Chapter 62: Cleansing Filth and Purifying the Heart by Sweeping the Pagoda Binding the Demon and Returning to Righteousness as Self-Cultivation

The poem is titled "Immortal by the River." It recounts how the four pilgrims, Master Tripitaka and his disciples, having achieved the perfect balance of water and fire and a clear, cool nature, borrowed the Pure Yin Precious Fan. With it, they quenched the scorching fire over the mountains. In less than a day, they traveled eight hundred *li*, journeying westward in a leisurely and carefree manner. It was late autumn, early winter, and they observed:

Wild chrysanthemums shed their last petals, new plum buds appeared. In every village, the harvest was brought in; everywhere, fragrant stews were savored. In the flat forests, trees shed their leaves, revealing distant mountains; in winding streams, frost was thick, and secluded valleys were clear. The season resonated with the "Bell's Qi," prompting creatures to prepare for hibernation. It was a time of pure yin and yang, when the Moon Emperor, Xuan Ming, presided, and the virtue of water flourished, as if even the sun of Shun mercifully granted clear days. Earthly energy descended, heavenly energy ascended. Rainbows disappeared, their shadows unseen; ponds gradually began to freeze. On cliffs hung with vines, flowers had withered; pines and bamboos, enduring the cold, grew even greener.

After traveling for a long time, the four pilgrims approached a city. Tripitaka reined in his horse and called to his disciple, "Wukong, look at those majestic towers and pavilions over there. What kind of place is that?" The Pilgrim raised his head to look; it was indeed a city. It was truly a place where:

Dragons coiled in its layout and tigers crouched in its golden walls. Its four protective canopies extended far, and its vast purple plain stretched level for miles. Jade bridges had railings adorned with artfully carved beasts; golden platforms displayed images of sages. Truly a grand capital of the divine land, a heavenly city of jade. Its vast territories were secure for ten thousand *li*, and its imperial dynasty had flourished for a thousand years. Barbarian tribes bowed in submission, acknowledging the distant imperial grace; seas and mountains paid homage, filling the court with saints. The imperial stairs were clean, and the carriage roads were peaceful and clear. Taverns buzzed with song, and pleasure houses glowed with cheer. Outside Weiyang Palace, evergreen trees stood, as if promising the dawn and the cry of colorful phoenixes.

The Pilgrim said, "Master, that city is the residence of a king." Pigsy chuckled, "Every prefecture has its prefectural city, and every county has its county city. How can you tell this is a king's residence?" The Pilgrim replied, "You don't know that a king's residence is different from a prefecture or county. Look, it has over a dozen gates on all four sides, spans more than a hundred *li* in circumference, with towering buildings and colorful mists. If not an imperial capital, how could it be so magnificent?" Sandy said, "Brother, your eyes are sharp. Although you recognize it as a king's place, what is its name?" The Pilgrim said, "There are no plaques or banners, so how can I know? We must inquire once we are inside the city." The Elder spurred his horse, and in a moment, they reached the gate. They dismounted, crossed the bridge, and entered, observing the six main streets and three markets bustling with commerce, and people dressed in prosperous, luxurious attire. As they walked, they suddenly saw a dozen or so monks, each wearing a cangue and shackles, begging door-to-door, truly ragged and miserable. Tripitaka sighed, "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves; creatures feel for their own kind." He called out, "Wukong, go forward and ask them why they are suffering like this." The Pilgrim obeyed, immediately calling out, "Monks, from what temple are you? Why are you wearing cangues and shackles?" The monks knelt and said, "Sir, we are the wronged monks of Jin'guang Temple." The Pilgrim asked, "Where is Jin'guang Temple located?" The monks replied, "It's just around the corner." The Pilgrim brought them before Tripitaka and asked, "How were you wronged? Tell me." The monks said, "Sirs, we do not know where you come from, but you look somewhat familiar. We dare not speak of this here. Please come to the desolate mountain, and we will explain our suffering in detail." The Elder said, "Indeed. Let us go to their temple and inquire carefully about the reason." Together, they went to the temple gate. Above the gate, seven golden characters were written horizontally: "Imperially Built Protectorate Jin'guang Temple." The master and disciples entered and observed:

In the ancient hall, incense and lamps were cold; in the empty corridors, leaves swept in the wind. A thousand-foot pagoda soared into the clouds; a few pines cultivated their nature. Fallen petals covered the ground, with no visitors passing; spiderwebs hung from the eaves, free to weave. Empty drums stood on racks, bells hung in vain; colorful painted murals were obscured by dust. Lecture seats were desolate, no monks were seen; the meditation hall was silent, often visited by birds. Desolation was sigh-worthy, loneliness brought endless suffering. Though incense burners were placed before the Buddha, the ashes were cold, flowers withered, and all was emptiness.

