Chapter 62

Throughout the twelve hours forget it not; When the hundred quarter-hours of practice are fully spent, In five years, one hundred eight thousand weekly cycles— Let not the spirit-water dry, Nor give the fire of worry cause for sigh. With water and fire harmonized, no harm is done; The five elements link like hooks, all joined as one. When yin and yang unite, ascend the cloudy tower; Ride the phoenix to the Purple Palace, Mount the crane to Fairy Isle. This lyric, to the tune of "Immortals by the River," speaks solely of how the four pilgrims—the Tang Monk and his three disciples—had achieved the harmony of water and fire, and gained a nature of pure coolness. By borrowing the pure-yin precious fan, they had fanned away the searing fire and crossed the mountain. In no more than a day, they had traveled over eight hundred li. The master and his disciples wandered at ease, carefree and leisurely, pressing westward. It was the season when autumn gave way to winter's beginning, and they saw: Wild chrysanthemums shed their last petals; New plum buds put forth tender blossoms. Village by village, the grain harvest was gathered in; Everywhere, savory porridge was enjoyed. On the level woods, leaves fell, and distant mountains appeared; By the winding streams, frost lay thick, and hidden valleys stood clear. The bell-note of the tenth month sounded; The hibernating insects sealed their dens. Pure yin and yang—the moon ruled the dark deeps; Abundant water's virtue—the sun of Shun smiled on clear skies. Earth's breath descended, heaven's breath ascended. Rainbows hid their forms from sight; Ponds and marshes gradually grew ice. On hanging cliffs, trailing vines bore withered blooms; Pines and bamboos in cold grew even more green. The four had traveled on for some time when they saw a city drawing near. The Tang Monk reined in his horse and called to his disciple, "Wukong, look at those imposing towers and pavilions over there. What place is that?" The Monkey King raised his head and looked—it was a city. Truly: Coiled dragon in its form, Crouching tiger in its golden walls. On four sides, canopies drew near; A hundred turns, the purple mounds lay level. Jade-stone bridge railings bore carved beasts; Golden terrace seats displayed the worthy and wise. Truly this was a divine continent's capital, A heavenly prefecture and jade-like metropolis. Ten thousand li of royal domain stood firm, A thousand years of imperial enterprise flourished. Barbarian tribes submitted, grateful for the sovereign's distant grace; Seas and mountains paid homage at the holy court's full assembly. The imperial steps were spotless, The chariot roads serene. From wine shops, songs and clamor rose; From pleasure towers, joyful spirits sprang. Outside the Weiyang Palace grew trees of eternal spring, Where the phoenix of dawn should sing to the morning sun. The Monkey King said, "Master, that walled city is the seat of a kingdom's ruler." Bajie laughed, saying, "Every prefecture has its prefectural city, and every county its county town—how do you know this is a ruler's seat?" The Monkey King replied, "You do not know that a sovereign's dwelling is naturally different from prefectures and counties. Look—on all four sides it has over ten gates, and its circumference is more than a hundred li. Its towers and terraces rise high, with clouds and mist swirling thickly. If this were not an imperial capital, how could it have such magnificence?" Shā Wùjīng said, "Elder Brother has keen eyes. Though you recognize it as a royal seat, what is it called?" The Monkey King said, "Without any plaques or banners, how can I know? We must enter the city and inquire—then we shall find out." The elder spurred his horse and soon reached the gate. He dismounted, crossed the bridge, and entered the gate to look about. He saw six avenues and three markets, where goods circulated and wealth flowed; he saw also grand attire and flourishing customs, and a populace of great luxury. As they were proceeding, they suddenly saw over ten monks, each wearing cangues and chains, begging from door to door, truly ragged beyond bearing. Sanzang sighed and said, "When the hare dies, the fox grieves; when one creature is harmed, its kindred feels it." He called out, "Wukong, go ask them why they are suffering such punishment." The Monkey King complied and called out, "You monks—which temple are you from? For what offense are you in cangues and chains?" The monks knelt and said, "Grandfather, we are the wronged monks of the Golden Light Temple." The Monkey King asked, "Where is the Golden Light Temple located?" The monks replied, "Turn the corner and it is just there." The Monkey King brought them before the Tang Monk and asked, "How have you been wronged? Tell me, that I may hear." The monks said, "Grandfather, we do not know from what region you have come, but your faces seem somewhat familiar to us. We dare not speak of it here—please deign to come to our humble mountain temple, and we will recount our full bitterness." The elder said, "Very well—let us go to that temple and carefully inquire into the whole matter." Together they reached the temple gate, upon