One day, they decide to seek the stream's source, and climb the mountain to a waterfall. They declare that whoever goes through the waterfall, finds the stream's source, and comes out again will become their king. The stone monkey volunteers and jumps into the waterfall.
He finds a large iron bridge over rushing water, across which is a cave. He persuades the other monkeys to jump in also, and they make it into their home. Sun Wu Kung then reminds them of their prior declaration, so they declare him their king. He takes the throne and calls himself Handsome Monkey King.
The Monkey King establishes himself as a powerful and influential demon. In search of a weapon, he travels to the oceans and acquires the Golden-banded staff, the stabilizer of the Four Seas and a treasure of the dragon-king of the Eastern Seas. The Monkey King is the only creature strong enough to wield the staff-like weapon. It can change its size, elongate, fly and attack opponents according to its master's will. It is very heavy. When not wielding the weapon, the Monkey King shrinks it down to the size of a sewing needle and tucks it behind his ear.
In addition to taking the magical staff, the Monkey King defeats the Dragon King's henchmen and forces him to hand over a golden chain mail shirt, a phoenix-feather cap, and cloud-walking boots. The cap was one of the treasures of the dragon kings. Traditionally it is depicted as a metal circlet with two striped feathers attached to the front. Upon his return to the mountain, he demonstrates the new weapon to his followers and draws the attention of other beastly powers, who seek to ally with him.
Bibliography:
The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921).
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