Chapter 81: Zhenhai Temple Heart Ape Senses the Strange Three at Black Pine Forest Seek the Master

Upon the arrival of Tripitaka and his disciples at the Zen Monastery of Zhenhai, the monks greeted them and prepared a vegetarian feast. After the four travelers had eaten, the woman also received some food and sustenance. As dusk gradually fell, lamps were lit in the abbot’s quarters. The monks, some eager to inquire about Tripitaka’s journey to obtain scriptures, others curious to gaze at the woman, gathered closely and arranged themselves under the lamplight.

Tripitaka addressed the lama monk he had first met: "Venerable Abbot, tomorrow we leave Jewel Mountain. What is the path like to the west?" The monk immediately knelt, causing the Elder to quickly pull him up. "Abbot, please rise. I merely asked about the path; why do you bow?"

The monk replied, "Great Master, your journey west tomorrow will be smooth, so there is no need to worry. However, there is a matter at hand that is rather inconvenient. I wanted to mention it upon your arrival, but feared offending your great prestige. Now that the meal is finished, I dare to inform you: Master, you have traveled a long and arduous journey from the East, and it would be best for you and your disciples to rest in the young monks’ quarters. But this female Bodhisattva presents a difficulty; we do not know where to have her sleep."

Tripitaka said, "Abbot, do not be suspicious and think my disciples and I harbor any ill intentions. This morning, as we passed through Black Pine Forest, we encountered this woman tied to a tree. My disciple Sun Wukong was unwilling to save her, but I, out of compassion, rescued her. Now that we are here, I leave it to you to decide where she should sleep."

The monk bowed in thanks, saying, "Since the Master is so benevolent, please ask her to sleep in the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. We can arrange a straw pallet behind the statue of the Heavenly King." Tripitaka responded, "Excellent, excellent."

At once, the young monks led the woman to sleep behind the temple hall. The Elder remained in the abbot’s quarters, bidding the other abbots and monks to make themselves comfortable, and they gradually dispersed. Tripitaka instructed Wukong, "You’ve worked hard; sleep early and rise early." And so, they all settled down to sleep together, guarding their master closely, not daring to leave his side. As night deepened, it was precisely then—

The Jade Rabbit ascended high, bringing a myriad of tranquil sounds;The celestial street was silent, devoid of human tread.The Milky Way shone bright with shimmering starlight,Drums from the watchtower marked the changing of the guard.

No more words for that night. When dawn broke, Monkey rose and told Pigsy and Sandy to prepare the luggage and the horse, then urged their Master to depart. However, the Elder was still deeply asleep. Monkey approached and called out, "Master!" The Master merely raised his head slightly but could not utter a reply. Monkey asked, "What is it, Master?" The Elder moaned, "Why do I have such a headache, my eyes swollen, and all my bones and skin ache?"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy reached out to touch him and felt a slight fever. The idiotic Pigsy chuckled, "I know what it is! Last night, you saw free food, ate a few bowls too many, then slept with your head chilled, leading to indigestion!" Monkey scolded him, "Nonsense! Let me ask Master what truly happened." Tripitaka said, "In the middle of the night, I got up to relieve myself and didn't put on my hat. I suppose the wind blew on me." Monkey said, "That makes sense. Can you walk now?" Tripitaka replied, "I cannot even sit up, how can I mount the horse? But this will delay our journey!"

Monkey said, "Master, what are you saying? As the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' We, your disciples, are like your sons. And it is also said, 'Raising a child isn't about pampering with gold and silver, but about adapting to the circumstances.' Since you are unwell, why speak of delaying the journey? It’s fine to rest for a few days!" The brothers attended to their Master. Before they knew it, morning passed into noon, then dusk arrived, and then another good night passed into morning.

Time flew swiftly, and three days had already passed. On the third day, the Master propped himself up and called, "Wukong, I have been gravely ill these past two days and haven't asked you: has anyone given food to that woman we rescued?" Monkey chuckled, "Why do you care about her? Just focus on your own illness." Tripitaka said, "Exactly, exactly. Now, help me up and get my paper, brush, and ink. Please borrow an inkstone from the temple for me to use." Monkey asked, "What do you need them for?" The Elder said, "I want to write a letter and seal it with my travel document. You can take it to Chang'an, to His Majesty Emperor Taizong."

