Home > Journey to the West > 24-flaming-mountain

24 The Flaming Mountain

The Tang Monk and his disciples hurried westward; before they knew it, summer had passed and late autumn was upon them. Strangely, the farther they went, the hotter the air became. The Tang Monk reined in his horse and said, "It is already autumn, so why is there this heat? Wukong, go find a household and ask about it." By chance there was a manor by the roadside with an old man standing at its gate. Wukong straightened his clothes, put on a refined air, stepped forward and asked, "May I ask, venerable sir, what place is this? Why is it still so hot in autumn?" When the old man learned that the master and disciples were high monks from the Great Tang, he welcomed them warmly, invited them inside to sit, and explained, "Sixty li from here stands the Flaming Mountains. Eight hundred li of flame surround them; not a blade of grass grows there. In every season—spring, summer, autumn, or winter—the heat is unbearable." The Tang Monk asked, "Where are the Flaming Mountains? Do they block the road west?" The old man replied, "They lie exactly on the only route westward. Even one with a brain of copper and a body of iron would melt into juice there." At these words the Tang Monk turned pale with alarm. Wukong asked, "With such heat, how do you grow crops?" The old man said, "A thousand li to the southwest lies Mount Cuiyun, where the Palm-Leaf Cave is home to Princess Iron Fan. She possesses a palm-leaf fan: one wave extinguishes fire, a second summons wind, a third brings rain. We send her gifts and beg her to fan wind and bring rain so that we can seize the chance to plant our crops." Wukong laughed and said, "A small matter! I will go at once to beg for the palm-leaf fan, put out the flames of the Flaming Mountains, and let the people farm in peace." So saying, he walked into the courtyard, did a somersault, and soared into the sky. In an instant Wukong landed on Mount Cuiyun. He heard a chopping sound and looked toward it—a woodcutter was felling trees. Wukong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "May I ask, woodcutter—is there a Palm-Leaf Cave here where lives Princess Iron Fan?" The woodcutter answered, "Indeed. Princess Iron Fan is also called Iron-Fan Princess; she is the wife of the mighty Bull Demon King." Wukong secretly groaned: This is bad. Red Boy is the son of the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan. Today I have met his mother—how could she be willing to lend me the fan? With no choice he came to the entrance of the Palm-Leaf Cave and shouted, "Open up, open up!" The cave door opened and a serving girl came out. Wukong pressed his palms together and said, "Please tell Princess Iron Fan that I am a scripture-seeking monk passing through. My name is Sun Wukong. Because the Flaming Mountains block my way, I have come especially to borrow the palm-leaf fan." The girl went inside to report. When Princess Iron Fan heard the three words "Sun Wukong," she flew into a rage and cursed, "That damned monkey! I was just looking for him to take revenge, and now he delivers himself to my door!" She then ordered, "Girls, fetch my weapons!" Princess Iron Fan, fully armed and holding twin swords, walked out of the cave. Wukong bowed and said, "I greet you, sister-in-law." The princess snapped, "Who is your sister-in-law? Why did you harm my son?" Wukong smiled apologetically and said, "Your son has become the Boy of Wealth under the Bodhisattva's care. Instead of thanking me, sister-in-law, why do you blame me?" The princess said furiously, "Stop your quibbling! Though my son did not die, mother and child can never meet again!"

 2/9   Home Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Last