The Land of Darkness

Journey to the West 7 The Land of Darkness

Sun Wukong put his hand on the iron pillar. He felt it move. “ Hmm, ” he thought. “ This piece of iron really is magical. I bet it will do whatever I want it to do. ” “ Smaller! ” commanded Wukong. The pillar shrank! Soon it was just a little taller than Wukong. He picked it up and swung it around.

“ This is a perfect weapon for me, ” he said. “ I can’t believe he can lift it! ” said the Dragon Queen. Wukong made the bar even smaller. Soon it was no bigger than a pin. He placed it inside his ear. “ I’ve got what I want, ” said Wukong. “ Good-bye. ” He turned around and left.

“ He was very rude, ” said the Dragon Queen. The Dragon King clenched his fists. “ I’m going to report him to the Jade Emperor! ” Back home, the others were amazed by Wukong’s new weapon. “ Nobody will ever attack us again! ” declared Wukong.

The monkeys and apes cheered. They held a big feast that lasted until late at night. Wukong went to bed happy. But as he fell asleep, two spirits grabbed him. “ What are you doing?” asked Wukong. “ Let go of me! ” He kicked and struggled as the spirits dragged him out of his cave. They walked toward a dark and creepy city. A sign on the entrance gate said “ Land of Darkness. ”

“ The Land of Darkness?” cried Wukong. “ That’s where people go when they die. I’m supposed to live forever! ” He yanked his arms free. “ Grow! ” he cried. His iron bar quickly grew. Whap! He knocked out the first spirit. Crack! He knocked out the second spirit.