Chapter 72: Seven Emotions Bewilder at the Spider Cave; Bajie Forgets Himself at the Spring of Purification

Xuanzang had bid farewell to the King of Zhuzi. Having prepared his saddle and horse, he continued his journey westward. They traveled through countless mountains and plains, crossed innumerable waterways. Before they knew it, autumn had passed, winter was ending, and the bright spring arrived. As the master and disciples enjoyed the springtime scenery on their journey, they suddenly saw a cluster of thatched huts. Xuanzang dismounted and stood by the roadside.

Pilgrim asked, "Master, this road is smooth and safe, why aren't we walking?"

Bajie said, "Brother, you're so insensitive! Master must be tired from sitting on the horse; let him get off and stretch his legs."

Xuanzang said, "It's not about stretching my legs. I see a dwelling there, and I intend to go myself and beg for some alms."

Pilgrim laughed, "Look at what Master is saying. If you want a meal, I'll go beg for it myself. As the saying goes: 'One day a teacher, a lifetime a father.' How can disciples sit idly while their master goes begging for food?"

Xuanzang said, "That's not how it is. Usually, the distance is boundless, and you go far and wide to beg for alms. But today, this dwelling is close enough to call out to, so let me go beg for a meal."

Bajie said, "Master has no plan. As the saying goes, 'When three go out, the junior suffers.' You are our senior, our father figure, and we are all disciples. The ancient texts say: 'When there are tasks, disciples perform the labor.' Let Old Pig go."

Xuanzang said, "My disciples, the weather today is clear, unlike when it's windy or rainy. At those times, you would certainly have to go far. But this dwelling is close; let me go. Whether there's food or not, I can return quickly."

Sandy laughed from the side, "Brother, no need for more talk. Master's temperament is like this; there's no need to disobey him. If you annoy him, even if you beg for food, he won't eat it."

Bajie, heeding the words, immediately took out the alms bowl and exchanged clothes and hat with Xuanzang. Xuanzang strode forward until he reached the front of the dwelling. It was indeed a fine residence, where he saw—

A towering stone bridge, ancient trees standing tall. The stone bridge stood high, with gurgling water flowing into a long stream; ancient trees stood thick, and distant, secluded birds chirped noisily among the mountains. Beyond the bridge were several thatched cottages, serene and elegant like a celestial hermitage; and a rush-mat window, pure and bright, surpassing a Taoist temple. In front of the window, he suddenly saw four beautiful women, all embroidering phoenixes and drawing dragons with needlework.

The Venerable Elder saw that there were no men in the house, only four women. He dared not enter and stood still, concealed beneath the tall trees, observing the women, each one of whom—

Their maidenly hearts were firm as stone, their gentle natures as joyful as spring. Their delicate faces were set off by red glow, their vermilion lips evenly colored with crimson rouge. Their moth-like eyebrows were slender as a crescent moon, their cicada-wing hair newly piled like clouds. If they stood among flowers, wandering bees would mistake them for blossoms.

After a short wait of half an hour, it became utterly quiet, with no sound of chickens or dogs. He thought to himself, "If I can't even beg for a meal, my disciples will laugh at me. They might say, 'If the master can't beg for food, how can the disciples go worship Buddha?'" Having no other choice, and feeling somewhat in the wrong, the Elder hurried onto the bridge and walked a few more steps. He then saw a fragrant wood pavilion inside the thatched cottage, and beneath the pavilion, three more women were playing kickball. Look at those three women; they were different from the first four in appearance. He saw them—

