Chapter 92: Three Monks Battle Qinglong Mountain Four Stars Capture the Rhino Demon

Meanwhile, Monkey King, accompanied by his two junior brothers, rode the wind and clouds towards the northeast. In a flash, they arrived at the entrance of the Profound Shadow Cave on Azure Dragon Mountain and landed. Pigsy immediately wanted to smash the door, but Monkey said, "Hold on. Let me go in first and see if Master is alive, then we can confront them." Sandy asked, "The door is tightly shut. How can you get in?" Monkey replied, "I have my own magic."

The Great Sage, putting away his staff, formed a hand-seal, chanted a spell, and cried, "Change!" Immediately, he transformed into a firefly. He was truly agile!

With wings that sparkled like a stream of stars, just as ancient lore says decaying grass turns to fireflies. His magical transformations were truly profound, allowing him to flit about freely.

He flew close to the stone gate, hovering, noticing a crack beside it where the wind blew through. He darted in, arriving in the secluded courtyard, to scout out the demons' movements.

As he flew in, he saw several bull demons lying sprawled, each snoring like thunder, all fast asleep. He then went to the main hall, but there was no sign of anyone. The doors and passages led everywhere, and he didn't know where the three demons were sleeping. Just as he turned past the hall, looking further back, he heard the sound of weeping. It was Tang Monk, chained to a pillar in the back room, crying. Monkey secretly listened to what he was crying about. He heard him lament:

"It's been over a decade since I left Chang'an, enduring hardships, climbing mountains and fording rivers. I was fortunate to reach the Western Regions during a festival, arriving joyfully in Jiping for the Lantern Festival. I failed to recognize the false Buddhas in the lanterns, a misfortune due to my destiny. My worthy disciple pursued them with great power; I only hope this hero can fully wield his might."

Hearing this, Monkey was overjoyed. He spread his wings and flew close to his Master. Tang Monk wiped his tears and exclaimed, "Ah! The Western Regions are different. It's only the first month, and hibernating insects are just stirring. Why are there fireflies flying?" Monkey could not help himself and cried out, "Master, I'm here!" Tang Monk joyfully said, "Wukong, I was wondering how there could be fireflies in the first month. So it was you!"

Monkey immediately resumed his true form and said, "Master, because you couldn't distinguish true from false, we've lost so much time and wasted so much effort. I told you they weren't good people, but you bowed anyway. Then this demon obscured the lantern light, stole the fragrant oil, and even snatched you away. I had already told Pigsy and Sandy to return to the monastery to guard it. I immediately followed the scent here, not knowing the place. Fortunately, I met the Four Duty Deities who informed me that this mountain is called Azure Dragon Mountain, and the cave is Profound Shadow Cave. I fought with this demon all day until nightfall before returning. I explained the situation in detail to my junior brothers, and we didn't sleep, but came here together. I feared it would be inconvenient to fight deep in the night, and I didn't know your whereabouts, so I transformed to come in and check on you."

Tang Monk happily asked, "Are Pigsy and Sandy outside now?" Monkey said, "Yes, they are outside. Just now, when I came in, the demons were all asleep. Let me unlock you, force open the door, and take you out." Tang Monk nodded and thanked him.

Monkey used an unlocking spell. With a swipe of his hand, the lock instantly opened. He was leading his Master forward when suddenly, they heard the demon king shout from an inner room in the main hall: "Minions, tightly close the gates! Watch out for fire! Why are there no patrols or bell-ringing at this hour?" It turned out that the minor demons, having fought all day, were exhausted and fast asleep. Hearing the call, they just woke up. As the gongs and bells sounded, several armed demons, beating gongs, walked from the back and happened to bump into the Master and disciple. The minor demons all shouted, "Aha, monks! Where are you going, with the lock twisted open?"

