Chapter 17

Chapter 17

So saying, Sun Wukong leaped up with a somersault, terrifying the monks, novices, attendants, and Taoist priests of Guanyin Monastery into prostrating themselves toward the heavens. "Grandfather!" they cried. "So you are a divine immortal who descends riding the clouds and mist! No wonder fire could not harm you. That old skin-peeler of ours had no eyes—he schemed and plotted, and now he has brought ruin upon himself!" Tripitaka said, "Rise, all of you. There is no need to nurse resentment. If I find my kasaya, all will be well. But if I cannot find it, my disciple has a rather difficult temper, and I fear for your lives. I am not sure you will escape even one of you." When the monks heard these words, their hearts trembled with fear. They prayed to Heaven and made vows, begging only that the kasaya be found so that each might preserve his life. But we shall say no more of this.

Now the Great Sage Sun somersalted through the air, twisted his waist, and soon arrived at Black Wind Mountain. He halted his cloud and looked carefully. Indeed it was a fine mountain, and since it was the height of spring, he saw:

A thousand valleys vied in flowing streams; a thousand cliffs competed in splendor. Birds sang though no people were seen; flowers fell yet the trees still held their fragrance. After rain, the sky joined with bluish walls in freshness; when wind came, the pines rolled up like emerald screens. Mountain grasses sprouted; wild flowers bloomed on sheer precipices and lofty crags. Creeping fig grew; noble trees flourished on steep ridges and level heights. If one did not meet a recluse here, where would one find woodcutters? By the stream a pair of cranes drank; upon the rocks wild apes romped. Layer upon layer, conelike peaks arranged their dark-green hues; towering and majestic, they played with the mountain mist and light.

As the Pilgrim was admiring the mountain scenery, he suddenly heard someone speaking on the slope before the fragrant grass. He moved with light steps and hid his tracks, darting beneath a stone cliff and peeking out to watch. There were three demons sitting on the ground: at the top sat a dark fellow; at the lower left sat a Taoist priest; at the lower right sat a scholar in white. They were all engaged in lofty discourse, discussing how to set up a tripod and stabilize a furnace, how to knead cinnabar and refine mercury, the "white snow" and "yellow sprout"—all heterodox teachings of side-door practices. In the middle of their conversation, the dark fellow laughed and said, "The day after tomorrow is my mother's birthday. Will the two of you grace me with your presence?" The scholar in white said, "Every year we come to wish the King long life. Why should we not come this year?" The dark fellow said, "Last night I obtained a treasure called the Brocade Kasaya of the Buddha. It is truly a thing of beauty. Tomorrow I shall offer it as a birthday gift, hold a grand banquet, invite all the Taoist officials from every mountain, and celebrate the kasaya. Shall we call it the Kasaya Festival?" The Taoist priest said, "Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Tomorrow I shall come first to wish you long life, and the day after I shall come again to attend the banquet."

When the Pilgrim heard talk of the kasaya, he was certain it was his treasure. Unable to contain his anger, he leaped out from the stone cliff, raised the golden-banded cudgel in both hands, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "You band of thieving monsters! You stole my kasaya—what Kasaya Festival are you planning? Return it to me at once!" With a shout of "Don't you flee!" he swung the cudgel and struck at the head. In panic, the dark fellow transformed into a wind and escaped; the Taoist priest mounted a cloud and fled. Only the scholar in white was struck dead by a single blow of the cudgel. The Pilgrim dragged him over for a look—he was a white-flower serpent demon. He seized him and tore him into five or six pieces. Then he went straight into the deep mountains to search for the dark fellow. He passed the pointed peaks, crossed the steep ridges, and before the sheer cliff ahead, a cave dwelling loomed up. He saw:

Misty and vast were the rosy clouds; dense and solemn were the pines and cypresses. Misty and vast, the rosy clouds filled the gateway; dense and solemn, the pines and cypresses in green encircled the door. A bridge was laid across a withered branch; the peak was wrapped in creeping fig. Birds carried red petals to cloud-filled valleys; deer trod upon fragrant bushes on the stone terrace. Before the gate, flowers bloomed in season; the wind sent their fragrance. By the bank, green warblers flitted among the willows; beside the shore, pink butterflies fluttered among the peach blossoms. Though it was a wilderness not worth boasting of, it rivaled the scenery beneath Penglai Mountain.

