Chapter 29: Escape from danger, arriving at the homeland Grateful Bajie turns to the mountain forest

The poem says:Do not try to forcibly eliminate delusive thoughts; what need is there to seek the truth?The original self-nature is cultivated before the Buddha; how can enlightenment and delusion exist separately?Enlightenment occurs in an instant, leading to righteousness; while delusion leads to eternal wandering.If one thought aligns with true cultivation, all countless sins and impurities will be eradicated.

Now, Pigsy and Sandy fought the monster for some thirty rounds, with neither gaining an advantage. You might wonder why there was no victor? If it were purely a test of skill, not even two monks, but twenty, could not have defeated that demon. It was only because Tang Monk was not destined to die that the guardian deities secretly protected him. In the sky, there were also the Six Ding and Six Jia divine generals, the Five Directional Revealers, the Four Duty Merit Officers, and eighteen Guardian Garlands of Buddhism, all assisting Pigsy and Sandy.

While the three of them were fighting, the Elder was weeping in the cave, thinking of his disciples. Tears streamed from his eyes as he cried, “Wuneng, I wonder in which village you have met a kind friend and indulged in their offerings! Wujing, I wonder where you are searching for him, and if you have found each other? Little do you know that I have encountered a demon and am suffering here! When will I reunite with you two, escape this great tribulation, and swiftly reach the Spirit Mountain!” As he grieved and fretted, he suddenly saw a woman emerge from the cave. She approached the Soul-Fixing Pillar and called out, “Elder, where do you come from? Why are you bound here?”

Hearing this, the Elder secretly gazed through his tearful eyes at the woman, who appeared to be about thirty years old. He then said, “Lady Bodhisattva, there is no need to ask. I am already a dead man, having walked into your home. Eat me if you must; why question me further?” The woman replied, “I do not eat people. My home is over three hundred miles west of here. There is a city called Baoxiang Kingdom. I am the third princess of that king, and my milk name is Hundred Flowers Shame. Thirteen years ago, on the night of the fifteenth of the eighth month, while enjoying the moon, this demon captured me with a gust of wind. I have been his wife for thirteen years, bearing children here, with no news of returning to the court. I long for my parents but cannot see them. Where do you come from, and how were you caught by him?”

Tang Monk said, “This humble monk was dispatched to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures. Unexpectedly, I wandered off and stumbled into this place. Now he plans to capture my two disciples and steam us all to eat.” The princess smiled apologetically and said, “Elder, compose yourself. Since you are fetching scriptures, I can save you. Baoxiang Kingdom is on your main road to the West. If you would carry a letter for me to my parents, I will persuade him to spare you.” Tripitaka nodded and said, “Lady Bodhisattva, if you can save this humble monk’s life, I am willing to be your messenger.”

The princess quickly went to the back, wrote a family letter, sealed it properly, then returned to the pillar, unbound Tang Monk, and handed him the letter. Tang Monk, now free, held the letter and said, “Lady Bodhisattva, I thank you greatly for saving my life. On my journey, I will pass through your esteemed country and deliver this to the King. I only fear that after so many years, your parents may not recognize you. What then? Please do not blame this humble monk if I spoke falsely.” The princess said, “No matter. My father has no sons, only us three sisters. If he sees this letter, he will surely want to acknowledge it.”

Tripitaka carefully tucked the letter into his sleeve, thanked the princess, and started to walk out. The princess pulled him back, saying, “You cannot go out the front gate! All those greater and lesser demons are outside, waving flags, beating drums and gongs, assisting their King in fighting your disciples. Go out the back gate instead. If the Great King catches you, he might question you further. But if the minor demons capture you, they might not distinguish good from bad and could injure or kill you. Let me go to him and speak a word for you. If the Great King releases you, then I will ask your disciples for instructions on how to find you, so you can leave together.” Hearing this, Tripitaka bowed his head, humbly followed her instructions, bid farewell to the princess, and hid outside the back gate, not daring to proceed on his own, concealing himself in a thicket of thorns.

