Chapter 86: Wood Mother Helps Defeat the Monster Master Jin Uses Magic to Exterminate the Demon

The Great Sage Sun, leading the horse and carrying the luggage, searched the mountains calling for his master. Suddenly, Pigsy came running, looking furious, and asked, "Brother, why are you shouting?"

Monkey King replied, "Master is gone. Have you seen him?"

Pigsy retorted, "I was originally just a monk following Tang Monk. You played a trick on me, telling me to act like a general! I risked my life and fought that demon for a while, barely escaping with my life. Master was your and Sandy's responsibility to watch; why ask me?"

Monkey King said, "Brother, I don't blame you. You must have been mistaken and let the demon come back to capture Master. I went to fight that demon, telling Sandy to watch Master, and now even Sandy is gone."

Pigsy chuckled, "Perhaps Sandy took Master to relieve himself somewhere." As he spoke, Sandy arrived.

Monkey King asked, "Sandy, where has Master gone?"

Sandy replied, "Both of your eyes must be blurred; you let the demon come and snatch Master. Old Sandy went to fight that demon, and Master was sitting on his horse by himself."

Monkey King was so angry he stomped, "We fell for his trick! We fell for his trick!"

Sandy asked, "What trick?"

Monkey King explained, "This is the 'split plum blossom' strategy; he separated us brothers, then snatched Master right from the middle! Oh, heaven, heaven, heaven! What shall we do?" Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

Pigsy said, "Don't cry; crying just makes things worse! It's surely not far, just on this mountain. Let's go look for him." With no other choice, the three entered the mountain to search. After walking about twenty *li*, they saw a cave dwelling beneath a cliff.

Peaks were veiled by trees, and strange rocks towered. Exotic flowers and jade-like grasses exuded fragrance, while red apricots and green peaches shone brilliantly. Ancient trees by the cliff had frost-bitten bark, forty embraces wide, weathered by rain; outside the gate, dark green pines reached two thousand feet into the sky. Pairs of wild cranes often danced in the clear breeze by the cave entrance; pairs of mountain birds frequently sang at the branches during the day. Clusters of yellow vines hung like ropes, and rows of misty willows resembled drooping gold. A square pond collected water, and a deep cave nestled against the mountain. The square pond, with its accumulated water, hid a water dragon not yet fully transformed; the deep cave, nestled by the mountain, housed an old monster that had eaten people for many years. Indeed, it was no less than a celestial realm, truly a nest where wind gathered and vital energy converged.

Seeing this, Monkey King leaped a few steps to the entrance. The stone gate was tightly shut, with a stone slab horizontally placed above it. On the slab were eight large characters: "Hidden Fog Mountain, Crumbling Peaks Linked Caves."

Monkey King said, "Pigsy, let's act! This must be where the demon lives; Master must be in his home."

The idiotic Pigsy, emboldened, raised his rake and struck with all his might, creating a large hole in the stone gate. He shouted, "Monster! Quickly send out my Master, or else my rake will demolish your gate, and your whole family will be done for!"

A small demon guarding the gate rushed inside to report, "Your Majesty, trouble has come!"

The old monster asked, "What trouble?"

The small demon replied, "Someone outside has broken the gate and is shouting for their Master!"

The old monster was greatly alarmed, "Who could be coming to find us?"

The Vanguard demon said, "Don't be afraid! Let me go out and see." The small demon ran to the front gate, peered out through the broken hole, saw a long snout and big ears, and immediately turned back, shouting, "Your Majesty, don't be afraid of him! That's Pigsy, he has no great power and wouldn't dare act recklessly. If he does, we'll open the gate and capture him for steaming. The only one to fear is that hairy-faced, thunder-mouthed monk."

Pigsy, outside, heard this and said, "Brother, he's not afraid of me, only you. Master must surely be in his house. You go forward quickly."

Monkey King cursed, "You wretched beast! Your Grandpa Sun is here! Send my Master out, and I'll spare your life!"

The Vanguard demon quickly reported, "Your Majesty, this is bad! Sun Wukong has also found his way here!"

The old monster complained, "It's all because of your 'split plum blossom' strategy, which has brought disaster to our door! How shall we deal with this?"

The Vanguard demon said, "Your Majesty, don't worry and don't complain. I remember Sun Wukong is a generous monkey with a broad mind. Although his magical powers are vast, he likes flattery. Let's take out a fake human head to deceive him, flatter him a few times, and just say we've eaten his Master. If we can trick him into leaving, Tang Monk will still be ours to enjoy. If not, then we'll deal with it later."

