OriginChapter 43
But to resume: when the Bodhisattva had recited the spell several times, she then stopped, and the fiend felt no more pain. He then composed himself, rose, and looked—around his neck and on his hands and feet were golden fillets, drawn so tight that they caused him pain. When he tried to remove them, he could not budge them in the least. This precious treasure had already taken root in his flesh, and the more he rubbed, the more it hurt. Pilgrim laughed and said, "My good boy, the Bodhisattva was afraid you wouldn't grow up, so she put a neck ring and bracelet on you." When the boy heard these words, he grew angry again, seized his spear, and thrust wildly at Pilgrim. Pilgrim quickly dodged, stood behind the Bodhisattva, and shouted, "Recite the spell! Recite the spell!" The Bodhisattva dipped her willow branch in a drop of sweet dew, sprinkled it toward him, and called, "Close!" Thereupon he dropped his spear and clasped his hands together before his chest, unable to open them again. To this day there remains the "Guanyin twist"—that is the meaning of it. The boy could not open his hands nor take up his spear; only then did he realize how profound and subtle her magic was. Having no recourse, he bowed his head and knelt.
The Bodhisattva recited the true words, tilted her pure vase, and gathered back all the seawater, leaving not a single drop. She said to Pilgrim, "Wukong, this fiend has now been subdued, but his wild heart is not yet settled. I will have him make one bow for every step until he reaches Mount Potalaka, and only then will I release the magic. Now quickly go to the cave and rescue your master." Pilgrim turned and kowtowed, saying, "I am grateful for the Bodhisattva's long journey; your disciple will see you part of the way." The Bodhisattva said, "You need not see me off, lest you delay and endanger your master's life." Hearing this, Pilgrim joyfully kowtowed and took his leave. The fiend had now returned to the true fruit, and in fifty-three prostrations he paid homage to Guanyin.
But let us not dwell on the Good Bodhisattva receiving the boy. Now Sha Seng had been sitting long in the forest, waiting for Pilgrim but not seeing him. He placed the luggage on the horse, held the fiend-subduing precious staff in one hand, and led the reins with the other, coming out of the pine grove to look southward, when he saw Pilgrim approaching joyfully. Sha Seng met him and said, "Elder Brother, how is it that you went to invite the Bodhisattva and are only now coming? You have worried me to death." Pilgrim said, "You are still dreaming. Old Sun has already invited the Bodhisattva and subdued the fiend." Pilgrim then recounted in full the Bodhisattva's magical powers. Sha Seng was overjoyed and said, "Let us rescue our master."
The two then leaped across the stream, arrived at the cave entrance, and tied up the horse. They raised their weapons and together charged into the cave, exterminated the crowd of fiends, untied the leather sack, and released Eight Rules. That idiot thanked Pilgrim and said, "Elder Brother, where is that fiend? Let me go and rake him a few times to vent my anger." Pilgrim said, "First let us find our master."
The three went straight to the back, where they saw the master, completely naked, bound and weeping in the courtyard. Sha Seng quickly untied the ropes, and Pilgrim at once fetched clothes and dressed him. The three knelt before him and said, "Master, you have suffered." Sanzang thanked them, saying, "Worthy disciples, you have labored greatly. How did you subdue the demon?" Pilgrim then recounted in full the story of inviting the Bodhisattva and receiving the boy. Hearing this, Sanzang hastily knelt and bowed toward the south. Pilgrim said, "No need to thank her; rather, we have done a good deed for her by receiving a boy." Now the story of the boy paying homage to Guanyin in fifty-three prostrations, each prostration seeing the Buddha—that is this very matter.
He told Sha Seng to collect the treasures inside the cave. Then they looked for grain and prepared a vegetarian meal to serve their master. That elder's life was saved entirely by Great Sage Sun; to obtain the true scriptures, they relied only on the Handsome Monkey King.
