Chapter 57: True Pilgrim Complains at Luojia Mountain Fake Monkey King Copies Text in Water Curtain Cave

Sun Wukong, filled with frustration and resentment, ascended into the sky. He considered returning to his Water Curtain Cave on Flower Fruit Mountain, but feared his lesser demons would mock him, deeming him fickle and not a true hero. He thought of seeking refuge in the Heavenly Palace, but worried he wouldn't be allowed to stay long. Going to the immortal islands seemed equally unappealing, as he felt ashamed to face the immortals there. Appealing to the Dragon Kings was out of the question, as he was too proud to beg. Truly, he was without a place to go, musing bitterly to himself, "Enough, enough! I will go back to my master. That is the righteous path."

So he lowered his cloud and stood before Xuanzang's horse, saying, "Master, please forgive me this time! I will never again act violently and will accept all your teachings. Please, let me continue to escort you to the Western Heaven." When Tang Sanzang saw him, he did not respond. Instead, he reined in his horse and immediately began reciting the Head-tightening Spell. He chanted it repeatedly, over twenty times, causing the Great Sage to collapse to the ground, the golden band sinking an inch deep into his flesh. Only then did Sanzang stop, saying, "Why do you keep bothering me if you won't go back?" The Pilgrim could only cry out, "Stop, stop! I have places to go, but I fear you cannot reach the Western Heaven without me." Enraged, Sanzang retorted, "You wild monkey, you've killed and harmed so many, and caused me so much trouble! I truly don't need you anymore! Whether I can go or not is none of your concern! Go on, quickly! If you delay even a little longer, I will recite the spell again, and this time I won't stop until your brains are squeezed out!" The Great Sage, in unbearable pain and seeing his master's unwavering resolve, had no choice but to activate his Cloud-Somersault, rising into the sky. Suddenly, he had an idea: "This monk has betrayed my trust. I'll go to Mount Putuo and tell Guanyin Bodhisattva about this."

The Great Sage, a true hero, turned his somersault cloud around. In less than an hour, he arrived at the South Sea, radiating auspicious light, and descended upon Mount Putuo. He entered the Purple Bamboo Grove and suddenly saw Muzha, who greeted him respectfully, "Great Sage, where are you headed?" The Pilgrim replied, "I wish to see the Bodhisattva." Muzha immediately led the Pilgrim to the entrance of the Tidal Sound Cave, where Red Boy (Shancai) also greeted him respectfully, "Great Sage, why have you come?" The Pilgrim said, "I have something to report to the Bodhisattva." Hearing the word "report," Red Boy laughed, "What a sharp-tongued monkey! It's just like when I captured Tang Sanzang and you tricked me! Our Bodhisattva is infinitely compassionate, with vast vows, saving those in distress and suffering, boundless and holy. What fault could she possibly have that you need to 'report' her?" The Pilgrim, already filled with resentment, grew furious at these words. With a sudden cry, he shouted at Red Boy, making him stumble backward, "You ungrateful, disloyal little brute, truly foolish! When you were causing mischief and becoming a demon, I invited the Bodhisattva to subdue you and guide you to righteousness. Now you enjoy such bliss, longevity, freedom, and even eternal life like the heavens, yet you don't thank Old Sun? Instead, you insult me like this! I came to seek help from the Bodhisattva, so why do you say I'm 'sharp-tongued' and want to 'report' her?" Red Boy gave a conciliatory smile, "Still a short-tempered monkey, aren't you? I was just joking with you, why did you get so angry?"

