Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The earth spirit said, "The Great King is the Bull Demon King." Pilgrim said, "So the Bull Demon King started the fire on this mountain, and the name Fiery Mountains is a false name?" The earth spirit said, "No, no. If the Great Sage would be willing to pardon this little deity's crime, then I would dare to speak plainly." Pilgrim said, "What crime do you have? Speak freely without fear." The earth spirit said, "This fire was originally started by you, Great Sage." Pilgrim said angrily, "Where was I? How can you talk such nonsense? Am I the sort of person who starts fires?" The earth spirit said, "It's simply that you don't recognize me. Originally there was no mountain here. Because when the Great Sage created havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago, you were captured by the Illustrious Sage and taken before Laozi. The Great Sage was placed inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace. After the refining was complete and the cauldron was opened, you kicked over the elixir furnace, and several bricks fell from it. They still contained embers, and when they landed here they became the Fiery Mountains. I was originally a guardian of the furnace in the Tushai Palace. Laozi blamed me for losing control and banished me here, where I became the local earth spirit of the Fiery Mountains." Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie said angrily, "No wonder you're dressed like that — so you're an earth spirit transformed from a Daoist priest."

Pilgrim said, half believing and half doubting, "Now tell me, why did you say earlier that we should seek out the Great King?" The earth spirit said, "The Great King is the husband of Lady Rakshasa. He has recently abandoned Lady Rakshasa and is now at Cloud-Topping Cave on Thunder-Accumulating Mountain. There was a fox king of ten thousand years there who died and left behind a daughter called the Princess Jade Face. The princess has a vast fortune but no one to manage it. Two years ago, she learned of the Bull Demon King's great magical powers and was willing to bring her fortune as a dowry to have him marry into her family. The Bull King abandoned Lady Rakshasa and has not returned since. If the Great Sage can find the Bull King and come here to pay respects to him, only then can you borrow the real fan: first, to fan out the flames and ensure our master can advance; second, to eliminate the fire disaster forever and protect the living creatures here; and third, to pardon me to return to Heaven and deliver Laozi's decree." Pilgrim said, "Where exactly is Thunder-Accumulating Mountain? How far is it from here?" The earth spirit said, "It is due south. From here to there is over three thousand li."

Upon hearing this, Pilgrim immediately instructed Sha Seng and Bajie to protect their master, and told the earth spirit to accompany them and not leave. Then with a sudden whoosh, he vanished. In less than half an hour, he saw a tall mountain soaring into the sky. He lowered his cloud and stood atop its peak to look — truly a magnificent mountain:

So high, its summit rubs the azure sky; so vast, its roots pierce down to the Yellow Springs. Before the mountain the sun is warm; behind the ridge the wind is cold. Before the mountain the sun is warm — grasses and trees know nothing of the three winters; behind the ridge the wind is cold — ice and frost do not melt even in the ninth summer month. Dragon pools connect with flowing streams from the valleys; tiger dens nestle against cliffs where flowers bloom early. The waters branch into a thousand channels like flying jade; the flowers bloom with a single heart as if spreading brocade. On the winding ridges grow winding trees; beyond the gnarled rocks stand gnarled pines. Truly: towering mountains, steep ridges, sheer cliffs, deep valleys; fragrant flowers, beautiful fruits; red vines, purple bamboos; green pines, emerald willows. Their colors never change through eight seasons and four times of year; for a thousand years and ten thousand ages their hue remains like that of a dragon.

The Great Sage gazed his fill, then descended the peak and entered the deep mountains, searching for a path. Just when he had found no sign of anything, he suddenly saw a woman beneath the shade of a pine, holding a sprig of fragrant orchid, approaching with graceful, swaying steps. The Great Sage hid beside a strange rock and fixed his eyes to observe her. What did she look like?

