Chapter 38: Baby Asks Mother About Right and Wrong Metal and Wood Combine Mysteries to Discern Truth from Falsehood

Upon meeting the king, he spoke of his origins,And thus became one of the Tathagata's assembly.With a single thought, he quietly observed the worldly Buddha,While from ten directions, all watched the descent of his divine power.

If you wish to know today's true enlightened ruler,You must inquire of his legal mother from that year.There is something else the world has never witnessed:With every step, a new flower blooms.

The Crown Prince of Wuji Kingdom, after parting ways with the Great Sage, soon returned to the city. As expected, he did not head for the main palace gates nor dared to announce his arrival or the imperial decree. Instead, he went straight to the back gate of the imperial palace, where he saw several eunuchs on guard. Upon seeing the prince, they did not dare to stop him and allowed him to enter. The valiant prince spurred his horse, charging inside, and suddenly arrived beneath the Brocade Fragrance Pavilion. There he saw the Queen, seated on the pavilion, with dozens of concubines fanning her on either side. The Queen was leaning on the carved railing, weeping.

Why was she weeping, you ask? It turned out that she, too, had had a dream at the fourth watch of the night, remembering half of it and being hazy about the other half, pondering deeply. The prince dismounted, knelt beneath the pavilion, and called out, "Mother!" The Queen forced a joyful expression and exclaimed, "My son, what a joy, what a joy! For the past two or three years, I've been unable to see you as you attended lectures with your father in the front palace. I missed you terribly. How is it that you have time to visit me today? This truly is a joy beyond measure, a joy beyond measure! My son, why does your voice sound so mournful? Your father is advanced in years; one day, the dragon will return to the azure sea, and the phoenix will ascend to the crimson sky, and you will inherit the imperial throne. What could possibly displease you?"

The prince kowtowed and said, "Mother, I ask you: Who is it that ascended the dragon throne? Who is it that calls himself the lonely and widowed ruler?" Hearing this, the Queen said, "This child has gone mad! It is your father who is the Emperor; why do you ask such a thing?" The prince kowtowed again, "I earnestly implore my mother to grant me immunity from punishment, then I dare to ask; if not, I dare not ask." The Queen replied, "Between mother and son, what sin could there be? I grant you immunity, I grant you immunity, speak quickly!" The prince said, "Mother, I ask you: are the matters in the bedchamber from three years ago the same as the affection in the three years since? How are they?"

Upon hearing this, the Queen was utterly terrified. She quickly descended from the pavilion, embraced him tightly, tears streaming from her eyes, and said, "My son! We haven't seen each other for so long, why do you come to the palace today to ask such a thing?" The prince grew angry and said, "Mother, speak quickly if you have something to say; otherwise, you will delay a great matter." The Queen then ordered her attendants away and whispered with tearful eyes, "This matter, if my son had not asked, I would have gone to the underworld without understanding it. Since you ask, listen to me: Three years ago, it was warm and loving; after three years, it is cold as ice. When I earnestly questioned him by the pillow, he said it was due to old age and failing health, and that his vigor was gone!"

Upon hearing this, the prince pulled away, freed himself, climbed onto his saddle, and mounted his horse. The Queen quickly grabbed him, saying, "My son, what is the matter that you leave without finishing your words?" The prince knelt before her and said, "Mother, I dare not speak! Early this morning, I was commanded by imperial decree to take falcons and dogs for a hunt outside the city. I unexpectedly encountered a venerable monk from the Eastern Land, on his journey for scriptures. His eldest disciple is Sun Wukong, who is extremely skilled at subduing demons. It turns out that my father, the King, died in the octagonal glazed well in the Imperial Garden. This Daoist immortal transformed himself into my father and usurped the throne. Last night at the third watch, my father appeared in a dream, asking him to come to the city to capture the monster. I dared not fully believe it, so I specifically came to ask Mother. Since Mother has just spoken such words, it must indeed be a demon!"

The Queen said, "My son, how can you believe the words of an outsider as truth?" The prince replied, "I still dared not fully believe it, but my father left him a token." The Queen asked what it was. The prince took out the gold-mounted white jade tablet from his sleeve and handed it to the Queen. The Queen recognized it as the king's treasure of that time. Unable to stop her tears, which flowed like a spring, she cried out, "My lord! How is it that you have been dead for three years and did not come to see me, but first saw the venerable monk, and only then me?"

