Chapter 53

The virtue of conduct must be cultivated for eight hundred years; The merit of hidden good must accumulate to three thousand. Equalize self and others, kin and foes— Only then does one fulfill the original vow of the Western Heavens. Demon rhinoceroses and weapons of war do not frighten; Toil and water and fire bring no transgression. Old Lord subdued him, then faced the Court again, Laughing, he pulled the blue ox by the halter and turned back. Now, who was it that called out by the roadside? It was the Mountain God and Earth Spirit of Golden Helmet Mountain, holding aloft a purple-gold alms bowl and crying: "Holy Monk, this bowl of rice was begged by Great Sage Sun from a good place. Because you would not heed good counsel and fell by mistake into the demon's hands, you caused Great Sage Sun endless toil; only today has he managed to rescue you. Come now and eat this rice before you continue your journey—do not slight Great Sage Sun's devoted and filial heart." Tripitaka said: "Disciple, I am greatly indebted to you beyond words. Had I known earlier not to step beyond the ring-mark, how could I have suffered this deadly harm?" Pilgrim said: "To be honest with you, Master, it was because you did not trust my ring that you were made to suffer another's ring instead. What agony! Alas, alas!" Eight Rules said: "What is this talk of another ring?" Pilgrim said: "It is all because of your accursed tongue and blabbering mouth, you oaf, that you caused Master to undergo this great ordeal, and sent old Sun to turn heaven and earth upside down, summoning heavenly troops, water and fire, and the Buddha's cinnabar—all of which he carried off with a gleaming white ring. Tathagata secretly instructed the Arhat, and told old Sun the demon's origin, so I went to invite Old Lord to come and subdue him—turns out it was a blue ox causing the mischief." When Tripitaka heard this, his gratitude knew no bounds, and he said: "Worthy disciple, having endured this ordeal, from now on I shall surely follow your instructions." Thereupon the four of them shared the rice, which was steaming hot. Pilgrim said: "This rice has been sitting a long while—why is it still hot?" The Earth Spirit knelt and said: "This humble spirit knew that the Great Sage's task was completed, so I heated it up and waited upon you." In a moment the meal was finished, the alms bowl put away, and having taken leave of the Earth Spirit and Mountain God, the Master climbed back into the saddle and rode on past the high mountains. Thus: Purifying the mind and washing the heart, they turned to true awakening; Feasting on wind and lodging on waters, they journeyed westward. After traveling for some time, they encountered early spring weather. They heard: Purple swallows chirping and twittering, Golden orioles singing sweetly. Purple swallows chirped with weary beaks, Golden orioles sang with frequent, artful notes. Fallen crimson covered the ground like brocade spread, Spring green mantled the hills like piled carpets. On the ridge, green plums formed their pods; Before the cliff, ancient pines held onto clouds. The wilds were moist, the misty light pale; The sands were warm, the sunlight dim. In several gardens, flowers unfurled their buds; Yang returned to the earth, and willows put forth new shoots. As they were traveling, they suddenly came upon a small river—clear, lucid water, deep and cold waves. Elder Tang reined in his horse and looked across; in the distance, beyond the river, he saw green willows hanging down, with a few thatched cottages faintly visible. Pilgrim pointed into the distance and said: "Those people over there must be ferrymen." Tripitaka said: "I see it over there too, but I do not see any boat, so I dare not speak." Eight Rules set down the luggage and called out loudly: "Ferrymen! Bring the boat over!" He called several times, when from within the willow shade a boat came sculling out with creaking and groaning sounds. In no time it drew near the shore. The master and disciples looked closely at the boat—truly it was: Short oars parted the waves, Light sweeps rode the ripples. The cabin was painted with colored lacquer, The deck planks filled the level hold. At the bow, an iron cable coiled in its nest; At the stern, the wheelhouse was bright and clear. Though it was but a single reed's passage, It was in no way inferior to crossing lakes and seas. Though it lacked brocade hawsers and ivory masts, It indeed had pine posts and cassia sweeps. Not equal to a divine vessel of ten thousand leagues, Yet truly it could cross the span of one river. It came and went