Chapter 22: Bajie's Battle at the Flowing Sands River Mucha Captures Wujing by Law

After escaping danger, Tang Sanzang and his two disciples traveled for several days. Before long, they passed the Eight Hundred Li Yellow Wind Ridge, and to the west lay a stretch of flat land. Time flew by; summer transitioned into autumn. They saw cicadas chirping among withered willows and the Great Fire constellation moving westward. As they journeyed, they suddenly encountered a vast expanse of turbulent water, with raging waves. Mounted on his horse, Sanzang urgently called out, "Disciples, look at that vast body of water ahead! Why are there no boats? How are we to cross?" Bajie saw it and said, "Indeed, it's a raging torrent, with no boat to cross." The Traveler leaped into the air, shading his eyes with his hand as he looked. He, too, was startled and said, "Master, this is truly a challenge, truly a challenge! If it were just me, I could simply twist my waist and be across this river in an instant. But for you, Master, it is truly a thousand times difficult to cross, impossible for ten thousand years." Sanzang asked, "From here, it stretches boundlessly. How wide is it, exactly?" The Traveler replied, "It's about eight hundred li across." Bajie asked, "Brother, how can you determine the distance so precisely?" The Traveler said, "To tell you the truth, my good brother, my eyes can discern good and bad omens a thousand li away in broad daylight. Just now, from the air, I saw that I don't know how long this river stretches upstream or downstream, but its width is definitely eight hundred li." The venerable elder was filled with worry and vexation. He turned his horse around and suddenly spotted a stone tablet on the bank. The three of them went to look. They saw three ancient seal characters, which read 'Liusha River' (Flowing Sand River). Below them, there were four small lines of standard script that said:

Eight hundred li of flowing sands,Three thousand weak waters deep.A goose feather cannot float,Reed catkins sink to the bottom.

As the master and disciples were reading the inscription, they heard waves surging like mountains and billows overturning like ridges. Suddenly, a hideous demon emerged with a slithering motion from the middle of the river—

A mass of fiery red hair, disheveled;Two round eyes, bright as lamps.A face of neither black nor green, but indigo blue;Its voice, like thunder and drums, the roar of an old dragon.It wore a goose-yellow cloak,Its waist cinched with two white rattan strands.Nine skulls hung around its neck,And in its hand, a formidable treasure staff.

With a whirlwind, the monster rushed ashore and lunged directly at Tang Sanzang. The Traveler quickly embraced his master, hurried up the high bank, turned, and fled. Bajie put down his luggage, pulled out his iron rake, and thrust it at the demon. The monster blocked it with its treasure staff. The two of them displayed their prowess on the banks of the Liusha River. It was an excellent battle—

The Nine-Toothed Rake, the Demon-Subduing Staff,Two combatants opposed on the river bank.One was the Great Marshal Tianpeng,The other, the banished Curtain-Lifting General.In former years, they had met in the Lingxiao Palace;Today, they fought fiercely, testing their strength.One's rake thrust like a clawing dragon,The other's staff parried like a grinding elephant.They extended their full forms, charging into the wind.One struck wildly, without aim;The other swung without disorder or emptiness.One was a cannibal spirit long occupying the Flowing Sands Realm;The other, a general upholding Buddhist discipline and cultivation.

The two went back and forth, fighting for twenty rounds without a clear victor.

The Great Sage, protecting Tang Sanzang, holding the horse, and guarding the luggage, saw Bajie fighting the monster. He gritted his teeth in anger, rubbed his palms, and clenched his fists, unable to resist joining the fray. He pulled out his staff and said, "Master, sit tight and don't be afraid. Let me go play with him for a bit." The Master tried in vain to stop him. He let out a whistle and leaped forward. The monster and Bajie were fighting fiercely, in an intense stalemate, when the Traveler swung his iron staff towards the monster's head. The monster swiftly turned, dodged in a panic, and dove straight into the Liusha River. Bajie stomped his feet in anger, exclaiming, "Brother, who told you to come?! That monster was gradually slowing down and could barely parry my rake. In just three or five more rounds, I would have captured him! Now he saw how formidable you are and fled the battle. What are we going to do?!" The Traveler laughed and said, "Brother, to tell you the truth, since I subdued the Yellow Wind Demon and came down the mountain, I haven't had a chance to practice with my staff for over a month. I saw you fighting him so delightfully, and I just couldn't resist. My feet were itching, so I jumped in to have a little fun. Who knew that monster wouldn't appreciate a good game and just ran off?"

