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22 The Kingdom of Western Liang

The old woman burst out laughing and ushered them into her hut, explaining, "This is the Women's Kingdom of Western Liang. Everyone in the land is a woman; there are no men. Your master drank water from the Mother-and-Child River. If he feels stomach pain, it means he has conceived and will bear a child. What good would hot water do?" At this the Tang Monk turned pale with shock. Bajie groaned, "We are men — where would a birth canal open?" Wukong laughed, "When the fruit is ripe it falls of itself. When the time comes, a cleft will split open under your ribs and the child will pop out." Bajie grew even more frantic and tugged at Wukong, saying, "Brother Monkey, look around for a gentle midwife or two and have them ready. I'm in terrible pain now — I'm afraid I'm about to give birth." The Tang Monk groaned and asked, "Granny, is there a doctor here? Let my disciple go and buy some abortifacient medicine." The old woman said, "Medicine would be of no use. Due south stands Jieyang Mountain, and on it is the Abortion Spring — only a sip of water from that spring can dissolve the fetal qi. But lately a Daoist has come who calls himself the Immortal Ruyi. He has built the Gathering-Immortals Nunnery, taken control of the Abortion Spring, and will not readily give any water away." Wukong laughed and said, "Rest easy, Master. Let old Sun go and fetch some spring water." With that he walked out of the hut, leaped onto a cloud, and sped away. Wukong arrived on Jieyang Mountain and saw the Gathering-Immortals Nunnery. As luck would have it, a Daoist stood before the gate. Wukong stepped forward to ask for water, and the Daoist smiled, "I am the head disciple of Lord True Immortal. This spring water is not given for nothing. Have you brought a gift for my master?" Wukong said, "I came in haste and brought no gift. Go inside and announce that Sun Wukong has arrived. Your master will surely show favor — he may even give me the whole well." Half believing, half doubting, the Daoist went inside to report. But when the True Immortal heard Wukong's name he flew into a rage. He drew a Ruyi hook, rushed out of the nunnery gate, and shouted, "Where is Sun Wukong?" Wukong laughed, "Old Sun is right here." The True Immortal asked, "Have you ever met the Holy Infant King?" Wukong said, "You mean Red Boy? Why do you ask about him?" The True Immortal said, "He is my nephew! A few days ago my elder brother, the Bull Demon King, wrote to say that my nephew had been harmed by Sun Wukong. I was looking everywhere to take revenge on you, and here you deliver yourself!" Wukong laughed, "Sir, you are mistaken. Your nephew now follows Guanyin the Bodhisattva and serves as the Boy of Good Wealth. You should be thanking me!" The True Immortal spat, "Bah! How can being another man's slave compare with being king at ease? I will chop you, monkey, into mincemeat and avenge my nephew!" He swung his Ruyi hook and struck down at Wukong's head. Wukong too grew angry. He wielded his golden-hooped rod as fast as a meteor and rained blows on his foe. After a dozen exchanges the True Immortal's strength failed him; he dragged his Ruyi hook behind him and fled up the mountain. Wukong did not pursue. He kicked open the nunnery door, burst inside, and when the Daoist tried to block him, Wukong shouted, raised his rod to strike, and the man fled in terror. Wukong found a bucket and went to the well curb to draw water. Unaware, the True Immortal crept back and hooked his Ruyi hook around Wukong's foot, sending him sprawling face-first in the dirt. Wukong flew into a rage. He leaped up, raised his rod to strike, and cursed, "Come here and I'll beat you to death, you wretch!" But the True Immortal dodged aside, refused to close for battle, and only shouted, "I shall guard this place — let us see how you take the water away!" Thus they were deadlocked for a long while. Wukong wanted to fetch water yet feared another attack from the Ruyi hook. He thought: I had better go and call for help. So he mounted his cloud, returned to the village cottage, and called out, "Brother Sandy, come out!"

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