Their emerald sleeves fluttered, their yellow skirts swayed. The fluttering emerald sleeves draped low over their slender, jade-like fingers; the swaying yellow skirts partially revealed their tiny, bound feet. Their forms and postures were utterly graceful, their every movement and heel posture displaying a thousand variations. They took the ball high and low with their heads, and when they stretched out to pass, it was truly perfect. Turning, they kicked a "flower over the wall"; retreating, they turned into a "great crossing of the sea." They lightly received a "ball of mud," countered a "single spear" with a "quick crutch." The "bright pearl" went over the "Buddha's head," and they tightly controlled it to the "edge of the point." They expertly caught the "narrow brick," and with a "lying fish" motion, twisted their feet. They squatted with flat waists and bent knees, swayed their heads and raised their heels. They could "stir up the bench," and their capes flowed with elegant freedom. They twisted their crotches, moving back and forth, their necks swaying as they locked the ball. They kicked a "Yellow River flowing backward," and "bought on the goldfish beach." One mistook it for the "head," another turned and "struck with a crutch." They gracefully lifted it to their shins, and accurately jabbed it with their toes. They raised their heels in a "miserable straw sandal," and "inserted it backward, picking it back." They retreated, putting on a "shoulder-float makeup," and hooked it with just one "bad" move. The "basket" came down long, and they "grasped it to snatch the gate." When they kicked to their heart's content, the beauties all cheered. Each one, covered in sweat and powder, their silk robes soaked through, cried "Hai!" when their vigor waned and their spirits faded.

Words cannot fully describe it, but there is a poem to attest to it, which says:On a March day, playing kickball,Immortals like celestial maidens descend.Sweat moistens their powdered faces, like flowers holding dew;Dust tinges their moth-like brows, like willows veiled in smoke.Emerald sleeves hang low, encasing jade-like fingers;Yellow skirts are drawn askew, revealing tiny bound feet.After several rounds of kicking, they grow languid and weak,Their cloudy hair disheveled, their jeweled topknots askew.

Xuanzang had watched for a long time and finally had to walk to the bridgehead, calling out loudly, "Female Bodhisattvas, this humble monk is here to seek alms for a meal, if it pleases you." When the women heard him, they joyfully dropped their needlework and abandoned their kickball. All smiling, they came out to greet him, saying, "Venerable Elder, we are sorry for not welcoming you sooner. Now that you have arrived at our humble dwelling, we would certainly not dare to block your way to beg for alms. Please come inside and sit." Hearing this, Xuanzang secretly thought, "Excellent, excellent! The West is truly the land of Buddha! Even women are so attentive to offering alms to monks; how much more devout must the men be towards Buddha?" The Elder went forward, exchanged greetings, and followed the women into the thatched cottage. Passing through the fragrant wood pavilion, he looked around and exclaimed, "Ah! It turned out there were no rooms or corridors inside, only—"

Peaks rose high, and the earth's veins stretched far. Towering peaks reached into the clouds and mist, long earth veins extended to the seas and mountains. The gate was near the stone bridge, where the water twisted and turned in nine bends, looking back; the garden was planted with peaches and plums, a thousand trees and a thousand fruits competing in vibrant beauty. Vines and ivy hung from three or five trees, the fragrance of orchids and irises permeated countless flowers. From afar, the cave dwelling seemed to surpass Penglai Island; seen up close, the mountain forest overshadowed Mount Hua. It was indeed a secluded place sought by demon immortals, with no neighbors, forming a solitary home.

One of the women stepped forward, pushed open the two stone doors, and invited Tang Monk to sit inside. The Elder had no choice but to enter. Suddenly, he looked up and saw that everything was furnished with stone tables and stone benches, giving off a chilling, gloomy air. The Elder's heart pounded, and he secretly thought, "This place has more bad omens than good; it's definitely not benevolent." The women, all smiling and cheerful, said, "Venerable Elder, please be seated." The Elder had no choice but to sit down. After a short while, he felt a shiver. The women asked, "Venerable Elder, from which venerable mountain do you come? For what purpose are you begging alms? Are you repairing bridges, mending roads, building temples, worshipping pagodas, or making Buddha images and printing sutras? Please show us your alms book." The Elder replied, "I am not a monk who begs for alms for those purposes." The women said, "If you're not begging for alms, why are you here?" The Elder said, "I am one sent by the Great Tang of the Eastern Land to the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures. Passing through your precious land, feeling hungry, I specially came to your benevolent dwelling to beg for a meal, and then I shall proceed." The women said, "Good, good, good! As the saying goes, 'Monks from afar have good scriptures to read.' Sisters! Don't delay, quickly prepare the vegetarian meal!"

