Chapter 49: Three Teachings Have Calamity Sinking the Water Residence Guanyin Rescues Difficulties Appearing in the Fish Basket

Monkey King, Pigsy, and Friar Sand bade farewell to Old Man Chen and arrived at the riverbank. “Brothers,” said Monkey King, “you two decide who will go into the water first.”Pigsy replied, “Brother, our skills are not particularly outstanding; you should go first.”Monkey King said, “To be frank, brothers, if it were a demon in the mountains, you wouldn’t need to exert yourselves. But I cannot manage things in the water. Even when I go into the sea or a river, I must use a water-repelling spell or transform into a fish or crab. If I use such a spell, I cannot wield my iron staff, use my magical powers, or fight demons. I have long known that you two are accustomed to water, which is why I want you two to go down.”Friar Sand said, “Brother, though I can go, I don’t know what it’s like at the bottom. Let’s all go together. Brother, you can transform into some form, or I can carry you. We can part the waters and find the monster’s lair, and you can go in first to scout. If Master hasn’t been harmed and is still there, we can then fight vigorously. But if this monster isn't just playing tricks, and has actually killed or eaten Master, then there’s no need for us to struggle; we should find another path early on, what do you say?”Monkey King replied, “Brother, you speak wisely. Which of you will carry me?”Pigsy secretly rejoiced, “This monkey has tricked me so many times. Now it turns out he can’t swim. I’ll carry him, and trick him back!” The idiot cheerfully called out, “Brother, I’ll carry you!”Monkey King immediately understood Pigsy’s intent but decided to turn his plan against him. “Yes, that’s good,” he said. “You’re even stronger than Wujing.”Pigsy then let him climb onto his back. Friar Sand parted the water, and the brothers descended together into the Tongtian River.After traveling about a hundred li underwater, the idiot, wanting to play a trick on Monkey King, deliberately stumbled. Monkey King immediately plucked a hair from his body, transformed it into a fake body, and left it on Pigsy’s back, while his true self transformed into a pig louse and tightly clung to Pigsy’s ear. Pigsy, while walking, suddenly stumbled deliberately and flung Monkey King forward, causing him to fall with a thud. The fake body, being merely a transformed hair, floated away and became invisible.Friar Sand exclaimed, “Second Brother, what are you doing? You can’t even walk properly, and you fell in the mud—that’s one thing. But you’ve thrown Big Brother somewhere, and we don’t know where he is!”Pigsy said, “That monkey can’t withstand a fall; he dissolved with one tumble. Brother, don’t worry about whether he’s alive or dead. Let’s just go find Master.”Friar Sand protested, “No good! We need him. Though he doesn’t know water, he’s smarter than us. If he doesn’t come, I won’t go with you.”Monkey King, still in Pigsy’s ear, couldn't help but shout loudly, “Wujing! Old Sun is right here!”Friar Sand heard him and chuckled, “Well, well! This idiot is dead meat! How dare you trick him! Now you can hear his voice but not see his face, what are you going to do?”Pigsy, startled, knelt in the mud and kowtowed, saying, “Brother, it was my fault. After we rescue Master and get him ashore, I’ll apologize properly. Where are you speaking from? You’re scaring me to death! Please reveal your true form and come out. I’ll carry you, and I wouldn’t dare offend you again!”Monkey King said, “You’re still carrying me! I’m not tricking you. Hurry up! Hurry up!” The idiot muttered apologies repeatedly as he struggled up and continued on with Friar Sand.

