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18 Black Water River

As he spoke, an old man stepped out from a bend in the river and fell to his knees, calling, "The River God of the Black Water River bows before the Great Sage." Wukong frowned, "Are you not some river demon come to trick me?" The old man, with tears in his eyes, said, "I am indeed the true god of this river. Hear me from the beginning the tale of this monster —" "Last year, in the fifth month, the monster came here from the Western Sea and fell to fighting with me." "I am old and frail; I could not stand against him. He seized my palace, the Palace of the Black Water River God in Hengyang Valley, and wounded many of my water folk." "In my helplessness I went to the sea to lodge a complaint against him. But the Dragon King of the Western Sea is the creature's maternal uncle, and instead of accepting my case he bade me hand over my palace to the fiend. I wished to appeal to the heavenly court, but my rank is too low to gain an audience with the Jade Emperor. Great Sage, I beg you to right my wrong!" Wukong, hearing all this, said, "If that is so, the Dragon King is also guilty. I shall go and settle the account with him." So saying, he mounted his somersault cloud and sped straight to the Western Sea. Wukong plunged into the sea, recited the water-repelling spell, and parted the waves as he went. But as he went, a black fish demon, clasping a letter case, darted up from below and collided full force with Wukong. Without a word, Wukong swung his iron rod and brought it down upon the demon's head, splitting it open. With a gurgle, the corpse bobbed up and floated to the surface. Wukong snatched the letter case and opened it. Inside was a single card of invitation, by which the monster of the Black Water River was inviting the Dragon King Ao Shun to come and eat the Tang Monk's flesh. Wukong laughed, "This fish demon has raced from the Black Water River all the way here, and ended up bringing Old Sun his evidence." He tucked the invitation safely away and pressed on. A sea-patrolling yaksha had already caught sight of Wukong, and hurried back to the Crystal Palace to report. The Dragon King Ao Shun, hearing the news, led out all the sea folk to welcome him at the gates, saying, "Great Sage, pray come into the palace and take tea." Wukong said with a cold smile, "Tea? No more tea for you. I am inviting you to a banquet instead!" He drew the invitation from his sleeve and tossed it to the Dragon King. The Dragon King, having read the card, was so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. He fell to his knees and explained, "Great Sage, forgive me! This is my younger sister's ninth son, the Tuolong. His parents both died, and he had nowhere to live, so I let him stay in the Black Water River to cultivate his nature. I never dreamed he would misbehave so as to offend the Great Sage." Wukong said angrily, "Enough talk. Send men at once to rescue my Master, or I shall report to the heavenly court and accuse you of conspiring with a demon to kidnap the living!" The Dragon King hastily summoned the crown prince Mo'ang, "Quickly muster five hundred sturdy shrimp and fish soldiers, and take the Tuolong into custody to answer for his crime." At the same time he ordered a banquet to be prepared, to make amends to Wukong. Wukong's heart was set on rescuing his Master. He waved his hand and said, "No need for the banquet." With Crown Prince Mo'ang he led the troops out of the Western Sea. When they reached the Black Water River, Crown Prince Mo'ang said, "Great Sage, pray go back to the bank and wait. I shall rescue your Master and bring him ashore." Wukong readily agreed, leapt from the water, and stood upon the eastern cliff where Sandy and the river god were waiting. He told them of the Dragon King's dispatching of troops. Sandy rejoiced, and they waited on the bank for their Master.

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