Once upon a time, Liu Boqin and Tang Sanzang were feeling quite anxious when they suddenly heard someone shouting, "The master is here!" This startled them quite a bit.
The servants nearby quickly explained, "That sound must be coming from the old monkey in the stone box at the foot of the mountain." Hearing this, the Grand Protector nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's him!" Sanzang, curious, asked, "What's the story with this old monkey?" The Grand Protector explained, "This mountain used to be called Five Elements Mountain, but after our great Tang Dynasty's victory in the west, it was renamed Two Boundary Mountain. I heard from the elders that during Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han Dynasty, this mountain fell from the sky to trap a divine monkey. It doesn't fear cold or heat, doesn't eat or drink, and is guarded by an earth god. When it gets hungry, it eats iron pellets; when thirsty, it drinks molten copper. From then until now, it hasn't died from cold or hunger. That sound must be coming from it. Don't be afraid, Elder, let's go down and take a look." Sanzang agreed, and they led the horse down the mountain. After walking a few miles, they indeed saw a monkey trapped in a stone box, with its head sticking out and arms stretched, desperately calling, "Master, why did it take you so long? It's good you're here! Quickly, rescue me, and I'll protect you on your journey to the West!"
The elder approached and saw that the monkey looked quite peculiar: sharp mouth, sunken cheeks, golden eyes like fiery coals, with moss growing on its head and vines in its ears. There were barely any hairs on its temples, just green grass, and instead of a beard, it had some green moss. Its eyebrows were dusty, and its nose was muddy, looking quite disheveled. Despite its appearance, its eyes could still move, and it could still speak.
The Grand Protector, being quite brave, stepped forward and pulled out the grass and moss from the monkey's temples and chin, asking, "What do you have to say?" The monkey replied, "I have nothing to say to you. Let the master come over; I have questions for him." Sanzang walked over and asked, "What do you want to ask me?" The monkey said, "Are you the one sent by the Great Tang Emperor to fetch scriptures from the West?" Sanzang nodded, "Yes, why do you ask?" The monkey said, "I am the Great Sage Equal to Heaven from 500 years ago, who caused havoc in Heaven. I was punished and trapped here by the Buddha. When Guanyin Bodhisattva came to find someone to fetch the scriptures, I begged her to save me. She advised me to stop doing evil, embrace Buddhism, and protect the scripture seeker on their journey west. She promised that good things would come if I did. So I've been waiting day and night, hoping for the master to come and rescue me. I am willing to protect you on your journey and become your disciple."
Hearing this, Sanzang was delighted, "You have such a good heart and were taught by the Bodhisattva, willing to join the Buddhist path. But I haven't brought any axes or chisels; how can I rescue you?" The monkey said, "No need for axes or chisels. If you're willing to save me, I can come out on my own." Sanzang was puzzled, "If I rescue you, how will you come out?" The monkey explained, "On top of the mountain, there's a golden seal left by the Buddha. If you go up and remove it, I can come out." Sanzang, hearing this, turned to Liu Boqin for help, "Grand Protector, let's go up there." Boqin hesitated, "I'm not sure if it's true or not." The monkey quickly shouted, "It's true! I wouldn't dare deceive you!" Boqin, having no choice, called his servants, led the horse, and assisted Sanzang back up the mountain. Sure enough, at the top, they found a large square stone with a golden seal on it, inscribed with the words "Om Mani Padme Hum" in gold. Sanzang approached, knelt down, and prayed to the stone, silently saying, "Disciple Chen Xuanzang, by imperial decree, seeks the scriptures. If destined to gain a disciple, may the golden seal be lifted, and the divine monkey be freed to join me on the journey to the spiritual mountain. If not, and this is a deception by a demon, may I lack the fortune to lift it." After his prayer, he gently lifted the golden seal. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept the seal into the air, proclaiming, "I am the guardian of the Great Sage. Today marks the end of his suffering. We must return to report to the Tathāgata and hand over this letter." This startled Sanzang and Boqin's group, prompting them to bow respectfully to the sky. Then they descended the mountain and returned to the stone box, telling the monkey, "The seal has been lifted; you can come out now." The monkey was overjoyed, shouting, "Master, please step back a bit so I can come out without frightening you." Hearing this, Boqin led Sanzang's group eastward. After walking five or seven miles, the monkey shouted again, "Go a bit further!" Sanzang continued walking until they descended the mountain, only to hear a loud noise like the earth splitting and mountains crumbling. Terrified, they saw the monkey already in front of Sanzang's horse, kneeling naked, exclaiming, "Master, I am free!" Then, he bowed four times to Sanzang, quickly stood up, and respectfully greeted Boqin, "Thank you, big brother, for bringing my master and for pulling the grass from my face." After expressing his gratitude, he went to pack their belongings and prepare the horse.
