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15 Lotus Cave

Wukong stepped forward and questioned him closely. The woodcutter said, "This mountain is called Mount Pingding, and in it lies Lotus-Flower Cave, where two demon chiefs dwell, Golden Horn and Silver Horn. They have had portraits drawn and posted up, and mean to seize monks and eat the Tang Monk." Wukong laughed. "Paltry little imps, not worth a thought!" The woodcutter said, "Do not take them lightly, monk. Those two demon chiefs carry five treasures about them and their powers are vast." Wukong paid no heed, but went back to his master and said, "No trouble, no trouble." When he looked round again, the woodcutter had vanished. Wukong opened his fiery eyes and golden pupils and gazed into the clouds: it was the duty god of the day. He bounded up on his cloud and overtook him, cursing, "You scurvy spirit! Why not come and speak plainly, instead of changing shape to cheat me?" The duty god made haste to bow and beg pardon. Wukong drove the duty god away and said to himself that only by scouting out the truth could he learn whether the demons were truly to be feared; better send Bajie to find out. Then, afraid that the Tang Monk would shield the fool, he put on a long, mournful face, brought his cloud down, and hurried to his master. At the sight of him Bajie at once clamoured to divide the baggage and part company. The Tang Monk rebuked him for talking nonsense, but Bajie said, "Our eldest brother is a hero who fears neither heaven nor earth. Now here he is with tears in his eyes; the demons must be so fierce that he can do nothing against them." The Tang Monk hastened to ask Wukong what the matter was. Wukong told him what the duty god had said, and added that they were few and weak and had best not go forward. The Tang Monk said, "We have already come more than half the road to fetch the scriptures; how can we turn back? Bajie and Sandy are yours to command. If you work with one heart, you will surely beat the demons." This was exactly what Wukong had in mind. He asked Bajie whether he would tend their master or patrol the mountain. Bajie asked what the difference was. Wukong said, "Tending our master means waiting on him when he relieves himself, supporting him when he walks, and begging food when he takes his vegetarian meal. Patrolling the mountain means going in to find out how many demons there are, and what mountain and what cave they hold." Bajie said, "Then Old Pig had better go and patrol the mountain." He tied up his clothes, shouldered his rake, and strode into the mountains, proud and high of heart. Wukong could not help chuckling. The Tang Monk asked, "What are you laughing at?" Wukong said, "Bajie will neither patrol the mountain nor dare face a demon. Most likely he will find a spot for a nap, then come back and spin us a lie." The Tang Monk did not believe it, and told Wukong to follow and see. Wukong agreed and trailed after Bajie. Once on the mountain he shook himself and turned into a tiny cicada, caught up with Bajie, and settled behind his ear to watch unseen. After seven or eight li Bajie was still grumbling and muttering to himself. He flung down his rake, found a nest of grass, crawled head first into it, and fell fast asleep with his head covered. Wukong heard it all plainly. Unable to contain himself, he flew out, turned himself into a woodpecker, and pecked hard at Bajie's pig snout. Bajie scrambled up in a fright, bawling, "A demon has stabbed me with a spear!" He looked up and saw nothing but a woodpecker. Glowering at it he growled, "So you would bully me too!" Then he tucked his snout into his clothes and lay down to sleep again. Wukong flew over and pecked him once more behind the ear. The pain made Bajie leap to his feet, and he swore through clenched teeth, "Have I gone and slept in the nest where you hatch your eggs? Why will you not leave me be? Enough, I shall sleep no more!" He picked up his rake and walked on. Wukong laughed to himself, became the tiny cicada again and settled behind his ear. After another four or five li Bajie saw three great blue rocks ahead and made straight for them.

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