So lovely — her beauty could topple a kingdom; so graceful — she moved like lotus flowers with each step. Her face rivaled that of Wang Qiang; her complexion matched that of the maidens of Chu. She was a flower that could speak, like jade that gives off fragrance. Her high coiled hair was piled like a blue-black crow; her twin eyes, dipped in green, were clear as autumn waters. Her Hunan skirt half revealed tiny bow-shaped shoes; her emerald sleeves slightly stretched over long, powder-white wrists. What need to speak of evening rain and morning clouds — truly she had red lips and white teeth. Her eyebrows were as smooth and beautiful as those of the maid of Jinjiang — surpassing even Wen Jun and Xue Tao.

As the woman gradually approached the rock, the Great Sage bowed and said gently, "Where are you going, Bodhisattva maiden?" The woman had not been looking, but upon hearing the question, she raised her head. Suddenly she saw the Great Sage's hideous appearance and was greatly frightened. She wanted to retreat but could not, wanted to walk but could not. She could only tremble and answer with difficulty: "Where do you come from? Who do you dare to ask about here?" The Great Sage thought to himself: "If I tell her about seeking the fan for the scripture pilgrimage, I'm afraid this creature may be related to the Bull King. I should use a pretext of false kinship and say I've come at the Demon King's invitation." Seeing that he did not speak, the woman changed color and angrily demanded: "Who are you, that you dare to question me?" The Great Sage bowed and said with a smile: "I come from Emerald Cloud Mountain. This is my first time here and I don't know the way. May I ask, Bodhisattva, is this Thunder-Accumulating Mountain?" The woman said, "Yes, it is." Pilgrim asked, "Where is Cloud-Topping Cave?" The woman said, "What do you want with that cave?" Pilgrim said, "I was sent by Lady Iron Fan of Plantain Cave on Emerald Cloud Mountain to invite the Bull Demon King."

When the woman heard that Lady Iron Fan was inviting the Bull Demon King, she flew into a rage. Her ears and the roots of her ears turned crimson, and she cursed loudly: "That worthless wretch! Truly she has no shame. Since the Bull King came to my home, in less than two years, who knows how much jewelry and gold, silk and satin I have given him — firewood supplied each year, rice supplied each month, living in comfort and ease. And still she has no shame — what does she mean by coming to invite him again?" Upon hearing this, Pilgrim knew she was the Princess Jade Face. He deliberately pulled out his golden-banded staff and roared: "You wretched creature! You bought the Bull King with your fortune — truly you are a woman who pays to marry a man. You have no shame, and yet you dare to curse anyone?" When the woman saw this, her soul scattered and her spirit fled. She could not walk properly, stumbled on her golden lotus feet, and trembling, turned to flee. The Great Sage shouted and roared, following right behind her. It turned out that beyond the shade of the pines was the entrance to Cloud-Topping Cave. The woman ran inside and slammed the door shut. The Great Sage, however, put away his golden-banded staff and stopped to look. What a splendid place it was:

The forest was dense with trees, the cliffs steep and rugged. Creeping fig vines cast a spreading shade, and orchids breathed a fragrant fragrance. Jade-like waters flowed through tall bamboo, and artful stones seemed sentient, strewn with fallen petals. Mist and rosy clouds enveloped distant peaks, while sun and moon illumined the cloud-screened heights. Dragons roared, tigers howled, cranes cried, and orioles sang. A scene of pure tranquility, truly lovely—rare flowers and jade-green grass, a landscape ever bright. It rivaled the immortal grottoes of Mount Tiantai and surpassed the blessed isles of Penglai on the sea.

