It is said that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, having fought with empty hands and suffered defeat, sat behind the Golden Mountain , tears streaming down his face as he cried out: " Master ! I had hoped to journey with you, sharing the Buddha's grace in harmony and unity, our illusions born together with endless meaning. We would dwell together, cultivate together, and find liberation together, showing compassion and thought together to manifest spiritual merit . Bound by the same fate and form, our hearts would truly unite; seeing and knowing the same truths, our path would turn toward enlightenment. But now, without my staff, empty-handed and barefoot, how can I prosper?"
The Great Sage grieved for a long while, then pondered to himself: "That fiend recognizes me. I remember him boasting on the battlefield, calling me 'the very monkey who once wreaked havoc in Heaven!' This means he is no ordinary mortal monster—he must be a malevolent star that has descended from the celestial realm. Yet I cannot tell from which domain this demon has fallen. I must go up to Heaven to investigate."
Having made up his mind, the Great Sage swiftly turned and mounted his auspicious cloud, flying straight to the Southern Gate of Heaven. Lifting his head, he saw the Heavenly King Virūpākṣa , who bowed and greeted him: "Great Sage, where are you headed?"
The Pilgrim replied: "I have business with the Jade Emperor. What are you doing here?"
Heavenly King Virūpākṣa said: "Today it is my turn to patrol the Southern Gate." Before he could finish speaking, the Four Great Marshals—Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Guan —came forward to pay their respects: "Great Sage, forgive us for not welcoming you from afar. Please come in for a cup of tea."
The Pilgrim said: "No, I have urgent matters." With that, he took his leave of Heavenly King Virūpākṣa and the Four Great Marshals, and entered straight through the Southern Gate. He walked all the way to the Hall of Miraculous Mist, where he indeed saw the Four Heavenly Masters—Zhang Daoling, Ge Xianweng, Xu Jingyang, and Qiu Hongji —along with the Six Ministers of the Southern Dipper and the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper , all waiting before the hall to greet him. They clasped their hands together and asked: "Great Sage, why have you come?" They then inquired: "Has the task of protecting the Tang Monk on his journey to fetch the scriptures been completed?"
The Pilgrim said: "Not yet! Not yet! The road is long and the demons are many; we have only traveled half the way. Now we are trapped at the Golden Cave on Golden Mountain . A rhinoceros fiend has captured Master Tang and taken him into the cave. I went to confront him in battle, but that creature possesses vast supernatural powers and seized my Golden-Banded Staff. I could not overcome him. I suspect he is a malevolent star that has descended from Heaven, but I do not know which demon it is. So I have come to seek an audience with the Jade Emperor and ask if he has failed to control his subordinates."
Xu Jingyang laughed: "This monkey still insists on having the last word!"
The Pilgrim said: "It is not that I insist on having the last word. Old Sun has always been blunt in speech—only thus can I find a solution."
Zhang Daoling said: "Say no more. We will announce your presence for you."
The Pilgrim said: "Many thanks! Many thanks!"
The Four Heavenly Masters immediately entered the Hall of Miraculous Mist to report, then led the Pilgrim before the Jade Emperor. The Pilgrim stepped forward and bowed: "Old Sir, forgive the trouble! Forgive the trouble! Old Sun is protecting the Tang Monk on his journey to the West to fetch the scriptures, and along the way we have encountered more misfortune than good—I will not go into details. Now we have reached the Golden Cave on Golden Mountain, where a rhinoceros fiend has captured the Tang Monk and taken him into the cave. I do not know whether he intends to steam him, boil him, or dry him in the sun. I went to confront him in battle, and that fiend actually recognized me. He is indeed vastly powerful and seized my Golden-Banded Staff, so I could not subdue him. I suspect he is a malevolent star that has descended from Heaven, and I have come specifically to report this to you. I humbly beseech the Heavenly Lord to show mercy and investigate clearly, issuing a decree to check which malevolent star it is and sending troops to subdue the demon. Old Sun kowtows to you here!" Having said this, he bowed deeply again: "I beg you to take charge."
Beside him, Ge Xianweng laughed: "Monkey, how is it that you are now so humble after being so arrogant before?"
The Pilgrim said: "I dare not! I dare not! It is not that I was arrogant before and am humble now. It is that Old Sun no longer has his Golden-Banded Staff to use!"
