OriginChapter 61
Thus the story tells how the Bull Demon King gave chase to the Great Sage Sun. He saw that Sun was carrying the palm-leaf fan on his shoulder, walking along with a cheerful countenance. The Demon King was greatly startled and said to himself, "So this ape has actually wheedled the method of using it out of someone. If I ask him for it outright, he certainly won't give it; and if he should fan me once, I'll be carried off a hundred and eight thousand li—that would suit him well. I have heard that the Tang Monk is waiting on the main road. His second disciple, the Pig Spirit, and his third, the Sand-stream Spirit—when I was a monster in former days, I met them too. I shall change into the likeness of the Pig Spirit and deceive him in return. I reckon that ape, elated with his success, will not be especially on his guard." Fine Demon King—he too had the seventy-two transformations, and his martial arts matched those of the Great Sage, only his body was somewhat more bulky, less agile and quick-witted. He hid his precious sword, recited a spell, shook himself, and changed into a face exactly like Bajie's. Taking a side path, he met the Great Sage head-on and called out, "Elder Brother, I'm here!"
The Great Sage was indeed delighted. As the ancients say, "A victorious cat is as bold as a tiger." Relying solely on his own prowess, he gave no thought to the visitor's intentions. Seeing it was Bajie's form, he called out, "Brother, where are you going?" The Bull Demon King, taking the cue, replied, "Master saw that you had not returned for a long time and feared that the Bull Demon King's powers were great, that you could not overcome him and could not get his treasure, so he sent me to meet you." Wukong laughed and said, "No need to worry—I've already got it." The Bull King asked again, "How did you get it?" Wukong said, "That old bull fought me for a hundred rounds or more, with no decision. Then he left me and went down to the bottom of the Jasper-Wave Pool on Mount Luan-Shi to drink with a band of flood-dragon and dragon spirits. I secretly followed him, changed into a crab, stole his Water-Averting Golden-Eyed Beast that he rode, then took the form of the old bull and went straight to the Banana Cave to coax that Rakshasi woman. That woman and old Sun played at being husband and wife for a while, and old Sun tricked it out of her." The Bull King said, "So that's what happened—you have labored greatly, elder brother. Let me take the fan." The Great Sage, knowing neither truth nor falsehood, and not thinking that far, handed the fan over to him.
Now the Bull King knew the fundamental way of opening and closing the fan. As soon as he took it, he pressed some secret gesture, and it shrank again to the size of an apricot leaf, resuming its true form. He then opened his mouth and cursed, "You blasted ape! Do you recognize me?" When Wukong saw that, he said ruefully to himself, "This is my fault." With a cry of vexation, he stamped his foot and shouted, "Alas! Year after year I hunt wild geese, and now a gosling has pecked me in the eye!" In a fury, he seized his iron staff and struck straight at the Bull King's head. The Demon King then used the fan to fan him. But earlier, when the Great Sage had turned into a tiny cicada and entered the Rakshasi's belly, he had held the Wind-Stabilizing Pill in his mouth and inadvertently swallowed it down into his stomach; thus all his five viscera were firm, his skin and bones all solid, and no matter how hard the Bull King fanned him, he could not be moved. The Bull King panicked, thrust the treasure into his mouth, and wielded his twin swords with both hands to slash. The two of them fought fiercely in mid-air—a fine battle:
The Great Sage Equal to Heaven,
And the lawless Bull Demon King,
Only for the palm-leaf fan
Met each other, each flaunting his strength.
The careless Great Sage was tricked,
The bold Bull King deceived in turn.
This one raised his golden-hooped staff without mercy,
That one wielded twin sharp blades with cunning.
The Great Sage displayed his might, spewing colored mist;
The Bull King rampaged, shooting forth radiant light.
Both strove in valor, neither giving way,
Gnashing their teeth, fierce and proud.
They churned up dust and raised sand, darkening heaven and earth;
Flying stones and swirling sand made ghosts and spirits hide.
One said, "How dare you, ignorant fool, trick me!"
The other said, "My wife gave you what you took!"
Their words were coarse, their tempers hot and fierce.
One said, "You deceived a man's wife and daughter—you deserve death! If brought to court, you'd be guilty of crimes!"
The clever Equal-to-Heaven Sage,
And the fierce Great Strength King,
Both bent only on killing,
With no time for discussion.