As they spoke, a white parrot flew to and fro, indicating the Bodhisattva's summons. Muzha and Red Boy then led the Pilgrim forward, to the foot of the Jeweled Lotus Pedestal. Seeing the Bodhisattva, the Pilgrim prostrated himself, tears streaming uncontrollably like a fountain, and he burst into loud sobs. The Bodhisattva instructed Muzha and Red Boy to help him up, saying, "Wukong, what sorrowful matter troubles you? Speak clearly; do not cry, do not cry. I will help you overcome your suffering and misfortunes." The Pilgrim, still weeping, bowed again and said, "When I was merely a disciple, did I ever suffer such indignation? Since the Bodhisattva saved me from heavenly calamity and instructed me in the monastic path to protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, I, your disciple, have risked my life to overcome his demonic obstacles, like snatching brittle bones from a tiger's mouth or tearing fresh scales from a dragon's back. I only hoped to achieve true enlightenment and cleanse myself of evil, but who would have thought that the Elder would be so ungrateful and forgetful, completely losing his good karma, and failing to discern right from wrong in my suffering!" The Bodhisattva said, "Tell me the whole story, explaining the reasons for right and wrong." The Pilgrim then meticulously recounted the entire incident of killing the bandits, from beginning to end. He explained that Tang Sanzang, angered by the deaths, indiscriminately recited the Head-tightening Spell and drove him away multiple times. With no way to ascend to heaven or descend into the earth, he had specifically come to appeal to the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva said, "Tang Sanzang was sent by imperial decree to the West, with a sincere wish to cultivate goodness as a monk and never lightly harm lives. With your boundless magical powers, why did you have to kill so many bandits? Though the bandits were evil, they were still human beings and should not have been killed. They are different from demonic birds, strange beasts, ghosts, and monstrous spirits. Killing those would be your merit; but killing humans is your unkindness. If you had merely driven them away, you would naturally have saved your master. In my impartial judgment, it was still your wrongdoing." The Pilgrim, tears in his eyes, kowtowed and said, "Even if this disciple was wrong, my merits should have atoned for my fault. I should not have been driven away like this. I earnestly implore the Bodhisattva to show great compassion, recite the Head-loosening Spell, remove this golden band, take it back, and let me return to the Water Curtain Cave to escape this fate!" The Bodhisattva smiled and said, "The Head-tightening Spell was originally given to me by the Tathagata. When he sent me to the Eastern Land to find a scripture-seeker, he bestowed upon me three treasures: the Brocade Kasaya, the Nine-Ring Monk's Staff, and the Golden, Tightening, and Prohibiting Bands, along with three secret incantations. However, there is no such thing as a 'Head-loosening Spell'." The Pilgrim said, "If that is the case, I will take my leave of the Bodhisattva." The Bodhisattva asked, "Where will you go if you leave me?" The Pilgrim replied, "I will go to the Western Heaven, appeal to the Tathagata, and ask him to recite the Head-loosening Spell." The Bodhisattva said, "Wait a moment. Let me consult the omens for you." The Pilgrim said, "No need to look; this situation is already inauspicious enough." The Bodhisattva said, "I'm not looking at your omens, but Tang Sanzang's." The benevolent Bodhisattva, seated serenely on her lotus throne, focused her mind throughout the three realms, her discerning eye observing the entire universe. In an instant, she spoke, "Wukong, your master is moments away from suffering a physical injury, and he will soon come looking for you. Just stay here. I will speak with Tang Sanzang and instruct him to take you along for the scripture-seeking journey so you can achieve ultimate enlightenment." Sun Wukong had no choice but to obey, not daring to act rashly, and remained standing respectfully at the foot of the Jeweled Lotus Pedestal.

Meanwhile, after Tang Sanzang had sent the Pilgrim back, he instructed Bajie to lead the horse and Sha Wujing to carry the luggage. The four of them, including the horse, traveled less than fifty li westward when Sanzang reined in his horse and said, "Disciples, we left the village at the fifth watch, and then I was vexed by that Stable Groom. For half the day now, I've been both hungry and thirsty. Who will go beg for some food for me to eat?" Bajie replied, "Master, please dismount first. Let me see if there are any nearby villages where I can beg for alms." Hearing this, Sanzang dismounted. The simpleton rose on his cloud and carefully surveyed the area from mid-air. All he could see were mountains and ridges; there was no sign of human habitation. Bajie lowered his cloud and reported to Sanzang, "There's nowhere to beg for alms. As far as the eye can see, there are no villages." Sanzang said, "Since there's no place for alms, at least get some water to quench my thirst." Bajie said, "Let me go to the mountain stream to fetch some water." Sha Wujing immediately took out his alms bowl and handed it to Bajie. Bajie took the bowl and set off on his cloud. The Elder sat by the roadside, waiting for a long time, but they did not return. He was pitifully suffering from a parched mouth and tongue. A poem attests to this:

Nourishing the spirit and vital energy is called essence;Emotions and nature are originally embodied in form.A disturbed mind and confused spirit bring forth all illnesses;A decaying form and wasted essence cause the spiritual path to decline.If the "three flowers" do not converge, all efforts are in vain;If the "four elements" are desolate, all struggles are pointless.Earth and Wood are without power, Metal and Water are severed;When will the spiritual body, now so lax, be perfected?