But let us say no more of the Pilgrim admiring the scenery here. The maiden, drenched in sweat and trembling with fright, ran straight into the study. The Bull Demon King was there, quietly perusing a book on alchemy. Without a word of greeting, the woman threw herself into his arms, scratching at her ears and face, and burst into loud weeping. The Bull King, smiling broadly, said, "My beauty, do not be troubled. What is the matter?" The woman stamped her feet and railed, "You wretched demon, you've ruined me!" The Bull King laughed. "Why do you curse me?" she said. "I had no one to rely on in my parents, so I married you to protect my life and sustain me. They said you were a great hero of the rivers and lakes, but it turns out you are nothing but a henpecked wretch!" Hearing this, the Bull King took her in his arms. "My beauty, in what way have I wronged you? Speak slowly, and I will make amends." The woman said, "Just now I was strolling leisurely outside the cave among the flowering shade, plucking orchids and gathering herbs, when a monk with a hairy face and a mouth like a thunder god's suddenly came forward and bowed to me, so frightened I was stunned. When I had calmed myself and asked who he was, he said that Princess Iron Fan had sent him to invite the Bull Demon King. I said a few words to him, and he cursed me roundly and chased me with a staff. Had I not run fast, he would have beaten me to death. Isn't this bringing disaster on me? You've ruined me!" When the Bull King heard this, he composed his features and made amends, soothing her gently for a long while before the woman finally calmed down. The Demon King then said fiercely, "My beauty, I dare not hide it from you. The Banana-Leaf Cave, though secluded, is quiet and pleasant. My mountain wife has cultivated herself since youth and is herself a female immortal who has attained the Way. But she keeps a strict household—not a single male servant is allowed inside. How could a man with a mouth like a thunder god have been sent by her? This must be some demon from elsewhere, perhaps using a false name to seek me out. Let me go and have a look."

The fine Demon King strode out of the study, entered the main hall, took up his armor, strapped it on, seized his iron staff, and went out the gate, shouting loudly, "Who is behaving so outrageously in my domain?" The Pilgrim, standing nearby, saw that the Demon King's appearance was quite different from what it had been five hundred years before. He wore a water-polished bright silver-iron helmet on his head, a suit of gold armor threaded with brocade and velvet on his body, and a pair of deerskin boots with curled toes and thick soles on his feet. Around his waist he bound a lion-embroidered belt of braided silk. His two eyes shone like bright mirrors, and his brows were as gorgeous as red rainbows. His mouth was like a basin of blood, his teeth arrayed like copper plates. His roar made the mountain gods tremble, his movements struck terror into wicked ghosts. Throughout the four seas he was known as the World-Mixing Demon; in the West he was called the Great Demon King.

The Great Sage straightened his robes, stepped forward, and made a deep bow. "Elder Brother, do you still recognize your little brother?" The Bull King returned the bow. "Are you Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Great Sage said, "Indeed I am, indeed I am. It has been a long time since we last met. I just now asked a maiden here and was able to see you. Your appearance is truly more impressive than ever—congratulations!" The Bull King shouted, "Stop your clever talk. I heard that you caused havoc in Heaven and was suppressed by the Buddha under the Mountain of Five Elements. Recently you escaped that calamity and are now protecting the Tang Monk on his journey west to see the Buddha and seek the scriptures. How is it that you killed my son, the Holy Infant, at Fire-Cloud Cave on Withered Pine Stream in the Mountain of Embers? I was already angry with you, and now you come looking for me?" The Great Sage bowed and said, "Elder Brother, do not wrongly blame your little brother. At that time, your son captured my master and wanted to eat his flesh. I could not get near him, but fortunately the Bodhisattva Guanyin wished to save my master and persuaded him to return to the right path. He is now the Boy of Wealth and Treasure, standing even higher than you, enjoying the bliss of the gate of ultimate happiness and receiving eternal life of carefree freedom. What is wrong with that? Why blame me instead?" The Bull King cursed, "You smooth-tongued monkey! You talk your way out of the matter of harming my son. But why did you insult my beloved concubine and attack my gate?" The Great Sage laughed. "Because I could not find you when I came to pay my respects, I asked that maiden, not knowing she was my second sister-in-law. She cursed me a few times, and I, being crude and rough for a moment, frightened her. I hope Elder Brother will forgive me." The Bull King said, "Since that is the case, I will consider our old friendship and let you go."