After another hundred li or so, they suddenly looked up and saw a towering structure. On it were four large characters: "Water Turtle's Abode."Friar Sand said, “This must be where the demon lives. We don’t know their true strength; how can we just demand a fight at their door?”Monkey King replied, “Wujing, is there water inside or outside that gate?”Friar Sand said, “No water.”Monkey King said, “Since there’s no water, you two conceal yourselves nearby. I will go and scout.” The Great Sage then climbed out of Pigsy’s ear, transformed himself with a shake, and became a long-legged shrimp. With two or three leaps, he jumped inside the gate.Looking around, he saw the demon sitting on a high platform, with all the water creatures arrayed on both sides. A spotted Madam Mandarin Fish sat nearby. They were all discussing eating Tang Sanzang. Monkey King carefully searched both sides but saw no sign of Master. Suddenly, he saw a large-bellied shrimp approaching, heading straight to the west corridor and stopping. Monkey King leapt before her and addressed her, “Auntie, the Great King and his subordinates are discussing eating Tang Sanzang. But where is Tang Sanzang?”The shrimp replied, “Tang Sanzang was captured yesterday when the Great King caused snow and ice to form. He’s now in a stone casket behind the palace. They’re just waiting for his disciples not to cause trouble tomorrow, then they’ll celebrate and enjoy him.”Hearing this, Monkey King moved swiftly for a while and went directly behind the palace. He saw that there was indeed a stone casket, shaped like a pig trough in a farm’s feeding room, or a stone coffin for humans, measuring about six feet long. He lay on top and listened for a while. He could hear Sanzang weeping softly inside. Monkey King remained silent, then listened again. Master was grinding his teeth and let out a sigh:

“Alas, my life on this river has been fraught with sin,How many water disasters have plagued me since my birth?Tossed by waves within my mother’s womb,Now journeying to the Western Heaven, fallen into a deep abyss.Before, at the Black River, I faced hardship;Now, with the ice melting, my life returns to the spring.I wonder if my disciples will come,Can I obtain the scriptures and return to my old home?”

Monkey King couldn't help but shout, “Master, don’t lament water disasters! The scriptures say, earth is the mother of the Five Elements, and water is their source. Without earth, nothing grows; without water, nothing thrives. Your Old Sun is here!”Sanzang heard him and cried, “Disciple! Save me!”Monkey King replied, “Just rest assured. Once we capture the demon, I guarantee your rescue from this ordeal.”Sanzang urged, “Act quickly! If we wait another day, I’ll surely suffocate to death!”Monkey King said, “No worries, no worries! I’m going now!” He quickly turned, leapt out, revealed his true form outside the gate, and shouted, “Pigsy!”The idiot and Friar Sand came near and asked, “Brother, what’s the situation?”Monkey King said, “This monster is indeed the one who tricked Master. Master hasn’t been harmed; the monster has sealed him inside a stone casket. You two quickly challenge him to a fight, allowing me to get out of the water first. If you can capture him, then do so; if not, feign defeat and lure him out of the water, so I can strike him.”Friar Sand said, “Brother, please go first and rest assured. We brothers will assess the situation.”Monkey King used his water-repelling spell, emerged from the waves, and stood on the bank waiting, without further ado.

See how Pigsy, acting fiercely, stormed to the gate and shouted loudly, “You scoundrel! Bring my Master out!” The minor demons inside quickly reported, “Great King, someone at the gate wants the Master!”The demon king said, “This must be that rogue monk.” He ordered, “Bring my armor and weapons quickly!” The minor demons immediately brought them out. The demon king quickly geared up, held his weapon, commanded the gate to be opened, and strode out. Pigsy and Friar Sand stood to his left and right, observing how the demon was armored. What a formidable monster! Behold him:

A golden helmet on his head shone brightly,Golden armor on his body flashed like rainbows.A precious belt studded with gems encircled his waist,Peculiar smoky-yellow boots adorned his feet.His nose bridge was high and prominent like a soaring peak,His forehead broad and imposing like a dragon’s visage.His eyes sparkled, round and fierce,His teeth were sharp and even like steel points.His short, bushy hair flared like flames,His long, flowing beard stood stiff like a golden awl.A tender green water plant was in his mouth,A nine-petaled red copper hammer in his hand.With a creak, the gate opened,Sounding like spring thunder awakening insects.Such a form is rare in the human world,Daring to claim the awesome power of a 'Spiritually Manifest King'.

