Chapter 85: Heart Ape Jealous of Wooden Mother Demon Lord's Plan to Swallow Zen

The King held court early, and the civil and military officials all presented their memorials, saying, "Your Majesty, we beg your forgiveness for our disrespectful behavior." The King replied, "My lords, your conduct is as usual. What disrespect have you shown?" The officials answered, "Your Majesty, for some unknown reason, all of us lost our hair overnight." The King took a hairless memorial from an official, descended from his royal couch, and said to his ministers, "Indeed, I do not know why. All the people, great and small, in my palace also lost their hair completely overnight." The king and his officials wept profusely, saying, "From now on, we will never again kill monks." The King then returned to his throne, and the officials resumed their places. The King continued, "If you have matters to report, step forward and speak. Otherwise, let us adjourn the court."

At that moment, the Chief Commander of the City Patrol stepped out from the military ranks, and the Commander of the Eastern City Militia came forth from the civil ranks. They prostrated themselves on the steps and reported, "Your humble servants, having received Your Majesty's decree to patrol the city, last night we apprehended a cabinet of stolen goods and a white horse. We dared not act on our own authority and request your imperial decree for a decision." The King was delighted and commanded, "Bring the entire cabinet here!" The two officials immediately returned to their respective offices, mustered well-ordered soldiers, and had the cabinet carried out. Inside, Tripitaka was terrified, his soul nearly leaving his body. He asked, "Disciples, when we reach the King, what shall we say?" Monkey laughed, "Don't fret! I've already made all the arrangements. When the cabinet is opened, he will immediately bow to us as teachers. Just tell Pigsy not to argue about who is superior." Pigsy said, "As long as we are spared from being killed, it will be an immeasurable blessing. How could I dare to argue?" As he spoke, they were carried to the palace entrance, entered the Five-Phoenix Tower, and placed the cabinet beneath the crimson steps of the forecourt.

The two officials invited the King to open it, and the King immediately commanded it to be opened. As soon as the lid was lifted, Pigsy could not restrain himself and leaped out, startling the many officials until they were speechless. Then, Monkey was seen helping Tripitaka out, and Sandy carried out the luggage. Pigsy saw the Chief Commander leading the horse, walked up to him, and roared, "That horse is mine! Hand it over!" The official was so frightened that he tumbled and fell to the ground. The four pilgrims stood on the steps. When the King saw that they were four monks, he hastily descended from his royal couch, summoned his empresses and consorts from the three palaces, and together with his officials, bowed and asked, "Venerable Master, from where have you come?" Tripitaka replied, "This humble monk has been sent by the Great Tang Emperor from the East to the Western Land of India, to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, to worship the Living Buddha and retrieve the true scriptures." The King asked, "Master has traveled far, but why did you rest in this cabinet?" Tripitaka explained, "This humble monk knew that Your Majesty had a vow to kill monks and dared not openly present myself to your esteemed country. I disguised myself as a layman and sought lodging overnight in a local eatery. Fearing that my true identity might be revealed, I therefore rested in the cabinet. Unfortunately, I was stolen by thieves and then apprehended and brought here by the Chief Commander. Now, to behold Your Majesty's imperial countenance is like parting clouds to see the sun. I humbly hope that Your Majesty will pardon this humble monk; your kindness would be as deep as the sea!"

