Storytelling in the World of Journey to the West: The Journey Has Gone Off the Rails!

In a roadside tavern, figures shift and mingle. A sharp “smack” rang out as the storyteller’s block hit the table, its sound carrying beyond the tavern. “Ladies and gentlemen, today’s tale is about a Buddhist monk and three demons, four master and disciples traveling from the Western Heaven to the Eastern Land to spread Buddhism!” The instant the story ended, the heavens and earth changed color, and the gods were stunned! Inside the Zixiao Palace, someone cried, “An anomaly, an anomaly!” In the Great Leiyin Temple in the Western Heaven, the Buddha Tathagata said grimly, “What a Tang Sanzang, who would bury the heavens, the earth, and all living things! You insolent brat, how dare you insult my Buddhist sect!” At the Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor stared silently for a long time at the throne beneath him. “The throne changes hands every year, and next year it’ll be my turn! What right does this Sun Xingzhe have to say such a thing? Tathagata, you’ve been plotting against me all along!” Li Er smashed the imperial desk with one palm and roared, “The Buddhist sect wants to seize the fortune of my human race? You’re heading east to spread Buddhism, are you? Guards! Set up the altar. We’re heading west to spread the Dao!” Meanwhile, in the tavern, Ye Kun was telling one story after another, spittle flying from his mouth!