Tripitaka felt a pang of sadness, unable to stop tears from welling in his eyes. The monks, still bearing their cangues and shackles, pushed open the main hall doors and invited the Elder to enter and worship Buddha. The Elder entered the hall, offered silent prayers, and clicked his teeth three times. He then turned to the back and saw six or seven young monks also chained to the eaves pillars of the abbot's quarters. Tripitaka found it deeply distressing to see. Upon reaching the abbot's quarters, all the monks came to kowtow and asked, "Sirs, your appearances are unusual. Are you from the Great Tang in the East?" The Pilgrim laughed, "What premonitory power do these monks possess? We are indeed. How did you recognize us?" The monks replied, "Sir, we have no premonitory power. It's just that we have suffered such bitter injustice with no one to appeal to, so we've spent our days crying out to Heaven and Earth. We believe we must have alarmed the celestial gods, for last night, each of us had a dream saying that a holy monk from the Great Tang of the East would come to save our lives and redress our grievances. Today, we truly see such extraordinary figures as yourselves. That is how we recognized you."

Hearing this, Tripitaka was overjoyed and said, "What is this place? What grievances do you have?" The monks knelt and reported, "Sir, this city is called Jisai Kingdom, a great land in the Western region. In earlier years, four barbarian nations paid tribute: Yue Tuo Kingdom in the South, Gaochang Kingdom in the North, Dong Liang and Xi Liang Kingdoms, and Benbo Kingdom in the West. Every year, they presented beautiful jade, luminous pearls, beautiful consorts, and swift horses. Without engaging in warfare or expeditions, our kingdom was naturally revered as the superior nation." Tripitaka said, "Since it was revered as a superior nation, I assume your king was benevolent and his civil and military officials virtuous." The monks said, "Sir, neither the civil officials were virtuous nor the military officials capable, nor was the king benevolent. This Jin'guang Temple of ours has always been covered by auspicious clouds over its pagoda, with propitious mists rising high. At night, it emitted a radiant glow, seen for thousands of *li*; by day, it sprayed colorful vapors, visible to all four nations. This is why it was considered a heavenly abode and a divine capital, attracting tribute from the four barbarian nations. However, three years ago, on the first day of the first month of autumn, at midnight, a rain of blood fell. At dawn, every household was terrified, and sorrow filled every home. All the nobles reported to the king, wondering what wrong they had committed to displease Heaven. At that time, Taoist priests were invited to perform rituals, and Buddhist monks were asked to recite scriptures, to appease Heaven and Earth. Who would have known that the golden pagoda in our temple was defiled, and for the past two years, foreign nations have ceased to pay tribute. Our king desired to launch a punitive expedition, but his ministers advised, 'The monks in our temple must have stolen the treasures from the pagoda; that is why there are no auspicious clouds or mists, and foreign nations no longer pay tribute.' The foolish king did not investigate the matter further. Those corrupt officials seized our monks, subjecting us to a thousand kinds of torture and ten thousand forms of interrogation. At that time, there were three generations of monks here. The first two generations could not endure the torture and died. Now, our generation has been arrested, interrogated, and put in cangues and shackles. Sirs, how could we ever dare to deceitfully steal the treasures from the pagoda? We earnestly hope you will have mercy on us, as birds of a feather flock together and things of a kind group themselves. We beg you, in your great compassion, to wield your mighty power and save our lives!"

