Chapter 77

Now let us not speak of the distress of Elder Tang. But say that the three demon lords, with one heart and all their strength, fought fiercely with the three brothers Great Sage on the hillside east of the city. This battle was just like an iron brush scrubbing a bronze pot—each household was equally hard. A fine slaughter: Six bodily forms and six kinds of weapons, six shapes and six dispositions. Six evils and six roots due to six desires, six gates and six paths gambling for victory or defeat. The thirty-six palaces enjoyed their spring at ease, but the six-six shapes and colors were famed for their enmity. This one had the Golden-Banded Staff, with a thousand variations of skill; that one had the Square-Heavenly Halberd, with a hundred kinds of fierceness. Bajie's rake was fiercer and more ferocious, while the second monster's long spear was handsome and able. Little Sha's precious staff was extraordinary, bent on killing; the old demon lord's steel saber was sharp and swift, his hand raised without mercy. These three were peerless generals guarding the true monk; those three were wild, wicked spirits who defied the law and insulted the sovereign. At first it was tolerable, but later it grew more savage. All six employed arts of rising into the air, tumbling and turning among the clouds. In a moment they spewed mist and spat clouds, darkening heaven and earth, with only roaring and howling to be heard. The six of them fought for a long while, and gradually the day grew late. Then wind and fog spread thickly, and in an instant it became dark. Now Bajie had large ears that covered his eyelids, making him even more dazed and confused; his hands and feet were slow, and he could not parry or block. Dragging his rake, he fled in defeat. The old demon raised his saber and struck, nearly taking his life. Luckily he dodged the blow to his head, but the blade severed a few bristles from his mane. The demon then caught up, opened his mouth, bit him by the collar, and carried him into the city, throwing him to the lesser imps, who bound him in the Golden Chime Hall. The old demon then rode clouds and rose in midair to lend support. Sha Seng saw things were not going well, feinted with his precious staff, looked after himself, and turned to flee. The second monster flicked open his nose, which gave a loud sound, and coiled it around Sha Seng's hand, carrying him into the city as well, and also ordered the little imps to bind him in the hall. Then he rose into the air again to go seize the Monkey. When the Monkey saw his two brothers captured, he knew his own strength could not hold out alone. As the saying goes: A good hand cannot defeat two fists, and two fists cannot defeat four hands. He gave a shout, used his staff to parry the weapons of the three demons, and turned a somersault, riding clouds away. When the third monster saw the Monkey ride off on his somersault, he shook his body, revealed his true form, spread his two wings, and gave chase. Do you know how he could catch up? At the time when the Monkey raised havoc in Heaven, even a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers could not capture him, because he could ride the Somersault Cloud, which carried him a hundred and eight thousand li in one leap, so no gods could overtake him. But this demon, with one flap of his wings, could cover ninety thousand li; with two flaps he would overtake him. So he seized him with one grasp, held him in his hand, and the Monkey could not struggle free left or right. He thought to escape, but could not get away. Even when he used his arts of transformation and evasion, he could not move freely: when he made himself larger, the demon loosened his grip; when he made himself smaller, the demon tightened his grip again. So he carried him straight back to the city, let go of his hand, flung him to the dust, and ordered the host of demons to bind him together with Bajie and Sha Seng. The old demon and the second demon both came down to welcome him, and the three demon lords together ascended the precious hall. Alas! This time they were not binding the Monkey, but rather were seeing him off. Now it was about the second watch. After all the demons had met together, they pushed the Elder Tang down from the hall. When the elder saw, by the lamplight, that all three of his disciples were bound on the ground, the old master prostrated himself beside the Monkey and wept, saying, "Disciples! In times past, when we met with difficulties, you would use your powers outside, going to fetch help and subdue demons. But now even you are captured—how can I, this humble monk, survive?" When Bajie and Sha Seng heard their master's bitter lament, they too broke out in loud weeping. The Monkey gave a slight smile and said, "Master, do not worry. Brothers, do not weep. Whatever they do, we will surely come