OriginChapter 67
Leaving Little Western Heaven behind, the four of them, Tripitaka and his disciples, gladly continued on their way. After traveling for over a month, they came to a time when spring was deep and flowers were in full bloom. They saw several gardens all thick with dark greenery, and after a spell of wind and rain, dusk fell once more. Tripitaka reined in his horse and said, "Disciples, the day is growing late—on which road should we seek lodging?" Wukong laughed and said, "Master, do not worry. If there is no place to lodge, the three of us have some skills. Tell Bajie to cut grass, Sha Wujing to split pine, and I, old Sun, know carpentry. We could build a thatched shelter right on this road and stay a year or more—why such haste?" Bajie said, "Brother, is this place fit for staying? These mountains are full of tigers, leopards, wolves, and serpents; everywhere there are goblins and specters. Even by day it is hard to travel—how dare we lodge here at night?" Wukong said, "Idiot, you are growing less and less capable. I am not boasting, but with this staff in my hand, even if the sky falls, I can hold it up."
Just as master and disciples were discussing this, they suddenly saw a village not far off. Wukong said, "Good—there is a place to stay." The elder asked, "Where?" Wukong pointed and said, "Is that not a house amid those trees? Let us go and ask for lodging for the night, and resume our journey at dawn." The elder gladly urged his horse forward and dismounted outside the village gate. They saw that the wicker gate was tightly shut. The elder knocked and said, "Open up, open up." Inside, an old man came out, leaning on a staff of thorn wood, wearing straw sandals, a black kerchief on his head, and plain white clothes. He opened the gate and asked, "Who is making such a hullabaloo here?" Tripitaka pressed his palms together before his chest, bowed, and said, "Old benefactor, I am a poor monk sent from the East to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. Having just arrived in your honorable place and the day being late, I have come to your distinguished abode to request lodging for one night. I beg your convenience." The old man said, "Monk, if you are going west, you cannot go. This place is Little Western Heaven; the Great Western Heaven is very far. Not to mention the hardships ahead—even this place alone is already hard to pass." Tripitaka asked, "Why is it hard to pass?" The old man pointed with his finger and said, "Some thirty-odd li west of our village lies a place called Rare-Melon Thoroughfare, and the mountain there is named Seven-Absolutes." Tripitaka asked, "What are the 'Seven Absolutes'?" The old man said, "The mountain path stretches eight hundred li, and the whole mountain is covered with persimmon trees. An ancient saying goes: 'The persimmon tree has seven absolutes: first, it prolongs life; second, it gives ample shade; third, no birds nest in it; fourth, no insects infest it; fifth, its frosted leaves are pleasing to the eye; sixth, its fruit is excellent; seventh, its branches and leaves are broad and large.' Hence it is named Seven-Absolutes Mountain. In our humble region, the land is vast and people scarce, and that deep mountain has since ancient times been untrodden by man. Every year, when the ripe persimmons fall onto the road, they fill up the whole stone-lined gully, and after being soaked by rain, dew, frost, and snow, and fermenting through the summer, they turn into a trail of filth. The local folk vulgarly call it 'Rare-Muck Thoroughfare.' Whenever a west wind blows, there is a stench—even a latrine is not so foul. But now it is deep spring, and the southeast wind is blowing strongly, so we do not smell it yet." Tripitaka felt troubled and said nothing.
Unable to hold back, Wukong called out loudly, "You old fellow are most unreasonable. We have come from afar to seek lodging, and you spout all this talk to frighten us. Even if your house is too cramped for us to sleep in, we can just squat under a tree here and pass the night—why do you prattle on so?" The old man, seeing his hideous appearance, pursed his lips, braced himself in fright, and shouted, pointing his thorn staff at him: "You scoundrel with your bony face, protruding forehead, flat nose, sunken cheeks, shaggy brows and wild eyes—you consumptive wretch, knowing no bounds, with your pointed mouth—how dare you come and insult me, an old man?" Wukong smiled apologetically and said, "Old sir, you have eyes but no pupils, not recognizing this consumptive wretch. The physiognomists say: 'A strange appearance may hide jade within the stone.' If you judge people by their looks, you will be quite mistaken. Though I am ugly, I do have some skill." The old man said, "Where are you from? What is your name? What skill do you have?" Wukong laughed and said:
"I was born in the great Divine Continent of the East,
By Fruit-Flower Mountain I trained from youth.
