After parting ways with the Great Sage Sun Wukong, the crown prince soon returned to the city. However, he did not enter through the main gate nor did he report any decrees. Instead, he headed straight for the rear gate. There were several eunuchs guarding it, but seeing the prince arrive, they naturally did not dare to stop him and let him pass.
The crown prince, being of an impatient nature, rode his horse swiftly into the inner courtyard, heading straight for the Fragrant Pavilion. What do you think he saw? There was his mother, the empress, sitting in the pavilion with dozens of concubines fanning her. But the empress was leaning against the carved railing, wiping her tears. Why was she crying? It turned out that she had a dream during the fourth watch, a dream that was vague, half-remembered, and she was pondering over it.
The prince dismounted and knelt at the foot of the pavilion, calling, "Mother!" The empress, upon hearing this, forced herself to perk up and smiled, saying, "Oh, my child, what a joyful event this is! For these past two or three years, you've been in the front hall with your father discussing affairs, and I haven't seen you. I've missed you dearly. How come you have time to visit me today? It's truly a great joy! But, my child, why do you sound somewhat sad? Your father is getting old, and if one day he passes, won't you inherit the throne? What is there to be unhappy about?"
The prince kowtowed and said, "Mother, may I ask you: is the one sitting on the dragon throne truly my father?" The empress was startled and said, "What nonsense is this child talking about! Of course, the emperor is your father. Why do you ask such a thing?" The prince kowtowed again and said, "Mother, please do not blame me. I have some bold questions to ask." The empress said, "Between mother and child, there is no blame. Speak freely."
The prince said, "Mother, I want to ask, is the affection between you and father three years ago the same as it has been these past three years?" Upon hearing this, the empress's face changed dramatically. She quickly descended from the pavilion, embraced the prince tightly, and wept: "My child! We have not seen each other for so long, why do you ask such things upon our meeting?" The prince urged, "Mother, please speak quickly, or we might miss an important matter." The empress then dismissed the attendants and whispered, "This matter, if you hadn't asked, I would not have understood even in death. Since you've asked, I will tell you: three years ago, the affection between us was as warm as spring, but in these three years, it has grown cold as ice. When I questioned him about it, he only said he was old and frail, lacking energy."
After hearing this, the prince quickly broke free from his mother's embrace, mounted his horse, and prepared to leave. The empress grabbed him, "My child, what is going on? Why are you leaving before finishing your words?" The prince knelt and said, "Mother, I dare not hide the truth. This morning, I was ordered to go hunting outside the city and encountered a holy monk from the East, Tang Sanzang, whose disciple Sun Wukong is very skilled at subduing demons. It turns out my father was harmed and died in the octagonal glass well in the imperial garden, and the current emperor is a demon in disguise. My father appeared in a dream asking Sun Wukong to capture the demon. I dared not fully believe it, so I came to ask you. Based on what you just said, it seems that it truly is a demon."
The empress said, "My child, how can you easily believe the words of outsiders?" The prince said, "I don't dare to fully believe it, but my father left a token with him." The empress asked what it was, and the prince took out a golden jade tablet from his sleeve and handed it to her. The empress recognized it as the king's treasure, and tears flowed like a spring: "My lord! How could you be gone for three years without seeing me, yet first see the holy monk and only then me?" The prince said, "Mother, what do you mean by this?" The empress said, "My child, during the fourth watch, I also dreamed of your father, drenched, standing before me, saying he was dead and asking Tang Sanzang to subdue the demon and save him. The dream was vague, but now you speak of this and show the treasure. I will keep it, and you quickly invite the holy monk. If he can truly eradicate the demon and distinguish good from evil, it will repay your father's nurturing grace."