The princess, having conceived a clever plan, hurried forward, stepped out of the cave, and parted the crowd of greater and lesser demons. She heard the clanging of weapons and realized that Pigsy, Sandy, and the monster were fighting in mid-air. The princess cried out loudly, “My Yellow Robed Lord!” The demon king heard the princess calling him, immediately dropped Pigsy and Sandy, descended on his cloud, grasped his steel saber, and approached the princess, saying, “My dear wife, what is it?”

The princess replied, “My Lord, I was just sleeping within the embroidered curtains. In my dream, I suddenly saw a golden-armored deity.” The demon king asked, “What golden-armored deity? Why did he come to my door?” The princess said, “When I was young, in the palace, I secretly made a vow to a deity: if I could marry a worthy husband, I would ascend a famous mountain, visit an immortal abode, and offer alms to monks. Since I married you, my husband, we have been joyful, and I have never mentioned it again. That golden-armored deity came to claim the vow and woke me up, but it was just a fleeting dream. Therefore, I hastily prepared myself to tell you, my Lord. Unexpectedly, I saw a monk bound to that pillar. I earnestly hope, my Lord, that you will be merciful and, for my sake, spare that monk. Consider it fulfilling my vow to feed monks. Would my Lord agree?”

The monster replied, “My dear wife, you are too sensitive! What a trivial matter. If I want to eat people, can’t I just snatch a few to eat from anywhere? What’s one monk? I’ll let him go.” The princess said, “My Lord, let him go out the back gate.” The demon king said, “How troublesome! Just let him go, what does it matter if it’s the front or back gate?” He then wielded his steel saber and shouted, “Pigsy, come here! It’s not that I’m afraid of you or won’t fight you. For my wife’s sake, I’m sparing your master. Hurry and find him by the back gate and go west. If you dare to trespass on my territory again, I will absolutely not spare you!”

Hearing this, Pigsy and Sandy felt as if they had been released from the gates of hell. They quickly led the horse and carried the luggage, scampering away. Turning around the back of Wave Moon Cave, they called out, “Master!” The Elder recognized their voices and answered from the thorny thicket. Sandy then parted the thorny path, helped his Master, and hastily mounted the horse.

Here —Cruelty nearly met the blue-faced ghost, but kindness came from Hundred Flowers Shame.Like a leviathan escaping a golden hook, it swished its tail and shook its head, swimming with the waves.

Pigsy led the way, with Sandy following behind. They exited the pine forest and got onto the main road. You could hear the two of them complaining and grumbling, while Tripitaka merely tried to mediate. They sought lodging at dusk and departed early at dawn, travelling stage by stage, through long and short pavilions. Unknowingly, they had covered two hundred and ninety-nine miles. Suddenly looking up, they saw a beautiful city – it was Baoxiang Kingdom. What a truly splendid place it was—

Clouds drifted vaguely, the road stretched far.Though a thousand miles away, the scenery was equally abundant.Auspicious mists and propitious vapors enveloped it, clear breezes and bright moon swayed.Distant mountains, clustered and verdant, opened like a grand painting;Babbling, gurgling streams splashed like broken jades.Fields suitable for cultivation, stretching for miles, lush with fertile sprouts, provided ample food.Fishermen’s homes nestled by three river bends, woodcutters carried their loads of pepper from two peaks.Fortifications were strong and city walls impregnable; every home and every household lived in carefree bliss.High palaces, nine-layered, resembled heavenly halls; towering terraces, ten thousand feet high, were like brocade banners.There were the Taiji Hall, Huagai Hall, Shaoxiang Hall, Guanwen Hall, Xuanzheng Hall, Yan’ying Hall—each hall with jade steps and golden stairs, lined with civil and military officials in their caps and uniforms.There were also the Daming Palace, Zhaoyang Palace, Changle Palace, Huaqing Palace, Jianzhang Palace, Weiyang Palace—each palace with the sound of bells and drums, dispersing the spring sorrows of the inner chambers.In the imperial gardens, dewy flowers adorned tender faces; by the imperial moats, willows danced their slender waists in the wind.On the main avenues, some wore crowns and sashes, majestic in appearance, riding five horses;In secluded spots, some carried bows and arrows, parting clouds and mist, piercing twin eagles.Lanes of flowers and willows, pavilions of music, their spring breeze rivaled Luoyang Bridge.The scripture-fetching Elder, looking back at the Great Tang, felt his heart tear;The disciples accompanying their Master, resting their shoulders at a small inn, their souls drifted in dreams.