When the horse saw the monkey, its legs immediately went weak, and it trembled like a sieve. Why was that? Well, this monkey used to be the Bimawen in heaven, responsible for managing the celestial horses, so naturally, the horse was afraid of him.
Seeing that the monkey had a good heart and truly seemed like a practitioner, Sanzang asked, "Disciple, what is your surname?" The monkey replied, "My surname is Sun." Sanzang said, "Let me give you a dharma name for convenience." The monkey responded, "No need, Master. I already have a dharma name: Sun Wukong." Hearing this, Sanzang was pleased and said, "That name is perfect; it fits well with our Buddhist tradition. You look like a little monk, so I'll give you a nickname: 'Pilgrim.' How about that?" Wukong happily agreed, "Great! Great! Great!" From then on, he was known as Sun Pilgrim.
Liu Boqin, seeing Sun Pilgrim busy preparing for the journey, turned to Sanzang and said, "Elder, you have accepted a good disciple; it's truly a cause for celebration. He is indeed capable, so I will take my leave now." Sanzang quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for escorting me all this way; I am deeply grateful. Please convey my regards to your mother and wife when you return. I have been a bother at your residence for quite some time, and I will come to express my thanks in the future." Boqin returned the courtesy, and they parted ways.
Sun Pilgrim invited Sanzang to mount the horse while he carried the luggage and walked ahead, stark naked. Before long, they crossed Two Boundary Mountain when suddenly a fierce tiger roared and charged at them, frightening Sanzang on the horse. Pilgrim, however, stood by the roadside, laughing and said, "Master, don't be afraid. It's here to deliver clothes to me." With that, he set down the luggage, pulled a needle from his ear, and with a flick in the wind, it transformed into an iron rod as thick as a bowl. Holding the iron rod, he chuckled, "This treasure hasn't been used for over five hundred years. Today, I'll use it to earn some clothes." He strode towards the tiger, shouting, "Beast! Where do you think you're going?" The tiger immediately crouched down, not daring to move. With one swing of his rod, Pilgrim smashed the tiger's head, leaving a bloody mess, which startled Sanzang so much that he fell off the saddle, exclaiming, "Oh my! Oh my! Liu Boqin fought a striped tiger the other day and struggled for half a day; today, Sun Wukong dealt with it effortlessly in one strike. Truly, there's always someone stronger!"
Pilgrim dragged the tiger over and said, "Master, please wait a moment while I take its hide to wear." Sanzang was puzzled, "How does it have clothes?" Pilgrim laughed, "Don't worry, Master, I have my ways." The clever monkey plucked a hair, blew some magic breath on it, and shouted "Transform!" It turned into a sharp knife. He slit open the tiger's belly, skinned it neatly, cut off the claws, and removed the head. He cut a square piece of tiger skin, measured it, and said, "It's a bit wide, so I can make two pieces." He cut it into two, set one piece aside, and wrapped the other around his waist, fastening it with vines to cover his lower body. "Master, let's go! When we reach a village, I'll borrow a needle and thread to sew it." He twirled the iron rod back into a needle, tucked it into his ear, picked up the luggage, and invited the Master back on the horse.
