Chapter 4

Appointed Keeper of the Horses, He Is Not Content; Named Great Sage Equal to Heaven, His Heart Is Still Unsettled

The Gold Star of Venus and the Handsome Monkey King left the cave and mounted clouds. Wukong's somersault cloud was exceptionally fast; he left the Gold Star behind and reached the Southern Gate of Heaven first. The Heavenly King of Increase and eight mighty celestial guards—Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi, Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao—blocked him with weapons. “That Gold Star is a fraud!” Wukong cried. “He invited me here, yet has soldiers bar my way.” The Gold Star arrived to find Wukong furious. “You tricked me! You said the Jade Emperor invited me, but these men won't let me in!” “Calm yourself, Your Majesty. You have never visited heaven and your name is not on its rolls. The guards don't know you. Once the Emperor enters your name and appoints you, no one will bar your way again.” “In that case I won't go in.” The Gold Star caught his arm. “Come with me.”

At the gate the Gold Star called: “Guards and officers, make way! This immortal from below comes at the Jade Emperor's command.” The Heavenly King of Increase and his men lowered their weapons. Now Wukong believed his escort and entered slowly beside him. And this is what he saw:

He had just entered the upper world, newly arrived in heaven. Ten thousand golden rays rippled through red rainbows, and a thousand streams of auspicious breath rose in purple mist. The Southern Gate was fashioned of deep blue glass and brilliant jade. On either side stood dozens of marshals guarding heaven, holding axes and banners; around it stood armored gods bearing halberds, whips, swords, and knives. If the exterior was splendid, the interior was astonishing: dragons with golden scales and red whiskers wound around great pillars; phoenixes with crimson crests and colored wings hovered above long bridges. Bright rosy clouds reflected heavenly light; blue mists veiled the Dipper. There were thirty-three celestial palaces, including Cloud-Dispatch Palace, Vaishravana Palace, Five Lights Palace, Sun Palace, and Flower Music Palace, each crowned with golden beasts upon its roof; and seventy-two jeweled halls, including Court Audience Hall, Soaring Void Hall, Precious Radiance Hall, Heavenly Kings Hall, and Divine Officers Hall, each with jade qilins along its pillars. On the Longevity Star's Terrace, flowers bloomed for thousands of years without shedding; beside the medicine furnace embroidered grass stayed green for ages. Before the Tower of Sacred Audience stood officials in crimson gauze bright with stars, lotus crowns shining with gold and jade, jade hairpins and pearl-studded shoes, purple ribbons and gold seals. When the golden bell rang, gods of the three administrations presented petitions at the vermilion steps; when the heavenly drum sounded, ten thousand holy beings came to court before the Jade Emperor. In the Hall of Divine Mists, golden studs ornamented jade doors and colored phoenixes danced on red gates. Covered passages and winding galleries gleamed on every side; tiered eaves were carved with soaring dragons and phoenixes. High above glittered a great round golden gourd-shaped dome. Below, heavenly consorts held feather fans, jade maidens bore immortal towels, fierce celestial generals oversaw the court, and proud ministers guarded the throne. In the center, layers of Supreme Unity elixir lay in a glass dish, and twisted coral branches stood in an agate vase. Heaven had wonders of every sort, each unknown on earth: golden towers, silver halls, purple mansions, jade grasses, and jeweled flowers. Jade rabbits crossed the altar before the King; golden crows flew low by the sacred court. Fate brought the Monkey King here, rather than down into the mud of the human world.

The Gold Star led the Handsome Monkey King into the Hall of Divine Mists and bowed before the throne without waiting for a summons. Wukong stood beside him without bowing. “I have brought the demon immortal as commanded,” said the Gold Star. “Which one is he?” asked the Jade Emperor. Wukong merely leaned forward. “That would be me.” The ministers gasped: “This wild monkey doesn't bow, but answers as familiarly as that! He deserves death.” “He is an immortal from below, newly arrived in human form and ignorant of court etiquette. Forgive him for now,” said the Jade Emperor. The ministers thanked him; Wukong at last made a perfunctory bow. The Emperor ordered his civil and military ministers to find a vacant post. The Star of Military Affairs said: “Every palace and office has its staff, except the Imperial Stables, which lack a chief superintendent.” “Appoint him Bimawen, Keeper of the Heavenly Horses,” decreed the Emperor. The ministers thanked him; Wukong gave another perfunctory bow. The Emperor directed the Star of Wood to take him to his post.

Delighted, the Monkey King followed him to the Imperial Stables. After the Star of Wood left, he met the superintendent's deputy, registrar, stablehands, and other officers and examined their duties. The stables held a thousand heavenly horses, including:

Hualiu and Qiji, Luer and Xianli; Dragon-Mate and Purple Swallow, Winged and Sushuang; Jueti and Silver Gelding, Yaoniao and Flying Yellow; Taotu and Turning Feather, Red Hare and Outrunning Light; Surpassing Radiance and Fading Shadow, Rising Mist and Victorious Yellow; Chasing Wind and Leaving Earth, Flying Wings and Racing Sky; Drifting Swift and Red Lightning, Copper Sparrow and Floating Cloud; Dappled Long and Tiger Stripe, Dustless and Purple Scale; steeds from the four extremes and Dayuan, the eight chargers and nine swift horses, peerless travelers of a thousand li. Each fine horse neighed into the wind, raced lightning with strength, and trod mist and clouds with tireless vigor.

Wukong checked the registers and counted the horses. The registrar procured fodder; stablehands groomed and watered the horses, chopped hay, and cooked feed; the deputy and assistant supervised. Bimawen worked day and night tending them. By day he was playful, but at night tireless: he woke sleeping horses to eat, and led roaming ones back to the trough. At his approach their ears drooped and hooves drew together. They grew plump and strong. More than half a month went by.

