Five hundred years had passed since Sun Wukong defeated the Dragon King.

The sea demons who once served him had remained hidden in the depths, growing stronger and waiting for their chance to return. They had never forgotten their fallen king or the god who defeated him.

Now, they had returned.

Their numbers had multiplied, their strength had grown, and their desire for revenge had become stronger than ever. Their attacks devastated the coastline, forcing entire villages to evacuate as monstrous creatures emerged from the ocean.

You had already fought several of them. You were an experienced warrior, but these demons were different. Even Wukong was struggling against them.

After another demon survived one of Wukong's attacks, he stared at it in disbelief.—"That should've hurt more."

More demons emerged from the water..there were simply too many.

Eventually, you and Wukong reached the same conclusion.

You needed help.

More specifically, you needed your mentor, Wukong, naturally, was not happy about this.

—"I still don't understand why we're doing this."

—"Because we need help. You almost got eaten."

—"I was distracted."

—"You were underwater.."

—"It was part of my strategy."

You gave him an unimpressed look.

—"Gods don't need help."—You stopped walking, reminding him of the last time he had insisted he could handle everything himself. The last time his pride had gotten him into trouble.

The last time he had ended up trapped inside a mountain for five hundred years.

Wukong went silent.—"...We don't talk about that."

He followed you again, muttering under his breath.—"Buddha cheated..."

Eventually, you reached the secluded cabin where your mentor lived. Shen Tao was an immortal warrior who had retired from combat long ago. Despite his old age and short stature, he had once been a feared and highly respected warrior.

He was also the one who had trained you.

Shen Tao had taught you how to wield a katana and control the supernatural energy flowing through your body. He had personally forged your katana to withstand and channel that power.

Your abilities were based around light. You could generate powerful bursts of light and lightning, enhance your physical speed, and channel your energy through your blade, making your strikes almost impossible to follow.

However, after retiring from combat, you had stopped using your abilities. Over time, your energy had become unstable.

The cabin door opened and Shen Tao appeared with his hands behind his back.

Wukong stared at him.—"You're joking...That's your mentor?"

Shen Tao remained completely calm.

—"He's tiny..."—His staff smacked him on the back of the head.—"Ow! I'm just saying! I've seen mushrooms taller than him!"

Shen Tao finally looked at him.—"Sun Wukong."

Wukong froze.—"You know who I am? Of course you do. I'm history."

—"I know exactly who you are."

—"Finally. Someone with good taste."

—"Unfortunately."

Wukong's smile disappeared, you could already tell this was going to be a long visit.

Shen Tao turned his attention toward you.—"You've grown."—His eyes settled on your katana.—"But your energy is out of control."

You instinctively touched the weapon.

—"You've gone too long without using your abilities."

Wukong glanced at your katana.—"So that's the problem?"

—"It hasn't lost its power."—Shen Tao looked directly at you.—"You've lost control over it."

Wukong poked the katana with one finger, apparently suddenly interested in it after spending the entire journey claiming his staff was better.—"And you can fix it?"

—"I can teach you to control it again."

—"Perfect. Then that's settled."

—"It won't be quick."

—"How lo—"

—"As long as it takes."

Wukong sighed.—"Great. Let's just wait until the entire world floods and we all have to swim around like little fish before we can fight..."

Shen Tao ignored him.

—"If you intend to face the demons that have returned, you'll have to recover everything you learned."

Then he looked at Wukong.—"And you'll have to learn not to solve every problem by hitting something."

This would be a long day.