The King said, "Master is an eminent monk from the Celestial Empire; I have failed to welcome you properly. For many years, I have maintained a vow to kill monks because a monk slandered me. I made a vow to Heaven to kill ten thousand monks to fulfill it. Unexpectedly, tonight I converted to Buddhism, and now you have caused me and my subjects to become monks. Now, the King, his officials, and his consorts have all shaved their heads. I earnestly hope, Master, that you will not withhold your noble wisdom and will allow us to become your disciples." Pigsy heard this and burst into loud laughter, "Since you wish to become our disciples, what initial gift will you present to us?" The King replied, "If the Master is willing to accept us, I am willing to offer all the treasures in my kingdom." Monkey said, "Speak not of treasures. We are monks of the Way. You only need to change our customs clearance document and escort us out of the city, and we will ensure your imperial reign is forever secure, and blessings and longevity perpetually arrive." Upon hearing this, the King immediately ordered the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a grand banquet. The King and his officials united and converted to Buddhism. Immediately, they changed the customs clearance document and asked Tripitaka to change the country's name. Monkey said, "Your Majesty, the name 'Dharma Nation' is quite good, but the character 'destroy' makes no sense. After our passing through, it can be renamed 'Nation that Revere Dharma.' This will ensure your realm has peaceful seas and clear rivers for a thousand generations of prosperity, with favorable winds and timely rains bringing peace to all lands." The King thanked him for his grace, arranged the entire royal procession, and escorted Tripitaka and the three disciples out of the city, heading west. The King and his officials embraced goodness and returned to their true nature, no further details given.

Now, the Elder bade farewell to the King of the Nation that Revere Dharma, and riding on his horse, he said joyfully, "Monkey, this method was excellent, and of great merit indeed." Sandy asked, "Brother, where did you find so many barbers to shave so many heads overnight?" Monkey then recounted how he had performed transformations and supernatural feats. The master and his disciples laughed heartily. As they were rejoicing, they suddenly saw a towering mountain blocking their path. Tripitaka reined in his horse and said, "Disciples, look at the majestic mountain before us; we must be extremely careful!" Monkey laughed, "Rest assured! Rest assured! I guarantee nothing will happen!" Tripitaka insisted, "Do not speak of nothing happening. I see the mountain peaks standing tall, and from a distance, there is a sinister aura. Violent clouds are flying out, and I gradually feel alarmed, my entire body is numb, and my spirit is uneasy." Monkey chuckled, "Have you forgotten Zen Master Wuchao's 'Heart Sutra' already?" Tripitaka replied, "I remember it." Monkey said, "Though you remember it, you've forgotten these four lines of verse." Tripitaka asked, "Which four?" Monkey recited:

"The Buddha is on Vulture Peak, seek not far away;Vulture Peak is right within your heart.Everyone has a Vulture Peak Pagoda,Good it is to cultivate beneath that Vulture Peak Pagoda."

Tripitaka said, "Disciple, how could I not know? According to these four lines, thousands of sutras and countless scriptures are simply about cultivating the mind." Monkey replied, "No need to say more. A pure mind shines with unique clarity; with a mindful heart, all surroundings are pure. A slight error leads to indolence; for a thousand, ten thousand years, one will not succeed. You only need wholehearted devotion; Thunderclap (Monastery) is right underfoot. For you to be so fearful and alarmed, with your spirit uneasy, the Great Way is far, and Thunderclap is also far. Do not be suspicious; just follow me." Hearing this, the Elder's mind instantly brightened, and all his worries ceased. The four pilgrims proceeded together. After a few steps, they reached the mountain. Looking up, they saw:

What a magnificent mountain it was, its colors varied upon closer inspection. Clouds drifted on its summit; tree shadows lay cold before its cliffs. Birds fluttered, and beasts were ferocious. Thousands of pine trunks stood in its forests, and a few bamboo stalks graced its peaks. Howling, grey wolves fought for food; roaring, hungry tigers contended for a meal. Wild apes shrieked, seeking fresh fruit; deer climbed among flowers onto the verdant mist. The wind rustled, the water gurgled, and occasionally, one heard the secluded chirping of birds. In several places, vines pulled and tugged, and the stream was full of jade-like grass mixed with fragrant orchids. Gleaming strange rocks and jagged peaks and cliffs. Foxes and badgers roamed in groups; monkeys and apes played in troops. Travelers were worried by its many dangers, for alas, the ancient path twisted and turned!

