Chapter 63

Two Monks Rout Demons and Stir the Dragon Palace; The Saints Drive Out Evil and Recover the Treasure

When the king of Jisai and his ministers saw the Great Sage Sun and Bajie rise on clouds, carrying the two little demons off through the mist, they bowed to heaven. “The stories are true! Now we know such immortals and living Buddhas exist.” After they disappeared, the king bowed in thanks to Tripitaka and Sha Monk. “With mortal eyes, I thought your disciples were merely strong enough to catch thieves. I had no idea they were immortals who ride the clouds!” “I have no powers,” Tripitaka said. “I have depended on these three disciples throughout the journey.” Sha Monk added, “Your Majesty, my eldest brother was once the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, before he took refuge in the Buddha. He threw the Heavenly Palace into turmoil with his gold-banded staff; not one of a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers could oppose him. He frightened the Supreme Lord Lao and alarmed the Jade Emperor. My second brother was Marshal Tianpeng and commanded eighty thousand soldiers of the Heavenly River. Only I lack powers: I was the Curtain-Raising General before I took the precepts. My brothers and I can do little else, but catching monsters and bandits, subduing tigers and dragons, shaking heaven and the depths of the earth, and churning seas and rivers are things we know a little about. Riding clouds, summoning wind and rain, shifting stars, carrying mountains, and pursuing the moon are mere trifles, hardly worth mentioning!” The king honored them all the more, seating Tripitaka in the highest place, calling him “elder Buddha,” and addressing Sha Monk and the others as “bodhisattvas.” His court rejoiced, and all his subjects paid homage.

The Great Sage Sun and Bajie carried their captives on a fierce wind to Green-Wave Pool on Rocky Mountain and stopped their cloud. Pilgrim breathed immortal breath on the gold-banded staff and commanded, “Change!” It became a monk's knife. He cut an ear off the blackfish spirit and the lower lip off the catfish demon, tossed them into the water, and cried, “Go and tell the Dragon King of All Saints that Grandfather Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, is here. If he brings out the treasure taken from Golden Light Monastery's pagoda in Jisai, I will spare his household. If he so much as says no, I will churn this pool dry and put his whole family, young and old, to death.”

Spared for the moment, the two demons fled in pain, dragging their chains into the water. Turtles, alligators, shrimp, crabs, and fish spirits crowded around. “Why are you trailing chains?” One held his ear, shaking his head and tail; the other clutched his mouth, stamping and beating his chest. Crying “Disaster, Great King!” they rushed into the dragon palace. The Dragon King of All Saints was drinking with Prince Nine-Heads. He set down his cup and asked what had happened. “We were patrolling last night when the Tang monk and Pilgrim Sun swept the pagoda and caught us. They chained us, and this morning we were brought before the king. Pilgrim and Zhu Bajie seized us again, cut off an ear and a lip, threw us into the pool, and ordered us to demand the pagoda's treasure.” They told the whole story. At the name of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the old dragon trembled, almost out of his mind with fear. “My good son-in-law, another opponent we might manage, but if it is truly he, we are in trouble.” The prince smiled. “Do not worry, honored father-in-law. I have studied the martial arts since childhood and met warriors across the four seas. Why fear him? Let me exchange three blows with him; I promise he will bow his head in surrender and dare not look up.”

The monster hastily put on his armor and took up his crescent-moon spade. Striding from the palace, he parted the waters and called from the surface, “Where is this Great Sage Equal to Heaven? Come and die!” Pilgrim and Bajie stood on shore and studied his appearance:

His polished silver helmet outshone snow;His shining armor rivaled autumn frost.An embroidered battle robe clothed him, bright clouds about jade;A belt patterned like rhinoceros hide clasped him, a flowered python about gold.His crescent spade flashed like sunset and lightning;Pigskin boots cleft the surging water.From a distance he seemed one-headed and one-faced;Seen close, faces showed on every side.Eyes before and behind surveyed all eight directions;Mouths on left and right spoke with nine voices.A single shout shook the open sky,Like a crane's cry piercing the nine heavens.

When no one answered, he called again, “Which of you is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?” Pilgrim pressed his fillet, adjusted his iron staff, and said, “I am.” “Where do you live? Where did you come from? How did you come to Jisai to guard the pagoda for its king? How dare you capture my captains, injure them, and come looking for battle on my mountain?” “Thieving monster! You don't know Grandfather Sun. Come nearer and hear me:

My ancestral home is Mount Flower-Fruit;My cave behind the Water Curtain stands amid the sea.I cultivated an indestructible body in my youth;The Jade Emperor named me Great Sage Equal to Heaven.When I caused an uproar in the Heavenly Palace,No heavenly god could overcome me.At last they summoned the Tathagata and his wondrous mountain;His limitless wisdom was put to extraordinary use.We wagered over a somersault to test our powers;His hand turned mountain and pressed me down.For five hundred years I stayed beneath it,Until Guanyin counseled me and freed me.Tripitaka Tang was going to the Western HeavenTo seek the Buddha's words at distant Vulture Peak.Freed, I took charge of protecting him,Refining demons and cleansing monsters as I follow the Way.In the western lands we reached the city of Jisai,Where three generations of monks suffered wrongful persecution.With compassion we investigated the matter:The light no longer shone upon their pagoda.My master swept it to uncover the truth;At midnight, when every sound was still,I captured monsters and made them confess:They named you as the thieves of the treasure.The Dragon King conspired with you;His daughter bears the name All Saints.A rain of blood obscured the pagoda's light;You stole its treasure for your own use.Their testimony at court was true;At the king's request I have come here.That is why I seek you out in battle;Ask no more about Grandfather Sun's name.Give back the treasure at onceAnd spare your whole family, old and young.If you rashly try your strength against me,I shall drain your pool and bring your mountain down in ruin.”

The prince gave a cold smile. “So you are a monk seeking scriptures, meddling in matters that do not concern you. I stole their treasure; you seek the Buddha's scriptures. What is it to you? Why fight me?” “You have no sense,” Pilgrim answered. “I have received no favors, food, or water from their king, and need not work for him. But you stole his treasure, defiled his pagoda, and caused the monks of Golden Light Monastery years of undeserved suffering. They are fellow members of my religious family. How could I not help them clear their names?” “Then you want a duel. As they say, ‘A fight is no place for politeness.’ I fear I cannot hold back once we begin; if you die, your scripture journey will come to an end.”