Monkey said, "That's easy. This Old Sun is useless at other things, but when it comes to delivering letters, I am number one in the human realm. Just prepare the letter and give it to me. I'll reach Chang'an in one somersault, deliver it to the Tang Emperor, and return in another somersault. Your brush and inkstone won't even be dry yet. But why are you writing? First, read out the content of the letter to me. It's not too late to write it after you've read it." The Elder shed tears and recited:

"Your humble monk prostrates himself three times,Long live the Emperor, bowing to the Sacred Monarch;May both civil and military officials behold this,And all four hundred high-ranking nobles be informed:

That year, I received your decree to leave the Eastern Land,Hoping to see the World Honored One at Spirit Mountain.Unexpectedly, I met with severe difficulties along the way,How could I foresee disaster striking halfway?

My monastic illness is grave, making further progress impossible,The Buddha's gate is far, reaching the celestial realm.To possess scriptures without life is to toil in vain;I request His Majesty to send another person."

Hearing this, Monkey couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Master, you are too weak! Just a slight illness, and you already harbor such thoughts. If you were truly gravely ill, at death's door, you only need to ask me. This Old Sun has a special power. I'd ask: 'Which King of Hell dares to plot? Which judge dares to issue a warrant? Which ghost messenger dares to apprehend?' If you anger me, I will unleash the temper I had when I wreaked havoc in Heaven, and with one sweep of my staff, I'll charge into the Underworld, seize the Ten Kings of Hell, and pull out their tendons, not sparing a single one!"

Tripitaka said, "Disciple, I am gravely ill, so please don't speak such big words." Pigsy stepped forward and said, "Senior Brother, Master says he's not well, and you keep saying he's fine! This is extremely inconvenient. Let's discuss it quickly. First, we sell the horse and pawn the luggage, then buy a coffin for a proper funeral and disperse."

Monkey said, "That idiotic Pigsy is talking nonsense again! You don't know. Master is the Buddha's second disciple, originally called Elder Golden Cicada. It's only because he once disrespected the Buddhist law that he incurred this great tribulation." Pigsy said, "Brother, if Master disrespected the Buddhist law and was banished back to the Eastern Land, to be reborn as a human in the sea of right and wrong, in the arena of disputes, and vowed to go to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures—he gets bound by demons and hanged by devils. He has endured enough suffering; why must he also fall ill?"

Monkey said, "How could you know? Our Venerable Master once dozed off while Buddha was expounding the Dharma. He slipped, and his left foot crushed a grain of rice. Because of this, he came down to the mortal realm and is destined to suffer this three-day illness." Pigsy exclaimed, "Like Old Pig, who eats so sloppily, who knows how many years of sickness I'm destined for!" Monkey said, "Brother, the Buddha does not hold your sentient beings in mind. You also do not know. People say: 'When weeding at noon, sweat drips onto the soil. Who knows that the food on the plate, every grain, is the fruit of hard toil!' Master will only be sick today; he will be well tomorrow."

Tripitaka said, "I feel different today than yesterday: my throat is terribly parched. Go and find some cool water for me to drink." Monkey said, "Good! If Master wants water, it means he is getting better. I'll go get the water."

Immediately, he took his alms bowl and went to the monastery's kitchen behind the temple to fetch water. Suddenly, he saw the monks, one by one, with red eyes, weeping and sobbing, but daring not to cry out loud. Monkey said, "You monks are too petty! We are staying here for a few days, and before we leave, we will thank you and pay for the firewood according to the days. Why are you acting like such cowards?"

The monks knelt in a panic, saying, "We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!" Monkey said, "Why wouldn't you dare? Do you think my long-nosed monk, with his big appetite, ate too much of your provisions?" The monks said, "My lord, this barren mountain has over a hundred monks, big and small. If each of us were to host your lord for a day, we could host for over a hundred days. How dare we be deceitful or begrudge any food?" Monkey said, "Since you don't begrudge it, why are you crying?"