Sha Wujing, seeing Sanzang's unbearable hunger and thirst and Bajie's continued absence with water, secured the luggage and tethered the white horse. He then said, "Master, please rest here. I will go and hurry Bajie with the water." The Elder, tearfully, said nothing but nodded in response. Sha Wujing quickly mounted his cloud and also headed south towards the mountain.

The master endured his suffering alone, overwhelmed by hardship. Just as he was in distress, he suddenly heard a loud sound. Startled, the Elder looked up to see Sun Wukong kneeling by the roadside, holding a ceramic cup in both hands. "Master," said Wukong, "without Old Sun, you can't even get water. Here's a cup of cool water; drink some to quench your thirst, and then I'll go beg for food." The Elder replied, "I won't drink your water! I'd rather die of thirst! I accept my fate! I don't need you anymore! Go away!" The Pilgrim retorted, "You won't be able to reach the Western Heaven without me." Sanzang snapped, "Whether I can or cannot go is none of your business! You wild monkey! Why do you keep bothering me?" The Pilgrim's face contorted with anger and rage. He cursed the Elder, "You heartless bald man, you completely despise me!" He swung his iron staff, dropping the ceramic cup, and struck the Elder on the back. The Elder fainted to the ground, unable to speak. Wukong then picked up the two blue felt bundles, ascended on his Cloud-Somersault, and disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, Bajie, carrying his alms bowl, headed down the southern slope of the mountain. Suddenly, in a hollow, he saw a thatched cottage. When he had first looked from above, the height of the mountain had hidden it from view; only now, upon reaching it, did he realize it was a human dwelling. The simpleton thought to himself, "If I go like this, with my ugly face, they will surely be scared of me, and I'll waste my effort without getting any alms. I must transform, I must transform!" The clever simpleton conjured a spell, chanted an incantation, and swayed his body seven or eight times. He transformed into a gaunt, jaundiced monk suffering from a wasting illness, groaning as he approached the door. "Good patrons," he called, "there's leftover rice in your kitchen, and a hungry person on the road. This poor monk is from the Eastern Land, traveling to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures. My master is hungry and thirsty on the road. If you have any leftover rice or crispy rice from the pot, please, give some to save a life." It turned out the men of the house were out, having gone to plant rice and sow seeds. Only two women were at home. They had just cooked lunch and filled two basins, preparing to take them to the fields. There was still some rice and crispy rice left in the pot, which had not yet been served. The women, seeing his sickly appearance and hearing him speak of traveling from the Eastern Land to the Western Heaven, feared he was delirious from illness or might collapse and die at their doorstep. So, gently and coaxingly, they gave him a full bowl of leftover rice and crispy rice. The simpleton took it, reverted to his true form, and headed back the way he came. As he walked, he heard someone call "Bajie." Bajie looked up and saw Sha Wujing standing on a cliff, shouting, "Over here! Over here!" When Sha Wujing descended the cliff and met him, he asked, "Why didn't you scoop the clear water from this stream? Where have you been?" Bajie chuckled, "I came here and saw a family in a mountain hollow, so I went and begged for this bowl of dry rice." Sha Wujing said, "The rice is useful, but Master is very thirsty. How can we get water?" Bajie replied, "Water is easy. You can wrap this rice in your robe while I use the alms bowl to scoop water."