The two of them linked arms, chatting and laughing, and returned to Tang Sanzang. Tang Sanzang asked, "Have you captured the demon?" The Traveler replied, "That demon couldn't stand the fight and fled back into the water." Sanzang said, "Disciples, this monster has lived here for a long time; it knows the depths. With such boundless weak water and no boats, we need someone who understands water to lead us across." The Traveler said, "That's exactly right. As the saying goes, 'near cinnabar, one turns red; near ink, one turns black.' This monster has been here, so it definitely knows the ways of the water. Now, if we capture it, we shouldn't kill it. Instead, we should make it escort Master across the river, and then we can deal with it later." Bajie said, "Brother, don't hesitate. You go capture him first, and I'll guard Master." The Traveler laughed and said, "My good brother, I dare not boast about this. I'm not very proficient in water activities. If I want to travel underwater, I still need to use a magic formula and recite a water-avoidance incantation to be able to move. Otherwise, I'd have to transform into a fish, shrimp, crab, or turtle to go. When it comes to demonstrating skills, no matter what strange and unusual things you do in high mountains or in the clouds, I can do them all. It's just water-related matters that are a bit troublesome for me." Bajie said, "In my former days, I was the Marshal of the Heavenly River, commanding eighty thousand aquatic soldiers. I did learn some water skills. But I'm just afraid that if that monster has family, old and young, from seven generations and eight clans all coming out, I wouldn't be able to handle them, and I might just get captured by them!" The Traveler said, "If you go into the water to fight him, don't prolong the battle. Allow yourself to be defeated rather than winning, so you can lure him out. Then, I'll step in to help you." Bajie said, "That makes sense. I'll go." Saying "I'll go," he stripped off his green brocade robe, took off his shoes, wielded his rake with both hands, parted the water, and, employing his old skills, leaped through waves and churned the water. He plunged in and went straight to the river bottom, moving forward.

Meanwhile, the monster, having retreated after its defeat, had just caught its breath when it heard the sound of water being pushed. It suddenly stood up to look and saw that it was Bajie, holding his rake and pushing through the water. The monster raised its staff and shouted directly at him, "Monk, where are you going? Watch out for my attack!" Bajie parried with his rake and said, "What kind of demon are you, daring to block my way here?" The demon said, "You don't recognize me either? I'm not some ordinary demon or ghost, nor am I nameless or without a family." Bajie said, "If you're not an evil demon or ghost, then why are you harming living beings here? What is your true name? Tell me honestly, and I'll spare your life." The monster said: "I—"

From birth, I was vigorous and strong,Once roamed thousands of li across heaven and earth.My heroic name renowned throughout the world,A model for brave and valiant people.I traveled freely through all lands and nine continents,Roamed wherever I wished in the Five Lakes and Four Seas.All because I sought the Dao, wandering to the ends of the earth,Only to find a master, roaming through vast lands.My monastic robe and alms bowl always carefully with me,My mind and spirit never relaxed each day.I wandered the earth on dozens of occasions,Strolled leisurely everywhere over a hundred times.Thus, I met a true immortal,Who revealed the brilliant golden light of the Great Dao.First, I gathered the Infant and the Virgin,Then released the Wood Mother and Metal Duke.Kidney water entered the Bright Hall and Flower Pond,Liver fire in the Double Tower descended to the heart.Three thousand merits completed, I bowed before the Heavenly Countenance,With sincere devotion, I paid homage towards the Bright Splendor.The Jade Emperor then promoted me,Personally appointing me as the Curtain-Lifting General.Within the South Heaven Gate, I was revered;Before the Lingxiao Palace, I was supreme.At my waist hung a tiger-head plaque,In my hand, I held the demon-subduing staff.A golden helmet on my head gleamed in the sunlight,My armor shone brightly like rosy clouds.Coming and going, I led the imperial guard;Entering and exiting court, I was foremost.It was only when the Queen Mother bestowed her Peaches of Immortality,And hosted a banquet in the Jade Pool, inviting all generals,I accidentally shattered a crystal glass,And all the heavenly gods were aghast.The Jade Emperor immediately grew furious,And ordered the Left Prime Minister, who presided over court,To strip me of my crown, remove my armor, and revoke my title,And push me onto the execution ground.Luckily, the Barefoot Great Immortal,Stepped forward and pleaded for my release.My life was spared from execution;I was banished to the east bank of Liusha River.When full, I would lie dormant in this mountain;When hungry, I would stir the waves to seek food.Woodcutters who met me lost their lives;Fishermen who saw me perished.Coming and going, I ate many humans,Repeatedly causing harmful miasmas.You dare to commit violence at my doorstep?Today, my belly has expectations.Don't say I'm too coarse to taste;Once I seize you, I'll chop you into pickled paste!

