Now, the Tang Monk, filled with anxiety and gloom, followed the king into the rear palace. No sooner had they arrived than the sound of drums and music shook the heavens, and a peculiar fragrance filled the air. He kept his head bowed the entire time, not daring to look up.
The Pilgrim, having secretly hidden himself atop the Monk’s Vairocana hat , activated his divine powers and opened his fiery, golden eyes to survey the scene. He saw two rows of palace maidens standing in perfect order, the spectacle as splendid as a celestial palace , more beautiful than the spring scenery within embroidered curtains.
Truly, it was:
Graceful and slender, with jade-like flesh and ice-cold bones. Each pair outshone the beauties of Chu ; every couple surpassed the famed Xi Shi. Their cloud-like hair was piled high, adorned with flying phoenixes ; their delicate brows faintly hinted at distant mountains . Flutes and reed organs played in harmony, drums and pipes sounded in turn. The five notes of the scale rose and fell in perfect pitch. Clear songs and exquisite dances were a constant delight, and the brocade-like clusters of flowers were a joy to behold.
Seeing that his master was utterly unmoved, the Pilgrim silently clicked his tongue in admiration. “What a monk! What a monk! Dwelling amidst this splendor yet feeling no greed; walking upon jade yet remaining unconfused.”
After a while, the queen and her consorts, accompanied by the princess, emerged from the Magpie Palace . They all stepped forward to greet the king, saying in unison, “ Long live the king! Ten thousand years of life! ”
The elder was so terrified he trembled, not knowing what to do.
The Pilgrim, however, had already seen through the deception. He noticed a faint wisp of demonic aura emerging from the top of the princess’s head, though it was not particularly fierce. He quickly crawled to the Tang Monk’s ear and whispered, “Master, the princess is a fake.”
The elder asked, “If she is false, how can we make her reveal her true form ?”
The Pilgrim replied, “I will reveal my true body and seize her right now!”
The elder hurriedly said, “No! No! I fear it will startle the king. Wait until the king and his ministers have withdrawn, then use your magic.”
But the Pilgrim was naturally impatient and could not wait. With a great shout, he revealed his true form, rushed forward, and grabbed the princess, cursing, “You vile fiend! Here you are, making falsehood into truth. You have already enjoyed enough fortune, yet you are not satisfied. You even dare to deceive my master, hoping to break his true yang and satisfy your own lustful desires!”
This shout scared the king so much that he stood frozen in place. The consorts stumbled and scattered in panic, while the palace maids and ladies-in-waiting fled in all directions, each thinking only of saving herself.
It was like:
A gentle spring breeze blew through the garden, causing a thousand flowers to sway; a bleak autumn wind swept through the paths, making ten thousand leaves flutter. The peonies were broken and bent beneath the railings; the peonies were blown sideways, lying by the edge of the pond. Lotus flowers by the shore were wildly tossed about; chrysanthemum petals piled up on the terrace steps. The begonia, weak and fragile, lay fallen in the dust; the fragrant rose slept in the wild fields. The spring wind snapped the stems of the water chestnuts; the winter snow bent the tender buds of the plum. Pomegranate petals scattered chaotically throughout the inner courtyards; willow branches along the banks lay slantwise across the palace, north and south. In one night of raging wind and rain, the beautiful flowers were ruined, countless fallen petals covering the ground like a brocade carpet.
The Tang Monk grew even more panicked. Trembling, he grabbed hold of the king and cried out, “Your Majesty, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! This is my disciple using his magic to distinguish truth from falsehood.”
Meanwhile, the demon, seeing her plot exposed, forcibly broke free from the Pilgrim’s grasp. She tore off her clothes, shook her head to dislodge her ornaments, and ran to the Temple of the Earth God in the imperial garden. There, she retrieved a short cudgel shaped like a pestle , turned around, and struck at the Pilgrim.
The Pilgrim immediately followed, raising his iron staff to meet her blow. The two of them fought, shouting all the while. At first, they battled within the garden, but soon both unleashed their divine powers, mounting clouds and mist, and continued their fight high in the sky.
