WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 443: Episode 83: The Reader’s Incarnation (5)

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Everyone has read the story of Sun Wukong at least once.

When I heard the name "Sun Wukong," the first thing that came to mind was how he was described in TWSA.

「The Ruyi Jingu Bang that shatters the heavens.」

「The Body-Outside-Body Technique capable of facing a nebula alone.」

「Thunderclouds that bring down the stars of the world.」

Sun Wukong, Great Sage Equaling Heaven, was one of the strongest Constellations in TWSA.

[The Great Fable Journey to the West continues its story!]

And now, I had become that Sun Wukong.

Rumble.

Each time Sun Wukong pointed his fist at a point in the sky, the stars of the Emperor nebula fell in droves.

Seeing that overwhelming power from a first-person perspective made it hard for me to breathe. I knew Great Sage Equaling Heaven was strong, but I never imagined he was this powerful.

"Youngest, what are you giggling about?"

The Handsome Monkey King's voice echoed in my head.

It seemed the five Sun Wukongs, myself included, could watch Great Sage Equaling Heaven's rampage in real time.

"Are you surprised by how strong your older brothers are?"

"Honestly, I'm impressed."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

[Aaaargh!]

That giant who had just been sent flying was a fabled-grade Constellation.

No, how could a single bolt of lightning send a fabled-grade being flying?

The Handsome Monkey King sneered.

"Hmph, Giant Spirit God? It was a mistake for a mere fabled-grade being to think they could stand against us."

"Isn't the Prisoner of the Golden Headband fabled-grade too?"

Bimawen answered me.

"If each of us were alone, yes. But you know what we are now, don't you?"

He was right. Only then did I truly understand it.

Sun Wukong, the protagonist of "Journey to the West," consisted of four Sun Wukongs.

The Handsome Monkey King, who ruled Water Curtain Cave.

Bimawen, who was granted an official position by the Jade Emperor after his Daoist arts were recognized.

Great Sage Equaling Heaven, who fought against the Heavenly Realm that had humiliated him.

And Victorious Fighting Buddha, who attained enlightenment through the journey in "Journey to the West."

When the fables of all those Sun Wukongs came together, Sun Wukong's true power manifested.

Bimawen muttered, "That Great Sage bastard is having the time of his life. It's probably been a while since he got to run wild like this."

Great Sage Equaling Heaven really did look delighted.

[The Heavenly Realm has grown weak too! Is this all you have?]

The fabled-grade Constellations who couldn't even last a dozen exchanges were thrown into the waters of the Tongtian River.

[Attack!]

Still, the Emperor nebula's forces remained formidable.

It was the nebula with the greatest number of stars in the Star Stream.

Naturally, this level of damage wouldn't shake them.

But Great Sage Equaling Heaven's fable had only begun.

【Oooooooooh!】

As the Outer Gods roared in unison, lightning from the sky struck Sun Wukong's Ruyi Staff. A golden torrent exploded, and Sun Wukong hurled his Ruyi Staff into the heavens.

Lightning from the staff burned through the sky with savage force. A tremendous gale swept across the battlefield.

By the time the spray finally settled, a Constellation soaked like a drowned rat muttered,

[Wh-what is this...?]

One side of the sky had been emptied.

Thousands of divine beings charging toward him had been wiped out in a single blow.

[So this is Great Sage Equaling Heaven.]

Even after that overwhelming sight, the Emperor nebula's momentum did not weaken.

[There is nothing to fear! His fable has limits too!]

[Press forward! He's alone!]

Divine beings multiplied in an instant and filled the empty space again.

This was the Emperor nebula's war. It gave me chills. No matter how strong our side was, there was no end to their numbers. At this rate, the first ones to tire out would be...

"Hmph, don't lose heart already. He hasn't used that one's power yet."

"That one?"

"Victorious Fighting Buddha."

Victorious Fighting Buddha.

Come to think of it, he was the one who accepted the penalty of Outer God Transformation in my place earlier.

"Is he all right?"

