After learning about the story of the Tiger Vanguard family in the previous chapter, we now arrive at the chapter of the Yellow Wind Formation. This chapter introduces game characters such as Gore-Eye Daoist, Black Loong, and The Red Loong.
Gore-Eye Daoist claims to have studied at Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain. Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain is indeed where Sun Wukong attained his skills. The Seventy-two Transformations, the Somersault Cloud, celestial mastery, and his ability to challenge the Celestial Court—all these skills were learned there.
At this time, Sun Wukong was already dead, and the immortals who had good relations with him in the past, such as Dawnstar and Bodhisattva Pilanpo, met tragic ends. The remaining immortals were eager to distance themselves from Sun Wukong, avoiding any association with him. However, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared, claiming to have studied under the same master as Sun Wukong and in the same place. He demanded that The Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master hand over Sun Wukong’s Root Instrument, promising to surrender immediately in exchange for mercy. However, he clearly underestimated The Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master’s capabilities and overestimated his own abilities. The Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master sent the Insect General to subdue the Gore-Eye Daoist and then placed him in an insect egg chamber for incubation. Although he managed to escape, his body was infested by the insect eggs, and he subsequently fell into the path of demons.
Why did Gore-Eye Daoist do this? Some say that Gore-Eye Daoist did not, like Sun Wukong, come from Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain but aimed to obtain the Great Sage’s Root Instrument for his own cultivation. However, there are other theories suggesting that perhaps he was a friend of Sun Wukong in the past, possibly indebted to him or having had some relationship with Sun Wukong, or maybe he simply admired him. Unfortunately, Wukong was the Lingming Stone Monkey, while the Hundred-Eyed Daoist had ordinary talents. He watched with admiration as Wukong learned supernatural powers beyond the heavens in just a few short years. Later, when Wukong was banished, he was too insignificant to help. Then Wukong stormed the Underworld, caused chaos in the Loong Palace, Havoc in Heaven, traveled west for the scriptures, and was ultimately made the Victorious Fighting Buddha, becoming a legend. It wasn’t until he heard of Wukong’s death that he thought of attempting to resurrect Sun Wukong.
Although these notions are speculative, they do have some basis. According to the game, after Gore-Eye Daoist escaped from the insect egg, a fleshy mass with many frightening eyes grew on his back, but he didn’t mind and continued wandering for cultivation. When he passed by a barren mountain and found villagers tormented by rampant bandits, he settled down to pray for wind and rain, planting elm and willow trees. This shows his innate kindness, suggesting it was unlikely he demanded Sun Wukong’s posthumous Six Roots Instrument for any selfish motive.
The Black Loong and The Red Loong featured in the game are both the sons of the Old Loong King of Jing River, previously discussed. The Old Loong King of Jing River had four loong sons, known as the Four Loong Gods of the Four Waterways. In ancient China, the Four Waterways referred to four major rivers that flowed independently into the sea: the Yangtze River, Yellow River, Huai River, and Ji River. In the game, the Four Loong Gods include: Cyan Loong (the third son of the Old Loong King of Jing River, guarding the Yangtze River), The Red Loong (the fourth son, guarding the Yellow River), Yellow Loong (the eldest son, guarding the Huai River), and Black Loong (the second son, guarding the Ji River).
After the Old Loong King of Jing River died, the Four Loong Gods of the Four Waterways feared being held accountable by the Jade Emperor due to their father’s defiance of destiny. They felt uncertain about their future, especially after Tang Seng and his disciples journeyed west, where rewards and punishments were determined, yet theirs remained undecided, increasing their anxiety. The Four Loong Gods sought divination from Yuan Shoucheng, but the omens were unfavorable. In an attempt to save themselves, they voluntarily requested to resign, but their requests were denied by the Jade Emperor.
Later, Yuan Shoucheng informed the Four Loong Gods that the omens had changed, indicating a possible opportunity for action. Upon hearing this, the Four Loong Gods departed from the Water Palace, each devising their own plans. After their departure, the rivers, now without a River God to oversee them, experienced floods, water Guai ran rampant, and many lives were lost, exacerbating their offenses.
Black Loong, initially by the Ji River, heard from local fishermen that beneath the Nine Plains lay the Loong Lane, where a Wisdom Pearl could be found. It was said to grant great wisdom, but many seeking the pearl had been harmed by the Loong King. One day, a young man (the Yellow Wind Sage) arrived in search of the Wisdom Pearl and conversed with Black Loong. Driven by a desire to redeem his father’s injustice, Black Loong considered killing the Destined One heading west, but ultimately, this led to his downfall.
The Red Loong, being quite astute, recognized that the Black Bear Guai was greedy and had the protection of the South Sea. He bargained with the Black Bear Guai using treasures in exchange for a prime location, where he secluded himself in meditation and sleep within the mountains. However, upon waking, he found himself unable to ride the clouds as he once could. For a loong, losing the ability to fly was incredibly humiliating. With no other choice, The Red Loong sought help from the Black Bear Guai, who sold him a Boshan Censer, which he affixed to his back. Although lighting the Boshan Censer enabled him to fly, it was a far cry from his former prowess, forcing him to remain confined within the mountains.
The story of the Four Loong Gods strongly emphasizes themes of fate and causality. Yuan Shoucheng’s divination of these causes and effects played a significant role in shaping the destinies of the Old Loong King of Jing River and the Four Loong Kings of the Four Waterways. It seems that their fates were predetermined from the outset, with every choice they made embedded within the chain of causality. The Old Loong King’s defiance of destiny was the cause, while the struggles and ultimate fates faced by his sons were the effects.
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