At this time, three women stayed to accompany him, exchanging words and discussing karmic connections. The other four went into the kitchen, tucked up their sleeves, lit the fire, and scrubbed the pots. What do you suppose they prepared? It turned out to be human fat fried and refined, human flesh stewed and boiled. The boiled flesh was a black paste, serving as a substitute for gluten; scooped-out human brains were fried into tofu-like slices. Two plates were brought and placed on the stone table before the Elder. They said, "Please, in our haste, we haven't prepared a fine meal. Please make do with this to fill your stomach; there will be more to come." The Elder took a sniff and, sensing the rank, gamey smell, dared not open his mouth. He bowed with clasped palms and said, "Female Bodhisattvas, this humble monk has been a vegetarian since birth." The women laughed, "Venerable Elder, this *is* vegetarian." The Elder said, "Amitabha! If this is what you call vegetarian, and I, a monk, were to eat it, I could never hope to see the World-Honored One or obtain the scriptures." The women said, "Venerable Elder, as a monastic, you must not pick and choose your alms-givers." The Elder said, "How could I dare, how could I dare! I, a monk, am on a journey westward by the Great Tang's decree. I harm no living thing, save those in distress, pick up every grain of rice to eat, and join every thread to cover myself. How could I dare pick and choose my benefactors!" The women laughed, "Although the Elder does not pick and choose alms-givers, you only seem to be complaining about our hospitality. Don't dislike our simple fare; just eat some." The Elder said, "I truly dare not eat it, for fear of breaking my precepts. I implore you, Bodhisattvas, rather than cultivating life, it is better to release life; please release this monk and let me go." The Elder struggled to leave, but the women blocked the door, refusing to let him go. They all said, "It's a business that comes to your door, but it's hard to do! You farted, but now you cover it with your hand. Where do you think you're going?" Each of them possessed some martial arts skills, and their movements were nimble. They seized the Elder, easily pulling him down, and he fell with a thud to the ground. They held him down, tied him with ropes, and hung him high from the beam. This hanging had a special name: "Immortal Guiding the Way." It was when one hand was stretched forward, pulled up by a rope; one hand was tied around the waist and hung up; and both feet were tied backward with one rope, also hanging him up. Three ropes hung the Elder from the beam, with his back facing up and his belly facing down. The Elder endured the pain, tears welling in his eyes, and secretly cursed in his heart, "This monk's fate is so bitter! I thought I was begging for a meal at a good family's house, but who knew I'd fall into a fiery pit! Disciples! Come quickly and save me, then we can still see each other. But if you delay even two hours, my life will be over!" Although the Elder was distressed, he still kept an eye on those women. Once the women had him properly suspended, they began to strip off their clothes. The Elder's heart leaped in alarm, and he secretly thought, "When they take off their clothes, it means they're going to beat me, or perhaps even eat me alive." It turned out that the women only untied their silk blouses, exposing their bellies, and each displayed her supernatural power: from their navels, silk ropes emerged, thick as duck eggs, bubbling forth, shimmering like jade and silver, instantly concealing the gate of the dwelling, which needs no further mention.

