The story goes that the Bodhisattva recited the spell several times over, then ceased. The demon stopped hurting. He sat up and looked about himself: on his neck, his hands, and his feet were golden bands, clasping him so tight they pained him. He tried to pull the bands off, but he could not budge them a hair's breadth—these treasures had taken root in his very flesh; the more he rubbed, the more they hurt.
The Pilgrim laughed: "My dear little darling! The Bodhisattva was afraid you wouldn't grow up big and strong, so she put a neck-ring and bracelets on you."
Hearing this, the Boy's temper flared again. He snatched up his spear and thrust wildly at the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim dodged hastily, stepped behind the Bodhisattva, and called: "Recite the spell! Recite the spell!" The Bodhisattva dipped her willow twig in a drop of sweet dew, sprinkled it, and cried: "Clasp!" At once the Boy dropped his spear and pressed his two palms together before his chest, unable to open them again. To this day the gesture called "the Guanyin clasp" preserves this meaning.
The Boy could not open his hands or take up his spear; at last he knew that the power of the Dharma was deep and subtle. With no other recourse, he bowed his head and knelt.
The Bodhisattva recited the true words, tipped the pure vase, and drew back all that sea of water without leaving so much as a drop. Then she said to the Pilgrim: "Wukong, this demon is subdued, but his wild heart is not yet settled. I shall have him bow with every step, bowing all the way to Mount Potalaka, before I release the spell. Go quickly now to the cave and rescue your master!"
The Pilgrim turned and knocked his head. "I have troubled the Bodhisattva to come so far; your disciple should see you on your way a little."
"You need not see me off," said the Bodhisattva. "I fear it would delay your master's life." The Pilgrim heard this, rejoiced, and bowed his farewell. The demon had already entered the true fruit; his fifty-three obeisances, each bowing to Guanyin—to say no more of the good Bodhisattva taking in the Boy.
Now the Sha Monk had been sitting a long while in the forest, watching for the Pilgrim in vain. He slung the luggage on the horse, took his demon-quelling precious staff in one hand and the reins in the other, and stepped out of the pine wood to look south. There he saw the Pilgrim coming, brimming with joy.
The Sha Monk went to meet him: "Brother, why were you so long in inviting the Bodhisattva? You've worried me to death!"
"You're still dreaming!" said the Pilgrim. "Old Sun has already invited the Bodhisattva and subdued the monster." He then gave a full account of the Bodhisattva's magic power. The Sha Monk was overjoyed: "Let's go save the master!" The two of them leapt across the ravine, burst through the gate, tethered the horse, raised their weapons, and charged into the cave. They wiped out every last imp, untied the leather bag, and let Bajie out.
That idiot thanked the Pilgrim: "Brother, where's the monster? Let me go give him a few rakes and vent my spleen!"
"Let's find the master first," said the Pilgrim.
The three of them went straight to the back, and there was the master, stripped bare and bound in the courtyard, weeping. The Sha Monk hastily untied the ropes while the Pilgrim fetched clothes and dressed him. The three knelt before him: "Master, you have suffered."
Tang Sanzang thanked them: "Worthy disciples, I am so much in your debt. How did you subdue the demon?" The Pilgrim again gave a full account of inviting the Bodhisattva and taking in the Boy. Sanzang heard it and at once knelt and bowed toward the south.
"No need to thank her," said the Pilgrim. "If anything, we did her a favor—she took in a boy." Now the tale of the Boy bowing to Guanyin, fifty-three obeisances, each obeisance seeing a Buddha—that is this very story.
He told the Sha Monk to gather the treasures in the cave, find rice and grain, and prepare a vegetarian meal to serve the master. That elder owed his life wholly to the Great Sage Sun; the fetching of the true scriptures relied on none other than the Handsome Monkey Spirit.
Master and disciples left the cave, mounted and took the high road, pressing westward with single heart.
After more than a month of travel, they suddenly heard the sound of water thundering in their ears. Sanzang started: "Disciples! Where is that water sound coming from?"
The Pilgrim laughed: "You old master, you're too suspicious—you'll never make a monk. The four of us travel together, and you alone hear some water sound. Have you forgotten the Heart Sutra again?"
