The Gold Star of Venus and the Handsome Monkey King left the depths of the cave heaven together and rose upon the clouds. Now Wukong's Somersault Cloud was unlike all others—marvelously swift—and it left the Gold Star far behind as he arrived first outside the South Gate of Heaven. He was just gathering in his cloud to press forward when the Guardian Virudhaka, leading Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi, Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao with a whole company of mighty celestial guards, spears and swords and halberds in hand, barred the gate of Heaven and would not let him in.
The Monkey King said: "That old Gold Star is a crafty fraud! If he invited Old Sun, why does he set men with blades and spears to block the road?"
Amid his clamor the Gold Star suddenly arrived.
Wukong confronted him fiercely: "You old man—how dare you make a fool of me! You said you came by the Jade Emperor's edict of amnesty to invite me, yet you let these men block the gate of Heaven and won't let Old Sun in!"
The Gold Star laughed: "Let the Great King calm his anger. You have never before come to this Heaven, and your name is not yet entered; the celestial guards don't know you from Adam—how could they let you burst in? Once you have seen the Venerable One, received the immortal register, and had your office entered, you may come and go as you please thereafter—who would bar you then?" Wukong said: "In that case, very well—I won't go in." The Gold Star caught him by the hand: "Come in with me all the same."
As they neared the gate the Gold Star called in a loud voice: "You guardians of the gate of Heaven, officers and soldiers great and small—open the way! This is an immortal of the world below; I bear the Jade Emperor's sacred edict summoning him." Only then did Virudhaka and the celestial guards put up their weapons and stand aside, and the Monkey King at last believed his words. He walked slowly in with the Gold Star, looking about. Truly:
First ascent to the upper world, first entry into Heaven. Ten thousand shafts of golden light rolled with red rainbows; A thousand streamers of auspicious vapor spewed forth purple mist. The South Gate of Heaven: deep jade-green, wrought of colored glass, Bright and gleaming, fashioned of precious gems and jade. On either side stood dozens of Marshals who guard Heaven, Every one propped at pillar and beam, bearing halberds, trailing plumes; Below, in ranks, a dozen golden-armored divine men, Each one bearing a halberd, a whip at his belt, sword or saber in hand. The outer courts were nothing; within, it took the breath away: Great pillars wreathed with red-whiskered dragons, gold-scaled, dazzling in the sun; Long bridges over which wheeled phoenixes, red-crowned, on rainbow plumes. Bright haze shimmering, mirroring the light of heaven; Jade fog enfolding, veiling the mouth of the Dipper. Thirty-three heavenly palaces there are above: Palace of Cloud-Dispatch, Palace of Vaisravana, Palace of Five Luminaries, Palace of the Sun, Palace of Delightful Change— Palace upon palace, on its ridge a gold beast at rest; Seventy-two tiers of precious halls: Hall of Morning Court, Hall of Void-Vaulting, Hall of Precious Light, Hall of the Deva Kings, Hall of the Numinary Officer— Hall upon hall, before its columns jade qilin ranked. On the Terrace of the Star of Longevity, famous flowers that for a thousand thousand years never fade; Beside the elixir furnace, auspicious grasses green for ten thousand myriad ages. Before the Tower of Pilgrimage: crimson gauze robes, constellations glittering; Lotus crowns, gold and jade resplendent. Jade hairpins, pearl slippers, purple ribbons, golden seals. When the golden bell is struck, the Three Courts present their divine memorials at the vermilion steps; When the heavenly drum sounds, ten thousand saints come to court and wait upon the Jade Emperor. Then to the Hall of Divine Mists itself: golden nails studding the jade doors, Painted phoenixes dancing on the vermilion gates. Double galleries and winding corridors, everywhere exquisitely wrought; Triple eaves and clustered finials, tier upon tier of soaring dragons and phoenixes. Above, a great golden gourd-crown, purple-glowing, shining, round, and bright; Below, heavenly consorts holding ceremonial fans, jade maidens bearing immortal towels. Fierce and dreadful, the generals who hold the court; Proud and lofty, the immortal ministers who guard the sovereign. In the very center, on a tray of glass, piles upon piles of Grand Unity elixir pills; In an agate vase, sprays of twisting, curving coral. Truly every rare thing of Heaven's palace is there in every kind— Nothing like them exists in all the world below. Golden palaces, silver courts, and the purple prefectures, Trees of jade, grasses of jasper, blossoms of every gem. The Jade Hare at the altar passes on his way to court the King; The Golden Crow, paying homage to the saints, skims along the ground. The Monkey King had his portion in the realm of Heaven— Not one speck of the mud of the mortal world would cling to him.
