Chapter 31

Righteousness binds brothers as one womb, the Dharma returns to original nature. Metal submits and Wood is tamed to form the true fruit; the Mind Monkey and Wood Mother unite in the Elixir's origin. Together they ascend to the World of Ultimate Bliss, together they come to the Non-Dual Dharma Gate. The Sutra is the total path of cultivation; the Buddha matches one's own Primal Spirit. Elder brother and younger brother meet to form the Three Covenants; demons and monsters' forms correspond to the Five Elements. Shear away the Six Paths of Rebirth, and one immediately proceeds to Great Thunder Sound. Let it be told that the Idiot was caught by a pack of monkeys, who hauled, carried, pulled, and dragged him, tearing his straight robe to pieces. Mumbling and muttering from his mouth, he recited to himself: "It's over, it's over, this time there will be a beating to death." In a short while, they arrived at the cave entrance. The Great Sage sat on the stone cliff, and scolded: "You chaff-bag of a clumsy lout! It would have been fine if you just left, why did you curse me?" Eight Precepts knelt on the ground and said: "Brother, I did not curse you; if I cursed you, may my tongue roots be chewed off. I only said that since my brother wouldn't go, I would go report to the Master myself. How would I dare curse you?" Pilgrim said: "How could you hide it from me? When I pull my left ear up, I know what the people in the Thirty-Three Heavens are saying; when I pull my right ear down, I know the Ten Kings of Hell and the judges settling accounts. As you walked, you cursed me, how could I not hear it?" Eight Precepts said: "Brother, I know you with your thievish head and mousy face, must have transformed into some thing or other, following me to listen." Pilgrim called: "Little ones, bring a big rod, first give him twenty strikes on the cheekbones as a meeting gift, then twenty strikes on the back, and then wait for me to use the iron rod to send him off." Eight Precepts was so panicked he kowtowed and said: "Brother, for the sake of the Master's face, please spare me." Pilgrim said: "I think that Master is quite benevolent and righteous." Eight Precepts said again: "Brother, if you won't look at the Master's face, then please look at the face of the Bodhisattva of the Sea, and spare me." Seeing him mention the Bodhisattva, Pilgrim had a three-tenths change of heart and said: "Brother, since you say so, I will not beat you for now. But you must speak honestly, do not hide it from me. Where is Tang Monk in trouble, that you come here to trick me?" Eight Precepts said: "Brother, there is no trouble, I truly just missed you." Pilgrim scolded: "You beatable worthless goods, how dare you still try to bluff me? Old Sun's body has returned to the Water Curtain Cave, but his heart follows the scripture-seeking monk. That Master has trouble at every step and disaster at every place; you had better tell me early, to avoid a beating." Hearing these words, Eight Precepts kowtowed and pleaded: "Brother, I clearly intended to hide it from you to invite you to go, I didn't expect you to be so sharp. Spare me from beating, let me up and I will speak." Pilgrim said: "Very well, get up and speak." The monkeys let go of their hands. The Idiot jumped up, looking around wildly on both sides. Pilgrim said: "What are you looking for?" Eight Precepts said: "Looking to see which path is open and wide, so I can run." Pilgrim said: "Where could you run to? Even if I let you go first for three days, Old Sun has the ability to catch up and turn you back. Speak quickly; if this anger flares my temper, I absolutely will not spare you." Eight Precepts said: "Truly not hiding it from you, brother, since you returned, Sha Monk and I protected the Master and moved forward. We saw a Black Pine Forest, the Master dismounted, and told me to beg for alms. Because it was far and there was no household, I was tired and took a little sleep in the grass. Unexpectedly, Sha Monk left the Master and came to find me. You know the Master has no sitting nature; he walked alone in the forest enjoying the scenery. Exiting the forest, he saw a golden pagoda emitting light, and he took it for a monastery. Unexpectedly, under the pagoda was a demon, named Yellow Robe, and he was captured by him. Later, Sha Monk and I returned to search, and only saw the white horse and the luggage, but not the Master. We followed the search to the cave entrance and fought with that monster. The Master was in the cave, but fortunately there was a savior. It turned out to be the third princess of the Kingdom of Baoxiang, who had been abducted by that monster. She wrote a family letter and entrusted the Master to deliver it, and thus spoke on his behalf, releasing the Master. Arriving in the kingdom, they delivered the letter, and the King asked the Master to subdue the demon and retrieve the princess. Brother, you know, could that old monk subdue demons? The two of us went back to fight, but unexpectedly that monster's divine powers were vast, and he captured Sha Monk again. I was defeated and fled, hiding in the grass. That monster transformed into a handsome scholar and entered the court, claimed kinship with the King, and turned the Master into a tiger. Then it was fortunate that the White Dragon Horse revealed his dragon body at night to