OriginChapter 60
The Earth God said, "The Great King of Strength is the Bull Demon King." Pilgrim said, "Was it the Bull Demon King who set fire to this mountain and falsely named it the Flaming Mountain?" The Earth God said, "No, no. If the Great Sage would be willing to pardon this humble god's offense, only then dare I speak frankly." Pilgrim said, "What offense have you? Speak directly, no harm." The Earth God said, "This fire was originally set by the Great Sage." Pilgrim said angrily, "Where was I? You speak such nonsense. Am I one who sets fires?" The Earth God said, "You don't recognize me either. Originally there was no such mountain here. Because five hundred years ago when the Great Sage threw the Heavenly Court into chaos, you were captured by the Divine Sage, pressed into submission, and taken to Lord Lao, who placed the Great Sage inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace. After the smelting was finished and the cauldron was opened, you kicked over the furnace and several bricks fell out; within them was residual fire, which came here and transformed into the Flaming Mountain. I was originally the Taoist who tended the furnace in Tushita Palace; at that time Lord Lao blamed me for neglecting my duty and banished me down here, and so I became the Earth God of the Flaming Mountain." When Zhu Bajie heard this, he said resentfully, "No wonder you're dressed like that—so you're a Taoist turned Earth God."
Pilgrim half-believed and half-doubted, saying, "You tell me first—why were you seeking the Great King of Strength?" The Earth God said, "The Great King of Strength is the husband of the Rakshasi. He has lately abandoned the Rakshasi and is now at Moyun Cave on Jilei Mountain. There is a ten-thousand-year-old Fox King; that Fox King died, leaving behind a daughter called Princess Jade Face. The princess has a million in family wealth, with no one to manage it. Two years ago, she learned that the Bull Demon King had vast supernatural powers and was willing to offer her family wealth as a dowry to take him as a husband. The Bull King abandoned the Rakshasi and has not looked back for a long time. If the Great Sage can find the Bull King and humbly beg him to come here, then you may borrow the true fan: first, to fan out the flames and ensure the Master can proceed; second, to forever remove the fire's calamity and preserve the living beings of this place; and third, to pardon me and allow my return to heaven to report back to Lord Lao's decree." Pilgrim said, "Where is Jilei Mountain located? How far is the journey there?" The Earth God said, "It is due south. From here to there is over three thousand li."
When Pilgrim heard this, he at once instructed Sha Monk and Bajie to protect the Master, and also told the Earth God to accompany them and not return. Then with a sudden whoosh, he vanished without a trace. In less than half a shichen, he soon saw a tall mountain reaching to the heavens. He lowered his cloud and halted, standing atop the peak to observe—truly a fine mountain:
High? Not high—its summit brushes the azure heavens.
Great? Not great—its roots pierce the Yellow Springs.
Before the mountain, the sun is warm; behind the ridge, the wind is cold.
Before the mountain, the sun is warm, and in the three winters the plants know no cold;
Behind the ridge, the wind is cold, and in the ninth summer ice and frost do not melt.
Dragon pools join the stream that flows on forever;
Tiger caves cling to cliffs where flowers bloom early.
The waters flow in a thousand branches like flying jade;
The blossoms open in one mind like spread brocade.
Around the winding ridge, winding trees;
Beyond the jagged rocks, jagged pines.
Truly: high mountains, steep ridges;
Sheer cliffs, deep ravines;
Fragrant flowers, beautiful fruits;
Red vines, purple bamboos;
Green pines, emerald willows.
Through all eight seasons and four times their colors never change—
For a thousand ages and ten thousand years their hue is like the dragon.
After the Great Sage had looked his fill, he stepped down from the peak, entered the deep mountains, and sought a path. Just as he had found no news, he suddenly saw beneath the shade of the pines a young woman, who had broken off a branch of fragrant orchid and was coming gracefully along, swaying and delicate. The Great Sage dodged beside a strange rock and gazed fixedly at her—what was her appearance?
Alluring, a beauty that could topple kingdoms,
Slowly she moved, steps like lotus blossoms.