The sights of Baoxiang Kingdom were endless. The three of them, Master and disciples, gathered their luggage and horse, and settled down at the post station.

Tang Monk walked to the outside of the palace gate and spoke to the Ambassador of the Gate Tower: “There is a monk from the Tang Dynasty who wishes to have an audience with His Majesty to exchange travel rescripts. May I trouble you to announce him?” The official, who was responsible for announcing visitors to the Yellow Gate, quickly walked to the white jade steps and reported, “Your Majesty, there is a venerable monk from the Tang Dynasty who wishes to have an audience and exchange travel rescripts.” The King, upon hearing that he was from the great Tang Empire and was a venerable monk, was greatly pleased. He immediately approved the request, saying, “Admit him!”

Tripitaka was summoned to the golden steps. He performed the required dance and mountain-shouting salute. The civil and military officials on both sides all exclaimed, “What elegant manners from a noble land!” The King asked, “Elder, what brings you to my kingdom?” Tripitaka replied, “This humble monk is a Buddhist disciple from the Tang Dynasty, bearing an imperial decree from our Emperor to journey to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures. I possess an original travel rescript, and it is proper that I exchange it upon reaching Your Majesty’s exalted country. Thus, I presumed to come here and disturb Your Dragon Visage.”

The King said, “Since you have a travel rescript from the Tang Emperor, bring it forth for me to see.” Tripitaka presented it with both hands, unfolding it upon the imperial desk. The rescript read:

“A rescript from the Tang Emperor, who by the grace of Heaven and in accordance with fate, rules the Great Tang Empire in Nanshanbuzhou.

We, though of meager virtue, have inherited this grand foundation. We serve the spirits and govern the people, treading on thin ice, always in trepidation, morning and night. Previously, due to our failure to rescue the Old Dragon of Jing River, we incurred the wrath of our August Imperial Sovereign. Our three souls and seven spirits momentarily descended to the underworld, becoming a guest of impermanence. However, as our lifespan was not yet exhausted, we were granted release by the King of the Underworld to return to life. We widely established benevolent assemblies and held rituals to deliver the deceased. We were touched by the appearance of the Golden-Bodied Guanyin Bodhisattva, who indicated that in the Western Heaven there are Buddhas and scriptures that can deliver the departed and transcend lonely souls. Therefore, we specifically commission Dharma Master Xuanzang to travel afar through a thousand mountains to seek out scriptures and verses. Should he reach the Western nations, may good karma not be extinguished, and may he be allowed passage according to this rescript. This rescript is hereby issued.

On an auspicious autumn day in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, Great Tang Dynasty.Imperial Rescript.”(Bearing nine imperial seals)

The King saw it, took his own jade seal, applied his royal mark, and handed it to Tripitaka. Tripitaka thanked him for the favor, put away the rescript, and then added, “This humble monk has come not only to exchange the travel rescript, but also to deliver a family letter to Your Majesty.” The King was overjoyed, asking, “What letter?” Tripitaka said, “Your Majesty’s third Princess was captured by the Yellow Robed Demon of Wave Moon Cave in Bowl Mountain. This humble monk chanced upon her, and thus she entrusted me with a letter.”