go find the Master; he did not find the Master, but instead encountered that monster drinking wine in the Silver Peace Hall. He transformed into a palace maid, poured wine for him and danced with a sword, intending to strike at an opportunity, but instead was hit in the horse leg by the monster using a Full Hall Red. It was he who told me to come invite you, Senior Brother, saying: 'Senior Brother is a gentleman of benevolence and righteousness; a gentleman does not hold onto old grudges, so he will certainly be willing to come and save the Master from this disaster.' I earnestly hope that you, brother, will consider the sentiment that 'one day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father,' and by all means save him." Pilgrim said: "You Idiot, when I was leaving, I exhorted and exhorted again, saying: 'If a demon or monster captures the Master, just say Old Sun is his senior disciple.' Why didn't you mention me?" Eight Precepts thought again: "Inviting a general is not as good as provoking a general; let me provoke him." He said: "Brother, it would have been better if I hadn't mentioned you; just because I mentioned you, he became even more outrageous." Pilgrim said: "What do you mean?" Eight Precepts said: "I said: 'Demon, do not be discourteous, do not harm my Master. I still have a senior brother, named Sun Pilgrim, whose divine powers are vast and who is skilled at subduing demons; when he comes, he will make you die without a burial ground.' Hearing these words, that monster grew even more furious, and cursed: 'What is this Sun Pilgrim, do you think I fear him? If he comes, I will flay his skin, pull out his sinews, gnaw his bones, and eat his heart. Even if the monkey is skinny, I will mince him into paste and boil him in oil.'" Hearing this, Pilgrim was so angry that he scratched his ears and rubbed his cheeks, jumping about furiously, saying: "Who dares to curse me like this?" Eight Precepts said: "Brother, quell your anger; it was the Yellow Robe Monster who cursed you like this, so I learned it to let you hear." Pilgrim said: "Worthy Brother, stand up. It's not that I cannot go; since the demon dares to curse me, I cannot but subdue him. I will go with you. When Old Sun wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago, the heavenly generals throughout the sky, upon seeing me, each arched their backs and bowed their bodies, calling out 'Great Sage' with every mouth. This monster is discourteous; he dares to curse me behind my back and to my face. When I go this time, I will capture him and smash his corpse into ten thousand pieces, to avenge the curse against me! Once avenged, I will immediately return." Eight Precepts said: "Brother, exactly. You just go capture the demon, avenge your grudge, and then whether you come back or not, I will follow your esteemed will." The Great Sage then jumped down from the cliff, dashed into the cave, and took off his demon clothes. He adjusted his brocade straight robe, tied his tiger skin skirt, grasped his iron rod, and went straight out the door. The group of monkeys panicked and blocked him, saying: "Great Sage Grandpa, where are you going? Take us along to play for a few years, that would be good." Pilgrim said: "Little ones, what are you saying? This matter of me protecting Tang Monk, in heaven above and earth below, everyone knows Sun Wukong is Tang Monk's disciple. He wasn't driving me back, but rather told me to come home to look, sending me home to play freely. Now it is only because of this matter. You all must carefully guard the household estate, plant willows and pines on time, and do not let things fall into neglect. Wait until I go back to protect Tang Monk, retrieve the scriptures and return to the Eastern Land; after my merit is complete, I will still return to share in the joy of pristine innocence with you all." The monkeys each received the command. The Great Sage then joined hands with Bajie, rode the clouds, left the cave, crossed the Eastern Ocean, and arrived at the western shore. He halted his cloud-light and called out: "Brother, you go on slowly here for a moment. Wait for me to go down to the sea and cleanse my body." Bajie said: "We are in a hurry on our way — what is the point of cleansing your body?" Xingzhe said: "What would you know? Ever since I returned, these past few days I have acquired some demon-stench on my person. The Master is one who loves cleanliness; I fear he would find me objectionable." Bajie thereupon first recognized that Xingzhe's heart was wholly sincere, with no other intention. In a moment he finished washing, and again rode the clouds westward. They saw that golden pagoda emitting light. Bajie pointed and said: "Is that not the Yellow-Robed Monster's home? Sha Monk is still in his house." Xingzhe said: "You stay in the air. Wait for me to go down and see how things are at the gate, so I can properly face the demon in battle." Bajie said: "Do not go. The demon is not at home." Xingzhe said: "I know." Good Monkey King! He pressed down his auspicious light and went straight to the cave entrance to observe. He saw two children there, using crooked sticks to hit a hair-ball, playing the game of snatching nests. One was about ten years old, the other about eight or nine. While they were playing, Xingzhe rushed forward and, without caring whether they