Chapter Text
Xiangliu: The thing you need to understand about the old legends is that the story is never finished. There may be no pages left to turn, but there is always more to the journey.
In a village everyone lived their peaceful lives, and no one seemed to notice the danger that was coming.
Xiangliu: Rising from the Netherworld, Yaoji attacked.
As the sky took on a greenish-blue hue, a Celestial Fairy appeared above, armed and standing on water.
Xiangliu: No one could stop her, no one could resist. No one except... the legendary Dragon Soldier.
A young woman appeared in the air. She had short black hair at chin length, two small pigtails, straight bangs, and two green streaks framing her face. The back of her hair stuck up from the roots. The silhouette of her hair even resembled a dragon's head. Her eyes were emerald, a vivid green like a flame. She wore a battle-ready hanfu in white and green. The hanfu had green strips running down the spine, the waist, and the sleeves all the way to the hem of the skirt. But those green strips were not fabric — they were scales.
Xiangliu: The Dragon Soldier used her magical blade to pick up a nearby mountain. She trapped Yaoji underneath it. The Dragon Soldier sealed the mountain with the blade that no other being could wield, trapping the Yaoji forever. With the battle won, the Dragon Soldier vanished, never to be seen again. Legend says the blade still lies on top of that mountain, the one thing keeping our world from certain destruction. And with the Yaoji gone, civilization was able to advance into the amazing city we now live in. A world of elegant cultures, gentle loving people, a city brimming with five-star cuisine, and all because of the Dragon Soldier.
After finishing the description of the pale-skinned, orange-eyed demon with nine snakes in his hair, he turned back into a monkey and smiled proudly.
Macaque jumped up from his seat in excitement.
Macaque had a darker wheat-colored skin tone. He had gold eyes highlighted with a prominent red eyeshadow wing and thick black brows. His hair was black with white streaks despite his youth. He wore a thin black sweater and red trousers. Over that he had a ripped red cloak draped like a cape, and black-and-gold boots.
Macaque: Oh, that's so good! Dragon Soldier's so cool! She's so strong and beautiful-
Xiangliu chuckled at the delivery boy.
Xiangliu: Ah, Liu'er. And you think you know all the Dragon Soldier stories.
But Macaque calmly appeared beside him holding a very thick book with purple and green covers.
Macaque: Oh, but I do. I got her whole life documented extensively in this unauthorized autobiography of Dragon Soldier. Written and illustrated by yours truly. Like I knew she was came from a dragon lineage and lived behind a cave with her cute little dragon friends! And- and- and oh!
Xiangliu couldn't help but smile at the young boy's energy.
Xiangliu: It's nice to know someone's taking in all these stories. Pearls of wisdom, dripping from my lips.
Then he cleared her throat.
Xiangliu: Well, you know the deal: one story, one free Chinese Pastry. Hmm?
Macaque adjusted his book like it had just occurred to him, looked at her, then nodded and took a plate of Chinese Pastry from the table.
MacaqueHuh? Oh right, free pastry! Yep, on it. How heavy do you think a mountain is? Compare to like-
As Macaque reached for the plate, someone threw a knife at him.
??????: Free pastry?
The monkey's fur was pure white, his eyes gleamed gold. His outfit was a long and elegant hanfu. The color palette was white, pale green, and pastel pink, giving him a soft, peaceful aura. There were gold button details on the upper part. A black sash with a dragon motif wrapped his waist. White floral decorations adorned the sash and the skirt area. The sleeves were black at the underside, tied at the wrists with pink bands and decorated with pearls. The skirt was layered: the inner layer was dark gray, the outer layer pale green with pink patterns. Green stone motifs appeared at the hem. His shoes had pointed toes, set on a black base with pearls and blue stone details at the front. Overall the attire was graceful, balanced, and had a mystical decorative feel.
Tong Bei: No one gets a free meal at
Tong Bei's! I'm not running a charity here, Xiangliu!
But the snake-demon pushed his friend lightly and looked at him with calm.
Xiangliu: Ah, but Bei, I was paying with wisdom. Also maybe you should start a "charity."
Xiangliu smiled confidently at herself, while Tong Bei foamed at the mouth with anger.
Tong Bei: Yeah? Well, wisdom don't pay the rent, you freeloader! And you!
Macaque went on high alert as Tong Bei walked up to him.