Meanwhile, Pilgrim, Bajie, and Sandy were all by the roadside. The other two were minding the horses and luggage, but only Pilgrim was mischievous. He was jumping among trees, climbing branches, picking leaves, and searching for fruit. Suddenly, he looked back and saw a bright light. Panicked, he jumped down from the tree and shouted, "This is bad, this is bad! Master's fortune is low!" Pilgrim pointed and said, "Look at that dwelling!" Bajie and Sandy both looked in that direction; it was a vast expanse, bright as snow and gleaming like silver. Bajie said, "That's it, that's it! Master has encountered demons! Let's go quickly and save him!" Pilgrim said, "Brother, don't shout. Don't you see what's happening? Let Old Sun go." Sandy said, "Brother, be careful." Pilgrim said, "I have my own way." The Great Sage, excellent as he was, tightened his tiger-skin skirt, pulled out his golden-banded cudgel, and strode forward, reaching the front in two or three steps. He saw that the silk ropes were wrapped thousands of layers thick, crisscrossing like warp and weft. He pressed it with his hand and found it somewhat sticky and soft, adhering to him. Pilgrim still didn't know what it was. He immediately raised his cudgel and said, "With this strike, let alone a few thousand layers, even tens of thousands of layers would be broken!" Just as he was about to strike, he paused and said, "If it were hard, I could break it. But this soft thing would only be flattened. If I alarm them and they entangle Old Sun, it would be bad. Let me ask them first, then strike." Who do you think he asked? He immediately made a hand seal and recited a spell, summoning the old local earth god, who spun around in his temple like a millstone. The earth goddess said, "Old man, why are you spinning? It's as if you've had a fit!" The earth god said, "You don't know, you don't know! The Great Sage Equal to Heaven has arrived, and I haven't greeted him. He's summoning me!" The goddess said, "Just go see him, why are you spinning around here?" The earth god said, "If I go see him, his cudgel is incredibly heavy, and he'll hit me no matter what!" The goddess said, "He sees you're so old; why would he hit you?" The earth god said, "He loves free wine all his life and especially beats old people." The couple argued for a while, but having no choice, he had to go out and knelt tremblingly by the roadside, saying, "Great Sage, the local earth god bows to you." Pilgrim said, "Get up for now, don't pretend to be busy. I won't hit you yet; I'll save that for later. I ask you, what place is this?" The earth god said, "Great Sage, where do you come from?" Pilgrim said, "I came from the Eastern Land, heading west." The earth god said, "Great Sage, coming from the east, have you been to that mountain ridge?" Pilgrim said, "Yes, we are on that mountain ridge; our luggage and horses are all resting there!" The earth god said, "That ridge is called Pansil Ridge, and beneath the ridge is a cave called Pansil Cave. Inside the cave live seven demons." Pilgrim said, "Are they male or female demons?" The earth god said, "They are female demons." Pilgrim said, "How powerful are they?" The earth god said, "This humble deity's power is weak and authority is limited; I don't know how great their abilities are. I only know that directly to the south, about three *li* (approx. 1.5 km) from here, there is a Spring of Ablution, a naturally hot spring that was originally the bathing pool of the seven celestial maidens from above. Since the demons came to live here, they occupied the Spring of Ablution, and the celestial maidens never contended with them, simply giving it up to them. I see that celestial immortals don't provoke demons and monsters, so these spirits must be very powerful." Pilgrim said, "What's the significance of them occupying this spring?" The earth god said, "These monsters occupy the bathing pool and come out to bathe three times a day. It's already past *sì* hour (9-11 AM), and *wǔ* hour (11 AM-1 PM) is approaching." Hearing this, Pilgrim said, "Earth god, you may go back. I will deal with them myself." The old earth god bowed his head, trembling, and returned to his temple.

The Great Sage, alone in his display of magic, shook himself and transformed into a small, dark-winged fly, perching on a blade of grass by the roadside to wait. In an instant, he heard sounds of breathing and rustling, like silkworms eating leaves, or like the rising tide of the sea. After about half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, all the silk ropes vanished, and the dwelling reappeared, looking as it did before. Then he heard a creak, and as the brushwood gate opened, loud laughter and chatter came from within. Seven women walked out. Pilgrim secretly observed them closely. He saw them, one by one, holding hands, elbow to elbow, chattering and laughing as they crossed the bridge. They were indeed beautiful. He saw them—

Their fragrance surpassed jade, their words were truer than flowers. Willow-like eyebrows spanned distant peaks, and sandalwood mouths broke into cherry-red lips. Jadeite phoenixes adorned their hairpins, and tiny bound feet gleamed beneath crimson skirts. They were like Chang'e descending to the mortal world, immortals fallen to earth.

