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32 The Bottomless Cave

The she-demon was frightened out of her wits, and said trembling, "I have spent so much thought on this feast, and a brute has spoiled it all. Doubtless heaven and earth will not suffer me to hold the Tang Monk, and so they have sent this thing upon me." She could do nothing but take the Tang Monk back to the eastern corridor. To return to Wukong: he flew out and told Bajie and Sandy how things stood, then flew back into the cave in haste. There stood the she-demon in the pavilion, giving orders: "Little ones, lay a fresh feast at once; I am to be married to the reverend Tang." Wukong thought to himself: this demon has no shame at all, still dreaming of a wedding. Wukong flew again to the eastern corridor and found the Tang Monk weeping in his room. "Master," he called, "I saw a garden behind the cave. Coax the demon to go there and look at the flowers. I will become a red peach on a tree; you shall pluck me and give me to her to eat, and then I can save you." So master and disciple agreed. The Tang Monk called out, "My lady!" The she-demon heard him, came running in all smiles and asked, "My handsome brother, what is it you would say?" The Tang Monk said, "My heart is heavy; will you take me into the garden to cheer my spirits?" She was overjoyed and agreed at once. She led the Tang Monk by the hand into the garden to admire its beauties. When they came to the peach tree, Wukong gave a flick upon the Tang Monk's head, and the monk knew his meaning at once. Wukong flew up into the branches and became a red peach. The Tang Monk stepped forward, plucked it, and turned to offer it to the she-demon, saying, "My lady, eat this one; it is fully ripe." The she-demon was overwhelmed by his kindness and took the peach, saying, "Dear brother, we are not yet wed a single day, and already you show me such tenderness." But when she opened her mouth to bite, Wukong grew impatient and rolled straight down her throat into her belly. The she-demon was rather frightened. "Handsome brother," she said, "why would the fruit not let me bite it, but rolled down by itself?" The Tang Monk said, "The fruit of a newly opened garden is sweetest, and so it went down quickly." Just then Wukong called from within her belly, "Master, old Sun has done it!" "Who is that speaking?" asked the she-demon. The Tang Monk answered, "It is my disciple Sun Wukong; he turned himself into a red peach and has gone into your belly." Her soul fled from her in terror, and she flung her arms about the Tang Monk, pleading, "Reverend sir, I have loved you with all my heart and wished to be your wife; why must I suffer this calamity?" Hearing this from inside her, Wukong feared the Tang Monk would soften again and cried, "Master, why waste words on her? Watch old Sun's handiwork!" And he set to with fists and feet until he had very nearly battered her innards to pieces. The she-demon shrieked with pain and fell writhing to the ground. "Demon," shouted Wukong, "carry my master out of the cave at once, and I will spare your life!" Desperate to live, she struggled to her feet, hoisted the Tang Monk onto her back and made for the entrance. She leapt up on a shaft of cloud-light, passed out of the cave and set the Tang Monk down. Sandy asked, "Master is out, but where is our eldest brother?" The Tang Monk pointed at the she-demon and said, "In her belly." Bajie laughed and said, "Filthy place! Come out at once!" From within her Wukong called, "Open your mouth and let me out!" The she-demon opened wide, and Wukong sprang and leapt clear of her lips. Wukong resumed his proper size, took up his golden-hooped rod and struck at the she-demon's head. She, for her part, was in a foul temper; she drew her twin swords and met him, and the two fell to fierce battle upon the mountain. Seeing the fight grow hot, Bajie and Sandy each snatched up their weapons and rushed forward to join in.

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