The master and disciples came out of the cave, mounted the horse, took the main road, and with firm resolve headed west. After traveling for more than a month, they suddenly heard the sound of water booming in their ears. Sanzang was greatly startled and said, "Disciples, where is that water sound again?" Pilgrim laughed and said, "You, old master, are far too suspicious—you can hardly be a monk. We are four together, yet only you hear any water sound. Have you forgotten the _Heart Sutra_ again?" Tang Sanzang said, "The _Heart Sutra_ was orally taught by the Crow's Nest Zen Master on Foutu Mountain; it has fifty-four lines and two hundred seventy characters. I received it by ear then and recite it constantly to this day—do you know which line I have forgotten?" Pilgrim said, "Old master, you have forgotten 'no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind.' We who have left home do not let the eye gaze on forms, the ear listen to sounds, the nose smell fragrances, the tongue taste flavors, the body know cold or heat, or the mind harbor delusions: this is called expelling the six thieves. Now, seeking scriptures, you are preoccupied with every thought; fearing demons, you are unwilling to sacrifice yourself; wanting meals, you move your tongue; delighting in sweet scents, you touch your nose; hearing noises, you startle your ears; seeing things, you fix your gaze—thus you summon these six thieves in profusion—how can you reach the Western Heaven to see the Buddha?" When Sanzang heard this, he fell silent and pondered, then said, "Disciples, I—
Since the year I left my sacred lord,
By day and night I've toiled with one accord.
Straw sandals part the mist upon the peak,
Bamboo hat parts clouds where ridge lines seek.
In still night apes cry out—how sad their wail;
By moonlight raucous birdsong fails.
When shall I complete the three times three,
And gain the Tathāgata's true decree?"
When Pilgrim heard this, he could not help clapping and laughing heartily, saying, "This master—it turns out he cannot stop thinking of home. But as for completing the three times three, what difficulty is there? As the saying goes, 'When skill is sufficient, success comes naturally.'" Eight Rules turned back and said, "Brother, if we go on like this with such fierce demonic obstacles, even if we walk for a thousand years we shall not succeed." Sha Seng said, "Second Brother, you and I are both dull-mouthed and slow of tongue—do not provoke Elder Brother's warm teasing. Let us just shoulder our loads and press on; in the end the day of success will come."
While the master and disciples were speaking, they did not stop walking; the horse galloped swiftly, when ahead they saw a vast black water surging to the sky, and the horse could not advance. The four stood still on the bank and looked carefully. They saw:
Layer upon layer of roaring waves, fold upon fold of turbid swells—
Layer upon layer of roaring waves churning black mire,
Fold upon fold of turbid swells rolling black oil.
Nearby, no reflection of a person's form;
Afar, hard to find the shape of trees.
Rolling, a whole ground of ink;
Surging, a thousand li of ash.
Floating foam gathered like piled charcoal;
Flung spray rose like tossed coal.
Cattle and sheep would not drink; crows and magpies could hardly fly.
Cattle and sheep would not drink, loathing its deep black;
Crows and magpies could hardly fly, fearing its vast expanse.
Only the reeds and rushes on the bank knew the seasons;
By the shore, flowers and grasses vied in fresh splendor.
Lakes, rivers, and seas are found throughout the world;
Springs, fens, and marsh-pools are many in this realm.
In life, all have their places of meeting—
But who ever saw the Black Water River of the West?
Tang Sanzang dismounted and said, "Disciples, why is this water so pitch-black?" Eight Rules said, "Somebody must have spilled a vat of indigo." Sha Seng said, "No—someone has washed his inkstone and brush." Pilgrim said, "Stop your wild guesses and talk; let us devise a way to get our master across." Eight Rules said, "If it were just old Pig crossing, it would not be hard: either riding on a cloud, or swimming through the water with a burden—in less than a meal's time I would be over." Sha Seng said, "If it were old Sha, I would only need to stride on clouds or tread on water, and cross in an instant." Pilgrim said, "For us it is easy, but for the master it is hard." Sanzang said, "Disciples, how wide is this river?" Eight Rules said, "About ten li wide." Sanzang said, "You three decide which one will carry me across." Pilgrim said, "Eight Rules can carry you." Eight Rules said, "It is not easy to carry: if I carry you while soaring on clouds, I cannot even rise three feet off the ground. As the saying goes, 'Carrying a mortal is as heavy as a mountain.' If I carry you while swimming, I would only be pulled down into the water myself."
