Chapter 18

The Pilgrim took his leave of the Bodhisattva, pressed down the cloud-head, hung the kasaya on the fragrant nanmu tree, drew out his staff, and charged into Black Wind Cave. There was not a single little demon in that cave. It turned out that, when he saw the Bodhisattva appear and subdue the old monster, making him roll about on the ground, they had all hurriedly scattered. The Pilgrim, now thoroughly bent on violence, piled dry firewood at all the cave’s several gates, front and back, and set it all ablaze at once, burning Black Wind Cave into Red Wind Cave. Then he took the kasaya, rode the auspicious light, and returned straight north. Now the Three-Treasured Monk, seeing that the Pilgrim had been gone so long without returning, was greatly puzzled: he did not know whether the Pilgrim had been unable to invite the Bodhisattva, or whether he had made an excuse and fled. While he was guessing wildly, he suddenly saw, high in the air, brilliant multicolored mist. The Pilgrim suddenly dropped before the steps, knelt, and said, “Master, the kasaya has come.” The Three-Treasured Monk was overjoyed. The assembled monks were likewise all delighted, saying, “Good, good! Only today have our lives finally been preserved.” The Three-Treasured Monk received the kasaya and said, “Wukong, when you left this morning, you originally agreed to return after the meal at noon. How is it that you have returned now, when the sun is already westward?” The Pilgrim fully related the matter of inviting the Bodhisattva to perform transformations and subdue the demon. Hearing this, the Three-Treasured Monk therefore set up an incense altar and, after facing south and making his obeisance, said, “Disciple, now that we have the Buddha’s robe, quickly gather up the bundles and go.” The Pilgrim said, “Do not be hasty, do not be hasty. It is nearly evening today; this is no time to travel. Let us wait and set out early tomorrow.” All the monks knelt together and said, “What Elder Lord Sun says is right. First, it is late in the day; second, we have made certain vows. Now, fortunately, we are safe and have obtained the treasure. Let us fulfill our vows, ask Elder Lord to distribute the blessings, and tomorrow morning send you onward to the West.” The Pilgrim said, “Precisely, precisely.” You see, all those monks emptied their purses to the bottom, each bringing out whatever remained of the possessions snatched from the fire. They prepared some vegetarian offerings, burned some paper for peace and freedom from calamity, and recited several rolls of scriptures for dispelling disasters and averting misfortune. The matters of that evening were then completed. The next morning, they finally groomed the horse, bundled the luggage, and went out the gate; the assembled monks escorted them a long way before turning back. The Pilgrim led the way onward. It was exactly the season when spring was melting into life, and one saw: The grass cushions the jade-black steed’s soft hoofprints, The willow sways its golden threads, fresh with glistening dew. Peach and apricot fill the grove, vying in splendid beauty, Vines and creepers circle the path, releasing their vigor. The sandbank is warmed by the sun; mandarin ducks sleep, Flowers scent the mountain stream; painted butterflies are tame. Thus autumn departs, winter wanes, and spring passes its midpoint; Who knows in what year the journey will be complete and the true text obtained? The master and disciples traveled for five or seven days along desolate roads. Suddenly, one day, as the sky was nearing evening, they saw from afar a village of houses. The Three-Treasured Monk said, “Wukong, look—there is a mountain estate nearby on that side. Shall we go ask for lodging for one night and travel on tomorrow?” The Pilgrim said, “Wait here while this Old Sun goes to inspect the good and ill, and then we shall make arrangements.” The master pulled on the silk reins, while the Pilgrim fixed his eyes and looked. Truly, it was: The bamboo fences were dense, the thatched houses layered one behind another. Wild trees reaching the sky greeted the gate; winding waters and a stream bridge reflected the doors. Willows by the road were green and softly dependent; flowers within the garden bloomed, richly fragrant. At that time the evening glow sank in the west, and birds chattered noisily throughout the mountain forests; Evening smoke rose from the cooking fires, while cattle and sheep turned along every path. He also saw fed chickens and pigs sleeping beside the houses, and drunken neighboring elders singing as they came. After the Pilgrim had looked, he said, “Master, please go on. It is certainly a village of good people, and just the place to borrow lodging.” The Elder urged the white horse forward and soon reached the mouth of the street. There he saw a young man, his head wrapped in cotton cloth, his body dressed in a blue jacket, carrying an umbrella and bearing a bundle, his trousers gathered and tied, his feet in a pair of three-eared straw sandals. He was burly and vigorous, and was hurrying out through the street. The Pilgrim casually reached out, seized him, and said, “Where are you going? I have a question for you: What place is this?” The man only struggled desperately and shouted, “There is no one at my estate—why should I be the one questioned?” The Pilgrim accompanied his words with a smile and said, “Benefactor, do not be angry. ‘Give convenience to others, and convenience comes to yourself.’ What harm is there in telling me the name of this place? I may also relieve you of your troubles.” The man could not break free of his hand, and, hopping about in fury, said, “What wretched luck, what wretched luck! I cannot bear the grievance imposed by the head of the household, and now I have run into this baldhead and must suffer his clear-air grievance as well.” The Pilgrim said, “If you have the ability, split open my hand, and then you may go.” The man twisted left and twisted right, but how could he twist it loose? It was as though he had been clamped in an iron pair of pincers. In anger, he threw down his bundle and cast aside his umbrella, then came at the Pilgrim with both hands, grabbing like raindrops. The Pilgrim used one hand to support the luggage and one hand to hold the man off. No matter how the man struggled, he simply could not get hold of him. The Pilgrim grew still more unwilling to release him, and the man became as frantic as thunder. The Three-Treasured Monk said, “Wukong, is there not someone else coming? Just question that person instead. Why keep dragging at him? Let him go.” The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Master does not understand. If we question someone else, there is no profit in it. We must question him for there to be a bargain.” The man, held fast by the Pilgrim and unable to get away, could only say, “This place is within the borders of the Kingdom of Wusizang, and is called Gao Family Village. More than half the households in the village bear the surname Gao, and so it is called Gao Family Village. Let me go.” The Pilgrim said again, “With traveling gear such as yours, you are not taking a nearby road. Tell me honestly: where are you going, and precisely what business are you about? Then I will release you.” The man had no alternative and could only tell him the truth: “I am a servant of Grand Master Gao, named Gao Cai. My Grand Master has an elder daughter, only twenty years of age, who had never yet been betrothed. Three years ago she was seized by a demon, and that demon has served as his son-in-law for these three years. My Grand Master was displeased and said, ‘My daughter has taken a demon; this is not a long-term arrangement. First, it ruins the family gate; second, there is no in-law family with whom to maintain relations.’ He has long wanted to send this demon away. But where would the demon agree to be sent away? Instead, he locked the daughter in the rear quarters of his residence, and it has been nearly half a year without releasing her to meet anyone in the household. My Grand Master gave me several ounces of silver and told me to seek out magic practitioners to capture that monster. During this time I have not stopped, and, going back and forth, I invited three or four people. They were all useless monks and blubbering Daoists, unable to subdue that demon. Just now he scolded me thoroughly, saying that I did not know how to conduct affairs. He also gave me five mace of silver for travel expenses and instructed me to go again and invite a good magic practitioner to subdue it. Unexpectedly, I ran into you, this prickly star, who seized me and delayed my journey. Thus I have suffered grievances both inside and out, and, having no alternative, I shouted at you. I did not expect that you would also have some method of holding people, so that I could not struggle free. Therefore I have told you the truth. Let me go.” The Pilgrim said, “Your good fortune has arrived, and I have a livelihood to pursue. This is a business that brings four together and makes six—that is, a perfectly fitting arrangement. You need not travel far or waste your silver. We are not those useless monks and blubbering Daoists. We truly possess some skills and are accustomed to capturing demons. This is exactly what is meant by: ‘First, care for the physician; second, cure the eyes as well.’ Trouble yourself to return and report to your master, saying that we are the imperial younger brother, the Holy Monk, dispatched from the Eastern Land beneath the imperial authority, traveling westward to bow before the Buddha and seek scriptures, and that we are skilled at subduing demons and binding monsters.” Gao Cai said, “Do not mislead me. I am already full of grievances. If you deceive me by mistake, and you have no real skill and cannot capture that demon, will you not cause me to suffer even more grievances?” The Pilgrim said, “I guarantee that I will not mislead you. Lead me to the front of your household gate.” The man had no means of refusing. He truly picked up his bundle, took his umbrella, turned around, and led the master and disciples to the gate, saying, “The two venerable elders, please sit for a little while on the mounting platform. Let me go in and inform my master.” Only then did the Pilgrim release his hand. He set down the burden and led the horse, while master and disciples sat and stood beside the gate, waiting. That Gao Cai entered through the great gate and went straight toward the central hall, where he happened to run into Gao Taigong. The Taigong scolded him, saying, “You barbarous-skinned beast! Why did you not go seek people, and what have you come back for?” Gao Cai set down the bundle and umbrella and said, “I report this to the master of the house: as soon as this little one had gone out through the street gate, I suddenly encountered two monks—one riding a horse, one carrying a load. He seized me and would not let go, asking where I was going. No matter how many times I refused to tell him, he kept pestering me until there was no way out and I could not free myself. Thus I told him, one by one, everything concerning the master of the house. He was exceedingly delighted and wanted to seize that monster for us.” Gao Laoye said, “Where did they come from?” Gao Cai said, “He said he was the Imperial younger-brother holy monk sent from beneath the Eastern Land’s throne, going to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures.” The Taigong said, “Since they are monks who have come from afar, perhaps they truly possess some ability. Where are they now?” Gao Cai said, “They are presently waiting outside the gate.” The Taigong immediately changed his clothes and came out with Gao Cai to receive them, calling, “Elder.” Sanzang heard him, hurriedly turned around, and the old man was already before him. The old man wore a black gauze cap, a scallion-white Sichuan-brocade robe, a pair of calfskin boots the color of coarse rice, and a black-and-green sash. He came out smiling and speaking in welcome, then called, “The two Elders, I salute you.” Sanzang returned the courtesy, but Xingzhe stood unmoving. Seeing his fierce and ugly appearance, the old man did not dare salute him. Xingzhe said, “Why do you not make your obeisance to Old Sun?” The old man was somewhat frightened and said to Gao Cai, “You little wretch, are you not trying to kill me? There is already an ugly-headed, strange-brained son-in-law in the house whom I cannot send away; why have you brought this Thunder Duke to harm me as well?” Xingzhe said, “Old Gao, you have lived to such a great age for nothing, and still do not understand matters. If you judge people solely by their appearance, you are completely mistaken. Old Sun is ugly, to be sure, but I possess some ability. I can capture the demon for your household, seize the ghosts and apparitions, take your son-in-law, and return your daughter to you. That would be a good thing; why must you persistently speak of appearances?” Hearing this, the Taigong trembled and could only force himself to rally his spirits and call, “Please enter.” Only then, seeing that he was invited, did Xingzhe lead the white horse, have Gao Cai shoulder the luggage, and enter with Sanzang. He paid no heed to propriety or impropriety, but tied the horse to a pillar in the open hall, dragged over a stripped-lacquer armchair, and told his master to sit. He then dragged over another chair and sat beside him. Gao Laoye said, “This little Elder certainly has the air of one at home.” Xingzhe said, “If you are willing to let me stay here for half a year, I shall have even more of the air of one at home.” Once they were seated, Gao Laoye asked, “A moment ago, my minor servant said that the two Elders came from the Eastern Land?” Sanzang said, “Just so. This poor monk, having received the Imperial command, is going to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures. Passing through your honored village, I specially seek to borrow lodging for one night and will depart early tomorrow.” Gao Laoye said, “Since the two of you originally came only to borrow lodging, why do you say you can seize monsters?” Xingzhe said, “Since we are borrowing lodging, we may as well conveniently seize a few little monsters for amusement. May I ask how many monsters there are in your household?” Gao Laoye said, “Heavens! How could there be many? There is only this one monster son-in-law, and he has already tormented me nearly to death.” Xingzhe said, “Tell me