Hearing this, Tripitaka nodded and sighed, "This matter is obscure and difficult to ascertain. Firstly, it is a failure of the court's governance; secondly, you all are suffering misfortune. Since Heaven sent a rain of blood and defiled the pagoda, why did you not report it to the king at that time, which led to this suffering?" The monks replied, "Sir, how can ordinary mortals like us know the will of Heaven? Moreover, our predecessors could not discern it, so what could we do?" Tripitaka said, "Wukong, what time is it now?" The Pilgrim said, "Around the *shen* hour (3-5 PM)." Tripitaka said, "I wish to meet the king to exchange our travel pass, but as long as this matter concerning the monks remains unclear, it will be difficult to speak to the king. When I left Chang'an, I made a vow at Famen Temple: to burn incense at every temple I encounter on my journey west, to bow to Buddha at every monastery, and to sweep every pagoda I see. Now that I have arrived here and met these wronged monks, it is all because of the pagoda. You prepare a new broom for me. After I bathe, I will go up and sweep. I will then see what this defilement is, why it no longer emits light, and discover the truth. Only then can I properly address the king and relieve their suffering." Hearing this, the shackled monks hurried to the kitchen, fetched a kitchen knife, and handed it to Pigsy, saying, "Sir, please use this knife to open the iron locks on the young monks chained to the pillar. Let them prepare a vegetarian meal and fragrant hot water to serve the masters for their meal and bath. We will go out to the street and beg for new brooms for the master to sweep the pagoda." Pigsy chuckled, "What's so difficult about opening locks? No need for a knife or axe. Tell that hairy-faced master of ours; he's a veteran at opening locks." The Pilgrim indeed stepped forward, used a lock-opening spell, and with a swipe of his hand, all the locks fell off. The young monks all ran to the kitchen, cleaned the pots and stoves, and prepared tea and food. After Tripitaka and his disciples finished their meal, dusk gradually fell. The shackled monks then came in carrying two brooms, much to Tripitaka's delight.

As they were speaking, a young monk lit a lamp and came to invite them to bathe. At this time, the sky was full of starlight and moonlight, and the drums on the watchtower sounded in unison. It was truly a time when:

Cold winds rose from all four directions, and ten thousand homes glowed with lights. The six main streets saw doors and windows closed, and the three markets shut their gates. Fishing boats returned to the deep woods, plows rested from their short ropes. Woodcutters' axes lay still, students' voices recited scriptures.

After Tripitaka bathed, he put on a narrow-sleeved tunic, tied a sash, changed into a pair of soft official's shoes, and held a new broom in his hand. He said to the monks, "You all may rest. I will go sweep the pagoda." The Pilgrim said, "Since the pagoda was defiled by blood rain and has been without light for a long time, evil creatures might have spawned. Furthermore, it's late night, the wind is cold, and you have no companion. It might be dangerous if you go alone. How about I accompany you?" Tripitaka said, "Very good, very good!" Each holding a broom, they first went to the main hall, lit the glazed lamps, burned incense, and bowed before the Buddha, saying, "Your disciple Chen Xuanzang, sent by the Great Tang of the East to Mount Ling to meet the Buddha Tathagata and retrieve scriptures, has now arrived at Jin'guang Temple in Jisai Kingdom. Here, I met monks who claim the pagoda was defiled, and the king suspects the monks of stealing treasures, thus wrongfully punishing them. The matter is unclear to all. Your disciple sincerely sweeps this pagoda, hoping for the Buddha's divine power to soon reveal the cause of the pagoda's defilement, so that these ordinary mortals may not suffer injustice." After praying, he and the Pilgrim opened the pagoda door and began sweeping from the lowest level upwards. They saw that the pagoda was truly:

Majestic, leaning against the sky; towering, piercing the heavens. It was truly called the Five-Colored Glazed Pagoda, a peak of priceless sarira. Its winding stairs were like piercing a cave; its open doors were like escaping a cage. The shadow of its precious finial reflected the moon in the sky; the sound of its golden bells carried on the sea breeze. Yet, they saw its empty eaves with bracket sets, its summit retaining clouds. Empty eaves with bracket sets, once crafted with skillful stone carvings of phoenixes flying through flowers; its cloud-retaining summit, once formed a pagoda surrounded by mist-shrouded dragons. From afar, one could see a thousand *li*; climbing high, it seemed one was among the nine heavens. On every level's door, the glazed lamps were dusty and unlit; on every step of the eaves, the white jade railings were covered in grime and flying insects. Inside the pagoda, on the Buddha's seat, incense smoke was completely gone; outside the window lattices, before the deities, spiderwebs obscured everything. In the censers were many rat droppings; in the lamps, little oil remained. It was solely because the central treasure was secretly lost that the monks suffered, their lives in vain. Tripitaka resolved to sweep the pagoda, determined to restore its former appearance.