At that time, the Jade Emperor, having heard the report, immediately issued a decree to the Kehan Department : "As Wukong has said, go and check all the stars and deities in the heavens to see if any have descended to the mortal realm. Report back immediately after your investigation."
The Elder Lord Kehan received the decree and immediately took the Great Sage to conduct the investigation. First, they checked the guardians and officials of the four gates of Heaven—Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western. Then they examined all the deities, great and small, within the Three Walled Enclosures . Next, they inspected the Eight Generals of the Thunder Department—Tao, Zhang, Xin, Deng, Gou, Bi, Pang, and Liu . Finally, they checked the Thirty-Three Heavens , finding each level peaceful and secure. Then they examined the Twenty-Eight Mansions : the Seven Mansions of the East—Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket; the Seven Mansions of the North—Dipper, Ox, Woman, Emptiness, Rooftop, House, and Wall; the Seven Mansions of the South—Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Spread, Wings, and Chariot; and the Seven Mansions of the West—Legs, Bond, Stomach, Pleiades, Net, Beak, and Triad. Every mansion was calm and untroubled. They also checked the Seven Luminaries—the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—as well as the Four Dark Stars—Rāhu, Ketu, and the Comets. Throughout the entire starry firmament, not a single entity had descended to the mortal realm.
The Pilgrim said: "Since this is the case, Old Sun will not enter the Hall of Miraculous Mist to disturb the Jade Emperor further. You return to report on your own. I will wait here for your news."
The Elder Lord Kehan did as he was told. Sun the Pilgrim waited for a long time, and even composed a poem to express his feelings: "The wind is clear, the clouds have dispersed, and joy fills the peaceful realm; the spirits are calm, the stars shine bright, revealing auspicious omens. The Milky Way is tranquil, Heaven and Earth are at peace; from the five directions and eight extremes, weapons are laid down and banners furled."
The Elder Lord Kehan, having completed his thorough investigation, returned to report to the Jade Emperor: "All the stars in the heavens are present, and every deity is in their place. None have descended to the mortal realm."
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor said: "Let Sun Wukong select a few heavenly generals to descend to the mortal realm and capture the demon."
The Four Heavenly Masters, having received the decree, came out of the Hall of Miraculous Mist and said to the Pilgrim: "Great Sage, the Jade Emperor has shown mercy. He says that no deity from the celestial palace has descended to the mortal realm, and allows you to choose a few heavenly generals to go and capture the demon."
The Pilgrim lowered his head and pondered: "The generals of Heaven—few are as skilled as I, and fewer still are stronger. In the days when I wreaked havoc in Heaven, the Jade Emperor sent one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers to set up nets in the heavens and snares on the earth, yet not one dared to cross swords with me. Later, he summoned Erlang Shen, who only managed to fight me to a draw. Now, this fiend's abilities surpass even my own. How can I possibly defeat him?"
Xu Jingyang said: "Times have changed. As the saying goes, 'Everything has its conqueror.' Do not defy the imperial decree! Choose the heavenly generals according to your own judgment, and do not delay and miss the opportunity."
The Pilgrim said: "Since this is the case, I am grateful for the Jade Emperor's favor. Indeed, I cannot defy his decree, nor can I come here in vain. I ask you, Heavenly Master Xu, to report back to the Jade Emperor. Please request that the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and Prince Nezha be sent. They still possess several demon-subduing weapons. Let them first descend to the mortal realm and fight that fiend to see how things stand. If they can capture him, it will be Old Sun's good fortune. If not, we can think of another plan."
The Heavenly Master immediately reported back to the Jade Emperor, who promptly ordered King Li and his son to lead the heavenly soldiers and assist the Pilgrim in subduing the demon. The Heavenly King, having received the decree, came to see the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim then said to the Heavenly Master: "I thank the Jade Emperor for sending the Heavenly King. I am deeply grateful. There is one more thing I would ask you to convey: could you also send two Thunder Gods? When the Heavenly King engages the fiend in battle, let the Thunder Gods strike with thunder from the clouds, aiming at the fiend's head. This would certainly be an excellent strategy."