As the master and disciples proceeded timidly and cautiously, they suddenly heard a whooshing gust of wind. Tripitaka, frightened, exclaimed, "The wind has risen!" Monkey said, "Spring has gentle breezes, summer has warm breezes, autumn has golden breezes, and winter has north winds; all four seasons have wind. Why fear the wind rising?" Tripitaka replied, "This wind is coming very swiftly; it is definitely not a heavenly wind." Monkey said, "Since ancient times, wind rises from the earth, and clouds emerge from mountains. How can there be a heavenly wind?" Before he finished speaking, another gust of mist rose. The mist was truly:

The boundless sky grew dim, the earth was shrouded in a hazy gloom.The sun's light completely vanished; no bird song could be heard anywhere.It resembled primeval chaos, like swirling dust in the air.One could not see the trees on the mountaintops; where could a herb-gatherer be found?

Tripitaka became even more alarmed and said, "Monkey, the wind has not yet settled, how can such mist rise again?" Monkey said, "Don't be anxious. Please, Master, dismount. You two brothers stay here and guard him, while I go and see what good or ill omen this is."

The Great Sage, bending at the waist, ascended into mid-air. He shaded his eyes with his hand and, opening his fiery eyes wide, looked down. Indeed, he saw a demon sitting on the edge of a precipice. Look at its appearance:

Its brilliant, colorful patterns were striking; its proud, powerful stance was full of vigor.Its strong teeth protruded like steel drills; its sharp claws, hidden in its paws, were like jade hooks.Its golden, round eyes instilled fear in birds and beasts; its bristling silver whiskers caused dread in ghosts and spirits.It roared wildly, displaying its might, and with cunning, it controlled mist and spurted wind.

He also saw thirty or forty little imps arrayed to its left and right, energetically spurting wind and mist. Monkey chuckled to himself, "My master also has some premonition. He said it wasn't a heavenly wind, and indeed, it isn't; it's a demon making a fuss here. If Old Sun were to use his iron staff and strike directly, it would be like 'pounding garlic'—it would kill it, but it would spoil Old Sun's reputation." Monkey, being a hero all his life, never knew how to scheme against others in secret. He thought, "I'll go back and tell Pigsy to handle it. Let him fight this demon first. If Pigsy is capable and defeats this demon, it will count as his achievement. If he lacks skill and is captured by the demon, then I'll go rescue him, and that's how I can make a name for myself." He mused, "Pigsy is a bit lazy and unwilling to step forward, but he's also a bit talkative and loves to eat. Let me trick him and see what he says." Immediately, he descended from the clouds and appeared before Tripitaka. Tripitaka asked, "Monkey, what about the good or ill omen of the wind and mist?" Monkey replied, "It's clear now, there's no wind or mist." Tripitaka said, "Indeed, I feel it has receded a bit." Monkey chuckled, "Master, I usually see things clearly, but this time I was mistaken. I thought there might be a monster in the wind and mist, but it turns out not to be." Tripitaka asked, "What is it then?" Monkey said, "Not far ahead is a village. The people in the village are very kind; they are steaming white rice and white flour steamed buns to offer to monks. This mist must be the steam from their cooking, a sign of their accumulated good deeds." When Pigsy heard this, he took it as true, grabbed Monkey, and whispered, "Brother, did you already eat their alms?" Monkey said, "Not much. The vegetables were a bit too salty, so I didn't care to eat a lot." Pigsy retorted, "Hmph! No matter how salty, I would eat my fill! If I get too thirsty, I'll just come back and drink water." Monkey asked, "Do you want to eat?" Pigsy said, "Exactly. I'm feeling a bit hungry. I want to go eat first; what do you think?" Monkey said, "Brother, don't mention it. The ancient texts say, 'While the father is present, the son may not act on his own authority.' Master is here too; who dares to go first?" Pigsy laughed, "If you don't say anything, I'll go." Monkey said, "I won't say anything; let's see how you manage to go." That idiot, being clever when it came to food, stepped forward and gave a deep bow, saying, "Master, just now my senior brother said that there are people in the village ahead who offer food to monks. Look at this horse; it's quite a bother to people, wanting grass and feed, which isn't easy. Fortunately, the wind and mist are clear now, so you can sit for a moment while I go find some tender grass to feed the horse first, and then we can go beg for food from those families." Tripitaka was delighted, "Good! How is it that you are so diligent today? Go quickly and return quickly." The idiot secretly chuckled and set off. Monkey caught up and stopped him, saying, "Brother, they only serve handsome monks there, not ugly ones." Pigsy said, "So, I need to transform, then?" Monkey said, "Exactly. Go transform yourself." That idiot, also possessing thirty-six transformations, went into a mountain hollow, pinched a finger gesture, recited an incantation, and with a shake of his body, transformed into a short, skinny monk. He tapped a wooden fish in his hand and hummed nonsense with his mouth, unable to recite scriptures, only humming lines from a children's primer.

