Chapter 40: Baby Play Turns Zen Mind Chaotic Apehorse Sword Returns to Wooden Mother Emptiness

Sun Wukong and his two brothers lowered their cloud and headed straight for the palace. The king, queen, and all their officials came out in rows to greet them and offer thanks. Wukong recounted the details of how the Bodhisattva subdued the demon, and the king and his subjects prostrated themselves in unending gratitude.

As they were celebrating, a yellow-gate official came to report, "Your Majesty, four more monks have arrived outside."

Bajie panicked, "Brother, could it be the demon using magic again, pretending to be Manjushri Bodhisattva to trick us, and now transforming into monks to challenge us?"

"How could that be!" Wukong exclaimed, and ordered the monks to be ushered in. The civil and military officials relayed the command for them to enter. When Wukong saw them, they turned out to be the monks from Baolin Temple, carrying the Sky-Piercing Crown, Green Jade Belt, Ochre-Yellow Robe, and Worry-Free Shoes.

Wukong was overjoyed. "Excellent! Excellent!" he cried. He instructed the king to remove his commoner's head covering and don the Sky-Piercing Crown; to take off his plain clothes and put on the Ochre-Yellow Robe; to unfasten his old sash and fasten the Green Jade Belt; and to take off his monk's shoes and put on the Worry-Free Shoes. He then had the crown prince bring out the White Jade Sceptre for the king to hold. He immediately invited the king to ascend the throne and proclaim himself ruler, for as it is said, "A court cannot be without a ruler for a single day."

But the emperor refused to sit, kneeling tearfully on the steps and saying, "I have been dead for three years, and now I am revived by the Master. How dare I presume to be honored? I beg one of you Masters to be the ruler; I am willing to take my wife and live as a commoner outside the city."

Tang Sanzang would not accept, his heart set only on worshipping Buddha and seeking scriptures. They then invited Wukong. Wukong laughed, "To tell you the truth, if I, Old Monkey, wanted to be emperor, I could have been emperor of all the nations and nine continents under heaven. But we are accustomed to the lazy freedom of being monks. If I were emperor, I'd have to grow my hair long, stay awake all night, and wake up before dawn. If there were border reports, my mind would be uneasy; if there were disasters, I'd be filled with helpless worry. How could we manage that? You continue to be your emperor, and I will continue to be my monk, cultivating merits."

The king, unable to persuade them, finally ascended the throne, faced south to proclaim himself ruler, granted a great amnesty, and conferred honors upon the monks of Baolin Temple, sending them back. Only then did he open the East Pavilion to host a banquet for Tang Sanzang. At the same time, he commanded painters to be summoned to create portraits of Tang Sanzang and his three disciples, to be enshrined in the Golden Imperial Hall.

Having brought stability to the kingdom, the master and disciples did not wish to linger. They sought to bid farewell to the king and journey west. The emperor, along with the empress, concubines, crown prince, and all his ministers, offered the nation's treasures, gold, silver, and fine silks as an expression of their gratitude. Tang Sanzang accepted not a single fraction, only urging them to exchange his travel rescript and for Wukong and the others to quickly get the horse ready for departure. The king was deeply reluctant to see them go. He assembled the entire court procession, invited Tang Sanzang to sit in the sedan chair, and had the civil and military officials lead the way. He, along with his empress, concubines, and crown prince, personally pushed the carriage wheels, escorting them out of the city. Only then did he descend from his royal chariot and bid farewell to them.

The king said, "Master, when you return from the Western Heaven with the scriptures, you must surely grace my kingdom with another visit."

Tang Sanzang replied, "Your disciple obeys." The emperor, tears welling in his eyes, then returned with his officials.

The four monks, Tang Sanzang and his disciples, set off on the winding main road, their hearts solely set on reaching the Spirit Mountain. It was the season when autumn was ending and winter beginning.

Frost stripped the red leaves, making the forests lean;Rain ripened yellow millet, everywhere abundant.Warm sun opened plum blossoms on ridges at dawn;Wind swayed mountain bamboo, sounding cold.

The master and disciples left the Wuji Kingdom, traveling by night and day for over half a month, when suddenly they saw a towering mountain, truly reaching the heavens and blocking the sun. Tang Sanzang's heart trembled on horseback. He hastily pulled the reins and called out to Wukong.

"Master, what is your command?" Wukong asked.