only between the two banks, Entering and leaving never beyond the old ferry crossing. The boat soon reached the shore, and the boatman called out: "Those crossing, come this way." Tripitaka urged his horse forward to look—what was the boatman like? On his head a brocade kerchief wrapped, On his feet black silk shoes. He wore a padded jacket of a hundred patches, And a waistband of a thousand-stitched skirt-cloth. His wrists were rough-skinned, the sinews hard and strong; His eyes were dim, his brows wrinkled, his face worn and aged. His voice was delicate and fine, like an oriole's warble— Upon closer look, it was an old woman in skirts. Pilgrim approached the boat's side and said: "Are you the ferryman?" The woman said: "Yes." Pilgrim said: "Why is the ferryman not here, and instead a ferrywoman punting the boat?" The woman smiled but did not reply, and with her hand pulled up the gangplank. Sha Monk carried the luggage aboard, Pilgrim helped the Master onto the gangplank, then they crossed over into the boat; Eight Rules led the white horse aboard and took in the gangplank. The woman pushed off the boat, plied the oars, and in a moment they had crossed the river. Having set foot on the western shore, Elder Tang told Sha Monk to untie the bundle and take a few coins to give her. The woman did not haggle over the amount; she tied the cable to a stake by the water, and with a smile went straight into the cottage. Tripitaka saw that the water was clear, and feeling thirsty at the moment, he told Eight Rules: "Take the alms bowl and scoop some water for me to drink." That idler said: "I was also wanting a bit to drink." He took the alms bowl, scooped up a full bowl, and handed it to the Master. The Master drank a little less than half, leaving over half; the idler took it and drained it in one breath, then attended to Tripitaka as he mounted his horse. The master and disciples found their way and journeyed westward. Before half an hour had passed, the Elder on his horse groaned and said: "My stomach hurts." Eight Rules following behind said: "My stomach hurts too." Sha Monk said: "It must be from drinking cold water." Before he finished speaking, the Master cried out: "It hurts terribly!" Eight Rules also said: "It hurts terribly!" The two of them could not bear the pain, and gradually their bellies swelled. Feeling with their hands, it seemed there were lumps of flesh and blood within, constantly throbbing and stirring. Tripitaka was just feeling unwell when suddenly he saw by the roadside a village house, with two bundles of straw hanging from the treetop. Pilgrim said: "Master, good—that place is a wine-seller's establishment. Let us go and beg some hot broth for you to drink, and ask if there are any medicine sellers—we can get a remedy to cure your stomach pain." Tripitaka was very pleased to hear this and spurred the white horse on. In no time they reached the village gate and dismounted. They saw outside the gate an old woman, sitting upright on a straw stool spinning hemp. Pilgrim stepped forward, made a salute, and said: "Elder Sister, this poor monk comes from the Great Tang in the East. My master is the Imperial Younger Brother of the Tang Dynasty. Because he drank river water while crossing, he feels pain in his belly." The old woman laughed happily and said: "Did you drink water from that river over there?" Pilgrim said: "It was from the Clear Water River east of here." The old woman smiled cheerfully and said: "How amusing, how amusing! Come in, all of you, and I will tell you." The Walker then supported Tang Sanzang, and Sha Wujing helped Zhu Bajie. The two of them called out in pained voices, their bellies distended, their faces sallow and brows knitted in agony as they entered the thatched hut and sat down. The Walker only called out: "Goodwife, you must boil some hot broth for my master, and we will thank you." But the goodwife did not boil broth at once; instead, she laughed and ran to the back, calling out: "Come look, all of you, come look." From within, two or three women of middle age came stumbling out, and they all stood gazing at Tang Sanzang with tittering smiles. The Walker flew into a rage, gave a shout, and bared his fangs. Terrified, the whole household staggered backward in retreat. The Walker stepped forward, seized the old woman, and said: "Quickly boil the broth at once, and I will spare you." Trembling with fear, the old woman said: "Grandfather! Even if I boil broth it will be of no use, nor can it cure the belly pains of those two. Release me, and let me speak." The Walker released her, and she said: "This place is the Western Liang Woman's Kingdom. All the people of our kingdom are women, with not a single man among us, which is why we were so delighted to see you. The water your master drank was not good. That river is called the Mother-Child River. Outside the walls of our king's capital, there is also the Yingyang Lodge and Station, and outside its gate is the Fetal-Reflecting Spring. Our people here, only after reaching the age of twenty or above, dare to drink the water of that river. After drinking it, they feel abdominal pain and conceive a child. After three days, they go to the Fetal-Reflecting Spring beside the Yingyang Lodge to look. If they see a double reflection, they will give birth to a child. Your master has drunk the Mother-Child River's water and so has conceived a pregnancy. In no more than a few days he will bear a child—how can hot broth cure that?" When Sanzang heard this, he paled in fright and said: "Disciples, what is to be done in such a case?" Bajie twisted his waist and hips, groaning: "Grandfather! If we are to bear children, we are male bodies—where can our birth portals open? How can we bring them out?" The Walker laughed and said: "The ancients say: 'When the melon is ripe, it falls of itself.' When that time comes, it will certainly split a hole under your ribs and come burrowing out." When Bajie heard this, he trembled uncontrollably and, unable to bear the pain, said: "Enough, enough, I am dead, I am dead." Sha Wujing laughed and said: "Second Brother, do not twist so, do not twist—lest you misalign your birthing bowels and bring on a prenatal affliction." The fool grew even more panicked, tears welling in his eyes as he tugged at the Walker and said: "Elder Brother, ask this goodwife where we can find a midwife with gentle hands, and arrange for several in advance. The churning has grown so fierce of late—it must be the pains of labor, it is coming soon, it is coming soon." Sha Wujing laughed again: "Since Second Brother knows the pains of labor, do not twist about, for fear you might burst your water bag." Sanzang moaned: "Goodwife, is there a physician here? Let my disciple buy a dose of abortifacient medicine, that I may take it and expel the fetus." The old woman said: "Even if there were medicine, it would be of no use. But on the main southern street of our city, there is a mountain called Jieyang Mountain, and within it a cave called Po'er Cave, and within that cave there is a Fetal-Falling Spring. One must drink a mouthful of that spring water to dissolve the pregnancy. But now the water cannot be obtained. Some years past, a Daoist came, calling himself the Ruyi True Immortal, and he changed the name of Po'er Cave to Juxian Hermitage, seized control of the Fetal-Falling Spring water, and will not readily give it to anyone. Whoever seeks the water must present ceremonial red silk and gifts, along with a sheep, wine, and a fruit platter, and offer them with utmost sincerity—only then may he be granted one bowl of the water. You traveling monks—how could you afford such costly gifts? You can only wait out your fate and endure until the time of birth." When the Walker heard this, he was filled with joy and said: "Goodwife, how far is it from here to Jieyang Mountain?" The goodwife said: "It is thirty li." The Walker said: "Good, good. Master, rest easy—let Old Sun go fetch some water for you to drink." The valiant Great Sage then instructed Sha Wujing: "You must watch over Master carefully. If these people act rudely or molest Master, bring out your old skills and frighten them. Wait for me to fetch the water." Sha Wujing obeyed. The old woman then brought out a large earthenware bowl and handed it to the Walker, saying: "Take this bowl with you, and be sure to bring back plenty, leaving some for us in case of urgent need." The Walker indeed took the bowl, left the thatched hut, and soared off on clouds. Only then did the old woman bow toward the sky and say: "Grandfather! This monk can ride the clouds." She then went inside and called out the several women, who came and kowtowed to Tang Sanzang, addressing him as Arhat and Bodhisattva. On one side, they boiled broth and prepared rice to serve Sanzang—but of this no more. Now as the Great Sage Sun Wukong rode his somersault cloud, in a short while he saw a mountain peak blocking the corner of his cloud. He reined in his cloud-light and gazed upon it—what a fine mountain! Indeed: Gorgeous flowers spread like brocade, Wild grasses spread like blue silk. Mountain streams link their cascades, Clouds over the ravines drift idly alike. Layered