Meanwhile, the monster gathered the wind and mist, commanded its imps, and set up a circular formation at the crossroads, waiting specifically for travelers. This idiot, being unlucky, soon walked right into the middle, where he was surrounded by imps. One pulled at his clothes, another at his silk sash, pushing and shoving, all laying hands on him at once. Pigsy said, "Don't pull; let me go from house to house and eat." The imps asked, "Monk, what do you want to eat?" Pigsy replied, "You offer food to monks here; I've come to eat." The imps scoffed, "You think we offer food to monks here? You don't know that we specialize in eating monks here. We are immortal demons who have attained enlightenment in these mountains, and we specialize in capturing monks, taking them home, steaming them in a steamer, and eating them! And you still expect to come and eat our food!" When Pigsy heard this, he was terrified and began to complain about Monkey, "That Protector of Horses is truly useless! He tricked me, saying there was a village here that offered food to monks. Where are the village people here? What kind of food for monks? This turns out to be a demon!" That idiot, provoked by their pulling, immediately revealed his true form, pulled his rake from his waist, and fiercely attacked, driving back the little imps. The imps rushed to report to the old demon, "Great King, we're in trouble!" The old monster asked, "What trouble?" A little imp said, "A monk came from the mountain front, and he's quite well-built. I suggested we take him home and steam him to eat, and save some for a rainy day if we couldn't finish him, but unexpectedly, he can transform." The old demon asked, "What kind of transformation?" The imp said, "He's not human at all! He has a long snout and big ears, and bristles on his back. In his hand, he wields a rake, attacking wildly without aim, frightening us into running back to report to Your Majesty." The old monster said, "Don't be afraid; let me go and see." Wielding an iron pestle, he walked closer to look, and saw that the idiot was indeed ugly. He was born with:

A snout like a mortar, over three feet long, with tusks protruding like silver nails.A pair of round eyes shone like lightning; his two ears fanned the wind with a whooshing sound.Long bristles on the back of his head were arrayed like iron arrows; his entire body was coarse and mottled, still with a greenish tinge.In his hand, he wielded a peculiar weapon, the nine-toothed rake, which struck fear into everyone.

The demon, bracing himself, shouted, "Where are you from, and what is your name? Speak quickly, and I will spare your life!" Pigsy laughed, "My dear fellow, you don't even recognize your Pig Ancestor! Come closer, and I'll tell you:

With a giant mouth and tusks, great divine power I possess,The Jade Emperor promoted me to Marshal of the Heavenly River.I commanded eighty thousand soldiers of the Heavenly River,Enjoying great freedom and joy in the Heavenly Palace.It was only because I dallied with a palace maid while drunk,That I sold off my heroism.With one thrust of my snout, I toppled the Big Dipper and Ox Palace,And ate the Queen Mother's divine fungus.The Jade Emperor personally struck me two thousand times,And banished me to the lower three realms.He bade me resolve to cultivate my original spirit,But down here, I became a monster again.I was happily getting married in Gaolao Village,When by ill fate, I encountered Brother Sun.I submitted to him under his Golden-Hooped Rod,And only then bowed my head to join the Buddhist order.Carrying the horse and luggage, serving as a laborer,In a previous life, I owed a debt to Tripitaka.My original name was Marshal Iron-Foot Tianpeng,But my Buddhist name was changed to Zhu Bajie."