which seven gold characters were inscribed horizontally: "By Imperial Decree, the Golden Light Temple for Protecting the State." When the master and disciples entered the gate and looked about, they saw: In the ancient hall, incense lamps were cold; Through empty corridors, wind swept the fallen leaves. A thousand-foot pagoda pierced the clouds; A few pine trees nourished one's nature. Fallen flowers covered the ground, no visitors passed; Before the eaves, spider webs stretched at will. Empty stood the drums, unused hung the bells; On painted walls, thick dust made many images dim. The lecture hall was still—no monk was seen; The meditation chamber was quiet—birds often came. Desolate—enough to sigh; Lonely—with endless bitterness. Though incense burners were set before the Buddha, Ashes cold and flowers faded—all was emptiness. Sanzang's heart was filled with sorrow, and he could not hold back the tears from his eyes. The monks, with cangues on their necks and chains on their limbs, pushed open the main hall and invited the elder to enter and pay homage to the Buddha. The elder entered the hall, offered his heartfelt incense, knocked his teeth three times, and bowed. Then he turned to the rear and saw six or seven young monks locked to the pillars of the abbot's quarters—Sanzang could hardly bear to look at them. When he reached the abbot's quarters, all the monks came and kowtowed, asking, "Your lordships are all different in appearance—might you be from the Great Tang in the East?" The Monkey King laughed and said, "Do these monks have some art of foreknowledge? We are indeed from the East. How did you recognize us?" The monks said, "Grandfather, what foreknowledge could we have? We are simply weighed down with bitter wrongs, with no one to set them right, and each day we cry out to heaven and earth. It must have moved the gods—for last night, each of us received a dream, saying that a holy monk from the Great Tang in the East would come and save our lives, so that our bitter wrongs might be redressed. And today we indeed see your lordships with such extraordinary features—that is how we recognized you." When Sanzang heard this, he was greatly pleased and said, "What place is this, and what wrongs have you suffered?" The monks knelt and reported, "Grandfather, this city is called Jisai, a great place in the western lands. In former years, the four barbarian nations paid tribute here: in the south, the kingdom of Yuetuo; in the north, Gaochang; in the east, Xiliang; and in the west, Benbo. Year after year, they presented fine jade, bright pearls, lovely concubines, and swift horses. Here we never raised arms, nor did we go on campaigns—yet they naturally acknowledged us as their superior kingdom." Sanzang said, "If they acknowledge you as their superior kingdom, then your king must be possessed of the Way, and your civil and military officials virtuous and worthy." The monks said, "Grandfather, the civil officials are not virtuous, the military are not worthy, and the king is not possessed of the Way. In this Golden Light Temple of ours, from time immemorial, the precious pagoda has been shrouded in auspicious clouds and raised holy radiance: at night it emitted rosy light—men ten thousand li away could see it; by day it sprayed colored vapor—all four kingdoms gazed upon it alike. Thus it was regarded as a heavenly capital and divine metropolis, and the four barbarians paid tribute. But only three years ago, on the first day of the seventh month, at the midnight hour of Zi, a rain of blood fell. When dawn came, every household feared, every family grieved. The ministers reported to the king, not knowing what offense Heaven had taken. At that time, Daoist priests were invited to perform rituals, and monks to recite scriptures, to thank Heaven and Earth. But who would have known that the golden precious pagoda of our temple had been defiled? For these two years, the foreign kingdoms have ceased their tribute. Our king wished to launch a campaign, but the ministers remonstrated: the monks of our temple had stolen the treasures from the pagoda, and that was why there was no auspicious cloud or holy radiance, and no tribute from abroad. The benighted ruler made no investigation. Those corrupt officials seized our monks and subjected us to a thousand kinds of torture and every manner of interrogation. At that time there were three generations of monks here: the first two generations could not endure the beatings and died. Now they have seized our generation and sentenced us to cangues and chains. Grandfather above us, how could we dare to harbor evil thoughts and steal the treasures from the pagoda! We beg you, Grandfather, in your compassion, to consider that like draws to like, and kind seeks out kind. Extend your great mercy and vast dharma-power to save our lives." Upon hearing this, Sanzang nodded and sighed, saying, "This matter is obscure and hard to fathom. On one hand, it is due to the court's misrule; on the other, it is because you have met with calamity. Since heaven sent down a rain of blood to defile the pagoda, why did you not at that time present a memorial to your sovereign