Chapter 22

Chapter 22

It is said that the three pilgrims—the Tang monk and his disciples—having escaped peril, journeyed onward and before long passed beyond the Yellow Wind Ridge. To the west lay a stretch of flat, open country. Time flew swiftly; summer gave way to autumn. They heard cicadas chirping among withered willows and saw the great fire of the sun streaming westward as it descended. As they pressed on, they suddenly came upon a vast expanse of turbulent water, its surging waves rolling without end. From atop his horse, Tripitaka cried out in alarm, "Disciples, look—the waters stretch broad and wide ahead, yet I see not a single boat upon them. How are we ever to cross?" Zhu Bajie observed, "Indeed it is a raging torrent, and there is no vessel to ferry us over."

Sun Wukong leaped into the sky, shading his eyes with his hand as he surveyed the scene. Even he was taken aback. "Master," he said, "it is truly difficult—truly difficult! As for this old Monkey, I need only twist my waist once and I would be across. But for you, Master, it would be a thousand parts impossible, and not accomplished in ten thousand years."

Tripitaka asked, "The view stretches endlessly before me. How wide is this river, exactly?"

Wukong replied, "It spans some eight hundred li from shore to shore."

Bajie said, "Brother, how can you be so certain of the distance?"

Wukong answered, "To speak plainly, brother, these eyes of mine can in broad daylight discern good or ill fortune a thousand li away. Just now from the air I could not make out how far the river extends upstream or downstream, but I could see plainly enough that it is a full eight hundred li across."

The Elder groaned with anxiety and vexed sorrow. He turned his horse about, and suddenly they spotted a stone stele standing on the bank. The three of them approached to examine it and found three seal-script characters carved upon it: "Quicksand River." On the body of the stele, in smaller regular script, were four lines:

Eight hundred li of quicksand realm,

Three thousand fathoms of Weak Water deep.

Not a feather can float upon it,

Surely the reed flower sinks to the bottom.

The pilgrims were still reading the inscription when they heard waves mounting like mountains and billows heaving like ridges. From the middle of the river there burst forth, with a hiss, a demon of fearsome and hideous aspect:

A head of fiery red hair, wild and unkempt;

Two round, gleaming bright eyes like lanterns.

A face neither black nor green, but indigo-dyed;

A voice like thunder, like the beating of an old dragon's drum.

His body draped in a cloak of goose-yellow,

His waist bound with two coils of white rattan.

Nine skulls suspended from his neck,

A precious staff in his hand, formidable and grand.

With a whirlwind the monster charged ashore, making straight for the Tang monk. In a panic, Wukong seized his master in his arms, hastily scrambled up the high bank, and drew back to safety. Bajie set down the load and swung out his nine-tooth iron rake, striking straight at the demon. The monster parried with his precious staff. The two grappled on the bank of the Quicksand River, each displaying his valor. And what a battle it was:

The nine-tooth rake, the demon-quelling staff—

The two clashed upon the riverbank.

One was the Commander-in-Chief, the Great Marshal Tianpeng;

The other, the Curtain-Lifting General, banished from on high.

Once they had met before in the Hall of Divine Mists;

Now they strove and tested each other's might.

This one thrust his rake like a dragon probing with its claws;

That one raised his staff like an elephant baring its tusks.

One spread his limbs in a mighty four-cornered stance;

The other darted in, meeting the wind head-on.

This one struck without face or favor;

That one released his blows without pause or pattern.

One was a demon long dwelling in the Quicksand River, a devourer of men;

The other, a general who had received the teachings and held fast to the discipline of cultivation.

Back and forth they came, exchanging twenty bouts, and neither could prevail over the other.