When the demon heard this, he roared, "So you are Tripitaka's disciple! I have long heard that Tripitaka's flesh is delicious, and I was just about to capture you! But you walked right into my trap; why should I spare you? Don't run! Take this pestle!" Pigsy retorted, "Wretch! So you were originally a dyer!" The demon asked, "How am I a dyer?" Pigsy replied, "If not a dyer, how would you know how to wield a washing club?" The monster would not allow further argument and immediately attacked. The two of them in the mountain hollow fought a great battle:

The Nine-toothed Rake against an Iron Rod.Unleashing all their techniques, they stirred up wild winds; the pestle was wielded with cunning, sending forth sudden rain.One was an unknown evil monster blocking the mountain path; the other was the sinful Marshal Tianpeng aiding his spiritual master.With a righteous nature, why fear monsters or demons? Yet, even a high mountain cannot produce gold from earth.That pestle's thrust was like a python emerging from a deep pool; this rake's attack was like a dragon leaving its lair.Their shouts and roars shook mountains and rivers; their mighty calls startled the underworld.Two heroes each displayed their power, risking their lives as they gambled their supernatural abilities.

Pigsy gathered his strength and fought the demon. The monster commanded the little imps to surround Pigsy, no further details given.

Now, Monkey, from behind Tripitaka, suddenly let out a cold laugh. Sandy asked, "Brother, why are you laughing coldly?" Monkey replied, "Pigsy is truly foolish! He heard 'offering food to monks' and was tricked by me. He hasn't returned even now. If he manages to drive back the demon with one fierce rake attack, you'll see him return victorious, boasting about his achievement. But if he can't defeat it and gets captured, then it's my bad luck; behind my back and to my face, he'll be cursing 'Protector of Horses' countless times! Sandy, don't say anything. Let me go take a look." The Great Sage, without letting the Elder know, quietly plucked a hair from the back of his head, blew a breath of immortal energy upon it, and commanded, "Change!" It immediately transformed into his own likeness, accompanying Sandy and following the Elder. His true self, manifesting as a spirit, leaped into the air to observe. He saw that the idiot was surrounded by the monster, his rake movements becoming disorganized, gradually making it difficult to resist. Monkey could not bear it, so he descended from the clouds and loudly shouted, "Pigsy, don't panic! Old Sun is here!" When the idiot heard Monkey's voice, he seized the opportunity, growing even more valiant. With a single rake attack, he charged forward, striking wildly. The demon could not withstand him and thought, "This monk was not strong before, how did he suddenly become so fierce?" Pigsy shouted, "My dear fellow, don't bully me! My family has arrived!" He pressed forward even more fiercely, striking without aim. The demon could not withstand the assault and, leading its imps, fled the battle. When Monkey saw the demon retreat, he did not approach closer. He turned his cloud and returned to his original spot, shaking his hair to reclaim the transformed clone. The Elder, with his mortal eyes, could not discern this. In a short while, the idiot, victorious, returned, exhausted, with mucus and snot, white foam, and panting heavily. He came running and called out, "Master!" The Elder saw him and asked in surprise, "Pigsy, you went to cut grass for the horse; why are you in such a sorry state? Did someone from a mountain home guard it and not allow you to cut grass?" The idiot put down his rake, pounded his chest, and stamped his feet, saying, "Master! Don't ask! Just talking about it makes me die of shame!" The Elder asked, "Why are you ashamed?" Pigsy replied, "Senior brother played a trick on me! He first said that the wind and mist contained no demon, no ill omens, but that it was a kind village family steaming white rice and white flour buns for monks. I believed him, thinking I was hungry, and went ahead to eat some, using the pretense of cutting grass. Who knew there were so many monsters? They surrounded me, and I fought bitterly for a while. If it weren't for senior brother's 'mourning stick' assisting me, I would never have escaped their net and returned!" Monkey, standing by, laughed, "This idiot is talking nonsense! If you committed a crime, you'd drag someone else into it. I was here guarding Master; how could I have left his side?" The Elder said, "That's right, Monkey never left me." The idiot jumped up and shouted, "Master! You don't know, he has a substitute!" The Elder asked, "Monkey, are there truly monsters?" Monkey could not hide it any longer, so he bowed and chuckled, "There were a few small imps, but they dared not provoke us. Pigsy, come here; I'll give you clear instructions. Since we are protecting Master and walking through dangerous mountain paths, it's like an army marching." Pigsy asked, "What's it like marching?" Monkey said, "You be the path-clearing general, leading the way. If the demon doesn't come, fine; but if it does, you fight it. If you defeat the demon, it counts as your merit." Pigsy assessed that the demon's skill was roughly equal to his own. He then said, "Even if I die by his hand, so be it; I'll go first!" Monkey laughed, "This idiot speaks unlucky words first; how will he ever make progress!" Pigsy said, "Brother, do you not know that 'a young master at a banquet is either drunk or full; a brave warrior entering battle either dies or is wounded'? Say a few unlucky words first, and then you'll show your might." Monkey was pleased. He quickly helped the Master mount the horse, Sandy carried the luggage, and they followed Pigsy, heading into the mountains without further ado.