The Tang monk said: "The Heart Sutra was taught by the Nest Patriarch of the Pagoda on the Wutu Mountain, altogether fifty-four lines and two hundred and seventy characters. I received it by ear and still recite it to this day. Which line do you think I've forgotten?"
The Pilgrim said: "Old master, you've forgotten 'no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind.' We who have left the world—the eye does not see sights, the ear does not hear sounds, the nose does not smell scents, the tongue does not taste flavors, the body knows not cold or heat, the mind harbors no idle thoughts. This is what is called driving away the six thieves. But you, seeking scriptures, cling to every thought; you fear demons and will not risk your body; you crave food and move your tongue; you smell sweet scents and flare your nostrils; you hear a sound and startle your ears; you see a thing and fix your gaze—bringing all these six thieves crowding in. How will you ever reach the Western Heaven to see the Buddha?"
Sanzang heard this and fell silent in thought. Then he said: "Disciple, ever since I left the Sage Lord that year, I've toiled by day and night with tireless diligence. My straw sandals trampled through the mountain mists; my bamboo hat broke through the clouds on the ridges. In the still of night the gibbon's cry is piteous to hear; beneath the bright moon the birds' clamor is unbearable. When shall I fulfill the three-times-three practice and obtain the Tathagata's wondrous scriptures?" The Pilgrim heard this and could not help but clap his hands and laugh: "So the master is just homesick and can't quiet his heart! If you want to fulfill the three-times-three, what's so hard about that? As the saying goes: when the work is done, success comes of itself."
Bajie turned his head: "Brother, if the demons stay this fierce and the ordeals this high, we could walk a thousand years and never succeed!"
The Sha Monk said: "Second Brother, you and I are the same—clumsy of mouth and dull of cheek. Don't provoke the Eldest Brother into a temper. Just shoulder the load and bear the burden; in time we'll surely succeed."
Master and disciples talked as they walked, their pace never flagging, the horse's hooves swift. Presently they saw ahead a river of black water surging to the sky, impossible to cross. The four travelers halted on the bank and looked carefully. Just look at it:
Layer upon layer of heavy waves, fold upon fold of murky billows. Layer upon layer of heavy waves rolling up black flood; Fold upon fold of murky billows churning with black oil. Up close, no human reflection shows; Far off, no shape of tree can be found. Rolling, a whole plain of ink; Surging, a thousand li of gray. Water foam floats by like heaps of charcoal; Wave crests fly up like overturning coal.
Cattle and sheep will not drink from it; crows and magpies can scarce fly over it. Cattle and sheep will not drink—they shun the deep black; Crows and magpies can scarce fly over—they fear the vast expanse. Only the reeds and rushes on the bank know the season; The flowers and grass on the strand vie in their green wonder.
Lakes and rivers are found the world over; streams and springs and marshes and caves abound in every land. Yet in every person's life, meetings come and go—who has ever seen such a Black Water River in the West!
The Tang monk dismounted: "Disciples, why is this water so black?"
Bajie said: "Someone's dumped their dye vat."
The Sha Monk said: "Not at all—someone's been washing their inkstone and brushes."
The Pilgrim said: "Enough of your wild guessing. Let's think of a way to get the master across."
Bajie said: "If it were old Pig going across, it would be easy enough—ride a cloud or wade carrying water, and in less time than it takes to eat a bowl of rice, I'd be over."
The Sha Monk said: "If it were old Sand, I'd just leap on a cloud and skim the water, and be over in an instant."
The Pilgrim said: "It's easy enough for us—the master is the problem."
Sanzang said: "Disciples, how wide is this river?"
Bajie said: "About ten li or so."
Sanzang said: "The three of you decide which of you will carry me across."
The Pilgrim said: "Bajie can carry you."
Bajie said: "I can't carry him well. If I carry him on a cloud, I can't get three feet off the ground—as the saying goes, a mortal on the back is heavy as a hill. If I carry him through the water, I'll drag us both under."
Master and disciples were still conferring on the riverbank when, from upstream, a man came rowing a little boat toward them.
The Tang monk rejoiced: "Disciples, a boat is coming. Call him over to ferry us."