Hearing this, the King’s eyes filled with tears. “For thirteen years now, the princess has been missing. How many civil and military officials have been demoted, and how many maids and eunuchs, both inside and outside the palace, have been beaten to death? We always believed she had wandered out of the palace, lost her way, and could not be found. Countless commoners throughout the city were interrogated, but there was no trace. Who knew she had been carried off by a demon! To suddenly hear this news today fills me with such sorrow and moves me to tears.”

Tripitaka took the letter from his sleeve and presented it. The King received it and, seeing the words “Peace” on it, his hands trembled so much he could not open it. He issued an edict to summon a Grand Academician from the Hanlin Academy to read the letter aloud in the hall. The academician immediately ascended the hall. In front of the hall stood numerous civil and military officials, and behind the hall were empresses and palace maids, all eager to hear the letter. The academician opened it and recited clearly. It read:

“Your unfilial daughter, Hundred Flowers Shame, bows her head a hundred times before Your Majesty, the Great Virtuous Father King, ten thousand years to the Dragon Phoenix Hall, and to the three Imperial Mothers in Zhaoyang Palace, and to all the worthy civil and military ministers of the court.

Your humble daughter, fortunate to be born into the imperial family, is filled with boundless gratitude for your toil and care, yet has been unable to exert herself to bring joy to your countenance and wholeheartedly fulfill her filial duty. It was on the auspicious night of the fifteenth of the eighth month, thirteen years ago, when by Your Majesty’s gracious decree, all the palaces held banquets to enjoy the moonlight and share in the joyous celebration of the clear night. Amidst the merriment, a sudden gust of fragrant wind, and out flashed a golden-eyed, blue-faced, green-haired demon king, who seized your daughter. He rode auspicious light directly to an uninhabited area in the Half-Wild Mountain, where, unable to resist or distinguish, she was forcibly taken as his wife. Thus, she helplessly endured for thirteen years, bearing two demonic children, all of the demon’s种.

To speak of this is truly a disgrace to human relations and a violation of moral customs, and it is improper to send this letter and cause defilement. But I fear that after my death, the truth would not be clear. While holding resentment and longing for my parents, it happened that a holy monk from the Tang Dynasty was also captured by the demon king. Your daughter, with tears, wrote this letter, daring to release him, and specially entrusted this small piece of paper to express her innermost feelings. I humbly pray that Your Majesty will show mercy and dispatch a high general soon to Bowl Mountain’s Wave Moon Cave to capture the Yellow Robed Demon, rescue your daughter, and bring her back to court, which would be a profound act of grace.Humbly and hastily written, awaiting further face-to-face instructions.

Your rebellious daughter, Hundred Flowers Shame, bows her head again and again.”

After the academician finished reading the family letter, the King burst into tears, the three empresses wept, and the civil and military officials were filled with sorrow. Everyone, front and back, mourned. After weeping for a long time, the King asked the two rows of civil and military officials, “Who among you dares to raise an army and lead generals to capture the demon for Us and rescue Our Princess Hundred Flowers?” He asked several times, but not a single person dared to answer. They were truly like wooden statues of generals and clay figures of civil officials.

The King grew distressed, tears gushing like a spring. Then, all the officials prostrated themselves and reported, “Your Majesty, please cease your vexation. The Princess has been missing for thirteen years without a trace. We chanced upon a letter brought by this holy monk from the Tang Dynasty, but its veracity is still unknown. Moreover, we, your humble servants, are all mere mortals with mortal horses, versed in military strategy and tactics, only capable of arraying troops and setting up camps to protect the country from invasion. That demon, however, travels by cloud and mist; we cannot even face him, so how can we conquer and rescue her? We believe that the scripture-fetcher from the Eastern Land is a holy monk from a superior nation. This monk’s Tao is so profound that dragons and tigers submit to him, and his virtue is so great that ghosts and spirits revere him. He must possess the art of subduing demons. As the saying goes, ‘He who speaks of right and wrong is the one who causes it.’ We suggest inviting this Elder to subdue the evil demon and rescue the Princess; that would be the most comprehensive strategy.”