As they continued their journey, Sanzang asked from the horse, "Wukong, where did the iron rod you used to strike the tiger go?" Pilgrim laughed, "Master, you don't know. This rod is from the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, called the Heavenly River Bottom Settling Divine Iron, also known as the Ruyi Jingu Bang. When I caused havoc in heaven, it was my trusty weapon. It can change size at will. Just now, I transformed it into a sewing needle and tucked it into my ear. I'll take it out when needed." Sanzang was secretly delighted upon hearing this and asked, "Why didn't the tiger move when it saw you?" Wukong replied, "To be honest, Master, not just tigers, even dragons wouldn't dare act rashly in my presence. I, Old Sun, have the skills to subdue dragons and tigers, the power to stir seas and rivers, the ability to discern appearances and sounds, and the magic to change size and become invisible. Skinning a tiger is nothing; wait till we encounter real challenges to see my abilities!" Sanzang felt more at ease hearing this and urged the horse forward. The master and disciple chatted as they traveled, unaware that the sun had set, and the sky was filled with: the setting sun reflecting back, clouds returning to the horizon. Birds chirping frequently, returning to the forest in flocks. Wild beasts paired up, returning to their dens in groups. A crescent moon breaking the dusk, countless stars twinkling.
Pilgrim remarked, "Master, we should quicken our pace; it's getting late. There's dense forest over there, likely a village. Let's hurry and find a place to spend the night." Sanzang agreed and spurred the horse towards the village, arriving at a manor where he dismounted. Pilgrim set down the luggage and went to knock on the door, "Open up! Open up!" An old man, leaning on a cane, came out and opened the door. Seeing Pilgrim in his tiger-skin attire, looking like a thunder god, he was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he kept muttering, "A ghost! A ghost!"
Sanzang quickly stepped forward to support him, saying, "Elder benefactor, don't be afraid. He's my disciple, not a ghost." The old man looked up, saw Sanzang's gentle appearance, steadied himself, and asked, "Which temple are you from, bringing this strange person to my home?" Sanzang explained, "I am from the Tang Dynasty, traveling to the West to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. We're passing through here, and it's getting late. We hope to stay overnight and leave in the morning. I hope you can accommodate us." The old man said, "You may be from Tang, but this strange person isn't." Wukong loudly declared, "You old man, you lack discernment! The Tang person is my master, and I am his disciple! I'm not a sugar person or a honey person; I am the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. There are people here who recognize me, and I have seen you before."
The old man asked in confusion, "Where have you seen me before?" Wukong replied, "Didn't you chop wood in front of me when you were a child? Didn't you pick vegetables from my face?" The old man was skeptical, "You're talking nonsense! I live here, and you live there. How could I have chopped wood or picked vegetables in front of you?" Wukong laughed, "You really don't remember, old man? I am the Great Sage from the stone box on Two Boundary Mountain. Take a closer look." The old man suddenly realized, "You do resemble him a bit, but how did you get out?" Wukong explained the story of how the Bodhisattva advised him to do good and wait for the Tang Monk to rescue him. Only then did the old man bow and invite Tang Sanzang inside, calling his wife and children to meet them, making everyone very happy. The old man then offered them tea, and after they finished, he asked Wukong, "Great Sage, how old are you?" Wukong replied, "How old are you?" The old man said, "I am 130 years old." Pilgrim said, "Then I must be your ancestor's generation! I don't remember the year I was born, but I've been under this mountain for over 500 years." The old man said, "That is true. I remember my great-grandfather saying that this mountain fell from the sky to trap a divine monkey. Only today have you come out. When I saw you as a child, you had grass growing on your head and mud on your face, and I wasn't afraid of you; now without the mud and grass, you've slimmed down a bit, wearing a tiger skin around your waist, looking like a ghost."