Tripitaka swept one level with the broom, then ascended to the next. He swept up to the seventh level, and it was already the second watch. The Elder gradually felt tired. The Pilgrim said, "If you're tired, sit down for a while. Let your Old Sun sweep for you." Tripitaka asked, "How many levels does this pagoda have?" The Pilgrim said, "I'm afraid it has thirteen levels." The Elder, enduring his weariness, said, "It must be swept clean; only then will my original vow be fulfilled." He swept three more levels, his back aching and legs sore, then sat down on the tenth level, saying, "Wukong, please sweep those three levels clean for me and come down." The Pilgrim, reinvigorated, ascended to the eleventh level, and in a flash, reached the twelfth. As he was sweeping, he heard voices from the top of the pagoda. The Pilgrim thought, "Strange, very strange! It's past midnight, around the third watch. How can there be people talking on the top of the pagoda? They must be evil creatures! Let me go and see."

The splendid Monkey King quietly tucked his broom, pulled up his clothes, slipped out the front door, and stepped onto a cloud to look. He saw two demons sitting inside the thirteenth level of the pagoda, with a plate of appetizers, a bowl, and a pot before them, playing finger-guessing games and drinking wine. The Pilgrim used his magic, dropped the broom, pulled out his Golden-Hooped Rod, and blocked the pagoda door, shouting, "You wretches! So it was you who stole the treasures from the pagoda!" The two monsters panicked, hastily stood up, and threw the pot and bowl wildly. The Pilgrim blocked them with his iron rod, saying, "If I beat you to death, there will be no one to give a confession." He merely pressed the rod forward. The monsters were pinned against the wall, unable to struggle, crying out, "Spare our lives, spare our lives! It wasn't us! The ones who stole the treasures are somewhere else!" The Pilgrim used a grappling technique, grabbed them with one hand, and directly carried them down to the tenth level of the pagoda. He reported, "Master, I've caught the thieves who stole the treasures!" Tripitaka had just dozed off. Hearing this, he was both startled and delighted, asking, "Where did you catch them?" The Pilgrim dragged the monsters before him and made them kneel, saying, "They were on the pagoda top, playing finger-guessing games and drinking wine. Your Old Sun heard the commotion, leaped onto a cloud, jumped to the top, and blocked them. I didn't use much force, fearing that a single blow would kill them, leaving no one to confess. So I gently captured them. Master, you can get their confession and find out what kind of demons they are and where the stolen treasures are."

The monsters, trembling, cried out, "Spare our lives!" They then truthfully confessed: "We two were sent by the Dragon King of Myriad Sages from Bibo Pond in Luanshi Mountain to patrol the pagoda. His name is Benbo'er Ba, and my name is Ba'bo'er Ben. He is a catfish monster, and I am a black fish demon. Because our Old Dragon of Myriad Sages has a daughter, called Princess Myriad Sages. That princess, with her beautiful face and twenty talents, married a consort named the Nine-Headed Consort, who possesses vast supernatural powers. The year before last, he came here with the Dragon King, displayed great magic, sent down a rain of blood that defiled the pagoda, and stole the sarira Buddha treasures from inside the pagoda. The princess also went to the Da Luo Heaven, before the Lingxiao Palace, and stole the Queen Mother of the West's Nine-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma, which she nurtures at the bottom of the pond, emitting golden light and radiant colors, shining day and night. Recently, we heard that a Sun Wukong is journeying to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures, and they say he has vast supernatural powers and specializes in finding people's faults along the way. That is why we have often been sent here to patrol and guard, so that if Sun Wukong arrives, we will be prepared." Hearing this, the Pilgrim chuckled coldly, "These beasts are so insolent! No wonder they invited the Ox-Demon King to a gathering the other day! So, they associate with this gang of wicked demons, specializing in committing evil deeds!"

