Chapter 27: Three Corpses Demon Plays Tricks on Tang Sanzang Holy Monk Resents Handsome Monkey King

The next morning, Tripitaka and his disciples prepared to continue their journey. Zhen Yuanzi and Monkey had formed a brotherhood, finding each other deeply agreeable. Zhen Yuanzi was unwilling to let them go and arranged hospitality, causing them to stay for five or six days. Since taking the Life-Restoring Elixir, the Elder felt as though he had been reborn, his spirit refreshed and his body invigorated. However, his heart was set on retrieving the scriptures, and he was unwilling to linger. Finding no alternative, they finally departed.

After bidding farewell and setting off, they soon came upon a tall mountain. Tripitaka said, "Disciples, there's a treacherous mountain ahead. I fear the horse cannot proceed. We must all be very careful." Monkey replied, "Master, rest assured. We will handle it." The magnificent Monkey King, walking ahead of the horse, carried his staff horizontally, cutting a path through the mountain until they ascended a high cliff. Before them lay an endless vista of—

Peaks and rocks layered one upon another, ravines and gullies winding in circles. Tigers and wolves roamed in packs, deer and musk deer moved in herds. Countless roebucks clustered together, while foxes and rabbits gathered in thickets across the mountains. Pythons a thousand feet long, serpents ten thousand feet in length. The pythons spewed forth somber mists, the long serpents exhaled strange winds. Thorns and brambles tangled along the path, while the pines and nanmu trees on the ridge stood beautifully. Wild vines filled the view, fragrant grasses stretched to the horizon. Shadows fell to the north of the ocean, clouds parted south of the Big Dipper. For eons, ancient vital energy lingered, and a chill sun cast its light upon the towering peaks.

The Elder was startled on horseback. The Great Sage Sun, demonstrating his prowess, swung his iron staff and let out a roar, scaring the wolves and insects into a frantic scramble, and the tigers and leopards into headlong flight. As the master and disciples proceeded into the mountain, reaching a craggy area, Tripitaka said, "Wukong, I'm hungry today. Where can you beg for some food?" Monkey chuckled, "Master, you're not very sensible. In the middle of this mountain, with no village ahead and no inn behind, even with money, there's nowhere to buy food. Where do you expect me to find a meal?" Tripitaka grew displeased and cursed aloud, "You monkey! Think back to when you were trapped in the stone casket by the Buddha at Five Elements Mountain, able to speak but not to move. It was thanks to me that your life was saved, that you received the tonsure and precepts, and became my disciple. Why are you unwilling to work hard and always harbor lazy thoughts?" Monkey replied, "Your disciple has been quite diligent. When have I ever been lazy?" Tripitaka retorted, "If you're so diligent, why don't you beg for food for me to eat? How can I travel on an empty stomach? Moreover, with the mountain miasma here, how can we reach the Thunderclap Monastery?" Monkey said, "Master, don't be upset and speak so much. I know you're proud and if I slight you too much, you'll start reciting that incantation. Get off your horse and sit steadily. I'll go search for a household to beg for food."

Monkey leaped up into the clouds, cupped his hand over his brow, and gazed intently. Alas, the Western road was exceedingly desolate, devoid of manors or households. It was truly a place where trees were abundant but human dwellings rare. After a long search, he saw a tall mountain directly to the south. On the sunny side of the mountain, there was a patch of bright red dots. Monkey descended from the clouds and said, "Master, there's something to eat!" The Elder asked what it was. Monkey replied, "There are no households here to beg for food. Those red spots on the southern mountain must be ripe mountain peaches. I'll go pick a few for you to fill your stomach." Tripitaka joyfully exclaimed, "For a monk, getting peaches to eat is a blessing! Go quickly!" Monkey took his alms bowl, shot up with auspicious light, and you could see him tumbling through the air, causing a chilly wind. In a moment, he dashed off to the southern mountain to pick peaches, a task not needing further mention.

As the saying goes: where mountains are high, there are bound to be monsters; where ridges are steep, spirits are born. Indeed, there was a demon on this mountain, and when the Great Sage Sun departed, he alerted the monster. From the clouds, treading on an ominous wind, the monster saw the Elder sitting on the ground and was overjoyed, exclaiming, "What a stroke of luck! For years, my household has spoken of the Tang Monk from the East who is on a quest for Mahayana scriptures. He is actually the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, the very essence of ten lifetimes of cultivation. Anyone who eats a piece of his flesh will achieve eternal life and immortality. And now, he truly has arrived today!" The demon stepped forward, intending to seize him, but saw that the Elder was guarded by two powerful generals on either side, preventing it from approaching. Who were these two generals? They were Pigsy and Sandy. Although Pigsy and Sandy didn't possess great powers, Pigsy was once the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopies and Sandy the Curtain-Lifting General. Their inherent aura of authority had not yet dissipated, which was why the demon dared not approach. The demon thought, "Let me try to trick them and see what happens."