to inform him, thus causing yourselves to suffer?" The monks said, "Elder, we ordinary folk, how could we know heaven's will? Moreover, none of our predecessors could discern it; how should we deal with it?" Sanzang said, "Wukong, what time of day is it now?" The Pilgrim said, "It is about the hour of Shen." Sanzang said, "I wish to have an audience with the sovereign to exchange the travel document, but this affair of the monks cannot be clarified, making it difficult to speak before the sovereign. When I left Chang'an, I made a vow at Famen Monastery: on my way to the Western Lands, whenever I encounter a shrine I burn incense, whenever I meet a monastery I worship the Buddha, and whenever I see a pagoda I sweep it. Now that I have come here and met these wronged monks, it is all because of this pagoda's trouble. Prepare for me a new broom; after I have bathed, I shall go up and sweep it, and thereby see what this defilement is about, and why it does not emit light. Once I have ascertained the truth, I can then face the sovereign and speak, to relieve them of their suffering." When these fettered monks heard this, they hurriedly went to the kitchen, fetched a kitchen knife, and handed it to Bajie, saying, "Elder, with this knife you can open the iron locks on the pillars that confine the young monks, release them to prepare vegetarian fare and fragrant hot water, so they may serve you with your meal and bath. We shall go into the streets to beg for a new broom for you to sweep the pagoda." Bajie laughed and said, "What difficulty is there in opening locks? No need for knife or axe—just tell that hairy-faced elder of mine, for he is a veteran at opening locks." Wukong indeed stepped forward, performed a lock-opening spell, and with a wave of his hand, all the several locks fell off. The young monks all ran to the kitchen, scrubbed the pots and stoves, and prepared tea and food. The master and disciples ate their vegetarian meal, and gradually the sky grew dark. Then the fettered monks came in carrying two new brooms, and Sanzang was very pleased. Just as they were speaking, a young monk lit a lamp and came to invite them to bathe. At this time the sky was full of stars and moonlight, and the watch-drums on the bell towers were all sounding together. Truly: Cold winds rose from all four walls, A myriad homes lit their lamps. The six thoroughfares closed their doors and windows, The three marketplaces shut their gates and courtyards. Fishing boats returned to the deep trees, Ploughing oxen rested from their short ropes. Woodcutters laid down their axes, Scholars' voices read aloud their books. After Sanzang had bathed, he put on a short-sleeved robe, tied his girdle, changed into soft cloth slippers, took a new broom in his hand, and said to the monks, "You may retire to rest; I am going to sweep the pagoda." Wukong said, "Since the pagoda has been defiled by the rain of blood, and moreover has long been without light, evil things may have spawned there; besides, the night is still and the wind cold, and you have no companion—if you go alone, something might go amiss. Why don't I go up with you?" Sanzang said, "Very well, very well." Each took a broom, and first they went to the main hall, lit the glazed lamps, burned incense, and bowed before the Buddha, saying, "Your disciple Chen Xuanzang, dispatched by the Great Tang of the East to journey to Mount Ling to pay reverence to our Buddha Tathagata and fetch the scriptures, has now arrived at the Jinguang Monastery in the Kingdom of Jisai. Here he has heard the monks say that the precious pagoda has been defiled, and that the king suspects the monks of stealing the treasure, causing them to bear unjust accusations and sentences, with the truth hard to discern above and below. Your disciple with utmost sincerity sweeps the pagoda, hoping that our Buddha's mighty spirit will early reveal the cause of the defilement, and not allow these common mortals to suffer wrongful injustice." After this prayer, they opened the pagoda gate and began sweeping from the lower level upward. Now this pagoda was truly: Towering and lofty, leaning against the Milky Way, Soaring abruptly into the void. It was called the Five-Colored Glazed Pagoda, The peak of the thousand-jin sarira. Its spiral stairs turned as if through caves, Its doors opened as if releasing from cages. The precious vase cast its shadow on the moon at the horizon, The golden bells' sound carried on the sea wind. One could see the false eaves and interlocking brackets, The summit holding clouds. The false eaves and interlocking brackets, made with artful stones and carved phoenixes; The summit holding clouds, forming a stupa wreathed in dragon mists. Gazing afar, one could see a thousand li beyond; Climbing high, it seemed to be in the ninth heaven. On each level's doors were glazed lamps, with dust but no flame; Before each step's white jade balustrades, accumulated grime and flying insects. Inside the pagoda's core, on the Buddha's seat, the incense smoke had utterly ceased; Outside the lattice windows, before the spirits' images, spiderwebs stretched dimly. In the censers were many rat