When the Pilgrim reached the gate, he saw that the two stone doors were shut tight. Across the gate was a stone slab with six large characters clearly inscribed: "Black Wind Mountain, Black Wind Cave." He raised his cudgel and shouted, "Open the door!" A little demon who guarded the door opened it and came out. "Who are you," he asked, "that dares strike at our immortal cave?" The Pilgrim cursed, "You wretched creature heading for death! What kind of place is this that dares call itself an 'immortal cave'? Do you have the right to use the word 'immortal'? Go quickly and report to your dark fellow. Tell him to send out my master's kasaya at once, and I may spare the lives of your whole den." The little demon hurried inside and reported, "Your Majesty, the Kasaya Festival cannot be held. Outside the door there is a monk with a hairy face and a mouth like a thunder god's, demanding the kasaya." The dark fellow, having just been chased by the Pilgrim from the fragrant grass slope and barely having shut the door and sat down, still unsteady, heard this report and thought to himself, "I don't know where this fellow comes from, but he is outrageously rude. He dares to shout at my very door." He ordered his armor to be brought, put it on, took up a black-tasseled spear, and walked out the gate. The Pilgrim stood outside the door, gripping his iron rod, and watched with wide-open eyes. The demon was truly fierce and terrifying:

An iron helmet gleamed with lacquer brightness; golden-black armor shone resplendent. A black silk robe covered his wind-stopping sleeves; black-green silk cords hung with long tassels. In his hand he held a black-tasseled spear; on his feet he wore a pair of black-leather boots. His golden eyes flashed like lightning—this was indeed the Black Wind King of the mountain.

Wukong thought to himself with a quiet laugh, "This fellow really is like a kiln worker, a coal-packer without peer. He must be in the business of scrubbing charcoal for a living here—how else could he be so thoroughly blackened from head to toe?" The monster shrieked at him in a thunderous voice, "What manner of monk are you, to show such boldness in my domain?"

Wukong seized his iron staff, strode right up to him, and roared, "No more idle chatter—return your Old Grandfather's kasaya at once!"

The monster said, "What temple monk are you? Where did you lose your kasaya that you dare come here demanding it of me?"

Wukong said, "My kasaya was kept in the abbot's quarters at the Guanyin Monastery to the due north. When that monastery caught fire, you seized the moment of confusion and looted it, intending to hold a Sacred Robe Assembly to celebrate your birthday. How dare you deny it? Return it to me at once and I will spare your life. But if you so much as utter half a syllable of 'no,' I will topple the Black Wind Mountain, flatten the Black Wind Cave, and grind every demon in your lair into powder."

At these words, the monster laughed coldly and said, "You reckless wretch—so it was you who set that fire last night. You committed your violence and whipped up the wind in the abbot's quarters, and I took a kasaya away. What are you going to do about it? Where do you come from? What is your name? What great abilities do you possess that you dare make such wild boasts?"

Wukong said, "So you don't even recognize your Old Grandfather. Your Old Grandfather is the disciple of the Tripitaka Dharma Master, imperial brother to the throne of the Great Tang Empire. My surname is Sun, my name is Wukong, the Pilgrim. If you ask about Old Sun's abilities, I'll tell you—and it will scatter your soul and blast your spirit, and you will die before your very eyes."

The monster said, "I've never heard of you. What abilities do you have? Tell me and let me hear."

Wukong laughed and said, "My son, stand firm and listen carefully. I:

From childhood possessed powers sublime,

Riding the wind, changing form, showing my might.

Cultivating my nature, refining the true, I weathered the sun and moon,

Leapt free from the cycle of rebirth and escaped death's claim.

With a sincere heart I once sought the Way,

Gathering medicinal herbs on Mount Lingtai.

There lived an ancient immortal,

A hundred and eighty thousand years in age.

Old Sun took him as my master,

And he pointed me to the road of long life.

He said elixirs dwell within the body—

Gathering them from without is labor in vain.

I received the Great Vehicle Celestial Immortal Mantra,

But without a foundation, it was truly hard to endure.

Turning the light inward, I sat in stillness,

The sun and moon within my body joined as kan and li.

I cast off all thought and purged all desire,

My six senses purified, my body firm and secure.

Restoring youth came easily to me,

The path to transcending the mortal and entering sagehood was not far.

Three years without leakage, I achieved the immortal body,

Unlike the common folk who suffer and endure.

I roamed and played through the ten isles and three islands,

Circled the corners of the earth and the edges of the sea.

I lived over three hundred years,

Yet could not ascend to the highest of the nine heavens.

I descended to the sea and subdued a true dragon treasure,

And so I came to possess the golden-banded staff.

I led as commander at Flower-Fruit Mountain,

Gathered a host of demons in the Water-Curtain Cave.

The Jade Emperor issued a decree of summons,

Enfeoffing me as the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven.

I rampaged through the Hall of Divine Mists several times,

Stole the Queen Mother's peaches time and again.