While the masters and disciples were discussing matters by the riverbank, they saw a man rowing a small boat downstream from the head of the current. Tang Sanzang was delighted and said, "Disciples, there is a boat coming. Tell him to ferry us across." Sha Wujing called out loudly, "Oarsman, come ferry people, come ferry people." The man on the boat said, "I am not a ferryboat; how can I ferry people?" Sha Wujing said, "In heaven or on earth, convenience is foremost. Though you are not a ferryboat, we are not ones who regularly trouble you. We are Buddhist envoys dispatched from the East with the imperial commission to fetch scriptures. Pray give us your convenience and ferry us across; we will thank you." When the man heard this, he rowed the boat near the shore, leaned on his oar, and said, "Master, my boat is small, and your party is many—how can I ferry all of you?" Sanzang approached and looked; the boat was carved from a single piece of wood, with only a hatch in the middle, just large enough to seat two people. Sanzang said, "What is to be done?" Sha Wujing said, "In that case, we'll cross in two trips." Bajie then resorted to cunning, wishing to shirk work and play smart, and said, "Wujing, you and Elder Brother stay here and watch the luggage and the horse. Let me escort the Master across first, then come back to ferry the horse. Let Elder Brother leap across." Wukong nodded and said, "You speak rightly."
That idler supported Tang Sanzang, the boatman pushed off, raised his oar, and headed straight across the current. Just as they reached the middle, there came a loud crash—waves rolled and surged, darkening the sky and hiding the sun. That fierce gale was extremely violent! A fine wind:
In the sky a burst of cannon-cloud rose;
Amid the stream a thousand layers of black waves towered.
On both banks, flying sand hid the sun's light;
All around, trees toppled with a roar that shook heaven.
It churned rivers and seas, frightening dragons and gods;
It scattered earth and raised dust, withering flowers and trees.
Howling and rumbling like spring thunder's roar,
Blast after blast, fierce as a hungry tiger's bellow.
Crabs, turtles, fish, and shrimp bowed upward in worship;
Birds in flight and beasts on land lost their nests and dens.
Boatmen on the five lakes all met disaster;
Households on the four seas found their lives insecure.
Fishermen in the streams could hardly cast their hooks;
Oarsmen on the rivers—how could they ply their poles?
Tiles torn off, bricks overturned, houses collapsed;
Sky-shaking, earth-moving, Mount Tai itself reeled.
This wind was actually caused by the boatman. He was a monster in the Black Water River. In the blink of an eye, Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie, together with the boat, were plunged into the water, vanishing without trace or shadow—no one knew where he had carried them off.
On the bank, Sha Wujing and Wukong were alarmed and said, "What shall we do? Our old master encounters calamity at every step; he had just escaped from demonic obstacles, and fortunately had a peaceful journey this way, only to meet with trouble in the Black Water." Sha Wujing said, "Could the boat have capsized? Let us go downstream and search." Wukong said, "It is not a capsizing. If it had capsized, Bajie can swim; he would surely protect the Master and come out carrying him. I noticed that boatman had a sinister look about him. It must be that this creature stirred up the wind and dragged the Master under." When Sha Wujing heard this, he said, "Elder Brother, why did you not say so earlier? You watch the horse and the luggage; let me go down into the water to search." Wukong said, "The water looks foul; I fear you cannot go." Sha Wujing said, "How does this water compare to my Flowing Sands River? I can go, I can go."
The good monk took off his cassock, tucked up his hands and feet, brandished his Demon-Subduing Precious Staff, and with a splash parted the waterway, plunging into the waves, striding in with great strides. As he was walking along, he heard voices. Sha Wujing slipped to the side and peered stealthily; over there stood a pavilion, and across the gate was a horizontal inscription of eight large characters: "Hengyang Valley Black Water River God's Mansion." He also heard the monster sitting above say, "I have long toiled, and only today have I obtained this prize. This monk is a good man who has cultivated for ten lifetimes; if I eat but one piece of his flesh, I shall become immortal and never age. I have waited for him a long time, and now my ambition is not disappointed." He ordered, "Little ones, quickly bring out the iron cage, steam these two monks whole, prepare a invitation card, and invite my Second Maternal Uncle to come and celebrate his birthday with warm wine." When Sha Wujing heard this, he could not contain the rage that flared in his heart; he drew his precious staff and began beating violently at the gate, cursing, "You vile creature, quickly return my Master Tang Sanzang and my senior apprentice-brother Bajie!" The demons inside were so frightened that they rushed to report, "Disaster!" The old monster asked, "What disaster?" The little demon said, "Outside there is a monk with a face the color of ill fortune, pounding on the front gate and swearing, demanding people!"
