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38 The Kingdom of Tianzhu

Once seated, the elder ordered a young monk to bring tea, and soon after set out a vegetarian feast. Bajie found his second wind and, like a whirlwind sweeping the clouds away, devoured every mantou, every bowl of rice, every drop of broth. Over the meal, the Tang Monk asked, "I noticed many travellers resting below the gate. Why are they stopping here?" The elder replied, "This is called Hundred-Leg Mountain. In recent years a few centipede demons have appeared, waylaying and harming travellers; only at the first cock-crow do they dare cross the peak." After hearing this, the Tang Monk said, "We shall wait for the cock's crow before moving on." By then the bright moon was high, so he and Wukong stepped into the courtyard for a stroll. A monk came hurrying in with a message: "Our old abbot wishes to meet the gentlemen of Cathay." At once an old monk appeared, bamboo staff in hand, and saluted the Tang Monk. "Reverend Tang, how many years have you seen?" he asked. "A humble forty-five," said the Master. "And you, honoured abbot?" The old monk smiled. "I have just turned a hundred and five." "And how old would you say I am?" asked Wukong. "My eyes blur at night," the old monk answered. "I cannot tell at a glance." Chatting as they walked, the three reached a back corridor. The old monk opened the rear door and asked the Tang Monk to sit and rest on an earthen platform. The night had grown deep and still when, suddenly, the sound of a woman weeping rose in the air. The Master's heart ached. "Who is crying there?" he asked. Seeing no one else about, the old monk bowed low before the Tang Monk. The Master hurriedly raised him up. "Honoured abbot, there is no need for this. Speak freely what is in your heart." The old monk began, "A year ago today, I was here enjoying the moon when, with a rush of wind, a beauty of fair and dignified bearing was blown in." "I asked her story. She said she was the princess of the kingdom of Tianzhu, carried here by that very wind." "For the lady's safety, I locked her in an empty room, bricked up the door and window, and left only a small hole through which to pass food. I told the monks she was a demon, and none were to go near, lest they come to harm." "The lady was no fool. Fearing the monks might take advantage of her, she played the madwoman day and night, sleeping in filth and raving by daylight; but in the dead of night, when she thought of her parents, she would weep." When the old monk had finished, he turned to the Tang Monk. "Several times I have slipped into the city to seek news of the princess, but found no clue. When you reach the kingdom of Tianzhu, Reverend Tang, I beg you to look into this and save her from her plight." The Master listened, and locked the matter in his heart. The disciples had barely fallen asleep when the cock crowed. The Tang Monk roused them and began to pack. By then the old monk was up too, and sent round tea, broth and pastries. Bajie, overjoyed, polished off a whole plate of steamed buns. At the temple gate the Master and his disciples took leave of the old monk, who said, "Pray do not forget my plea." Wukong laughed. "It is graven on my heart. The moment we reach the city, I shall look into the matter." Falling in with the crowd, the four pilgrims joined the bustling stream onto the great road. By the hour of the tiger, a city wall rose ahead of them: the kingdom of Tianzhu, at last.

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