Journey to the West 034: The Pilgrims Face the Three Rhinos of the Jade Ridge

The Approach to the Jade Ridge

As Tripitaka and his disciples continued their journey, they arrived at the Jade Ridge, a treacherous and mountainous area known for its beauty and danger. The ridge was home to three powerful demons, each taking the form of a massive rhinoceros. These demons, known as the Three Rhinos, had terrorized the region for years, using their immense strength and magical abilities to control the local inhabitants.

The pilgrims knew they had to cross the Jade Ridge to continue their journey, but they were aware of the dangers that awaited them. Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing prepared for a difficult battle, knowing that the Three Rhinos would not let them pass easily.

The Battle with the Three Rhinos

As the group made their way through the Jade Ridge, the Three Rhinos appeared, blocking their path. The rhinos were massive, with thick hides that were nearly impervious to weapons, and they possessed powerful magic that allowed them to manipulate the earth and create barriers.

Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing engaged the Three Rhinos in battle. Wukong used his Ruyi Jingu Bang to strike at the rhinos, but their thick hides absorbed much of the impact. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing also struggled to find a way to penetrate the rhinos’ defenses.

The rhinos used their magic to create massive boulders and landslides, attempting to crush the pilgrims. However, Wukong’s agility and quick thinking allowed him to avoid the attacks and counter with his own magic.

Wukong’s Strategy

Realizing that brute force alone would not defeat the Three Rhinos, Wukong devised a strategy to outsmart them. He used his shape-shifting abilities to create multiple clones of himself, confusing the rhinos and causing them to waste their energy on attacking illusions.

While the rhinos were distracted, Wukong and his clones worked together to weaken the demons’ defenses. They targeted the rhinos’ weak points, using precision strikes to gradually wear them down. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing also joined in the coordinated attack, focusing their efforts on one rhino at a time.

The Defeat of the Three Rhinos

After a prolonged and intense battle, the pilgrims finally managed to defeat the Three Rhinos. The demons, exhausted and overwhelmed by the relentless assault, were no match for the combined efforts of Wukong and his companions.

With the Three Rhinos defeated, the pilgrims were able to continue their journey across the Jade Ridge. The local inhabitants, who had long suffered under the demons’ rule, celebrated their victory and offered their thanks to the pilgrims.

Continuing the Journey

The defeat of the Three Rhinos marked another significant victory for the group. The experience reinforced the importance of strategy, teamwork, and perseverance in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

This chapter emphasizes themes of strategy, teamwork, and the power of perseverance—values that are central to Journey to the West and resonate in modern adaptations like Black Myth: Wukong, where characters must rely on each other and their wits to succeed.