Black Myth Wukong has taken the world by storm, quickly becoming one of the most-played games ever. The various characters, who bring unique flavors to the table, are an integral part of the game’s success. One character in particular has garnered much attention due to his fascinating presence and real-life significance.
Amongst the many unique characters in the game, the Headless Monk has become a point of discussion for many due to its mysterious persona. The character can be seen in various junctures of Chapter 2, and there is a theory that it was included in the game as a subtle taunt towards the West from China.
Why Is the Headless Monk in Black Myth Wukong Considered a Dig Towards the West?
The Headless Monk often appears in Chapter 2 of Black Myth Wukong, playing his sanxian and talking to the main character (Destined One). He has a mysterious personality and often talks in a way that seems more like a riddle. It can be said that Headless Monk travels as a companion to the Destined one, often giving vague but valuable input.
Toward the end of chapter 2, when players defeat the final boss, Yellow Wind Sage, it is revealed the Headless Monk is none other than Bodhisattva Lingji of New Mount Sumeru. Apparently, Yellow Wind Sage slashed off his head long ago, and that’s why players see the Headless Monk.
original post: i think the chinese devs are taking a stab at the west for stealing their stuff
— iX (@JimManahan) August 24, 2024
me, an intellectual: singing headless guy sounds FUCKING AWESOME in chinese
Once the boss is defeated, Headless Monk will pick up his head and reattach it. For anyone wondering, in the original Chinese classic tale Journey to the West, Bodhisattva Lingji helps the Destined One defeat Yellow Wind Sage.
What’s interesting is that Headless Monk isn’t limited to folklore and video games. New information has surfaced that suggests that there is a real-life statute of Bodhisattva Lingji, whose head was stolen in 550 AD and is currently kept in the British Museum.
Hence, many believe including his character in the game is a subtle taunt towards the west. That said, there have been disputes regarding this claim, as there is no official confirmation, and many believe the statue’s head belongs to an entirely different figure.
Black Myth Wukong’s Success Raises the Flag High for the Single-Player Genre
It’s fair to say that multiplayer games are usually more popular and sustainable in the long run. Games like Fortnite and League of Legends have had immense success despite being fairly old. This has also pushed the narrative over the years that the single-player genre is dying.
According to Game Science, Black Myth Wukong has already sold more than 10 million copies in just under four days. This a remarkable achievement from the game as it overtakes games like Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legeacy for the fastest-selling title ever.
Even on Steam, the game has become the second most-played game ever, just lagging behind PUBG, which was released back in 2017. Additionally, the game will continue to break records as it’s not even a week old, and there is so much more to come.
What are your thoughts on the Headless Monk character in Black Myth Wukong? Do you believe it holds a real-life significance? Let us know in the comments below.
