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32 The Bottomless Cave

The Tang Monk was about to sit and rest when nearby he heard a voice crying, "Help! Someone help me!" He was greatly startled. "Bless us," he said, "how should there be one calling for help in this forest? I must go and see." And he made his way toward the sound. When he drew near he saw that it was a woman of great beauty, bound fast to a large tree. The Tang Monk halted and asked, "Lady Bodhisattva, why are you tied here?" Weeping, the woman said, "Master, I live in the kingdom of Pinpo, two hundred li from here. At the Qingming festival I came out with my parents to sweep the graves, when a band of robbers seized me and carried me off. Their chief lusted after my beauty and would have made me his concubine, but I would sooner die than consent. In their fury they bound me to this tree and went away." The woman paused, then said, "Master, be merciful and spare my life." With that her tears fell like rain. The Tang Monk was tender-hearted beyond measure, and he too could not hold back his tears, but called out, "Disciples, come here at once!" Bajie and Sandy were hunting for fruit in the woods when they heard their master calling, and hastened to his side. The Tang Monk pointed up at the tree and told Bajie to untie the woman. Bajie agreed readily and stepped forward to set about it. Now Wukong, high in the air, saw a cloud of black vapour hanging over the forest and cried, "Bad business! Some demon means to do my master harm!" He brought his cloud down in haste, dropped to the ground, seized Bajie by the ear and flung him sprawling. Bajie scrambled up, bawling, "What did you throw me for?" Wukong snapped, "That woman is a demon; do not rescue her." The Tang Monk shouted, "Wild ape, you talk nonsense again! How could so pitiful a creature be a demon?" Wukong said, "Demons are full of guile. Does Master still remember the White Bone Lady of former days?" At this the Tang Monk half understood, and nodded. "In times past, when we met demons, Wukong was always in the right. Today I will listen to you." So master and disciples abandoned the woman and went on their way. The woman was indeed a demon in disguise. Seeing the Tang Monk go, she ground her teeth and said, "Long have I heard that the ape Sun has wonders without number, and now I see it is no lie. Let me call to the Tang Monk again and see what he will do." At this thought she sent a gust of wind to carry her words into the Tang Monk's ear: "Master, you see one about to die and will not save her; what manner of Buddha do you worship, and what scriptures do you seek?" The Tang Monk heard every word clearly and could bear it no longer. He reined in his horse and said, "Disciples, to save a life is better than raising a pagoda of seven storeys; let us rescue her after all." Wukong said coldly, "I dare not press you. Since Master is set on saving her, save her yourself." The Tang Monk said, "Wukong, no more words. If you will not go, then Bajie and I will save her." So they went back into the forest, and he had Bajie untie the cords from the woman's body. The woman smoothed her gown and followed the Tang Monk happily out of the pine wood, where she was brought before Wukong. Wukong said with a cold laugh, "Since she is rescued, let her ride along with Master on the horse." The Tang Monk mused, "How could I share one horse with her? It would be better to let Bajie carry her on his back." Bajie was delighted; he agreed gladly and stepped up to hoist the woman onto his back. Wukong teased, "Fortune has smiled on the silly fellow. With a snout as long as yours, you can whisper sweet nothings to her as you carry her." At this Bajie flung the woman down and stamped with rage. "Brother ape, you do nothing but mock me. Carrying her will bring me nothing but trouble; I'll carry her no more!"

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