Hearing this, the King quickly turned around and invited Tripitaka, saying, “Elder, if you possess the means, exert your magic power to capture the demon and bring my child back to court. You need not even go to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha, nor keep your hair long. We shall become sworn brothers, sit together on the Dragon Throne, and share in wealth and honor. How does that sound?” Tripitaka hastily replied, “This humble monk merely knows how to chant Buddha’s name; he truly does not know how to subdue demons.” The King said, “If you cannot subdue demons, how dare you go to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha?” The Elder could not conceal it any longer and spoke of his two disciples. He reported, “Your Majesty, this humble monk alone could truly not have reached this place. This humble monk has two disciples who are skilled at clearing roads through mountains and building bridges over water, and they have protected this humble monk to this point.”

The King exclaimed in surprise, “You, monk, are most unreasonable! Since you have disciples, why did you not bring them in to see Us? If they had come to court, though there might not be specially desired rewards, there would certainly be fitting vegetarian offerings.” Tripitaka said, “This humble monk’s disciples are unsightly, and I dared not presumptuously bring them into court, fearing they might alarm Your Majesty’s Dragon Form.” The King laughed and said, “Look at this monk talking! Do you mean to say We would be afraid of them?” Tripitaka said, “I dare not say so. My eldest disciple’s surname is Zhu, and his Buddhist name is Wuneng, or Pigsy. He has a long snout, tusks, stiff bristles, and fan-like ears; his body is huge and his belly enormous, and he moves with a gust of wind. My second disciple’s surname is Sha, and his Buddhist name is Wujing, or Sandy. He is twelve feet tall, with arms three spans wide, a face like indigo, and a mouth like a basin of blood; his eyes flash with light, and his teeth are like row upon row of nails. They both look like this, which is why I dared not presumptuously lead them into court.” The King said, “Since you have described them in such a way, why should We fear them? Summon them in!” He immediately dispatched a golden plaque to the post station to invite them.

Pigsy, hearing the invitation, said to Sandy, “Brother, you haven’t seen the good of delivering the letter yet! I reckon Master delivered the letter, and the King must have thought: ‘The letter-bearer should not be neglected; a banquet must be prepared for him.’ Since his eating capacity is not good, but ours is, he mentioned our names. That’s why a golden plaque was sent to invite us. Let’s all have a good meal, and then we can travel well tomorrow.” Sandy said, “Brother, we don’t know what the reason is; let’s just go.” So they entrusted their luggage and horse to the station-master, each carrying their personal weapons, and followed the golden plaque into the court. They quickly arrived at the white jade steps, stood to the left and right, gave a bow, and then stood still.

None of the civil and military officials were unafraid. They all said, “These two monks, never mind their ugliness, are simply too crude! How can they see our King and not even prostrate themselves? After a mere bow, they stand straight and tall, how peculiar, how peculiar!” Pigsy heard them and said, “Gentlemen, no need to discuss it. This is just how we are. At first glance, we might be a bit ugly, but if you look at us for a while, we’re quite bearable.”

The King was already alarmed by their ugliness. When he heard Pigsy speak, his heart trembled even more, and he could not sit steady, tumbling off the Dragon Throne. Fortunately, a nearby attendant official helped him up. Tang Monk, in a panic, knelt before the hall, continuously kowtowing and saying, “Your Majesty, this humble monk deserves ten thousand deaths! I said my disciples were unsightly and dared not let them appear before you, fearing to alarm your Dragon Form, and indeed, I have startled Your Majesty!” The King, trembling, walked closer and helped him up, saying, “Elder, it’s fortunate you warned Us beforehand; if you hadn’t, and We had suddenly seen them, We would surely have been scared to death!”