The monks replied, "My lord, an evil demon from who knows what mountain is in this temple. Last night, we sent two young monks to strike the bell and beat the drum. After the bell and drum sounded, we never saw them return. The next day, we searched and only found their monk hats and shoes abandoned in the back garden, with their bones still remaining; they were eaten. You have been here for three days, and our temple has lost six monks. Therefore, our brothers cannot help but be afraid, cannot help but be grieved. Seeing that your Master is unwell, we dared not speak of it, but could not help but secretly shed tears."

Hearing this, Monkey was both surprised and pleased. "No need to say more! It must be a demon here harming people. Let me eradicate it for you." The monks said, "My lord, a demon that isn't crafty isn't powerful. It will surely ride clouds and mist, and enter and exit the underworld. As the ancients rightly said, 'Don't trust what seems too straightforward; beware of those who appear benevolent but are not.' My lord, please don't be offended by what we say: If you can capture it, then you will indeed eliminate this scourge from our barren mountain, which would be a blessing of three lifetimes for us. But if you cannot capture it, then there will be some inconvenient consequences."

Monkey asked, "What do you mean by 'some inconvenient consequences'?" The monks replied, "To be frank with you, my lord, although our barren mountain has over a hundred monks, all of us have been monks since childhood—

Hair grown long, seeking the knife to shave;Clothes thin, patched robes to mend.In the morning, they rise and wash their faces,Clasping hands and bowing, taking refuge in the Great Way;At night, they gather and burn incense,With devout hearts and chattering teeth, chanting Amitabha.Looking up, they see the Buddha,Nine grades of lotus, three vehicles,The boat of compassion and clouds of Dharma,Wishing to see the World Honored One in Jetavana.Looking down, they see the mind,Receiving the five precepts, saving the great chiliocosm,Born again and again amidst all things,Wishing to awaken to emptiness and form.When patrons come, old or young, tall or short, fat or thin,One by one, they strike wooden fish, tap golden chimes,Hustle and bustle, two scrolls of the Lotus Sutra,One volume of the Liang King's Litany.When patrons do not come, new or old, fresh or familiar, rustic or pretty,One by one, they fold their palms, close their eyes,In quiet stillness, sitting on their meditation cushions,Firmly closing their moonlit doors.Let orioles chirp and birds argue idly,I will not ascend the great vehicle of convenient compassion.Therefore, we cannot subdue tigers, nor can we conquer dragons;We do not recognize monsters, nor do we know spirits.My lord, if you provoke that demon,Our hundred monks will only be enough to fill its stomach once.Firstly, it will cause our sentient beings to fall into the cycle of reincarnation;Secondly, it will obliterate this ancient Zen monastery;Thirdly, there will be no glory at all in the assembly of the Tathagata.These are the many inconvenient consequences."

When Monkey heard these words from the monks, anger welled up in his heart and malice filled his guts. He shouted, "You monks are so foolish! You only know about the demon, but do you not know of Old Sun's powers?" The monks meekly replied, "Truly, we do not know." Monkey said, "Today, I'll briefly tell you; listen—

I once subdued tigers and dragons on Flower-Fruit Mountain,I once ascended to Heaven and wreaked havoc in the Celestial Palace.When hungry, I munched on two or three of Laozi's pills;When thirsty, I gently drained six or seven cups of the Jade Emperor's wine.With a pair of golden-gazed eyes, neither black nor white,The sky turned grim, the moon grew dim;Wielding a golden-banded cudgel, neither short nor long,Coming without a shadow, leaving without a trace.What talk of great or small demons? I fear not their cunning or power!One chase, and they flee, they tremble, they hide, they panic;One capture, and they are ground, they are burned, they are milled, they are pounded.It's truly like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying unique powers!Monks, I will capture this demon for you to see, only then will you recognize Old Sun!"

The monks listened, secretly nodding and thinking, "This rogue monk speaks with such a big mouth, such grand words. He must have some background." They all assented repeatedly. Only the lama monk said, "Hold on! Your Master is unwell, so capturing this demon is not the most urgent matter. As the proverb says, 'A common person at a feast is either drunk or full; a warrior on the battlefield is either dead or wounded.' If, during your battle, it should harm your Master, that would not be convenient."