One day the stable officers gave a feast to welcome and congratulate him. Over wine the Monkey King suddenly asked: “What rank is this Bimawen post?” “That is its title,” they answered. “But what grade?” “It has no grade.” “Does that mean it's higher than all grades?” “No, it means it isn't even ranked.” “What does that mean?” “It is the lowest and smallest post, just tending horses. Even if you work as hard as you have and fatten the horses, you'll get no more than a word of praise. If one grows weak, you'll be reprimanded; if one is badly injured, you'll be fined and prosecuted.” The Monkey King's anger flared. “They insult me! I was king and patriarch on Mount Flower-Fruit, and they tricked me into tending their horses! Stable work is for lowly youngsters, not me. I quit!” He overturned the table, drew the staff from his ear, enlarged it, fought out of the stables, and headed to the Southern Gate. The guards knew he was an enrolled immortal with a post and dared not stop him.

He descended to Mount Flower-Fruit, where his commanders and the cave kings drilled their troops. “Children, I'm back!” he cried. The monkeys bowed and escorted him into the cave, seated him on the throne, and served wine. “Congratulations, Your Majesty! After more than ten years in heaven you must have come home laden with honors.” “It's barely been half a month!” “In heaven a day is a year below. What post did you hold?” “Don't ask. It's shameful! The Jade Emperor has no eye for talent. He appointed me Bimawen, a lowly horse keeper without rank. At first I didn't know and simply played among the stables. Today my colleagues told me what it meant. I overturned the table and left the post.” “You were right to return! You're an honored king here in this blessed immortal cave. Why be a groom for him?” They fetched more wine to cheer him.

While they drank, a messenger announced: “Two one-horned demon kings wish to see you.” They entered, straightened their robes, and bowed. “We heard you welcome worthy followers but had no opportunity to meet you. Now that you've received a heavenly post and returned in triumph, we offer you this ocher-yellow robe in celebration. If you'll accept humble servants, we will gladly serve you.” The Monkey King put on the robe, and everyone paid homage. He appointed the newcomers vanguard commanders. They asked: “What position did heaven give you?” “The Jade Emperor slighted me with the post of Bimawen.” “With such powers, why should you tend his horses? Why not call yourself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?” “Excellent! Excellent!” said the delighted Monkey King. “Commanders, make a banner bearing those four words and hoist it. From now on call me the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, not king. Tell all the cave kings too.”

At court the next day, the Celestial Master Zhang presented the stable officers. They reported: “Your Majesty, Sun Wukong, the new Bimawen, found his post beneath him and rebelled, leaving heaven yesterday.” Then the Heavenly King of Increase and the gate guards reported his departure. “Return to your duties,” said the Jade Emperor. “I will send troops to capture him.” Heavenly King Li, the Pagoda Bearer, and his son Nezha offered to subdue the demon. The Jade Emperor made Li Jing commander in chief against demons and Nezha the deity of the Three Altars and Sea Assembly, and sent them at once to earth.

Heavenly King Li and Nezha mustered their forces, appointing the Mighty Spirit God vanguard, the Fish-Belly General rear guard, and the Yaksha General to marshal the troops. They passed the Southern Gate and camped on level ground by Mount Flower-Fruit. The Mighty Spirit God took his battle-ax to Water Curtain Cave, where wolf, tiger, and leopard demons outside shouted and flourished their weapons. “Wretches! Tell Bimawen that a heavenly general comes at the Jade Emperor's command to subdue him. Let him surrender now, before you all are hurt!” The monsters raced to report. “Disaster! A heavenly general outside calls you Bimawen and orders you to surrender or we'll all die.” “Bring my armor,” said the Monkey King. He donned the purple-gold crown, golden chain mail, and cloud-walking shoes, seized the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Staff, and led his troops into battle. The Mighty Spirit God looked upon him:

Golden armor blazed on his body, a golden crown shone on his head.A gold-banded staff in his hand, cloud-walking shoes upon his feet.Strange eyes like bright stars, ears flaring broad beside his head.Tall, upright, rich in transformations, a voice like ringing bells.Sharp-mouthed, tooth-baring Bimawen, who yearns to be Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

“You brazen ape! Do you know who I am?” shouted the Mighty Spirit God. “What petty god are you? I've never met you. State your name.” “You deceitful monkey! I am the Mighty Spirit God, vanguard of Heavenly King Li, the Pagoda Bearer. At the Jade Emperor's command I come to take you. Strip off your armor and submit, or every creature on this mountain will be killed. Say no and you'll turn to dust!” The Monkey King raged: “Stop boasting, you petty god! I ought to kill you, but then no one would carry my message. Tell the Jade Emperor he has no regard for talent. Why make me tend horses when my powers are boundless? Read my banner: if he gives me that title, there will be no fighting and heaven and earth will be at peace. If not, I'll fight into the Hall of Divine Mists and shake him from his dragon throne.” The Mighty Spirit God saw the banner reading “Great Sage Equal to Heaven” and sneered. “You ignorant, insolent monkey! I'll give you a stroke of my ax.” Wukong met it with his staff. What a fight:

The staff was called As-You-Will, the ax bore a patterned blade. Meeting for the first time and not knowing each other's strength, they crossed ax and staff on left and right. One concealed wondrous arts; the other boasted aloud. They worked magic, loosing clouds and mists; they swung their arms, stirring dust and sand. The heavenly general had supernatural powers, but the Monkey King's transformations knew no bounds. The staff rose like a dragon sporting in water, the ax fell like a phoenix darting through flowers. The Mighty Spirit God's name was known throughout the world, yet his skill was less than Wukong's: one light stroke of the Great Sage's staff left his entire body numb.

The Mighty Spirit God raised his ax to block a blow at his head. With a crack Wukong split its handle in two. The general turned and fled. “Weakling! I've spared you. Run and carry my message!” Wukong laughed.

Back at camp, the general knelt before Heavenly King Li. “Bimawen has immense power. I could not defeat him. I return to accept punishment.” “You've disgraced our army! Take him away and execute him!” cried Li. Nezha stepped forward. “Father, spare him until I've fought the monkey. Then we'll know his strength.” Li let the general return to camp under guard.