The Great Sage stood guard over Tripitaka, holding the horse and watching the luggage. When he saw Bajie locked in combat with the demon, he ground his teeth in vexation, rubbed his palms together, and could restrain himself no longer. He was itching to join the fray. Drawing out his iron staff, he said, "Master, sit here and do not be afraid. Let old Monkey have a little sport with him." The Master pleaded with him to stay, but to no avail. Wukong gave a shrill whistle and leaped to the front. Now the demon and Bajie were locked in the thick of battle, locked in a struggle that neither could untie. Wukong raised his iron staff and brought it down squarely upon the monster's head. The demon whirled about, barely dodged in a panic, and plunged straight back into the Quicksand River. Bajie leaped about in fury. "Brother! Who asked you to come? The demon's hands were growing slow; he could scarcely fend off my rake. In three or five more exchanges I would have captured him. But when he saw how fierce you were, he lost the battle and fled. Now what are we to do?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Brother, to tell you no lies—ever since we subdued the Yellow Wind Demon and came down the mountain, it has been the better part a month since I have so much as swung this staff. When I saw you two fighting so sweetly, my feet simply itched for it, and so I jumped in for a little sport. Who could have known that the fellow couldn't take a joke and ran off?"

The two of them walked arm in arm, chatting and laughing, and turned back to see Tripitaka. Tripitaka asked, "Have you captured the demon?" Pilgrim said, "That demon couldn't stand the fight. He fled and burrowed back into the water." Tripitaka said, "Disciples, this creature has lived here for a long time—he knows its depths and shallows. With such boundless weak water as this, and no boat either, we really need someone who knows the water to guide us across." Pilgrim said, "Exactly. As the saying goes, 'He who vermilion approaches turns red; he who ink approaches turns black.' Since that creature is here, he must certainly know the water. Now that we've caught him, let's not kill him—just have him ferry the Master across the river, and then we'll deal with him." Zhu Bajie said, "Elder Brother, don't hesitate. Let you go capture him first, and this old pig will watch over the Master." Pilgrim said with a laugh, "Worthy brother, I won't boast about this one—water affairs aren't exactly old Monkey's forte. If I'm just walking, I still need to pinch the spell and recite the water-avoiding incantation before I can manage. Otherwise, I have to transform into some kind of fish, shrimp, crab, or turtle before I can manage it. When it comes to testing skills, I can handle anything tricky or unusual you can dream up in the high mountains or among the clouds—it's just that underwater business is rather rough for me." Zhu Bajie said, "This old pig once governed the Heavenly River and commanded eighty thousand water soldiers—I do know something about water. But I'm afraid there might be relatives and old and young of his in the water, whole clans and generations coming at me, and I won't be able to handle them—what if I get scooped up in no time?" Pilgrim said, "If you go into his water to fight him, don't get drawn into a prolonged battle. Lose on purpose—don't win. Lure him out, and old Brother will come help you." Zhu Bajie said, "Fair enough. I'm off!" As soon as he spoke, he stripped off his blue brocade robe, took off his shoes, brandished his rake with both hands, parted the water, and employed the old skills of his former days, leaping over waves and churning through the currents, charging straight in and making his way down to the bottom of the water, pressing forward.

Now that demon, having lost the battle and just barely caught his breath, heard someone churning the water. He rose up to look and saw Zhu Bajie wielding his rake and pushing through the water. The demon raised his staff and shouted right at him: "You monk—where do you think you're going? Watch out, I'm going to strike!" Zhu Bajie blocked with his rake and said, "What kind of monster are you, daring to block the road here?" The demon said, "You don't even recognize me. I'm no ordinary demon or ghost, and I'm no nameless nobody." Zhu Bajie said, "If you're no demon or ghost, then how dare you take lives here? State your name clearly and truthfully, and I'll spare your life." The demon said: "I was born with mighty spirit, and I've roamed the breadth of the universe. My heroic fame is known throughout the world, my valor sets a model for all. The ten thousand nations are mine to traverse, the five lakes and four seas are mine to charge through. I wandered the ends of the earth seeking the Way, roamed the wide world searching for a teacher. I kept my robes and bowl close at all times, never letting my mind wander day after day. I wandered the land on clouds dozens of times, strolled idly here and there a hundred rounds. Thus I met a True Man who led me to the Great Way's golden radiance. First I gathered the Infant and the Maiden, then released the Wood Mother and Metal Father. The bright hall's kidney water entered the Flower Pool, the multi-storied heart fire found its place. When three thousand merits were complete, I bowed before the celestial face, my heart set on paying homage to the Hall of Brilliant Light. The Jade Emperor himself promoted me, personally naming me Curtain-Lifting General. In the Southern Heavenly Gate I am supreme, before the Hall of Numinous Heaven I stand foremost. A tiger-head plaque hangs at my waist, a demon-subduing staff is in my hand. My golden helmet dazzles the sunlight, my armor gleams with bright radiance. I led the way when protecting the Emperor, I was foremost when attending court. But then the Queen Mother held the Peach Festival, and a feast was laid at Jasper Pool to invite all the generals. I shattered a glass by accident, and every celestial being's soul nearly fled. The Jade Emperor's wrath rose immediately, and he ordered the Left Assistant of Court: 'Remove his crown and armor, strip his rank, and cast him upon the execution ground.' It was only thanks to the Barefoot Great Celestial who stepped out of line to plead for me that I was released. My life was spared without punishment, but I was exiled to the eastern bank of the Flowing Sand River. When full, I sleep in these mountains; when hungry, I churn the waves searching for food. Woodcutters who meet me lose their lives; fishermen who see me all perish. Back and forth I've eaten many people, again and again I've brought harm to the living. You dare come to my door to wreak havoc—today my belly will not go unsatisfied! Don't say I'm too coarse to taste—if I catch you, I'll mince you into paste!"