The old monster asked, "Where can we get a fake human head?"

The Vanguard demon said, "Let me make one."

The cunning demon took a sharp steel ax and carved a willow tree root into the shape of a human head. He then sprayed it with human blood, making it messy, and had a small demon carry it on a lacquered tray to the gate. The small demon called out, "Great Sage Grandfather, please calm your anger and listen."

Monkey King, indeed fond of flattery, heard the call "Great Sage Grandfather" and stopped Pigsy, saying, "Don't act yet, let's hear what he has to say."

The small demon carrying the tray said, "Your Master was captured by our King and brought into the cave. The small demons in the cave are crude and ignorant; one came to swallow, another to gnaw, some scratched, some bit, and they ate your Master. Only his head remains here."

Monkey King said, "Since he's eaten, so be it. Just bring out the head, and I'll see if it's real or fake." The small demon threw the head out through the hole in the gate.

When Pigsy saw it, he immediately burst into tears, "How pitiful! Such a Master went in, and such a Master came out!"

Monkey King said, "Idiot, first recognize if it's real or fake. Then cry!"

Pigsy retorted, "Shameless! Can a human head be real or fake?"

Monkey King said, "This is a fake human head."

Pigsy asked, "How can you tell it's fake?"

Monkey King explained, "A real human head thrown out makes no sound; a fake human head makes a sound like a wooden clapper. If you don't believe me, let me throw it and you listen." He picked it up and hurled it onto a rock. It made a loud *clang*.

Sandy said, "Brother, it made a sound!"

Monkey King said, "If it made a sound, it's fake. I'll make it reveal its true form for you to see." He quickly drew his golden-banded cudgel and, with a *thump*, shattered it.

When Pigsy looked, it was a willow tree root. The idiot couldn't help but curse, "You bunch of hairy beasts! You hid my Master in the cave and used a willow root to trick your Grandpa Pig! Is my Master transformed from a willow tree spirit?"

The small demon carrying the tray was so frightened he trembled and ran to report, "Difficult, difficult, difficult! Difficult, difficult, difficult!"

The old demon asked, "Why so many difficulties?"

The small demon replied, "Pigsy and Sandy were fooled, but Sun Wukong is like an antique dealer—he knows his stuff! He recognized it was a fake head. If we give him a real human head now, perhaps he'll leave."

The old monster asked, "How can we get a real human head? We have more human heads than we can eat in our skinning pavilion; choose one from there." The demons immediately went to the pavilion, picked a fresh head, had its scalp cleaned off, making it smooth and shiny. They brought it out on a tray again, calling, "Great Sage Grandfather, the previous one was indeed a fake head. This is truly Master Tang's head; our King kept it to guard the house, but now specifically offers it to you." With a *plop*, the human head was thrown out through the hole in the gate, rolling about, dripping with blood.

Monkey King recognized it as a real human head and, unable to help it, began to cry. Pigsy and Sandy also burst into loud sobs. Pigsy, with tears in his eyes, said, "Brother, don't cry yet. The weather isn't good, and it might rot quickly. Let me take it and bury it while it's still fresh, then we can cry."

Monkey King said, "That's a good point." The idiot, not minding the filth, embraced the head and ran up the cliff. In a sunny spot, he found a sheltered place where energy gathered, took his rake, dug a pit, buried the head, and then built a small mound. Only then did he call Sandy, "You and Brother cry here while I go find some offerings." He then walked to the stream, broke off a few large willow branches, picked up some pebbles, and returned to the grave. He stuck the willow branches on either side and piled the pebbles in front.

Monkey King asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

Pigsy replied, "These willow branches will serve as pine and cypress to shade Master's grave; these pebbles will serve as refreshments to offer to Master."

Monkey King yelled, "You blockhead! The person is dead, and you're still offering pebbles to him!"

Pigsy said, "It expresses the sentiment of the living, and acts as a filial heart."

Monkey King ordered, "Stop messing around! Let Sandy stay here, firstly to keep watch over the dusk, and secondly to guard the luggage and the horse. You and I will go break into his cave, capture the demon, tear him to a thousand pieces, and avenge Master!"

Sandy, shedding tears, said, "Big Brother speaks perfectly. Both of you be careful; I will guard here."