Staff met swords as they fought with all their might;
Any slackening would send them straight to the King of Hell.
We shall not dwell on their undecided duel. Meanwhile, the Tang Monk, sitting by the roadside, was afflicted both by the scorching fire-vapors and by his own impatience and thirst. He said to the Earth Deity of Flaming Mountain, "May I ask, honored spirit, how great is the Bull Demon King's power?" The Earth Deity replied, "That Bull King's supernatural powers are by no means small—his magic is boundless. He is indeed a match for the Great Sage Sun." Tripitaka said, "Wukong is a swift traveler; ordinarily two thousand li he would cover in the twinkling of an eye. Why has he been gone a whole day now? He must certainly be locked in combat with that Bull King." He called, "Wukong, Wujing—one of you go and meet your elder brother. If you encounter the enemy, lend your strength and help him. Get the fan, relieve my distress, so that we may cross the mountain early and hurry on our way." Bajie said, "It is late today, and I was thinking of going to meet him, but I do not know the way to Mount Jilei." The Earth Deity said, "This humble spirit knows the way. Let Curtain-Raising General keep your master company, and I will go with you." Tripitaka was greatly pleased and said, "I am obliged to you, honored spirit; when the deed is done, I shall thank you again."
Bajie then roused his spirits, tightened his dark blue cotton robe, grasped his rake, and rose with the Earth Deity on clouds and mist, heading straight back eastward. As they were traveling, they suddenly heard the din of battle cries and fierce winds rolling. Bajie checked his cloud and looked down—it was Sun Wukong fighting the Bull King. The Earth Deity said, "Tian Peng, why do you not go forward? What are you waiting for?" The idiot drew his rake and shouted loudly, "Elder Brother, I'm here!" Wukong said angrily, "You stupid oaf! You've delayed my important business!" Bajie said, "Master sent me to meet you, but I didn't know the mountain road, so we discussed it for a long time and he had the Earth Deity lead me. That's why I'm late—how have I delayed important business?" Wukong said, "I'm not blaming you for being late—this lawless bull is utterly insolent. I had gotten the fan from the Rakshasi, when this fellow changed into your likeness, claiming to meet me. In my delight, I handed the fan to him, and then he revealed his true form and has been fighting with me here—that's what has delayed important business." When Bajie heard this, he flew into a rage, raised his rake, and cursed to his face, "You bloated, pestilent blood-sack! How dare you change into the likeness of your ancestor and cheat my elder brother, causing discord between us brothers!" And he began wildly swinging his rake, striking at the Bull King's head and face.
The Bull King, on the one hand, had fought all day with Wukong and was weary in strength and spirit; on the other hand, he could not withstand the ferocity of Bajie's rake—so he turned and fled in defeat. Just then the Earth Deity of Flaming Mountain, leading a host of shadow soldiers, blocked his way and said, "Great Strength King, hold! Tripitaka is going to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven—no spirit fails to protect him, no heaven fails to bless him; it is known throughout the Three Realms, and upheld by all directions. Quickly give the palm-leaf fan to quench the flames, so that he may pass the mountain without harm or hindrance. If you do not, Heaven will hold you guilty and you will surely be slain." The Bull King said, "You Earth Deity, you do not see reason at all. That vile ape seized my son, insulted my concubine, and deceived my wife—every act is lawless. I would gladly swallow him whole, turn him to dung, and feed him to dogs—how could I lend him my treasure?"
Before he finished speaking, Bajie caught up and cursed, "You canker-hearted wretch! Bring out the fan at once and I'll spare your life." The Bull King had no choice but to turn back and engage Bajie with his precious sword. The Great Sage Sun raised his staff to help, and a fine battle ensued there:
[The text ends here with the poem, but the user only provided Part 1, so I translate up to this point.]