The family burst into laughter. The old man was very hospitable and prepared a vegetarian meal. After the meal, Wukong asked, "What is your honorable surname?" The old man replied, "My surname is Chen." Upon hearing this, Sanzang quickly bowed, "Elder benefactor, we are of the same clan." Pilgrim was puzzled, "Master, your surname is Tang. How can you be of the same clan as him?" Sanzang explained, "In my secular life, my surname is Chen. I am from Juxian Village in Hongnong County, Haizhou of the Tang Dynasty. My dharma name is Chen Xuanzang. Because the Emperor of Tang bestowed upon me the title of Imperial Brother Tripitaka, I took Tang as my surname, hence the name Tang Monk." The old man was even more delighted upon hearing they shared the same surname. Pilgrim said, "Old Chen, we've troubled your family. I haven't bathed in over 500 years. Could you heat some water for us to wash?" The old man immediately arranged for hot water and prepared basins, lighting the lamps. After the master and disciple bathed, they sat by the lamp, and Pilgrim said, "Old Chen, there's another favor I'd like to ask. Could you lend me some needle and thread?" The old man replied, "Yes, yes, yes." He quickly called his wife to bring needle and thread for Pilgrim. Pilgrim, with sharp eyes, noticed a white cloth short tunic that the Master had taken off for bathing and hadn't put back on. He grabbed it, draped it over himself, took off the tiger skin, and sewed it into a horse-faced skirt, wrapped it around his waist, and tied it with a vine. He walked up to the Master and asked, "How does Old Sun's outfit today compare to yesterday's?" Sanzang laughed, "Good! Good! Good! Now you truly look like a pilgrim." Sanzang added, "Disciple, if you don't mind it being old, you can have that short tunic." Wukong quickly thanked him, "Thank you! Thank you!" He also found some fodder to feed the horse. With everything settled, the master and disciple, along with the old man, each went to rest.
Early the next morning, Wukong got up to urge the Master to set off. Sanzang dressed and asked Pilgrim to pack their luggage. Just as they were about to take their leave, the old man had already prepared wash water and a vegetarian breakfast. After breakfast, Sanzang mounted the horse, and Pilgrim led the way. They traveled without feeling hungry or thirsty, resting at night and traveling at dawn. It was early winter, and they saw: frost on red leaves, thinning forests, a few pines and cypresses still standing tall on the ridge. Unopened plum blossoms emitting a faint fragrance, short sunshine, late autumn weather, withered chrysanthemums, and gone lotus leaves, while camellias were in full bloom. Cold winds blew over ancient bridges, tree branches competing in beauty, and streams gently flowing. Light clouds seemed to herald snow, floating across the sky, a sudden north wind tugging at their sleeves, and as evening approached, the cold became unbearable.
The master and disciple traveled for quite a while when suddenly they heard a whistle from the roadside. Six men leaped out, each armed with long spears, short swords, sharp blades, and strong bows, shouting loudly, "Monk! Where do you think you're going? Leave your horse and luggage, and we'll spare your life!" Sanzang was so frightened that he fell off the horse, speechless. Pilgrim helped him up, saying, "Master, don't be afraid. It's nothing; these people are here to deliver clothes and travel money." Sanzang, puzzled, said, "Wukong, are you hard of hearing? They're clearly asking us to leave our horse and luggage, yet you say they're here to deliver clothes and travel money?" Pilgrim laughed, "You stay with the clothes, luggage, and horse, and watch how I deal with them." Sanzang worriedly said, "A lone hero can't fight four hands. They have six people, and you're so small. How dare you confront them?"
Pilgrim, naturally fearless, was not at all flustered when facing the six road blockers. He stepped forward, crossed his arms over his chest, and courteously greeted them, "Brothers, what reason do you have for blocking the path of us monks?" One of them replied, "We are the kings of this mountain, specializing in the noble art of robbery. Our reputation precedes us, though you might not know it. Leave your belongings, and we'll let you pass; say 'no,' and you'll leave no bones behind!" Pilgrim laughed, "I am also a hereditary king, the mountain lord for years, yet I've never heard of your names." The man indignantly said, "You don't know? Let me introduce us: one is called Eye Sees Joy, another Ear Hears Anger, another Nose Smells Love, another Tongue Tastes Thought, another Opinion Desires, and the last one Body Is Worry."
Wukong laughed heartily, "So, you're just six petty thieves! You don't recognize that this monk is your master, and yet you dare to block my path. Hand over the treasures you've stolen, and I'll divide them into seven parts, sparing your lives!" Upon hearing this, each of the six thieves reacted according to their names: Joy, Anger, Love, Thought, Desire, and Worry. They all stepped forward and shouted, "This monk is so rude! He has nothing himself, yet he wants to share our loot!" With that, they brandished their spears and swords, rushing at Pilgrim and hacking wildly at him, delivering seventy or eighty blows. Wukong stood in the midst of them, unfazed. The thieves exclaimed in surprise, "What a monk! His head is really hard!" Pilgrim laughed, "That's enough! Your hands must be tired from all that hitting. Now it's my turn to show you Old Sun's needle trick." The thieves, confused, said, "Is this monk some kind of acupuncturist? We aren't sick; what's he doing with a needle?"
