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03 Revolt Against Heaven

Nezha flew into a rage and levelled his spear to thrust. Wukong made nothing of him, but sat where he was and said with a laugh, ‘I will not stir. Strike at me as you please, and let us see what you can do.’ Seeing the Monkey King so insolent, Nezha gave a great cry of ‘Change!’ and became at once a being of three heads and six arms, wielding six weapons as he hacked at Wukong. Wukong braced himself and took the same shape — three heads and six arms — and with three golden-hooped rods raised went forward to meet him. So they fought that the earth shook and the hills rocked, and sun and moon were darkened. Each displayed his divine might, and the weapons in their hands whirled through the air like falling stars. Thirty bouts were fought with neither gaining the advantage. Then Wukong, quick of eye and hand, seized his chance: he plucked out a hair and made of it his own likeness to hold Nezha at bay, while his true body leapt round behind him. Nezha knew nothing of the transformation, and was even then preparing a spell when Wukong struck him from behind. He heard only the wind of the rod before it fell; too late to dodge, he took a heavy blow upon his left arm. Nezha, racked with pain, abandoned his magic and fled back to the camp. Wukong called after him, ‘Go and tell your master: let him grant this old Sun the title “Great Sage, Equal of Heaven,” and all is well. Refuse, and he shall find no rest upon his dragon throne.’ Nezha returned to the camp and repeated Wukong's words to his father. The Heavenly King Li turned pale with dismay. ‘This demon monkey is more formidable than I thought. We will not hold the field against him; let us return to heaven and report to the Jade Emperor before deciding what to do.’ So he gave the order to withdraw, and hastened back to the celestial court. The Monkey King returned to his mountain in triumph. The lords of the seventy-two caves and the six great demon kings all came to celebrate, and they drank their fill in that blessed grotto, wild with joy. Said the Monkey King, ‘Since your younger brother has taken the title “Great Sage, Equal of Heaven,” each of you elder brothers should choose a title of his own.’ The demon kings all agreed. The Bull Demon King called himself the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven; the Flood-Dragon Demon King, the Great Sage Who Overturns the Sea; the Roc Demon King, the Great Sage Who Confounds Heaven; the Lion-Camel King, the Great Sage Who Moves Mountains; the Macaque King, the Great Sage Who Commands the Winds; and the Gibbon King, the Great Sage Who Drives the Spirits. Thus the seven great sages gave themselves their titles, and after a day of revelry each went his way. The Heavenly King Li returned in defeat and reported all to the Jade Emperor, who was greatly alarmed and would have sent more troops to seize him. But the Great White Planet counselled against it. ‘Since it has come to this, better to grant him the empty title of “Great Sage, Equal of Heaven” and keep him in heaven, that no further trouble may arise.’ The Jade Emperor gave his assent, and again commanded the Great White Planet to go and offer terms. The Great White Planet came by decree to Flower-Fruit Mountain, and found it sternly guarded. Suddenly a gong sounded, and from every side the patrols and cave-guards rushed out, brandishing spears and swords, and ringed him about. ‘Gently, gently,’ he said in haste. ‘Go quickly and tell your king that I have come to invite him to heaven to take office.’ The apes hastened to report it. Hearing that the Great White Planet had come again, Wukong laughed. ‘Well come! That old star would not come today but on a good errand.’ He bade his men beat the drums and raise the banners, drew them up in ranks to receive him, and escorted the Great White Planet into the Water Curtain Cave. The Great White Planet presented the Jade Emperor's edict. Wukong read it and was overjoyed; he charged his followers to keep good watch over the cave, and mounted a propitious cloud with the Great White Planet to go up to heaven a second time. Entering the Southern Gate of Heaven once more, Wukong strode in with his head held high; and the heavenly soldiers and generals on guard, seeing him come, saluted him with joined hands from afar. Wukong was vastly pleased with himself, and said nothing, only nodding by way of reply. They came to the Hall of Divine Mists and the Great White Planet reported his mission done. The Jade Emperor said to Wukong, ‘Sun Wukong, I now create you “Great Sage, Equal of Heaven,” an office of the very highest rank. Henceforth you must on no account stir up trouble.’ Wukong cupped his hands and gave thanks. The Jade Emperor at once commanded the master builders Zhang and Lu to raise a Palace of the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven, to the right of the Peach Orchard of Immortality. Within it were established two offices, the Office of Tranquillity and the Office of Quietude of Spirit, each staffed with immortal clerks to serve him on either hand; and the Five Bushel Star Lords were sent to choose a day and escort him to take up his post.

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