When the monster heard this, he ordered his armor to be brought. The little demons carried out his armor. The old monster dressed himself completely, took in hand a bamboo-jointed steel whip, and walked out the gate—truly a fierce and vicious appearance. Behold:
Square face, round eyes, with glowing rainbow brightness;
Curled lips, huge mouth, red as a blood basin.
A few sparse whiskers like iron wires swayed;
At his temples, cinnabar-red tangled locks flew.
His shape was like the Manifest Spirit, the Grand Lord of Years;
His visage like an enraged, violent Thunder God.
He wore iron armor with clustered flowers gleaming;
On his head a golden helmet inset with rich gems.
In his hand he held the bamboo-jointed steel whip;
As he moved, he dragged a roaring gale.
Born he was a creature of the waters;
Leaving his original stream, he transformed into this fierce form.
If you ask the true surname of this evil demon,
In his former life he was called Little Jiao Dragon.
The monster bellowed, "Who is that beating on my gate?" Sha Wujing said, "You ignorant, vile wretch! How dare you play tricks, turn into a boatman, and carry off my Master in your boat? Quickly return him, and I will spare your life." The monster laughed mockingly and said, "This monk knows neither life nor death. Your Master I have indeed captured, and now I am about to steam him to invite guests. Come up and try your strength with me. If you can match me in three rounds, I will return your Master; if you cannot match me in three rounds, I will steam and eat you as well—do not think of going to the Western Heaven." When Sha Wujing heard this, he flew into a rage, whirled his precious staff, and struck straight at the head; the monster raised his steel whip and parried hastily. The two fought beneath the water—a fine battle:
Demon-Subduing Staff and bamboo-jointed whip—
The two, enraged, each strove to be first.
One was a thousand-year monster in the Black Water River,
The other a former immortal outside the Hall of Divine Mists.
That one, for greed of eating Sanzang's flesh;
This one, to protect the Tang Monk, pitiable.
Both came to fight in the water's depths,
Each seeking success, but neither prevailed.
They fought till shrimps and fish pair by pair shook their heads and fled,
Crabs and turtles双双 withdrew their heads and hid.
Only the water-goblins' drums rolled in unison,
And the many monsters at the gate clamored in uproar.
But good Sha Wujing, true to his name,
Alone and single-handed, displayed his authority and power.
Leaping waves and churning breakers, neither won nor lost;
Whip met staff, the two locked together.
In the end, it was all for the Tang Monk,
Who wished to fetch the true scriptures and worship the Buddha.
The two fought for thirty rounds, with no sign of superiority. Sha Wujing thought to himself, "This monster is my match; I cannot win against him in vain. I shall lure him out and have Elder Brother strike him." So Sha Wujing feigned a break in his stance, dragged his precious staff, and retreated. The demon did not give chase but said, "Go on, I will not fight you anymore; I am going to prepare an invitation card to invite guests."
Shā Wùjìng came out of the water in a huff, and when he saw Xíngzhě he said, "Elder brother, that monster is insolent." Xíngzhě asked, "You were down there for quite a while before you came out—what sort of fiend is it exactly? Did you find Master?" Shā Wùjìng said, "There is a pavilion inside, and above the gate of the pavilion are written horizontally eight large characters: 'Héngyáng Yù Black River God's Mansion.' I hid to the side and overheard him speaking inside, ordering the little ones to scrub the iron cages, intending to steam Master and Bājiè until cooked, then invite his maternal uncle to come for a birthday feast. I flew into a rage and went to pound on the gate. That monster came out carrying a bamboo-jointed steel whip and fought with me for half a day, about thirty rounds, with no victory or defeat. Then I feigned defeat, wanting to lure him out so you could support me. But the monster was very cunning—he did not chase me, only turned back to prepare a written invitation and host guests. That is why I came up." Xíngzhě said, "I wonder what sort of fiend it is?" Shā Wùjìng said, "His appearance looks like a great soft-shelled turtle; otherwise, he might be a tuólong." Xíngzhě said, "I wonder who his maternal uncle is?"
