Zhu Bajie, got caught by a bunch of monkeys. They dragged him along, tearing his clothes in the process. All the way, he kept muttering, "Oh no, oh no, this time I'm really going to get beaten to death!" Before long, they brought him to the entrance of a cave. There was Sun Wukong, sitting on a rock, yelling at him, "You clumsy oaf! You left, and then you had the nerve to badmouth me?" Pigsy quickly knelt down and said, "Brother, I didn't badmouth you. If I did, I'd bite my own tongue off. I just said if you wouldn't go, I'd report to Master myself. How dare I badmouth you?"
Wukong wasn't buying it and continued, "You think you can fool me? If I tug my left ear, I can hear conversations from the thirty-three heavens; if I tug my right ear, I can hear the ten kings of hell settling accounts. You were cursing me as you walked away—how could I not hear that?" Pigsy hurriedly explained, "Brother, I know you're clever. You must've turned into something and followed me to listen." Wukong shouted, "Boys, bring the big stick! Give him twenty blows for a greeting, another twenty for the insult, and then I'll send him on his way with my iron rod!" Pigsy was so scared he kowtowed repeatedly, "Brother, for Master's sake, spare me!"
Wukong said, "I suppose Master is quite kind-hearted." Pigsy added, "Brother, if not for Master, then for the sake of the Bodhisattva, please spare me!"
Hearing the mention of the Bodhisattva, Wukong hesitated and said, "Alright, since you mentioned it, I won't beat you for now. But you have to tell the truth and no lies. Where did Master get into trouble? Are you here to fool me?" Pigsy quickly replied, "Brother, there's no trouble. I just missed you." Wukong cursed, "You thick-skinned fool! How can you still be so cocky? Though I'm back at Water Curtain Cave, my heart is with the monk on the journey. Master faces danger at every step. Tell me quickly, or you'll get a beating!"
Pigsy, hearing this, kowtowed and said, "Brother, I intended to hide it and invite you myself, but you're too clever. Spare me the beating and let me explain." Wukong said, "Alright, stand up and speak." The little monkeys let him go, and Pigsy jumped up, looking around. Wukong asked, "What are you looking for?" Pigsy replied, "Checking which way is best to run." Wukong said, "Where do you think you can run? Even if I let you run for three days, I'd still catch you! Speak up, or you'll anger me, and I won't spare you!"
Pigsy said, "Honestly, Brother, after you left, Sandy and I continued protecting Master on the journey. We came across a black pine forest, and Master got off the horse, telling me to go beg for food. I went far but found no one, and I was so tired I fell asleep in the grass.
Unexpectedly, Sandy left Master and came looking for me. You know how it is, Master can't sit still. He wandered off and saw a golden pagoda outside the forest. Thinking it was a temple, he approached, but a monster named Yellow Robe captured him. Later, when Sandy and I returned, we only found the white horse and luggage, but no Master. We tracked him to a cave and fought the monster. Master was inside, and fortunately, a savior appeared—the third princess of the Kingdom of Baoxiang, who was also captured by the monster. She wrote a letter home and asked Master to deliver it, thus revealing a way to free him. When we reached the king, handed over the letter, the king requested Master to subdue the monster and rescue the princess. Brother, you know that old monk can't subdue monsters! So Sandy and I fought again. But the monster was powerful and captured Sandy, while I was defeated and hid in the grass. The monster transformed into a handsome scholar and entered the court, even turning Master into a tiger. Luckily, the white dragon horse transformed into a dragon at night to find Master, though he failed, he encountered the monster drinking in the Silver Peace Hall. He transformed into a maid to try and slash him but got injured by the monster's spell, 'Full House of Red,' hurting his leg. He told me to come and ask you for help, saying: 'Brother is righteous and kind; a gentleman forgets past grievances and will surely save Master.' Brother, please, for the bond of being a disciple, go and save him!"