The Heavenly Master laughed: "Good! Good! Good!" He then petitioned the Jade Emperor, who issued a decree ordering the Nine Heavens Mansion to send two Thunder Gods, Deng Hua and Zhang Fan, to accompany the Heavenly King in subduing the demon and rescuing the Tang Monk. Afterward, the Heavenly Master, the Heavenly King, and the Great Sage Sun descended together from the Southern Gate of Heaven.
In a short while, they arrived at Golden Mountain. The Pilgrim said: "This is Golden Mountain, and in the middle of the mountain is the Golden Cave. Let us discuss who will go to challenge the fiend first."
The Heavenly King stopped his cloud and stationed the heavenly soldiers at the southern slope of the mountain. He said: "The Great Sage knows that my son Nezha once subdued ninety-six caves of demons. He is skilled in transformations and carries demon-subduing weapons. Let him go into battle first."
The Pilgrim said: "Since this is the case, I will accompany the prince."
Prince Nezha, full of spirit, leaped onto the high mountain with the Great Sage and went straight to the mouth of the cave. They found the cave door tightly shut, and not even a single minor demon was to be seen beneath the cliffs. The Pilgrim stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Wicked fiend! Open the door! Return my master to me!"
The minor demon guarding the cave door, seeing this, quickly reported: "Great King, Sun the Pilgrim has come with a young boy, and they are challenging us at the gate!"
The Demon King said: "This monkey's Golden-Banded Staff has been taken by me. He cannot fight empty-handed, so he must have called for reinforcements." He then ordered: "Bring me my weapon!" The Demon King, holding his spear, walked out of the cave door. He saw the young boy, who was handsome and delicate in appearance, yet very strong. Truly, he was: "A face of jade, beautiful as the full moon; vermilion lips, a square mouth revealing silver teeth. His eyes flashed like lightning, his pupils bulging; his forehead was broad, and his hair, tied in a topknot, shimmered like condensed clouds. Embroidered sashes danced in the wind, fluttering like colorful flames; his brocade robe reflected the sun, emitting golden flowers. Ringed sashes gleamed, pressing against a mirror at his chest; his precious armor shone brightly, complementing his battle boots. Small in stature but with a mighty voice, magnificent and imposing—this was Nezha, the guardian of the Three Heavens."
The Demon King laughed and said: "You are the third son of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, known as Prince Nezha. Why have you come to my gate to shout and rage?"
The prince said: "It is because you, wicked fiend, have stirred up trouble and imprisoned the holy monk from the East. I have received the sacred decree of the Jade Emperor to capture you!"
The Demon King flew into a rage and said: "You must have been summoned by Sun Wukong! I am the very demon that holds the holy monk captive! What abilities does a brat like you possess, to speak such arrogant words? Do not flee! Taste my spear!"
The prince raised his demon-slaying sword and met him head-on. As the two began to fight, the Great Sage quickly turned back and ran to the mountain slope, shouting: "Where are the Thunder Gods? Come quickly! Strike the fiend on the head with thunder and help the prince subdue him!"
The two Thunder Gods, Deng Hua and Zhang Fan, immediately mounted their clouds and were about to act when they saw the prince unleash his magical powers. His body transformed, sprouting three heads and six arms, and he held six weapons in his hands, slashing at the demon. The Demon King also transformed, growing three heads and six arms, and blocked the attack with three long spears.
The prince then employed his demon-subduing skills, hurling his six weapons into the air and shouting: "Transform!" The six weapons instantly became ten, then a hundred, then a thousand, then ten thousand, falling like a torrential rainstorm or hailstones, densely covering the demon as they struck.
But the Demon King was utterly unafraid. With one hand, he pulled out that gleaming white ring, tossed it into the air, and shouted: "Take it!" With a whoosh, the ring swept away all six weapons. Prince Nezha, terrified, fled empty-handed, and the Demon King, victorious, returned to his cave.
The two Thunder Gods, Deng Hua and Zhang Fan, secretly laughed from the clouds: "It is fortunate that we first observed the situation and did not release our thunder. If our thunder were also taken by that ring, how could we return to face the Heavenly Lord?" The two descended from their clouds and, together with the prince, returned to the southern slope of the mountain. They said to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King: "That demon is indeed vastly powerful!"
Wukong, standing nearby, laughed and said: "That fellow's abilities are just so-so. It is that ring of his that is truly formidable. I do not know what kind of treasure it is, but when he throws it, it can snatch away anything."