Her face was like Wang Qiang's, her looks like those of the maid of Chu.
Like a flower that can speak,
Like jade that gives forth fragrance.
Her piled coiffure was dark as a crow's wing;
Her eyes, steeped in green, swept like autumn waters.
Her Xiang skirt half-revealed small arched shoes;
Her emerald sleeves slightly parted to show long, pale wrists.
Speak not of evening rain or morning clouds—
Truly she had vermilion lips and white teeth.
The brocade river's smoothness, the moth-eyebrows' beauty—
She surpassed even Wenjun and Xuetao.
As the young woman gradually drew near the rock, the Great Sage bowed with clasped hands and spoke gently, saying, "Where is the Bodhisattva going?" The young woman had not looked up, but hearing someone call and ask, she raised her head. Suddenly seeing the Great Sage's hideous appearance, she was greatly frightened at heart; she wished to retreat but could not, wished to go on but could not, and so could only tremble and force herself to reply, "From where have you come, that you dare ask questions here?" The Great Sage thought to himself, "If I speak of fetching the scriptures and borrowing the fan, I fear this creature is related to the Bull King. I'd better only use a pretense of kinship and convey the intention of inviting the Demon King in my reply." When the young woman saw that he did not speak, she changed expression and shouted angrily, "Who are you, that you dare question me?" The Great Sage bowed with a smile and said, "I come from Cuiyun Mountain. This is my first time in your honored region, and I do not know the way. May I ask the Bodhisattva—is this Jilei Mountain?" The young woman said, "It is." The Great Sage said, "Where is Moyun Cave located?" The young woman said, "What business do you have seeking that cave?" The Great Sage said, "I was sent by the Princess Iron Fan of Banana Cave on Cuiyun Mountain to invite the Bull Demon King."
When the young woman heard that the Princess Iron Fan was inviting the Bull Demon King, she flew into a great rage; her ears turned bright red, and she cursed without restraint, "That lowly slut, truly ignorant! Ever since the Bull King came to my home, not yet two years have passed—I don't know how much jewelry, gold and silver, fine silks and brocades I have given him, yearly fuel and monthly rice provided, all enjoyed at ease—and she still has no shame, so why does she send for him again?" When the Great Sage heard this, he knew at once that she was Princess Jade Face. He deliberately drew out his Golden-Banded Cudgel and roared, "You brazen wretch—you bought the Bull King with your family wealth, truly a woman who pays to get a husband—and you have the nerve to curse someone?" When the young woman saw this, she was so terrified that her soul scattered and her spirit flew. She fled with unsteady steps, her golden lotus feet stumbling and trembling as she turned and ran. The Great Sage shouted loudly and followed close behind. It turned out that once through the pine shade was the entrance to Moyun Cave. The young woman ran inside and with a thud slammed the door shut. The Great Sage put away his Golden-Banded Cudgel and stopped to look—truly a fine place:
Dense the forest of trees, steep and craggy the cliffs.
Creepers and vines cast deep shade;
Orchids and wild ginger gave forth rich fragrance.
Flowing springs washed jade as they threaded through tall bamboos;
Cunning rocks, knowing the season, were strewn with fallen petals.
Mist and rosy clouds veiled the distant peaks;
Sun and moon shone upon the cloud screens.
Dragons roared, tigers howled;
Cranes cried, orioles sang.
A scene of pure quiet, truly lovely—
Rare flowers and magic grasses, the scenery ever bright.
Not inferior to the Immortal Cave on Mount Tiantai,
Surpassing even Penglai and Yingzhou upon the sea.
