Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yang Jian heard a small noise in his room.

It sounded like a little voice. But also like padded footsteps. However, it was so faint, he couldn’t tell where exactly it was coming from.

Unlike other children who might be scared of monsters under their beds or closets, Yang Jian didn’t care at all about them. If a monster happened to exist, he felt like could just kill them with one slam of his hand.

He looked around his room, dark with only a small nightlight made from fireflies illuminating the room.

Then the small voice said, “Ooph!” And Yang Jian realized it was coming from under HIS PILLOW.

He quickly snatches up his pillow and prepares to squish the small insect. Maybe it was a disgusting Yao that somehow crawled onto his bed or it was a mini monster. But before his palm makes contact, he stops.

A bright fluffy creature was cowering on his bed, shivering and shaking from fear. It had a small tail and it was whimpering with a high pitched voice.

Yang Jian wanted to inspect it closer so he slowly reached over to lift up the creature. When he got closer, the creature suddenly stopped cowering and leaped onto his hand, biting fiercely.

“Num! Num!” The creature cried out. Yang Jian felt a little sting on his hand and he felt two tiny little canines gripping his skin. He could tell the little guy was genuinely trying to hurt him, but it honestly was more like a small sting. Barely a scratch.

When the creature saw that it wasn’t doing any damage, it stopped biting and tried to escape. However, Yang Jian was faster and grabbed it before it could get away.

The little guy struggled and twisted, trying to get free. It screeched and hissed at Yang Jian. Yang Jian noticed that it had very bright, shining eyes.

“Let me go! Let me go!!” The little guy shouted. Its voice was quite loud, but not overwhelmingly so because of its small size.

“You came to my bed. You invade my space and expect me to let you go?” Yang Jian smiled.

The little creature seemed to resemble a small monkey, like the ones from his picture books. In his palm, the monkey was warm and soft, fluffy to the touch with a round head and skinny body.

“Hmph! I was trying to leave! I only came here looking for food, like crumbs and such. But I got lost and somehow was unfortunate enough to find you here! Let me go!!”

Yang Jian picked the little monkey up by the scrub of his neck and the little one dangled there, flaying around and trying to get free.

“Are you hungry?” Yang Jian asks the monkey.

“No! Now let me go!”

Just then, a small grumbling sound came from the little guy’s body and both of them looked at the monkey’s stomach.

Yang Jian thought the embarrassed look on the tiny face was adorable and he pokes it much to the monkey’s displeasure.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

***

“So what’s your name?”

“Swun Whmkiun!” The little guy replied, cheeks stuffed full of warm, soft cake.

Yang Jian laughed as the guy devoured the food in front of him. He ate as if he hadn’t eaten in years!

“Could you say it again without food?”

The monkey swallowed and pouted.

“My name is Sun Wukong….what’s yours?”

“My name is Yang Jian.”

The monkey, named Wukong, stood up and walked closer to him, squinting his tiny eyes.

“Hmmm. What are you, Yang Jian? You don’t seem like a regular human.”

Yang Jian smiled and leaned down, placing his chin on the table. His nose was a few inches away from where little Wukong was standing.

“You’re right. I’m not. I’m a demigod.”

Wukong scrunches his nose as he inspects Yang Jian closely.

“What’s that?”

“It means I’m half immortal. My mom’s an immortal and my dad is a human”

“What is that thing on your forehead?”

“It’s a birthmark. I’m not sure what it is yet. But I’ve always had it.”

Wukong hums and then walks back to where the food was. He bites into the banana, nibbling away into the soft flesh of it and sighs contently as he feels full.

“You have so much food here! Are you an important figure?”

Yang Jian shrugged. “I suppose you could say that. I’m staying with my extended family right now. And my uncle’s very rich.”

Wukong asks curiously, “What about your parents? Do you not have any now?”

Yang Jian was a bit surprised by how straightforwardly Wukong asked this question. Usually, people tried to avoid the topic of his parents’ situation.

“They are both still alive. Well, my father died but he’s likely back in the celestial realm now. And my mother is currently trapped under a mountain.”

Wukong's bright eyes widen when he hears this and he jumps up and down with excitement.

“What does that mean?! You have to explain!! Tell me clearly! What has happened? Why is she trapped? And what do you mean your human father is alive after dying?”

Yang Jian found the excitable Wukong very amusing and laughed, making the monkey spirit pout with annoyance.

Yang Jian apologizes and holds out his palm, letting Wukong hop back on as he walks back to his bedroom. Thank goodness his uncle was a heavy sleeper.

He lies back down and puts the covers on himself. He tries to cover Wukong up, but the monkey refuses.