I bowed to the Patriarch of the Spiritual Terrace and Square Inch,
And learned martial arts complete in every way:
I can stir the seas and subdue the Dragon Mother,
I can carry mountains and chase the sun;
In binding demons and capturing monsters I rank first,
Moving stars and shifting planets makes ghosts and gods grieve.
Stealing heaven and turning earth, my great fame stands—
I am the endlessly transforming, beautiful stone monkey."
When the old man heard this, his anger turned to joy, and he bowed, saying, "Please, please come into my humble home and rest." Thereupon the four of them led the horse and carried the poles and entered together. They saw that brambles and thorns were laid on both sides; the second gate was a wall of brick and stone, also covered with thorns. Inside were three tiled rooms. The old man pulled out chairs, seated them, and served tea, then ordered a meal to be prepared. Presently, a table was brought out, laden with many wheat gluten, bean curd, taro shoots, turnips, spicy mustard, turnips of another kind, fragrant rice, and vinegar-cooked sunflower soup—master and disciples ate their fill.
After eating, Bajie pulled Wukong aside and said behind his back, "Elder Brother, at first this old man was unwilling to keep us, yet now he has set out such a feast—why?" Wukong said, "How much can this be worth? Tomorrow, he will still give us ten kinds of fruit and ten kinds of vegetables as a send-off." Bajie said, "Shame on you—with your few big words you wheedled a meal out of him, and tomorrow we will be on our way; why would he entertain us with gifts?" Wukong said, "Do not rush—I have my own plan."
Not long after, dusk gradually fell, and the old man called for lamps to be lit. Wukong bowed and asked, "Venerable sir, what is your surname?" The old man said, "My surname is Li." Wukong said, "Then this is likely Li Family Village?" The old man said, "No, this place is called Camel-Tuo Village, with over five hundred households. There are many other surnames, but I alone am surnamed Li." Wukong said, "Benefactor Li, what kindness prompts your honorable house to grant us such a generous meal?" The old man rose and said, "Just now I heard you say you can capture monsters. There is a monster here—I would trouble you to capture it for us, and you shall be richly rewarded." Wukong at once made a bow and said, "Much obliged for your patronage."
Bajie said, "Look at him stirring up trouble—just hearing about capturing a monster, he acts even more eager than if it were his own grandfather, and even makes a bow beforehand." Wukong said, "Worthy brother, you do not understand. By making that bow, I have put down a deposit, so he will not go and hire anyone else." Tripitaka, hearing this, said, "This ape—he always takes things upon himself. What if that monster has vast supernatural powers and you cannot subdue it? Would that not be a lie from a monk like me?" Wukong laughed and said, "Master, do not be angry—let me ask a bit more."
那老者道：「還問甚？」行者道：「你這貴處，地勢清平，又許多人家居住，更不是偏僻之方，有甚麼妖精敢上你這高門大戶？」老者道：「實不瞞你說，我這裡久矣康寧。只這三年六月間，忽然一陣風起。那時人家甚忙，打麥的在場上，插秧的在田裡，俱著了忙，只說是天變了。誰知風過處，有個妖精，將人家牧放的牛馬吃了，豬羊吃了，見雞鵝囫圇咽，遇男女夾活吞。自從那次，這二年常來傷害。長老啊，你若有手段，拿了妖怪，掃淨此土，我等決然重謝，不敢輕慢。」行者道：「這個卻是難拿。」八戒道：「真是難拿，難拿。我們乃行腳僧，借宿一宵，明日走路，拿甚麼妖精？」老者道：「你原來是騙飯吃的和尚。初見時誇口弄舌，說會換斗移星，降妖縛怪，及說起此事，就推卻難拿。」