Enraged, Pilgrim cursed him. “Thieving monster! What makes you think you can boast like that? Come and taste my staff!” The prince calmly parried with his crescent spade. Their fight on Rocky Mountain was fierce indeed:

The monster steals the treasure; the pagoda loses its light.Pilgrim catches demons to report to the king.The little monsters escape back into the pool;The old dragon, terrified, takes counsel with his kin.Prince Nine-Heads arms himself for battleAnd comes arrayed to show his strength.The Great Sage Sun Equal to Heaven flares in anger;His gold-banded staff strikes with all its force.The monster has nine heads and eighteen eyesThat shine before and behind;Pilgrim has two iron arms, each with a thousand catties' strength,Amid gathering clouds of auspicious light.The spade resembles the newborn crescent moon;The staff is like frost flying across ten thousand li.He says, “This is no concern of yours; stop championing a grievance.”I say, “You deliberately stole the treasure, you evil creature.Thief, restrain your pride;Return the treasure and live in peace.”Staff meets spade in their struggle for mastery;Neither wins as they test themselves in combat.

They exchanged more than thirty rounds without a victor. Bajie stood near the mountain. When the fight was at its height, he raised his rake and struck from behind. But the monster's nine heads gave him eyes in every direction. He checked Bajie's rake with his spade's butt and Pilgrim's staff with its blade. After five or seven more rounds he could no longer hold off attacks from front and rear. He rolled, leaped into the sky, and showed his true form: a nine-headed bird. His appearance was dreadful enough to terrify anyone:

His feathers spread like brocade, his rounded body like a ball of down;He measures twelve feet across, shaped somewhat like a turtle.Two feet bear sharp, hooked claws;Nine heads cluster in a ring.With wings unfurled he flies with such strengthThat even the great roc cannot match him.His voice carries far beyond the horizon,Shriller than a crane's highest cry.His many glittering eyes flash golden light;His proud air belongs to no ordinary bird.

“Brother,” Bajie said, shaken, “I've never seen a creature so terrible in all my life. What blood could have given birth to such a beast?” “A rare sight indeed,” said Pilgrim. “I'll pursue and strike him.” The Great Sage rose on a cloud and aimed his staff at a head. The monster spread his broad wings, veered aside, and wheeled swiftly down before the mountain. Another head extended from his waist, its mouth wide as a pool of blood. It caught Bajie by the bristles in one bite and half dragged, half pulled him down into Green-Wave Pool. Outside the dragon palace, the monster resumed his former shape, threw Bajie to the ground, and called his attendants. Fish spirits of every kind and armored turtles and alligators flocked to him. “Bind this monk to avenge my patrolling soldiers.” They carried Bajie inside. The delighted Dragon King came out to greet the prince. “Well done, son-in-law! How did you catch him?” After the prince told him, the old dragon ordered wine to celebrate.

Pilgrim saw Bajie captured and thought with alarm, “This creature is dangerous. If I return to Master at court, the king may laugh at me. But I am alone, and I am no expert at fighting in water. I will change shape and see what he does with the Idiot. If I can, I will steal him back.” He formed a sign, became a crab once more, and dived down to the palace gate. He knew the way from his earlier visit to steal the Bull Demon's golden-eyed beast. Scuttling to the palace, he saw the old Dragon King, the nine-headed creature, and their family drinking in celebration. He kept his distance, crawled under the eastern gallery, and overheard some shrimp and crab spirits talking as they played. Mimicking their manner, he asked, “Is that long-snouted monk the prince brought in dead yet?” “No,” they said. “Can't you hear him groaning, tied under the western gallery?”

Pilgrim crept to the western gallery, where Bajie was indeed bound to a pillar and groaning. “Bajie, do you know me?” Recognizing his voice, Bajie said, “Brother, what happened? That scoundrel caught me!” Seeing no one nearby, Pilgrim snipped the ropes with his crab claws. “Brother, they've taken my weapon. What shall I do?” “Where is it?” “He carried it into the palace.” “Wait for me by the gate.” Bajie slipped away quietly. Pilgrim crawled into the palace and saw the gleam of Bajie's rake on the left. He made himself invisible, stole it, and carried it to the gate. “Bajie, take your weapon!” With his rake returned, the Idiot said, “Go ahead, brother. I'll fight my way back in. If I win, I'll catch the whole family; if not, come to my aid on the shore.” Delighted, Pilgrim urged caution. “Don't fear. I have some skill in the water.” Pilgrim left him and rose to the surface.

Bajie tightened his black robe, gripped the rake with both hands, and charged in shouting. The water creatures fled in confusion to the palace. “Disaster! The long-snouted monk has broken his bonds and is attacking!” The Dragon King, Prince Nine-Heads, and the whole household sprang up in disarray and ran for shelter. Reckless of his life, the Idiot broke the doors and smashed tables, chairs, drinking vessels, and everything else before him. There is a poem to prove it. The poem says:

Wood Mother is captured by a monster of the water;The mind-monkey searches tirelessly for him.A secret stratagem frees him from his bonds;His deep rage bursts forth in divine might.The prince hurries to hide the princess;The trembling Dragon King can scarcely make a sound.Doors and windows break in the crimson water palace;The dragon's sons and grandsons lose all courage.

Bajie shattered a tortoiseshell screen and dashed a coral tree to pieces.

After hiding the princess inside, the nine-headed creature took up his crescent spade, rushed to the front hall, and cried, “Brazen, stupid pig! How dare you frighten my household?” “Thief,” Bajie answered, “how dare you catch me? I wouldn't be here if you hadn't invited me into your home to wreck it. Return the treasure and let me report to the king, or your entire family will die.” The creature clenched his teeth and fought him. Once he had recovered his wits, the old Dragon King led his sons and grandsons, bearing swords and spears, into the fight. Seeing that things were turning against him, Bajie made a feint with his rake and withdrew. The old dragon and his company pursued him through the waters to the surface of the pool.

Pilgrim Sun was waiting on shore. Seeing the creatures emerge in pursuit of Bajie, he stepped onto a cloud, drew his iron staff, and cried, “Stop!” One blow smashed the old dragon's head. Blood reddened the pool as his lifeless body floated among the waves, its scales in ruin. His sons and grandsons fled. Prince Nine-Heads gathered the body and returned to the palace.

Pilgrim and Bajie did not pursue them, but went ashore to discuss what had happened. “I've broken their confidence,” said Bajie. “When I fought my way in, I scattered them and frightened them out of their wits. I was fighting the prince when the old dragon came after me; you were there to kill him. Now they'll be mourning him and won't come out. And it's growing late. What can we do?” “Never mind the hour. Seize our chance: go back and attack. We cannot return to court without the treasure.” The Idiot reluctantly made excuses, but Pilgrim pressed him. “Brother, do as you did before and lure them out for me to strike.”