Before he finished speaking, Pigsy and two or three young monks came up from the base of the pagoda, carrying two lanterns, and said, "Master, you've swept the pagoda, why aren't you sleeping? What are you talking about here?" The Pilgrim said, "Junior brother, your timing is perfect. The treasure from the pagoda was stolen by the Old Dragon of Myriad Sages. He sent these two minor demons to patrol the pagoda and listen for news of our arrival, and I just caught them." Pigsy asked, "What are their names? What kind of demons are they?" The Pilgrim said, "They just confessed: one is called Benbo'er Ba, and the other is Ba'bo'er Ben; one is a catfish monster, and the other is a black fish demon." Pigsy immediately raised his rake to strike, saying, "Since they are demons and have confessed, why wait? Why not kill them?" The Pilgrim said, "You don't understand. We should keep them alive. They will be useful when we speak to the emperor, and they can also serve as 'eyes' to track down the thieves and recover the treasure."

The good simpleton indeed put away his rake, grabbed one monster each, and dragged them down the pagoda. The monsters kept crying, "Spare our lives!" Pigsy said, "We just need you, catfish and black fish, to make some fresh soup for those wronged monks!" Two or three young monks, joyfully carrying lanterns, led the Elder down the pagoda. One ran ahead to report to the other monks, "Good news, good news! We can finally see the light of day! The demons who stole the treasures have been captured by the masters!" The Pilgrim instructed, "Bring iron chains, pierce their shoulder blades, and lock them here. You all guard them. We will go to sleep and deal with them tomorrow." All the monks guarded them closely, allowing Tripitaka and his disciples to rest.

Before they knew it, dawn broke. The Elder said, "Wukong and I will go to court to exchange our travel pass." The Elder immediately put on his brocade cassock with a bat pattern, donned his Vairocana hat, arranged his dignified attire, and stepped forward. The Pilgrim also fastened his tiger-skin skirt, tidied his cotton tunic, and took the travel pass to go with him. Pigsy asked, "Why aren't you taking these two demon thieves?" The Pilgrim said, "After we present our case, the king will send an order for someone to fetch them." They then walked to the outside of the palace gate, where they could not behold enough of the Vermillion Bird, Yellow Dragon, the clear capital, and the crimson palace towers. Tripitaka arrived at the Donghua Gate, bowed to the Chamberlain of the Gate, and said, "Sir, please convey to the king that this humble monk was sent from the Great Tang of the East to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures. I wish to meet the king to exchange our travel pass." The Chamberlain indeed relayed the message. He approached the steps and reported, "Outside are two monks of unusual appearance and attire, claiming to be sent from the Tang Dynasty of the East in Nanshanbuzhou to the West to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. They wish to meet Your Majesty to exchange their travel pass." The king heard this, issued an edict to summon them, and the Elder immediately led the Pilgrim into the court. The civil and military officials, upon seeing the Pilgrim, were all startled and fearful. Some said he was a monkey monk, others a thunder-god-mouthed monk; each was terrified, not daring to look at him for long. The Elder performed a respectful dance and shouted greetings before the steps, while the Great Sage stood casually to the side, hands clasped, completely still.

The Elder began his report: "Your humble monk, from the Great Tang Empire in Nanshanbuzhou, was sent to the Great Thunderclap Temple in Western India to seek true scriptures. Passing through your esteemed land, I dared not proceed without permission. I have my travel pass with me, and I beg Your Majesty to verify it so we may proceed." The king heard this and was greatly pleased. He issued an edict to summon the holy monk from the Tang Dynasty to the Golden Luan Hall, where an embroidered stool was placed for him to sit. The Elder ascended the hall alone, first presented the travel pass, then thanked the king for his grace and took his seat. The king read the travel pass once, and said with delight, "Your Great Tang king, despite his illness, could select such an eminent monk, unafraid of the distant journey, to worship our Buddha and retrieve scriptures. But the monks here, they are solely focused on thievery, bringing ruin to the nation and the king!" Tripitaka clasped his palms and asked, "How do you see them bringing ruin to the nation and the king?" The king said, "My kingdom is a superior state in the Western Regions, always receiving tribute from four barbarian nations, all thanks to Jin'guang Temple within our borders. Inside it stands a golden pagoda, from which a brilliant radiance used to pierce the heavens. Recently, the rogue monks of this very temple secretly stole the treasures within it. For three years, there has been no radiance, and for the past two years, foreign nations have ceased to pay tribute. My heart aches with hatred over this."