But leaving aside the Pilgrim who was there observing the scenery — let us speak of that young woman, who ran until her powdered face was drenched with sweat, her orchid heart panting in fright, and went straight into the study. It so happened that the Bull Demon King was there quietly perusing a book of alchemical elixirs. This young woman, quite out of sorts, threw herself into his arms, scratching her ears and rubbing her cheeks, and burst into loud sobs. King Bull, with a smiling face full of conciliation, said, "My beauty, do not distress yourself. What words have you to say?" The young woman leaped and stamped, cursing, "You wanton fiend, you have ruined me!" King Bull laughed and said, "For what matter do you curse me?" The woman said, "Because my parents had no one to rely upon, I took you in to protect my person and sustain my life. Throughout the rivers and lakes it is said that you are a true hero — but it turns out you are nothing but a henpecked husband!" When King Bull heard this, he embraced the woman and said, "My beauty, in what ways have I been at fault? Speak slowly, and I shall make amends to you." The woman said, "Just now I was walking idly outside the cave, strolling among the flowering shades, plucking orchids and gathering fragrant herbs, when suddenly a monk with a hairy face and a thunder-god beak rushed forward and made a bow, startling me so that I stood frozen. When I had composed myself and asked who he was, he said that Princess Iron Fan had sent him to invite the Bull Demon King. After I said a few words to him, he instead cursed me roundly and chased me with a staff, striking at me. Had I not run quickly, he would nearly have beaten me to death. Is this not a calamity brought on by taking you in? You have ruined me!" When King Bull heard this, he straightened his countenance and made amends, comforting her for a long while, and only then did the woman's anger subside. The Demon King then said with fierce resolve, "My beauty above me, I dare not deceive you. Though the Plantain Cave is secluded, it is quiet and carefree. My mountain wife has cultivated herself from youth and is also a female immortal who has attained the Way — yet her household is strict and proper, and within there is not even a child of a cubit's height. How could there be a man with a thunder-god beak sent as a messenger? This must be some monster from elsewhere, perhaps falsely claiming a name to come and seek me out. Let me go out and see."
Good Demon King — he strode forth, left the study, went to the great hall to take up his armor, and equipped himself fully. He took a Mixed Iron Staff and, going out the gate, called out in a loud voice, "Who is it that dares behave so outrageously at my place?" The Great Sage stood by, and seeing his appearance, found him greatly changed from five hundred years before. He saw:
Upon his head he wore a helmet of polished silver-bright wrought iron;
Upon his body a jacket of golden mail, brocaded with silk through rings;
Upon his feet boots of fine deerskin, with upturned tips and white soles;
About his waist a three-strand lion-mountain belt of gathered silk.
His pair of eyes shone like bright mirrors,
His two brows gleamed like crimson rainbows.
His mouth was like a basin of blood, his teeth arrayed like copper plates.
His roaring voice shook the mountain spirits with fear,
His moving majesty made evil ghosts turn pale.
Throughout the four seas he was famed as the World-Mixer,
In the west his great strength earned him the title Demon King.
This Great Sage straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and making a deep bow, said, "Elder Brother, do you still recognize your younger brother?" King Bull returned the salute and said, "Are you Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Great Sage said, "Exactly, exactly. It has been long since we parted, and I have not paid my respects. Just now I asked a woman here, and so was able to see you. Your bearing is indeed finer than before — congratulations." King Bull roared, "Stop your glib tongue! I heard that you caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace and was subdued by the Buddha beneath the Five Elements Mountain. Only recently were you delivered from that heavenly calamity, and now you escort the Tang Monk to the West to see the Buddha and seek scriptures. How is it that you harmed my son, the Boy Bull Sage, at Fire Cloud Cave in Withered Pine Stream on Number Mountain? I was already angry with you over this — and now you come seeking me out?" The Great Sage made a bow and said, "Elder Brother, do not wrong your younger brother by misunderstanding. At that time your worthy son captured my master and wanted to eat his flesh. I could not get near him, but fortunately the Bodhisattva Guanyin, wishing to save my master, persuaded him to turn to the right path. He has now become the Boy of Good Wealth, even higher than you, elder brother — enjoying the halls of ultimate bliss, receiving eternal life in carefree ease. What is wrong with that, that you should blame me?" King Bull cursed, "You smooth-tongued gibbon! You have talked your way past the matter of harming my son — but then you deceived my beloved concubine and came beating at my very gate — why?" The Great Sage laughed and said, "Because I came to pay my respects to you, elder brother, but did not see you, I bowed to that woman and asked after you, not knowing she was my second sister-in-law. Because she cursed me a few times, your younger brother was somewhat rash and startled her. I beg elder brother to forgive me." King Bull said, "Since you put it that way, for the sake of our old friendship, I will let you go."
