Chapter 60: Niu Mo Wang Ceases Fighting and Attends the Banquet Sun Wukong Twice Seeks the Banana Fan

The local deity replied, "The Great Strength King is none other than the Bull Demon King."

Sun Wukong said, "So this mountain was originally set on fire by the Bull Demon King, and it's falsely named Fiery Mountain?"

"No, no," the land god quickly corrected, "Great Sage, if you would pardon this humble deity's offense, I would dare to speak truthfully."

"What offense have you committed?" Wukong asked. "Speak freely; there's no harm in it."

The land god stammered, "This fire was originally started by you, Great Sage."

Wukong grew angry. "When did I ever do that? You're talking nonsense! Am I someone who starts fires?"

The land god replied, "You don't recognize me anymore. Originally, there was no mountain here. Five hundred years ago, when you, Great Sage, caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, you were captured by the Sagely Manifestation and brought before the Grand Pure One. You were placed in the Eight Trigrams Furnace for refinement. When the cauldron was opened, you kicked over the elixir furnace, and a few bricks fell out, carrying residual fire. They landed here and transformed into the Fiery Mountain. I was originally a Daoist who guarded the furnace in the Tushita Palace. The Grand Pure One blamed me for losing guard, and I was banished here to become the land god of Fiery Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy grumbled, "No wonder you're dressed like this! So you were a Daoist who became a land god!"

Wukong, half-believing and half-doubting, said, "Now tell me, why should I seek out the Great Strength King early?"

"The Great Strength King is the Rakshasa Woman's husband," the land god explained. "He recently abandoned the Rakshasa and is currently at the Cloud-Accumulating Cave on Mount Accumulated Thunder. There was a Fox King of Ten Thousand Years who died, leaving behind a daughter named Jade-Faced Princess. This princess had a fortune of millions, with no one to manage it. Two years ago, she learned of the Bull Demon King's immense supernatural powers and willingly offered her entire fortune to have him join her family as her husband. The Bull Demon King abandoned the Rakshasa and has not looked back since. If the Great Sage finds the Bull Demon King and humbly requests his presence here, then the true fan can be borrowed. First, fanning out the flames will allow your master to proceed; second, it will permanently eliminate the fire hazard, protecting the local inhabitants; and third, it will grant me pardon to return to Heaven and report back to the Grand Pure One."

"Where is Mount Accumulated Thunder located?" Wukong asked. "How far is it to get there?"

"It is directly to the south," the land god replied. "From here to there, it's over three thousand *li*."

Upon hearing this, Wukong immediately instructed Sandy and Pigsy to protect their master, and told the land god not to leave his side. Then, with a sudden whoosh, he vanished. In less than half an *shichen*, he saw a towering mountain reaching into the clouds. He brought his cloud down and stood atop its peak, gazing at what was truly a magnificent mountain—

It reached high, touching the azure heavens; its roots plunged deep, anchoring in the Yellow Springs. The front of the mountain was warm with sunshine, while the ridge behind was cold with wind. Where the sun shone, plants and trees remained green even through winter's three months; where the wind chilled, ice and frost lingered even in summer's nine weeks. Dragon ponds connected to continuously flowing streams, and tiger dens nestled against cliffs where flowers bloomed early. Water flowed in a thousand rivulets like scattered jade, and blossoms opened like embroidered brocade. Twisting trees wound along twisting ridges, and gnarled pines twisted beside gnarled rocks. Truly it was a mountain of great height, a ridge of steepness, a cliff of precipice, a gorge of depth; fragrant flowers, beautiful fruits, red vines, purple bamboos, green pines, and emerald willows: whose colors remained unchanged through all seasons, and whose vibrant hues persisted through millennia.

