Chapter 95: Fake Combination, True Form Capturing the Jade Rabbit True Yin Returns to Righteousness Meeting the Spiritual Origin

The Tang Monk, full of worry, followed the King to the rear palace. He heard the sound of drums and music rising to the heavens and smelled an extraordinary fragrance filling the air. He kept his head bowed, daring not to look up. Monkey King, secretly delighted, perched on top of Tang Monk’s Vairocana cap. He channeled his divine light and opened his fiery golden gaze to observe. He saw two rows of palace maids, arrayed like celestial beings in a fairy palace, far surpassing the beauty of a spring curtain. Truly, they were:

Graceful and lithe, with skin like jade and ice.Each pair more charming than Chu maidens,Each pair more beautiful than Xi Shi.Cloud-like coiffures adorned with flying phoenixes,Delicate brows curved like distant, low mountains.Sheng and reed pipes played in harmony,Flutes and drums beat frequently.All notes of the scale, high and low, ascended and descended.Clear songs and exquisite dances were always enchanting,Brocade-like formations of flowers and groups of colors delighted the eye.

Monkey King saw that his master remained completely unmoved. He secretly clicked his tongue in admiration, exclaiming, “What a monk, what a monk! Living amidst splendor, yet his heart is without desire; treading on jade, yet his mind is not confused.” A short while later, the Queen and imperial consorts, clustered around the princess, emerged from the Phoenix Palace. They greeted the King in unison, crying, “Long live our King, ten thousand years!” The Elder Monk, flustered, trembled, not knowing what to do. Monkey King, who already knew, saw a faint wisp of demonic aura subtly emanating from the princess’s head, though it was not particularly malevolent. He quickly crawled close to Tang Monk’s ear and whispered, “Master, the princess is a fake.” The Elder Monk asked, “If she’s fake, how can we make her reveal her true form?” Monkey King replied, “I’ll use my true form and capture her right now.” The Elder Monk said, “No, no! Lest we startle His Majesty, let’s wait until the King and Queen have withdrawn, then use our magic.”

Monkey King, being impatient by nature, could not tolerate the delay. He let out a great roar, revealed his true form, rushed forward, seized the princess, and cursed, “You vile creature! You’ve been making a mockery of things here, enjoying yourself immensely. Yet your heart is still not satisfied! You even want to deceive my master, break his primal essence, and satisfy your lust!” This frightened the King, who stood dumbfounded, while the Queen and concubines stumbled and scrambled. None of the palace maids or colorful ladies failed to hide themselves, each scrambling for their lives. It was truly like:

Spring winds blowing wildly, autumn air rustling softly.Spring winds wildly sweeping through the gardens and woods,Thousands of flowers swaying;Autumn air rustling softly through paths and courtyards,Myriad leaves fluttering.Peonies beneath the railings broken by the gusts,Paeonies by the fences blown askew and lying prostrate.Lotuses by the pond banks shaken in disarray,Chrysanthemum petals on the terraces piled up.Crabapples drooped weakly into the dust,Roses with fragrance lay dormant on wild paths.Spring winds broke off water caltrops and lotuses,Winter snow pressed down the tender plum blossoms.Pomegranate petals scattered east and west in the inner court;Willow branches by the bank hung diagonally north and south of the imperial palace.A single night of mad wind and rain for the beautiful flowers,Countless fallen red petals carpeted the ground like brocade.

Tripitaka was even more flustered, trembling as he clutched the King, crying, “Your Majesty, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid! This is my naughty disciple using his magic to distinguish truth from falsehood.”

Meanwhile, the demon, seeing her plan foiled, struggled free, ripped off her clothes, shook her head, scattering her hairpins and ornaments. She immediately ran to the earth god shrine in the imperial garden, pulled out a short club resembling a pounding pestle, and quickly turned to strike Monkey King. Monkey King followed right behind her, using his iron staff to meet her head-on. The two of them roared and yelled, fighting in the garden. Soon, they displayed their great supernatural powers, each summoning clouds and mist, and battling in the sky. This particular fight was:

The golden-hooped iron staff was renowned,The pestle-like short club was unknown to all.One came here to fetch the true scriptures,The other settled here for the love of exotic flowers.The monster had long known of the Tang Holy Monk,Desiring to unite with his primal essence.Last year, she kidnapped the true princess,Transforming into a human to earn affection and admiration.Today, the Great Sage recognized her demonic aura,Rescuing the living, distinguishing true from false.The short club struck fiercely, thrown at his head,The iron staff exerted its power, striking him in the face.Loud and clamorous, the two contended,Clouds and mist filled the sky, obscuring the white sun.