After listening, Wukong scolded, "You fool! Before I left, I repeatedly told you that if any demon captures Master, you should say that I'm his senior disciple. Why didn't you mention me?" Pigsy thought, "Instead of asking, I'll provoke him a bit." So he said, "Brother, it was better not to mention you. As soon as I did, the demon became even more arrogant!" Wukong asked, "What did you say?" Pigsy replied, "I said, 'Demon, don't be rude and harm my Master! I have a senior brother named Sun Wukong. He is immensely powerful and skilled at subduing demons. When he comes, you'll be left without a burial place!' Hearing this, the demon got even angrier and cursed, 'Sun Wukong? Am I afraid of him? If he comes, I'll skin him, pull out his tendons, gnaw his bones, and eat his heart! Even if that monkey is lean, I'll chop him up and deep-fry him!'"
Hearing this, Wukong was so furious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, jumping around impatiently, "Who dares to curse me like that!" Pigsy said, "Calm down, brother. It was that Yellow Robe Demon who cursed you. I just imitated him to let you hear." Wukong said, "Dear brother, stand up. It's not that I don't want to go. Since the demon dared to insult me, I must subdue him. I'll go with you. Five hundred years ago, when I caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, the celestial generals bowed and called me Great Sage. This demon is so disrespectful, daring to curse me! I'll go now, capture him, and tear him to pieces to avenge the insult! After avenging, I'll return." Pigsy said, "Brother, exactly! As long as you capture the demon and avenge yourself, whether you come back or not is up to you."
Wukong then jumped down from the cliff, went back into the cave, took off the demon's clothes, tidied up his brocade robe, fastened his tiger-skin skirt, picked up his iron rod, and headed out. The group of monkeys hurriedly blocked him, "Great Sage Grandpa, where are you going? Take us along for a few years of fun!" Wukong said, "What are you talking about, little ones! Everyone knows that Sun Wukong is the disciple of Tang Monk. He didn't drive me back but let me come home for a carefree life. Now, because of this matter, you must guard the home well, plant willows and pines on time, and don't neglect them. Wait for me to protect Tang Monk, fetch the scriptures, and return to the East. Once the mission is accomplished, I'll come back and enjoy the innocence with you." The monkeys each accepted their orders.
As Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie left the cave hand in hand, riding the clouds across the Eastern Sea, they arrived at the western shore. Wukong stopped the cloud and said to Pigsy, "Brother, you go ahead slowly. I'm going down to the sea to take a bath." Pigsy was puzzled, "Why take a bath in such a hurry?" Wukong explained, "You don't know, but during these days back home, I've picked up some demonic aura. Master loves cleanliness, and I'm afraid he'll dislike me." Pigsy then understood that Wukong was truly considerate of his Master.
In no time, Wukong finished his bath and continued westward on the cloud. From afar, they saw the golden pagoda shining, and Pigsy pointed, "That's where the Yellow Robe Demon lives, and Sandy is still there." Wukong said, "You wait here in the air while I go down to check the situation at the gate and confront the demon." Pigsy hurriedly advised, "Don't go; the demon isn't home." Wukong confidently said, "I know."
At this moment, Wukong landed his cloud and went straight to the entrance of the cave, where he saw two children playing, one about ten years old and the other around eight or nine. Without caring who they were, Wukong grabbed the two children by their collars and lifted them up. The children cried and screamed in fear, alarming the little demons inside the cave, who rushed to report to the princess, "Madam, someone has taken the two young masters!" It turned out these were the children of the princess and the Yellow Robe Demon. The princess hurried out of the cave and saw Wukong holding the children, seemingly ready to throw them off the cliff. She shouted in fear:
"You man, I have no grudge against you. Why have you taken my sons? Their father is formidable, and if anything happens to them, he won't let you off easily!" Wukong laughed, "Don't you recognize me? I'm Sun Wukong, the senior disciple of Tang Monk. My junior brother Sandy is in your cave. Release him, and I'll return your children. Two for one, you're still getting the better deal." Hearing this, the princess quickly ran back into the cave, dismissed the little demons, and personally untied Sandy.