“It’s too big and heavy. I might suffocate underneath!”

So, Yang Jian neatly rips off a piece of cloth from his own clothes and hands it to Wukong, telling him he could use it as a blanket. Wukong was very happy with this gesture of kindness and gratefully accepted, snuggling comfortably under the cotton blanket.

He urges Yang Jian to tell him his story and Yang Jian smiles before recapping everything that had happened to him…

***

He had been born by his parents and adopted by his kind uncle on his father’s side of the family, thus becoming the surname “Yang” since his father was "Yang TianYou.”

Yang Jian explains how his mother’s side of the family was not quite as friendly. They disapproved strongly of his parents’ marriage, as an immortal should never marry a regular human. Just like how every species was supposed to marry within their own kind.

Yang Jian goes on to explain, “The dragon tribe only marry other dragons, and Yao Guais only marry other Yao Guais. However, some Yaos kidnap mortals and force them into a loveless marriage. It happens quite often.”

He then decides to ask Wukong, “So what exactly are you?”

Wukong blinked innocently and replied, “I’m not sure. I was born randomly one day in a forest. I met some Tudi Gong Gongs who told me that I had been a little, normal pebble. But since I got nourishment of proper rain and sun and nutrients, and the forest I was in was filled with incredible spiritual energy, I gained a soul.”

“So you are a stone monkey spirit?”

“I guess so.”

It was rather confusing. This might be what Yang Jian had learned of a “natural immortal birth”. It was a very rare phenomenon which occurred only under the right conditions and over a long period of time.

Usually, immortals were only created from other immortals giving birth. Or from mortals cultivating to immortality. Other occurrences, regular mortals could ascend if they’ve done something truly worth the celestial’s blessing.

Wukong’s birth is both natural and unnatural it seems. Maybe it’s best not to let anyone know, since celestials were rather strict with their rules. (Just look at his parents.)

“Yang Jian, what are you thinking about?”

Yang Jian realized he had been deep in thought and apologized, continuing his story until he reached the part where his mother was condemned to be imprisoned underneath Blossom Mountain for who knows how long.

“My uncle from my mother’s side of the family is a very important figure, and he’s the one I have to convince to let my mother go.”

Wukong felt extremely livid after listening to Yang Jian’s sorrowful tale.

“That wicked uncle of yours needs to rot! How dare he do this to you! Your parents didn’t even do anything wrong!”

Yang Jian sighed. “Technically, they did. They disobeyed the rules.”

“To h*ll with those rules! If I was you, I would wreak havoc on those immortals until they let my mother go!”

Yang Jian fancied the idea of himself destroying everything and demanding for his mother to be freed. But the idea was quite ludicrous. Him, alone, fighting against all of the 100,000+ celestial warriors? It was impossible.

When he voices this to Wukong, Wukong asks him, “So are you really just going to sit by and allow them to treat your mother like this? To treat YOU like this?”

Yang Jian shakes his head. “Of course not. I have a plan. I’m going to free my mother, and I won’t stop until I do.”

Just as Wukong was about to ask what his plan was, a knock came from the door and his aunt stepped in.

“Jian’Er, who are you talking to? It’s the middle of the night!”

Yang Jian reacted quickly and replied, “I…I had a nightmare. And I think I was talking in my sleep. I’m sorry, auntie. I’ll try to be quiet.”

When his auntie heard this, her anger melted away and she went over to comfort him. Yang Jian hugged her back, but he really wanted to make sure she didn’t accidentally squish Wukong on the bed.

After she left, Yang Jian quickly checked around to find where the tiny monkey went.

He spots Wukong lying down between the pillows on his other side, sleeping soundly. He must have quietly traveled under the covers to get away from the auntie and hid himself here.

Yang Jian smiled and was a bit surprised to find that Wukong seemed to glow a little bit. A small golden light, shining from his fur.

What a magical creature Wukong was.

Staring at the small beacon of light, Yang Jian, for the first time since his parents were taken from him, felt hope.

And even a bit joyful.

***

It was quite easy to hide Wukong’s existence from everyone else since he was so small. Yang Jian would keep him in his robe pocket, or his sleeve pocket and no one would suspect a thing.

He would give Wukong food subtly and always made sure to check his surroundings before telling Wukong to come out.

So far, neither his aunt nor his uncle (who only came home every so often) noticed the little creature residing in their home.

Yang Jian adored the way Wukong would latch onto him. He loved holding him, feeding him, petting him, and just taking care of him.

He decided to expand Wukong wardrobe after the monkey expressed awe when seeing his collection of clothing.