A hundred thousand celestial soldiers came to sub me,

Ranks upon ranks, dense with spears and blades.

I drove the Heavenly Kings back to the upper realm,

Nezha fled his troops, nursing his wounds.

The True God who reveals his sacred power could transform,

But Old Sun staked himself against him and fought to a draw.

The Daoist Patriarch, Guanyin, and the Jade Emperor together

Watched from the South Heavenly Gate as they tried to subdue me.

Then the Old Lord lent his aid,

And Erlang captured me and brought me to the Heavenly Court.

My body was bound to the Demon-Subduing Pillar,

And the celestial soldiers were ordered to behead me.

Swords hacked and hammers struck but could not harm me,

Then they sent thunder and fire to burn me.

Old Sun truly had his means—

I feared not one bit of it.

They placed me in the Old Lord's furnace to be refined,

The fire of the Six Ding gods slowly cooking me.

When the days were full and the furnace opened, I leapt out,

Wielding my iron staff and racing around the heavens.

I went where I pleased without obstruction,

And raised a ruckus through all thirty-three heavens.

The Tathagatha Buddha exerted his dharma power,

And pressed Old Sun beneath the Five Elements Mountain.

I was pinned there for a full five hundred years,

Until by good fortune Tripitaka emerged from the Tang.

I now return to the true path and head west,

To turn toward Thunder Sound Monastery and behold the Buddha's countenance.

Go ask throughout the four seas and the whole world—

I am the number one demon of all ages, renowned far and wide."

At these words, the monster laughed and said, "So you are that Horse-Stable Steward who caused havoc in Heaven?" Nothing enraged Wukong more than being called the Horse-Stable Steward. Hearing this, his fury surged. "You thieving monster! You stole my kasaya and won't return it, and now you insult your Grandfather. Don't you run—feel my staff!" The black fellow dodged sideways, leveled his long spear, and lunged to meet him. The two of them fought a splendid battle:

The As-You-Will staff, the black-tasseled spear—

Two at the cave mouth, each displaying his might.

One thrust at the heart and slashed at the face,

The other aimed at the arm and struck at the head.

This one swung his staff with a sideways sweep,

That one jabbed straight with a triple-flash spear.

The white tiger climbed the mountain, reaching with its claws;

The yellow dragon lay across the body, turning in haste.

They spewed colored mist and spat radiant light—

Two demon immortals beyond all measure.

One was the Great Sage Equal of Heaven, cultivating the true;

The other was the Black King, perfected through demonic essence.

This battle fought within the mountain

Was all for the kasaya, each in the wrong.

The monster and Wukong fought more than ten rounds with neither gaining the advantage, and gradually the red sun climbed to its zenith. The black fellow raised his spear to block the iron staff and said, "Sun Wukong, let us both withdraw our troops. Allow me to go in and take my meal, and then I will contend with you again."

Wukong said, "You wretched beast—do you call yourself a man? A true man would want to eat after only half a day? Old Sun was pinned at the foot of a mountain for over five hundred years and never so much as tasted a drop of broth. How could I be hungry? Don't make excuses. Don't run. Return my kasaya to me, and only then will you be permitted to go eat."

The monster feinted with his spear, withdrew into the cave, and closed the stone gate. He recalled his lesser demons and set about arranging a feast and writing invitations to invite the demon kings of every mountain to a celebratory gathering.

Now when the Pilgrim found that he could not break open the gate, he had no choice but return to Guanyin Monastery. The monks of that monastery had already buried the old abbot and were all in the abbot's quarters attending on Tripitaka. The morning meal had been served, and now the midday meal was being laid out. Just as they were adding broth and changing the water, they saw the Pilgrim descend from the sky. The monks all bowed in reverence and welcomed him into the abbot's quarters, where he saw Tripitaka. Tripitaka said, "Wukong, you're back? What about the kasaya?"

The Pilgrim said, "I've got a lead now. These monks were never falsely accused after all—it was the monster of Black Wind Mountain who stole it. Your old grandson went to look for him in secret and saw him sitting on a fragrant grassy slope in conversation with a scholar in white and an old Daoist. He turned out to be a monster who confessed without being beaten. He suddenly said: 'The day after tomorrow is my mother's birthday, and I've invited various fiends to celebrate; last night I acquired a brocade-embroidered Buddhist robe, and I intend to use it as a birthday gift to host a grand banquet, to be called the Celebration of the Robe.' Your old grandson rushed up to him and struck him with my staff. The black fellow transformed into a wind and fled, and the Daoist vanished as well. Only the scholar in white was beaten to death—he turned out to be a spirit of a white flower snake. I then hurried to his cave entrance and called him out to fight me. He admitted that he had taken it. We fought for half a day with neither side prevailing. The monster went back into his cave wanting to eat, and closed the stone gate, afraid to come out and fight. Your old grandson came back to see you, Master, to report this news first. Now that we know where the robe is, I have no fear that he won't return it."