The Sha Monk called out in a loud voice: "Boatman! Come ferry us! Come ferry us!"
The man in the boat called back: "This isn't a ferry boat—how can I ferry people?"
The Sha Monk said: "In Heaven and on Earth, convenience is the first virtue. You may not be a ferry boat, but we don't come troubling you often. We are scripture-seeking sons of Buddha, sent by imperial decree from the Eastern Land. Do us a favor—ferry us across, and we'll thank you."
Hearing this, the man rowed the boat close to the bank and rested on his oar: "Master, my boat is small and you are many. How can I ferry you all at once?"
Sanzang came forward and looked. The boat was carved from a single log, with only one hatchway amidships—room enough for two people to sit.
Sanzang said: "What's to be done?"
The Sha Monk said: "In that case, make two trips."
Bajie, scheming to shirk and be clever, said: "Wujing, you and Eldest Brother stay here and watch the luggage and horse. Let me escort the master across first, then come back for the horse. Let Eldest Brother leap across." The Pilgrim nodded: "What you say makes sense."
The idiot helped the Tang monk aboard. The boatman pushed off, raised his oar, and struck out into the current, heading straight across. They had barely reached midstream when a great crash rang out; waves rolled and leapt, blotting out the sky and blinding the eyes. That gale of wind was fearsome indeed! What a wind:
A sheet of cannon-cloud rises in the vault of heaven; A thousand tiers of black waves heave in mid-stream. Flying sand from both banks veils the sun; Trees topple all around, shaking the sky with their roaring. The river churns, the sea boils—dragon and spirit tremble; Earth scattered, dust spread—flowers and trees wither. It howls like the bellow of spring thunder; Gust after gust, fierce as a ravening tiger's roar. Crabs and turtles, fish and shrimp, all bow upstream; Birds and beasts lose nest and burrow. Boatmen of the Five Lakes all meet disaster; Families of the Four Seas lose hold of their lives. The fisherman in the creek cannot hold his hook; The boatman on the river cannot pole his skiff. Tiles ripped off, bricks overturned, houses toppled down— Heaven shaken, earth moved, Mount Tai itself doth rock!
This wind, in truth, was raised by the very boatman—he was a monster of the Black Water River. Before their eyes, the Tang monk and Zhu Bajie, boat and all, plunged into the water, without trace or shadow, carried off to who knows where.
On the bank, the Sha Monk and the Pilgrim were frantic: "What's to be done? The old master meets disaster at every step. He had just escaped the demon's clutches, and after this stretch of safe road, he runs into the Black Water River's calamity!"
The Sha Monk said: "Maybe the boat capsized. Let's go downstream and search."
The Pilgrim said: "It wasn't a capsize. If it had capsized, Bajie can swim—he'd have gotten the master out by now. I noticed that boatman didn't look right—must be the wretch who raised the wind and dragged the master underwater."
The Sha Monk heard this: "Brother, why didn't you say so sooner? You watch the horse and luggage here; let me go down and search."
The Pilgrim said: "The look of that water is wrong—I fear you can't go."
The Sha Monk said: "How does this water compare to my Flowing Sands River? I can go! I can go!"
What a monk! He stripped off his tunic, bound up his hands and feet, gripped his demon-quelling precious staff, and with a splash parted the water and dove in, striding forward through the waves. As he walked, he heard voices. The Sha Monk slipped to one side and stole a look: over there stood a pavilion, and above its gate was a horizontal placard bearing eight large characters: "Hengyang Valley, Black Water River God's Mansion."
He heard the monster sitting up above saying: "It's been hard work for a long while; today at last I've gotten my prize. This monk is a good man who has cultivated through ten lifetimes—if one can but eat a piece of his flesh, one becomes ageless and immortal. I've waited a long time for him; today my hopes are fulfilled."
He ordered: "Little ones! Bring out the iron cage and steam these two monks whole. Prepare an invitation and go ask my second uncle to come—I'll throw him a birthday banquet."
[Translator's note: "warm birthday"—an old custom of holding a celebratory feast on the eve of a birthday.]