The Great Sage watched for a long time, then stepped down from the peak, entering the deep mountain to find a path. Just as he was getting no clues, he suddenly saw a woman under the pine shade, gracefully approaching with a fragrant orchid in her hand. The Great Sage hid behind a strange rock and fixed his gaze on her, wondering what she looked like—

Exquisite beauty that could topple kingdoms, her lotus-like steps moved slowly. Her face was like Wang Qiang's, her complexion like a woman of Chu. She spoke like a flower, and fragrant like jade. Her high bun was piled with green silk and black raven feathers, her eyes, dipped in green, held the shimmer of autumn waters. Her Xiang skirt slightly revealed her tiny bow-shoes, and her emerald sleeves gently showed her long, fair wrists. Why speak of morning dew and evening clouds? Truly, she had vermillion lips and pearly white teeth. Her smooth, silken eyebrows were as fine as brocade, surpassing even Wenjun and Xue Tao.

The woman gradually approached the rock. The Great Sage bowed in greeting and spoke slowly, "My lady, where are you headed?" The woman hadn't been looking. Hearing the question, she raised her head and suddenly saw the Great Sage's ugly appearance. Greatly alarmed, she wanted to retreat but couldn't, wanted to move but couldn't. Trembling, she forced herself to reply, "Where are you from? How dare you question me here?" The Great Sage pondered, "If I tell her I'm seeking the scripture and the fan, she might be related to the Bull King. I should just pretend to be a relative and say I'm here to invite the Demon King." Seeing his silence, the woman's expression changed, and she angrily demanded, "Who are you, daring to question me!" The Great Sage bowed and chuckled, "I'm from Cuiyun Mountain. I've just arrived here and don't know the way. May I ask, my lady, is this Mount Accumulated Thunder?" The woman replied, "It is." The Great Sage asked, "Where is the Cloud-Accumulating Cave located?" The woman asked, "What do you want with that cave?" The Great Sage said, "Princess Iron Fan of Cuiyun Mountain's Plantain Cave sent me to invite the Bull Demon King."

As soon as the woman heard that Princess Iron Fan had sent for the Bull Demon King, she became furious, her ears turning crimson. She cursed venomously, "That vile wretch, so utterly shameless! Ever since the Bull King came to my home, less than two years ago, I've given him countless jewels, gold, silver, silks, and satins. I provide firewood yearly and rice monthly. He enjoys everything at his leisure, yet she has no shame, still daring to send for him!" Hearing this, the Great Sage knew it was the Jade-Faced Princess. He deliberately pulled out his iron staff and shouted, "You wicked slut, you used your family fortune to buy the Bull King, truly marrying a man with money! You have no shame, yet you dare to curse others!" When the woman saw this, she was terrified out of her wits, stumbling haphazardly on her tiny 'golden lotuses.' Trembling, she turned and fled, while the Great Sage, shouting and roaring, followed closely. It turned out that just beyond the pine shade was the entrance to the Cloud-Accumulating Cave. The woman rushed inside and slammed the door shut. The Great Sage then put away his iron staff, stopped, and coughed, observing the splendid location—

The forest was dense and deep, the cliffs sharp and towering. Ivy cast a gentle shade, and orchids emitted a sweet fragrance. Flowing springs washed jade through tall bamboos, and artful rocks lay beneath fallen petals. Mist and clouds enveloped distant peaks, while sun and moon illuminated cloudy screens. Dragons roared and tigers growled; cranes cried and orioles sang. A truly lovely and serene place, where wondrous flowers and magical herbs always shone brightly. It was no less than the immortal caves of Mount Tiantai, even surpassing the Penglai and Yingzhou Isles of the sea.