The prince hurriedly mounted his horse, departed from the rear gate, tearfully bid farewell to the empress, and with a heavy heart, soon arrived at the gates of Baolin Temple. The soldiers welcomed the prince, and it was already sunset. The prince ordered the soldiers not to move and entered the temple alone, tidied his attire, and respectfully invited Wukong. The Monkey King sauntered out from the main hall, and the prince knelt on both knees, saying, "Master, I have come." Wukong helped him up and said, "Please rise. Whom did you ask after entering the city?" The prince said, "I asked my mother," and recounted the events. Wukong smiled slightly, "If it's truly that cold, it must be something cold in disguise. No worries! No worries! Let me, the old Sun, help you sweep it away. But it's late today, not suitable for action. You should return first, and I'll come in the morning."
The crown prince knelt down and bowed, saying, "Master, I will wait here and go with you tomorrow." Wukong replied, "No, no! If you enter the city with me, the demon will become suspicious. Not only will it seem like I encountered you by chance, but it will also appear as if you invited me, which could bring trouble upon you." The crown prince said, "If I go into the city now, he will also blame me." Wukong asked, "How would he blame you?"
The crown prince explained, "I was ordered to lead men and horses out of the city to hunt this morning, but I didn't catch anything all day. How can I face him? If I'm questioned, what should I do? Besides, I have no acquaintances in the court." Wukong said, "That's not a problem! If you had mentioned this earlier, I wouldn't have waited to find something for you."
Sun Wukong then showcased his abilities before the crown prince. He leaped into the clouds and recited a mantra, "Om Lan Jing Fa Jie," instantly summoning the Mountain God and Earth Deity. These deities greeted the Great Sage in mid-air, "Great Sage, what are your commands?" Wukong said, "I am here protecting Tang Sanzang and need to catch a demon. But this crown prince went hunting and caught nothing, so he dares not return. I’d like you to help by quickly gathering some deer, rabbits, and other wild animals for him to present."
The Mountain God and Earth Deity dared not refuse and asked how many were needed. The Great Sage said, "It doesn't matter how many, just gather some." So, the deities dispatched ghost soldiers who conjured a gust of wind, capturing numerous wild pheasants, mountain quails, antlered deer, fat roe deer, foxes, rabbits, and even tigers, leopards, and wolves, totaling over a thousand, and presented them to Wukong. Wukong said, "I don't need these; just kill them and lay them along both sides of the forty-mile road so that the men can collect them without using hawks or hounds. This will be your contribution." The deities complied with the instructions.
Wukong then descended from the clouds and told the crown prince, "Your Highness can return now; there are already game animals along the road. You can handle it yourself." Having witnessed Wukong's supernatural abilities, the crown prince could not help but believe. He bowed and took his leave, ordering the soldiers to return to the city. Indeed, the roadsides were full of game, and the soldiers captured them by hand, each praising the prince's fortune, unaware it was Sun Wukong's doing. Thus, they triumphantly returned to the city.
Meanwhile, Wukong stayed to protect Tang Sanzang. Seeing their good relations with the crown prince, the monks at the temple treated them with great respect and prepared a vegetarian meal for Tang Sanzang. Tang Sanzang and his disciples stayed in the meditation hall. At the first watch of the night, Wukong, preoccupied with thoughts, couldn't sleep. He got up, went to Tang Sanzang's bedside, and called, "Master." At this time, Tang Sanzang was still awake, knowing Wukong often caused trouble, so he pretended to be asleep and ignored him. Wukong touched Tang Sanzang's bald head and shook him, saying, "Master, how can you be asleep?" Tang Sanzang was somewhat annoyed, "You mischievous monkey, why are you making noise so late instead of sleeping?"
Wukong said, "Master, I have something I want to discuss with you." Tang Sanzang asked, "What is it?" Wukong said, "I bragged to the crown prince today, saying my abilities are as high as the mountains and as deep as the sea, and that catching demons is as easy as reaching into a bag. But now that I think about it, it’s actually a bit difficult." Tang Sanzang said, "If you say it's difficult, then don't catch it." Wukong said, "Catch it we must, but the reasoning isn't clear." Tang Sanzang said, "You monkey, how can you say the reasoning isn't clear when the demon has usurped the throne?"