This battle was:
The Golden-banded Iron Staff was renowned; the pestle-like short cudgel was unknown to all. One had come to this land to fetch the true scriptures; the other had come to dwell here out of love for rare flowers. The fiend had long known of the holy Tang Monk and desired to couple with him to steal his primal essence. Last year, she had kidnapped the true princess, taken human form, and pretended to cherish her. Now she met the Great Sage, who recognized her demonic aura and came to rescue the true princess and expose the false one. The short cudgel, wielded in malice, struck at the head; the iron staff, displaying its might, met it face to face. The two clashed noisily, their clouds and mist filling the sky and blotting out the sun.
The two of them fought in midair, terrifying the common people of the entire city and striking fear into the hearts of every palace official.
The elder, supporting the king, kept shouting, “Do not panic! Please urge the queen and everyone else not to be afraid. Your princess is a demon in disguise. Once my disciple captures her, you will know the truth.”
Among the consorts, a few brave ones picked up the clothes and ornaments the demon had discarded and showed them to the queen. “These are what the princess was wearing,” they said. “Now she has left them all here. She is naked, fighting that monk in the sky. She must be a demon!”
Only then did the king and his consorts calm down. They looked up into the sky, but we shall not dwell on that here.
Meanwhile, the demon and the Great Sage fought for a long time without either gaining the upper hand.
The Pilgrim tossed his iron staff into the air and shouted, “Change!” Instantly, one staff became ten, ten became a hundred, and a hundred became a thousand. The staves filled the sky, writhing like snakes and pythons, and rained down blows upon the demon.
The demon, panicked, dodged to one side, transformed into a gust of clear wind, and fled into the upper sky.
The Pilgrim recited a spell, gathered all the staves back into one, mounted his auspicious cloud, and gave chase. As he neared the Western Heavenly Gate , he saw banners and flags fluttering there. The Pilgrim shouted, “Guardians of the gate, block the fiend! Do not let her escape!”
Indeed, at the Heavenly Gate, the Heavenly King Who Protects the Nation , along with the Four Great Marshals Pang, Liu, Gou, and Bi , stood ready with their weapons, blocking the way. The demon, unable to advance, was forced to turn back. Desperately, she raised her short cudgel and resumed her fight with the Pilgrim.
The Great Sage, concentrating his mind and swinging his iron staff, took a closer look. He saw that the short cudgel was thick at one end and thin at the other, like a rice-pounding pestle. He let out a great shout, “Fiend! What kind of broken weapon is that, daring to oppose Old Sun? Surrender at once, or I will smash your head with one blow!”
The demon gritted her teeth and said, “You do not know the power of my weapon! Listen to me: Its immortal root is a piece of mutton-fat jade, polished and shaped for countless years. I acquired it when Chaos first parted; it was mine before the primal forces were arranged. Its origin is not like the things of the mortal world; its nature was born in the heavens above. With one body of golden light and the four forms, the five elements’ auspicious vapors merge with the three primal ones. It has long accompanied me in the Toad Palace, always dwelling with me by the cassia tree. Because I loved the flowers of the mortal world, I came to the Heavenly Kingdom in false guise. I share joy with you with no other intent; I wish to marry the Tang Monk to fulfill a past fate. How can you, with your deceitful heart, destroy this happy union? You pursue me with deadly intent, showing your viciousness! This weapon of mine has a great name, second only to your Golden-banded Staff. It is called the Elixir-Pounding Pestle of the Moon Palace. One blow from it will send a man to the Yellow Springs!”
Upon hearing this, the Pilgrim sneered coldly. “You wicked fiend! Since you live in the Moon Palace, you must know of Old Sun’s abilities! How dare you continue to argue! Surrender and reveal your true form at once, and I will spare your life!”
The demon said, “I know you are the ‘Horse-Penisher’ who caused great havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago. I ought to defer to you, but ruining another’s marriage is as hateful as killing one’s parents. I cannot swallow this anger, so I will fight you, this heaven-defying, law-breaking ‘Horse-Penisher’!”
The Great Sage hated being called “Horse-Penisher” more than anything. Upon hearing this, he was so enraged that flames shot from his head. He raised his iron staff and struck at the demon. The demon parried with her elixir-pounding pestle, and the two fought desperately before the Western Heavenly Gate.
