Chapter 53: 禅主 Swallows Meal, Conceives Ghost Child Huang Po Uses Water to Dispel Evil Fetus

Eight hundred virtues must be cultivated, and three thousand hidden merits accumulated. Treat yourself and others, friends and foes, with impartiality; only then will it align with the original vow for the Western Heaven. The demonic rhinoceros is fearless of blades and weapons, making vain efforts with fire and water futile against it. Lord Laozi subdues it and ascends to heaven, smilingly leading the blue ox back.

Who was calling out by the roadside? It was the Mountain God and Earth Deity of Mount Jinyi, holding a purple-gold begging bowl. "Holy Monk," he called, "this bowl of rice was begged by the Great Sage Sun. Because you did not heed good advice and fell into the hands of demons, causing the Great Sage immense toil, he has finally rescued you today. Come and eat this meal before you resume your journey; do not let down the Great Sage Sun's devotion and filial piety." Tripitaka said, "Disciple, I owe you so much! Words cannot express my gratitude! If only I had known not to leave the circle, I would not have faced such life-threatening danger." Pilgrim said, "To tell you the truth, Master, it's only because you didn't trust my circle that you ended up in someone else's trap. What misery, what a pity!" Bajie asked, "What's this about another circle?" Pilgrim replied, "It's all because of you, you uncouth fellow with your wicked tongue, causing Master to suffer this great calamity! Old Sun had to turn heaven and earth upside down, invite celestial soldiers of water and fire, and even Buddha's potent remedies, yet all were snared by his gleaming white circle. It was only when Tathagata hinted to the Arhats, who then revealed the demon's true origin to Old Sun, that Lord Laozi was invited to subdue it. It turns out it was a blue ox causing trouble." Hearing this, Tripitaka was endlessly grateful and said, "Worthy disciple, having gone through this, I will certainly listen to your instructions next time." Thereupon, the four of them shared the meal, which was steaming hot. Pilgrim asked, "This rice has been here for a while, why is it still hot?" The Earth Deity knelt and said, "This humble deity knew that the Great Sage's task was complete, and so it heated itself to serve you." Soon, they finished the meal, packed up the begging bowl, and bid farewell to the Earth Deity and Mountain God. The Master then mounted his horse and crossed the high mountain. Truly, cleansing their minds and hearts, they journeyed west, enduring wind and dew.

After traveling for a long time, it was early spring, and they heard purple swallows twittering and orioles warbling. Purple swallows twittered with sleepy, fragrant beaks; orioles with clear, melodious calls. Fallen red blossoms covered the ground like embroidered silk, and the mountains were verdant as if covered with soft carpets. Green plums on the ridges bore fruit, and ancient cypresses by the cliffs retained clouds. The fields were moist, the misty light faint; the sands warm, the sunlight hazy. In several gardens, flowers bloomed; with the return of spring, willow buds were new across the land.

As they traveled, they suddenly came upon a small river, its water clear and its waves cold. Elder Tang reined in his horse to observe, seeing from afar willows hanging green on the other side of the river, faintly revealing a few thatched cottages. Pilgrim pointed into the distance and said, "Those people over there must be ferrymen." Tripitaka said, "I also saw something similar over there, but since there were no boats, I didn't dare to speak." Bajie set down his luggage and loudly shouted, "Ferryman, bring the boat over!" After several calls, they saw a boat slowly emerge from under the willow shade, creaking as it approached the bank. The master and disciples carefully examined the boat, which truly was a small craft. Short oars parted the waves, and light sculls glided over the ripples. The boat's cabin was brightly painted, its deck planks level and spacious. An iron cable was coiled at the bow, and the stern cabin was bright. Although it was a small craft, it was no less capable than one for lakes or seas. Though it lacked ornate ropes and ivory masts, it truly had sturdy pine posts and fragrant cassia oars. Certainly not like a divine vessel capable of thousands of miles, but truly able to cross a river. It traveled only between the two banks, never straying from the ancient ferry crossing.