Wukong said, "You only know how to recite scriptures and worship Buddha; you don't understand the law. As the saying goes, to catch a thief, you need to catch him with the stolen goods. That demon has been the emperor for three years without revealing any flaws. He sleeps with the concubines and enjoys with the civil and military officials. Even if I catch him, it would be hard to convict him."
Tang Sanzang asked, "Why would it be hard to convict him?" Wukong said, "If he argues, saying, 'I am the King of Wuji, what right do you have to catch me?' what evidence do we have to refute him?" Tang Sanzang asked, "What is your plan then?" Wukong smiled and said, "I have a strategy, but I'm afraid you'll be partial." Tang Sanzang asked, "How am I partial?" Wukong said, "Zhu Bajie is a bit foolish, and you tend to favor him." Tang Sanzang asked, "How do I favor him?" Wukong said, "If you're not partial, then be bold. You and Sha Wujing stay here, and Zhu Bajie and I will go to the Kingdom of Wuji first. We'll find the imperial garden, retrieve the emperor's corpse, and wrap it up. Tomorrow, when we enter the city and meet the demon, we'll act immediately. If he argues, we'll show him the corpse. The crown prince will come forward to mourn his father, the empress will recognize her husband, and the civil and military officials will see their lord. Then we brothers will act together, and that way, we have reason and evidence."
Tang Sanzang was secretly pleased upon hearing this: "I'm just worried that Zhu Bajie might not be willing to go." Wukong laughed, "See? I said you were partial. How do you know he won't go? You just need to ignore him like you did with me for half an hour! I'll use my silver tongue, and not just Zhu Bajie, even if it were Zhu Jiu Jie, I could persuade him to come with me." Tang Sanzang said, "Alright, go call him."
Wukong left Tang Sanzang and went straight to Zhu Bajie's bedside, calling, "Bajie! Bajie!" The simpleton was so exhausted from walking that he was snoring and couldn't be woken up. Wukong grabbed his ear and pulled his bristles, lifting him up, and shouted, "Bajie." The simpleton groggily said, "Go to sleep, stop fussing! We have to travel tomorrow!" Wukong said, "It's not fussing; there's a deal I want to make with you." Bajie asked, "What kind of deal?"
Wukong said, "Did you hear what the crown prince said?" Bajie said, "I haven't seen him, so I don't know what he said." Wukong said, "The crown prince told me that the demon has a treasure that's extremely powerful. When we enter the court tomorrow, we might have to confront him. If he uses the treasure to defeat us, it wouldn't look good. So I thought of striking first and stealing his treasure. What do you think?" Bajie said, "Brother, you're tricking me into stealing, aren't you? But this deal, I might be able to do it. If there's really a benefit, I'll take the treasure." Wukong asked, "What do you want it for?"
Bajie said, "I'm not as smart or capable as you all, who can beg for food and eat vegetarian meals. I'm heavy and clumsy, and my speech is coarse, so I can't recite scriptures. If we end up in a place with nothing to eat or drink, I can use it to trade for some vegetarian food." Wukong said, "I only care about fame, not treasures. You can have it." Hearing that he could have it all, Bajie was immediately overjoyed, got up, dressed, and followed Wukong. Indeed, as the saying goes, "Fine wine makes the face flush, and gold moves the heart." The two quietly opened the door, left Tang Sanzang, and rode the clouds straight to the Kingdom of Wuji.
Before long, they arrived outside the city, descended from the clouds, and heard the second watch being struck from the city tower. Wukong said, "Brother, it's the second watch." Bajie said, "Perfect! Perfect! Everyone is sound asleep now." The two didn't go through the main gate but went straight to the rear gate, where they heard the sound of clappers and bells.