valleys thick with vines and creepers, Distant peaks dense with trees and foliage. Birds call and wild geese pass, Deer drink and apes swing and climb. Jade-green peaks rise like folding screens, Blue cliffs like coiled topknots. Dust and turmoil truly cannot reach this place, Springs and stones gently trickle—one never tires of gazing. Often one sees immortal youths gathering herbs, Always one meets woodcutters returning with firewood. Truly this rivals not the scenery of Tiantai, But surpasses the Three Peaks of West Hua. As the Great Sage was gazing at the mountain, he noticed on the shaded side a farmstead and suddenly heard the barking of dogs. The Great Sage descended the mountain and made straight for the farmstead—a fine place indeed. Behold: A small bridge crosses living waters, Thatched cottages lean against green hills. Village dogs bark at the wicker fences, Reclusive folk come and go at ease. Presently he arrived before the gate and saw an old Daoist seated cross-legged on the green grass. The Great Sage set down the earthen bowl, stepped forward, and gave a greeting. The Daoist rose slightly and returned the courtesy, asking: "From where do you come, and what business have you at this humble hermitage?" The Walker said: "I am a poor monk, dispatched by the Great Tang of the East to fetch scriptures from the Western Heavens. Because my master mistakenly drank the water of the Mother-Child River, his belly now pains him and swells unbearably. Upon inquiring with the locals, I learned that he has conceived a pregnancy, and there is no cure. I have heard that Po'er Cave on Jieyang Mountain has the Fetal-Falling Spring, which can dissolve the pregnancy. I have therefore come specially to call upon the Ruyi True Immortal and beg some spring water to save my master. I trouble you, Elder Daoist, to guide me." The Daoist laughed and said: "This is indeed Po'er Cave, now renamed Juxian Hermitage. I am none other than the senior disciple of the Ruyi True Immortal. What is your name, that I may announce you?" The Walker said: "I am the senior disciple of the Dharma Master Tang Sanzang, my humble name Sun Wukong." The Daoist asked: "Where are your ceremonial silks and wine offerings?" The Walker said: "I am a passing itinerant monk and have not brought any." The Daoist laughed: "You are quite foolish. My master has guarded this mountain spring and has never given it away for free. Go back and prepare the offerings, and I will announce you. If not, please return. Do not even think of it." The Walker said: "Human sentiment outweighs the imperial decree. Go and tell him my name, Old Sun, and he will surely grant a favor—he might even give me the whole well." When the Daoist heard this, he could only go in to report. He found the True Immortal playing the qin and waited until he had finished before saying: "Master, there is a monk outside who says he is Sun Wukong, the senior disciple of Tang Sanzang, and he wishes to obtain the Fetal-Falling Spring water to save his master." When the True Immortal heard the name Wukong, rage arose in his heart and malice swelled in his courage. He rose quickly from his qin couch, shed his plain robes, changed into Daoist vestments, took a Ruyi hook weapon, and leaped out of the hermitage gate, calling out: "Where is Sun Wukong?" The Walker turned and saw the True Immortal attired thus: On his head a star-crown flew with colorful splendor, Upon his body a golden-threaded Dharma robe of red. Cloud-shoes beneath his feet piled with brocade, A jeweled belt at his waist circled with delicacy. A pair of brocaded socks that tread on rippling waves, half-revealing the skirt's hem where embroidered velvet gleams. In hand he holds a Ruyi golden hook; its haft is sharp and long, like a python dragon. Phoenix eyes bright and gleaming, brows erect like lotus petals; steel fangs sharp and pointed, mouth turned up in red. Below the brow, whiskers stream like blazing fire; at the temples, crimson hair is short and tousled. His fierce visage resembles Marshal Wen, yet his robe and cap are not the same. When the Pilgrim saw him, he pressed his palms together and made a bow, saying, "Your poor monk is Sun Wukong." The immortal smiled and said, "Are you truly Sun Wukong, or is it a false name and borrowed surname?" The Pilgrim replied, "Look at the way you speak, sir. As the saying goes: 'A gentleman does not change his name when walking, nor his surname when sitting.' I am Wukong—how could there be any pretense?" The immortal said, "Do you recognize me?" The Pilgrim said, "Because I have returned to the orthodox gate of Buddhism