Tang Sanzang said, "Look, ahead there are towering mountains and dangerous ridges. We must be very careful and guard against any evil creatures that might attack me."

Wukong laughed, "Just keep going; don't overthink things. Old Monkey will protect you."

The elder could only ease his mind, spur his horse, and press forward to the mountain crag. It was indeed exceedingly perilous.

How high? Its peak touched the clear sky.How deep? Its ravines were like the underworld.In front of the mountain, white clouds billowed, and black mists surged.Red plums and green bamboo, green cypresses and ancient pines.Behind the mountain lay a soul-stealing platform ten thousand feet high,Behind the platform, an ancient, strange demon-hiding cave,Within the cave, a tinkling, dripping spring,Below the spring, a winding, flowing stream.Also seen were heaven-leaping, earth-thrusting fruit-offering apes,Fork-horned deer with wide antlers,Muttering, foolish-looking deer watching people.At night, tigers nestled in the mountainsides;At dawn, dragons emerged, stirring waves from the waters.The cave gate swung open with a whoosh,Startling birds to flutter up with a rustle,And beasts in the forest to scamper away with a frantic shuffle.Seeing this horde of birds and beasts, people's hearts trembled with fear.Caves within caves, caves within caves, caves and more caves, like dens of immortals.Green stones dyed into a thousand pieces of jade,Green gauze enshrouding ten thousand piles of mist.

As the master and disciples felt truly apprehensive, they saw a red cloud in a mountain hollow, rising straight into the high heavens, forming a mass of fiery aura. Wukong was greatly alarmed. He rushed forward, pulled Tang Sanzang's leg, and pushed him off the horse, shouting, "Brothers, don't move! The monster is coming!" Bajie quickly drew his rake, and Sha Wujing swiftly swung his precious staff, encircling and protecting Tang Sanzang in the middle.

Now, to pick up the other thread of the story, the red light truly emanated from a demon. Years ago, it had heard people say, "The Tang Monk from the East is journeying to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures. He is the reincarnation of Elder Jin Chan, a good man who has cultivated himself for ten lifetimes. Anyone who eats a piece of his flesh will extend their life and live as long as Heaven and Earth." Day after day, it had waited in the mountains, and unexpectedly, he had arrived today.

From mid-air, as it watched, it saw the three disciples surrounding and protecting Tang Sanzang on his horse, each ready. The spirit praised them endlessly, "What fine monks! Just now I saw a pale-faced, plump monk riding a horse, truly the holy monk of the Tang Dynasty. But how could he be protected by these three ugly monks! Each one extends his fist and tucks his sleeves, holding weapons, as if ready to fight. Alas! I wonder which one is so perceptive; he must have recognized me. In this situation, there's no hope of eating the Tang Monk's flesh."

It pondered for a long time, consulting itself inwardly, "If I rely on force to capture him, I won't be able to get close. Perhaps I can deceive him with kindness, then I can get my hands on him. As long as I can confuse his mind, I'll find an opportunity within the guise of kindness and surely capture him. Let me go down and play a trick on him." The clever demon dispersed its red light, lowered its cloud, and descended to the mountain slope. It shook itself and transformed into a seven-year-old mischievous child, completely naked, without clothes. It tied its hands and feet with hemp rope and hung itself high on the top of a pine tree, crying out incessantly, "Help! Help!"

Sun Wukong suddenly looked up again and saw that the red cloud had completely dispersed and the fiery aura was gone. He called out, "Master, please get back on your horse and let's go."

Tang Sanzang asked, "You said a demon was coming, how dare we go now?"

Wukong replied, "Just a moment ago, I saw a red cloud rise from the ground and form a fiery mass in the sky. That was definitely a demon. But now the red cloud has dispersed; I suppose it was just a passing demon, not intending to harm anyone. Let's go!"

Bajie chuckled, "Brother, you speak cleverly. What's a 'passing demon'?"

Wukong said, "How would you know? If a demon king from that mountain or cave holds a banquet and invites spirits from all the mountains and caves, then spirits from all four directions—east, south, west, and north—would come to the gathering. Therefore, they are only intent on attending the banquet and have no intention of harming people. That's a 'passing demon'!"

Tang Sanzang heard this, half believing and half doubting. He could only grasp the saddle, mount his horse, and proceed along the road toward the mountain. As they traveled, they suddenly heard a cry of "Help!" The Elder was greatly alarmed. "Disciples, who is calling out here, halfway up the mountain?"