droppings; In the cups, little oil remained. All because the treasure in the middle had been secretly lost, Causing the monks' lives to be wasted in vain. Sanzang resolved to sweep the pagoda, And he would see it regain its former appearance. Tang Seng used his broom to sweep one level, then went up another. Thus he swept up to the seventh level, and it was already the second watch. The elder gradually felt weary, and Wukong said, "If you are tired, you may sit down and let me sweep for you." Sanzang said, "How many levels does this pagoda have?" Wukong said, "I fear it has no fewer than thirteen." The elder, burdened with fatigue, said, "I must sweep it all to fulfill my original vow." He swept three more levels, but his waist ached and his legs pained him, so he sat down on the tenth level and said, "Wukong, you sweep the remaining three levels for me and come down." Wukong roused his spirit, climbed to the eleventh level, and in a moment reached the twelfth. While he was sweeping, he heard voices speaking on the top of the pagoda. Wukong said, "Strange! Strange! At this late hour, it is already the third watch—how can there be people speaking up there? Surely it is some evil creature; let me go see." The splendid Monkey King gently tucked his broom under his arm, gathered up his clothes, slipped out the front door, and mounted a cloud to look. He saw two demons sitting in the center of the thirteenth level, with a plate of food, a bowl, and a pitcher before them, playing the finger-guessing game and drinking wine. Wukong performed a magic feat, discarded his broom, whipped out his golden cudgel, and blocked the pagoda door, shouting, "So you are the monsters who stole the pagoda's treasure!" The two demons panicked, rose hastily, and flung the pitcher and bowl about wildly. But Wukong barred them with his iron staff and said, "If I kill you, there will be no one to give a confession." He only pressed them with his staff. The demons stuck to the wall, unable to struggle. They cried out, "Spare us! Spare us! It is not our doing—the one who stole the treasure is elsewhere." Wukong used a grabbing technique, snatched one of them with one hand, and brought him straight down to the tenth level, reporting, "Master, I have caught a thief who stole the treasure." Sanzang had been dozing, but upon hearing this, he was both startled and delighted, saying, "Where did you capture him?" Wukong dragged the demon before him and made him kneel, saying, "He was on the top of the pagoda playing the finger-guessing game and drinking wine. I heard the clamor, leaped on a cloud, and reached the top to block him. I did not use much force, but fearing that a single blow would kill him and leave no one to confess, I caught him gently. Master, you may take his testimony to see what kind of demon he is and where the stolen treasure is." The demon, trembling with fear, cried "Spare my life," and then confessed truthfully, saying, "We two were sent by the Dragon King of the Ten-Thousand-Sage Dragon of Bibo Pool at Luanshi Mountain to patrol this pagoda. He is called Benbo'erba, and I am called Baba'erben; he is a catfish monster, and I am a black-fish spirit. Because the Ten-Thousand-Sage Old Dragon had a daughter, she is called Princess Ten-Thousand-Sage. That princess has a face like flowers and moon, with extraordinary beauty. She took a consort, called the Nine-Headed Consort, whose magical powers are vast. Two years ago, he came here with the Dragon King, displayed great supernatural force, sent down a rain of blood, defiled the pagoda, and stole the sarira Buddha treasure within it. The princess also went to the Great Luo Heaven, before the Hall of the Jade Emperor's Throne, and stole the Nine-Leaved Magic Fungus from the Queen Mother of the West, and raised it at the bottom of the pool, where it glows with golden radiance and shines day and night. Recently we heard that there is a Sun Wukong going to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures, and that his powers are vast, and along the way he especially seeks out people's faults, so these days they often send us to patrol and scout here, so that if that Sun Wukong should arrive, they may be prepared." When Wukong heard this, he gave a cold sneer and said, "Those beasts are so insolent! No wonder they invited the Bull Demon King to a banquet the other day—it turns out they have made friends with this gang of scoundrels and devote themselves to nothing but evil deeds." Before he had finished speaking, Bajie and two or three little monks came up from under the pagoda carrying two lanterns and said, "Master, you have swept the pagoda—why not go to sleep instead of talking here?" Wukong said, "Junior apprentice brother, you have come just in time. The pagoda's precious treasure was stolen by the Old Dragon of Wansheng. Now he sent these two little demons to patrol the pagoda and spy on our coming, but I have just captured them." Bajie said, "What are their names? What sort of demons?" Wukong said, "They have just given their confessions—one is called Benbo'erba, the other Babo'erben; one is a catfish monster, the other a black fish fiend." Bajie drew