Leaving the Pilgrim to observe the scenery, let's turn to the woman who ran in, covered in sweat and with her heart pounding, directly into the study. The Bull Demon King was there, quietly studying Daoist texts. The woman, beside herself with indignation, threw herself into his arms, scratching her ears and cheeks, and weeping loudly. The Bull King, his face wreathed in smiles, said, "My beauty, calm yourself. What's wrong?" The woman wailed, cursing, "You wicked demon, you've ruined me!" The Bull King chuckled, "Why are you cursing me?" The woman replied, "Because my parents had no one to depend on, I married you to protect and sustain me. People in the martial world say you're a great hero, but you're actually a weakling who fears his wife!" Hearing this, the Bull King embraced the woman and said, "My beauty, what have I done wrong? Tell me slowly, and I'll apologize." The woman said, "Just now, I was strolling idly in the shade outside the cave, picking orchids and irises, when a monk with a hairy face and a thunder-god's mouth suddenly came up and bowed to me, scaring me stiff. When I finally composed myself and asked who he was, he said Princess Iron Fan had sent him to invite the Bull Demon King. When I said a few words to him, he cursed me soundly and then chased me, trying to hit me with a stick. If I hadn't run quickly, he would have almost beaten me to death! Isn't this bringing disaster upon me? You've ruined me!" Hearing this, the Bull King smoothed her hair and apologized, comforting her for a long time until the woman finally calmed down. The Demon King then said fiercely, "My beauty, I cannot hide the truth from you. Although Plantain Cave is secluded, it is serene and peaceful. My wife there has cultivated since childhood and is also an enlightened female immortal. Her household is strictly run; there isn't a single child, so how could a man with a thunder-god's mouth be sent from there? This must be some strange demon from somewhere else, or perhaps someone falsely claiming her name, who came here to seek me. Let me go out and see."

The formidable Demon King strode out of the study, went to the great hall to retrieve his armor, donned it, and grasping his mixed-iron staff, he went out and loudly challenged, "Who dares to act so impudently here?" The Pilgrim, standing nearby, saw that his appearance was vastly different from five hundred years ago. He saw—

On his head, he wore a gleaming, water-polished iron helmet; on his body, a suit of velvet-lined, embroidered golden armor; on his feet, a pair of curled-toe, pink-soled deerskin boots; and around his waist, a lion-headed, three-strand silk-woven belt. His eyes shone like bright mirrors, his eyebrows as vibrant as a red rainbow. His mouth was like a basin of blood, his teeth like copper plates. His roar shook the mountain gods with fear, and his movements terrified evil spirits. Throughout the four seas, he was known as the 'Chaos-Causing,' and in the West, he was called the 'Great Strength Demon King.'

The Great Sage adjusted his clothes and stepped forward, giving a deep bow and saying, "Elder Brother, do you still recognize your younger brother?" The Bull King returned the greeting, "Are you the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong?" The Great Sage replied, "Precisely, precisely. It's been a long time since I've paid my respects. Just now, I asked a woman here, and only then did I have the pleasure of seeing you, Elder Brother. Your appearance is even more magnificent than before, truly something to celebrate!" The Bull King growled, "Enough with your smooth talk! I heard you caused havoc in Heaven, were suppressed by the Buddha beneath the Five Elements Mountain, and recently escaped that tribulation to protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to seek scriptures from the Buddha. But why did you harm my young son, the Holy Infant, in the Fiery Cloud Cave of the Dry Pine Ridge on Mount Horn? I was just angry with you about that, so why have you come to seek me out again?" The Great Sage bowed and said, "Elder Brother, please don't misunderstand your younger brother. At that time, your son captured my master and intended to eat his flesh. Your younger brother could not get close to him. Fortunately, Bodhisattva Guanyin wished to save my master and persuaded your son to mend his ways. He is now the Child of Wealth, a higher position than even you, Elder Brother, enjoying the gates of ultimate bliss and eternal longevity. What's wrong with that? Why do you blame me?" The Bull King cursed, "You cunning monkey! You talk your way out of the matter of harming my son, but then you dared to bully my beloved concubine and came to my door, why?" The Great Sage chuckled, "I came to pay my respects to you, Elder Brother, but you weren't here. So I asked that woman, not knowing she was my second sister-in-law. Because she cursed me a few times, I, in my momentary rudeness, startled sister-in-law. I hope, Elder Brother, you will forgive me!" The Bull King said, "Since you put it that way, for old times' sake, I'll let you go." The Great Sage said, "Since you have shown such grace, I am endlessly grateful, but there is still one more matter I must bother you with, and I earnestly hope you can assist me." The Bull King cursed, "This monkey knows no sense! I've pardoned you, yet you won't leave, but instead cling to me! What assistance are you talking about?" The Great Sage said, "To be honest, Elder Brother, your younger brother is escorting Tang Sanzang westward, but our path is blocked by the Fiery Mountain, and we cannot proceed. I asked the locals and learned that your esteemed wife, the Rakshasa Woman, possesses a Plantain Fan, which I wish to borrow for a moment. Yesterday, I visited your old residence and paid my respects to sister-in-law, but she firmly refused to lend it. That's why I've specifically come to seek you, Elder Brother. I hope you will open your heart and accompany your younger brother to see sister-in-law. Please, please, lend us the fan to extinguish the flames so that Tang Sanzang can cross the mountain, and I will return it immediately."