行者道：「老兒，妖精好拿，只是你這方人家不齊心，所以難拿。」老者道：「怎見得人心不齊？」行者道：「妖精攪擾了三年，也不知傷害了多少生靈。我想著每家只出銀一兩，五百家可湊五百兩銀子，不拘到那裡，也尋一個法官把妖拿了，卻怎麼就甘受他三年磨折？」老者道：「若論說使錢，好道也羞殺人，我們那家不花費三五兩銀子？前年曾訪著山南裡有個和尚，請他到此拿妖，未曾得勝。」行者道：「那和尚怎的拿來？」老者道：
那個僧伽，披領袈裟。先談、《孔雀》，後念《法華》。香焚爐內，手把鈴拿。正然念處，驚動妖邪。風生雲起，徑至莊家。僧和怪鬥，其實堪誇：一遞一拳搗，一遞一把抓。和尚還相應，相應沒頭髮。須臾妖怪勝，徑直返煙霞。原來晒乾疤。我等近前看，光頭打的似個爛西瓜。」
行者笑道：「這等說，吃了虧也。」老者道：「他只拚得一命，還是我們吃虧：與他買棺木殯葬，又把些銀子與他徒弟。那徒弟心還不歇，至今還要告狀，不得乾淨。」
行者道：「可曾再請甚麼人拿他？」老者道：「舊年又請了一個道士。」行者道：「那道士怎麼拿他？」老者道：「那道士：
頭戴金冠，身穿法衣。令牌敲響，符水施為。驅神使將，拘到妖魑。狂風滾滾，黑霧迷迷。即與道士，兩個相持。鬥到天晚，怪返雲霓。乾坤清朗朗，我等眾人齊。出來尋道士，渰死在山溪。撈得上來大家看，卻如一個落湯雞！」
行者笑道：「這等說，也吃虧了。」老者道：「他也只捨得一命，我們又使夠悶數錢糧。」
行者道：「不打緊，不打緊，等我替你拿他來。」老者道：「你若果有手段拿得他，我請幾個本莊長者與你寫個文書：若得勝，憑你要多少銀子相謝，半分不少；如若有虧，切莫和我等放賴，各聽天命。」行者笑道：「這老兒被人賴怕了。我等不是那樣人，快請長者去。」
那老者滿心歡喜，即命家僮請幾個左鄰、右舍、表弟、姨兄、親家、朋友，共有八九位老者，都來相見，會了唐僧，言及拿妖一事，無不欣然。眾老問：「是那一位高徒去拿？」行者叉手道：「是我小和尚。」眾老悚然道：「不濟，不濟。那妖精神通廣大，身體狼犺。你這個長老瘦瘦小小，還不夠他填牙齒縫哩。」行者笑道：「老官兒，你估不出人來。我小自小，結實，都是『吃了磨刀水的秀氣在內』哩。」眾老見說，只得依從道：「長老，拿住妖精，你要多少謝禮？」行者道：「何必說要甚麼謝禮？俗語云：『說金子晃眼，說銀子傻白，說銅錢腥氣。』我等乃積德的和尚，決不要錢。」眾老道：「既如此說，都是受戒的高僧。既不要錢，豈有空勞之理？我等各家俱以魚田為活，若果降了妖孽，淨了地方，我等每家送你兩畝良田，共湊一千畝，坐落一處，你師徒們在上起蓋寺院，打坐參禪，強似方上雲遊。」行者又笑道：「越不停當。但說要了田，就要養馬當差，納糧辦草，黃昏不得睡，五鼓不得眠，好倒弄殺人也。」眾老道：「諸般不要，卻將何謝？」行者道：「我出家人，但只是一茶一飯，便是謝了。」眾老喜道：「這個容易。但不知你怎麼拿他？」行者道：「他但來，我就拿住他。」眾老道：「那妖大著哩：上拄天，下拄地；來時風，去時霧。你卻怎生近得他？」行者笑道：「若論呼風駕霧的妖精，我把他當孫子罷了；若說身體長大，有那手段打他。」
正講處，只聽得呼呼風響。慌得那八九個老者戰戰兢兢道：「這和尚鹽醬口，說妖精，妖精就來了。」那老李開了腰門，把幾個親戚連唐僧，都叫：「進來，進來，妖怪來了。」諕得那八戒也要進去，沙僧也要進去。行者兩隻手扯住兩個道：「你們忒不循理，出家人怎麼不分內外？站住，不要走，跟我去天井裡，看看是個甚麼妖精？」八戒道：「哥啊，他們都是經過帳的，風響便是妖來。他都去躲，我們又不與他有親，又不相識，又不是交契故人，看他做甚？」原來行者力量大，不容說，一把拉在天井裡站下。那陣風越發大了，好風：
倒樹摧林狼虎憂，播江攪海鬼神愁。
掀翻華岳三峰石，提起乾坤四部洲。
村舍人家皆閉戶，滿莊兒女盡藏頭。
黑雲漠漠遮星漢，燈火無光遍地幽。
慌得那八戒戰戰兢兢，伏之於地，把嘴拱開土，埋在地下，卻如釘了釘一般。沙僧蒙著頭臉，眼也難睜。
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The old man said, "What else do you ask?" Xingzhe said, "This honorable place of yours has a peaceful terrain, and many households live here—it is by no means a remote area. What monster would dare come to your grand gates and great houses?" The old man said, "To tell you the truth, we have long enjoyed peace and health here. Only in the sixth month of the third year past, a gust of wind suddenly arose. At that time the people were very busy—those threshing wheat were on the threshing floors, those transplanting rice seedlings were in the fields—and all were flustered, thinking only that the weather was changing. Who knew that after the wind passed, there was a monster that ate the cattle and horses that people had put out to graze, ate the pigs and sheep, swallowed chickens and geese whole, and gulped down men and women alive. Since that time, in these two years it has come often to do harm. Elder, if you have the skill to capture the monster and sweep this land clean, we will surely reward you heavily and dare not treat you lightly." Xingzhe said, "This one is indeed hard to capture." Bajie said, "Truly hard to capture, hard to capture. We are itinerant monks, staying one night, and tomorrow we travel on—what monster are we to capture?" The old man said, "So you are monks who only swindle meals. At first you boasted and talked big, saying you could shift the stars and turn the Dipper, subdue demons and bind monsters, but when the matter is brought up, you decline, saying it is hard to capture."