Monkey, without a word, pulled out his staff, shook it once to make it as thick as a bowl, and started to strike. With a swing of his staff, he killed two. The rest dropped their weapons and rushed to the main hall, banging on the door and shouting, "Great King! This is bad, this is bad! The hairy-faced monk is killing people inside!" The three demons heard this and scrambled up, crying, "Seize him, seize him!" Tang Monk was so frightened that his hands and feet went limp. Monkey ignored his Master, swinging his staff, he charged forward. The minor demons couldn't block him. He knocked down two or three, pushed over two or three more, broke open several layers of doors, and came out directly, shouting, "Brothers, where are you?" Pigsy and Sandy were waiting, holding their rakes, and asked, "Brother, what happened?" Monkey quickly explained how he had transformed, freed their Master, and was about to leave, but the demons had been alerted, forcing him to abandon Master and fight his way out.

The demon king seized Tang Monk, chained him again with iron shackles, held a knife, wielded an axe, and with the lanterns burning brightly, demanded, "You wretch, how did you open the lock? How did that monkey get in? Confess quickly, and I'll spare your life! Otherwise, I'll cut you in two with one stroke!" Tang Monk, trembling with fear, knelt and said, "Your Majesty, Great King! My disciple Sun Wukong can perform seventy-two transformations. He just transformed into a firefly and flew in to rescue me. Unexpectedly, Your Majesty was alerted, and the junior kings and others discovered him. My disciple, not knowing any better, injured two of them, and everyone started shouting and preparing to fight, so he had to abandon me and flee." The three demon kings burst into laughter, "It's good we were alerted early! He didn't get away!" They ordered the minor demons to tightly close the front and back doors and to keep quiet.

Sandy said, "They've closed the doors and are quiet. They must be secretly harming Master. Let's attack!" Monkey said, "You're right. Let's smash the door quickly." That idiot, showing off his powers, lifted his rake and struck with all his might, shattering the stone door to pieces. Then he loudly cursed, "Oil-stealing monsters! Bring my Master out immediately!" The minor demons inside the gate were so frightened that they scrambled back to report, "Great King! This is bad, this is bad! The front door has been smashed by the monk!" The three demon kings were extremely annoyed. "This fellow is truly impudent!" They immediately ordered their armor to be brought, dressed themselves, took their weapons, and led the minor demons out to meet the enemy. It was around the third watch (midnight), and the moon in the sky was as bright as day. They came out without a word and immediately clashed their weapons. Monkey blocked the battle-axe, Pigsy fought the broadsword, and Sandy met the heavy staff. It was a magnificent battle—

The three monks, armed with staff, cudgel, and rake, faced three increasingly emboldened demons. Battle-axes, steel swords, and bamboo whips whizzed through the air, stirring up dust and wind. Their initial clashes spewed forth a chilling mist, then they soared, scattering colorful clouds. The rake performed its various moves with ease, and the iron staff displayed even greater heroism. The Demon-Subduing Staff was a rare sight, yet the demons' stubborn resolve matched it. The battle-axe glinted sharply, its point deadly; the bamboo whip was knotted and patterned all over. The broadsword gleamed like a door, but the monks' magical powers surpassed them. On one side, they fought fiercely for their Master's life; on the other, the demons refused to release Tang Monk, striking at his face. Axes chopped and staves parried in a struggle for victory; rakes whirled and swords slashed in repeated, intense clashes. The cracking bamboo whip battled the strange staff, each side repeatedly displaying its might.

The three monks and three demons fought for a long time without a clear victor. The Chiller King shouted, "Minions, come forward!" The demons, each holding weapons, all rushed forward. They quickly tripped Pigsy, and several water buffalo demons dragged him, pulling and tugging, into the cave and tied him up. Sandy saw that Pigsy was gone and heard the herd of buffaloes bellowing. He immediately drew his precious staff, feigned an attack towards the Miasma King as if to escape, but was again surrounded by the demons. They dragged him by the heel, and he couldn't get up, so he was also captured and tied. Monkey realized it was a difficult situation. He activated his Cloud Somersault and escaped.