The Great Sage said, "Since you have shown such generous mercy, I am endlessly grateful. But I still have one small matter to trouble you with—I beg you to help me out, help me out."

The Bull King cursed, "This wretched monkey has no sense of propriety! I've spared you, and instead of leaving, you come pestering me. What is this 'help me out, help me out'?"

The Great Sage said, "To be honest with you, elder brother, I am escorting the Tang monk on his journey westward, but we are blocked by the Fiendish Mountain and cannot advance. When I asked the locals, I learned that your esteemed wife, Lady Rakshasa, possesses a palm-leaf fan and I wished to borrow it. Yesterday I went to your old residence to pay my respects to her, but she firmly refused to lend it. That is why I have come to seek you, elder brother. I hope you will open your heart and accompany me to my sister-in-law's place. Please, please borrow the fan so I can fan out the flames and ensure the Tang monk crosses the mountain. I will return it to you immediately, good as new."

When the Bull King heard this, his heart blazed with fury. He gritted his steel teeth and cursed, "You say you are not discourteous, but it turns out this is all because you want the fan! You must have first insulted my mountain wife—she probably refused, so you came looking for me, and on top of that, you drove away my beloved concubine. As the saying goes: 'A friend's wife must not be insulted; a friend's concubine must not be destroyed.' You have both insulted my wife and destroyed my concubine—what enormous discourtesy! Come up here and take a blow from my staff!"

The Great Sage said, "If you want to fight, brother, I am not afraid. But I sincerely want the treasure—I beg you to lend it to me."

The Bull King said, "If you can hold your own against me for three rounds, I will have my mountain wife lend it to you. If you cannot, I will kill you to avenge my grievance."

The Great Sage said, "What you say is fair. I have been rather lazy lately and have not met with you in some time. I wonder how your martial arts compare to days past. Let us brothers put on a staff demonstration."

The Bull King would not listen to another word. He seized his mixed-iron staff and struck at the Great Sage's head. The Great Sage raised his golden-banded staff and met the blow. What a battle these two fought:

The golden-banded staff, the mixed-iron staff—they changed faces and no longer treated each other as friends. One said, "I blame you, wretched monkey, for harming my son's affections." The other said, "Your son has already attained the Way—stop your resentment." One said, "How dare you come to my door, you ignorant creature?" The other said, "I have my reasons—I came here specifically to ask." One sought the fan to protect the Tang monk; the other refused the palm-leaf fan, miserly beyond measure. Words flew back and forth, their old affection lost; the whole household, devoid of righteousness, seethed with anger. The Bull King's staff rose like a rival dragon; the Great Sage's staff met it, sending gods and demons fleeing. At first they fought at the foot of the mountain; then they soared together into auspicious clouds. In the middle of the sky they displayed their divine powers; amid five-colored light they performed wondrous feats. The two staffs clashed with a sound that shook the heavenly passes—neither could prevail, both pressing close.

The Great Sage and the Bull King fought over a hundred rounds with no decisive outcome. Just as they were locked in a struggle that could not be resolved, someone on the mountain peak called out: "Grandfather Bull, my king sends his many respects. He hopes you will come early so he may prepare a seat for you."

The Bull King, hearing this, used his mixed-iron staff to hold off the golden-banded staff and called, "Wretched monkey, hold on for now. I am going to attend a gathering at a friend's house." With that, he pressed down his cloud head and went straight to his cave. He said to the Jade-Faced Princess, "My beauty, that man with the thunder-god mouth was the monkey Sun Wukong. I drove him off with a beating from my staff—he will not dare come again. You can relax and enjoy yourself. I am going to a friend's house for some wine." He removed his armor, put on a crow-black jacket trimmed with velvet, walked out the door, mounted his Water-Avoiding Golden-Beast, ordered his underlings to guard the gate, and set off in a half-cloud, half-mist fashion toward the northwest.