After a long time, the King composed himself and asked, “Elder Zhu and Elder Sha, which of you is skilled in subduing demons?” Pigsy, unaware of propriety, answered, “Old Pig is skilled in subduing.” The King asked, “How do you subdue them?” Pigsy replied, “I was once Marshal Tian Peng, but due to committing a crime against heavenly laws, I was banished to the mortal world. Fortunately, I have now converted to Buddhism. Since coming from the Eastern Land, I am the foremost at subduing demons.” The King said, “Since you were a heavenly general descended to the mortal world, you must be skilled in transformations.” Pigsy said, “I dare not boast, I just happen to know a few transformations.” The King said, “Try one for me to see.” Pigsy said, “Please give me a topic, and I will transform according to the example.” The King said, “Transform into something large.”

Pigsy, who possessed thirty-six transformations, decided to show off his skill before the steps. He quickly pinched a magic seal, recited a spell, and shouted, “Grow!” He bent at the waist and grew eight or nine zhang tall, like a divine path-opener. This scared the civil and military officials on both sides, making them tremble; the entire court, monarch and ministers, stared in stupefaction. At that moment, a General of the Imperial Guard asked, “Elder, if you grow so tall, how far will you reach before you stop?” Pigsy then blurted out a foolish remark, “Depends on the wind. An east wind is fine, a west wind is tolerable. But if a south wind blows, I’ll poke a huge hole in the blue sky!” The King was greatly alarmed and said, “Revert your magic power; We understand your transformation now.” Pigsy shrank his body and returned to his original form, standing by the steps.

The King then asked, “Elder, what weapon will you use to engage in battle?” Pigsy pulled out his rake from his waist and said, “Old Pig uses this nine-toothed rake.” The King laughed and said, “That’s a disgrace to the imperial presence! We have plenty of whips, cudgels, maces, hammers, swords, spears, halberds, axes, scimitars, and sickles here. Choose any one that suits you. What kind of weapon is that rake?” Pigsy said, “Your Majesty does not know. Although this rake of mine is crude, it has truly been my lifelong companion. I once served as Marshal in the Heavenly River Water Mansion, commanding eighty thousand aquatic soldiers, all relying on the power of this rake. Now, having descended to the mortal world to protect my Master, I use this rake to smash tiger and wolf dens in mountains and overturn dragon and serpent lairs in water. It is all thanks to this rake.”

Hearing these words, the King was extremely pleased and believed him. He immediately commanded his nine concubines, “Bring the bottle of imperial wine that We personally use; it will serve as a temporary farewell drink for the Elder.” He then filled a goblet to the brim and offered it to Pigsy, saying, “Elder, this cup of wine is merely an expression of our appreciation for your efforts. Once the demon is captured and our little daughter is rescued, there will be a grand banquet in your honor and a thousand catties of gold as a token of our deep gratitude.”

Pigsy took the cup in hand. Though his appearance was crude, his actions were rather refined. He bowed deeply to Tripitaka and said, “Master, this wine should properly be drunk by you first, but since the King granted it to me, I dare not disobey. Let Old Pig drink it first to boost his spirits, so I can better capture the demon.” Pigsy drank it down in one gulp. He then poured a goblet and handed it to his Master. Tripitaka said, “I do not drink wine. You brothers may drink it.” Sandy stepped forward and took it. Pigsy then rose on a cloud, soaring into the sky. The King saw this and said, “Elder Zhu also knows how to ride clouds!” Pigsy departed. Sandy also drank the wine in one gulp and said, “Master! When that Yellow Robed Demon captured you, the two of us fought him to a draw. Now, second brother is going alone; I fear he might not defeat him.” Tripitaka said, “Precisely, disciple. You should go and assist him.” Hearing this, Sandy also leaped up on a cloud. The King became anxious and held onto Tang Monk, saying, “Elder, please stay and sit with Us. Do not ascend on a cloud too.” Tang Monk said, “Alas, alas! I cannot take even half a step!” At this point, the two continued their conversation in the hall, which is not further detailed.