At that moment, Pigsy and Sandy were dragged before Tang Monk. Seeing them, Tang Monk's eyes filled with tears. "Alas, you two have also fallen into their clutches! Where is Wukong?" Sandy said, "When Elder Brother saw us being captured, he just left." Tang Monk said, "If he left, he must have gone somewhere to seek help. But we don't know when we'll be freed from this trap." The Master and disciples were in a miserable state, but we'll stop discussing that for now.

Meanwhile, Monkey King, riding his Cloud Somersault, returned to the Monastery of Benevolent Clouds. The monks there met him and asked, "Has Master Tang been rescued?" Monkey said, "Hard to rescue, hard to rescue! Those demons are immensely powerful. My two brothers and I fought their three for a long time. Then they called their minor demons, who first captured Pigsy, then Sandy. Fortunately, I managed to escape." The monks, frightened, said, "Even you, Grandmaster, who can ride clouds and mists, couldn't capture them. Our Master must have been harmed." Monkey said, "Don't worry, don't worry! My Master is secretly protected by the Garan, the Dì, and the Ding-Jia gods. He has also eaten the Herb of Revival, so he won't be harmed. It's just that those demons are very skilled. You should guard the horses and luggage well. I'm going up to Heaven to request reinforcements." The monks, fearful, asked, "Grandmaster, you can go to Heaven too?" Monkey laughed, "The Heavenly Palace is my old home. Back when I was the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, I caused trouble at the Peach Banquet, and was subdued by the Buddha. Now, having no choice, I escort Tang Monk on his scripture-seeking journey to atone for my sins. All along the way, I've helped the righteous and eliminated evil. My Master was destined to encounter this difficulty, though you may not know it." Hearing this, the monks again prostrated themselves in worship. Monkey stepped out, gave a whistle, and instantly vanished.

The Great Sage arrived swiftly outside the Western Gate of Heaven. He suddenly saw the Grand White Planet conversing with the Growth King and the Four Spiritual Officials: Yin, Zhu, Tao, and Xu. When they saw Monkey approaching, they hastily bowed and asked, "Great Sage, where are you going?" Monkey said, "While escorting Tang Monk, we reached Minxian County in Jiping Prefecture, on the eastern border of Tianzhu Kingdom. My Master was kept by the monks of Benevolent Clouds Monastery in this county to enjoy the Lantern Festival. When we arrived at Golden Lantern Bridge, there were three golden lanterns. The oil used to light them, a fragrant ghee, was worth over fifty thousand taels of silver. Each year, various Buddhas would descend to enjoy it. As we watched, three Buddha statues indeed descended. My Master, not knowing any better, went onto the bridge and bowed. I told him they weren't good people, but they quickly obscured the lantern light and, along with the oil, snatched my Master away with a gust of wind. I followed the wind in pursuit. At dawn, I reached a mountain. Fortunately, the Four Duty Deities reported that the mountain was called Azure Dragon Mountain, and it had Profound Shadow Cave, where three demons resided, named Chiller King, Heat King, and Miasma King. I urgently went to their door to demand Master's return and fought them for a while, but didn't win. So I transformed and went inside, saw Master chained but unharmed, then immediately freed him and was about to leave when they were alerted, so I fled. Later, I fought hard with Pigsy and Sandy, but they captured and tied up both of them as well. Therefore, I have specifically come to inform the Jade Emperor, to investigate their origins, and to request a decree to subdue them."