Now, the demon, leading a few defeated imps, returned directly to its cave and sat silently on the rocky cliff. Many small imps who had stayed to guard the cave came forward and asked, "Great King, whenever you go out, you usually return happily, but why are you troubled today?" The old demon replied, "Little ones, when I used to patrol the mountains, no matter what humans or beasts I encountered, I would always bring a few home to feed you all; but today, my luck was bad, and I encountered a formidable opponent." The imps asked, "Who was that opponent?" The old demon said, "He was a monk, a disciple of Tripitaka from the East who is on a pilgrimage for scriptures, named Zhu Bajie. He defeated me with a fierce rake attack. How infuriating! I have always heard people say that Tripitaka is an Arhat who has cultivated for ten lifetimes, and that if someone eats a piece of his flesh, they can prolong their life indefinitely. Unexpectedly, he arrived in my mountain today, and it would be perfect to capture him and steam him for food, but I didn't know he had such a disciple under him!" As he spoke, a small imp stepped forward from the ranks, sobbed three times to the old demon, and then laughed three times. The old demon roared, "Why are you crying and laughing?" The imp knelt down and said, "Great King, you just said you wanted to eat Tripitaka, but Tripitaka's flesh is not good to eat." The old demon said, "Everyone says that eating a piece of his flesh can grant immortality and longevity like Heaven, so why do you say it's not good to eat?" The imp replied, "If it were good to eat, he wouldn't have made it this far; other demons would have eaten him already. He has three disciples under him." The old demon asked, "Do you know who those three are?" The imp said, "His eldest disciple is Sun Wukong, his third disciple is Sha Wujing. This one is his second disciple, Zhu Bajie." The old demon asked, "How does Sha Wujing compare to Zhu Bajie?" The imp said, "They're roughly similar." — "How does that Sun Wukong compare to him?" The imp stuck out his tongue and said, "I dare not speak of it! That Sun Wukong has immense supernatural powers and countless transformations! Five hundred years ago, he caused a great havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and even the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Nine Luminaries Star Officials, the Twelve Primordial Deities, the Five Nobles and Four Ministers, the Eastern and Western Constellations, the Two Southern and Northern Gods, the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, and all the heavenly generals could not provoke him! How dare you think of eating Tripitaka?" The old demon asked, "How do you know so much about him?" The imp explained, "I used to live with the Great King in the Lion Camel Cave on Lion Camel Ridge. That Great King, ignorant of his capabilities, tried to eat Tripitaka, and Sun Wukong used his Golden-Hooped Rod to break in and pitifully smashed him, utterly defeating him, breaking all his 'one' and 'six' dominoes. I was clever enough to escape through the back door and came here, where Your Majesty took me in. That is why I know his powers." Hearing this, the old demon turned pale with fright. This is truly a case where a great general fears prophecies. When he heard his own subordinate speak like this, how could he not be alarmed? As they were all trembling with fear, another small imp stepped forward and said, "Great King, do not be angry, and do not be afraid. As the saying goes: 'Take things slowly.' If you wish to eat Tripitaka, let me devise a plan to capture him." The old demon asked, "What plan do you have?" The imp replied, "I have a 'Divided Plum Blossom Stratagem.'" The old demon asked, "What is a 'Divided Plum Blossom Stratagem'?" The imp explained, "Now, gather all the imps, great and small, at the cave entrance. From a thousand, select a hundred; from a hundred, select ten; from ten, select only three. These must be capable and able to transform. Let them all transform into Your Majesty's likeness, wearing Your Majesty's helmet, donning Your Majesty's armor, and wielding Your Majesty's pestle, and ambush in three places. First, one will fight Zhu Bajie, then another will fight Sun Wukong, and then another will fight Sha Wujing. By sacrificing these three small imps, we will draw away his three brothers, while Your Majesty descends from mid-air and extends your cloud-grasping hand to seize Tripitaka. It will be like taking something from a bag, like catching flies in a fishbowl; what difficulty is there in that?" The old demon heard this and was overjoyed, saying, "This plan is excellent, truly excellent! If we don't capture Tripitaka this time, then so be it; but if we do, I will not take you lightly. I will appoint you as my vanguard general." The imp prostrated himself and thanked him for the grace, then called for the imps to be mustered. Immediately, all the imps, great and small, in the cave were summoned, and indeed, three capable imps were selected. They all transformed into the old demon, each wielding an iron pestle, and lay in ambush, waiting for Tripitaka, no further details given.