The Gold Star of Venus led the Handsome Monkey King to the outside of the Hall of Divine Mists. Without waiting for the summons, they went straight to the throne and bowed in homage. Wukong stood erect at the side, and did not salute—only cocked an ear to hear the Gold Star's report.
The Gold Star announced: "Your subject, bearing the sacred edict, has brought the demon-immortal as commanded."
The Jade Emperor, from behind his pearl curtain, asked: "Which is the demon-immortal?" Only then did Wukong bow and answer: "Old Sun is he." The assembled immortal ministers turned pale with horror: "This savage monkey! Not only does he fail to bow in homage—he dares answer 'Old Sun is he'! He deserves to die! Deserves to die!" The Jade Emperor gave command: "Sun Wukong is a demon-immortal of the world below, only lately come to his human form, ignorant of court etiquette. Let his offense be pardoned for now." The ministers cried: "We give thanks for mercy!" And only then did the Monkey King lift his hands and give a great shout of salutation toward the throne.
The Jade Emperor summoned the ministers of civil and military selection to see what office was vacant, that Sun Wukong might be appointed to it.
From the side stepped the Lord of the Military Star and announced: "In every palace and hall of Heaven, in every quarter and place, there is no lack of officers—only the Imperial Stables lack a keeper in chief."
The Jade Emperor gave command: "Then appoint him 'Protector of Horses.'" The ministers cried their thanks, and he too only shouted his salute to the throne. The Jade Emperor further dispatched the Star Officer of Wood to escort him to the Imperial Stables and install him in office.
The Monkey King went happily with the Star Officer of Wood and took up his post. When the ceremony was done, the Star Officer returned to his palace. In the stables Wukong gathered the stewards and assistant stewards, the record-keepers and the laborers—officers great and small—made a full survey of the establishment, and found it held a thousand Heavenly Horses. They were:
Hualiu and Qiji steeds, Lu'er and Xianli; Dragon-steeds and Purple Swallows, Winged Susuang mounts; Jueti and Yin-e, Yaoniao and Feihuang; Taotu and Feather-Turners, Red Hare and Light-Outrunner; Surpassing-Glow and Filling-Shadow, Mist-Riders and Yellow-Victor; Wind-Chasers and Earth-Leavers, Skimmers and Cloud-Galloping coursers; The Flying Whirlwind, the Red Lightning, Bronze Sparrow and Drifting Cloud; The dappled Long, the Tiger stamp, Dustless and Purple-Scale; Steeds of the Four Extremes and of Dayuan, the Eight Steeds and Nine Runners, thousand-li horses past all peer— And every one of these fine horses, high-mettled, neighing at the wind and racing the lightning, its strength increasing as it treads the mist and mounts the clouds.
The Monkey King examined the registers and counted off the number of horses. In the establishment, the record-keepers had charge of the fodder accounts; the laborers' officers had charge of grooming the horses, bundling hay, watering, and boiling feed; the stewards and assistant stewards supervised and pressed the work; and the Protector of Horses, sleeping neither night nor day, nourished the herd. By day his frolics could be borne; at night he watched them with a will: any horse that slept, he drove up to graze; any that strayed, he caught and brought back to the manger.
And those Heavenly Horses, whenever they saw him coming, laid back their ears and huddled their hooves—but they grew fat and sleek upon it.
So passed, unremarked, more than half a month. One day at leisure, the officers of the stables laid a banquet—partly to welcome him, partly to congratulate him.
In the midst of the merry drinking the Monkey King suddenly set down his cup and asked: "This 'Protector of Horses'—what rank of office is it?"
They said: "That is the title itself." He asked again: "And what grade does the office hold?" They said: "It holds no grade." The Monkey King said: "No grade—then it must be the very highest of all." They said: "Not high, not high. It is merely called 'unranked.'" The Monkey King said: "What is this 'unranked'?" They said: "The lowest class. An office like this is the meanest and smallest there is—fit only for a man to keep horses with. If the keeper is diligent as Your Lordship has been since taking office, and the horses grow fat, the utmost he earns is the single word 'good.' Should the beasts fall a little thin, there is a reprimand; should any be truly hurt or ruined, there is a fine to pay and a crime to answer for."