The brave Pigsy immediately took off his black silk vestment, tightened his undershirt, and, raising his rake, followed Monkey King. The two advanced resolutely, not allowing for any debate, directly breaking the stone gate. Their shout shook the heavens as they cried, "Give us back our living Tang Monk!"

Inside the cave, the large and small demons were all scared out of their wits, each complaining about the Vanguard's misjudgment. The old monster asked the Vanguard, "These monks have broken through our gate; how shall we deal with them?"

The Vanguard replied, "As the ancients wisely said, 'One who puts a hand into a fish basket cannot avoid the smell.' We won't do it by halves; let's lead our forces out and kill those monks!" Hearing this, the old monster had no choice. He truly issued an order, saying, "My minions, unite your hearts and follow me with your sharpest weapons to battle!" Indeed, they all shouted and charged out of the cave entrance.

The Great Sage and Pigsy quickly retreated a few steps to the flat ground on the mountainside, confronting the group of demons. Monkey King shouted, "Who is the famous leader? Which demon captured my Master?"

The demons set up their camp, and a splendid banner flashed. The old monster, holding an iron staff, responded loudly, "You insolent monk, do you not recognize me? I am the King of Southern Mountain, who has roamed freely here for several hundred years. Your Tang Monk has already been captured and eaten by me! What dare you do?"

Monkey King cursed, "You audacious hairy beast! How many years have you lived that you dare call yourself 'Southern Mountain'? Laozi, the ancestor who created heaven and earth, still sits to the right of the Grand Purity; Buddha Tathagata, the honored one who governs the world, still sits beneath the Great Roc; Confucius, the honored one of Confucianism, is merely called 'Master.' You, a wretched beast, dare call yourself the King of Southern Mountain, roaming for several hundred years! Don't run! Take a blow from your Grandpa!"

The demon dodged sideways, used his staff to parry the iron cudgel, and, widening his eyes, asked, "Your face looks like a monkey's, yet you dare use so many words to oppress me! What power do you have to act so wildly at my gate?"

Monkey King chuckled, "You nameless beast! Do you not know Old Sun! Stand still, harden your courage, and listen to me—

"Born in the East Continent of Divine Victory, within the embrace of heaven and earth for eons.From a celestial stone egg on Flower Fruit Mountain, I hatched, a root and sprout of unique creation.Unlike mortal beings from birth, my sacred body originated from the sun and moon's companionship.My true nature cultivated independently, no small feat; a keen talent, a great elixir's essence.Appointed Great Sage, residing in the cloud palace, I used my power to wreak havoc, challenging the very Dipper.One hundred thousand divine soldiers could not approach me, all the stars in the sky were easily collected.My name spread throughout the universe, known everywhere; my wisdom pierced through heaven and earth, leaving traces everywhere.Now, fortunate to have converted to Buddhism, supporting the Elder on his journey to the West.Opening roads through mountains where none could obstruct, building bridges over waters where monsters caused sorrow.Within forests, I wielded my might, capturing tigers and leopards; before cliffs, with a flick of my hand, I seized pixiu.When the True Fruit of the East comes to the Western Regions, what demon dare raise its head!A beast harming my Master is truly hateful, I will ensure its life ends right now!"

Hearing this, the monster was both astonished and enraged. Gritting his teeth, he leaped forward, striking at Monkey King with his iron staff. Monkey King lightly parried with his cudgel, intending to speak further, but Pigsy, unable to restrain himself, frantically attacked the monster's vanguard with his rake. The vanguard and its troops all came forward. This fierce battle on the flat ground of the mountain was truly magnificent:

A monk from the great nation in the Eastern Lands,Journeying to the Western Paradise to obtain true scriptures.The great leopard of Southern Mountain spewed wind and mist,Blocking the deep mountains, he alone showed his power.Employing cunning schemes, acting shrewdly,Ignorantly he captured the Great Tang Monk.Encountering the Great Sage with vast divine powers,And facing Pigsy, who also had renown.Groups of demons fought fiercely on the mountain plain,Dust flew everywhere, obscuring the sky.On that side, little demons roared, raising spears and blades wildly;On this side, the divine monks shouted, rakes and cudgels rising together.The Great Sage, a heroic unmatched fighter;Wuneng, strong and vibrant, with a joyous spirit.The old monster of Southern Mountain, and his vanguard,Both for a piece of Tang Monk's flesh, caused them to fight to the death.These two became enemies for the Master's life,Those two were wickedly determined to have Tang Monk.They fought back and forth for a long time, clashing without a clear winner.