to no harm. Wait until those old demons are quiet, and then we will go." Bajie said, "Brother, you are up to your tricks again. We are bound with hemp rope—if they loosen it a bit, they spray it with water. You skinny fellows may not feel it, but this fat one of mine is in misery. If you don't believe me, look at my arms—the rope has cut two inches into the flesh. How can we get free?" The Monkey laughed and said, "Don't speak of hemp rope—even if it were a palm-thick cable of coir, it would be no more to me than the autumn wind passing my ear. What is there to marvel at?" While the master and disciples were speaking, they heard the old demon say, "Third worthy brother, you have strength and resource—indeed you have accomplished a fine plan and brought the Elder Tang here." He called, "Little ones, let five fetch water, seven scrub the cauldron, ten light the fire, and twenty bring out the iron cages. Steam those four monks until cooked, for us brothers to enjoy; give a piece to each of the little ones as well, so that they too may attain long life." When Bajie heard this, he trembled and said, "Brother, do you hear? Those demons are plotting to steam us and eat us." The Monkey said, "Do not be afraid. Let me see whether they are fledgling demons or veteran demons." Sha Seng wept and said, "Brother, do not speak such comforting words. We are already neighbors with King Yama—what talk of 'fledglings' or 'veterans'?" Before he finished, they heard the second monster say, "Zhu Bajie is not good to steam." Bajie rejoiced, saying, "Amitābha! Who is that merciful one who says I am not good to steam?" The third monster said, "If he is not good to steam, then skin him and steam him." Bajie was alarmed and shouted at the top of his voice, "Do not skin me! Coarse as I am, once the broth boils I will be done." The old demon said, "If he is not good to steam, put him in the lower compartment." The Monkey laughed and said, "Bajie, do not fear—they are fledglings, not veterans." Sha Seng said, "How can you tell?" The Monkey said, "Whenever you steam things, you start from the top. Those not good to steam are placed in the upper compartment; with more fire, once the steam circulates, they are done. If placed in the bottom, once the steam stops, even if you burn for half a year, the steam will not reach them. He says Bajie is not good to steam, and puts him in the bottom—if that is not a fledgling, what is?" Bajie said, "Brother, if you go by that, they will simply kill me alive. If they see the steam is not reaching me, they will lift me out, turn me over, and light the fire again—so that both sides of me are cooked, and only the middle is half-raw!" While they were talking, a little imp came to report: "The broth is boiling." The old demon gave the order to lift them in. All the demons set to work together; they lifted Bajie into the bottom compartment, and Sha Seng into the second. When the Monkey estimated they were coming to lift him, he slipped out, saying, "Here before this lamplight is a good place to make my move." He plucked a single hair, blew on it with immortal breath, and said, "Change!" It at once transformed into a Monkey, bound with hemp rope. His true body left its spirit, leaped into midair, and looked down. Those demons, knowing nothing of true or false, saw someone and lifted him; they placed the false Monkey in the third compartment from the top. Then they turned the Elder Tang over, bound him, and lifted him into the fourth compartment. They stacked dry firewood, and the blazing flames leaped high. Great Sage in the clouds sighed and said, "My Bajie and Sha Seng can endure a few rolls of the steam; but my master—one roll will reduce him to pulp. If I do not use magic to save him, in a moment he will perish." Good Monkey! In midair he formed a mudra, recited the spell "Ān lán jìng fǎ jiè, qián yuán hēng lì zhēn," and summoned the Dragon King of the North Sea, who arrived swiftly. From the clouds a dark cloud appeared, and a voice called out loudly, "Ao Shun, the little Dragon of the North Sea, kowtows." The Monkey said, "Rise, rise. I would not presume to trouble you without cause. Now I have come here with Master Tang, and we have been captured by venomous demons and placed in iron cages to be steamed. Go and protect them, do not let them be steamed to harm." The Dragon King at once transformed his body into a cold wind, blew down under the cauldron, and coiled around to guard it. No fire vapor could heat the cauldron, and so the three of them did not lose their lives. It was almost the third watch when the old demon was heard giving orders: "My men, we have labored with our wits and taken the four Tang monks; and because we have been busy seeing them off, for four whole days and nights we have not slept. Now they are bound in the steamers and surely cannot escape. You must watch