At this, the fire sprang up in the Monkey King's heart. He ground his teeth and roared: "To hold Old Sun in such contempt! On the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Old Sun was a king and patriarch of kings—and they lured me here to keep horses for them! A horse-keeper is the work of a menial boy, a base and lowly service—is that for the likes of me? I'll not do it! I'll not do it! I am off!" With a crash he overturned the bench, pulled the treasure from his ear, flourished it to the thickness of a rice-bowl, and fought his way in a single sweeping passage out of the Imperial Stables and straight to the South Gate of Heaven.
The celestial guards, knowing he was entered upon the immortal register and was the Protector of Horses, dared not stop him, and let him fight his way out of the gate of Heaven.
In a moment he brought his cloud down and was back on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. There were the four Champions and the demon kings of every cave, drilling their troops.
The Monkey King called out in a great voice: "Little ones! Old Sun has come!"
A whole host of monkeys came kowtowing, welcomed him deep into the cave heaven, begged him to mount the throne, set out wine at one side to receive him, and asked: "Our congratulations, Great King! Ten-odd years in the upper world—you must have returned in glory and triumph?" The Monkey King said: "I was gone barely half a month—what talk is this of ten-odd years?" The monkeys said: "Great King, in Heaven you lose track of the hours. One day in Heaven is one year in the world below. But tell us—what office did you hold?" The Monkey King waved his hand: "Don't ask! Don't ask! It shames me alive! That Jade Emperor knows nothing of using men. He saw Old Sun's looks and enfeoffed me as some 'Protector of Horses'—which turned out to mean keeping his horses for him: unranked, the lowest sort. When I first took the post I didn't know, and only played around in the Imperial Stables. Today I asked my fellow officers, and only then learned how mean it was. Old Sun's heart flared, I overturned the banquet table, refused the office, and came down." The monkeys said: "Well come! Well come! Here the Great King is a king in a blessed land and cave heaven—what dignity, what joy! Why should you go be a stable-boy for anyone?" They called: "Little ones! Quick, bring wine, and cheer the Great King's spirits!"
In the midst of the drinking and rejoicing someone came to report: "Great King, outside the door are two one-horned ghost kings asking to see you."
The Monkey King said: "Show them in." The ghost kings straightened their robes, ran into the cave, and flung themselves down in worship.
The Handsome Monkey King asked them: "What would you with me?" The ghost kings said: "Long have we heard that the Great King welcomes the worthy, but we had no way to reach you. Today, seeing the Great King enrolled in the registers of Heaven and returned in glory, we bring as our tribute a robe of ochre-yellow, to swell the celebration. If you will not disdain our lowliness but take us small men into your service, we shall serve with the strength of dog or horse." The Monkey King was delighted; he put on the ochre-yellow robe, and all the rest gladly fell into ranks and bowed in homage; he straightaway enfeoffed the ghost kings as Vanguard Generals of the Van.
When the ghost kings had given thanks they asked again: "The Great King was so long in Heaven—what office was bestowed?"
The Monkey King said: "The Jade Emperor holds talent cheap; he made me some 'Protector of Horses'!" Hearing this, the ghost kings reported: "With the Great King's powers, how could you keep horses for anyone? Why not be 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven'—what's to stop you?" At this the Monkey King was overjoyed beyond measure, crying "Good! Good! Good!" again and again, and bade the four Champions: "Get me a banner quickly, with the four great characters "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" on it, set up a pole and hang it out. From this day on, call me only the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—no more of this 'Great King.' Spread word to the demon kings of every cave, that all may know." Of that no more for now.
Now the story tells that the next day the Jade Emperor held court, and the Celestial Master Zhang came leading the stewards and assistant stewards of the Imperial Stables, who bowed beneath the vermilion steps and reported: "Your Majesty, the newly appointed Protector of Horses, Sun Wukong, despising his office as too small, rebelled yesterday and left the heavenly palace."