The boat quickly reached the bank, and a boatman called out, "Those wishing to cross, come this way!" Tripitaka urged his horse closer to look, and saw the boatman's appearance: Her head wrapped in a brocade velvet scarf, her feet in black silk shoes. She wore a patched cotton tunic and a skirt-like cloth shirt cinched at the waist. Her wrists were calloused and strong, her eyes dim, brows furrowed, and face aged. Her voice was delicate like an oriole's song, but on closer inspection, she was an old woman.

Pilgrim approached the boat and asked, "Are you the ferrywoman?" The woman replied, "Yes." Pilgrim asked, "Why isn't the boatman here? Why is the boatwoman rowing?" The woman smiled without answering and extended the gangplank. Sandy carried the luggage aboard, Pilgrim helped his master step onto the boat, then he himself boarded, Bajie led the white horse on, and the gangplank was withdrawn. The woman pushed off the boat and plied the oars, and in an instant, they were across the river.

Upon landing on the west bank, the Elder instructed Sandy to open his bag and give her a few coins. The woman did not argue about the amount, tied the rope to a waterside post, and smilingly walked directly into a farmhouse. Tripitaka, seeing the clear water and feeling thirsty, told Bajie, "Fetch the begging bowl and scoop some water for me to drink." The idiotic Bajie said, "I was just about to have some myself." He immediately took the begging bowl, scooped up a full one, and handed it to his master. The Master drank a little less than half, leaving more than half. The idiot took it and drank it all in one gulp, then helped Tripitaka mount his horse. The master and disciples continued their westward journey. In less than an hour, the Elder groaned on his horse, "My stomach aches!" Bajie followed, saying, "My stomach aches a bit too." Sandy said, "Perhaps you drank cold water?" Before he finished speaking, the Master cried out, "It hurts badly!" Bajie also said, "It hurts badly!" The two of them were in unbearable pain, and their stomachs gradually swelled. When they felt them, it seemed like lumps of flesh and blood were constantly squirming within. Tripitaka was very uncomfortable when he suddenly saw a village house by the roadside with two bundles of straw hanging from a treetop. Pilgrim said, "Master, good! Over there is a wine merchant's house. Let's go ask them for some hot soup for you to drink, and inquire if they have any medicine to cure your stomach ache." Tripitaka was very pleased to hear this. He spurred the white horse, and in a short while, they arrived at the entrance of the village house and dismounted. They saw an old woman sitting on a straw mat outside the door, spinning hemp. Pilgrim stepped forward, made a respectful greeting, and said, "Granny, this humble monk is from the Great Tang in the East. My master is the Emperor's brother from the Tang Dynasty. We drank the river water after crossing and now feel stomach pain." The old woman chuckled joyfully and said, "Did you drink water from the river over there?" Pilgrim replied, "Yes, we drank from the Clear Water River to the east." The old woman smiled cheerfully and said, "How amusing, how amusing! All of you, come inside, and I'll tell you something."

Pilgrim immediately helped Tripitaka, and Sandy helped Bajie. The two of them, groaning and calling out, with distended bellies, their faces yellow and brows furrowed from pain, sat down in the thatched cottage. Pilgrim pleaded, "Granny, please, quickly make some hot soup for my master. We will thank you." The old woman, instead of making soup, ran giggling to the back, shouting, "Come and see, come and see!" From inside, with shuffling steps, two or three more middle-aged women emerged, all gazing at Tripitaka and laughing. Pilgrim, greatly angered, let out a roar and gritted his teeth, scaring the entire family pale and causing them to back away. Pilgrim stepped forward and grabbed the old woman, saying, "Quickly, make the soup, and I'll spare you!" The old woman, trembling, said, "Oh, Grandfather, making soup won't help, and it won't cure their stomach ache. Please let me go, and I'll tell you." Pilgrim released her, and she said, "This place is the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang. Our entire country is composed of women; there are no men, which is why we are so happy to see you. The water your master drank is not ordinary. That river is called the River of Mother and Child. Outside our royal city, there is also an Inn of Welcoming Yang, and outside its gate, there's a Fetal Reflection Spring. People here, only when they are twenty years old or older, dare to drink that river water. After drinking, they feel stomach pain and develop a pregnancy. Three days later, they go to the Fetal Reflection Water at the Inn of Welcoming Yang to check. If two shadows appear, they will give birth to a child. Your master drank the water from the River of Mother and Child, thus conceiving. He will give birth in a few days. How can hot soup cure that?"

