Episode 14 recap: The Battle Between the Linglong Pagoda and Sun Wukong.
Initially, everyone thought that Tu Ye had left, so when they saw Tu Ye appear, they were almost about to cheer with joy. However, when Tu Ye proposed to challenge Sun Wukong to a one-on-one fight, the Mole Military Advisor quickly stopped him. The Mole Military Advisor knew that Sun Wukong was highly skilled and believed that Tu Ye was no match for him. Therefore, he had everyone hide and avoid confronting him directly.
Master Tang Seng and his disciples arrived at the foot of the Flower Neck Mountain. They saw a signpost indicating that there were pandas roaming on the mountain. Tang Seng wanted to go up the mountain and take a look, but Sun Wukong was worried about his master's safety. He asked Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing to accompany their master at the foot of the mountain while he went up alone to the Flower Neck Mountain. However, along the way, Sun Wukong didn't see a single person, but he could clearly sense signs of life. So, he shouted out several times, asking if anyone was there.
After shouting a few times without any response, Sun Wukong's temper got the better of him, and he picked up his golden cudgel, ready to smash the place where the Mole Military Advisor and others were hiding. Just at that moment, the Linglong Pagoda shouted, "Great Sage, please don't act rashly!" Suddenly, it descended from the sky and landed with a thud on the ground. After getting up from the ground, the Linglong Pagoda bowed to Sun Wukong and introduced itself as a celestial being from the heavens. However, Sun Wukong didn't believe its claim, and in his disbelief, the Linglong Pagoda reluctantly revealed that it was the Great King of the Flower Neck Mountain.
When the Linglong Pagoda first appeared, Tu Ye, the Mole Military Advisor, and others thought that it had brought Sun Wukong with it. It was only when the Linglong Pagoda identified itself as the Great King that they realized their misunderstanding. When Sun Wukong approached the Linglong Pagoda, they decided to stand together with the Great King. They emerged from their hiding places and attacked Sun Wukong. Some of the remaining lesser demons also joined in, shouting and attacking Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong plucked a handful of his own hair and transformed into more than ten duplicates of himself. The Mole Military Advisor and others were quickly defeated by them and fell to the ground. Seeing the dire situation, the Linglong Pagoda quickly used its fence technique to protect the injured individuals. Sun Wukong sneered and raised his cudgel, intending to break through the fence. However, his efforts were in vain. He ended up facing off against the Linglong Pagoda across the barrier.
Sun Wukong asked the Linglong Pagoda if holding its arms up like that was tiring. At first, the Linglong Pagoda tried to hold strong, claiming that it could persist for a whole day without a problem. But before even a cup of tea had passed, its arms began to tremble. When the Mole Military Advisor, Tu Ye, and the others woke up, they sang a song to the Linglong Pagoda together. The song went, "Great King, don't panic. When they sang about revitalizing the Flower Neck Mountain, Sun Wukong couldn't help but recall the scene where the monkeys on the Flower Fruit Mountain called him their Great King. He became excited and took two steps forward.
At this moment, the Linglong Pagoda's fence technique had already disappeared, and it was unable to use it again. However, it fearlessly stood in Sun Wukong's way. Sun Wukong put away his golden cudgel and asked the Linglong Pagoda why it was blocking him. The Linglong Pagoda said it wanted him to go around the mountain from below. After Sun Wukong left, everyone cheered and rejoiced. Some even shouted that the Linglong Pagoda had defeated Sun Wukong. The Mole Military Advisor asked the Linglong Pagoda if it would leave or stay. The Linglong Pagoda replied that it would stay and join everyone in revitalizing the Flower Neck Mountain.
(The End of the Play)
In fact, the beginning already hinted at the ending, creating a small connection between the start and the finish. At the beginning, Ling Ling gave voice commands to the Nimbus Cloud, saying "Hua Neck Mountain," but the Nimbus Cloud consistently misunderstood it as "Flower Fruit Mountain." In the end, when Sun Wukong sees the demons of Hua Neck Mountain, he exclaims, "Isn't this the former Flower Fruit Mountain?
" At that time, he was also a mountain king, playing and frolicking with the monkeys, enjoying freedom. In this moment, it feels just like that time.
Of course, this is a hindsight conclusion after watching the ending.
I didn't guess it while watching.
I have a question for everyone: Couldn't they just run away? Can they leave the empty mountain behind? Maybe I didn't understand it, but was the initial plan to have Ling Ling Tower destroy Hua Neck Mountain so that the pilgrimage could pass through and complete one of the challenges?
And later, when Ling Ling Tower returned, was it because the tower itself became one of the challenges again? But if they just left, wouldn't Sun Wukong have simply returned to his mountain patrol duty?
Or was it necessary to capture all of them in one fell swoop?
A small-scale, charming narrative comedy that intricately captures the psychology of different characters in the present moment. Everyone can identify with the story and find their own reflection within it.
Starting with its absurd style, it gradually brings you to tears. Indeed, the best comedy often contains elements of tragedy, allowing you to laugh and also experience deeper emotions.
001, the panda spirit, was originally obedient and fearful, living within societal values, desiring to join a big corporation with job security, willing to be submissive.
However, during the undercover operation and under the expectations of the other little monsters, responsibility and courage began to emerge. From being just an "I" to becoming a "leader," because there was a team they wanted to protect.
002, the mole spirit, had no ambition to become a leader but made an excellent assistant. With the concept of "shanzhai" in mind and relying on firm beliefs and strategies, they created a positive environment.
Many times, we forget that we can create and influence our environment rather than being someone who only complains about it.
003, Sun Wukong, shed the reckless image from the past.
Amidst the portrayal of numerous ordinary characters, they almost portrayed themselves as the main antagonist. Those in high positions often face loneliness at the top because they need to control the overall direction, unable to express their true emotions, and have to maintain a cold facade while following superior orders.
Now, there is more flexibility and understanding, free from the hierarchical and rigid structure of the past, which is a progress of the times.
In conclusion, look inward, from self-conflict to self-preservation.
If the pressure is too much, don't bear it alone. Don't always see yourself as a divine being on Earth; be a little monster and live a more concrete life.