The Great Sage watched from the high peak and thought to himself, "I wonder what friend this old bull has made, and where he is going for this gathering. Let old Sun follow him." The splendid Pilgrim shook his body and transformed into a clear breeze, catching up and following along. Before long, they arrived at a mountain, and the Bull King suddenly vanished. The Great Sage resumed his original form and entered the mountain to search. In the mountain there was a clear, deep pool of water, and beside the pool stood a stone tablet bearing six large characters: "Turbulent Rock Mountain, Jade-Wave Pool." The Great Sage thought to himself, "The old bull must have gone into the water. A water-dwelling spirit—if not a dragon-spirit, then a fish-spirit, or perhaps a turtle, giant salamander, or alligator spirit. Let old Sun go down into the water and take a look."

The splendid Great Sage formed a mudra, recited an incantation, shook his body, and transformed into a crab—neither too large nor too small, weighing thirty-six pounds. He splashed into the water and sank straight to the bottom of the pool. Suddenly he saw an exquisitely carved and translucent memorial archway, and beneath the archway was tied the Water-Avoiding Golden-Beast. He crawled inside the archway, and there was no more water. The Great Sage crept in and looked carefully. From the side came the sound of music. He saw:

Vermilion palaces and shell-encrusted gate towers, no different from the mortal world. Golden tiles for roof, white jade for door-pivots. Screens of hawksbill tortoise shell, railings inlaid with coral beads. Auspicious clouds and radiant mist shone upon lotus thrones, reaching up to the three lights and down to the thoroughfares. It was neither the celestial palace nor a sea treasury—truly this place rivaled the fabled Peng-hu isles. In the great hall a feast was laid for the assembled guests; officials great and small wore pearl-studded crowns. Jade maidens were summoned to carry ivory trays; immortal maidens urged to tune their pitch pipes. Great whales sang, giant crabs danced; turtles blew sheng pipes, alligators beat drums. The pearl of the black dragon shone upon the wine cups and meat dishes. Bird-script calligraphy was arrayed on emerald screens; shrimp-whisker curtains hung from the corridor eaves. Eight instruments played in succession, mingling with celestial melodies; the notes of gong and shang resounded, halting the very clouds. Blue-headed perch-courtesans plucked the jade zither; red-eyed horse-lords played the jade flute. The mandarinfish matron offered fragrant deer-flesh; the dragon princess wore a golden phoenix hairpin on her head. What they ate were the eight delicacies of the celestial kitchen; what they drank were the matured nectars of the Purple Mansion.

Seated above was the Bull King; to his left and right were three or four dragon-spirits. Seated in front was an old dragon-spirit; on either side were dragon sons, dragon grandsons, dragon mothers-in-law, and dragon daughters.

At the height of the feast, with goblets passing back and forth, the Great Sage Sun strode straight up, and was spotted by the old Dragon King, who at once commanded: "Seize that wild crab!" The dragon princes and dragon grandchildren surged forward and seized the Great Sage. The Great Sage suddenly spoke in a human voice, crying, "Spare me! Spare me!" The old Dragon King said, "Where did you come from, you wild crab? How dare you ascend the hall and scuttle about in front of our honored guests? Confess quickly, and I shall spare your life." The worthy Great Sage fabricated a false confession and addressed the assembly:

"Born in the lake to make my dwelling,

By the cliff I burrow as I please.

Through long days my body grew in strength,

And I received the rank of Sideways Marching Officer.

Through grass and mud I drag and stumble,

For I have never learned proper manners.

Ignorant of law, I offended the King's majesty—

I humbly beg your honored mercy and forgiveness!"

All the spirits seated there bowed and saluted the old Dragon King, saying, "This Crab Officer has just entered the jade palace and does not know the King's rites. We beg Your Honor to spare him and let him go." The old Dragon King acknowledged their thanks. The spirits at once ordered: "Release that fellow, but note his beating for later—let him wait outside." The Great Sage assented and fled for his life, making straight for the memorial archway below. He thought to himself: "This Bull King is here drinking himself senseless—how long must I wait for him to disperse? Even if he does, he won't lend me the fan. I'd do better to steal his Golden-Beast-of-Insight, transform myself into the Bull King, and deceive the Rakshasa woman into handing over the fan, so I can send my master across the mountain."