This battle was:
The Golden-banded Staff and the Elixir-Pounding Pestle, two immortal weapons truly worth comparing. One had descended to the mortal world to seek marriage; the other was here protecting the Tang Monk. It all started because the king was not serious, and his love for flowers attracted a wicked fiend. This led to the bitter struggle of the present day, both sides giving rise to stubborn minds. They charged and clashed, betting on victory or defeat, exchanging insults and taunts. The pestle’s heroism was rare in the world, but the staff’s divine might was even more magnificent. Golden light shimmered, dazzling the Heavenly Gate; colorful mist spread, linking heaven and earth. After more than a dozen rounds of fierce combat, the fiend’s strength waned, and she could no longer hold her ground.
The demon fought another dozen rounds with the Pilgrim. Seeing that his iron staff was swift and relentless, she knew she could not prevail. She feinted with her pestle, shook her body, and released ten thousand beams of golden light. Then she fled toward the due south.
The Great Sage immediately gave chase. Suddenly, he saw a great mountain. The demon withdrew her golden light, dove into a cave, and vanished in an instant.
Fearing that the demon might sneak back to the palace and harm the Tang Monk, the Pilgrim memorized the mountain’s appearance and then rode his cloud back to the Heavenly Kingdom.
By now it was late afternoon. The king was still clutching the Tang Monk, trembling, and shouting, “Holy Monk, save me!” The consorts and the queen were also in a panic.
Suddenly, they saw the Great Sage descending from the clouds. He shouted, “Master, I have returned!”
The Tang Monk said, “Wukong, stand still and do not startle the king. Let me ask you: What has become of the false princess?”
The Pilgrim stood outside the Magpie Palace, his hands clasped across his chest, and said, “The false princess is a demon. Initially, I fought her for a long time. Unable to defeat me, she transformed into a clear wind and fled toward the Heavenly Gate. I called out to the heavenly soldiers to block her. She then revealed her true form and fought me for another dozen rounds. Later, she transformed into golden light and fled to a mountain in the due south. I pursued her to the foot of the mountain but could not find her. Fearing she might return to harm you, I came back first.”
Upon hearing this, the king tugged at the Tang Monk’s sleeve and asked, “If the false princess is a demon, where is my true princess?”
The Pilgrim replied, “Wait until I capture the false princess, and your true princess will naturally return.”
Hearing this, the consorts were no longer afraid. They stepped forward one by one to bow and thank him. “We hope the holy monk can rescue our true princess and distinguish truth from falsehood. We will surely reward you handsomely.”
The Pilgrim said, “This is no place for discussion. Please, Your Majesty, escort my master out of the palace and up to the main hall. Let the consorts return to their own chambers. Summon my younger brothers, Eight Rules and Sha Monk, to guard the palace, so that I may go and subdue the demon. This will, first, separate the inner and outer quarters, and second, free me from distraction. I will surely get to the bottom of this matter and not waste my efforts.”
The king followed his instructions, deeply grateful. Hand in hand with the Tang Monk, he left the palace and went up to the main hall. The consorts returned to their chambers. Meanwhile, he ordered vegetarian food to be prepared and sent for Eight Rules and Sha Monk.
Before long, Eight Rules and Sha Monk arrived. The Pilgrim recounted the whole story to them in detail and instructed them to guard the Tang Monk and the king well.
The Great Sage then mounted his somersault cloud and soared into the sky. The officials before the main hall all looked up and bowed to heaven, but we shall not dwell on that here.
Sun the Great Sage flew directly to the mountain in the due south to search for the demon. It turned out that after her defeat, she had fled to this mountain, crawled into a cave, blocked the entrance with stones, and cowered inside in fear, not daring to come out.
After searching for a while without any sign of her, the Pilgrim grew anxious. He recited a spell and summoned the local spirit and the mountain god for questioning.
After a short while, the local spirit and the mountain god arrived and knelt down, saying, “We do not know! We do not know! Had we known you were coming, we would have come out to welcome you from afar. Please forgive our offense!”
The Pilgrim said, “I will not beat you for now. I ask you: What is the name of this mountain? How many demons are there here? Tell me truthfully, and I will spare you your punishment.”
