Chapter 69

So it was that the Great Sage Sun, together with the eunuch in close attendance, went straight to the inner palace compound, and halted outside the bedchamber door. He handed three golden threads to the eunuch to take inside, and gave these instructions: “Bid the imperial consorts and concubines, or the attendant eunuchs, first to tie these upon the left wrist of the Sage Emperor, at the three positions of cun, guan, and chi; then thread the ends out through the lattice window to me.” The eunuch did as he was told. He asked the king to be seated upon the dragon couch, and at the cun, guan, and chi positions tied one end of each golden thread, while the other ends he led out through the window. The Pilgrim took the thread ends. With the thumb of his own right hand he first supported his index finger and examined the cun pulse; then he placed his middle finger over his thumb and examined the guan pulse; again he supported his ring finger with his thumb and examined the chi pulse. He regulated his own breathing, distinguished the four qi, the five yu, the seven biao, the eight li, the nine hou, the floating in the middle, the sinking in the floating, and clearly discerned the distinctions between deficiency and excess. Then he bade them untie the left hand and tie the threads again, in the same manner, upon the positions of the right wrist. The Pilgrim then used the fingers of his left hand to examine each pulse thoroughly, one after another. After that, he gave his body a shake and drew the golden threads back onto himself. Then he called out in a loud voice: “Your Majesty’s left cun pulse is strong and tight, the guan pulse is rough and slow, the chi pulse is hollow and deep; the right cun pulse is floating and slippery, the guan pulse is slow and knotted, the chi pulse is rapid and firm. Now, when the left cun is strong and tight, it indicates internal deficiency and heart pain; when the guan is rough and slow, it means sweating and numbness of the flesh; when the chi is hollow and deep, there is reddish urine and blood in the stool. When the right cun is floating and slippery, it indicates internal obstruction and amenorrhea; when the guan is slow and knotted, it means retained food and stagnant fluid; when the chi is rapid and firm, it signifies a struggle between vexation and fullness, deficiency and cold. Diagnosing this honorable ailment, it is a case of fright, terror, grief, and anxiety—what is called the ‘Double Birds Lost in the Flock’ syndrome.” When the king inside heard this, his heart was filled with joy. He roused his spirits and answered loudly: “The pulses are clearly read, they are clearly read—indeed it is this illness. Pray come outside and prepare the medicine.” The Great Sage then slowly walked out of the palace. The eunuchs who had overheard from nearby had already informed the assembled officials. In a moment, when the Pilgrim came out, Tang Sanzang immediately asked how it had gone. The Pilgrim said, “I have taken the pulses; now I am preparing the medicine according to the pattern of the illness.” The officials stepped forward and asked: “Venerable divine monk, you just now spoke of the ‘Double Birds Lost in the Flock’ syndrome—what does that mean?” The Pilgrim laughed and said: “There were two birds, male and female, who originally flew together in one place. Suddenly they were scattered by a violent wind and a sudden rainstorm—the female could not see the male, the male could not see the female; the female longed for the male, and the male also longed for the female. Is this not ‘Double Birds Lost in the Flock’?” When the officials heard this, they all shouted in unison: “Truly a divine monk! Truly a divine physician!” And they praised him without end. Then the imperial physician stepped forward and asked: “The pattern of the illness has now been discerned, but I wonder what medicine will be used to cure it?” The Pilgrim said: “There is no need to adhere rigidly to a prescription; I will take whatever medicines are available.” The physician said: “The classics say: ‘There are eight hundred and eight flavors of medicine, and four hundred and four diseases in man.’ A disease does not reside in one person alone—how could all the medicines possibly be used? Why do you say you will take whatever medicines are available?” The Pilgrim said: “The ancients said: ‘Medicine does not cling to prescriptions; it is used according to fitness.’ Therefore I am requisitioning the full stock of medicinal substances, so that I may add or subtract as needed.” The physician said no more, but went out of the palace gates and ordered the officers on duty in his own bureau to inform every shop, both dealing in raw and prepared medicines, throughout the entire city, and to have the medicinal ingredients delivered—each flavor three jin—to the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim said: “This is not the place to prepare the medicine. Take the full tally of all the medicinal ingredients, together with all the utensils for medicine-making, and send them to the Hostel for Visiting Envoys, to be received by my two junior fellow disciples.” The physician obeyed the command, and had the eight hundred and eight flavors, three jin of each, along with medicine-pestles, grinding stones, sieves, mortars, grinding bowls, grinding hammers, and all such items, sent to the hostel and delivered and checked in completely. The Pilgrim then went to the main hall and invited his master to accompany him back to the hostel to prepare the medicine. The elder had just risen when a decree came from the inner palace, commanding the Grand Secretaries to detain the Dharma Master and lodge him in the Wenhua Hall. It said: “After he takes the medicine tomorrow and recovers, he will be rewarded, and then the travel passport will be exchanged and he will be sent on his way.” Sanzang was greatly alarmed and said: “Disciple, this means they are keeping me as a hostage. If the cure succeeds, they will be pleased and send us off; if it fails, my life is over. You must be extremely careful and show the utmost devotion in preparing the medicine.” The Pilgrim laughed: “Master, rest assured and enjoy yourself here—your old Sun has the skill to heal a whole kingdom.” The splendid Great Sage took leave of Sanzang and the assembled ministers and went straight to the hostel. Bajie greeted him with a grin and said: “Elder Brother, I know what you are up to.” The Pilgrim said: “What do you know?” Bajie said: “I know that your quest for scriptures is not yet fulfilled, and you have no capital to start a business. Now that you see this place is wealthy and prosperous, you are devising a way to open a pharmacy.” The Pilgrim scolded: “Nonsense! Once the king is cured, at the right moment we shall take leave of the court and be on our way—what pharmacy would I open?” Bajie said: “Otherwise, with these eight hundred and eight flavors, three jin each, making a total of two thousand four hundred and twenty-four jin, and only one person to cure—how much can you possibly use? How many ages would it take to consume all that?” The Pilgrim said: “How could I use so much? Those imperial physicians are all fools and blind men; that is why I asked for so many medicines, so that they can make nothing of it, and cannot tell which few flavors I am actually using—they will never fathom my wondrous formulas.” While they were speaking, the two hostel stewards came and knelt before them, saying: “We beg the divine monk, our lord, to enter and take the evening meal.” The Pilgrim said: “This morning you treated me with such disdain, and now you kneel and invite me—why?” The stewards kowtowed and said: “When you first arrived, your humble servants had eyes but failed to recognize your venerable countenance. Now we have heard that you, my lord, are displaying your great healing skill to cure the sovereign of our kingdom. If His Majesty recovers, you will have a share in the realm, and we are all your subjects—it is proper that we should kneel and invite you.” Hearing this, the Pilgrim cheerfully ascended the hall and took the seat of honor; Bajie and Sha Wujing sat on his left and right. The meal was laid out. Then Sha Wujing asked: “Elder Brother, where is Master?” The Pilgrim laughed: “Master has been detained by the king as a hostage. Only after the illness is cured will we be rewarded and sent off.” Sha Wujing asked again: “Is he at least being well treated?” The Pilgrim said: “Would the king not provide good treatment? When I left, three Grand Secretaries were already attending him and he had been invited into the Wenhua Hall.” Bajie said: “In that case, Master is still the greater: he has Grand Secretaries attending him, while we only have two hostel stewards waiting on us. But never mind that—let old Pig first eat his fill.” So the brothers enjoyed themselves at their ease. When it grew late, the Pilgrim told the stewards: “Clear away the utensils, and prepare plenty of oil and candles. I must wait until the night is still before I can make the medicine.” The stewards indeed delivered a good quantity of oil and candles and then dismissed all the attendants. At midnight, when the streets of the capital were quiet and all sounds had ceased, Bajie said: “Brother, what medicine are you making? Hurry up and get to work—I am sleepy.” The Pilgrim said: “Take one liang of rhubarb and grind it to a fine powder.” Sha Wujing then said: “Rhubarb has a bitter taste and a cold nature; it is non-toxic. Its nature is to sink and not float; its action is to move and not hold. It seizes all stagnations and removes obstructions, quells disorders and brings peace. It is named ‘General.’ This is a purgative, but I fear that after a long illness the patient is weak and it should not be used.” The Pilgrim laughed: “Worthy younger brother, you do not understand. This medicine resolves phlegm and regulates the qi, and expels the stagnated cold and heat from the belly. Do not interfere with me. Go and take one liang of croton seed, remove the shell and the membrane, pound out the oil and toxin, and grind it to a fine powder.” Bajie said: “Croton seed has an acrid taste and a hot nature; it is toxic. It cuts through hard accumulations and flushes out deep cold from the viscera; it opens blockages and clears the passages for water and grain. It is a general who breaks through barriers and storms the gates—it must not be used lightly.” The Pilgrim said: “Worthy younger brother, you also do not know. This medicine breaks up accumulations and opens the intestines, and can regulate cardiac distension and water swelling. Make it quickly—I have other adjuvant flavors to assist it.” The two of them immediately ground the two medicines fine and asked, "Senior Brother, do we still need those several dozen ingredients?" Wukong said, "Not needed." Bajie said, "Eight hundred and eight ingredients, three catties each—using only these two taels is truly shortchanging people." Wukong took a floral porcelain cup and said, "Worthy brother, do not speak further. Take this cup and scrape half a cup of soot from the stove's navel and bring it here." Bajie asked, "What for?" Wukong said, "It is needed in the medicine." Sha Seng said, "This younger brother has never seen stove soot used in medicine." Wukong said, "Stove soot is called 'Hundred Herbs Frost'—it can regulate all ailments. You do not know." The dullard indeed scraped half a cup and ground it fine as well. Wukong again handed the cup to him and said, "You go and fetch half a cup of our horse's urine as well." Bajie asked, "What is that for?" Wukong said, "To make pills." Sha Seng laughed again and said, "Elder Brother, this is no jest. Horse urine is rank and fishy—how can it be put into medicine? I have only ever seen vinegar paste used for pills, aged rice paste for pills, refined honey for pills, or sometimes just clear water for pills—never have I seen horse urine used for pills. That stuff is rank and fishy; anyone with a weak spleen would vomit at the smell. Add to that croton and rhubarb, and it leaves a person vomiting and purging—is that any joke?" Wukong said, "You do not understand the inside story. That horse of mine is no ordinary horse—he is originally of the Western Sea dragon kind. If one can get him to willingly relieve himself, then whatever ailment you have, take it and you will be cured. But it cannot be had in haste." Bajie, hearing this, indeed went to the side, where the horse lay sleeping diagonally on the ground. The dullard kicked him up with a stamp of his foot, positioned himself under the belly, and waited a good while, but not a drop of urine came out. He ran back and said to Wukong, "Brother, forget about curing the king for now—quickly go cure the horse instead! That dead fellow is all dried up—don't expect him to piss out even a single drop." Wukong laughed and said, "I'll go with you." Sha Seng said, "I'll go have a look too." All three went to the horse's side. The horse leaped up, spoke in human tongue, and cried out in a stern voice, "Senior Brother, do you not know? I am originally a Flying Dragon of the Western Sea. Because I violated heavenly law, Guanyin Bodhisattva saved me, had my horns sawn off and my scales stripped away, and turned me into a horse to carry our master to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures, so that my merits might atone for my crimes. If I urinate while crossing water, the fish in the water that eat it will become dragons; if I urinate while crossing mountains, the grasses on the mountains that get its flavor will turn into lingzhi, and the immortals' boys will pick them for long life. How could I be willing to cast it away lightly in this dusty, vulgar place?" Wukong said, "Brother, speak carefully. This place is