them carefully, with ten little demons taking turns to tend the fire, while we withdraw to our chambers and rest a little. By the fifth watch, when the sky is about to grow light, they will certainly be cooked through. Then prepare mashed garlic, salt, and vinegar, and invite us to rise and eat them on empty stomachs." All the demons obeyed. The three demon chiefs then retired to their bedchambers. Xingzhe, up in the clouds, had heard these instructions clearly. He lowered his cloud and listened, but heard no human voices from the steamers. He thought: "The steam and heat rise upward, so it must be hot inside. How is it they are not afraid, nor do they speak or groan? Could they already be steamed to death? Let me draw nearer and listen again." The great sage pressed down his cloud, shook his body, and changed into a black fly, alighting on the iron frame of the steamer to listen. He heard Bajie inside say: "Bad luck, bad luck! I wonder if this is steaming with the lid on, or steaming with the lid off." Shaseng said: "Second Brother, what do you mean by 'with the lid on' and 'with the lid off'?" Bajie said: "Steaming with the lid on means the cover is fastened down; with the lid off means it is not." Tang Seng, from the top layer, answered: "Disciples, the cover is not on." Bajie said: "Good fortune! We won't die tonight—this is steaming with the lid off." Xingzhe heard that all three were speaking and not yet killed. He flew off, lightly placed the iron cover over the steamer, and fastened it. Tang Seng panicked and said: "Disciples, it's covered." Bajie said: "That's it—now it's steaming with the lid on; tonight we'll surely die." Shaseng and the elder began sobbing. Bajie said: "Don't cry yet. The fire-tenders have changed shift now." Shaseng said: "How do you know?" Bajie said: "When they first lifted us up here, it suited me—I have a cold-damp ailment and wanted the steam to warm me. But now cold air is coming up instead. Hey! Officer tending the fire, why not add more fuel? I'll have your hide for this!" Xingzhe heard this and could not help laughing to himself: "This stupid brute—cold he can endure, but heat would kill him. If he keeps on like this, he'll give us away. I must rescue them quickly. But wait—to rescue them I need to show my true form. If I do, these ten fire-tenders will see me and raise a clamor, alarming the old demons—more trouble. Let me first play a trick on them." He suddenly recalled: "When I was the Great Sage, I once played a guessing game at the North Heavenly Gate with the Guardian Heavenly King, and won some sleepy-bugs from him. I still have a few—I'll give them to these fellows." He felt inside his waist pouch and found twelve. "I'll give them ten and keep two for breeding." He tossed the bugs out, scattering them on the faces of the ten little demons. They crept into their nostrils, and gradually the demons became drowsy and fell asleep, all of them. Only one, holding a fire-fork, could not sleep soundly; he rubbed his head and face, pinched his nose left and right, and sneezed without stop. Xingzhe said: "This fellow knows something's up. I'll give him a double dose." He threw another bug onto his face. "Two bugs, going in and out, one of them is bound to settle." That little demon yawned hugely two or three times, stretched his back, dropped his fire-fork, and fell flat on his face, never turning over again. Xingzhe said: "This trick is truly wonderful and effective." He then resumed his true form, stepped forward, and called out: "Master." Tang Seng heard him and said: "Wukong, save me!" Shaseng said: "Brother, are you calling from outside?" Xingzhe said: "I'm not outside—would I be suffering in here with you?" Bajie said: "Brother, you slippery one have slipped away, while we're stuck here bearing the brunt and choking with steam." Xingzhe laughed and said: "Idiot, stop your noise—I'm here to save you." Bajie said: "Brother, if you save us, save us root and branch—don't put us back in the steamer." Xingzhe then lifted the cover, freed his master, shook the transformed hairs and took them back onto his body, then released Shaseng and Bajie layer by layer. The idiot, once freed, was eager to run. Xingzhe said: "Don't rush, don't rush." He recited a spell and dismissed the Dragon God, then said to Bajie: "From here to the Western Heaven there are still high mountains and steep ridges. Master has no mount and cannot travel. Let me go fetch the horse." Watch him—lightly, stealthily, he went to the Golden Hall and saw all the great and small demons asleep. He untied the halter without stirring anyone. That horse was a dragon-horse; if a stranger approached, it would kick and neigh. But Xingzhe had once tended horses, having been made the Heavenly Stable Official, and was of its own kind, so it neither kicked nor neighed. Quietly he led it out, tightened