The cunning demon stopped its ominous wind in a mountain hollow, then transformed itself into a maiden of moon-like countenance and flower-like beauty. One could not fully describe her clear brows and bright eyes, white teeth and red lips. In her left hand, she carried a green earthenware pot, and in her right, a green porcelain bottle. From west to east, she walked directly towards Tang Monk—

The holy monk rested his horse by the mountain rock, when suddenly he saw the skirted maiden approach. Her jade-like fingers swayed gently within her green sleeves, her embroidered skirt trailed, revealing her tiny, graceful steps. Sweat glistened on her powdered face like dew on a flower, and dust veiled her arched brows like mist on willows. As they fixed their gaze upon her, she drew nearer and nearer, until she stood by their side.

Tripitaka saw her and called out, "Pigsy, Sandy! Wukong just said this wilderness was uninhabited, but look, isn't someone walking out from over there?" Pigsy said, "Master, you and Sandy sit. Let Old Pig go and take a look." The idiotic fellow put down his rake, straightened his monastic robe, and with a swaying gait, feigned an air of refinement as he went to greet her face to face. Indeed, what seemed indistinct from afar became clear up close. The maiden was born with—

Skin like ice concealing jade bones, her collar revealed a hint of her fair bosom. Willow brows piled with dark green, almond eyes shimmering like silver stars. Her countenance was as lovely as the moon, her nature inherently pure. Her form like a swallow hidden in willows, her voice like an oriole warbling in the forest. Like a half-opened crabapple enshrouded by dawn light, or a peony just blooming in clear spring weather.

When Pigsy saw her beauty, the idiotic fellow's worldly desires were stirred. He couldn't help but babble, calling out, "Lady Bodhisattva, where are you going? What are you carrying in your hands?" It was clearly a demon, but he failed to recognize it. The maiden replied promptly, "Elder, in this green pot I have fragrant rice, and in the green bottle, stir-fried gluten. I've come here for no other reason than to fulfill a vow to offer alms to monks." Upon hearing this, Pigsy was overjoyed. He quickly turned and, running like a pig possessed, reported to Tripitaka, "Master! Good people are always rewarded by Heaven! You're hungry, and you sent our elder brother to beg for food, but that monkey is off picking peaches somewhere, playing around. Too many peaches can be rather upsetting to the stomach, and a bit purgative too. Look, isn't that a person bringing alms for monks?" Tang Monk disbelieved him, saying, "You clumsy oaf, talking nonsense! We've traveled this far and haven't met a single good person. Where would someone offering alms to monks come from?" Pigsy pointed, "Master, isn't she here now?"

Upon seeing her, Tripitaka immediately sprang up, pressed his palms together before his chest, and said, "Lady Bodhisattva, where is your residence? What kind of family are you from? What vow has brought you here to offer alms to monks?" She was clearly a demon, but the Elder failed to recognize her. Seeing Tripitaka inquire about her background, the demon immediately concocted a false story, using flattering words to deceive him: "Master, this mountain is called White Tiger Ridge, where even snakes turn back and beasts fear to tread. My home is directly to the west, at the foot of the mountain. My parents are still alive, they are devout and kind, studying scriptures and widely offering alms to monks from near and far. Because they had no son, they prayed for blessings and thus bore me. They wished for me to marry into a good family, but fearing they would have no one to rely on in their old age, they had no choice but to find a son-in-law for me to care for them in their golden years." Tripitaka heard this and said, "Lady Bodhisattva, your words are amiss. The holy scriptures say: while parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one must travel, there must be a proper destination. Since your parents are alive and you have a son-in-law, if you have a vow, you should let your husband fulfill it. Why are you walking in the mountains yourself? And without any attendants. This is not adhering to a woman's proper conduct." The maiden, smiling sweetly, quickly offered a charming reply: "Master, my husband is in a hollow on the north side of the mountain, with a few guests tilling the fields. This is the lunch I cooked for them. It's the fifth or sixth month, and we have no servants, and my parents are old, so I came to deliver it myself. When I suddenly encountered you three from afar, I remembered my parents' kindness, and thus wished to offer this meal as alms. If you do not disdain it, I offer this humble gift." Tripitaka said, "Excellent, excellent! My disciple has gone to pick fruits and will return soon. I dare not eat this. If I, a humble monk, were to eat your food, and your husband found out and scolded you, wouldn't I be to blame?" Seeing Tripitaka unwilling to eat, the maiden's face beamed with a spring-like expression as she said, "Master, my parents offering alms to monks is a small matter. My husband is even more charitable. All his life, he has delighted in repairing bridges and roads, and loving the old and pitying the poor. If he were to hear that this food was given to you, Master, it would make our marital affection even stronger than usual." Tripitaka still refused to eat, which greatly annoyed Pigsy nearby. The idiotic fellow pouted, grumbling, "There are countless monks in the world, but none as weak and indecisive as our old monk! He won't eat perfectly good food that's ready to be eaten, just waiting for that monkey to come back so it can be divided into four portions before he'll eat!" Without waiting for further discussion, he nudged the pot over with his snout, about to start eating.