Wukong reached into his ear and pulled out an embroidery needle, which he waved in the wind, transforming it into an iron rod as thick as a bowl. Holding it in his hand, he said, "Don't run! Let Old Sun test his strength with a swing!" Terrified, the six thieves scattered, trying to escape, but Wukong chased them down one by one and killed them all. He stripped them of their clothes, took their money, and returned to Sanzang with a smile, saying, "Master, let's go. I've taken care of those thieves." Sanzang reproached him, "You are truly troublesome! Even though they were bandits, they didn't deserve to die just because they were caught by the authorities. If you had the ability, you could have just chased them away. How could you kill them all? This is taking lives without cause. How can you call yourself a monk? A monk sweeps the ground carefully to avoid harming ants and cherishes moths by not letting them fly into lamps. How could you kill them indiscriminately, without any compassion? Luckily, we're in the wilderness where no one will inquire. If we were in a city and someone offended you, would you also beat them to death? How would I ever escape that situation?"
Wukong explained, "Master, if I hadn't killed them, they would have killed you." Sanzang replied, "As a monk, I would rather die than commit violence. Even if I died, it would be just one life lost, but you killed six people. How can that be justified? If this were reported to the authorities, even if your father were in charge, he couldn't defend you." Wukong, unconcerned, said, "To be honest, when I was king on Flower Fruit Mountain 500 years ago, I don't know how many people I killed. If it were as you say, and I were reported to the authorities, there would be plenty to report." Sanzang sighed, "It's because you were lawless that you were punished for 500 years. Now that you've become a monk, if you continue to act violently as before, you won't make it to the Western Heaven, nor can you be a monk! It's too wicked! Too wicked!"
This monkey couldn't stand being nagged all his life, and seeing Sanzang continuously lecturing him, he became angry and shouted, "If that's the case, saying I can't be a monk or go to the Western Heaven, then I won't follow you anymore!" Before Sanzang could respond, Wukong leaped up, saying, "Old Sun is leaving!" and vanished without a trace, with only a whoosh as he flew eastward. Sanzang was left alone, lamenting, "This fellow! He refuses to be taught! I merely said a few words to him, and he's disappeared without a trace. Oh well, oh well! It seems I'm destined not to find a good disciple. Now, even if I wanted to find him, I couldn't. Calling him is useless. I must continue on my way."
Sanzang had no choice but to gather his belongings, bundle them onto the horse, and, without riding, he leaned on his monk's staff with one hand and held the reins with the other, walking westward in a lonely and desolate manner. After walking for a while, he saw an elderly woman on the mountain path ahead, holding a cotton-padded jacket and a flowered hat. As she approached, Sanzang quickly led his horse to the side to give way. The old woman asked, "Elder, where are you coming from, walking all alone in this desolate mountain wilderness?" Sanzang replied, "I am a disciple from the Great Tang of the Eastern Lands, traveling by imperial decree to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures." The old woman said, "The Western Heaven is in the territory of the Thunderclap Temple in the land of India, 108,000 miles from here. How can you travel there alone, without a companion or disciple?" Sanzang sighed, "A few days ago, I took on a disciple, but he was unruly. After I admonished him a bit, he refused to listen and ran away."