The local spirit and the mountain god replied, “Great Sage, this mountain is called Maoying Mountain. There are only three rabbit holes on it. From ancient times to the present, there has never been any demon here. This is a good, peaceful place. If the Great Sage is looking for a demon, you should search along the road to the Western Heaven.”
The Pilgrim said, “Old Sun has reached the Heavenly Kingdom in the Western Heaven. The king’s princess was kidnapped by a demon, who then cast her out into the wilderness. The demon took the princess’s form and deceived the king. She built an embroidered tower and threw down a silk ball, hoping to choose a husband. I was guarding the Tang Monk when she deliberately threw the ball to him, wanting to marry him and steal his primal yang. I saw through her disguise and revealed my true form in the palace to capture her. She shed her human clothes and ornaments, took out a short cudgel called the Elixir-Pounding Pestle, and fought me for a long time. Then she transformed into a clear wind and fled. I chased her to the Western Heavenly Gate, where we fought another dozen rounds. Knowing she could not win, she transformed again into golden light and escaped to this place. How can you say there is no demon here?”
Upon hearing this, the local spirit and the mountain god immediately led the Pilgrim to search the three rabbit holes. First, they looked at the cave at the foot of the mountain. There were only a few wild rabbits there, which ran away in fright.
Then they went to the cave at the top of the mountain. There, they saw two large boulders blocking the entrance. The local spirit said, “The demon must have fled here in a panic.”
The Pilgrim used his iron staff to move the boulders aside. Sure enough, the demon was hiding inside. With a great shout, she leaped out and struck at him with her elixir-pounding pestle. The Pilgrim swung his iron staff to block her.
The mountain god retreated in fear, and the local spirit ran away. The demon cursed the local spirit and the mountain god under her breath. “Who told you to bring him here to find me!”
Fighting as she retreated, the demon slowly rose into midair.
As the battle grew fierce, the sky gradually darkened. The Pilgrim became even more ruthless, striking harder than before, determined to smash the demon with one blow.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the high sky, “Great Sage, stop! Stop! Spare her!”
The Pilgrim turned around and saw that it was the Lunar Star Lord, followed by several Chang’e maidens, riding a colorful cloud as they approached.
The Pilgrim quickly put away his iron staff and bowed respectfully. “Old Lunar One, where have you come from? Old Sun did not have time to get out of your way. Please forgive me.”
The Lunar Star Lord said, “The demon you are fighting is the Jade Hare from my Moon Palace, who was tasked with pounding the black frost immortal elixir. She secretly unlocked the jade gate and golden lock, escaped the palace, and has been gone for a year now. I calculated that her life is now in danger, so I came especially to save her. I hope the Great Sage will spare her for my sake.”
The Pilgrim quickly assented. “I dare not! I dare not! No wonder she wielded a pestle—she is indeed a Jade Hare! Old Lunar One, you may not know this, but she kidnapped the princess of the Heavenly Kingdom and then took her form, seeking to break my master’s primal yang. Her crimes are so great, how can I easily let her off?”
The Lunar Star Lord said, “You also do not know the full story. The king’s princess is no ordinary mortal. She was originally the Moon Goddess of the Moon Palace. Eighteen years ago, she struck the Jade Hare with her palm. Later, she wished to descend to the mortal world, and a wisp of her soul reincarnated into the womb of the king’s principal queen, becoming the princess. The Jade Hare bore a grudge over that palm strike. Last year, she escaped the Moon Palace and cast the Moon Goddess into the wilderness. It was wrong of her to then seek marriage with the Tang Monk, and that crime is indeed unforgivable. Fortunately, you were vigilant and saw through the falsehood, and your master was not harmed. I beg you, for my sake, to spare her. I will take her back with me.”
The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Since there is such a karmic cause and effect, Old Sun dares not defy you. But if you take the Jade Hare away, the king will surely not believe it. Please, Lunar Star Lord, and all you fairy maidens, bring the Jade Hare before the king and explain everything clearly. First, this will demonstrate Old Sun’s skill; second, it will explain the reason for the Moon Goddess’s descent; and third, it will allow the king to go and retrieve the true princess, revealing the principle of karmic retribution.”
The Lunar Star Lord agreed. Pointing at the demon, she shouted, “You wretch! Will you not return to the right path now and come back with me?”
