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24 The Flaming Mountain

The Bull Demon King grew desperate. He rolled on the spot, resumed human form, and fled back to the Palm-Leaf Cave. The gods followed in close pursuit. The Bull Demon King fled back to the Palm-Leaf Cave, spat out the fan, and handed it to Princess Iron Fan. The princess took the fan, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Your Majesty, give the fan to that monkey and tell him to withdraw his troops." The Bull Demon King said, "My wife, though the object is small, the grudge runs deep. Stay here in peace—I will go fight again." The Bull Demon King donned his armor afresh, sword in hand, walked out of the cave, and met Wukong and Bajie face to face. The Bull Demon King spoke no word but swung his sword to strike. After more than fifty rounds the Bull Demon King could no longer hold his ground. He cut a path of blood and fled into the air, but Li Jing and Nezha blocked his way. Desperate, the Bull Demon King turned back into the white bull, lowered his two iron horns, and charged straight at them. Nezha shouted, "Transform!" He became three-headed and six-armed, leaped onto the Bull Demon King's back, hung his wind-and-fire wheels on the bull's horns, and breathed forth true fire. The Bull Demon King was burned so badly that he roared with open mouth, shook his head and lashed his tail, trying to change form and escape. But the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King fixed his mirror of demon-revelation on his true shape, leaving him unable to move or flee. Seeing the Bull Demon King's life hanging by a thread, Princess Iron Fan arrived, held the palm-leaf fan with both hands, knelt and begged for mercy, saying, "Please spare my husband's life—I willingly give the precious fan to Uncle Sun!" Wukong stepped forward and accepted the precious fan. Li Jing and Nezha, seeing the matter settled, led the white bull away, bade farewell, and withdrew their troops. Wukong, palm-leaf fan in hand, came to the edge of the Flaming Mountains and waved it with all his might. The flames on the mountain subsided at once. A second wave brought a gentle breeze; a third covered the sky with dark clouds. Fearing the flames might rekindle, Wukong waved the fan forty-nine times in succession. The sky poured down torrential rain, finally extinguishing the root of the fire. The people round about were overjoyed and stood in the rain cheering. True to his word, Wukong returned the palm-leaf fan to Princess Iron Fan. The master and disciples continued westward. All along the way their bodies were cool and the ground beneath their feet moist. To learn what happens next, please read the next volume: "The Kingdom of Jisai."

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