Chapter 50: Emotional Turmoil and Desire Leads to Confusion Bewildered Heart Encounters the Demon King

Sweep the mind continually,Subtly clear away worldly dust.Let no pitfall ensnare the Buddha-nature;Only when the true self is ever pure,Can the primordial beginning be discussed.Trim the lamp of your nature,Let Cao Stream breathe freely,Lest ape-like mind and horse-like will grow wild.To maintain ceaseless breath day and night—That truly reveals mastery.

This Ci poem is titled "Nan Ke Zi." It describes Tripitaka escaping the frozen calamity of the Heaven-Connecting River, borne across to the other shore by the White Tortoise. The four pilgrims traveled westward, encountering the severe winter scene. They saw forests faintly outlined in misty light, and mountains starkly clear beyond the waters. As the master and disciples journeyed, they suddenly encountered a towering mountain blocking their path. The road was narrow, the cliffs high, rocks abundant, and the ridges steep, making travel difficult for both man and horse. Tripitaka reined in his horse and called out, "Disciples!" Sun Wukong led Pigsy and Sandy forward to attend him, saying, "Master, what are your instructions?" Tripitaka said, "Look at the high mountain ahead; I fear there may be tigers and wolves causing mischief, or demonic beasts harming people. This time, we must be extra careful!" Wukong replied, "Master, set your mind at ease. The three of us brothers are in harmony, united in spirit, committed to righteousness and seeking truth. With our methods to vanquish monsters and subdue demons, what tigers, wolves, or demonic beasts are there to fear!" Hearing this, Tripitaka could only proceed with less worry. Upon reaching the valley entrance, he urged his horse up the cliff, looked up, and saw a magnificent mountain—

Lofty and towering, peaks majestically steep. Lofty and towering, piercing the heavens; peaks majestically steep, obstructing the azure sky. Strange rocks lay piled like crouching tigers, ancient pines hung askew like flying dragons. Birds on the ridge sang with charming, beautiful notes; plum blossoms before the cliff exuded an exotic, rich fragrance. The gurgling stream flowed out cold; the summit clouds drifted over ominously. And then there was the swirling snow, the biting wind, and roaring hungry tigers in the mountains. Cold crows found no place to rest on the trees, and wild deer searched for their lairs with no fixed trace. Alas, travelers found it hard to advance, their brows furrowed in worry, their faces shrouded.

The four pilgrims, braving snow and chilling cold, shivered as they traversed the perilous peaks and steep ridges. In the distance, they saw a tall building and serene dwellings in a mountain hollow. Tripitaka, from horseback, joyfully remarked, "Disciples, we are both hungry and cold today. Fortunately, there are buildings and houses in that mountain hollow. It must be a farmhouse, or a monastery or temple. Let us go beg for some food and then continue our journey." Hearing this, Wukong quickly opened his eyes and saw ominous clouds faintly visible and evil qi swirling from that direction. He turned back to Tripitaka and said, "Master, that place is not good." Tripitaka asked, "Since there are buildings and pavilions, how can it not be good?" Wukong smiled, "Master, how could you know? On the Western Road, there are many demons and evil spirits skilled at transforming dwellings. Regardless of the type of building, pavilion, or structure, they can conjure them to deceive people. Do you know that among the nine types of dragons, there is one called a 'shèn'? When the 'shèn' emits its qi, it creates illusions of towers, palaces, and shallow ponds. If it encounters a large river shrouded in mist, the 'shèn' displays this power. Should birds fly over, they will surely come to rest their wings, and then, no matter if there are thousands or tens of thousands, they will all be swallowed in a single gulp. This method of harming people is the most severe. The aura over there is malevolent, so we absolutely must not enter." Tripitaka said, "If we cannot enter, I am truly hungry." Wukong replied, "If Master is truly hungry, please dismount and sit here in this flat area. I will go beg for some food elsewhere for you to eat." Tripitaka dismounted as instructed. Pigsy took the reins, and Sandy put down the luggage. Sandy immediately untied a bundle, took out the alms bowl, and handed it to Wukong. Wukong took the bowl and instructed Sandy, "My good brother, you must not advance. Protect Master well as he sits here. Once I return with food, we will continue westward." Sandy assented. Wukong then said to Tripitaka, "Master, this place is more ominous than auspicious. You absolutely must not move or go anywhere else. Your old Sun is off to beg for food!" Tripitaka said, "No need for many words. Just go and return quickly. I will wait for you here."