Xingzhe said, "Old fellow, the monster is easy to capture, but it is only because the people in this region are not of one mind that it is hard to capture." The old man said, "How do you see that the people are not of one mind?" Xingzhe said, "The monster has caused disturbance for three years, and I do not know how many living beings it has harmed. I think that if each household contributed but one tael of silver, five hundred households could raise five hundred taels. No matter where they went, they could find a Daoist master to capture the monster—so why do they submit to these three years of torment?" The old man said, "If we speak of spending money, it would be shameful to say—which household has not spent three or five taels of silver? The year before last we inquired and found a monk south of the mountains, and invited him here to capture the monster, but he did not succeed." Xingzhe said, "How did that monk try to capture it?" The old man said:
"That monk, wearing a cassock over his shoulders, first expounded the *Kongque* [Peacock] Sutra, then recited the *Lotus Sutra*. Incense was burned in the burner, and he held a bell in his hand. Just as he was reciting, he roused the evil demon. Wind arose and clouds gathered, straight to the farmhouse they came. The monk and the monster fought—it was truly worth praising: one punch thrown in exchange, one claw grabbed in return. The monk responded in kind, but his response had no hair. In a moment the monster won and went straight back into the mist and clouds. It turned out (the monk) was but a dried scar. When we drew near to look, his shaven head was beaten like a smashed watermelon."
Xingzhe laughed and said, "So that is to say, he came off worse." The old man said, "He merely risked his own life, but it was we who lost: we bought him a coffin and had him buried, and also gave some silver to his disciples. That disciple's mind was still not at rest, and even now he wants to bring a lawsuit—we have not been cleared."
Xingzhe said, "Did you ever invite anyone else to capture him?" The old man said, "Last year we also invited a Daoist priest." Xingzhe said, "How did that Daoist try to capture him?" The old man said: "That Daoist,
wearing a golden crown and ritual robes, struck his command tablet, and applied charm water. He summoned spirits and commanded generals, and brought the demon to bay. Wild winds rolled, black mists were thick. The demon then confronted the Daoist, and the two grappled. They fought till dusk, and the monster returned to the clouds. The sky and earth became clear and bright, and we all came together. We went out to look for the Daoist—he had drowned in the mountain stream. We fished him out and everyone saw: he was like a drowned chicken!"
Xingzhe laughed and said, "So that is to say, he also came off worse." The old man said, "He too merely risked his life, and we spent a good deal of money and grain."
Xingzhe said, "It does not matter, it does not matter—let me capture it for you." The old man said, "If you truly have the skill to capture it, I will invite several elders of this village to write a contract with you: if you win, you may ask for whatever amount of silver as thanks, and not a half-coin less; if you suffer loss, you must not try to cheat us—each abides by fate." Xingzhe laughed and said, "This old fellow has been scared by cheaters. We are not that kind of people. Quickly invite the elders."