Before they finished speaking, an old man emerged from the bend of the shore below, kowtowed from afar, and called out, "Great Sage, the Black River God pays his respects." Xíngzhě said, "Could you be that fiendish boatman, come again to deceive me?" The old man kowtowed with tears streaming down his face and said, "Great Sage, I am no fiend—I am the true god of this river. That demon came here during the fifth month of last year, riding the great tide from the Western Ocean, and fought with me. But I am old and weak in body, unable to overcome him. He seized the Héngyáng Yù Black River God's Mansion that I occupied, and also harmed many of my aquatic subjects. I had no recourse, so I went directly to the sea to lodge a complaint. It turned out that the Dragon King of the Western Sea is his maternal uncle, and he would not accept my plaint, telling me to yield the place to him. I wished to report to Heaven above, but my divine station is lowly and my office small—I cannot obtain an audience with the Jade Emperor. Now that I have heard the Great Sage has come here, I have come specially to pay my respects and entrust my fate to you. I earnestly beg the Great Sage to exert his strength and avenge this injustice for me." Xíngzhě hearing this said, "If that is so, even the Western Sea Dragon King is guilty. Now he has seized my master and my junior disciple, and boasts that he will steam them cooked and invite his maternal uncle to a birthday feast. I was just about to seize him; fortunately you have come to inform me. Very well, River God, you stay here with Shā Wùjìng to keep watch, while I go to the sea and first capture that Dragon King, then make him arrest this monster." The River God said, "I am deeply grateful for the Great Sage's great kindness."
Xíngzhě then mounted the clouds and headed straight to the Western Ocean. He pressed down his somersault, pinched the Water‑Avoidance Spell, and parted the waves. As he was proceeding, he ran into a black fish spirit carrying a gold-inlaid invitation box, shooting upstream like an arrow or a shuttle from below. Xíngzhě met him full in the face, raised his iron staff and brought it down on his head—pitifully, his brains burst out, his cheekbones split open, and with a gurgling sound he floated to the surface. Xíngzhě then opened the box and looked inside; there was a short letter, on which was written:
"Your foolish nephew, Tuó Jié, bows his head a hundred times and respectfully addresses his Second Maternal Uncle, the Venerable Lord Ao: For former gracious favors, endless thanks. Now I have obtained two creatures—monks from the Eastland, truly rare things of this world—and your nephew dares not keep them for himself. Thinking that your uncle's sacred birthday is near, I have specially prepared a modest feast to offer advance congratulations on a thousand years of life. I earnestly beg that your carriage hasten here—this I entreat."
Xíngzhě laughed and said, "This rogue has already delivered his written confession to Old Sun." With that he tucked the letter into his sleeve and proceeded onward. Soon a patrolling yaksha of the sea spied Xíngzhě, hurriedly turned around, and rushed into the Crystal Palace to report: "Your Majesty, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Grandfather Sun, has come."
That Dragon King, Ao Shùn, immediately led his multitude of aquatic subjects out of the palace to receive him, saying, "Great Sage, please enter my little palace and rest a while; let me offer tea." Xíngzhě said, "I have not yet drunk your tea, but you have already drunk my wine!" The Dragon King smiled and said, "The Great Sage has long been converted to the Buddhist faith and does not touch meat or wine—when did you ever invite me to drink?" Xíngzhě said, "You did not go to drink the wine, but you have incurred the crime of drinking wine." Ao Shùn was greatly alarmed and said, "How has the little dragon incurred guilt?" Xíngzhě took the letter from his sleeve and handed it to the Dragon King.
When the Dragon King saw it, his soul fled and his spirit scattered; he hurriedly knelt, kowtowed, and said, "Great Sage, forgive my guilt. That creature is the ninth son of my younger sister. Because his father erred in dispensing wind and rain, reducing the allotted rainfall, the Heavenly Court decreed that the Human Official, Prime Minister Wèi Zhēng, behead him in a dream. My younger sister had nowhere to settle, so I brought her here and raised him to adulthood. Two years ago, unfortunately, my younger sister died of illness, leaving him with no place to live. I sent him to the Black River to cultivate his nature and refine his true self—I never expected him to commit such evil. I shall send someone at once to capture him." Xíngzhě said, "How many worthy sons did your younger sister have in all? And where are they causing mischief?" The Dragon King said, "My younger sister had nine sons. The other eight are all well-behaved: the first, the Small Yellow Dragon, now dwells at the Huái River; the second, the Small Black Dragon, now dwells at the Jì River; the third, the Green‑Backed Dragon, has taken the Yangtze River; the fourth, the Red‑Whiskered Dragon, guards the Yellow River; the fifth, the Toiling Dragon, keeps the bell for the Buddha; the sixth, the Beast‑Stabilizing Dragon, guards the ridge‑poles for the divine palaces; the seventh, the Respectful Dragon, guards the Heavenly Pillar for the Jade Emperor; the eighth, the Shèn Dragon, holds the Great Mountain at my eldest brother's place. This is the ninth, the Tuólong. Because he is young and has no appointed duty, only since last year did I let him dwell in the Black River to cultivate his nature, waiting until he achieves renown before transferring him to another post. Who knew he would disobey my command and offend the Great Sage."