The worthy Great Sage then resumed his true form, untied the reins of the Golden-Beast-of-Insight, gave it a slap, mounted the carved saddle, and rode straight out of the water. Reaching the pool's exterior, he transformed his body into the Bull King's likeness. Urging the beast onward and riding the clouds, in no time he had arrived at the Cave of the Plantain Fan on Emerald Cloud Mountain. He called out, "Open the gate!" Two young maidens inside the cave heard the voice and opened the gate. Seeing the face of the Bull King, they went in to report, "Madam, the Master has come home!" The Rakshasa woman, hearing this, hastily arranged her cloud-like hair and moved her lotus steps quickly to go out and welcome him. The Great Sage dismounted from the carved saddle and led in the Golden-Beast-of-Insight. With reckless boldness, he deceived the fair lady. The Rakshasa woman, with her mortal eyes, could not recognize him, and so she took him by the hand and led him inside, ordering the maids to set out seats and serve tea. The whole household, seeing their master, showed nothing but reverence and caution.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the "Bull King" said, "It has been long, my lady." The Rakshasa said, "May Your Majesty enjoy ten thousand blessings." She added, "Your Majesty has found favor in a new marriage and cast me aside. What wind has blown you here today?" The Great Sage laughed and said, "I dared not cast you aside—it is only because, after Lady Jade-Face took me in, family affairs have been numerous and friends have called often, so I have lingered abroad. Still, I have managed to establish another household." He added, "I recently heard that that rascal Sun Wukong, escorting the Tang monk, is approaching the boundary of the Fiery Mountains. I fear he may come to ask you for the fan. I still nurse the hatred of harm done to our son, and have not yet avenged it. When he comes, send word to me. I will seize him and cut him into ten thousand pieces to wash away the hatred between husband and wife." The Rakshasa, hearing this, shed tears and said, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes: 'A man without a wife has no master of his wealth; a woman without a husband has no master of her body.' My very life was nearly destroyed by that wretched monkey." The Great Sage, hearing this, deliberately flew into a rage and cursed, "When did that wretched monkey pass by?" The Rakshasa said: "He has not gone yet. Yesterday he came here to borrow the fan. Because he had harmed our child, I put on my armor, seized my precious sword, and went out to hack at that monkey. He endured the pain and called me 'sister-in-law,' saying that Your Majesty had once sworn brotherhood with him." The Great Sage said: "Yes, we became the Seven Brothers five hundred years ago." The Rakshasa said: "I cursed him and he dared not reply; I hacked at him and he dared not fight back. Afterward I fanned him once with the fan. He must have found some method to fix the wind, for this morning he was calling at the gate again. I used the fan again, but could not move him at all. When I hastily swung my sword, he no longer yielded to me. I feared his staff was too heavy, so I retreated into the cave and barred the gate tightly. I don't know how he managed to get inside my belly—he nearly took my life. I had to call him 'Uncle' several times before I gave him the fan."

The Great Sage again beat his chest in feigned distress, saying, "What a pity, what a pity! My lady, you were wrong to give that treasure to that wretched monkey! It maddens me!" The Rakshasa smiled and said, "Let Your Majesty calm his anger. What I gave him was the false fan—I only sent him off with it." The Great Sage asked: "Where is the true fan?" The Rakshasa said: "Rest assured, rest assured—I have it safe here." She ordered the maids to prepare wine to welcome him and congratulate him. Raising a cup, she presented it, saying, "Your Majesty, in the joys of your new marriage, do not forget your first wife. Please drink this cup of water from your old home." The Great Sage dared not refuse. With a smiling face, he raised the goblet and said, "Let my lady drink first. Because I have been managing affairs abroad and have long been parted from you, and you have graciously guarded the household morning and evening, let this serve as my humble thanks." The Rakshasa took the cup back, filled it, and offered it to the Great King, saying, "Since ancient times it has been said: 'Wife means equal.' A husband is the father who sustains the body—what thanks are needed?" The two of them exchanged courtesies back and forth before sitting down to pass the wine. The Great Sage dared not break the vegetarian rule and only ate a few fruits, chatting with her all the while.

