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08 The Stolen Cassock

Wukong raised his staff to strike, but the Bodhisattva stopped him. "Do not take his life. There is no one to keep watch behind my Mount Luojia, and I mean to take him there as a guardian god of the mountain." "What a merciful heart you have, Bodhisattva," said Wukong with a laugh, "that you will not kill." At parting the Bodhisattva gave the cassock to Wukong and charged him: "Go back and serve the Tang Monk well. Show off your treasures no more, and stir up no more trouble." Then she took the bear and returned to the South Sea. When she had gone, Wukong hung the cassock on a tree, took up his golden-hooped rod and stormed into Black Wind Cave — only to find the lesser demons had long since fled. So he set a fire and burned the cave. Wukong brought the cassock back to the monastery, and the Tang Monk was overjoyed. The monks too were delighted, and at once prepared a vegetarian feast to celebrate with master and disciple. Early the next morning Wukong groomed the horse, packed the baggage, and escorted the Tang Monk westward along the road. The monks walked far with them before turning back. To learn what happened next, read the following volume: Gao Village.

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