The prince asked, "Mother, what do you mean by this?" The Queen said, "My son, at the fourth watch, I also had a dream. I dreamed your father, dripping wet, stood before me and personally told me he was dead. His ghost had implored Tang Sanzang to subdue the false emperor and save his former self. I remember these words, but half of them were unclear. I was just pondering this when, who would have thought, you would come today to speak of this and present this treasure! I shall keep it. You must go and urgently invite that venerable monk to act. If he truly sweeps away the demonic aura and distinguishes between good and evil, it will repay your father's nurturing kindness."

The prince hastily mounted his horse, exited the back gate, and rode away from the city. He truly departed the Queen with tearful kowtows and returned to Tang Sanzang with a sorrowful bow. Before long, he exited the city gate and dismounted directly in front of the mountain gate of Baolin Temple. The soldiers met the prince, and saw that the red sun was about to set. The prince gave orders for the soldiers not to move about haphazardly. He then entered the mountain gate alone, adjusted his attire, and bowed to invite Wukong. He saw the Monkey King swaggering out from the main hall. The prince knelt on both knees and said, "Master, I have come." Wukong stepped forward and helped him up, saying, "Please rise. When you went to the city, did you ask anyone?" The prince said, "I asked my mother." He then recounted everything he had said before.

Wukong smiled slightly and said, "If it was that cold, then it must be something cold transformed. No matter, no matter! I, Old Sun, will clear it away for you. It's just too late today to act. You go back first, and I will come tomorrow morning." The prince knelt down and kowtowed, "Master, I will just wait here and go with you tomorrow." Wukong said, "No, no! If I enter the city with you, that monster will become suspicious. He won't say I just happened upon you, but rather that you invited me, Old Sun, wouldn't that make him blame you instead?" The prince said, "If I enter the city now, he will also blame me." Wukong asked, "Blame you for what?" The prince replied, "I was ordered this morning to lead a number of soldiers, horses, falcons, and dogs out of the city for a hunt. Now, after a whole day, there isn't a single wild animal. How can I face His Majesty? If I am accused of incompetence and imprisoned in Youli, what will you rely on when you enter the city tomorrow? Moreover, there is no one familiar among the officials." Wukong said, "That's no big deal! If you had told me earlier, wouldn't I have found some things for you?"

What a Great Sage! See how he displayed his skill right before the prince, leaping into the clouds, forming a hand seal, and chanting the "Yan Lan Jing Fa Jie" incantation. This summoned the Mountain Gods and Earth Spirits, who, in mid-air, bowed and said, "Great Sage, what command do you have for us small deities?" Wukong said, "Old Sun is protecting Tang Sanzang here and wishes to capture a demon. However, the prince has no game from his hunt and dares not return to court. I ask you all for a favor: quickly find some roe deer, wild goats, deer, rabbits, other beasts, and birds, and bring them so he can return." Upon hearing this, how could the Mountain Gods and Earth Spirits dare to disobey? They then asked how many of each were needed. The Great Sage said, "No matter the quantity, just bring some." Each deity immediately ordered their local yin soldiers to raise a gathering-beast yin wind, and they captured wild pheasants, mountain pheasants, horned deer, plump roe deer, foxes, badgers, wildcats, rabbits, tigers, leopards, wolves, and other creatures, totaling over a hundred or a thousand, and presented them to Wukong.

Wukong said, "Old Sun doesn't want them. You should dislocate their tendons and simply arrange them along both sides of the forty-li road, so that those people can take them back to the city without using falcons or dogs. This will count as your merit." The deities obeyed, dispersed the yin wind, and arranged the animals on both sides. Wukong then lowered his cloud and said to the prince, "Your Highness, please return. There are already things on the road; you can collect them yourself." The prince, seeing him display such divine powers in mid-air, how could he not believe? He could only kowtow and bid farewell, exited the mountain gate, and gave orders for the soldiers to return to the city. Indeed, along the road, there were countless wild animals. The soldiers, without releasing falcons or dogs, each caught them by hand, cheering. They all attributed it to the boundless fortune of His Royal Highness, little knowing it was Old Sun's divine power. Listen to the triumphal songs as they rushed back to the city.