As they fought in mid-air, the entire city’s populace was seized with panic, and all the officials in the court were terrified. The Elder Monk supported the King, repeatedly saying, “Don’t be alarmed! Please calm Her Majesty and the others; do not fear. Your princess is merely a false appearance of the true one. Wait until my disciple captures her, then you will know the truth.” Those among the imperial concubines who were bolder picked up the discarded clothes and hair ornaments and showed them to the Queen, saying, “These are what the princess wore and adorned herself with. Now she has thrown them aside and is fighting naked with that monk in the sky. She must be a demon!” At this, the King, Queen, and others finally composed themselves and looked up at the sky, a sight not worth dwelling on.

The demon and the Great Sage fought for half a day without a decisive victory. Monkey King threw his staff into the air, yelled “Change!” and it transformed from one into ten, ten into a hundred, a hundred into a thousand. In mid-air, they looked like snakes and pythons writhing, wildly striking the demonic creature. The demon panicked, flashed her body, and transformed into a wisp of clear wind, fleeing directly towards the azure sky. Monkey King recited a spell, drew his iron staff back into a single staff, and pursued her swiftly on his auspicious cloud. Nearing the Western Gate of Heaven, he saw flags fluttering. Monkey King cried out, “Guards of the Heavenly Gate, block that demon! Don’t let her escape!” Indeed, on the Heavenly Gate, the Heavenly King who Guards the Nation led the Four Grand Marshals — Pang, Liu, Gou, and Bi — who each brandished their weapons and blocked her way. The demon could not advance. She quickly turned back, risking life and limb, and used her short club to contend with Monkey King again. The Great Sage exerted his full strength, wielding his iron staff. As he carefully met her attacks and observed, he saw that one end of the short club was thick and the other thin, resembling a pestle for pounding grain in a mortar. He roared, “Vile creature! What weapon are you wielding that you dare to resist my Old Sun? Surrender quickly, lest this staff shatters your skull!” The demon gritted her teeth and said, “You don’t even know my weapon! Listen to me:

Its immortal root is a piece of mutton-fat jade,Polished into shape over countless years.When chaos opened, I already possessed it,When the primeval void divided, I was foremost.

Its origin is not like worldly things,Its nature, from birth, belongs to the heavens.Its whole body gleams with golden light and the four phases,Its five elements’ auspicious energy merges with the three primal forces.

With me, it long resided in the Toad Palace,Accompanying me always in the Cassia Hall.Because I loved flowers, I descended to the mortal realm,Thus I came to Tianzhu, feigning to be a beautiful maiden.

I wished to share joy with you, with no other intention,And to marry Tang Monk to fulfill an old predestined affinity.How could you be so deceitful as to break up a good match,And relentlessly pursue me in battle, acting so ferociously!

This weapon bears a great name,Even before your golden-hooped staff.It is the medicine-pounding pestle of the Guanghan Palace,A single strike from it sends a person to the springs of death!

Upon hearing this, Monkey King let out a cold laugh. “You vile creature! Since you live in the Toad Palace, don’t you know my Old Sun’s abilities? How dare you still prevaricate here? Reveal your true form and surrender quickly, and I will spare your life!” The monster replied, “I know you are the Stable Pony Keeper who caused havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago, and I should defer to you. But breaking up someone’s marriage is like killing their parents. Thus, I cannot accept this, and I want to strike you, the Stable Pony Keeper who defied Heaven and disregarded superiors!” What enraged the Great Sage was the mention of "Stable Pony Keeper." Upon hearing these words, he was furious and raised his iron staff to strike her in the face. The demon wielded her pestle to meet him, and right before the Western Gate of Heaven, they fiercely contended. This battle was:

The golden-hooped staff, the medicine-pounding pestle,Two immortal weapons, truly comparable.One descended to the mortal realm for a marriage,The other arrived here to protect Tang Monk.Originally, the king was not upright,His love for flowers attracted the demon's delight.Leading to this bitter struggle now,Both sides filled with stubborn resolve.Clashing and colliding, they gambled for victory,Exchanging obscure words, they argued fiercely.The medicine pestle's heroism was rare in the world,But the iron staff's divine might was even more magnificent.Golden light shimmered and dazzled the Heavenly Gate,Colorful mist glowed and extended to the ground.After ten or so rounds of fighting back and forth,The demon's strength weakened, unable to resist.