Bajie grew furious upon hearing this and cursed, "You wretched creature, you have no sense at all! I, Old Pig, can still squeeze out water foam! How dare you call me coarse and want to chop me into pickled paste! It seems you mistake me for some old wanderer. Don't be rude! Take this rake from your ancestor!" Seeing the rake coming, the monster used a 'Phoenix Nod' maneuver to dodge. The two fought from underwater to the surface, each treading on waves and cresting the billows. This battle was different from the previous one. See how—

The Curtain-Lifting General, Marshal Tianpeng,Each displayed their true magical powers, truly impressive.One's demon-subduing staff spun, striking heads;The other's nine-toothed rake moved swiftly with his hand.They leaped over waves, shaking mountains and rivers,Pushing billows, darkening the world.Fierce as the Grand Duke Jupiter crashing into a banner,Malicious as the Gate of Mourning overturning a precious canopy.One, with a loyal heart, protected Tang Sanzang;The other, laden with crimes, served as a water monster.A single rake scratch left nine marks;A staff blow would shatter the soul.They struggled hard, delighted in their standoff,Intently vying in a contest.All for the sake of the scripture seeker,Their fury surged to the sky, unable to be contained.They stirred up the bream, mackerel, carp, and mandarin fish, causing their fresh scales to peel;Injured the delicate shells of turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and giant turtles;Red shrimp and purple crabs all lost their lives;And all the water deities bowed upwards in supplication.Only the sound of churning waves and rolling billows like thunder could be heard,The sun and moon dimmed, and heaven and earth seemed strange.

The two fought for a full two *shichen* (four hours) without either gaining an advantage. This was truly like a copper basin meeting an iron broom, or a jade chime against a golden bell.

Meanwhile, the Great Sage, protecting Tang Sanzang, stood by his side, watching the two battling on the water with eager anticipation, but it was not his place to intervene. Then Bajie feigned a swing with his rake, pretending to be defeated and retreating, dragging his rake as he fled. The monster pursued him closely, stirring waves and grasping at billows, chasing him to the cliff edge. Bajie cursed, "You wretched monster! Come up here! It's easier to fight on solid ground at this height!" The demon cursed back, "You wretch, you're trying to trick me up there so your accomplice can come! You come down! We'll fight in the water!" It turned out the demon had become clever and refused to come ashore, merely bickering with Bajie at the river's edge. Now, the Traveler saw that it refused to come ashore, and he became so anxious and hot-tempered that he wished he could just grab it. The Traveler said, "Master! You sit down; I'll give him a taste of an eagle preying on its food." With a somersault cloud, he leaped into mid-air and, with a whoosh, descended to seize the demon. The demon was still bickering with Bajie when it suddenly heard a whooshing sound. It quickly turned its head and saw the Traveler descending from the clouds. It immediately withdrew its staff, plunged headfirst into the water, and vanished without a trace. The Traveler stood on the bank and said to Bajie, "Brother, this demon has become cunning. It absolutely refuses to come ashore. What are we to do?" Bajie said, "Difficult, difficult, difficult! I can't defeat him. I've used up all my strength, even my last ounce, and it's still a stalemate." The Traveler said, "Let's go see Master."