Wukong stepped forward and said, "Master, just keep going. Don't worry about any 'people-carriages' or 'mule-carriages,' 'bright-carriages' or 'sleeping-carriages.' In this place, even if there were carriages, there'd be no one to carry you."

Tang Sanzang clarified, "It's not the 'carriage' of carrying, but the 'call' of calling out."

Wukong laughed, "I understand. Don't bother with idle matters, let's just keep going."

Tang Sanzang, obeying, spurred his horse forward again. They had not gone a *li* when they heard the cry of "Help!" once more. The Elder said, "Disciples, this cry is not from a ghost or evil spirit. If it were a ghost or evil spirit, there would be a sound, but no echo. Listen, he cries once, and then again. He must be someone in distress; we should go and save him."

Wukong said, "Master, please put your compassionate heart away for a little while today. Wait until we have crossed this mountain before showing compassion again. This place bodes more ill than good. You know the saying about spirits attaching to grass and wood—any creature can become a demon. All others are manageable, but there's one kind, the python. If it cultivates for many years and becomes a spirit, it is skilled at knowing people's intimate names. If it calls out to someone from the grass or a mountain hollow, it's fine if the person doesn't answer. But if you answer, it will snatch away your vital spirit and follow you that night, inevitably harming your life. Let's go, let's go! As the ancients said, 'If you escape, thank the gods,' you absolutely must not listen to it."

The Elder could only obey him, spurring his horse onward. Wukong thought to himself, "This mischievous monster, I don't know where it is, just keeps calling and calling. Let me, Old Monkey, give it a 'Mao-You Star spell,' so we don't meet again."

The Great Sage called Sha Wujing forward, "Lead the horse, walk slowly, let Old Monkey relieve himself." He let Tang Sanzang walk a few steps ahead, then recited a spell and used a spell of shifting mountains and shrinking land. He pointed his golden-banded staff backward, and his master and brothers passed over the peak and walked forward, leaving the monster behind. Then Wukong sped up his pace and caught up with Tang Sanzang, hurrying along the mountain road.

Suddenly, Tang Sanzang heard the cry of "Help!" from behind the mountain again! The Elder said, "Disciples, that person in distress has such bad luck; he didn't get to meet us. We've passed him. Listen, he's calling from behind the mountain."

Bajie laughed, "He's still in front, but the wind has changed direction now."

Wukong said, "Never mind whether the wind has changed or not, let's just keep going." Thus, they all remained silent, wishing they could cross the mountain in a single stride, and the story continues.

Now, as for the demon on the mountain slope, it called out three or four times, but no one arrived. It thought to itself, "I've been waiting for the Tang Monk here, and I saw him less than three *li* away, so why hasn't he arrived after all this time? Perhaps he took a shortcut." It shook its body, slipped out of the ropes, and then shot up into the air on a red light to look again.

Unbeknownst to it, Sun Wukong looked up and recognized it as the demon. He again pulled Tang Sanzang's leg and pushed him off the horse, saying, "Brothers, be careful! The demon is coming again!" Bajie and Sha Wujing hastily grabbed their weapons, once more encircling and protecting Tang Sanzang.

The spirit, seeing this, praised them endlessly from mid-air, "What fine monks! Just now I saw that pale-faced monk on his horse, but now he's hidden by these three again! I'll know more when I meet them. First, I must take down the perceptive one, then I can capture the Tang Monk. Otherwise, it will be a wasted effort, difficult to achieve anything, and fruitless." It then lowered its cloud, transformed just as before, and hung itself high on a pine tree, waiting. This time, it was not even half a *li* away.

Sun Wukong looked up again and saw that the red cloud had dispersed. He invited his master to mount the horse and proceed.

Tang Sanzang said, "You said a demon was coming, why are you asking me to go now?"

Wukong replied, "This is still just a passing demon; it wouldn't dare provoke us."

The Elder became angry. "This mischievous monkey, you're constantly playing tricks on me! When there really is a demon, you say there's nothing, but in such a peaceful place, you alarm me, constantly shouting about some demon. More lies than truth, no sense of seriousness, you grab my leg and throw me off the horse, and now you explain it away as a 'passing demon.' If I were to get hurt from falling, that would be truly unreasonable! This is too much, too much!"

Wukong said, "Master, don't be angry. If you hurt your hands or feet, that could still be treated. But if a demon were to snatch you away, where would we go to find you?"

