13: Black Myth Wukong Episode Three: Bitter Lake

13: Black Myth Wukong Episode Three: Bitter Lake

Kang-Jin Star, a character beloved by players in “Black Myth: Wukong,” embodies a perfect blend of aesthetics and personality. Her portrayal adds a rich, fantastical element to the game, combining mysterious Eastern charm with a powerful depiction of female strength. Both her image and storyline are subjects of considerable debate.

In this episode, we will delve into the character of Kang-Jin Star and the backstory that surrounds her. Particularly, her experience with the “Species Bag” event has sparked intense discussions and speculation among players. What story led Kang-Jin Star to transition from an Immortal to becoming a disciple of Yellowbrow? What internal struggles and emotional conflicts does Kang-Jin Star face? Join us as we uncover the story behind Kang-Jin Star and explore the profound implications it holds.

In the game “Black Myth,” Kang-Jin Star is a character with the status of an Immortal. Her depiction in the game embodies a fresh and refined elegance. As an Immortal, she not only possesses powerful magical abilities but also frequently aids those characters in distress with her compassionate heart. This spirit of selflessly helping others has left a profound impression on players. However, beneath this beautiful veneer, the fate of Kang-Jin Star is destined to undergo a dramatic transformation.

It is precisely because of her beautiful image and personality that many players in the game have a special fondness for the character of Kang-Jin Star. As the game’s storyline progresses, however, Kang-Jin Star’s fate takes a drastic turn. She is brainwashed by Yellowbrow from an Immortal into an apprentice, completely overturning her life. This entire shift begins with her encounter with Yellowbrow.

Initially, when Sun Wukong and Tangseng were on their quest for the scriptures, they were trapped by Yellowbrow’s Golden Cymbal. At that time, Zhu Bajie went to the Celestial Court to seek help from the Twenty-Eight Constellations. Ultimately, it was Kang-Jin Loong’s golden horn that rescued Sun Wukong from the Golden Cymbal. It was after this incident that Kang-Jin Loong started paying special attention to Sun Wukong.

After the completion of their quest, Sun Wukong was awarded the Buddha Position of Victorious Fighting Buddha. However, he eventually gave up his Buddha Position and returned to Mount Huaguo. Erlang, the Sacred Divinity, gathered the five great Guai saints—Black Bear Guai, Yellow Wind Sage, Yellowbrow, Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master, and The Bull King—together to kill Sun Wukong, who was seeking death. Of course, this was a plan Sun Wukong and Erlang, the Sacred Divinity, had devised in advance.

After Sun Wukong perished in battle, his body transformed into the Six Roots, each of which was distributed among the demon lords by Erlang, the Sacred Divinity. The Root Instrument plays a significant role but cannot be refined without special methods. Yellowbrow received the “Nose-smelling Love,” symbolizing lust. He placed this Root Instrument into the Species Bag for refinement, enhancing the bag’s abilities. Originally designed only to carry people, the Species Bag now not only holds individuals but also causes those within to experience weakened limbs and wrinkled skin. After Yellowbrow’s re-consecration, the bag could amplify the desires of those inside and torment them with their own inner demons.

At this time, Dawnstar of the Twenty-Eight Constellations disappeared after descending to the mortal realm, prompting Kang-Jin Star to follow in order to search for Dawnstar and incidentally look for Sun Wukong’s Root Instrument. Meanwhile, Yellowbrow returned to the Minor Western Heaven to organize a grand gathering, a company of pilgrims, and extended invitations to various Guai, deities, and Buddhas to attend. Consequently, Kang-Jin Star sought permission from the Celestial Court to attend the gathering, aiming to secretly investigate Dawnstar’s whereabouts. Unexpectedly, upon arriving in the Minor Western Heaven, Kang-Jin Star was defeated in a battle with Yellowbrow and was absorbed into the Species Bag, subsequently being brainwashed and becoming a disciple of Yellowbrow.

Yellowbrow established the Minor Western Heaven Paradise as a place where all believers could freely express themselves without repression. Kang-Jin Star, having been sucked into the Species Bag, lost her sanity and came to believe that Yellowbrow’s faith was the correct path. Thus, she knelt down, became his disciple, and no longer suppressed her desires, embarking on a path of carnal destruction that ultimately led to her defeat at the hands of the Destined One. Although Kang-Jin Star had once helped Sun Wukong, her feelings for him were unrequited. In the game, there is

no indication that Sun Wukong reciprocated her feelings; he likely regarded Kang-Jin Star merely as a friend.

So the question arises: did Kang-Jin Star truly die?

According to the game, the most severe injury sustained by Kang-Jin Star was a stab in the back from the Destined One, which likely was not fatal, as her body did not dissipate. After Zhu Bajie was released, he swaggered around beside Kang-Jin Star, who had transformed into a loong. To his surprise, she still showed signs of life, startling him. When players returned later in the game, Kang-Jin Star’s body had disappeared, suggesting that she might not have died after all.