belonged to the Zhang family or the Li family, grabbed each by the topknot and lifted them up. The children took fright and bawled, their cries mixed with curses. This alarmed the lesser demons of Bowl-Moon Cave, who hastily reported to the Princess: "Madam, we know not who has snatched away the two young masters." It turned out that those two children were born to the Princess and that Monster. The Princess, hearing this, hurriedly came out the cave entrance. She saw Xingzhe holding the two children, standing on the high cliff, apparently about to dash them down. The Princess, in her alarm, cried out in a sharp voice: "You there, fellow! I have nothing to do with you. Why do you seize my sons? Their father is fierce. If any harm comes to them, he will certainly not let you off." Xingzhe said: "Do you not recognize me? I am the Tang Monk's senior disciple, Sun Wukong the Xingzhe. I have a junior dharma-brother, Sha Monk, in your cave. Go release him, and I will return these two children to you. To exchange two for one like this — you are still getting the better deal." The Princess, hearing this, rushed inside, dismissed the few lesser demons guarding the door, and personally untied Sha Monk. Sha Monk said: "Princess, do not release me. I fear that when your Monster returns home and demands the person from you, it will implicate you and you will suffer his anger." The Princess said: "Elder, ah, you are my benefactor. You argued on behalf of my family letter and saved my life. I have also been mindful to release you. Unexpectedly, outside the cave entrance, your senior dharma-brother Sun Wukong has come and told me to release you." Ha! When Sha Monk heard the three characters "Sun Wukong," it was as though pure butter were poured upon his crown and sweet dew nourished his heart — a natural joy born in an instant, his whole breast filled with spring. It was not as though he had merely heard that someone had come; it was as if he had picked up a piece of gold and jade. See how he shook his hands, brushed his robes, walked out the door, bowed to Xingzhe, and said: "Brother, you have truly descended from Heaven! I beg you, save me!" Xingzhe laughed and said: "You Sha Monk — when the Master was reciting the Tight-Fillet Spell, were you willing to put in a single word on my behalf? You all ran your mouths and showed off, insisting you would protect the Master. Why did you not travel the western road? What were you squatting here for?" Sha Monk said: "Brother, say no more. The gentleman does not hold past deeds against others. We are generals of a defeated army — it is not for us to speak of bravery. Save me, save me!" Xingzhe said: "Come up here." Only then did Sha Monk leap up onto the stone cliff. Now tell of Bajie, who had been standing in the air. When he saw Sha Monk come out of the cave, he immediately pressed down his cloud and called out: "Sha Brother, endure, endure!" Sha Monk looked at him and said: "Second Brother, where have you come from?" Bajie said: "Yesterday I was defeated in battle. During the night I entered the city and met the White Horse. I learned that the Master was in peril — the Yellow Robe had used magic to transform him into a tiger. The White Horse and I discussed it and came to invite our senior brother." Xingzhe said: "Idiot, stop your reunion talk for now. Each of you take one of these two children. First go into Precious Elephant City and provoke that Monster into coming out. Wait for me here to fight him." Sha Monk said: "Brother, how do we provoke him?" Xingzhe said: "You two ride the clouds and stand upon the Hall of Golden Bells. Without distinguishing good or bad, dash those children down before the White Jade Steps. If anyone asks who you are, say you are the ones who have captured the Yellow-Robed Demon's sons. When that Monster hears this, he will surely come back, and I will not need to enter the city to fight him. If we battle atop the city, there will inevitably be clouds of spray and mists of fog, earth scattered and dust raised, disturbing the court, the officials, and the common people, leaving none in peace." Bajie laughed and said: "Brother, whenever you handle affairs, you always put us on the left." Xingzhe said: "How am I putting you on the left?" Bajie said: "These two children were grabbed by you and already had their gallbladders frightened to bursting. By now their voices are hoarse from crying. In another while they will undoubtedly be dead. We take them and dash them down, dashing them into meat paste. When that Monster catches up, will he let us go? He will certainly demand that we two pay with our lives. But you — are you not a clean man? Not even a witness among you. Are you not putting us on the left?" Xingzhe said: "If he grabs you, you two just fight him and come back here. There is a wide battlefield here. I shall wait here to fight him." Sha Monk said: "Exactly, exactly. Eldest Brother speaks reason. Let us go." The two of them then relied on their imposing authority and took the children away. Xingzhe immediately leapt down from the stone cliff and went to the gate of her pagoda. The Princess said: "You monk, you are utterly without faith or righteousness! You said that if I released your junior dharma-brother, you would give me back my children. How is it that your junior dharma-brother has been released, yet