Journey to the West conspiracy theory regarding Sun Wukong

A long-standing conspiracy theory regarding the classic novel ‘Journey to the West’ suggests that the real Sun Wukong may have died during the battle with the Six-Eared Macaque. According to the theory, the character who survived to accompany Tang Sanzang to the Western Heaven was actually the impostor.

Proponents of this theory point to several inconsistencies in the original text by Wu Cheng'en. One major point is the reaction of Di Ting, the divine beast capable of hearing all things, who reportedly recognized the truth but was too fearful to speak. Additionally, theorists question why the Six-Eared Macaque, described as having the ability to see the future and know the past, would travel to Linhshan to face Buddha unless it was part of a predetermined plan or a deliberate substitution.