Nezha, armored for battle, reached Water Curtain Cave just as Wukong recalled his troops. What a prince:

His twin topknots barely cover his crown, his loose hair has not reached his shoulders. Clever and quick in wondrous arts, fine-boned and handsome. Truly a qilin child of heaven, a colored phoenix immortal from the rosy clouds. Dragon-born, no ordinary face; so young, yet beyond the mortal world. He carries six divine weapons and flies and changes without limit. By the Jade Emperor's own edict, he holds the title of the Three Altars and Sea Assembly.

“Whose little boy are you, coming to my gate?” Wukong asked. “Brazen demon monkey! I am Nezha, third son of Heavenly King Li, sent to arrest you.” “Little prince, your milk teeth are still in and your baby hair hasn't dried. I'll spare you. Read the banner and tell the Jade Emperor: grant me that title, and I'll submit without a fight; deny it, and I'll storm his hall.” Nezha read “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” “What powers could justify such a name? Take my sword!” “I'll stand still and let you strike a few times.” Nezha shouted “Change!” and grew three heads and six arms, wielding demon-slaying sword and saber, binding cord, demon-subduing pestle, embroidered ball, and fire wheel. Wukong was startled. “The boy knows a trick or two! Now see mine.” He too grew three heads and six arms, multiplied his staff into three, and blocked the six weapons. Earth shook and mountains trembled:

Six-armed Nezha and the heaven-born stone Monkey King were evenly matched, their powers meeting at their source. One came on imperial orders; the other challenged heaven itself. Nezha's demon-slaying sword was keen, his saber fierce enough to trouble ghosts; his binding cord flew like a python, his pestle struck like a wolf's head; the fire wheel flashed and blazed, while the embroidered ball rolled to and fro. The Great Sage's three staffs defended front and rear with cunning. Many fierce exchanges brought no victor, and Nezha would not yield: he made his six weapons multiply into countless thousands and hurled them down. The Monkey King laughed and sent his staff multiplying a thousandfold, filling the sky like flying dragons. The demon kings barred their cave doors and every mountain monster hid. Clouds darkened before the divine troops, and the gold-banded staffs whistled. Heavenly soldiers shouted on one side, monkey demons waved banners on the other; each army watched in dread as both fighters strove for victory.

For thirty rounds Nezha and Wukong matched powers. Nezha's six weapons became countless thousands, and Wukong's staff countless thousands more; like falling meteors they filled the sky, with neither side victorious.

Quick of eye and hand, Wukong plucked a hair amid the confusion and cried “Change!” It became his likeness, holding a staff to engage Nezha. Wukong himself sprang behind Nezha and struck his left shoulder. Nezha heard the staff whistle but could not dodge. Wounded, he fled, dismissed his spell, restored his six weapons, and returned defeated.

Heavenly King Li had watched and was preparing to assist when his son appeared. “Father, Bimawen is truly powerful. Even I could not beat him, and he's hurt my shoulder.” “How can we win against such powers?” Li asked. “His cave bears a banner reading ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ He says he'll submit if the Emperor grants him that title, but otherwise he'll fight into the Hall of Divine Mists.” “Then let us not continue fighting. We'll report this in heaven and bring more troops if necessary.” Nezha could fight no further; they withdrew.

The victorious Monkey King returned to his mountain. The seventy-two cave kings and six sworn brothers celebrated with him. He told his brothers: “Since I call myself Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you should take great sage titles too.” The Bull Demon King chose Great Sage Equal to Heaven's Level; the Flood Dragon Demon King, Great Sage Overturning the Sea; the Roc Demon King, Great Sage Confounding Heaven; the Lion-Camel King, Great Sage Moving Mountains; the Macaque King, Great Sage Passing Through Winds; and the Snub-Nosed Monkey King, Great Sage Driving Away Spirits. The seven named themselves as they pleased, spent the day in revelry, and parted.

Heavenly King Li and Nezha reported at the Hall of Divine Mists: “We could not capture Sun Wukong. His powers are immense. Please send reinforcements.” “How much strength could one monkey have?” asked the Jade Emperor. Nezha stepped forward. “Pardon my failure. He wielded an iron staff, defeated the Mighty Spirit God, and wounded my arm. His banner proclaims ‘Great Sage Equal to Heaven.’ Grant him that office, he says, and he'll cease fighting; otherwise he'll storm this hall.” “How dare he make such demands?” cried the Jade Emperor. “Let the generals destroy him at once!”

The Gold Star of Venus intervened. “The demon monkey does not understand the scale of his words. War may exhaust our troops without subduing him. In your mercy, summon him and grant him the title Great Sage Equal to Heaven—but in name only, without salary.” “What does that mean?” “Give him the title but no duties or pay. Keep him here in heaven, calm his rebellious heart, and restore peace to the world.” The Emperor agreed and sent the Gold Star down with a new edict.

At Water Curtain Cave the Gold Star found an army much fiercer than before, armed demons leaping and roaring everywhere. They moved to attack him. “Tell your Great Sage that an imperial envoy bears an edict for him.” The demons reported this, and Wukong said: “Good! It must be the Gold Star of Venus again. His last visit brought a wretched appointment, but I learned heaven's roads. This time he surely brings better news.” He ordered banners and drums to welcome him, then came out crowned, armored, robed in ocher-yellow, and wearing his cloud shoes. “Please come in, honored Gold Star. Forgive my failure to welcome you sooner.”

The Gold Star entered, faced south, and said: “Great Sage, when you abandoned the stables, its officers reported that you despised your low position. The Jade Emperor said, ‘All officials rise from low rank to high; why reject the post?’ He sent Heavenly King Li and Nezha against you. They did not know your strength and returned defeated, reporting your banner demanding the title Great Sage Equal to Heaven. The generals wanted more fighting, but at some risk I spoke for you, seeking to avoid war and obtain your enrollment. The Emperor agreed, and I have come to invite you.” “Thank you for your kindness, then and now. Will heaven truly give me the Great Sage's title?” “I obtained approval for that very title. If it fails, you may hold me responsible.”