Upon hearing this, the Bull King's heart blazed with fury. Gritting his steel teeth, he cursed, "You say you weren't disrespectful, but it turns out you came for the fan! You must have first bullied my wife, and she, unwilling to comply, led you to seek me! And then you chased my beloved concubine! As the saying goes, 'one must not bully a friend's wife, nor destroy a friend's concubine.' Since you have bullied my wife and harmed my concubine, how immensely disrespectful! Come, take this blow from my staff!" The Great Sage said, "Elder Brother, if you wish to fight, your younger brother is not afraid, but my sincere desire is to borrow the treasure. I humbly beg you to let me use it!" The Bull King said, "If you can defeat me in three bouts, I'll have my wife lend it to you; if you cannot, I'll beat you to death and avenge myself!" The Great Sage replied, "Elder Brother speaks truly. Your younger brother has been rather idle lately and hasn't had the chance to meet with you. I wonder how your martial skills compare to the past few years. My brother, please demonstrate your staff work." The Bull King would not tolerate further talk. He drew his mixed-iron staff and struck at Wukong's head. The Great Sage, holding his Golden-Clasped Staff, met the blow instantly. The two had a mighty fight—

Golden-Clasped Staff, mixed-iron staff—their faces changed, no longer considering each other friends. One said, "I'm still angry with you, you monkey, for harming my son!" The other replied, "Your son has already achieved enlightenment, so cease your resentment!" One said, "How dare you, so ignorant, come to my door?" The other said, "I had a reason to specially come and ask." One demanded the fan to protect Tang Sanzang, the other refused to lend the Plantain Fan, being too stingy. As words were exchanged, their old friendship was lost, and both families were filled with indignation. The Bull King's staff rose like a dragon, the Great Sage's staff met it, making gods and spirits flee. At first, they fought in front of the mountain, then they both rode auspicious clouds higher. In mid-air, they displayed their supernatural powers, performing marvelous maneuvers amidst colorful light. The two staffs clashed, shaking the gates of Heaven, with no clear victor, both equally matched.

The Great Sage and the Bull King fought for over a hundred rounds, neither gaining an advantage. Just as they were inseparable, a voice from the mountain peak called out, "Grandpa Bull, my Great King sends his utmost respects and hopes you will grace us with your early presence so that your seat may be prepared." Hearing this, the Bull King used his mixed-iron staff to fend off the Golden-Clasped Staff and called out, "Monkey, stop for a moment! I'm going to attend a banquet at a friend's house!" With that, he brought down his cloud and went straight into the cave. He said to the Jade-Faced Princess, "My beauty, that man with the thunder-god's mouth was the monkey Sun Wukong. I drove him away with a beating from my staff, and he won't dare to come back, so you can relax. I'm going to a friend's place for a feast." He then took off his armor, put on a dark green velvet jacket, walked out, mounted his Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast, told his servants to guard the entrance, and, half-shrouded in mist and clouds, headed directly northwest.