Monkey said, "You have a point, you have a point! I will first take this cool water to Master, let him drink it, and then I'll return." He picked up the alms bowl, filled it with cool water, exited the kitchen, and went straight to the abbot's quarters. He called out, "Master, here's your cool water!" Just as Tripitaka was suffering from thirst, he raised his head, took the water, and drank it in one gulp. It was truly "a drop in thirst like nectar; a true remedy cures illness."

Seeing that the Elder's spirit was gradually revitalized and his brows relaxed, Monkey asked, "Master, can you eat some rice gruel?" Tripitaka said, "This cool water is like a miraculous elixir; my illness has diminished by half. I can eat some rice gruel." Monkey loudly called out repeatedly, "My Master is well and wants rice gruel!" He instructed the monks to prepare it quickly. They washed rice, cooked rice, rolled noodles, baked pancakes, steamed buns, and made noodle soup, setting out four or five tables. Tripitaka only ate half a bowl of rice gruel. Monkey and Sandy ate only one table's worth, while the rest was consumed by Pigsy. When the dishes were cleared, lamps were lit, and the monks dispersed.

Tripitaka asked, "How many days have we stayed here now?" Monkey replied, "Three full days. By dusk tomorrow, it will be four days." Tripitaka said, "Three days have delayed us so much on our journey." Monkey said, "Master, the journey doesn't count for much. Let's go tomorrow." Tripitaka said, "Indeed. Even with some lingering illness, there's nothing to be done." Monkey said, "Since we are leaving tomorrow, let me first catch that demon tonight."

Tripitaka exclaimed, "Catch what demon again?" Monkey said, "There's a demon in this temple; I'll capture it for them." Tripitaka said, "Disciple, my body is still unwell; why do you entertain such thoughts again? What if that monster has great powers and you cannot capture it? Wouldn't that bring harm to me?" Monkey said, "You are undermining my prestige! Old Sun subdues demons wherever he goes; have you ever seen me weaken before anyone? I simply don't make a move, but when I do, I always win."

Tripitaka pulled him back, saying, "Disciple, there's a good saying: 'When there's an opportunity to be lenient, be lenient; when there's a chance to forgive, forgive.' How can worry be as good as kindness? How can argument be as noble as patience!" Seeing his Master earnestly dissuade him from subduing the demon, the Great Sage Sun spoke frankly: "Master, to tell you the truth, that demon here has eaten people." Tripitaka was greatly alarmed. "Eaten whom?" Monkey said, "In the three days we've stayed, it has already eaten six young monks from this temple." The Elder said, "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves; creatures feel for their kind. Since it has eaten monks of this temple, and I am also a monk, I will allow you to go. Just be extremely careful." Monkey said, "No need to say more. Old Sun's hand will eliminate it instantly."

You should see him, under the lamplight, instruct Pigsy and Sandy to guard the Master. He joyfully leaped out of the abbot's quarters and went straight to the Buddha Hall. Looking up, there were stars in the sky, but the moon had not yet risen, and the hall was dark. He breathed out true fire, lit a glass lamp, beat the drum on the east side, and struck the bell on the west. After the sounds faded, he shook his body and transformed into a young monk, only twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a yellow silk monastic shirt and a white cloth cassock, tapping a wooden fish in his hand and chanting scriptures. He waited until the first watch (around 9 PM) but saw no movement. At the second watch (around 11 PM), the waning moon had just risen when he heard a whooshing sound of wind. What a wind—

Black mist covered the sky, dimming it; mournful clouds darkened the earth.The four directions were like spilled ink, a vast, murky indigo.First, it stirred up dust and scattered soil; then it later felled trees and destroyed forests.Dust and scattered soil revealed starlight; felled trees and destroyed forests dimmed the moonlight.It blew so hard that Chang'e tightly clutched her sarira tree, and the Jade Rabbit frantically searched for its mortar.The Nine Luminaries closed their doors, and the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas hid behind their gates.City gods in temples sought their imps, how could celestial maidens in the air ride clouds?Yama in the underworld searched for his horse-faced general, and judges ran wildly, losing their headscarves.It stirred rocks on the Kunlun peak, and churned the rivers and lakes into chaotic waves.