Wukong tried in vain to detain his guest for a feast. They mounted clouds to the Southern Gate, where the guards greeted him respectfully, and went into the Hall of Divine Mists. “I have brought Sun Wukong as commanded,” the Gold Star reported. The Jade Emperor said: “Sun Wukong, I now appoint you Great Sage Equal to Heaven, a title of the highest rank. Do not make trouble.” Wukong merely gave a brief bow and thanked him. The Emperor ordered builders Zhang and Lu to erect a Great Sage's residence beside the Peach Garden, with two offices, Peaceful Quiet and Tranquil Spirit, each staffed by immortal clerks. He sent the Star Lords of the Five Bushels to take Wukong there, and presented him with two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers, bidding him settle his mind and cease his mischief.

The Monkey King went to his residence with the star lords, opened the wine, and shared it with everyone. After seeing them off, he lived contentedly and joyfully in heaven, free from care. Just as the verse says:

His immortal name is entered forever in the register of long life, never again to fall into rebirth through countless ages.

What followed? Listen to the next chapter to find out.

He Is Given the Title Keeper of Horses, but His Heart Is Not Satisfied; He Is Named Equal to Heaven, but His Mind Is Still Not at Rest

So the Gold Star of Venus and the Handsome Monkey King came out together from the deep places of the cave-heaven and rose side by side on the clouds. Now Wukong's somersault cloud was not like other clouds; it was very fast, and it left the Gold Star behind his back and brought him first to the South Gate of Heaven. Just as he was folding his cloud to go in, the Heavenly King of Growth barred the way with the mighty celestial soldiers Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi, Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao, all their spears, sabers, swords, and halberds blocking the heavenly gate, and would not let him pass. The Monkey King said: "That old rascal the Gold Star is a treacherous fellow. If he invited Old Sun here, why does he have men drawing blades and leveling spears, blocking the way?" While he shouted, the Gold Star suddenly arrived. Wukong faced him in fury: "You old fellow, why did you trick me? You said you came with the Jade Emperor's edict of amnesty to invite me. Then why do you have all these men block the gate of heaven and refuse to let Old Sun in?" The Gold Star laughed: "Calm your anger, Great King. You have never been to this heaven before, you have no name here, and these heavenly soldiers have never seen you. How would they let you walk in unannounced? Once you have seen the sovereign and been entered on the roll of the immortals, with your office written down, you may come and go as you please, and who will stop you then?" Wukong said: "If that is how it is, then very well — I will not go in." But the Gold Star took hold of him with his hand: "Come in with me."

As they neared the heavenly gate the Gold Star called out: "Heavenly generals of the gate, officers and soldiers big and little, clear the road. This is an immortal from the world below; I bear the Jade Emperor's sacred edict and have summoned him." Only then did the Heavenly King of Growth and the soldiers fold their weapons and fall back. The Monkey King began to believe his words and walked slowly inside with the Gold Star to look about. Truly:

He had first mounted the higher world and just now entered the heaven of days. Golden light rolled in ten thousand rays of red cloud; lucky vapor spouted in a thousand streams of purple fog. The South Gate itself was deep blue, built of glazed tile; bright and flashing, dressed in precious stone. On either side stood dozens of marshals who guard heaven, each leaning on beam or pillar, holding maces and banners; ranged below were a dozen or more gods in golden armor, each with halberd in hand and whip at his side, holding saber or sword. Outside it was grand enough, but inside it took the breath away: against the inner wall stood several great pillars, wrapped with red-bearded dragons whose gold scales flashed in the sun; and there were long bridges, coiled along by red-crowned phoenixes with bright plumage riding the air. Bright glow flashed and answered the light of the sky; blue mist hung thick over the mouth of the Dipper. In this heaven were the thirty-three heavenly palaces — the Cloud-Dispersing Palace, the Vaishravana Palace, the Five-Brightness Palace, the Palace of the Sun, the Palace of Flower-Joy, and more — palace after palace, its roof-ridge swallowing gold with its guardian beasts; and the seventy-two precious halls — the Hall of Court Assembly, the Hall of Treading the Void, the Hall of Treasure Light, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of the Spirit Officers, and more — hall after hall, its pillars lined with jade qilin. On the Terrace of the Star of Longevity were famous flowers that do not shed their petals in a thousand years running; beside the elixir furnaces, embroidered grasses evergreen for ten thousand years running. And before the Tower of Pilgrimage: crimson gauze robes, brilliant as the stars; hibiscus crowns, gold and jade shining together. Jade hairpins and pearl shoes, purple cords and golden seals. When the golden bell was struck, memorials of the three courts of gods came up the red steps; when the heavenly drum sounded, ten thousand saints bowed to their king and paid court to the Jade Emperor. Then to the Hall of Divine Mist itself: golden nails studding jade doors, colored phoenixes dancing on vermilion gates. The cross-ways and winding galleries were carved openwork through and through; under the triple eaves, in four clusters, dragons and phoenixes circled layer on layer. Above rose the great golden gourd finial — purple-deep, flashing bright, round and rolling, blazing. Below, the heavenly consort held the fan of state, jade maidens carried the immortal napkin, fierce-looking generals of the court stood guard, and proud-breasted immortal ministers shielded the throne. In the middle, in a glass dish, lay many piles of pills of the Great One's elixir; in an agate vase stood a few branches of coral, bent and twisting. Truly: the heaven-palace holds wonders of every kind, and the world below has nothing like a single piece — the golden gates and silver bells, the purple courts, the jade flowers and magic grasses and gemlike blooms. The jade rabbit that pays court to the king runs past the altar; the golden crow that bows to the saint flies low beneath it. The Monkey King had the fate to come into this heaven and never fall back into the mud and filth of the world of men.

