Chapter 41: Heart Monkey Defeated by Fire, Wood Mother Captured by Demon

Forgetting good and evil temporarily, unconcerned with prosperity or decline. Appearing and disappearing, letting himself drift, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty.

When the spirit is tranquil and serene, devils invade when it darkens. The Five Elements stumble and disrupt the Zen forest; when the wind stirs, cold inevitably ensues.

Now, the Great Sage Sun, leading Bajie, parted ways with Sha Wujing, leaped over the Dry Pine Stream, and arrived directly before the strange stone cliff. Indeed, they saw a cave dwelling, truly a magnificent sight. They saw—

The ancient path for the emperor's return was secluded and tranquil; even the wind and moon listened to the mystical crane's play. White clouds pierced through, illuminating the entire river, and flowing water over bridges evoked an immortal's delight.Monkeys chattered and birds sang among strange flowers and trees; wisteria and stone steps enhanced the beauty of orchids. Dark green foliage swayed in the ravines, scattering mist and haze, while emerald pines and bamboos invited colorful phoenixes.Distant peaks resembled a screen, and mountains surrounding streams formed a true immortal's cave. A dragon-vein, originating from the Kunlun mountains, gave forth energy; only those with destiny and affinity could enjoy its benefits.

As they drew near the entrance, they saw a stone tablet inscribed with eight large characters: "Fire Cloud Cave of Dry Pine Stream, Mount Flaming." On one side, a group of minor demons were spinning spears and brandishing swords, playfully romping about. The Great Sage Sun roared loudly, "You little imps, go quickly and inform your cave master to send out my master, Tripitaka, or I'll spare none of you demons in this cave! If you utter even half a 'no,' I will overturn your mountain stronghold and flatten your dwelling!" Hearing this, the minor demons hastily turned, each scurried back into the cave, closed the two stone doors, and reported inside, "Great King, we're in trouble!"

Meanwhile, the monster, having captured Tripitaka, had stripped off his clothes, tied his four limbs together, and bound him in the back courtyard. He instructed the minor demons to fetch clean water to scrub him, intending to steam and eat him. Hearing the urgent report of trouble, he paused the scrubbing and came to the front courtyard, asking, "What trouble is there?" A minor demon reported, "A monk with a hairy face and a thunder-god's mouth, accompanied by a monk with a long snout and big ears, is at the gate demanding his master, Tripitaka. If we utter even half a 'no,' he threatens to overturn our mountain stronghold and flatten our dwelling." The Demon King chuckled coldly, "So it's Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie. They certainly know how to find their way. He seized his master from halfway up the mountain, a distance of one hundred and fifty li, yet how did he manage to find his way right to my door?" He ordered, "Little ones, tell those in charge of the carts to bring them out!" That group of minor demons brought out five small carts and opened the front gate. Bajie, seeing them, said, "Brother, this demon must be afraid of us, bringing out carts to move away." Wukong replied, "No, let's see where he puts them." The minor demons arranged the carts according to the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, leaving five to guard them and five to go inside to report. The Demon King asked, "Is everything ready?" They replied, "It is." He commanded, "Bring me my spear." A group of minor demons in charge of weapons had two of them carry out an eighteen-foot-long fiery-tipped spear and presented it to the Demon King. The Demon King twirled his spear and strode forward, wearing no armor, only a brocade battle-skirt around his waist, and barefoot, he stepped out of the cave. Wukong and Bajie looked up and saw that monster—

His face was powdered, three parts white; his lips, like painted vermilion, showed his talent. His temples, coiled like green clouds, surpassed indigo dye; his eyebrows, like a new moon, seemed cut by a knife.His battle-skirt was artfully embroidered with coiling dragons and phoenixes; his form was more robust than Nezha's. With both hands gripping his spear, his might was awe-inspiring; auspicious light protected his body as he emerged.His bellowing voice was like a spring thunderclap; his furious eyes shone like flashes of lightning. If you wish to know this demon's true name, renowned through the ages, he is called Red Boy.

