第049回

Chapter 49

Now the Great Sage, along with Bajie and Monk Sand, took leave of old Chen and came to the riverbank. "Brothers," he said, "the two of you decide—which one of you will go into the water first?"

Bajie said, "Brother, neither of us has any special abilities in this regard. You'd better go in first."

The Patriarch said, "I'll be frank with you, brother. If it were a demon from the mountains, I wouldn't need you to lift a finger. But when it comes to matters in the water, I can't manage it. Even when crossing seas or rivers, I have to recite the water-avoiding spell, or transform into some fish or crab form before I can go. But if I'm reciting that spell, I can't wield my iron cudgel, I can't use my magic powers, and I can't fight the demon. I've long known that you two are accustomed to water, which is why I want you two to go down."

Monk Sand said, "Brother, though I can go, I don't know what it's like at the bottom. Let's all go together. Brother, transform into some form, or let me carry you. We'll part the water and find the demon's lair, and you can go in first to scout around. If our master hasn't been harmed and is still there, we can make a concerted effort to attack. But if this demon has played some trick—if he's drowned our master or the monster has eaten him—then there's no point in struggling on. We'd better find another way quickly. What do you think?"

The Patriarch said, "Brother, you speak sensibly. Which of you will carry me?"

Bajie secretly rejoiced. "This monkey has tricked me countless times. So it turns out he can't handle water. Let old Pig carry him—I'll trick him for once." The idiot grinned and called out, "Brother, I'll carry you!"

The Patriarch knew he had ulterior motives, but decided to turn the tables on him. "Yes, all right. You're stronger than Wujing, after all." Bajie then hoisted him on his back.

Monk Sand parted the water, and the brothers together entered the River That Reaches Heaven. They traveled down toward the bottom for a hundred *li* or so, and the idiot decided to play a trick on the Patriarch. The Patriarch immediately plucked a hair and transformed it into a false body, which he placed on Bajie's back. His true body transformed into a pig louse and clung tightly inside Bajie's ear. As Bajie was walking along, he suddenly stumbled and, on purpose, flung the Patriarch forward, sending him sprawling. The false body, being made of a hair, simply floated away without a trace.

Monk Sand said, "Second Brother, what's the matter? If you can't walk properly and fall in the mud, so be it—but you've lost track of where our big brother ended up."

Bajie said, "That monkey can't take a fall—one tumble and he's dissolved. Brother, never mind whether he's dead or alive. Let's you and I go find the master."

Monk Sand said, "No, we still need him. He may not know water, but he's cleverer than we are. Without him, I won't go with you."

The Patriarch, inside Bajie's ear, couldn't resist calling out, "Wujing, old Sun is here!"

Monk Sand heard him and laughed. "Well, this idiot is done for! How could you dare trick him? Now we can hear his voice but can't see him—what are we to do?"

Bajie, in a panic, knelt in the mud and kowtowed. "Brother, I was wrong. Once we've saved the master, I'll apologize properly when we get ashore. Where are you making that sound from? You nearly scared me to death. Please show your true form and come out. I'll carry you, and I won't jostle you again."

The Patriarch said, "You're still carrying me. I won't tease you anymore. Go on, go on!" The idiot kept mumbling apologies as he got up and pressed forward with Monk Sand.

They traveled another hundred *li* or so when they suddenly looked up and saw a tower with a gate, on which were written four large characters: "The Residence of the Water Turtle."

Monk Sand said, "This must be where the demon lives. We don't know the situation—how can we go up and challenge him to battle?"

The Patriarch said, "Wujing, is there water inside and outside the gate?"

Monk Sand said, "No water."

The Patriarch said, "Since there's no water, hide yourself nearby while old Sun goes to scout around."