“Wow! So many pretty clothes! Are they all for me?”

Yang Jian nodded and Wukong leaped off his hand to try on the robes and pants. He did not even go anywhere private before changing, too excited to wait.

Wukong used the mirror, which was really just a small piece of glass, to admire himself, and felt very happy with his new clothes. He twirled around and posed, admiring his new appearance.

“You’re really giving all of this to me?”

Yang Jian answered affirmatively and Wukong squealed in delight.

Taking care of tiny Wukong was quite low maintenance. He only needed to eat about one grape’s worth of food to get full. And his clothes were so tiny, Yang Jian only needed a sleeve’s worth of cloth to make them.

Wukong was also a very good little monkey, always listening to Yang Jian’s voice and obeying him, thus ensuring that he never gets caught. He stays with Yang Jian 24/7 and never tries to leave.

When Yang Jian asked if he wished to leave anytime soon, Wukong replied, “Why would I want to? I have no parents of my own and here, there’s good food, plenty of water, and shelter from the storms. Plus, you’re really kind to me, so I have no reason to leave.”

Yang Jian suspects the last reason was the real reason why Wukong wanted to stay. Wukong didn’t need to find an ample amount of food or water to survive. A couple of raindrops were probably enough to quench his thirst.

It made him feel a lovely, warm feeling of bliss to know this.

He curiously asked, “How did you get your name if you don’t have any parents?”

Wukong replied, “The Tudi Gong Gongs named me that. They said I resembled a “Hu Sun” and that I awoke to nothing. I was just a little pebble that was lucky enough to gain a life.”

It was quite curious how Wukong didn’t become something else. Shouldn’t he have become a rock spirit or a spirit with a human form like normal? Why a monkey spirit?

Yang Jian finds he rather likes Wukong as a cute fluffy monkey, so he has no complaints.

“Oh yeah, you never finished telling me your story. Sorry, I fell asleep while I was waiting for your Auntie to leave.”

Yang Jian chuckles and holds out his hand, taking Wukong in his palm. He smiles down softly at the little creature before starting,

“My father was actually a reincarnation of another famous immortal. My mother told me she had met him in the celestial realm and fell in love with him before he became a human.”

Wukong asks, “Why did he become a human?”

“It wasn’t by choice. He was punished for breaking some kind of law and he had to jump through the well of rebirth. He could only return to being Golden Boy after he lived out his sentence of one human life. Somehow, he became a famous scholar in the human realm and my mother found him.”

Wukong was confused by one point, “But you said your mother was punished for falling in love with a mortal. If your father is just being punished temporarily and was originally an immortal, why is your mother being punished for that? They were already in love in the first place!”

Yang Jian sighed as he remembered, “The thing was, she technically broke two important rules by being with my father. One, she interfered with his trial. Immortals are not allowed to impact the reincarnation tribulations. It’s considered cheating, and both the interfered and the tried could get even more severe punishment.”

He continues, “The second rule she broke was falling in love with him again while he was still a mortal and…having me. A demigod. I’m not supposed to exist.”

Yang Jian goes on to explain how demigods were “freaks of nature.” They weren’t exactly immortals but they were most certainly not humans. He wasn’t a Yao either, nor a ghost or monster. But the higher ups would never accept a half breed fully into their court.

“So I live here now. In the mortal realm.”

Yang Jian clenches his fists as he felt the familiar rage fill his heart.

“I despise them. I hate those stupid immortals who punished my mother and separated me from them. I hate them for preaching goodness and JUSTICE for crying out loud and not practicing what they preach. I hate them!”

Yang Jian pants as he shouted this. Wukong listened to him and also joined in, “Yeah! Down with those celestials!”

Wukong then prompts him, “So what are you going to do? How are you going to get revenge?”

Yang Jian responds, “I don’t want to get revenge. I want justice. But they’ll never listen to a title less half breed. I need to get status, power.”

“I’m going to find a master.”

Wukong nodded so enthusiastically, Yang Jian was reminded of mini bobble heads he saw at the market. He worried that the monkey’s small, round head might fall off from the force of the agreement.

Then, Wukong somersaults and lands with a small “thup!” sound.

“Take me with you! Take me with you!!”

Yang Jian chuckled once more, seeing the wagging tail and the bright, puppy dog eyes Wukong was giving him.

“Of course. We’ll stay together.”

“Forever?” Wukong asks.

Yang Jian nods once.

“Forever.”

Chapter Text

“So how old are you exactly, Yang Jian?”

Wukong asked curiously. He had overheard Yang Jian talking to his auntie about leaving to go find a master.

Her response had not been what they had hoped for.