The Sha Monk heard this and could no longer contain his fury. He whipped out his precious staff and battered the gate, shouting: "You filthy beast! Bring back my master, the Tang monk, and my brother Bajie—quickly!"
The monster's minions inside were terrified and ran to report: "Disaster!" The old monster asked: "What disaster?" The little demon said: "Outside there's a monk with a sallow, unlucky-looking face, battering the front gate and shouting for someone!"
Hearing this, the monster called for his armor. The little demons brought it out, and the old monster suited up, took up a bamboo-jointed steel whip, and strode out the gate—a truly vicious and poisonous sight. Just look:
Square face and round eyes, bright as sunset clouds; Rolling lip and gaping mouth, red as a blood basin. A few stiff iron-wire whiskers waving; Two temples of cinnabar-red tangled hair flying. Form like the manifested True Tai Sui; Face like the enraged fierce Thunder Duke. Body clad in iron armor blooming with figured flowers; Head crowned with a golden helm thick-set with jewels. Bamboo-jointed steel whip in hand; Where he walks, rolling gusts of wild wind. Born a creature of the waves; Shedding his origin, turned to evil change. Ask his true name and surname? His former self was called the Little Alligator Dragon.
The monster shouted: "Who's beating on my gate?"
The Sha Monk said: "You ignorant beast! You played a trick, turned yourself into a boatman, and used a boat to carry off my master. Hand him back at once, and I'll spare your life!"
The monster laughed: "Ha ha ha! You monk, you don't know life from death! Your master is my prisoner, and I'm about to steam him and invite a guest. You come up here and fight me. If you can stand three rounds, I'll give you back your master. If you can't stand three rounds, I'll steam and eat you too—and you can forget about the Western Heaven!"
The Sha Monk's fury blazed. He swung his precious staff and struck at the monster's head. The monster raised his steel whip and parried. The two of them fought beneath the water—what a battle!
Demon-quelling staff and bamboo whip—the two of them, enraged, each striving to be first. One is a thousand-year monster of the Black Water River; One is the former immortal from before the Lingxiao Hall. That one, greedy, would eat Sanzang's flesh; This one, pitiful, guards the Tang monk's life. Both come to fight beneath the water; Each wants to win, and neither will yield. They fight until the shrimp and fish shake their heads and hide in pairs; Crabs and turtles tuck their heads and dive in twos. You hear the demon host in the water palace beating drums; You hear the rabble of monsters at the gate howling and clamoring. What a true monk, Sha Wujing— Alone, single-handed, he flaunts his might! Leaping waves and churning billows, neither side prevails; Whip meets staff, parry meets thrust, locked in stalemate.
All for the Tang monk's sake, To seek the true scriptures and bow before the Buddha in Heaven.
The two fought thirty rounds with no sign of upper hand. The Sha Monk thought to himself: "This monster is my match—I won't win by force. Let me lure him out and have Eldest Brother beat him." The Sha Monk feinted, trailed his staff, and fled. The monster did not pursue. "Go on," he said. "I'm done fighting you. I've got invitations to write and guests to invite."
The Sha Monk emerged from the water, fuming, and met the Pilgrim: "Brother, that monster is outrageous."
The Pilgrim asked: "You were down a long time before coming up. What sort of monster is it? Did you find the master?"
The Sha Monk said: "Inside there's a pavilion. Above its gate is a placard with eight large characters: 'Hengyang Valley, Black Water River God's Mansion.' I hid to one side and heard him talking inside, ordering the little ones to scrub the iron cage, meaning to steam the master and Bajie and invite his uncle for a birthday feast. I blazed with fury and went to batter the gate. The monster came out with a bamboo-jointed steel whip, and I fought him for a good while—about thirty rounds, no winner. I used a feint to lure him out, hoping you'd help. But the monster is sly—he didn't chase me; he just wanted to go back and write invitations. So I came up."
The Pilgrim said: "What sort of monster is it?"
The Sha Monk said: "He looks like a giant soft-shell turtle—or else an alligator dragon."
The Pilgrim said: "Who is his uncle, I wonder?"
Hardly had he spoken when from the bend downstream an old man came walking out, knelt at a distance, and called: "Great Sage, the River God of the Black Water River bows his head."
