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20 The River That Reaches Heaven

Wukong said, "Old men, don't worry. Air out our travel documents for us and feed the white horse. Wait while my brothers and I rescue our Master and eliminate the demon, so that we may remove this threat for all the people of your village." The Chen elders were overjoyed to hear this and quickly ordered a vegetarian meal to be prepared. The three brothers ate their fill and came again to the Tongtian River. Wukong said to Bajie and Sandy, "Old Sun is not good in water. You two go down first and scout." When Bajie heard this, he thought, "This monkey has tricked me so many times; only now do I learn he cannot swim. Let Old Pig have some fun with him!" So he said with a grin, "Elder Brother Monkey, I'll carry you into the water." Wukong guessed Bajie's intention and decided to play along, saying, "Very well!" Bajie carried Wukong on his back and, together with Sandy, parted the waters and entered the Tongtian River. They traveled over a hundred li underwater. To guard against Bajie's tricks, Wukong plucked a hair and changed it into a false body, which lay on Bajie's back, while his true body changed into a pig louse and clung inside Bajie's ear. After traveling several more li, Bajie deliberately stumbled and flung Wukong forward, sending him tumbling with a splash. The false body, being made of a hair, floated away and vanished without a trace. Sandy complained, "Second Brother, you were not walking properly; where have you dropped Elder Brother?" Bajie said, "Monkeys can stand a fall. Don't bother about him; you and I will go find our Master." Sandy said, "No good. Elder Brother is more capable than we are. If he does not come, I will not go with you." Wukong could not help shouting from inside Bajie's ear, "Brother Sha, Old Sun is here!" Sandy laughed and said, "Now we hear the voice but see no person. What are we to do?" Bajie was so frightened that he knelt in the mud and kowtowed, saying, "Elder Brother Monkey, it is my fault. Please show yourself; I will never dare to offend you again." Wukong said, "You are still carrying me. I won't tease you. Hurry along!" Bajie muttered incessantly and kept apologizing; then he got up and continued with Sandy. After traveling another hundred li or so, they looked up and saw a tower with four large characters reading "The Turtle's Underwater Residence." Sandy said, "This must be the demon's dwelling, but we do not know what lies within." Wukong asked, "Brother Sha, is there water inside?" Sandy said, "There is none." Wukong said, "Since there is no water, let Old Sun go in and investigate." With that he transformed into a long-legged shrimp hag. Wukong hopped a few times and jumped inside the gate. Looking around, he saw the demon seated above, the spotted fish hag sitting on one side, and the water creatures lined up on both sides, discussing how to eat the Tang Monk. Wukong could not find the Tang Monk. Suddenly he saw a big-bellied shrimp hag coming from the southwest; he hopped over and asked, "Why don't I see the Tang Monk?" The shrimp hag answered casually, "He is locked in a stone chest behind the palace." Wukong went behind the palace and indeed saw a stone chest six feet long. He leaned over it and heard the Tang Monk weeping inside. Unable to restrain himself, Wukong called out, "Master, don't worry; we will capture the demon right away and rescue you!" The Tang Monk said, "Hurry! If I stay one more day, I shall be suffocated!" Wukong jumped outside the gate, resumed his original form, and said to Bajie and Sandy, "It was this demon who captured our Master. Old Sun will go to the surface first; you two go and challenge him. If you cannot win, lure him out of the water, and I will strike him." Wukong made the water-avoiding spell and went to the bank. Meanwhile Sandy and Bajie rushed to the gate and shouted loudly, "Demon, send our Master out!" The lesser demons panicked and ran inside to report.

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