Sandy said, "Princess, don't untie me. I'm afraid your monster might come back and cause you trouble." The princess replied, "Elder, you are my benefactor. You delivered my letter home and saved my life, so I must release you. Unexpectedly, your senior brother Sun Wukong arrived outside and asked me to let you go." Oh, when Sandy heard the name "Sun Wukong," he felt as if a refreshing drink had been poured over him. He was overjoyed and couldn't wait to fly out to see him. He quickly tidied his clothes, ran out, and greeted Wukong, saying, "Brother, you truly descended from the heavens! Please save me!" Wukong laughed, "You, Sandy! When Master recites the Tight-Fillet Spell, would you say a good word for me? Here you are, just chatting away! If you want to protect Master, why aren't you on the western path but squatting here?" Sandy said, "Brother, don't say that. A gentleman doesn't hold grudges. We are all defeated generals, not to be brave. Save me and the children, please!" Wukong said, "Come up here."
Sandy then leaped onto the rock cliff. At this time, Pigsy, seeing Sandy coming out of the cave, immediately descended from the cloud and shouted, "Brother Sandy, patience! Patience!" Sandy saw him and asked, "Second Brother, where did you come from?" Pigsy replied, "Yesterday, after losing the battle, I entered the city at night, met the white horse, and learned that Master was in trouble, turned into a tiger by the Yellow Robe Demon. The white horse and I decided to invite our senior brother." Wukong said, "Fool, stop chatting and take these two children to Baoxiang City to provoke that demon. I'll wait here to fight him." Sandy asked, "Brother, how do we provoke him?" Wukong said, "You two ride the cloud to the Golden Hall, and without hesitation, throw the children in front of the white jade steps. If anyone asks who you are, say they are the Yellow Robe Demon's sons, captured by us. The demon will surely return upon hearing this, so I won't have to enter the city to fight him. Fighting in the city would surely cause chaos, disturbing the court and the people, making everyone uneasy." Pigsy laughed, "Brother, you always put us in tough spots." Wukong asked, "How am I putting you in a tough spot?" Pigsy said, "These two kids were scared out of their wits when you grabbed them. They're crying so much their voices are hoarse, and they'll probably die soon. If we throw them down and they turn into meat patties, won't the demon come after us? He'll definitely want us to pay with our lives. You won't be there, so aren't you setting us up?" Wukong said, "If he tangles with you, lead him here. The terrain is spacious here, and I'll be waiting to fight him." Sandy said, "Yes, yes, big brother is right. Let's go now." So the two of them, relying on their might, took the children away.
Meanwhile, Wukong jumped down the stone cliff and came to the pagoda's entrance. The princess saw him and was furious, "You monk, how can you be so untrustworthy? You said you'd return my children after releasing your junior brother, but your brother is gone, and the children are still with you. Why are you at my door?" Wukong smiled and said, "Princess, don't be angry. I intend to take your children to see their grandfather." The princess, displeased, said, "Monk, don't joke around. My Yellow Robe Husband is not to be trifled with. If you scare my children, he won't let you off."
Wukong laughed, "Princess, why make enemies in life?" The princess said, "I understand." Wukong asked, "As a woman, what do you know?" The princess replied, "I grew up in the palace, taught by my parents. Ancient books say that among the five punishments, none is greater than unfilial behavior." Wukong said, "Then you are indeed unfilial! Your parents raised you, yet you cavort with a demon and don't think of your parents. Isn't that unfilial?" The princess blushed with shame, feeling utterly embarrassed, and couldn't help but say, "Elder, you're right. I do miss my parents, but I'm trapped here by the demon. His powers are great, and I can't move freely. The distance is far, and I can't send a message. I thought of suicide but feared my parents would misunderstand and think I ran away, leaving things unclear. I could only live in disgrace, truly a great sinner between heaven and earth!" Saying this, she wept like rain.
Wukong comforted her, "Princess, don't be sad. Pigsy told me you wrote a letter to save my Master, expressing your longing for your parents. I'm here to help you get rid of the demon, take you back to see your parents, and find a good family to serve your parents until old age. How does that sound?" The princess said, "Monk, don't send yourself to death. Your two junior brothers are so powerful, yet they couldn't defeat my Yellow Robe Husband. You, a skinny monkey with bones sticking out, what ability do you have to claim you can capture the demon?"