The Pilgrim said: "You wouldn't be that boatman monster, come to trick me again?"
The old man kowtowed, tears dripping: "Great Sage, I am no monster. I am the true god of this river. That demon came from the Western Sea in the fifth month of last year, riding the great spring tide to this place, and fought with me. I am old and frail; I could not match him. He seized my mansion—the Hengyang Valley Black Water River God's Mansion—and made it his dwelling, and he killed many of my water folk. I had no choice but to go to the sea and lodge a complaint. But it turned out that the Dragon King of the Western Sea is his maternal uncle. The King would not accept my suit and told me to let him stay. I wished to appeal to Heaven, but my office is lowly and small; I cannot reach the Jade Emperor. I heard that the Great Sage had come, so I came to pay my respects and seek your protection. I beg the Great Sage to help me avenge my wrongs!"
The Pilgrim heard this and said: "By this account, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas are all at fault. He's carried off my master and my brother, and boasts he'll steam them and invite his uncle for a birthday feast. I was just about to take him, and here you come with the news. Very well—you stay here with the Sha Monk and keep watch. Let me go to the sea, seize that Dragon King first, and make him catch this monster."
The River God said: "I am deeply grateful for the Great Sage's great kindness!"
The Pilgrim mounted a cloud and went straight to the Western Sea. He stopped his somersault, pinched the water-repelling spell, and parted the waves. As he strode along, he ran into a black fish demon carrying a solid-gold invitation box on a tray, coming up from downstream, darting swift as an arrow or a shuttle. The Pilgrim met him face-to-face, whipped out his iron cudgel, and brought it down on the fish's head—pitiful! The brains burst out, the cheekbones split apart, and with a gurgle the body floated to the surface.
He opened the box and looked: inside was a invitation card reading: "Your foolish nephew Alligator Jie, bowing a hundred obeisances, presents this to the seat of his Second Uncle, the Venerable Ao. Greetings and thanks for your kind favor received aforetime. Today, having acquired two prizes—monks from the Eastern Land, truly rare things in this world—your nephew dares not keep them for himself. Knowing that your uncle's birthday is at hand, your nephew has prepared a humble feast to wish you a thousand years. I earnestly hope your carriage will speedily grace us—this is my request!"
The Pilgrim laughed: "The wretch has handed old Sun his own confession!"
He pocketed the card and went on. A patrolling sea yaksha caught sight of the Pilgrim, turned and darted into the Crystal Palace to report to the King: "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Grandfather Sun, has come!"
The Dragon King Ao Shun led his water folk out of the palace to welcome him: "Great Sage, please enter my humble palace and be seated. Let me serve you tea."
The Pilgrim said: "I haven't yet drunk your tea, but you've already drunk my wine!"
The Dragon King laughed: "Great Sage, you have long since taken refuge with the Buddha and abstain from meat and wine. When did you ever invite me to drink?"
The Pilgrim said: "Maybe you didn't go drinking, but you've landed yourself with the charge of drinking."
Ao Shun was startled: "Why would this little dragon be at fault?"
The Pilgrim drew the invitation card from his sleeve and handed it to the Dragon King. The Dragon King's soul flew from his body and his spirit scattered. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed: "Great Sage, forgive me! That wretch is my sister's ninth son. My sister's husband once erred in his rain and wind—he cut back the prescribed amount of rainfall—and the Heavenly Court issued a decree ordering the Minister Wei Zheng, a human official, to behead him in a dream. My sister had nowhere to live, so this little dragon brought her here and raised the boy to manhood. The year before last, my sister fell ill and died. The boy had nowhere to live, so I sent him to the Black Water River to cultivate his nature and practice the truth. I never expected him to commit such evil. This little dragon will send men at once to seize him."
The Pilgrim said: "How many fine sons does your sister have, and where do they all make trouble?"