Tang Sanzang was furious. Grumbling, he was about to recite the Tight-Fillet Spell, but Sha Wujing earnestly persuaded him. He could only mount his horse and resume the journey. He had not even settled into the saddle when he heard another cry: "Master, save me!"

The Elder looked up and saw that it was indeed a small child, stark naked, hanging from the tree. He reined in his horse and immediately scolded Wukong, "This mischievous monkey is utterly lazy and utterly devoid of kindness! His heart is always set on mischief and violence! When I said the voice was human, he yammered on and on, insisting it was a demon! Look, isn't that a human hanging on the tree?"

The Great Sage saw that his master was scolding him and clearly saw the appearance of the figure. Firstly, he could not act, and secondly, he feared the Tight-Fillet Spell. He lowered his head and dared not reply, allowing Tang Sanzang to reach the tree. The Elder pointed his whip and asked, "Whose child are you? What trouble led you to be hanging here? Tell me, so I can save you." Alas! It was clearly a spirit that had transformed itself so convincingly, but the Master, with his mortal eyes, could not recognize it.

The demon, seeing the Master questioning him, put on an even greater show of pretense. Tears welled in its eyes as it cried, "Master, there is a Dry Pine Stream to the west of the mountain, and beyond the stream lies a village. I am from a family there. My great-grandfather's surname was Hong; he accumulated vast gold and silver, becoming immensely wealthy, and was known by the nickname 'Hong Millionaire.' He passed away long ago, leaving his fortune to my father. Lately, people have become extravagant, and our family fortune has gradually declined, so my father's nickname changed to 'Hong Hundred Thousand.' He specialized in befriending heroes from all four directions, lending out gold and silver in hopes of earning interest. Who would have known that those unscrupulous individuals tricked him, and the principal and interest were never returned. My father then swore a solemn oath to lend not a single coin. Those who had borrowed the gold and silver, being poor and desperate, formed a criminal gang. In broad daylight, they openly carried torches and weapons, stormed our home, plundered all our valuables, and killed my father. Seeing that my mother was rather attractive, they abducted her to be their 'stockade夫人.' At that time, my mother, unable to bear parting with me, held me in her arms, crying mournfully and trembling, following the bandits. Unexpectedly, when we reached this mountain, they intended to kill me too. Thanks to my mother's tearful pleas, I was spared death by the sword, but they tied me with a rope and hung me on this tree, intending for me to freeze and starve to death. Those bandits then took my mother away to who knows where. I have been hanging here for three days and three nights, and no one has come by. I don't know what good deeds I accumulated in a past life to encounter you, Master, today. If you would show great compassion and save my life so I can return home, I would even pawn myself or sell my life to repay your kindness. Even if yellow sand covers my face, I would never forget it."

Tang Sanzang heard this, believed it to be true, and immediately told Bajie to untie the ropes and bring the child down. That idiot, unable to discern the truth, immediately stepped forward to act.

Wukong, standing by, could not help but shout, "You wicked creature! There's someone here who knows you! Stop playing tricks and telling lies to deceive people! If your family fortune was robbed, your father killed by thieves, and your mother abducted, who will you go to if we save you? What will you give us as thanks? This lie has fallen apart!"

The monster, hearing this, was frightened. It realized the Great Sage was capable and secretly took note of him, but still trembled and wept as it spoke, "Master, although my parents are gone and my family fortune is completely lost, there are still some untouched lands and relatives who remain."

Wukong asked, "What relatives do you have?"

The demon replied, "My maternal grandfather's family is south of the mountain, and my aunt lives north of the ridge. Li Si from the streambed is my aunt's husband; Hong San from the forest is my clan uncle. And my paternal cousins all live nearby in the same village. If you, Master, would save me, once we reach the village and I meet my relatives, I will tell them all about the Master's kindness in rescuing me. We will sell some land and repay your kindness handsomely."

Hearing this, Bajie grabbed Wukong and said, "Brother, why do you keep interrogating such a small child! What he says makes sense. Robbers only steal movable property, it's not as if they could steal houses and land too? If we tell his relatives, even if we have huge appetites, we couldn't eat the price of ten *mu* of his land. Let's save him down."

That idiot was only thinking about food, not caring about right or wrong. He used his rake to cut the ropes and brought the monster down. The monster, with tearful eyes, repeatedly kowtowed at Tang Sanzang's horse. The compassionate Elder said, "Child, get on the horse, I will carry you."