The monster Red Boy came out of the gate and loudly shouted, "Who is yelling here in my territory!" Wukong stepped forward and chuckled, "My dear nephew, don't play tricks. This morning, by the mountain road, you were hanging high on a pine tree, a skinny, sickly, jaundiced child, and you deceived my master. I kindly offered to carry you, and then you conjured up wind to whisk my master away. Now you're putting on this act; how could I not recognize you? Quickly send out my master. Don't lose face or sever our family ties, lest your esteemed father find out and blame me, your elder, for bullying a junior, which would be quite unseemly." Hearing this, the monster was furious and roared, "You vile monkey! What family ties do I have with you? You're spouting nonsense here, quoting what scriptures? Who is your nephew?" Wukong replied, "Brother, you don't know. When your esteemed father and I were sworn brothers back then, you weren't even born." The monster retorted, "This monkey is talking absolute rubbish! Where are you from, and where am I from? How could you be sworn brothers with my father?" Wukong said, "You are unaware. I am Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. Before I caused that havoc, I traveled all over the world, to the ends of the seas and skies, visiting all Four Great Continents. In those days, I specifically sought out heroes. Your esteemed father, called the Bull Demon King, was known as the Great Sage of Peace, and he and I, your old Sun, became seven sworn brothers, with him as the eldest. There was also the Flood Dragon Demon King, called the Great Sage of Returning to the Sea, who was the second brother; and the Roc Demon King, called the Great Sage of Confusing Heaven, who was the third brother; and the Lion Camel King, called the Great Sage of Moving Mountains, who was the fourth brother; and the Macaque King, called the Great Sage of Communication, who was the fifth brother; and the Barbary Ape King, called the Great Sage of Driving Gods, who was the sixth brother. Only your old Sun was small in stature, called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, ranking seventh. When we old brothers were having fun back then, you hadn't even been born!"

The monster, hearing this, naturally refused to believe it and immediately raised his fiery-tipped spear to stab. Wukong, a seasoned master, remained unhurried. He used a body technique to dodge the spearhead, then swung his iron rod, cursing, "You little beast, you don't know your place! Take this rod!" The demon also used a body technique to evade the iron rod, saying, "You vile monkey, you don't know the times! Take this spear!" Disregarding all kinship, both instantly changed their expressions, each employing their supernatural powers, and leaped into the clouds for a fierce battle—

The Pilgrim's fame was great, the Demon King's skill was strong. One held his golden-banded rod horizontally, the other thrust his fiery-tipped spear straight. One exhaled mist, obscuring the three realms; the other sprayed clouds, illuminating the four directions. The sky was filled with murderous aura and fierce roars, and the sun, moon, and stars lost their light. Their words showed no concession, their feelings were both distorted. One was deceitful and lacked propriety, the other changed face and lost all principles. The rod's parry was majestically long, the spear's thrust was wild and fierce. One was the true Great Sage of Primal Chaos, the other was the Good Fortune Boy of righteous enlightenment. Both strove hard to win, all for Tripitaka, who sought to worship the Buddha King.

The demon and the Great Sage Sun fought for twenty rounds, with neither gaining an advantage. Zhu Bajie watched from the side and clearly observed: although the demon did not lose or surrender, he was only parrying and blocking, utterly lacking in offensive power; while Wukong, though not defeating him, had strong and precise rod techniques, his attacks constantly targeting the demon's head, never straying from his vicinity. Bajie secretly thought, "This is bad! Wukong is quick and nimble; he might suddenly feign an opening, trick the demon into coming close, strike him down with one iron rod, and then I'll get no credit." So, he roused his spirits, raised his nine-toothed rake, and from the air, thrust it straight at the demon's head. Seeing this, the monster was startled, hastily dragged his spear, and retreated from the battle. Wukong shouted to Bajie, "Catch him, catch him!"