Tripitaka, hearing this, turned pale with fright and said, "Disciple! What shall we do about this?" Bajie groaned, writhing his waist and hips, "Oh dear! We're men, and we're going to give birth! Where would the birth canal open? How would it come out?" Pilgrim laughed and said, "As the ancients said, 'when the melon is ripe, it falls naturally.' When the time comes, it will surely rip through a hole under your ribs and come out." Hearing this, Bajie, trembling and unable to bear the pain, cried out, "It's over, it's over! I'm going to die!" Sandy chuckled, "Second Brother, don't squirm so much! You might tangle your birthing intestines and cause a prenatal illness." The idiot grew even more flustered, tears welling in his eyes. He tugged at Pilgrim and said, "Brother! Ask this granny if there are any gentle midwives around, and find a few in advance. These spasms are getting intense; I think it's labor pain. It's coming soon, soon!" Sandy again chuckled, "Second Brother, if you know it's labor pain, don't squirm. You might burst your fluid sac." Tripitaka groaned, "Granny, is there a doctor here? Tell my disciple to buy some abortifacient medicine for me to take and terminate this pregnancy." The old woman said, "Even if there were medicine, it wouldn't help. On our Main South Street, there is a Mountain of Childbirth Relief, and in it, a Cave of Childbirth, within which is the Spring of Fetal Dissolution. One must drink a mouthful of that well water to dispel the pregnancy. But now, the water cannot be fetched. A few years ago, a Taoist priest named Immortal Ruyi came and transformed the Cave of Childbirth into the Immortal Gathering Temple. He guards the Spring of Fetal Dissolution water and refuses to grant it readily to people. Anyone who desires the water must present festive gifts, lamb, wine, and fruit platters as sincere offerings; only then can they beg for a single bowl of water. How can you traveling monks acquire so much money and provisions? You can only endure your fate and wait for the time of delivery."

Hearing this, Pilgrim was overjoyed and said, "Granny, how far is Mount Childbirth Relief from here?" The old woman said, "Thirty *li*." Pilgrim said, "Good, good! Master, rest assured, I will go fetch some water for you to drink." The Great Sage then instructed Sandy, "You watch over Master carefully. If these people are disrespectful or try to deceive Master, use your old tricks to scare them, while I go fetch the water." Sandy obeyed. The old woman brought out a large earthenware bowl and handed it to Pilgrim, saying, "Take this bowl, and please fetch plenty for us to keep for emergencies." Pilgrim truly took the earthenware bowl, exited the thatched cottage, and soared away on his cloud. Only then did the old woman bow towards the sky, exclaiming, "Oh my! This monk can ride on clouds!" She then went inside, called out the other women, and they all knelt and bowed to Tripitaka, calling him Arhat Bodhisattva. Meanwhile, they prepared soup and meals to serve Tripitaka, no more to be said.

Now, the Great Sage Sun rose on his somersault cloud. In a short while, he saw a mountain peak blocking his path. He descended on his cloud, opened his eyes to look, and what a magnificent mountain it was! Secluded flowers swayed like brocade, wild grasses spread like blue carpets. Stream water cascaded in succession, while valley clouds idled in unison. In the deep valleys, vines and creepers were dense; in the distant peaks, trees were abundant. Birds chirped as geese flew by, deer drank as monkeys climbed. Verdant mountains stood like screens, green cliffs resembled hairpins. It was truly difficult for dust to reach, but the trickling springs and rocks were endlessly pleasing to behold. Immortal boys were often seen gathering herbs, and woodcutters frequently returned with bundles of firewood. Indeed, it was no less beautiful than Mount Tiantai, even surpassing the Three Peaks of Xihua Mountain!

While the Great Sage was still admiring the mountain, he saw a homestead in the shade, and suddenly heard the barking of dogs. The Great Sage descended the mountain and went directly to the homestead. It was indeed a fine place, with a small bridge leading to flowing water, and thatched cottages nestled against green hills. Village dogs barked at the fences, and hermits freely came and went.