the kingdom of a Western king—it is no dusty vulgar place, nor is it a matter of casting away lightly. As the saying goes: 'Many hairs make a coat.' We are trying to cure the king of this kingdom. If we heal him well, we all share the glory; if not, I fear none of us will get away from this place in good standing." The horse then called out, "Wait." Watch him—he lunged forward once, squatted backward once, gnashed his teeth so they grated and clattered, and with great effort strained out just a few drops, then stood upright. Bajie said, "This dead fellow—even if it's golden syrup, he could have let out a bit more." When Wukong saw there was barely half a cup, he said, "Enough, enough. Take it away." Only then did Sha Seng become happy. The three returned to the hall, mixed all the aforementioned medicinal ingredients together, and rolled them into three large pills. Wukong said, "Brothers, these are too big." Bajie said, "They're only the size of walnuts—for me to eat, they wouldn't even make one mouthful." Thereupon they stored them in a small box, and the brothers lay down to sleep in their clothes. The night passed without incident; by dawn it was already daybreak. Now the king, ill as he was, held court and summoned Tang Sanzang for an audience. After seeing him, he immediately ordered the officials to hurry to the Meeting Hall and pay their respects to the divine monk Elder Sun to obtain the medicine. The many officials went to the hall, prostrated themselves before Wukong, and said, "Our king has specially ordered us to receive the wondrous remedy." Wukong called for Bajie to take out the box, opened the lid, and handed it to the officials. The officials asked, "What is this medicine called? So we may report back to the king." Wukong said, "It is called the Black Gold Pill." Bajie and the other secretly laughed and said, "It's mixed with stove soot—how could it not be black gold?" The officials further asked, "What guide-substance should be used?" Wukong said, "Two kinds of guide-substances can be used. The easier one to obtain is to decoct six ingredients in water and take it with that." The officials asked, "What are these six ingredients?" Wukong said, "The fart of an old crow flying mid-air, the urine of a carp swimming against swift currents, the face powder of the Queen Mother of the West, the ash of pills from Old Lord's furnace, three pieces of the Jade Emperor's worn-out headscarf, and five strands of dragon-trapping whiskers. Decoct these six ingredients in water and take this medicine with it—your king's anxious illness will be dispelled in due time." When the officials heard this, they said, "These things do not exist in the mortal world. May we ask what the other guide-substance is?" Wukong said, "Use Rootless Water to take it down." The officials laughed and said, "That is easy to obtain." Wukong said, "How do you see that it is easy to obtain?" The officials said, "The common custom among people here is: if using Rootless Water, take a bowl or cup, go to a well or river, scoop up the water, then turn and walk back quickly, without letting it touch the ground, nor looking back, and give it to the patient to drink with the medicine—that is it." Wukong said, "Water from wells and rivers all has roots. My Rootless Water is not that kind—it refers to water that falls from the sky and is drunk before touching the ground—only that is called Rootless Water." The officials then said, "That too is easy. We will just wait for an overcast day when it rains, and then take the medicine." Thereupon they thanked Wukong, took the medicine, and presented it to the king. The king was greatly pleased and ordered his attendants to bring it up. He looked at it and said, "What pills are these?" The officials said, "The divine monk called them 'Black Gold Pills,' to be taken down with Rootless Water." The king then ordered the palace attendants to fetch Rootless Water. The officials said, "The divine monk said Rootless Water is not from wells or rivers—it must be water that falls from the sky without touching the ground." The king then summoned the attending officer and issued a decree, ordering that a rain-maker be invited to pray for rain. The officials complied and posted the notices—no more of that for now. Now Wukong was in the hall of the Meeting Pavilion and said to Zhu Bajie, "Just now I promised him water that falls from heaven before the medicine could be used. At this moment, in such haste, how are we to get rain? I see that this king is indeed a virtuous and worthy ruler. How about I help him with a little rain for the