Seeing the small demons' ferocity, Monkey King found them hard to repulse. He immediately used his body-splitting technique, pulling out a handful of hairs, chewing them, and spitting them out, calling out, "Change!" They all transformed into his own likeness, each wielding a golden-banded cudgel, attacking from the front. The hundred or two hundred small demons, unable to guard both front and back, or left and right, each fled for their lives, retreating into the cave. Monkey King and Pigsy then fought their way out of the formation. Alas for those foolish demons, when struck by the rake, blood gushed from their nine orifices; when hit by the cudgel, their bones and flesh turned to mush! The King of Southern Mountain was so terrified that he stirred up wind and mist and fled for his life. The Vanguard, unable to transform, was struck down by Monkey King's cudgel and revealed its true form: an Iron-backed Azure Wolf monster. Pigsy stepped forward, grabbed its leg, and turned it over to examine it, saying, "This scoundrel must have stolen and eaten countless piglets and lambs since it was young!" Monkey King shook his body, recalling his hairs, and said, "Idiot! No time to delay! Quickly pursue the old monster and reclaim Master's life!" Pigsy turned around and saw that the little Monkey Kings had disappeared. "Brother, your transformed forms are all gone!"

Monkey King said, "I have already recalled them."

Pigsy exclaimed, "Marvelous, marvelous!" The two returned joyfully, victorious.

Meanwhile, the old monster, having escaped with its life, returned to the cave and ordered the small demons to move rocks and carry earth to block the front gate. The surviving small demons, trembling, blocked the gate, not daring to show their faces again. Monkey King led Pigsy to the gate and shouted, but no one responded from within. When Pigsy tried to use his rake, he couldn't move it. Monkey King knew why, saying, "Pigsy, don't waste your strength; he has blocked the gate."

Pigsy asked, "If the gate is blocked, how can we avenge Master?"

Monkey King said, "Let's go back and check on Sandy at the grave." The two returned to their original spot and found Sandy still weeping. Pigsy became even more heartbroken, dropped his rake, prostrated himself on the grave, and, patting the earth, cried, "Oh, my ill-fated Master! Oh, my Master from a distant land! Where shall I see you again!"

Monkey King said, "Brother, don't be so sad. This demon blocked the front gate, so there must be a back entrance for him to come and go. You two stay here; I'll go look again."

Pigsy, shedding tears, said, "Brother! Be careful! Don't let them snatch you too, or we won't know how to cry properly; crying for Master, then crying for Senior Brother, it would get all mixed up!"

Monkey King replied, "No worries! I have my own methods!"

The brave Great Sage put away his cudgel, tightened his tunic, and strode off, turning over a mountain slope. Suddenly, he heard the gurgle of water. He turned back to look and saw that it was indeed water flowing down the stream. He also saw a small gate on the other side of the stream, with a hidden drain on its left side from which red water flowed. He thought, "No need to explain! That's the back door. If I showed my true face, the small demons might open the door, see me, and recognize me. Let me transform into a water snake to go past. Wait! If I turn into a water snake, Master's spirit might know and blame me, a monk, for transforming into a snake. Should I turn into a small crab to pass? That's not good either; Master might blame me, a monk, for having too many legs." So, he became a water rat, and with a swift dart, he scurried across, through the water-flowing drain, and into the inner courtyard. He peered out and saw a small demon in a sunny spot arranging pieces of human flesh to dry.

Monkey King thought, "Oh, my! That must be Master's flesh, leftovers, being dried as jerky to save for cloudy days. If I reveal my true form and rush forward to kill him with one blow, it would show courage but no wisdom. I'll transform again and go deeper to find the old monster and see what happens." He leaped out of the drain, shook himself, and transformed into a winged ant. Truly, it was—

Weak in strength, small in body, named Dark Steed,Through long cultivation, it grew wings to fly.Casually crossing bridges, arranging formations,Joyfully battling immortal strategies beneath the bed.Knowing when rain comes, it always seals its nest,Accumulating much dust, it turns to ash.Clever, light, and agile,Unnoticed, it passed the brushwood gate many times.

