From Langlang Mountain, I Lay Low and Cultivate to Attain the Right Fruit in Journey to the West

(This story was inspired by the Chinese animated anthology Yao-Chinese Folktales, a work that helped revive Chinese animation.)

[Mythic Fantasy] [Strange Tales] [Cautious Cultivation] [Misunderstandings]

The immortals of Heaven no longer manifest, and the Buddhas of the Western Heaven have vanished from the Three Realms.

Zhu Luqi, an overworked 996 wage slave, transmigrates into the world of Journey to the West. But this is no ordinary Journey to the West: there are no immortals and Buddhas filling the sky, nor is there a Tang Monk pilgrimage party. Instead, it is inhabited by the great demons of Journey to the West.

Fortunately, Zhu Luqi is the little pig demon from Langlang Mountain. He possesses three life-saving hairs bestowed upon him by Great Sage Sun, and thus begins his path of cultivation, keeping a low profile in the world of Journey to the West.

"The first life-saving hair unlocks a list of demons. Whenever you encounter a demon, you can gain a supernatural ability or spell."

"The second life-saving hair unlocks the Book of Strange Tales. By visiting famous sites and collecting strange tales, you can gain the blessings of fortune and rapidly increase your cultivation."

"The third life-saving hair..."

Let him be strong, and I will remain like a breeze brushing the mountain ridge. Let him be fierce, and I will remain like the bright moon shining on the great river.

Guided by this motto, Zhu Luqi keeps his head down in the world of Journey to the West for five hundred years. Relying on his status as a disciple of Great Sage Sun, he moves freely among demons, the imperial court, the martial world, and the common folk.

Supreme Imperial Preceptor of An Nan, sworn brother of the Dragon King of the Jing River, honorary abbot of the Pure Land Temple, direct disciple of Great Sage Sun, nemesis of demons, chosen one of the Eastern Continent of Shengzhou, master of the ancient god Xing Tian...

One title after another is pinned on Zhu Luqi, making him the greatest figure in Journey to the West.

Five hundred years later, Great Sage Sun returns in force to sweep away chaos. Only then do people realize Zhu Luqi wasn't lying:

"Everyone, I really don't have a shred of magic power..."