medicine?" Bajie said, "How will you help?" Wukong said, "You stand on my left as an assistant star." He then called to Sha Seng, "You stand on my right as a supporting star. Let Old Sun help him with some Rootless Water." The great sage, taking the magical steps of the celestial net and reciting the incantation, soon saw a dark cloud from the due east slowly draw near above his head. A voice called out, "Great Sage, Ao Guang, Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, has come to see you." Wukong said, "I would not dare trouble you without cause—I have invited you here to supply some Rootless Water for the king to take his medicine." The Dragon King said, "When the Great Sage summoned me, you did not mention needing water. I have come alone in person and have not brought rain-making implements, nor do I have wind, clouds, thunder, or lightning—how am I to make rain fall?" Wukong said, "Now there is no need for wind, clouds, thunder, or lightning, nor is much rain required—only a little water to serve as the guide-substance for the medicine will do." The Dragon King said, "If that is so, let me sneeze twice and spit out some saliva and fluid for him to take with the medicine." Wukong was overjoyed and said, "Excellent, excellent. Do not delay—make haste while the time is right." That old dragon in the air gradually lowered his black clouds until he was directly above the imperial palace. He concealed his form and hid his manifestation, then spat forth a mouthful of vital essence, which transformed into sweet rain. All the court officials cried out in unison in praise: "A thousand blessings to Your Majesty! Heaven has sent down sweet rain!" The king immediately issued an edict: "Take vessels to hold it; within or without the palace, high or low in rank, all must equally store this immortal water to save your sovereign." You see those civil and military officials, along with the consorts of the three palaces and six courtyards, the three thousand brilliant ladies and eight hundred fair maidens—each and every one raised cups, held goblets, lifted bowls, and bore plates, waiting to receive the sweet rain. That old dragon in midair transformed and circulated his spittle, never leaving the vicinity of the royal palace. After nearly the span of an hour, the Dragon King took his leave of the Great Sage and returned to the sea. The assembled ministers gathered the cups, bowls, and vessels; some had caught one or two drops, some three or five, and some not a single one. When all were combined, they amounted to about three full lamps, which were all presented at the imperial table. Truly, strange fragrance filled the Golden Luan Hall, and exquisite flavor perfumed the Son of Heaven's court. That king took leave of the master and carried the Black Gold Elixir along with the sweet rain to the palace. He first swallowed one pill and drank one lamp of sweet rain; then swallowed another pill and drank another lamp of sweet rain; a third time, all three pills were swallowed and all three lamps of sweet rain were sent down. Before long, his abdomen rumbled with a sound like an unending windlass. He then took a clean chamber pot and had bowel movements three to five times in succession. After taking some rice broth, he reclined upon the dragon bed. Two consorts examined the chamber pot and found indescribable filth, phlegm, and spittle, within which was a lump of glutinous rice. The consorts approached the dragon bed and reported: "The root of the illness has all been passed." Hearing this, the king was overjoyed and took another helping of rice. After a short while, he gradually felt his chest and heart at ease, his vital energy and blood in harmony, and his spirit revived, his legs strong. He descended from the dragon bed, donned his court robes, and at once ascended the precious hall. Upon seeing Tang Monk, he immediately prostrated himself on the ground. The elder hurriedly returned the courtesy. After the bow, the king took him by the hand and ordered his attendants: "Quickly prepare a formal note, writing upon it the words 'Your servant again bows and knocks his head,' and dispatch an official to invite the master's three distinguished disciples. Meanwhile, throw open the Eastern Pavilion, and the Office of Imperial Feasts shall arrange a banquet to express our gratitude." The many officials received the decree; those preparing the notes did so, and those arranging the banquet did so. Truly: a state possesses the strength to overturn mountains, and in an instant all was completed. Now Bajie, seeing the officials deliver the