(XI) The Jade Army

https://youtu.be/d2hRTLdvdnk

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And the loud war cry began the combat. The five masters charged head-on at the demigod. They did not feel fear, hate, or anger. But they would not hesitate to finish off their opponent. The Kung Fu masters faced Sun Wukong in an "odd" battle of five against one, but for the Monkey King this was nothing more than child's play.

Crane was the first to attack mid-flight, using his sharp metal claws to tear at his opponent, but Sun Wukong found it easy to dodge after landing a powerful strike with the tip of his staff at the master. Crane fell onto his back, a sharp pain in his chest, which made Monkey and Tigress's blood burn.

The master duo went all in. The agile Han Jian swords led to a barrage of attacks from the master Tigress, accompanied by powerful slashes and thrusts that Monkey exerted with the ancient sword of the tyrant Shen.

Sun Wukong's pulse did not tremble at the danger. His massive staff gave him the advantage in both close combat and ranged combat, keeping the masters at bay as he pounced on it trying to break their formation. Before long, Viper joined the fray while Po checked on Crane, who seemed to be making a good recovery.

Viper slipped subtly between the quick feet of the masters and jumped on the Monkey King. The attack caught him off guard, but his reflexes were at a higher level. Viper tried to attack him with the Dao sword attached to his tail, but the Monkey King was able to throw back his face before the sword's edge touched him. Sun Wukong saw his face reflected on the blade of the Dao sword in slow motion, and with a sudden twist, struck Viper's sword and knocked it back.

Finally, Po and Crane joined the rest, and the five of them attacked the demigod together. But Sun Wukong was up to the challenge. The Monkey King managed to block and dodge every one of the masters' attacks, and when he least expected it, Po closed in on him and swung the sharp Sword of Heroes in a vertical slash. It seemed that he could defeat Sun Wukong, but what happened next was impossible to believe.

The legendary sword, which supposedly could cut through everything, was stopped by the Ruyi Jingu Bang magic staff. Sun Wukong was on his knees, holding the staff in both hands above his head, an enigmatic smile on his face. The friction between the fixed of the Sword of Heroes and the axis of the staff generated constant sparks, showing the immense pressure that both weapons were holding up.

The rest of the masters saw an opportunity to attack Sun Wukong, who was kneeling and unable to move. Viper, Tigress, Monkey, and Crane charged head-on, intending to impale the demigod's body with their weapons, but in an act of frenzy, the Monkey King dropped the staff with his left hand, causing Po's sword to deflect in that sense. Po lost his balance, allowing Sun Wukong to rise to his feet and spin sharply on his axis.

To everyone's surprise, Sun Wukong's magic staff stretched out more than five meters and caught them by surprise. None of them could avoid being hit hard, except for Po, who still hadn't gotten up. But before he could get back up, Sun Wukong slashed his staff and landed a powerful blow to the chin that sent the panda reeling dizzy.

Po backed away until his own disoriented body fell onto his back several meters from where Sun Wukong stood. Seeing him, the rest of the masters did their best to incorporate and run to help him.

Sun Wukong leaned his staff against the ground and leaned on it maintaining perfect balance. Showing any kind of indifference towards masters. Well, to tell the truth, the Monkey King did not feel any threat from them.

Sun Wukong: - This is pretty boring, panda. Telling the truth, I expected much more from the Dragon Warrior and his entourage. -

Po managed to get back up, but his body was quite sore. And not only him. All masters were on their limit. The powerful blows of the Monkey King made their armors seem useless. Even Crane and Monkey seemed to have a broken rib or two. Tigress had to drop one of her swords, because apparently Sun Wukong's last attack fractured her left wrist. Viper seemed to be complaining about a pain that she felt in the middle of her body. She was trying to hide it, but it was evident that she was hit there. And Po himself felt very groggy, and his chin ached like never before.

Sun Wukong did not look very happy. Indeed, he seemed to be disappointed. He thought the battle was going to be more exciting, but understanding that he was a demigod, he didn't expect much more. The Monkey King got down from his staff, and looked at them with an indifferent face.