the girth, adjusted the tackle, and invited his master to mount. The elder, trembling, climbed on and was about to leave. Xingzhe said: "Don't be in a hurry yet. To the west we still have to pass through kingdoms; we need the travel document, otherwise we cannot proceed—what credentials would we have? Let me go find the luggage." Tang Seng said: "I remember when we entered, the demons placed the luggage on the left side of the Golden Hall, and the carrying-pole was there too." Xingzhe said: "I know." He slipped away and searched the hall, when suddenly he saw a flickering radiance. Xingzhe knew it was the luggage. How did he know? Because Tang Seng's brocade cassock was studded with night-luminescent pearls, hence it gave off light. He hurried over, found the carrying-pole still sealed as before, quickly took it, and gave it to Shaseng to carry on his shoulder. Bajie led the horse, Xingzhe led the way, and they headed straight for the Zhengyang Gate. They heard clappers and bells jangling; the gate was locked, and over the lock was pasted a seal. Xingzhe said: "With such defense, how can we get out?" Bajie said: "Let's go out the back gate." Xingzhe led them to the back, but outside the Houzai Gate there was also the sound of clappers and bells, and the gate was also sealed. "What are we to do? If it weren't for Tang Seng being a mortal body, we three could simply ride the clouds or fly off by magic. But because Tang Seng has not yet transcended the Three Realms and is still within the Five Elements, his whole body is made of mortal bones from his parents—so he cannot ascend or escape." Bajie said: "Brother, no need to discuss further. Let's go where there are no clappers or guards, hoist Master up, and climb over the wall." Xingzhe laughed and said: "That won't do. Now we have no choice, so we might hoist him over; but when we return from fetching the scriptures, you loose-tongued idiot will blab it everywhere and say we were monks who climbed walls." Bajie said: "At this moment we can't worry about appearances—let's just flee for our lives." Xingzhe had no other option, so he agreed. They went to a clean stretch of wall and planned to climb out. Alas! That such a thing should happen—it was also that Tripitaka's star of calamity had not yet passed. Those three demon lords were sleeping soundly in the palace when suddenly they started awake, saying that the Tang monk had escaped. One by one they donned their clothes hurriedly and rushed to the precious hall, asking, "How many times has the Tang monk been steamed?" Those little demons tending the fire had all been afflicted by the Sleepy-Insect Devil and were all fast asleep; even beating them could not wake a single one. The rest who had no duties—a few were startled awake and replied in a fluster, "Seven—seven—seven—seven—seven—seven—seven—seven turns." They hurriedly ran to the side of the cauldron and saw the steamer racks scattered on the ground, while the fire-tenders still lay sleeping. Panicking, they came back to report, "Great King, he's es—es—es—escaped!" The three demon lords descended from the hall and went to the cauldron to look carefully, and indeed saw the steamer racks thrown about on the ground, the soup in the cauldron completely cold, and not a trace of fire left. Those fire-tenders were all snoring thunderously, limp as mud. The alarmed monsters all shouted together, "Quick, seize the Tang monk! Quick, seize the Tang monk!" This outburst of shouting roused all the demons great and small, front and back, who gathered with swords and spears and rushed to the Zhengyang Gate. They saw the locks undisturbed and the watch-clappers sounding without cease. They asked the patrol demons outside, "Which way did the Tang monk go?" They all answered, "No one has come out." They hurried to the rear gate, where the locks and watch-clappers were exactly as at the front gate. Then, in a great commotion, they raised lanterns and torches, their flames blazing so brightly that they lit the sky red as day, and by that clear light they plainly saw the four of them climbing over the wall. The elder demon rushed up close and shouted, "Where do you think you're going?" The elder priest was so terrified that his legs went weak and his sinews numb; he tumbled down from the wall and was seized by the elder demon. The second demon caught Sha Monk, the third demon captured Bajie, and the host of demons seized the luggage and the white horse—only the Walker escaped. Bajie grumbled and muttered under his breath, cursing the Walker: "Heaven-damned one! I said if we were to save him we should save him completely, and now we're back in the steamer again." The host of demons brought the Tang monk up to the hall, but this time they did not steam him. The second monster ordered Bajie bound to the pillar at the front of the hall, and the third monster