The Grand White Planet chuckled coldly and said, "Great Sage, since you've engaged with the demons, how could you not discern their origin?" Monkey said, "I do recognize them; they are a group of ox demons. But they have great magical powers, so I couldn't subdue them quickly." The Grand White Planet said, "Those are three rhinoceros spirits. Because they possess celestial auspicious signs, they have cultivated themselves over many years to become immortals, and can also fly on clouds and walk through mist. These demons are extremely fond of cleanliness; they often dislike their own shadows and frequently wish to bathe in water. They come in many varieties: there are *sirhino*, male rhino, bull rhino, spotted rhino, as well as *humao rhino*, *duoluo rhino*, and *tongtianhuawen rhino*. All have one nostril, three hairs, and two horns, and can travel through rivers and seas, able to open up waterways. Rhinos like Chiller, Heat, and Miasma all have noble auras in their horns, which is why they take these names and call themselves kings. If you want to capture them, only the Four Wood Animal Stars will be able to subdue them upon sight." Monkey hastily bowed and asked, "Which are the Four Wood Animal Stars? Please, Elder Chang Geng, enlighten me in detail." The Grand White Planet laughed, "These stars are outside the Dipper-Ox Palace, spread throughout the universe. Go and report to the Jade Emperor, and you will understand." Monkey clasped his hands in thanks and proceeded directly into the Heavenly Gate.

Before long, he arrived at the Hall of Pervading Light and first met the Four Heavenly Masters: Ge, Qiu, Zhang, and Xu. The Heavenly Masters asked, "Where are you going?" Monkey said, "Recently, we traveled to Jiping Prefecture. Because my Master relaxed his meditative nature and watched the lanterns on the Lantern Festival night, he was snatched away by demons. I, your humble servant, could not subdue them, so I specifically came to report to the Jade Emperor and seek help." The Four Heavenly Masters immediately led Monkey to the Hall of Miraculous Mists to report. After they all bowed, they fully explained the situation. The Jade Emperor issued a decree: "Which heavenly troops should be summoned to assist?" Monkey reported, "Just now, I arrived at the Western Gate of Heaven and met the Grand White Planet, who said that the demons are rhinoceros spirits, and only the Four Wood Animal Stars can subdue them." The Jade Emperor immediately dispatched Heavenly Master Xu to accompany Monkey to the Dipper-Ox Palace to summon the Four Wood Animal Stars to descend to the mortal world and subdue the demons.

Upon reaching outside the palace, the Twenty-Eight Constellations were already there to greet them. The Heavenly Master said, "I have received a sacred decree to summon the Four Wood Animal Stars to descend to the mortal world with the Great Sage Sun to subdue demons." Immediately, Horned Wood Dragon, Dipper Wood Xiezhi, Striding Wood Wolf, and Well Wood Beast stepped forward and responded, calling out, "Great Sage Sun, where do you need us to subdue demons?" Monkey laughed, "So it's you! That Elder Chang Geng concealed this from me. I didn't understand his meaning. If he had just said they were the Four Wood Stars among the Twenty-Eight Constellations, I would have come directly to invite you. Why bother with a decree?" The Four Wood Stars said, "Great Sage, what are you saying? Without a decree, who would dare to leave without authorization? Where exactly is this place? Let's go quickly." Monkey said, "It's in the Profound Shadow Cave on Azure Dragon Mountain, in the northeast direction of Jiping Prefecture. They are rhinoceros spirits." Dipper Wood Xiezhi, Striding Wood Wolf, and Horned Wood Dragon said, "If it's truly a rhinoceros spirit, we don't need all of us. Just Well Wood Beast should suffice. He can eat tigers on mountains and capture rhinos in the sea." Monkey said, "These rhinos are not like ordinary rhinos that gaze at the moon. They are cultivated beings who have attained the Dao, all with a thousand years of life. It would be best if all four of you go together. Do not decline, lest if one of you cannot subdue them, it would be troublesome again, wouldn't it?" The Heavenly Master said, "What are you talking about? The decree specified all four of you. How can you not go? Fly there quickly; I shall return to report the decree." The Heavenly Master then took his leave of Monkey and departed.