The old woman said, "I have this cotton robe and a hat with golden inlays, which belonged to my son. He only managed to be a monk for three days before passing away. I just returned from his temple after a tearful farewell to his master, bringing these items back as mementos. Elder, since you have a disciple, I will give you these clothes and hat." Sanzang replied, "Thank you for your generous offer, but my disciple has already left, so I dare not accept them." The old woman asked, "Where did he go?" Sanzang answered, "I heard a whoosh, and he went eastward." The old woman said, "My home is not far to the east; perhaps he went there. I also have a spell called the Mind-Focusing Mantra, also known as the Tight-Fillet Spell. You should memorize it secretly and keep it in your heart, never telling anyone else. I will find him and bring him back to continue following you. When you give him these clothes and hat, if he misbehaves, you can silently recite the spell, and he will not dare to act violently or run away again." Hearing this, Sanzang quickly bowed in gratitude. The old woman then transformed into a flash of golden light and headed east. Sanzang realized it was the Bodhisattva Guanyin who had imparted the mantra to him. He hastily gathered some earth, burned incense, and earnestly bowed towards the east in thanks. After finishing his prayers, he packed the clothes and hat in his bundle and sat by the roadside, beginning to recite the Mind-Focusing Mantra. He repeated it several times until he could recite it fluently and remembered it well.
After parting from his master, Wukong somersaulted to the Eastern Sea. Descending from the clouds, he parted the waters and headed straight for the Crystal Palace. This startled the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, who hurried out to greet him and invited Wukong into the palace. After the formalities, the Dragon King said, "I heard that the Great Sage's calamity has passed, which is truly worthy of celebration! I suppose you're returning to restore your mountain and resume your old ways?" Wukong replied with a smile, "I have thought about it, but now I have become a monk." The Dragon King curiously asked, "How did you become a monk?" Wukong explained, "Thanks to the Bodhisattva of the South Sea, who advised me to do good and achieve enlightenment by following the Tang Monk from the Eastern Land to the Western Heaven. Now, I have taken refuge in Buddhism and am called Pilgrim."
The Dragon King praised, "This is truly worth celebrating! This is what it means to turn from evil to good and accumulate virtue. If that's the case, why aren't you going to the Western Heaven and instead have returned to the Eastern Sea?" Wukong laughed, "It's all because the Tang Monk doesn't know what's good for him. Some petty thieves blocked the road, and I killed them. The Tang Monk kept nagging, saying this and that about me. Do you think Old Sun can stand such treatment? So I left him, intending to return to Flower Fruit Mountain and stopped by here for a cup of tea." The Dragon King quickly said, "You're most welcome!"
At this moment, the Dragon King's sons and grandsons brought fragrant tea to serve Wukong.
After drinking the tea, Wukong noticed a painting on the wall and asked, "What scene is this?" The Dragon King explained, "This happened after your time, so you wouldn't know. It's called 'The Three Times Returning of the Shoe at the Yi Bridge.'" Wukong curiously asked, "What's the story behind 'The Three Times Returning of the Shoe'?"
The Dragon King narrated, "The immortal in the painting is Huang Shigong, and the young man is Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty. Huang Shigong sat on the Yi Bridge and deliberately dropped his shoe under the bridge, then asked Zhang Liang to fetch it. Zhang Liang quickly retrieved it and presented it while kneeling. This happened three times, and Zhang Liang never showed any impatience. Huang Shigong admired his diligence and later that night taught him the heavenly book, enabling him to assist the Han Dynasty. Eventually, Zhang Liang became a master strategist, helping to establish peace. After the country was stable, he resigned from his official post and followed Chi Songzi to cultivate Taoism and become an immortal. Great Sage, if you don't protect the Tang Monk diligently, with all your heart, and heed his teachings, you'll remain a demon and never achieve true enlightenment." Wukong listened and fell into deep thought. The Dragon King advised, "Great Sage, consider this carefully. Don't let temporary freedom ruin your future." Wukong replied, "Say no more, I'll go back to protect him now." The Dragon King happily said, "In that case, I won't keep you any longer. I hope you show compassion soon and don't keep your master waiting." Seeing the Dragon King's urging, Wukong immediately soared into the sky, leaving the seabed and bidding farewell to the Dragon King.
While flying, Wukong encountered the Bodhisattva of the South Sea. The Bodhisattva asked, "Sun Wukong, why aren't you following the teachings and protecting the Tang Monk? What are you doing here?" Wukong quickly bowed in the clouds and said, "Thanks to the Bodhisattva's kind words, the Tang Monk indeed came to release me from my imprisonment and saved my life, so I became his disciple. But he found me unruly, so I left him for a while. I'm going to protect him now." The Bodhisattva said, "Hurry and go, don't delay your important task." With that, they each went their separate ways.
