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26 The Lesser Thunder Monastery

Bajie muttered a spell, bent his waist, and shouted, "Grow!" His body swelled to twenty zhang tall. He shook his rake, and its handle stretched to thirty zhang. Striding forward with both hands wielding the rake, he swept the thorns aside left and right, crying, "Follow me, Master!" The Tang Monk was overjoyed and spurred his horse after him. Wukong and Sandy followed behind. They traveled some hundred-odd li when evening drew near, and they came upon an open space. In the middle of the road stood a stone tablet bearing three large characters, "Thorn Ridge," beneath which were fourteen smaller characters in two lines: "Thorn vines climb for eight hundred li; since ancient times the path has seen few travelers." Bajie saw it and laughed, "Let Old Pig add two more lines to that." Master and disciples pressed on without rest for another day and night until dusk fell once more. Ahead grew thickets dense as wool; they heard wind rustling through bamboo and pines sighing. Presently there was another clearing, and in its midst stood an old temple. Beyond its gate, pines and cypress stood deep green, peach and plum vied in beauty, wild vines swayed with bamboo, and birds sang their lingering notes. Wukong looked about and said, "This place bodes ill rather than good — we should not linger here." Sandy said, "Elder brother, you are mistaken to be suspicious. In this desolate place without a soul, and with no monsters or evil birds about, what is there to fear?" As they spoke, a sudden chill wind blew up, and from behind the temple gate stepped an old man wearing a cornered cap and plain robes, holding a staff and straw sandals. Behind him followed a blue-faced, fanged, red-bearded naked demon-servant balancing a plate of steamed cakes on his head. The old man knelt and said, "I am the local earth god of Thorn Ridge. Knowing that the Great Sage has come here, I have prepared a plate of steamed cakes as a humble offering — pray eat them to satisfy your hunger." Bajie was delighted and stepped forward to take the cakes. But Wukong had studied the man for some time and shouted, "Hold! What sort of earth god are you, coming to deceive Old Sun? Take this!" So saying, he raised his rod and struck. The old man spun about and transformed into a gust of chill wind. With a whoosh he snatched up the Tang Monk and carried him off, floating and drifting, none knew whither. Wukong was frantic, unable to find any trace. Bajie and Sandy looked at each other in dismay, and even the White Dragon Horse neighed in fright. Now the old man and his demon-servant carried the Tang Monk to a misty stone cottage, set him down gently, and took his hand to support him, saying, "Holy Monk, do not fear. I am Eighteen-Gentleman of Thorn Ridge. I have specially invited you here to meet friends, discuss poetry, and while away the time." The Tang Monk opened his eyes and looked carefully about. Where he found himself, misty clouds drifted, emerald cranes perched amid verdant rocks — it seemed a pure fairyland. Presently he heard voices speaking together: "Eighteen-Gentleman has brought the Holy Monk!" Three old men appeared: the first frosty and dignified, the second with luxuriant green hair, the third hollow-hearted and dark-green in hue. All came forward to bow to the Tang Monk. The Tang Monk returned their courtesies and asked each elder's name. Eighteen-Gentleman introduced them one by one: "The frosty one is called Solitary-Upright Lord, the green-haired one is called Sky-Reaching Lord, the hollow-hearted one is called Cloud-Sweeping Old Man." Finally he added, "I myself am called Firm-Joint." The Tang Monk said, "What virtue have I, that I should receive such favor from you immortal elders?" Eighteen-Gentleman laughed, "We have long heard that the Holy Monk possesses the Way. Now that we have the good fortune to meet, if you would deign to share your precious words while seated at ease, we may perceive the true lineage of Zen." Thereupon the Tang Monk expounded scripture and the Dharma to the four immortals. The four elders listened attentively, filled with boundless joy, and one by one bowed their heads in devotion. After some idle talk, Cloud-Sweeping Old Man invited everyone into the Wood-Immortal Hermitage to rest awhile. Seats were arranged, and the red-skinned demon-servant brought a plate of poria jelly and five cups of fragrant soup. The four elders invited the Tang Monk to eat first, but he was wary and dared not partake. Only when all four ate together did the Tang Monk take two pieces, and then each drank the fragrant soup before it was taken away. The Tang Monk's spirits lifted, and he could not help reciting a line: "The Zen mind is like the moon, far removed from dust." The four elders' poetic inspiration surged, and each contributed a line in turn, finally asking the Tang Monk to conclude the verse. Unable to refuse, he continued: "Half a pillow of pine-wind, the tea not yet brewed; a carefree heart, a bosom full of spring." The four elders praised it without cease. As they talked, outside the stone cottage appeared two maids in green clothes carrying crimson lanterns, leading a fairy maiden. She had a ruddy face and graceful form, starry eyes and moth-like brows; she wore a light robe above and a five-colored skirt below, holding a spray of apricot blossoms in her hand. Smiling, she entered to greet them. The four elders rose slightly and asked, "Where does the Apricot Fairy come from?" The maiden made a curtsey and replied, "Learning that an honored guest is here, I have come especially to visit." Eighteen-Gentleman introduced the Apricot Fairy to the Tang Monk. Then she ordered two maids in yellow to serve tea: first to the Tang Monk, next to the four elders, and lastly she poured for herself and sat with them.

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