Wukong turned to leave, but then came back and said, "Master, I know you don't like to sit still for long, so I will give you a way to stay safe." He immediately took out his golden-banded cudgel, shook it once, and drew a circle on the ground around the flat area. He invited Tripitaka to sit in the middle, with Pigsy and Sandy standing guard on either side. He placed the horse and luggage close by, and, putting his palms together, said to Tripitaka, "This circle Old Sun has drawn is stronger than a wall of bronze and iron. No matter what tigers, leopards, wolves, or demonic monsters, none will dare approach. But you absolutely must not step out of the circle. Just sit steadily in the center, and I guarantee your safety. However, if you step outside the circle, you will certainly meet with harm. This is of utmost importance! Pay close attention!" Tripitaka assented, and the master and disciples all sat down properly. Only then did Wukong rise on his cloud, searching for a village to beg for food. He flew directly south and suddenly saw ancient trees reaching to the sky, indicating a village. He lowered his cloud and observed carefully, seeing only—

Snow weighed down the drooping willows, ice froze the square pond. Sparse, slender bamboo swayed green, luxuriant tall pines congealed verdant. A few thatched cottages were half-adorned with silver, a small bridge was diagonally laid with white. By the fence, narcissus flowers faintly bloomed; from the eaves, long icicles hung like frozen chopsticks. The rustling cold wind carried a strange fragrance, and the snow obscured the plum blossoms.

As Wukong walked, observing the village scenery, he suddenly heard a creak. A wicker gate opened, and an old man emerged, dragging a staff of mugwort, with a sheepskin cloak on his head and a tattered monk's robe on his body, wearing rush shoes. Leaning on his staff, he tilted his head to the sky and said, "The northwest wind is rising; it will be clear tomorrow." Before he finished speaking, a pug dog ran out from behind him, barking wildly at Wukong. Only then did the old man turn his head and see Wukong holding an alms bowl. Wukong greeted him, "Venerable Elder, this humble monk salutes you." The old man immediately returned the greeting, "Elder, where do you come from?" Wukong said, "We come from the Eastern Land, traveling to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures—a group of four, master and disciples. My master was hungry, so I specially went to beg for food and instructed the three of them to wait on that flat mountain slope. But when I returned, they were gone, and I don't know which path they took. May I ask, Elder, have you seen them?" The old man chuckled coldly upon hearing this, "Among your three companions, was there one with a long snout and big ears?" Wukong replied, "Yes, yes, yes!" "And another with a dismal face, leading a white horse and a fat, pale-faced monk?" Wukong said, "Yes, yes, yes!" The old man said, "You've taken the wrong path. Don't look for them; each of you should save your own life." Wukong said, "The pale-faced one is my Master, and the strange-looking one is my junior disciple. We are devoutly determined to go to the Western Heaven for scriptures; how can I not go look for them!" The old man said, "When I just passed by here, I saw them take the wrong path and fall into the demon's maw." Wukong said, "Please, Elder, instruct me: what kind of demon is it, and where does it reside? So I may go to its door and demand their release, to continue our journey to the Western Heaven." The old man said, "This mountain is called Golden Horn Mountain, and in front of the mountain is Golden Horn Cave. In that cave lives a demon king named the Unicorn Demon King. That demon king possesses immense supernatural powers and is incredibly formidable. Those three companions this time will surely lose their lives. If you go looking for them, I fear even you might not be safe. It would be better not to go. I dare not stop you, nor dare I keep you; it's all up to your own judgment." Wukong bowed again and thanked him, saying, "Thank you greatly for your instruction, Elder. How could I not go look for them!" He poured the begged food out to the old man and then put away his empty alms bowl. The old man put down his staff, took the alms bowl, and handed it to his servant. Then, they revealed their true forms and both knelt down, kowtowing and calling out, "Great Sage, this humble deity dares not conceal anything. We two are the Mountain God and Earth God of this mountain, waiting here to receive the Great Sage. This begged food, along with the alms bowl, this humble deity will keep, so that the Great Sage may be light and able to exert his full magical power. Once Tang Monk is rescued from his predicament, this food will be returned to Tang Monk, thus showing the Great Sage's utmost reverence and filial piety." Wukong shouted, "You hairy ghosts deserve a beating! Since you knew I was coming, why didn't you greet me earlier? Why hide your true forms and then reveal yourselves like this? What is the meaning of this?" The Earth God said, "Great Sage, you are impatient. This humble deity dared not act presumptuously, fearing to offend your majestic presence, hence we hid our forms to inform you." Wukong suppressed his anger and said, "Remember this beating for now! Take good care of my alms bowl for me! I'm off to catch that demon!" The Earth God and Mountain God assented and obeyed.