Wukong flew swiftly and soon saw Tang Sanzang sitting by the roadside, looking lost. He hurried over and asked, "Master, why are you sitting here instead of traveling?" Sanzang looked up and replied irritably, "Where did you run off to? I didn't dare move or continue without you, so I had to wait here." Wukong grinned and said, "I went to the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea for some tea." Sanzang was skeptical, "Disciple, monks shouldn't lie. You've only been gone a short while, and you claim you went to the Dragon King's place for tea?" Wukong laughed, "To be honest, I can ride the somersault cloud, which can travel 108,000 miles in a single leap, so I can come and go as I please."
Sanzang sighed, "I only said a few words to you, and you got upset and left. Someone as capable as you can find tea to drink; I don't have such skills, so I had to sit here with an empty stomach waiting for you. It was really tough." Hearing this, Wukong quickly said, "Master, if you're hungry, I'll go beg for some food right away." Sanzang shook his head, "No need to beg. I have some dry food in my bundle, given by Elder Liu's mother. Just find a bowl and get some water, and I can eat a bit and continue on our journey."
Wukong opened the bundle and found some coarse pancakes, which he handed to Sanzang. Then, he noticed a shiny cotton robe and a hat with golden inlays and curiously asked, "Did you bring these clothes and hat from the Eastern Land?" Sanzang casually replied, "These are clothes from my childhood. This hat, once worn, allows one to recite scriptures without being taught; the robe enables one to perform rites without learning." Wukong was intrigued, "Good Master, let me wear them then." Sanzang said, "I'm afraid they might not fit. If they do, you can wear them." Wukong immediately took off his old clothes, put on the cotton robe, and donned the hat.
Seeing Wukong put on the hat, Sanzang stopped eating and silently recited the Tight-Fillet Spell. Wukong suddenly felt a headache and cried out, "My head hurts! My head hurts!" Sanzang continued chanting, and Wukong writhed in pain on the ground, even tearing the hat with golden inlays. Worried about breaking the golden band, Sanzang stopped, and Wukong's pain ceased. He touched his head and found a gold band tightly wrapped around it that wouldn't come off. He took a needle from his ear, intending to break the band. Seeing this, Sanzang quickly chanted the spell again, causing Wukong to somersault in pain, his eyes red and ears burning. Sanzang, feeling sorry for him, stopped again, and the pain subsided.
Wukong realized, "So it was you, Master, who was cursing me." Sanzang said, "I was reciting the Tight-Fillet Sutra, not cursing you." Wukong was unconvinced, "Recite it again and see." Sanzang did so, and Wukong was in pain again, begging for mercy, "Stop chanting! It hurts every time you do. What's going on?" Sanzang asked, "Will you listen to my teachings now?" Wukong quickly agreed, "I will, I will!" "Will you still be disrespectful in the future?" Wukong hastily replied, "I won't dare!" Although he agreed verbally, he was still somewhat defiant. He picked up his needle, transformed it into an iron rod as thick as a bowl, and approached Sanzang. Frightened, Sanzang chanted the spell two or three more times, and Wukong fell to the ground in pain, dropping the iron rod and unable to move, begging for mercy, "Master, I know I was wrong. Please stop chanting!"
Sanzang asked, "How dare you try to hit me?" Wukong said, "I didn't dare to hit you; I just wanted to ask who taught you this method?" Sanzang said, "An old woman just taught it to me." Upon hearing this, Wukong was furious, "No need to say more; that old woman must be the Bodhisattva Guanyin! How could she do this to me! I'll go to the South Sea and confront her!" Sanzang advised, "Since she taught me this method, she surely knows about it. If you go to her, and she chants the spell, won't you be in unbearable pain?"
Wukong realized the truth in this and dared not move. He had no choice but to calm down, kneel, and plead, "Master! She's forcing me to follow you westward, and I won't provoke her. Please don't chant the spell anymore. I am willing to protect you and will not retreat again." Sanzang said, "If that's the case, help me onto the horse." Wukong, now resigned, energetically adjusted his cotton robe, helped Sanzang onto the horse, packed their belongings, and they continued westward. What happened next will be revealed in the following chapter.