As they spoke, from outside the South Gate of Heaven came Virudhaka with the celestial guards, who likewise reported: "The Protector of Horses has for reasons unknown gone out through the gate of Heaven." At this the Jade Emperor gave command: "Let the divine officers of both routes return to their proper posts. We shall send celestial soldiers to seize this monster." From the ranks stepped Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha, Third Son, who crossed beyond their places and announced: "Your Majesty, your subject, though lacking in talent, begs for the command to subdue this monster." The Jade Emperor was greatly pleased, and straightaway enfeoffed the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing as Grand Marshal for the Subduing of Demons, and Prince Nezha, the Third Son, as Great God of the Three Altars and Oceanic Assembly, to muster the host at once and descend to the lower world.
Heavenly King Li and Nezha knocked their heads, gave thanks, took their leave, went straight to their palace, mustered the three armies, marshaled their officers, appointed Mighty-Spirit God as vanguard, the Fish-Belly General to guard the rear, and the Yaksha General to press the column forward. In an instant they were out the South Gate of Heaven and come to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. On open level ground they entrenched their camp, and the order was given for Mighty-Spirit God to offer the challenge. Mighty-Spirit God received the command, buckled his gear tight, shouldered his great axe of Xuanhua, and came before the Water Curtain Cave.
Outside the little cave door were hosts of demons—wolves, serpents, tigers, leopards of every kind—swarming and brandishing spears and swords, leaping and roaring in battle play.
Mighty-Spirit God bellowed: "You sinful beasts! Quick—go report to the Protector of Horses that a great general of Heaven has come by the Jade Emperor's command to take him. Bid him come out at once and surrender, lest you all be maimed!"
Those monsters went tumbling and scrambling into the cave with the news: "Trouble! Trouble!" The Monkey King asked: "What trouble?" The demons said: "Outside stands a celestial general, and he named the Great Sage's title, saying he bears the Jade Emperor's sacred command and is come to take him; he bids you come out quickly and surrender, to spare our lives." Hearing this, the Monkey King commanded: "Bring my war-gear!" He set the purple-gold crown on his head, buckled on the golden mail, stepped into the cloud-walking shoes, took the As-You-Will Gold-Banded Cudgel in hand, led his host out the door, and drew up his battle lines.
Mighty-Spirit God opened his eyes wide and looked. What a Monkey King:
Golden mail upon his body, gleaming bright; A golden crown upon his head, flashing light. One gold-banded cudgel in his hands upraised; Cloud-walking shoes upon his feet, well matched. A pair of strange eyes like the morning star; Ears past his shoulders, bristly and hard. His upright frame holds transformations many; His voice rings out like bell and chiming stone. Sharp-tusked mouth—the Protector of Horses he; His heart aspiring to be Sage Equal with the Sky.
Mighty-Spirit God cried in a great voice: "You reckless monkey! Do you know me?"
The Great Sage, hearing this, asked sharply: "What hairy little god of the byways are you? Old Sun has never met you—give your name, quick!" Mighty-Spirit God said: "Take that, you double-dealing ape! It's plain you don't know me! I am Mighty-Spirit, celestial general, vanguard under the command of Li, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King! I come by the Jade Emperor's sacred command to take you. Strip off your gear and submit to the grace of Heaven, lest this whole mountain of beasts be slaughtered; say one half of the word 'no,' and I'll pound you to powder on the instant!"
The Monkey King's heart flared: "You hairy little god—stop your big talk and spare us the long tongue! I would beat you to death with one blow of my cudgel, but then who would carry the message? I'll spare your life—hurry back to Heaven and tell the Jade Emperor: he is mightily careless with his worthies! Old Sun's powers are past all measure—why should he make me keep his horses? Look at the title on my banner. If he raises my office to match it, I'll not draw blade or crossbow, and Heaven and Earth will naturally be at peace. If he won't hear of it, I'll smash my way into the Hall of Divine Mists—and let him try sitting easy on his dragon throne!"
At this, Mighty-Spirit God opened his eyes and peered against the wind—and sure enough, outside the cave door stood a tall pole, and on the pole a banner with four great characters: "Great Sage Equal to Heaven."
Mighty-Spirit God laughed coldly three times: "This reckless monkey—so ignorant of the world, so insolent—you'd be Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Take a taste of my axe!"