When the monks heard this, some joined their palms, some knocked their heads on the ground, and all chanted: "Namah Amitabha! Now that we've found its whereabouts, we shall have our lives!" The Pilgrim said, "Don't you rejoice too soon. I haven't got it yet, and the Master hasn't left yet. Only when we have the kasaya and can send my Master safely on his way will you have peace. If anything goes even slightly wrong, your old grandson is not someone to be trifled with! Have you given my Master good tea and food? Have you given good fodder to the horse?" The monks all answered in unison: "Yes, yes, yes—we have not been the least bit remiss with the venerable sir."

Tripitaka said, "In the half day since you left, I have already had three servings of tea and two meals of vegetarian food, and they have not dared to be negligent with me. But you must still do your utmost to find and retrieve the kasaya."

The Pilgrim said, "Don't rush. Now that we have a lead, I will certainly catch this fellow and return your original property. Rest assured, rest assured."

Just as they were talking, the prior of the upper quarters prepared another vegetarian meal and invited Lord Sun to eat. The Pilgrim ate a little, then mounted his auspicious cloud once more to continue his search. As he was flying along, he saw a small demon under his left arm carrying a sandalwood box, coming along the main road. The Pilgrim surmised that the box must contain some kind of letter. He raised his staff and struck him on the head—pitifully, the creature could not withstand the blow and was smashed flat as a meat pie. He dragged it to the roadside, opened the box to look inside, and sure enough it was an invitation. The card read:

Your devoted servant Bear pays his respects and presents this to the venerable Elder Jinchi of the Golden Chamber: I have repeatedly received your kind favors, and my gratitude is profound. Observing last night's calamity of fire, I regret that I failed to come to your aid, but trusting in your immortal wisdom, I am certain no harm befell you. I have by chance obtained a Buddhist robe and wish to host a refined gathering. I humbly prepare a floral feast and respectfully invite you to grace us with your presence. On the appointed day, I earnestly beseech you to honor us with a visit. Much obliged. Written two days prior.

When the Pilgrim read this, he laughed loudly: "That old skin-flayer died not one bit too unjustly—he was in league with the fiends all along. No wonder he lived to two hundred and seventy years of age; that monster must have taught him some minor breathing technique, which accounts for his longevity. Your old grandson still remembers his appearance. Let me transform into that monk and go into his cave to see where my kasaya is kept. If I can get my hands on it, I'll take it back right away—that would save a lot of effort."

The great Sage recited his spell, faced the wind, and transformed—indeed, he looked exactly like that old monk. He hid his iron staff, strode forward, and went straight to the cave entrance, calling out, "Open the gate!" The little demon opened the gate, saw this figure, and hastily turned to report: "Great King, Elder Jinchi has arrived!" The monster was greatly alarmed and said, "I just sent a subordinate to deliver an invitation to him—he shouldn't have reached there yet, so how could he arrive so quickly? The subordinate must not have met him. It must be Sun Xingzhe who summoned him to demand the kasaya. Stewards, hide the Buddhist robe—don't let him see it."

Sun Wukong entered the front gate and found in the courtyard pines and bamboos mingling their verdure, peach and plum trees vying in beauty. Clusters of flowers bloomed, and the fragrance of orchids hung thick in the air—truly a place fit for the immortals. He noticed a couplet inscribed on the second gate:

"In seclusion hidden deep in the mountains, free from worldly cares;

In quiet dwelling within the immortal cave, rejoicing in the truth of nature."

Wukong thought to himself, "This creature too has cast off the dust of the world and knows the mandate of Heaven. He is no ordinary monster."

He passed through the inner gate and proceeded further, until he reached the third gate, where he found painted beams and carved rafters, bright windows and colorful doors. There he saw the black man dressed in a black-green silk padded jacket, covered by a crow-black flowered damask cape, wearing a soft cap of black horn, and a pair of black deerskin boots. When he saw Wukong enter, he straightened his robes and descended the steps to greet him, saying, "Old friend Jinchi, I have not seen you these past few days. Please, sit down, please sit down."

Wukong returned the courtesy. After the greetings, they sat, and tea was served. When the tea was finished, the demon leaned forward and said, "I just sent you a note inviting you to come the day after tomorrow for a gathering. Why has my old friend honored me with a visit today?"