Zhu Bajie flew into a rage upon hearing this and cursed: "You wretched creature! You've got no eyes at all. This old pig is still dripping wet—how dare you call me coarse and say you'll mince me into paste? Why, you must think I'm just an old piece of dried-out leather! Don't you dare be rude—take this rake from your ancestor!" The demon saw the rake coming and dodged it with a "Phoenix Nods its Head." The two fought their way out of the water onto the surface, each treading the waves. This battle was different from the last one—just look at them:

The Curtain-Lifting General, the Marshal Tianpeng—each displaying his true wondrous powers. That one swung his demon-subduing treasure staff at the head, this one wielded his nine-toothed rake with lightning speed. Leaping over waves they shook the mountains, churning the waters they darkened the world. Fierce as the Grand Duke crashing through banners, savage as Death's Door lifting its jeweled canopy. This one, with blazing heart, protects Tripitaka; that one, in surging guilt, is a water demon. One rake stroke leaves nine scars; one staff strike shatters the soul. They strive with joy, determined to prove themselves. All for the sake of the scripture seeker, their wrath fills the sky and they cannot bear it. They drove the bream, carp, and perch to retreat with their tender scales, injured the soft shells of turtles and alligators; red shrimp and purple crabs lost their lives, and all the water palace deities bowed above. One could only hear waves churning and rolling like thunder, the sun and moon dimmed, heaven and earth appalled.

The two fought for two full hours with neither gaining the upper hand. This was truly a copper basin meeting an iron broom, a jade chime facing a bronze bell.

Now, the Great Sage stood protecting Tripitaka on either side, watching with anxious eyes as the two struggled upon the water—but he could not very well lend a hand. He saw through Pigsy's feint: the Eight-Commandment rake was waved in a false move, a pretended defeat, and Pigsy turned and fled toward the eastern shore. The monster gave chase, pressing close to the bank. The Pilgrim could restrain himself no longer. He abandoned his master, snatched his iron rod, leaped to the riverside, and struck the demon squarely on the head. The creature dared not face him and *whoosh*—plunged back into the river.

Pigsy shouted at him: "You Ban-Horse-Plague, you're nothing but an impatient monkey! If you'd just held off a little longer, I could've lured him up onto high ground, and then you could've blocked the riverbank so he couldn't turn back—wouldn't we have caught him? Now he's gone in again—when's he ever going to come back out?"

The Pilgrim laughed. "Oaf, stop your yelling, stop your yelling. Let's go back and see the Master."

Pigsy went with the Pilgrim up to the high bank and met Tripitaka. Tripitaka rose slightly and said, "My disciples, you've worked hard."

Pigsy said, "Never mind about hard work—if we can subdue the monster and get you across the river, that'll be the real solution."

Tripitaka said, "How did your battle with the monster go just now?"

Pigsy said, "That creature's skills are a match for old Pig. Right in the middle of the fight, I pulled a feigned retreat. He chased me up to the shore. Then he saw Senior Brother raising his rod, and he ran."

