One of the longer side quests in Black Myth: Wukong is Urge Unfulfilled. A friendly horse guai will lead the monkey on a journey that subtly mirrors the path of Sun Wukong. The horse, or Mi Tianba, is searching for enlightenment and self-discovery, chasing purposeful independence. Where the Destined One is out for revenge on Wukong’s behalf, Wukong himself once sought independence from the celestial court.
Sun Wukong’s journey led to his demise. The case is similar for Mi Tianba. Over the course of the game, the Destined One bears witness to the horse guai’s evolution. This NPC is one of the few affable faces you’ll encounter in Black Myth: Wukong. This side quest culminates in a somber ending, as the Destined One frees Mi Tianba’s soul from captivity to earn 
Dark Thunder.
Find The Horse Guai In The First Five Chapters Of Black Myth: Wukong
Each Encounter Must Be Done In Order Of Appearance to Advance The Quest
Where most side quests can be completed within a single chapter, Urge Unfulfilled takes place over the first five chapters of Black Myth: Wukong. Each encounter is a welcome reprieve from constant fighting. Mi Tianba does not overstay his welcome when speaking with the Destined One. Dialogue exchanges are brief, but make sure to exhaust them each time before resetting at a shrine. If done correctly, the horse guai will disappear from the location where you found him, after a reset. This indicates the NPC has moved on to the next chapter and no further action is required until completing the current chapter.
The horse guai’s journey is not without strife, as the monkey is often Mi Tianba’s savior from captivity. In chapters two, four, and five, the horse manages to wind up imprisoned by local guai enemies. In these sticky situations, Mi Tianba must be freed from confinement before you can speak with him and advance the quest. Even in chapter five, the quest’s unfortunate ending, it’s possible to view the final task as an act of emancipation. Ultimately, tracking this quest is worthwhile in terms of rewards, a spell, and a trophy, as much as what is gleaned from a thematic perspective.
Chapter One Location: Bamboo Grove
A Friendly Encounter On Black Wind Mountain
In Chapter One, when you reach Bamboo Grove, finding Mi Tianba’s first location is simple. Heading down the steps into the grove, you’ll notice a wolf guai facing a pond. Immediately to the left of the pond, there is a slight uphill path leading to a cave. Inside the cave to the right, Mi Tianba sits peacefully on a rock in front of a large bell. Since encounters thus far have been mostly hostile, your first instinct might be to swing the staff at the horse. Luckily, you can’t aggravate this NPC. Speak to Mi Tianba to advance the quest. Continue the search for the horse in Chapter Two.
If missed in
Chapter One
, you can go back to find Mi Tianba. But do so
before
reaching
Valley Entrance
in Chapter Five.
Chapter Two Location: Village Entrance
Captured By Rats And Guarded By Earth Wolf, Mi Tianba Awaits Rescue
Shortly after embarking on the journey through Yellow Wind Ridge, the first shrine the Destined One is likely to come across is at the Village Entrance. The shrine faces Sandgate Village guarded by archers and shield-wielding foes. Inside the village gate is where the rats have tied Mi Tianba to a post near a tiger shrine.
Mi Tianba’s capture in Chapter Two sets up a
motif
for subsequent parts of the horse’s journey: the quest for independence often leads to detention.
It’s best to clear out the guards and Earth Wolf before assisting the horse. The horse guai insists that your help is not required, but do ignore his words and speak with him to cut loose the binding. Then, it’s on to The New West.
Chapter Three Location: New Thunderclap Temple
Enlightenment Attained, An Optimistic Horse Has Found Purpose
If the Destined One has spoken to the spirit of the snow fox, this quest leads to a side area inside New Thunderclap Temple. Before fighting Non-Void to advance the snow fox quest, it’s possible to locate Mi Tianba’s Chapter Three location. In the building occupied by blind monks, ascend the stairs to an open-air balcony. Near the back of the balcony, there are hidden items, as well as a free Mi Tianba. The horse leans against a post and speaks with positive fervor. He has received enlightenment and a new purpose to live for himself.
The horse guai’s Chapter Three location can be reached from either the
Temple Entrance
or the
Mahavira Hall shrine
.
In the Lower Pagoda, where you encounter the prisoner, there is a dead horse guai sharing the jail cell. This is not Mi Tianba. Initially, I thought it was. However, interacting with the impaled horse will grant 
Ashen Slumber.
Chapter Four Location: Middle Hollow
The Destined One Must Liberate Mi Tianba From A Spider Cocoon
The journey has not proved easier for Mi Tianba. In Webbed Hollow, the horse is captured by spider guai and wrapped in a cocoon. After the Destined One slays the Centipede Guai in the Bone Vault, continue through the hollow and reach a grassy incline covered with cocoons and amourworms. This area can be reached from Middle Hollow or Bonevault shrine. To this point, the monkey has indiscriminately destroyed cocoons. Doing so in this area will free Mi Tianba. In a somewhat defeatist tone, the horse states its plan to return home to the Flaming Mountains.
Chapter Five Location: Valley Entrance
Captured For The Last Time, Mi Tianba Forfeits The Journey Of Self-Discovery
Early in the penultimate chapter of Black Myth: Wukong, the Destined One will face off against Pale Axe Stalwart, a loyal servant of the Bull King. Defeating Pale Axe in combat forces the yoaguai to yield and request the monkey’s service in finding and destroying the Five Elemental Carts. This quest will lead to the discovery of one such cart in Furnace Valley.
Apparently slain by Mi Tianba, it seems the fight cost the horse everything in return for victory. The cart has engulfed the horse, trapping him inside indefinitely. The handle of a fiery whip can be seen hanging from the cart’s mouth. Interacting with the whip causes Mi Tianba to beg the monkey to stop, as pulling the whip would kill him. The horse pleads with the Destined One to find another way to free his body.
For now, all that can be done is to continue through Furnace Valley to The Emerald Hall. Defeat Keeper of the Flaming Mountains and Yin-Yang Fish, then return to Mi Tianba to finish the quest. Be careful: If you forget to return to Mi Tianba in the cart before completing Chapter Five, you’ll be locked out of the quest.
Finish The Quest: Urge Unfulfilled
Retrieve The Whip To Claim Mi Tianba’s Soul
How can one truly be free? It’s a profound question. In a way, Black Myth: Wukong’s source material, the novel Journey to the West, asks this question. When Sun Wukong becomes a member of the celestial court, seated among the most powerful deities, the monkey king still feels controlled. Thus, Sun Wukong declares war on the court in further pursuit of independence. In the case of Mi Tianba, the horse also became a victim of an ideation of self-determination. Maybe such freedom is unattainable.
Enough sophistry. To complete the horse guai side quest, return to the horse. This time, Mi Tianba concedes that pulling the whip is the only way to free him. Though his corporeal body will perish, his soul lives on in the whip, and the Destined One is granted Dark Thunder. This spell transforms the monkey into the horse guai, and that’s a form of living, is it not? Though Mi Tianba still serves at your command, his sacrifice will not be in vain. The trophy Urge Unfulfilled will be awarded. Go forth and claim the fifth relic from the Bull King in Chapter Five of Black Myth: Wukong.
Source: YouTube/Shark R