Wukong replied, "I was just coming to pay my respects when I happened to meet your messenger on the road. Seeing that you were hosting a fine gathering to view the Buddha's robe, I hastened here, hoping to see it."

The demon laughed and said, "You are mistaken, old friend. This kasaya robe belongs to the Tang monk. He has been staying at your temple—how could you not have seen it? Why come to me to look at it instead?"

Wukong said, "I borrowed it, but since it was night I had not yet unrolled it to examine it. Before I could, it was taken by Your Majesty. Then the mountain was burned and my belongings were lost. The Tang monk's disciples are rather fierce, and in the chaos, we searched everywhere but could not find it. It turns out that Your Majesty's great fortune brought it here, so I have come especially to see it."

As they were speaking, a little demon who had been patrolling the mountain came rushing in to report: "Your Majesty, disaster! The messenger you sent with the invitation has been killed by Sun Wukong by the roadside. He took the scriptures and transformed himself into Elder Jinchi to cheat us out of the Buddha's robe!"

When the demon heard this, he thought to himself, "So that is why the Elder came today, and so quickly—it was indeed him." He leaped up, seized his spear, and lunged at Wukong. Wukong hastily pulled his staff from his ear, revealed his true form, and parried the spear tip. Then he leaped out into the central hall and fought his way from the courtyard to the front gate. The battle so terrified all the demons in the cave that their courage fled, and the old and young alike lost their wits. This fight upon the mountain was fiercer than any before. A splendid battle:

The Monkey King, bold, had disguised himself as a monk;

The black man's heart concealed desire for the Buddha's robe.

Word met word with cunning skill,

Each move matched with no error made.

The robe could not be seen, try as he might—

The precious thing held mysteries profound and deep.

The little demon patrolling brought word of calamity;

The old demon, enraged, displayed his mighty power.

He burst forth from the Black Wind Cave,

Spear and staff clashed to determine right from wrong.

The staff parried the long spear with a ringing clash;

The spear met the iron shaft with blazing light.

Wukong's transformations were rare among men;

The demon's powers were scarce upon this earth.

One wished to view the robe to celebrate his birthday;

The other would not leave without the sacred garment.

This bitter struggle could not be resolved—

Even a living Buddha descended to earth could not break the deadlock.

They fought from the cave entrance up to the mountain peak, and from the mountain peak into the clouds, breathing mist and blowing wind, sending sand and stones flying, battling until the red sun sank in the west, with neither side prevailing.

The demon called out, "Sun Wukong, hold your hand! It is late in the day—we cannot fight on. Go, go, and come tomorrow morning, when we shall settle this once and for all."

Wukong shouted, "Don't run away, my son! If we fight, then fight properly—don't use the lateness of the hour as an excuse." But the demon paid him no heed, and Wukong rained blows upon him with his staff. The black man then transformed himself into a gust of clear wind, returned to his cave, and shut the stone gate tight.

Wukong could do nothing against this stratagem. He had no choice but to return to the Guanyin Monastery, descend from the clouds, and call out, "Master!"

Tripitaka had been watching for him anxiously. When he suddenly saw him before his eyes, he was overjoyed—but then, noticing that Wukong had no robe in his hands, he grew fearful. "How is it," he asked, "that you still have not brought back the robe?"

Wukong pulled a note from his sleeve and handed it to Tripitaka. "Master, that monster was originally a friend of the old skinflint who died here. He sent a little demon with this note, inviting the old monk to a gathering to view the Buddha's robe. I killed the little demon, transformed myself into the old monk, and went into his cave, where I managed to get a cup of tea out of him. When I asked to see the robe, he refused to show it. While we were sitting there, some patrolling demon let the secret slip, and he started fighting me. We battled all this time without either side gaining the upper hand. When he saw it was getting late, he slipped back into his cave and shut the stone gate. I had no choice but to come back for now."

Tripitaka asked, "How do your skills compare to his?"

Wukong said, "I am not much stronger—we fought to a draw."

Tripitaka read the note and then handed it to the abbot of the monastery. "Could it be that your master was also a demon?"

The abbot hastily knelt down. "My lord, my master was a human being. It is only that the Great King of Black Wind cultivated himself into human form and often came to the temple to discuss the scriptures with my master. He taught my master some techniques for nurturing the spirit and absorbing qi, so they treated each other as friends."

Wukong said, "These monks have no demonic aura about them. Each of them has a round head touching heaven and square feet treading the earth—they are just somewhat fatter and bigger than me. They are not demons. Look at this note—it is signed 'your humble servant Xiongpi.' This creature must be a black bear who has transformed into a demon."