The Great Sage watched from the high peak, thinking to himself, "I wonder what new friends this old bull has made and where he's going for this banquet. I'll follow him." The clever Pilgrim shook his body, transformed into a gust of clear wind, caught up, and followed alongside. Before long, they arrived at a mountain, where the Bull King had quietly disappeared. The Great Sage reverted to his original form and entered the mountain to search. In the mountain, there was a clear, deep pool, and by its side stood a stone tablet. On the tablet were six large characters: 'Turbulent Stone Mountain's Azure Waves Pool.' The Great Sage thought, "The old bull must have gone into the water. If it's a water spirit, it must be a flood dragon, or a dragon, fish, turtle, softshell turtle, or alligator spirit. Let this Old Sun go down and see as well."

The resourceful Great Sage, forming a hand seal and chanting an incantation, shook his body and transformed into a crab. It was neither too big nor too small, weighing thirty-six *jin*. With a plop, it leaped into the water and sank straight to the bottom of the pool. Suddenly, he saw an exquisitely carved, transparent archway. Beneath the archway was tethered the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast. Inside the archway, there was no water. The Great Sage crawled in and observed carefully. He saw a burst of music from inside, and beheld—

Crimson palaces and pearly pavilions, no different from those in the mortal world. Gold served as roof tiles, white jade as door pivots. Screens were adorned with tortoiseshell, thresholds inlaid with coral beads. Auspicious clouds and propitious mists shimmered around lotus seats, connecting above to the three luminaries and below to the eight crossroads. It was neither a heavenly palace nor an ocean treasury, but truly, this place rivaled Penglai. In the grand hall, a feast was laid out for guests and hosts, with officials, great and small, adorned with beaded crowns. Jade maidens were hastily called to present rhinoceros horns, and immortal women were urged to tune their musical instruments. Great whales sang, giant crabs danced, softshell turtles played the sheng, alligators beat drums, and luminous pearls from dragons' jaws illuminated the banqueting tables. Bird-seal script adorned emerald screens, and shrimp-whisker curtains hung from covered walkways. Eight musical notes played in succession, mingled with immortal melodies, their sounds reaching the clouds. Blue-headed perch courtesans plucked jade zithers, and red-eyed horse-headed boys played jade flutes. Old鳜 fish presented fragrant deer jerky, and dragon maidens wore golden phoenix hairpins. They ate the flavors of the eight treasures of heavenly cuisine; they drank aged nectar from the purple palace.

Seated at the head was the Bull Demon King, flanked by three or four flood dragon spirits. In front sat an old dragon spirit, and on either side were dragon sons, dragon grandsons, dragon mothers, and dragon daughters. As they were clinking cups and exchanging pleasantries, the Great Sage Sun Wukong walked straight up. The old dragon saw him and immediately commanded, "Seize that wild crab!" The dragon sons and grandsons swarmed forward and captured the Great Sage. The Great Sage suddenly spoke in human tongue, crying out, "Mercy, mercy!" The old dragon said, "Where are you from, wild crab? How dare you enter this hall and walk around brazenly in front of our honored guests? Confess quickly, and you may be spared death!" The cunning Great Sage feigned a false story and confessed to the assembly:—

"Born in a lake to live, I temporarily dwelled in a cave by the cliff. Over time, I grew comfortable and was granted the title of 'Crab Cavalier.' I have always scuttled through grass and mud, never having learned proper etiquette. Unaware of your laws, I dared to offend your royal majesty. I humbly beg your honored compassion for forgiveness!"