his rake to strike them, saying, "Since they are demons, and their confessions have been taken, if we do not kill them, what are we waiting for?" Wukong said, "You do not understand—better keep them alive, so we can take them before the king and speak, and also use them as leads to find the thieves and recover the treasure." The good idiot indeed put away his rake, took one in each hand, and dragged them down from the pagoda. The monsters only cried, "Spare our lives!" Bajie said, "I was just wanting your catfish and black fish to make some fresh soup for those monks who have suffered injustice." The two or three little monks, delighted, carried the lanterns and led the elder down the pagoda. One ran ahead to report to the assembled monks, saying, "Good, good! We can see the blue sky again—the demons who stole the treasure have already been captured by the venerable masters!" Wukong ordered, "Bring iron chains, pierce their collar bones, and lock them here. You keep watch over them; we will go to sleep and deal with this tomorrow." Those monks all kept strict guard, and let the Tripiṭaka master and his disciples retire for the night. Before they knew it, dawn came. The elder said, "I will go with Wukong to court to have the travel rescript validated." The elder then put on his golden-threaded cassock and Vairocana crown, straightened his vestments, and strode forward with solemn dignity. Wukong also adjusted his tiger-skin kilt and straightened his cotton robe, took the travel rescript, and went along. Bajie said, "Why not take those two demon thieves with us?" Wukong said, "After we have presented our memorial, there will be an imperial warrant sent for them." So they proceeded to the gate of the court. One could not take in all the sight of the vermilion birds and yellow dragons, the pure capital and crimson palaces. Tripiṭaka arrived at the East Flowery Gate, saluted the usher of the gate, and said, "May I trouble you, sir, to announce me? I am a poor monk sent by the Great Tang of the Eastern Lands to fetch scriptures from the Western Heavens. I wish to see the king face to face and have my travel rescript validated." The Yellow Gate official indeed relayed the message, and reported before the steps, saying, "Outside there are two monks of strange appearance and strange garb, claiming to have been sent by the Tang dynasty of the Eastern Continent of Jambūdvīpa to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures in the West, and they wish to have audience with our king to have their travel rescript validated." When the king heard this, he issued a decree summoning them. The elder then led Wukong into court. When the civil and military officials all saw Wukong, none of them failed to be terrified. Some said he was a monkey-monk, some said he was a thunder-beak monk. Every one of them was frightened and dared not look long. The elder performed the mountain-salaam and dance of obeisance before the steps. The Great Sage merely clasped his hands and stood askew to the side, unmoved and without the slightest stir. The elder then memorialized, saying, "I, your minister the monk, have been sent by the Great Tang of the Eastern Continent of Jambūdvīpa to worship the Buddha at the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Kingdom of India of the Western Heavens, and to seek the true scriptures. Passing through your precious region, I dare not cross it without permission. I have with me the travel rescript, and I beg that it be inspected and validated before I may proceed." The king was greatly pleased upon hearing this, and issued a decree summoning the holy monk of Tang to ascend the golden hall, where an embroidered cushion was set and he was bidden to sit. The elder alone ascended the hall, first presented the travel rescript, and then gave thanks for the favor before daring to take his seat. The king read through the rescript and said joyfully, "It seems that your king of Great Tang, though afflicted, was able to select a high monk who did not shrink from the long road to worship the Buddha and fetch the scriptures. Here in my land, the monks only occupy themselves with thievery, ruining the state and imperiling the sovereign." Tripiṭaka pressed his palms together and said, "How is it seen that they ruin the state and imperil the sovereign?" The king said, "My country is a superior state in the Western Regions, and the four barbarian peoples often come to pay tribute. All this is because within our borders there is the Golden Light Monastery, and within the monastery there is a golden precious pagoda, from whose top a radiance shot up to heaven. Recently, however, thieving monks of this very monastery secretly stole the treasure within, and for three years there has been no radiance. For these three years the foreign kingdoms have also not come to court, and my heart is deeply grieved." Tripiṭaka pressed his palms together and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty, 'a difference of a hair's breadth leads to an error of a thousand miles.' Your poor monk arrived in your celestial capital last night. As soon as I entered the city gate, I saw more than a dozen