Wukong said to Bajie, "Brother, the front and back gates are locked tight, how do we get in?" Bajie said, "Whoever heard of a thief using the main gate? Just climb over the wall." Wukong agreed, so he leaped onto the city wall, and Bajie followed suit. They groped around inside and found the entrance to the imperial garden.
As they looked around, they saw a triple-eaved white pavilion gate with three large characters gleaming under the starlight and moonlight: "Imperial Garden." Wukong took a closer look and found the gate tightly locked, the lock rusted. He asked Bajie to handle it. Bajie swung his iron rake and smashed the gate into pieces. Wukong stepped inside and, seeing the scene, couldn't help but shout. Bajie quickly pulled him back, "Brother, don't shout! Thieves can't make noise. If we're caught and sent to the authorities, even if we don't die, we'd be exiled."
Wukong said, "Brother, you don't know why I'm anxious. Look at this garden: the carved railings and painted buildings are dilapidated, the pavilions and towers are tilted, the ground is dusty, the flowers and plants are withered, the ponds are dry, the fish are gone, the pines and bamboos are like dry wood, and the paths are overgrown with weeds. This once-prosperous garden is now desolate!" Bajie said, "What's there to lament about? Let's just do our job!"
Though Wukong was sentimental, he remembered Tang Sanzang's dream about a well under a banana tree. They continued walking and indeed saw a lush banana tree, different from the other plants, with verdant and dripping green leaves. Wukong said, "Bajie, let's get to work! The treasure is buried under the banana tree." Bajie raised his iron rake and knocked the banana tree down, then used his snout to dig three to four feet deep, revealing a stone slab covering something. Bajie excitedly said, "Brother! There's indeed a treasure, covered by a stone slab. I wonder if it's a jar or a chest." Wukong said, "Lift it and see." Bajie pried it open with force, and a brilliant glow and swirling white mist emerged. Bajie laughed, "The treasure is glowing!"
But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the reflection of the starlight and moonlight on the well water. Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, you always leave something unfinished." Wukong asked, "How did I leave it unfinished?" Bajie said, "This is a well. If you had told me there was a treasure in the well, I would have brought two ropes to lower myself down. Now we're empty-handed; how am I supposed to go down and fetch anything?" Wukong said, "Are you willing to go down?" Bajie replied, "Of course I am, but there's no rope." Wukong laughed, "If you take off your clothes, I have a way." Bajie said, "What clothes are worth keeping? I'll just take off this cassock."
So Wukong took out his golden-banded staff, pulled it at both ends, and shouted, "Extend!" The staff grew to seven or eight zhang long. He told Bajie, "Hold onto one end, and I'll lower you into the well." Bajie said, "Just lower me to the water's edge and stop." Wukong said, "I know." Bajie held onto the iron staff and was gently lowered by Wukong. Before long, he reached the water's edge, and Bajie shouted, "I've reached the water!" Hearing this, Wukong mischievously pressed the staff down, causing Bajie to plop into the water, losing his grip on the staff and starting to flail, shouting, "That cursed monkey! I said to stop at the water's edge, and he pushed me down!"
Wukong pulled up the staff and laughed, "Brother, is there any treasure?" Bajie said, "What treasure? It's just well water!" Wukong said, "The treasure is at the bottom of the water. Go down and feel around." Bajie, who was already adept in water, dove down. The well was quite deep, and on his second dive, he suddenly saw a gateway with the words "Crystal Palace" written on it. Bajie was startled, "Oh no! Oh no! I've taken the wrong path! How did I end up in the sea? There's a Crystal Palace in the sea, how can there be one in a well?"
Actually, Bajie didn't know that this was the Crystal Palace of the Well Dragon King. As Bajie was talking to himself, a patrolling yaksha opened the door, saw him, and quickly went back to report, "Your Majesty, something's wrong! A long-snouted, big-eared monk fell into the well, naked, and he's still alive, talking!" The Well Dragon King was startled upon hearing this, "This must be Marshal Tianpeng. Last night, the Night Tour God, on the orders of Heaven, came to take the soul of the King of Wuji to meet Tang Sanzang and invited the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to subdue demons. This must be the Great Sage and Marshal Tianpeng. We must not neglect them; go and greet them."