The Dragon King said: "My sister has nine sons. The first eight are all good. The first, Little Yellow Dragon, dwells at the Huai River. The second, Little Black Dragon, dwells at the Ji River. The third, Green-Back Dragon, holds the Jiang River. The fourth, Red-Beard Dragon, guards the He River. The fifth, Toil Dragon, serves the Buddha by sounding the bell. The sixth, Steady Beast Dragon, serves the Spirit Officials by guarding the roof-ridge. The seventh, Jing-Zhong Dragon, guards the Heaven-Supporting Huabiao Pillar for the Jade Emperor. The eighth, Clam Dragon, serves at the Great Brother's place, stationed at the Great Mountain. This is the ninth, the Alligator Dragon. Being young and with no office, I only sent him last year to the Black Water River to cultivate his nature. When he proved himself, I would transfer him elsewhere. Who knew he would disobey my command and give offense to the Great Sage?"
The Pilgrim heard this and laughed: "How many brothers-in-law did your sister have?"
Ao Shun said: "She married but one—the Dragon King of the Jing River. He was beheaded years ago. My sister was widowed and lived here; the year before last she fell ill and died."
The Pilgrim said: "One husband, one wife—how did she produce so many mixed breeds?"
Ao Shun said: "This is precisely what is called: the dragon has nine sons, and each is different."
[Translator's note: a well-known Chinese proverb about the dragon's nine offspring, each with a different nature.]
The Pilgrim said: "I was just now in a temper, ready to take this invitation card as evidence and appeal to the Heavenly Court, charging you with colluding with monsters and seizing persons. But by what you say, it's that wretch who disobeyed your teaching. I'll let you off this once: first, for the sake of you brothers; second, the wretch is young and ignorant—you didn't know much about it. Quickly send men to seize him and rescue my master, and we'll settle the rest."
Ao Shun at once summoned Prince Mo'ang: "Quickly muster five hundred stalwart shrimp and fish soldiers, and capture the little alligator for his crimes!" On the other side, he arranged a banquet to make his apology to the Great Sage.
The Pilgrim said: "Dragon King, don't be so suspicious. Since we've talked it out and I've forgiven you, that's that. Why lay on a banquet? I must go back with your son right now: first, the old master is in peril; second, my brother is waiting."
The old dragon could not detain him, and a dragon girl came out bearing tea. The Pilgrim stood and drank one fragrant cup, took leave of the old dragon, and went with Mo'ang and his troops, departing the Western Sea.
They soon reached the Black Water River. The Pilgrim said: "Worthy Prince, catch the monster well—I'm going up on the bank."
Mo'ang said: "Great Sage, rest easy. Your little dragon prince will seize him and bring him before the Great Sage first, punish him for his crimes, and deliver the master up to you, before I dare take him back to the sea to see my father."
The Pilgrim bade him farewell cheerfully, pinched the water-repelling spell, leapt out of the waves, and came straight to the eastern cliff.
The Sha Monk and the River God met him: "Brother, when you left you went by air. How is it you return from within the river?"
The Pilgrim gave a full account of killing the fish demon, getting the invitation card, seeing the Dragon King, and coming back with the Prince and his troops. The Sha Monk was overjoyed. They all stood on the bank, waiting to receive the master—and of that no more.
Now Prince Mo'ang sent his guardsmen first to the monster's water mansion gate, to report to the demon: "The Dragon King of the Western Sea's Prince Mo'ang has come."
The monster was sitting when he heard that Mo'ang had come. His heart was full of doubt: "I sent the black fish demon with an invitation to my Second Uncle, and there's been no reply yet. Why doesn't my uncle come, but my cousin instead?" Even as he spoke, a patrolling little monster came to report: "Great King, there is a body of troops in the river, camped west of the mansion. The banner reads: 'Western Sea Crown Prince Mo'ang, Little Commander.'"
The monster said: "My cousin is a presumptuous one! I suppose my uncle couldn't come and sent him to the feast. But if he's come to feast, why bring troops and weary soldiers? Hm! I fear there's more to it."
He ordered: "Little ones, have my armor and steel whip ready—I may need them in a hurry. Let me go out and meet him and see how it is." The monster minions obeyed, each one rubbing his palms and flexing his muscles in readiness.