As the demon emerged from the gate, a hundred or so minor demons followed him, each brandishing spears and swords, forming two flanks. He faced Pigsy and said, “What temple monk are you, and why are you causing such a ruckus here?”Pigsy roared, “You immortal scoundrel! You argued with me the other night, why do you feign ignorance and question me today? I am a disciple of the Holy Monk from the Great Tang of the East, journeying to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. You play tricks, falsely calling yourself the ‘Spiritually Responsive Great King,’ specifically wanting to eat young boys and girls in Chen Village. I was originally the ‘One Catty Gold’ from Chen Qing’s family, don’t you recognize me?”The demon king said, “You monk, you are utterly unreasonable! You transformed into ‘One Catty Gold,’ incurring the crime of impersonation. I didn’t even eat you; instead, you injured the back of my hand, and I had already conceded to you. Why do you come seeking trouble at my door again?”Pigsy retorted, “If you conceded to me, then why did you cause the cold wind, heavy snow, and solid ice, harming my Master? Quickly bring my Master out, and all matters will cease! If you utter half a negative word, just look at the rake in my hand; I will definitely not spare you!”The demon king heard him and smiled faintly and coldly, “This monk babbles endlessly, bragging wildly. Indeed, it was I who caused the cold and snow to freeze the river and capture your Master. Now you come shouting at my door, thinking of reclaiming him, but this time won't be like last time. At that time, I was attending a gathering and hadn't brought my weapon, so I was accidentally wounded by you. Now, don't run away! I will fight you for three rounds. If you can defeat me within three rounds, I will return your Master; if not, I'll eat you too.”Pigsy chuckled, “Good clever boy! That’s exactly what I mean! Watch my rake closely!”The demon king said, “So you’re a monk who joined the order halfway.”Pigsy said, “My dear boy, you really are somewhat ‘responsive,’ how do you know I’m a monk who joined halfway?”The demon king replied, “You can use a rake; perhaps you were hired to farm a garden and stole their rake?”Pigsy scorned him, “My boy, this isn’t a digging rake. Look:”

Its giant teeth are forged like dragon claws,Adorned with gold, resembling a python's form.When it meets an enemy, a cold wind sweeps;When it clashes, flames ignite.It can eliminate monsters for the Holy Monk,And capture demons on the Western journey.When swung, smoke and clouds obscure sun and moon;When wielded, rosy light illuminates clearly.It can level Mount Tai, frightening a thousand tigers;It can overturn the great sea, startling ten thousand dragons.Though you possess great power and skill,One strike will surely leave nine holes!

The demon king wouldn't believe it. He raised his copper hammer and struck directly at Pigsy’s head. Pigsy used his rake to parry and said, “You scoundrel, you too are a demon who became a spirit halfway!”The monster asked, “How do you know I’m a demon who became a spirit halfway?”Pigsy replied, “You can use a copper hammer; perhaps you were hired to pull bellows at a silversmith’s shop, and you got your hands on it and stole it?”The demon king declared, “This is no silversmith’s hammer! Look:”

Nine petals gathered like a flower bud,A hollow staff like an evergreen.It is not like an ordinary worldly object;Its origin is famed in the celestial realm.From the green chamber of the Jade Pool, a pure fragrance blooming in a clear pond,Because I diligently refined it, it is as hard as steel, sharp and spiritually potent.Spears, swords, and halberds cannot match it;Axes, halberds, and lances dare not pass by it.Even if your rake has sharp blades,Touching my hammer will break its teeth!

Friar Sand, seeing them chatting, couldn't help but step forward and shout, “You monster, stop boasting! As the ancients say, words are cheap; actions speak louder. Don't run! Take this staff!”The demon king used his hammer handle to parry and said, “You too are a monk who joined the order halfway.”Friar Sand asked, “How do you know?”The demon king replied, “Your appearance resembles that of a miller.”Friar Sand asked, “How do you know I resemble a miller?”The demon king said, “If you’re not a miller, how do you use a rolling pin?”Friar Sand cursed him, “You wretch! You have never seen this, have you?”