Pilgrim laughed, "No wonder my Master wanted to beg for alms; so this is the 'good' place. If these seven beauties kept my Master, even if they wanted to eat him, he wouldn't be enough for one meal; if they wanted to use him, he wouldn't last two days. If they took turns to assault him, he'd just die. Let me go listen and see what they're planning." The Great Sage, excellent as he was, with a *ying* sound, flew and perched on the cloud-like bun of the woman walking in front. Just as they crossed the bridge, the one at the back came forward and called out, "Sisters, once we've bathed, let's go steam and eat that fat monk!" Pilgrim secretly chuckled, "These monsters are so illogical! Boiling would save some firewood, why do they insist on steaming him to eat!" Those women picked flowers and played a game with grass as they headed south. Before long, they reached the bathing pool. They saw a gate and wall, extremely magnificent. Wildflowers bloomed profusely everywhere, fragrant and vibrant, and dense orchids and irises filled the surroundings. A woman at the back stepped forward, and with a whistle, pushed open the two gates. Indeed, there was a pond of hot water in the middle. This water was—

Since the beginning of creation, there were originally ten Sun Stars. Later, Hou Yi, skilled with his bow, shot down nine of the Golden Crows, and only one Golden Crow remained, which is the true fire of the sun. In heaven and earth, there are nine hot springs, all transformed from the multitude of Crows. Those Nine Yang Springs are: Fragrant Cold Spring, Companion Mountain Spring, Hot Spring, Eastern Union Spring, Huang Mountain Spring, Xiao'an Spring, Guangfen Spring, and Tang Spring. This specific one is the Spring of Ablution.

There is a poem to attest to this, which says:A single flow, neither winter nor summer,Constantly pouring like spring for three seasons.Its fiery waves boil like a cauldron,Its hot ripples are like fresh soup.Branching streams nourish crops,Still pools cleanse worldly dust.Droplets like pearls well up,Churning like jade-like essence.Its smoothness is not brewed,Its clarity naturally warm.Auspicious beauty is inherent to this land,Its creation truly natural.Where beauties bathe, their icy skin becomes smooth,Their jade bodies renewed from worldly worries.

The bathing pool was about five *zhang* (approx. 16.5 meters) wide and over ten *zhang* long, with a depth of about four *chi* (approx. 1.3 meters). The water was perfectly clear. The water at the bottom resembled boiling pearls and rising jade, bubbling up continuously. On all four sides, there were six or seven openings through which the water flowed. It flowed for two or three *li* (approx. 1-1.5 km), and when it reached the fields, it was still warm water. Above the pool were three pavilions, and in one pavilion, near the back wall, stood an eight-legged wooden bench. On both sides of the pavilion stood two clothes racks, painted with gold and colorful lacquer. Pilgrim secretly rejoiced with a faint *ying-ying* sound, and with a flutter of his wings, he flew and perched on top of one of the clothes racks. Seeing the water was clear and hot, the women wanted to bathe. They immediately took off all their clothes and hung them on the clothes racks. They all stepped down into the water, and Pilgrim saw—

They unfastened buttons, untied silk sashes. Their creamy breasts were white as silver, their jade bodies pure as snow. Their elbows seemed smoother than congealed rouge, their fragrant shoulders outshone plastered powder. Their bellies were soft and plump, their backs shiny and clean. Their knees and wrists were half-rounded, their tiny bound feet three inches narrow. The private part in the middle, revealing a charming aperture.

Pilgrim said, "If I were to strike them, I'd only need to stir this cudgel in the pool, and it would be like pouring boiling water on rats; all of them would die. Pitiful, pitiful! If I strike, they'll die, but it would diminish Old Sun's reputation. As the saying goes, 'Men don't fight with women.' For a man like me to kill these few girls, it's really not good. I won't strike them. I'll just give them a desperate measure, making them unable to move or get out of the water. That would be much better." The Great Sage, excellent as he was, made a hand seal, recited a spell, shook himself, and transformed into a hungry old eagle. He saw:

Its feathers were like frost and snow, its eyes like bright stars. When demonic foxes saw it, their souls vanished; when cunning rabbits encountered it, their courage turned to fright. Its steel claws were sharp and keen, its majestic posture and fierce spirit were dominant. It knew how to use its powerful fists to satisfy its hunger, and would not hesitate to personally chase down flying creatures. It roamed up and down in the vast cold sky, piercing clouds and searching for prey at will.