The monster said, "Master, my hands and feet are numb from being tied, and my waist and hips ache. Besides, I'm from the countryside and not used to riding horses."

Tang Sanzang told Bajie to carry him. The monster glanced at Bajie and said, "Master, my skin is all frozen numb. I dare not have this Master carry me. His mouth is long and his ears are big, and the stiff bristles on the back of his head prick me. I'm afraid."

Tang Sanzang said, "Then let Sha Wujing carry you." The monster also glanced at Sha Wujing and said, "Master, when those thieves came to rob my house, they all smeared their faces with paint, wore fake beards, and brandished knives and staffs. I was so terrified by them that seeing this Master with his gloomy face, I completely lost my spirit. I dare not have him carry me either."

Tang Sanzang told Sun Wukong to carry him. Wukong laughed, "I'll carry you, I'll carry you!"

The monster secretly rejoiced, willingly letting Wukong carry him. Wukong pulled him to the side of the road and tested his weight. He weighed only about three *jin* and ten *liang* (roughly 4 lbs). Wukong laughed, "You wicked monster, you are doomed today! How dare you play tricks in front of Old Monkey! I recognize what you are!"

The demon replied, "Master, I am the child of a good family, who unfortunately met with this great misfortune. How am I 'what you are'?"

Wukong said, "If you are the child of a good family, why are your bones so light?"

The demon replied, "My bones are small."

Wukong asked, "How old are you this year?"

The demon replied, "I am seven years old."

Wukong laughed, "You should weigh seven *jin*, one for each year. How is it that you weigh less than four *jin*?"

The demon replied, "I was deprived of milk when I was little."

Wukong said, "Alright, I'll carry you. If you need to urinate or defecate, you must tell me." Tang Sanzang, Bajie, and Sha Wujing went ahead, and Wukong, carrying the child, followed behind. The group headed straight west.

A poem serves as evidence, stating:High are the virtues, high are the demonic obstacles;Zen's essence is tranquil, yet tranquility breeds evil.The heart's lord, upright, follows the middle path,The Earth-Mind, stubborn, strays outside.The Mind-Horse speaks not, yet harbors desires,The Yellow Woman is silent, consumed by worry.The foreign evil thrives in empty joy,But ultimately, it will dissipate before righteousness.

Sun Wukong, carrying the demon, inwardly grumbled about Tang Sanzang, who didn't understand the hardships. "Walking in such perilous mountain terrain, even empty-handed it's difficult, yet he tells Old Monkey to carry a person. Even if this fellow weren't a demon and were a good person, with no parents, who would I carry him to? It would be better to simply throw him to his death."

The monster, however, sensed this thought. It immediately used a spiritual power, taking four breaths from the surroundings and blowing them onto Wukong's back. Wukong instantly felt himself burdened with a thousand *jin*. Wukong laughed, "My boy, you're trying to crush your Grandpa with your heavy-body trick!"

The monster, hearing this, feared the Great Sage would harm it. It immediately used the 'cadaver liberation' technique, its primordial spirit escaping, and leaping into the sky, it stood firm in the nine heavens. Wukong's burden grew even heavier. The Monkey King, enraged, grabbed the corpse and, with a swift movement, threw it onto a hard rock by the roadside. The corpse was smashed flat like a meat pancake. Still fearing it might cause trouble again, he simply tore off its four limbs and scattered them on both sides of the road, utterly pulverizing them.

The creature in the air watched clearly, unable to suppress the fury in its heart. "This monkey monk is utterly mischievous! Even if I am a demon and intended to harm your master, I haven't even had a chance to lay a hand on him, yet you injure me like this! Luckily, I had a plan and escaped with my spirit, otherwise, I would have been killed for no reason. If I don't seize Tang Sanzang now, and let him delay even longer, he'll only become wiser."

The clever monster then created a whirlwind in mid-air, with a resounding whoosh, sending rocks flying and sand swirling, truly ferocious. What a wind!

Turbulent, it angrily swept up bloody water-clouds,Black air billowed, obscuring the bright sun.Trees on the ridges were uprooted,Wild plum trees, with trunks, were flattened.Yellow sand blinded, making travel difficult,Strange rocks made the path impossible to traverse.Rolling, swirling, the ground grew dark,Throughout the mountains, birds and beasts cried out in terror.