Wukong laughed heartily, "You really lack insight. As the saying goes, 'A large bladder has no weight, a small weight can press a thousand pounds.' They are just for show, blown away by the wind, wasting cloth when clothed, useless at meals. I, this little monkey with strong joints, am truly capable." The princess asked, "Do you really have skills?" Wukong said, "You haven't seen my skills. I am an expert at subduing demons and monsters." The princess, still worried, said, "Don't let me down." Wukong assured, "I won't let you down."
The princess asked, "So how do you plan to capture him?" Wukong replied, "You should hide first, stay out of sight, so it won't be difficult for me to act when he arrives. I'm worried that you might still have feelings for him and won't want to let him go." The princess said, "Why would I not want to let him go? I stayed here because I had no choice." Wukong said, "You've been married to him for thirteen years; how could there be no feelings? When I see him, I'll strike him down with my staff and fists, so you can return to your parents." Hearing this, the princess indeed went into hiding in a secluded spot. It was her fate to part ways with the demon and encounter Wukong. After ensuring the princess was well hidden, Wukong transformed himself into her likeness and returned to the cave to wait for the demon.
Meanwhile, Pigsy and Sandy took the two children to the Kingdom of Baoxiang and threw them in front of the white jade steps. Alas, the children were smashed into pieces, blood splattered everywhere, and bones shattered, scaring the entire court into shouting, "Oh no! Two people fell from the sky!" Pigsy shouted loudly, "These children are the sons of the Yellow Robe Demon, captured by Sandy and me!" The demon was still in the Silver Peace Hall, not yet awake from his drunken stupor, sleeping in a daze. Hearing someone calling his name, he turned over and saw Pigsy and Sandy shouting from the clouds. The demon wondered, "Pigsy is one thing, but isn't Sandy tied up at my place? How did he get out? Why would my wife let him go? How did my children end up with him? This is likely a trick by Pigsy to lure me out to fight. If I fall for it, I'll have to fight him. Oh, I'm still drunk! If he hits me with his rake, it'll be embarrassing. Better to go home and check if they are my children before making any moves." The demon left without a word to investigate. By this time, the court had already realized he was a demon, as he had eaten a palace maid at night, and seventeen others had escaped and reported to the king about his deeds at dawn. Coupled with his sudden departure, everyone was more convinced he was a demon, and the king immediately sent officials to guard the fake Tang Monk, who had been turned into a tiger.
The demon went straight back to the cave entrance. Seeing him coming, Wukong immediately began to put on an act, squeezing out tears that flowed down in torrents, while stomping his feet and pounding his chest, crying loudly in the cave. The demon didn't recognize him at first and went up to embrace him, asking, "Wife, what's wrong? Why are you crying so sorrowfully?" Wukong fabricated a tale, tearfully saying: "Husband! As the saying goes, a man without a wife has no one to manage his household, and a woman without a husband leads an empty life! You went to the court to acknowledge your kin yesterday, why haven't you returned yet? This morning, Pigsy took Sandy away and also snatched our two children. I begged him, but he wouldn't relent. He said he would take them to the court to meet their grandfather. I haven't seen the children for half a day, and I don't know if they are dead or alive. You haven't come home, and I can't bear it, so I couldn't help but cry in sorrow."
Hearing this, the demon was furious, stomping his feet, "Are they really my children?" Wukong said, "Yes, they were taken by Pigsy." The demon, burning with anger, exclaimed, "It's over! It's over! My children have been smashed to death! They can't survive! I can only capture that monk to avenge my children! Wife, don't cry. How are you now? Let me heal you." Wukong said, "I'm fine, just heartbroken over the children, crying until my heart aches." The demon said, "No worries, stand up. I have a treasure here; if you rub it where it hurts, it won't hurt anymore. But be careful, don't flick it with your thumb, or my true form will be revealed."