Soon, he arrived at the gate and saw an old Taoist priest sitting cross-legged on the green grass. The Great Sage put down the earthenware bowl, stepped forward, and greeted him. The Taoist priest bowed in return and asked, "Where do you come from? What business brings you to my humble hermitage?" Pilgrim said, "This humble monk is an imperial envoy from the Great Tang in the East, on a journey to obtain scriptures from the Western Heaven. My master mistakenly drank water from the River of Mother and Child, and now his abdomen is painfully swollen and unbearable. Upon asking the locals, they said he has conceived a fetus, and there's no remedy. We heard that the Spring of Fetal Dissolution in the Cave of Childbirth Relief on Mount Childbirth Relief can dispel the pregnancy, so I specifically came to see Immortal Ruyi True Immortal to beg for some spring water to rescue my master. Please, old Taoist, guide me." The Taoist priest laughed and said, "This place is indeed the Cave of Childbirth, now renamed Immortal Gathering Temple. I am none other than the chief disciple of Master Ruyi True Immortal. What is your name? I will inform my master for you." Pilgrim said, "I am the chief disciple of Master Tripitaka, my humble name is Sun Wukong." The Taoist priest asked, "Where are your festive gifts, wine, and offerings?" Pilgrim said, "I am a traveling monk; I haven't prepared any." The Taoist priest laughed, "How foolish you are! My master guards the mountain spring and has never given it away for free. Go back and prepare the gifts, then I can inform him. Otherwise, please leave, don't even think about it!" Pilgrim said, "Personal connections are more powerful than imperial decrees. Go tell him Old Sun's name, and he will surely do me a favor, perhaps even give me the entire well!"

Hearing this, the Taoist priest had no choice but to go inside and report. He saw the True Immortal playing the zither, and waited until he finished before speaking: "Master, there is a monk outside claiming to be Sun Wukong, the chief disciple of Tripitaka, wishing to obtain water from the Spring of Fetal Dissolution to save his master." The True Immortal might have said nothing, but as soon as he heard the name Wukong, anger flared in his heart, and malevolence arose within him. He quickly stood up, left the zither couch, took off his plain clothes, changed into Taoist robes, grabbed a Ruyi hook, and leaped out of the temple gate, shouting, "Where is Sun Wukong?" Pilgrim turned his head and saw the True Immortal's attire: On his head, a star crown glowed with vibrant colors; he wore a red Taoist robe embroidered with golden threads. Cloud shoes adorned with splendid embroidery on his feet; a jeweled belt intricately wound around his waist. A pair of embroidered wave-treading socks, with half of his embroidered skirt hem visible, shimmering with floss. In his hand, he held a golden Ruyi hook, its sharp shaft long like a python. His phoenix eyes shone brightly, his brows were fiercely erect; his steel teeth were sharp, his mouth showed red. The beard beneath his forehead floated like raging fire, his red hair at his temples was short and bushy. His appearance was fierce, like Marshal Wen, but alas, his attire was different.