The Great Sage said, "Since I have received your kind mercy, my gratitude is boundless. But there is still one matter I must trouble you with — I earnestly beg your assistance." King Bull cursed, "This gibbon knows no bounds! I let you go, yet you do not leave, and instead pester me. What 'assistance' do you speak of?" The Great Sage said, "To be honest with you, elder brother, your younger brother is escorting the Tang Monk west, but our way is blocked by the Flaming Mountain and we cannot advance. I asked the locals and learned that my elder sister-in-law, the Rakshasi, has a Plantain Fan, which I wished to borrow. Yesterday I went to your old residence to pay respects to my sister-in-law, but she adamantly refused to lend it. Therefore I have come especially to beg you, elder brother, hoping that you will open your heart as vast as heaven and earth, and come with your younger brother to my elder sister-in-law's place — I beg you to borrow the fan to extinguish the Flaming Mountain, so that we may escort the Tang Monk across, and I will return it at once." When King Bull heard this, his heart blazed with fury, and gnashing his steely teeth he cursed, "You said you were not being rude — it turns out you came for the fan! You must have first deceived my mountain wife, and she would not consent, so you came to seek me out — and on top of that you chased my beloved concubine. As the saying goes: 'A friend's wife you must not seduce; a friend's concubine you must not destroy.' Since you have both seduced my wife and destroyed my concubine, how great is your rudeness! Come up and take my staff!" The Great Sage said, "If you, brother, wish to fight, your younger brother does not fear it. But my request for the treasure is sincere — I beg you to lend it to me for a while." King Bull said, "If you can match me in three rounds, I will have my wife lend it to you. If you cannot, I shall beat you to death and avenge my grievance." The Great Sage said, "Brother speaks well. Your younger brother has been idle and negligent of late, and has not met with you — I do not know how your martial skills compare to former years. Let us brothers put on a staff display." This King Bull would hear no further words — he drew his Mixed Iron Staff and struck straight at the head. The Great Sage raised his Golden Cudgel and parried in reply. The two of them engaged in a fine battle:
Golden Cudgel and Mixed Iron Staff —
Their faces changed, no more talk of friendship.
One said: "I blame this gibbon for harming my son!"
The other: "Your son has attained the Way — do not be angry."
One said: "Ignorant fool, how dare you come to my gate?"
The other: "I have a reason — I came purposely to inquire."
One sought the fan to protect the Tang Monk,
The other would not lend his Plantain — so stingy!
Words and retorts lost all old affection;
The whole household turned unrighteous, all filled with wrath.
King Bull's staff rose like a dragon in contest,
The Great Sage's cudgel sent gods and demons fleeing.
At first they fought before the mountain,
Then both mounted auspicious clouds and advanced.
In mid-air they displayed their divine powers,
Amid five-colored light they wielded wondrous skill.
The two staves clanged, shaking the heavenly gates —
No victor nor vanquished, each matched to the inch.
The Great Sage and the Bull King fought for over a hundred rounds, with no decision between them. As they were locked in an inextricable struggle, suddenly from the mountain peak a voice called out, "Lord Bull, my king sends many greetings and begs you to come early so that the seats may be arranged." When King Bull heard this, he used his Mixed Iron Staff to parry the Golden Cudgel and called out, "Gibbon, stop for now — let me go to a friend's house to attend a gathering." With these words, he lowered his cloud and went straight into the cave, where he said to Princess Jade Face, "My beauty, that man with the thunder-god beak was the gibbon Sun Wukong. I drove him off with my staff, and he will not dare come again. Rest easy and amuse yourself. I am going to a friend's place to drink." He then doffed his armor, donned a dark blue clipped-velvet jacket, went out the gate, mounted his Water-Parting Golden-Eyed Beast, ordered the younger attendants to guard the premises, and with half-cloud, half-mist, headed straight off to the northwest.