Tripitaka said, "What can we do about this?"

The Pilgrim said, "Master, set your heart at ease and don't fret. It's getting late now. Let's sit here on this bank while I go beg some vegetarian food. You eat and sleep, and we'll deal with it tomorrow."

Pigsy said, "That's right—go quickly and come back quickly."

The Pilgrim urgently somersaulted up on his cloud and went straight north to a household, where he begged a bowl of vegetarian food and returned to present it to his master. Tripitaka, seeing how quickly he had come, said, "Wukong, when you went to beg food, did you ask that household for a strategy for crossing the river? That would be better than struggling with this monster."

The Pilgrim laughed. "That household was terribly far away—five or seven thousand *li*. How would they know anything about the river's nature? What good would asking them do?"

Pigsy said, "Brother, you're lying again. Five or seven thousand *li*—how could you go and come back so fast?"

The Pilgrim said, "You don't understand. My Somersault Cloud covers a hundred and eight thousand *li* in one leap. For five or seven thousand, all I need is to nod my head twice and bend my waist once—there and back, what's the difficulty?"

Pigsy said, "Brother, if it's that easy, just carry the Master on your back, nod your head, bend your waist, and leap across. Why fight so bitterly with this monster?"

The Pilgrim said, "Can't you ride clouds? Carry the Master across yourself."

Pigsy said: "The Master's mortal flesh and bones weigh as heavy as Mount Tai. How could someone like me, riding a cloud, bear that weight? It would have to be your Somersault Cloud."

The Pilgrim said: "My Somersault Cloud is also a cloud-riding technique—it just goes farther or nearer. You can't carry him, but how could I? As the old saying goes: 'To dispatch Mount Tai is as light as a mustard seed; to carry a mortal man is hard to escape the red dust.' A creature like this poisonous demon uses soul-snatching arts and wind-raising tricks—he just drags and pulls, moving along the ground, unable to carry anything into the air. Tricks like that, old Sun knows them too. There's also the body-hiding art and the earth-shrinking art—I know them all. But the Master must journey through foreign lands and cannot transcend the sea of suffering, so he can barely move an inch. You and I can only serve as his guardians, keeping him alive and safe—we cannot take his sufferings from him, nor can we fetch the scriptures. Even if we could go ahead and see the Buddha, the Buddha would not willingly give the scriptures to us. As they say: 'If it comes easily, it is treated lightly.'"

When the oaf heard these words, he murmured assent. Then they ate the vegetable food with no greens in it, and master and disciples rested below the eastern bank of the Quicksand River.

The next morning, Tripitaka said: "Wukong, how shall we handle things today?"

The Pilgrim said: "Nothing special to handle—Pigsy still has to go into the water."

Pigsy said: "Brother, if you want to keep yourself clean, just arrange it so I go into the water."

The Pilgrim said: "Good brother, this time I won't be impatient. I'll just let you lure him up, and I'll block the riverbank so he can't go back. We must catch him."

Pigsy, the fine fellow, wiped his face, braced himself, took his rake in both hands, went to the river's edge, parted the waters, and descended again to the monster's lair. The creature had just woken from sleep when he heard the water being pushed aside. He quickly turned his head and opened his eyes to look—and saw Pigsy coming with his rake. He leaped out, blocked him head-on, and shouted: "Slow down, slow down—watch my staff!" Pigsy raised his rake to parry and said: "What kind of funeral staff is that? Let your ancestor have a proper look at it!"

The monster said: "You really don't know anything. Listen to me:

This precious staff was always famous—it came from the rose-apple tree on the moon. Cut down by Wu Gang, fashioned by the craft of Lu Ban. Inside it has a core of gold; outside it is strung with ten thousand lines of jeweled threads. Its name is the Precious Staff, skilled in subduing demons; it could quell monsters in the Hall of Miraculous Mist. Because I was made a great general, the Jade Emperor gave it to me to carry. Long or short, it follows my heart; thin or thick, it answers to my will. It guarded the Emperor at the Peach Banquet; it accompanied me at court in the Upper Realms. It was honored by all the sages at the palace; it was saluted by the immortals at the卷帘. It was nurtured into a divine weapon—no mere mortal instrument. Since I was banished from Heaven's gate, I have roamed freely across the seas. I am not boasting when I say boldly: no blade under heaven can match it. As for that rusty-spike rake of yours—it's fit only for hoeing fields and building vegetable beds."

