Kang-Jin Loong (Kang-Jin Star), is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions in Chinese mythology. Representing the dragon, it belongs to the constellation of Kang. It is the second mansion of the Eastern Azure Dragon (Qing Loong or Qinglong), located at the neck of the Azure Dragon constellation, which is considered the essence of the dragon. Hence, it is named Kang-Jin Loong.

Kang-Jin Loong in Journey to the West

In "Journey to the West," when Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrive at New Thunderclap Temple, they encounter the Yaoguai Yellowbrow. Sun Wukong gets trapped inside a Gold Cymbles by Yellowbrow. This bowl is extraordinary, as Wukong's magical staff cannot enlarge to break it open, nor can it shrink to pierce through it. Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing are captured by Yellowbrow. As things seem desperate, the Five Directional Revealing Saints (spies of the Jade Emperor) quickly report the situation to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor then dispatches the Twenty-Eight Mansions to assist in rescuing Wukong.

Despite each of the Twenty-Eight Mansions showcasing their unique abilities, they are unable to open the Gold Cymbles. Eventually, they devise a plan to use Kang-Jin Loong's horn to create a small opening between the two halves of the bowl. After exerting immense effort, Kang-Jin Loong manages to wedge his horn into the bowl. Wukong can see the horn but finds no gap to escape through. They then decide to drill a small hole in Kang-Jin Loong's horn, allowing Wukong to crawl through the hole, and Kang-Jin Loong can then pull him out. This strategy works, and Wukong is successfully rescued from the Gold Cymbles.

However, their relief is short-lived as Yellowbrow quickly discovers Wukong's escape and unleashes his second magical weapon: the Seedsack, which traps all of the Twenty-Eight Mansions inside...

Chinese Ancient Astronomy - Twenty-Eight Mansions

In ancient China, to facilitate the observation of the movements of the sun, moon, and five major planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn), people selected twenty-eight constellations near the ecliptic and celestial equator as markers, collectively known as the Twenty-Eight Mansions.

• Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji (角、亢、氐、房、心、尾、箕) form the image of a dragon in the eastern sky during the vernal equinox, thus called the Eastern Azure Dragon (青龙).
• Dou, Niu, Nu, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi (斗、牛、女、虚、危、室、壁) form an image of a turtle entwined with a snake in the northern sky during the vernal equinox, referred to as the Northern Black Tortoise (玄武).
• Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen (奎、娄、胃、昴、毕、觜、参) form the image of a tiger in the western sky during the vernal equinox, known as the Western White Tiger (白虎).
• Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen (井、鬼、柳、星、张、翼、轸) form the image of a bird in the southern sky during the vernal equinox, called the Southern Vermilion Bird (朱雀).

These four animal images formed by the seven mansions in each direction are collectively known as the Four Symbols or Four Beasts. Ancient people used the rising and culmination times of these constellations to determine the seasons. Facing south, they would consider the Azure Dragon on the left (east), the White Tiger on the right (west), the Black Tortoise behind (north), and the Vermilion Bird in front (south).

You can think of the Twenty-Eight Mansions similarly to the twelve zodiac signs. Just like how you check your zodiac sign, you can find out which mansion corresponds to your birthday. Kang-Jin Loong corresponds to Libra.

In the game, the battle with Kang-Jin Loong takes place on the back of a turtle, which represents the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu), a combination of a turtle and a snake.