The Great Sage watched from the high peak and thought to himself, "I wonder what friends this old bull has gotten to know now, and where he is going to attend a meeting. Let old Sun follow him for a while." Splendid Pilgrim, he shook his body and transformed into a gust of clear wind, catching up and following along. Before long, they arrived at a mountain, where the Bull King had vanished without a trace. The Great Sage resumed his original form and entered the mountain to search. In the mountain there was a clear, deep pool of water, and by the pool stood a stone tablet bearing six large characters: "Jasper Wave Pool on Chaotic Stone Mountain." The Great Sage thought to himself, "The old bull has certainly gone into the water. The spirits beneath the water must be either dragon-spirits, fish-spirits, or turtle, soft-shelled turtle, giant salamander, or alligator-spirits. Let old Sun go down into the water and have a look as well."
Splendid Great Sage, he made a hand seal, recited a spell, shook his body, and changed into a crab, neither large nor small, weighing thirty-six catties. With a splash, he leaped into the water and sank straight to the bottom of the pool. Suddenly he saw an exquisite and translucent archway, beneath which was tethered that Water-Warding Golden-Eyed Beast. Entering inside the archway, there was no water at all. The Great Sage crawled inside and looked carefully, only to hear a strain of music from over there. He saw:
Crimson palaces and shell towers, no different from the mortal world.
Gold for the roof tiles, white jade for the door pivots.
Screens unfold of hawksbill turtle shell, railings inlaid with coral pearls.
Auspicious clouds and propitious mists shine upon the lotus seats, reaching up to the three luminaries above and extending down to the thoroughfares below.
It is neither the Heavenly Palace nor the Ocean Treasury; truly this place rivals Penglai and Fanghu.
In the lofty hall a feast is spread with guests and hosts arrayed, officials great and small in caps and pearls.
Jade maidens are hurriedly called to bear ivory trays, and celestial damsels are summoned to tune the pitch-pipes.
Great whales bellow, huge crabs dance, soft-shelled turtles play the sheng, alligators beat the drums,
pearls from beneath the black dragon's chin illuminate the wine vessels and meat platters.
Bird-script inscriptions adorn the emerald screens, shrimp-whisker curtains hang in the corridors.
The eight tones resound in turn, mingled with celestial music, its notes of gong and shang piercing the heavens and halting the clouds.
Green-headed perch maidens play the gemmed zithers, red-eyed horse lads perform upon jade flutes.
Mandarin fish matrons offer up fragrant roe-deer jerky on their heads, dragon maidens wear golden phoenix hairpins in their tresses.
What they eat are the eight-treasure delicacies of the celestial kitchen;
what they drink are the jade nectar and mellow brews of the Purple Mansion.
Seated at the head was the Bull Demon King, flanked by three or four dragon-spirits on the left and right, and in front sat an old dragon-spirit, with dragon sons, dragon grandsons, dragon matriarchs, and dragon daughters on either side.
Just as they were in the midst of exchanging toasts and cups, Sun the Great Sage went straight up, but was spotted by the old dragon, who immediately ordered, "Seize that wild crab!" The dragon sons and grandsons surged forward and seized the Great Sage. The Great Sage suddenly spoke in human words, crying, "Spare my life, spare my life!" The old dragon said, "Where do you come from, you wild crab? How dare you come into the hall and scuttle about recklessly before honored guests? Confess at once, and your death sentence shall be remitted." Splendid Great Sage, fabricating lies, made his confession to the assembly:
"Born and living in the lake,
By the cliffs I made a cave to dwell.
Because with time I grew at ease,
I was given the office of a shell-bearing warrior who walks sideways.
Trailing through grass and dragging mud,
I never learned the proper forms.
Unaware of the rules, I have offended the king's majesty,
I humbly beg your honored mercy to forgive my crime!"
All the spirits at the feast, upon hearing this, bowed to the old dragon and said, "This Crab Warrior has just entered the Jasper Palace for the first time and does not know the king's ritual. We beg your lordship to spare him." The old dragon thanked them. The spirits then ordered, "Release that fellow, but record his beating for now, and let him wait outside." The Great Sage answered, then fled for his life, going straight to the archway.