The Alligator Dragon came out the gate and saw a body of sea soldiers camped to the right. Just look:
Battle banners flutter with embroidered streamers; Painted halberds gleam like rosy dawn. Precious swords glow with brilliant light; Long spears wear tasseled flowers. Bows bent small as the crescent moon; Arrows planted like wolves' teeth. Great swords gleam and glitter; Short staves are hard and gritty. Whales and giant turtles, clams and oysters; Crabs and soft-shells, fish and shrimp. Great and small, all neatly ranked; Weapons clustered thick as hemp. But for the commander's word, Who would dare so much as chatter!
The Alligator Monster saw them and went straight to the camp gate, calling in a loud voice: "Cousin! Your little brother is here, waiting—come in, I pray."
A conch-shell camp patrol dashed to the command tent: "Report to His Highness the Crown Prince: the Alligator Dragon is outside, asking to see you."
The Prince adjusted the golden helm on his head, tightened the precious belt at his waist, gripped a three-edged mace, strode out of camp, and said: "You wanted to see me—what about?"
The Alligator Dragon bowed and said: "Little brother sent an invitation this morning to my uncle. I suppose my uncle thought too little of me and sent you, Cousin, instead. But if you've come to the feast, why bring the army and stir up the troops? Why not enter the mansion and rest, but camp here with armor and weapons—what does it mean?"
The Prince said: "What did you invite your uncle for?"
The monster said: "Little brother has long enjoyed my uncle's grace in letting me dwell here. It's been a long while since I saw his venerable face—I've not been able to show my filial piety. Yesterday I captured a monk from the Eastern Land. I hear he is a man who has cultivated through ten lifetimes—if one eats him, one can extend one's years. I wanted to invite my uncle to see him first, then put him in the iron cage and steam him, and throw my uncle a birthday banquet."
The Prince barked: "You blind fool! Do you know who that monk is?"
The monster said: "He's a monk from the Tang empire, going to the Western Heaven for scriptures."
The Prince said: "You know he's the Tang monk, but you don't know how powerful the disciples at his side are!"
The monster said: "He has one long-snouted monk called Zhu Bajie—I've caught him too, and I'll steam him with the Tang monk. There's another disciple called the Sha Monk—a dark fellow with a sallow, unlucky face, wielding a precious staff. Yesterday he came to my gate demanding his master, and I led out the river troops and beat him with my steel whip until he fled in defeat. He didn't seem so fearsome."
The Prince said: "So you don't know! He has a senior disciple, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, a High Immortal of the Great Monad who made havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago! He now protects the Tang monk on his way to the Western Heaven to bow before the Buddha and seek the scriptures. The Bodhisattva Guanyin of Potaraka Rock, the Great Merciful and Compassionate One, converted him and gave him the name Sun Wukong the Pilgrim. How could you go and do such a thing, stirring up this disaster? He ran into your messenger in my sea, seized your invitation, and came straight into the Crystal Palace, charging me and my father with colluding with monsters and seizing persons. Quickly hand over the Tang monk and Bajie to the riverbank, return them to the Great Sage Sun, and let me make your apology. Then perhaps you may keep your life. If you say half a word of no—forget about living peacefully in this place!"
The Alligator Monster heard this and his fury flared: "You and I are own cousins, blood kin—yet you side with a stranger? By what you say, I should just hand the Tang monk over. There's no such easy thing under Heaven! You may be afraid of him, but am I? If he has the skill, let him come to my mansion gate and fight me three rounds. If I win, I'll give him his master. If he can't beat me, I'll take him too and steam the lot of them together. No guests, no invitations—just shut the gate, have the little ones sing and dance, and I'll sit up above and eat my fill at my ease!"
The Prince heard this and cursed: "You insolent wretch, truly beyond the pale! Never mind the Great Sage Sun fighting you—can you stand against me?"
The monster said: "If I'd be a man, what do I fear of a fight?" He called: "Bring my armor!" At his shout, the little demons gathered round him, presented his armor, and offered up his steel whip. The two of them changed their tune; each flaunted his valor. The command went out, drums rolled on every side. This battle was very different from the fight with the Sha Monk. Just look:
Banners blazing, halberds flashing light. On this side, the camp disperses its ranks; On that side, the mansion gates swing wide.
