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15 Lotus Cave

Wukong found the golden rope and hid it in his sleeve, then turned himself into the old she-demon and sat back in the chair. He plucked a few more hairs to make Mountain Tiger, Sea Dragon and the two bearers, and with much shouting and bawling came at last to Lotus-Flower Cave. When word came to the two demon chiefs they set out an incense table to welcome her. Wukong stepped from the chair and, supported by the two demons, went mincing into the main hall and seated himself on the stone chair. Then both demon chiefs dropped to their knees and kowtowed before him. Bajie, hanging from a beam in the cave, caught sight of the old demon and suddenly roared with laughter. Sandy asked him why. Bajie said, "It is that Bimawen arrived. Behind the old lady's rump there sticks up a monkey's tail. I am hanging high, so I can see it clearly." Wukong heard Bajie laughing and asked the two demons, "Why have my sons invited me here?" Golden Horn said, "This morning we caught the Tang Monk from the east, and we beg our mother to come and eat of him and lengthen her life." Wukong said, "I care nothing for the Tang Monk's flesh, but I hear that Bajie's ears are very fine; cut them off to go with my wine." Bajie was terrified. The two demons were about to order their underlings to begin when several patrol demons came rushing in, stammering in their panic, "Your Majesties, terrible news! The old lady has been beaten to death on the road!" At these words the Silver-Horned King drew his seven-star sword and slashed at Wukong. Wukong resumed his true form, gave himself a shake, and shot out of the cave in a beam of red light. Seeing how great Wukong's powers were, the Golden-Horned King said in fear, "Brother, let us give the Tang Monk back to Sun Wukong and close this gate of trouble." But the Silver-Horned King said, "Let me fight him three rounds first. If he is beaten, the Tang Monk is still ours to eat; if I cannot win, it will be time enough to hand him over then." He buckled on his armour and went out of the cave to meet the foe. The Silver-Horned King and Wukong leapt into the air and fought back and forth for more than thirty rounds without either winning. Wukong thought to himself that he had already won three of the treasures, so why go on fighting? He pulled out the golden rope and flung it up, and with a swish it looped itself round the demon chief. The Silver-Horned King saw that it was his own treasure, and quickly recited the rope-loosening spell to free himself, then threw the rope at Wukong. Wukong was tightly bound, and was about to use his shrinking art when the Silver-Horned King recited the rope-tightening spell and trussed him up fast. The Silver-Horned King led Wukong into the cave and searched him, taking out the gourd and the vase. The Golden-Horned King was overjoyed, and they went into the inner hall to drink a cup in celebration. At the sight of it Bajie roared with laughter. "Brother, it seems those ears will not be eaten after all!" Wukong saw that the two demons were drinking and that the guards were growing careless. He took out his golden-hooped rod and turned it into a steel file, and in three or four strokes filed through the golden rope. Then he plucked a hair to make a counterfeit body to stay tied there, while his true self turned into a lesser demon and walked into the inner hall. Wukong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, that Sun Wukong keeps rubbing himself against the pillar; I fear he will fray the golden rope. Better change it for a stout rope." The Golden-Horned King unbuckled the lion-ornamented girdle at his waist and handed it over. Wukong bound the false Wukong with the girdle, slipped the real rope into his sleeve, conjured a counterfeit rope, and gave it back to the Golden-Horned King. With the treasures in his hands, Wukong whirled round and leapt out of the gate, resumed his true form, and shouted to the demons on guard, "Hurry in and tell your wretch of a demon that Zhe Xingsun has come!" The lesser demons ran in to report. The Golden-Horned King said in alarm, "We have caught Sun Wukong, so how comes another Zhe Xingsun?" The Silver-Horned King said, "Do not be afraid, brother; let me bottle him with the gourd." The Silver-Horned King walked out of the cave and saw a man of the very same looks as Sun Wukong, only a little shorter. "Who are you?" he shouted. Wukong said, "I am Zhe Xingsun, brother to Sun Wukong. I hear you have seized my brother, and have come to avenge him."

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