The demon and Monkey King fought for another ten-odd rounds. Seeing the tightness of Monkey King’s staff techniques, she realized she could not win. She feigned a strike with her pestle, then shook her body, emitting ten thousand rays of golden light, and fled south. The Great Sage pursued her closely. Suddenly, they reached a large mountain. The demon suppressed her golden light and drilled into a mountain cave, disappearing completely. Fearing she might teleport back to the kingdom and harm Tang Monk, Monkey King memorized the mountain’s layout, turned his cloud, and headed directly back to the kingdom.

It was already the hour of Shen (3-5 PM). The King was still clutching Tripitaka, trembling and repeatedly crying, “Holy Monk, save me!” The Queen and consorts were also in a state of panic. Suddenly, the Great Sage descended from the clouds and called out, “Master, I’ve returned!” Tripitaka said, “Wukong, stand still, lest you startle His Majesty. I ask you, what truly happened with the fake princess?” Monkey King stood outside the Phoenix Palace, clasping his hands across his chest, and replied, “The fake princess was a demon. Initially, I fought her for half a day, but she couldn’t defeat me. She transformed into a wisp of clear wind and fled directly towards the Heavenly Gate. I yelled at the heavenly gods to block her. She then revealed her true form and fought me for another ten rounds. Realizing she couldn’t win, she transformed into golden light again and escaped south to a mountain. I pursued her to the mountain but couldn’t find her anywhere. Fearing she might come back here to harm you, I specially returned.” Upon hearing this, the King clutched Tang Monk and asked, “Since the fake princess was a demon, where is my real princess?” Monkey King responded, “Once I capture the fake princess, your real princess will naturally appear.” The Queen and consorts heard this, and their fear dissipated. One by one, they stepped forward and bowed, saying, “We hope the Holy Monk can rescue our true princess, clearly distinguishing truth from falsehood. We will surely reward you handsomely.” Monkey King said, “This is not the place for us to speak. Your Majesty, please escort my Master out of the palace and into the hall. Your Majesties, please return to your respective palaces. Summon my disciples Bajie and Sha Wujing to protect my Master, so I can go subdue the demon. This will separate inside from outside, and relieve my worries. I will carefully distinguish the truth, to demonstrate my efforts.” The King assented, expressing endless gratitude. He then took Tang Monk’s hand and left the palace, proceeding directly to the main hall, while all the Queen and consorts returned to their palaces. On one side, he ordered plain food to be prepared; on the other, he invited Bajie and Sha Wujing. In a short while, the two arrived. Monkey King recounted the previous events and instructed them to guard their master diligently. The Great Sage leaped on his somersault cloud and flew into the sky. All the officials before the hall bowed towards the sky, a scene not worth dwelling on.

Sun Wukong headed directly to the mountain in the south to search. It turned out that the demon, having lost the battle, had reached this mountain, drilled into her lair, blocked the entrance with stones, and hid herself timidly. Monkey King searched for a while but found no movement. Feeling anxious, he recited a spell and incantation, summoning the local mountain god and earth god to question them. Soon, the two gods arrived, bowing their heads and saying, “We did not know you were coming, otherwise we would have welcomed you from afar. We humbly beg your forgiveness!” Monkey King said, “I won’t beat you yet. I ask you: what is the name of this mountain? How many demons are there here? Tell me truthfully, and I will spare your lives.” The two gods reported, “Great Sage, this mountain is called Mount Maoying. There are only three rabbit burrows in it. From ancient times until now, there have been no demons here. It is a blessed land of the Five Rings. If the Great Sage seeks demons, you should look further along the road to the Western Heaven.” Monkey King said, “My Old Sun arrived at the Tianzhu Kingdom in the Western Heaven. The King there has a princess who was abducted by a demon and thrown into the wilderness. The demon then transformed into the princess’s likeness, deceiving the King, setting up a colorful tower, and throwing an embroidered ball, intending to choose a consort. I escorted Tang Monk beneath her tower, and she intentionally struck Tang Monk with the ball, intending to marry him and take his primal essence. I exposed her, captured her in the palace. She then shed her human clothes and ornaments, used a short club called the Medicine-Pounding Pestle, and fought me for half a day. She then transformed into a clear wind and fled. My Old Sun pursued her to the Western Gate of Heaven, where we fought for another ten rounds. Realizing she couldn’t win, she again transformed into golden light and escaped to this place. How is it that she is not here?”