Just then, Monkey returned from the top of the southern mountain, having picked a few peaches, carrying his alms bowl, and arriving with a somersault. He opened his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze to scan, recognized the maiden as a demon, put down his alms bowl, pulled out his iron staff, and struck directly at her head. The Elder was so startled that he quickly grabbed him, saying, "Wukong! Who are you rushing to strike?" Monkey said, "Master, don't mistake this woman before you for a good person. She's a demon trying to deceive you!" Tripitaka said, "You monkey head! You used to have some discernment, but today you're talking nonsense! This Lady Bodhisattva has such a kind heart, bringing this food to offer to us. How can you say she's a demon?" Monkey laughed, "Master, how could you recognize her? When Old Sun was a demon in the Water Curtain Cave, if I wanted to eat human flesh, this is exactly how I'd do it. I'd transform into gold and silver, or a manor, or a drunkard, or a beautiful woman. If some fool were to fall for me, I'd lure them into my cave and then cook them to my heart's content, either steaming or boiling them. If I couldn't finish, I'd even dry them to save for cloudy days! Master, if I had come a moment later, you would surely have fallen into her trap and met a cruel end!" Tang Monk, however, would not believe him, insisting she was a good person. Monkey said, "Master, I know what's going on with you. Seeing her beauty, your worldly desires must have been stirred. If that's truly your intention, tell Pigsy to chop down a few trees and Sandy to find some grass, and I, being a carpenter, will build a temporary dwelling right here. You can then marry her and complete your business, and we can all go our separate ways. Wouldn't that be a fine undertaking? Why bother with all this arduous travel to fetch scriptures!"

The Elder was by nature a gentle and kind person, and he could not bear such words, his bald head and ears flushing crimson with shame. While Tripitaka was thus shamed, Monkey's temper flared again. He drew his iron staff and struck the demon squarely in the face. The monster, possessing some skill, used a 'corpse-severing' technique. When Monkey's staff came down, it invigorated its spirit, slipped away beforehand, and left behind a false corpse which was struck dead on the ground. The Elder was so frightened that he trembled, muttering, "This monkey is truly insolent! Despite repeated warnings, he refuses to listen and wantonly takes human lives!" Monkey said, "Master, don't blame me. Just come and see what's in this pot." Sandy helped the Elder approach to look. Where was the fragrant rice? It was a pot full of long, trailing maggots! And it wasn't stir-fried gluten, but several frogs and toads hopping wildly all over the ground. The Elder was only about a third convinced, but Pigsy, feeling indignant, piped up eight parts of mischief from the side: "Master, about that woman, she's a local farmer's wife. She was bringing food to the fields and met us by chance. How could you accuse her of being a demon? Our elder brother's staff is heavy, and he just went over to try it out, not expecting to kill her! He's afraid you'll recite the Fillet-Tightening Spell, so he deliberately used a trick to conjure up these things to blind you and stop you from reciting the spell!" Tripitaka, indeed easily swayed, believed him again and resumed reciting the spell. Monkey immediately cried out, "My head hurts, my head hurts! Stop, stop! Just speak if you have something to say!" Tripitaka said, "What is there to say! A monk must always act with convenience and never abandon good intentions. One sweeps the floor fearing to harm ants, and covers lamps with gauze to protect moths. How can you commit violence with every step, killing an innocent person for no reason? What good is it to obtain scriptures then? Go back!" Monkey asked, "Master, where do you want me to go back to?" Tripitaka replied, "I don't want you as my disciple." Monkey said, "If you don't want me as your disciple, I fear you won't be able to reach the Western Heaven." Tripitaka retorted, "My fate is in Heaven. If that demon is meant to steam me and eat me, or boil me, it cannot be avoided. You can't possibly save me from my destined end, can you? Go back quickly!" Monkey said, "Master, I could go back, but I haven't repaid your kindness yet." Tripitaka asked, "What kindness have I shown you?" Upon hearing this, the Great Sage immediately knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Old Sun suffered a grievous tribulation because of my havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and I was imprisoned by the Buddha beneath Five Elements Mountain. Fortunately, Bodhisattva Guanyin granted me precepts, and fortunately, Master, you saved me. If I don't accompany you to the Western Heaven, it would show me to be ungrateful and not a true gentleman, earning me eternal scorn for thousands of generations." As it turned out, Tang Monk was a compassionate holy monk. Seeing Monkey's plea, he also had a change of heart and said, "Since you put it that way, I will spare you this once. Do not be disrespectful again. If you revert to your old wickedness, I will recite this spell backward twenty times!" Monkey said, "Thirty times would be fine by me, as long as I don't hit anyone." Then he helped Tang Monk mount his horse and offered the picked peaches. Tripitaka ate a few peaches on horseback, temporarily satisfying his hunger.