He thought to himself, "This Bull King is so fond of his cups here, how can I wait until they break up? Even if they do, he won't lend me the fan. It would be better to steal his Golden-Eyed Beast, change into the Bull Demon King, go and deceive that Rakshasi, trick her out of her fan, and help my master cross the mountain."
Splendid Great Sage, he immediately resumed his true form, untied the Golden-Eyed Beast's reins, gave a sudden leap, mounted the ornate saddle, and rode straight out from beneath the water. Reaching outside the pool, he changed his body into the likeness of the Bull King. Cracking the whip on the beast and riding the clouds, before long he arrived at the entrance of the Plantain Cave on Emerald Cloud Mountain. He called out, "Open the door!" Two maids inside the cave gate, hearing the voice, opened the door. Seeing that it was the face of the Bull Demon King, they went in at once to report, "Mistress, the master has come home!" Upon hearing this, the Rakshasi hurriedly arranged her cloud-like coiffure, quickly moved her lotus steps, and went out to welcome him. The Great Sage dismounted from the ornate saddle, led in the Golden-Eyed Beast; and, summoning his boldness, he deceived the fair lady. The Rakshasi, with her mortal eyes, could not recognize him, so she took his hand and led him inside, ordering the maids to set out a seat and serve tea. The whole household, seeing that it was their lord, all showed utmost respect.
In a moment they exchanged pleasantries. The "Bull King" said, "My lady, we have been long apart." The Rakshasi said, "Ten thousand blessings to Your Majesty." She further said, "Your Majesty, so favored with your new bride, you have abandoned me. What wind has blown you here today?" The Great Sage laughed and said, "I dare not abandon you. It is only because since Princess Jade Face took me in, household affairs have been numerous and friends many to attend to, hence my prolonged stay abroad. But I have also managed to build up another estate." He further said, "I have recently heard that that scoundrel Wukong is escorting Tang Sanzang and is nearing the Flaming Mountain region. I fear he will come to borrow your fan. I still have the vengeance for our son's death to settle with that villain. Should he come, send word to me at once, so I may capture him, tear him limb from limb, and avenge the enmity between us, husband and wife." Hearing this, the Rakshasi wept and told him, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes: 'A man without a wife has no master for his wealth; a woman without a husband has no master for her person.' My very life was nearly ruined by that monkey!" The Great Sage, hearing this, deliberately flew into a rage and cursed, "When did that vile monkey pass by?" The Rakshasi said, "He has not gone yet. Yesterday he came to me to borrow the fan. Because of the harm he did to our child, I donned my armor, took up my treasured sword, went out, and struck at that monkey. He endured the pain and called me 'sister-in-law,' saying that Your Majesty had once sworn brotherhood with him." The Great Sage said, "That is true; five hundred years ago we did bow as seven brothers." The Rakshasi said, "When I cursed him, he dared not retort; when I struck, he dared not fight back. Then I fanned him away with one sweep of my fan. I don't know where he found a method to fix himself against the wind, but this morning he was again calling at the door. When I used the fan again, it could not move him at all. When I hastily swung my sword to cut him, he would no longer yield to me. Fearing the weight of his staff, I retreated into the cave and shut the door tight. I don't know where he got into my belly, but he nearly took my life. It was only after I called him 'uncle' several times that I gave him the fan and let him go." The Great Sage again feigned remorse, beating his chest and saying, "A pity, a pity! My lady, you were wrong—how could you give that treasure to that monkey? It infuriates me to death!" The Rakshasi laughed and said, "Your Majesty, calm your anger. The one I gave him was a false fan—I merely tricked him into going away." The Great Sage asked, "Where is the true fan?" The Rakshasi said, "Rest assured, rest assured—I have it safely put away."