Such a weapon is rare in the human world,Thus its name is difficult to know.It came from the shadowless Moon Palace,Carved from sacred Salak wood.Outwardly inlaid with gems, radiating iridescent light;Inwardly drilled with gold, condensing auspicious energy.Formerly, it attended imperial banquets;Today, it upholds justice, protecting Tang Sanzang.Though unknown on the Western road,It has a great reputation in the heavenly palace.It is called the Demon-Subduing True Treasure Staff;One strike will surely shatter a demon’s skull!

The demon king allowed no further argument. The three immediately hardened their expressions. This fierce battle, fought underwater, was magnificent:

Copper hammer, treasure staff, and rake:Wuneng and Wujing battled the demon.One was Marshal Tian Peng descended to the world,The other a general from the ends of the sky.The two attacked the water monster with might,While he alone resisted the formidable divine monks.With fate and destiny, the great Way is achieved;Mutual generation and mutual overcoming abide like grains of sand.Earth overcomes water, drying it to the bottom;Water generates wood, causing wood to flourish and flower.Chan methods are cultivated to become one,Alchemy refined to subdue the three families.Earth is the mother, sprouting golden buds;Gold generates divine water, producing infants.Water is the root, moistening wood's splendor;Wood has a brilliant fiery glow.The five elements gather, each distinct,Thus, faces change, each vying.See his copper hammer, with its nine petals, shining beautifully;The treasure staff, with a thousand threads, embroidered splendidly.The rake divides Yin and Yang according to the Nine Luminaries;Its undisclosed powers are as numerous as tangled hemp.They sacrificed their lives for the monk's plight,Giving up all for Sakyamuni.Making the copper hammer swing ceaselessly,Blocking the staff on the left and the rake on the right.

The three fought underwater for four hours, with no clear victor. Pigsy, realizing he couldn't win, exchanged a glance with Friar Sand. The two feigned defeat and pretended to lose, each dragging his weapon, and turned to flee. The monster ordered, “Minions, stay here! I’ll catch those fellows and bring them back for you all to share and eat!”He pursued them like withered leaves blown by the wind, like fading flowers battered by rain, chasing the two out of the water.

Monkey King, on the east bank, watched the water movement with unblinking eyes. Suddenly, he saw waves churning and heard shouts and roars. Pigsy leapt ashore first, exclaiming, “Here he comes! Here he comes!” Friar Sand also reached the bank and said, “Here he comes! Here he comes!” The demon king followed, shouting, “Where are you going!” Just as he surfaced, Monkey King roared, “Take this staff!” The demon king dodged aside and quickly used his copper hammer to parry in return. One caused waves by the river, the other displayed his might on the bank. After barely three rounds of fighting, the demon could not parry. He performed a somersault and plunged back into the water. With that, the wind died down and the waves subsided.Monkey King turned back to the high bank and said, “Brothers, you’ve worked hard.”Friar Sand said, “Brother, this demon felt he wasn’t strong enough on land, but he’s quite formidable underwater! Second Brother and I attacked him from both sides, but we only managed a draw. What should we do to rescue Master?”Monkey King said, “Don’t hesitate, lest he harms Master.”Pigsy suggested, “Brother, I’ll go lure him out. You stay silent, just wait in mid-air. Estimate when he surfaces, then deliver a powerful ‘garlic pounding’ strike directly to the top of his head! Even if it doesn't kill him, it’ll surely make him hurt and dizzy. Then let me follow up with a rake strike, and that will finish him off!”Monkey King said, “Exactly, exactly! This is called inside assistance and outside coordination; only then can we succeed.” The two then returned to the water, without further mention.