Hearing this, all the spirits at the feast bowed to the old dragon and said, "The Crab Cavalier has just entered this splendid palace and is unfamiliar with royal etiquette. We hope, honored sir, that you will pardon him and let him go." The old dragon thanked them. The spirits then instructed, "Release that fellow, but remember to hit him, and have him wait outside." The Great Sage acknowledged with a sound, then escaped outside, heading straight for the archway. He thought to himself, "This Bull King is here indulging in drink; how can I wait for the banquet to end? Even if it does, he won't lend me the fan. It would be better to steal his Golden-Eyed Beast, transform into the Bull Demon King, go deceive the Rakshasa Woman, and trick her out of the fan to get my master across the mountain. That would be the best plan."

The clever Great Sage immediately reverted to his true form, untied the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast's reins, leaped onto its saddle, and rode straight out from under the water. Outside the pool, he transformed himself into the likeness of the Bull King. Beating the beast and riding the clouds, he arrived at the entrance of Cuiyun Mountain's Plantain Cave in no time. He called out, "Open the door!" Two maidservants inside the cave heard his voice and opened the door. Seeing the Bull Demon King's face, they immediately went in to report, "Mistress, Master has come home." Hearing this, the Rakshasa quickly arranged her cloud-like hair and hurried with lotus-like steps to the door to greet him. The Great Sage dismounted from the saddle, led the Golden-Eyed Beast inside; boldly, he set about deceiving the beautiful lady. The Rakshasa Woman, with her mortal eyes, could not recognize him. She immediately took his hand and led him inside. She instructed her maidservants to set up a seat and prepare tea. The entire household, seeing their master, showed nothing but reverence. In a moment, they exchanged greetings. The 'Bull King' said, "My wife, it's been a long time." The Rakshasa said, "My King, may you have ten thousand blessings." She also said, "My King, you've been doting on your new wife and abandoned your humble servant. What wind blew you here today?"

The Great Sage laughed, "It's not that I dared to abandon you; it's just that since I married the Jade-Faced Princess, family affairs have been numerous, and friends have required much attention, so I've been detained outside. But I've also managed to acquire another fortune." He continued, "I recently heard that that fellow Wukong, who is protecting Tang Sanzang, is approaching the Fiery Mountain region, and I fear he might come to ask you to borrow the fan. I resent him for the unresolved grudge of harming my son. If he comes, send someone to inform me, and I will capture him, dismember him into ten thousand pieces, and avenge our shared hatred." Hearing this, the Rakshasa shed tears and said, "My King, as the saying goes, 'a man without a wife has no master for his wealth, and a woman without a husband has no master for her body.' My life was almost ruined by that monkey!" The Great Sage, hearing this, feigned anger and cursed, "When did that wretched monkey come by?" The Rakshasa replied, "He hasn't left yet. Yesterday, he came here to borrow the fan. Because he harmed our child, I donned my armor and wheeled out my precious sword to chop that monkey. He endured the pain, called me 'sister-in-law,' and said you, my King, were once sworn brothers with him." The Great Sage said, "Yes, five hundred years ago, we became sworn brothers, seven of us." The Rakshasa continued, "I cursed him, but he didn't dare to retort; I chopped him, but he didn't dare to fight back. Later, I fanned him away with one wave of the fan. I don't know where he found a way to stop the wind, but this morning he was calling outside the door again. I used the fan again, but it wouldn't move him. When I quickly wheeled my sword to chop him, he didn't let me anymore. I was afraid of his heavy staff, so I ran into the cave and locked the door tightly. But somehow, he drilled into my stomach, and I almost lost my life! So I called him 'uncle' a few times and gave him the fan." The Great Sage then feigned pounding his chest, saying, "What a pity, what a pity! My wife, you made a mistake! How could you give that treasure to that monkey? It makes me furious!" The Rakshasa chuckled, "My King, calm your anger. What I gave him was a fake fan, just to trick him into leaving." The Great Sage asked, "Where is the true fan?" The Rakshasa said, "Don't worry, don't worry! I have it safely put away." She then called a maidservant to prepare wine to welcome him and celebrate, and raising a cup, she offered it, saying, "My King, with your new marriage, please don't forget your first wife. Please drink this cup of water from our homeland." The Great Sage dared not refuse. With a smile, he raised the cup in his hand and said, "My wife, please fill yourself first. I have been busy acquiring external property and have been separated from you for a long time. Night and day, you have guarded our home, and I offer this as a token of my gratitude." The Rakshasa took the cup, refilled it, and offered it to the King again, saying, "It has been said since ancient times that a wife is one's equal, and a husband is like a father who nurtures one's body. What is there to thank?" The two exchanged polite words and then sat down to drink. The Great Sage dared not eat meat, only consuming a few fruits and conversing with her.