The Four Wood Stars said, "Great Sage, don't hesitate. You go first to challenge them and draw them out. We will follow and act." Monkey immediately approached and cursed, "Oil-stealing monsters! Return my Master!" It turned out that the door Pigsy had smashed was temporarily blocked by a few minor demons with some planks. Hearing the curses from inside, they rushed in to report, "Great King, Monk Sun is outside cursing!" Miasma King said, "He was defeated and left. Why is he back today? He must have gone somewhere to get reinforcements." Chiller and Heat Kings said, "What reinforcements do we fear? Bring our armor quickly! Minions, pay attention and surround him carefully, don't let him escape!" That group of spirits, unaware of their impending doom, each holding spears and knives, waving flags and beating drums, came out of the cave and shouted at Monkey, "You fearless monkey! You're back again!" Monkey was most annoyed by the word "monkey." Gritting his teeth, he fiercely raised his iron staff and struck. The three demon kings deployed their minor demons, forming a circular formation, encircling Monkey in the center.

From that side, the Four Wood Animal Stars, each brandishing their weapons, shouted, "You beasts! Stop fighting!" The three demon kings, seeing the four stars, naturally became frightened and all cried, "This is bad, this is bad! He's brought subduers! Minions, run for your lives!" They only heard huffing and puffing, gasping and chuckling. The minor demons all revealed their true forms: they were mountain ox spirits, water ox spirits, and yellow ox spirits, running wildly all over the mountain. The three demon kings also revealed their true forms. They put down their hands, which were now four hooves, like iron cannons, and ran straight towards the northeast. The Great Sage, leading Well Wood Beast and Horned Wood Dragon, pursued them closely and relentlessly. Only Dipper Wood Xiezhi and Striding Wood Wolf were in the eastern mountain hollows, on the mountain peaks, in the mountain streams, and within the valleys, thoroughly capturing all the ox spirits, both dead and alive. They then went into the Profound Shadow Cave and released Tang Monk, Pigsy, and Sandy. Sandy recognized the two stars and immediately bowed in thanks, asking, "How did you two come to rescue us here?" The two stars said, "We were summoned by a decree from the Jade Emperor, requested by Great Sage Sun, to subdue the monsters and rescue you." Tang Monk again shed tears and said, "Why isn't my disciple Wukong coming in?" The two stars said, "Those three old monsters are three rhinoceroses. When they saw us, they fled for their lives, each escaping towards the northeast. Great Sage Sun, leading Well Wood Beast and Horned Wood Dragon, went in pursuit. We two stars have swept clean the herd of oxen and came here specifically to free the Holy Monk." Tang Monk bowed his head again in thanks, and then bowed towards Heaven. Pigsy helped him up and said, "Master, too much courtesy can be deceitful. You don't need to keep bowing. The Four Star Officials are here, firstly, because of the Jade Emperor's decree, and secondly, because of Elder Brother's efforts. Now that the minor demons have been swept away, and we don't know how the old demons will be subdued, let's gather some valuables from inside, overturn this cave to eradicate its roots, and return to the monastery to await Elder Brother." Striding Wood Wolf said, "Marshal Tianpeng speaks reasonably. You and General Curtain-Raising protect your Master and return to the monastery to rest. We shall go back to the northeast to confront the enemy." Pigsy said, "Exactly, exactly. You two should cooperate in the capture. You must exterminate them all before reporting back." The two star officials immediately went in pursuit.

Pigsy and Sandy took the valuables from inside the cave—a great many corals, agates, pearls, amber, jades, precious treasures, beautiful jades, and fine gold. They gathered a stone's worth of these items, carried them outside, and asked Master to sit on the cliff. Then Pigsy went back in and set the cave on fire, burning it to ashes. Only then did he lead Tang Monk to find their way back to the Monastery of Benevolent Clouds in Jiping. It was truly—

As the scriptures say, extreme peace can revert to misfortune; indeed, disaster often strikes amidst joy. His appreciation of the lanterns disturbed his meditative nature, and his delight in the beautiful scenery diluted his Daoist resolve. The great elixir should be guarded forever; to lose it means ultimate failure. Keep it tightly secured, do not let it wander; even a moment of laxity can lead to disparity.