After several rounds of wine, the Rakshasa felt half drunk, and a faint stirring of passion arose. She began pressing close against the Great Sage Sun, rubbing and touching, holding his hand and whispering tender words, leaning her shoulder against him and murmuring softly. They shared a cup of wine—she took a sip, he took a sip—and fed each other fruit. The Great Sage responded with feigned affection, smiling and keeping her company; having no choice, he also leaned close and nestled against her. Truly it was:

The fishing hook of poetry, the sweeping broom of sorrow—nothing surpasses wine in dispelling the ten thousand cares of life. The man of mettle sets his heart free and unbound; the woman forgets her cares and opens her mouth in smiles. Her face is red as a peach in spring, her body sways like a willow newly grown. She chatters endlessly, her every gesture brimming with tender allure. Now she smooths her cloud-like tresses, now she tosses her delicate hand. Several times she lifts her foot, again and again she flutters her sleeve. Her powdered neck bends of its own accord, her supple waist begins to sway. Words of love never leave her lips, her half-bared bosom loosens the golden clasp. Drunken, she truly seems a jade mountain tottering; with drowsy eyes she rubs and fumbles in unseemly fashion.

The Great Sage, seeing her thus deep in her cups, watched carefully and provoked her, saying: "Madam, where do you keep the real fan? Be careful morning and evening, for I fear Sun Wukong is full of transformations and may come to cheat you out of it."

The Rakshasa smiled sweetly, produced from her mouth a thing no bigger than an apricot leaf, and handed it to the Great Sage, saying: "Is this not the treasure?"

The Great Sage took it in his hand but did not believe it, thinking secretly: "This tiny thing—how could it fan a fire to extinction? It must be another fake."

The Rakshasa, seeing him staring at the treasure in deep thought, could not restrain herself. She stepped forward and pressed her powdered face against the Pilgrim's, crying: "Darling, take the treasure and drink your wine. What are you lost in thought about?"

The Great Sage took advantage of her lifted foot and asked: "A thing so small—how could it fan away eight hundred *li* of flame?"

The Rakshasa, her true nature loosened by the wine and quite without fear or reserve, told him the method: "My lord, we have been parted these two years. You must have been reveling day and night, and that Jade-Face Princess has so wearied your mind that you have forgotten even the workings of your own treasure. Simply press the seventh red thread on the handle with the thumb of your left hand, and recite the words '*Xu Xu A Xi Xi Chui Hu*,' and it will grow to twelve feet in length. This treasure has boundless transformations! Never mind eight thousand *li* of flame—one fan will extinguish it."

The Great Sage listened and committed every word to heart. He put the fan in his mouth, wiped his face once, and resumed his true form. He cried out in a loud, fierce voice: "Rakshasa woman, look at me—am I your dear husband? You have entangled me in all this shameless business. Are you not ashamed? Are you not ashamed?"

The moment the woman saw it was Sun Wukong, she was so startled that she overturned the table, fell to the ground in the dust, and was overcome with shame, crying only: "I am mortified to death! I am mortified to death!"