The Dragon King tidied up his attire, led a group of aquatic creatures, went out, and called, "Marshal Tianpeng, please come in and sit." Bajie, upon hearing this, was delighted, "Ah, an old acquaintance." The simpleton, without any hesitation, entered the Crystal Palace naked and casually found a place to sit. The Dragon King asked, "Marshal, I heard you regained your life, converted to Buddhism, and are accompanying Tang Sanzang to fetch scriptures from the West. How did you end up here?" Bajie replied, "That's exactly it. My senior brother Sun Wukong sent me to ask you for some treasure."
The Dragon King said, "Alas, what treasure could I have here? Unlike the Dragon Kings of great rivers and seas who can transform and have treasures, I've been trapped in this well for ages, unable to see the sun or moon. Where would I get treasures?" Bajie said, "Don't be modest; if you have any, bring it out." The Dragon King said, "There is one thing, but I can't bring it out. Marshal, you'll have to see for yourself." Bajie said, "Alright, I'll take a look." So the Dragon King led the way, and Bajie followed. Around the Crystal Palace, they saw a six-foot-long body lying under the corridor. The Dragon King pointed and said, "Marshal, that is the treasure." Bajie looked closer and realized it was a dead emperor, wearing a high crown and a yellow robe, lying straight. Bajie laughed, "What kind of treasure is this! When I was a demon, I used to eat these things like meals. I've seen plenty and eaten enough; how is this a treasure!"
The Dragon King said, "Marshal, you don't understand. This is the corpse of the King of Wuji. Since he fell into the well, I've preserved his appearance with a Pearl of Fixed Appearance. If you're willing to carry him out and show it to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, pretending to have the power to revive the dead, not only treasures, but anything you want will be yours." Bajie said, "If that's the case, I'll carry him out, but how much burial money will you give me?" The Dragon King said, "Actually, I have no money." Bajie said, "No money, no carry!" The Dragon King said, "If you won't carry him, please leave." Bajie turned to leave. The Dragon King instructed two strong yakshas to carry the corpse out and place it outside the Crystal Palace gate. They removed the Water Repelling Pearl, and the sound of water echoed.
Tang Sanzang and Sha Wujing opened the door and saw that the emperor's appearance had not changed, looking as if he were alive. Suddenly, Tang Sanzang was overcome with sadness and said, "Your Majesty, you don't know that in a past life, an enemy encountered you in this life and secretly harmed you, causing you to be separated from your wife and children, leaving the civil and military officials unaware. It's pitiful that your wife is in a daze, and who has been there to burn incense and offer tea?" As he spoke, tears began to fall.
Zhu Bajie laughed and said, "Master, what does his death have to do with you? He's not your relative, so why are you crying?" Tang Sanzang replied, "Disciple, a person who has left home to become a monk should have compassion and be accommodating. Why is your heart so hard?" Bajie said, "It's not that my heart is hard; it's because my senior brother said he could bring him back to life. If he couldn't, I wouldn't have carried him here." Tang Sanzang, being soft-hearted, was moved by Bajie's words and said, "Wukong, if there really is a way to bring this emperor back to life, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. It would be even better than going to Vulture Peak to worship Buddha." Wukong said, "Master, how can you believe this fool's nonsense! After a person dies, after 21, 35, and finally 49 days, they are reincarnated. It's been three years now; how can he be revived?"
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang also found it reasonable and said, "Then let's forget about it." But Bajie was still not willing to give up and said, "Master, don't be deceived by him. He has some tricks up his sleeve. If you just recite that incantation, I guarantee he'll conjure up a living person for you." Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang actually began to recite the Tight-Fillet Spell, causing Wukong's head to throb with pain. How Wukong will respond to this, we will find out in the next installment.