Pilgrim saw him, put his palms together in a respectful gesture, and said, "This humble monk is Sun Wukong." The Immortal smiled and said, "Are you truly Sun Wukong, or are you using a false name?" Pilgrim said, "Look at you, sir, speaking such words. As the saying goes, 'a gentleman doesn't change his name when walking, nor his surname when sitting.' I am Wukong; how could I use a false name?" The Immortal said, "Do you recognize me?" Pilgrim said, "Since I embraced Buddhism and adhered to monastic teachings, I have been traveling through mountains and waters, neglecting to visit my childhood friends and not recognizing your esteemed face. Just now, I asked a family in the western part of the River of Mother and Child region, and they mentioned that you are Immortal Ruyi, which is how I know." The Immortal said, "You go your way, I cultivate my truth. Why do you come to visit me?" Pilgrim said, "Because my master mistakenly drank water from the River of Mother and Child and developed a pregnancy with severe abdominal pain, I specially came to your immortal dwelling to beg for a bowl of water from the Spring of Fetal Dissolution to relieve my master's distress." The Immortal, glaring angrily, asked, "Is your master Tripitaka?" Pilgrim said, "Exactly, exactly." The Immortal gnashed his teeth in hatred and said, "Have you ever met a Great Sage Baby King?" Pilgrim said, "That's the nickname for Red Boy, the demon from Fire Cloud Cave in the Barren Pine Ravine of Mount Hao. Why do you ask about him, True Immortal?" The Immortal said, "He is my nephew. I am the brother of the Bull Demon King. Earlier, my elder brother sent word to me, saying that Sun Wukong, Tripitaka's chief disciple, was lazy and harmed him. I was looking for a way to get revenge on you, and now you come seeking me! What water do you want?" Pilgrim replied with a forced smile, "Sir, you're mistaken. Your elder brother and I were once friends. In our youth, we even became sworn brothers among seven. It's just that I didn't know your esteemed residence and failed to visit. Now, your nephew has found good fortune and is currently serving Bodhisattva Guanyin as the Child of Wealth. We are even inferior to him; how can you blame me instead?" The Immortal shouted, "You impudent monkey! Still twisting words! Is my nephew better off as a free king, or as a servant to others? Don't be rude! Take this hook!" The Great Sage used his iron staff to block and said, "Sir, don't talk about fighting. Just give me some spring water." The Immortal cursed, "You impudent monkey! You don't know what's good for you! If you can withstand me for three bouts, I'll give you the water. If not, I'll chop you into meat paste and only then avenge my nephew!" The Great Sage cursed back, "You ignorant demon! If you want to fight, come up here and face my staff!" The Immortal countered with his Ruyi hook. The two fought fiercely at the Immortal Gathering Temple.

The Golden Clasped Staff, the Ruyi Hook—two enraged, each bearing a grudge. Flying sand and rolling stones darkened the cosmos, scattered earth and stirred dust saddened the sun and moon. The Great Sage came to fetch water to save his master; the demon immortal, for his nephew, would not allow it. Both sides strove with all their might, gambling on victory or peace. Gritting teeth, they contended for victory; clenching teeth, they determined strength and weakness. With increasing skill, they became more invigorated, spewing clouds and mists that dismayed spirits and gods. The hook and staff clashed with loud bangs, their roars shaking the hills. Raging winds swept through the forests, murderous aura dispersed across the heavens. The Great Sage grew more joyful the more he fought, the True Immortal became more entangled the more he battled. Intent on fighting, they would not stop until life or death was decided.

The two fought outside the temple gate, leaping and prancing, battling all the way down to the hillside, locked in a bitter struggle.

Meanwhile, Sandy, carrying the bucket, rushed through the gate. He saw the Taoist priest blocking the well, who demanded, "Who are you, daring to come and take water?" Sandy put down the bucket, pulled out his demon-subduing staff, and without a word, struck him on the head. The Taoist priest could not dodge in time, and his left arm was broken. He fell to the ground, struggling for his life. Sandy cursed, "I would kill you, you evil beast, but alas, you're in human form! I'll spare you out of pity! Let me fetch the water!" The Taoist priest, crying out to heaven and earth, crawled to the back. Sandy then lowered the bucket into the well and drew up a full bucket of water. He walked out of the temple gate, mounted his cloud, and shouted towards Pilgrim, "Elder Brother, I've got the water! Let him go, let him go!"

Hearing this, the Great Sage then used his iron staff to prop up the hook and said, "Listen, Old Sun was going to completely annihilate you, but first, you haven't broken any laws, and second, for the sake of your elder brother, the Bull Demon King. Earlier, I was hooked twice, and couldn't get the water. This time, I used a 'lure the tiger from its mountain lair' tactic, tricking you into fighting me while my junior brother fetched the water. If Old Sun were to truly unleash his full power to fight you, let alone one Immortal Ruyi, even several more would be killed. It's better to spare a life than to kill, so I'll let you live a few more years. In the future, if anyone comes for water, absolutely do not extort them." The demon immortal, not knowing what was good for him, made a move and tried to hook his leg. The Great Sage dodged the hook, rushed forward, and shouted, "Don't run!" The demon immortal was caught off guard, stumbled clumsily, and couldn't get up. The Great Sage snatched the Ruyi hook, broke it into two pieces, then further broke the whole thing into four pieces, throwing them to the ground and saying, "You wicked beast! Do you dare to be rude again?" The demon immortal trembled with fear, silently enduring the humiliation. The Great Sage laughed heartily and rose into the clouds. There is a poem to attest:

If true lead is refined, true water is needed; true water mixes and dries true mercury. True mercury and true lead without the mother's essence; numinous cinnabar and spiritual medicine are elixirs of immortality. The "infant" was wrongly formed into a fetus; the "Earth Mother's" (Sandy's) effort was not difficult. Overthrowing heterodox schools and upholding the true teaching; the Lord of the Mind (Wukong) returns with a joyful smile.