ordered Sha Monk bound to the pillar at the rear; only the elder demon held the Tang monk in his embrace and would not let go. The third monster said, "Elder Brother, why are you holding him like that? Surely you're not going to eat him alive? That would have no flavor at all. This creature is not like some common fool—take him and you can have him for a meal. This is a rare thing from a superior land; we must wait for an overcast day when we have leisure, bring him out, dress him finely and cleanly, play the finger-guessing game and issue drinking commands, and eat him to the accompaniment of soft music and gentle playing." The elder demon laughed and said, "Worthy brother's words are fitting, but Sun the Walker will come to steal him again." The third demon said, "Inside this imperial palace there is a Brocade Fragrance Pavilion, and inside the pavilion there is an iron chest. Follow my plan: hide the Tang monk inside the chest, close up the pavilion, and then spread a rumor that the Tang monk has been eaten by us raw. Have the little demons spread this saying throughout the city. When the Walker comes to spy out the news, if he hears this, he will certainly lose heart and go away. After three or five days with no disturbance from him, we can bring him out and enjoy him slowly. What do you think?" The elder and second monsters were both greatly pleased and said, "Yes, yes, yes—brother speaks sensibly." Alas, poor Tang monk was taken in that very night and hidden in the chest, the pavilion was closed, and the rumor spread through the city—all in confusion—but we shall not dwell on that. Now the Walker, since midnight, had not been able to care for the Tang monk; he rode his cloud and escaped, going straight to the Lion Camel Cave, where with his staff he wiped out all the tens of thousands of little demons. He hurried back, and in the east the sun was rising. When he reached the city wall, he dared not challenge them to battle. Indeed: a single strand of silk does not make a thread, and one palm cannot clap. He descended from the clouds, shook his body and changed into a little demon, then slipped inside the gates, searching through the great streets and small lanes for news. Throughout the city everyone said: the Tang monk was eaten raw by the great king that very night. Front and back, this was the story everywhere. The Walker grew extremely anxious. He walked to the front of the Golden Bells Hall and looked inside; there were many spirits there, all wearing caps of gilded leather and yellow cloth robes, holding red-lacquered staves, with ivory plaques at their waists, coming and going in constant motion. The Walker thought to himself, "These must be the palace demons—I'll change into one of them and go in to investigate." Great Sage, he truly changed to be exactly like them and mingled into the golden gate. As he walked along, he saw Bajie tied to the front pillar, groaning. The Walker drew near and called out, "Wuneng." The idiot recognized the voice and said, "Elder Brother, you've come? Save me, save me." The Walker said, "I will save you. But do you know where the master is?" Bajie said, "The master is gone—last night the demons ate him raw." When the Walker heard this, he suddenly let out a cry and tears gushed like a spring. Bajie said, "Brother, don't cry. I only heard the little demons gossiping; I didn't see it with my own eyes. Don't be mistaken—go and ask around some more." Only then did the Walker stop his tears and continue searching inside. Suddenly he saw Sha Monk bound to the rear pillar, so he went up close and touched his chest, calling out, "Wujing." Sha Monk also recognized the voice and said, "Elder Brother, you've changed yourself to get in? Save me, save me." The Walker said, "Saving you is easy, but do you know where the master is?" Sha Monk said with tears, "Brother, the master—the demons couldn't wait to steam him, so they ate him raw." When the Great Sage heard both of them say the same thing, his heart was twisted as if by a knife, and his tears flowed like water. He suddenly leaped up into the air, and without rescuing Bajie or Sha Monk, he returned to the mountain east of the city, descended from the clouds, and burst into loud weeping, crying out, "Master! *I wronged Heaven and was trapped in a net;* *You came to save me from my deep malady.* *With single mind I joined you in worshipping Buddha,* *With utmost effort we cultivated and fought demons.* *Who would have thought that today I'd meet this sting,* *Unable to protect you and bring you to Mount Sumeru.* *The blessed western realm—no fate to reach it—* *When breath is gone and soul dispersed, what can be done?"