Sun Wukong: - Let's finish th... -

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https://youtu.be/ASj81daun5Q

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Sun Wukong was interrupted as the earth began to shake. The five masters and the Monkey King were confused by such an event, since none of them was responsible. They looked up and saw a huge smoke screen rising up the road that led to the Valley of Peace. And as they got closer, surprise invaded everyone's face.

A large army of a thousand foot soldiers was approaching at great speed towards where they were. Each one of them wore light armor and carried spears, swords, axes and any type of weapon of the time in their hands. And at the head of such a large army, were the new Furious Five.

Jian, Lain, Bian Zao, and Jing Mei were at the head of four huge platoons of approximately two hundred and fifty warriors each. Each of them wore a better made armor, with various details and decorations. And at the head of them all was Peng, wearing a shining silver armor with engraved details that he inherited from his uncle Tai Lung, in his right hand, he swayed a huge Dao spear, and on his back a vigorous red cloak fluttered.

Faced with such a scenario, Sun Wukong couldn't hide his excitement and eagerness for battle, but the masters, in change, were extremely concerned.

Peng: - Master, we are here to help. -

Po: - Peng. What are they doing!? Return to the Jade Palace immediately! That's an order! -

Peng: - But master... -

Tigress: - Listen to your teacher, young warrior. This is not a battle you must fight. -

Peng: - But... but... -

Viper: - Listening to your teacher is the obligation of a student. - She said as he slowly approached the young snow leopard. - You must carry on the legacy of Kung Fu. All of you. - She told all her students.

Peng: - But... I... I don't want to lose you. -

Crane: - It's better this way, believe me. -

Monkey: - Relax boy, we'll go after you. -

Monkey told him with a smile on his face to try to appease the fear and despair in the heart of the impulsive feline, but that wouldn't stop the pain from crushing the hearts of the students. Sun Wukong waited patiently, looking at what happened with some indifference, after all, he had all the time in the world. But after a few seconds of absolute silence, in which only the beating of the wind was heard, a voice rose among the students. A voice that no one thought they heard first.

Jian: - No. - Everyone looked in amazement at the supposedly indecisive goose. - We won't back down. If this is where we must fight, so be it. If this is where we must prove ourselves... -

Jian and some: - So be it! -

Jian: - If this is where we should die... -

Jian and half of the students: - So be it! -

Jian: - If this is where Kung Fu must die... -

All students: - SO BE IT! -

The more than a thousand voices rumbled in the panorama. The earth trembled, and the heavens shook at the courage that boiled in their hearts. And after several war cheers, Peng addressed Master Po.

Peng: - Master. The Jade Army... awaits your orders. -

Po and the other masters had no choice but to accept the will of the thousands of students who rushed to their aid. Concern was noticeable in his eyes, but a strong spark of pride made Po's and Viper's hearts pound.

Po: - Jade Army! Ready for the battle! -

Following Po's words, the more than a thousand students shouted loudly, imposing a strong presence on the battlefield. Those in front could see Sun Wukong staring at the ground. They thought that something was wrong with the Monkey King, maybe he felt defeated before such a number. But the reality was the opposite.

Sun Wukong looked up, showing a huge satisfied smile. Her face showed no fear or anger, just her happiness and the emotion that make light his aretireless spark for battle

Sun Wukong: - Yeeees! - He yelled excitedly. - That's how I like it, Panda. The best part is that I also have my own army.

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https://youtu.be/PMPefT3IUZ8

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The wind began to hit the face of the Monkey King, which began to tear off some hair from his face and neck, and when he had a large handful in his hand, he blew them into the air. Sun Wukong's hairs flew up and began to scatter across the battlefield behind his back.

Every Sun Wukong's hair began to shine and in a few seconds they were transformed into a copy of Sun Wukong himself. The copies were of one grayish color, similar to marble, but its surface was rough and much harder than it. Sun Wukong turns around, looking somewhat disappointed at his own army of barely two hundred copies of himself.

Sun Wukong: - It seems that I still haven't completely recovered. -

Sun Wukong turned around and exchanged looks with Po.The Monkey King had a mischievous smile on his face. And after a few long seconds of tension, the Jade Army and the clones of the Monkey King charged forward at the order of their leaders.