As they spoke, a violent wind and gloomy mist swept from east to south. Pilgrim looked closely: it was Erlang, the Illustrious Sage, with his six brothers of Mount Mei. They were returning from the hunt with hawks and hounds, carrying foxes, hares, musk deer, and deer, with curved bows at their waists and sharp blades in their hands. “Bajie, those seven sages are my brothers. We should ask their help in this battle. We might gain much by it.” “If they are brothers, of course we should ask.” “But their leader, the Illustrious Sage, once subdued me, so it is awkward to meet him. Stop their cloud and call, ‘True Lord, please pause: the Great Sage Equal to Heaven is here to pay his respects.’ Once he hears my name he will certainly stop, and when he lands I can meet him properly.”

The Idiot rose to intercept them and shouted, “True Lord, halt your procession! The Great Sage Equal to Heaven asks to see you!” Erlang halted his six brothers and greeted Bajie. “Where is the Great Sage?” “Below the mountain, waiting to be summoned.” “Brothers, invite him here.” The six—Kang, Zhang, Yao, Li, Guo, and Zhi—called, “Brother Sun Wukong, our elder brother invites you!” Pilgrim greeted them and went up the mountain. Erlang met him, took his hands warmly, and said, “Great Sage, freed from great suffering, you have entered the Buddha's order. Soon your work will be done and you will rise to the lotus seat. Congratulations!” “I hardly deserve it. I owe you a great favor I have never repaid. Though freed and journeying west, I do not yet know the outcome of my work. In the Kingdom of Jisai I encountered monks in distress, and I am here seeking a treasure from a demon to help them. Seeing your procession, I dared ask your aid. Where have you come from, brother? Will you help me?” Erlang smiled. “My brothers and I were returning from a hunt. I'm glad our old friendship led you to invite us. How could I refuse your request to subdue a demon? What creature is it?” The six sages said, “Brother, don't you remember? This is Rocky Mountain, above the palace of the Dragon King of All Saints in Green-Wave Pool.” “The old dragon never caused trouble,” Erlang said in surprise. “Why would he steal a pagoda's treasure?” Pilgrim explained: “He recently took Prince Nine-Heads, a bird demon, as a son-in-law. The two brought blood rain down on Jisai and stole the Buddha's relic from Golden Light Monastery's pagoda. The king, unaware of the truth, tortured the monks. Out of compassion my master swept the pagoda last night, and I caught two little demons there who had been sent to keep watch. They confessed at court this morning. At the king's request and Master's command we came here. During our first fight, the bird extended a head from his waist and carried Bajie away. I changed shape, went under the water, and freed him. In our next fight I killed the old dragon. His household has withdrawn to mourn him, and we were considering another attack when you appeared. Forgive my bold request.” “With the dragon dead, attack before they recover,” Erlang said. “Why not destroy their whole den?” “But it's late,” said Bajie. “Soldiers do not wait for the hour to attack,” said Erlang. “Why fear the dark?”

Kang, Yao, Guo, and Zhi said, “Don't hurry, brother. His household is here and cannot go far. Brother Sun is our honored guest, and Zhu Ganglie has returned to the true path. We have food and wine with us. Let our attendants make a fire and lay them out, both to celebrate our friends and to renew old ties. We can enjoy the night together and fight at dawn.” Erlang gladly agreed. “I cannot refuse such kindness,” said Pilgrim, “but since we became monks we keep the dietary precepts. Meat might be a difficulty.” “We have fruit,” said Erlang, “and wine is vegetarian too.” Beneath the stars and moon, with the sky for a canopy and the earth for a mat, the brothers shared their cups and spoke of old times.

Lonely nights are long; nights of pleasure pass swiftly. Already the east was growing light. Buoyed by several cups of wine, Bajie said, “Dawn is near. I'll go down and challenge them.” “Take care, Marshal,” said Erlang. “Only draw them out, and we brothers will deal with them.” “I know,” Bajie laughed. He tucked up his robe, took his rake, parted the water by magic, and plunged down to the palace gate. Shouting, he fought his way into the hall. One of the dragon's sons, wearing mourning hemp, was weeping over the body; the grandsons and prince were preparing a coffin behind him. Bajie cursed the son and struck his head with his rake, opening nine holes in it. The dragon's widow and the others fled inside, crying, “The long-snouted monk has killed my son too!”

Prince Nine-Heads came out with his crescent spade and the dragon's grandsons. Bajie met them with his rake, fought in retreat, and leaped from the water. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the seven brothers rushed forward with swords and spears and cut the grandsons to pieces. The prince saw the danger, rolled before the mountain, and regained his bird form, soaring and wheeling on spread wings. Erlang took out his golden bow, fitted a silver pellet, and fired upward with the bow drawn full. The monster folded his wings and swooped to bite Erlang. As a head emerged from his waist, Erlang's hound leaped up and bit it off in a bloody mouthful. Wounded, the monster fled north to the Northern Sea. Bajie would have pursued, but Pilgrim stopped him. “Don't chase a desperate enemy. The hound has taken his head; he is unlikely to survive. I'll take his shape. Part the waters and chase me inside. We will trick the princess into giving us the treasure.” Erlang and his brothers said, “There is no need to pursue him now, but leaving such a creature alive will surely harm later generations.” Even today the nine-headed blood-drinking insect survives as his descendant.

Bajie parted the water as instructed. Pilgrim ran ahead in the creature's shape, Bajie shouting in pursuit. Near the dragon palace Princess All Saints saw him. “Husband, why are you so alarmed?” “Bajie has beaten me and chased me home. I fear I cannot defeat him. Hide our treasures quickly.” The princess, unable to distinguish him from her husband, hurried into the rear hall and brought him a box of solid gold. “Here is the Buddha's treasure.” She brought a box of white jade. “Here is the nine-leaf lingzhi. Hide them while I hold Bajie off for a few rounds. Then return to fight alongside me.” Pilgrim took the boxes, wiped his face, and showed his true form. “Princess, do I look like your husband?” She lunged to snatch the boxes back, but Bajie struck her back with his rake and felled her.

The old dragon's widow tried to flee. Bajie seized her and raised his rake, but Pilgrim said, “Don't kill her. We need a living captive to show the king our success.” They brought her above the water.