* The Walker, miserable and grieving, pondered to himself, asking his own heart: "All this is because my Buddha Tathāgata, sitting in that Land of Ultimate Bliss, had nothing better to do and contrived the Tripitaka scriptures. If he truly wished to promote goodness, he should have sent them to the Eastern Lands himself—would that not have been a deed for all ages? But he was unwilling to send them and made us come to fetch them. Who knew that after suffering through a thousand mountains, we would come to this and lose our lives today? Enough, enough—old Sun will just ride his somersault cloud to see Tathāgata and tell him everything. If he is willing to give me the scriptures to take to the Eastern Lands, then on the one hand it will spread the fruits of goodness, and on the other it will fulfill our vows; if he is unwilling, let him recite the Loose-Fillet Mantra and remove this fillet from my head, give it back to him, and I will return to my own cave, call myself king and lord, and have my sport." Good Great Sage—he turned over quickly, mounted his somersault cloud, and headed straight for Tianzhu. In less than an hour, he could already see Spirit Mountain not far off. In a moment he descended from the clouds and arrived at the foot of Vulture Peak. He suddenly raised his head and saw the Four Great Vajras blocking his way, saying, "Where are you going?" The Walker made a bow and said, "I have business and must see Tathāgata." At the head, the Vajra Ever-Abiding, Undecaying, Lord of Golden Gorge at Golden Haze Ridge on Mount Kunlun, shouted, "You monkey—most rude and reckless! Earlier when we fought the Bull Demon King, we did our utmost for you, and now you come before us without even a proper salute. If you have business, you should first have it announced and only enter when summoned. This place is not like the Southern Heavenly Gate—do you think you can come in and go out as you please, running about both ways? Hah! Stand back!" The Great Sage, already vexed, now encountered this rebuff; he roared with anger like thunder, unable to contain himself and shouting loudly—and soon Tathāgata was disturbed. The Tathāgata Buddha was precisely seated on the nine-pinnacle jeweled lotus throne, expounding the scriptures to the eighteen Arhats who transmigrate through the ages, when he spoke: "Sun Wukong has come; you shall go out and receive him." The multitude of Arhats, obeying the Buddha's decree, with canopies and banners on both sides, went out of the mountain gate and answered in unison: "Great Sage Sun, the Tathāgata has summons for you." Then the four Vajras at the mountain gate made way and let the Pilgrim advance. The Arhats led him to the foot of the jeweled lotus throne, where he prostrated himself before the Tathāgata, weeping bitterly with tears streaming. The Tathāgata said: "Wukong, what matter causes you such bitter weeping?" The Pilgrim said: "Your disciple has repeatedly received the favor of your instruction, and has been sheltered under the gate of the Buddha. Since returning to the true fruit, I have protected Tang Sanzang, been honored as his master, and endured untold hardships along the way. Now at Lion Camel Mountain, Lion Camel Cave, and Lion Camel City, there are three venomous demons—the Lion King, the Elephant King, and the Great Peng—who have seized my master, and even your disciple was caught in the same calamity, all of us bound in steamers, suffering the torment of boiling water and fire. Fortunately your disciple escaped and called upon the Dragon King to save us. That night I stole out with my master and the others, but unexpectedly the baleful star could not be shaken off, and we were captured again. By dawn, I entered the city to investigate, but those demons are utterly cruel and surpassingly fierce, and they devoured my master raw that very night—now not even his bones remain. Moreover, my junior disciples, Wuneng and Wujing, are still bound over there, and soon their lives too will be lost. Your disciple, having no recourse, has come especially to pay homage to the Tathāgata. I beg your great compassion: recite the Band-tightening Mantra, remove this circlet from my head, return it to the Tathāgata, and let your disciple go back to Mount Huaguo to enjoy some leisure and play." Before he finished, tears gushed like a spring and his sobbing never ceased. The Tathāgata smiled and said: "Wukong, do not be so vexed. That fiend's supernatural powers are vast; you cannot overcome him, hence this anguish in your heart." The Pilgrim knelt below, beating his breast, and said: "To tell the truth before the Tathāgata, your disciple, back when I caused havoc in Heaven and was called the Great Sage, since I came into being I have never suffered defeat, yet this time I have fallen into the hands of these venomous demons." When the Tathāgata heard this, he said: "You need not hate them yet; I know those fiends." The Pilgrim suddenly cried out: "Tathāgata, I have heard people say that those fiends are related to you." The Tathāgata said: "You impish