The Battle in Journey to the West

Talking about Xu Qing, who was carrying the Seven Stars Sword on his back and headed to Shushan with two disciples of the Shushan Sword Sect, he encountered Venerable Ape cutting through the path halfway.

In later generations, a book said:

In Yue there was a Lady, emerging from the southern woods, whom the King of Yue sent emissaries to court for her proficiency in sword and spear. As the Lady went north to see the King, she met an old man along the way, who introduced himself as Plain Yuan Gong and asked the Lady, "I’ve heard that you excel in swordsmanship and would like to witness it." The Lady responded, "I dare not conceal anything; please feel free to test me." Thus, Yuan Gong leapt amongst the bamboo, snapping and crumbling to the ground, and the Lady picked up a piece, with which Yuan Gong grasped and attacked her. The Lady, in harmony with the rhythm, parried thrice, then raised the bamboo stick and struck back, whereupon Yuan Gong flew up into the trees, transformed into a White Ape, and led her away.

Venerable Ape fancied the sword, had heard of Lady Yue heading north to meet Goujian, and thus intercepted her halfway to spar with her. Venerable Ape, himself known for his sharp swordsmanship—rare were those in the martial world who could match him — nonetheless was defeated by the Lady in just three moves. Hereafter, he retreated to the mountains to dedicate himself in seclusion to the Sword Dao, and ultimately he did become an immortal.

Within the martial world of the mortal realm, there’s also the "Old Ape Swordsmanship," which was left behind by Venerable Ape. However, this sword art is but a mundane one, not of the immortal swordsmanship.

Then Xu Qing asked, "Does Venerable Ape, by any chance, also intend to go to Mount Shu?"

Venerable Ape nodded and said, "I’ve received a letter from the most honorable Green Duckweed Daoist, head of Mount Shu, and have come rushing. Just now, I saw you carrying a divine sword and couldn’t refrain from giving it a try with my hands."

In the world, there are always those obsessed in their ways, such as book maniacs who would trade their entire fortune for a roomful of books, martial fanatics who would let their families fall to ruin for the sake of martial arts, flower chasers who wander streets and alleys in pursuit of pleasures. All these mortals who become obsessed invariably meet no good end. Only those of the Immortal Path aren’t confined by the secular world; focused on their Dao, obsession not only brings no harm, but can even cause their cultivation to soar. Whatever you do, you’re supposed to get lost in it, for being engrossed quickens the progress. Naturally, if you become obsessed, you’re likely to progress even faster.

In Venerable Ape’s eyes, there existed only the sword, otherwise he wouldn’t have secluded himself in the forest after his defeat by Lady Yue, and he wouldn’t have emerged as an immortal until he perfected his skill.

Xu Qing laughed heartily and said, "No bother, no bother! Since Venerable Ape is also heading to Mount Shu, why don’t we travel together?"

Venerable Ape said, "Excellent, that was my very intention!"