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19 The Kingdom of Chechi

The monks, who had seen from a distance that Wukong had killed the two Daoists, all came running to reproach him. Wukong said with a laugh, "I am the very Great Sage, Equal of Heaven, who has come to deliver you, the disciple of the holy monk of Great Tang, Sun Wukong!" The monks said, "We know that Great Sage, Equal of Heaven; the planet Venus speaks of him often in our dreams, but he does not look as you do." Wukong laughed aloud and at once showed his true form, then asked the monks again, "Do I look like him now?" The moment the monks saw that it was indeed the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven, they all fell to the ground and bowed. Wukong used his magic power to smash the carts to pieces, and hurled the bricks, tiles and adobe down the hillside. Then he told the monks to scatter, saying that once he had seen the king on the morrow he would destroy those devilish Daoists. But the monks feared the wanted notices and dared not go. Wukong pulled a handful of hairs and shared them out among the monks, telling them, "Grip these hairs in your hands and go where you will. If anyone seizes you, no matter where you are, you have only to cry out 'Great Sage, Equal of Heaven,' and I will come at once to protect you and keep you safe." The monks were half in doubt; one of them ventured to call out "Great Sage, Equal of Heaven," and in an instant a Sun Wukong stood before him. It answered every time they tried it, and only then did the monks scatter, rejoicing. Meanwhile the Tang Monk, seeing that Wukong had not come back for a long while, told Bajie to lead the horse to the outskirts of the city. When Wukong saw his Master he brought over a dozen monks who had not yet dispersed to pay their respects, and then told his Master the whole matter in detail. Seeing how greatly startled the Tang Monk was, the monks said further, "In our city there is a Zhiyuan Temple built by the late king, which has never been destroyed. Your reverence may lodge there for the present." The Tang Monk nodded and went with them. The people in the streets, seeing monks go about so boldly, were frightened and hurried out of their way. The Tang Monk settled himself in the Zhiyuan Temple. At the second watch the sound of pipes and drums came from beyond the temple wall, and Wukong sprang up into mid-air to look. He saw bright lamps and candles to the due south: it was the Daoists of the Three Pure Ones temple performing a rite to seek the Dao and avert calamity. On the platform sat three aged Daoists in robes of ceremony, and below them some seven or eight hundred disciples beating drums and striking bells. Wukong judged that these must be the three demon immortals Tiger-Strength, Deer-Strength and Goat-Strength, and thought to make sport of them. He went back into the temple, roused Bajie and Sandy, and coaxed them, saying, "The Daoists of the Three Pure Ones temple are performing a rite to seek the Dao and avert calamity, and on the altar are many fresh fruits and rare delicacies. Let us go and enjoy them together." The three of them swiftly leapt upon a cloud and came to the Three Pure Ones temple. Wukong muttered a spell and blew out one breath, and at once a fierce gale arose, blowing flat every vase and candlestand in the temple and all that hung upon the four walls. The Daoists were terrified, and the Tiger-Strength Immortal ordered his disciples to disperse for the time being. When no one was left, the three brought their cloud down into the hall of the Three Pure Ones, and Wukong asked Bajie what Bodhisattvas sat up there. Bajie said with a laugh, "Those are the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the Lord of Numinous Treasure, and Taishang Laojun." Wukong said with a laugh, "We must all take on such shapes before we can eat in peace!" With that the three jumped up onto the high platform and pushed the statues of the Three Pure Ones down from their seats. Wukong turned himself into the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning, Bajie into Taishang Laojun, and Sandy into the Lord of Numinous Treasure. The three seated themselves, and Bajie snatched a steamed bun and began to eat, but Wukong stopped him, saying, "You fool, go and hide the images of the Three Pure Ones first and then come back to enjoy yourself; would that not set your mind at rest?" Bajie pouted, but had to carry the statues out of the hall one by one.

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