He spread his wings, silently and invisibly, flying directly into the main hall. He saw the old monster sitting there, filled with vexation. Suddenly, a small demon leaped in from behind and reported, "Your Majesty, ten thousand blessings!"

The old demon asked, "Whence comes this joy?"

The small demon replied, "I just scouted outside the back gate by the stream and suddenly heard someone weeping loudly. I immediately climbed to the peak and looked, and it was Pigsy, Sun Wukong, and Sandy bowing and weeping bitterly at a grave. They must have mistaken that human head for Tang Monk's head and buried it, making a grave to weep over."

Monkey King, listening in the dark, rejoiced in his heart, "If this is true, my Master is still hidden somewhere and hasn't been eaten. I'll go look for him again to see if he's alive or dead, then I'll confront them."

The brave Great Sage flew into the main hall, looking around. He saw a small door nearby, tightly shut. He squeezed through a crack in the door and saw it was a large garden. Faintly, he heard sounds of sorrow. He flew directly into the depths and saw a cluster of large trees, beneath which two people were tied, one of whom was Tang Monk. Seeing him, Monkey King felt an unbearable itch in his heart. He couldn't help but reveal his true form and called out, "Master!"

The Elder recognized him and, shedding tears, said, "Wukong, you've come? Quickly save me! Wukong, Wukong!"

Monkey King said, "Master, don't keep calling my name; there are people nearby, and we might alert them. Since you are alive, I can save you. That monster thought he had already eaten you and used a fake head to deceive me. We have been fiercely fighting him. Master, don't worry, just bear with it a little longer. I will subdue that demon first, then it will be easier to rescue you."

The Great Sage recited a spell, then shook himself and transformed back into an ant, returning to the main hall and perching on the main beam. He saw the surviving small demons gathered in clusters, murmuring and clamoring. Suddenly, a small demon leaped out and reported, "Your Majesty, they saw the gate was blocked and couldn't break in, so they gave up hope, abandoned Tang Monk, and made a grave out of the fake human head. They'll cry all day today, then all day tomorrow, and on the third day, after the mourning period, they'll go back. Once we hear they've dispersed, we'll bring out Tang Monk, chop him into pieces, stew him with plenty of spices, and everyone can eat a fragrant piece for longevity."

Another small demon clapped his hands and said, "Don't say it, don't say it! Steamed is even tastier!"

Another said, "Boiled is better, it saves firewood."

Yet another said, "He's a rare delicacy; add some salt to cure him, and he'll last longer."

Monkey King, listening from the beam, was furious. "What deep hatred does my Master have with you that you plot to eat him like this!" He immediately pulled out a handful of hairs, chewed them to bits in his mouth, blew them out lightly, and secretly recited a spell, turning them all into 'sleeping bugs,' which he scattered onto the faces of the demons. One by one, they burrowed into noses, and the small demons gradually began to doze off. Before long, they all fell asleep. Only the old demon could not sleep soundly; he rubbed his head and face with both hands, constantly sneezing and pinching his nose.

Monkey King thought, "Could he have realized? I'll give him a 'double lamp wick'!" He pulled out another hair, copied the original, and threw it onto his face. It burrowed into his nostril. Two bugs, one entering from the left and one from the right. The old demon stretched, yawned twice, and then fell soundly asleep.

Monkey King secretly rejoiced. He then leaped down and revealed his true form. He took out his cudgel from his ear, shook it, making it as thick as a duck egg, and with a *clang*, broke down the side door. He ran to the back garden, shouting, "Master!"

The Elder said, "Disciple, quickly untie these ropes; they're hurting me."

Monkey King said, "Master, don't rush. Let me kill the demon first, then I'll come back to untie you." He quickly turned and ran to the main hall. Just as he raised his cudgel to strike, he hesitated, "No, this is bad! I should untie Master first before striking." He returned to the garden, then thought again, "I'll strike first, then rescue." After going back and forth two or three times, he finally danced and jumped into the garden.

When the Elder saw him, his sorrow turned to joy, "Monkey, you must have seen that I was not harmed, which is why you're so happy and dancing like this?" Monkey King then approached, untied the ropes, and led his Master away. He then heard the person tied to the opposite tree call out, "Your Majesty, please show great compassion and save my life too!"

The Elder stopped and said, "Wukong, untie that person as well."

Monkey King asked, "Who is he?"