The splendid Great Sage crawled out of Bajie's ear, then transformed himself into a long-legged shrimp woman. With two or three hops, he was inside the gate. He opened his eyes and saw the demon sitting on a throne, with water creatures arrayed on both sides. A spotted-clothed mandarin fish woman sat to one side, and they were all discussing how to eat Tripitaka. The Patriarch looked carefully but couldn't spot him anywhere. Then he saw a big-bellied shrimp woman approaching and standing in the western corridor. The Patriarch hopped up to her and said, "Auntie, the king and his court are discussing eating Tripitaka. Where is Tripitaka?"

The shrimp woman said, "Tripitaka was captured by the king when he sent down snow and froze the ice. He's been placed in a stone casket behind the palace. They're just waiting until tomorrow—if his disciples don't come making a fuss, they'll enjoy him with music."

Having heard this, the Patriarch lingered a while, then went straight to look behind the palace. Sure enough, there was a stone casket, resembling a pig trough from a sty, or like a stone coffin for a human. It measured a good six feet in length. He crouched on top of it and listened for a while. He could hear Tripitaka sobbing softly inside.

The Patriarch said nothing but listened more closely. His master was grinding his teeth and heaved a sigh:

"I blame my fate from the River of Flowing Sands,

In life, how many water disasters have I endured!

From my mother's womb I battled the waves,

Seeking Buddha in the West, I fell into the abyss.

Before, at the Black River my body was in peril,

Now, with the ice melting, my life returns to the spring.

I don't know if my disciples can come—

Can the true scriptures return to my homeland?"

The Patriarch couldn't hold back. "Master, don't resent the water disaster. The scriptures say: 'Earth is the mother of the five elements; water is the source of the five elements. Without earth, nothing is born; without water, nothing grows.' Old Sun is here!"

Tripitaka, hearing this, said, "Disciple, save me!"

The Patriarch said, "Set your mind at ease. Once we've captured the demon, I'll see to it that you're delivered from this calamity."

Tripitaka said, "Hurry and act! If you wait one more day, I'll be suffocated to death."

The Patriarch said, "It's all right, it's all right. I'm going now!"

He turned and leaped outside, then resumed his true form at the gate and called: "Eight Rules."

The idiot and Sha Monk came forward and said, "Brother, how did it go?"

The Pilgrim said, "This monster has indeed tricked our master. Our master hasn't been harmed—he's been sealed under a stone chest by the monster. You two go challenge him quickly. Let me get out of the water first. If you can capture him, capture him. If you can't, feign defeat and lure him out of the water, and I'll deal with him."

Sha Monk said, "Brother, go ahead without worry. We'll read the situation and act accordingly."

The Pilgrim recited the water-avoiding spell, drilled out of the river, and stood waiting on the bank. We will leave him there for now.

Now watch Pig charge in with murderous intent, storming up to the gate and shouting at the top of his lungs: "You wretched monster! Send our master out!"

The little demons inside the gate were so frightened they rushed to report: "Great King, there's someone outside the gate demanding our master."

The demon said, "This must be those scoundrel monks." He ordered: "Fetch my armor and weapons at once!" The little demons hurried to bring them out. The demon put on his armor, took up his weapons, and ordered the gate opened. He strode out.

Pig and Sha Monk stood flanking him on either side. See how the demon was armed! What a monster! Observe him:

A golden helmet on his head, dazzling and resplendent;

Golden armor on his body, flashing like a rainbow's luminescence.

A jeweled belt around his waist, studded with pearls and jade;

Smoky-yellow boots on his feet, wondrously made.

His nose bridge was high and towering like a mountain peak;

His forehead was broad and vast, like a dragon's mystique.

His eyes were blazing, round and fierce;

His teeth were steel-edged, sharp and uniform in their pierce.

His short hair was蓬松 and floated like flames;

His long whiskers were dashing, like golden prods they came.

A tender green sprig of algae clenched in his mouth;

A nine-petaled red copper hammer in his hand—that's what he brought.

When the gate creaked open with a cry,

The sound was like spring thunder on the Awakening of Insects—startling and high.

Such a figure is rarely seen in the mortal world;

He dared call himself the Great King of Spiritual Might, and that's no lie.