Joyfully, the two returned to the road, only to find Sanzang face down in the dust. The white horse had broken loose from its reins, neighing and galloping frantically by the roadside, and the luggage was nowhere to be seen. In a panic, Bajie stamped his feet and beat his chest, shouting loudly, "No need to explain, no need to explain! This must be one of Sun Wukong's remaining cronies, who came here, killed Master, and stole the luggage!" Sha Wujing exclaimed, "First, let's tether the horse!" He kept crying, "What shall we do, what shall we do! This is truly abandoning the task halfway, stopping in the middle of the journey!" He cried out, "Master!" and burst into heartbroken tears. Bajie said, "Brother, stop crying. Since things have come to this, let's not talk about the scripture journey anymore. You watch over Master's body. I'll ride the horse to some prefecture, county, village, or market town and sell it for a few ounces of silver to buy a coffin and bury Master. Then we two can go our separate ways." Sha Wujing truly could not bear to abandon him. He turned Tang Sanzang's body over and pressed his face to the Elder's, weeping, "My ill-fated Master!" He then noticed that the Elder was exhaling warm breath from his mouth and nose, and his chest felt warm. Sanzang then repeatedly called out, "Bajie, you come here! Your Master is not dead yet!" Only then did the simpleton step forward and help him up. The Elder revived, groaned for a while, and then cursed, "That wild monkey, he almost killed me!" Sha Wujing and Bajie asked, "Which monkey?" The Elder did not speak, only sighed, but after drinking a few mouthfuls of water, he said, "Disciples, just after you left, Wukong came back to bother me again. I insisted on not taking him back, so he struck me with a blow, and stole both blue felt bundles." Hearing this, Bajie ground his teeth and his heart filled with rage, "How dare that despicable monkey be so insolent!" He told Sha Wujing, "You attend to Master. I'll go to his place and demand the bundles back!" Sha Wujing said, "Don't get angry yet. Let's help Master to that family in the mountain hollow, beg for some hot tea, warm up the rice we already got, and help Master recover. Then we can go look for him." Bajie agreed. They helped the master onto the horse, Bajie holding the alms bowl and carrying the cold rice, and went straight to the house. They saw only an old woman at home, who, startled by their sudden appearance, quickly hid. Sha Wujing put his palms together and said, "Elderly mother, we are monks sent from the Tang Dynasty in the Eastern Land to the Western Heaven. Our master is feeling unwell, so we specially ask for your help to beg for some hot tea for him to eat his rice." The old woman said, "Just now, a jaundiced monk with a wasting illness came, also saying he was from the Eastern Land, and he already begged for alms and left. Why is there another group from the Eastern Land? I have no one at home; please go elsewhere." Hearing this, the Elder, supported by Bajie, dismounted and bowed, "Venerable old woman, I have three disciples who are of one mind and heart, protecting me on my journey to the Great Thunderclap Monastery in India to seek scriptures from the Buddha. However, my eldest disciple, named Sun Wukong, has always been fierce and disobedient to the righteous path, so I sent him back. Unexpectedly, he secretly returned and struck me on the back, stealing my luggage and alms bowl. Now, I need one of my disciples to go and reclaim them. As there's no suitable place to rest on this empty road, we have specifically come to your esteemed dwelling to rest temporarily. Once we retrieve the luggage, we will immediately depart and certainly will not stay long." The old woman said, "Just now, a gaunt, jaundiced monk with a wasting illness, who also said he was from the Eastern Land going to the Western Heaven, begged for alms and left. Why is there another group?" Bajie couldn't help but laugh, "That was me! Because I have a long snout and big ears, I feared your family would be frightened and unwilling to give alms, so I transformed into that appearance. If you don't believe me, isn't the crispy rice from your pot in my brother's robe?" The old woman recognized that it was indeed the rice she had given him, so she no longer refused them. She invited them to sit and then boiled some hot tea, which she handed to Sha Wujing to soak the rice. Sha Wujing immediately soaked the cold rice and gave it to his master. After eating a few mouthfuls, the master composed himself for a long time and asked, "Who will go retrieve the luggage?" Bajie said, "The year before last, when Master sent him back, I sought him out once and know his Water Curtain Cave on Flower Fruit Mountain. Let me go, let me go!" The Elder said, "You cannot go. That monkey has always been at odds with you, and your speech is crude. If there's any slight mistake in a word or two, he will hit you. Let Wujing go." Sha Wujing agreed, "I'll go, I'll go." The Elder then instructed Sha Wujing, "When you get there, you must observe his demeanor. If he is willing to give you the bundles, pretend to thank him and take them. If he refuses, do not argue with him. Go directly to Guanyin Bodhisattva in the South Sea, tell her the situation, and ask her to demand them from him." Sha Wujing obediently listened to everything. He said to Bajie, "I am going to look for him now. You must not slack off; diligently attend to Master. And do not be unruly in this household, lest they refuse to provide food. I will return quickly." Bajie nodded, "I understand. But whether you get them or not, return by morning. Don't make it like carrying firewood on a pointed pole, losing both ends." Sha Wujing then recited a spell, mounted his cloud, and headed straight for the Eastern Continent of Light. Truly, it was:

The body leaves, the spirit soars, not staying in its dwelling;How can elixir be refined without fire in the furnace?The Earth Element leaves its master to seek the Metal Element;The Wood Element invites a teacher, but alas, the sickened face.Who knows when this journey will end, when he will return?The five elements clash, their interactions disharmonious;Only by the Monkey of the Mind returning to his path can harmony be restored.

Sha Wujing flew in mid-air for three days and three nights before finally reaching the Eastern Ocean. Suddenly hearing the sound of waves, he looked down and saw a truly magnificent sight: black mist rising to the sky, heavy with Yin energy; the vast sea holding the sun, its dawn light chilling. He had no mind for sightseeing. He crossed over the immortal isle of Yingzhou, heading directly eastward to the borders of Flower Fruit Mountain. Riding the sea wind and treading the water, after some time, he spotted towering peaks like arrayed halberds and steep cliffs like hanging screens. He arrived at the peak, descended on his cloud to find a path down the mountain, and searched for the Water Curtain Cave. As he approached, he heard a clamor and saw countless monkey spirits in the mountain, shouting chaotically. Sha Wujing drew closer to observe carefully. It was Sun Wukong, seated high on a stone platform, holding a piece of paper in both hands, reading aloud clearly:

"By Imperial Edict of Emperor Li, of the Great Tang of the Eastern Lands, the Royal Brother and Venerable Monk Chen Xuanzang, Dharma Master, is commanded to journey to the Western Heaven, to the Western Paradise of Sukhāvatī, to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, to specifically bow before the Tathagata Buddha and seek scriptures. The Emperor, having suffered a sudden illness and his soul having journeyed to the underworld, was fortunate to have his lifespan extended and, moved by the compassionate King of the Underworld, was released back to life. Thus, to widely promote good deeds and establish rituals for the salvation of the deceased, it was auspiciously granted that Guanyin Bodhisattva, the deliverer from suffering and calamity, appeared in her golden form and indicated that in the West there are Buddhas and scriptures capable of delivering the departed from their spiritual suffering and enabling their transcendence. Therefore, Dharma Master Xuanzang is specially commanded to travel through thousands of mountains and seek out scriptures and verses. Should he pass through any nations in the West, they are not to destroy this good karma, but to act in accordance with this decree."

"Imperial Pass issued before the Emperor on an auspicious autumn day in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan of the Great Tang Dynasty. Since departing the great nation, having traversed various states, he has midway acquired his eldest disciple, Sun Wukong the Pilgrim; his second disciple, Zhu Wuneng Bajie; and his third disciple, Sha Wujing the Monk."

He read it again and again from the beginning. Sha Wujing, recognizing it as the imperial passport, could not help but step forward and shout sternly, "Senior Disciple Brother, why are you reading Master's passport?" Hearing this, the Pilgrim quickly looked up, not recognizing Sha Wujing, and shouted, "Seize him! Seize him!" The monkeys immediately swarmed around Sha Wujing, dragging and pulling him closer, then demanded, "Who are you, daring to approach our immortal cave without permission?" Sha Wujing saw that Wukong's face had changed and he refused to acknowledge him. So, he bowed respectfully and said, "I beg to inform you, Senior Disciple Brother, that earlier Master was indeed short-tempered and wrongly blamed you, reciting the spell several times and sending you home. Firstly, your junior disciples did not properly intercede, and secondly, we had gone to find water and beg for alms for Master's hunger and thirst. Unexpectedly, Senior Disciple Brother, with good intentions, returned, but then, displeased that Master upheld the rules and would not keep you, you struck Master down, leaving him unconscious on the ground, and stole the luggage. After Master revived, I specifically came to pay my respects to you. If you no longer resent Master, and still remember the kindness of past deliverance, please return the luggage with your junior brother to Master, and let us all go to the Western Heaven together to achieve ultimate enlightenment. If your resentment is too deep to come with us, please, at least bestow the bundles upon your junior brother. You can enjoy your late years peacefully in these deep mountains, which would truly be best for both sides."