invitation, was beside himself with joy and said, "Brothers, this truly is excellent medicine. Now they come to reward us—this is elder brother's achievement." Sha Seng said, "Second Brother, what talk is that? As the saying goes: 'When one man has good fortune, it shelters a whole household.' We all joined in preparing the medicine here—all of us have merit. Let us simply go enjoy it and say no more." Aha! You see those brothers, all delighted, straightway entered the court. The assembled officials received them and escorted them up to the Eastern Pavilion, where Tang Monk, the king, and the grand councilors had already arranged the feast. The Pilgrim, Bajie, and Sha Seng made an obeisance to their master. Thereafter all the officials arrived. There were four vegetarian tables spread above, each a feast of one dish displayed and ten in reserve. Before them was one meat table, likewise a delicacy of one dish displayed and ten in reserve. To the left and right were four to five hundred single tables, truly arranged with perfect order: As the ancients say: "A hundred exquisite dainties, a thousand goblets of fine wine. Rich creams and cheese, brocaded strands of fat and crimson." Precious ornaments in brilliant colors, fruits and delicacies with rich fragrance. Sugar dragons and lions in procession, cakes and pastries paired like phoenix mates. Meats included pork, mutton, fowl, goose, fish, and duck—every kind of flesh; vegetables included dishes of greens, bamboo shoots, fungus, and mushrooms. Several kinds of fragrant savory pies, and many servings of sweet crisps. Soft, smooth yellow millet rice, and clear fresh wild rice gruel. Every sort of broth, fragrant and spicy; every replacement dish, beautiful and sweet. Only after the sovereign and his ministers raised their cups was the feast properly seated; according to rank and grade, the wine vessels were slowly passed around. That king, with his own hand holding the goblet, first seated Tang Monk in comfort. Sanzang said, "This poor monk does not drink wine." The king said, "It is vegetarian wine—would the master not take one cup?" Sanzang said, "Wine is the first precept of monks." The king, greatly displeased, said, "If the master abstains from wine, then with what shall I show respect?" Sanzang said, "Let my three reckless disciples drink on my behalf." The king then became pleased, turned the golden goblet, and handed it to the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim took the wine, made his salutations to all, and drank a cup. Seeing him drink so readily, the king offered another cup. The Pilgrim did not decline and drank it as well. The king laughed and said, "Drink a Three-Treasure Cup." The Pilgrim did not decline and drank it too. The king again ordered it filled, to drink a Four-Seasons Cup. Bajie, standing by, seeing that the wine did not come to him, could only swallow his spittle with a gurgling sound. And when he saw the king pressing the Pilgrim so earnestly, he called out: "Your Majesty, the medicine you took was also thanks to me—in that medicine there is horse..." The Pilgrim, hearing this and fearing that the idiot might let slip the secret, at once handed his wine to Bajie. Bajie took it and drank, and said nothing more. The king asked, "The divine monk said there is horse in the medicine—what horse?" The Pilgrim took up the words: "This brother of mine is loose-tongued like that; he has a fine proven prescription, and he wants to tell everyone about it. In the medicine Your Majesty took this morning, there was Aristolochia." The king asked the assembled officials, "What flavor is Aristolochia? What illness can it cure?" At that moment the imperial physician standing nearby said: "Your Majesty— Aristolochia is bitter, cold, and nontoxic, Greatly effective in easing panting and eliminating phlegm. It best opens the breath and dispels blood-worms, Supplements deficiency, calms coughing, and eases the chest." The king laughed and said, "Properly used, properly used. Lord Pig, drink another cup." The idiot said nothing, but also drank a Three-Treasure Cup. The king then offered wine to Sha Seng, who also drank three cups, and thereupon they all took their seats. After they had been feasting for some time, the king again raised a great goblet and presented it to the行者. The行者 said, "Your Majesty, please be seated. Old Sun will drink in turn as the wine goes round, and I dare not refuse." The king said, "Holy monk, your favor is heavier than a mountain; I, the solitary ruler, can never repay it enough. Pray at least take this great goblet, for I have something