Xíngzhě hearing this laughed and said, "How many brothers‑in‑law did your younger sister have?" Ao Shùn said, "She married only one brother‑in‑law—the Dragon King of the Jīng River. In former years he was beheaded for that crime, and my younger sister lived here as a widow; she died of illness the year before last." Xíngzhě said, "One husband and one wife—how could they give birth to such a motley brood?" Ao Shùn said, "This is what is meant by 'a dragon begets nine kinds, each different from the others.'" Xíngzhě said, "I was just feeling vexed and intended to use this letter as evidence to report to the Heavenly Court and charge you with conspiracy in wrongdoing and seizing people. But according to what you say, it is that creature who did not obey instruction. I shall spare you this once: first, for the sake of your worthy brothers; second, I should only blame that creature for being young and ignorant, and you were not much aware of it either. Hurry and send someone to capture him, rescue my master, and then we shall decide what to do." Ao Shùn immediately summoned the Crown Prince, Mó Áng, and said, "Quickly muster five hundred shrimp and fish soldiers and seize the little Tuó for punishment." At the same time he arranged a banquet to apologize to the Great Sage. Xíngzhě said, "Dragon King, do not be overly anxious. Since we have talked it out and I have forgiven you, that is all—why need you prepare wine? I must go now with your worthy son: first, because my old master is suffering; second, because my junior disciple awaits me."
The old dragon tried in vain to detain him; just then a dragon girl brought tea to offer. Xíngzhě stood and drank a cup of fragrant tea, took leave of the old dragon, and followed Mó Áng with the troops, leaving the Western Sea and soon arriving at the Black River. Xíngzhě said, "Worthy crown prince, capture the monster well—I shall go ashore." Mó Áng said, "Great Sage, set your mind at ease. I, the little dragon, will bring him up first to present to you; after punishing him according to his crime, I will deliver your master ashore, and only then dare I take him back to the sea to see my father." Xíngzhě cheerfully took his leave, pinched the Water‑Avoidance Spell, leaped out of the waves, and went straight to the cliff on the eastern bank. Shā Wùjìng and the River God met him and said, "Elder brother, when you left you went through the air—how is it that you return from the river?" Xíngzhě recounted in full the matter of killing the fish spirit, obtaining the letter, reproaching the Dragon King, and coming with the crown prince and his troops. Shā Wùjìng was overjoyed, and they all stood on the bank awaiting their master.
But to resume—the Crown Prince Mo'ang first sent an armored officer to the gate of that aquatic palace to announce to the monster: "Mo'ang, Crown Prince of the Western Sea Dragon King, has arrived." The monster was just seated when he heard that Mo'ang was coming. He thought with puzzlement: "I sent the black-fish sprite with a letter of invitation to call upon my maternal uncle, the Second Venerable Lord. By this hour no reply has come. How is it that my uncle has not come, but my elder cousin arrives instead?" While he was speaking, another little scout-sprite from the river came to report: "Great King, there is a force of soldiers within the river, encamped to the west of the water palace. Their banner bears the inscription: 'Western Sea Heir-Apparent, Young Commander Mo'ang.'" The monster said: "This elder cousin of mine is quite presumptuous. I suppose my uncle could not come and sent him to attend the feast. But if he is coming to a feast, why does he bring troops and weary his men? Hah! I fear there may be some ulterior motive." He ordered: "My little ones, prepare my armor and steel mace—should there be a sudden change. I shall go out first to meet him and see what this means." The various monsters acknowledged the command, rubbing their fists and palms in readiness.
This Crocodile Dragon emerged from the gate and indeed saw a contingent of sea troops encamped on the right. There were:
Fluttering pennants with embroidered ribbons,
Painted halberds arrayed like rosy clouds.
Precious swords gleaming with radiance,
Long spears with tassels winding like flowers.
Bows bent like small crescent moons,
Arrows inserted like wolf-fangs.