Let us set aside the three monks' safe return to the monastery and speak instead of Dipper Wood Xiezhi and Striding Wood Wolf, who rode their clouds directly northeast, pursuing the demons. The two, searching in mid-air, could not see them until they reached the Western Ocean. From afar, they saw Great Sage Sun shouting on the sea. The two landed their clouds and asked, "Great Sage, where have the demons gone?" Monkey angrily said, "Why didn't you two come to pursue and subdue them? Now you're foolishly asking what happened?" Dipper Wood Xiezhi said, "We saw the Great Sage, along with Well Wood Beast and Horned Wood Dragon, defeat the demons and give chase, assuming they would surely be captured. We two then swept away the minor demons, entered Profound Shadow Cave, and rescued your Master and junior brothers. We searched the mountain, burned the cave, and entrusted your Master to your second brother to lead back to the prefectural city's Benevolent Clouds Monastery. After a long time, we didn't see your return, so we pursued you here."

Hearing this, Monkey was finally pleased and thanked them, saying, "In that case, you have rendered a great service, much trouble, much trouble indeed! However, those three demons, when I chased them here, burrowed into the sea. Well Wood Beast and Horned Wood Dragon are closely pursuing them, and I was holding them off on the shore. Since you two have arrived, please guard the shore, and I will go back in." The Great Sage, swinging his staff and forming a hand-seal, parted a path through the water and plunged directly into the depths of the waves. There, he saw the three demons fighting desperately with Well Wood Beast and Horned Wood Dragon beneath the water. He leaped forward and shouted, "Old Monkey is here!" The demons, facing the two star officials, were caught off guard and in a critical situation. Suddenly hearing Monkey's shout, they thought of their remaining lives and turned to flee rapidly towards the center of the sea. It turned out that the horns on these demons' heads were extremely capable of parting water. They only heard a gushing sound as a clear path opened up. The two star officials and Great Sage Sun behind them pursued them with combined effort.

Now, in the Western Sea, there was a sea-scouting yaksha and a patrolling crab general. From afar, they saw the rhinoceroses parting the waters and recognized Great Sage Sun and the two heavenly stars. They immediately rushed to the Crystal Palace and reported to the Dragon King in a fluster, "Great King! Three rhinoceroses are being pursued by the Great Sage Equaling Heaven and two heavenly stars!" Old Dragon King Ao Shun, hearing this, immediately called Prince Moang, "Quickly summon the water soldiers! It must be those three rhinoceros spirits—Chiller, Heat, and Miasma—who provoked Sun Wukong. Since they are now in the sea, quickly draw your swords and assist!" Ao Moang received the order and immediately mustered his troops. In an instant, turtles, soft-shelled turtles, alligators, various fish, and shrimp soldiers and crab generals, each holding spears and knives, all shouted and surged out of the Crystal Palace, blocking the rhinoceros spirits. The rhinoceros spirits could not advance and hastily retreated. But then Well Wood Beast, Horned Wood Dragon, and the Great Sage blocked their way. In their panic, they became separated, each fleeing for their lives and scattering in all directions. The Miasma King was soon surrounded by the Old Dragon King and his troops.

Great Sage Sun was delighted to see this and shouted, "Hold on, hold on! Capture them alive, not dead!" Moang obeyed the order and swarmed forward, wrestling Miasma King to the ground. They pierced his nose with an iron hook and tied him up by his hooves. The Old Dragon King then issued another order, commanding his forces to split and pursue the other two, assisting the two star officials in their capture. Immediately, the young Dragon King led his forces forward. They saw Well Wood Beast revert to his true form, pinning down Chiller King, gnawing and eating him in large and small bites. Moang shouted, "Well Star, Well Star! Don't bite him to death! Great Sage Sun wants them alive, not dead!" Despite shouting several times, Chiller King's neck had already been bitten off. Moang ordered the shrimp soldiers and crab generals to carry the dead rhinoceros back to the Crystal Palace. Then he and Well Wood Beast continued the pursuit. They saw Horned Wood Dragon driving the Heat King back, who then ran right into Well Wood Beast. Moang, leading the turtles, soft-shelled turtles, and alligators, spread out a sieve-like formation and surrounded him. The demon kept crying, "Mercy, mercy!" Well Wood Beast walked closer, grabbed him by the ear, snatched his knife, and shouted, "I won't kill you, I won't kill you! I'll take you to Great Sage Sun for him to decide." They immediately stopped fighting and returned to report outside the Crystal Palace, "They've all been captured!"