my children are still kept from me, and you come back to my door — for what?" Xingzhe smiled apologetically and said: "Princess, do not be angry. You have been here for a long time already. I am taking your sons to recognize their maternal grandfather." The Princess said: "Monk, do not be insolent. My Yellow-Robed Gentleman is not like other men. If you have frightened my children, you must soothe their fright for him." Xingzhe laughed and said: "Princess, ah — for a person born between Heaven and Earth, how is it that one gives offense?" The Princess said: "I understand." Xingzhe said: "You are a woman of the household — what do you understand?" The Princess said: "Since childhood I was in the palace and received my parents' instruction. I remember the ancient books say: 'Among the three thousand crimes subject to the five punishments, none is greater than unfilial conduct.'" Xingzhe said: "You are precisely an unfilial person. For 'Father, you begat me; Mother, you nurtured me. Alas, alas, my parents — how toilsome was my begetting!' Therefore filial piety is the source of all conduct and the root of all virtue. Yet how is it that you have given your person to keep company with a demon, without so much as thinking of your parents? How could you not incur the crime of unfilial conduct?" The Princess, hearing these upright words, for a long moment reddened to the ears and flushed in the face, ashamed beyond all endurance. Suddenly she blurted out: "Elder, your words are most excellent. How could I not think of my parents? It is only because this demon abducted and deceived me into coming here. His laws and decrees are strict, my movements are difficult, the road is long and the mountains distant, and there is no one to transmit a message. I wished to end my own life, but feared my parents would suspect I had run away, and the matter would never be cleared up. Therefore, having no choice, I have lingered on my last breaths — truly a great sinner between Heaven and Earth." When she finished speaking, her tears flowed like a spring. The Pilgrim said: "Princess, you need not grieve. Zhu Bajie once told me that you had a letter that once saved my Master's life, and in your letter you also expressed longing for your parents. Old Sun has come to guarantee that I will capture the demon for you, take you back to court to see His Majesty, find you another good spouse, and let you serve your parents until old age. What do you think?" The princess said: "Monk, do not go seeking death. Yesterday your two junior fellow disciples, fine fellows as they were, could not defeat my Yellow Robe Lord. You, such a skinny ghost with more sinew than bone, looking like a crab with its bones all grown on the outside—what abilities do you have that you dare speak of capturing demons?" The Pilgrim laughed: "So you have no eye for people and cannot recognize a person. As the saying goes: 'A bladder, though large, has no weight; a weight-stone, though small, can press down a thousand catties.' Their appearances are big but useless: when walking they catch the wind, when dressing they waste cloth, when starting a fire they are hollow inside, tall enough to reach the doorframe but weak in the waist, when eating they accomplish nothing. Old Sun may be small, but he has got substance." The princess said: "Do you truly have skills?" The Pilgrim said: "My skills, you have never seen. I am absolutely capable of subduing demons and supremely able to vanquish monsters." The princess said: "You must not delay me." The Pilgrim said: "I will certainly not delay you." The princess said: "Since you can subdue demons and vanquish monsters, how will you capture him now?" The Pilgrim said: "You should step aside and keep out of my sight. If he comes, it will be inconvenient to make my moves. I fear that your affection for him is deep and you would not bear to part with him." The princess said: "How could I not bear to part with him? My staying here was not by choice." The Pilgrim said: "You have been husband and wife with him for thirteen years—how could there be no affection? When I see him, I will not play games with him. One staff strike is one staff strike, one fist is one fist. I must strike him down so that you can return to court and see His Majesty." The princess indeed followed the Pilgrim's words and went to hide in a secluded place. It was also that her karmic marriage was destined to end, and thus she encountered the Great Sage's arrival. The Monkey King hid the princess, then shook his body and transformed, changing into the exact appearance of the princess. He returned to the cave and waited specifically for that monster. Now let us speak of Bajie and Sha Monk, who took the two children to the Kingdom of Baoxiang and flung them down before the white jade steps. Pitifully, they were both smashed into something like meat patties, fresh blood splattering, bones shattered. The officials of the entire court were panicked and reported: "This is terrible, this is terrible! Two people have been thrown down from the sky!" Bajie shouted in a loud voice: "Those children are the sons of the Yellow Robe demon! Old Pig and Brother Sha have brought them here!" That monster was still in the Silver Peace Hall, his overnight drunkenness not yet worn off. While in the midst of sleep, he heard someone calling his name. He