Wukong secretly laughed, "This demon is quite honest, revealing his secret. When he brings out the treasure, I'll try flicking it to see what kind of demon he really is." The demon led Wukong to the depths of the cave, where he spat out a treasure the size of an egg from his mouth, a relic inner core. Wukong was secretly delighted, "What a treasure! Who knows how many years it has been refined, and today I have come across it."
The monkey took the treasure, pretended to rub it on the "painful" spot, and then flicked it away with his fingers. The demon panicked and hurried to grab it. But think about it, how nimble is that monkey? He sucked the treasure right into his belly in one gulp. The demon, enraged, swung his fist to strike, but Wukong blocked it with one hand, wiped his face to reveal his true form, and shouted, "Demon! Don't be rude! Look at who I am!" The demon was shocked, "Oh no! Wife, how did you turn into this?"
Wukong scolded, "You wretched demon! Who's your wife? You don't even recognize your ancestor?" The demon suddenly realized, "I think I recognize you." Wukong said, "I won't hit you yet; think carefully." The demon said, "You seem familiar, but I can't recall your name. Who are you, and where did you come from? Where did you hide my wife, and why did you trick me and take my treasure? You're unreasonable!"
Wukong said, "You truly don't recognize me. I am Tang Monk's eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, your ancestor from five hundred years ago!" The demon said, "That's nonsense! When I captured Tang Monk, I only knew he had two disciples named Pigsy and Sandy. Where did a Sun come from? What kind of monster are you, coming here to deceive me?"
Wukong said, "I wasn't traveling with them because my master thought I was too ruthless in fighting demons and sent me back, so I wasn't with them. You don't know your ancestor's name." The demon said, "You're quite something! Even after being expelled by your master, you dare to show up!" Wukong said, "You wretched demon, don't you know that once a teacher, always a father? There are no overnight feuds between father and son! How could I not come to save my master when you harmed him? It's bad enough you hurt him, but you also insult me behind my back. What do you have to say?"
The demon said, "When did I insult you?" Wukong said, "Pigsy told me." The demon said, "Don't believe him. That Pigsy has a sharp tongue, loves gossiping like women. How can you listen to him?" Wukong said, "Let's not talk about this nonsense. Today, as a guest at your place, you've neglected me. Though there's no feast, there's still a head. Bring your head over so I can hit it with my staff as a drink!" The demon laughed heartily, "Sun Walker, you've miscalculated! If you wanted to fight, you shouldn't have come in. I have a hundred or so demons here. Even if you had a thousand hands, you wouldn't fight your way out."
Wukong said, "Don't talk nonsense! Even if there were thousands or tens of thousands, I'd check them one by one, making sure every strike hits home, wiping you all out!" The demon quickly gave orders, summoning all the demons from the front and back of the mountain, inside and outside the cave, each armed with weapons, blocking the doors tightly in three or four layers. Seeing this, Wukong was delighted, grasped his staff with both hands, and shouted "Transform!" He transformed into having three heads and six arms, and with a shake of his staff, it became three staffs. You see him with six hands, wielding three staffs, fighting like a tiger in a flock of sheep, an eagle in a chicken coop. Pity those little demons, their heads cracked and bleeding, blood gushing from their wounds! He moved back and forth, unstoppable. Only the old demon was left, running out the door, cursing, "You wretched monkey, you're too lazy to live! How dare you bully us at our doorstep!"
Wukong quickly turned around, beckoning with his hand, "Come on! Come on! Defeating you will be a real achievement!" The demon raised his precious sword and swung it down. Wukong, a good fighter, lifted his iron staff to meet it head-on. This battle on the mountaintop, amidst clouds and mist, was fierce: Wukong, with great magical powers, and the demon, with formidable skills.
As Wukong and the demon fought fiercely, Wukong wielded his golden staff while the demon brandished his steel sword, clashing with such intensity that the sky seemed to darken. Amidst the flashing blades and shadows, Wukong dodged nimbly, while the demon stood firm as a rock. Wukong's fiery eyes and agile arms moved like a monkey's, while the demon's bright eyes and tiger-like agility matched him. The two exchanged blows relentlessly. Wukong's iron staff followed the strategy of the Three Strategies of War, while the demon's steel sword adhered to the Six Secret Teachings. One was a master of tactics, the other a demon of boundless power, neither willing to yield.