The two returned to the high bank, met Tang Sanzang, and explained the difficulty of capturing the demon. The venerable elder's eyes welled up with tears, and he said, "With such hardship, how can we possibly cross?" The Traveler said, "Master, don't worry or fret. This monster hides deep in the water, making it truly difficult to deal with. Bajie, you just stay here and protect Master. Don't fight him anymore. I'll take a trip to the South Sea and return." Bajie asked, "Brother, what business do you have in the South Sea?" The Traveler said, "This scripture-seeking endeavor was originally initiated by Guanyin Bodhisattva; and it was also Guanyin Bodhisattva who released us. Today, our path is blocked by the Liusha River, and we cannot proceed. Without her help, how can we resolve this? It would be better for me to go invite her than to keep fighting this demon." Bajie said, "That's true, that's true. Senior Brother, when you go, please convey my thanks to her: 'I have greatly benefited from your guidance in the past.'" Sanzang said, "Wukong, if you are going to invite the Bodhisattva, then don't hesitate. Go quickly and return soon." The Traveler immediately leaped onto his somersault cloud and headed straight for the South Sea. Lo and behold! In less than half a *shichen* (one hour), he already sighted the realm of Mount Putuo. In a moment, he descended from his somersault cloud, arriving outside the Purple Bamboo Grove. There, he saw the Twenty-Four Devas, who stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Great Sage, why have you come?" The Traveler said, "My master is in trouble, so I have specially come to seek an audience with the Bodhisattva." The Devas said, "Please be seated, while we report your presence." The Deva on duty for the day went directly to the entrance of the Tidal Sound Cave and reported, "Sun Wukong requests an audience on a matter." The Bodhisattva was at that moment leaning on the railing by the Precious Lotus Pond, observing flowers with the Pearl-Holding Dragon Girl. Upon hearing the report, she immediately turned from the cloud-rock, opened the door, and called him in. The Great Sage, solemnly and reverently, bowed in worship.

The Bodhisattva asked, "Why are you not protecting Tang Sanzang? For what reason have you come to see me again?" The Traveler respectfully reported, "Bodhisattva, my master previously took another disciple at Gao Village, named Zhu Bajie, who was also graciously given the Buddhist name Wuneng by you. We have just passed the Yellow Wind Ridge and now arrived at the Eight Hundred Li Liusha River, which is the Three Thousand Weak Waters. My master finds it impossible to cross. There is also a formidable demon in the river. Wuneng fought him bravely three times on the water, but could not defeat him. He is blocking our path, preventing us from crossing the river. Therefore, I specifically appeal to you, Bodhisattva, hoping for your compassion. Please help us cross." The Bodhisattva said, "You monkey, are you being self-satisfied again, unwilling to speak of protecting Tang Sanzang?" The Traveler said, "We only wanted to capture him and make him escort my master across the river. Water matters are not my specialty, and Wuneng only found his lair and talked with him; I suppose he never mentioned the scripture-seeking endeavor." The Bodhisattva said, "The demon of Liusha River is none other than the Curtain-Lifting General, banished to the mortal realm. He is also a devout believer whom I converted, instructing him to protect the scripture seekers. If you had just told him that you were a scripture seeker from the East, he would certainly not have fought with you and would have surely submitted." The Traveler said, "That monster is now timid in battle and refuses to come ashore, only hiding underwater. How can we get him to submit? How can my master cross this weak water?"

The Bodhisattva immediately called Huian (Moksha), took a red gourd from her sleeve, and instructed, "You are to take this gourd with Sun Wukong to the surface of the Liusha River. Just call out 'Wujing,' and he will emerge. First, you must guide him to convert and become a disciple of Tang Sanzang. Then, arrange his nine skulls together according to the Nine Palaces formation, place this gourd in the center, and it will become a dharma boat, capable of carrying Tang Sanzang across the Liusha River." Huian heard this, respectfully obeyed his master's command, and immediately left the Tidal Sound Cave with the Great Sage, carrying the gourd, having received the divine decree, and bade farewell to the Purple Bamboo Grove. As a poem testifies:

The Five Elements match the innate truth,Recognizing the old master from before.Cultivating oneself to lay the foundation for marvelous uses,Discerning good from evil to see the cause.Metal returns to its nature, rejoining its kind;Wood goes to seek understanding, both sinking together.The two earths complete their work in tranquility,Harmonizing water and fire, without a speck of dust.