Upon hearing this, the two gods immediately led Monkey King to search the three burrows. First, they looked by the cave entrance at the foot of the mountain, where a few grass rabbits were startled and fled. Searching up to the cave at the very summit, they saw two large stones blocking the cave entrance. The Earth God said, “The demon must have urgently drilled into this place.” Monkey King immediately used his iron staff to push aside the stones. Indeed, the demon was hidden inside. With a “whoosh,” she leaped out and raised her pestle to strike. Monkey King raised his iron staff to parry, startling the mountain god to retreat and the earth god to scramble away. The demon muttered and grumbled, cursing the mountain god and earth god, “Who told you to lead him here to find me!” She braced herself, resisting the iron staff, and fought as she retreated, fleeing into the sky.

Just at this critical juncture, dusk fell. Monkey King grew even more furious, striking with deadly intent, wishing to kill her with a single blow. Suddenly, he heard a voice calling from the azure sky, “Great Sage, stop fighting, stop fighting! Spare her life under your staff!” Monkey King turned his head to look and saw it was the Lunar Sovereign, Taiyin Xingjun, accompanied by the Heng'e fairies, descending on a colorful cloud to face him. Flustered, Monkey King put away his iron staff, bowed deeply, and saluted, “Old Taiyin, whence have you come? My Old Sun failed to greet you.” Taiyin Xingjun said, “This demon you are fighting is the Jade Rabbit from my Guanghan Palace, who pounds mystic frost immortal medicine. She secretly opened the jade gate and golden lock and escaped from the palace a year ago. I calculated that she is currently facing a life-threatening calamity, so I specially came to save her life. I hope the Great Sage will spare her for my sake.” Monkey King repeatedly assented, saying, “I dare not, I dare not! No wonder she could use the medicine-pounding pestle! So she is a Jade Rabbit! Old Taiyin, you do not know, she abducted the princess of the Tianzhu Kingdom and then falsely assumed her form, desiring to corrupt my holy monk master’s primal essence. Her actions and sins are truly unforgivable! How can she be lightly forgiven and spared?” Taiyin Xingjun said, “You also do not know. The princess of that King is no ordinary mortal. She was originally the Jade Maiden (Su E) from the Toad Palace. Eighteen years ago, she once slapped the Jade Rabbit, and then, longing for the mortal world, a spark of her spirit was reincarnated in the womb of the King’s primary Queen, and she was born at that time. This Jade Rabbit harbored a grudge for that slap, which is why she secretly escaped from Guanghan last year, throwing the Jade Maiden into the wilderness. However, she should not have desired to marry Tang Monk; this crime is truly inescapable. Fortunately, you were vigilant and distinguished truth from falsehood, and your master was not harmed. I earnestly hope you will pardon her for my sake; I will take her back.” Monkey King smiled, “Since there is such karma, my Old Sun dares not disobey. However, if you take the Jade Rabbit back, I fear the King will not believe it. Would you trouble Taiyin Xingjun, with your immortal sisters, to bring the Jade Rabbit there and clearly demonstrate it to the King? This will, firstly, display my Old Sun’s abilities, and secondly, explain the reason for the Jade Maiden’s descent to the mortal world. Then the King can retrieve his princess, the Jade Maiden, as a clear manifestation of the retribution.” Taiyin Xingjun believed his words. She pointed at the demon with her hand and commanded, “You vile creature, why don’t you return to your true form and come with me!” The Jade Rabbit rolled over, revealing its original form. Truly, it was:

With a notched lip and pointed teeth,Long ears and sparse whiskers.Curled up, a mass of fur like jade;Stretching its legs, its hooves flew like the wind over a thousand mountains.Its straight nose hung down, truly like frost-white powder filling a cavity;Its red twin eyes reflected, still more dazzling than rouge on snow.Lying on the ground, a pristine pile of pure white silk;Stretching its body, a glistening framework of silver threads.How many times had it sucked residual clear dew in the morning sky,And pounded immortal medicine with its miraculous jade pestle!