The Gold Star of Venus led the Handsome Monkey King to outside the Hall of Divine Mist. Without waiting for the summons he went straight before the throne and bowed. Wukong stood straight and tall at the side and did not bow at all, only tipped his ear to listen as the Gold Star made his report. The Gold Star said: "Your servant carried out the sacred edict and has summoned the demon immortal here." The Jade Emperor asked from behind the curtain: "Which one is the demon immortal?" Then Wukong bowed from the waist and answered: "Old Sun is he." The immortal ministers all blanched with shock: "This wild monkey! He does not bow and present himself, and dares answer like that: 'Old Sun is he.' He deserves death, death." The Jade Emperor passed his order: "This Sun Wukong is a demon immortal from below, new to human form and ignorant of court manners. Forgive him for now." The ministers called: "Thank the grace!" Only then did the Monkey King face the throne and make a great bow with a cry. The Jade Emperor ordered the ministers of civil and military selection to see where an office was lacking, and give Sun Wukong his post there. The Star Lord of the Martial Band stepped forward and said: "In the heavenly palace, in every hall and palace, every quarter and every place, no office lacks a man. Only the Imperial Stable lacks a master to run it." The Jade Emperor passed the order: "Then appoint him Bimawen, Keeper of the Heavenly Horses." The ministers cried thanks for the grace, and he too only bowed toward the throne with a cry. The Jade Emperor then sent the Star Officer of Wood to take him to the Imperial Stable and install him.

The Monkey King went along gladly with the Star Officer of Wood and took up his post. When the business was done, the Star Officer went back to his palace. In the stable, Wukong gathered the superintendents and deputy superintendents, the record keepers and grooms and all the officers big and little, and took stock of the stable's business: there were a thousand heavenly horses, and these were they:

Barbs of Hualiu and Qiji; of Luer and Xianli; dragon-stocks and purple swallows; wing-flanked Suangshuang; Juoti and the silver Yi; Yaoniao and Feihuang; Taotu and Fanyu; Red Hare and Chao-Guang; Yuhui and Mijing; Mist-Treader and Shenghuang; Wind-Chaser and Earth-Breaker; Feifu and Benxiao; Yipiao and Red Lightning; Bronze Sparrow and Floating Cloud; dappled Conglong and Huhai; Dust-Breaker and Purple Scales; and more: the great horses of the four quarters and of Ferghana, the eight steeds and the nine fine horses, thousand-li runners above their kind. Such fine horses, every one neighing into the wind and chasing the lightning, full of fire and spirit; treading fog and climbing the clouds, long in breath and strength.

The Monkey King went over the registers and counted out the horses. In this stable the record keepers had charge of collecting and storing fodder; the grooms saw to washing the horses, cutting grass, watering, and cooking the feed; the superintendents and their deputies assisted and pressed the work on. The Keeper of Horses slept not day or night, but tended his horses. By day his romping was well enough; at night he watched over them carefully: any horse lying down he drove up to eat grass; any straying he caught and brought back to the trough. Those heavenly horses, at the sight of him, flattened their ears and tucked in their hooves. So well were they fed that they grew fat and glossy, and more than half a month passed before he knew it.

One day, at leisure, the officers of the stable set out a feast, first to welcome him and second to congratulate him. In the middle of the happy drinking the Monkey King suddenly set down his cup and asked: "What kind of office is this Bimawen of mine?" They said: "That is the office, the name and all." He asked again: "And what rank does this office carry?" They said: "It has no rank." The Monkey King said: "No rank — then it must be the greatest there is?" They said: "Not great, not great. It is only called 'not on the rolls.'" The Monkey King said: "What is 'not on the rolls'?" They said: "The bottom grade. Such an office is the lowest and least of all, fit only for grooming horses. For all the diligence of your honor since you took the post — for all the horses you have fattened — you will earn one word of 'good.' Let them grow a little thin, and you will be blamed; let them be badly hurt, and you will be fined and tried." At this the Monkey King's heart caught fire. He ground his teeth in fury: "So they scorn Old Sun! On that Mount Flower-Fruit I am king and patriarch. They trick me into coming here to groom horses for them! Grooming horses is the lowly chore of a hired boy. Is that how to treat me? I will not serve him, I will not serve him. I am going." With a crash he shoved over the desk, pulled the treasure from his ear, shook it to a bowl's thickness, and with one sweep of his art fought his way straight out of the Imperial Stable and clear to the South Gate of Heaven. The soldiers knew he had been entered on the rolls as Bimawen, and did not dare to block him; they let him fight his way out the gate of heaven.

In a moment he brought his cloud down and was back on Mount Flower-Fruit. There he saw the four valiant captains and the demon kings of the caves drilling their soldiers. The Monkey King called in a loud voice: "Little ones, Old Sun is home!" The whole troop of monkeys came running to knock their heads, met him in the deep places of the cave-heaven, begged the Monkey King to mount his high seat, and set wine out to welcome him. They all said: "Congratulations, Great King. You have been up above a dozen years — you must come back in glory and good fortune." The Monkey King said: "I was gone a little over half a month. Where do you get a dozen years?" The monkeys said: "Great King, up in heaven you do not feel the hours. One day in heaven is a year in the world below. But tell us, Great King, what office did you get?" The Monkey King waved his hand: "Do not speak of it, do not speak of it. I could die of shame. That Jade Emperor cannot use men. He saw Old Sun's face and gave me the title of 'Keeper of the Heavenly Horses' — it was only to groom his horses, an office not even on the rolls. I did not know when I took the post and played about in the stable. Only today, when I asked my colleagues, did I learn how low and mean it was. Old Sun was furious, shoved over the feast, refused the title, and so came back down." The monkeys said: "Good for you, good for you. Great King, here you are king in this blessed land and cave-heaven, honored and happy. Why would you ever go off to be a groom for him?" They told the little ones to hurry the wine, to drive away the Great King's ill humor.