Meanwhile, the defeated demon king, having escaped, returned to his abode. The other demons welcomed him into the palace. Madam Mandarin Fish stepped forward and asked, “Great King, where did you chase those two monks?”The demon king replied, “That monk actually had another helper. When the two of them leapt ashore, that helper swung an iron staff at me. I dodged and fought him. I don’t know how heavy that staff was; my copper hammer couldn’t possibly withstand it. I fought less than three rounds before I had to retreat.”Madam Mandarin Fish asked, “Great King, do you remember what that helper looked like?”The demon king said, “He was a monk with a hairy face, a thunder-god mouth, pointed ears, a broken nose bridge, and fiery golden eyes.”Hearing this, Madam Mandarin Fish shivered and said, “Great King! It’s fortunate you recognized his prowess and escaped with your life! If you had fought three more rounds, you certainly wouldn’t have survived! I recognize that monk.”The demon king asked, “Who do you recognize him to be?”Madam Mandarin Fish replied, “Years ago, in the Eastern Ocean, I heard the Old Dragon King speak of his reputation. He is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Handsome Monkey King, a Golden Immortal of the Grand Unity from the Upper Pure Realm, who caused great havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. Now he has converted to Buddhism, protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures, and his name has changed to Sun Wukong the Ascetic. His magic powers are vast, and his transformations are endless. Great King, why did you provoke him! Do not fight him again.”

Before she finished speaking, a minor demon from the gate reported, “Great King, those two monks are at the gate again, demanding a fight!”The demon king said, “My dear sister, your foresight is excellent. I will not go out again. Let’s see what he does.” He quickly gave orders, saying, “Minions, seal the gate tightly. Let them shout outside all they want, but do not open the door. Let them bother us for a couple of days. When they get tired and leave, won’t we then enjoy Tang Sanzang at our leisure?” The minor demons all moved stones and filled in mud, sealing the gate shut.Pigsy and Friar Sand called repeatedly but got no response. The idiot, impatient, began to attack the door with his rake. The gate was already tightly sealed and fortified; there was no way to get in. After seven or eight strikes, he broke the door panels, but inside were layers upon layers of mud and rocks, piled up high.Friar Sand saw this and said, “Second Brother, this monster is extremely afraid, hiding behind closed doors. Let’s return to the riverbank and consult with Brother Monkey again.” Pigsy agreed, and they returned directly to the east bank.

Monkey King was waiting, half in cloud, half in mist, with his iron staff in hand. Seeing the two return without the demon, he immediately pressed down on his cloud, descending to the bank to meet them, and asked, “Brothers, why didn’t that fellow come out?”Friar Sand explained, “That monster sealed his abode tightly and wouldn’t come out to face us. When Second Brother broke the door panels and looked, he saw that the inside was solidly stacked with layers of mud and rocks. Therefore, we couldn’t fight him. So, we came back to consult with you, Brother, on how else we might rescue Master.”Monkey King said, “In that case, there’s no way to deal with him here. You two just patrol the riverbank; don’t let him escape elsewhere. I will go now.”Pigsy asked, “Brother, where are you going?”Monkey King replied, “I’m going to Mount Putuo to inquire of Bodhisattva, to find out where this demon came from, what its name is. I’ll find its ancestral home, seize its family, capture its neighbors, and then return here to capture the monster and rescue Master.”Pigsy laughed, “Brother, doing it that way is too troublesome and will waste time.”Monkey King said, “Don’t worry, it won’t be troublesome or delayed! I’ll go and be right back!”

The Great Sage quickly ascended on an auspicious cloud, leaving the river mouth and heading straight for the South Sea. In barely an hour, he already saw Mount Luojia not far off. He lowered his cloud and went directly to Putuo Cliff. There, the Twenty-Four Heavenly Lords, the Mountain-Guarding Deity, Muzha, Sudhana, and the Pearl-Bearing Dragon Lady, all stepped forward, greeted him with bows and said, “Great Sage, why have you come?”Monkey King said, “I have something to discuss with the Bodhisattva.”The deities said, “The Bodhisattva left her cave this morning, allowing no one to follow, and went into the bamboo grove to observe and contemplate. She knew the Great Sage would surely come today, and instructed us to wait here to receive you, but not to let you see her immediately. Please sit and rest for a moment before the Jade Cliff. When the Bodhisattva emerges, there will be an explanation.”Monkey King obeyed. Before he even sat down, Sudhana stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Great Sage Sun, earlier, thanks to your great kindness, fortunately the Bodhisattva did not abandon me but took me in. Morning and night, I am always by her side, serving beneath her lotus throne, receiving much benevolence.”Monkey King, recognizing him as Red Boy, smiled and said, “At that time, your mind was clouded by demonic deeds; now that you’ve achieved enlightenment, you finally know that this Old Monkey is a good person.”