The Great Sage was overjoyed to see this. He trod on a cloud of auspicious light and guided them forward. Taiyin Xingjun, leading the Heng'e fairies and the Jade Rabbit, headed directly towards the Tianzhu Kingdom. It was now twilight, and as the moon began to rise, they reached the city outskirts. They heard drums being beaten from the watchtower. The King and Tang Monk were still in the hall, while Bajie, Sha Wujing, and many officials were before the steps, about to end the court session. Suddenly, a patch of colorful clouds appeared from the south, as bright as day. Everyone looked up and heard Sun Wukong call out loudly, “Your Majesty of Tianzhu, please bring out your Queen and imperial consorts to see! Beneath this auspicious banner is the Lunar Sovereign, Taiyin Xingjun, from the Moon Palace. The immortal sisters on either side are the Chang’e fairies of the moon. And this Jade Rabbit is your fake princess, now revealing her true form!” The King immediately summoned the Queen, imperial consorts, palace maids, and colorful ladies to bow towards heaven. He, Tang Monk, and the officials also bowed in gratitude towards the sky. In the entire city, every household, without exception, set up incense altars, kowtowed, and chanted prayers. As they watched this, Zhu Bajie, moved by desire, couldn’t help but leap into the air and embrace the fairy of iridescent robes, saying, “Sister, we are old acquaintances! Let’s go have some fun!” Monkey King stepped forward, grabbed Bajie, slapped him twice, and scolded, “You rude, foolish blockhead! What kind of place is this, that you dare to harbor lustful thoughts!” Bajie replied, “I was just passing the time and having some fun!” Taiyin Xingjun commanded her immortal banner to turn, and with the Chang’e fairies, she took back the Jade Rabbit and ascended directly to the Moon Palace.

Monkey King pulled Bajie down to the dust. The King in the hall thanked Monkey King and then asked about the earlier events, saying, “I am greatly indebted to the divine monk for his great magic in capturing the fake princess. But where is my true princess?” Monkey King said, “Your true princess is not of mortal birth. She is the Jade Maiden (Su E) from the Moon Palace. Eighteen years ago, she slapped the Jade Rabbit, and then, longing for the mortal world, she was reincarnated in your primary Queen’s womb and was born. That Jade Rabbit harbored resentment from that old grudge, which is why last year she secretly opened the jade gate and golden lock and escaped, abducting the Jade Maiden and abandoning her in the wilderness. She then transformed to deceive you. This karmic cause was personally told to me by Taiyin Xingjun just now. Since the fake one has been dealt with today, tomorrow, please take your imperial carriage to seek out the true one.” The King heard this and felt ashamed and distressed, tears flowing uncontrollably down his cheeks. “My child!” he cried. “I ascended the throne at a young age, and have never even left the city gate. How then am I to find you!” Monkey King chuckled, “You need not worry. Your princess is currently at the Jetavana Vihara, feigning madness. For now, let everyone disperse. By morning, I will return a true princess to you.” The officials again prostrated themselves and reported, “Your Majesty, please be at ease. These divine monks are gods and Buddhas who can travel on clouds and ride mist, and they surely know the causes of past and future events. Tomorrow, we will trouble the four divine monks to accompany us to search, and we will know the truth.” The King assented, immediately inviting them to the Pavilion of Remaining Spring for a vegetarian meal and rest. It was now almost the second watch (9-11 PM), precisely when:

The copper clepsydra dripped, and moonlight was clear,Golden bells tinkled, carried by the wind.The cuckoo just cried, half of spring gone,Fallen flowers had no path, near the third watch (11 PM - 1 AM).The imperial garden’s swing shadow was lonely,In the azure sky, the Milky Way floated horizontally.No guests walked in the three markets or six streets,The night sky was clear with all its stars.