"The fourth is fine. Memories of the mundane world mean nothing to someone who has realized suffering, origin, cessation, and path. Everything is emptiness, after all."

Bimawen immediately objected.

"Since when did Victorious Fighting Buddha become the fourth?"

"He appeared fourth, so he's the fourth. Isn't it natural to count by order of appearance?"

"If you're counting like that..."

"Of course, I'm the first because Sun Wukong began with me. Congratulations. You're second, even though you're less famous."

"You really are a stupid monkey, spitting in your own face. Who do you think will remember some monkey king from a cave?"

"Still better than you, who used to shovel horse shit in a stable."

Perhaps because the two Sun Wukongs were arguing, Great Sage Equaling Heaven's fable structure wavered for an instant, and he was struck unexpectedly.

As the main body shook hard, Great Sage Equaling Heaven finally snapped.

[All of you, shut up! I can't concentrate!]

Then he proudly added,

[Of course I'm the first. I'm the most famous!]

The Handsome Monkey King and Bimawen protested at once.

Facing the waves of stars rushing in from afar, Great Sage Equaling Heaven took a defensive stance for the first time.

If we were pushed back here, we couldn't win this war. Seemingly realizing that, the Handsome Monkey King and Bimawen stopped their chatter and began concentrating.

Boom! Crash! Boom!

That was when a huge warship appeared as one corner of the battlefield gave way.

"Ahjussi! I'm going in!"

Lee Jihye was there, smashing through the Emperor nebula's ships as she advanced. The allies of Kim Dokja Company had begun moving to support the Sun Wukong fighting alone.

That wasn't all.

[The Constellation Golden Body Arhat has manifested in the Scenario!]

Great Sage Equaling Heaven's true companions also began joining the Scenario one after another.

Sha Wujing, the Golden Body Arhat, manifested in an Incarnation body in midair and looked down at Jihye with a pleased smile.

[Are you the one who carried out my role?]

"What is this monster?"

[The Constellation Pure Alchemy Envoy has manifested in the Scenario!]

The next to appear was the owner of the Nine-Toothed Iron Rake. Zhu Bajie's ragged clothes fluttered beneath his wobbling belly as he shouted,

[Where is Yu Junghyeok, the Supreme King Zhu Bajie? Hahaha! I like you, the one playing my role!]

It seemed Pure Alchemy Envoy had taken a liking to Junghyeok.

Great Sage Equaling Heaven nodded toward the manifested Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing.

[You're here, junior brothers. You're awfully late.]

[I didn't come to help you, senior brother. I was only curious about the one playing my role, so don't misunderstand.]

Zhu Bajie offered excuse after pouty excuse, while Sha Wujing stood beside Sun Wukong with an oddly hurt expression.

As the Demon-Subduing Staff and Nine-Toothed Iron Rake released their Status beside the Ruyi Staff, it finally felt real that the trio of "Journey to the West" had gathered.

[The Great Fable Journey to the West is recovering its original Status!]

The Emperor nebula's Constellations shouted in alarm.

[Judges, are you saying you'll stand with Great Sage Equaling Heaven?]

[They aren't the only ones.]

Six figures stood behind the trio of "Journey to the West." There was a monster of fable resembling a monkey, while others resembled a shark, a lion, and a great roc.

I immediately realized who they were.

The Great Sage Who Overturns the Sea, Jiao Demon King.

The Great Sage Who Confounds Heaven, Peng Demon King.

The Great Sage Who Moves Mountains, Lion Camel King.

The Great Sage Who Reaches the Wind, Macaque King.

The Great Sage Who Drives the Gods, Yu Rong King.

The last one was not a monster of fable, but Jeong Huiwon.

"This is getting interesting."

With the blessing of the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven, Bull Demon King, Huiwon's Status rapidly rose as she took on the role.

[We are with you too, Great Sage Equaling Heaven.]

The Seven Great Sages, who had fought the Celestial War alongside Great Sage Equaling Heaven, had gathered in one place.

In the main story of "Journey to the West," they had received little attention and had little presence. Yet they, too, had appeared here to release their grief.