from the beginning the whole history of that monster, and how great his abilities are, so that I may seize him for you.” Gao Laoye said, “In our village, from ancient times until now, we have never known of any ghosts, goblins, demons, or other evil spirits causing trouble. It is only that this old man was unfortunate and never had a son. I had only three daughters: the eldest was named Xianglan, the second Yulan, and the third Cuilan. The first two were matched, from childhood, with families of this village. Only the youngest needed to take a son-in-law, and I hoped he would live with me as part of the household, becoming a son-in-law to support me in my old age, uphold the family gate, carry out the household work, and serve as needed. Unexpectedly, three years ago, there was a man whose appearance was quite fine. He said he was from a household on Fuling Mountain, that his surname was Zhu, that above him he had neither parents and below him neither brothers, and that he was willing to become another family’s son-in-law. This old man saw that he was a person without root or tie and took him in as a son-in-law. When he first entered the gate, he was indeed diligent: he plowed and harrowed the fields without oxen or implements; he gathered the grain without knives or staffs; he went with the dark and came with the light, and was truly quite good. There was only one thing: he had some ability to change his face.” Xingzhe said, “How did he change?” Gao Laoye said, “When he first came, he was a black, fat man. Later he changed into a dullard with a long snout and great ears; behind his head was also a line of bristles. His body was coarse and frightening, and his head and face looked just like a pig. His appetite, however, was exceedingly great: at one meal he needed three to five dou of cooked rice, and even for breakfast he required a hundred or more sesame cakes before he was satisfied. Fortunately, he still ate vegetarian food. If he were also to eat meat and drink wine, then all this old man’s household property, fields, and estates would be consumed completely in less than half a year.” Sanzang said, “Because he labors, he eats.” Gao Laoye said, “His eating is still a minor matter. Now he can also stir up wind, summon clouds and mists, send stones rolling and sand flying, frightening my entire household as well as the neighboring households, so that none can live in peace. He has also confined my youngest daughter Cuilan in the rear residence, and for a full half-year she has not shown her face. We do not even know whether she is alive or dead. Therefore we know that he is a monster, and wish to invite a ritual master to go and drive him away.” Xingzhe said, “What difficulty is this? Old man, rest assured. Tonight I shall certainly capture him for you, make him write a document dissolving the marriage, and return your daughter to you—how would that be?” Gao Laoye was overjoyed and said, “Taking him in as a son-in-law was not the only harm: he has ruined how much of my good name and alienated how many of my relatives. If he can be captured, what need have I for any document? I shall trouble you to eradicate him at the root.” Xingzhe said, “Easy, easy. When night falls, you shall see whether it is good or bad.” The old man was exceedingly delighted and immediately ordered the tables and chairs wiped and arranged, and the vegetarian offerings laid out. After the vegetarian meal, as evening approached, the old man asked, “What weapons are needed? How many men must accompany you? We can prepare them early.” Xingzhe said, “I have my own weapon.” The old man said, “The two of you have only that tin staff. How can a tin staff strike that monster?” Xingzhe then took from inside his ear an embroidery needle, pinched it in his hand, and gave it a shake in the wind. It became a golden-hooped iron staff as thick as a bowl. He pointed it at Gao Laoye and said, “Look at this staff. How does it compare with the weapons of your household? Can it strike this monster?” Gao Laoye asked again, “Since you have a weapon, do you need men to follow you?” Xingzhe said, “I need no men. I only require several old men advanced in years and rich in virtue to sit peacefully with my master and converse idly, so that I may leave him behind and go. Once I bring that monster here, I shall obtain his confession before everyone and eradicate him at the root for you.” The old man immediately summoned his household servants and invited several relatives and friends. In a short while they had all arrived. After they had exchanged greetings, Xingzhe said, “Master, sit securely without worry. Old Sun is off.” You see him grasping the iron staff and pulling Old Gao along: “Lead me to the place in the rear residence where the demoness lives, and let me have a look.” Old Gao accordingly led him to the gate of the