The two pursued him to the entrance of his cave, where they saw the demon. With one hand, he held his fiery-tipped spear, standing on the central small cart, while with the other hand, he clenched a fist and punched himself twice on the nose. Bajie laughed, "This scoundrel is shameless! You might as well smash your nose, let some blood flow out, redden your face, and then go accuse us somewhere!" The demon punched himself twice, recited a spell, and fire erupted from his mouth, thick smoke burst from his nostrils, and flames simultaneously blazed from his eyes. From the five carts, fire surged forth. After several consecutive spouts, a fiery red blaze filled the sky, and the entire Fire Cloud Cave was engulfed in smoke and flames, truly scorching heaven and earth. Bajie panicked, saying, "Brother, this isn't good! If we get caught in this fire, we won't survive. They'll roast old Pig, add spices, and enjoy me! Quick, let's go, let's go!" Saying "go," he disregarded Wukong and ran across the stream. Wukong, with his vast supernatural powers, conjured a fire-avoiding spell and plunged into the flames, searching for the demon. The demon, seeing Wukong coming, spewed several more blasts, and the fire became even more intense than before. What a fire—

Blazing intensely, filling the sky with flames, mighty and majestic, dyeing the earth red. It was like fiery wheels flying up and down, like charcoal dust dancing east and west. This fire was not made by Suiren drilling wood, nor was it the elixir refined by Laozi. It was not heavenly fire, nor wild fire, but the True Samadhi Fire cultivated by the demon. The five carts corresponded to the Five Elements, and the fire was refined through their generation and transformation. Liver wood can generate strong heart fire; heart fire leads to balanced spleen earth. Spleen earth generates metal, metal transforms into water; water can generate wood, thoroughly connecting with spiritual power. All generation and transformation depend on fire; when fire fills the sky, all things flourish. The evil demon long ago comprehended the Samadhi, forever renowned as the foremost in the West.

Wukong, surrounded by soaring smoke and flames, could not find the monster, nor could he see the path in front of the cave entrance. He withdrew and leaped out of the fire. The demon, observing clearly from the entrance, saw Wukong retreat. Only then did he withdraw his fire-producing apparatus, lead his group of demons, return inside the cave, and close the stone doors. Believing he had won, he ordered his imps to prepare a feast and play music, celebrating joyfully, which need not be detailed further.

Now, Wukong leaped over the Dry Pine Stream and brought down his cloud, only to hear Bajie and Sha Wujing loudly conversing among the pines. Wukong stepped forward and scolded Bajie, "You blockhead, you have no guts at all! You were so afraid of the demon's fire that you fled for your life, abandoning old Sun! It's a good thing I know my way around!" Bajie chuckled, "Brother, that demon was right about you; you truly don't know the times. As the ancients said, 'He who understands the times is called a hero.' That demon is no kin of yours, yet you insist on claiming kinship. And when you fought him, he unleashed such merciless fire, yet you wouldn't leave and insisted on continuing the battle!" Wukong asked, "How does that monster's skill compare to mine?" Bajie said, "Inferior." "And his spear-play?" Bajie replied, "Also inferior. Old Pig saw he couldn't hold on, so I came to help you with a rake. Unexpectedly, he didn't know how to play fair and just retreated and started the fire without any reason." Wukong said, "That's precisely why you shouldn't have interfered. If I had fought him a few more rounds, I could have seized an opportunity to strike him with my rod, wouldn't that have been better?" The two kept discussing the demon's skills and the virulence of his fire, while Sha Wujing leaned against a pine root, laughing foolishly. Wukong saw him and said, "Brother, why are you laughing? Do you have some special skill to capture that demon and break through his fire formation? This is a beneficial matter for everyone. As the saying goes, 'Many hands make light work.' If you can capture the demon and save Master, it will be a great merit for you." Sha Wujing replied, "I have no special skill, nor can I subdue demons. I'm laughing because both of you are getting flustered." Wukong asked, "How am I flustered?" Sha Wujing said, "That demon's skills are inferior to yours, and his spear-play is inferior to yours. He just has a lot more fire power, which is why you couldn't win. If you ask me, using the principle of mutual generation and conquest to deal with him, what's so difficult about it?" Wukong heard this and burst out laughing, "Brother, you speak wisely. Indeed, we were flustered and forgot about this. If we discuss it using the theory of mutual generation and conquest, we must use water to overcome fire. Where can we find some water to extinguish this demonic fire and save Master?" Sha Wujing said, "Exactly, there's no need to hesitate." Wukong said, "You two stay here and don't challenge him to battle. I, old Sun, will go to the Eastern Ocean to borrow dragon soldiers and bring some water to douse the demonic fire and capture this rogue." Bajie said, "Brother, go with peace of mind. We understand."