A pig that had become a sprite, an ox that had turned monster, and moreover a monkey that had stolen Heaven and attained the Way. By nature of Chan, one can refine through battle; one must use earth to unite with the primal source. The nine-toothed rake, pointed and sharp; the paired jewel swords, quick yet supple. The iron staff, coiling and uncoiling, serves as the chief weapon; the earth spirit lends strength to form the elixir head. The three forces of mutual conquest and restraint contend with each other, each displaying their talents to scheme and plan. Catch the ox to plow the field and the gold coin grows; call back the pig to return to the furnace and the wood energy is gathered. If the mind is not present, how can one cultivate the Way? The spirit must always guard its abode—one must tether the monkey. Babbling wildly, pleading bitterly, the three weapons clash with a swishing sound. The rake thrusts and the sword wounds without good intent; the golden-banded staff rises with its own reason. The slaughter is so fierce that the stars lose their light and the moon its brightness, while a cold fog darkens the heavens all through the day.
The Demon King, brave and strong, fought as he advanced, and the battle lasted all night without deciding victory or defeat, and soon it was daylight again. Ahead lay his Accumulated Thunder Mountain and the Cloud-Mo Grotto. The three of them, together with the earth spirit and the shadow soldiers, raised such a clamor that it shook the ears, startling the Jade Face Princess, who sent a maidservant to see who was making the noise. Just then the little demon guarding the gate came to report: "It is our grandfather fighting with that thunder-beak fellow from yesterday, and a long-snouted, big-eared monk, together with the earth spirit of Flaming Mountain and many others." When the Jade Face Princess heard this, she at once ordered the inner and outer guards, great and small, each to take up spears and swords and lend their aid. From front to rear, she mustered a motley crew of over a hundred. Each one displayed his spirit, brandishing spears and flourishing staves, and together they cried: "Great King Grandfather, we have received the lady's inner command and come especially to help you!" The Bull King was greatly delighted and said, "Well come, well come." The host of demons rushed forward together and hacked wildly. Bajie was caught unprepared, so he dragged his rake backward and fled in defeat. The Great Sage mounted his cloud-somersault and leaped out of the encirclement. The shadow soldiers also scattered in all directions. The Old Bull won the day, gathered his demons and returned to his cave, and tightly shut the cave gate—no more of that.
行者 said: "This fellow is fierce and valiant. From around the hour of Shen yesterday, he fought with old Sun until tonight, with no decision. But then you two came to reinforce me. Yet after half a day and a whole night of bitter fighting, he shows no sign of weariness. And now this gang of little demons is bold and fierce as well. He has shut the cave gate tightly and will not come out—what is to be done?" Bajie said: "Brother, you left the master at the hour of Si yesterday—how is it that you only started fighting him at the hour of Shen? Where were you during those two or three hours?" Wukong said: "After leaving you, I arrived at this mountain in an instant and saw a woman. When I questioned her, she turned out to be his beloved concubine, the Jade Face Princess. I scared her with my iron staff, and she ran into the cave and called out the Bull King. He and I exchanged harsh words for a while, then we came to blows and fought for about an hour. In the middle of the fight, someone invited him to a banquet. I followed him to the bottom of the Bibo Pool at the Random Stone Mountain, changed into a crab, spied out the news, stole his Water-Averting Golden-Eyed Beast, and disguised myself as the Bull King, then returned to the Plantain Cave on Jade Cloud Mountain and tricked the Rakshasi woman into giving me her fan. I came out and tried to work it, but though I could make the fan grow large, I could not make it shrink. Just as I was carrying it away, he changed into your likeness and tricked me back out of it. That is why I was delayed two or three hours."
Bajie said: "This is just as the common saying goes: 'A bean-curd boat overturned in the great sea—comes in the soup, goes in the water.' Now that we cannot get the fan, how can we protect the master across the mountain? Let us turn back and take another road, the devil with it!" The earth spirit said: "Great Sage, do not fret; Heavenly Reeds, do not slacken. To speak of turning back is to enter a side door—it would not be the conduct of a cultivator. An old saying goes: 'Walk not by bypaths.' How can we turn back? Your master sits on the main road, gazing anxiously and hoping for your success." Wukong grew fierce and said: "Exactly, exactly. Idiot, do not talk nonsense; the earth spirit speaks reason. We are just about to:
Gamble on victory and defeat, display our skills, and I will wield my transformations of Earthly Fiends.
Since coming to the West, I have met no match; the Bull King himself is but a transformation of the Mind-Monkey.
Now is the time to meet the source directly; we must by all means contend to borrow the precious fan.
Take advantage of the coolness, quench the flame, break through the stubborn void and pay homage to the Buddha.
When our journey is complete, we shall ascend to the Land of Ultimate Bliss and all attend the Dragon-Flower Feast together."