The Great Sage paid no mind to her. He shook free of her grip, strode out with long steps, and made straight for the exit of the Plantain Cave. Truly it is said: His heart was not set on beauty, but he returned with a smile of triumph. He leaped into the air, mounted a lucky cloud, and sprang up to the high mountain. He spat out the fan and tried the method. He pressed the seventh red thread on the handle with the thumb of his left hand, and recited "*Xu Xu A Xi Xi Chui Hu*," and sure enough it grew to twelve feet in length. He took it in his hand and examined it carefully—it was certainly different from the fake one before. He saw auspicious light shimmering and auspicious vapors swirling; on it were thirty-six red threads, woven through warp and weft, connecting outer and inner. The Pilgrim had only obtained the method for making it grow; he had not obtained the formula for making it small, so it remained at that size and nothing else. There was no help for it; he slung it over his shoulder and set off back the way he had come—but no more of this.

Now let us tell of the Bull Demon King. He had been feasting with all the other spirits at the bottom of Blue Wave Pool. When he came out, he found his Water-Avoiding Golden-Eyed Beast was gone. The old Dragon King gathered the spirits and asked: "Who dared to steal Lord Bull's Golden-Eyed Beast?"

The spirits all knelt and said: "No one would dare. We were all in the feast hall serving wine and holding trays, singing and playing music—not one of us left."

The old Dragon said: "Our musicians would never dare. Has any stranger come in?"

The Dragon Princes said: "Just as the seats were being arranged, a crab spirit arrived—that was the stranger."

When the Bull King heard this, he suddenly understood. "No need to say more," he said. "When my worthy friend invited me this morning, there was a Sun Wukong accompanying the Tang monk on his quest for scriptures. They came to the Fiery Mountains and could not pass, and he asked to borrow my Plantain Fan. I did not give it to him, and we fought to a draw without a victor. I left him and came straight to this feast. That monkey is a thousand times clever and ten thousand kinds of tricks—it must be that fellow who transformed into a crab spirit, came here to spy on our affairs, stole my beast, and went to my wife to cheat her out of that Plantain Fan."

When the spirits heard this, they trembled with fear. They asked: "Could it be the Sun Wukong who once created havoc in the Heavenly Palace?"

The Bull King said: "The very same. My lords, if you should meet him on the road to the Western Heaven, you must do your utmost to avoid him."

The old Dragon said: "If that is so, what about your noble steed?"

The Bull King smiled and said: "No matter, no matter. Let all of you disperse. I shall go after him and settle this."

Thereupon he parted the waters, leaped from the bottom of the pool, mounted a yellow cloud, and made straight for the Plantain Cave on Emerald Cloud Mountain. He could hear the Rakshasa woman stamping her feet and beating her breast, crying and wailing loudly. He pushed open the door and saw the Water-Piercing Golden-Eyed Beast tethered below. The Bull King called out, "My lady, where has Sun Wukong gone?" The maidservants, seeing the Bull Demon King, knelt down together and said, "Grandfather, you've come?" The Rakshasa woman seized the Bull King, knocking her head against him, and cursed, "Damnable, heaven-forsaken wretch! How could you be so careless? That wretched monkey stole the Golden-Eyed Beast, transformed himself into your likeness, and came here to deceive me!" The Bull King ground his teeth and said, "Where has that monkey gone?" The Rakshasa beat her breast and cursed: "That damned ape tricked me out of my treasure, then revealed his true form and left. It's enough to kill me with rage!" The Bull King said, "Take care of yourself, my lady, and don't let it distress you. I'll catch up with that monkey, snatch back the treasure, flay him, grind his bones to powder, and tear out his heart and liver to avenge you." He called out, "Bring me my weapons!" The maidservants said, "Grandfather's weapons are not here." The Bull King said, "Then bring your lady's weapons." The serving maids presented two blue-bladed precious swords. The Bull King took off the black velvet jacket he had worn to the banquet, bound his undergarments close about his body, took up the swords in both hands, walked out of the Plantain Cave, and made straight for Fiery Mountain in pursuit. Truly it was:

An ungrateful rogue had deceived a lovesick wife;

A fierce demon now drew near the wooden-forked one.

What fortune or misfortune awaited him on this quest, you will hear in the next chapter.