Meanwhile, the demon, having escaped death, ascended into the sky. It turned out that Monkey's staff had not killed the demon; its spirit had merely departed. From the clouds, it gnashed its teeth, secretly resenting Monkey, "For years, I've only heard of his powers, and today the rumors prove true. That Tang Monk already didn't recognize me and was about to eat. If he had just lowered his head to sniff it, I would have seized him at once, and wouldn't he have been mine? Unexpectedly, he came and ruined my scheme, and I was almost struck by his staff. If I let this monk go, it would truly be a wasted effort. I shall go down and trick him again." The cunning demon descended on an ominous wind, and at the foot of the front mountain slope, transformed itself into an old woman, full eighty years old, leaning on a curved bamboo staff, walking step by step, weeping with each stride. Pigsy saw her and cried out in alarm, "Master, this is bad! That old lady is looking for someone!" Tripitaka asked, "Who is she looking for?" Pigsy said, "It must be the daughter our elder brother killed. This must be her mother coming to find her." Monkey said, "Brother, don't talk nonsense! That maiden was eighteen, and this old woman is eighty. How could she have given birth in her sixties? This is definitely a fake. Let Old Sun go and take a look." The excellent Monkey walked quickly forward to observe. That monster—

Falsely transformed into an old woman, her temples were like ice and snow. Her walk was slow and ponderous, her steps weak and faltering. Her frail body was gaunt and thin, her face like a withered vegetable leaf. Her cheekbones protruded upwards, her lips drooped downwards. Old age was not like youth; her face was covered in folds like lotus leaves.

Monkey recognized her as a demon and, without a word, raised his staff and struck directly at her head. When the monster saw the staff raised, it again invigorated itself, its true spirit departed, and another false corpse was struck dead on the mountain path. Upon seeing this, Tripitaka was so shocked he fell off his horse and lay on the roadside. Without another word, he recited the Fillet-Tightening Spell backward a full twenty times. Poor Monkey's head was squeezed so tightly it resembled a constricted gourd, causing unbearable pain. He rolled about, pleading, "Master, stop reciting! Just speak if you have something to say!" Tripitaka said, "What is there to say! A monk hears good words and does not fall into hell. I have admonished you repeatedly, yet why do you only commit violence? You've killed one innocent person, then another. What do you have to say for yourself?" Monkey insisted, "She was a demon." Tripitaka exclaimed, "This monkey talks nonsense! Are there really so many demons? You are one who has no heart for goodness and deliberately commits evil. Go away!" Monkey said, "Master, you're telling me to leave again. I could go back, but there's just one thing that doesn't sit right." Tripitaka asked, "What doesn't sit right with you?" Pigsy chimed in, "Master, he wants to divide the baggage with you. He's been a monk following you for several years; he can't go back empty-handed, can he? Just give him a couple of old robes or worn-out hats from the baggage." Hearing this, Monkey was so furious he jumped up and down, exclaiming, "You pointed-mouthed oaf! Old Sun has always upheld the monastic teachings, never harboring a shred of jealousy or greed. Why would I want to divide any baggage?" Tripitaka said, "If you're neither jealous nor greedy, why don't you leave then?"

"...on my head. If I were to go back, it would be difficult to face my hometown people. Master, if you truly don't want me, just recite the Fillet-Loosening Spell, remove this band, give it to you, and you can put it on someone else's head. Then I would be happy and content. After all, I've followed you for a while. Is there no human consideration left for me?" Tripitaka was greatly surprised, "Wukong, at that time, Bodhisattva merely secretly imparted to me the Fillet-Tightening Spell. There is no Fillet-Loosening Spell!" Monkey said, "If there's no Fillet-Loosening Spell, then just let me continue with you." The Elder, having no alternative, said, "Get up for now. I'll spare you this one more time, but you must not commit