ENG
The wind uplifts the noble high,
While low clouds mark the flesh to die.
Halt steps in azure skies,
Or roam where earth's filth lies.
When Sun Wukong was learning the arts at Mount Lingtai, Patriarch Bodhi not only taught him the seventy-two transformations but also imparted the "Somersault Cloud" technique. From then on, Wukong's body became invulnerable, and his movements agile. However, when he showed off his skills in front of others, the Patriarch foresaw that his lack of patience would lead to trouble.
Immortals often say that Sun Wukong was at his most mischievous and ruthless when he was the Monkey King. Yet, during that time, aside from his battles with the Celestial Court, he rarely harmed other beings. It was only after he became a disciple, following his master and gaining direction, that he developed many thunderous methods. Stealing, robbing, kidnapping, killing, arson, and destroying mountains and caves—all became second nature to him.
This Cloudtreading Deer is said to be transformed from Sun Wukong's Lotus Silk Cloudtreaders. It reflects his free-spirited and agile nature but also harbors his inherent ferocity. Once he falls behind, his true nature is revealed, and he can no longer maintain his carefree facade.
The short poem at the top describes something that can either soar high in the sky or roam low on the earth. That mirrors the Somersault Cloud technique and the dual nature of the thing it describes: graceful, airborne movement and also the ability to move through rough, grounded places. In the lore, this creature is tied directly to Sun Wukong’s cloud-traveling gear and habits.
Sun Wukong learned his signature powers at Mount Lingtai from Patriarch Bodhi. The Patriarch taught him the seventy-two transformations and the Somersault Cloud. After those lessons, Wukong’s body became far more durable and his movements much faster and more agile. Those skills let him show off spectacular feats of flight and transformation.
The Patriarch saw a problem when Wukong bragged and performed for others. He forewarned that Wukong’s impatience and showmanship would cause trouble. That lack of patience is presented as a core flaw that leads Wukong into worse behavior later on.
The text says that when Wukong was ruling as the Monkey King he was famously mischievous and could be ruthless, but in that period he rarely harmed innocent beings. It was only after he became a disciple and followed a master more closely that he developed even more destructive, “thunderous” methods. From that point stealing, robbing, kidnapping, killing, arson, and even wrecking mountains and caves became common actions for him.
The Cloudtreading Deer in this lore is said to have been transformed from Wukong’s Lotus Silk Cloudtreaders. It embodies his free-spirited agility and his underlying ferocity. On the surface it moves lightly and carefree, but if it falls behind or is pushed, its true, savage nature comes out and it can no longer pretend to be harmless. The creature therefore represents both Wukong’s impressive mobility and the danger that lurks beneath his playful side.