Tong Bei: You've been slacking off all morning! I've got a dozen orders that need to go out, so quit slacking and get packing!
Macaque averted his gaze, rubbing his nape.
Macaque: Actually I just finished my shift and was about to take a break. So...
But Tong Bei cut him off.
Tong Bei: Break? Break?! There's no break in war! I need workers. Soldiers in the army of Pigsy's Noodles, home of the world's longest noodles. How else am I gonna expand my business into enemy territory?
Tong Bei and a chef across the way exchanged deadly glares while Macaque stepped between them.
Macaque: Uh, do you mean the street across?
Tong Bei: I stand by my statement! Now, hurry up!
Tong Bei shoved the poor boy and noticed Xiangliu taking bites of the pastries on the table.
His eyes narrowed and he grabbed a knife, which was enough to scare Xiangliu.
Tong Bei: Hey, get back here, you coward!
Xiangliu: No, Bei!
Tong Bei: I want my money!
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Macaque had suddenly arrived at a construction site on his motorcycle.
It felt strange to him but later he thought maybe it's a builder.
When he arrived he felt a strange sensation inside, like he had to find something, and he started moving forward.
But when he saw something unusual he stopped.
A man and a young boy were standing by a mountain with several Celestial Guard-like bots around them.
The man wore a special battle hanfu in black.
The young boy had black hair down past his shoulders, a face with cuts and fight scars, a mark on his forehead like a third eye, and wore golden armor.
Yang Shu: It feels like I've waited an eternity for this moment. Is everything in order?
Erlang: Just making the final adjustments, father.
Macaque quickly hid behind some rocks.
Yang Shu: Finally, after all this time, we have the means to lift Dragon Soldier's legendary blade.
Macaque's eyes shone as he looked at the sword.
Macaque: Wow. The Dragon Soldier's Blade.
Macaque sneaked up, climbed some pipes, watched from there, smiled fondly at his dragon companion, and then both descended.
Yang Shu: My love will finally be returned, once we remove the blade.
They noticed something.
Yang Shu: Huh?
A Celestial Bot climbed to the mountain's peak and tried to pull out the Dragon Sword. But it couldn't and its arms burned up. It screamed and fell to the ground. Erlang looked at its arms to see what happened. Erlang smiled evilly.
Erlang: You fool. You think we didn't try that already? It's going to take more than a few robots to lift the Dragon Soldier's blade. Only those deemed worthy can wield it.
Then Erlang summoned a Power Glove and smirked proudly.
Erlang: But I, Erlang Shen, have designed this gauntlet to bend it to my will.
Erlang climbed the mountain and grabbed the sword with the Power Glove. He struggled to lift it until it came free, and finally he pulled the sword out.
Erlang: Yes! I did it!
The bot that had burned its arms watched sadly while the Celestial Bots clapped. But nothing happened.
Erlang: What?! Why isn't anything happening?! Father, are you sure this is the right mountain?
Yang Shu rubbed his forehead in disappointment.
Yang Shu: No, maybe it was that other mountain with a magical blade sealing away my wife!
They all noticed the mountain crack as Yaoji freed herself while trying to escape.
Erlang: Yes mother! Rise! Rise!
Erlang began laughing as Yaoji managed to escape.
Yaoji: Flesh. Bone. I have returned to the realm of the living.
Macaque watched all this while also staring at the dragon.
Macaque: What do you want from me, my cute friend?
Down below, the conversation continued.
Yang Shu: Ah, Yaoji! How I've missed you.
Yaoji: My dear! The years have been kind. How did you free me?
Just as the man was about to speak his son blocked him.
Erlang: Actually, it was I, Mother. I moved the blade. I learned how to harness it, to make its power mi-
His mother moved toward him with pride.
Erlang: O-Our power.
Yaoji looked at him proudly.
Yaoji: Perfect.
Erlang: Now, we, the Yang family, will plunge the world into eternal darkness!
The dragon suddenly let out a cry and sent Macaque crashing down onto Erlang.
Macaque got up and saw the Yang Family and the Celestial Bots around him. He anxiously grabbed the pastry package.
Macaque: Someone ordered some pastries?
Erlang: Get off me, you fool!
Golden energies flowed from him and threw Macaque aside.
Erlang: Argh, do you know what you just did?! You ruined my moment!
Yaoji drew her weapon and looked at the boy with hostility.
Yaoji: A little eavesdropper has fallen into our midst. It seems a waste to crush something so insignificant as my first act as ruler of this new world, but so be it.