rear residence. The Pilgrim said, “Go and fetch the key.” Old Gao said, “Take a look first. If a key will do, I would not have invited you.” The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Though you are an old man, you do not know how to jest. I merely said that to fool you a little, and you took it seriously.” He stepped forward and touched it. It was a lock poured from molten bronze. In fury, he drove the Golden-Banded Staff against it, smashing open the door panels. Inside, however, it was pitch-dark. The Pilgrim said, “Old Gao, go call out to your daughter and see whether she is in there.” The old man, steeling himself, called, “Third Sister!” The daughter recognized her father’s voice and only then answered faintly, without strength: “Father, I am here.” The Pilgrim flashed his golden eyes and peered carefully into the darkness. What do you suppose she looked like? Only this: Her cloudlike hair was heaped in disorder, uncombed; her jade face was unwashed, stained with dust. Her heart, like an orchid, remained unchanged, yet her delicate bearing had utterly collapsed. Her cherry lips were wholly without blood or color; her waist and limbs were bent and huddled. Her brows were tightly knitted, her mothlike eyebrows faint; she was thin and timid, her voice low. When she came over and saw Old Gao, she seized him, embraced his head, and burst into loud sobs. The Pilgrim said, “Do not cry, do not cry yet. Let me ask you: where did the demon go?” The girl said, “I do not know where it went. These days, it leaves at dawn and only returns when night falls. Amid clouds and mist, it goes and comes, and I do not know where. Because it knows that Father wishes to drive it away, it is often on its guard. Therefore it comes at dusk and leaves in the morning.” The Pilgrim said, “No need to say more. Old man, take your beloved daughter to the front residence and slowly recount your separation. Let me wait here for it. If it does not come, you must not blame me; if it does come, I shall surely cut away the grass and pull up the roots for you.” Old Gao happily led his daughter away. The Pilgrim then employed his divine powers. Shaking his body, he changed into the exact likeness of the girl and sat alone in the room waiting for the demon. Before long, a gust of wind arose, truly hurling stones and flying sand. Such a wind: At first it gently swayed and drifted; afterward it became vast and indistinct. Gently swaying and drifting beneath the great cosmos, vast and indistinct, meeting no obstruction. Withering flowers and snapping willows as though hemp were being torn, uprooting trees and destroying forests as though pulling vegetables. Churning rivers and stirring seas, causing ghosts and spirits to grieve; splitting rocks and collapsing mountains, making Heaven and Earth strange. The deer carrying flowers lost their tracks; the apes plucking fruit became lost outside. The seven-storied iron pagoda invaded the Buddha’s head; the eight-sided ritual banners injured the jeweled canopy. The golden beams and jade pillars shook from their roots; tiles flew from the roofs like swallows’ bricks. The boatmen lifting their oars made vows; opening their boats, they hurriedly offered pigs and sheep. The local Earth God abandoned his shrine; the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas came to pay obeisance above. By the seashore, the yaksha boats were struck and damaged; the Great Wall was blown down along half its frontier. Wherever that violent wind passed, a demon came through the air. It was indeed ugly: a black face, short hair, a long snout, and large ears. It wore a single blue-but-not-blue, indigo-but-not-indigo woven-cloth straight robe, tied with a patterned cloth kerchief. The Pilgrim secretly laughed and said, “So this is the business at hand.” The good Pilgrim did not go to greet it or question it. Instead, he lay on the bed feigning illness, continuously groaning and whining. The monster could not distinguish true from false. It entered the room, seized him in its arms, and was about to kiss him. The Pilgrim secretly laughed and said, “It truly intends to toy with your old grandfather.” He immediately used a grappling technique, supporting the monster’s long snout, called a Little Fall. With a shake of his head, he flung it down from the bed with a thump. The monster climbed up and, supporting itself against the side of the bed, said, “Sister, why are you somewhat strange toward me today? Is it because I came late?” The Pilgrim said, “I am not blaming you, not blaming you.” The demon said, “If you are not blaming me, why did you throw me down like that?” The Pilgrim said, “How could you be so uncouth as to embrace me and kiss me? I am somewhat unwell today. If I were well as usual, I would have risen and opened the door to wait for you. You may take off your