The Jade Hare rolled over and revealed her true form.
Truly, she was:
With a split lip and sharp teeth, long ears and sparse whiskers. Her body was a ball of fur as white as jade; when she stretched her legs, she could gallop a thousand mountains as if flying. Her straight nose hung down like a piece of cream, truly resembling frost-covered powder; her two eyes shone red, like spots of rouge on snow. When she crouched on the ground, she was a pile of pure white silk; when she stretched out her back, she was a frame of silver threads. Many a time, she sipped the pure dew at dawn in the jade sky; her skill in pounding the elixir of immortality with her wondrous pestle was legendary.
The Great Sage was overjoyed. He rode his cloud ahead to lead the way. The Lunar Star Lord, accompanied by the Chang’e maidens and the Jade Hare, flew directly back to the Heavenly Kingdom.
It was now dusk, and the moon was slowly rising. As they reached the city walls, they heard the drums beating on the watchtower.
The king and the Tang Monk were still in the main hall. Eight Rules, Sha Monk, and the officials were all on the steps. They were just discussing the end of the court session when suddenly, a patch of colorful clouds appeared in the due south, shining as bright as day.
Everyone looked up. Then they heard Sun the Great Sage shout loudly, “King of the Heavenly Kingdom, quickly summon your queen and consorts to come out and see! Beneath this jeweled canopy is the Lunar Star Lord of the Moon Palace. The fairy maidens on either side are the Chang’e of the moon. This Jade Hare is your false princess, now revealed in her true form!”
The king hastily summoned the queen, consorts, and palace maids to come out and bow to the heavens. He, along with the Tang Monk and the officials, also looked up and bowed in thanks.
Every household in the entire city set up incense tables and kowtowed, reciting the Buddha’s name.
As they were watching, the Eight Rules, Zhu Bajie, was stirred by lust. Unable to control himself, he leaped into the air and grabbed hold of the Rainbow Garment Fairy, saying, “Sister, you and I are old acquaintances. Let me go play with you!”
The Pilgrim rushed forward, grabbed hold of Eight Rules, and slapped him twice, cursing, “You crude fool! What place is this for you to have such improper thoughts!”
Eight Rules said, “I was just pulling her arm to chat and pass the time!”
The Lunar Star Lord ordered the celestial canopy to be turned, and she, along with the Chang’e maidens and the Jade Hare, returned directly to the Moon Palace.
The Pilgrim dragged Eight Rules back down to the ground.
In the main hall, the king thanked the Pilgrim and then asked about the previous events. “Thank you, divine monk, for using your great magic to capture the false princess. Where is my true princess?”
The Pilgrim said, “Your true princess is also no ordinary mortal. She is the Moon Goddess of the Moon Palace. Eighteen years ago, she struck the Jade Hare with her palm. Later, she wished to descend to the mortal world and reincarnated into the womb of your principal queen, becoming the princess. The Jade Hare bore a grudge over that old grievance. Last year, she secretly unlocked the jade gate and golden lock, escaped, and kidnapped the Moon Goddess, casting her out into the wilderness. Then she took her form to deceive you. This karmic cause and effect was told to me personally by the Lunar Star Lord. Now that the false princess has been driven away, I beg Your Majesty to go tomorrow and bring back the true princess.”
Upon hearing this, the king felt both shame and sorrow. Unable to hold back his tears, he said, “My child! Ever since I ascended the throne, I have never even left the city gates. Where shall I go to find you!”
The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Do not worry. Your princess is currently feigning madness at the Jigu Bujin Temple. For now, let everyone disperse. Tomorrow, I will return a true princess to you.”
The officials knelt down and submitted a memorial. “Your Majesty, do not be anxious. These divine monks can ride clouds and mists; they are immortals and buddhas. They surely know the past and the future. Tomorrow, please ask the four divine monks to go and search together, and we will know the truth.”
The king followed their advice. He invited everyone to the Spring-Retaining Pavilion for a vegetarian meal and rest. By now, it was nearly the second watch of the night.
Truly, it was:
The bronze clepsydra and jade water-clock marked the bright moonlight; golden bells tinkled as the wind carried their sound. The cuckoo was just singing as spring was half over; falling flowers had no path to follow as the third watch approached. The imperial garden was silent, with only the shadow of the swing; the azure void was empty, the Silver River stretching across the sky. The three markets and six streets had no pedestrians; the stars shone brightly in the clear night sky.