When the demon emerged from the gate, behind him followed a hundred or so little demons, each brandishing spears and swords, drawn up in two formations. He said to Pig: "You monk from that temple—why have you come here to make such a racket?"

Pig roared: "You worthless creature that won't stay dead! You traded blows with me the other night, and now you pretend not to know me and ask me questions? I am a disciple of the Holy Saint of the Great Tang in the East, journey west to worship Buddha and seek the scriptures. You played your tricks, pretending to be some Great King of Spiritual Inspiration, devouring a boy and a girl every year in Chen Village. I am the One-Ounce Gold of the Chen Qing household—don't you recognize me?"

The demon said: "You monk, you have no principles at all. You transformed yourself into One-Ounze Gold—that alone is a crime of impersonation. I didn't even get to eat you, and on top of that you wounded the back of my hand. I already let you off. Why have you come to my gate again?"

Pig said: "Since you let me off, why did you then conjure a cold wind, send down heavy snow, and freeze the solid ice to harm my master? Send my master out quickly and all will be forgiven. But if you so much as utter half a syllable of 'no,' just look at this rake in my hand—I will not spare you."

Upon hearing this, the demon said with a faint, cold smile: "This monk wags his tongue and boasts with a big mouth. It's true—I made the cold, sent the snow, and froze the river to capture your master. Now you come shouting at my gate, thinking to demand his return. I'm afraid this time won't be like last time: back then, I was attending a gathering and hadn't brought my weapons, so I was wounded by you by mistake. But now don't you dare run away. I'll fight you three rounds. If you can hold me off for three rounds, I'll return your master. If you can't, I'll eat you along with him."

Pig said: "Good little son, that's exactly the right way to put it. Take a good look at this rake."

The demon said: "So you're a monk who took the vows halfway along the road."

Pig said: "My son, you really do have some spiritual inspiration—how did you know I'm a monk who took the vows halfway?"

The demon said: "You use a rake, so you must have been hired to work in someone's vegetable garden, and you swiped their rake and brought it along."

Pig said: "My son, this rake of mine is not some garden-tilling rake. Look:

Its giant teeth were cast like dragon claws,

Adorned with gold, it takes the form of a coiling viper.

When it meets an enemy, a cold wind blows;

When it joins battle, fire glows.

It can rid our holy monk of monsters,

And catch demons on the Western road.

When swung, it obscures the sun and moon with smoke and clouds;

When wielded, it illuminates all with brilliant light.

It could knock down Mount Tai—a thousand tigers would fear it;

It could overturn the great sea—ten thousand dragons would startle at it.

No matter how mighty your powers are,

One strike of this rake will bore nine holes through you."

That demon absolutely refused to believe him. He raised his copper hammer and smashed it down on Pig's head. Pig blocked it with his spiked rake and said: "You wretched creature—so you're also a demon who achieved his power halfway along the road."

The monster said: "How did you know I achieved my power halfway?"

Pig said: "You use a copper hammer, so you must have been hired at some silver's shop to work the furnace, and you got your hands on it and stole it away."

The demon said: "This is not a silversmith's hammer. Look:

Nine petals form its flower-bud shape;

One hollow shaft, evergreen through all seasons.

It is not an ordinary thing of the mortal world—

Its origin lies in the name of the immortal garden.

Green chambers, purple seeds, aged by the Jasper Lake;

Pure substance, fragrant grace, born in the emerald pond.

Through my diligent refinement and tempering,

It is hard as steel, sharp and thoroughly divine.

Spears, swords, halberds, and blades cannot compare;

Battle-axes, halberds, spears, and lances dare not endure.

Even if your rake could sharpen its blades,

Touch my hammer and your nails will snap and break."

Sha Monk, seeing the two of them trading words, could not contain himself. He stepped forward and shouted: "You monster, stop your boating! The ancients said: 'Words are no proof—only deeds reveal the truth.' Don't you run—take a blow from my staff!"

The demon blocked it with the shaft of his hammer and said: "You're also a monk who took the vows halfway along the road."

