Time swiftly passed.
The scorching summer faded into cold, and suddenly, the arrival of a new year was announced.
This year marked the forty-ninth cycle, the very year the Venerated Master would open his mansion.
At this juncture, when the old year met the new, it was also the moment for the Venerated Master to open his mansion — a time when his great magical power would come to fruition.
Under the dim night sky, as old and new intertwined between heaven and earth, Sun Wukong and the others had not been cultivating but stood outside the mansion, each gripping their weapons firmly.
They served as the guardians of the mansion, also waiting for the arrival of the Venerated Master’s moment.
Sun Wukong opened his golden eyes wide, mounting a cloud to look further out.
All he saw was the faint light of dawn, the first day of the new year.
The east wind moved quietly, gently thawing the long rivers; gentle air rose subtly, warming the courtyard trees.
The sleeping insects were stirred but yet unmoving, already sensing the beginning of yang energy; grass and trees had yet to sprout new shoots but held the fresh green intent within.
All of these signs responded to the Venerated Master.