Pilgrim followed with the boxes and said to Erlang, “With your help, brother, we have recovered the treasure and swept the thieves away.” “It was the king's extraordinary fortune and your boundless powers, brothers. What credit is mine?” “Brother Sun, your work is done. We shall take our leave,” said the other sages. Pilgrim thanked them and invited them to meet the king, but they declined and returned with their followers to Guankou.

With Pilgrim carrying the boxes and Bajie dragging the dragon's widow, the two rode clouds back to Jisai in a moment. The freed monks of Golden Light Monastery were waiting outside the city. They bowed when the two landed and escorted them in. The king and the Tang monk were speaking in the hall. One monk ran ahead and dared to enter the palace to report, “Your Majesty, Lords Sun and Zhu have caught the thieves and recovered the treasure!” The king hurried down to meet them with Tripitaka and Sha Monk, thanking them profusely and ordering a banquet. “First my disciple must restore the treasure to the pagoda,” said Tripitaka. “Then we may feast.” He asked why they had not returned until today. Pilgrim recounted their battles with the prince, the killing of the Dragon King, their meeting with Erlang, their defeat of the demons, and his transformation to trick the princess. Tripitaka, the king, and the ministers were delighted.

“Can the dragon's widow speak our language?” asked the king. “She's the Dragon King's wife and mother and grandmother to many dragons. Of course,” said Bajie. “Then tell us everything about the theft,” the king commanded. “I knew nothing of the stolen relic,” she said. “My dragon husband and Prince Nine-Heads knew that the pagoda's light came from a Buddha's relic. Three years ago they brought down a rain of blood and stole it.” “And how was the lingzhi stolen?” “My daughter Princess All Saints secretly entered the Great Luo Heaven and stole the Queen Mother's nine-leaf lingzhi from before the Palace of Divine Mists. Nourished by its immortal power, the relic never decays and shines for countless ages. Sweep it over the ground or fields and ten thousand rays and a thousand auspicious clouds appear. Now you have taken it back, my husband and son are dead, my son-in-law and daughter lost. Please spare my life.” “We won't,” said Bajie. “Not everyone in a family is equally guilty,” Pilgrim said. “I'll spare you, but you must keep watch over the pagoda forever.” “A hard life is better than death. Let me live, and I will do whatever you ask.” Pilgrim called for an iron chain. A court official brought one and pierced her collarbone with it. Pilgrim told Sha Monk, “Invite the king to watch us restore the pagoda.”

The king promptly arranged his procession and walked hand in hand with Tripitaka, followed by his ministers, to Golden Light Monastery. Pilgrim ascended and placed the relic in the finial atop the thirteenth story. He chained the dragon's widow to a central pillar, recited a spell, and summoned the kingdom's earth god, city god, and the monastery guardians. He ordered them to bring her one meal every three days; if they failed, they would be executed. The gods silently agreed. Pilgrim swept all thirteen floors with the lingzhi and placed it beside the relic in the finial to nourish it. The pagoda was restored, emitting ten thousand rays of light and a thousand auspicious clouds, visible once more in eight directions and all four kingdoms. At its foot the king thanked them. “If the elder Buddha and his three bodhisattvas had not come, how would we ever have uncovered the truth?”

“Your Majesty,” said Pilgrim, “the name ‘Golden Light’ will not endure: gold is something that passes from hand to hand, light something that flashes and vanishes. After our efforts, rename it Dragon-Subduing Monastery so it may stand forever.” The king ordered a new sign hung: “Dragon-Subduing Monastery for the Protection of the Realm, Established by Imperial Edict.” He prepared a royal banquet, commissioned portraits of all four travelers, and inscribed their names in the Five-Phoenix Tower. He escorted them on their way with his royal procession and offered gold and jade in thanks, but they resolutely refused every gift. Truly:

The evil monsters are cut away; all realms are at peace.The pagoda's light returns, illuminating the earth.

What lay ahead on their journey? Listen to the next chapter to find out.

Two Monks Sweep Out the Monsters and Wreck the Dragon Palace; a Band of Saints Roots Out the Evil and Wins Back the Treasure

Now the king of Jisai and all his ministers, great and small, saw the Great Sage Sun and Bajie ride the clouds and mist away with the two little demons, floating off, and they bowed toward the sky, one and all: "The stories were no lie. Today we learn that there are such beings—immortals, living Buddhas." And when they had vanished out of sight, they bowed in thanks to Tripitaka and Sha Monk: "We are fleshly men with mortal eyes. We knew only that your worthy disciple had the strength to take the demon thieves—how could we know he is an immortal who rides the clouds and mist?" Tripitaka said: "This poor monk has no magic at all; on the road everything has depended on these three small disciples." Sha Monk said: "To speak plainly to Your Majesty: my eldest brother is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, turned monk. He once wrecked the Heavenly Palace outright. With his gold-banded staff, of a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers not one could stand against him, till the Supreme Lord Lao was frightened and the Jade Emperor's heart shook. My second brother was truly Marshal Tianpeng, and he once commanded the eighty thousand water soldiers of the Heavenly River. Only I, your disciple, have no powers: I was the Curtain-Raising General, and I have taken the vows. If my brothers can do nothing else, then at catching demons and binding monsters, seizing thieves and hunting runaways, taming tigers and subduing dragons, kicking heaven and playing in wells, even to stirring seas and turning rivers over, they know a thing or two. As for riding clouds and mist, calling rain and wind, shifting the stars and moving the Dipper, carrying mountains and chasing the moon—those are mere trifles, hardly worth a word!" At this the king honored them ten times more, seated the Tang monk above him, called him again and again "Old Buddha," and called Sha Monk and the rest "Bodhisattvas." The whole court was glad, and all the people of the land bowed in homage—no more of that here.

Now the Great Sage Sun and Bajie rode a wild wind and carried the two little demons by magic to the Blue Waves Pool on Heaped Rocks Mountain, and there checked their cloud. Pilgrim blew a mouthful of magic breath on the gold-banded staff, cried "Change!" and it turned into a precept knife. He cut off an ear of the black-fish demon and the lower lip of the catfish spirit, tossed them into the water, and roared: "Go at once and report to that Dragon King Wansheng: Grandpa Sun, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, is here. Tell him to hand over the very treasure that came from the pagoda of the Golden Light Monastery in Jisai, and he may keep his family's lives. If half a 'no' slips out of him, I will stir this pool dry and have his whole house, old and young, put to death."