That night, everyone rested, and we shall not dwell on that here.
During the night, the king, freed from the demonic aura, felt much better in spirit. At the fifth watch and the third drum, he again held court.
After the court session ended, the king invited the four masters and disciples of the Tang Monk to come forward and discuss the matter of finding the princess.
The elder followed the king into the main hall and bowed. The Great Sage and his two companions each made a gesture of salutation.
The king leaned forward and said, “Regarding my daughter the princess, as you mentioned yesterday, I trouble you divine monks to help bring her back.”
The elder said, “A few days ago, your poor monk was traveling from the east. As dusk fell, I came upon the Jigu Bujin Temple and sought lodging. Fortunately, the monks there took me in. That night, after the vegetarian meal, I was taking a walk under the moonlight. When I reached the old garden of the temple and looked at the foundations, I suddenly heard someone crying. I asked the reason, and an old monk over a hundred years old, after dismissing his disciples, told me in detail: The person crying was a woman who had been cast to the ground by a gust of wind one day in late spring of last year, while the old monk was in meditation. When he asked her who she was, she said, ‘I am the princess of the Heavenly Kingdom. While enjoying the moon and flowers one night, I was blown here by the wind.’ The old monk, knowing the proper procedure, locked her in a remote room. Fearing that the wicked monks of the temple might bully her, he told everyone that he had ‘locked up a demon.’ The princess understood his intentions. During the day, she deliberately talked nonsense to beg for tea and food; at night, when no one was around, she would weep for her parents. The old monk also came to the palace to inquire several times, but seeing that the princess within the palace was perfectly fine, he dared not speak out. Later, seeing that my disciple had divine powers, the old monk repeatedly urged your poor monk to come here and investigate. I never expected that the princess in the palace was actually the Jade Hare of the Moon Palace in disguise, deliberately trying to break my primal yang. Fortunately, my disciple used his magic to distinguish truth from falsehood. Now, the Jade Hare has been taken away by the Lunar Star Lord. Your worthy princess is currently feigning madness at the Jigu Bujin Temple.”
Upon hearing this detailed account, the king burst into loud sobs. Soon, the consorts of the three palaces and six courtyards were alarmed and came to ask the reason. There was not one who did not weep.
After a while, the king asked again, “How far is the Jigu Bujin Temple from the city?”
The Tang Monk said, “Only sixty miles.”
The king immediately issued an edict. “Let the consorts of the Eastern and Western Palaces guard the hall. Let the Grand Preceptor in charge of the court protect the palace. I, along with the principal queen, the officials, and the four divine monks, will go to the temple to bring the princess back.”
The royal procession was immediately assembled, and the group left the palace.
Then the Pilgrim leaped into the air, twisted his waist, and flew straight to the temple.
The monks of the temple hurriedly knelt to welcome him. “Venerable Sir, when you left last time, you were walking with everyone. Why have you come down from the sky today?”
The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Where is your old monk? Quickly call him out. Set up incense tables and prepare to receive the imperial carriage. The king of the Heavenly Kingdom, the queen, the officials, and my master are all coming.”
The monks did not understand what was happening. They hurriedly went to fetch the old monk.
When the old monk saw the Pilgrim, he knelt down and kowtowed. “Venerable Sir, what has become of the princess’s matter?”
The Pilgrim recounted in detail the story of the false princess throwing the silk ball to marry the Tang Monk, his fight with the demon, and the Lunar Star Lord taking away the Jade Hare.
The old monk kowtowed again in thanks.
The Pilgrim helped him up and said, “Do not bow yet, do not bow yet. Quickly prepare to receive the imperial carriage.”
Only then did the monks realize that the person locked up in the back room was the true princess. They were both startled and overjoyed. They quickly set up incense tables, lined up outside the mountain gate, donned their kasayas, and rang bells and beat drums in waiting.
Before long, the king’s procession arrived.