While Wukong protected Tang Sanzang, the monks of that temple, seeing their close interaction with the prince, could not but be respectful. They prepared vegetarian offerings and treated Tang Sanzang, who still rested in the meditation hall. Around the first watch, Wukong had something on his mind and couldn't sleep. He rolled out of bed, went to Tang Sanzang's bedside, and called, "Master." At this time, the elder was not yet asleep. Knowing that Wukong often caused alarm and trouble, he feigned sleep and did not respond. Wukong felt his bald head and shook it vigorously, saying, "Master, how can you be asleep?" Tang Sanzang angrily said, "This naughty monkey! Why aren't you asleep at this late hour, what are you shouting about?" Wukong said, "Master, there's a matter I need to discuss with you." The elder asked, "What matter?" Wukong said, "During the day, I boasted to the prince that my abilities were higher than mountains and deeper than seas, and that capturing that demon would be as easy as reaching into a bag for an object, just stretching out my hand and taking it. But now I can't sleep, thinking about it, it's a bit difficult."

Tang Sanzang said, "If you say it's difficult, then don't capture him." Wukong said, "Capture him I must, but it's not logically straightforward." Tang Sanzang said, "This monkey is talking nonsense! A demon usurping a human king's throne, how can that be 'not logically straightforward'?" Wukong said, "Your old self only knows how to chant scriptures, worship Buddha, sit in meditation, and practice Zen. Have you ever seen Xiao He's laws? As the saying goes, 'catch a thief with the stolen goods.' That monster has been emperor for three years; he hasn't revealed his true identity or leaked any information. He sleeps with the three palaces' consorts and enjoys himself with both civil and military officials. Even if I, Old Sun, have the ability to seize him, it would be difficult to establish a crime." Tang Sanzang asked, "How is it difficult to establish a crime?" Wukong said, "Even if he were a gourd without a mouth, he could still roll around a few times with you. He would dare to say: 'I am the King of Wuji, what act against Heaven have I committed that you come to seize me? What warrant do you have to dispute with me?'" Tang Sanzang said, "However you decide to handle it."

Wukong laughed and said, "Old Sun's plan is made, but it involves you, old venerable, being a bit protective." Tang Sanzang asked, "How am I protective?" Wukong said, "Pigsy is foolish, and you're a bit biased towards him." Tang Sanzang asked, "How am I biased towards him?" Wukong said, "If you're not biased towards him, then be a bit bolder now. You and Sandy stay here. Let Old Sun and Pigsy take this opportunity to enter Wuji Kingdom's city first, find the Imperial Garden, open the glazed well, and retrieve the emperor's corpse. We'll wrap it in our bundle. Tomorrow, when we enter the city, we won't bother with changing travel permits. When we see that monster, we'll just pull out our staffs and strike. If he has anything to say, we'll show him the bones and tell him: 'This is the person you killed!' Then we'll have the prince come forward to mourn his father, the empress come forward to recognize her husband, and the civil and military officials see their true lord. Then Old Sun and my brothers will take action. That's how to fight a legitimate legal case!" Tang Sanzang secretly rejoiced upon hearing this, saying, "I'm just afraid Pigsy won't be willing to go." Wukong laughed, "How so? I said you were protective, how did you know he wouldn't go? Just ignore me when I call you, and in half an hour, it'll be done! I'll go now; with my three-inch glib tongue, let alone Pigsy, I could even make Pigsy-the-Ninth-Precept follow me!" Tang Sanzang said, "Very well, go call him then."

Wukong left his master and went straight to Pigsy's bedside, calling, "Pigsy! Pigsy!" That simpleton was someone who worked hard walking, and once he lay down, he just snored away. How could he be woken? Wukong grabbed his ear, pulled his bristles, and yanked him up, calling, "Pigsy." That simpleton still struggled. Wukong called out again, and Pigsy said, "Go back to sleep, stop playing! We have to walk tomorrow!" Wukong said, "It's not playing; there's a business deal I want to do with you." Pigsy asked, "What business deal?" Wukong said, "Have you heard what the prince said?" Pigsy said, "I haven't met him, nor heard anything." Wukong said, "The prince told me that the demon has a treasure, a weapon with the power to resist ten thousand men. Tomorrow, when we go to court, we will inevitably fight him. If that monster wields the treasure and defeats us, wouldn't that be a shame? I thought that since we can't overpower him, it's better to strike first. How about you and I go steal it?"