Nezha said angrily: "You, Great Sage, are truly inhuman! We have suffered defeat, and our hearts are full of vexation—all because of you! Yet you still have the nerve to laugh!"
The Pilgrim said: "You speak of vexation. Do you think Old Sun is not vexed? I am at my wit's end, unable to cry, so I can only laugh."
The Heavenly King said: "What are we to do now?"
The Pilgrim said: "Whatever plan you devise, as long as it involves something that ring cannot take, we can capture him."
The Heavenly King said: "Among things that cannot be taken, only water and fire are most effective. As the saying goes, 'Water and fire have no mercy.'"
Upon hearing this, the Pilgrim said: "Well said! You all wait here. I will go up to Heaven once more."
Deng Hua and Zhang Fan asked: "What are you going to do now?"
The Pilgrim said: "This time I go, I need not report to the Jade Emperor. I will only go to the Vermilion Phoenix Palace inside the Southern Gate of Heaven and invite the Fire Virtue Star Lord of the Southern Spark to come here and set fire to that fiend. Perhaps we can burn that ring to ashes and capture the demon. First, we can retrieve your weapons so that you can return to Heaven. Second, we can save my master."
The prince was delighted and said: "Do not delay. Great Sage, go quickly and return quickly. We will wait for you here."
The Pilgrim mounted his auspicious cloud and once again arrived at the Southern Gate of Heaven. Heavenly King Virūpākṣa and the Four Great Marshals came forward to greet him: "Great Sage, why have you returned?"
The Pilgrim said: "The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King sent the prince into battle, but after only one round, the Demon King swept away all six of the prince's weapons. I am now going to the Vermilion Phoenix Palace to invite the Fire Virtue Star Lord to assist."
The Four Great Marshals dared not detain him and let him pass. When he reached the Vermilion Phoenix Palace, the deities of the Fire Department immediately reported: "Sun Wukong wishes to see our lord."
The Fire Virtue Star Lord of the Southern Spark, having adjusted his robes, came out to greet him and invited him inside, saying: "Yesterday, the Kehan Department came to inspect my domain. None of my deities have descended to the mortal realm."
The Pilgrim said: "I already know that. But the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the prince have been defeated and have lost their weapons. I have come specifically to ask for your assistance."
The Star Lord said: "Nezha is the Great God of the Three Altars and the Seas. From birth, he subdued ninety-six caves of demons and possesses vast supernatural powers. If even he could not defeat the fiend, how dare I go?"
The Pilgrim said: "The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and I have discussed this. The most powerful forces in Heaven and Earth are water and fire. That fiend possesses a ring that can take anything—I do not know what kind of treasure it is. Since it is said that fire can burn all things, I have come specifically to invite you, Star Lord, to bring the deities of the Fire Department down to the mortal realm. Set fire to that demon and save my master's life."
Upon hearing this, the Fire Virtue Star Lord immediately mustered all the divine soldiers of his department and followed the Pilgrim to the southern slope of Golden Mountain, where they met with the Heavenly King, the Thunder Gods, and the others.
The Heavenly King said: "Great Sage Sun, you go and call that wretch out again. I will fight him. When he brings out that ring, I will dodge, and let the Fire Virtue Star Lord lead the assembled deities in setting the fire."
The Pilgrim laughed and said: "Right! I will go with you."
The Fire Virtue Star Lord, along with the prince, Deng Hua, and Zhang Fan, stood on the high mountain, ready to assist in the challenge.
The Great Sage arrived at the mouth of the Golden Cave and shouted: "Open the door! Return my master to me quickly!"
The minor demon again quickly reported: "Sun Wukong has come again!"
The Demon King, leading his minor demons, came out of the cave and, seeing the Pilgrim, said: "You wretched monkey, what reinforcements have you summoned this time?"
At that moment, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King stepped out from the side and roared: "Wicked fiend! Do you recognize me?"
The Demon King laughed and said: "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, have you come to avenge your son and retrieve your weapons?"
The Heavenly King said: "First, to avenge and retrieve my weapons; second, to capture you and rescue the Tang Monk! Do not flee! Taste my blade!"