With a flap of its wings, it flew forward, spread its sharp claws, and completely snatched away all seven sets of clothes hanging on the clothes racks. It then flew directly back to the ridge, resumed its true form, and showed them to Bajie and Sandy, saying, "Look." The idiot Bajie laughed to Sandy, "It seems Master was taken to a pawnshop!" Sandy said, "How can you tell?" Bajie said, "Don't you see our Senior Brother snatched all their clothes?" Pilgrim put them down and said, "These are the clothes the demons wear." Bajie said, "How are there so many?" Pilgrim said, "Seven sets." Bajie said, "How did you strip them so easily and so completely?" Pilgrim said, "There was no need to strip them. This place is called Pansil Ridge, and that village is called Pansil Cave. In the cave are seven female demons who captured my Master and hung him in the cave. They all went to bathe in the Spring of Ablution. That spring is a natural hot spring. They were planning to steam Master after bathing. I followed them there and saw them take off their clothes and enter the water. I wanted to strike them, but I was afraid of defiling my cudgel and diminishing my reputation. Therefore, I didn't use my cudgel; I just transformed into a hungry old eagle and snatched their clothes. They are all enduring shame and humiliation, not daring to come out, squatting in the water. Let's go quickly and untie Master so we can leave." Bajie laughed, "Senior Brother, in everything you do, you always leave a root. Since you saw the demons, why didn't you kill them, but instead went to untie Master? Even if they're hiding in shame now, they'll surely come out in the evening. They still have old clothes at home; they'll put on a set and come after us. Even if they don't pursue us, they've lived here for a long time, and we'll have to return by this same road after obtaining the scriptures. As the saying goes, 'Better to lack roadside money than roadside fists.' At that time, if they block our way and make trouble, won't they be enemies?" Pilgrim said, "What do you propose?" Bajie said, "According to me, first kill the demons, then free Master. This is a plan to 'cut the grass by the roots.'" Pilgrim said, "I'm not going to hit them. If you want to hit them, you go hit them."

Bajie, full of vigor and joy, raised his nine-pronged rake and strode directly to the place. Suddenly, he pushed open the gates and looked in. He saw the seven women squatting in the water, cursing the eagle loudly, saying, "That flat-feathered beast! That cat-mouthed dead man! He snatched all our clothes; how are we supposed to act now?" Bajie couldn't help but laugh, "Female Bodhisattvas, you're bathing here. How about letting this monk join you for a wash?" The demons saw him and angrily said, "You monk, how incredibly rude! We are women of the household, and you are a monastic man. The ancient texts say: 'After seven years, men and women do not share the same mat.' How dare you bathe in the same pool with us?" Bajie said, "The weather is hot, there's nothing to be done. Just let me have a quick wash. What are you talking about 'sharing a mat or not sharing a mat' with scholarly nonsense!" The idiot, without another word, threw down his rake, stripped off his black brocade cassock, and jumped into the water with a splash. The demons were vexed and all surged forward to strike him. Little did they know that Bajie was extremely skilled in water. In the water, he shook himself and transformed into a catfish demon. The demons all tried to grope for him, but couldn't catch him. They groped on the east side, and suddenly he slipped to the west; they groped on the west side, and suddenly he slipped to the east. He was so slippery, he just kept darting wildly between their legs. The water was chest-deep. He wriggled around on the surface for a while, then submerged to the bottom, causing them all to lose their balance, gasping and panting, their energy depleted.