Truly, it was:
Colorful auspicious clouds filled the sky with fragrance; a lone, barren mountain was suddenly blessed with good fortune. A rainbow flowed for a thousand years, cleansing the rivers and seas; lightning circled the eternal spring, surpassing the sage-kings Yao and Shun. The grass and trees, receiving grace, added a fresh beauty; the wildflowers, moistened with dew, gained an extra fragrance. In ancient times, elders left behind their traces; today, we rejoice that the wise king has descended upon this precious hall.
When the king reached the mountain gate, he saw the monks kneeling in neat rows to welcome him. He also saw Sun the Pilgrim standing in their midst. He asked, “Divine monk, how did you arrive here first?”
The Pilgrim laughed and said, “Old Sun just twisted his waist and was here. Why did it take you so long to travel?”
Soon after, the Tang Monk and the others also arrived.
The elder led the king to the side of the back room. The princess was still feigning madness and talking nonsense.
The old monk knelt down and pointed, saying, “This room is where the princess, who was blown here by the wind last year, is staying.”
The king immediately ordered the door to be opened. His men broke the iron lock and pushed open the door.
When the king and queen saw the princess, they recognized her features. Not caring that she was dirty, they rushed forward and embraced her. “Our suffering child! How have you endured so much hardship here!”
Truly, the reunion of parents and child was unlike any other. The three of them cried together in a tight embrace.
After weeping for a while and recounting the pain of their separation, the king immediately ordered hot water to be prepared for the princess to bathe and change her clothes. Then she was seated in a palanquin for the return journey to the palace.
The Pilgrim again addressed the king with a bow. “Old Sun has one more thing to tell you.”
The king returned the bow and said, “Divine monk, whatever you command, I will surely follow.”
The Pilgrim said, “This mountain was originally called Hundred-Foot Mountain. Recently, I have heard that centipedes have become spirits and come out at night to harm people, causing great inconvenience to travelers. I think the only thing that can subdue centipedes is the rooster. You can select a thousand large roosters and release them into the mountains to eliminate these poisonous creatures. Then, change the name of this mountain and issue an imperial decree to enshrine it. This can also be considered as repaying the monks for their kindness in sheltering the princess.”
The king was delighted and agreed. He immediately dispatched officials to the city to gather roosters. He also changed the mountain’s name to Precious Flower Mountain. He ordered the Ministry of Works to prepare materials and rebuild the temple, bestowing upon it the title “Imperially Founded Precious Flower Mountain Jigu Bujin Temple.” The old monk was appointed as “Reporting to the Nation Monk Official,” a hereditary position for life, with an annual salary of thirty-six piculs of grain.
The monks thanked the king for his grace and then escorted the royal procession back to the palace.
When the princess returned to the palace, she met with everyone one by one. The king arranged a banquet to comfort and congratulate the princess. The consorts and the princess were reunited as mother and child, and the king and his ministers were all joyful. They feasted together until midnight, but we shall not dwell on that here.
The next morning, the king issued an edict for a painter to create portraits of the four masters and disciples of the Tang Monk, to be enshrined in the Huayi Tower. He also asked the princess to dress up and come before the hall to thank the four for saving her life.
After the thanks were given, the Tang Monk bid the king farewell, preparing to continue his journey westward.
The king absolutely refused to let them go. He held a grand banquet that lasted for five or six days. This delighted Zhu Bajie, who ate to his heart’s content.
Seeing that the four were determined to go and worship the Buddha and could not be detained, the king brought out two hundred ingots of gold and silver and a tray of jewels as a farewell gift.
The four masters and disciples did not accept a single thing.
The king then ordered the royal procession to be assembled. He invited the Tang Monk to ride in the imperial palanquin and sent officials to escort him far away. The consorts, ministers, and common people all kowtowed in thanks, reluctant to see them go.
As they proceeded, they saw the monks from the temple kneeling by the roadside to see them off. Everyone was filled with the sadness of parting.
Seeing that the escorts were unwilling to turn back, the Pilgrim had no choice. He recited a spell and blew a mouthful of immortal breath toward the southeast. A dark wind arose, blinding the eyes of all the escorts, and the four pilgrims, having bathed in the grace of grace and returned to their true natures, emerged from the golden sea to realize the emptiness of all things. Yet none of them knew what trials still lay ahead on their journey. Truly, the tale continues in the next chapter.