The Realm of the Infant King
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Wei Dong Chen • Chao Peng The Realm of Vol. the Infant King 10 Vol. 10 Vol. 10 The Realm of the Infant King Created by WEI DONG CHEN Wei Dong Chen, a highly acclaimed and beloved artist, and an influential leader in the “New Chinese Cartoon” trend, is the founder of Creator World in Tianjin, the largest comics studio in China. Recently the Chinese government entrusted him with the role of general manager of the Beijing Book Fair, and his reputation as a pillar of Chinese comics has brought him many students. He has published more than three hundred cartoons, which have been recognized for their strong literary value not only in Korea, but in Europe and Japan, as well. Free spirited and energetic, Wei Dong Chen’s positivist philosophy is reflected in the wisdom of his work. He is published serially in numerous publications while continuing to conceive projects that explore new dimensions of the form. Illustrated by CHAO PENG Chao Peng is considered one of Wei Dong Chen’s greatest students, and is the director of cartoon at Creator World in Tianjin. One of the most highly regarded cartoonists in China today, Chao Peng’s fantastic technique and expression of Chinese culture have won him the acclaim of cartoon lovers throughout China. His other works include "My Pet" and "Searching for the World of Self". Original story “The Journey to The West” by Wu, Cheng En Editing & Designing Sun Media, Design Hongs, David Teez, Jonathan Evans, YK Kim, HJ Lee, SH Lee, Qing Shao, Xiao Nan Li, Ke Hu © Chen, Wei Dong 2013 All rights reserved. Original Chinese edition published by Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House. Scanning, uploading, and electronic distribution of this book is prohibited. Characters Volume 10 THE INFANT KING OF FIRE CLOUD MOUNTAIN (“RED BOY”) The Red Boy is an infant ruler of tremendous skill and power, and is the son of Bull Demon King, one of Sun Wu Kong’s oldest friends from his reign as the Handsome Monkey King of Spring Mountain. His ability to manipulate fire is so great that he was able to overcome several Earth Gods and mountain guardians to establish his dominion. In Journey to the West, Red Boy deceives Sun Wu Kong and captures San Zang, hoping to eat the priest’s flesh and become immortal. He is able to resist Sun Wu Kong’s repeated attempts to rescue San Zang, but there is one merciful Buddhist deity who might prove impossible to resist… BULL DEMON KING Bull Demon King is one of the monster kings of Spring Mountain who, five hundred years earlier, forged brotherly bonds with Sun Wu Kong. He is the father of the Red Boy, the infant king who ignores Sun Wu Kong’s pleas for familial solidarity and tries to eat San Zang. MOUNTAIN GUARDIANS / EARTH GODS In Taoism, the natural world is worshipped, as it is believed that all natural objects, even mountains, have spirits. Sun Wu Kong is in frequent contact with the Earth Gods; since the Monkey King was born from the stone of a mountain, his magic frequently stirs them and they often assist him on the journey, such as when the guardians of Fire Cloud Mountain tell Sun Wu Kong about the tremendous power of the Red Boy. SEA KINGS There are four sea kings in Journey to the West. They rule the North, South, East, and West seas, and control all bodies of water, as well as the rain. They are well acquainted with Sun Wu Kong, whose miracle staff was once their possession, used to stabilize the ocean’s floor. Wu Kong calls upon the sea kings to help him defeat the Red Boy, and they come to his aid by conjuring a torrential rainfall. 7 Four monks approach from the East? They must be San Zang and his disciples! SIZZ 8 I wouldn't have expected them to make it this far, given that San Zang's esh can grant immortality. Nonetheless, he's mine! 9 “…the most extensive, graphic adaptations of China’s…great classical novels….” – Publishers Weekly All-Ages Adventures Action Having barely survived their most recent and dif cult test, San Zang and his disciples must now pass through the treacherous Fire Cloud Kingdom, where an infant king with tremendous power aims to become the rst monster to taste San Zang’s esh. While struggling to save his master, Sun Wu Kong discovers his surprising relationship to the infant king. But while blood is thicker than water, it is no match for re, and it will take more than Sun Wu Kong’s bond with the young king to ensure that he and his three companions come out alive. Authorized by Tianjin Shenjie Comics, China www.jrcomics.com.