The Great Sage, riding on auspicious light, caught up with Sandy. Having obtained the true water, he joyfully returned to the village. Descending his cloud, he went directly to the cottage, where he saw Bajie, with his swollen belly, leaning against the doorframe and groaning. Pilgrim quietly went up to him and said, "Idiot, when did you occupy the room?" The idiot panicked and said, "Brother, don't tease me. Have you brought the water?" Pilgrim was about to tease him further when Sandy arrived shortly after, laughing, "The water's here, the water's here!" Tripitaka, enduring the pain, leaned forward and said, "Disciples, you've worked hard!" The old woman was also overjoyed. Several family members came out and bowed, saying, "Oh, Bodhisattva, how rare, how rare!" She quickly fetched a flowered porcelain cup, scooped out half a cup, and handed it to Tripitaka, saying, "Venerable Master, drink it slowly. Just one mouthful will dispel the pregnancy." Bajie said, "I don't need a cup; let me drink it all from the bucket." The old woman said, "Oh, honorable sir, you'd scare people to death! If you drank a whole bucket of this water, your intestines and stomach would melt away!" The idiot was so frightened that he dared not act rashly and only drank half a cup. Before even a meal's time passed, the two felt agonizing pain in their bellies, hearing three to five rumbling sounds of their intestines. After the rumbling, the idiot couldn't hold it in, and both urine and feces flowed out. Tripitaka also couldn't help but go to a private spot to relieve himself. Pilgrim said, "Master, absolutely do not go out into a drafty area. As a 'pregnant person,' you might catch a cold and develop a postpartum illness." The old woman immediately brought two commodes for them to use for convenience. In a short while, after several evacuations, they felt the pain subside, the swelling gradually decreased, and the lumps of flesh and blood dissolved. The old woman's family then boiled some white rice porridge to replenish their strength. Bajie said, "Granny, my body is substantial, I don't need tonics. Just boil some water for me to take a bath, then I can enjoy the porridge." Sandy said, "Brother, you can't take a bath. People in 'confinement' (after childbirth) who get wet can fall ill." Bajie said, "I didn't have a full-term birth, at most it was a miscarriage. What's there to be afraid of? A quick wash will clean me up." Indeed, the old woman boiled some water for them to wash their hands and feet. Tripitaka only ate two cups of porridge, but Bajie ate more than ten bowls and still wanted more. Pilgrim laughed, "You glutton! Eat less! Don't make your stomach look like a sandbag, it's unsightly." Bajie said, "No worries, no worries! I'm not a sow, what's there to be afraid of?" The family truly went to prepare more food.

The old woman said to Tripitaka, "Venerable Master, please bestow this water upon me." Pilgrim said, "Idiot, aren't you drinking water anymore?" Bajie said, "My stomach doesn't hurt anymore, the pregnancy seems to have dissipated. I'm perfectly fine, why would I drink more water?" Pilgrim said, "Since both of them are well, let's give the water to your family." The old woman thanked Pilgrim, poured the remaining water into an earthenware jar, buried it underground in the back, and said to all the young and old, "This jar of water is enough for my coffin!" All the young and old were delighted. They prepared a vegetarian meal and arranged tables and benches. The Tang monks ate their meal, then quietly rested for the night. The next morning, the master and disciples thanked the old woman's family and departed from the village. Tripitaka mounted his horse, Sandy carried the luggage, the Great Sage Sun led the way, and Bajie held the reins. Here, their oral misdeeds were purged, their bodies cleansed, and their mortal pregnancies naturally dissolved. What further events awaited them in the kingdom, remained unknown. Let's find out in the next chapter.