Monkey saw one with its head severed, bleeding profusely, lying on the ground. Another was being dragged by the ear by Well Wood Beast, forced to kneel. He went closer, examined it carefully, and said, "This one's head wasn't severed by a weapon." Moang laughed, "If I hadn't shouted so urgently, Well Star would have eaten the whole body too." Monkey said, "Since that's the case, so be it. Bring a saw, saw off these two horns, and strip the hide to take with us. The rhinoceros meat should be left for the venerable Dragon King and his son to enjoy." He then pierced Miasma King's nose and told Horned Wood Dragon to lead him. Heat King's nose was also pierced, and Well Wood Beast was told to lead him. "Take them to Jiping Prefecture to see the Prefectural Governor. Investigate their origins thoroughly, accuse them of years of impersonating Buddhas to harm the people, and then execute them."

All obeyed, bade farewell to the Dragon King and his son, and left the Western Sea. Leading the rhinoceroses, they met up with Striding Wood Wolf and Dipper Wood Xiezhi, then rode clouds and mist directly back to Jiping Prefecture. Monkey King, stepping on auspicious light, shouted from mid-air, "Prefectural Governor of Jiping, all assistant officials, and military and civilian people inside and outside the city, listen! I am the holy monk dispatched from the Great Tang in the East to retrieve scriptures from the West. These rhinoceros demons are the ones who have yearly presented golden lanterns in your prefecture, falsely impersonating Buddhas and bringing auspicious signs. When we passed through, during the Lantern Festival, we saw these demons seize the lamp oil and my Master. I invited heavenly gods to subdue them. Now, their mountain cave has been cleared, and the demons exterminated, so they can no longer cause harm. From now on, your prefecture must not offer golden lanterns again, to avoid burdening the people and wasting resources."

At the Monastery of Benevolent Clouds, Pigsy and Sandy had just escorted Tang Monk through the monastery gate when they heard Monkey King speaking in mid-air. They immediately left their Master, dropped their burdens, and soared into the sky on wind and clouds to ask Monkey about subduing the demons. Monkey said, "One was bitten to death by Well Star; its horns have been sawn off and hide stripped, and brought along. The other two are captured alive here." Pigsy said, "Let's just throw these two into the city for the officials and people to see, so they know we are saints and deities. Four Star Officials, please withdraw your clouds and descend to the ground. Let's go to the prefectural hall and execute these demons. Their crimes are clear and their guilt is certain. What more is there to discuss?" The Four Stars said, "Marshal Tianpeng has recently become quite knowledgeable in principles and laws!" Pigsy said, "Because I've been a monk for these past few years, I've learned a little."

The gods indeed pushed the rhinoceroses down, and a cluster of colorful clouds descended above the prefectural hall. This frightened the prefectural officials and the people inside and outside the city. Every household set up incense altars, and every family bowed to the heavenly gods. A short while later, the monks from Benevolent Clouds Monastery carried the Elder by palanquin into the prefectural gate. Meeting Monkey King, he ceaselessly expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am indebted to the star officials above for rescuing us. I was worried about not seeing my worthy disciple, but now you have happily returned victorious! However, I don't know where these demons were chased before being captured!" Monkey said, "The day before yesterday, after leaving your esteemed self, I went to Heaven to investigate. The Grand White Planet recognized the demons as rhinoceroses and instructed me to invite the Four Wood Animal Stars. I immediately reported to the Jade Emperor, who graciously decreed their assignment. We fought at the cave entrance. The demon kings fled, and Dipper and Striding Stars then rescued your esteemed self. I, along with Well and Horned Stars, pursued the demons with combined effort, chasing them all the way to the Western Ocean. We were also aided by the Dragon King, who sent his son and troops, which is why we captured them and brought them here for judgment." The Elder praised and thanked him endlessly. They also saw the prefectural governor and his assistant officials and leaders all lighting precious candles, burning incense in full measures, and bowing towards them.