She ordered the maids to prepare wine to welcome him and celebrate his return. Then she raised a cup and offered it to him, saying, "Your Majesty, in the joy of your new marriage, do not, by all means, forget your first wife. Pray drink a cup of this native water." The Great Sage dared not refuse, so he took it with a smile, raised the cup, and said, "My lady, you drink first. Since I have been long parted from you while attending to outside affairs, you have constantly guarded our household. Let me offer this in thanks." The Rakshasi took the cup again, filled it, and handed it back to His Majesty, saying, "Since ancient times it has been said, 'A wife is one's equal.' The husband is the father who nourishes the person—what is there to thank?" The two of them exchanged such courteous words before sitting down to take their rounds of wine. The Great Sage, not daring to break his vegetarian vow, ate only a few fruits and chatted with her.
After several rounds of wine, the Rakshasi began to feel half intoxicated, and her amorous desires stirred slightly. She drew close to Sun the Great Sage, rubbing against him and touching him; she held his hand, whispering endearing words; she leaned shoulder to shoulder with him, bending low and speaking softly. Taking a cup of wine, she would take a sip, then he would take a sip, and she would even feed him fruits from her mouth. The Great Sage, with feigned affection and false courtesy, kept up the smiling company, and having no way out, he also leaned and nestled against her. Indeed it was:
The fish-hook for poems, the besom for sorrows—nothing dispels all worldly cares like wine. A man of honor establishes his integrity and gives free rein to his feelings; a woman forgets her sentiments and opens her mouth in laughter. Faces flushed red like peach blossoms, bodies swaying like tender willows. Endless chatter and gossip, much pinching and fondling of amorous feeling. Now and then they smooth their cloud-like tresses; now and then they stretch out their delicate hands. Several times they raise their feet, and many a time they shake their sleeves. Their pink necks naturally bend low, and their supple waists gradually begin to twist. Words of mutual delight are never abandoned; their snow-white bosoms are half-exposed, their golden buttons loosened. When drunk, they truly topple like jade mountains; with dazed eyes they rub and grope, making all sorts of ugly gestures.
When the Great Sage saw her in such a drunken state, he secretly took note and prodded her, saying, "My lady, where have you put the real fan? Be careful at all times, for fear that Sun Wukong, with his many transformations, might come again to trick you out of it." Rakshasi, all smiles, spat it out from her mouth—it was only the size of an apricot leaf—and handed it to the Great Sage, saying, "Isn't this a treasure?" The Great Sage took it in his hand, but still did not believe it, thinking to himself, "How could something so tiny fan out a fire? I fear it is another fake." When Rakshasi saw him gazing at the treasure lost in thought, she could not resist stepping forward and pressing her powdered face against the Walker's cheek, calling out, "My dear, put away the treasure and drink your wine—what are you so absorbed in thinking about?" The Great Sage seized the opportunity and asked her a question: "Such a tiny thing—how can it fan out the eight-hundred-li Flame Mountain?" Rakshasi, mellowed by wine and without restraint, then revealed the method, saying, "My lord, it has been two years since we parted. I suppose you have been so absorbed in pleasure day and night that the Jade-Faced Princess has worn out your spirit—how is it that you have even forgotten the properties of your own treasure? Simply pinch the seventh red silk thread on the handle with the thumb of your left hand, recite the spell 'Hōng xū ā xī hē chuī hū,' and it will grow to one zhang and two chi in length. This treasure has infinite powers of transformation! Even an eighty-thousand-li flame could be extinguished with a single wave."
When the Great Sage heard this, he committed it carefully to memory. He then tucked the fan into his mouth, wiped his face, and revealed his true form. In a loud voice he cried, "Rakshasi, take a look and see if I am really your dear husband! You have lavished all this ugly behavior on me—aren't you ashamed, aren't you ashamed?" When the woman saw that it was Sun Wukong, she was so startled that she knocked over the table and fell to the ground, overcome with shame, crying only, "You've infuriated me! You've infuriated me!"