Bajie then leaped out of the water, resumed his true form, put on his cassock, and holding his rake, shouted, "Who do you think I am? You took me for a catfish demon!" The demons, seeing him, were terrified and trembling. They said to Bajie, "First you came as a monk, then you changed into a catfish in the water, and when we couldn't catch you, you reappeared like this. Where on earth did you come from? You must tell us your name." Bajie said, "You impudent monsters really don't recognize me! I am the disciple of Tang Elder, who is going to the Western Heaven from the Great Tang to obtain scriptures. I am Marshal Tian Peng Wuneng Bajie! You hung my Master in the cave and planned to steam him for your pleasure! Is my Master good for steaming? Quickly, stretch out your heads, and I'll strike each of you with my rake to cut off your lineage!" Hearing this, the demons were scared out of their wits. They knelt in the water and bowed, saying, "Please, Venerable Sir, be lenient! We were blind and mistakenly captured your Master. Although he is hanging there, we have not dared to inflict any torture or suffering upon him. Please, in your mercy, spare our lives. We are willing to contribute some travel expenses and send your Master on his way to the Western Heaven." Bajie shook his head and said, "Don't say such things! As the saying goes, 'Once tricked by a candy-selling gentleman, now I don't trust sweet talkers.' Just take a strike from my rake, and each of you go your own way!" The idiot, being crude and uncouth, displayed his power without any thought of pitying the fair or cherishing the delicate. He raised his rake and, regardless of right or wrong, rushed forward, striking wildly. The monsters, flustered and frantic, no longer cared about shame; their lives were paramount. They quickly used their hands to cover their private parts, leaped out of the water, and ran to stand in the pavilion. There, they cast a spell: from their navels, silk ropes bubbled forth, creating a vast silk canopy that covered the sky, trapping Bajie in the center. The idiot suddenly looked up and saw no daylight. He immediately tried to withdraw and leave, but how could he move his feet? It turned out they had released tripping ropes, and the ground was covered in silk ropes. With every step, he stumbled and fell: to the left, he fell face-first; to the right, he fell head over heels; quickly turning around, he fell mouth-first; hastily scrambling up, he fell in a handstand. He fell countless times, leaving the idiot numb in body, weak in legs, dizzy, and his vision blurred. He couldn't even crawl and just lay on the ground, groaning. The monsters, having trapped him, neither beat nor harmed him. One by one, they leaped out of the gate, used the silk canopy to block out the daylight, and returned to their respective caves.

Reaching the stone bridge, they stopped and chanted a magic incantation. In an instant, the silk canopy retracted. Naked, they ran into the cave, covering their private parts, giggling as they passed in front of Tang Monk. They went into a stone room, put on some old clothes, and went directly to the back door, standing there and calling out, "Where are my children?" It turned out that each demoness had a "son," but they weren't her own offspring; they were adopted sworn sons. Their names were Mi, Ma, Lu, Ban, Meng, La, and Qing. Mi was the honeybee, Ma was the hornet, Lu was the bumblebee, Ban was the blister beetle, Meng was the horsefly, La was the wax moth, and Qing was the dragonfly. It turned out that the demons wove nets across the sky, captured these seven types of insects and worms, and intended to eat them. As ancient proverbs say, "Birds have bird talk, beasts have beast speech." At that time, these insects pleaded for their lives and offered to become their adopted sons. Thus, in spring, they collected a hundred flowers to offer to the monsters, and in summer, they sought out all sorts of herbs to show filial piety to the demons. Suddenly hearing a call, they all came forward and asked, "Mother, what are your orders?" The demons said, "My children, this morning we mistakenly provoked the monk from the Tang Dynasty. His disciple trapped us in the pool, and we were greatly humiliated and almost lost our lives! You must work hard; quickly go out to the front gate and drive him back. If you succeed, you can come to your uncle's house to meet me." Those monsters, having escaped with their lives, went to their senior brother's place, causing trouble with their evil mouths, which needs no further mention. Look at these insects and worms, each one rubbing their fists and palms, coming out to meet the enemy.

Meanwhile, Bajie, dizzy and muddled from his falls, suddenly looked up and saw that the silk canopy and ropes were all gone. He then crawled up, one hesitant step at a time, enduring the pain, and found his way back to Pilgrim. He grabbed Pilgrim's hand and said, "Brother, is my head swollen, and my face bruised?" Pilgrim said, "How did you get back?" Bajie said, "I was trapped by those scoundrels in a silk net. They released tripping ropes, and I don't know how many times I fell. I fell so much that my waist felt dislocated and my back broken; I couldn't move an inch. Only when the silk canopy and ropes disappeared did I manage to escape with my life." Sandy saw this and said, "That's it, that's it! You've caused trouble! Those monsters must have gone into the cave to harm Master! Let's go quickly and save him!" Hearing this, Pilgrim quickly strode forward to leave. Bajie led the horse and hurried to the front of the dwelling. There, they saw seven small demons blocking the stone bridge, saying, "Slow down, slow down! We are here!" Pilgrim looked and said, "How amusing! They're all tiny little creatures! The tallest are only two *chi* and five or six *cun* (approx. 80-87 cm), less than three *chi*; the heaviest are only eight or nine *jin* (approx. 4-4.5 kg), less than ten *jin*." He shouted, "Who are you?" The demons said, "We are the sons of the Seven Immortal Maidens. You insulted our mothers, and now you dare to ignorantly attack our home! Don't run! Be careful!" Good monsters! Each one danced with their hands and stomped with their feet, attacking wildly. Bajie grew angry at the sight. He was already annoyed from his falls, and seeing these small insects and worms, he became furious and raised his rake to strike.

