Black Myth: Wukong – Secrets from 'Journey to the West' Part 4

Today, we unveil the fourth and final installment of our "Black Myth: Wukong" game guide: the equipment.

Don't miss our previous editions: Part 1: Origins, released on August 23, Part 2: The New West, released on August 25, and Part 3: The Webbed Hollow and Flaming Mountains, released on August 27.

"Who is stronger?" This topic has recently captivated international gaming enthusiasts. They frequently draw comparisons between Marvel Universe's King Thanos and World War Hulk, and Sun Wukong from Chinese mythology.

Join CGTN for the fourth part of our guide, in which we delve not only into Wukong's five pieces of equipment within the game but also explore the origins of all the treasures associated with the protagonist Sun Wukong from the original novel, "Journey to the West."

Part 4: Vessels

What equipment (treasures) does Sun Wukong carry?

In the game, players acquire five pieces of Wukong's equipment in the sixth chapter: the Jingubang, Golden Feng-Tail Crown, Gold Suozi Armor, Dian-Cui Loong-Soaring Bracers and Lotus Silk Cloudtreaders.

In the original novel, the AS-YOU-WILL GOLD-BANDED CUDCEL is Sun Wukong's exclusive treasure, renowned for its weight of 13,500 pounds and its ability to change size at will. It is said to have "two gold bands round it, while the middle part was made of black iron." Sun Wukong is described as follows: "On his body was gleaming golden armor, on his head a dazzling golden helmet, in his hand a gold-banded club, on his feet a pair of cloud-walking shoes to match.”

(The above content is referenced from Chapter 3 of "Journey to the West": The Four Seas and Thousand Mountains all submit; In the Ninth Hell the Tenth Category is struck off the register.)

This is the final part of CGTN's "Journey to the West" series. Let us recap the most pivotal vessels featured in various stages of the game.

Vessel 1: Fireproof Mantle

In the game, the Fireproof Mantle can be obtained during the first chapter. This is a crucial vessel for battling the final Yaoguai King, Black Bear Guai (To read more about the Black Bear Guai, please refer to Part 1).

In the original novel, the Anti-fire Cover is introduced in Chapter 16. Tang Sanzang and his disciples, while passing by Guanyin Monastery, decided to stay there. The abbot, captivated by Tang Sanzang's brocade kasaya, coveted it for himself. To this end, he schemed to have the monks set fire to Tang Sanzang and his disciples at night in order to seize the kasaya. However, Sun Wukong discovered this plot. In response, to punish the monks who attempted to harm them, Sun Wukong sought the assistance of the Broad-Visioned Heavenly King, one of the Four Great Heavenly Kings, from whom he borrowed the treasure known as the Anti-fire Cover. This cover, which provides protection against fire, enabled Tang Sanzang to survive the blaze, although the Guanyin Monastery was reduced to ashes.

(The above content is referenced from Chapter 16 of "Journey to the West": The Monks of the Guanyin Monastery plot to take the treasure; The Monster of the Black Wind Mountain steals the cassock.)

Vessel 2: Wind Tamer

In the game, the Wind Tamer serves as a crucial vessel in the second chapter of the battle against the final Yaoguai King, Yellow Wind Sage (To read more about the Yellow Wind Sage, please refer to Part 1).

In the original novel, the treasure is called the Wind-settling Pill. It is mentioned in Chapter 21 and Chapter 59. Bodhisattva Lingji lends the Wind-settling Pill to Sun Wukong on two occasions to assist him in overcoming challenges. Sun Wukong's fire eyes with golden pupils, which are essentially inflammations of the eye, cause tears to flow when exposed to wind and sand. This condition presents numerous obstacles in his battles against the Yellow Wind Sage and Princess Iron Fan.

In these two chapters, the Wind-settling Pill helps Sun Wukong resist the Yellow Wind Sage's Samadhi Divine Wind and prevents him from being blown away by Princess Iron Fan's banana leaf fan. According to the original description, Sun Wukong holds the Wind-settling Pill in his mouth, "Raksasi took out the fan and fanned it once in Monkey's direction. He stood unmoved."

(The above content is referenced from Chapter 21 and Chapter 59 of "Journey to the West": "The Protectors of the Faith build a farm for the Great Sage; Lingji from Sumeru pacifies the Wind Devil" and "Sanzang's way is blocked at the Fiery Mountains; Monkey first tries to borrow the Plantain Fan.）

Vessel 3: Weaver's Needle

In the game, the Weaver's Needle is a crucial vessel used in the fourth chapter against the final Yaoguai King, the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master (To read more about the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master, please refer to Part 3).

In the original novel, the embroidery needles are introduced in Chapter 73. Crafted by Bodhisattva Vairambha from the eyes of the Star Lord of the Mane, it wields immense power. Described as "about the thickness of an eyebrow hair and half an inch long," the needle plays a pivotal role in the confrontation with the Demon King Hundred-Eye. Bodhisattva Vairambha hurled the embroidery needle, which, following a resounding explosion, pierced the golden light emitted by the Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master. This act significantly diminished his combat abilities and aided Sun Wukong in defeating him.

(The above content is referenced from Chapter 73 of "Journey to the West": The Emotions bear a grudge and inflict disaster; The Heart's Master smashes the light when he meets the demons.)

Vessel 4: Plantain Fan

In the game, the Plantain Fan is a crucial magical vessel used in the fifth chapter against the final Yaoguai King, Red Boy (To read more about Red Boy, please refer to Part 3).

In the original novel, the Plantain Fan is a vital treasure that aids the Tang Sanzang and his three disciples in surviving their journey over the Flaming Mountain. The four of them were surrounded by flames on the mountain. According to the original description, the palm-leaf fan possesses the "magical functions of extinguishing fire, creating wind, and causing rain," so only Princess Iron Fan's Plantain Fan could extinguish the flames at the Flaming Mountain. 

In Part 3, it is noted that Sun Wukong attempted to borrow the Plantain Fan three times to extinguish the mountain fire. Despite trying various methods, including transforming into a small insect to fly into her stomach, he initially secured only a counterfeit fan. Ultimately, with Zhu Bajie's assistance, Sun Wukong defeated the Bull Demon King (Princess Iron Fan's husband in the novel), obtained the genuine fan, and extinguished the flames of the Flaming Mountain.

(The above content is referenced from Chapters 59 to 61 of "Journey to the West": Sanzang's way is blocked at the Fiery Mountain; Monkey first tries to borrow the Plantain Fan.The Bull Demon King gives up the fight to go to a feast; Monkey tries the second time to borrow the Plantain Fan; Zhu Bajie helps to defeat a Demon King; Monkey makes a third attempt to borrow the fan.)

Today's edition completes the CGTN game companion. Through the four articles, we have tried to provide readers with insights into "The Destined One" from the perspective of gamers, while also introducing classic Chinese myths and the rich, vivid characters in the original novel.

For gamers, completing the "Black Myth: Wukong" is akin to journeying to the west. The experience of the journey holds far more significance than the ultimate outcome!

(The names of the game characters are referenced from "Black Myth: Wukong." Other names are referenced from the third edition of "Journey to the West," published by Foreign Languages Press in 2001.)

Read more:

Black Myth: Wukong - Secrets from 'Journey to the West' Pt. 1

Black Myth: Wukong – Secrets from 'Journey to the West' Pt. 2

Black Myth: Wukong - Secrets from 'Journey to the West' Pt. 3