He hacked straight down at his head. The Monkey King, practiced hand that he was, took his time, meeting the blow easily with the Gold-Banded Cudgel. What a battle:
The cudgel's name is As-You-Will; the axe is called Xuanhua. The two of them, meeting suddenly, knew not each other's depth: Axe and cudgel crossing left and right. One concealing marvels in his heart; One boasting loudly with his mouth. Working their methods, they spew forth cloud and mist; Spreading their arms, they scatter earth and sand. The heavenly general's magic—he thinks it has the Way; The Monkey King's transformations—truly past all bounds. The cudgel rises like a dragon sporting in the water; The axe comes down like a phoenix threading the flowers. Mighty-Spirit's name is known through all the world— But his skill, it turns out, is not the Monkey King's. The Great Sage lightly swings his iron cudgel— One touch upon the head, and all his body numbs.
Mighty-Spirit God could not withstand him. The Monkey King's cudgel came down on his head; he hastily raised the axe to parry—and with a crack the axe-handle broke clean in two. He fled for his life from the field. The Monkey King laughed: "Milksop! Milksop! I've spared you already—go carry your message! Go carry your message!"
Mighty-Spirit God returned to the camp gate and went straight to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, falling on his knees: "The Protector of Horses has powers indeed past measuring! Your general could not stand against him; I come back from defeat to beg your punishment."
Heavenly King Li said in anger: "This fellow blunts our edge—take him out and behead him!" From the side stepped Prince Nezha and pleaded: "Father King, calm your anger. Spare Mighty-Spirit his offense, and let your son go out once—then we shall know our man." The Heavenly King heeded him, and bade Mighty-Spirit return to camp to await judgment.
Then Prince Nezha, in full armor, leapt out of the camp and charged up to the Water Curtain Cave. Wukong was just withdrawing his troops, and saw how fiercely Nezha came on. What a Prince:
His horned tufts scarce cover the crown of his head; His flowing hair scarce covers his shoulders. Marvelous and quick of wit, Fine-boned, fair beyond words. Truly a qilin-child of the heavens above, Indeed a phoenix-immortal of mist and rose-clouds. Dragon stock is never of the common sort— In tender years he is nothing of this dusty world. Six divine weapons hang upon his body; His flying, changing powers are wide past all bounds. Now he bears the Jade Emperor's golden-mouthed decree, Titled Great God of Three Altars, Oceanic Assembly.
Wukong came forward to meet him and asked: "Whose little brother are you, to come charging to my gate? What business have you?"
Nezha shouted: "Reckless demon-monkey! Do you not know me? I am Nezha, Third Son of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, sent by the Jade Emperor's own command to seize you." Wukong laughed: "Little Prince, your milk-teeth have not yet fallen out, the birth-damp not yet dried on your hair—and you dare such big talk? I'll spare your life and not beat you. Just look at the title on my banner, and tell the Jade Emperor: with that title for me, he need raise no more hosts—I'll submit of my own accord. If he won't grant my heart's wish, then I'll surely smash my way into the Hall of Divine Mists." Nezha looked up at the banner—and there were the four characters: "Great Sage Equal to Heaven."
Nezha said: "What powers can this demon-monkey have, to dare such a title! Never fear—take a stroke of my sword!"
Wukong said: "I'll only stand here without moving—cut at me with your sword as many times as you please." Nezha in fury gave a great shout, cried "Change!"—and at once became three-headed and six-armed, fierce and fell, six weapons in his hands: the demon-slaying sword, the demon-cleaving blade, the demon-binding cord, the demon-subduing pestle, the embroidered ball, and the fire-wheel—all crossed and brandished, striking at Wukong's face.
At the sight Wukong said in wonder: "This little brother does know a few tricks! Don't be rude—watch my powers!"
What a Great Sage! He shouted "Change!" and became three-headed and six-armed as well; he flourished the Gold-Banded Cudgel once, and it became three cudgels; with six hands holding three, he parried the attack. This battle truly shook the earth and swayed the mountains—what a fight:
Nezha, the six-armed Prince, And the Monkey King, born of the wondrous stone: True rivals when they met, matched to their very sources. One came bearing the command down to the world below; One, in his overweening heart, made havoc in the Dipper's field. The demon-slaying sword, its edge so swift; The demon-cleaving blade, so fierce that ghosts and gods despair; The demon-binding cord flies like a darting serpent; The demon-subduing pestle like a wolf's-head mace; The fire-wheels flash lightning, blazing bright; To and fro comes rolling the embroidered ball. The Great Sage's three As-You-Will cudgels, Guarding before and covering behind, all strategy. Bitterly they strove, round upon round, neither high nor low; The Prince's heart would not give over. He bade his six weapons multiply their forms— A hundred thousand thousandfold, hurled upon his head. The Monkey King, unafraid, laughed out loud, His iron cudgels wheeling, weaving their own plans. One became a thousand, a thousand became ten thousand, Till all the air danced with them like flying serpents. The demon kings of every cave shut fast their doors; Ghost and monster over all the mountain hid their heads. The heavenly soldiers' rage made the clouds turn grim; Gold-hoops and iron staves went whistling, whirring. On that side, the celestial guards cried out—every man afraid; On this, the monkey demons shook their banners—every one in dread. Both sides flaring, fierce in trial of strength— Who could tell which was hard and which was soft?
