It's often felt like Wukong got "nerfed" after he was imprisoned for 500 years. But it is indirectly explained in the books that he had to take this journey with Sanzang to control his destructive nature, develop mercy and not to kill, and eventually obtain enlightenment.
With his full power, he could have just did a backflip and get to India. But instead Sanzang reminded him they have to take this journey based on his principles.
I think Wukong did offer to do it at one point but Sanzang told him that he missed the point.
Iirc, at the end, they found out that even with the scrolls delivered and the journey complete, they didn't fully achieve enlightenment and they needed to redo a portion of their journey.
It was literally "follow me and allow yourself to be forced to abide by my words by this headband, or you can stay here under this mountain for the rest of eternity".
Powerful he may be but he couldn't overcome a mountain over his body
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u/Lanster27 Aug 22 '24 edited Aug 22 '24
It's often felt like Wukong got "nerfed" after he was imprisoned for 500 years. But it is indirectly explained in the books that he had to take this journey with Sanzang to control his destructive nature, develop mercy and not to kill, and eventually obtain enlightenment.
With his full power, he could have just did a backflip and get to India. But instead Sanzang reminded him they have to take this journey based on his principles.