Pigsy said, "Brother, you're tricking me into becoming a thief. I can go along with this business, but if you truly know how to help, I'll tell you clearly: once we've stolen the treasure and subdued the demon, I'm not interested in any petty, stingy division of the treasure. I want it all." Wukong asked, "What do you want it for?" Pigsy said, "I'm not as clever and eloquent as you all; I can't beg for alms in front of people. Old Pig's body is bulky, his speech is coarse, and he can't chant scriptures. If we reach a place where there's no help or sustenance, how can I exchange for food?" Wukong said, "Old Sun only seeks fame; what need have I for any treasure? You can have it then." That simpleton, hearing that it would all be given to him, was overjoyed. He scrambled up, put on his clothes, and set off with Wukong. This truly is: clear wine reddens one's face, gold stirs the heart of a Daoist. The two secretly opened the door, slipped away from Tang Sanzang, ascended on auspicious light, and headed straight for the city.

Before long, they arrived and descended from the clouds. They heard the second drum beat from the watchtower. Wukong said, "Brother, it's the second watch." Pigsy said, "Perfect! Perfect! Everyone is sound asleep in their first slumber." The two did not head for the main gate, but went straight to the back gate of the imperial palace, where they heard the sound of clappers and bells. Wukong said, "Brother, both front and back gates are tightly guarded. How can we get in?" Pigsy said, "When have you ever seen thieves enter through a gate? Just jump over the wall." Wukong followed his words, leaped up, and jumped onto the inner city wall. Pigsy also jumped up. The two secretly entered, found their way, and headed straight for the Imperial Garden. As they walked, they saw a gatehouse with three eaves, clustered in white, and on it, three brightly shining characters, reflecting the starlight and moonlight, which read "Imperial Garden."

Wukong approached and saw that several layers of seals had effectively rusted the lock shut. He immediately ordered Pigsy to act. That simpleton pulled out his iron rake and, with all his might, struck the gate, smashing it to pieces. Wukong stepped in first, unable to help himself, he leaped up, shouting and yelling, startling Pigsy, who rushed forward and grabbed him, saying, "Brother, you're killing me! When have you ever seen thieves make such a racket, shouting like this! If we wake people up and they catch us and send us to the authorities, even if it's not a death penalty, we'll still be exiled back to our original places!" Wukong said, "Brother, you don't know why I'm so agitated. Look at this—"

The painted railings and carved balustrades are in disarray,The ornate pavilions and towers still crooked.Marshy banks and reedy shores are buried in dust,Peonies and jasmine all withered.Jasmine and roses' fragrance is dim,Peonies and lilies bloom in vain.Hibiscus and mallow are choked by weeds,Exotic flowers and rare blossoms are ruined by neglect.

Clever rock formations and mountain peaks have all toppled,Pond water has dried up, and fish have dwindled.Green pines and purple bamboos are like dry firewood,The paths are overgrown with soft artemisia and mugwort.Red osmanthus and green peaches have damaged branches,Pomegranates and crabapples have twisted roots.Bridges and winding paths are covered in moss—A desolate imperial garden!

Pigsy said, "Why lament over it? Let's quickly get on with our business!" Though Wukong was moved, he remembered Tang Sanzang's dream, which said the well was beneath a banana tree. As they walked, they indeed saw a banana tree, growing luxuriantly, different from all the other flowers and trees. It truly was—

A spiritual seedling, inherently empty.Each branch unfurls like a sheet, each leaf enfolds a fragrant cluster.A thousand fine green threads, a single point of crimson heart.Sadly it grieves in night rains, withered and timid in autumn winds.Sustained by primordial energy, nurtured by the creator's artistry.It seals writings with marvelous utility, scatters ink with wondrous effect.Can it compare to phoenix feathers? Yet like the phoenix's tail, it's quite alike.Thin dewdrops gently trickle, light mist faintly veils.Green shade covers windows, emerald shadows climb eaves.It allows no wild geese to perch, how can a jade stallion be tied?In frosty skies, its form withers; on moonlit nights, its color is dim.Barely dispelling summer heat, still suitable for avoiding scorching sun.Ashamed it lacks the hues of peach and plum, it stands desolate east of the white wall.