Tripitaka clasped his palms and smiled, "Your Majesty, a miss is as good as a mile. Last night, when this humble monk arrived at your heavenly city and entered the gate, I immediately saw a dozen or so monks in cangues and shackles. When asked about their crime, they said they were the wronged monks of Jin'guang Temple. Upon careful investigation at the temple, it became clear that it was not the doing of the temple's monks at all. This humble monk swept the pagoda last night and has already caught the demon thieves who stole the treasure." The king was greatly pleased and asked, "Where are these demon thieves?" Tripitaka said, "They are currently locked up by my humble disciple in Jin'guang Temple." The king immediately issued a golden decree: "Order the Imperial Guards to swiftly go to Jin'guang Temple and bring the demon thieves here. I will personally interrogate them." Tripitaka again reported, "Your Majesty, although there are Imperial Guards, it would still require my humble disciple to go for it to succeed." The king asked, "Where is your eminent disciple?" Tripitaka pointed with his finger and said, "The one standing by the jade steps is he." The king saw him and was greatly astonished, saying, "Holy monk, with your dignified bearing, how can your eminent disciple have such an appearance?" Upon hearing this, the Great Sage Sun cried out in a sharp voice, "Your Majesty, one cannot judge a book by its cover, nor measure the ocean with a bushel. If one prefers dignified appearances, how could one capture demon thieves?" Hearing this, the king turned his astonishment into delight, saying, "The holy monk speaks truly. We do not choose talent here based on appearance; apprehending the thieves and restoring the treasure to the pagoda is paramount." He further ordered the official in charge of carriages to prepare a carriage and instructed the Imperial Guards to respectfully attend the holy monk to retrieve the demon thieves. The official immediately prepared a large sedan chair and a yellow umbrella. The Imperial Guards mustered their lieutenants, who carried the Pilgrim, eight men to a side, with four loud shouts to clear the way, directly to Jin'guang Temple. From then on, the entire city's populace was stirred; there was no one who did not come to see the holy monk and the demon thieves.

Pigsy and Sandy heard the shouts and, thinking it was the king's officials, rushed out to greet them. It turned out to be the Pilgrim sitting in the sedan chair. The simpleton laughed to his face, "Brother, you've regained your true form!" The Pilgrim got out of the sedan chair, supported Pigsy, and said, "How have I regained my true form?" Pigsy said, "You're carrying a yellow umbrella and being carried in an eight-man sedan chair—isn't that the proper due of a Monkey King? That's why I say you've regained your true form." The Pilgrim said, "Stop joking." He then unchained the two demons and escorted them to see the king. Sandy said, "Brother, you should let your junior brother come along too." The Pilgrim said, "You just stay here and guard the luggage and horses." The shackled monks said, "Sirs, you all go and receive the imperial grace. Let us stay here and guard." The Pilgrim said, "Since that is the case, I will go report to the king, and then I will come back and release you." Pigsy grabbed one demon thief, Sandy grabbed the other, and the Great Sage Sun once again sat in the sedan chair, with his head uncovered, escorting the two demons to the court. In a moment, they reached the white jade steps. To the king, he said, "The demon thieves have been brought." The king then descended from his dragon throne, and along with Tripitaka and many civil and military officials, gazed upon them. One monster had bulging cheeks, black scales, a pointed mouth, and sharp teeth; the other had slick skin, a large belly, a huge mouth, and long whiskers. Although they could walk on their feet, they were mostly transformed human-like figures. The king asked, "From what region are you villainous monsters, what kind of demons are you, for how many years have you invaded my country, in what year did you steal my treasures, how many thieves were involved in total, and what are all your names? Confess truthfully, one by one!" The two monsters knelt before him, their necks bloody, and confessed:

"Three years ago, on the first day of the seventh month, a Dragon King of Myriad Sages, leading many relatives, resided southeast of this kingdom, about a hundred *li* away. The pond is called Bibo, and the mountain is named Luanshi. He had a daughter, very charming and alluring, who married a consort named the Nine-Headed Consort, whose supernatural powers are unmatched. He knew of the treasures on your pagoda. He conspired with the Dragon King to commit the theft, first sending down a rain of blood, and then stealing the sarira. Now it illuminates the Dragon Palace, making even dark night as bright as day. The princess, using her abilities, secretly and quietly stole the Queen Mother's Spirit Ganoderma, which she nurtures in the pond to warm and empower the treasures. We two are not the master thieves, but minor soldiers sent by the Dragon King. We were captured tonight, and what we have confessed is true."