The old man was full of joy and at once ordered his servants to invite several neighbors—left and right, younger cousins, elder maternal cousins, in-laws, and friends—in all eight or nine elders, who all came to meet, and gathered with Tang Seng. When the matter of capturing the monster was mentioned, all were delighted. The elders asked, "Which eminent disciple will go to capture it?" Xingzhe cupped his hands and said, "This little monk." The elders were startled and said, "No good, no good. That monster has vast supernatural powers and a huge body. You, this elder, are thin and small—you would not even fill the gaps between his teeth." Xingzhe laughed and said, "Old sirs, you cannot judge people by appearance. I may be small, but I am sturdy—'the elegance of having drunk whetstone water is within.'" The elders, hearing this, had no choice but to comply and said, "Elder, if you capture the monster, how much reward do you want?" Xingzhe said, "Why speak of reward? As the proverb says: 'Gold dazzles the eyes, silver is foolishly white, copper coins have a fishy smell.' We are monks who accumulate virtue—we certainly do not want money." The elders said, "If that is so, you are truly ordained monks of high virtue. Since you do not want money, how can we have you work for nothing? Each of our families makes a living from fish and rice fields. If you truly subdue the demon and purify this place, each household will give you two acres of good land, totalling a thousand acres, all in one tract. You masters and disciples can build a monastery upon it, sit in meditation and investigate Chan—which would be better than wandering about as a mendicant." Xingzhe again laughed and said, "That is even more unsteady. As soon as land is mentioned, one must keep horses, perform corvée, pay grain tax, and gather fodder—no sleep at dusk, no rest at the fifth watch—it would actually kill one." The elders said, "If you want none of these, then how shall we thank you?" Xingzhe said, "We who have left home—a single cup of tea and a meal are thanks enough." The elders were pleased and said, "That is easy. But we do not know how you will capture him." Xingzhe said, "As soon as he comes, I will capture him." The elders said, "That monster is huge: above he props up the sky, below he props up the earth; he comes with wind, and goes with mist. How can you get near him?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "As for monsters that call wind and ride mist, I treat them as grandchildren; as for a huge body, I have the skill to beat him."
While they were speaking, they suddenly heard a howling wind. The eight or nine elders were so alarmed that they trembled and said, "This monk has a salty-sauce mouth—speak of a monster and the monster comes." That old Li opened the back gate and called to the several relatives, along with Tang Seng, "Come in, come in—the monster is coming." Bajie was so frightened that he wanted to go in, and Sha Seng also wanted to go in. Xingzhe pulled the two of them with both hands and said, "You are utterly unreasonable. How can we who have left home not distinguish between inner and outer? Stand still, do not leave, and follow me into the courtyard to see what kind of monster it is." Bajie said, "Brother, they have all been through this—when the wind howls, it means the monster comes. They all go to hide; we are neither kin to him, nor acquaintances, nor old friends—why look at him?" But Xingzhe was strong, and would not listen; he dragged them out and made them stand in the courtyard. The wind grew even stronger—a fine wind:
It uprooted trees and felled forests, troubling wolves and tigers;
It churned rivers and stirred seas, grieving gods and ghosts.
It overturned the three-peaked stones of Mount Hua,
And lifted the four continents of the universe.
Village houses all shut their doors;
Throughout the hamlet, children and daughters all hid their heads.
Black clouds dimly veiled the Milky Way;
Lampless and lightless, everywhere was dark.
Bajie was so terrified that he trembled, prostrated himself on the ground, and thrust his snout into the earth, burying it as if nailed in place. Sha Seng covered his head and face, unable even to open his eyes.
The Traveler, hearing the wind, recognized the monster. As soon as the wind passed, he saw two dim lamps faintly visible in midair. He lowered his head and called out, "Brothers, the wind has passed. Rise and look."
The Idiot pulled out his snout, shook off the dust, raised his face, and looked up at the sky. Seeing the two lamplights, he suddenly burst into laughter and said, "How amusing, how amusing! So it's a demon of good conduct. We ought to make friends with him."
Sha Seng said, "In such dark night, without having met face to face, how can you tell good from bad?"
Bajie said, "The ancients say: 'Walk at night with a candle; without a candle, stop.' Look, he carries a pair of lanterns to light his way—he must be a good one."
Sha Seng said, "You've mistaken it. Those are not a pair of lanterns; they are the monster's two shining eyes."
