Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao-Chapter 303: Backstory of the Monkey King

Arthur’s expression remained neutral but his eyes showed understanding. He knew exactly what Sun Wukong was describing.

The confusion.

The disorientation.

The terrible certainty that comes with remembering a life that shouldn’t exist.

"Eventually I couldn’t deny it anymore," Sun Wukong said. "These weren’t delusions or fantasies. They were memories. True memories of a previous existence. Of who I once was. What I once was."

He looked directly at Arthur. "I was something more than human. Something powerful enough to challenge the celestial order itself. I fought against the heavens. Against beings that mortals worship as gods. And for a time... I won." He grinned at this point as though he recalled something fun but frowned soon after.

The words hung in the air.

These words were bold and audacious. The kind of claim that would sound like madness to most people.

But Arthur didn’t react with disbelief or mockery. He simply nodded slightly. Acknowledging the truth of what was being said.

"The memories are still incomplete," Sun Wukong continued. "Fragmented like shattered glass. I remember power but not all the techniques. I remember battles but not all the enemies. I remember glory but not all the details of my fall."

"But even these fragments are enough to change everything. To fundamentally alter how I see myself. How I understand my place in the world."

He began pacing slowly. His movements were controlled but there was restless energy in them. "With these memories came something else. Pride. Deep, bone-deep pride that I can’t suppress even if I wanted to. The conviction that I am meant for greatness. That I was born—or reborn—to stand at the pinnacle. To challenge the heavens again and this time succeed where I failed before."

Sun Wukong stopped pacing and faced Arthur again. "And that creates a problem."

"The vow," Arthur said quietly.

"Yes," Sun Wukong confirmed. "The vow I made to you in the Heavenly Sword Sect. I promised to follow you if you defeated me and remained stronger. At the time, I meant it sincerely. I had no reason to doubt or question it."

"But that was before," he continued. His voice grew harder. "Before I remembered what I once was. Before I understood my true nature. Now that pride I mentioned, the pride of my former self, rebels against the idea of permanent servitude to anyone."

Arthur’s expression didn’t change. He showed no anger or disappointment. Just calm understanding.

"I respect you," Sun Wukong said firmly. "Don’t misunderstand that. I acknowledge your strength. Your intelligence. Your capabilities. You’re formidable in ways that most cultivators your age couldn’t even dream of being."

"But respect isn’t the same as submission," he continued. "And my former self’s pride demands certainty. I need to know for sure whether you’re truly worthy of my loyalty. Whether your power is sufficient to stand beside—or above—what I once was and might become again."

He took a breath. "So I’m telling you honestly, Your Highness. I want to challenge you again. Not now, not here, but soon. In the secret realm perhaps, or after. A true test. Not just of cultivation level or techniques, but of everything we are. Everything we can be."

"If you prove yourself worthy," Sun Wukong said, "then I’ll follow you willingly. Not because of an old vow, but because I genuinely acknowledge your superiority. My pride will accept that."

"But if I find that my awakened power surpasses yours..." he trailed off. The implication was clear. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The courtyard fell into silence again. The weight of Sun Wukong’s words settled over them like a physical thing.

Arthur studied Sun Wukong’s face carefully. Saw the sincerity there. The determination. The internal conflict between respect and pride.

Then Arthur spoke. His voice was calm and measured. "I understand your position. The confusion that comes with awakening memories from a previous life. The struggle to reconcile who you were with who you are. The pride that won’t allow blind submission."

Sun Wukong’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was something in Arthur’s tone. Something that suggested personal knowledge rather than intellectual understanding.

"I appreciate your honesty," Arthur continued. "Many people in your position would have hidden their doubts. Would have smiled and bowed while plotting betrayal. The fact that you’re speaking openly shows character."

"But," Arthur said, and now his voice carried a subtle edge, "before you commit to this challenge, there’s something you should know."

Sun Wukong went very still. He waited for Arthur to continue.

Arthur’s expression remained calm but his eyes grew sharper and intense. "I know who you are, Sun Wukong. I’ve known since we first met."

The words dropped like stones into still water. Ripples of implication spreading outward.

Sun Wukong’s eyes widened. Genuine surprise broke through his composed facade. "What?"

"I know your true identity," Arthur repeated. His voice was absolutely certain.

There was no hesitation or even doubt. "The legendary existence you once were. The circumstances that led to your destruction. The reincarnation that brought you here."

Sun Wukong took an involuntary step back. His mind raced. How could Arthur know?

"That’s impossible," Sun Wukong said. But his voice lacked conviction. Because looking at Arthur’s face, at the absolute certainty in his eyes, Sun Wukong felt it wasn’t speculation.

Arthur knew.

"You were the Monkey King," Arthur stated calmly. "Born from stone on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. You achieved enlightenment through martial cultivation. Learned the seventy-two transformations. Mastered cloud-somersault techniques. Wielded the Ruyi Jingu Bang staff that could grow to any size."

Each detail was precise. Accurate. Things that Sun Wukong had only recently remembered himself.

"You rebelled against the celestial order," Arthur continued. "Fought against the heavenly armies. Made even the Jade Emperor wary of your power. For a time, you were unstoppable. A force of nature that couldn’t be contained by conventional means."

Sun Wukong’s breathing had quickened. His hands trembled slightly. This wasn’t possible. How could Arthur know these things?

"Eventually they found a way to stop you," Arthur said. His voice was softer now. Almost sympathetic. "Not through direct combat, which they couldn’t win. But through deception. Traps. Seals. They bound you. Suppressed you. And when that wasn’t enough, they destroyed you completely."

"Or so they thought," Arthur added. "But you survived. Through reincarnation. Through the persistence of your soul. You were reborn in this world, in this time, with your memories sealed and your power dormant."

"Until recently," Arthur finished, "when fragments began awakening. When you started remembering who and what you were."