[It was unfair that both our titles had the same pronunciation. I'll settle that grievance today!]

As the Seven Great Sages charged into the battlefield together, the atmosphere of the war changed in an instant. The Outer Gods, who had been hesitating and watching Secretive Plotter's reaction until then, began fighting as well.

The Handsome Monkey King watched the battle and muttered,

"Where did that Supreme King Zhu Bajie bastard go?"

Come to think of it, Junghyeok was nowhere to be seen.

He should have been fighting the Twenty-Eight Mansions...

A bad feeling suddenly came over me.

In the air, I saw the Hunchback King and the Great Dokkaebis watching the Scenario's end.

[Go! Fight without retreating! In the end, the nebula Emperor will be victorious!]

The Emperor nebula's Constellations advanced with thunderous roars.

Leading from the front were the Four Heavenly Kings of the Celestial Court.

The Heavenly King Who Upholds the Nation in the east.

The Heavenly King Who Promotes Growth in the south.

The Wide-Eyed Heavenly King in the west.

The All-Hearing Heavenly King in the north.

Along with them came the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and Prince Nezha. That side seemed desperate now, too.

The Queen Mother of the West, Supreme Lord Lao, owner of the Diamond Snare, and Taibai Jinxing... Constellations famous enough to be recognized by name had all descended and were unfolding their fables.

At last, the Celestial War was being reenacted.

[The nebula Emperor has opened its Great Fables!]

This was the power of a great nebula.

Even so, Great Sage Equaling Heaven did not retreat.

[Many audience members are left speechless by the sudden spectacle.]

[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon declares that if Prisoner of the Golden Headband loses here, the Prisoner is not his rival.]

[The Constellation Demonic Judge of Fire cheers for Prisoner of the Golden Headband!]

[The Constellation Goryeo's Top Swordsman pays respect to the martial prowess of Prisoner of the Golden Headband.]

The first to fall was the Heavenly King Who Upholds the Nation. Then the Heavenly King Who Promotes Growth fell to his knees.

Wherever the Ruyi Staff pointed, the Celestial Court's forces collapsed.

Martial arts that had reached divine mastery.

This was the power of Sun Wukong, the strongest Constellation.

The first thing to halt Great Sage Equaling Heaven was the sound of Buddhist chanting coming from somewhere.

Tsssssss...

A groan escaped me before I knew it.

It seemed I wasn't the only one suffering. The Handsome Monkey King and Bimawen also sounded thoroughly annoyed.

"Damn it...!"

"It's that bald monk."

The Golden Headband tightened around Great Sage Equaling Heaven's head.

Holding one temple, Great Sage Equaling Heaven warned,

[Guanyin Bodhisattva. Do not interfere!]

A lotus pedestal appeared between the clouds.

Guanyin Bodhisattva sat cross-legged at its center.

[Wukong. Have you forgotten everything that happened before?]

[What are you talking about?]

[Stop this. It isn't right.]

[And if I refuse?]

[Haven't you received my help all this time? Can't you withdraw, if only for that?]

[Your help?]

Great Sage Equaling Heaven's brow twisted sharply.

[Thanks to that wonderful help, I suffered endlessly.]

As if venting the resentment that had welled up within him, Great Sage Equaling Heaven shouted,

[All the hardships we endured came from your lecherous gaze!]

Guanyin Bodhisattva. One who could hear and know every sound in the world.

Great Sage Equaling Heaven's memories flowed past.

「"In Buddhism, they must endure all eighty-one trials to complete the demon's formation. They have only endured eighty disasters, so they still lack one. Have the Guardians of the Five Directions follow them and bring about the final disaster!"」

The final disaster of "Journey to the West."

The one who caused it was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva.

[You raised hordes of yin demons, incited monsters of fable, and brought disasters into the world. It was all you and the nebula Emperor!]

[They were all necessary hardships. Calm yourself.]

As Great Sage Equaling Heaven grew agitated, Guanyin Bodhisattva began reciting the Tightening Headband Spell again.

[Do you think that spell can stop me?]

Crackle!