Prince Mo'ang wields his golden mace; The Alligator Monster whips his lash to parry. A cannon-crash—the river soldiers fierce; Three gongs—the sea warriors mad. Shrimp fights shrimp; crab battles crab. Whales and turtles swallow crimson carp; Bream and bass rouse yellow catfish. Sharks and mullet drive the anchovy fleet to flight; Oysters pinching clams, the razor-fish panics. The needle-fish's spine is hard as an iron bar; The stingray's stinger is sharp as a blade. Flounders and soles chase the white eel; Bass and snapper hunt the black pomfret. The water monsters of one river vie for mastery; The dragon troops of two forces strive for victory. They clash at length; the waves roll on; Prince Mo'ang, a match for the Diamond Guardian, Shouts—and his golden mace comes crashing down, Seizing the Alligator Monster, that wicked king!
The Prince feinted with his three-edged mace, opening a gap. The monster, not knowing it was a trick, charged in. The Prince worked a maneuver and brought the mace down on the monster's right arm, staggering him; then darted forward, gave him a kick, and sent him sprawling.
The sea soldiers surged forward, threw him down, bound his hands behind his back with rope, threaded an iron chain through his collarbones, hauled him up on the bank, and brought him before the Pilgrim: "Great Sage, your little dragon prince has captured the alligator monster. We ask the Great Sage to judge him."
The Pilgrim and the Sha Monk saw him and said: "You wretch—you disobeyed your uncle's command! Your uncle placed you here to cultivate your nature and preserve your life, intending to transfer you elsewhere once you'd made a name. How dared you seize the River God's mansion, lord it with violence, scheme against your superiors, play a trick and swindle my master and brother? I'd like to give you one stroke of my cudgel—but old Sun's cudgel is very heavy; even a light tap would finish your life. Where have you put my master?"
The monster kowtowed without ceasing: "Great Sage, little Alligator did not know the Great Sage's great name. I went against my cousin, flaunted my strength and broke all reason, and my cousin captured me. Today I see the Great Sage and am blessed by the Great Sage's mercy in sparing my life—I am grateful beyond words. Your master is still bound in the water mansion. I beg the Great Sage to loose my iron chain and free my hands, so I may go into the river and bring him out."
Mo'ang, standing to one side, said: "Great Sage, this wretch is a rebel monster and deeply cunning. If you let him go, I fear he'll hatch some evil scheme."
The Sha Monk said: "I know the place. Let me go find the master." The two of them dove into the water and went straight to the mansion gate. The gates stood wide open, not a single guard in sight. They walked into the pavilion and found the Tang monk and Bajie, both stripped bare and bound there.
The Sha Monk quickly untied the master, and the River God untied Bajie. Each carried one on his back, up out of the water and to the bank.
Zhu Bajie saw the monster chained and bound on the side, whipped out his rake, and charged forward to strike, cursing: "You evil beast! Not eating me now, are you?"
The Pilgrim held him back: "Brother, let him off the death penalty for now—think of the worthy Ao Shun and his son."
Mo'ang bowed and said: "Great Sage, your little dragon prince dare not tarry. Since your master is rescued, I'll take this wretch to see my father. Though the Great Sage spares his death, my father will not spare his living punishment—there will be a reckoning, and I shall return to thank the Great Sage for his mercy."
The Pilgrim said: "Very well—take him. Give my regards to your father; I shall come thank him in person." The Prince took charge of the alligator monster, marched his sea troops back into the water, and returned to the Western Sea—of that no more.
Now the River God of the Black Water River thanked the Pilgrim: "I am deeply grateful for the Great Sage's grace in restoring my water mansion!"
The Tang monk said: "Disciples, we're still on the east bank. How do we cross this river?"
The River God said: "Do not worry, my lord. Please mount, and this little god will clear the way and guide my lord across." The master mounted the white horse, Bajie took the reins, the Sha Monk shouldered the luggage, and the Pilgrim Sun walked at his side. The River God worked a spell to dam the upstream flow, and in an instant the water below drained dry, opening a broad road. Master and disciples crossed to the west bank, thanked the River God, climbed the cliff, and took the road. Truly:
The meditation monk, delivered, comes to the Western Realm; Floor to the sky, waveless, they cross the Black River.
But how they fared in seeking the Buddha and the scriptures—listen to the explanation in the next chapter.