to say." The行者 said, "If you have something to say, say it first, and then Old Sun will drink." The king said, "For several years I have been troubled by a malady of anxiety, which was cured by a single dose of your divine elixir, and so I am well again." The行者 laughed and said, "Yesterday Old Sun examined Your Majesty and already knew it was an illness of anxiety, but I did not know what you were anxious about." The king said, "The ancients say, 'Family shame must not be spoken abroad.' But since you, holy monk, are my benefactor, I can tell you only if you will not laugh." The行者 said, "How could I dare laugh? Pray speak freely." The king said, "You have come from the east, holy monk; I wonder how many states you have passed through?" The行者 said, "Five or six." The king again asked, "And in those states, what are their queens called?" The行者 said, "The kings' consorts are all called the Principal Palace, the Eastern Palace, and the Western Palace." The king said, "I do not use such titles: I call the Principal Palace the Golden Sage Palace, the Eastern Palace the Jade Sage Palace, and the Western Palace the Silver Sage Palace. At present only the Silver and Jade consorts are in the palace." The行者 said, "Why is the Golden Sage consort not in the palace?" The king shed tears and said, "She has not been there for three years." The行者 said, "Where did she go?" The king said, "Three years ago, at the Dragon Boat Festival, I and my consorts were in the imperial garden, under the pomegranate pavilion, unwrapping zongzi, planting mugwort, drinking calamus and realgar wine, and watching the dragon boat races. Suddenly a wind arose, and in midair appeared a demon, calling himself the Great Sage Who Exceeds the Years. He said he lived in the Xiezhai Cave on Qilin Mountain, and that his cave lacked a wife. Having learned that my Golden Sage consort was beautiful and charming, he wished to make her his wife, and commanded me to send her out at once. If I did not present her after three calls, he would first eat me, then all my ministers, and then devour every commoner in the city. At that time, anxious for my state and my people, I had no choice but to push the Golden Sage consort out from the pomegranate pavilion, and with a loud noise that demon snatched her away. Because of this I was terrified, and the zongzi I had eaten congealed inside me; moreover, I fretted day and night without cease, and so this bitter illness lasted three years. Now, after taking your divine elixir, I have purged several times—all the matter that had accumulated over those three years—and so my body is strong, my mind clear, and my spirits as before. My life today is all given by you, holy monk—how could I say it is merely as heavy as Mount Tai?" When the行者 heard these words, he was greatly pleased, swallowed the great goblet of wine in two gulps, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, so this was your fright and worry. Now that you have met Old Sun, you have been fortunate to recover. But I wonder—do you wish the Golden Sage consort to return to the state?" The king wept and said, "I think of her day and night without cease, but I have no one who can capture that demon—how could I not wish her to return?" The行者 said, "How would it be if Old Sun went with you to subdue the evil fiend?" The king knelt and said, "If you can rescue my consort, I am willing to lead all my three palaces and nine concubines out of the city to live as commoners, and give the entire realm to you, holy monk, that you may be sovereign." The Eight Rules, standing by, upon hearing these words and seeing this gesture, could not help laughing aloud and said, "This emperor has lost all dignity—how can he give up his kingdom for a wife and kneel to a monk?" The行者 quickly stepped forward, raised the king, and said, "Your Majesty, since that demon took the Golden Sage consort, has he come again recently?" The king said, "He took the Golden Sage consort at the Dragon Boat Festival the year before last. In the tenth month he came to ask for two palace maids, saying they would serve the lady, and I presented two. Last year, in the third month, he came again to ask for two palace maids; in the seventh month he took another two; and in the second month of this year he took two more. I do not know when he will come again." The行者 said, "Since he comes so often, are you not afraid of him?" The king said, "Seeing him come so many times, I am fearful on the one hand, and on the other I worry that he may mean harm. In the fourth month of last year, I ordered workmen to build a Demon-Avoiding