They fought for fifty or sixty rounds without a clear winner. Wukong thought to himself, "This demon is quite skilled; his sword can actually block my staff. Let me deliberately show a flaw and see if he can recognize it." So, Wukong raised his staff with both hands, posing in a high scout position. The demon saw an opening and, unaware it was a trick, swung his precious sword straight at Wukong's lower body. Wukong quickly spun into a middle stance, parried the demon's sword, and then used a move called "Stealing Peaches from Under the Leaves" to strike the demon on the head with his staff. As a result, the demon vanished without a trace. Wukong put away his staff and looked around but couldn't find any sign of the demon, surprised, "This demon couldn't withstand the blow and disappeared. If he were truly dead, there should be some bloodstains, but there's not a trace. It seems he has fled." He then leaped onto a cloud, searching everywhere, but found no movement.
Wukong thought, "The demon mentioned recognizing me. It seems he's not an ordinary demon from the mortal realm, but likely a celestial being." Unable to contain his anger, he gripped his iron staff and somersaulted to the Southern Heavenly Gate. The gods guarding the gate were startled, bowing and stepping aside, not daring to stop him, allowing Wukong to enter the Heavenly Court directly and arrive at the Hall of Perfect Light. The four Great Celestial Masters—Zhang, Ge, Xu, and Qiu—approached and asked, "Great Sage, what brings you to the heavens?" Wukong replied, "I'm escorting Tang Monk to the Kingdom of Baoxiang. A demon deceived the king's daughter and harmed my master. While battling him, the demon suddenly disappeared. I suspect he's not a mortal demon, so I've come to check which celestial being has descended to cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, the Celestial Masters hurried to report to the Jade Emperor in the Hall of Divine Mists. The Jade Emperor ordered an investigation of the Nine Luminaries, the Twelve Zodiacal Mansions, the Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and Central Dippers, the stars of the Milky Way, and the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, finding all celestial beings present in heaven, with none absent from their posts. Further checking the twenty-eight lunar mansions outside the Dou Niu Palace, they discovered that the Kuí Star was missing. The Celestial Masters reported, "Kuí Mù Láng has descended to the mortal realm."
The Jade Emperor asked, "How long has he been away from the heavenly court?" The Celestial Masters replied, "He's missed four roll calls. In heaven, roll calls occur every three days, so it's been thirteen days now." The Jade Emperor said, "Thirteen days in heaven means thirteen years in the mortal realm." He then ordered the twenty-seven star lords to capture Kuí Mù Láng and bring him back.
Kuí Mù Láng was originally a celestial general who was terrified when Sun Wukong caused havoc in the heavenly palace. He hid in a mountain stream to avoid trouble, concealed by mist and demon clouds, so Wukong didn't find him. Only when he heard the star lords chanting incantations did he dare to reveal himself and follow them back to the heavenly court.
Wukong blocked Kuí Mù Láng at the heavenly gate, intending to fight, but fortunately, the star lords persuaded him to stop and brought Kuí Mù Láng before the Jade Emperor. Kuí Mù Láng took a gold token from his waist, knelt before the hall, and pleaded for mercy. The Jade Emperor asked, "Kuí Mù Láng, with endless beauty in heaven, why did you privately descend to the mortal realm?" Kuí Mù Láng replied, "Your Majesty, please pardon my crime. The princess of the Baoxiang Kingdom is not a mortal; she was originally a fragrance maiden in the Hall of Perfumed Fragrance, who wanted to have an affair with me. Fearing to desecrate the heavenly beauty, she descended first, reincarnating as a princess. I kept my promise and, disguised as a demon, took her to my cave, where we've been a couple for thirteen years. Now, Sun Wukong has exposed us."