When Bajie heard these words, he roused himself to effort and earnestly said:
"Right, right, right; go, go, go—what matter if the Bull King can or cannot?
Wood is born in Hai and matches the Pig; turn back the ox and let it return to the Earth class.
Under Shen, metal is born—that is the Monkey; with no punishment or restraint, much harmony abounds.
Use the plantain for the meaning of water; when the flame-fire is quenched, the task is accomplished.
Day and night without rest, suffer through the toil; when the work is done, hurry to attend the Ullambana Assembly."
The two of them, leading the earth spirit and the shadow soldiers, advanced together, wielding the rake and whirling the iron staff, and with a loud crash they smashed the front gate of the Cloud-Mo Grotto to pieces. The terrified outer guards, trembling, rushed inside to report: "Great King, Sun Wukong has led his host and broken down the front gate." The Bull King was just then relating all that had happened to the Jade Face Princess and fuming with hatred for Sun Wukong. When he heard that the front gate had been broken down, he flew into a rage, hastily donned his armor, seized his iron cudgel, and charged out, cursing: "Bald ape! How big a fellow are you, to dare come to my door and make such a ruckus, smashing my gate?" Bajie stepped forward and cursed back: "Bald old leather-skin! What sort of creature are you, to measure anyone's size? Don't run—take my rake!" The Bull King bellowed: "You gluttonous lout, you are not worth looking at—quickly tell that monkey to come up." Wukong said: "Ignorant grass-chewer! Yesterday I still called you brother, but today you are my enemy. Take care—take a blow from my staff." The Bull King bravely met him. This battle was fiercer than the last. The three heroes mixed together in one spot—a fine slaughter:
The rake and iron staff display their godly might, leading shadow soldiers together to fight the old bull. The bull alone displays his fierce and violent nature, his magic power vast and filling the sky. The rake thrusts, the cudgel pounds, the iron staff hero again works wonders. The three weapons clang and ring, blocking and parrying—who yields to whom? One says he is the chief, another says he will take the prize. The earth soldiers bear witness that they cannot be parted; wood and earth press each other, up and down they follow. These two say: "Why won't you lend the plantain fan?" That one says: "How dare you deceive my wife with a wicked heart? Driving away my concubine and harming my son—that wrong is yet unavenged, and now you come knocking at my door to alarm me." This one says: "Beware of the如意 staff—if it so much as grazes you, it will break your skin." That one says: "Take care to avoid the rake's teeth—one wound makes nine holes and blood streams out." The Bull King, unafraid, exerts his might, raising his iron cudgel high with keen judgment. They roll clouds and turn rain as they come and go, spew mist and blow wind at will. Bitterly hating each other, they all stake their lives, each cherishing dark thoughts yet delighting in the contest. They drop all pretense and let the outcome decide; forward attack and backward defense leave none at a disadvantage. The two brothers strive together, while the single man wields his cudgel alone. They fought from the hour of Mao to after the hour of Chen, and after the battle the Bull King withdrew in defeat.
The three of them, forgetting life and death, fought more than a hundred rounds more. Bajie, stirred by his stubborn nature and relying on Wukong's divine powers, raised his rake and struck wildly. The Bull King could not parry and turned to flee, heading for the cave gate. But the earth spirit and the shadow soldiers blocked the gate and shouted: "Great King of Strength, where are you going? We are here." The Old Bull could not enter the cave, so he hastily turned away. Seeing Bajie and Wukong closing in, he panicked, doffed his helmet and armor, cast aside his iron cudgel, shook himself, and changed into a swan, flying up into the sky.
The Pilgrim saw this, laughed, and said, "Eight Rules, the Old Bull has gone." That idiotic fellow was completely unaware, and the Earth Deity likewise could not understand; they all looked east and west, searching randomly back and forth in front of Jilei Mountain. The Pilgrim pointed and said, "Isn't that what's flying in the sky?" Eight Rules said, "That is a swan." The Pilgrim said, "That is exactly what the Old Bull changed into." The Earth Deity said, "If that's so, what should we do?" The Pilgrim said, "You two charge into this gate, slaughter all the demons completely, tear down their nest, and cut off his path of return. Wait while Old Sun goes and competes with him in transformations." So Eight Rules and the Earth Deity, following his words, attacked and broke through the cave gate—but no more of that.