At this the Idiot shrank three inches in fright and said, "Grandfather! If his eyes are that big, I wonder how large his mouth must be."
The Traveler said, "Good brother, don't be afraid. You two guard the Master. Let old Sun go up and sound him out—see what sort of demon he is."
Bajie said, "Elder Brother, don't give us away."
The valiant Traveler leaped up with a whistling cry, sprang into the air, grasped his iron staff, and shouted in a stern voice, "Hold on, hold on! I am here!"
When the monster saw him, he halted his body and wildly flourished a long spear. The Traveler poised his staff and asked, "What demon are you? From what place do you come?" The monster made no reply, only flourished his spear. The Traveler asked again, and again he made no reply, only flourished his spear. The Traveler laughed to himself and thought, "He seems deaf and dumb. Don't run—watch my staff!" The monster showed no fear and wildly flourished his spear to parry. There in midair, back and forth, up and down, they fought until the third watch, with neither victory nor defeat.
Bajie and Sha Seng watched clearly from the Li family's courtyard. It turned out that the monster only flourished his spear to parry, without the least bit of attack or killing intent. The Traveler's staff never left the monster's head. Bajie laughed and said, "Sha Seng, you stay here and guard the Master. Let old Pig go help with the fighting—don't let that monkey claim all the credit and take the first cup of wine."
The valiant Idiot at once rose on his cloud, caught up, and struck with his rake. The monster then wielded another spear to hold him off. The two spears darted like flying serpents and flashing lightning. Bajie praised, "This demon has fine spear technique! It's not a mountain-rear spear, but a coiled-silk spear; nor is it a horseman's spear—it's what's called a soft-handled spear."
The Traveler said, "Idiot, don't talk nonsense. Where is there any such thing as a soft-handled spear?"
Bajie said, "Look—he brings out the spear tip to hold us off, but we don't see the handle. I wonder where he's hidden it."
The Traveler said, "Perhaps it is a soft-handled spear. But this monster still cannot speak—he has not yet returned to the human way, and his yin energy is still heavy. I fear that when dawn comes and the yang energy prevails, he will surely flee. But when he flees, we must catch him and not let him go."
Bajie said, "Exactly, exactly."
They fought on for some time, and before they knew it, dawn broke in the east. The monster dared not linger in battle and turned to flee. The Traveler and Bajie gave chase together, when suddenly they were assailed by a foul stench—it was the Sevenfold Mountain's Persimmon Ravine.
Bajie said, "Which household is cleaning out its latrine? Whew! The stench is unbearable."
The Traveler pinched his nose and only cried, "Quick, chase the monster! Quick, chase the monster!"
The monster dashed over the mountain and revealed its true form—it was a huge red-scaled python. Look at it:
Its eyes shot forth the morning stars, its nostrils sprayed the dawn mist.
Dense rows of teeth were set like steel swords, curved claws like golden hooks.
On its head it wore a fleshy horn, as though made of a thousand pieces of agate;
Its body was clad in red scales, as if built from ten thousand flakes of rouge.
Coiled on the ground, one might take it for a brocade quilt;
Flying through the air, it could be mistaken for a rainbow.
Where it rested, a fishy stench rose to heaven; when it moved, red clouds enveloped its frame.
Not so large—yet people on either side could see nothing east or west;
Not so long—yet it straddled north and south across a whole mountain.
Bajie said, "So it's such a long serpent. If it wanted to eat people, it would take five hundred at a meal and still not be satisfied."
The Traveler said, "The soft-handled spears are its two forked tongues. We'll chase it until it tires, then strike it out from behind."
Bajie leaped forward and struck with his rake. The monster plunged its head into a hole, with about seven or eight feet of its tail still hanging outside. Bajie put down his rake, grabbed hold of it, and said, "Got it, got it!" He tugged with all his strength, but could not move it a hair.
The Traveler laughed and said, "Idiot, let it go in—I have my way. Don't pull the snake backward like that."
Bajie truly let go, and the monster shrank back in. Bajie complained, "If I hadn't let go, half of it would already be ours. Now that it's shrunk back in, how are we going to get it out? Isn't this what they call 'having a snake but no way to play it'?"
The Traveler said, "This creature is huge and clumsy, and the cave is narrow—it certainly cannot turn around. It must go straight through, and surely there is a back opening for it to emerge. You hurry to the back entrance and block it, while I strike from the front."