That night, each slept without further mention.

That night, the King’s demonic aura receded, and his spirits greatly revived. At the third point of the fifth watch (around 4:30 AM), he resumed court. After court, he ordered the four holy monks, including Tang Monk, to discuss searching for the princess. The Elder Monk arrived and bowed to the court. The Great Sage and his two disciples also bowed in greeting. The King leaned forward and said, “Regarding the princess, my child, about whom you spoke yesterday, I dare to trouble the holy monks to seek and rescue her.” The Elder Monk said, “This humble monk came from the East the day before yesterday. As evening approached, I saw a Jetavana Vihara. I entered to seek lodging, and fortunately, the monks there treated me well. That evening, after the meal, I strolled idly under the moonlight. I walked to the old Jetavana garden’s grounds and was examining the foundations when I suddenly heard sounds of sorrow. I inquired about the reason, and an old monk of that temple, over a hundred years old, dismissed his attendants and told me in detail: ‘The sound of sorrow came last year in late spring. As I was meditating in the clear moonlight, a sudden gust of wind arose, bringing sounds of lament. I left my bed and went to the Jetavana grounds to look, and there was a woman. I asked her why she was there, and the woman said, “I am the princess of the Tianzhu Kingdom. While enjoying the moon and flowers at night, I was carried here by the wind.”’ That old monk, being well-versed in human decorum, immediately locked the princess in a secluded room, fearing that the unruly monks of the temple might defile her, and merely said that a demon had been locked up by him. The princess understood his intention and spoke nonsense during the day, asking for some tea and food. At night, when no one was around, she would think of her parents and weep bitterly. The old monk had also come to the kingdom a few times to inquire, and seeing the princess safe in the palace, he dared not speak out or report it. Because he saw that my disciple possessed some supernatural powers, the old monk repeatedly implored this humble monk to investigate this matter upon arriving here. Unexpectedly, she was originally the Jade Rabbit from the Toad Palace, a demon who falsely assumed a true form, transforming into the princess’s likeness. She then harbored intentions to corrupt my primal essence. Fortunately, my disciple displayed his might and revealed the truth. She has now been taken away by Taiyin Xingjun. The virtuous princess is currently at the Jetavana Vihara, feigning madness.” Upon hearing this detailed account, the King burst into tears. This startled the three palaces and six courtyards, who all came to inquire about the cause. Not one person present did not weep bitterly. After a long while, the King asked again, “How far is the Jetavana Vihara from the city?” Tripitaka said, “Only sixty li.” The King then issued a decree: “Let the Eastern and Western Palaces guard the hall, and the Grand Preceptor preside over court. I, along with the primary Queen and numerous officials, and the four holy monks, will go to the temple to retrieve the princess.”

At once, the imperial carriage was prepared, and the procession departed from the court. You should have seen Monkey King leap into the air. With a twist of his waist, he arrived at the temple first. The monks hastily knelt to greet him, saying, “When Your Holiness left, you walked with everyone. How is it that you have descended from the heavens today?” Monkey King laughed, “Where is your abbot? Quickly call him out to set up an incense altar to welcome His Majesty. The King and Queen of Tianzhu, many officials, and my Master have all arrived.” The monks did not understand his meaning. They immediately invited the old monk out. When the old monk saw Monkey King, he prostrated himself, bowing, and said, “Your Holiness, what about the princess’s matter?” Monkey King fully recounted how the fake princess threw the embroidered ball, wishing to marry Tang Monk, and then how he chased and fought her, and how Taiyin Xingjun took away the Jade Rabbit. The old monk again kowtowed in thanks. Monkey King helped him up, saying, “Don’t bow yet, don’t bow yet! Quickly prepare to receive His Majesty.” Only then did the monks realize that a woman was locked in the back room. Each was filled with surprise and joy. They immediately set up an incense altar and arranged themselves outside the mountain gate, dressed in their kasayas, ringing bells and drums to wait. Before long, the imperial carriage arrived, truly a scene where:

A profusion of auspicious mists filled the sky with fragrance,A desolate mountain was suddenly blessed with good fortune.Rainbows flowed for a thousand years, purifying rivers and seas,Lightning encircled, bringing eternal spring, surpassing Yu and Tang.Grasses and trees, touched by grace, added brilliant colors,Wildflowers, nourished by dew, possessed abundant fragrance.Ancient elders left behind their traces,Now a wise ruler descends upon the precious hall.