This Great Sage put away his Golden Cudgel, made a finger-seal and recited a spell, shook his body, and changed into a Haidongqing falcon. With a whoosh of his wings, he bored into a gap in the clouds, then flew back down headfirst, landing on the swan's body, gripping its neck and pecking at its eyes. The Bull King also knew it was Sun Wukong in transformation, and hurriedly shook his feathers, changing into a yellow eagle, and turned back to peck the Haidongqing. The Pilgrim then changed into a black phoenix, which specially pursues yellow eagles. The Bull King recognized it and changed again into a white crane, letting out a long cry as he flew south. The Pilgrim stood still, shook his feathers, and changed into a red phoenix, giving a high cry. When the white crane saw that the phoenix was king of birds, and that all birds would not dare to act rashly, with a flap of his wings he dove down the cliff, changed his form, and became a musk deer, mincing along as he ate grass before the cliff. The Pilgrim recognized him, and likewise dropped down with his wings, changing into a starving tiger, with tucked tail and racing hooves, coming to chase the deer for food. The Demon King, flustered, changed again into a golden-spotted leopard, seeking to wound the starving tiger. The Pilgrim saw this, faced the wind, shook his head, and changed into a golden-eyed suanni, his voice like thunder, with iron forehead and bronze head, and turned around to devour the leopard. The Bull King, anxious, changed into a man-bear, let loose his feet, and came to seize that suanni. The Pilgrim rolled over and changed into a lazy elephant, with a trunk like a long snake and tusks like bamboo shoots, extending his trunk to coil around that man-bear.
The Bull King let out a chuckle, and revealed his original form: a great white bull, with a head like a towering ridge, eyes like flashing light, two horns like two iron pagodas, teeth arrayed like sharp blades, from head to tail over a thousand zhang in length, and from hoof to back eight hundred zhang in height. He called out loudly to the Pilgrim, "You reckless macaque! What can you do to me now?" The Pilgrim likewise revealed his original form, drew out his Golden Cudgel, bent his waist, and shouted, "Grow!" He grew to a height of ten thousand zhang, with a head like Mount Tai, eyes like sun and moon, a mouth like a pool of blood, teeth like gate leaves, and holding an iron staff in his hand, he struck at the head. The Bull King stiffened his head and used his horns to butt. This battle truly shook the ridges and mountains, startling heaven and earth. There is a poem as evidence. The poem says:
When the Way rises one measure, the demon towers a thousand—
The crafty-minded Heart-Monkey summons his strength to subdue.
If the Fire Mountain would have no raging flames,
Then the Precious Fan must bring its cooling dew.
Yellow Dame, steadfast, upholds the primal elder;
Wood Mother, with tender feeling, sweeps the fiends away.
In harmony the Five Elements return to true fruit—
Refining demons, washing filth, they wend to the West.
The two of them displayed their divine powers in full, fighting amidst the mountains, startling all the celestial beings passing through the void, as well as the Golden-head Jiedi, the Six Jia and Six Ding, and the Eighteen Dharma Protectors, who all came to surround and trap the Demon King. The Demon King showed no fear at all—see how he charged east and west, his two iron horns straight and gleaming, butting to and fro; south and north he rammed, his hard tail bristling with fur and bulging with sinews, lashing left and right. Sun the Great Sage faced him head-on, while the many spirits struck from all sides. The Bull King, pressed hard, rolled on the ground, resumed his true form, and made for the Plantain Cave. The Pilgrim likewise withdrew his colossal form and, together with the many spirits, gave chase. The Demon King charged into the cave and shut the gate, not coming out. All the host surrounded Green Cloud Mountain so tightly that not even water could leak through.
