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13 White Tiger Ridge

The Tang Monk was displeased and complained, "You monkey, unwilling to make an effort, always lazy!" Wukong smiled apologetically. "Master, don't be angry; I'll find a place with people and beg some food." So saying, Wukong leaped into the air, shaded his eyes, and looked around. To the south he saw a high mountain with a patch of bright red on its sunny slope. Wukong was delighted. He descended and said, "Master, that red patch on the southern mountain must be ripe peaches. I'll pick a few for you to eat." The Tang Monk said happily, "For a monk, peaches are more than enough." Wukong told Bajie and Sandy to protect their master with all their hearts, took his alms bowl, mounted auspicious light, and in a moment went to the southern mountain to pick peaches. Now there was a demon on this mountain. When Wukong left, the demon was in the clouds riding the yin wind. Seeing the Tang Monk sitting on the ground, she was overjoyed. "What luck! They say the Tang Monk from the east is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the body of one who has cultivated for ten lifetimes. Eating a piece of his flesh grants long life. Today he has truly come." The demon was about to step forward and use her powers, but she saw Bajie and Sandy, two great generals, protecting the Tang Monk on either side, so she dared not approach. Her eyes turned and a plan came to mind. "Let me play a trick on them and see what happens." The demon stopped her yin wind and in a mountain hollow transformed herself into a woman of flower-like beauty, with delicate brows, clear eyes, white teeth, and red lips. In her left hand she carried a blue earthen jar, in her right a green porcelain bottle, and she went straight toward the Tang Monk. The Tang Monk saw her and called to Bajie and Sandy, "Look, Wukong just said this wilderness was empty, but isn't that someone walking over?" Bajie said, "Master, you and Sandy sit; let Old Pig go and look." The fool put down his rake, straightened his robe, and put on a refined air as he went to meet her. Seeing the woman's pretty face, Bajie's mortal heart stirred and he could not help talking nonsense. Bajie patted his belly and asked what she carried. The woman answered, "Monk, this blue jar holds fragrant rice, and this green bottle holds fried gluten. I have come here for no other reason than to fulfill a vow to feed monks." Bajie was overjoyed. He hurried back and reported to the Tang Monk, "Master, that female Bodhisattva has come to feed monks." The Tang Monk did not believe it. "We have walked so far without meeting anyone; where would a monk-feeder come from?" As they spoke, the woman drew near. The Tang Monk with his mortal eyes could not tell she was a demon. He rose, pressed his palms together, and asked, "Good lady, where is your home? What vow brings you here to feed monks?" The demon spoke sweetly and deceived him. "Master, this mountain is called White Tiger Ridge; my home lies just west below. My parents are alive and feed monks from far and near." The Tang Monk asked, "If your parents are at home, why are you walking alone in the mountain?" The demon smiled and answered prettily, "My husband is hoeing the fields in a hollow north of the mountain. This is the noon meal I cooked for him. Meeting you three travelers, I thought of my parents' love of good deeds and decided to offer this food to you monks. If you do not disdain it, I gladly present it." The Tang Monk said, "Goodness, goodness! If we eat this food and your husband finds out, won't the blame fall on this poor monk?" The demon replied with a beaming face, "Master doesn't know; my husband is even more virtuous. If he hears this meal was given to you, our conjugal affection will be all the greater."

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