The Idiot at once sped like smoke over the mountain and indeed saw another hole, where he planted his feet. But before he could steady himself, the Traveler thrust his staff into the front entrance, and the monster, nursing the pain, dashed straight out the back. Bajie, caught unprepared, was knocked flat by its tail and could not get up, lying on the ground enduring the pain.
When the Traveler saw nothing in the hole, he pulled out his staff, ran over, and shouted to chase the monster. Bajie, hearing the shout and feeling ashamed, endured the pain, scrambled up, and flailed wildly with his rake.
The Traveler saw this and laughed, "The monster's gone—what are you still flailing at?"
Bajie said, "Old Pig is beating the grass to startle the snake."
The Traveler said, "You live Idiot! Hurry up and give chase."
The two chased across the stream and saw the monster coiled into a ball, raising its head and opening its huge mouth to swallow Bajie. Bajie panicked and retreated. The Traveler, however, charged forward and was swallowed in one gulp.
Bajie beat his chest and stamped his feet, crying loudly, "Brother! He's got you!"
Inside the monster's belly, the Traveler propped up his iron staff and said, "Bajie, don't fret. I'll make him build a bridge for you to see." The monster arched its back, and it looked just like a rainbow spanning east to west.
Bajie said, "Though it looks like a bridge, no one dares to walk on it."
The Traveler said, "I'll make him turn into a boat for you to see." Inside the belly, he used the iron staff to push against the stomach wall. The monster's belly pressed to the ground, and it raised its head—it looked just like a Ganzhou boat.
Bajie said, "Though it looks like a boat, it has no mast or sail, so it can't catch the wind."
The Traveler said, "Clear the way, and I'll make him give you a gust of wind." Inside, he used all his strength to thrust the iron staff out through the spine, some five to seven zhang long, like a mast. The creature, enduring the pain and struggling for its life, dashed forward—faster than any wind—back along its old path, down the mountain for over twenty li, until it finally collapsed in the dust, unable to move, and breathed its last.
Bajie caught up and raised his rake to strike again. The Traveler pierced a large hole through the creature, crawled out, and said, "Idiot, it's dead. Why are you still striking it?"
Bajie said, "Brother, don't you know that old Pig has always loved to kill dead snakes?"
Thereupon they put away their weapons, grabbed its tail, and dragged it back.
But to return to Squire Li of Camel Ridge and the others, as they said to Tang Sanzang, "Your two disciples have not returned all night; they have certainly lost their lives." Sanzang said, "There is no danger at all. Let us go out and have a look." In a moment, they saw Pilgrim and Eight Rules dragging a huge python, shouting and yelling as they came forward. Only then did the crowd rejoice. All the old and young, men and women in the village knelt and worshiped, saying, "Venerable Fathers, it was precisely this fiend who had been injuring people here. Now, thanks to your holy powers in subduing the monster and eliminating the evil, we common folk may at last live in peace."
All the families were grateful, inviting them now from the east, now from the west, each offering thanks. The master and disciples were detained for five or seven days, and only after much pleading to be released were they finally allowed to leave. Moreover, when each family saw that they would accept neither money nor goods, they prepared dried provisions and fruits, brought out mules and horses, adorned with colored silks and banners, and all came to see them off. Of the five hundred households here, seven or eight hundred people saw them on their way.
Along the road they were delighted, and before long they reached the mouth of the Rare-Melon Pass at Seven Extremes Mountain. When Sanzang smelled that foul stench and saw that the road was blocked, he said, "Wukong, how are we to get across like this?" Pilgrim pinched his nose and said, "This is indeed difficult." When Sanzang saw Pilgrim say it was difficult, tears began to fall from his eyes. Squire Li and the others stepped forward and said, "Venerable Father, do not be distressed. We have seen you to this point, and we are all of one mind: your eminent disciples have subdued the fiend for us and removed a scourge from our village. Each of us will now offer our sincere efforts and open a new, good road to escort you across." Pilgrim laughed and said, "You old squire, what you say is quite wrong. At first you said this mountain path extends eight hundred li, and you are not the divine soldiers of Great Yu—how could you possibly cut through mountains and carve roads? If my master is to cross, it must still be by our efforts; none of you can accomplish it." Sanzang dismounted and said, "Wukong, how are you to exert your efforts?" Pilgrim laughed and said, "To cross the mountain right now would indeed be difficult; and to speak of opening another road would also be difficult. We must still go through the old pass, but I fear there will be no one to provide meals." Squire Li said, "Elder, what are you saying? No matter how long you four tarry, we can support you—how could you say there will be no one to provide meals?" Pilgrim said, "If that is so, then prepare two shi of rice as dry provisions, and also make some steamed cakes and buns. Let my long-snouted brother eat his fill, then change into a great pig and root open the old road. My master shall ride on horseback, and we disciples will support him, and I guarantee we shall get across."
