Continuation of Journey to the West (1368) 续西游记

Author: Zhenfuju

Publisher: Hardback

Date: 1368 - 1644

Number of issues: 1

Language: Chinese

Also known as: The True Interpretation of Journey to the West / 续西游真诠

Adaptation: Continuation

Summary:

This work is a derivative sequel to Journey to the West. The author remains unknown, though it is believed to have been written during the Ming Dynasty. It recounts the story of the pilgrimage party from Journey to the West—comprising the master and his disciples—as they finally return to Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, after enduring a journey of 5,048 days, 81 tribulations, and 108,000 li to retrieve the true scriptures from the Thunder Sound Temple in India. The work consists of one hundred chapters. Although the title bears the designation "Sequel," within the original Journey to the West, the return journey to Chang'an is accomplished in the blink of an eye by riding upon the clouds—and indeed, the very last of the 81 tribulations is encountered during this aerial transit. Consequently, this work cannot be strictly classified as a direct continuation; rather, the narrative diverges from the original storyline beginning at Chapter 98—the point where Tripitaka and his entourage arrive at the Spirit Mountain, the abode of Shakyamuni—and unfolds as a parallel narrative running alongside the events of the original text.

Source: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%BB%AD%E8%A5%BF%E6%B8%B8%E8%AE%B0/16344