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24 The Flaming Mountain

Wukong stretched his head forward and laughed, "As long as you will lend the fan, sister-in-law, strike as many times as you like—it makes no difference!" Without another word Princess Iron Fan raised both swords and hacked at Wukong's head with a clatter of blows, more than ten strokes in all. When they looked again at Wukong, not a hair on him was harmed. Princess Iron Fan grew afraid, cried out, "I do not lend my treasure lightly!" and turned to flee. Wukong shouted, "Since you will not lend it, taste Old Sun's rod!" He drew his golden-hooped rod and gave chase. Princess Iron Fan raised her swords to meet him, and the two fought before the mountain. They fought until evening. Unable to overcome Wukong, Princess Iron Fan took out the palm-leaf fan and waved it fiercely. A sudden gale sprang up and swept Wukong into the sky. Princess Iron Fan returned to the cave in triumph. But Wukong drifted like a leaf all night long, and only at daybreak did he land on a mountain fifty thousand li away. Wukong clasped a peak-rock with both hands and looked carefully around—he realized he had reached Mount Sumeru. He sighed deeply, "What a formidable woman." Remembering that the Bodhisattva Lingji dwelt here, he decided to go down the mountain and seek him out. Wukong went down the slope and met the Bodhisattva Lingji. He told the story of borrowing the fan. The Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Great Sage, be at ease. I will give you a wind-fixing pill—that fan shall never move you again." He took out the pill and sewed it into Wukong's collar. Wukong was overjoyed. He thanked the Bodhisattva Lingji, mounted his somersault cloud, and returned to Mount Cuiyun. Outside the Palm-Leaf Cave he shouted loudly, "Open up, open up! Old Sun has come again to borrow the fan!" The serving girl rushed inside to report. When Princess Iron Fan heard the report, her heart gave a start: That monkey truly has skill—I sent him flying tens of thousands of li, yet here he is back so soon! This time I will wave the fan many more times and make him lose his way home. Thinking thus, she picked up her sword and walked out of the cave. Wukong said with a smile, "Do not be stingy, sister-in-lend me the palm-leaf fan for a while, and I will return it when I am done." Princess Iron Fan cursed, "Dream on! Taste my fan!" Princess Iron Fan took the fan in hand and waved it at Wukong. To her surprise he stood firm as a rock, chuckling, "This time is different from last. Wave it however you like—if Old Sun moves even an inch, I am no true hero!" The princess waved twice more, yet Wukong still did not stir. Princess Iron Fan panicked. She put away the fan, turned, fled back into the cave, and firmly shut the great door. Seeing that the princess would not come out, Wukong shook himself and turned into a tiny flying insect. He slipped through the crack of the door. Inside he saw Princess Iron Fan sitting and calling out, "Thirsty! Thirsty! Bring tea at once!" The serving girl brought a pot of fragrant tea and filled a bowl to the brim. Seizing the opportunity, Wukong flew beneath the foam of the tea. Princess Iron Fan was parched with thirst. She took the bowl, did not even look at it, and drank it down in two or three gulps.

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