Now, Elder Tang, free of worries, followed Pigsy onto the main road. After traveling for a long time, they suddenly heard a loud thump by the roadside, and a small imp leaped out, rushing forward to seize the Elder. Sun Wukong shouted, "Pigsy! A demon has come! Why don't you make a move?" That idiot, without discerning true from false, pulled out his rake and chased after it, striking wildly. The demon wielded its iron pestle and swiftly met his attack. The two of them, back and forth, fought fiercely on the hillside. Then, a rustling sound was heard from among the bushes, and another monster leaped out, heading straight for Tripitaka. Monkey said, "Master! This is bad! Pigsy is dim-sighted and let that demon come to capture you. I'll go fight him!" He quickly drew his staff and charged forward, shouting, "Where do you think you're going! Take this staff!" The demon said nothing more, raising its pestle to meet him. The two of them clashed and charged on the grassy slope, engaged in a fierce struggle. Then, from behind the mountain, a whooshing sound was heard, and another demon leaped out, rushing directly towards Tripitaka. Sandy saw this and exclaimed in alarm, "Master! Elder Brother and Second Brother have both gone blind, letting the demon come to capture you! You stay on the horse; I, Old Sandy, will go fight him!" This monk, without distinguishing good from bad, immediately drew his staff and directly confronted the demon's iron pestle, fighting bitterly. Shouting and roaring, they battled fiercely, gradually being drawn away. The old demon, from mid-air, saw Tripitaka sitting alone on his horse, extended his five-clawed steel hook, and seized Tripitaka. The Master was thrown from his horse, lost his stirrups, and was spirited away by the demon with a gust of wind. Alas! This truly was his Buddhist nature encountering tribulation, hindering his attainment of true enlightenment; Jiangliu (Tripitaka) again met with a bitter ill-fated star!