The brave Great Sage soared on a cloud, leaving that place, and in an instant, arrived at the Eastern Ocean. He had no mind to admire the sea scenery; he used a water-forcing spell to part the waves. As he traveled, he encountered a patrolling sea Yaksha. Seeing it was the Great Sage Sun, the Yaksha quickly returned to the Crystal Palace to inform the old Dragon King. Ao Guang immediately led his dragon sons, dragon grandsons, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals to meet him, inviting him to sit inside. After sitting down and exchanging courtesies, Wukong said, "No need for tea, I have an urgent matter. My master, Tripitaka, is on his way to the West to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures. He passed by Fire Cloud Cave in Dry Pine Stream on Mount Flaming, where a demon named Red Boy, also known as the Holy Infant King, captured my master. I, old Sun, found my way to his cave and fought him, but he unleashed fire. We couldn't withstand it. Thinking that water conquers fire, I specifically came to ask you for some water, to give me a heavy rain to extinguish the demonic fire and save Tripitaka from this tribulation." The Dragon King replied, "Great Sage, you are mistaken. If you wish to summon rain, you shouldn't ask me." Wukong said, "You are the Dragon King of the Four Seas, in charge of rain and dew. If not you, then whom should I ask?" The Dragon King said, "Although I am in charge of rain, I dare not act presumptuously. I must have the Jade Emperor's decree, specifying the location, the amount in feet and inches, and the exact time to start and stop. Moreover, the Three Officials must write it, Taiyi must transfer the document, and the Thunder God, Electric Mother, Wind Master, and Cloud Child must be ordered. As the saying goes, 'Dragons cannot move without clouds.'" Wukong said, "I don't need wind, clouds, thunder, or lightning; I just need some rainwater to extinguish the fire." The Dragon King said, "Great Sage, if you don't need wind, clouds, thunder, or lightning, I alone cannot help. How about I ask my younger brothers to assist you in this endeavor?" Wukong asked, "Where are your younger brothers?" The Dragon King replied, "Ao Qin, the Dragon King of the South Sea; Ao Run, the Dragon King of the North Sea; and Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the West Sea." Wukong chuckled, "If I have to travel through three more seas, I might as well go to the Upper Heavens to seek the Jade Emperor's decree." The Dragon King said, "You don't need to go, Great Sage. If I strike the iron drums and golden bells here, they will arrive instantly." Wukong heard this and said, "Old Dragon King, quickly strike the bells and drums!"

In an instant, the Dragon Kings of the Three Seas gathered, asking, "Elder Brother, what command do you have for your younger brothers?" Ao Guang replied, "The Great Sage Sun is here to borrow rain to help subdue a demon." The three brothers were immediately brought in and, after meeting, Wukong fully explained the matter of borrowing water. All the deities happily agreed and immediately summoned—

Valiant sharks served as the vanguard, while the large-mouthed pufferfish acted as the spearhead. Marshal Carp turned waves and leaped over ripples, while Admiral Bream exhaled mist and sprayed wind.Marquis Mackerel patrolled the east, while Commander Perch urged the western forces. The Red-Eyed Horseman danced in the south, and the Black-Armored General charged from the north.General Garfish commanded the central army, with heroes everywhere among the five-directional troops. Cunning strategists, the Turtle Privy Councilors, made subtle and profound calculations.The Alligator Chancellor was resourceful and wise, and the Soft-Shelled Turtle Commander-in-Chief was versatile and capable. Sideways-walking crab warriors wielded long swords, while straight-leaping shrimp matrons drew strong bows.Officer Catfish checked the documents, as the dragon soldiers emerged from the waves.

The poem says: The Four Sea Dragon Kings gladly offered their aid, invited by the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Solely because Tripitaka faced hardship on his journey, they came to borrow water to extinguish the fiery red blaze.