monks in cangues and chains. When I asked what crime they had committed, they said they were the wronged ones of the Golden Light Monastery. When I went to the monastery and carefully questioned them, it turned out that the matter had nothing to do with the monks of that monastery. I swept the pagoda at night and have already captured the demon thieves who stole the treasure." The king was overjoyed and said, "Where are the demon thieves?" Tripiṭaka said, "They are now locked up in the Golden Light Monastery by my little disciples." The king promptly issued a golden tally: "Let the Brocade-Clad Guards proceed quickly to the Golden Light Monastery to bring the demon thieves here, so that I may personally interrogate them." Tripiṭaka further memorialized, "Your Majesty, although there are the Brocade-Clad Guards, my little disciple must go as well." The king said, "Where is that worthy disciple?" Tripiṭaka pointed with his finger and said, "The one standing by the jade steps is he." When the king saw him, he was greatly startled and said, "The holy monk is of such fine appearance—how is it that his worthy disciple has such a visage?" When the Great Sage Sun heard this, he called out in a stern, loud voice, "Your Majesty, 'you cannot judge a man by his looks, nor measure the sea with a bushel.' If one only loves fine appearance, how could one capture demon thieves?" When the king heard this, his fright turned to joy, and he said, "The holy monk speaks truly. Here in my court, we do not select for appearance; we value only capturing the thieves and recovering the treasure to restore it to the pagoda." He then ordered the attendants in charge of carriages to prepare a conveyance, and commanded the Brocade-Clad Guards to attend well upon the holy monk as he went to fetch the demon thieves. The attendants in charge of carriages immediately prepared a large sedan chair and a yellow canopy; the Brocade-Clad Guards mustered their officers, carried Wukong with eight bearers in great state, clearing the way with loud cries, and proceeded straight to the Golden Light Monastery. From this, the whole city was stirred, and there was not a single person anywhere who did not come to see the holy monk and the demon thieves. When Bajie and Sha Seng heard the heralds' cries, they thought it was an official sent by the king, and hurried out to welcome him—only to find that it was Wukong sitting in the sedan chair. The idiot laughed to his face and said, "Elder brother, you have regained your true self!" Wukong descended from the chair, took Bajie by the arm, and said, "How have I regained my true self?" Bajie said, "With a yellow canopy over you and eight bearers carrying you, is that not the rightful station of a Monkey King? That is why I say you have regained your true self." Wukong said, "Do not joke now." He then unbound the two demon creatures and had them escorted before the king. Sha Seng said, "Elder brother, do take me along as well." Wukong said, "You just stay here and watch the luggage and the horse." The monks in cangues and chains said, "Venerable masters, you all go to receive the imperial favor; let us stay here and keep watch." Wukong said, "If that is so, wait until I have memorialized the king, and then I will have you released." Bajie dragged one demon thief, Sha Seng dragged the other, and the Great Sage Sun again took his place in the sedan chair, with the escort arrayed before him, and the two monsters were pressed on toward the court. In a moment, they reached the white jade steps and said to the king: "That demon thief has been brought." The king descended from his dragon couch and, together with Tang Monk and the many civil and military officials, looked at them. The two monsters—one had bulging gills, black armor, a pointed mouth, and sharp fangs; the other had slippery skin, a large belly, a huge mouth, and a long beard. Though they had feet and could walk, they were for the most part transformed into human likenesses. The king asked, "You monsters—from what region are you, and what kind of demons are you? In what year did you invade my kingdom's territory, and in what year did you steal my precious treasure? How many bandits are there in your gang altogether, and what are all their names? Confess everything truthfully, one by one." The two monsters knelt before the court, their necks still dripping blood, yet they felt no pain. They confessed: "Three years ago, on the first day of the seventh month, there was a Wansheng Dragon King who led many of his relatives to dwell southeast of this kingdom, about a hundred li from here. The pool is named Bibo and the mountain is called Luan Shi. He had a daughter, Duojiao, of bewitching beauty. He took in as son-in-law a nine-headed consort of matchless supernatural powers. He knew of the rare treasures on your pagoda and plotted with the Dragon King to become thieves. First they sent down a rain of blood, then they stole the śarīra. Now it shines in the Dragon Palace, turning the dark night as bright as day. The princess, using her abilities, quietly and secretly also stole the Queen Mother's lingzhi and keeps it warm in the pool as a