Just as they were all attacking the gate, they suddenly heard Eight Rules, the Earth Deity, and the underworld soldiers shouting as they arrived. The Pilgrim, seeing them, asked, "How went the business at Cloud-scraping Cave?" Eight Rules laughed and said, "That Old Bull's wife was killed by a single blow of my rake; when I stripped her clothes, she turned out to be a jade-faced vixen spirit. Those mob of demons were all donkeys, mules, calves, oxen, badgers, foxes, raccoon dogs, deer, goats, tigers, elk, and the like—all have been slaughtered. We also set fire to his cave dwelling and halls. The Earth Deity said he still had another household living on this mountain, so we came here to sweep them out as well." The Pilgrim said, "Worthy younger brother, you have rendered meritorious service—delightful, delightful. Old Sun, for his part, competed in transformations with that Old Bull but has not yet won. He changed into a white bull of vast proportions, and I changed into a form that mirrored heaven and earth. While we were locking horns, we were fortunate that the many spirits descended and surrounded him for a long time, but then he resumed his original body and went back into the cave." Eight Rules said, "Is that the Plantain Cave?" The Pilgrim said, "Exactly, exactly. The Rakshasi is right inside." Eight Rules said fiercely, "If that's the case, why not charge in, wipe out that brute, and demand the fan from him? Instead we let him stay and gather his wits, while he and his wife exchange tender words!"
That fine idiot, rousing his might, raised his rake and struck the gate; with a loud crack, he broke down the stone cliff and the gate to one side. The startled girl attendant hurriedly reported, "Grandfather, someone has broken down the front gate." The Bull King had just run inside, panting heavily, and was telling the Rakshasi about the affair of the Pilgrim seizing the fan and their contest of transformations. Hearing the report, he flew into a rage, spat the fan out of his mouth, and handed it to the Rakshasi. The Rakshasi took the fan in hand, tears streaming from her eyes, and said, "Great King, give this fan to that macaque and make him withdraw his troops." The Bull King said, "My lady, though the thing is small, the hatred is deep. You sit here, while I go and contend with him again." That demon rearranged his armor, chose two more treasured swords, and walked out the gate. He encountered Eight Rules using his rake to smash the gate; the Old Bull, without a word, drew his sword and slashed at the head. Eight Rules raised his rake to meet it, stepped back a few paces, and came out the gate, where soon the Great Sage was swinging his staff at the head. The Bull Demon then mounted a fierce wind and leaped away from the cave, and again they all stood their ground on Green Cloud Mountain. The many spirits surrounded them on all sides, while the Earth Deity's soldiers attacked left and right. This battle, too, was a splendid slaughter:
Clouds shrouded the world, mist covered heaven and earth.
Shrill yin winds rolled sand and stones; towering rage churned the sea's waves.
He re-honed his two swords, donned his full armor again.
Their enmity ran deep as the sea; their hatred grew and bred more wrath.
Behold the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, for his meritorious deeds,
Gave no thought to old acquaintance of bygone years.
Eight Rules displayed his might to win the fan;
The assembled spirits protected the Dharma and seized the Bull Lord.
The Bull King's hands never rested,
Blocking left and warding right with all his might.
They fought until passing birds could not fly and all folded their wings,
And swimming fish dared not leap but hid their scales.
Ghosts wept and spirits howled, heaven and earth grew dark;
Dragons grieved and tigers feared as the sun's light dimmed.
That Bull King, risking his life, fought for over fifty rounds, but could not hold his ground. Losing the battle, he fled north. Early on, the vastly powerful Pofa Vajra of the Secret Demon Cliff on Five-Terrace Mountain barred his way, shouting: "Bull Demon, where do you think you are going? I have been dispatched by the Buddha Śākyamuni to spread a heavenly net and earthly mesh, and here I am to capture you." Just as he spoke, the Great Sage, Eight Rules, and the host of spirits came up in pursuit. The demon king, in panic, turned and ran south, only to run into the Dharma-Infinite Victorious Vajra of Qingliang Cave on Mount Emei, who blocked him, crying: "I have received the Buddha's decree to capture you right here." The Bull King, his heart flustered and legs weak, hastily wheeled about and fled east, but there he encountered the Vairocana Śramaṇa Great Strength Vajra of the Mó'ěr Cliff on Mount Sumeru, who confronted him, shouting: "Where are you going, old bull? I have been secretly commanded by the Tathāgata to arrest you." The Bull King again shrank back in terror and ran west, only to be met by the Imperishable Venerable King Eternal Abiding Vajra of Golden Haze Ridge on Kunlun Mountain, who challenged him, crying: "And where do you think you are going now, you brute? I have been personally ordered by the Buddha of the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Heavens to guard this pass—who would let you pass?"