Wukong said, "Pigsy, let's get to work! The treasure is buried under the banana tree." That simpleton raised his rake with both hands, knocked down the banana tree, then used his snout to dig, digging about three or four feet deep, and saw a stone slab covering something. The simpleton happily exclaimed, "Brother, what luck! There really is a treasure, covered by a stone slab! I wonder if it's in a jar or a cabinet." Wukong said, "Lift it up and see." That simpleton indeed used his snout again, pried it open, and saw brilliant, fiery light and clear white mist. Pigsy laughed, "What luck, what luck! The treasure is emitting light!" When he came closer to look carefully, oh! It turned out to be the light of the stars and moon, making the water in the well shine brightly. Pigsy said, "Brother, whenever you do something, you must leave a way out." Wukong asked, "How did I leave a way out?" Pigsy said, "This is a well. If you had said at the temple that there was a treasure in the well, I would have brought two ropes for tying bundles. How can we make a plan to lower Old Pig? Now we're empty-handed, how can we get things down into this place and back up again?" Wukong said, "You want to go down?" Pigsy said, "Exactly, I want to go down, but there are no ropes." Wukong laughed, "Take off your clothes, and I'll show you a trick." Pigsy said, "What good clothes do I have? Just take off this monk's robe."

What a Great Sage! He took out his Golden-Hooped Rod, pulled both ends, and cried, "Grow!" It grew to seven or eight *zhang* long. He then instructed, "Pigsy, you hold one end, and I'll lower you into the well." Pigsy said, "Brother, lower me down, but when I reach the water, please stop." Wukong said, "I know." That simpleton embraced the iron staff and was gently lifted by Wukong and lowered. Before long, he was lowered to the water's edge. Pigsy said, "Reached the water!" Wukong heard him and pressed the staff down further. That simpleton plunged headfirst with a splash, dropped the iron staff, and floated on the water, grumbling, "That damned monkey! I told him not to let go when I reached the water, but he just pushed me down!" Wukong pulled up the staff and laughed, "Brother, is there any treasure?" Pigsy said, "What treasure? It's just a well full of water!" Wukong said, "The treasure is at the bottom of the water; go down and feel for it." That simpleton truly understood the nature of water, so he took a deep dive. Oh! The bottom of the well was very deep! He really took another plunge and suddenly opened his eyes to see an archway with three characters: "Crystal Palace." Pigsy was greatly alarmed and said, "That's it, that's it! I've taken the wrong path! I've come to the sea! The sea has a Crystal Palace, but how can there be one in a well?" It turned out Pigsy didn't know this was the Well Dragon King's Crystal Palace.

As Pigsy was speaking, a water-patrolling yaksha opened the door, saw his appearance, quickly withdrew, and reported, "Your Majesty, trouble! A long-snouted, big-eared monk has fallen into the well! He's dripping wet, completely naked, not dead yet, and speaking insistently." The Well Dragon King, hearing this, was greatly alarmed and thought, "This is Marshal Tianpeng! Last night, the Night Wanderer God delivered an imperial decree to retrieve the spirit of the King of Wuji to meet Tang Sanzang and invite the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to subdue the demon. This must be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and Marshal Tianpeng who have come. I must not neglect him; quickly go and welcome him!" The Dragon King adjusted his attire, led his aquatic subjects, came out, and loudly called out, "Marshal Tianpeng, please come in and be seated." Pigsy then rejoiced, "So it's an old acquaintance!" That simpleton, without caring about propriety, went straight into the Crystal Palace. Indeed, he didn't know his place and sat right on the main seat, stark naked.

The Dragon King said, "Marshal, I recently heard that you regained your life, converted to Buddhism, and are protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heaven for scriptures. How did you come to this place?" Pigsy said, "That's exactly why I'm here. My Senior Brother Sun Wukong sends his greetings and told me to ask you for some treasure." The Dragon King said, "Alas, how could I have any treasure here? I'm not like the Dragon Kings of the rivers, Huai, and Ji, who can fly and transform and thus possess treasures. I've been trapped here for a long time, rarely even seeing the sun and moon. Where would treasures come from?" Pigsy said, "Don't make excuses; if you have it, just bring it out." The Dragon King said, "There is indeed one treasure, but it cannot be taken out. How about Marshal coming to see it yourself?" Pigsy said, "Excellent, excellent! I must see it."