The power of the Tightening Headband Spell scattered beneath the Status Great Sage Equaling Heaven unleashed.

Guanyin Bodhisattva looked startled and retreated with the lotus pedestal while muttering.

[His power has grown too great. I can't handle him alone.]

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King bit his lip.

[We could win if we drag this into a long battle, but...]

There were fewer than thirty minutes left until the Scenario ended.

They knew that winning a prolonged battle would mean nothing if they lost the Scenario.

[Buddha! Where is Buddha?]

The Emperor nebula's final choice had been decided.

[We only need Five Pillars! With that fable, subduing that monkey will be no problem at all!]

The fable "Five Pillars" referred to Buddha's five fingers.

No matter how capable Sun Wukong was, as long as there was a fable of him being subdued in Buddha's palm, he couldn't escape the influence of Stage Transformation.

And in this world, Shakyamuni, one of Buddha's emanations, was present.

At that moment, Prince Nezha, who stood nearby, whispered,

[Have you forgotten? Shakyamuni disappeared during the last Great war of Angels and Demons. I believe he perished while sealing the Island of Reincarnators.]

[Shakyamuni died? Then how can we subdue him...?]

[Don't worry. We have his successor.]

With those words, the Emperor nebula's forces split apart.

[Come forth, Heir of Shakyamuni!]

The Emperor nebula's highest-Status Constellations walked through the divided ranks. Each of them was powerful enough to rival one of Olympus's Twelve Gods.

Then I was quietly shaken at the sight of the fluttering dharma robe at their center.

「Yu Sangah was there.」

Sangah had reincarnated because of her promise to Shakyamuni. In the end, she had been reborn through the cycle of reincarnation as Shakyamuni's descendant.

"Great Sage Equaling Heaven?"

Great Sage Equaling Heaven's body froze. A tremendous surge of emotion rose within him.

I heard the voices of the Handsome Monkey King and Bimawen.

"I see. That is why, when I first saw that woman..."

"Could it really be that Incarnation body?"

In an instant, Great Sage Equaling Heaven's memories flooded into my mind. The distant journey of "Journey to the West" was condensed in an instant.

Then I understood. Sangah had not simply reincarnated as Shakyamuni's successor. Her Incarnation body belonged to someone very special.

「"Sanzang."」

Master Sanzang.

The being in this world most versed in the Tightening Headband Spell, and the only one who could force Sun Wukong to obey with a single word.

The Emperor nebula's Constellations cried out.

[Subdue him at once! Heir of Shakyamuni!]

Even as Sangah strode toward him, Great Sage Equaling Heaven didn't move at all. It was as though he had been lost in old memories.

"Great Sage Equaling Heaven! Move already! What are you doing?"

"You'll be defeated at this rate!"

Listening to them made me uneasy too.

Was the Sangah before me really the Sangah I knew?

Just as reincarnated Yuseong had lost her memories, what if Sangah had as well?

What if she had become someone entirely different from the person I knew?

Sangah slowly reached out and touched Sun Wukong's Golden Headband.

[You look like you're in a great deal of pain.]

The moment I heard her clear voice, I understood.

She was the person I knew.

Not Master Sanzang or Shakyamuni's successor, but Sangah, the companion I trusted most.

[This suits someone else better than it suits you now.]

Her hand moved slowly as she removed Sun Wukong's Golden Headband.

The Golden Headband that had been tightening around Great Sage Equaling Heaven's head fell to the ground with absurd ease.

The Handsome Monkey King, Bimawen, and Great Sage Equaling Heaven all stared down at her as if they couldn't believe it.

The Emperor nebula's Constellations rushed at them in shock, but they were already too late.

Amid the cries of the Constellations, the prisoner of the oldest prison was finally being freed.

[The awakening conditions of the Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband have been fulfilled.]

[The fable of Victorious Fighting Buddha has been unlocked.]

[The modifier of the Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband is evolving!]

Within a brilliant radiance, the Prisoner of the Golden Headband slowly opened his eyes.

[The Constellation Oldest Liberator has awakened from its seal.]

Footnotes:

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