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25 The Kingdom of Jisai

The Dragon King pulled himself together and led his dragon sons and grandsons, spears and blades in hand, to surround and attack Bajie. Seeing how things stood, Bajie made a feint with his rake, turned and ran. The Dragon King led the pursuit, and in an instant they were out of the water. Wukong had been waiting on the bank. When he saw the Dragon King come out of the water in pursuit of Bajie, he leapt into the air, trod the cloud and mist, whirled up his iron club and shouted, "Stay where you are!" A single blow dashed the Dragon King's head to pulp, and his sons and grandsons fled for their lives. The Nine-Headed Son-in-Law gathered up the dragon's body and went back to the Dragon Palace. Wukong and Bajie did not pursue him; they returned to the bank to discuss what should be done. Wukong said, "Bajie, go down into the water again and fight; we must get the treasure out." But Bajie excused himself, saying the day was late and he had no heart to go down again. As they were talking, they saw a great wind rolling toward them in the distance. Looking closely, they saw that it was the God Erlang, Yang Jian, returning from the hunt with the six brothers of Mount Mei, falcons on their wrists and hounds at heel, foxes and hares slung from their poles and deer borne on their shoulders, passing close by. Wukong said, "Bajie, those are the Seven Sages. If we ask them to help us fight, we are sure to succeed. But when I wrought havoc in the heavenly palace years ago, it was Yang Jian who captured me, and I am ashamed to face him. Go and greet them first." Bajie swiftly mounted his cloud, barred the way of Erlang and his company and called aloud, "Hold, True Lord! An old friend wishes to see you." Erlang and his brothers halted and returned Bajie's greeting, saying, "Marshal Tianpeng, long has it been since last we met." Bajie went on, "The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven, is waiting on the mountain." At this Erlang hurried with his six brothers up the mountain. The six brothers went ahead, calling, "Brother Sun Wukong, long time no see!" Wukong came forward and exchanged greetings with each of them in turn. Erlang greeted Wukong with special warmth and took him by the hand. "Great Sage," he said, "you have come through your great calamity and taken the vows of a monk. This is truly cause for rejoicing!" Wukong said with feeling, "Though I escaped my doom and now journey west, I do not yet know how it will end." Then he told of the great battle with the Nine-Headed Son-in-Law and asked Erlang for help. Erlang agreed at once. "Great Sage, that you should seek me out today shows you have not forgotten an old friend. How could I refuse?" said he. The six brothers urged, "Do not be in such haste, elder brother. Brother Sun and Tianpeng are honored guests; let us light a fire here and drink the night away. What say you?" Erlang said with great pleasure, "Well said, my good brothers!" The brothers set about making ready at once. Wukong said, "I am grateful for your kindness, but I am a monk now and may not touch meat." Erlang said, "No matter; there are vegetarian fruits, and the wine is vegetarian too." So they all gathered beneath the starlight and the moon, with the sky for a canopy and the earth for a mat, and raised their cups to talk of old times. Short is the night of pleasure; in a trice the east grew white. Bajie, warm with wine, rose to his feet and said, "Day is about to break. Let Old Pig go down into the water and challenge them." Erlang said, "Take care, Tianpeng. You need only draw the demon out, and we brothers will strike." Bajie grinned. "I understand!" He straightened his clothes, used the water-parting spell and plunged into the water. With a great shout he fought his way into the Dragon Palace. The dragon prince was at that moment in mourning dress, weeping bitterly beside the Dragon King's body. Bajie rushed forward, and with one swing of his rake bored nine holes in the prince's head. The dragon woman screamed in terror, "The long-snouted monk has killed my son!" The son-in-law flew into a mighty rage, fetched his crescent-moon shovel from within and led the dragon grandsons against Bajie. Bajie fought as he retreated and sprang out of the water.

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