and sincerely uphold the monk's precepts, I have been climbing mountains and crossing waters all this time, and have neglected my old friends from youth. I have not had the chance to call on them, so I know little of your honored countenance. Just now I asked among the families by the Zimu River, and they mentioned you as Ruyi Zhenxian—that is how I came to know of you." The immortal said, "You go your way, I cultivate my truth—why have you come to visit me?" The Pilgrim said, "Because my master mistakenly drank the water of the Zimu River, his belly aches and he has conceived. I have come especially to your immortal abode to beg for a bowl of Luotai Spring water, to rescue my master from his difficulty." The immortal glared and said, "Is your master Tang Sanzang?" The Pilgrim said, "Exactly, exactly." The immortal gnashed his teeth and said hatefully, "Have you ever met a Holy Infant King?" The Pilgrim said, "That is the nickname of the monster Red Boy of Fire-Cloud Cave in Dry Pine Stream on Numbered Mountain. Why does the true immortal ask about him?" The immortal said, "He is my nephew. I am the younger brother of the Bull Demon King. Earlier, my elder brother sent word to me, saying that Sun Wukong, the eldest disciple of Tang Sanzang, was vile and had harmed him. I have been looking everywhere for you to avenge that wrong, and yet you come to me instead—and still ask for water!" The Pilgrim smiled apologetically and said, "You are mistaken, sir. Your elder brother was once a friend of mine; in our youth we even swore brotherhood as seven brothers. It is only that I did not know your honorable abode and failed to pay my respects. Now your nephew has gained a fine position; he is following Guanyin Bodhisattva as the Sudhana boy—even we are not his equal. Why do you still blame me?" The immortal shouted, "You vile ape! Still you twist your tongue. Would my nephew not rather be a free king than a slave to others? Do not be rude—take this hook of mine!" The Great Sage blocked it with his iron staff and said, "Sir, do not speak of fighting; rather give me some spring water." The immortal cursed, "Vile ape! You know not life from death. If you can match me in three bouts, I will give you water; if not, I will hack you to mincemeat and so avenge my nephew." The Great Sage cursed back, "You wretched fiend who knows no bounds! If you want to fight, step back and see my staff." The immortal struck back with his Ruyi hook. The two fought fiercely at Juxian Nunnery: The holy monk by error drank the childbearing water; The Pilgrim came to seek the Ruyi immortal. Who knew the true immortal was a monster in truth, Relying on his strength to guard the Luotai Spring. When they met, they spoke of old enmity; Their clash would never end as they wished. Words and talk turned to bitter strife; Fierce in intent and wrathful, they sought revenge. This one, for his master's hurt, came to beg water; That one, for his nephew's death, refused the spring. The Ruyi hook was fierce as scorpion's sting; The golden-ringed staff was fierce as dragon's crest. They thrust at chests with savage might, And hooked at feet with wondrous skill. The underhand staff struck heavy wounds; The over-shoulder hook whipped near the head. A staff to the waist—hawk seizing sparrow; Three hooks from above—mantis catching cicada. Back and forth they vied for victory; Round and round they turned again. Hook and staff clashed without cease; No victor could be seen on either side. The immortal fought with the Great Sage for over a dozen rounds but could not overcome him. The Great Sage grew ever more ferocious; his staff whirled like a shooting star, battering at his head. The immortal, his strength exhausted, dragged his Ruyi hook and fled up the mountain. The Great Sage did not pursue him but instead entered the nunnery to look for water. The Daoist priest had already shut the nunnery gate. The Great Sage took an earthen bowl and rushed to the gate; with all his strength he kicked it open and burst in. Seeing the priest lying by the well curb, the Great Sage gave a shout and raised his staff to strike, whereupon the priest ran to the rear. Just as he found the bucket and was about to draw water, the immortal arrived in front again and with his Ruyi hook caught the Great Sage's foot, tripping him so that he fell with his mouth to the ground. The Great Sage scrambled up and struck with his iron staff, but the immortal dodged aside and, brandishing his hook, said, "Let's see if you can get my water!" The Great Sage cursed, "Come up! Come up, you fiend—I'll beat you to death!" But the