The wind made Tang Sanzang unable to stay on his horse, Bajie dared not look up, and Sha Wujing lowered his head, covering his face. Sun Wukong knew it was the monster creating the wind. He quickly sprang forward to catch up, but the monster, riding the wind, had already carried Tang Sanzang away. Without a trace, it was unknown where he had been taken, and there was no place to follow.

After a moment, the wind subsided, and the sunlight returned. Wukong stepped forward and saw the White Dragon Horse neighing frantically and trembling, the luggage scattered on the ground, Bajie groaning under a cliff, and Sha Wujing squatting on the slope, calling out.

Wukong shouted, "Bajie!" The idiot, hearing Wukong's voice, looked up. The strong wind had ceased. He crawled up, grabbed Wukong, and said, "Brother, what a terrible wind that was!" Sha Wujing also came forward and said, "Brother, that was a whirlwind." He then asked, "Where is Master?"

Bajie said, "The wind came so fiercely, we all hid our heads and covered our eyes, each taking shelter from the wind. Master was also lying prostrate on the horse."

Wukong asked, "Where has he gone now?"

Sha Wujing quipped, "He was made of rush grass, so I suppose he was simply carried away by the wind!"

Wukong said, "Brothers, from this point on, we should just disperse!"

Bajie said, "Exactly! It would be much better to disperse now and each go our own way. The path to the Western Heaven is endless; when will we ever reach it!"

Sha Wujing, hearing this, was startled, and his whole body went numb. "Senior Brother, what kind of talk is that? We, because of sins in our previous lives, were fortunate to be converted by Guanyin Bodhisattva. She touched our heads and administered the precepts, changed our dharma names, and guided us to the Buddha's fruit. We willingly vowed to protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to worship Buddha and seek scriptures, thus atoning for our sins. Now, to come to this point and suddenly abandon everything, speaking of each going our separate ways—wouldn't that violate the Bodhisattva's good deed, ruin our own virtue, and invite ridicule, with people saying we started but didn't finish?"

Wukong said, "Brother, what you say is true. But Master never listens to anyone. I, Old Monkey, with my fiery eyes and golden gaze, can discern good from evil. Just now, that wind was caused by the child hanging on the tree. I recognized him as a demon, but you didn't, and Master didn't either, taking him for a child from a good family and telling me to carry him. I, Old Monkey, had planned to deal with him, but then he used a heavy-body spell to crush me. When I smashed him to pieces, he must have used the 'cadaver liberation' technique and raised a whirlwind to snatch my master away. That's why I blame him for never listening to me. Thus, my heart is discouraged and indifferent, and I spoke of everyone dispersing. Since you, virtuous brother, have such sincerity, you make Old Monkey caught between a rock and a hard place. Bajie, what do you truly intend to do?"

Bajie said, "I just spoke thoughtlessly and blurted out a few things; in truth, we shouldn't disperse. Brother, there's nothing for it, let's still heed Brother Sha's words and go find that demon to rescue Master."

Wukong's anger turned to joy. "Brothers, let us unite our hearts, gather the luggage and the horse, and go up the mountain to search for the monster and rescue Master!"

The three of them, clinging to vines and scaling slopes, searching through ravines, traveled for fifty or seventy *li*, but found no trace. There were no birds or beasts on the mountain, only ancient cypresses and towering pines. Sun Wukong was truly anxious. He sprang up, leaping onto a perilous peak, and roared, "Change!" He transformed into three heads and six arms, like his true form when he wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. He brandished his golden-banded staff, which shimmered and transformed into three golden-banded staffs. He then wildly struck left and right, incessantly.

Bajie saw this and said, "Sha Wujing, this is bad! Senior Brother can't find Master and is having a fit of rage!"

Wukong struck for a while, striking out a group of impoverished gods. They were all dressed in tattered rags, with no crotches in their shorts or openings in their pants. They knelt before the mountain and called out, "Great Sage, the mountain gods and local deities are here to see you."

Wukong asked, "Why are there so many mountain gods and local deities?"

The gods prostrated themselves and said, "Reporting to the Great Sage, this mountain is called Mount Drill-Head, six hundred *li* long. We are one mountain god and one local deity every ten *li*, totaling thirty mountain gods and thirty local deities. Yesterday, we already heard of the Great Sage's arrival, but because we couldn't all assemble at once, our reception was delayed, causing the Great Sage's anger. We beg your forgiveness."

Wukong said, "I will spare your lives for now. I ask you: how many demons are there on this mountain?"

