The Demon King of Confusion is an antagonist of the sixteenth-century Chinese classic novel Journey to the West by the late Wu Cheng'en, and its multiple adaptations. He is a demon king who usurps Mount Huaguo, kidnaps and kills the monkeys while Sun Wukong is away to learn from Master Subhuti. He is also the very first villain of the story.
In the 1986 series, he was portrayed by Lin Zhiqian.
Personality[]
THe Demon King of Confusion is noted for his arrogance due to his gigantic size, quickly underestimating Wukong to the point of thinking that he doesn't need his blade to kill the latter. However, as Wukong states, this also shows a honorable side of him, as he wouldn't bully someone with a smaller size. This arrogance ultimately proves to be the Demon King's downfall, as Wukong proves to be stronger than he looks and manages to kill him with ease. In the 1986 series though, the Demon King survives and learns his lesson, eventually admitting that Wukong is stronger than him and befriending the latter.
Biography[]
Novel[]
While Sun Wukong is away to learn immortality from Master Subhuti, the Demon King of Confusion arrives and attacks Mount Huaguo. The monkeys fight him and his men but are defeated, with many being slain. The Demon King then takes away Mount Huaguo's stuffs and some survivors, as well as seizing control of the Water Curtain Cave and occupying it with his minions.
Years later, Wukong returns only to find out what happened. Angered, he goes to the Demon King's cave and challenges him. The Demon King, underestimating Wukong due to the latter's small size, decides to fight him by his own hands. During the fight, Wukong transforms his hair into hundreds of monkeys who attack him. While the Demon King is being confused, Wukong takes his blade and cuts him in half, killing him.
Afterwards, Wukong retakes his monkeys and stuffs.
1986 series[]
In the 1986 series, the Demon King's fate is different. Rather than being killed by Wukong, he manages to escape. Later on, it's revealed that he is one of the six demon kings, and the other five apologize for his behavior. He and the other five (including the Bull Demon King) then become Wukong's friends ever since.
Gallery[]