ape, how could any fiend be related to me?" The Pilgrim laughed and said: "If not related to you, how do you know them?" The Tathāgata said: "I saw them with my wisdom eye, hence I know them. The old monster and the second monster have their masters." He called: "Ananda, Kasyapa, come. The two of you shall go separately by cloud to Mount Wutai and Mount Emei, and summon Manjusri and Samantabhadra to come here." The two venerable ones immediately obeyed the decree and departed. The Tathāgata said: "These are the masters of the old demon and the second demon. But as for the third demon, when speaking of him, he is indeed somewhat related to me." The Pilgrim said: "Is the relation through your father's side or your mother's side?" The Tathāgata said: "When Chaos was first divided, Heaven opened in the Zi period, Earth formed in the Chou period, and man was born in the Yin period. Heaven and Earth again intermingled, and all things came into being. Among all things are beasts and birds; beasts are ruled by the qilin, and birds by the phoenix. That phoenix, receiving the vital essence of union, gave birth to the peacock and the great peng. When the peacock was born, it was most ferocious and could devour men. For forty-five li it could suck a man into its mouth in one gulp. I, having cultivated my sixteen-foot golden body on the summit of Snow Mountain, was early swallowed into its belly. I wished to come out through its posterior passage, but feared to defile my true body. So I split open its back and rode over to Spirit Mountain. I was about to take its life, when all the Buddhas dissuaded me, saying: 'To harm the peacock is like harming our mother.' Therefore I kept it at the Spirit Mountain assembly and invested it as the Buddha-Mother Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva. The great peng was born of the same mother, hence there is some kinship." When the Pilgrim heard this, he laughed and said: "Tathāgata, if that is the comparison, then you are still the fiend's nephew." The Tathāgata said: "That fiend must be dealt with by me personally, and only then can he be subdued." The Pilgrim kowtowed and addressed the Tathāgata: "I beg you most earnestly to condescend to come." The Tathāgata then descended from the lotus throne and, together with the multitude of Buddhas, went straight out of the mountain gate. He saw Ananda and Kasyapa leading Manjusri and Samantabhadra to appear. The two Bodhisattvas paid obeisance to the Buddha. The Tathāgata said: "Bodhisattvas, how long have your beasts been down the mountain?" Manjusri said: "Seven days." The Tathāgata said: "Seven days in the mountain are several thousand years in the world. Who knows how many living beings they have harmed there? Quickly follow me to subdue them." The two Bodhisattvas attended him on left and right, and together with the multitude they flew through the air. One saw: Everywhere ethereal, auspicious clouds parted, Our Buddha in compassion descended with the Dharma-gate. Clearly he revealed the principle of Heaven's opening and all things' birth, In detail he spoke of Earth's formation and the transformation of forms. Before him were five hundred Arhats, Behind him three thousand Gatha-protecting spirits. Kasyapa and Ananda attended left and right, Manjusri and Samantabhadra quelled the demonic aura. The Great Sage, through this personal connection, had invited the Buddha and the multitude. Before long, they soon saw the city wall. The Pilgrim reported: "Tathāgata, that place emitting black vapor is Lion Camel Kingdom." The Tathāgata said: "Go down first, enter that city, and engage the fiends in battle. You are permitted to lose, not to win. When you retreat upward, I will subdue them." The Great Sage immediately pressed down his cloud and went straight to the city wall. Stepping on the battlements, he cursed: "Vile brute! Come out quickly and fight your Old Sun!" The small demons on the city tower, in panic, rushed down into the city and reported: "Great King, Sun Wukong is on the wall challenging battle." The old demon said: "This monkey hasn't come for two or three days, yet today he challenges again—could he have invited some reinforcements?" The third demon said: "Why fear him? Let us all go and see." The three demon kings, each gripping his weapon, rushed up the wall. When they saw the Pilgrim, without a word they raised their weapons and thrust at him together; the Pilgrim swung his iron staff and met them. After seven or eight rounds, the Pilgrim feigned defeat and fled. The demon king gave a great shout and cried: "Where do you think you're going?" The Great Sage turned a somersault and leaped into midair; the three fiends immediately drove their clouds in pursuit. The Pilgrim dodged aside and hid within the golden light of the Buddha, completely vanishing. Then the three Buddha images—of the Past, the