The Pilgrim, leading the dragon soldiers, soon arrived above Dry Pine Stream on Mount Flaming. Wukong said, "Esteemed Dragon Kings, I apologize for this distant journey. This is the demon's territory. Please remain in the air and do not show yourselves. Allow old Sun to fight him. If I defeat him, you will not need to capture him; if I lose to him, you will not need to assist in the battle. However, when he unleashes his fire, listen for my call, and then all of you, spray rain together." The Dragon Kings all obeyed his command.

Wukong brought down his cloud and entered the pine forest, where he met Bajie and Sha Wujing. He called out, "Brothers." Bajie said, "Brother, you came back quickly! Did you manage to invite the Dragon Kings?" Wukong replied, "They're all here. You two must be very careful; beware of heavy rain, don't let the luggage get wet. I'm going to fight him." Sha Wujing said, "Elder Brother, go with peace of mind. We understand everything."

Wukong leaped over the stream and arrived at the entrance, calling out, "Open the door!" The minor demons again rushed in to report, "Sun Wukong is back at the gate!" Red Boy looked up and laughed, "That monkey probably wasn't burned in the fire, that's why he's back. This time, we absolutely mustn't spare him; we'll burn him to a crisp!" He quickly sprang up, holding his long spear, and ordered, "Little ones, bring out the fire carts!" He stepped out of the cave and said to Wukong, "Why are you here again?" Wukong said, "Return my master!" The monster said, "You monkey, you're too inflexible. That Tang Monk can be your master, but he can also be my appetizer. You still want him, huh? No way, no way!" Hearing this, Wukong was furious. He drew his golden-banded rod and struck him squarely on the head. The demon, wielding his fiery-tipped spear, quickly parried and engaged. This battle was different from the last. What a fight—

The vile demon raged furiously, while the Monkey King grew impatient with anger. This one was dedicated to saving the scripture-seeking monk, that one wanted to eat Tripitaka. Their hearts changed, devoid of kinship; their feelings estranged, showing no courtesy. One longed to capture and flay the other alive, the other wished to seize and dip him in sauce. Truly too heroic, indeed so fierce and strong. Rod met spear in a wager of victory or defeat; spear clashed with rod, vying for advantage. They exchanged blows for twenty rounds, both sides equally skilled.

The Demon King fought Wukong for twenty rounds. Seeing that he could not win, he feigned a thrust with his spear, quickly withdrew, clenched his fist, and punched himself on the nose twice, then spewed fire. From the carts in front of the gate, smoke and fire erupted; from his mouth and eyes, scarlet flames flew. The Great Sage Sun turned and called out, "Dragon Kings, where are you?" The Dragon King brothers, leading their aquatic forces, unleashed rain into the demon's flames. What a rain! Truly it was:Raining freely and deeply, densely and heavily. Raining freely and deeply, like stars falling from the sky; densely and heavily, like waves overturning at the ocean mouth. At first, the drops were fist-sized; later, they poured down like water from jars and basins. The ground was saturated with duckweed green, and the high mountains were washed to a Buddha-head blue. Water cascaded down ravines like a thousand feet of jade, and stream currents surged like ten thousand threads of silver. The three-way crossroads quickly filled, and the winding streams gradually leveled. This was the divine dragons assisting Tripitaka in his tribulation, overturning the Milky Way to pour it down.

The rain, despite its abundant flow, could not extinguish the demon's fire. It turned out that the Dragon Kings' ordinary rain could only douse mundane fires; how could it extinguish the demon's True Samadhi Fire? It was like pouring oil on a fire, making it burn even hotter and more fiercely with every splash. The Great Sage said, "Let me conjure a spell and dive into the fire!" He swung his iron rod, seeking the demon to strike him. The demon, seeing him approach, spewed a mouthful of smoke directly at his face. Wukong quickly turned his head, his eyes stung so badly that he was dazed, and tears streamed down like rain. It turned out that the Great Sage was not afraid of fire, only smoke. In the past, during his great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, Laozi had placed him in the Eight Trigrams Furnace for refinement. Fortunately, he had found refuge in the Xun (wind) position, so he was not burned. However, the wind stirred up the smoke, making his eyes fiery and golden, which is why to this day he fears smoke. The demon spewed another mouthful, and Wukong could not withstand it, so he ascended on his cloud and fled. The Demon King then withdrew his fire-producing apparatus and returned to his cave.