The Elder replied, "He was captured a day before me. He is a woodcutter, and he said his mother is old and misses him very much; he is truly a filial son. Let's save him too." Monkey King obeyed, untied his ropes, and led him out through the back door as well. They climbed up the rocky cliff and crossed the steep stream.

The Elder thanked him, "My worthy disciple, thanks to you, you saved his life and mine! Where are Wuneng and Wujing?"

Monkey King said, "They are both over there crying for you. You can call out to them."

The Elder indeed called out loudly, "Pigsy, Pigsy!"

The idiot, muddled from crying, wiped his snot and tears, saying, "Sandy, Master has come home to haunt us! He's calling us over there, isn't he?"

Monkey King stepped forward and shouted, "Blockhead! Haunt? Isn't Master right here?"

Sandy looked up, saw him, and hastily knelt before him, saying, "Master, how much suffering you endured! How did Big Brother manage to save you?" Monkey King recounted all the previous events.

Hearing this, Pigsy gnashed his teeth in hatred, unable to restrain himself. He raised his rake and, with a single burst, tore down the grave mound, dug out the human head, and mashed it to a pulp with his rake.

Tang Monk asked, "Why are you destroying it?"

Pigsy replied, "Master, I don't know whose dead person that was, but I was made to cry towards it!"

The Elder said, "Thanks to him, my life was saved. When you brothers attacked his gate, shouting for me, he must have used him as a substitute; otherwise, he would have killed me. Bury him again; it shows our compassion as monks." Hearing the Elder's words, the idiot then buried the pulpy remains and built another grave mound.

Monkey King then chuckled, "Master, please sit for a moment. I'll go clear them out." He then leaped down the rocky cliff, crossed the stream, and entered the cave. He took the ropes that had bound Tang Monk and the woodcutter into the main hall. The old demon was still asleep, so he immediately bound him tightly, like a pig trussed for slaughter. He used his golden-banded cudgel to scoop him up and held him on his shoulder, heading straight out the back door.

Pigsy, seeing him from afar, said, "Brother, you're good at this carrying business! Wouldn't it be better to find another one to carry on your other shoulder?"

Monkey King put the demon down in front of them. Pigsy raised his rake to strike.

Monkey King said, "Wait! There are still small demons in the cave we haven't caught yet."

Pigsy said, "Brother, if there are, take me in to fight them."

Monkey King replied, "Fighting them would take too much effort. It's better to find some firewood and destroy them root and branch." Hearing this, the woodcutter immediately led Pigsy to a hollow on the east side, where they found some broken bamboo branches, withered pine leaves, hollow willow branches, broken vines, yellow mugwort, old reeds, cattails, and dried mulberry wood. They carried a considerable amount and brought it into the back door. Monkey King lit a fire, and Pigsy fanned the flames with his ears. The Great Sage leaped up, shook himself, and recalled the sleeping-bug hairs.

The small demons awakened, but the smoke and fire raged. Alas! Not even half of them escaped with their lives. The entire cave dwelling was burned to ashes. They then returned to see their Master. When the Master heard the old demon stir and moan, he called out, "Disciple, the demon is awake!" Pigsy stepped forward with one rake blow and killed the old monster, who reverted to its true form: an Artemisia-leaf patterned leopard demon.

Monkey King said, "A patterned leopard can eat tigers, and now it can even transform into a human. Killing it now truly eliminates future trouble!" The Elder expressed endless gratitude, climbed onto his horse.

The woodcutter said, "Venerable Sirs, not far southwest from here is my humble abode. Please visit my home, meet my mother, express our gratitude for saving our lives, and allow us to see you off." The Elder was delighted and, instead of riding, walked with the woodcutter and the four disciples. They headed southwest. After a short distance, they indeed saw—

Stone paths heavily overgrown with moss,A woven gate adorned with vine flowers.Mountain scenery connected on all four sides,A forest full of chirping birds.Dense pines and bamboos intertwining their greenness,Various exotic flowers blooming profusely.A secluded place deep in the clouds,A home with bamboo fence and thatched hut.

From afar, they saw an old woman leaning against the wattle gate, her eyes brimming with tears, weeping bitterly to heaven and earth for her son. When the woodcutter saw his mother, he left the Elder and hurriedly ran to the wattle gate, kneeling down and calling, "Mother, your son has returned!" The old woman embraced him, saying, "Son! You haven't been home for days; I thought the mountain lord had taken you and ended your life, and my heart was in unbearable pain. Since you haven't been harmed, why have you only come today? Where are your rope-carrier and ax?"