Hearing this, the Pilgrim scoffed with a cold laugh, "My good brother, your argument is far from my liking. My striking Tang Sanzang and seizing the luggage is not because I don't want to go to the West, nor because I love staying here. I have now thoroughly read this imperial pass. I will go to the Western Heaven myself, bow before the Buddha, seek the scriptures, and deliver them to the Eastern Land. I alone will achieve success, causing the people of the Southern Continent of Jambu to establish me as their patriarch, and my name will be passed down for ten thousand generations!" Sha Wujing smiled and said, "Senior Disciple Brother, your words are inappropriate. There has never been a saying about 'Sun Wukong seeking scriptures.' Our Buddha, Tathagata, created the three collections of true scriptures and originally instructed Guanyin Bodhisattva to seek a scripture-seeker in the Eastern Land, requiring us to endure hardships through thousands of mountains, inquire among various nations, and protect that scripture-seeker. The Bodhisattva once said: The scripture-seeker is a disciple of the Tathagata, named Elder Jin Chan, who was banished from Spirit Mountain and reincarnated in the Eastern Land because he did not listen to the Buddha's discourses. He is to rectify his path in the Western Heaven and resume the Great Way. Along the way, he is destined to encounter these demonic obstacles, and deliver the three of us to become his protectors. If you do not go with Tang Sanzang, which Buddha would be willing to transmit scriptures to you? Wouldn't that be a fruitless waste of effort?" The Pilgrim said, "My good brother, you are truly foolish, knowing only one side and not the other. You speak as if you have Tang Sanzang and I protect him, but do I not have a Tang Sanzang? I have already selected another truly enlightened monk here. It is perfectly fine for Old Sun to support him alone! I have already chosen tomorrow as the day to set off. If you don't believe me, let me invite him out for you to see." He called out, "Little ones, quickly invite the Venerable Master out!" Indeed, they ran in and led out a white horse, then brought out a Tang Sanzang, followed by a Bajie carrying luggage, and a Sha Wujing holding a monk's staff. Seeing this, Sha Wujing was enraged. "I, Old Sha, never change my name when I walk, nor my surname when I sit! Where did another Sha Monk come from! Don't be rude! Take this staff!" The mighty Sha Wujing raised his Demon-Subduing Staff with both hands and struck the false Sha Wujing on the head, killing him instantly. It turned out to be a monkey spirit. The Pilgrim was furious. He brandished his golden-banded cudgel and led his monkeys to surround Sha Wujing. Sha Wujing charged this way and that, fighting his way out and escaping on a cloud, crying, "This wild monkey is so brazen! I'll go appeal to the Bodhisattva!" Seeing Sha Wujing kill a monkey spirit and force the 'Sha Monk' to flee, the Pilgrim did not pursue him. He returned to the cave and instructed his smaller monkeys to drag the dead demon's body aside, skin it, fry its meat, and then, along with coconut wine and grape wine, they all ate it with the other monkeys. He then selected another shape-shifting demon monkey to transform into a Sha Monk, instructing him anew to embark for the Western Heaven.

Sha Wujing, on his cloud, departed the Eastern Sea and traveled for a day and a night before reaching the South Sea. As he flew, he soon saw Mount Putuo not far away. He quickly descended, stopping his cloud to observe. What a magnificent place! Truly, it was:

Embodying the profound essence of Qian (Heaven), encompassing the vastness of Kun (Earth).Where a hundred rivers converge to bathe the sun and churn the stars,Where all streams return, generating wind and rippling the moon.When the tide swells, the great Kun fish transforms,And when waves surge, the mighty Ao turtle swims.Its waters connect to the Northwest Sea, its waves merge with the Eastern Ocean.The four seas are linked by the same terrestrial veins, and immortal islands host various immortal palaces.Do not speak of a land full of Penglai, but behold Putuo's cloud-veiled caves.What a beautiful sight! The mountain peaks are adorned with iridescent clouds, magnificent and pure,Auspicious winds beneath the cliffs shimmer with moonlit crystals.Peacocks fly through the purple bamboo groves,Spirited parrots chatter on green willow branches.Marvelous flowers and precious grasses bloom beautifully year after year,Jeweled trees and golden lotuses grow perpetually.White cranes repeatedly visit the summit,And elegant luan birds frequently arrive at the mountain pavilion.Even the swimming fish understand how to cultivate their true nature,Leaping over waves and through currents to listen to the scriptures.