Sha Monk said: "How did you know?"

The demon said: "The way you look, you come from the profession of a miller."

Sha Monk said: "How did you figure I look like a miller?"

The demon said: "If you're not a miller, how would you know how to use a rolling pin?"

Sha Monk cursed: "You wretched creature—you've never seen the like:

Such a weapon is rare in the mortal world,

Which is why its precious name is hard to know."

From the moon palace's shadowless realm it came,

The saw-polished immortal wood was shaped and framed.

With jewels inlaid without, its radiance blazed,

With gold refined within, its auspicious aura raised.

It once graced the imperial feast of old,

Now it guards the monk with virtue bold.

Unknown upon the Western road below,

In heaven's halls its great name's widely known.

They call it the Demon-Subduing True-Treasure Staff—

One blow, and it will shatter the skull, right enough."

The demon villain would not hear reason. The three changed their expressions, and this battle beneath the water raged fiercely:

Copper hammer, treasure staff, and spiked rake—

Wujing and Wujing fought the fiend.

One was Tianpeng descended to the mortal world,

One was a great general sent from heaven's edge.

The two of them pressed the water monster with might and main,

The lone one matched the divine monk—a feat to praise.

Where karma and affinity converge, the Great Way is born;

Where mutual generation and restraint hold sway, like grains of sand.

Earth overcomes water—the riverbed runs dry;

Water begets wood—the trees burst into bloom.

Meditation's practice returns to one body;

The elixir's refining subdues the three schools.

Earth is the mother, it sprouts the golden shoot;

Metal gives birth to the divine water, which bears the infant child.

Water is the root, it moistens the splendor of wood;

Wood gives forth the brilliant glow of fiery flame.

The five elements gathered together are each distinct and strange,

Thus they changed their faces and contended with one another.

Look at that copper hammer—nine petals of radiant light,

The treasure staff—a thousand threads of embroidered splendor.

The rake conforms to yin and yang, divides the nine luminaries,

But his technique was muddled, tangled as hemp.

They sacrificed their lives and risked their souls for the monk's ordeal,

They forgot death and clung to life for the sake of Shakyamuni.

Thus the copper hammer fell without ceasing,

The treasure staff fended left, the rake blocked right.

The three of them fought beneath the water for two full hours, with neither side gaining the upper hand. Zhu Bajie reckoned he could not defeat him, and cast a glance at Sha Wujing. The two feigned defeat, each dragging their weapon, and turned to flee. The monster called out: "Little ones, hold your positions here. Let me chase after these wretches and catch them to share with you for a silent feast." Watch him—like wind scattering withered leaves, like rain beating fallen blossoms—he drove the two of them out of the water's surface.

The Great Sage Sun stood on the eastern bank, eyes unwavering, watching only the river's flow. Suddenly the waves surged and roared, and Bajie leaped ashore first, crying: "He's coming, he's coming!" Sha Wujing also reached the bank: "He's coming, he's coming!" The demon fiend called after them: "Where do you think you're going?" He had barely surfaced when the Pilgrim shouted: "Take my staff!" The fiend dodged aside and raised his copper hammer to meet the blow. One surged upon the waves at the river's edge, the other exerted his power on the bank. They had scarcely joined battle for three exchanges when the fiend could not withstand him—he made a feint and plunged back into the water. And so the wind calmed and the waves stilled.

The Pilgrim returned to the high cliff and said: "Brothers, you've worked hard." Sha Wujing said: "Elder Brother, this fiend—he's not much on the land, but in the water he's formidable too. Second Elder Brother and I attacked him from both sides, and we could only fight him to a draw. What shall we do to rescue our master?" The Pilgrim said: "We must not delay, for fear he may harm our master." Bajie said: "Elder Brother, let me go and lure him out. Don't make a sound—just wait in mid-air. When you see him poke his head up, give him a good garlic-pounding blow, a solid hit right on his crown. Even if it doesn't kill him, at the very least he'll be writhing in pain and dizzy, and old Bajie will rush in with one rake stroke and settle his account." The Pilgrim said: "Exactly, exactly. This is called 'coordinating from within and without'—only then can we succeed." The two of them re-entered the water, and we will speak no more of it for now.