The gods cried, "Grandpa! There is only one demon, who has rubbed our heads bald! He has left us with no incense or paper offerings, completely devoid of blood sacrifices, and each of us is without proper clothes or enough food to eat! How many more demons could there be!"

Wukong asked, "Does this demon live in front of the mountain or behind the mountain?"

The gods said, "He lives neither in front nor behind the mountain. In this mountain, there is a stream called Dry Pine Stream. By the stream is a cave called Fire Cloud Cave. In that cave lives a Demon King with immense supernatural powers. He often captures us mountain gods and local deities to tend his fires, guard his doors, and ring bells and call out slogans for him at night. His minor demons also demand 'customary fees.'"

Wukong asked, "You are immortal ghosts of the underworld; what money do you have?"

The gods replied, "Precisely because we have no money to give him, we have to catch some mountain deer and wild boars to present to his group of spirits day and night. If we have nothing to offer, he will come to dismantle our temples, strip our clothes, and torment us, leaving us no peace! We earnestly beg the Great Sage to exterminate this monster for us and rescue the living beings on this mountain."

Wukong asked, "Since you are under his control and often at his cave, do you know where this demon comes from and what his name is?"

The gods said, "Speaking of him, perhaps the Great Sage also knows him. He is the son of the Bull Demon King, born of Princess Iron Fan. He cultivated himself on Flaming Mountain for three hundred years and mastered the Samadhi True Fire, possessing immense supernatural powers. The Bull Demon King sent him to guard Mount Hao. His infant name is Red Boy, and his title is Sage Great King."

Wukong heard this, and his heart filled with joy. He dismissed the local deities and mountain gods, then reverted to his true form, leaping down from the peak. He said to Bajie and Sha Wujing, "Brothers, set your minds at ease, no need to worry anymore. Master will definitely not be harmed; that demon is related to Old Monkey."

Bajie chuckled, "Brother, don't lie. You are from the Eastern Purvavideha Continent, and this is the Western Aparagodaniya Continent. The journey is long and distant, separated by myriad waters and mountains, and also two oceans. How can he be related to you?"

Wukong said, "Just now, these people were the local deities and mountain gods of this region. I asked them about the demon, and they said he is the son of the Bull Demon King, born of Princess Iron Fan, named Red Boy, and titled Sage Great King. When I, Old Monkey, wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago, I traveled all over the famous mountains of the world, seeking out heroes of the land. That Bull Demon King and I were sworn brothers, seven of us. Among five or six demon kings, only Old Monkey was small and nimble, which is why I called the Bull Demon King 'Big Brother.' This demon is the son of the Bull Demon King, and I am acquainted with his father. If we are to discuss lineage, he is still my grand-nephew! How would he dare harm my master? Let's go quickly now!"

Sha Wujing laughed, "Brother, as the saying goes, 'Three years without visiting, even relatives become strangers.' You have been separated from him for five or six hundred years, you haven't exchanged drinks or invited him with festive gifts. How would he acknowledge any kinship with you?"

Wukong retorted, "How can you be so narrow-minded! As the saying goes, 'A single duckweed returns to the vast sea, where in life do people not meet again?' Even if he doesn't acknowledge kinship, he surely wouldn't harm my master. I don't expect him to keep us for a banquet, but he will certainly return a whole Tang Sanzang to me."

The three brothers, with sincere hearts, led the white horse carrying the luggage, and continued straight along the main road.

Without distinguishing between day and night, they traveled for about a hundred *li* when they suddenly saw a pine forest. Within the forest was a winding stream, beneath which clear, flowing water cascaded. At the end of the stream was a stone slab bridge leading to a cave dwelling.

Wukong said, "Brothers, look at the glimmering stone cliffs over there. It must be where the demon lives. Let us discuss among ourselves: who will be responsible for guarding the luggage and the horse, and who will be willing to come with me to subdue the demon?"

Bajie said, "Brother, Old Pig has no patience for sitting around; I'll go with you."

"Good, good!" Wukong replied. He told Sha Wujing, "Conceal the horse and luggage deep within the forest, and guard them carefully. My brother and I will go to the door to find Master."

Sha Wujing obeyed. Bajie followed, and he and Wukong proceeded, each holding their weapons. Indeed:Before the Infant-Soul is refined, the邪fire burns strong,The Mind-Monkey and Earth-Mother must join to support.

What good or ill came of this journey, is yet unknown; we shall hear the next chapter's unraveling.