The Great Sage paid no heed to whether she lived or died. He wrenched himself free, strode off with great strides, and went straight out of Banana Cave. Thus it is: With no heart for lusting after beauty, he returns in triumph with a smiling face. He sprang up, mounted the auspicious clouds, and leaped onto the high mountain. He spat out the fan and tested the method. Pinching the seventh red silk thread on the handle with the thumb of his left hand, he recited "Hōng xū ā xī hē chuī hū," and sure enough it grew to a length of one zhang and two chi. Taking it in his hand, he examined it again and again—it was indeed different from the fake one from before. It shimmered with auspicious light and radiated propitious vapors; on it were thirty-six red silk threads running through and across, interwoven inside and out. It turned out that the Walker had only learned the method for making it grow, not the incantation for making it shrink, so it remained at that length no matter what. Having no alternative, he had to carry it on his shoulder and find his way back by the old road. We shall say no more of this.
Now the Bull Demon King, at the bottom of Bibo Pool, had broken up the feast with the various spirits. When he came out the gate, he found that the Water-Repelling Golden-Eyed Beast was missing. The Old Dragon King gathered the spirits and asked, "Who let out Lord Bull's Golden-Eyed Beast?" The spirits all knelt and said, "No one dared to let it out. We were all before the feast, offering wine and carrying dishes, performing music and singing—not one of us was in front." The Old Dragon said, "The household musicians would certainly not dare. Could any stranger have come in?" The Dragon sons and grandsons said, "Just as the seats were being arranged, a Crab Spirit arrived—that was a stranger." When the Bull King heard this, he suddenly understood and said, "No need to say more. Early this morning, when you, worthy friend, sent someone to invite me, there was a Sun Wukong escorting Tripitaka on his journey to fetch scriptures. He encountered the Flame Mountain and could not cross it, and came to borrow the Banana Leaf Fan from me. I would not give it to him, and we fought a bout without settling who was victor. Then I left him and came straight to the feast. That monkey is clever in a thousand ways and full of every sort of scheme—it was certainly that wretch who transformed into the Crab Spirit, came here to spy, stole my beast, and went to my wife to swindle her out of that Banana Leaf Fan." When the spirits heard this, each and every one trembled with fear and asked, "Is it that same Sun Wukong who caused great havoc in Heaven?" The Bull King said, "Exactly. Gentlemen, if you should have any dealings along the Western Road, be sure to keep out of his way." The Old Dragon said, "If that is so, what is to be done about Your Majesty's fine steed?" The Bull King laughed and said, "No matter, no matter. Let each of you disperse, while I go after him."
He then parted the waters, leaped out from the bottom of the pool, mounted a yellow cloud, and went straight to Banana Cave on Mount Cuiyun. He heard Rakshasi stamping her feet and beating her breast, screaming and shouting. He pushed open the door and saw the Water-Repelling Golden-Eyed Beast tethered below. The Bull King called out loudly, "My lady, where has Sun Wukong gone?" When the serving girls saw the Bull Demon, they all knelt and said, "So it's you, Grandfather!" Rakshasi grabbed hold of the Bull King, knocking her head against him, and cursed, "You cursed, heaven-sent murderer! How could you be so careless as to let that ape steal the Golden-Eyed Beast and take your form to come here and trick me?" The Bull King gnashed his teeth and said, "Where has that ape gone?" Rakshasi beat her breast and cursed, "That accursed monkey swindled me out of my treasure, showed his true form, and left. It has infuriated me to death!" The Bull King said, "My lady, take care of yourself and do not fret. Wait until I catch up with that ape, seize the treasure, strip his hide, crush his bones, and lay out his heart and liver to give you satisfaction." He called out, "Bring my weapons." The serving girls said, "Grandfather's weapons are not here." The Bull King said, "Then bring your mistress's weapons." The handmaids brought out two green-gemmed swords. The Bull King took off the dark-green velvet robe he had worn to the feast, tightened his undergarments, seized the two swords in his hands, and strode out of Banana Cave, heading straight for the Flame Mountain in pursuit. Thus it is:
The ungrateful man deceived the infatuated woman;
The fierce demon draws near the one of the wood-holding order.
But as to whether this journey will end in good fortune or ill, you must hear the next chapter for its explanation.