Now the demon fiend, defeated and fleeing for his life, returned to his lair. The lesser fiends received him in the palace. Guipo came forward and asked: "Great King, where did you chase those two monks to?" The fiend said: "Those monks have another helper. The two of them leaped ashore, and the helper swung an iron staff at me. I dodged and engaged him. I don't know how many pounds that staff of mine weighed—my copper hammer could not withstand it at all. Before three exchanges were done, I was defeated and had to retreat." Guipo said: "Great King, can you remember what that helper looked like?" The fiend said: "A monk with a hairy face like the god of thunder, slit ears, a crumpled nose bridge, and fiery golden eyes." When Guipo heard this, she shuddered and said: "Great King, you were fortunate to recognize his true nature and escape with your life! If you had fought three more exchanges, you would surely not have survived. That monk—I know him." The fiend said: "Who do you know him to be?" Guipo said: "In former years, in the Eastern Seas, I heard the old Dragon King speak of his reputation. He is the Great Sage Equal of Heaven, the Handsome Monkey King, the Primordial Supreme Golden Immortal of the Upper Realm, who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. Now he has submitted to the Buddhist faith and escorts Tripitaka to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures. He has changed his name and is called Sun Wukong the Pilgrim. His divine powers are vast and his transformations many. Great King, why did you provoke him? Never fight him again."

Before she had finished, a lesser fiend came from within the gate and reported: "Great King, those two monks have come again to challenge us at the gate." The fiend said: "My wise sister's insight is profound. I shall not go out again—let them do as he will." He urgently commanded: "Little ones, bar the gate tightly. As the saying goes: 'Let them shout outside the gate all they like—we simply will not open it.' Let them pester us for two days; when they lose patience and leave, won't we enjoy the monk Tang at our leisure?" The lesser fiends all moved stones and packed mud blocks, sealing the gate shut.

Bajie and Sha Wujing shouted at the gate but got no response. The fool grew impatient and used his spiked rake to pound on the gate. But the gate was already tightly shut and bolted—there was no getting through. After seven or eight rake blows, he smashed through the door panels, but inside there were only earth and stone, piled in layers a thousand deep. Sha Wujing saw this and said: "Second Elder Brother, this monster is terrified and will not come out. Let us return to the high bank above the river and consult with our elder brother." Bajie agreed and made his way back to the eastern bank.

The Sage, half in cloud and half in mist, stood holding his iron staff, waiting. Seeing the two of them returning but no demon, he lowered his cloud and came to meet them on the bank, asking, "Brother, why hasn't that creature come up?" Sha Wujing said, "The monster has tightly shut his doors and won't come out to face us. When Second Brother smashed the door panels and looked inside, it was all piled solid with earth and stones. That's no place for a fight, so we've come to discuss with you, Elder Brother, how to devise another plan to rescue our master." The Sage said, "If that's the case, there's nothing we can do. You two patrol the riverbank and don't let him get away to some other place. Wait while I go." Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, where are you going?" The Sage said, "I'm going to Mount Putuo to ask the Bodhisattva about this demon—where he comes from, what his name is. Once I find his ancestral home, I'll capture his family, seize his neighbors, and then come back here to catch the monster and rescue our master." Bajie laughed and said, "Brother, going about it like that is just too much trouble—it'll waste too much time." The Sage said, "Never mind whether it's trouble or a waste of time. I'll be right back."