Tripitaka said, "I have heard the ancients say that bears are similar to orangutans. They are both beasts. How could he have become a demon?"

Wukong laughed and said, "I too am a beast, and I became the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—how is he any different? Generally speaking, all things in the world that have nine oracles can cultivate themselves and become immortals."

Tripitaka then said, "You just said his abilities were equal to yours. How then will you defeat him and get my robe back?"

Wukong said, "Don't worry, don't worry—I have a plan."

As they deliberated, the monks laid out the evening vegetarian meal and invited the master and his disciples to eat. Tripitaka ordered the lamps lit and went to the front meditation hall to rest. The monks leaned against walls and propped up shelters, each settling down to sleep, leaving only the rear abbot's quarters for the upper and lower abbots to lodge. The night was still, and what appeared was this:

The Silver River showed its reflection, the jade heavens were dustless. The sky was ablaze with stars, the water's waves had left no trace. Ten thousand sounds were hushed, no birds flew among the thousand hills. The fishing fires by the stream were extinguished, the temple lamps on the pagoda were dim. Last night the monks' bells and drums rang clear; tonight only crying voices could be heard.

That night they rested in the meditation hall. Tripitaka, thinking of the kasaya, could not sleep soundly. Suddenly he rolled over and saw white light through the window, and quickly rose, calling out: "Wukong, it's light—go quickly and find the kasaya!" The Pilgrim sprang up in one leap, and seeing the monks standing in attendance, serving hot water, he said: "You lot take good care of my master. This old Sun is off." Tripitaka got down from the bed and held him back: "Where are you going?" The Pilgrim said: "I think this whole affair is all Guanyin's fault. She has this meditation courtyard here, accepts incense and offerings from the people, and yet allows that demon as a neighbor. I'm going to the South Sea to find her, have a word with her, and make her come in person to demand the kasaya back from the demon." Tripitaka said: "How long will you be gone?" The Pilgrim said: "At the shortest, by the time the meal is over; at the longest, by noon—it will be done. Take good care of those monks. This old Sun is off."

The word was no sooner spoken than he had vanished. In an instant he arrived at the South Sea, halted his cloud, and gazed about. What he saw was this:

The vast ocean stretched far, its waters joined the sky. Auspicious light enveloped the universe, radiant vapors shone upon the mountains and rivers. A thousand layers of snowy waves roared into the blue heavens, ten thousand folds of misty billows surged through the day. Water flew across the four directions, waves rolled all around. Water flying across the four directions thundered like crashing waves; waves rolling all around rumbled like thunderclaps. Say nothing yet of the water's power—look instead at the center. Five-colored mist enshrouded a jeweled mountain, red, yellow, purple, black, green, and blue. Now one saw Guanyin's true sublime realm, look upon Mount Luòjiā in the South Sea. What a magnificent place—the mountain peaks rose high, their summits piercing the void. Within grew a thousand varieties of wondrous flowers and a hundred kinds of auspicious herbs. The wind swayed the jeweled trees, the sun reflected off the golden lotuses. The Hall of Guanyin was roofed with colored glaze; the Cave of Tidal Sound had doors paved with hawksbill turtle shell. Among the green willows' shadows, parakeets chattered; within the purple bamboo groves, peacocks cried. On the stone with water-patterned grain, the Dharma guardian stood in majesty; before the agate beach, Muzha was mighty and strong.

The Pilgrim could not take in all these extraordinary sights, so he went straight down with his cloud to the bamboo grove below. The guardian deities came forward to greet him: "Bodhisattva, you spoke before the assembly of the Great Sage's return to goodness and praised him greatly. Now that you are protecting Tripitaka, how have you found leisure to come here?" The Pilgrim said: "While protecting Tripitaka, I encountered a matter on the road and have come especially to see the Bodhisattva. I trouble you to announce me." The guardian deities went to the cave entrance to report, and the Bodhisattva summoned him in. The Pilgrim followed the proper forms and bowed before the jeweled lotus throne. The Bodhisattva asked: "Why have you come?" The Pilgrim said: "My master passed by your meditation courtyard on the road. You receive incense and offerings from the human world, yet you allowed a black bear spirit to dwell as a neighbor there. He stole my master's kasaya, and though we have repeatedly demanded it back, he refuses to return it. I have come especially to ask you for it." The Bodhisattva said: "You monkey, how brazenly you speak! Since it was the bear spirit who stole your kasaya, how can you come to me to demand it? It was all because you, this wretched monkey, were so bold as to show off your treasure, letting a petty man see it. Then you went on to cause havoc, calling up wind and sending down fire, burning my Cloud-Resting Lower Courtyard, and now you come here to make trouble." When the Pilgrim heard the Bodhisattva say this, knowing she understood past and future events, he hastily bowed and said: "Bodhisattva, I beg you to forgive your disciple's offense. It is indeed as you say. But I hate that the demon refuses to give me the kasaya, and my master is about to recite that spell, and this old Sun cannot bear the headache, so I have come to trouble you, Bodhisattva. I hope that with your compassionate heart, you will help me capture that demon so I may retrieve the robe and proceed west." The Bodhisattva said: "That demon has many magical powers, not inferior to yours. Very well—for Tripitaka's sake, I will go with you." When the Pilgrim heard this, he thanked her and bowed again. He then invited the Bodhisattva to set out, and together they mounted an auspicious cloud, arriving early at Black Wind Mountain. They descended the cloud and followed the road to find the cave.