His auntie clicked her tongue and cried out, “I’ve told you before so many times! You are too young to go training and find a master. You have to wait at least a decade longer!”

Yang Jian replied, “I’m twelve. Auntie is just being over dramatic. I feel that I need to train as soon as possible to be as strong as my uncle. I have to find a master now! But no matter how persuasive I am, it’s never enough to convince my aunt. She’s said no for over a year now.”

Yang Jian pouts and sits down dejectedly against the tree.

“I fear she’ll not even let me go when I turn 20. She’s been overprotective ever since she lost her son. I think she doesn’t want to lose me too.”

Wukong felt empathy for Yang Jian’s aunt. It must not have been easy. But he also understood Yang Jian’s struggle.

“Do you have another plan?”

Yang Jian gently picks Wukong up and glances around to make sure no one overhears. And then he whispers,

“I’m going to run away.”

***
Both of them prepared to run away and live on their own fairly well. Yang Jian was a bit surprised by how calmly Wukong accepted his declaration to run away.

“You do not have to come with me. You can just live here. Uncle and Auntie would probably take very good care of you if you reveal yourself to them. I can introduce you to them.”

Wukong shook his head. “I’m getting a bit tired of staying here too. It’s about time for some action!”

On the surface, Yang Jian acted like he didn’t care but he was actually extremely happy to see that Wukong wanted to follow him. Possibly for life.

He decided that after he saved his parents, he’s going to settle down and live with them with Wukong. He wants to cherish the creature, treasure and take care of him and love him forever until death did them part.

Since his parents were ripped away from him and he had been living all alone without any close companions, Wukong was the first friend he ever had.

There had to be a reason why they found each other, and it cannot be just because Wukong was hungry and snuck in his room looking for the kitchen one random night.

It was definitely fate that brought them together.

“If that is what you want. Are you all ready?”

Wukong checked over his belongings, which were really just the clothes from his closet. He nods and says, “Yes! I am!”

***
Yang Jian left his auntie a handwritten note to let her know where he went.

When they left, Wukong asks him, “Yang Jian, how could you leave so easily? Maybe your auntie would have allowed you to leave if you had asked again!”

Yang Jian sighed. “I have. I told you. This was simply one of the hundreds of times I have asked my auntie if I could leave to go train and cultivate. I decided that if she wasn’t going to let me go this time, I’ll go anyway. So…”

“What about your uncle? Won’t he miss you?”

“No. He usually is always off at work. He’s a kindhearted man, but I almost never see him.”

Wukong nods, accepting this answer and he dives back inside Yang Jian’s robes, snuggling up for warmth. In reality, Yang Jian was quite cold. But Wukong was like a small hot pocket that warmed up Yang Jian’s body by existing.

At night, Yang Jian would sleep holding Wukong, enjoying the warmth coming from the small, soft body. His hands were never cold, even when the cold air in the night blew.

***
They traveled for quite a distance before finally entering the next civilization. The city they entered was quite large and Yang Jian sat down at a resting spot to check on their belongings.

“We have enough to last us for at least a few months if we use as little as we can. Are you hungry?”

Wukong checked the money bag that was filled to the brim with gold and silver coins and felt quite satisfied. Surely they would be able to find a master before running out of money!

“Yeah! Let’s get something nice. Can we order something from over there?”

He had smelled a delicious scent wafting from the nice looking restaurant beside them and Yang Jian agreed.

When the hostess saw the little child, she smiled and said, “Hello little boy. Where are your parents?”

“I’m dining without them.”

“Oh? All alone?”

“I’m not alone.”

“Um ok…well, I do not believe I can allow you to come in without proper supervision. How old are you?”

“I’m 15.”

“Right…” the hostess wouldn’t believe that even if she saw a legal document stating that this young child was even 12! She suspects he was probably only 8 or at the most 10.

She figures this child was just being ridiculous and naughty, trying to enter an adult establishment without any supervision. Maybe it was a dare?

“I’m sorry, but I cannot let you come in without an adult present.”

Yang Jian tries to look pitiful.

“Please madam? They are both too busy to come with me. And I’m starving right now.”

Right on cue, Wukong’s stomach growls at that exact moment. The hostess felt her resolve weaken, but knew she might get fired if she allowed this child to come in.

“There’s a few food stalls down the road. I’m sure you’ll find something there.”

Truthfully, Yang Jian didn’t care if he could just eat regular dirt to survive. But Wukong wanted to eat here, and he’ll be d*mned if he can’t make that happen.

Just then, a man walked over and stood beside the hostess.