In the middle of the drinking and merriment someone came to report: "Great King, two One-Horned Demon Kings outside the gate ask to see you." The Monkey King said: "Show them in." The demon kings straightened their clothes and ran into the cave and threw themselves down in a bow. The Handsome Monkey King asked: "What do you want with me?" The demon kings said: "We have long heard that the Great King gathers worthy men, but had no way to come before him. Now that the Great King has received the roll of heaven and comes home in glory, we offer an ochre-yellow robe to join in his celebration. If you will not scorn our lowliness but take us in, we may yet serve you like dog and horse." The Monkey King was delighted and put on the ochre-yellow robe. With good will they all lined up and bowed to him. He made the demon kings Commanders of the Vanguard. When they had thanked him for the grace, they asked again: "Great King, you were so long in heaven — what office did they give you?" The Monkey King said: "The Jade Emperor scorns the worthy. He gave me the title of some 'Keeper of the Heavenly Horses.'" The demon kings heard it and said: "Great King, with power like yours, why groom his horses? Why not be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven — what is to stop you?" The Monkey King heard and was overjoyed, crying out several times, "Good! Good! Good!" and told the four valiant captains: "Quickly make me a banner. Write the four great characters 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' on it, raise it on a pole, and hang it out. From this day on, call me only the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and no longer the Great King. Pass the word to the demon kings of every cave, so all may know it." No more of that here.

The next day the Jade Emperor held court. The Celestial Master Zhang came in leading the superintendent and deputy superintendent of the Imperial Stable, and they bowed below the red steps and reported: "Your Majesty, the new Keeper of the Heavenly Horses, Sun Wukong, thought his office too small, and yesterday he rebelled and fled the Heavenly Palace." As they spoke, the Heavenly King of Growth came in from outside the South Gate of Heaven with his soldiers, and also reported: "The Keeper of Horses, for no reason we could see, went out the gate of heaven and away." The Jade Emperor heard and passed his order: "Let the gods of both reports return to their posts. I will send heavenly troops to seize this monster." From the ranks stepped forward Heavenly King Li, the Pagoda Bearer, and the third prince Nezha, who pressed before the throne and said: "Your Majesty, unworthy as your servants are, we beg the edict to subdue this monster." The Jade Emperor was delighted. He made Heavenly King Li Jing, the Pagoda Bearer, Grand Marshal for the Subduing of Demons, and the third prince Nezha Great God of the Sea Assembly of the Three Altars, and at once they marched with their army down to the world below.

Heavenly King Li and Nezha knocked their heads, thanked him, and took their leave, then went straight to their palace, mustered the three armies, led out their headmen, and set the Giant Spirit God in the vanguard, with the Fish-Belly general to bring up the rear and the Yaksha general to press the troops on. In a moment they were out the South Gate of Heaven and down on Mount Flower-Fruit. They picked level ground for their camp and gave the order for the Giant Spirit God to offer battle. He took the order, dressed himself in full array, swung his flowery battle-axe, and came to outside Water Curtain Cave. At the small cave gate were many demons, all wolves and serpents, tigers and leopards and the like, shoulders and forks everywhere, brandishing spears and waving swords, leaping and fighting and roaring. The Giant Spirit God shouted: "You cursed beasts! Run and tell the Keeper of Horses at once: I am a great general of heaven, come by the Jade Emperor's edict to subdue you. Let him come out early and surrender, or every one of you will be cut down." The demons ran helter-skelter to carry the report into the cave: "Disaster! Disaster!" The Monkey King asked: "What disaster?" The demons said: "There is a heavenly general outside the gate who names the Great Sage's title, says he bears the Jade Emperor's sacred edict, and has come to subdue us. He says if we do not come out and surrender soon, he will take our lives." The Monkey King heard and called: "Bring my armor." He set the purple-gold cap on his head, buckled on the golden mail, stepped into the cloud-walking boots, took the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Staff in his fist, led the troop out the door, and drew up in order of battle. The Giant Spirit God opened his eyes and looked: a fine Monkey King indeed:

Golden mail on his body, blazing bright; a golden cap on his head, flashing light.In his fist a gold-banded staff; on his feet cloud shoes, all matching well.A pair of strange eyes like bright stars; two ears past his shoulders, big and hard.His body drawn up straight, his changes past counting; his voice rings out like bell and chime.Sharp-mouthed, gap-toothed Keeper of Horses — his heart so high he would be a Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

The Giant Spirit God called out in a loud voice: "You brazen monkey! Do you know who I am?" The Great Sage heard and asked quickly: "What scruffy little god are you? Old Sun has never met you. Report your name, and quickly." The Giant Spirit God said: "You heart-deceiving monkey! You do not know me. I am the heavenly general the Giant Spirit, vanguard under Heavenly King Li of the High Divine Empyrean, the Pagoda Bearer. Today I bear the Jade Emperor's sacred edict, come to take your surrender. Take off your armor quickly and submit to the grace of heaven, and spare all the beasts on this mountain from the sword. Say half a word of refusal, and I will pound you to powder on the spot." The Monkey King heard and raged: "You scruffy little god! Do not blow your big mouth and wag that long tongue. I was ready to kill you with one blow of the staff, but then who would carry back the message? I will spare your life. Get back up to heaven quickly and tell the Jade Emperor: he has no notion how to use a worthy man. Old Sun has skill without end — why set me to grooming his horses? Look at the writing on my banner. If he gives me a rank to match those words, I will not move sword or spear, and heaven and earth will settle into peace of themselves. If he does not, I will fight my way up into the Hall of Divine Mist this very hour, and he will not keep his dragon bed." The Giant Spirit God heard and opened his eyes against the wind to look: there outside the gate stood a high pole with a banner on it, bearing the four great characters "Great Sage Equal to Heaven." The Giant Spirit God sneered three times: "This brazen monkey, so ignorant of how the world works, so outrageous — and he wants to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Take my axe, then, like a good fellow." And he chopped straight down at his head. The Monkey King was a master and not hurried: he met the blow with the gold-banded staff as it came. What a fight this was:

The staff named As-You-Will; the axe called Flowery. The two had just met and did not know each other's depth; axe and staff crossed from left to right. One hid wonders of magic within; the other boasted with a big mouth. He worked his art and breathed out cloud and warming mist; he spread his hands and flung up earth and sand. The magic of a heavenly general is great indeed, but the Monkey King's changes are boundless. The staff rose like a dragon sporting in the water; the axe came on like a phoenix threading flowers. The Giant Spirit's name resounds through the world, but his real skill fell short of his man: the Great Sage lightly swung the iron staff, and one crack on the head left him numb all over.