The great Sage, in a hurry, sped his auspicious light, left the river mouth, and made straight for the Southern Sea. Before half an hour had passed, he saw Mount Luojia not far off. Lowering his cloud, he went straight to the Putuo cliff. There he saw the twenty-four Devas, the Guardian Deity of the Mountain, the Moksha disciple Muzha, the boy Sudhana, and the dragon girl holding the pearl all come forward together, bowing and saying, "What brings the Great Sage here?" The Sage said, "I have business to see the Bodhisattva." The deities said, "The Bodhisattva left the grotto this morning and told no one to follow. She went into the bamboo grove to enjoy herself. She knew the Great Sage would certainly come today and ordered us to wait here to receive you—she cannot be disturbed. Please sit for a while on the emerald rock until she emerges."

The Sage did as told, but before he could even sit down, the boy Sudhana came forward and bowed, saying, "Great Sage Sun, thanks to your kindness earlier, the Bodhisattva graciously took me in. I stay by her side day and night, attending upon the lotus throne, and have received great kindness." The Sage knew this was Red Boy and laughed, "Back then you were deluded by demonic afflictions, but now you've attained the right fruit and know that old Sun is a good person."

The Sage waited a long time without seeing her and grew anxious. "Please announce me to her, gentlemen. If we delay any longer, I fear for my master's life." The deities said, "We dare not announce you. The Bodhisattva gave orders to wait for her to come out on her own." The Sage was impatient by nature and couldn't wait. He quickly darted inside. Ah!

This Handsome Monkey King,

Impatient and quick to take flight.

The Devas couldn't hold him back,

He pushed his way inside.

Striding into the deep forest,

He opened his eyes and stole a glance.

In the distance sat the Savior,

Seated on a mat of tattered bamboo leaves.

Too lazy to fix her hair,

Her face so charming and graceful.

Her hair loosely gathered in a coil,

No jeweled necklace worn.

No plain blue robe draped,

Just a small close-fitting jacket tied tight.

A silk skirt loosely bound at her waist,

Her feet bare.

No embroidered sashes on her shoulders,

Both arms bare and gleaming.

Her jade hands held a steel knife,

Stripping bamboo skin.

The Sage saw this and couldn't help crying out in a loud voice, "Bodhisattva, your disciple Sun Wukong bows with all his heart!" The Bodhisattva said, "Wait outside." The Sage kowtowed and said, "Bodhisattva, my master is in trouble. I've come especially to ask about the origins of the Tongtian River demon." The Bodhisattva said, "Go out and wait for me to come out."

The Sage dared not insist, so he walked out of the bamboo grove and said to the Devas, "The Bodhisattva must be rearranging her household today. Why isn't she sitting on her lotus throne, or dressing up, or looking pleased? What's she doing cutting bamboo strips in the forest?" The deities said, "We don't know. She left the grotto this morning without even adorning herself and went straight into the grove. She also ordered us to wait here to receive the Great Sage, so she must have known you had business." The Sage had no choice but to wait.

Before long, the Bodhisattva emerged from the grove carrying a purple bamboo basket. "Wukong," she said, "I'll go with you to save Tang Monk." The Sage hastily knelt and said, "Your disciple dares not rush you, but please put on your robes and take your seat first." The Bodhisattva said, "No need to dress. Let's go as we are." She left the Devas behind and rode her auspicious cloud into the air. The Great Sage Sun had no choice but to follow.

In an instant they arrived at the Tongtian River. Bajie and Sha Wujing saw them and said, "Our brother is so impatient—we don't know what shouting and carrying on he did in the Southern Sea to force an unadorned Bodhisattva to come." Before they could finish speaking, they reached the riverbank. The two of them bowed and said, "Bodhisattva, we have acted presumptuously—we are guilty, we are guilty." The Bodhisattva untied a silk cord that had been binding her jacket, fastened it to the basket, and holding the cord, half-treading on cloud, she threw it into the river. Pulling it upstream, she chanted:

"The dead depart, the living stay.

The dead depart, the living stay."