clothes and sleep.” The monster did not understand his meaning and actually went to undress. The Pilgrim leaped up and sat on the chamber pot. The monster once more returned to the bed and reached out to touch him, but touched no one. It called, “Sister, where have you gone? Come take off your clothes and sleep.” The Pilgrim said, “You sleep first. Let me go relieve myself.” The monster accordingly undressed first and got into bed. The Pilgrim suddenly sighed and said, “My fortune has declined.” The monster said, “Why are you vexed? How has your fortune declined? Since I came to your family, though I have eaten some of your food, I have never eaten it for nothing. I have swept your family’s floors, cleared its ditches, carried bricks and transported tiles, built earth walls and pounded them firm, plowed the fields and harrowed the land, planted wheat and set out rice seedlings, founded a household and established an undertaking. Now you wear brocade on your body, gold upon your head; in all four seasons you have flowers and fruits to enjoy, and at the eight festivals you have vegetables cooked and served. Is there still anything that does not suit your heart, that you sigh and groan like this, saying that your fortune has declined?” The Pilgrim said, “That is not what I mean. Today my parents, separated from me by a wall, throw bricks and tiles and beat and scold me severely.” The monster said, “Why do they beat and scold you?” The Pilgrim said, “They say that you and I have become husband and wife, and that you are their son-in-law, yet you have not the least bit of propriety. A person with such an ugly face can neither serve as their maternal nephew-by-marriage, nor be shown to their relatives. They do not know where you come from when you travel in clouds and mist, or what family and what name you have. You have ruined their pure virtue and disgraced their family reputation. Therefore they beat and scold me like this, and I am troubled.” The monster said, “Though I am somewhat ugly, if I wished to be handsome, it would not be difficult. When I first came, I discussed it with them, and they were willing before they took me in. Why do they speak of this again today? My home is Cloud-Stacking Cave on Fuling Mountain. I took my surname from my appearance, and so my surname is Zhu; my official name is Zhu Ganglie. If they ask you again, tell them these words.” The Pilgrim secretly rejoiced and said, “That monster is quite honest. Without using torture, he has confessed everything so clearly. Now that I have his place and name, I will seize him no matter what.” The Pilgrim said, “They intend to invite a magic master to capture you.” The monster laughed and said, “Sleep, sleep, pay him no mind. I possess the transformations of the Celestial Stems, and a nine-toothed iron rake. What magic master, monk, or Daoist should I fear? Even if your old father had a devout heart and invited the Patriarch of the Nine Heavens Who Subdues Demons to descend into the world, I have known him before, and he would not dare do anything to me.” The Pilgrim said, “He says he will invite the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun, who caused havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago, to come capture you.” When the monster heard this name, it became somewhat frightened and said, “Since that is what he says, I had better leave. The two of us cannot remain husband and wife.” The Pilgrim said, “How can you just leave?” The monster said, “You do not know. That Bimawen who caused havoc in Heaven has some ability. I fear I may not be able to overcome him, which would lower my reputation and make me look ridiculous.” Having said this, he put on his clothes, opened the door, and walked straight outside. The Pilgrim seized him in one grasp, wiped his own face once, revealed his true form, and shouted, “Good demon, where are you going? Raise your head and take a look—do you know who I am?” The monster turned his eyes and saw the Pilgrim baring his teeth and grimacing, with fiery eyes and golden pupils, a protruding forehead and a hairy face, exactly like a living Lei Gong. He was so frightened that his hands went numb and his legs weakened; with a ripping sound, he tore through his clothes, transformed into a violent wind, and escaped. The Pilgrim hurried forward, drew his iron staff, and struck once toward the wind. The monster transformed into ten thousand streaks of firelight and went straight back to his native mountain. The Pilgrim mounted a cloud and pursued him, shouting, “Where are you going? If you ascend to Heaven, I shall chase you as far as Douniu Palace; if you enter the earth, I shall pursue you to the Wrongful Death Prison.” Alas! In the end, it is not yet known where this pursuit went, or who won and who lost. Hear the explanation in the next installment.