“What’s the prob here? A brat? Aw h*ll, kids are nothin but trouble and don’t pay much! Whatcha doing alone without parents? Shoo!”

Turns out, this man was the manager on duty by how the hostess greeted him with a bit of fear.

Yang Jian sensed that although this guy was rather caustic and crass, he might be easier to handle than the kind woman.

“I have money.”

Yang Jian deliberately jingles his pouch with money, loud enough for the money greedy man to hear.

The man’s eyebrow raises up and he says, “Don’t fool me kid. Plenty of brats come here tricking others with buttons or trinkets, wanting to get a good seat at my fancy dining restaurant. I bet you don’t have-

Yang Jian opens the bag open and hands him a large gold coin. The man’s demeanor immediately shifts and he turns to the hostess.

“Well why are you waitin for? Gut them situated!"

And that’s when Yang Jian learned how to successfully survive in a grown up world.

***
After Wukong ate until he was content (which honestly only took one spoonful of soup and part of a steamed bun) Yang Jian paid the small bill and left.

He made sure to take some of the fruit and mantou for later, in case they wouldn’t be able to find a place to stay.

He leaves and goes to a hotel, asking for residency. This time, he skips right to showing the person money and lies, saying that his parents will come later.

They are brought inside without much of a fight and Yang Jian lets Wukong come out of his robe pocket.

Wukong happily jumps on top of a bouncy pillow and rolls around on the massive bed, which wasn’t really that big at all. But since they were both children, to them this place was huge.

Yang Jian couldn’t imagine how lonely this journey would be if he didn’t have Wukong with him.

He changes into his pajamas and Wukong does as well, opening his little big bag of clothes and rummaging through until he finds the matching sleep attire.

It really wasn’t much different from when they were both at Yang Jian’s uncle’s residency. It was still just the two of them, together against the world.

***
They travel for quite a while, stopping at hotels and towns and cities and sometimes just sleeping in the great outdoors.

When storms hit, Yang Jian finds shelter for both of them in caves or under the thick trees. Occasionally, he walks through the terrible weather when there’s no place to rest and wears his raincoat that he bought.

He keeps Wukong tucked safely inside, clutching the warm small creature so tightly as if Wukong would fly away and disappear into the wind if he let go.

Being a demigod meant that he got a few perks of half immortality, such as not getting sick easily. He also heals from injuries faster than mortals do.

So they get by rather smoothly.

Every stop they go to, Yang Jian asks about any news of a master for cultivation.

Some people point them in the direction of a scammer. Others genuinely have no idea what a cultivation master even is. And some masters just aren’t the type Yang Jian was looking for.

“I want the best of the best.”

“I am! Are you complaining?”

“Do you know who the Jade Emperor is?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Regular mortals. Definitely not a part of the celestial realm at all. And definitely not the people who could help him achieve power.

Yang Jian walks for about half a year, and starts to lose hope of ever finding a master.

The only reason why he hasn’t completely given up hope is because Wukong hasn’t lost hope.

“We’ll find someone. We’ll find your master, a powerful one that’ll make you unstoppable!”

And so, Yang Jian keeps traveling. Keep working, keep searching.

And one day, they finally find him.

***

They were just trying to pass a lake. It wasn’t even a really big lake, but for them it was quite an endeavor.

Especially since Wukong could drown in a puddle. Yang Jian couldn’t risk dropping Wukong and not being able to find him again.

Luckily for them, there was an old man who was nice enough to offer them a ride.

“What are you two little children doing out here alone?”

“Two? What are you talking about?”

The old man looked at Yang Jian and laughed.

“Oh I’m sorry. I suppose I should say “monkey” shouldn’t I?”

Wukong popped his head out without Yang Jian’s permission for the first time and said, “You knew I was there?”

The old man laughed.

“How could I not? You’re very noticeable.”

“But I’m so tiny!”

“Just because your size is small, does not make you any less striking.”

Wukong wasn’t sure if this was a compliment or not, but he chooses to take this quote in a positive manner.

Yang Jian felt uneasy about this new, sketchy stranger and he puts a hand over Wukong, covering him up from the old man’s sight.

“Who exactly are you?”

“I’m just a humble boatman.”

“That’s not true. How could you notice him?”

“I watch more closely, that’s all.”

Yang Jian looked at this guy with glaring eyes. This old man wasn’t telling the truth. Or maybe just part of the truth. Either way, he wasn’t a regular human for sure.

“Hold on. Where are you taking us?”

He just now noticed that the boat wasn’t going directly to the other shore, but was in fact going even further out AWAY from where they wanted to go.

The old man smiled.

“You are looking for a master aren’t you? I’m bringing you to him.”