Not long after, the two of them descended from the clouds and quickly arrived at the bank of the Liusha River. Zhu Bajie recognized him as Moksha the Traveler and led his master forward to greet him. Moksha completed his greetings with Sanzang, then met with Bajie. Bajie said, "Thanks to your guidance, Venerable One, I was able to meet the Bodhisattva. I, Old Pig, truly obeyed the dharma teachings and am now happy to be a Buddhist monk. I've been busy traveling, so I haven't had a chance to express my gratitude. Please forgive me, please forgive me." The Traveler said, "Let's not reminisce. Let's go call that fellow out." Sanzang asked, "Call whom?" The Traveler said, "Old Sun met the Bodhisattva and fully explained what happened. The Bodhisattva said that the demon of Liusha River is actually the Curtain-Lifting General, banished to the mortal realm due to a crime in Heaven. He fell into this river and, forgetting his original form, became a monster. He was once persuaded by the Bodhisattva and agreed to follow Master on the journey to the Western Heaven. However, we never mentioned the scripture-seeking mission, which is why there was such a bitter struggle. Today, the Bodhisattva has dispatched Moksha with this gourd, intending to use it with that fellow to form a dharma boat to carry you across." Sanzang, hearing this, bowed repeatedly in reverence and said to Moksha, "I earnestly implore the Venerable One to proceed quickly." Moksha, holding the gourd, floated amidst clouds and mist directly to the surface of the Liusha River and loudly called out, "Wujing, Wujing! The scripture seeker has been here for a long time; why haven't you submitted yet!" Meanwhile, the monster, fearing the Monkey King, had retreated to the bottom of the water and was resting in its lair. When it heard its Buddhist name called, it immediately knew it was Guanyin Bodhisattva. Upon hearing 'the scripture seeker is here,' it no longer feared axes or halberds. It quickly churned the waves and emerged, recognizing Moksha the Traveler. See how it smiled, approached, and bowed, saying, "Venerable One, I apologize for not welcoming you. Where is the Bodhisattva now?" Moksha said, "My master has not come herself; she first sent me to instruct you to quickly become a disciple of Tang Sanzang. She told you to take the skulls hanging around your neck and this gourd, arrange them according to the Nine Palaces formation to create a dharma boat, and cross this weak water with him." Wujing asked, "Where is the scripture seeker, then?" Moksha pointed with his finger and said, "Isn't that he sitting on the east bank?" Wujing saw Bajie and said, "Who knows where that wretched creature came from? He's been fighting me for two whole days! He never uttered a single word about seeking scriptures!" Then he saw the Traveler and said, "This fellow is his accomplice, and he's extremely fierce! I'm not going." Moksha said, "That's Zhu Bajie, and this is Sun Wukong. Both are Tang Sanzang's disciples, and both were converted by the Bodhisattva. Why should you fear them? Let me take you to meet Tang Sanzang." Only then did Wujing put away his treasure staff, straighten his yellow brocade robe, leap ashore, and kneel on both knees before Tang Sanzang, saying, "Master, this disciple was blind and failed to recognize your venerable presence. I have greatly offended you; please, I beg your forgiveness." Bajie said, "You wretch, why didn't you convert earlier? Why did you keep fighting me? What kind of talk is that!" The Traveler laughed and said, "Brother, don't blame him. It was our fault for not mentioning the scripture-seeking mission or our identities." The elder said, "Are you truly willing to sincerely convert to my teachings?" Wujing said, "This disciple was enlightened by the Bodhisattva, who assigned me the river as my surname and gave me the Buddhist name Sha Wujing. How could I not obey my Master!" Sanzang said, "Since that is the case," and called out, "Wukong, fetch the ordination knife and shave his head." The Great Sage obeyed, took the ordination knife, and shaved his head. He then bowed to Sanzang, and then to the Traveler and Bajie, establishing their respective seniority. Sanzang saw his respectful demeanor, truly like a Buddhist monk, and thus also called him Monk Sha. Moksha said, "Since he has embraced the discipline, there's no need for further formalities. Let us quickly create the dharma boat and depart."

Wujing dared not delay. He immediately took down the skulls hanging from his neck, arranged them with a rope into the Nine Palaces formation, placed the Bodhisattva's gourd in the center, and invited his master to descend to the bank. The venerable elder then boarded the dharma boat and sat upon it. It was indeed as stable as a light skiff. To his left, Bajie supported him; to his right, Wujing held him up. Sun Wukong, holding the dragon horse, followed behind, half in cloud and half in mist. Directly above him, Moksha protected them. Thus, the Master gently and steadily crossed the Liusha River, passing the weak water with calm waves and still winds. Indeed, it was as swift as an arrow. Before long, they reached the other shore, escaping the mighty waves. There was no lingering dampness; fortunately, their feet and hands were dry, their minds serene and empty. The master and disciples stood firmly on solid ground. Moksha brought down his auspicious cloud and retrieved the gourd. Then, the skulls instantly dissolved into nine gusts of dark wind and silently vanished. Sanzang thanked Moksha and prostrated himself in homage to the Bodhisattva (in spirit). Just as Moksha returned directly to the Eastern Ocean, Sanzang mounted his horse and headed west. Ultimately, it is unknown when they will attain enlightenment and retrieve the scriptures. Please listen to the next chapter for the full account.