The Great Sage then tightened his tiger-sinew sash, pulled up his tiger-skin skirt, gripped his golden-banded cudgel, and headed straight for the front of the mountain to search for the demon's cave. Turning past a cliff, he saw scattered, gleaming rocks. By the emerald cliff stood two stone doors, outside which many minor demons were practicing with spears and swords. It was truly a sight—

Mist and clouds gathered auspiciously, moss piled verdant green. Towering, jagged strange rocks stood arrayed, winding, rugged paths intertwined. Apes whistled and birds chirped in a beautiful landscape; phoenixes danced and luan flew as if in an immortal realm. A few plum trees by the sunny side had just bloomed, and a thousand bamboos warmed themselves, ever green. Below the steep cliffs, within deep ravines: below the steep cliffs, snow lay piled like powder; within deep ravines, water was frozen solid. Two groves of pines and cypresses stood graceful for a thousand years, and several clusters of camellias were uniformly red.

The Great Sage observed until he could observe no more. He strode directly to the gate and loudly proclaimed, "You little imps, quickly go inside and tell your cave master that I am Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, disciple of the Tang Dynasty's holy monk! Tell him to quickly send my master out, lest you all lose your lives!" That group of minor demons immediately rushed into the cave to report, "Great King, there's a hairy-faced, hooked-nosed monk outside, claiming to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, demanding his master!" Hearing this, the demon king was filled with joy, "He's precisely the one I wanted! Since I left my original palace and descended to the mortal world, I haven't had a chance to test my martial skills. Now that he's here, he'll surely be a worthy opponent." He immediately ordered, "Little ones! Bring out the weapons!" All the demons, great and small, in the cave were full of vigor. They quickly brought out a twelve-foot-long sharpened steel spear and handed it to the old monster. The old monster commanded, "Little ones, each of you be orderly! Those who advance will be rewarded; those who retreat will be executed!" The demons received the order and, following the old monster, leaped out of the gate, calling, "Who is Sun Wukong?" Wukong darted forward from the side and saw that the demon king was indeed frightfully hideous—

A jagged horn on his head, his two eyes gleaming brightly. Coarse skin protruded on his crown, dark flesh shone around his ears. His long tongue often stirred his nose, his wide mouth revealed yellowish slab-like teeth. His fur was bluish-black like indigo, his sinews taut and hard like steel. Harder than a rhinoceros to reflect in water, like a bull not used for plowing barren land. He possessed no ability to bellow at the moon or plow clouds, but rather a power to deceive heaven and shake the earth. With two dark, sinewy, indigo-colored hands, he wielded a sharpened steel spear with formidable might. Observing such a fierce appearance, his title, the Unicorn Demon King, was not unfounded!