Future, and the Present—together with five hundred Arhats and three thousand Gatha-protecting spirits, deployed on all sides and surrounded the three demon kings so tightly that not even water could leak through. The old demon was panic-stricken and cried: "Brothers, this is bad—that monkey is truly a ghost of the earth; where has he invited such masters?" The third demon said: "Elder Brother, do not be afraid. Let us all advance together, thrust our spears and swords into the Tathāgata, and seize his Thunderclap Monastery." This demon, not knowing his place, truly raised his sword and charged forward, slashing wildly. But then Manjusri and Samantabhadra recited their true words and shouted: "You brute, will you not yet return to the right? What more are you waiting for?" The old monster and the second monster were so terrified that they could not hold their ground; they dropped their weapons, rolled over, and revealed their true forms. The two Bodhisattvas cast their lotus thrones onto the monsters' backs, flew up and straddled them, and the two monsters immediately pricked up their ears and submitted. The two Bodhisattvas had already taken back the Green Lion and the White Elephant; only the third demon remained unsubdued. Spreading his wings, he cast aside his square-heavenly halberd, soared straight up, and brandished his sharp talons to seize the Monkey King. But the Great Sage was hidden within the light—how could he dare approach? The Tathāgata, knowing this intent, flashed golden light and shook his head, which bore the stork's-nest crest, against the wind, transforming it into a piece of bright red flesh. The demon brandished his sharp talons and struck it once. But the Buddha raised his hand and pointed upward, whereupon the sinews in the demon's wings gave way, so he could no longer fly; he could only remain atop the Buddha's head, unable to escape far, and revealed his true form—a great roc of golden wings. He then opened his mouth and called out to the Buddha: "Tathāgata, why do you use your great supernatural power to trap me?" The Tathāgata said, "You have created much evil karma here. Come with me, and you shall gain merit in advancement." The demon said, "Over there you keep a vegetarian diet, in utter poverty and bitterness; here I eat human flesh and enjoy boundless delight. If you starve me, you will bear the offense." The Tathāgata said, "I have charge of the Four Great Continents, where countless living beings pay reverence. Whenever anyone does good deeds, I shall have them first offer sacrifices to your mouth." The great roc wished to escape but could not; he wished to flee but could not. Thus, having no alternative, he had no choice but to submit. Only then did the Pilgrim emerge, and bowing to the Tathāgata he said, "Buddha, you have now subdued the demons and removed the great scourge, but only my master is lost." The great roc gritted his teeth and said with hatred, "You wretched monkey! You found such a ruthless one to trap me. When did your old monk ever get eaten by me? Is he not right now in the iron chest inside the Brocade-Fragrance Pavilion?" When the Pilgrim heard this, he hurriedly kowtowed and thanked the Buddha. The Buddha did not dare release the great roc, but only let him serve as a Dharma protector upon his radiant flames, and led the multitude back on the clouds, straight to his sacred monastery. The Pilgrim then descended from the clouds and went straight into the city; there was not a single little demon left in the city. It is just as the saying goes: A snake without a head cannot proceed; a bird without wings cannot fly. When they saw that the Buddha had subdued the demon king, they each fled to save themselves. Only then did the Pilgrim release Eight Rules and Sha Monk, find the luggage and the horse, and say to them, "Master has not been eaten; all of you follow me." He led the two of them straight into the inner courtyard, found the Brocade-Fragrance Pavilion, opened the door and looked inside, where there was an iron chest, from which came the sound of Tripitaka weeping. Sha Monk used his demon-subduing staff to break the iron lock, opened the chest lid, and called out, "Master." When Tripitaka saw them, he burst into loud tears and said, "Disciples, how did you subdue the demons? How did you find me here?" The Pilgrim then recounted the entire matter from beginning to end in full detail. Tripitaka thanked them beyond measure. The master and disciples found some grain in the palace, prepared some tea and food, ate their fill, packed up, left the city, found the main road, and headed west. Thus it is said: The true scriptures must surely be fetched by true men; Intent and toil that are but restless are always in vain. But as for this journey, who knows when they shall again see the Tathāgata? Hear the explanation in the next chapter.