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17 Fire Cloud Cave

Flames sprang from both of Red Boy's eyes, and thick smoke burst from his nose. He struck two more blows, recited a spell, and fire shot from his mouth; flames also poured from the five carts, and in an instant outside the Fiery Cloud Cave fierce flames soared. Bajie panicked and cried, "This is bad; this demon is going to roast Old Pig for a feast!" He no longer cared about Wukong and fled alone. Wukong formed the fire-avoiding seal and rushed into the flames, but thick smoke billowed and he could see nothing, so he withdrew and leaped out. When Red Boy saw Wukong leave, he put away his fire gear and led the demons back to the cave to celebrate. Wukong returned to the pine forest and reproached Bajie, "You fool, you saw the fire and ran for your life, leaving old Sun behind!" Bajie laughed, "Brother Monkey, that demon does not recognize kin and even released such ruthless fire; what were we waiting for if not to flee?" Sandy said, "In your younger brother's opinion, since Red Boy's demon fire is fierce, we should use the principle of mutual overcoming to capture him." Wukong nodded and said, "I will go to the Eastern Sea to borrow dragon soldiers and fetch some water to extinguish his demon fire." Wukong arrived at the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and explained his purpose. The Eastern Sea Dragon King Aoguang was very obliging; he immediately beat drums and struck bells, summoning the Southern Sea, Northern Sea, and Western Sea Dragon Kings, then assembled the water creatures and went with Wukong to subdue the demon. Wukong led the dragon soldiers and soon arrived above Mount Hao and the Withered-Pine Ravine. He instructed the dragon kings, "You wait in the air for now and do not show yourselves. When he starts the fire, listen for my call and all spray rain together." The dragon kings received the order. Wukong came before the Fiery Cloud Cave, called Red Boy out, and the two, unable to agree, began fighting again. They fought several tens of rounds. Seeing he could not win, Red Boy leaped aside, struck his nose twice, and spewed fire. Wukong turned his head and shouted, "Dragon kings, where are you?" The dragon king brothers heard him and poured a torrential rain onto Red Boy's fierce flames. The rain fell harder and harder but could not stop the fire; instead, the more it was splashed, the fiercer it blazed. It turned out the dragon kings' private rain could only extinguish ordinary fire and could do nothing against the demon's true Samadhi fire. Wukong became fierce, plunged into the fire, and swung his club at Red Boy. Red Boy sprayed a mouthful of thick smoke right in his face; Wukong could not dodge in time and was fumed until tears fell like rain. Red Boy sprayed another mouthful; Wukong could not withstand it and rode his cloud away. Red Boy put away his fire gear and returned to the cave. Wukong was covered in fire and smoke, unbearably hot, and leaped into the stream water. Unexpectedly, the cold water drove the fire inward, making the fire energy attack his heart; instantly his breath was blocked in his chest and he lost consciousness. Sandy saw this and hurriedly jumped into the water, churning waves, and carried Wukong ashore.

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