The Great Sage stepped forward and declared, "Your Grandfather Sun is here! Quickly return my master, and neither of us will suffer harm! If you utter even half a 'no,' I will ensure you have no burial ground!" The demon shouted, "You audacious, unruly monkey spirit! What abilities do you possess that you dare speak such big words!" Wukong said, "You unruly creature, you haven't yet seen the abilities of your Old Sun!" The demon king said, "Your master stole my clothes, and I indeed captured him. Now I'm about to steam him for food. What kind of hero are you, daring to come to my door and demand his release!" Wukong replied, "My master is a loyal and upright monk; how could he possibly steal any of your demonic items?" The demon king said, "I conjured an immortal dwelling by the mountain path. Your master secretly entered, filled with covetous desires, and stole three of my quilted brocade cotton vests to wear. I have the stolen goods as evidence, which is why I captured him. If you truly have abilities, then fight me. If you can defeat me in three bouts, I will spare your master's life. But if you cannot defeat me, I will send you straight to the underworld!" Wukong laughed, "Unruly creature! No need for empty talk! Just speak of fighting, and that suits Old Sun perfectly. Come on, take my cudgel!" The monster, undeterred by any challenge, thrust his steel spear forward to meet him head-on. What a fierce battle it was! Behold—

The golden-banded cudgel was raised, the long-handled spear met it. When the golden-banded cudgel was raised, it gleamed like a golden serpent flashing with lightning; when the long-handled spear met it, it shone brightly like a dragon leaving the black sea. Before the gate, minor demons beat drums, arrayed in formation to boost morale; on this side, the Great Sage exerted his power, displaying his horizontal and vertical prowess. Over there, his spear was full of vigor; here, his cudgel was of high martial skill. Truly, it was hero meeting hero, a worthy opponent encountering a worthy adversary. The demon king exhaled purple qi coiling into misty vapor, while the Great Sage's eyes emitted brilliant light, forming embroidered clouds. All because the Tang Monk was in distress, the two sides fought fiercely and relentlessly without mercy.

The two fought for thirty bouts without a clear victor. The demon king, seeing Sun Wukong's cudgel skills were flawless, attacking and defending without a single flaw, joyfully applauded repeatedly, "Good monkey! Good monkey! Truly, these are the abilities of the one who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace!" The Great Sage also admired the demon's orderly spear techniques, parrying left and right with many cunning moves, and also shouted, "Good demon! Good demon! Indeed, you are a demon king who stole elixirs!" The two fought another ten or twenty bouts. The demon king then tapped his spear tip on the ground and commanded his minor demons to gather. Those unruly monsters, each carrying knives and staffs, wielding swords and twirling spears, surrounded the Great Sage. Wukong, utterly fearless, only cried, "Excellent! Excellent! This suits my intentions perfectly!" He wielded his golden-banded cudgel, blocking in front and parrying behind, fending off attacks from east and west. That horde of demons had no thought of retreating. Wukong, growing impatient, threw his golden-banded cudgel into the air and shouted, "Change!" It instantly transformed into hundreds and thousands of iron cudgels, falling like flying snakes and slithering pythons, scattering wildly through the air. Upon seeing this, the demons were terrified, their souls scattered and spirits flying. They clutched their heads and drew in their necks, fleeing for their lives into the cave. The old demon king sneered coldly, "That monkey, don't be rude! Watch my move!" He quickly took out a glittering, dazzling white ring from his sleeve, tossed it into the air, and shouted, "Catch!" With a whoosh, it caught the golden-banded cudgel, turning it into a single one, and took it away. This left the Great Sage bare-handed, forcing him to escape by somersaulting for his life. The demon, victorious, returned to his cave, while Wukong was left bewildered and lost, for this is truly a case of:

The Dao is a foot high, the demon a yard,Nature disordered, emotions clouded, mistaking home.Alas, the dharma-body has no resting place,The initial thought to act was misguided.Ultimately, how this situation will resolve is unknown. Please listen to the next chapter's explanation.