turned over, raised his head to look, and saw that among the clouds were Zhu Bajie and Sha Monk, the two of them shouting. The monster thought to himself: "Zhu Bajie is one thing, but Sha Monk—I tied him up at home. How did he get out? How could my wife have released him? How could my children have fallen into his hands? This must be Zhu Bajie, unable to get me to come out and fight him, using this scheme to detain me. If I take the bait and go fight him—hah! I am still suffering from wine. If he lands one rake strike on me, would that not destroy my prestige and expose my weakness? Let me go home first and check whether they are my sons or not, then it will not be too late to deal with him." What a monster—he did not even take leave of His Majesty, but turned through the mountain forest and went straight to his cave to investigate. By this time the court already knew he was a monster. It turned out that during the night he had eaten one palace maid, and seventeen others had escaped with their lives. At the fifth watch they reported to the King, telling him everything that had happened. Furthermore, because he had left without taking leave, they were even more certain he was a monster. The King then ordered the officials to stand guard over the fake tiger, but of this we shall say no more. Now let us speak of the monster returning straight to the cave entrance. When the Pilgrim saw him coming, he devised a way to deceive him. He squeezed his eyes, and tears fell like rain. He stomped his feet and beat his chest, calling upon heaven and earth, wailing bitterly in the cave. For the moment, how could the monster recognize him? He came forward and embraced him, saying: "Wife, what is the matter that you are so distressed?" The Great Sage, having fabricated ghostly tales and invented false words, reported with tearful eyes: "Husband, as the saying goes: 'A man without a wife has no master for his wealth; a woman without a husband finds her body empty.' Yesterday you went to court to acknowledge your kin—why did you not return? This morning Zhu Bajie abducted Sha Monk and also snatched away our two children. I pleaded bitterly, but he would not spare them. He said he was taking them to court to meet their maternal grandfather. Now it has been half a day and I have not seen the children, not knowing whether they live or die. And you did not come home—how am I to bear this? That is why I cannot stop crying in pain." When the monster heard this, he was greatly enraged and said: "Are they truly my sons?" The Pilgrim said: "Indeed. They were snatched away by Zhu Bajie." The demon, jumping about in rage, said: "Enough, enough! My sons have been smashed to death by him—they cannot be brought back to life. I will just have to capture those monks and make them pay with their lives to avenge my sons. Wife, stop crying for now. How do you feel in your heart? Let me treat you a bit." The Pilgrim said: "I am not too bad. I just cannot bear losing the children, and my crying has given me some pain in my heart." The demon said: "It is nothing serious. Please get up. I have a precious treasure here. Just let me touch it to where it hurts, and it will not hurt anymore. But be careful—do not let your thumb flick it. If your thumb flicks it, my true form will be revealed." When the Pilgrim heard this, he laughed inwardly and thought: "This reckless monster is actually quite honest. Without any torture, he has confessed on his own. When he brings out the treasure, I will try flicking it and see what kind of monster he is." The monster led the Pilgrim straight to a deep, secluded, and sealed place within the cave. Then from his mouth he spat out a precious treasure, about the size of a chicken's egg. It was a śarīra exquisite inner elixir. The Pilgrim rejoiced inwardly: "What a fine thing! Who knows how many sessions of meditation went into this treasure, how many years of tribulation were spent refining it, how many cycles of yin and yang were matched to forge this inner elixir śarīra. Today, by great karmic fortune, it has encountered Old Sun." That monkey took it in hand. Where was there any pain? He deliberately touched it once, then flicked it with one finger. The demon panicked and reached to snatch it back. But consider—that monkey was exceedingly nimble. He sucked the treasure right into his belly in one gulp. The demon clenched his fist and struck. The Pilgrim blocked it with one hand, rubbed his face, and revealed his true form, calling out: "Monster, do not be rude. Take a good look—who do you think I am?" When the monster saw this, he was greatly startled and said, "Ya! Wife, why have you brought out this face?" Pilgrim cursed, saying, "I'll have you, you brazen monster! Who is your wife? You don't even recognize your own ancestor." The monster suddenly recalled and said, "I seem to somewhat recognize you." Pilgrim said, "I won't hit you for now. Try recognizing me again." The monster said, "Though you look familiar to my eyes, I cannot recall your name for the moment. Who are you really? Where do you come from? Where have you hidden my wife, that you come to my house to swindle my treasure? Truly shameless and detestable!" Pilgrim said, "So you don't recognize me. I am the Tang Monk's senior disciple, called Sun Wukong the Pilgrim. I am your old ancestor from five hundred years