Chapter 16 Urban Night Run · Neon Zen
【Scene Sound】
The sound of distant traffic was incessant, like a non-stop 808 drum machine, continuously beating out a rhythm. Nearby neon lights flickered wantonly, shattering the originally tranquil night, and in each reflection, the silhouettes of the Master and his four disciples were clearly mirrored, as if they were in a fantastical world woven from light and shadow.
1. Master's Anxiety
"Master, oh Master, look at this city
Streams of cars, crowds pushing
Master, oh Master, listen to this noise
Sound after sound, causing anxiety"
Tang Sanzang stood quietly at the intersection, his kasaya dyed with the five-colored RGB neon hues of passing car headlights. His solemn Buddhist chants were cut into fragmented phrases by the cacophony of car horns. He helplessly raised his hand to strike his wooden fish, but the sound seemed trapped by the ninety-nine-second wait of the red light, sounding especially sluggish.
At this moment, the Star Chart Kasaya sensed Tang Sanzang's state of mind and popped up a notification:
【Current Environment: High Anxiety Spiritual Field】
【Recommendations: Noise Reduction, Speed Reduction, Fire Reduction】
Seeing his Master so troubled, Wukong immediately slammed his Golden Cudgel forcefully onto the ground. The tip of the cudgel instantly expanded, transforming into a set of advanced noise-canceling headphones, isolating all the surrounding engine roars, horn honks, and human arguments, leaving only the steady heartbeat rhythm of 72 bpm as a bass drum, as if finding a tranquil corner for Tang Sanzang amidst the bustling city.
2. Wukong's Illusion
"Wukong, oh Wukong, transform these tall buildings
Layer upon layer, endless"
Wukong heard this, performed a Somersault Cloud, but was surprised to find that he couldn't escape the Five Finger Mountain formed by mobile phone signals. After a moment's thought, he plucked a hair from his head and blew on it lightly. The hair instantly turned into a drone. Wukong looked down at the city from high above through the drone; the skyscrapers resembled countless USB ports, densely filling the sky.
After the drone started live streaming, the bullet comments instantly flooded the screen: "Great Sage, how do we break through this round?" Wukong looked at the comments, grinned, and said confidently: "Break through? Old Sun will change the Wi-Fi name to 'Flower Fruit Mountain,' and the whole city will be my backyard!" His words carried a sense of wildness and boldness, as if he were going to break through the city's constraints and carve out a free territory for himself and his Master.
3. Zhu Bajie's Daze
"Zhu Bajie, oh Zhu Bajie, tell me about this prosperity
The dazzling lights and wine, mesmerizing the eyes"
Zhu Bajie stood before a gigantic glass curtain wall, which acted like a magical mirror, reflecting countless different versions of himself: the businessman pig in a suit, the trendy pig in hip-hop attire, the overtime pig with a laptop bag, the delivery pig riding an electric scooter... Each "him" was constantly eating, consuming data and traffic, as if these virtual things had become their sustenance in this bustling city, while also consuming the endless anxiety.
Looking at these "selves," Zhu Bajie subconsciously touched his belly and mumbled: "Old Pig still prefers watermelon-flavored midnight snacks at midnight." After speaking, he casually used his Nine-Toothed Rake as a selfie stick, and with a click against the curtain wall, he took a photo. The background of the photo was the neon sign that read "Gao Family Village Midnight Canteen," a sign that seemed to carry his longing for a simpler past life.
4. Sha Wujing's Compassion
"Sha Wujing, oh Sha Wujing, please be kind
Offer some alms for Master to relieve his fatigue"
Hearing the call, Sha Wujing quietly inverted his Tactical Water Canteen. Instantly, the Water and Fire Twin Dragons transformed into steaming hot small steamed buns. These buns were exquisite and delicate, with thin skins and generous fillings, the soup inside shimmering with the luster of moonlight over the Flowing Sand River, looking exceptionally tempting.
Holding the small steamed buns, Sha Wujing walked to the side of the road and offered them to a girl who was working overtime. The girl gratefully accepted, took a bite, and her tears couldn't help but fall onto the keyboard. Miraculously, the keyboard immediately sprouted a row of lotus keycaps, as if blooming a touch of warmth and hope in this cold city.
Seeing this, Sha Wujing clasped his hands together and softly said: "Alms, and also heart-offering." Though his words were simple, they contained boundless compassion and wisdom.
5. White Dragon Horse's Dash
"White Dragon Horse, oh White Dragon Horse, run quickly
Don't let Master worry about us disciples anymore"
Hearing the summons, White Dragon Horse immediately transformed into human form. His silver hair shimmered with a unique glow under the neon lights. He rode a shared bicycle, its bell sounding like a dragon's roar, its chain seemingly woven from star trails, appearing mystical and beautiful.
He skillfully weaved through the dense traffic. Each pedal stroke seemed to possess a magical power, turning a red light into a green one, as if "patching" the city's traffic and smoothing out congested arteries. His backpack contained freshly bought Soy Milk, and the cup holder read: "Noise-Reducing Special Blend for Master." This cup of Soy Milk carried his concern for his Master, hoping to alleviate the anxiety brought on by the city.
6. Full Chorus · Breaking Through
"Master, oh Master, don't worry
Our Master and disciples have endured hardships and will surely break through"
Seeing this, Wukong raised his Golden Cudgel, turning it into a conductor's baton. With a gentle tap of the baton's tip, instantly, all the car horns on the entire road began to play a remix version of the Heart Sutra in unison. The stirring, yet Zen-like melody blended perfectly with the sound of the traffic, which seemed to transform into a rhythm section, while the surrounding flashing neon lights appeared to be conducted, becoming a dazzling light show.
"Wukong, oh Wukong, show your divine power
Subduing demons and vanquishing monsters is nothing to fear"
Hearing the encouragement, Wukong tossed the conductor's baton forcefully towards the sky. The tip instantly exploded into a brilliant firework 404 meters high. The subtitles displayed by the firework were exceptionally striking: "Demon refers to anxiety; Monster refers to involution; Subduing demons and vanquishing monsters begins with conquering oneself." These subtitles echoed like a resounding alarm in the night sky of this bustling city, reminding everyone to overcome their inner struggles.
7. Outro · Neon Zen
The traffic light at the intersection suddenly turned green. Although it was only a brief 0.39 seconds, it was just enough time for the Master and his four disciples to pass through side by side. Their figures, illuminated by the green light, appeared resolute and composed.
Behind them, the once sky-piercing skyscrapers slowly began to fold, as if Wukong's magical Somersault Cloud had put them into his pocket, gradually becoming less oppressive. The traffic also slowly transformed into a quietly flowing river of light, reflecting the relieved smiles of everyone. It was as if the city, after this wondrous "baptism," had rediscovered its tranquility and harmony.
Tang Sanzang felt this change, slowly turned his head, and faced the camera—as if also facing you, the reader. He clasped his hands together. Although no sound was heard, his lips clearly moved: "Thank you for your heartbeat, for reducing the noise for this city." His eyes were filled with gratitude and relief, as if telling the reader that it was precisely because of their attention and companionship that this adventure in the city had gained a different meaning.
【Scrolling Subtitles】
Urban night run, to be continued.
Next stop: the first ray of dawn outside your window. This seems to herald that the story of the Master and his four disciples will continue in the new day, and every reader will embark on an exploration of this world full of fantasy and contemplation along with their footsteps.