Monkey King waited for a long time but saw no one. Impatiently, he said, “Please, everyone, go report to her! If there’s any delay, I fear my Master’s life will be in danger.”The Heavenly Lords said, “We dare not report. The Bodhisattva instructed us to wait for her to come out herself.”Monkey King, being impatient, couldn't wait. He quickly sprang forward and walked inside. Ah—

That Handsome Monkey King,Impatient and quick as a sparrow.The Heavenly Lords could not hold him,He rushed inside like a monkey.He strode into the deep forest,Peeking with wide eyes.From afar, he saw the Revered One who saves from suffering,Sitting cross-legged on withered bamboo leaves.Languid and disinclined to adorn herself,Her countenance was still graceful.Her hair was loosely coiled,Without any ornate headdress.She wore no plain blue robe,Just a snug-fitting undershirt.A brocade skirt tied around her waist,And her feet were bare.No embroidered sash over her shoulders,Her arms were bare and lustrous.Her jade-like hands held a steel knife,Skillfully peeling bamboo skin.

Seeing her, Monkey King couldn't help but shout loudly, “Bodhisattva, your disciple Sun Wukong sincerely prostrates himself in reverence!”The Bodhisattva said, “Wait outside.”Monkey King kowtowed and said, “Bodhisattva, my Master is in trouble; I have specifically come to inquire about the origin of the demon in the Tongtian River.”The Bodhisattva said, “You go out for now; I will come out shortly.” Monkey King did not dare to insist and could only walk out of the bamboo grove. He said to the Heavenly Lords, “Bodhisattva is busy with household chores today, isn’t she? Why isn't she on her lotus throne, or adorned, or looking pleased? What is she doing peeling bamboo strips in the forest?”The Heavenly Lords said, “We don’t know. This morning, she left her cave without dressing up and went into the forest. She also instructed us to wait here to receive the Great Sage. It must be something concerning the Great Sage.” Monkey King, having no choice, could only wait.

Not long after, the Bodhisattva emerged from the forest, carrying a purple bamboo basket in her hand, and said, “Wukong, I will go with you to rescue Tang Sanzang.”Monkey King hurriedly knelt and said, “Disciple dares not rush you, but please, Bodhisattva, put on your robes and ascend your seat.”The Bodhisattva said, “No need to dress; let’s go now.”The Bodhisattva left the Heavenly Lords behind, ascended into the sky on an auspicious cloud, and Monkey King could only follow. In an instant, they arrived at the Tongtian River region. Pigsy and Friar Sand saw them and said, “Brother Monkey is so impatient; I don’t know how he was shouting and yelling in the South Sea, forcing the Bodhisattva to come before she was even dressed!” Before they finished speaking, they reached the riverbank. The two knelt and bowed, saying, “Bodhisattva, we acted presumptuously, we are guilty, guilty!”The Bodhisattva immediately untied a silk sash that bound her undershirt. She tied the basket to it, held the silk sash, stepped halfway onto a cloud, and threw it into the river. She pulled it upstream, reciting a chant: “The dead go, the living stay! The dead go, the living stay!” After chanting seven times, she pulled up the basket. Inside the basket, there was a dazzling golden fish, still blinking its eyes and moving its scales. The Bodhisattva called out, “Wukong, quickly go into the water and rescue your Master!”Monkey King said, “We haven't caught the demon yet; how can we rescue Master?”The Bodhisattva replied, “Isn't it in this basket?”Pigsy and Friar Sand bowed and asked, “How does this fish possess such powers?”The Bodhisattva explained, “It was originally a goldfish I raised in my lotus pond. Every day it surfaced to listen to scriptures, thus cultivating its powers. That nine-petaled copper hammer was originally an unopened lotus bud, which it refined into a weapon. I don't know which day the tide swelled, and it came to this place. This morning, I leaned on the railing to admire the flowers, but I didn't see this fellow come out to pay respects. I calculated on my fingers and realized it had become a demon here, harming your Master. Therefore, I didn't even have time to dress; I used my divine power to weave a bamboo basket to capture him.”Monkey King said, “Bodhisattva, since that is the case, please wait a moment. Let's call all the faithful people of Chen Village to see the Bodhisattva's golden face. Firstly, to bestow grace, and secondly, to tell them about capturing this demon, so that mortals may have faith and make offerings.”The Bodhisattva said, “Very well, go and call them quickly.”Pigsy and Friar Sand immediately ran to the village, shouting loudly, “Come see the living Guanyin Bodhisattva! Come see the living Guanyin Bodhisattva!” All the villagers, old and young, male and female, rushed to the riverside, disregarding the muddy water, and knelt there, kowtowing and worshiping. Among them were those skilled in painting, who transmitted her image, thus truly showing the appearance of Guanyin with a Fish Basket. At that moment, the Bodhisattva then returned to the South Sea.