Prince Nezha and Wukong each displayed his divine might, and fought thirty rounds. The Prince's six weapons became thousands and myriads; Sun Wukong's Gold-Banded Cudgel became tens of thousands and thousands of myriads. The mid-air was like rain-drops and shooting stars—and still no victor.
Now Wukong's hands were quick and his eyes quicker. In the midst of the chaos he plucked a hair, cried "Change!"—and it became his own double, cudgel leveled, engaging Nezha; while his true body, with one bound, swept behind Nezha and struck a blow at his left arm. Nezha, in the middle of his magic, heard the wind of the cudgel-head; he dodged—but too late to ward. The blow struck home, and he fled the field in pain; he gathered in his magic, and his six weapons returned to his body, and he came back defeated.
On the field the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King had seen it all, and was about to lead troops to the rescue—
When, unawares, the Prince was suddenly before him, trembling as he reported: "Father King! The Protector of Horses has real powers! With all your child's magic I could not prevail—he has wounded my arm!"
The Heavenly King turned pale with shock: "With powers such as this, how are we to win?" The Prince said: "Outside his cave door he has raised a pole with a banner reading 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven,' and he boasts with his own mouth that the Jade Emperor must enfeoff him as Great Sage Equal to Heaven and be done with it; if not that title, he means to smash his way into the Hall of Divine Mists!" The Heavenly King said: "Since it is so, let us not press the fight. Let us go up to the upper world, report these words, and dispatch more celestial soldiers to surround and seize the fellow—it is not too late." The Prince, wounded too sorely to fight again, went back with the Heavenly King to report to Heaven—but of that no more.
Watch now the Monkey King return to his mountain in triumph. The demon kings of the seventy-two caves and the six brothers all came to congratulate him, and in that blessed cave heaven they drank and made merry beyond compare.
He said to his six brothers: "Since your younger brother is now Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you also may take the title of Great Sage."
At this the Bull Demon King suddenly cried in a loud voice: "Well spoken, worthy brother! I shall be Great Sage Who Stills Heaven." The Dragon-Demon King said: "I shall be Great Sage Who Covers the Sea." The Roc-Demon King said: "I shall be Great Sage Who Muddles Heaven." The Lion-and-Camel King said: "I shall be Great Sage Who Moves Mountains." The Macaque King said: "I shall be Great Sage Who Ventilates Heaven." The Yu-Rong King said: "I shall be Great Sage Who Drives Away the Gods." So the seven Great Sages each did as he pleased, styling and naming themselves, and they made merry a whole day, then each went his way.
Now the story tells how Heavenly King Li and the Third Prince, leading their generals, came straight to the Hall of Divine Mists and reported: "Your subjects, bearing the sacred command, led the host down to the lower world to subdue the demon-immortal Sun Wukong—but his powers are past measuring, and we could not prevail. We still beg Your Majesty to add troops and exterminate him."
The Jade Emperor said: "A demon-monkey! How much skill can he have, that more troops should be needed?" The Prince stepped nearer and reported: "I beg Your Majesty pardon for my death-crime! That demon-monkey wields an iron cudgel that first defeated Mighty-Spirit and then wounded your subject's arm. Before his cave door stands a pole with a banner reading 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' He says: grant him that office, and he will at once cease war and submit; if not that office, he will smash his way into the Hall of Divine Mists!" The Jade Emperor said in astonishment: "How dare this demon-monkey carry such insolence! Let the generals destroy him at once!" But even as he spoke, from the ranks stepped the Gold Star of Venus once more, who announced: "That demon-monkey knows only his own big words—he knows neither great nor small. To raise armies and war against him would mean no speedy victory, and only weary our hosts the more. Better that Your Majesty show great mercy once again and send down another edict of amnesty, and simply make him Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Only give him an empty title—office without salary—and there's an end."