Seeing the idiot's ferocity, the monsters each revealed their true forms, flying up and shouting, "Transform!" In an instant, one turned into ten, ten into a hundred, a hundred into a thousand, and a thousand into ten thousand. Each one transformed into an innumerable quantity. He saw—

The sky was filled with flying wax moths, the ground danced with dragonflies. Honeybees and hornets chased foreheads, bumblebees stung eyes. Blister beetles bit front and back, horseflies stung up and down. Their faces were covered in a dense black swarm, terrifying gods and ghosts.

Bajie panicked and said, "Brother, we only said that scriptures are easy to get. On the road to the West, even insects bully people!" Pilgrim said, "Brother, don't be afraid, quickly go forward and strike!" Bajie said, "They're stinging my head and face, and covering my whole body, ten layers thick! How can I fight?" Pilgrim said, "No problem, no problem! I have my own method!" Sandy said, "Brother, what method do you have? Quickly use it! In a moment, our bald heads will all be swollen from stings!" The Great Sage, excellent as he was, pulled out a handful of his hairs, chewed them into tiny pieces, and spat them out. They immediately transformed into Huang Eagles, Ma Eagles, Gua Eagles, Bai Eagles, Diao Eagles, Yu Eagles, and Yao Eagles. Bajie said, "Senior Brother, what market jargon are you speaking now, 'Huang,' 'Ma' and so on?" Pilgrim said, "You don't know. Huang is the Huang Eagle, Ma is the Ma Eagle, Gua is the Gua Eagle, Bai is the Bai Eagle, Diao is the Diao Eagle, Yu is the Yu Eagle, and Yao is the Yao Eagle. The demons' sons are seven kinds of insects, and my hairs are seven kinds of eagles." Eagles are best at preying on insects, one in each beak, striking with claws and beating with wings. In an instant, they were all killed, leaving no trace in the sky, and over a foot of corpses accumulated on the ground.

Only then did the three brothers cross the bridge and enter the cave. They saw their Master hanging there, whimpering and crying. Bajie approached and said, "Master, you came here to hang for fun, but you made me fall countless times!" Sandy said, "Let's untie Master first, then talk." Pilgrim immediately cut the ropes, lowering Tang Monk. They all asked, "Where did the demons go?" Tang Monk said, "All seven demons, naked, went to the back to call their sons." Pilgrim said, "Brothers, follow me to search for them." The three of them, each holding their weapon, searched in the back garden but found no trace. They searched all over the peach and plum trees but didn't find them. Bajie said, "They're gone, they're gone!" Sandy said, "No need to search for them. Let me help Master." The brothers returned to the front and asked Tang Monk to mount his horse, saying, "Master, next time you beg for alms, please let us go." Tang Monk said, "My disciples, from now on, even if I starve to death, I will never again act on my own." Bajie said, "You two help Master walk. Let Old Pig demolish this house with one rake strike so they have nowhere to live when they return." Pilgrim laughed, "Demolishing it would be too much effort. Why not find some firewood and utterly destroy it for good?" The good idiot found some rotten pine, broken bamboo, dry willow, and withered vines. He lit a fire, and with a roaring blaze, everything was burned clean. Only then did the master and disciples proceed with peace of mind. Alas! After all this, who knows what good or ill fortune awaited those monsters. Let's listen to the next chapter for the full account.