After several rounds of wine, the Rakshasa felt half-drunk, and a hint of desire stirred within her. She began to snuggle and flirt with the Great Sage, taking his hand, speaking in charming, affectionate whispers, leaning shoulder to shoulder, and bending low to whisper intimately. They shared a cup of wine, each taking a sip, and then fed each other fruit. The Great Sage, feigning affection, accompanied her with smiles and laughter. Helplessly, he also leaned against her. Indeed, it was—

A hook for poetry, a broom to sweep away sorrow, nothing dispels all troubles like wine. A man establishes his character and opens his heart, a woman forgets her inhibitions and smiles. Her face was flushed like a youthful peach, her body swayed like a tender willow. Her chatter was incessant, her flirtations full of pinching and teasing. At times, she brushed her cloud-like hair; at others, she wiggled her slender fingers. She often propped up her feet and repeatedly shook her sleeves. Her fair neck naturally lowered, her lithe waist gradually twisted. Words of joy were never abandoned, her soft bosom half-exposed by loosened golden buttons. When truly drunk, she was like a collapsing jade mountain, her hazy eyes looking somewhat disfigured.

Seeing her so completely inebriated, the Great Sage secretly paid attention and then provoked her, "My wife, where do you keep the true fan? Be careful with it, morning and night. I fear Sun Wukong, with his many transformations, might come to trick you out of it again." The Rakshasa, giggling, spat out a fan, no bigger than an apricot leaf, and handed it to the Great Sage, saying, "Isn't this the treasure?" The Great Sage took it, but doubted it, thinking, "How can something so tiny extinguish eight hundred *li* of flames? I fear it's another fake." The Rakshasa saw him pondering the treasure and couldn't resist. She leaned forward, placing her fair face close to the Pilgrim's, and cooed, "My dearest, put away the treasure and let's drink! What are you thinking about so intently?" The Great Sage took the opportunity of her foot being propped up to ask, "How can such a tiny thing fan out eight hundred *li* of flames?" The Rakshasa, her true nature revealed by the wine and without inhibition, blurted out the method: "My King, it's been two years since we parted. You must have been indulging in pleasure day and night, and the Jade-Faced Princess must have harmed your senses, causing you to forget even your own treasure's secrets? Just pinch the seventh red thread on its handle with your left thumb, and recite 'bī xū hē xī xī chuī hū' [sound of wind], and it will grow to a length of one *zhang* and two *chi*. This treasure's transformations are endless! It can extinguish even eighty thousand *li* of flames with a single fan!" The Great Sage, hearing this, carefully committed it to memory. He then put the fan in his mouth, wiped his face, reverted to his original form, and roared, "Rakshasa Woman! Look closely, am I your real husband? You've entangled me in so many shameful acts! Shame on you, shame on you!" When the woman saw it was Sun Wukong, she panicked, knocking over the table, falling into the dust, utterly ashamed. She cried out, "You'll be the death of me! You'll be the death of me!"