The old bull, his heart pounding with fear, regretted it too late. Seeing that in all directions there were Buddha soldiers and heavenly generals, truly like a high-stretched net from which he could not escape his doom, he was in utter desperation. Just then he heard the Pilgrim leading his host in pursuit, so he rode his cloud and shot upward. But there, Tower-Bearer Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha, leading the Fish-Belly Yakṣas and the Giant Spirit General, blocked the sky, shouting: "Hold on, hold on. We have been commanded by the Jade Emperor to come here specially to wipe you out." The Bull King, frantic, once again shook himself and changed into a huge white ox, using his two iron horns to gore the Heavenly King. The Heavenly King wielded his sword to chop. Then Sun the Pilgrim arrived. Prince Nezha called out loudly: "Great Sage, I am wearing armor and cannot bow in ceremony. My father and I received the Buddha's written proclamation, which was reported to the Jade Emperor, saying that on the Road of Flame Mountain, Tang Sanzang was blocked, and Sun the Great Sage could not subdue the Bull Demon King. The Jade Emperor issued a decree and specially sent my father and me with our forces to help." The Pilgrim said, "This fiend's magical powers are not small; he has changed into such a huge body—what can we do?" The prince laughed, "Great Sage, do not doubt—watch me capture him."
With that, the prince shouted "Change!" and transformed into a three-headed, six-armed form. He flew up and leaped onto the Bull King's back, swinging his demon-slaying sword at the neck, and in a flash, the bull's head was cut off. The Heavenly King sheathed his sword and only then came to greet the Pilgrim. But from the bull's torso another head emerged, spewing black mist from its mouth and flashing golden light from its eyes. Nezha struck with his sword again, and wherever a head fell, another grew. He hacked ten-some times, and each time ten-some heads grew back. Nezha then produced his Fire Wheels and hung them on the old bull's horns, blowing true fire. The flames blazed fiercely, burning the Bull King so that he bellowed wildly, shaking his head and lashing his tail. Just as he was about to change shape to escape, Tower-Bearer Heavenly King used the Demon-Revealing Mirror to fix his true form, making him unable to move or flee, with no way out. He could only cry: "Do not take my life; I am willing to submit to the Buddhist faith." Nezha said, "If you cherish your life, hand over the fan quickly." The Bull King said, "The fan is kept with my wife."
Hearing this, Nezha untied his Demon-Binding Rope, straddled the bull's neck, grabbed the snout, threaded the rope through the nostrils, and led him by hand. Sun the Pilgrim then gathered the four Vajras, the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Protectors of the Faith, Tower-Bearer Heavenly King, Giant Spirit General, as well as Eight Rules, the Earth Spirit, and the shadow soldiers, and they all escorted the white ox back to the entrance of Banana Cave. The old bull called, "Wife, bring out the fan to save my life." When Rākṣasī heard the call, she quickly took off her hairpins and ornaments, shed her colorful garments, tied her black hair like a Daoist nun, and dressed in white like a bhikṣuṇī. She held with both hands the banana-leaf fan, a full zhang and two chi long, and came out of the cave. Seeing the Vajras, the host of sages, and the Heavenly King and his son, she fell to her knees in panic, kowtowing and bowing, saying: "I beg the Bodhisattvas to spare the lives of my husband and me; we are willing to offer this fan to Uncle Sun, to help him complete his mission." The Pilgrim approached and took the fan, then together with the multitude mounted auspicious clouds and headed straight back east.
Now, Tripitaka and Sha Monk had stood for a while and sat for a while, anxiously awaiting the Pilgrim; after a long time without his return, they were deeply worried. Suddenly, auspicious clouds filled the sky, radiant light covered the ground, and the host of spirits drifted near. The elder, frightened, said, "Wujing, whose divine soldiers are those over there?" Sha Monk recognized them and said, "Master, those are the Four Great Vajras, the Golden-Headed Revelation Spirits, the Six Jia and Six Ding, the Protectors of the Faith, and the passing spirits. The one leading the ox is Prince Nezha, the one holding the mirror is Tower-Bearer Heavenly King Li, the senior apprentice-brother carries the banana fan, the second senior and the Earth Spirit follow behind, and the rest are guardian spirits." When Tripitaka heard this, he changed into his Vairocana crown and put on his monastic robe, and together with Wujing he bowed to welcome the holy beings, expressing his gratitude: "What virtue or ability does your disciple possess that I should trouble all you venerable saints to descend to the mortal world?" The Four Great Vajras said, "Holy monk, rejoice; your cultivation is near its completion. We were sent by the Buddha's decree to aid you. You must strive earnestly in your practice and not be lax for even a moment." Tripitaka clacked his teeth and bowed his head, accepting the charge with all his heart.