As the wind passed, a sudden scent of orchids and musk, accompanied by the jingle of jade pendants, assailed him. He propped himself up and looked. Ah! It was a beautiful woman, who walked directly into the Buddha Hall. Monkey mumbled and continued chanting scriptures. The woman approached, embraced him, and said, "Little Elder, what scripture are you chanting?" Monkey replied, "One I vowed to recite." The woman said, "Everyone else is sleeping peacefully; why are you still chanting scriptures?" Monkey said, "I vowed to, so how can I not?"

The woman embraced him and kissed him. "Let's go to the back for some fun." Monkey deliberately turned his head away and said, "You are rather insensible!" The woman said, "Can you read faces?" Monkey said, "I know a little." The woman said, "What do you see when you read my face?" Monkey said, "I see that you are rather promiscuous and were driven out by your in-laws."

The woman said, "You're wrong, you're wrong! I wasn't driven out by my in-laws, nor am I promiscuous. Alas, my fate in a previous life was meager, and I was betrothed to a young man. I did not know the joys of the wedding chamber, and out of fear of my husband, I fled. Now, while the stars are bright and the moon is clear, it is our destiny to meet from a thousand li away. Let us go to the back garden and unite as husband and wife."

Hearing this, Monkey secretly nodded, thinking, "Those monks must have been lured by lust, which is why they lost their lives. Now she's trying to trick me too." He then casually replied, "My lady, I am a monk and still young; I do not know what this 'uniting' is." The woman said, "Follow me, I will teach you." Monkey secretly chuckled, "Alright, I'll follow her and see what she intends to do."

The two of them, arms around each other's shoulders, hands clasped, exited the Buddha Hall and went directly to the back garden. The monster tripped Monkey with her leg, sending him tumbling to the ground. She cried out "My darling brother!" and reached to grab his groin. Monkey thought, "My goodness, she really means to devour Old Sun!" But Monkey caught her hand and used a small grappling move, flipping the monster over onto the ground. The monster still cried out, "My darling brother, you're good at throwing your own mother down!"

Monkey secretly calculated, "If I don't strike now, when will I? As the saying goes, 'The early bird catches the worm; those who hesitate suffer.'" He swiftly braced his hand, arched his back, and leaped up, revealing his true form. He brandished his golden-banded iron cudgel and struck straight at her head. The monster was also startled. She thought, "This little monk is so formidable!" She opened her eyes and saw it was none other than Tang Elder's disciple, the one named Sun. She was not afraid of him. What kind of demon was this, you ask—

A golden nose, snow-white fur spread over it.Its dwelling was underground tunnels, secure everywhere it stayed.It had cultivated its energy for three hundred years,And had visited Spirit Mountain a few times.Having feasted on incense, flowers, and candles,It was sent down to the mortal realm by the Tathagata's command.The beloved daughter of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King,Acknowledged as a sibling by Prince Nezha.It was neither a bird that fills the sea,Nor a tortoise that carries mountains.It feared neither Lei Huan's sword,Nor Lu Qian's saber.Coming and going, it cared not if rivers were wide;Ascending and descending, it mattered not if mountains like Tai and Heng were high.Look at its moon-like face and flower-like beauty, so delicate,Who would know it was a cunning old rat spirit, flexing its wicked might!

Confident in her vast magical powers, she readily raised her twin swords, clanging and clashing, parrying left and right, swaying from east to west. Though Monkey was stronger, he could not easily overpower her. A chilling wind rose everywhere, and the waning moon offered no light. Look at the two of them in the back garden, a fierce battle—

A chilling wind rose from the ground, the waning moon cast a faint light.The Brahma temple was hushed, the little ghost corridor deserted.The back garden became a battlefield:The Great Sage Sun, a saint from heaven;The Female Rat Spirit, a queen among women;They gambled their powers, neither willing to yield.One twisted her fragrant heart, enraged at the bald monk;The other stared with piercing eyes, hating the new disguise.Swords flew from two hands, obscuring the female Bodhisattva;A single staff struck, fierce as a living Vajra.Where it struck, the golden cudgel flashed like lightning,Instantly, the iron cudgel gleamed with starlight.Jade towers grasped emeralds, golden halls shattered mandarin ducks.Apes cried under the small Ba moon, wild geese called over the long Chu sky.Eighteen Arhats secretly cheered;Thirty-two Devas were all in a panic.