The Giant Spirit God could not hold against him. The Monkey King brought a blow down at his head; in haste he threw up his axe to block it, and with a crack the axe shaft broke in two. He whipped his body aside and fled the field for his life. The Monkey King laughed: "Softy! Softy! I have spared you. Go carry the message, go quickly and carry the message."

The Giant Spirit God got back to the camp gate, went straight to Heavenly King Li, and knelt down at once with a rueful laugh: "The Keeper of Horses truly has boundless power. Your last servant could not stand against him and has lost the field. I come back to ask my punishment." Heavenly King Li flew into a rage: "This fellow has blunted my edge. Drag him out and cut off his head!" The prince Nezha stepped out beside him and begged: "Father King, calm your anger, and pardon the Giant Spirit this time. Let your child go out once, and you will soon know how deep this water is." The Heavenly King took the advice and put him off with orders back to camp to wait for judgment.

Prince Nezha, in full armor, leaped out of the camp and charged straight to outside Water Curtain Cave. Wukong had just come to call off his troops and saw how fiercely Nezha came on. A fine prince:

His tied hair barely covers his crown; the pelt of his cloak does not yet reach his shoulders. Wondrously gifted and quick of mind, his frame fine and his beauty clear. Truly a qilin child of heaven, really an immortal phoenix of mist and glow. A dragon's seed is never common-looking, and his young years are nothing of this dusty world. On his body he carries six kinds of divine weapons; his flights and changes are wide beyond bound. Now he has the golden-mouthed edict of the Jade Emperor, sealed Great God of the Sea Assembly of the Three Altars.

Wukong came forward to meet him and asked: "Whose boy are you, young one? You come charging up to my gate — what is your business?" Nezha shouted: "You brazen demon monkey! Do you not know me? I am Nezha, third son of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, sent by the Jade Emperor himself to take you." Wukong laughed: "Little prince, your milk teeth have not fallen out and the hair of your womb is not yet dry — and you dare talk so big? I will spare your life and not strike you. Only look at the writing on my banner, and carry this word up to the Jade Emperor: at this rank, he need never move the multitude again, and I will submit of myself. If it does not suit me, I will fight my way up into the Hall of Divine Mist." Nezha looked up and saw the four characters "Great Sage Equal to Heaven." Nezha said: "How much power can this demon monkey have, that he dares claim such a title? Do not be afraid — take my sword." Wukong said: "I will just stand here and not move. Hack away with your sword as you like." Then Nezha, in a blaze of fury, gave a great shout and cried "Change!" He turned at once into three heads and six arms, fierce and terrible, a weapon in each of six hands: the demon-cutting sword, the demon-hewing knife, the demon-binding rope, the demon-subduing pestle, the embroidered ball, and the fire wheel — and came on bunched and bristling to strike him in the face. Wukong saw and was startled in his heart: "This young fellow knows some tricks too. Enough of your rudeness — watch my power." Brave Great Sage: he shouted "Change!" and also turned into three heads and six arms; and he shook the gold-banded staff, and it too became three staffs. Six hands held three staffs and blocked the attack. The fight truly shook the earth and rocked the mountains. What a battle it was:

The prince Nezha of six arms; the Monkey King, beautiful stone born of heaven. They met as true opponents, matched at their very source. One came down to the world below with his orders; this one, heart set on defiance, raised havoc at the Ox-Dipper. The demon-cutting sword's edge is swift; the demon-hewing knife is cruel, and makes ghosts and gods grieve; the demon-binding rope is a flying python; the demon-subduing pestle is a wolf's head; the fire wheel flashes like a bolt of lightning, glowing hot; back and forth rolls the embroidered ball. The Great Sage's three As-You-Will staffs block in front and ward behind, working his cunning. They fight bitterly, match after match, and neither has the better; the prince will not let it rest. He makes his six weapons change and change, and flings them head-high by hundreds, thousands, millions. The Monkey King does not fear but laughs out loud, his iron staff tumbling as he plans his play. One becomes a thousand, the thousand become ten thousand, dancing wild across the sky like flying dragons. The demon kings of every cave slam their doors in fright; the ghosts and monsters over the whole mountain hide their heads. The divine soldiers rage, and the clouds turn black and dread; the gold-banded iron staff whistles and rings. On that side, the heavenly soldiers howl, and every man is afraid; on this side, the monkeys wave their banners, and every one is anxious. Both sides put out all their daring in the contest of valor — and who knows which is hard and which is soft.

The third prince and Wukong each let out all his divine power and fought thirty rounds. The prince's six weapons turned into thousands upon thousands; Sun Wukong's gold-banded staff turned into ten-thousands upon thousands. In mid-air they came like raindrops and shooting stars, and neither won.

Now Wukong's hand was quick and his eye quicker. In that tangle he plucked out one hair, cried "Change!" — and it became his own likeness, staff in hand, carrying on the fight before Nezha. His true body sprang away, came around behind Nezha's head, and brought his staff down on his left arm. Nezha, in the middle of his magic, heard the wind of the staff; he dodged in haste but could not get his guard up, took the blow, and fled with the pain. He folded away his magic, called the six weapons back onto his body, and retreated from the field.

On that side of the field Heavenly King Li had seen it all and was hurrying to bring up troops to help — when the prince suddenly stood before him, shaking as he reported: "Father King, the Keeper of Horses really does have the skill. With all my power, your child could not stand against him, and he has wounded my arm." The Heavenly King turned pale with shock: "So this fellow has such power — how are we to win?" The prince said: "He has raised a pole outside his cave gate with the four characters 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' written on it. He says in his own boastful mouth that if the Jade Emperor grants him that title, everything is settled and he will come over; if not, he will fight his way up into the Hall of Divine Mist." The Heavenly King said: "If that is how it is, do not lock horns with him. Let us go up to heaven, report these words, ask for more heavenly troops, and then surround and take him — it will not be too late." The prince was too hurt to fight again, so he and the Heavenly King went back up to heaven to report — but no more of that.

