Second Senior Brother is carrying me and flying towards the sun.

This is the real sun, not like Amaterasu, Apollo, and other so-called sun gods.

As a good young socialist, I know the power of the sun. With my mortal body, I'm afraid I won't even leave behind a trace of smoke when I get close to the sun.

"Brother, is there any riddle on the sun that, when I look at it, will remind me of who I am?"

"Think while looking at the sun. If you can't figure it out, you'll die. I'll die with you."

I'm full of fear now. How can I have the energy to think about who I am?

As time passes, the temperature around me keeps rising. If it weren't for Second Senior Brother using his great power to protect me, I would have turned into a charcoal stick long ago.

"Hot! So hot!" My clothes have long turned into ashes. I'm drenched in sweat, but the moment the sweat comes out, it evaporates.

"No, you're not hot."

"Second Senior Brother, are you playing the spirit of Ah Q with me?"

"No, you can't be afraid of the heat. Think again."

Pigsy is not much better than me now. His clothes have turned into ashes, and pieces are falling down. The angels below us are no longer flying with us but are staying in place, watching our every move.

I know that if we make a slight turn, they will surround us again, but we have no idea if there are any Western deities around us.

We are getting closer to the sun, and my pants have burned away. I'm completely naked now, running towards the sun with Second Senior Brother.

My whole body is turning red, and many places are severely burned, making a "squeaking" sound.

Second Senior Brother doesn't slow down just because I'm injured. He didn't lie to me. If I can't figure it out, we'll die together.

The intense pain and burning sensation have made my brain foggy.

I even feel a bit cold and want to get closer to the sun quickly.

Why are we flying towards the sun? Am I chasing the sun? Oh, I know.

I am Kuafu.

No, no, I've seen Kuafu. I'm not him. Then who am I?

"Clear your mind and think hard."

I look at Pigsy, and now thick black smoke is coming out of his body.

He has used most of his power to protect me and can no longer protect himself.

Another hour passes, and Second Senior Brother is losing consciousness. Occasionally, he descends rapidly for a while to regain his clarity.

"Have you... remembered?"

"I'm sorry."

Pigsy shakes his head. It's not your fault. This plan had risks from the beginning.

"Are we going to die?" I mutter.

"Yes."

"Then before I die, can you tell me who I really am?"

"No, if I tell you, you can never come back. This time, you die, and in the next life, you'll have a chance."

I nod. "What about you, Second Senior Brother? Will you have another life?"

"What a joke. I am a Buddha. When I die, I won't be reborn. Naturally, I'll be dead."

"Then let go of me and save yourself."

As I say these words, images of Pigsy from the 1986 version of Journey to the West, acting like he's breaking up the group, fill my mind. It's a bit amusing.

Pigsy uses his last bit of strength to throw me towards the sun.

"Think hard!"

The speed suddenly increases, and my skin sizzles under the high temperature.

The skin burns off, then the flesh, and finally the bones.

One second before consciousness fades, I curse at the enormous sun, "Damn sun, I'm your father."