The fiend dodged sideways, raised his long spear, and met him head-on. The two fought before the cave, a truly fierce battle. Behold: "The Heavenly King's blade struck; the fiend's spear met it. The blade's frost sprayed raging fire; the spear's sharp aura burst forth with mournful clouds. One was a vicious fiend born of Golden Mountain; the other was a heavenly god dispatched from the Hall of Miraculous Mist. The one, because he bullied the monk's nature, displayed his might; the other, to rescue his master from calamity, exerted his utmost virtue. The Heavenly King employed his magic, stirring up flying sand and stones; the demon, vying for supremacy, raised clouds of dust. Raising dust could darken Heaven and Earth; stirring up sand could muddy the seas and rivers. Both sides struggled for merit and achievement, all for the sake of the Tang Monk, who would worship the World-Honored One."
Great Sage Sun, seeing the two locked in fierce combat, quickly turned and leaped onto the high mountain, saying to the Fire Virtue Star Lord: "Star Lord of the Southern Spark, be prepared!"
Indeed, when the demon and the Heavenly King reached a critical moment in their battle, the fiend once again pulled out his ring. The Heavenly King, seeing this, quickly mounted his auspicious cloud and fled. The Fire Virtue Star Lord on the high mountain immediately issued the order, commanding all the deities of the Fire Department to release their flames. This fire was truly formidable!
What a fire! The scriptures say: "The South is the origin of fire." Even a spark of fire can burn ten thousand acres of fields; and the power of this Three-Spark Fire could transform into all kinds of flames. Now there were fire-spears, fire-blades, fire-bows, and fire-arrows, each deity wielding a different weapon. In mid-air, fire-crows flew about, cawing wildly; all over the mountain, fire-horses galloped without cease. Pairs of fire-rats and couples of fire-dragons appeared—the fire-rats spewed blazing flames, turning the vast sky crimson; the fire-dragons belched thick smoke, blackening the immense earth. Fire-carts were pushed forward; fire-gourds were opened wide; fire-banners waved, reflecting against the clouds and mist of the sky; fire-staves were brandished, burning every plant on the ground. What need is there to speak of the story of Ning Qi whipping his ox? This was even more formidable than Zhou Yu's burning of Red Cliffs! Truly, this was divine fire from Heaven, unlike any ordinary flame. The fire blazed fiercely, and the hot wind rolled on!
The demon, seeing the fire approaching, was utterly unafraid. He tossed his ring into the air, and with a whoosh, it swept away all the fire-dragons, fire-horses, fire-crows, fire-rats, as well as the fire-spears, fire-blades, fire-bows, and fire-arrows. He then returned to his cave, victorious, and withdrew his troops.
The Fire Virtue Star Lord, holding an empty banner, recalled his generals and joined the Heavenly King and the others at the southern slope of the mountain. He said to the Pilgrim: "Great Sage, this ferocious demon is truly rare! I have now lost even my fire weapons. What can be done?"
The Pilgrim laughed and said: "Do not complain. All of you, sit for a while. I will go and return shortly."
The Heavenly King said: "Where are you going now?"
The Pilgrim said: "Since that fiend is not afraid of fire, he must be afraid of water. As the saying goes, 'Water can overcome fire.' I will go to the Northern Gate of Heaven and invite the Water Virtue Star Lord to unleash his waters. We will flood the cave and drown the Demon King, and also retrieve your weapons."
The Heavenly King said: "This plan is good, but what if your master is also drowned?"
The Pilgrim said: "No matter! Even if my master is drowned, I have ways to revive him. I am sorry to have delayed all of you."
The Fire Virtue Star Lord said: "Since this is the case, go quickly, go quickly."
What a Great Sage! He once again mounted his cloud somersault and flew straight to the Northern Gate of Heaven. Lifting his head, he saw the Heavenly King Virūḍhaka come forward and bow: "Great Sage Sun, where are you going?"
The Pilgrim said: "I have urgent business and must go to the Black Tortoise Palace to see the Water Virtue Star Lord. What are you doing here?"
Heavenly King Virūḍhaka said: "Today it is my turn to patrol the Northern Gate." As he spoke, the Four Great Heavenly Generals—Pang, Liu, Gou, and Bi—came forward to pay their respects and invite him for tea.