As they walked along, they saw a Taoist emerge from the hillside ahead, holding a glass plate in his hand, on which rested two immortal pills, walking straight ahead. The Pilgrim ran straight into him, pulled out his staff, and struck him on the head. Brain matter flowed from his skull, and blood spurted from his body. The Bodhisattva was greatly startled and said: "You monkey, still so reckless! He never stole your kasaya, he has no acquaintance with you, and he bears you no grudge—how could you just kill him?" The Pilgrim said: "Bodhisattva, you don't recognize him. He is a friend of that black bear spirit. Yesterday he and a scholar in white were both sitting and discoursing before the Fragrant Grass Slope. The day after tomorrow is the bear spirit's birthday, and he has invited them to celebrate the Kasaya Festival. Today he came first to offer birthday greetings, and tomorrow he will come to celebrate the Kasaya Festival. So I recognized him—he must have been going to offer birthday congratulations to that demon today." The Bodhisattva said: "Since that is the case, so be it." The Pilgrim then went to lift up the Taoist and look at him—he was a gray wolf. On the plate beside him there were characters inscribed, reading: "Prepared by Líng Xūzǐ."

Sun Wukong saw this and laughed. "What fortune, what fortune! This old Monkey has the advantage, and the Bodhisattva saves her trouble. This creature is what you'd call a self-confessed criminal; let him be settled today." Guanyin said, "Wukong, what do you mean by that?" Wukong said, "Bodhisattva, I, Sun Wukong, have a plan, and it's called 'turning the enemy's trick against them.' I wonder if you would be willing to go along with me?" Guanyin said, "Go on." Wukong said, "Bodhisattva, look at this plate—there are two immortality pills on it, which would serve as our gift to the demon; the four characters engraved on the back of the plate say 'Made by the Master of the Void,' which would serve as our introduction. If you are willing to go along with me, then I can work out a scheme for you—there would be no need to resort to arms, no need to wage a campaign. The demon would meet his doom on the spot, and the kasaya would appear on the spot. If you are not willing to go along with me, then you can head west, and I, Sun Wukong, will head east—the kasaya can be considered a gift, and Tripitaka can be considered to have missed his chance." Guanyin laughed. "What a glib tongue this monkey has." Wukong said, "I wouldn't dare—it's just a scheme." Guanyin said, "What is this scheme of yours?" Wukong said, "The plate is inscribed with 'Made by the Master of the Void,' so I imagine that this Taoist is called the Master of the Void. Bodhisattva, if you are willing to go along with me, you can transform into this Taoist. I will eat one of the pills and transform into one that is slightly larger. Then, Bodhisattva, you take this plate with the two immortality pills and go to offer birthday wishes to that demon, and you give the larger pill to him. Once the demon swallows it in one gulp, this old Monkey will work his magic from inside: if he is unwilling to hand over the kasaya, this old Monkey will weave one out of his intestines." Guanyin had no choice but to nod her head in agreement. Wukong laughed. "How about that?"

Thereupon the Bodhisattva, by her great compassion, boundless spiritual power, and myriad transformations, using her mind to convey her will and her will to transform her body, in the blink of an eye changed into the Immortal of the Void:

A crane-feathered robe, immortal breeze rustling,

Floating and swaying as if treading the void.

An ancient face like pines and cypresses,

A beauty unsurpassed through the ages.

Coming and going, yet never dwelling;

Suchness itself, yet each state distinct.

All returns to the one dharma—

Only separated by this unwholesome body.

Wukong looked and said. "Wonderful, wonderful! Is this a demon or a Bodhisattva? Is this a Bodhisattva or a demon?" Guanyin smiled and said, "Wukong, Bodhisattva and demon are ultimately just a single thought. As for their original nature, they are both empty." Wukong was enlightened at heart, and he turned and transformed himself into an immortality pill:

Rolling on the plate without fixed form,

Perfectly round and bright, without direction.