Sha Wujing walked slowly on Mount Putuo, admiring the immortal realm. He saw Muzha, who greeted him, "Sha Wujing, why are you here instead of protecting Tang Sanzang on his scripture journey?" Sha Wujing bowed and replied, "I have a matter I specifically came to report to the Bodhisattva. Please, arrange an audience for me." Muzha, understanding that he was looking for Sun Wukong, did not mention it. He went inside first and told the Bodhisattva, "Tang Sanzang's junior disciple, Sha Wujing, is outside, seeking an audience." Sun Wukong, hearing this from below the pedestal, chuckled, "This must mean Tang Sanzang is in trouble, and Sha Wujing has come to ask the Bodhisattva for help." The Bodhisattva immediately ordered Muzha to call him in. Sha Wujing prostrated himself and, after bowing, looked up, just about to explain the previous events. Suddenly, he saw Sun Wukong standing nearby. Without waiting to speak, he drew his Demon-Subduing Staff and swung it directly at Wukong's face. Wukong, without countering, dodged the blow completely. Sha Wujing cursed loudly, "You rogue monkey, guilty of the ten gravest sins and rebellion! You've come to deceive the Bodhisattva again!" The Bodhisattva sternly said, "Wujing, do not make a move. Tell me first what has happened."

Sha Wujing put away his precious staff and bowed again before the pedestal. Angrily, he spoke to the Bodhisattva, "This monkey has been violently misbehaving countless times on this journey. The day before yesterday, he killed two highwaymen on the mountain slope, and Master blamed him. Unexpectedly, that evening, he stayed at the bandit leader's house and then mercilessly killed the entire band of bandits. He even brought a bloody human head for Master to see. Master was so frightened he fell off his horse, scolded him a few times, and sent him back. After he left, Master became extremely hungry and thirsty. He sent Bajie to find water, but Bajie was gone for a long time, so he sent me to find him. Unexpectedly, Sun Wukong, seeing that we two were absent, returned and struck Master with an iron staff, then stole the two blue felt bundles. When we returned, we revived Master, and I specifically went to his Water Curtain Cave to reclaim the bundles. But to my surprise, he changed his demeanor and refused to acknowledge me. He kept reading Master's imperial passport again and again. I asked him why he was reading it, and he said he would no longer protect Tang Sanzang; he intended to go to the Western Heaven himself to seek scriptures and deliver them to the Eastern Land, claiming the merit for himself, establishing himself as an ancestor, and having his name spread for ten thousand generations. I then said, 'Without Tang Sanzang, which Buddha would be willing to transmit scriptures to you?' He replied that he had chosen another truly enlightened monk. When he brought them out, it was indeed a white horse, a Tang Sanzang, followed by a Bajie carrying luggage, and a Sha Wujing holding a monk's staff. I said, 'I am Sha Wujing; where did another Sha Monk come from?' I rushed forward and struck him with my precious staff. It turned out to be a monkey spirit. He then led his host of monkeys to seize me, so I specifically came to appeal to the Bodhisattva. I don't know that he can use the Cloud-Somersault, so he got here first, and I don't know what clever words or flowery speech he used to deceive the Bodhisattva." The Bodhisattva said, "Wujing, do not wrongly accuse him. Wukong has been here for four days now. I have not sent him back. How could he have selected another Tang Sanzang and intend to seek scriptures himself?" Sha Wujing insisted, "But there is indeed a Sun Wukong at the Water Curtain Cave right now. How dare I deceive you?" The Bodhisattva said, "If that is the case, do not be impatient. Let Wukong go with you to Flower Fruit Mountain to see. What is true is hard to extinguish; what is false is easy to remove. The truth will be revealed there." Hearing this, the Great Sage took his leave of the Bodhisattva with Sha Wujing. On this journey, they would go to Flower Fruit Mountain to discern right from wrong, and to the entrance of the Water Curtain Cave to distinguish true from false. But as to how they would distinguish them, we shall not know yet. Let us await the next chapter for the explanation.