’s waiting for him.”

The Dragon King’s eyes widened. “You mean the Sea-Calming Iron left behind by Yu the Great during the flood? That thing’s enormous. Totally useless.”

“Useless or not,” the Dragon Queen said, “giving it away earns you a favor.”

Reluctantly, the Dragon King turned to Wukong. “There’s one thing… but it’s really heavy. No one’s been able to move it. Want to take a look?”

“Lead the way,” Wukong grinned.

They went deep into the sea vault. Sure enough, a huge iron pillar stood there, glowing faintly. It was as thick as a barrel, as tall as a tower.

Wukong gave it a push. “Hmm. Too long, too thick. If only it were slimmer and shorter…”

No sooner had he spoken than the pillar shrank right before their eyes.

Delighted, Wukong said, “A bit thinner!”

It shrank again.

Laughing with glee, he hoisted it onto his shoulder. Black iron, golden rings on each end, engraved with: The Compliant Golden Banded Cudgel; Weight: 13,500 catties.

“Perfect,” he said. “Let’s try a more portable size.” As he walked, it shrunk again. Now just the length of two men and as thick as a soup bowl. Just right.

Back in the palace, Wukong gave the golden cudgel a few test swings. It whooshed through the air with a roar, shaking the entire palace. The Dragon King trembled. His sons went pale. The shrimp and crabs vanished.

Wukong plopped himself on the throne with a grin. “Thanks, neighbor! ”

“Happy to help,” the Dragon King stammered, bowing.

Wukong added, “The golden cudgel’s great, but I’m still naked. Got any armor to go with it?”

The Dragon King winced. “About that… I don’t.”

Wukong gave him a toothy grin. “Come on, we’re pals now. Might as well give me the full set. No way I’m leaving half-dressed.”

The Dragon King was turning green. “How about… you visit the other Dragon Kings? Maybe they can help.”

Wukong shook his head. “Why visit four houses when one can host? You’ve got brothers. Call in a favor!”

Out of options, the Dragon King sighed. “Fine. I’ll summon them.”

He rang a golden bell and beat an iron drum. Before long, the Dragon Kings of the South, North, and West Seas arrived in a flash, battle-ready.

“What’s the emergency?” asked the Dragon King of South Sea.

The Dragon King of East Sea groaned, “It’s Wukong. He took our Sea-Calming Iron. Now he wants armor. I’m tapped out. Help me out here.”

“Why not just arrest him?” growled the Dragon King of South Sea.

“Don’t even think about it,” the Dragon Kin of East Sea hissed. “That golden cudgel of his could flatten an army.”

The Dragon King of West Sea nodded. “Let’s just give him what he wants, then file a complaint with Heaven later.”

The Dragon King of North Sea shrugged. “I’ve got a pair of Cloud-Walking Lotus Shoes.”

“I brought a Golden Chainmail Shirt,” said the Dragon King of West Sea.

“I’ve got a Phoenix-Feathered Purple Gold Crown,” said the Dragon King of South Sea.

And so, in a matter of minutes, Sun Wukong walked out of the Dragon King’s Palace of East Sea fully armed and armored—grinning from ear to ear.

Sun Wukong strapped on his golden armor, slid into his cloud-stepping boots, and topped it all off with a dazzling purple-gold crown. Grinning ear to ear, he twirled his magical golden cudgel—the Compliant Golden Banded Cudgel—with flair and cracked jokes mid-fight:

“Geez, could you guys be any louder?”

The four Dragon Kings were fuming, but also terrified. They didn’t dare fight back and instead rushed off to file a formal complaint with Heaven.

Wukong strolled out of the East Sea, parting the waters like he owned them, and made his way back to the Iron Plate Bridge. Four elder monkeys and a troop of little ones were already waiting. The moment he leapt onto the bridge in his glittering get-up, everyone gasped.

“Our King! You look amazing!”

Wukong plopped onto his throne, casually planted his golden cudgel upright beside him, and smirked. The younger monkeys crowded around, trying to lift it.

Nope. Not a chance.

One by one, they gave up, panting in disbelief.

“Grandpa! How’d you carry that monster home?”

Wukong chuckled.

“This precious used to sit in the East Sea’s treasure vault. Nobody could move it. The Dragon King thought it was just some chunk of black iron. But it’s actually the Heaven-Stabilizing Divine Iron of the Milky Way. The moment I touched it, it shrank itself! Used to be two zhang long and as thick as a barrel, but now it fits like a glove. Engraved right on it: Compliant Golden Banded Cudgel. It weighs 13,500 jin.”

Then, with a wink, he spun the golden cudgel and shouted, “Small! Small! Small!”

Poof—just like that, the massive weapon shrank into a sewing needle. He popped it right into his ear.

The little monkeys jumped.

“Your Majesty! Bring it back! We wanna see again!”

Wukong fished the needle out and yelled, “Big! Big! Big!”

Boom—the golden cudgel returned to full size in a flash of golden light.

Getting more excited, he leapt off the bridge, spun the golden cudgel, and roared, “Grow!”

Instantly, he transformed—towering sky-high, head brushing the clouds, feet planted firm on the earth. Lightning sparked from his eyes, his mouth a gaping maw, teeth sharp as blades.

His golden cudgel pierced the heavens and rattled the Hell. The tigers, leopards, and demons of the seventy-two caves below? All hit the ground, begging for mercy.

Then, just like that, Wukong shrunk back down, tucked the golden cudgel into his ear, and strolled back to his mountain throne.

Word spread fast. Demon kings from all corners rushed over to pay their respects.

Wukong threw a massive victory party—drums pounding, wine flowing, food piled high. He gave out titles too: the four elder monkeys became his Generals; two red-bottomed macaques were named Marshals Ma and Liu; and two sleek black-furred monkeys were dubbed Generals Beng and Ba. Everyone had a job.

With the kingdom in order, Wukong was free to roam. He journeyed far and wide, crossing mountains and rivers, flexing his magic, sparring with heroes, and living life to the fullest.

Eventually, he formed a tight brotherhood with six powerful demons: the Bull Demon King, the Dragon King, the Roc King, the Lion Camel King, the Baboon King, and the Snub-Nose Monkey King.

Seven sworn brothers, drinking wine, trading poems, and sparring just for fun. To them, the whole world was one big backyard.

And just like that, Wukong lived the high life—wild, free, and untouchable. Almost like… a god.

End of this chapter. Thank you for reading!

This is just the serialized version of Journey to the West (modern retelling). If you want to read the full book faster, check out the complete, easy-to-read English and Chinese (Simplified & Traditional) version on Amazon.

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