The Great Sage Sun, full of vigor, wielded his staff without a single miss. The demon, realizing she could not defeat him, suddenly furrowed her brows, a plan coming to mind. She pulled back and fled. Monkey shouted, "Vile creature! Where are you going? Come quickly and surrender!" The demon ignored him, simply retreating. When Monkey pressed hard, she swiftly slipped off the embroidered shoe from her left foot, blew a breath of immortal energy, recited an incantation, and shouted, "Change!" It transformed into her original appearance, wielding two swords and dancing. Her true self flickered, turning into a gust of clear wind, and she vanished. Was this not Tripitaka's bane? She went directly into the abbot's quarters, carried Tang Tripitaka onto a cloud, and in a flash, swiftly and indistinctly, they arrived at Bottomless Pit Mountain. She entered Bottomless Cave and ordered her small imps to prepare a vegetarian feast for a wedding.

Meanwhile, Monkey, exasperated and irritable from the fight, found an opening and struck the demon with his staff, knocking it down. It turned out to be just an embroidered shoe. Monkey realized he had fallen for her trick and quickly turned to look for his Master. But where was his Master? He only saw Pigsy and Sandy muttering something. Monkey's chest swelled with rage. He didn't care what was right or wrong, picked up his staff, and began to strike wildly, repeatedly shouting, "I'll kill you both! I'll kill you both!" Pigsy panicked and found no way to escape. Sandy, however, was a general from Spirit Mountain and had seen much. He calmly and gently approached, kneeling down and saying, "Brother, I understand. You want to kill us two, not save Master, and simply go home by yourself."

Monkey said, "Even if I kill you two, I will still go save him myself!" Sandy chuckled, "Brother, what are you saying? Without us two, it's like a single thread without a needle, or one hand that cannot clap. Brother, who will look after the luggage and the horse? It's better to learn from Guan and Bao sharing gold than to imitate Sun and Pang's rivalry. As the old saying goes, 'To fight a tiger, you need close brothers; to go into battle, you need father-and-son soldiers.' I beg you, Brother, spare the beating. Let's wait until dawn and then, with one heart and one mind, we'll go search for Master."

Though Monkey possessed vast magical powers, he was also reasonable and understood the times. Seeing Sandy's earnest plea, he relented, saying, "Pigsy, Sandy, both of you rise. Tomorrow, when we search for Master, you must put forth great effort." Pigsy, hearing that he was spared, wished he could promise half the sky. He said, "Brother, this is all on Old Pig." The brothers pondered and thought, unable to sleep, wishing they could nod to summon the Fusang sun and with one breath scatter the stars across the sky.

The three sat until dawn, preparing to depart, when temple monks already blocked the gate, asking, "My lords, where are you going?" Monkey chuckled, "It's hard to say. Yesterday, I boasted before you all that I would catch the demon for you, but I didn't catch the demon; instead, my Master has disappeared. We are going to find our Master." The monks were terrified and said, "My lord, such a small matter has brought trouble upon the Master. Where will you search?" Monkey said, "There's a place to find him." The monks again said, "Since you are going, don't rush. Please eat some breakfast." They hastily brought out two or three basins of rice gruel. Pigsy ate it all cleanly, saying, "Good monks! When we find Master, we'll come back here to visit." Monkey said, "We'll still come back here to eat his food! Go to the Hall of Heavenly Kings and see if that woman is still there." The monks replied, "My lord, she's not there, not there. She stayed for one night, and the next day she was gone."