The Great Sage, covered in smoke and fire, unable to bear the searing heat, plunged straight into the stream to quench the flames. Little did he know that the sudden cold water would drive the heat into his heart, causing his three souls to leave his body. Pitiably, his chest was suffocated, his throat and tongue grew cold, and his spirit scattered, losing his remaining life! Alarmed, the Four Sea Dragon Kings in mid-air stopped the rain and shouted loudly, "Marshal Tian Peng, General Rolling Curtain, stop hiding in the forest and find your elder brother!" Hearing their sacred titles called, Bajie and Sha Wujing hastily untied the horses and grabbed their luggage, rushing out of the forest. Disregarding the mud, they searched along the stream bank and saw a person flowing down the rushing current from upstream, bobbing and rolling in the waves. Sha Wujing saw him, leaped into the water fully clothed, and carried him ashore. It was the body of the Great Sage Sun. Alas! Look, his limbs were curled up and could not be straightened, and his whole body was as cold as ice. Sha Wujing, with tears in his eyes, cried, "Elder Brother, what a pity! You, an immortal who lived for millions of years, have now become a short-lived person halfway through your journey!" Bajie chuckled, "Brother, don't cry. This monkey is only pretending to be dead to scare us. Feel him, is there even a bit of warmth left in his chest?" Sha Wujing said, "His whole body is cold. Even if there was a little warmth, how could he revive?" Bajie said, "He has seventy-two transformations, and thus seventy-two lives. You pull his feet, and I'll work on him." Indeed, Sha Wujing pulled his feet, and Bajie supported his head, straightened him out, brought his legs up, and seated him cross-legged. Bajie rubbed his hands together until they were warm, then covered Wukong's seven orifices, performing a massage meditation technique. It turned out that Wukong's qi was blocked in his dantian due to the sudden cold water, preventing him from speaking. Fortunately, with Bajie's massage and rubbing, in a moment, his qi penetrated the three passes, returned to his vital organs, and cleared his orifices. He let out a cry, "Master!" Sha Wujing said, "Brother, whether alive or dead, Master is still on your lips. Please revive, we are here!" Wukong opened his eyes and said, "Are you brothers here? Old Sun has suffered a loss!" Bajie chuckled, "You were just unconscious! If old Pig hadn't saved you, you would have been finished. Aren't you going to thank me?" Wukong then stood up, looked skyward, and asked, "Where are the Ao brothers?" The Four Sea Dragon Kings replied from mid-air, "Little dragons are here, awaiting your command." Wukong said, "I have troubled you with a long journey, but our efforts were in vain. Please return for now; I will thank you another day." The Dragon Kings, leading their aquatic forces, returned in a majestic manner, which need not be further elaborated.

Sha Wujing helped Wukong, and together they sat beneath the pine trees. After a short while, Wukong calmed his mind and regulated his breathing, yet tears streamed down his cheeks as he called out again, "Master!I recall that year, when you left Great Tang, you saved me from disaster before the cliff. Through three mountains and six rivers, we met demonic obstacles, enduring countless hardships and suffering deeply.Bearing a begging bowl, we ate simply or grandly each morning, practicing Zen and staying overnight in forests or villages. With one heart, we hoped to achieve our goal, yet who knew today I would be so painfully injured!"