The Dragon King walked ahead, and that simpleton followed. They turned past the Crystal Palace hall, and under the corridor, they saw a six-foot-long body lying horizontally. The Dragon King pointed with his hand and said, "Marshal, that is the treasure." Pigsy stepped forward and looked, oh! It was a dead emperor, wearing a heaven-reaching crown, dressed in an ochre-yellow robe, with carefree boots, and a Lantian jade belt, lying stiffly there. Pigsy laughed, "Difficult, difficult, difficult! This doesn't count as a treasure! When Old Pig was a monster in the mountains, I often ate such things as meals. Not to mention how many I've seen, I've eaten countless. How can this be called a treasure!" The Dragon King said, "Marshal, you do not know. This is the corpse of the King of Wuji. Since he fell into the well, I used a Fixed-Countenance Pearl to preserve him, so he has not decayed. If you are willing to carry him out and he is seen by the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and if there is indeed a chance of bringing him back to life, then don't even mention treasures; you can have whatever you want." Pigsy said, "Since you put it that way, I'll carry him out for you, but how much burial money will you give me?" The Dragon King said, "Actually, I have no money." Pigsy said, "You want to make me work for free? If there's truly no money, I won't carry him!" The Dragon King said, "If you won't carry him, please leave." Pigsy started to leave. The Dragon King sent two strong yakshas to carry the corpse out and place it outside the Crystal Palace gate. Once they removed the water-repelling pearl, there was a sound of water.

Pigsy quickly turned his head to look, but he couldn't see the Crystal Palace gate. He felt around and grabbed the emperor's corpse. Panicked, his legs went weak and his muscles numb. He scrambled out of the water, clinging to the well wall, and cried, "Senior Brother! Lower the staff to save me!" Wukong said, "Is there any treasure?" Pigsy said, "What treasure? There's just a Well Dragon King at the bottom who told me to carry a dead man. I didn't carry him, so he sent me out the door, and now I can't see the Crystal Palace! I just touched that corpse, and it scared my hands soft and my muscles numb, I can't move! Brother! Please, somehow save me, your son!" Wukong said, "That is the treasure; why didn't you carry it up?" Pigsy said, "Who knows how long he's been dead? Why would I carry him?" Wukong said, "If you don't carry him, I'm going back." Pigsy said, "Where are you going back to?" Wukong said, "I'm going back to the temple to sleep with Master." Pigsy said, "And I'm not coming?" Wukong said, "If you can climb up, I'll take you; if not, then so be it."

Pigsy panicked, "How can I climb up? Think about it, even city walls are hard to climb, and this well has a wide belly but a small mouth, with steep circular walls. It's a well that hasn't been used for years, completely covered in moss, so incredibly slippery! How can I climb? Brother, let's not lose our brotherly harmony; let me carry him up." Wukong said, "Exactly, quickly carry him up, and I'll go back to sleep with you." That simpleton took another plunge, dove down, felt for the corpse, dragged it over, put it on his back, scrambled out of the water, and, holding the well wall, said, "Brother, I've carried him up." Wukong opened his eyes and saw that he was indeed carrying it on his back. Only then did Wukong extend his Golden-Hooped Rod to the bottom of the well. That vexed simpleton opened his mouth and bit onto the iron rod, and Wukong gently pulled him out. Pigsy put the corpse down, retrieved his clothes, and put them on. Wukong looked and saw that the emperor's countenance was unchanged, as if he hadn't altered a bit since he was alive.