Bajie laughed and said, "You scoundrel who's had too few beatings! Never mind what 'building vegetables' means—I'm afraid one swing will leave you with nowhere to stick a plaster, all nine holes bleeding at once. Even if you don't die, you'll have tetanus for life."

The monster dropped his guard and, from beneath the water, fought Bajie back up to the surface. This round of combat was truly different from the previous ones. Watch now:

The precious staff swung, the rake struck—

When words don't connect, they are no kin.

Because the Wood Mother overcame the elixir sign,

These two were driven into battle.

No victory, no defeat, no turning back—

Waves churned, currents roiled, no harmony between them.

How could this one contain his rage?

How could that one endure the insult?

The rake met the staff, heroes displaying their might;

The water rolled, the shifting sands spread their venom.

Fierce and toiling, all because

Xuanzang heads toward the Western Lands.

The rake was mighty, the staff was skilled.

One seized to drag him ashore;

The other grabbed to plunge him back into the water.

Their shouts thundered, stirring fish and dragons;

Clouds darkened the heavens, gods and ghosts lay low.

Back and forth they fought for thirty rounds, neither showing weakness. Bajie then tried a feigned defeat, dragging his rake and retreating. The monster followed in pursuit, riding the waves, chasing him to the bank. Bajie cursed, "You scoundrel! Come up here—on high ground, with solid footing, we can fight properly!" The monster cursed back, "You wretch, you're luring me up there so your helpers can gang up on me. You come down and we'll fight in the water." The monster had grown cunning and would no longer come ashore, only quarreling with Bajie along the riverbank.

Now Wukong, seeing he would not come ashore, grew so impatient and furious he wished he could snatch him up in one grab. Wukong said, "Master, sit here and wait. Let me try the 'hungry eagle snatching food.'" He somersaulted into the air, then swooped straight down to seize the monster. The monster, who had been arguing with Bajie, suddenly heard the wind and turned sharply. Seeing Wukong descending from the clouds, he put away his staff and dove straight down into the water, hiding his tracks and vanishing without a trace. Wukong stood on the bank and said to Bajie, "Brother, this monster has become slippery—he won't come ashore again. What shall we do?" Bajie said, "Hard, hard, hard! I can't beat him. Even using every ounce of strength I have, I can only manage to hold even." Wukong said, "Let's go see the Master."

The two went back up to the bank and reported to Tang Seng how difficult the monster was to catch. The elder's eyes filled with tears and said, "With such hardship, how can we cross?" Wukong said, "Master, don't worry. This monster stays deep underwater—he's truly hard to deal with. Bajie, you stay here and protect the Master. Don't fight him anymore. I'll go to the Southern Sea and be back soon." Bajie said, "Brother, what are you going to the Southern Sea for?" Wukong said, "This scripture-seeking mission originally came from Guanyin Bodhisattva, and it was also Guanyin Bodhisattva who released us from our bondage. Now our way is blocked at the Flowing Sand River and we can't advance. Without him, how can we manage? I'll go ask her—that would be better than fighting this demon." Bajie said, "True, true. Brother, when you go, be sure to give her my regards—tell her I've always appreciated her guidance." Tang Seng said, "Wukong, if you're going to ask the Bodhisattva, don't delay—go quickly and come back quickly."

Wukong then mounted his somersault cloud and flew straight to the Southern Sea. Why, in less than half an hour he could already see the realm of Mount Putuo. In a moment he descended from his cloud and arrived outside the Purple Bamboo Grove. The Twenty-Four Devas came forward to greet him and said, "Great Sage, what brings you here?" Wukong said, "My master is in trouble. I've come specifically to see the Bodhisattva." The Devas said, "Please sit and wait while I announce you." The Deva on duty went straight to the Cave of Tidal Sound and reported, "Sun Wukong has come for an audience." The Bodhisattva was with the Dragon Girl holding a pearl, admiring flowers by the railing at the Precious Lotus Pool. Upon hearing the report, she turned back to the cloud-rock and opened the door, calling him in. The Great Sage solemnly knelt and paid his respects.

