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20 The River That Reaches Heaven

Guanyin recited a spell and lifted the bamboo basket. Inside was a gleaming golden fish, still blinking and moving its scales. Guanyin said, "Wukong, quickly go down into the water and rescue your Master." Wukong said, "We have not yet captured the demon; how can I rescue my Master?" Guanyin pointed at the golden fish in the basket and said, "This is the demon. Listen while I tell you the story..." "This demon was originally a golden fish raised in my lotus pond. Every day it floated to the surface to listen to the scriptures and gained powers. It refined an unopened lotus flower into a nine-petal copper hammer and, taking advantage of the rising tide, came here." "This morning I leaned on the railing to look at the flowers but did not see this fellow come to pay its respects. I calculated with my fingers and learned that it was here harming your Master. Therefore, without dressing or combing my hair, I wove this bamboo basket to capture it." When Wukong heard this, he said, "In that case, please wait a moment, Bodhisattva. I will call the people of Chen Village and explain that the demon has been captured, so that they may be at ease." Guanyin said, "Very well; go quickly and call them." Bajie and Sandy ran to the village and shouted, "Come and see the living Guanyin Bodhisattva!" All the old and young, men and women of the village ran to the riverbank, heedless of the mud and water, and knelt to kowtow and worship. Among them was one skilled at drawing who recorded the Bodhisattva's image, and so the popular image of Fish-Basket Guanyin came to be. After Guanyin left, Bajie and Sandy parted the waters and entered the water palace. They saw that the water monsters and fish spirits inside had all died and rotted. The two went to the rear palace, lifted the stone chest, and rescued the Tang Monk. The two carried the Tang Monk ashore, and the Chen brothers came to greet them. Wukong said, "Old Chen, quickly find a boat to ferry us across the river." Chen Cheng said, "Yes! Yes!" and ordered people to build a boat. When the villagers heard this, they all vied to contribute money and labor. While the crowd was clamoring by the river, suddenly an enormous old turtle emerged from the water and cried, "Great Sage Sun, there is no need to build a boat. I will carry your master and disciples across the river." When the villagers heard this, they were all frightened, and the timid ones ran home. Wukong brandished his iron staff and shouted, "Wicked beast, come closer again and I will kill you with one blow!" The old turtle explained, "Great Sage, you do not know: the water palace at the bottom of the river was my ancestral home, usurped by that demon. Thanks to your inviting the Bodhisattva, the demon has been taken away and the residence restored to me. I have come especially to repay your kindness." Wukong was secretly pleased to hear this. He put away his iron staff and said, "Come up." The old turtle then drew near the bank, gave a leap, and climbed onto the river cliff. The crowd came closer to look; its shell was four zhang across. Wukong said, "Master, if we stand on its back, we can cross the river." The master and disciples bade farewell to the people of Chen Village, climbed onto the turtle's shell, and the old turtle pushed off with its four legs and walked on the water's surface. In a single day the old turtle crossed the eight hundred li of the Tongtian River. When the Tang Monk stepped onto the western bank, the old turtle said, "Master, I have heard that the Buddha knows the future. I have cultivated myself for more than a thousand years, yet I find it hard to shed my shell. I beg you, Master, to ask the Buddha on my behalf when I may cultivate a human body." The Tang Monk promised, saying, "When I have asked clearly, I will tell you on our return." The old turtle thanked him and dived back into the water. Wukong helped the Tang Monk mount his horse, and the master and disciples found the main road and went straight west. To know what follows, please see the next volume: The Golden Grotto.

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