The woodcutter prostrated himself and said, "Mother, your son was indeed taken by the mountain lord and tied to a tree; it was truly difficult to save my life. Fortunately, these venerable sirs came to my rescue! This venerable sir is a Lohan from the Tang Dynasty of the Eastern Lands, journeying to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures. That venerable sir was also captured and tied to a tree by the mountain lord. His three disciple sirs possess vast magical powers and beat the mountain lord to death; he was an Artemisia-leaf patterned leopard demon. All the small demons were burned to death. They then untied and rescued that venerable elder, and even rescued your son. This is truly a profound and boundless kindness! Without them, your son would surely have died. Now the mountain is peaceful, and your son can travel even at night without worry."

Hearing this, the old woman bowed step by step, welcoming the Elder and the four disciples into her wattle gate and thatched hut to sit. Mother and son prostrated themselves in endless gratitude. They hastily prepared a vegetarian meal as thanks.

Pigsy said, "Brother woodcutter, I see your home is humble. Just a simple meal will suffice; please don't trouble yourselves with a grand spread."

The woodcutter replied, "To be frank, venerable sirs, my home in these mountains is truly humble. There are no mushrooms, fungi, Sichuan peppers, or exotic spices. Only a few kinds of wild vegetables to offer you, just to express my humble gratitude."

Pigsy chuckled, "Nonsense, nonsense. Just make it quick. We're hungry."

The woodcutter said, "They're coming, they're coming!" Indeed, in a short while, tables and benches were arranged, and dishes were served. It was truly a few plates of wild vegetables. They saw—

Tender blanched daylily, sour dandelion.Floating water-caltrop purslane, river shepherd's purse, goose intestine greens.Swallows don't come, fragrant and tender; buds curled small, crisp and still green.Softly boiled wild indigo, blanched dog's paw.Cat's ears, wild dock, lamb's quarters cooked soft and edible;Scissor-legs, bull's-tongue, inverted snail-shell, broom mustard.Pepperwort, lettuce mustard, a few varieties green, fragrant, and smooth.Oil-fried black evening primrose, water chestnut family quite commendable;Cattail root and wild rice stem, four kinds truly pure from near water.Shepherd's purse, delicate and fine; patched cloth, don't wear it;Bitter hemp under the fence.Sparrow cotton, monkey's footprint; sizzling fried, only good to eat.Slanted mugwort, green mugwort embracing mother mugwort, moths flying onto the buckwheat.Lamb's ear, goji sprouts, plus black indigo without oil.A few kinds of wild vegetables with one pot of rice, the woodcutter's devout offering of gratitude.

The Master and disciples ate their fill, then prepared to set off. The woodcutter dared not detain them longer. He invited his mother out, and they bowed and thanked them again. The woodcutter simply prostrated himself, took a jujube wood staff, secured his clothes, and accompanied them out. Sandy led the horse, Pigsy carried the luggage, Monkey King closely followed on either side, and the Elder, riding, cupped his hands, saying, "Brother woodcutter, please lead the way to the main road, where we shall bid farewell."

Together they ascended heights and descended slopes, traversing streams and seeking paths. The Elder, on his horse, pondered: My disciples—

Since parting ways with my lord for the Western Regions,The distant path stretches on and on.Disasters from waters and mountains cannot be escaped,From demons and monsters, lives are hard to save.Our hearts are solely for the Tripitaka scriptures,Our thoughts still aspire to the nine heavens.When will this toilsome journey end,When will we complete it and return to the Tang Dynasty!

The woodcutter heard him and said, "Venerable Sir, please do not worry. This main road, heading west for less than a thousand *li*, will lead to India, the Land of Ultimate Bliss." Hearing this, the Elder dismounted, saying, "Thank you for accompanying us so far. Since we are on the main road, please return home, Brother woodcutter, and convey my deepest respects to your venerable mother. For the generous feast just now, this poor monk has no way to repay you, but I will pray and recite scriptures morning and night, wishing your mother and son peace and longevity for a hundred years." The woodcutter bowed in respectful farewell and returned on his way. The Master and disciples then continued straight west.

It was truly: Subduing monsters, resolving grievances, escaping suffering; receiving kindness, continuing the journey with dedication. Ultimately, who knows how many more days until they reach the Western Heaven; listen to the next chapter for the breakdown.