Wukong said, "Brother, this man has been dead for three years, how is his countenance still unspoiled?" Pigsy said, "You don't know. The Well Dragon King told me he used a Fixed-Countenance Pearl to preserve him, so the corpse hasn't decayed." Wukong said, "What luck, what luck! Firstly, his injustice has not been avenged; secondly, it's our turn to succeed. Brother, quickly carry him away." Pigsy said, "Carry him where?" Wukong said, "Carry him to see Master." Pigsy grumbled to himself, "How did this happen, how did this happen! I was sleeping peacefully, but this monkey used his glib tongue to trick me into some business, and now I'm doing something like this, making me carry a dead man! If I carry him, dirty, smelly water will drip down and stain my clothes, and no one will wash them for me. There are already a few patches on them; if the weather is damp, how can I wear them?" Wukong said, "Just carry him. When we get to the temple, I'll give you a change of clothes." Pigsy said, "Shameless! You don't even have clothes for yourself, and you're going to change mine!" Wukong said, "If you keep mouthing off like this, then don't carry him!" Pigsy said, "I won't carry him!" "Then hold out your shin, and I'll give you twenty blows with the staff!" Pigsy panicked and said, "Brother, that staff is heavy. If you hit me twenty times, I'll be just like this emperor!" Wukong said, "If you're afraid of being beaten, then hurry up and carry him and walk!" Pigsy was indeed afraid of being beaten. Grudgingly, he dragged the corpse over, put it on his back, and started walking out of the garden.

What a Great Sage! He formed a hand seal, chanted an incantation, inhaled a breath from the southeast, and blew it out, creating a gust of strong wind that whisked Pigsy out of the inner imperial palace, away from the city. The wind subsided, and the two landed, slowly walking forward. That simpleton was secretly annoyed and plotted revenge against Wukong, thinking, "This monkey is playing tricks on me. When I get to the temple, I'll play a trick on him too. I'll incite Master, just tell him that Wukong can bring him back to life. If he can't, I'll make Master chant the 'Headache Sutra' and squeeze this monkey's brains out. Only then will I be satisfied!" As he walked, he reconsidered, "No, no! If I make him heal someone, it would be easy for him: he'd just go to King Yama's house and retrieve the soul, and then he'd bring him back to life. I should just say that he's not allowed to go to the underworld, but he can revive him in the mortal world. That trick would be good."

Before he finished musing, they arrived at the temple gate. He walked straight in, dropped the corpse in front of the meditation hall, and said, "Master, get up and see!" Tang Sanzang, unable to sleep, was just discussing with Sandy how Wukong had tricked Pigsy away and hadn't returned for a long time. Suddenly, he heard Pigsy call out. Tang Sanzang quickly got up and said, "Disciple, what am I to see?" Pigsy said, "Wukong's maternal grandfather, Old Pig has carried him here." Wukong said, "You useless simpleton! Where do I have a maternal grandfather?" Pigsy said, "Brother, if he's not your maternal grandfather, then why did Old Pig have to carry him here? You have no idea how much effort it took!" Tang Sanzang and Sandy opened the door and looked. The emperor's countenance was unchanged, as if he were still alive.

The elder suddenly lamented mournfully, "Your Majesty, you did not know which enemy from a past life you encountered in this life, causing you to secretly lose your life, abandon your wife and son, and leave the civil and military officials ignorant, the many officials unaware! Pity your wife, dazed and confused, who would have thought to burn incense or offer tea?" Suddenly, he broke into tears that fell like rain. Pigsy laughed and said, "Master, what does his death have to do with you? He's not your father or ancestor, why are you crying for him?" Sanzang said, "Disciple, for a renunciant, compassion is the foundation, and expedience is the gateway. How can your heart be so hard?" Pigsy said, "It's not that my heart is hard. Senior Brother told me he could bring him back to life. If he couldn't, I wouldn't have carried him here." The elder, originally somewhat bewildered, was swayed by that simpleton and immediately called out, "Wukong, if you truly have the skill to revive this emperor, it is indeed saving a life, which is more meritorious than building a seven-storied pagoda. We too would be stronger than going to Mount Ling to worship Buddha."

Wukong said, "Master, why do you believe this simpleton's nonsense! If a person dies, after three sevens or five sevens, or even seven times seven days, having suffered all the sins in the mortal realm, they reincarnate and depart. This man has been dead for three years; how can he be saved?" Sanzang, hearing his words, said, "Very well then." Pigsy grumbled incessantly, full of bitter resentment, "Master, don't let him deceive you; he has a bit of a screw loose. You just chant that thing, and he'll surely give you a living person back." Indeed, Tang Sanzang chanted the "Headache Sutra," causing Wukong's eyes to bulge and his head to ache. Ultimately, how he would revive him is unknown. Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.