When the King arrived outside the mountain gate, he saw the monks arranged neatly and uniformly, prostrating themselves in greeting. He also saw Sun Wukong standing in the middle. The King said, “How did the divine monk arrive here first?” Monkey King laughed, “My Old Sun just gave my waist a little twist and arrived. How is it that you have walked for half a day?” Soon after, Tang Monk and the others all arrived. The Elder Monk led the way to the room in the back, where the princess was still feigning madness and speaking nonsense. The old monk knelt and pointed, saying, “This room contains the princess who was carried here by the wind last year.” The King immediately ordered the door opened. The iron lock was quickly unlocked, and the door opened. The King and Queen saw the princess, recognized her appearance, and disregarding her filth, rushed forward and embraced her tightly, crying, “My suffering child! How did you endure such torment and suffer here!” Truly, it was a reunion of parents and child, unlike any other. The three embraced and wept bitterly. After weeping for a while, they recounted their separation. The King immediately ordered fragrant water for the princess to bathe and change her clothes, then placed her in a palanquin to return to the kingdom.

Monkey King then cupped his hands to the King again and said, “My Old Sun has one more matter to present.” The King returned the salute, saying, “If the divine monk has any instructions, I will immediately follow them.” Monkey King said, “This mountain is called Centipede Mountain. Recently, it has been said that centipedes have become demons, injuring travelers at night, which is very inconvenient for those coming and going. I believe that only chickens can subdue centipedes. You can select a thousand exceptionally large roosters and release them on the mountain to eliminate these poisonous insects. Also, let this mountain’s name be changed, and grant a written decree to consecrate it. This will also serve as a token of gratitude for this monk’s kindness in sheltering the princess.” The King was very pleased and agreed, immediately dispatching officials to the city to fetch chickens. He also changed the mountain’s name to Mount Baohua and ordered the Ministry of Works to manage its reconstruction. He bestowed upon it a title, calling it “Imperial-Built Baohua Mountain Jetavana Vihara.” The old monk was honored with the title “State-Reporting Monk Official,” a position to be inherited perpetually, with a stipend of thirty-six measures of grain. The monks thanked him for his grace and saw the imperial carriage off as it returned to court. The princess entered the palace, and all greeted her. A banquet was prepared to relieve the princess’s distress and celebrate. The Queen, concubines, and their children were reunited in joy. The King and his officials also happily feasted for a night, a matter not worth dwelling on.

The next morning, the King issued a decree, summoning painters to create portraits of the four holy monks, to be enshrined in the Hua Yi Tower. He also invited the princess, freshly adorned and restyled, to come out of the hall and thank Tang Monk and the others for their kindness in relieving her suffering. After expressing her gratitude, Tang Monk bid farewell to the King, wishing to proceed west. However, the King was unwilling to let them go. He prepared a magnificent banquet, and they feasted for five or six days straight, which truly benefited Bajie, who fully indulged himself. The King saw their earnest devotion to Buddhism and could not prevail upon them to stay. So he brought out two hundred ingots of gold and silver, and a plate each of treasures as a token of gratitude. The master and disciples accepted none of it. The King ordered the imperial carriage prepared, invited the Master to board the palanquin, and dispatched officials to escort them a long distance. The Queen, concubines, and common people all bowed repeatedly in endless thanks. When they reached the road ahead, they saw that the monks accompanying them were also reluctant to part ways. Seeing that the escorts were unwilling to return, Monkey King had no choice. He formed a hand seal, blew a breath of immortal qi towards the southeast, and a sudden dark wind confused the escorts’ eyes, allowing them to finally escape. This is truly: washed clean by grace, their nature returned to purity; escaping the golden sea, they realized ultimate emptiness. Ultimately, what lies ahead on their journey remains unknown; let us await the next chapter for the explanation.