The two little demons, spared, fled through the pain, dragging their chain behind them, and plunged into the water. The turtles and alligators, tortoises and clams, the shrimps, crabs, and fish spirits crowded round in fright and asked: "Why are you two dragging rope and chain?" One held his ear, shaking his head and lashing his tail; one held his mouth, stamping his feet and beating his chest. Clamoring together, they went straight up to the Dragon King's palace: "Report to the Great King—disaster!" The Dragon King Wansheng was drinking with the Nine-Headed Prince-in-law; seeing the two come in, he set down his cup and asked what the disaster was. The two reported: "Last night, out on patrol, we were caught by the Tang monk and Sun Wukong as he swept the pagoda, and locked fast in iron chains. This morning we were taken before the king, and then that Pilgrim and Zhu Bajie seized us: one had his ear cut off, one his lip, and they threw us into the water and sent us to demand the treasure from the pagoda top." Then they told the whole story, start to finish. When the old dragon heard it was Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, his soul left his body and his spirit scattered to the ninth heaven. Trembling, he said to the Prince-in-law: "Good son-in-law, anyone else we might manage. But if it is truly he, we are in a bad way." The Prince-in-law laughed: "Father-in-law, be at ease. From childhood I learned some of the soldier's arts, and within the four seas I have met a hero or two. What is there to fear from him? Let me go out and fight him three rounds, and I promise you that fellow will duck his head and submit, not daring even to look up."

A fine monster! He hurried out and buckled on his armor, took up his weapon—a crescent-moon spade—stepped from the palace, parted the water, and called out from the surface: "Where is this Great Sage Equal to Heaven? Come up quickly and give me your life." Pilgrim and Bajie stood on the bank and watched how the demon was dressed:

A helmet of beaten silver, its shine outdoing white snow; a cuirass of helmet steel, bright as autumn frost.Over it a brocade war robe, truly colored clouds wrapping jade; at his waist a rhinoceros-grain belt, like a flowering serpent coiled round gold.In his hand the crescent-moon spade, flashing like flying haze and darting lightning; on his feet pigskin boots that part the waves.From far off, one head and one face; from near, a face on every side: eyes in front and eyes behind, seeing all eight quarters at once; a mouth on the left and a mouth on the right—nine mouths all talking.One shout of his shakes the whole sky, like a crane's cry piercing the nine heavens.

Seeing no one answer, he called again: "Which of you is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" Pilgrim pressed down his golden fillet, squared his iron staff, and said: "Old Sun is the one." The monster said: "Where do you live? What country bred you? How did you come to Jisai to keep that king's pagoda—and then dare to seize my officers, and then dare to carry the fight to my own precious mountain?" Pilgrim cursed: "You thieving monster, so you don't know your Grandpa Sun. Step up here and listen:"

Old Sun's old home is Flower-Fruit Mountain, Water Curtain Cave amid the great sea.From childhood I cultivated an unbreakable body, and the Jade Emperor named me the Sage Equal to Heaven.Because I wrecked the Dipper-and-Ox Palace, none of the gods of heaven could beat me.They had to beg the Tathagata to spread his wondrous height, with boundless wisdom beyond all common use.They bet on my somersault and matched powers with me, and his hand became a mountain that pressed me down.I lay there five hundred years, to this very day, till Guanyin pleaded my cause and I won back my life.The Tang monk Tripitaka went up to the Western Heaven, far to Vulture Peak to seek the Buddha's verses.He freed me and set me to guard him; I refine demons and clear away monsters, walking the religious road.On the way we came to the city of Jisai in the Western regions, where innocent monks have been wronged for three generations.In our pity we asked into the old affair, and found it was because the pagoda cast no light.My master swept the pagoda to learn the truth; at the third watch the night lay still.We caught a demon spirit and took his true confession, and he said that you had stolen the treasure.Plotting the theft with you was the Dragon King, and the princess with him is called Wansheng.A rain of blood drenched the light from the pagoda, and you carried off its treasure for your use.The statement made before the throne held nothing false; by the king's word I have galloped into this country.So I have come seeking you out to give you battle; ask no more after Grandpa Sun's name.Bring out the treasure quickly and give it back, and spare the lives of your whole house, old and young.But if you, in your folly, reach for victory, I will teach you utter ruin—water dried and mountains fallen.

The Prince-in-law heard this and smiled a little coldly: "So you are the monk fetching scriptures, twisting your nets around what is none of your business. I steal his treasure; you fetch the Buddha's scriptures—what is that to you, that you come here to fight?" Pilgrim said: "You thieving monster, you understand nothing of what is right. Though I take no kindness from that king and eat no rice of his, so that I need not exert myself for him—yet you stole his treasure and defiled his pagoda, and year after year the innocent monks of the Golden Light Monastery have suffered for it. They are flesh of my own household; how should I not exert myself to clear their wrong?" The Prince-in-law said: "If that is how it stands, you mean to fight. The saying goes: 'Weapons know no courtesy.' I only fear that once hands are laid on, no mercy can be kept, and your life may be cut short and your journey for the scriptures spoiled."

Pilgrim's rage boiled up and he cursed: "You brazen thieving monster, what strength have you, to open such a big mouth? Come up here and taste this gentleman's staff." The Prince-in-law was not in the least rattled; he parried the iron staff with his crescent-moon spade, and there on the slopes of Heaped Rocks Mountain they had a truly fine battle:

The demon stole the treasure, and the pagoda went dark; the Pilgrim catches the demon and reports to the king.The little demons flee for their lives back into the water; the old dragon's gall breaks as all take counsel together.The Nine-Headed Prince-in-law puts out his might, buckles on his armor, and comes on to show his old strength.In wrath the Great Sage Sun, Equal to Heaven, raises the gold-banded staff, hard as can be.That monster has nine heads and eighteen eyes, flashing light before and behind; this Pilgrim has a pair of iron arms with a thousand catties of strength, wrapped round with lucky light.The spade is like the first slim moon; the staff like flying frost over ten thousand li.He says: "You had no quarrel here, yet you come to redress a wrong that is not yours."I say: "You stole the treasure of set purpose—wicked work indeed."Brazen thief, be less wild: give back his treasure and go in peace.Staff meets spade as each strives for the upper hand; on that fighting ground no winner shows.

The two came and went, fighting thirty rounds and more with no winner. Zhu Bajie stood before the mountain, and seeing the fight at its sweetest, raised his nail rake and struck at the demon from behind. Now that monster had nine heads, and every one of them, as it turned, had eyes that saw clearly. Seeing Bajie come from behind, he caught the rake on the butt of his spade and held the staff off with the spade's head. He bore five or seven rounds more, but could not stand the strokes coming from front and back together; he rolled over, leapt into the air, and showed his true form—a nine-headed bug. To look on that shape was utterly foul; to see this body was enough to frighten one to death. He was made like this:

Feathers spread like brocade; his rounded body packed like floss.Twelve feet about; in length and build like a giant soft-shelled turtle.Two feet sharp as hooks; nine heads clustered in one ring.With wings spread he flew beyond all others; even the great roc had not his strength.His cry rang out to the sky's very edge; he could outscream the immortal cranes.His many eyes flashed and dazzled with golden light; his proud spirit was no common bird's.