Tower. Whenever I hear the wind howl, I know he is coming, and I go into the tower with my two consorts and nine concubines to take shelter." The行者 said, "If Your Majesty does not mind, could you take Old Sun to see that Demon-Avoiding Tower?" The king then took the行者 by the left hand and led him from the feast. All the officials rose together. Zhu Bajie said, "Elder Brother, you are ignoring propriety. You won't drink this imperial wine, you break up the feast, and yet you go off to see what?" When the king heard this, knowing that Bajie was thinking of food, he ordered the attending officers to carry two vegetarian banquet tables with wine to wait outside the Demon-Avoiding Tower. Only then did the idiot stop his clamor, and together with his master and Sha Monk, he laughed and said, "We're moving the feast." A line of civil and military officials guided them, and the king, with the行者 supporting him, passed through the imperial palace and came to the back of the imperial garden, yet saw no pavilion or hall. The行者 said, "Where is the Demon-Avoiding Tower?" Before he finished speaking, two eunuchs took two red-lacquered carrying poles and, in the open ground, lifted up a square stone slab. The king said, "Here it is. Beneath this, dug more than three zhang deep, are nine audience chambers. Inside are four great vats, filled with clear oil, with lamps burning day and night without cease. Whenever I hear the wind, I enter here to hide, and the men outside cover it with the stone slab." The行者 laughed and said, "That demon does not mean you harm after all; if he did, how could you hide here?" Just as he spoke, from due south there came a whistling wind, raising dust and soil. All the officials were terrified and cried out together, "This monk has a mouth of salt and sauce—he spoke of demons, and here comes a demon!" The king, alarmed, let go of the行者 and at once darted into the underground chamber; Tang Monk also followed him in; the officials all hid themselves as well. Bajie and Sha Monk also wanted to hide, but the行者 pulled them both by the arms and said, "Brothers, do not be afraid. Let us go and have a look at him—what sort of demon is it?" Bajie said, "That's nonsense—why look at him? The officials have hidden, the master is concealed, the king has fled. We'd better be off too—what family name are we showing off?" The idiot struggled left and right, but could not get free. The行者 held him fast for a good while, when suddenly a demon flashed into view from midair. See how he looked: A height of nine feet, fierce and vile, A pair of ring-eyes flashing like golden lamps. Two great ears jutted out like spread fans, Four steel fangs stood forth like driven nails. His side-whiskers wrapped in red hair, brows flaming upward, His snout hung down with nostrils wide agape. A few tufts of beard like cinnabar threads, His cheekbones rugged, his face all blue. His arms red-muscled, hands of indigo, Ten pointed claws grasped a spear. A leopard-skin skirt tied round his waist, Barefoot, unkempt, in demon form. When the行者 saw this, he said, "Sha-seng, do you recognize him?" Sha-seng said, "I have never met him before—how could I recognize him?" He then asked, "Bajie, do you recognize him?" Bajie said, "I have never had tea or wine with him, nor is he a guest, friend, or neighbor—how could I recognize him?" The行者 said, "He looks like that ugly-faced golden-eyed ghost who guards the gate under Dongyue Tianqi." Bajie said, "No, no." The行者 said, "How do you know he is not?" Bajie said, "Ghosts are yin spirits; they come out only from day's end, during the hours of Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. It is still the hour of Si today—how would a ghost dare to appear? Even if it were a ghost, it could not ride clouds. Even if it could summon wind, it would only be a whirlwind—how could there be such a fierce gale? Perhaps he is Sai Tai Sui himself." The行者 laughed and said, "Good simpleton, you do have some reasoning. Since that is so, you two guard this place while I go ask his name and title, so that I may rescue Golden Holy Palace for the king's return to court." Bajie said, "Go on, go on, but by no means give us away." The行者 held his head high and made no reply; he quickly mounted his auspicious light and leaped up into the air. Ah! Truly: To pacify the state, first cure the king's ailment; To uphold the Way, one must rid the heart of love and hate. But as to whether this journey up into the sky ended in victory or defeat, how the monster was captured, and how Golden Holy Palace was rescued—hear the next chapter's explanation.