Monkey joyfully took his leave of the monks, had Pigsy and Sandy lead the horse and carry the luggage, and headed back east. Pigsy said, "Brother, you're mistaken. Why are we going east again?" Monkey said, "How can you know? That woman we tied up in the Black Pine Forest the other day, Old Sun's Fiery Golden Eyes saw right through her, but you all thought she was a good person. Today, it was she who ate the monks, and it was she who captured Master! You rescued a fine female Bodhisattva! Now that she has captured Master, we must retrace our steps on the old path to find him." The two sighed in admiration, "Good, good, good! You truly have a rough exterior but a subtle mind! Let's go, let's go!"

The three hurried into the forest, where they saw—

Clouds hazy, mist vast;Stones layered, paths winding.Fox and rabbit tracks crisscrossed,Tigers, leopards, wolves moved back and forth.Within the forest, no trace of the monster,Unknowing where Tripitaka might be.

Monkey was anxious. He pulled out his staff. Shaking his body, he transformed into his original form from the Havoc in Heaven, with three heads and six arms, holding three staffs, wildly striking in the forest. Pigsy saw this and said, "Sandy, Senior Brother is angered. He can't find Master and has fallen into a fit of rage." As Monkey struck along the way, he struck out two old men, one the Mountain God and the other the Local Deity. They knelt before him. "Great Sage, the Mountain God and Local Deity greet you." Pigsy said, "How effective! He struck along the way and struck out two Mountain Gods and Local Deities. If he strikes further, he might even strike out the Grand Duke of Jupiter!"

Monkey asked, "Mountain God, Local Deity, how dare you be so rude! Here you conspire with bandits, and when the bandits succeed, they buy pigs and sheep to offer sacrifices to you, and you collude with demons, working together to capture my Master! Where is he hidden now? Confess quickly, or face the beating!" The two gods panicked, saying, "Great Sage, you've mistaken us. The demon is not on our small mountain, nor is it under our jurisdiction. However, from the sound of the wind last night, we know a thing or two." Monkey said, "Since you know, tell me everything!"

The Local Deity said, "That demon took your Master. She is to the due south, about a thousand li from here. Over there is a mountain called Bottomless Pit Mountain, and in the mountain is a cave called Bottomless Cave. It was a demon from that mountain who transformed and took him away." Hearing this, Monkey was secretly startled. He dismissed the Mountain God and Local Deity, retracted his divine form, and returned to his original appearance. He said to Pigsy and Sandy, "Master has gone far." Pigsy said, "If he's far, then let's ride the clouds and catch up!"

What an idiotic Pigsy, he soared up with a gust of wind first, followed by Sandy riding a cloud. The white horse, being born of a dragon, carried the luggage and also trod on wind and mist. The Great Sage immediately set off with a somersault, heading straight south. Before long, they saw a huge mountain blocking their cloud-path. The three reined in the horse and settled their cloud-heads, seeing the mountain—

Its peaks touched the azure sky, its summits reached the heavens.Around it were tens of thousands of varied trees, and birds chirped as they flew.Tigers and leopards moved in formation, deer and roe traveled in herds.On the sunny side, exquisite flowers and jade-like grasses diffused their fragrance;On the shady side, old snow and stubborn ice remained unfrozen.Rugged, towering ridges, sheer cliffs and overhanging precipices.Straight, tall peaks, winding, deep ravines.Pines dense, rocks shimmering, striking fear into the hearts of travelers.Not a single woodcutter was in sight, nor any herb-gathering immortal children.Tigers and leopards could raise mists before one's eyes,And foxes stirred up winds everywhere.

Pigsy said, "Brother, this mountain is so perilous, there must be demons here." Monkey said, "No need to say more! High mountains naturally have monsters; steep ridges are surely home to spirits!" He called out, "Sandy, you and I will wait here. Have Pigsy go down into the mountain valley first to scout, to see which path is easy to take, whether there is indeed a cave dwelling, and where its entrance is. Investigate everything thoroughly, so we can all go together to find and rescue Master." Pigsy said, "Old Pig's bad luck! I'm always the one to take the fall first!" Monkey said, "Last night you said it was all on you; how can you go back on your word now?" Pigsy said, "Don't yell, I'll go." The idiotic Pigsy put down his rake, shook his clothes, empty-handed, and leaped down the tall mountain to search for a path. What good or ill awaited him on this journey, we shall hear in the next chapter.