immortal did not come forward to fight; he merely stood guard and prevented the Great Sage from drawing water. When the Great Sage saw he would not move, he wielded the iron staff with his left hand and used the bucket with his right. The rope had barely begun to rattle down when the immortal came again with his hook. With only one hand, the Great Sage could not hold him off, and again the hook caught his foot and pulled him off balance, so that even the rope fell into the well. The Great Sage said, "This scoundrel is truly rude." He got up, swung his staff with both hands, and rained blows on him without regard for head or face. The immortal again fled and dared not meet him. The Great Sage wanted to fetch water again, but he had no bucket, and feared the hook might trip him again. He thought to himself, "I'll go call for help." The excellent Great Sage turned his cloud and went straight to the village house, calling out, "Sha Heshang!" Inside, Sanzang was groaning in pain, and Zhu Bajie was moaning without cease. When they heard the call, they rejoiced and said, "Sha Monk, Wukong has come!" Sha Heshang hurried out to greet him, saying, "Elder Brother, have you brought the water?" The Great Sage entered and told Sanzang everything that had happened. Sanzang shed tears and said, "Disciple, what are we to do?" The Great Sage said, "I came to call Sha Brother to go with me. By the nunnery, I will fight that scoundrel, and have Sha Monk take the chance to draw the water to save you." Sanzang said, "If both of you who are not ill go, and leave us two who are ill behind, who will tend us?" The old woman at the side said, "Elder Arhat, rest assured—you need not have your disciples stay; our family will naturally look after you. When you arrived this morning, we truly felt compassion for you. But now that we have seen this Bodhisattva come and go on clouds and mist, we know you are Arhats and Bodhisattvas, and our family would never dare harm you." The Pilgrim gave a sharp cry, "You women—who would you dare harm?" The old woman laughed and said, "Grandfather! It is your good fortune that you came to our house! If you had gone to a second house, you would not have escaped whole." Bajie groaned, "What do you mean, 'not escape whole'?" The old woman said, "Our family of four or five are all of advanced years; we have long given up such worldly affairs, so we would not harm you. But if you went to a second house, with old and young and many people, those younger ones—who would let you go? They would insist on coupling with you. If you refused, they would kill you and cut off your flesh to make sachets." Bajie said, "If that is so, I am certainly safe. They are all sweet-smelling, good for sachets; but I am a rank pig—even if they cut my flesh, it would still be rank, so I can remain unharmed." The Pilgrim laughed, "Do not boast; save your strength for the delivery." The old woman said, "Do not delay—go quickly for the water." The Pilgrim said, "Does your house have a bucket? Lend us one." The old woman went to the back and brought out a bucket and coiled a rope, handing it to Sha Monk. Sha Monk said, "Bring two ropes, in case the well is deep and we need them." Sha Wujing took the bucket and rope, and immediately followed the Great Sage out of the village. Together they rode the clouds away, and in less than half an hour they arrived at the borders of Jieyang Mountain. They lowered their cloud and went straight to the outside of the hermitage. The Great Sage instructed Sha Wujing: "Take the bucket and rope, and hide on one side. Wait until I, Old Sun, go out to challenge them to battle. When our fight is at its fiercest, you take the opportunity to go in, get the water, and leave at once." Sha Wujing carefully followed the orders. Sun the Great Sage drew out his iron staff, approached the gate, and called out loudly: "Open the gate! Open the gate!" The gatekeeper saw him and hurried inside to report: "Master, that Sun Wukong has come again." The venerable gentleman was greatly enraged and said: "This violent monkey is utterly insolent. I have long heard that he has some skills; indeed, only today do I realize that his staff is truly hard to overcome." The Daoist said: "Master, though his skills are high, you are not inferior to him; you are a worthy opponent." The gentleman said: "In the previous two rounds, he won." The Daoist said: "Though he won the first two rounds, it was only due to a burst of ferocity. In the later two times when he came to draw water, you hooked him and made him fall twice—was that not matching him? He left helplessly before, and