Sha Wujing said, "Brother, stop worrying. Let's make a plan quickly. Where can we invite reinforcements to help rescue Master?" Wukong asked, "Where should we seek help?" Sha Wujing replied, "Originally, Bodhisattva instructed us to protect Tripitaka, and he promised us that if we called upon heaven, heaven would answer, and if we called upon earth, earth would respond. Where else should we seek help?" Wukong said, "When old Sun caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, even the divine soldiers couldn't withstand me. This demon has no small supernatural powers; he must be stronger than old Sun to be subdued. Heavenly gods are insufficient, and earthly fiends cannot do it. If we want to capture this demon, we must invite Guanyin Bodhisattva. But alas, my skin and flesh are sore and numb, my waist and knees ache, and I cannot even summon my somersault cloud. How can I invite her?" Bajie said, "If you have any instructions, let me go and invite her." Wukong chuckled, "Very well, you can go. If you see the Bodhisattva, never look up at her; just bow with your head lowered. When she asks, tell her the place name and the demon's name, and then explain the matter of rescuing Master. If she agrees to come, she will surely capture the monster." Hearing this, Bajie immediately mounted his cloud and headed south.

Meanwhile, the Demon King in his cave rejoiced, saying, "Little ones, Sun Wukong has suffered a defeat and left. Although he didn't die in that battle, he must have been severely dazed. Hmm, I fear he might go invite reinforcements again. Quickly open the door, let me see who he invites."

The demons opened the door, and the demon leaped into the air to observe. He saw Bajie heading south. The demon thought there was no other significant place in the south, so it must be Guanyin Bodhisattva whom he was going to invite. He quickly brought down his cloud and called out, "Little ones, find my leather bag. It hasn't been used for a long time, so I fear the drawstring might not be secure. Replace it with a new one and place it under the inner gate. I'm going to trick Bajie back here, put him in the bag, steam him until he's mush, and reward you all." It turned out that the demon possessed a wondrous leather bag. The minor demons brought it out, replaced the drawstring, and placed it inside the cave entrance, which needs no further mention.

Now, the Demon King had long resided here and was intimately familiar with the area. He knew which path was shorter to the South Sea and which was longer. He took the shorter route, flew on his cloud, overtook Bajie, and then sat poised on a cliff face, transformed into a "fake Guanyin Bodhisattva," awaiting Bajie. As the simpleton traveled on his cloud, he suddenly saw the Bodhisattva. How could he discern truth from falsehood? This was a case of seeing an image and believing it to be Buddha. The simpleton halted his cloud and bowed, saying, "Bodhisattva, your disciple Zhu Wuneng prostrates himself." The demon said, "Are you not protecting Tripitaka on his scripture-seeking journey? Why do you come to me?" Bajie replied, "Your disciple and Master, halfway through our journey, encountered the Fire Cloud Cave in Dry Pine Stream on Mount Flaming. A demon named Red Boy captured my master. My elder brother and I sought him out and fought him. He turned out to be able to breathe fire. In the first battle, we could not win; in the second, we invited the Dragon Kings to assist with rain, but it also could not extinguish the fire. My elder brother was badly burned and cannot move, so he sent your disciple to invite Bodhisattva, hoping for your mercy to save my master from this tribulation!" The demon said, "The master of Fire Cloud Cave is not one to harm living beings. You must have offended him." Bajie said, "I did not offend him; it was my elder brother Wukong who offended him. He transformed into a small child and hung himself on a tree to test my master. Master was very kind-hearted and told me to untie him, and he asked my elder brother to carry him for a while. It was my elder brother who threw him down once, and then he conjured wind and carried Master away." The demon said, "Get up and follow me into the cave to see the cave master. I will put in a good word for you, and you can offer an apology to get your master back." Bajie said, "Bodhisattva, if he is willing to return my master, I will even kowtow to him."

The Demon King said, "Follow me." The simpleton, unaware of the trap, followed him directly back along the old path, not towards the South Sea, but towards the Fire Cloud Gate. In an instant, they arrived at the entrance. The demon entered and said, "Don't be suspicious; he is an old acquaintance of mine. Come in." The simpleton had no choice but to step inside the gate. All the demons collectively roared, seizing Bajie, stuffing him into the bag, tightening the drawstring, and hanging him high on a crossbeam. The demon then revealed his true form and sat in the center, saying, "Zhu Bajie, what powers do you have that you dare to protect Tripitaka on his scripture journey, and dare to invite Bodhisattva to subdue me? Open your two big eyes wide; you still don't recognize that I am the Holy Infant King! Now that I've captured you, I'll hang you for three to five days, steam you until you're mush, and reward my minor demons with you, serving you as an appetizer!" Hearing this, Bajie cursed from inside, "You vile monster, you are utterly shameless! If you manage to trick me and eat me with your countless schemes, I guarantee every one of you will suffer from swollen heads and the Heavenly Plague!" The simpleton cursed and yelled again and again, which need not be further detailed.