The king said, "Since you have given your confession, why have you not given your own names?" The monster said, "My name is Benbo'er Ba, and his name is Ba'bo'er Ben. Benbo'er Ba is a catfish monster, and Ba'bo'er Ben is a black fish demon." The king ordered the Imperial Guards to securely imprison them, then issued an edict: "Release the cangues and shackles of all the monks of Jin'guang Temple. Immediately instruct the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a banquet in the Qilin Hall to thank the holy monk for capturing the thieves and to discuss inviting the holy monk to apprehend the chief thief."

The Court of Imperial Entertainments immediately prepared two kinds of banquets, one vegetarian and one meat. The king invited Tripitaka and the four pilgrims to the Qilin Hall to be seated and asked, "What is your revered title, holy monk?" Tripitaka clasped his palms and said, "This humble monk's family name is Chen, and my dharma name is Xuanzang. By your grace, I was granted the surname Tang, and my humble appellation is Sanzang." The king further asked, "What are the titles of your eminent disciples, holy monk?" Tripitaka said, "My humble disciples all have no titles. The first is named Sun Wukong, the second Pig Wuneng, and the third Sha Wujing. These names were given by Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea. Because they became my disciples, I also call Wukong 'Pilgrim,' Wuneng 'Pigsy,' and Wujing 'Sandy.'" After hearing this, the king invited Tripitaka to sit at the head table. Sun Wukong sat at the left side table, and Pigsy and Sandy sat at the right side table. All their tables were laid with vegetarian fruits, vegetables, tea, and rice. At the front, a meat banquet was set for the king, and below him, over a hundred tables with meat dishes were set for the civil and military officials. The officials thanked the king for his grace, and the disciples apologized for any offense to their master, then took their seats. The king raised his cup. Tripitaka dared not drink alcohol, but the other three each accepted the welcome drink. Below, the sound of wind and string instruments played in unison, indicating that the Court of State Music was performing. Observe Pigsy, unleashing his appetite, truly devouring everything like a tiger and a wolf, finishing an entire table of fruits and vegetables. Shortly after, more soup and rice were brought, and he ate every last bit; when the wine servers came, he accepted every cup without demur. This banquet continued happily until the afternoon before dispersing.

Tripitaka thanked them for the grand banquet, but the king detained them, saying, "This banquet merely expresses our gratitude for the holy monk's achievement in capturing the monsters." He ordered the Court of Imperial Entertainments: "Quickly move the banquet to Jianzhang Palace, and then invite the holy monk again to discuss plans for apprehending the chief thief and returning the treasure to the pagoda." Tripitaka said, "Since we are to capture the thief and retrieve the treasure, there is no need for another banquet. This humble monk and my disciples will take our leave of Your Majesty now and go apprehend the demons." The king refused, insisting they go to Jianzhang Palace, where they had another banquet. The king raised his cup and asked, "Which holy monk will lead the expedition to subdue the demons and capture the thieves?" Tripitaka said, "My eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, shall go." The Great Sage cupped his hands and agreed. The king asked, "Since Elder Sun is going, how many troops will you need? And when will you depart the city?" Pigsy couldn't help but shout, "What need for troops? And what does time matter? While we are well-fed and filled with wine, my senior brother and I will go, and we will capture them effortlessly!" Tripitaka was greatly pleased and said, "Pigsy has been diligent lately!" The Pilgrim said, "If that's the case, let junior brother Sandy protect Master, and we two will go." The king asked, "Since the two elders do not need troops, do you need weapons?" Pigsy laughed, "We cannot use your weapons. My senior brother and I have our own personal weapons." Hearing this, the king immediately brought a large wine cup to send off the two elders. The Great Sage Sun said, "No need for wine. Just have the Imperial Guards bring the two minor demons. We will take them as 'eyes' to locate the thieves." The king issued an edict, and they were immediately brought forth. The two, carrying the two minor demons, mounted the wind, used a capturing spell, and headed directly southeast. Alas! When the king and his ministers saw them ascend into the wind and mist, only then did they realize that the master and disciples were holy monks. What happened next in their capture, we shall find out in the next chapter.