A moment later, Pigsy, getting bold, drew his Buddhist razor and with one swing, chopped off Miasma King's head. With another swing, he also chopped off Heat King's head. Immediately, he took a saw and sawed off all four horns. Great Sage Sun had another idea. He instructed, "Four Star Officials, take these four rhinoceros horns up to Heaven. Present them as tribute to the Jade Emperor and report back regarding the sacred decree." As for the two he had brought: "Leave one in the prefectural treasury as proof for future exemption from lamp oil tribute. We will take one to offer to the Buddha at Spirit Mountain." The Four Stars were overjoyed. They immediately bowed farewell to the Great Sage, then suddenly ascended on colorful clouds to report back.

The prefectural officials kept the four Master and disciples, arranged a grand vegetarian banquet, and invited all local officials to accompany them. On one side, they issued a public notice, informing the military and civilian populace that golden lanterns would not be allowed to be displayed in subsequent years, and the duty of purchasing oil for wealthy households would be permanently abolished. On another side, they ordered butchers to skin the rhinoceroses, process the hides by curing and smoking them, and make armor, while distributing the meat to officials and common people alike. On yet another side, they drew upon illegally confiscated funds and grains to purchase vacant land from the populace and erect a temple for the Four Stars who had subdued the demons. They also built a shrine for Tang Monk and his three disciples, erecting memorial tablets with inscriptions to be passed down through the ages, as a token of their gratitude.

The Master and disciples simply accepted their hospitality with open hearts. They were then invited and entertained by the two hundred and forty wealthy families who supplied lamp oil, with not a single moment of leisure. Pigsy was completely satisfied and enjoyed himself, secretly tucking a little of each type of treasure from the cave into his sleeves as a reward from each household's banquet. After staying for over a month, still unable to depart, the Elder instructed, "Wukong, give all the remaining treasures to the monks of Benevolent Clouds Monastery as a token of our gratitude. Let's leave before dawn, without alerting those wealthy families. I fear that if we keep indulging in pleasure, we will delay our scripture-seeking journey, incur the Buddha's wrath, and cause more calamities, which would be extremely inconvenient." Monkey then dealt with each of the aforementioned matters.

The next day, they rose early at the fifth watch (3-5 AM) and called Pigsy to prepare the horses. That idiot, having eaten and drunk freely, was in a deep sleep. He mumbled, "Why prepare the horses so early?" Monkey shouted, "Master says it's time to go!" The idiot wiped his face and said, "This Elder is unreliable again! All two hundred and forty wealthy families invited us, and I've only had thirty or so full vegetarian meals. Why make old Pig go hungry again!" The Elder heard this and cursed, "You gluttonous oaf, stop talking nonsense, get up quickly! If you argue again, I'll tell Wukong to hit your teeth with his golden-hooped staff!" Hearing "hit," the idiot panicked. "Master has changed this time! He used to cherish and love me, thinking of my foolishness and protecting me. When Elder Brother wanted to hit me, he would dissuade him. Why is he so fierce today, even telling him to hit me?" Monkey said, "Master is blaming you for delaying the journey because of your appetite. Quickly pack the luggage and prepare the horses to avoid a beating!" That idiot was truly afraid of a beating. He jumped up, put on his clothes, and yelled at Sandy, "Get up quickly, they're coming to hit us!" Sandy also jumped up, and they both finished packing. The Elder waved his hand, saying, "Quietly, quietly, don't disturb the monastery monks." They quickly mounted their horses, opened the monastery gate, and set off.

This departure was truly like: secretly releasing colorful phoenixes from a jade cage, and privately unlocking golden chains for dragons to flee. It is unknown what happened to the grateful families at dawn. We shall hear in the next chapter.