precious thing. We two are not the chieftains; we are mere soldiers sent by the Dragon King. Captured tonight, what we have confessed is true." The king said, "Since you have given your confession, why did you not give your own names?" The monsters said, "I am called Benbo'erba, and he is called Babo'erben. Benbo'erba is a catfish monster, and Babo'erben is a black fish spirit." The king ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep them in custody. He then issued a decree: "Pardon the monks of Golden Light Monastery from their cangues and chains. Quickly order the Court of Imperial Banquets to prepare a feast, and in the Qilin Hall we shall thank the holy monks for their achievement in capturing the thieves, and discuss inviting the holy monks to capture the chieftains." The Court of Imperial Banquets immediately prepared both vegetarian and meat banquets. The king invited Tang Monk and his three disciples to take their seats in the Qilin Hall and asked, "What is the holy monk's honorable style?" Tang Monk pressed his palms together and said, "Your humble monk's secular surname is Chen, and his monastic name is Xuanzang. By your grace you bestowed the surname Tang, and my humble style is Sanzang." The king asked further, "What are the styles of the holy monk's eminent disciples?" Sanzang said, "My humble disciples have no styles. The first is named Sun Wukong, the second Zhu Wuneng, and the third Sha Wujing—these names were given by Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea. Because they took your humble monk as their master, I further call Wukong 'Xingzhe,' Wuneng 'Bajie,' and Wujing 'Heshang.'" When the king heard this, he invited Sanzang to sit at the seat of honor, Sun Xingzhe to sit at the left side seat, and Zhu Bajie and Sha Heshang to sit at the right side seats. All were served vegetarian fruits, vegetarian dishes, vegetarian tea, and vegetarian rice. In front was a table of meat dishes, where the king sat; below were a hundred or more tables of meat dishes for the many civil and military officials. The ministers thanked the king for his grace, and the disciples apologized to their master for any offenses, then took their seats. The king raised his cup, but Sanzang dared not drink wine; the other three each accepted the ceremonial cup. Below, the sound of pipes and strings arose in unison—it was the Music Bureau playing. Observe how Bajie opened wide his gullet; truly he devoured like a tiger and swallowed like a wolf, eating every last bit of the fruits and dishes on that table. In a short while, more soup and rice were added, and again he left not a single morsel. When the wine servers came around, he refused not a single cup. This feast lasted until after noon before it ended. Sanzang thanked them for the splendid feast. The king again detained him, saying, "This feast is but a small token of thanks for the holy monks' achievement in capturing the monsters." He ordered the Court of Imperial Banquets: "Quickly move the feast to Jianzhang Palace, and there again invite the holy monks to decide on a plan to capture the chieftains and retrieve the treasure to return it to the pagoda." Sanzang said, "Since we are to capture the thieves and retrieve the treasure, there is no need for another feast. Your humble monks will now take leave of Your Majesty and go to capture the monsters." The king would not agree; he insisted on inviting them to Jianzhang Palace, where they partook of another feast. The king raised his wine cup and said, "Which holy monk will lead the troops to subdue the demons and capture the monsters?" Sanzang said, "Let my eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, go." The Great Sage made a bow and accepted. The king said, "Since Elder Sun is going, how many troops and horses will he use? At what hour will he leave the city?" Bajie could not contain himself and loudly declared, "What need of troops and horses? And what care for the hour? Now that we are drunk and full, I will go with my elder brother, and we will bring them back as easily as reaching out our hands." Sanzang was very pleased and said, "Bajie has been diligent and prompt of late!" Xingzhe said, "Since that is so, let Shaseng protect our master, and we two will go." The king said, "Since the two elders need neither troops nor horses, do they need weapons?" Bajie laughed and said, "Your weapons are of no use to us; my brothers have our own accompanying implements." When the king heard this, he immediately took a large goblet and offered it to the two elders as a send-off. The Great Sage Sun said, "We will not drink wine; just order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to bring out the two minor demons, and we will take them along as guides." The king issued the order, and they were brought forth at once. The two pulled along the two minor demons, mounted the wind, used a levitation technique, and headed straight southeast. Ah! The ruler and ministers saw them rise on wind and mist, And only then knew that the masters and disciples were holy monks. Now, whether they would capture the monsters on this trip, and what would happen, is told in the next chapter.