When Eight Rules heard this, he said, "Elder Brother, you all want to stay clean—why must Old Pig alone be made to stink?" Sanzang said, "Wuneng, if you truly have the ability to root open the pass and lead me across the mountain, I will credit you with the foremost merit in this affair." Eight Rules laughed and said, "Master above, and all you benefactors here, do not laugh at me. Old Pig originally has thirty-six transformations. If you speak of changing into light, dainty, or flying things, truly I cannot; but if you speak of changing into mountains, trees, boulders, mounds, lazy elephants, boars, water buffalo, or camels, I can do all of them. Only when my body grows larger, my belly grows larger still. I must eat my fill before I can set to work." The crowd said, "We have provisions, we have provisions—we all brought dried rations, fruits, baked cakes, and buns, originally to help open the mountain and see you off. Let us bring them all out for you to enjoy. After you have transformed and set to work, we will send men back to cook more and bring it to you." Eight Rules was overjoyed; he took off his black cassock, laid aside his nine-pronged rake, and said to the crowd, "Do not laugh—watch Old Pig do this stinking deed."
This splendid idiot pressed his fingers together in a spell, shook his body, and indeed changed into a huge pig. Truly:
His snout was long, his hair short, with half fat and half lean;
From youth he had fed on herbs and roots in the mountain green.
His black face and ringed eyes were like sun and moon;
His round head and great ears were like banana leaves in June.
He had cultivated firm bones to match heaven's age,
And forged coarse hide as tough as iron cage.
With a snorting nose and grunting cry,
His roaring throat sent forth a mighty sigh.
His four white hoofs stood a thousand feet high,
His bristled mane and long body a hundred fathoms by.
Though mortal men have seen fat pigs in the world,
Never before had such an ancient boar unfurled.
Tang Sanzang and the others all praised him, admiring the great magic power of Tianpeng.
When Sun Wukong saw that Eight Rules had transformed thus, he immediately ordered those who had come to see them off to pile all the dried provisions and fruits in one place and told Eight Rules to consume them. That idiot ate everything without distinguishing raw from cooked, and then went forward to root the road. Pilgrim told Sha Seng to bare his feet and take good care of the carrying-pole; he asked his master to sit firmly in the saddle. He also took off his boots and told the crowd to go back, saying, "If you are kind-hearted, quickly send some food later to give my junior brother more strength." Of the seven or eight hundred people seeing them off, more than half had mules and horses and sped back to the village like shooting stars to cook; another three hundred on foot stood at the foot of the mountain and watched them from afar. Now from this village to the mountain was over thirty li, and the round trip to fetch food was another thirty li—altogether nearly a hundred li there and back, by which time the master and disciples had already gone far. The crowd, reluctant to part, urged their mules and horses on, entered the pass, and pursued them through the night, catching up only the next day. They called out, "Venerable Fathers who seek the scriptures, go slowly, go slowly—we have brought you food!" When the elder heard this, he thanked them endlessly, saying, "Truly you are faithful and good people." He told Eight Rules to stop and eat some more to strengthen his spirit. That idiot had been rooting for two days and was just then hungry; the crowd had no less than seven or eight shi of provisions, and regardless of rice or wheaten food, he gathered it all and devoured it in one go. After eating his fill, he went forward again to root the road. Sanzang, Pilgrim, and Sha Seng thanked the crowd and parted from them. Thus:
The guests of Camel Ridge returned to their homes,
While Eight Rules opened the mountain and passed through the pass.
Sanzang, sincere of heart, was aided by divine powers;
Wukong displayed his might, and the monsters' strength waned.
The thousand-year-old persimmons were cleared this day,
The Seven Extremes Pass was opened wide today.
The dust of the six desires was all cut away,
In peace without hindrance they bowed before the Lotus Terrace.
How many more leagues lay ahead, and what other monsters they might encounter, will be told in the next chapter.