now he comes again; it must be that Sanzang's pregnancy has become heavy, and he is being pressed hard, so he has no choice but to come. He certainly harbors no intention to slight our master; I am sure my master will surely win." When the True Immortal heard this, he was filled with joyful anticipation, and with a burst of majesty, he brandished his Ruyi Hook and strode out the door, shouting: "Vicious macaque! What have you come for again?" The Great Sage said: "I have come only to fetch water." The True Immortal said: "This spring water belongs to my family's well. Even emperors and prime ministers must present ceremonial gifts of sheep and wine when they seek it, and then only a little is given; moreover, you are my enemy, and you dare to come empty-handed to take it?" The Great Sage said: "Truly you will not give?" The True Immortal said: "I will not, I will not." The Great Sage cursed: "Vicious fiend! Since you won't give the water, take my staff!" He assumed a stance, lunged forward, and without further words, struck at his head. The True Immortal dodged sideways and hastily parried with his hook. This bout was fiercer than before—what a fight: Jingu Bang, Ruyi Hook, The two in fury, each with their grudge. Flying sand and rolling stones darken heaven and earth; Kicking up dust and raising soil make sun and moon mourn. The Great Sage comes to save his master and fetch water, The demon immortal, for his nephew, will not grant the request. Both sides exert themselves, In one place they gamble, not resting. Gritting teeth they contend for victory, Clenching jaws they determine hardness and softness. Adding cunning, they become more vigorous, Spitting clouds and belching mist startle ghosts and gods. Clang and clang the hook and staff resound, Shouts and howls shake the hills. Rolling gales drive the trees, Killing aura spreads past the Dipper and Ox. The Great Sage grows more joyful as he fights, The True Immortal becomes more wary as he strikes. With heart and intent they battle, Not settling until life or death is decided. The two of them fought outside the hermitage gate, leaping and dancing about, and the battle carried on down to the hillside, where they struggled bitterly—we shall not dwell on it. Now Sha Heshang, carrying the bucket, burst in through the gate, only to see that Daoist blocking him by the well, saying: "Who are you, that you dare to fetch water?" Sha Wujing set down the bucket, drew out his Demon-Subduing Precious Staff, and without a word, struck at his head. The Daoist could not dodge in time; his left arm was broken, and he fell to the ground writhing in agony. Sha Wujing cursed: "I would beat you to death, you beast, but since you have a human body, I take pity on you and will let you go. Let me draw the water." The Daoist cried out to heaven and earth, and crawled to the back. Sha Wujing then took the bucket and drew a full bucket of water from the well, walked out of the hermitage gate, mounted the clouds, and called out to the Pilgrim: "Elder Brother, I have taken the water and am leaving. Let him be, let him be." When the Great Sage heard this, he used his iron staff to parry the hook and said: "I had intended to finish you off completely, but it happens that you have not broken the law; and secondly, for the sake of your elder brother, the Bull Demon King. Earlier, when I came, I was hooked twice and did not get the water. Now I came with a stratagem to lure the tiger away from the mountain, tricking you into coming out to fight, while my junior disciple took the water. If Old Sun were willing to use his full ability to fight you, not to mention that you are merely some Ruyi Zhenxian, even if there were several more, I would have beaten them all to death. Indeed, it is better to spare a life than to kill; I will spare you so that you may live a few more years. Hereafter, if anyone else comes to fetch water, you must not extort them." That demon immortal, not knowing what was good for him, made a feint and then tried to hook his feet. But the Great Sage dodged the hook, rushed forward, and shouted: "Stop!" The demon immortal was caught off guard, stumbled, and could not get up. The Great Sage seized the Ruyi Hook, broke it into two pieces, then took them and snapped them into four pieces. He threw them to the ground and said: "Vicious beast! Do you dare to be rude again?" The demon immortal trembled in fear, enduring the shame without a word. The Great Sage laughed heartily and rose on the clouds. There is a poem to prove it. The poem says: If True Lead is to be refined, True Water is needed; True