Now, Sandy caught up with Pigsy and said, “Brother, I’m here.” Pigsy said, “Brother, why did you come?” Sandy replied, “Master told me to come and help.” Pigsy was delighted and said, “That’s right, it’s good you came. Let the two of us work together with one heart to capture that monster. Although it’s nothing extraordinary, we’ll certainly make a name for ourselves in this country.”

See them now—Auspicious light departed the kingdom, propitious aura left the imperial city.Bearing the King’s decree, they came to the mountain cave, striving with one heart to seize the monstrous spirit.

In a short while, the two arrived at the cave entrance and descended on their clouds. Pigsy drew his rake and, with all his might, thrust it at the stone gate of Wave Moon Cave, creating a hole about the size of a bushel basket. The little demon guarding the door was terrified. He opened the door, saw the two of them, and rushed inside to report, “Great King, it’s bad! That long-snouted, big-eared monk and that unlucky-faced monk have come and broken our gate!” The monster was shocked and said, “These are Pigsy and Sandy again. I spared their Master, how dare they return and break down my door!” The little demon said, “Perhaps they forgot something and came back for it.” The old monster snapped, “Nonsense! If they forgot something, would they dare to break down the door? There must be a reason!” He quickly adjusted his armor, grasped his steel saber, and stepped out, asking, “You monks, since I spared your Master, how dare you come and break down my door?” Pigsy said, “You despicable monster, you’ve done a fine thing!” The old demon asked, “What thing?” Pigsy said, “You abducted the Third Princess of Baoxiang Kingdom into your cave, forcibly taking her as your wife and living with her for thirteen years. It’s time you returned her! I have been commanded by the King to capture you. Hurry inside, tie yourself with ropes, and come out, so Old Pig won’t have to lift a finger!”

The old monster was greatly enraged upon hearing this. Watch him, jaws clenching, gnashing his steel teeth; eyes rolling, round as rings, wide open; mightily, raising his saber; red-blooded, chopping straight down at Pigsy’s head. Pigsy dodged aside and met him with his rake, striking him in the face. Close behind, Sandy raised his precious staff and rushed forward, joining the attack. This battle on the mountaintop was different from before. It was truly—

Wrong words provoke anger, bitter feelings stir rage.The demon king’s great steel saber hacked at the head;Pigsy’s nine-toothed rake met him face-to-face.Sandy cast aside his precious staff, the demon king parried the divine weapons.One fierce monster, two divine monks, coming and going, much contention.This one said, “You deceived the kingdom, you deserve death!”That one said, “You meddle in affairs, unjustly seeking revenge!”This one said, “You forcibly married the princess, harming the nation’s dignity!”That one said, “It’s none of your business, don’t quarrel idly!”It was all for the sake of delivering the letter, which caused unrest between monks and demon.

They fought on the hillside for eight or nine rounds, and Pigsy gradually started to falter. His rake felt heavy, and his strength waned. Why could he not defeat him this time? When they first fought, the guardian deities, because Tang Monk was in the cave, secretly assisted Pigsy and Sandy, which is why they managed to fight to a draw. But now, all the deities were in Baoxiang Kingdom, protecting Tang Monk, so the two of them were no match.

Pigsy said, “Sandy, you step forward and fight him for a bit; Old Pig needs to relieve himself.” He paid no heed to Sandy, and scurried off into the tangled weeds, thorny vines, and thorny creepers. Recklessly, he plunged in, not caring if his scalp was scratched or his face pricked, and simply rolled over and lay down, daring not to emerge again. He only kept half an ear listening for the sound of the fighting. When the monster saw Pigsy run away, he rushed at Sandy. Sandy was caught off guard and seized by the monster, who dragged him into the cave. The little demons bound Sandy with his limbs tied together like a four-legged animal. What ultimately became of his life, we shall learn in the next chapter.