Pigsy and Friar Sand parted the waters and went directly to the Water Turtle’s Abode to find their Master. Inside, all the water monsters and fish demons were dead and rotten. They entered the rear palace, opened the stone casket, carried Tang Sanzang, and emerged from the waves to meet the others.The Chen Qing brothers kowtowed and expressed their gratitude, saying, “Venerable Master, you did not heed our humble advice to stay, which led to such suffering.”Monkey King said, “No need to say more. Your people here will no longer need annual sacrificial offerings next year. That Great King has been eradicated, and there will be no more harm forever. Old Chen, now we must trouble you to quickly find a boat to take us across the river.”Chen Qing immediately said, “Yes, yes, yes!” He ordered his servants to disassemble planks to build a boat. All the villagers, hearing this, were delighted and willing to contribute. One said, “I’ll buy the mast,” another said, “I’ll prepare the poles and oars.” Some said, “I’ll provide ropes,” others said, “I’ll hire boatmen.” They were all bustling at the riverside when they suddenly heard a loud shout from the middle of the river, “Great Sage Sun, there’s no need to build a boat and waste people’s money; I will transport you and your disciples across.”Hearing this, everyone was startled; the timid ones ran home, while the brave ones watched nervously and eagerly. Soon, a strange creature emerged from the water. You ask what it looked like:

A divine being with a square head, no ordinary creature,Named the Water Immortal with profound spiritual insight.Its dragging tail can prolong life for a thousand years;Its body can silently conceal itself in the depths of a hundred rivers.It stirs waves and leaps over them to impact river banks;Facing the sun and wind, it lies by the seashore.It cultivates its vital energy and spiritual essence, truly possessing the Way;For many years, it has been a white-shelled old turtle.