Great sabers shining brightly,
Short clubs hard and whistling.
Whales, giant turtles, and clams,
Crabs, turtles, fishes, and prawns.
All arrayed, great and small,
Weapons dense as hemp stalks.
Without a marshal's command,
Who would dare disorderly advance?
When the Crocodile Monster saw this, he went straight to the camp gate and called out in a stern voice: "Elder Cousin, your younger brother awaits here with respect. Please come." A conch-sprite on patrol hurried to the central command tent: "Report to His Highness the Thousand-Year Lord: outside, Crocodile Dragon invites you." The Prince straightened the golden helmet on his head, tightened the jeweled belt at his waist, grasped a three-edged mace in his hand, strode out of the camp, and said: "What do you invite me for?" Crocodile Dragon made a salutation and said: "Your younger brother sent a letter of invitation this morning to our uncle. I suppose our uncle has slighted me and sent you instead, elder brother. Since you have come to the feast, why do you trouble yourself with troops and men? Why do you not enter the water palace, but camp here, wearing armor and bearing arms? Why is this?" The Prince said: "Why do you invite our uncle?" The monster said: "Your younger brother has long been favored by his grace to dwell here, and having been parted from his noble countenance for a long time, I have had no chance to show my filial respect. Yesterday I captured a monk from the East—I heard he is a primal body that has cultivated through ten lifetimes. If a man eats him, he may prolong his years. I wished to invite our uncle to have a look, then steam him in an iron steamer to offer him as a birthday gift." The Prince shouted: "You are utterly benighted! Do you know who that monk is?" The monster said: "He is a monk from the Tang Empire, a monk going to the Western Heavens to fetch scriptures." The Prince said: "You know only that he is Tang Monk, but you do not know how formidable his disciples are." The monster said: "He has a long-mouthed monk called Zhu Bajie—I have captured him too, to steam along with the Tang monk. He has another disciple called Sha Heshang, a blackish fellow with a dismal-complexioned face, who wields a precious staff. Yesterday he came outside this gate to demand his master back, and I led out my river troops and gave him a bout with my steel mace, until he fled in defeat. I did not see any great ferocity."
The Prince said: "So you do not know. He has yet another great disciple, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Supreme Heavenly Immortal of the Upper Realms, who caused great havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago. Now he protects Tang Monk on his journey to the Western Heavens to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. It was the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guanyin of Mount Potalaka who persuaded him to good and changed his name to Sun Wukong the Pilgrim. How could you, for lack of something better to do, stumble into such a calamity? Moreover, he met your messenger in my sea, seized the invitation, went straight into the Crystal Palace, and charged my father and me with colluding with evil spirits and seizing people by force. Quickly deliver Tang Monk and Bajie to the riverbank and return them to the Great Sage Sun. Then, through me, you may offer apologies, and you may still save your life. If you utter half a word of refusal, do not hope to keep your whole life here." When the Crocodile Monster heard this, he flew into a great rage and said: "You are my own full cousin by blood, yet you side with outsiders. What you say means that I should send Tang Monk out. In heaven and earth, where is there such an easy thing? You may fear him, but must I also fear him? If he has skill, let him dare to come before my water-gate and fight three rounds with me—then I will return his master. If he cannot overcome me, I will take him too and steam them all together. I need no relatives, nor shall I invite guests. I will shut my own gate, have my little ones sing and dance, and I myself will sit atop, at ease, and eat them—why not?"
When the Prince heard this, he opened his mouth and cursed: "You vile wretch! You are indeed beyond all decency. Do not call the Great Sage Sun to face you—do you dare to contend with me?" The monster said: "If one would be a true hero, what fear is there in contending?" He ordered: "Bring my armor." At his call, the many little monsters attended him left and right, presented his armor, and offered his steel mace. The two then changed countenance, each displaying his prowess; they passed the order and together beat the war drums. This contest was quite different from the fight with Sha Heshang. One could see:
Pennants blazing, halberds and spears flashing light.
On this side the camp broke formation;
On that side the gates swung open.
Crown Prince Mo'ang raised his golden mace;
The Crocodile Monster whirled his mace to parry.
At one blast of the cannon the river troops raged;
At three peals of the gong the sea warriors ran wild.
Prawn fought prawn, crab fought crab.
Whales and giant turtles swallowed red carp;
Pikes and perch stirred up yellow catfish.