Watch the Monkey King come home in victory. The demon kings of the seventy-two caves and the six sworn brothers all came to offer congratulations, and in the cave-heaven and blessed land they drank and made merry without measure. He said to the six brothers: "Since I call myself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you may all style yourselves Great Sages too." Among them the Bull Demon King called out at once: "Well said, worthy brother. Then I style myself the Great Sage Who Levels Heaven." The Flood-Dragon Demon King said: "I style myself the Great Sage Who Overturns the Sea." The Roc Demon King said: "I style myself the Great Sage Who Stirs the Sky." The Lion-Camel King said: "I style myself the Great Sage Who Moves Mountains." The Macaque King said: "I style myself the Great Sage of the Passing Wind." The Gibbon King said: "I style myself the Great Sage Who Drives the Gods." So the seven Great Sages did as they pleased, styled themselves as they liked, and played and made merry for a day, and then went each his way.

Now Heavenly King Li and the third prince led their generals straight to the Hall of Divine Mist and reported: "Your servants bore the sacred edict down to the world below to subdue the demon immortal Sun Wukong, but his power proved so vast that we could not win. We beg Your Majesty for more troops to destroy him." The Jade Emperor said: "One demon monkey — how much skill can he have, that you still want more troops?" The prince came near again and said: "We beg Your Majesty to pardon your servant's death. That demon monkey wields an iron staff; he first beat the Giant Spirit God, then wounded your servant's arm. Outside his cave gate stands a pole with the four characters 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' on it. He says if he is given that office, he will at once stop the war and come over; if not, he will fight his way up into the Hall of Divine Mist." The Jade Emperor heard and was astonished: "How dare this demon monkey be so wild? Order the generals to destroy him at once."

While they spoke, the Gold Star of Venus stepped out of the ranks again and said: "That demon monkey knows only how to open his mouth, and nothing of what is fitting. To send troops against him would not finish the job in a moment and would only wear out the army. Better, Your Majesty, to pour out your kindness once more and send another edict of amnesty — let him be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Only add to it an empty title: an office without pay." The Jade Emperor said: "What is 'an office without pay'?" The Gold Star said: "His name would be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but give him nothing to manage and no salary. Keep him living between heaven and earth, curb his twisted heart, and keep him from breeding wildness. Then heaven and earth will settle quiet, and sea and land will be clean and at peace." The Jade Emperor said: "Let it be as you say." He ordered the edict drawn at once, and sent the Gold Star off with it again.

The Gold Star went out the South Gate of Heaven again and came to outside Water Curtain Cave on Mount Flower-Fruit to look. This time all was different from before: awesome and terrible, thick with the air of battle, with demon spirits of every kind — no kind lacking — every one of them with sword in hand or spear at the ready, brandishing knives and staves, roaring and leaping there. The moment they saw the Gold Star they came at him with raised hands. The Gold Star said: "Headmen, I beg you to let your Great Sage know: I am an envoy sent by the Lord on High, with a sacred edict here to invite him." The demons ran in at once to report: "Outside there is an old man who says he is an envoy from the upper world with an edict to invite you." Wukong said: "Good timing, good timing. It must be that Gold Star of Venus who came before. Last time he asked me up to heaven; the rank was not worth much, but I did walk the heavens once and learned the roads in and out of that gate. If he comes again, it must be with good intent." He ordered the headmen to fling the banners and drums wide and line up the troops to greet him. The Great Sage led the troop of monkeys out, capped and mailed, the ochre-yellow robe thrown over the mail, cloud boots on his feet, hurrying out the cave door, bowing from the waist and calling: "Old Star, come in, come in. Forgive my failing to meet you properly."

The Gold Star stepped forward quickly, went straight inside the cave, and stood facing south: "Let me tell you, Great Sage: some time ago you were displeased with the smallness of your office and left the Imperial Stable. The officers big and little of that stable reported it to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor passed the order: 'Offices are all given from low to high. Why complain of smallness?' Then Heavenly King Li came down with Nezha to take you by force. They did not know the Great Sage's power, and so were beaten back, and reported on their return: 'The Great Sage has raised a pole and a banner and wants to be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' The generals would have gone on hedging, but this old man risked his own neck to report for you, so that the army need not march, and begged that the Great King be given his seal on the roll. The Jade Emperor approved the report, and that is why I have come to ask you." Wukong laughed: "You troubled yourself before, and now you show me this kindness. Many thanks, many thanks! But will heaven really give me the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Gold Star said: "It was on this title that I had the report approved, or I would never have dared take the edict and come. If anything falls short, lay the blame on me alone."

Wukong was overjoyed and pressed him to stay for a feast, but he would not. So he and the Gold Star rose on a lucky cloud and came to the South Gate of Heaven, where the soldiers and generals all bowed with joined hands to welcome him, and they went straight in below the Hall of Divine Mist. The Gold Star bowed and reported: "Your servant has carried out the edict and summoned Bimawen Sun Wukong, who is here." The Jade Emperor said: "Sun Wukong, come here. I now proclaim you the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. The rank is the highest there is — only do not go on acting wildly." This monkey only bowed toward the throne with a cry and said, "Thank the grace." The Jade Emperor then ordered the works officers, the two masters Zhang and Lu Ban, to build a mansion for the Great Sage Equal to Heaven at the right of the Peach Garden. Inside the mansion he set up two bureaus: one called the Bureau of Quietude, one called the Bureau of the Settled Spirit. Both bureaus had immortal clerks to attend on either side. He also sent the Star Lord of the Five Bushels to take Wukong to his post, gave him two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers, and charged him to settle his heart and fix his purpose, and never again to run wild.

The Monkey King took it all on faith and carried it out. That same day he went with the Star Lord of the Five Bushels to the mansion, opened the wine bottles, and drank with everyone to the dregs. He saw the Star Lord back to his palace, and then his heart was easy and his wishes full: glad of earth and joyful of heaven, happy in the Heavenly Palace, nothing to bind him, nothing in his way. Truly:

His immortal name is written forever on the roll of long life; he does not fall into rebirth, but passes down ten thousand ages.

What would come after? Listen to the next chapter to find out.