Just as Yaoji was about to crush the child, her son stopped her.
Erlang: Wait, mother.
Yaoji: What is this?
Erlang: Ahem. Waste not your energy on this pathetic creature. Please, allow me to show you how powerful I have become in your absence!
Yaoji smirked and put her weapon away.
Yaoji: As you wish.
While Macaque tried to escape, he whispered to himself.
Macaque: Maybe I can use this chance to get away.
Erlang: In some ways, you're very fortunate, Shadow Boy! Not many insects are lucky enough to be stamped out by the Yang Family.
Macaque heard a whisper behind him and turned toward the blade.
Whisper: The Dragon Soldier's blade.
When Erlang realized Macaque wasn't listening he drew his spear.
Erlang: Are you even listening to mw?! I, Erlang Shen, will not be disrespected! You are history!
He swung his spear at Macaque, but Macaque blocked it by lifting the blade.
Erlang: No way! How could you possibly lift Dragon Soldier's blade?
Macaque looked at the blade with admiration.
Yang Shu: This is impossible.
Erlang: I don't what's going on here, but I'm about to end it. That blade is mine!
Macaque: I'm supposed to be on my break!
The blade pointed at them and suddenly a burst of green light shot from it, knocking Erlang and the Celestial Bots away.
Yaoji: This can't be.
Macaque: Uh, that was way more explosive than I expected.
Yang Shu planted his sword into the ground.
Macaque: Stay back! I don't know how I'm doing this stuff!
Yang Shu: That blade doesn't belong to you, shadow. Surrender it.
Macaque looked at the sword and thought.
Macaque: Hmm... no?
A green and purple energy started to form on the sword.
Macaque: Okay, I didn't even move that t-
Then a flame at the tip of the sword launched him into the air.
Yang Shu: He can't escape with that blade!
Yaoji grunted angrily.
Yaoji: Centuries trapped in oblivion, plotting my revenge and all of it thwarted by a little thief?! I will tear the flesh from his bones!
Erlang: Mother, allow me. I won't fail you a second time.
Yaoji looked at her son with dark intent; her eyes shone a deadly gold.
Yaoji: See that you don't. My patience is past its end.
Erlang bowed before her.
Erlang: Of course, mother.
Then Erlang flew off after him.
After Macaque landed he quickly jumped on his motorbike and sped away. Erlang shot off from the construction site and pursued Macaque.
Erlang: Okay Dragon Kid, hand it over!
Macaque looked for something in his pocket to stop the celestial thing and found the pastries.
Macaque: I'm sorry, valued customer. You won't be getting your pastries.
He threw the pastries at Erlang's face and they smacked into him.
Macaque: Damn.
Erlang wiped the pastries off his face.
Erlang: Fine! Have it your way!
Macaque: Ah! Leave me alone!
Erlang slammed into the back of the motorcycle causing the sword to react again and launch Macaque high into the sky. Macaque fell onto a building and bounced building to building. Erlang was still in the sky.
Erlang: Would you get down here so I can kill you?!
Macaque: Never!
He fell onto one of the buildings.
Macaque: Ah, sorry!
Macaque left the building and managed to shake Erlang off. Then he laughed proudly.
Macaque: I think I lost him!
But suddenly Erlang's laughter rang behind him and he got angry.
Macaque: Damn it.
He rode until he saw someone on a Cloud Throne.
Macaque: So sorry! I really need to borrow this! Bye!
Just as he almost collided with Erlang, Erlang arrived right beside him.
Erlang: I'm coming to get you, Dragon Kid!
Erlang laughed, and Macaque rode his Cloud Board through the unfinished road of a truck.
Macaque: Come on, how did you do that!?
Erlang: What? Do you think I couldn't smell your stench from a mile away even if the route was complicated?
Erlang almost caught the monkey. But Macaque quickly grabbed onto him from above. Erlang tried to throw the delivery boy off, but Macaque relaxed until he saw the end of the road.
Macaque: Ahhh!
They both fell off buildings until someone riding a monkey-shaped bicycle rescued them.
Erlang: You've got to be kidding me!
Macaque and his friend sped off before Erlang crashed into a building.
Everyone looked up at the young celestial in fear as Erlang unleashed a burst of golden energy.
Erlang: Dragon Kid! When I find you, I'm gonna bust you into little bits!