Zhu Bajie looked, and his heart jumped: "Brother, never in my life have I seen so vile a thing. What blood could breed such a bird-beast?" Pilgrim said: "Truly rare, truly rare. Let me catch him and strike." A fine Great Sage! He shot up on the auspicious cloud, jumped into the sky, and swung the iron staff straight at his head. The monster showed all his skill, spread his wings, and flew aslant; with a whoosh he wheeled about, swept in front of the mountain, and from his middle reached out another head, opening a mouth like a basin of blood, and bit Bajie by the mane. Half dragging, half hauling, it took him down into the Blue Waves Pool and away. At the palace gate outside it changed back to its former shape, threw Bajie on the ground, and called: "Where are my lads?" From within came the fish spirits—mackerel, bream, carp, and perch—and the shell monsters—tortoises, clams, soft-shells, and alligators—in one rush, crying: "Here!" The Prince-in-law said: "Bind that monk somewhere, to pay for my little soldiers out on patrol." The spirits pushed and shoved and carried Bajie in, and the old Dragon King came out glad to meet them: "Good son-in-law, you have done well—how did you catch him?" The Prince-in-law told the whole story above. The old dragon at once ordered wine laid on to celebrate the victory—no more of that here.

Now Sun the Pilgrim, seeing the demon carry off Bajie, thought in fear: "This fellow is dangerous. If I go back to court to see Master, the king may laugh at me; if I stay and bawl out a challenge, I am alone, and fighting on water is not my trade. Let me change my shape and slip in, and see how they mean to deal with the Idiot. If a chance opens, I will steal him out and get on with our business." A fine Great Sage! He made the sign, shook himself, and changed again into a crab, plunged into the water, and went straight to the archway. That road he knew well: it was the way he had gone before, when he ambushed the Bull Demon King and stole the gold-eyed beast. Right under the palace he crawled sideways past, and saw the old Dragon King and the Nine-Headed Bug and the whole family drinking in high good humor. Pilgrim dared not go near; he crawled under the east corridor, where a few shrimp spirits and crab spirits were playing about in a crowd. He listened to their talk a while, then copied their speech and asked: "That long-mouthed monk the Prince-in-law caught—has he died yet?" The spirits said: "Not dead. Isn't that him moaning, tied up under the west corridor?"

Hearing this, Pilgrim crept softly over to the west corridor, and there truly was the Idiot tied to a pillar, moaning. Pilgrim came near: "Bajie, do you know me?" Bajie knew the voice and knew it was Pilgrim: "Brother, what now? And I went and got caught by this fellow after all." Pilgrim looked all around—no one in sight—pinched through the rope with his claws, and told him to go. The Idiot got his hands free: "Brother, they have taken my weapon away. What then?" Pilgrim said: "Do you know where they put it?" Bajie said: "They carried it up into the palace." Pilgrim said: "Wait for me under the archway." Bajie saved his skin and slipped quietly out. Pilgrim crawled back up and looked over the palace. To the left a bright glare was shining—Bajie's nail rake giving off its light. He made himself invisible, stole the rake out, brought it under the archway, and called: "Bajie, catch your weapon." The Idiot, his rake in hand again, said: "Brother, you go first; let this old pig storm the palace. If I win, I will seize the whole family; if I lose and am driven out, you cover me from the bank of the pool." Pilgrim was delighted, and only told him to be careful. Bajie said: "I don't fear them. In the water I have a little skill of my own." Pilgrim left him and rose up out of the water—no more of that here.

Bajie cinched his black robe, gripped the rake in both hands, and with a shout fought his way in. The water folk, great and small, panicked and came tumbling up to the palace, bawling: "Trouble! The long-mouthed monk has snapped his ropes and fought his way back in!" The old dragon and the Nine-Headed Bug and the whole family were caught unready, jumping up to hide wherever they could. The Idiot cared nothing for life or death: he stormed the palace, raking down doors, smashing tables and chairs, and beating to pieces every bit of the drinking ware. There is a poem to prove it. The poem says:

The Wood Mother met the water monsters and was taken; the Mind-Ape would not let go and searched for him in bitter earnest.Secretly he worked his cunning plan and stole the lock undone; in full show of his might his wrath and hate ran deep.The Prince-in-law hurried the princess away to hide; the Dragon King shook with terror and lost his voice.The water palace's crimson towers lost door and window; the dragon sons and grandsons all lost their souls.

In this bout Bajie beat the tortoiseshell screens to splinters and dashed the coral trees to fragments.

The Nine-Headed Bug stowed the princess away inside, snatched up his crescent-moon spade, chased him to the front palace, and roared: "You brazen, clumsy pig! How dare you affront my family?" Bajie cursed back: "You thieving monster, how dare you carry me off? This business is none of my doing—you invited me into your own house to be beaten. Hand over the treasure quickly, and I will go back and see the king and be done with it. If not, I will spare no life in your whole house." The monster showed no mercy; he set his teeth and crossed weapons with Bajie. The old dragon came back to himself, and led his dragon sons and dragon grandsons, every one with spear or blade, to fall on him all together. Bajie saw the thing going badly, made a feint with the rake, and broke away. The old dragon led the pack after him, and in a moment they burst out of the water, churning and tumbling on the surface of the pool.

Now Sun the Pilgrim stood waiting on the bank; seeing them chase Bajie out of the water, he stepped half onto cloud and mist, whipped out the iron staff, and shouted: "Stand still!" One blow beat the old dragon's head to a pulp. Poor thing—the blood splashed and reddened the pool, and his corpse floated up on the waves, broken scales strewn on the water. The dragon sons and grandsons fled for their lives, and the Nine-Headed Prince-in-law gathered up the dragon's corpse and went back into the palace.

Pilgrim and Bajie did not pursue. They climbed the bank and told the whole story over. Bajie said: "Their spirit is broken. When I raked my way in, I beat them like fallen flowers and running water, their souls scattering and their spirits flying. I was hard at it with the Prince-in-law when the old Dragon King pressed me from behind—thank you for killing him. They will go back now and surely set up the mourning white, and never come out again. And the sky is darkening—what are we to do?" Pilgrim said: "Never mind the dark. Take this chance and go down and attack again. We must have the treasure out before we go back to court." The Idiot's heart went slack, and he dawdled and made excuses. Pilgrim pressed him: "Brother, no second thoughts. Draw them out as you did just now, and leave the striking to me."