The Jade Emperor said: "What is this 'office without salary'?" The Gold Star said: "The name will be Great Sage Equal to Heaven, but give him nothing to administer and no salary: just let him be nourished between Heaven and Earth, his wild heart gathered in, that no more insolence arise—so that the cosmos may rest quiet and the seas and lands know peace." The Jade Emperor heard him out: "Let it be as you propose." He bade the edict be drawn, and the Gold Star bear it down once more.
The Gold Star passed out the South Gate of Heaven and came to the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit to see. This time it was different from before: awesome in their might, grim with the reek of slaughter, demons of every kind without exception—each bearing sword or clutching spear, handling knife or wielding staff—roaring and leaping there. At sight of the Gold Star they all came forward with weapons.
The Gold Star said: "You officers there! Be at pains to report to your Great Sage: I am an envoy of the Lord on High, bearing a sacred edict inviting him."
The demons ran in and reported: "Outside is an old man who says he is an envoy of Heaven, with an edict inviting you." Wukong said: "Well come! Well come! It must be that Gold Star of Venus who came before. Last time he invited me up to the upper world—and though the office was worthless, I made a trip to Heaven and learned the roads inside and outside the gate. Coming again now, there must be some good intent." He bade the officers throw open banners and drums and draw up ranks to welcome him.
The Great Sage then led his host of monkeys—crown on head, mail buckled on, the ochre-yellow robe over the mail, cloud-boots on his feet—hurrying out the cave door, bowing in salute and calling: "Old Star, pray enter—and pardon me for failing to welcome you."
The Gold Star hastened forward, went straight into the cave, and stood facing south: "Now hear me, Great Sage. Previously, because you despised your office as small and fled the Imperial Stables, the officers of the establishment great and small reported it to the Jade Emperor, who commanded: 'All offices are granted from low to high—why did he despise his as small?' Then Heavenly King Li led Nezha down to make war. Not knowing the Great Sage's powers, they met defeat, and returned to report: 'The Great Sage has raised a banner and would be Great Sage Equal to Heaven.' The generals still sought to equivocate, but this old man risked his own guilt to plead for the Great Sage—so no armies were raised, and the Great King was summoned to receive the register. The Jade Emperor granted my plea; that is why I have come."
Wukong laughed: "For all that toil before, and this new kindness now—many thanks! Many thanks! But tell me: does Heaven above truly have an office of 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven'?"
The Gold Star said: "The old man had this very title approved before he dared take the edict and come. If it fails of your wish, lay the whole blame on me."
Wukong was overjoyed. He begged the Star to stay for a feast, but was refused; so he rose with the Gold Star on the auspicious cloud, and came to the South Gate of Heaven, where the celestial guards and generals all folded their hands in welcome. They went straight in beneath the Hall of Divine Mists.
The Gold Star bowed and announced: "Your subject, bearing the edict, has brought Sun Wukong, the former Protector of Horses."
The Jade Emperor said: "Let Sun Wukong come forward. Today we appoint you 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven'—the highest of ranks. But do not run wild again." The monkey only lifted his hands in a shout of salutation and cried thanks for the grace. The Jade Emperor then bade the master-builders—the Zhang and Lu guilds—raise, on the right hand of the Garden of Peaches of Immortality, a residence for the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, with two offices within: one called the Department of Quietude, one the Department of Still-Spirit; each staffed with immortal clerks to attend upon him.
He further dispatched the Star Lords of the Five Bushels to escort Wukong to his post, bestowing besides two jars of imperial wine and ten flowers of gold, commanding him to settle his mind and fix his resolve and run wild no more. The Monkey King accepted and obeyed: that very day he went with the Star Lords of the Five Bushels to his residence, opened the jars of wine, and drank deep with all. When he had seen the Star Lords back to their palaces, his heart at last was fully content: he rejoiced to the depths of earth and the heights of heaven, happy in the palace of Heaven, without care, without hindrance. Truly:
His immortal name enrolled forever on the register of long life, Never to fall into the wheel of rebirth—renowned through all the ages.
But as to what followed—listen to the explanation in the next chapter.