The Bodhisattva asked, "Why aren't you protecting Tang Seng? What matter brings you here again?" Wukong reported, "Bodhisattva, my master previously took on another disciple at Gaolou Village—his name is Zhu Bajie, and thanks to you he was also given the dharma name Wuneng. We had just passed Yellow Wind Ridge and now we've reached the eight-hundred-li Flowing Sand River. It is a river of weak water—three thousand fathoms—and my master cannot cross. There is also a monster in the river with tremendous martial skills. Only thanks to Wuneng fighting him on the water's surface three times have we managed at all, but we cannot defeat him. He is blocking us and we cannot cross the river. That is why I have come to report to you, Bodhisattva, hoping for your compassion and help in ferrying us across." The Bodhisattva said, "You monkey, are you being arrogant again, unwilling to mention that you're protecting Tang Seng?" Wukong said, "We only want to capture him and make him ferry my master across the river. Underwater matters—I can't handle them precisely. It was only Wuneng who found his lair and talked to him. I don't think he mentioned the scripture-seeking mission." The Bodhisattva said, "The monster of the Flowing Sand River is none other than the Curtain-Lifting General reborn in the mortal world. He is also a good believer whom I converted, and I instructed him to protect those who seek the scriptures. If you had only told him you are scripture-seekers from the Eastern Land, he would never have fought you—he would have surrendered at once." Wukong said, "That monster is now afraid to fight and won't come up to the bank. He only hides his tracks underwater. How can we make him surrender? And how can my master cross the weak water?"

The Bodhisattva then called Hui'an, drew a red gourd from her sleeve, and instructed him, "Take this gourd with Sun Wukong to the surface of the Flowing Sand River. Simply call out 'Wujing' and he will come out. First lead him to take refuge in Tang Seng. Then string his nine skulls together, arrange them according to the Nine Palaces formation, and place this gourd in the center. It will become a dharma boat that can ferry Tang Seng across the Flowing Sand River."

Hui'an, upon hearing these words, respectfully obeyed his teacher's command. Together with the Great Sage, he carried the gourd out of the Tide Sound Cave and, having received the Dharma decree, took leave of the Purple Bamboo Grove. A poem bears witness:

The five elements in harmony match innate truth,

Recognizing the old master from times past.

Refining oneself to establish the foundation serves wondrous purpose,

Distinguishing the crooked from the upright reveals the root cause.

Metal returns to nature and joins its kind,

Wood seeks passion and sinks together with it.

The two earths complete their work in stillness,

Water and fire are blended without the slightest dust.

Before long, the two of them descended upon the clouds and arrived at the banks of the Flowing Sands River. Zhu Bajie recognized the figure as Muzha—also written "Zha"—the Pilgrim, and led his master forward to greet him. Muzha—also written "Zha"—finished his obeisance to Tripitaka and then exchanged greetings with Bajie. Bajie said, "Thanks to your guidance, I was able to meet the Bodhisattva. Old Pig has indeed followed the Dharma's teaching and is now happy to have taken refuge in the Buddhist order. I have been rushing along the road these past days and have not had a chance to express my thanks. Please forgive me, please forgive me." The Pilgrim said, "Let's not catch up on old times now—let's go call that fellow over." Tripitaka said, "Call whom?" The Pilgrim said, "This old Sun met with the Bodhisattva and told her everything that happened. The Bodhisattva said that this demon of the Flowing Sands River is none other than the Curtain-Lifting General, who descended to the mortal world. Because he committed a crime in Heaven, he fell into this river and lost his true form, becoming a monster. He was once persuaded by the Bodhisattva and expressed his willingness to follow the master on the journey to the Western Heaven. But we never mentioned the matter of the scriptures, which is why we fought so fiercely. The Bodhisattva has now sent Muzha—also written "Zha"—with this gourd. He is to make a Dharma boat with that fellow to ferry you across." Upon hearing this, Tripitaka bowed in endless gratitude and said to Muzha—also written "Zha"—"I humbly beg you to make haste." Muzha—also written "Zha"—steadied the gourd and, half upon the clouds and half upon the mist, made his way directly to the surface of the Flowing Sands River. He cried out in a stern, loud voice: "Wujing! Wujing! The scripture seeker has been here for a long while. Why have you still not submitted?"