As the two of them talked, a wild wind came rolling, and a chill mist with it, passing from the east straight toward the south. Pilgrim looked closely: it was the Illustrious Sage Erlang, leading his six brothers of Plum Mountain, hawks and hounds flying with them, carrying foxes and hares, shouldering river-deer; every man with a bent bow at his waist and a sharp blade in his hand, leaping toward them on the wind and mist. Pilgrim said: "Bajie, those are my seven sworn brothers, the seven sages. It would be well to ask them to stay and help me fight. If we succeed, it will be a fine stroke of luck." Bajie said: "Brothers, are they? Then by all means ask them to stay." Pilgrim said: "But the eldest is the Illustrious Sage himself, and he once subdued me, and it is hard for me to face him. You go and block their cloud, and call: 'True Lord, stay your carriage a moment—the Great Sage Equal to Heaven is here to pay his respects.' When he hears it is I, he will surely stop. Once they have settled, I can come out and meet him."

The Idiot shot up his cloud, blocked them on the mountain, and called in a loud voice: "True Lord, stay your carriage a moment—the Great Sage Equal to Heaven asks to see you." At this the lord gave his order, checked the six brothers, and greeted Bajie; then he asked: "Where is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" Bajie said: "Below the hill, waiting for your call." Erlang said: "Brothers, go quickly and fetch him." The six brothers—Kang, Zhang, Yao, Li, Guo, and Zhi—came out of the camp calling: "Brother Sun Wukong, our eldest brother invites you." Pilgrim came forward, bowed to them all, and went up the hill with them. Lord Erlang came out to meet him, took his hand, and greeted him: "Great Sage, you have come out of your great trouble and taken the vows in the Buddha's house; before long your work will be finished and you will mount high onto the lotus seat. Congratulations, congratulations!" Pilgrim said: "I dare not say so. You heaped your great kindness on me once, and I have not repaid the least part of it. Though I am free and on my way west, I do not know how my work will stand. Now, passing through Jisai, I am saving the monks from their calamity, catching demons and demanding the treasure here. Chancing on your lordship's carriage, I made bold to ask you to stay and help. May I ask where you come from, and whether you will honor me?" Erlang laughed: "Being at leisure, I was coming home from the hunt with my brothers here. That the Great Sage does not scorn to ask me warms an old friend's heart. If you want my strength to put down a demon, how should I not obey? But what monster haunts this place?" The six sages said: "Big brother, have you forgotten? This is Heaped Rocks Mountain, and under it is the dragon palace of Wansheng in the Blue Waves Pool." Erlang was surprised: "Old Dragon Wansheng was never one to make trouble. How does he dare steal a pagoda treasure?" Pilgrim said: "He lately took in a prince-in-law, a nine-headed bug become a spirit. Son-in-law and father-in-law turned thieves together: they sent a rain of blood down on Jisai and stole the sharira relic of the Buddha from the top of the Golden Light Monastery's pagoda. The king could not understand it, and seized the monks and tortured them cruelly. My master, in his mercy, swept the pagoda by night, and up on the pagoda I caught two little demons, sent out to patrol. This morning they were taken before the throne, and they confessed everything. The king then begged my master to subdue them, and my master sent us here. In the first fight the Nine-Headed Bug reached a head out of his middle and snatched Bajie away in his teeth. I changed and went down into the water and freed Bajie. We had just fought a great battle, and I killed the old dragon; they carried off the corpse and hung up the mourning. We two were just talking of going down to force a battle when your lordship's train came down upon us, and so I made bold to trouble you." Erlang said: "Since the old dragon is dead, all the better to fall on them at once, so that they get no chance to gather themselves—shall we not wipe out the whole nest?" Bajie said: "So it is—but what of the dark?" Erlang said: "Soldiers say: 'Strike without waiting for the hour.' What fear of dark?"

Kang, Yao, Guo, and Zhi said: "Big brother, no hurry. Their wives and children are here, and can go nowhere. Second Brother Sun is an honored guest, and Zhu Gangli has come back to the true fruit. We have wine and food in our baggage; let the lads make a fire and spread it here: partly to congratulate you two, and partly to renew old times. Let us enjoy this one night, and challenge them at dawn—what haste is there?" Erlang was delighted: "Worthy brothers, well said." He ordered his soldiers to make ready. Pilgrim said: "Such kindness I dare not refuse. Only, since I became a monk I have kept the fast, and I fear meat and no meat at one table would be awkward." Erlang said: "There are fruit and meatless things, and the wine is meatless too." So the brothers, under stars and moon, lay under the open sky on the bare ground, raised their cups, and talked of old days.

Truly the lonely hours stretch long, and merry nights run short; the east went white before they knew it. Bajie, several cups in and his spirits high, said: "It is nearly light. Let old pig go down into the water and challenge them." Erlang said: "Marshal, be careful. Only draw them out, and my brothers and I will do the rest." Bajie laughed: "I know, I know." See him gather his robe, wrap his hand around the rake, use the water-parting art, and dive down, straight to the archway. With a shout he stormed into the hall. Just then the dragon son, in sackcloth, was weeping over the dragon's corpse, and the dragon grandson and the Prince-in-law were behind, getting the coffin ready. Up came Bajie cursing; his hand fell, the rake's head struck home, and with one blow he raked nine holes through the dragon son's skull and all. The dragon grandmother and the rest fled inside in a panic, crying: "The long-mouthed monk has killed my son again!"

The Prince-in-law heard, and rushed out with his crescent-moon spade, the dragon grandson with him, to fight their way out. Bajie met them with the rake, fighting and backing off, and sprang out of the water. On the bank the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the seven brothers fell on them at once, spears and blades striking wildly, and chopped the dragon grandson into pieces like meat cakes. The Prince-in-law, seeing it go wrong, rolled over before the mountain, showed his true form again, spread his wings, and circled up into the sky. Erlang took his golden bow, set a silver pellet on the string, drew to the full, and shot up at him. The monster clipped his wings short, swept in close, and made to bite Erlang; but just as a head reached out of his middle, the hound leapt up, and with one snap bit the head off clean, dripping blood. Wounded, the monster fled for its life and made straight for the North Sea. Bajie would have chased it, but Pilgrim stopped him: "Do not chase it—the saying is 'a beaten foe is not pursued.' The hound has its head in his jaws; it will hardly live. Let me change into its shape. You part the water and drive me in, find the princess, and trick her out of the treasure." Erlang and the six sages said: "Letting it go is well enough—but to leave such a breed alive in the world will be a plague to the men who come after us." To this day there is a nine-headed bug that drips blood: that is the stock it left behind.