The Pilgrim said: "Do not trouble yourselves! Do not trouble yourselves! I am in a hurry!" With that, he took his leave of the assembled deities and went straight to the Black Tortoise Palace, where he asked the deities of the Water Department to announce his arrival quickly.
The assembled deities reported: "The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong, has arrived."
Upon hearing this, the Water Virtue Star Lord immediately dismissed the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas and Five Lakes, the Eight Rivers and Four Rivers, the Three Rivers and Nine Streams, who were in the midst of being inspected. He adjusted his robes and hat, went outside the palace gate to welcome the Pilgrim, and invited him inside, saying: "Yesterday, the Kehan Department came to inspect my domain, fearing that some deity under my command might have descended to the mortal realm to cause trouble. I was in the midst of checking the gods of the rivers, seas, and rivers, and have not yet finished."
The Pilgrim said: "That Demon King is no deity of the rivers or seas. He is a powerful and malevolent spirit. Previously, the Jade Emperor sent the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, his son, and two Thunder Gods down to capture him, but he used a ring to take away six divine weapons. I had no choice but to go to the Vermilion Phoenix Palace and invite the Fire Virtue Star Lord to lead the Fire Department deities in setting a fire, but even the fire-dragons and fire-horses were taken by his ring. I thought that since this thing is not afraid of fire, it must be afraid of water. I have come specifically to invite you, Star Lord, to unleash your waters and help me capture that fiend, return the weapons to the heavenly generals, and save my master."
Upon hearing this, the Water Virtue Star Lord immediately ordered the Water Earl, the Divine King of the Yellow River: "Go with the Great Sage and assist him."
The Water Earl took out a white jade bowl from his sleeve and said: "I will use this vessel to hold the water."
The Pilgrim said: "This little bowl—how much water can it hold? How can it drown the demon?"
The Water Earl said: "To tell you the truth, Great Sage, this bowl of mine holds the water of the Yellow River. Half a bowl is half a Yellow River; a full bowl is the entire Yellow River."
The Pilgrim said joyfully: "Half a bowl will be enough." With that, he took his leave of the Water Virtue Star Lord, and together with the Water Earl of the Yellow River, they quickly left the celestial palace.
The Water Earl took his bowl, went to the Yellow River to scoop up half a bowl of water, and then followed the Great Sage to Golden Mountain. There, at the southern slope of the mountain, they met the Heavenly King, the prince, the Thunder Gods, and the Fire Virtue Star Lord, and explained the situation.
The Pilgrim said: "There is no need for lengthy explanations. Water Earl, you come with me. I will call him to open his door. Before he can come out, you pour the water into the cave. The whole den of fiends will be drowned. Then I will go and fish out my master's corpse and revive him."
The Water Earl, having received his orders, followed closely behind the Pilgrim. They rounded the mountain slope and went straight to the mouth of the cave, shouting: "Fiend, open the door!"
The minor demon guarding the door, hearing that it was the voice of Great Sage Sun, quickly ran in and reported: "Sun Wukong has come again!"
Upon hearing this, the Demon King, carrying his treasure and holding his spear, strode outside. With a clang, he opened the stone door. The Water Earl immediately tipped the white jade bowl and poured the water into the cave. When the fiend saw the water rushing toward him, he threw down his long spear and immediately pulled out his ring to block the second door. The water gushed and surged, all flowing outward. Great Sage Sun quickly mounted his cloud somersault and, together with the Water Earl, leaped to the high mountain.
The Heavenly King and the others also mounted their clouds and hovered before the high mountain to watch. They saw the water's force was immense, with waves towering to the sky. This water was truly formidable! It could be described thus: "A single spoonful, yet its depth is truly unfathomable. It is only through the power of divine magic that it benefits all things and swells to fill a hundred rivers. One could hear its murmuring sound shaking the valleys, and see its surging might covering the skies. Its majestic roar was like the thunder's rush; its violent waves were like snow tumbling over cliffs. Waves a thousand feet high flooded the roads; billows ten thousand layers surged against the mountain rocks. It was cold and clear, like jade being washed; it rolled and tumbled, like a plucked zither. Striking the rocks, it sprayed forth shattered jade; swirling back, it formed round eddies. It flowed into every low and hollow place, filling the gullies and ditches, connecting above and below."