Water harmonizes and dries True Mercury. True Mercury and True Lead lack the Mother's breath; Spirit Sand and Spirit Medicine are the immortal elixirs. The Infant in vain forms a fetal image; The Earth Mother applies her work without difficulty. Overturning the side paths, returning to the orthodox teaching, The Heart-Monarch is pleased and returns with a smile. The Great Sage rode the auspicious light and caught up with Sha Wujing. Having obtained the True Water, they were overjoyed and returned to their original place. They lowered their cloud and went straight to the village. There they saw Zhu Bajie with his belly sticking out, leaning against the doorframe and groaning. The Pilgrim crept up and said: "Idiot, when did you take possession of the bridal chamber?" The idiot was flustered and said: "Elder Brother, don't mock me. Did you get the water?" The Pilgrim wanted to tease him further, but Sha Wujing arrived right after, laughing: "The water is here, the water is here." Sanzang, enduring the pain, raised himself slightly and said: "Disciples, you have put yourselves out." The old woman was also delighted, and the whole family came out to bow and said: "Bodhisattvas, this is truly rare, truly rare." They quickly took a flowered porcelain cup, scooped half a cup, and handed it to Sanzang, saying: "Venerable Master, drink it slowly; just one sip will relieve the pregnancy." Bajie said: "I don't need a cup—let me drink the whole bucket." The old woman said: "Old master, you would scare people to death. If you drank this whole bucket of water, it would likely dissolve all your intestines and stomach." The idiot was frightened and dared not act rashly, so he also drank only half a cup. In about the time of a meal, the two of them felt pains in their bellies, and there were gurgling sounds three or five times. After the gurgling, the idiot could not hold it and let out both urine and feces. Tang Sanzang also could not help but want to go to a private place to relieve himself. The Pilgrim said: "Master, you must not go into a drafty place; it might be dangerous—if you catch a chill, you might get a postpartum illness." The old woman then brought two clean buckets for them to use. In a short while, each went several times, and then they felt the pain stop, gradually the swelling subsided, and the blood clots and flesh lumps dissolved. The old woman's family also cooked some white rice gruel to replenish their weakness. Bajie said: "Old woman, my body is strong; I don't need to replenish weakness. You boil some hot water for me to take a bath, and then I'll eat the gruel." Sha Wujing said: "Second Brother, you cannot take a bath. People in confinement who get water into their system will fall ill." Bajie said: "I haven't had a full-term delivery—it's only a miscarriage. What do I fear? A bath will make me clean." Indeed, the old woman boiled some hot water and let the two of them wash their hands and feet. Tang Sanzang then had two cups of gruel. Bajie ate more than ten bowls and still wanted more. The Pilgrim laughed and said: "Glutton, eat less; don't make yourself a sandbag belly—it won't look good." Bajie said: "It's nothing, nothing. I'm not a sow, so what am I afraid of?" The family truly went to prepare more food. The old woman said to the Tang Monk, "Reverend Master, pray give this water to me." Pilgrim said, "Idiot, are you not drinking water any more?" Bajie said, "My belly no longer hurts either; the pregnancy symptoms must have already dispersed. I am entirely at ease, so why should I drink water again?" Pilgrim said, "Since both of them are well, give the water to your family." That old woman thanked Pilgrim, put the remaining water into an earthenware jar, and buried it in the ground behind the house. She said to all the old and young, "This jar of water is enough for my coffin funds." All the old and young were all delighted. They prepared a vegetarian meal and set out the tables and benches. The Tang Monk and his disciples ate the meal, took their ease, and rested for the night. The next morning at dawn, the master and disciples thanked the old woman's household and left the village. Tripitaka Tang clambered into the saddle and mounted his horse; Sha Monk shouldered the luggage; Great Sage Sun led the way in front; and Bajie gathered the reins. Here it is: Washed clean of oral transgressions, the body becomes pure; Dissolving the mortal womb, the frame returns to nature. But after all, we do not yet know what encounters await them within the realm of the kingdom's border. Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.