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor confiscated his gold token and demoted Kuí Mù Láng to tend the fires in the Tusita Palace for the Supreme Old Lord, with a paid position. If he performed meritoriously, he could be reinstated; otherwise, he would face severe punishment. Wukong, seeing the Jade Emperor's decision, was pleased, bowed deeply, and bid farewell to the assembled deities. The Celestial Masters laughed, "This monkey is still so rustic. We captured the demon for him, yet he doesn't thank the heavenly grace and just leaves like that." The Jade Emperor said, "As long as he doesn't cause trouble, peace in heaven is a blessing."
After Wukong dealt with the demon, he descended on his cloud directly back to the Wave Moon Cave on Bowl Mountain. He found the captive princess and explained the origins of the demon and the events that had transpired. As he was speaking, the voices of Pigsy and Sandy came from mid-air, shouting, "Brother, are there any demons left for us to fight?" Wukong laughed and said, "I've already taken care of the demons." Sandy said, "Since the demons are gone, let's escort the princess back to the palace. Brothers, don't blink; I'll use the Ground Shrinking Technique." The princess only heard the sound of wind in her ears, and in the blink of an eye, they were back in the city.
The three of them escorted the princess to the Golden Throne Hall, where she reunited with her father, the king, her mother, the queen, and her sisters. The ministers also came forward to offer their congratulations. The princess gratefully said, "Thanks to Elder Sun's boundless powers, he subdued the Yellow Robe Demon and rescued me." The king asked, "What kind of demon is the Yellow Robe Demon?" Wukong replied, "Your Majesty's son-in-law is actually Kuí Star from the heavens, and your daughter was a fragrance maiden. They descended to the mortal realm out of longing for the human world, and their marriage was destined from a past life. I reported the demon to the Jade Emperor, who discovered that he had missed four roll calls. Thirteen days in the celestial realm equate to thirteen years in the mortal world. The Jade Emperor sent the star deities to capture him and demote him to the Tusita Palace to make amends. That's how I was able to rescue the princess." The king thanked Wukong for his kindness and instructed, "Go quickly and see your master."
Thus, Wukong and his two companions left the treasure hall and, along with the officials, went to the court chamber, where they brought out the false tiger from the iron cage and unchained it. While others saw a tiger, Wukong saw a person. It turned out that Tang Monk had been immobilized by the demon's magic. He was aware but unable to move or speak. Wukong laughed and said, "Master, you're quite the monk. How did you end up like this? You thought I was too ruthless and sent me away, and now look at your predicament." Pigsy said, "Brother, just save him already and stop teasing." Wukong said, "You're always instigating things. You're his favored disciple. If you can't save him, why come to me? But I did say, once the demon is subdued and my grievances are addressed, I'd leave." Sandy knelt and pleaded, "Brother, the ancients said to respect the monk for the Buddha's sake. Since you're here, please save him. If we could have saved him, we wouldn't have gone to such lengths to summon you." Wukong helped Sandy up and said, "How could I not save our master? Quickly, fetch some water."
Pigsy hurried to the post station, bringing back their luggage and the horse, and took out the purple-gold alms bowl, filling it halfway with water and handing it to Wukong. Wukong took the water, recited an incantation, and sprayed it over the tiger's head, dispelling the magic. Tang Monk returned to his original form, gathered his wits, opened his eyes, and recognized Wukong, grabbing him excitedly, "Wukong! Where did you come from?" Sandy, standing by, recounted the events of summoning Wukong to subdue the demon and rescue the princess. Tang Monk was deeply grateful, "My wise disciple, it's truly thanks to you! Once we reach the Western Heaven and return to the Eastern Land, I will surely request rewards for you from the Tang Emperor." Wukong laughed, "No need for such words. As long as those past matters aren't mentioned, I'm already grateful." The king, hearing this, also expressed his gratitude once more, hosting a vegetarian banquet in their honor. The master and disciples accepted the royal grace and bid farewell, heading westward, with the king and his officials seeing them off from afar.
Thus it is said: The king returns to secure his kingdom, while the monk journeys to Thunderclap Monastery to see the Buddha. What happens next and when they will reach the Western Heaven will be revealed in the next installment.