Meanwhile, as the Great Sage Sun and Sha Wujing were sitting, a gust of foul-smelling wind swept past them. Wukong sneezed and said, "Bad news, bad news! This wind bodes ill. It must be that Zhu Bajie took the wrong path." Sha Wujing said, "If he took the wrong path, couldn't he ask for directions?" Wukong said, "He must have run into the demon." Sha Wujing said, "If he ran into the demon, couldn't he run back?" Wukong said, "Something's not right. You sit here and keep watch, and I'll run across the stream to find out." Sha Wujing said, "Elder Brother, your waist hurts. I'm afraid you'll fall into his hands again. Let me go." Wukong said, "You won't be effective; let me go." The brave Wukong gritted his teeth, endured the pain, clutched his iron rod, walked across the stream, and arrived in front of Fire Cloud Cave, calling out, "You vile monster!" The minor demons guarding the gate quickly rushed inside to report, "Sun Wukong is calling at the gate again!" The Demon King gave the command to seize him. That group of minor demons, surrounded by spears and swords, shouted in unison, quickly opened the gate, and all cried, "Catch him, catch him!" Wukong was indeed exhausted and dared not confront them directly. He squeezed himself to the side of the path, recited a spell, and called out, "Transform!" He immediately transformed into a glittering brocade satchel. The minor demons saw it and reported, "Great King, Sun Wukong got scared! He just heard the word 'catch' and hastily dropped his satchel and ran away." The Demon King chuckled, "There's nothing valuable in that satchel anyway; it's probably just the monk's tattered robe and old hat. Bring it in, take it apart, wash it, and use it for patches." A minor demon, indeed, carried the satchel inside, unaware that it was Wukong transformed. Wukong thought, "Excellent! This glittering brocade satchel has been carried in!" The demon thought nothing of it and left it inside the gate.

The clever Pilgrim, deceitful within deceit, illusory within illusion, plucked a single hair, blew a puff of immortal breath, and transformed it into an identical satchel. His true self, meanwhile, transformed into a tiny fly and perched on the door hinge. He only heard Bajie grunting and groaning indistinctly, sounding like a plague-ridden pig. Wukong flew with a buzzing sound to investigate and found him hanging inside a leather bag. Wukong perched on the bag and then heard Bajie cursing the demon with harsh words, calling him a long monster and a short monster: "How dare you falsely transform into Guanyin Bodhisattva to trick me back and hang me here, even saying you'll eat me! One day, my elder brother—Will unleash his boundless Great Sage Equal to Heaven powers, instantly capturing all vile demons on this mountain. He will unfasten this leather bag and release me, then rake you a thousand times until I am satisfied!"

Wukong heard this and secretly chuckled, "Although this blockhead is suffering inside, he hasn't given up the fight. Old Sun must capture this monster; otherwise, how can I avenge this humiliation!" Just as he was about to devise a way to rescue Bajie, he heard the Demon King call out, "Where are my Six Stalwart Generals?" At that moment, six minor demons, who were his trusted spirits, designated as Stalwart Generals, came forward. They all had names: one was named Cloud-in-Mist, one Mist-in-Cloud, one Quick-as-Fire, one Fast-as-Wind, one Rising Flames, and one Tumbling Flames. The Six Stalwart Generals knelt before him, and the Demon King asked, "Do you recognize the home of the Great Old King?" The Six Stalwart Generals replied, "We do." The Demon King said, "Then go immediately, day or night, and invite the Great Old King here. Tell him I've captured Tripitaka to steam and eat him, ensuring a thousand years of longevity." The six monsters accepted the command, and one by one, dragging and pulling each other, they left the cave. Wukong, with a buzzing sound, flew off the bag and followed the six monsters, departing from the cave. It is unknown how they managed to invite him; that shall be revealed in the next chapter.