Now the monster, having fled in fear of the Monkey King, had returned to the bottom of the water and was resting in his lair when he heard his Dharma name called. He knew at once it was Guanyin Bodhisattva. Then he heard the words "the scripture seeker is here." He no longer feared axe or blade, but quickly churned the waves and raised his head. He recognized Muzha—also written "Zha"—the Pilgrim. Watch him—smiling broadly, he stepped forward and bowed. "Honored one, I failed to greet you properly. Where is the Bodhisattva now?" Muzha—also written "Zha"—said, "My teacher has not come. She sent me ahead to instruct you to become a disciple of Tang Seng as soon as possible. She told me to take the skulls hanging from your neck and, together with this gourd, arrange them according into the nine-palaces formation to make a Dharma boat and ferry him across these Weak Waters." Wujing said, "But where is the scripture seeker?" Muzha—also written "Zha"—pointed with his finger and said: "Isn't that him, sitting on the eastern bank?" Wujing looked and saw Bajie. "That fellow—who knows where that scoundrel came from? He fought with me for two whole days. When did he ever mention a single word about scriptures?" Then he saw the Pilgrim and said, "And that master there—his helper, so fierce and powerful. I won't go." Muzha—also written "Zha"—said, "That is Zhu Bajie, and this is Sun Wukong. Both are Tang Seng's disciples, both were persuaded by the Bodhisattva. Why fear them? I will take you to meet Tang Seng."

Only then did Wujing put away his treasure staff, straightened his yellow monk's robe, and leaped ashore. He fell to both knees before Tang Seng and said: "Master, your disciple had eyes but no pupils—I failed to recognize your venerable countenance and offended you many times. I beg your forgiveness a thousand times." Bajie said, "You bag of pus! Why didn't you submit earlier? Why did you insist on fighting with me? What do you have to say for yourself?" The Pilgrim laughed and said, "Brother, don't blame him. It's because we never told him about the scriptures or our names." The elder said, "Are you truly willing to sincerely take refuge in our teaching?" Wujing said, "I have long received the Bodhisattva's guidance. She pointed to the sand and gave me that as my surname, and gave me the Dharma name Sha Wujing. How could I refuse to follow my master?" Tripitaka said, "In that case," and called out: "Wukong, bring me the ordination knife." The Great Sanctuary obeyed and shaved his head with the ordination knife. Wujing then bowed to Tripitaka, to the Pilgrim, and to Bajie, and their ranks were settled. Tripitaka saw that his manner of bowing truly bore the air of a man of the cloth, and so he called him Sha Heshang. Muzha—also written "Zha"—said: "Now that he has received the precepts, let us not dawdle. Make the Dharma boat at once."

Wujing did not dare delay. He took the skulls hanging from his neck, bound them with a cord into the nine-palaces formation, placed the Bodhisattva's gourd in the center, and invited the master to step aboard. The elder boarded the Dharma boat and sat upon it—indeed it was as stable as a light skiff. On the left, Bajie supported him; on the right, Wujing held him. Sun Wukong led the dragon-horse behind, following half upon the clouds and half upon the mist. Above, Muzha—also written "Zha"—guarded him. The master drifted lightly and steadily across the Flowing Sands River, the waves calm and the wind still as he passed over the Weak Waters. Truly it was like flying, like an arrow in flight. Before long, he reached the far shore and escaped the great waves. He did not drag mud or carry water—fortunately his feet were dry and his hands were dry, pure and unmoved. The master and disciples stood upon solid ground. Muzha—also written "Zha"—pressed his auspicious cloud and retrieved the gourd. Then the skulls dissolved in an instant into nine gusts of yin wind and vanished without a trace. Tripitaka thanked Muzha—also written "Zha"—and bowed in worship to the Bodhisattva. And so it was:

Muzha—also written "Zha"—returned straight to the Eastern Ocean,

While Tripitaka mounted his horse and headed west.

When, after all, will they attain the true fruit and obtain the scriptures? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.