ago." The monster said, "There is no such thing, no such thing. When I captured the Tang Monk, I only knew he had two disciples called Zhu Bajie and Sha the Monk. When did I ever hear anyone mention a surname Sun? You must be some monster from who knows where, come here to deceive me." Pilgrim said, "I did not come together with those two. My Master, because Old Sun was habituated to beating monsters and killing many, and he is a compassionate and kind-hearted man, sent me away. Therefore I did not travel the same road with them. You simply do not know your ancestor's name." The monster said, "What a lack of manliness you have! Since you were expelled by your Master, what face do you have to come see people again?" Pilgrim said, "You brazen monster, how could you know the saying, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life'? 'Between father and son there is no overnight grudge'? You harmed my Master — how could I not come to save him? But harming him would have been one thing, yet you also cursed me behind my back and to my face — what is the meaning of that?" The monster said, "When did I ever curse you?" Pilgrim said, "Zhu Bajie said so." The monster said, "Do not believe him. That Zhu Bajie with his pointed snout is somewhat skilled at wagging a wife's tongue — how could you listen to him?" Pilgrim said, "Enough of this idle talk. I'll only say that Old Sun has come to your house today, and you have poorly entertained a guest from afar. Though there is no wine or food to offer, there is a head to be had. Quickly stretch your head over here, and let Old Sun strike you one blow with the staff to serve as tea." When the monster heard talk of striking, he laughed heartily and said, "Sun the Pilgrim, you have miscalculated. Since you said you wanted to strike, you should not have followed me inside. My great and small demons here still number over a hundred. Even if you were covered all over with hands, you still could not fight your way out of my gate." Pilgrim said, "Do not talk nonsense. Never mind a hundred — even if there were several thousand or several tens of thousands, I need only check each one clearly before beating them, and not a single staff stroke will be wasted, until you are rooted out and your traces extinguished." When the monster heard this, he hastily transmitted orders, summoning all the demons before and behind the mountain, all the monsters inside and outside the cave, each bearing weapons, and densely blocking the three or four layers of gates, allowing no passage. When Pilgrim saw this, he was filled with delight. With both hands he adjusted his staff and shouted, "Change!" He transformed into three heads and six arms. He flourished the Golden-Hooped Rod, and it became three Golden-Hooped Rods. Look at him wielding three rods with six hands, fighting his way forward — it was just like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, or a hawk coming upon a chicken coop. Pitiful were those lesser demons: those touched had their heads shattered to pieces; those grazed bled like flowing water. He moved freely in all directions, as though entering an uninhabited realm. Only one old demon remained, who rushed out the gate and cursed, "You brazen ape, truly insolent! How dare you come to someone's door and bully their household?" Pilgrim quickly turned his head and beckoned with his hand, saying, "Come, come! Only when I've beaten you down will it count as a merit." That monster raised his precious blade and struck straight at his head; the good Pilgrim whipped out his iron rod and met him face to face. This battle, upon the mountaintop, was fought half in cloud and half in mist: The Great Sage's divine powers were great, the demon's abilities were high. This one horizontally wielded the cast-iron rod, that one diagonally raised the dipped-steel blade. Leisurely the blade rose, bright as glowing clouds; lightly the rod parried, drifting like rainbow clouds. Back and forth guarding the crown, turning many times; over and over the whole body revolved several rounds. One changed his face with the wind, the other on the spot shook his body. That one widely opened his fiery eyes and stretched his ape arms; this one brightly flashed his golden pupils and bent his tiger waist. You came and I went, clashing in battle; blade met rod in parry, neither yielding. The Monkey King's iron rod followed the Three Strategies; the monster's steel blade accorded with the Six Secret Teachings. One was accustomed to wielding his skills as a demon lord; the other broadly施展 his dharma powers to protect the Tang Monk. The fierce Monkey King grew fiercer; the heroic monster grew more heroic. Caring nothing for life or death, they fought in midair — all for the Tang Monk journeying afar to worship the Buddha. The two of them fought for fifty or sixty rounds with no victor. Pilgrim thought to himself with secret delight, "This brazen monster — his blade can actually withstand Old Sun's rod. Let Old Sun show him an opening and see whether he recognizes it." The good Monkey King raised the rod with both hands in a "High Horse Probe" stance. The monster, not knowing it was a trick, saw an opening and, brandishing his precious blade, charged straight for the lower body to strike. Pilgrim swiftly shifted to a "Great Middle-Level" stance, deflecting his blade, then