The old demon descended, bringing Tripitaka into his cave, and called out, "Vanguard!" The little imp who had devised the plan stepped forward and knelt, saying, "I dare not, I dare not!" The old demon said, "Why do you say that? A great general's word, once given, is irreversible. I said that if we did not capture Tripitaka, then so be it; but if we did, I would appoint you as vanguard general. Today, your brilliant plan has succeeded; how can I go back on my word? You may bring Tripitaka. Order the little ones to fetch water and scrub the pots, carry firewood and light the fire, and steam him. You and I will each eat a piece of his flesh, hoping to prolong our lives indefinitely." The vanguard said, "Great King, we must not eat him yet." The old monster asked, "Since we've captured him, why not eat him?" The vanguard replied, "It's not a big deal if Your Majesty eats him, and Pigsy might be forgiving, and Sandy might also be forgiving, but I'm afraid that Sun Wukong is a ferocious master. If he finds out we've eaten him, he won't come to fight us; he'll just thrust his golden-hooped staff into the mountainside, create a hole, and topple the entire mountain. Then we would have no place to live!" The old monster asked, "Vanguard, what is your excellent suggestion?" The vanguard said, "According to me, we should send Tripitaka to the back garden, tie him to a tree, and for two or three days, do not give him food. Firstly, this will ensure he is clean inside; secondly, we can wait until his three disciples stop looking for him at our entrance and hear that they have returned. Then, we can bring him out and leisurely enjoy him. Wouldn't that be better?" The old monster laughed, "Exactly, exactly! The vanguard speaks wisely!"

With a single command, Tripitaka was taken to the back garden and tied to a tree with a rope. All the little imps went to the front to await orders. There, the Elder agonizingly endured the ropes tightly binding him. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks, and he cried, "Disciples! While you are battling monsters in the mountains, on what path are you chasing demons? I have been captured by this fierce demon and am suffering here. When will we reunite? Oh, the pain kills me!" As his tears flowed, he heard someone on a tree opposite him call out, "Elder, you've come in too!" The Elder composed himself and asked, "Who are you?" The other replied, "I am a woodcutter from this mountain. I was captured by the mountain lord the other day and tied here. It has been three days now, and they intend to eat me." The Elder shed tears and said, "Woodcutter, your death affects only yourself, with no great worries. But my death will not be quite clean." The woodcutter asked, "Elder, you are a renunciant, with no parents above and no wife or children below. If you die, you die; what is unclean about that?" The Elder replied, "I am originally from the Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven to retrieve scriptures. I received an imperial decree from Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to worship the Living Buddha and retrieve the true scriptures, to deliver the lonely souls in the underworld who have no masters. If I lose my life now, would I not crush the King's hopes and betray my subjects? The countless wronged souls in the City of Wrongful Deaths would be greatly disappointed and would never be reborn, and all my accumulated merit and achievement would turn into dust and wind. How could that be a clean death?" Hearing this, the woodcutter's eyes welled up with tears and he said, "Elder, your death is like this, but my death is even more sorrowful. I lost my father in my youth and lived alone with my widowed mother. I have no family property and rely solely on cutting firewood to make a living. My old mother is eighty-three this year, and I am her only support. If I die, who will bury her and care for her in her old age? Oh, the suffering, the suffering! It pains me to death!" Hearing this, the Elder burst into loud sobs, "How pitiful, how pitiful! Even a mountain man has thoughts of his parents, yet this humble monk only knows how to recite scriptures in vain! Serving one's ruler and serving one's parents are all based on the same principle. You suffer for parental grace, and I for imperial grace." Thus, tearful eyes beheld tearful eyes, and a heartbroken person accompanied a heartbroken person!

No more need be said about Tripitaka's suffering. Now, Sun Wukong, having driven back the little demons on the grassy slope, quickly returned to the roadside, only to find his master gone, with only the white horse and luggage remaining. In his panic, he led the horse and carried the luggage, searching towards the mountaintop. Alas! Indeed, it was: the struggling Jiangliu (Tripitaka) constantly met with hardship, and the Great Sage, who subdues demons, also encountered trouble. To find out what happened to his master, please listen to the next chapter's explanation.