Sharks and mullets ate the herring, and the mackerel fled;
Oysters seized razor clams, clams and mussels in panic.
The spear of the young sturgeon was hard as iron clubs;
The needle of the ray was sharp as a lance point.
Sturgeons and eels pursued white eels;
Perch and cod seized black pomfrets.
All the river monsters vied for supremacy;
The two dragon forces determined weak and strong.
After long confusion the waves rolled;
Crown Prince Mo'ang outshone the Vajra.
With a shout he brought down his golden mace heavily,
And seized the monster Crocodile Dragon, king of mischief.
Now the Prince feinted an opening with his three-edged mace. The demon, not knowing it was a trick, darted in, whereupon the Prince employed his skill and struck the demon's right arm with one blow of the mace, causing him to stagger. He then rushed forward and gave another blow to his feet, throwing him to the ground. The massed sea soldiers surged forward, seized and turned him over, bound his hands behind his back with ropes, ran an iron chain through his collarbones, and brought him ashore. They escorted him before Sun Wukong and said: "Great Sage, the little Dragon Prince has captured the Crocodile Demon. We await the Great Sage's judgment."
When the Pilgrim and Sha Heshang saw this, they said: "You wretch, you have disobeyed the decree. Your uncle originally permitted you to dwell here, ordering you to cultivate your nature and preserve your person, and when your name should be achieved, there would be another appointment. How could you forcibly seize the dwelling of the Water God, rely on your power to commit violence, deceive your heart and delude your superiors, practice trickery, and abduct my master and younger brother? I would strike you with my staff, but my staff is extremely heavy—a slight tap would end your life. Where have you put my master?" The monster kowtowed without cease, saying: "Great Sage, little Crocodile did not know the Great Sage's great name. Just now I defied my elder cousin, acted willfully and violated reason, and was captured by my cousin. Now that I see the Great Sage, I am fortunate to receive the Great Sage's mercy in not killing me—my gratitude is boundless. Your master is still bound in that water palace. I beg the Great Sage to release my iron chain and free my hands, so that I may go into the river and bring him out." Mo'ang said from the side: "Great Sage, this creature is a rebellious monster, most treacherous. If you release him, he may turn to evil thoughts." Sha Heshang said: "I know that place. Let me go find my master."
The two of them jumped into the water and went straight to the gate of the Water Mansion. The gate there was wide open, and there was not a single soldier. They went directly inside the pavilions and saw that Tang Monk and Bajie were tied up there, completely naked. Sha Monk at once untied his master, and the River God also untied Bajie. Each carried one on his back, emerged from the water, and went straight to the shore. When Zhu Bajie saw that fiend locked in bonds at the side, he hastily drew his rake and stepped forward to strike, cursing as he went: "Vile evil beast! You won't eat me now?" Pilgrim pulled him back, saying, "Brother, spare him the death penalty for now—out of regard for the kindness of Ao Shun and his worthy son." Mo'ang stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Great Sage, this little dragon does not dare to stay long. Since you have rescued your master, I will take this wretch to see my father. Though the Great Sage has spared him the death penalty, my father will certainly not spare him the penalty of life—there will surely be a judgment and punishment, and I will still return to give thanks to the Great Sage for his pardon." Pilgrim said, "In that case, take him away. Convey my many respects to your honored father, and I shall still pay my respects in person." The crown prince then pressed down on that fiendish creature, cast himself into the water, and leading the sea soldiers, went straight back to the Western Sea—of this no more is said.
Now the Black Water River God thanked Pilgrim, saying, "I am deeply grateful to the Great Sage for the grace of recovering my Water Mansion." Tang Monk said, "Disciple, we are still on the eastern bank—how are we to cross this river?" The River God said, "Do not worry, Venerable Sir. Please mount your horse, and this minor god will open the way and lead you across." Only then did the master mount the white horse, Bajie took hold of the reins, Sha Monk shouldered the luggage, and Sun Pilgrim stood guard on left and right. Then the River God performed his water-stopping magic, blocking the upper current; in a moment, the lower current was drained dry, opening up a broad road. The master and disciples crossed over to the western side, thanked the River God, and climbed the bank to continue their journey. Thus it is said:
The Zen monk, rescued, goes west to the foreign land;
Through the earth without waves, they cross the Black River.
If you would know how they at last worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.