After chanting seven times, she lifted the basket. Inside, gleaming brightly, was a golden fish, still blinking its eyes and moving its scales. The Bodhisattva called, "Wukong, quickly go down and rescue your master!" The Sage said, "We haven't captured the demon—how can we rescue our master?" The Bodhisattva said, "Isn't he in this basket?" Bajie and Sha Wujing bowed and asked, "How did this fish have such powers?" The Bodhisattva said, "He was a goldfish raised in my Lotus Pond. Every day he floated his head above the water to listen to the scriptures and cultivated his powers. That nine-petaled copper hammer was an unopened lotus bud that he refined into a weapon. I don't know which day the tide swelled and he made his way here. This morning I leaned on the railing to admire the flowers and didn't see him come out to pay respects. I counted on my fingers and calculated that he had become a demon here, harming your master. That's why I didn't even take time to dress—I used my divine power to weave this bamboo basket to catch him."

The Pilgrim said, "Bodhisattva, since this is the case, wait a moment while we call the believers of Chen Village to see the Bodhisattva's golden face: first, to bestow grace; and second, to tell them of this matter of subduing the demon, so that the common folk may have faith in supporting you." The Bodhisattva said, "Very well, go quickly and call them." Bajie and Sha Seng ran swiftly to the village gate, shouting, "Come and see the living Guanyin Bodhisattva! Come and see the living Guanyin Bodhisattva!" The old and young, men and women of the whole village, went to the riverbank, heedless of the mud and water, and all knelt inside, kowtowing and worshipping. Among them was one skilled in drawing, who made a portrait of her likeness. This was the manifestation of Guanyin with the fish basket. The Bodhisattva then returned to the Southern Sea.

Bajie and Sha Seng parted the waterway and went straight to the water-turtle's dwelling to find their master. It turned out that all the water monsters and fish spirits there had died and rotted. They entered the inner palace, lifted the stone casket, carried Master Tang on their backs, left the water's edge, and met with the others. The Chen Qing brothers kowtowed and said gratefully, "Master, you did not heed our advice to stay, and so suffered such hardship." The Pilgrim said, "No need to speak of it. The people of this village need no longer hold sacrificial rites next year. The Great King has been eradicated root and branch, and will cause no more harm. Old Chen, now I must trouble you—quickly find a boat to ferry us across the river." Chen Qing said, "Yes, yes, yes!" and ordered planks to be taken apart to build a boat. When the villagers heard this, there was none who did not rejoice. One said, "I'll buy the mast and sail." Another said, "I'll provide the poles and oars." Some said, "I'll contribute ropes." Others said, "I'll hire boatmen."

Just as they were all clamoring on the riverbank, suddenly a voice cried from the middle of the river: "Great Sage Sun, don't build a boat—it wastes these people's money and goods. I will ferry you and your master across." When the people heard this, every one of them was alarmed. The timid ones went home, while the braver ones trembled as they stayed to watch. In a moment, a monster emerged from the water. What did it look like?

A square-headed divine creature, no common breed;

Nine ridges of sacred spirit, called a Water Immortal.

Trailing its tail, it could extend a thousand ages' life;

Hiding its body, it silently concealed itself in the depths of a hundred rivers.

It churned waves and leaped billows, crashing against the riverbank;

It faced the sun and bedded in the wind by the seashore.

Nurturing its breath and containing its spirit, it truly possessed the Way—

For many years it had been a powder-covered, scabby-headed old turtle.