Sun the Great Sage, holding the fan, approached the mountain and, using all his strength, waved it once. The Flame Mountain's fire died down flatly, its glare extinguished. The Pilgrim, overjoyed, waved it a second time, and a gentle, rustling breeze stirred. The third time, the sky became overcast with drifting clouds and a fine rain fell. A poem testifies:
Eight hundred li distant, the Flame Mountain looms,
Its fiery blaze across the land is famed.
Fire boiling through five watches cannot ripen elixir,
Fire scorching three passes makes the Way unclear.
Then, by chance, the banana fan brings dew and rain,
And heavenly generals lend their mighty aid.
The ox led to Buddha, let his wildness cease,
When water and fire join, nature finds its peace.
At this moment, Tripitaka's restlessness and vexation dissolved; his mind was cleared and his heart at ease. The four disciples, having taken refuge, thanked the Vajras, who each returned to their precious mountains. The Six Ding and Six Jia rose into the air to guard them. The passing deities dispersed. The Heavenly King and Prince led the ox away to the Buddha's realm to report their mission. Only the local Earth Spirit, escorting Rākṣasī, remained waiting nearby.
The Pilgrim said, "You, Rākṣasī, if you are not going, why do you still stand here?" Rākṣasī knelt and said, "I beg the Great Sage's compassion—please return the fan to me." Eight Rules shouted, "You wanton wretch, you have no sense of proportion. Sparing your life is already enough—what more fan do you want? We have to carry it over the mountain—do you think we won't sell it for money to buy snacks? After all this effort and energy, would we give it to you? It's raining hard—why don't you go back?" Rākṣasī bowed again and said, "The Great Sage originally said he would return the fan once the fire was put out. Now, after all this, I truly regret it too late. It was only because I was not virtuous that I caused this great mobilisation of troops. We have also cultivated to human form, but have not yet attained true fruition. Now that my husband has shown his true body and gone west to Buddha, I will never dare act rashly again. I beg you to give me back the fan, so that I may reform myself and cultivate my life in peace." The Earth Spirit said, "Great Sage, since this woman knows well the method of extinguishing the fire, and can cut off its roots entirely, give her back the fan. I, the lesser spirit, dwell here in ease, saving the people of this region, seeking some sacrificial offerings—it would truly be a kind favour." The Pilgrim said, "I asked the villagers before: they said that if you fan the mountain to put out the fire, you only get one year's harvest before the fire breaks out again. How can it be permanently removed?" Rākṣasī said, "To cut off the fire's roots completely, you need only fan forty-nine times in succession, and it will never erupt again."
Upon hearing this, the Pilgrim took the fan, exerted all his strength, and fanned the mountain forty-nine times in succession. A great downpour poured over the mountain. Truly it was a treasure: where there was fire, rain fell; where there was no fire, the sky cleared. The master and his disciples stood where there was no fire and were not drenched by the rain.
They sat through the night, and only at dawn the next day did they pack the horses and luggage, returning the fan to the Rakshasa. He also said, "If I, Old Sun, did not give it to you, I fear people would say I speak without faith. Take the fan back to your mountain, and stir up no more trouble. Seeing that you have obtained human form, I will spare you and let you go." The Rakshasa took the fan, chanted a spell, pinched it into the shape of an apricot leaf, and held it in her mouth. She bowed in thanks to all the sages, then hid her name and cultivated in seclusion. Later she too attained the True Fruit, and her name is renowned through the ages in the scriptural canon. The Rakshasa and the Earth Spirit both were moved to gratitude and gave thanks, then escorted them on their way. Pilgrim, Bajie, and Sha Monk escorted Sanzang, and thereupon they pressed forward. Truly, their bodies felt cool and refreshed, and their steps were moistened and easy. As it is said:
Kan and Li already joined, the true primal energy united;
Water and fire equalized and balanced, the Great Dao accomplished.
But after all, none knows how many years it will be before they return to the Eastern Land—listen to the next chapter for the resolution.