The old turtle again called out, “Great Sage, there’s no need to build a boat; I will transport you and your disciples across.”Monkey King raised his iron staff and said, “You wretch! If you come any closer, one strike from this staff will kill you!”The old turtle replied, “I am grateful for the Great Sage’s kindness and willingly offer my good intentions to transport your Master and disciples. Why do you want to strike me instead?”Monkey King asked, “What kindness have I shown you?”The old turtle explained, “Great Sage, you may not know, but this Water Turtle’s Abode beneath the water is my dwelling, passed down to me by my ancestors through generations. Because I awakened to my true nature, cultivated spiritual energy, and practiced cultivation here, I rebuilt my ancestral home, establishing it as the Water Turtle’s Abode. That demon was from nine years ago, when the sea surged and churned; he rode the tide and came to this place. He relied on his ferocity and fought with me. He harmed many of my children and seized many of my kin. I couldn’t defeat him, and my dwelling was taken by him for free. Now, by the Great Sage’s grace, you came here to rescue Master Tang. You invited Guanyin Bodhisattva, who cleared away the demonic atmosphere, captured the monster, and returned my residence to me. Now I and my old and young ones are reunited, no longer needing to scrape by in mud and dirt, but living in our old home. This kindness is as heavy as mountains, as deep as the sea. Moreover, it’s not just us who received this benefit; the people of this village are spared annual sacrifices, and countless families’ children are saved. This is truly a kindness that benefits both parties at once! How dare I not repay it?”Monkey King heard this and was secretly pleased. He put away his iron staff and asked, “Are your feelings truly sincere?”The old turtle said, “Your grace is profound; how dare I be deceitful?”Monkey King said, “Since you are sincere, then swear an oath to Heaven.” The old turtle opened its red mouth and swore, “If I am not sincere in transporting Tang Sanzang across this Tongtian River, may my body turn into bloody water!”Monkey King chuckled, “Come up, come up.” Only then did the old turtle move closer to the bank. With a leap, it climbed onto the riverbank. Everyone came closer to look. It was a large white shell, about forty feet in circumference.Monkey King said, “Master, let us get onto his back and cross.”Sanzang said, “Disciple, that thick frozen ice could still be treacherous; this turtle’s back might not be stable.”The old turtle said, “Master, rest assured. I am much thicker and more stable than that frozen ice. If I sway even a little, you won’t achieve your goal!”Monkey King said, “Master, all beings who can speak human language certainly do not lie.” He then ordered, “Brothers, quickly bring the horse.”

At the riverbank, all the old and young, male and female, of Chen Village came to bid them farewell. Monkey King had the horse led onto the white turtle’s shell. He asked Tang Sanzang to stand on the left side of the horse’s neck, Friar Sand on the right, Pigsy behind the horse, and Monkey King in front of the horse. Fearing the turtle might be disrespectful, Monkey King untied his tiger-sinew rope, threaded it through the old turtle’s nose, pulling it up like a rein. He placed one foot on the shell and the other on the turtle’s head. With one hand, he held his iron staff, and with the other, he held the rein, calling out, “Old turtle, walk slowly! If you sway even a little, you’ll get a strike on the head!”The old turtle replied, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!” It then pushed off with its four feet, moving across the water surface as if on flat ground. Everyone on the bank burned incense, kowtowed, and chanted “Namo Amitabha Buddha,” believing this was a true Arhat descended to the mortal world, a living Bodhisattva appearing. They continued bowing until they could no longer see their figures before returning, without further mention.

Meanwhile, Master, riding on the white turtle, crossed the eight-hundred-li Tongtian River region in less than a day, landing safely with dry hands and feet. Tang Sanzang ascended the bank, cupped his hands, and expressed thanks, saying, “Old turtle, you have exerted yourself. I have nothing to give you, but I will repay your kindness when I return after obtaining the scriptures.”The old turtle replied, “There’s no need for Master to thank me. I have heard that the Buddha in the Western Heaven is without birth or death, and can know past and future events. I have cultivated myself here for over thirteen hundred years. Although I have extended my life and my body is light, and I can speak human language, I find it difficult to shed my original shell. I earnestly hope that Reverend Master, when you reach the Western Heaven, will ask the Buddha for me when I can shed my original shell and attain a human form.”Sanzang readily agreed, “I will ask, I will ask.” Only then did the old turtle plunge back into the water. Monkey King then helped Tang Sanzang onto his horse, Pigsy carried the baggage, Friar Sand followed on both sides, and the master and disciples found the main road and headed straight west. This is:

The Holy Monk, by imperial decree, worships Amitabha;Waters far, mountains distant, many calamities.With sincere will and heart, not fearing death,The white turtle carried them across the Tongtian River.

Ultimately, it is unknown how much further the journey will be, or what good or ill fortune awaits; let’s hear the next chapter for the full explanation.