The old turtle called out again, "Great Sage, don't build a boat—I will ferry you and your master across." The Pilgrim brandished his iron staff and said, "You wretch! If you come near, this staff will beat you to death." The old turtle said, "I am grateful for the Great Sage's kindness and sincerely wish to ferry you and your master across. Why would you want to beat me instead?" The Pilgrim said, "What kindness have I shown you?" The old turtle said, "Great Sage, you do not know that the water-turtle's dwelling below was my home, handed down through the generations from my ancestors. Having awakened to my original nature and cultivated my spiritual energy, I practiced the Way here. I renovated my ancestral residence and established it as the water-turtle's dwelling. That demon, nine years ago, came riding the tidal wave during a tsunami. Relying on his ferocity, he fought with me, wounded many of my children, and seized many of my kinfolk. I could not defeat him, and he took my lair for himself. Now that the Great Sage has come to rescue the Tang monk and invited Guanyin Bodhisattva to sweep away the demonic aura and capture the monster, my dwelling has been restored to me. Now that my family is reunited, we need no longer wallow in mud and can return to our old home. This kindness is as weighty as mountains and as deep as the sea. And not only have we received this grace—the people of this village are spared from the annual sacrificial rites, saving the children of so many households. This is truly what is called a kindness that accomplishes two things at once. How could I not repay it?" When the Pilgrim heard this, he was secretly pleased. He put away his iron staff and said, "Is this truly how you feel?" The old turtle said, "Since the Great Sage's grace is so vast, how could I dare to speak falsely?" The Pilgrim said, "Since it is true, swear an oath to Heaven." The old turtle opened its red mouth and swore to Heaven, "If I do not sincerely ferry the Tang monk across the Tongtian River, may my body be turned into blood and water." The Pilgrim laughed and said, "Come up, come up."

The old turtle then approached the shore, heaved its body, and climbed onto the riverbank. When the people came forward to look, they saw a giant white shell with a circumference of four feet. The Pilgrim said, "Master, let us climb onto his back and cross." Tripitaka said, "Disciple, even the thick ice was treacherous enough—how much less can we trust a turtle's back? It may not be steady." The old turtle said, "Master, rest assured. I am far steadier than that thick ice. But if I tilt even slightly, may I fail to achieve the fruit of success." The Pilgrim said, "Master, all living creatures who can speak human words will never utter falsehoods." He called out, "Brothers, quickly bring the horse."

When they reached the riverbank, the old and young, men and women of Chen Village all came to bow and see them off. The Pilgrim had the horse led onto the white turtle's shell. He asked Tripitaka to stand on the left side of the horse's neck, Sha Seng on the right, Bajie behind the horse, and the Pilgrim stood in front of the horse. Fearing the turtle might act disrespectfully, he untied his tiger-sinew rope, threaded it through the old turtle's nose, and pulled it taut like a bridle. He then placed one foot on the shell and one foot on the turtle's head; with one hand he held his iron staff, and with the other he pulled the bridle. He called out, "Old turtle, walk slowly—if you tilt even a little, I'll strike you on the head." The old turtle said, "I dare not, I dare not." It then stretched out its four legs and trod the water as if walking on flat ground. The people on shore all burned incense and kowtowed, chanting "Namo Amitabha." This was truly: a real arhat descending to the mortal world, a living Bodhisattva appearing. The people kept bowing until they could no longer see the shadow before returning home. But let us speak no more of this.

Now the master rode upon the white turtle, and in less than a day they had traversed the eight hundred li of the River of Heaven's Crossing, reaching the shore with dry hands and dry feet. Tripitaka climbed up the bank and pressed his palms together in thanks, saying, "Old Turtle, I am indebted to you. I have nothing to give you now, but when I return with the scriptures, I shall repay you." The Old Turtle said, "I need no gift from you, Master. I have heard that the Buddha of the Western Heaven is neither born nor destroyed, and can know the past and the future. I have cultivated myself in this place for over thirteen hundred years. Although I have prolonged my life, grown light of body, and can speak human speech, I still cannot shed this shell of mine. I earnestly beg you, Master, when you reach the Western Heaven, to ask the Buddha on my behalf when I might be able to cast off this shell and obtain a human body?" Tripitaka readily promised, "I shall ask, I shall ask." Only then did the Old Turtle plunge back into the waters.

The Pilgrim then helped the Tang Monk onto his horse. Pigsy shouldered the luggage, Sandy followed at his side, and the master and his three disciples took the great road, pressing ever westward. And so it was:

The holy monk, bearing the emperor's command, journeys to pay homage to the Buddha,

Through distant waters and far mountains, beset by many calamities.

With steadfast will and sincere heart, he fears not death,

The white turtle bears him across the Heaven's River.

What distances yet remain, and what perils or blessings lie ahead—of this, let the next chapter tell.