The threefold threefold joins with the Grotto of Gou,

The sixfold sixfold is refined by Shao Weng.

Tile-shattering golden flames,

Mani pearls shining in daylight.

The lead and mercury without—

Not to be reckoned or measured.

The pill that Wukong had become was indeed slightly larger. Guanyin took note of it, picked up the glass plate, and went straight to the mouth of the demon's cave. Indeed, what she saw was:

Cliffs deep and peaks perilous,

Clouds rising over the ridge;

Cypresses green and pines verdant,

Wind soughing through the woods.

Cliffs deep and peaks perilous—

Truly a haunt of demons and fiends, where human presence was rare;

Cypresses green and pines verdant—

A fitting place for immortals and sages to cultivate in seclusion.

The mountain had ravines, the ravines had springs,

Gurgling water singing like a zither, fit to cleanse one's ears;

The cliffs had deer, the woods had cranes,

Ethereal celestial sounds stirring among the peaks, fit to delight the heart.

This was a demon-immortal destined to receive the Bodhi,

Vast vows boundless, compassion descending.

Guanyin looked upon this and secretly rejoiced in her heart. "This creature has occupied this mountain cave, and indeed he has some affinity with the Way." Therefore compassion already arose in her heart.

She walked to the cave entrance, and the little demons guarding the cave recognized her. "The Immortal Master of the Void has come!" Some went to announce her, while others came to escort her. The demon had already come out to greet her. "Master of the Void, I am honored by your exalted presence. My humble abode is graced with splendor." Guanyin said, "This humble Taoist respectfully offers a single immortality pill and dares to wish you a thousand years of life." After they had bowed to each other and were seated, they fell to discussing the events of the previous day. Guanyin made no reply but quickly took up the pill plate. "Great King, please accept this humble offering." She selected the larger pill and pushed it toward the demon. "May Your Majesty live a thousand years." The demon also pushed one pill toward Guanyin. "May the Master of the Void share it with me." After the exchange, the demon was about to swallow his pill when it slipped smoothly down his throat. His true form was revealed, and he stood upright in a fighting stance. The demon rolled on the ground. Guanyin revealed her true form and asked the demon for the kasaya. Wukong had already exited through the demon's nostril. Guanyin, fearing the demon might act violently, placed a circlet on the demon's head. The demon got up and seized his spear to strike, but Wukong and Guanyin had already risen into the air and began reciting the true words. The demon's head ached as before; he dropped his spear and rolled wildly on the ground. In mid-air, the Handsome Monkey King doubled over with laughter; on the ground, the Black Dragon Demon rolled about in agony.

Guanyin said. "Creature, will you take refuge now?" The demon said readily. "I wish to take refuge. Only spare my life." Wukong feared that time was being wasted and wanted to kill him. Guanyin quickly stopped him. "Do not take his life. I have a use for him." Wukong said. "A creature like this—if we don't kill him, what use could we have for keeping him?" Guanyin said. "Behind my Mount Luofu there is no one to guard it. I will take him to be a guardian deity of the mountain." Wukong laughed. "Truly a Savior of Suffering, a Compassionate One who harms not a single soul. If I, old Monkey, had such a spell, I'd chant it a thousand times over. Then there'd be plenty of black bears, and they'd all be sent to their account." Now that demon had regained consciousness long ago, but the pain was more than he could bear, so he knelt on the ground and pleaded. "Only spare my life, and I vow to seek the right fruit." Guanyin then descended on auspicious light, anointed his head, and gave him the precepts. She bade him take his spear and follow at her side. The black bear's wild ambitions were settled that day, his boundless obstinacy was tamed at that hour.

The Bodhisattva commanded, "Wukong, go back now and serve Tang Seng well. From this day forth, be diligent and cause no more trouble." The Pilgrim said, "I am deeply grateful that the Bodhisattva has come from so far away. Your disciple should escort you back." The Bodhisattva said, "No need to escort me." Only then did Wukong take the cassock, kowtow, and take his leave. The Bodhisattva also took the black bear and returned straight to the great sea. A poem bears witness. The poem says:

Auspicious light gathers around the golden image,

Ten thousand rays of splendor, truly worthy of praise.

Saving all people with compassion and mercy,

Surveying the whole Dharma realm, golden lotus appears.

Coming now mostly to convey the purpose of the scriptures,

Going hence originally without a single flaw.

Subduing the demon, achieving truth, returning to the great sea,

The empty gate once again obtains the brocade cassock.

What happens next, after all, remains unknown. Let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.