Bajie did as he was told and parted the water. Pilgrim went ahead in the monster's shape, and Bajie came yelling after. Little by little they chased their way to the dragon palace, and Princess Wansheng said: "Prince-in-law, why so flustered?" Pilgrim said: "Bajie has the better of me and has driven me in; I feel I cannot stand against him. Hide the treasure quickly, and hide it well." The princess, in her hurry, could not tell true from false. She fetched from the back hall a box of solid gold and handed it to Pilgrim: "Here is the Buddha's relic." She fetched a box of white jade and handed that too: "Here is the nine-leaf magic lingzhi. Take the treasure away and hide it. Let me hold Zhu Bajie two or three rounds, and keep him back. When you have the treasure safely stored, come back out and fight him at my side." Pilgrim tucked both boxes at his side, wiped his face, showed his true form, and said: "Princess, look—is this the Prince-in-law?" The princess panicked and made to snatch the boxes, but Bajie ran up and with one blow of the rake on her back knocked her flat on the ground.

One more, the old dragon grandmother, turned to flee; Bajie caught her and raised the rake to strike, but Pilgrim said: "Hold! Don't kill her. Keep one alive, to show at court and prove our work." So they brought the dragon grandmother up out of the water.

Pilgrim came up after, carrying the two boxes, and said to Erlang: "To your might, brother, we owe it—the treasure won and the demon thieves swept clean away." Erlang said: "First, that king's own blessings are as high as heaven; second, you worthy brothers have boundless powers. What credit is mine?" The brothers all said: "Second Brother Sun's work is done, and we will take our leave here." Pilgrim thanked them without end and wanted them to come and see the king with him, but they would not; they led their men back to Guankou and were gone.

Pilgrim carried the boxes, and Bajie dragged the dragon grandmother; half on cloud, half in mist, they reached the city in a moment. The freed monks of the Golden Light Monastery were all outside the walls to meet them. Seeing the two settle down out of the clouds, they came near, knocked their heads in homage, and brought them into the city. The king and the Tang monk were talking together in the hall. One of the monks who had run ahead took his courage in both hands, went in the palace gate, and reported: "Your Majesty, Lords Sun and Zhu come back with the thieves taken and the treasure won." The king hurried down from the hall, and together with the Tang monk and Sha Monk met them, thanking their divine power without end, and at once ordered a feast of thanks. Tripitaka said: "Let there be no drinking yet. Let my small disciple restore the treasure to the pagoda first, and then we will feast." Tripitaka asked Pilgrim: "You left the city yesterday—why do you come back only today?" Pilgrim told it all in detail: the fight with the Prince-in-law, the killing of the Dragon King, meeting the True Lord, beating the monsters, and the trick of changing his shape to cheat out the treasure. Tripitaka, the king, and all the court, great and small, could not rejoice enough.

The king asked: "Can the dragon grandmother speak human speech?" Bajie said: "She is the Dragon King's own wife, and bore many dragon sons and dragon grandsons—how would she not know human speech?" The king said: "If she knows human speech, let her quickly tell the whole story of the thieving." The dragon grandmother said: "Of the stealing of the Buddha's relic I knew nothing at all. It was all my husband, that dragon fiend, and the Prince-in-law, the Nine-Headed Bug. They knew the light on your pagoda was a sharira of the Buddha, and three years ago they sent down the rain of blood and stole it in the confusion." The king asked again: "And how was the magic grass stolen?" The dragon grandmother said: "Only my daughter, Princess Wansheng, went in secret up to the Great Luo Heaven, to the Lingxiao Hall, and stole the Queen Mother's nine-leaf magic lingzhi. The sharira, warmed and kept by the immortal breath of that grass, does not decay in a thousand years and gives light for ten thousand. Sweep it once over the ground or through a field, and up rise ten thousand rays of rosy light and a thousand streams of lucky air. Now you have taken it away, and my husband is dead and my sons killed, my son-in-law maimed and my daughter dead—a million times over, spare my life." Bajie said: "That is just what we will not do." Pilgrim said: "No house is punished to its last member. I will spare you—only you must keep watch over this pagoda for me, far and long." The dragon grandmother said: "A bad life is better than a good death. Leave me my life, and do with me as you please." Pilgrim called for an iron chain. The master of carriages brought one, and they ran it through the dragon grandmother's shoulder blades. He told Sha Monk: "Ask the king to come and see us set the pagoda to rights."

The king ordered his carriage at once, and he and the Tang monk went out of court hand in hand, the civil and military officers following, all the way to the Golden Light Monastery. Pilgrim went up the pagoda, set the sharira in the precious vase at the heart of the thirteenth story's top, and chained the dragon grandmother to the central pillar. He said the true words and called out the earth god of this country, the city god, and the monastery's own guardians, and ordered them to bring one meal of food and drink every three days for the dragon grandmother to live on; at the least mistake, she was to be beheaded. The gods received the order without a word. Then Pilgrim swept the magic grass over all thirteen stories of the pagoda and set it in the vase, warming and keeping the sharira. And so the old was made new again: ten thousand rays of rosy light and a thousand streams of lucky air, seen as of old from all eight quarters and gazed on by the four kingdoms. They came down the pagoda steps, and the king thanked them: "Had not the Old Buddha and these three Bodhisattvas come here, how could this business ever have been brought to light!"

Pilgrim said: "Your Majesty, the two characters 'Golden Light' are unlucky—they are not the names for a thing that lasts: gold is a thing that flows away, and light is a thing that flickers. This poor monk has taken this trouble for you: let this monastery be renamed the Dragon-Subduing Monastery, and it will stand for you forever." The king at once had the sign changed and a new tablet hung up: "Dragon-Subduing Monastery, Built by Imperial Decree to Protect the Realm." On one side they made ready an imperial feast; on the other they summoned painters to take the likenesses of the four pilgrims, and set their names and titles in the Five Phoenix Tower. The king brought out his state carriage to send off the Tang monk and his disciples, offering gold and jade in thanks. Master and disciples refused them all, and took not one hair of it. Truly it was said:

The false monsters cut away, every land lies still; the treasure pagoda gives back its light, and the whole earth brightens.

But what lay ahead on the road before them, who could tell? Listen to the next chapter to find out.