Seeing this, the Pilgrim became anxious and said: "This is not good! The water is flooding everywhere, drowning the farmers' fields, and it has not even entered his cave! What can be done?" He quickly called for the Water Earl to withdraw the water.
The Water Earl said: "This minor deity only knows how to release water, not how to withdraw it. As the saying goes, 'Spilled water is hard to gather.' There is no remedy."
Fortunately, the mountain was very high, and the water flowed to the lower ground. In a short while, it scattered and flowed back into the mountain gullies.
Then they saw several minor demons leap out from the cave, shouting and making a racket outside. They rolled up their sleeves and bared their arms, holding clubs and grasping spears, still playing happily as before.
The Heavenly King said: "The water did not even enter the cave! We have labored in vain!"
The Pilgrim could no longer contain his rage. Clenching both fists, he rushed to the mouth of the demon's cave and shouted: "Do not flee! Taste my fist!"
The few minor demons, terrified, dropped their clubs and spears and ran into the cave, trembling as they reported: "Great King! Sun Wukong has come to fight!"
The Demon King, holding his long spear, came out to meet him and said: "You wretched monkey, you are truly shameless! You have failed to defeat me several times, and your water and fire have been useless. How dare you still come to throw away your life?"
The Pilgrim said: "You wretch, how dare you lecture me instead! Who knows who will be throwing away their life! Come here! Taste your Sun Grandfather's fist!"
The Demon King laughed and said: "This monkey is quite persistent! I use a spear, and he uses his fists. Such tiny fists, no bigger than a walnut—how can they be called 'hammers'? Enough, enough! I will put down my spear first and spar with you in boxing!"
The Pilgrim laughed and said: "Well said! Come here!"
The fiend lifted his robes and stepped forward, assuming a fighting stance. He raised his two fists, which were truly like the iron hammers used for pounding oil. The Great Sage also shifted his feet and assumed his own stance. Before the cave door, he and the Demon King began to fight. This boxing match was truly spectacular! Behold: "They opened up with the 'Great Four-Level Stance' and kicked with the 'Flying Double Feet.' They aimed blows at the ribs and struck at the chest; they sought to gouge out the heart and snatch the gall. The 'Immortal Points the Way,' and 'The Old Man Rides the Crane.' The 'Hungry Tiger Pounces on Its Prey' is most deadly; the 'Flood Dragon Plays in the Water' can be fierce. The Demon King used the 'Python Turns Over,' while the Great Sage employed the 'Deer Sheds Its Antlers.' They struck with heels like dragons coiling on the ground; they twisted their wrists like bellows propping up the sky. The 'Green Lion Opens Its Mouth' came next, followed by the 'Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate.' They rained blows on the head and scattered flowers; they wrapped around the waist like a rope. They faced the wind and stuck like a fan; the urgent rain hastened the falling of flowers. The fiend then used the 'Guanyin Palm,' and the Pilgrim countered with the 'Arhat Kick.' Long punches, open and wide, are naturally loose; how can they compare to short punches, which are tight and sharp? The two grappled for several dozen rounds, their skills equal, with neither stronger nor weaker."
As they wrestled before the cave door, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King on the high mountain shouted his approval, and the Fire Virtue Star Lord clapped and cheered. The two Thunder Gods and Prince Nezha, leading the assembled deities, leaped forward, all wanting to join the fray. On the other side, the minor demons waved their banners, beat their drums, brandished their swords, and hefted their spears, all protecting the Demon King.
Great Sage Sun, seeing that the situation was unfavorable, plucked out a handful of his fur and tossed it into the air, shouting: "Transform!" Instantly, it became thirty to fifty little monkeys, who swarmed forward and entangled the demon. Some grabbed his legs, some pulled at his waist, some clawed at his eyes, and some tugged at his fur. The fiend, panicking, quickly pulled out his ring. The Great Sage, the Heavenly King, and the others, seeing him produce the ring, swiftly turned their clouds and fled to the high mountain.
The fiend tossed his ring into the air, and with a whoosh, it swept away the thirty to fifty little monkeys, returning them to their original form, and took them into the cave. Victorious, he led his troops, closed the door, and returned to celebrate.
Prince Nezha said: "Great Sage Sun, you are truly a hero! This round of boxing was magnificent, and you even used your body-splitting technique. You have shown your skills