employed a "Stealing Peaches Beneath the Leaves" stance and brought the staff down upon the monster's crown — striking him so that he vanished without a trace. He hastily withdrew his rod and looked: the monster was nowhere to be seen. Pilgrim said in great alarm, "My son! You couldn't take a hit and now you've disappeared. If I truly beat you to death, there should at least be some pus and blood — how is there not the slightest trace? He must have fled." He swiftly leapt into the clouds and looked all around: there was no movement on any side. "Old Sun's pair of eyes can see everything everywhere at a glance — how could he have gotten away so slickly? I understand now. That monster said he somewhat recognized me. He must not be an ordinary monster of the mortal realm — he is likely a spirit from the Heavens." The Great Sage, unable to contain his anger in that moment, gripped his iron rod, somersaulted, and leapt straight to the South Heaven Gate. It so alarmed Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi, Zhang, Tao, Deng, Xin, and the rest that they bowed and bent their backs on both sides, not daring to block him, letting him fight his way through the Heaven Gate all the way to the Hall of Universal Illumination. The Four Heavenly Masters — Zhang, Ge, Xu, and Qiu — had already asked, "Where does the Great Sage come from?" Pilgrim said, "While escorting the Tang Monk to the Kingdom of Baoxiang, a demon deceived the king's daughter and harmed my Master. Old Sun fought with him. In the midst of battle, the monster disappeared. I suspect that monster is no ordinary monster of the mortal realm but likely a spirit from the Heavens. I have come specifically to investigate — which celestial spirit has gone down from which quarter?" When the Heavenly Masters heard this, they proceeded to the Hall of Miraculous Mist and submitted a memorial. By imperial command they investigated: the Nine Luminaries Star Officers, the Twelve Terrestrial Branches, the Five Dipper Constellations of East, West, South, North, and Center, the celestial bodies of the Milky Way, the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Waterways, and all the divine sages throughout the heavens — all were present in their celestial posts, and not one had dared to leave his station. They further checked the Twenty-Eight Mansions outside the Palace of the Dipper and Ox — there were only twenty-seven, and the Kui Star alone was missing. The Heavenly Masters returned and reported, "Kui Wood Wolf has descended to the lower realm." The Jade Emperor said, "How long has he been absent from Heaven?" The Heavenly Masters said, "He has missed four roll calls. Roll call is held once every three days, and it has now been thirteen days." The Jade Emperor said, "Thirteen days in Heaven is already thirteen years in the lower realm." He immediately ordered his department to summon him back to the upper realm. Those twenty-seven star officers received the decree, exited the Heavenly Gate, and each recited incantations, startling Kuixing. Where do you think he was hiding? He was originally a divine general who had been beaten into fear when Sun Dasheng wreaked havoc in Heaven, and had slipped into that mountain ravine to hide from disaster. The water vapor concealed his demonic cloud, so he had not been seen. When he heard the star officers of his own department reciting incantations, he finally dared to show himself and followed the assembly up to the upper realm. The Great Sage stopped him at the Heavenly Gate and was about to beat him, but fortunately the assembled stars persuaded him to stop, and they escorted him to see the Jade Emperor. That monster took out the golden tablet from his waist and kowtowed below the hall to acknowledge his crime. The Jade Emperor said, "Kui Wood Wolf, the upper realm has boundless wondrous sights, yet you did not enjoy them, but instead secretly departed to another region. Why?" Kui Star kowtowed and reported, "Your Majesty, forgive your subject's death penalty. That princess of the King of Baoxiang Kingdom was no ordinary person. She was originally a Jade Maiden who tended incense at Pixiang Hall. Because she wished to have illicit relations with your subject, I feared defiling the wondrous realm of the Heavenly Palace. She longed for the mortal world and descended first, taking birth in the inner palace of the imperial court. It was I who did not betray our prior pact, transforming into a demon, occupying a famous mountain, and abducting her to my cave dwelling, where I became her husband for thirteen years. 