The Great Sage, disregarding her distress, shook free, strode out of the Plantain Cave, entirely without desire for beauty, his face returning with a triumphant smile. With a leap, he stepped onto an auspicious cloud and jumped onto the high mountain. He spat out the fan and practiced the method. He pinched the seventh red thread on its handle with his left thumb and recited 'bī xū hē xī xī chuī hū'. Indeed, it grew to a length of one *zhang* and two *chi*. Holding it, he examined it carefully, and it was indeed different from the fake one he had encountered before. Auspicious light shimmered, and propitious mists scattered. There were thirty-six red threads on it, interwoven and interconnected, inside and out. It turned out the Pilgrim had only learned the method to make it grow, not the incantation to make it shrink. So, it remained that long. Having no choice, he draped it over his shoulder and returned the way he came, no more to be said.

Now, the Bull Demon King, having concluded the banquet with the spirits at the bottom of Azure Waves Pool, came out and found his Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast gone. The Old Dragon King gathered his spirits and asked, "Who stole and released Master Bull's Golden-Eyed Beast?" All the spirits knelt and replied, "No one would dare steal it. We were all serving wine and presenting dishes at the banquet, singing and playing music; not a single person was at the front." The Old Dragon said, "Our own household certainly wouldn't dare. Was there any outsider who came in?" A dragon son and grandson replied, "Just as the feast was being set, a crab spirit came here. That was the only outsider." Hearing this, the Bull King suddenly understood. "No need to say more!" he exclaimed. "This morning, when my esteemed friend sent someone to invite me, that Sun Wukong, who is protecting Tang Sanzang on his scripture-seeking journey, encountered difficulty passing the Fiery Mountain and asked to borrow the Plantain Fan from me. I didn't give it to him, and we fought a battle, but neither won. I left him then and went straight to the grand banquet. That monkey has a thousand tricks and ten thousand schemes; it must have been that fellow who transformed into a crab spirit, came here to scout for information, stole my beast, and went to my wife's place to trick her out of that Plantain Fan!" Hearing this, the spirits were all terrified and asked, "Is it that Sun Wukong who caused havoc in Heaven?" The Bull King replied, "Precisely. Gentlemen, if you encounter him on the path to the West and find him acting improperly, you must definitely avoid him." The Old Dragon said, "If that's the case, what about your magnificent steed, Your Majesty?" The Bull King chuckled, "No matter, no matter. Gentlemen, disperse. I'll go chase him now."

He then parted the waters, leaped out from the bottom of the pool, and rode a yellow cloud straight to Plantain Cave on Cuiyun Mountain. He heard the Rakshasa Woman stamping her feet and beating her chest, yelling and screaming. Pushing open the door, he saw the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast tethered below. The Bull King loudly asked, "My wife, where did Sun Wukong go?" All the maidservants, seeing the Bull Demon, knelt down in unison and asked, "Master, you're back?" The Rakshasa Woman grabbed the Bull King, bumping her head against him, and cursed, "You wretched old fool! How could you be so careless and let that monkey steal the Golden-Eyed Beast, transform into your likeness, and come here to deceive me!" The Bull King gritted his teeth and said, "Where did that monkey go?" The Rakshasa, beating her chest, cursed, "That wretched monkey tricked me out of my treasure, revealed his true form, and ran off! He'll be the death of me!" The Bull King said, "My wife, take care of yourself, don't worry. I will catch that monkey, reclaim the treasure, skin him, crush his bones, and pull out his heart and liver to avenge you!" He called out, "Bring my weapons!" A maidservant said, "Your weapon isn't here, Master." The Bull King said, "Then bring your mistress's weapons!" A maid presented two gleaming green-edged swords. The Bull King took off the dark green velvet jacket he wore for the banquet, tightened his close-fitting underclothes, grasped a sword in each hand, walked out of Plantain Cave, and rushed towards Fiery Mountain in pursuit. It was truly: a heartless man, who tricked a devoted woman; a fierce demon, coming after a wooden-fork wielding person. Ultimately, no one knew what fortune or misfortune awaited them. To be continued in the next chapter.