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27 Seven Wonders Mountain

They stepped outside and looked, and there were Wukong and Bajie dragging a great python behind them, shouting as they came. The villagers were overjoyed beyond hope; men and women, old and young, all came to kneel and bow, saying, "This is the very demon that killed our people. Now that you, lord, have destroyed it, we may live in peace!" The people could not thank them enough and kept master and disciples for several days before they would let them go. On the day they took their leave, the whole village came to see them off with provisions and fruit, with mules and horses loaded down and red and colored banners flying - a fine bustle indeed. Merrily they went on until they came to the mouth of the Persimmon Alley on Mount Seven-Jue. The Tang Monk smelled the stench and saw that the road was choked, and asked, "Wukong, how are we to get through here?" Holding his nose, Wukong said, "Now this is difficult indeed." When the Tang Monk heard even Wukong say so, he could not help shedding tears. Old Man Li and the others stepped forward and said, "Do not be distressed, lord. Your worthy disciples destroyed the demon for us, and we are grateful in our hearts. We have all talked it over, and we are willing to cut another good road to send you on your way." Wukong said with a laugh, "This mountain road runs eight hundred li, and you are no magic soldiers of Yu the Great - how would you go about cutting through a mountain? Better bring plenty of food, let that long-snouted monk eat his fill, turn into a great pig, and root out the old road. That will settle it." Bajie said when he heard this, "Brother Monkey, you are all after an easy time of it - why pick on old Pig to clear the stink?" The Tang Monk said, "Bajie, if you have the ability to root open the Persimmon Alley, I shall count it your chief merit." Bajie was highly pleased and said with a laugh, "Master, and you gentlemen, my benefactors, if it is a matter of growing large, old Pig is quite at home in that. But I must be full first, or I cannot work." The people answered as one, and brought out the fruit, baked cakes and steamed buns they had brought for the send-off, and piled them all together. Bajie was delighted. He took off his clothes, threw down his nine-toothed rake, and cried, "Do not laugh at me, friends." Then he formed the spell, shook himself, and changed into a great pig as big as a small mountain. All who saw it marveled without end. Bajie ate up all the food in great mouthfuls, then went forward to root at the Persimmon Alley. As he rooted out the road ahead, the people, fearing he would go hungry, took turns carrying grain to feed him. In a few days' work, a great road was rooted open through the eight hundred li of the Persimmon Alley. The Tang Monk and his disciples thanked everyone for their hospitality and took the road westward. The people were loath to part with them and escorted them a long, long way.

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