'Every sip and every peck is preordained.' Now Sun Dasheng has come here and accomplished this deed." The Jade Emperor, hearing these words, took back the golden tablet and banished him to Tushita Palace to tend the fire for Taishang Laojun, with his salary retained but assigned to labor—if he achieved merit, he would be restored to his post; if not, his punishment would be increased. Xingzhe saw the Jade Emperor handle the matter thus, and was pleased in his heart. He bowed upward with a loud salute, and said to the assembled deities, "Gentlemen, I have troubled you." The Heavenly Master laughed and said, "That monkey is still as rustic as ever. We helped him capture the monster god, yet rather than thanking the Heavenly Grace, he simply salutes and withdraws." The Jade Emperor said, "As long as he has no further business, it is fortunate that Heaven remains peaceful." The Great Sage pressed down his auspicious light and returned directly to Mount Wanzi, Wave Moon Cave, where he found the princess and was recounting the words about her longing for the mortal world, descending to the lower realm, and the subjugation of the monster. He heard Bajie and Sha Seng calling out loudly from midair, "Elder Brother, are there any monsters left? Save a few for us to fight!" Xingzhe said, "The monsters have all been exterminated." Sha Seng said, "Since the monsters have all been beaten to extinction and there is nothing more to hinder us, let us bring the princess into the court. Do not open your eyes, brothers—we shall use the Earth-Shrinking Method." The princess only heard the wind whistling in her ears, and in an instant she was back in the city. The three of them brought the princess up to the Golden Hall. The princess reverently bowed to her royal father and mother, and reunited with her sisters. The various officials all came to pay their respects. Only then did the princess report, "It is all thanks to the boundless dharma power of Elder Sun, who subdued the Yellow Robe Monster and rescued me back to the kingdom." The King asked, "What kind of monster was Yellow Robe?" Xingzhe said, "Your Majesty's son-in-law was Kuixing of the upper realm, and your beloved daughter was the Jade Maiden who tended incense. She descended to the mortal realm because she longed for the mortal world. This was no small matter—it was all due to karma from a previous life, that they were to have this marital bond. That monster was reported by Old Sun to the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Palace. The Jade Emperor found that he had missed four roll calls, and that his thirteen days in the lower realm equaled thirteen years—for one day in Heaven is one year in the lower realm. He then dispatched the star officers of his own department to bring him back to the upper realm, and banished him to Tushita Palace to perform meritorious service. Old Sun, meanwhile, has rescued your beloved daughter." The King thanked Xingzhe for his grace and virtue, then instructed, "Go see your Master." The three of them went directly down from the precious hall, and with the various officials went to the court chamber, where they carried out the iron cage and removed the iron chains from the false tiger. Others saw him as a tiger, but Xingzhe alone saw him as a person. It turned out that the Master had been bewitched by demonic arts and could not walk. His mind was clear, but his mouth and eyes were difficult to open. Xingzhe laughed and said, "Master, you are a good monk—how did you end up with such a wicked appearance? You blamed me for committing violence and doing evil, and drove me away. You wanted to single-mindedly pursue goodness, so how did you suddenly end up with such a face?" Bajie said, "Brother, just save him—stop picking at him." Xingzhe said, "You instigate everything—you are his proud, good disciple. If you don't save him, why come looking for Old Sun again? I told you originally that once I had subdued the monster and avenged the insult against me, I would go back." Sha Seng stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Brother, the ancients said, 'If not for the monk's face, then for the Buddha's face.' Since you, elder brother, have come here, I earnestly beg you to save him. If we could save him ourselves, we would not have traveled so far to invite you." Xingzhe lifted him up with his hand and said, "How could I have the heart not to save him? Quickly, fetch some water." Bajie flew like a shooting star to the post station, retrieved the luggage and horse, took out the purple-gold alms bowl, filled it half full with water, and handed it to Xingzhe. Xingzhe took the water in his hand, recited the true words, and sprayed it squarely onto the tiger's head, dispelling the demonic arts and releasing the tiger's qi. The Elder revealed his original form, settled his mind, and opened his eyes, only then recognizing that it was Xingzhe. He grabbed hold of him and said, "Wukong, where did you come from?" Sha Seng stood in attendance at the side and recounted in full the matters of inviting Xingzhe, subduing the monster, rescuing the princess, releasing the tiger's qi, and returning to court. Sanzang thanked him endlessly, saying, "Worthy disciple, I am indebted to you, I am indebted to you. On this journey, when we reach the West and return directly to the Eastern Land to report to the King of Tang, your merit shall be first." Xingzhe laughed and said, "Say no more, say no more—but if you simply do not recite that phrase, that would be enough to show your deep affection." The King, hearing these words, again expressed gratitude to the four of them. He prepared a vegetarian banquet and threw open the Eastern Pavilion. The Master and disciples received the imperial grace, then took leave of the King and headed west. The King again led the assembled officials to see them off far away. This is exactly: The lord returns to the precious hall to settle the realm, The monks depart for Leiyin to pay homage to the Buddha. As to what further events occurred after this, and when they would reach the Western Heaven, listen to the next chapter's explanation.