This is a fresh, complete English translation of Wu Cheng’en’s public-domain one-hundred-chapter novel, produced with GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark assistance. It is an AI-assisted first edition, not a reproduction of an existing translation.

"> When he met Your Majesty, he spoke only of the cause of rebirth, and at once seemed a person of the Buddha’s assembly.

In a single quiet thought he contemplated the Buddha of this dusty world; from the ten directions all watched as powers were brought low. If you wish to know who truly is today’s rightful sovereign, you must ask the true mother from the beginning. Strange is there in this world something no one has seen before: with each stride, a new flower opens.

It was said that the crown prince of the Wuchi kingdom, after parting from the Great Sage, returned to the city not long afterward. As expected, he did not rush to the court gate, nor dare to report the imperial edict; he went straight to the rear steward’s gate. There he saw a few eunuchs standing watch there. Seeing the prince arrive, they did not dare to block him and let him pass through. The handsome prince hauled at the horse and shoved his way in, then suddenly came under Jinxiang Pavilion. There on the pavilion sat the principal lady of the inner palace, with dozens of consorts on either side holding fans; the lady leaned on a carved rail and wept. You ask why she wept? In truth she had had a dream in the fourth watch as well—she remembered part of it, spoke part of it in fragments, and had been brooding in heavy thought all the while.

The prince dismounted and knelt beneath the pavilion, calling, “Mother.” The lady forced her joy to show and said, “My child, joy, joy! For the last two, three years my words have been only between you and your king-father before the hall; we could not meet, and I have missed you so. How have you found time today to come and see me? Truly there is a joy beyond counting! Truly there is a joy beyond counting! My child, why is your voice so mournful? Your father-king is old and worn. Should one day the dragon return to the Blue Sea and the phoenix go back to the Vermilion Skies, then you will inherit the dragon throne; what else now could grieve you?” The prince knelt and said, “Mother, who is he who has mounted the dragon throne? who is the one that calls himself sovereign, lone and orphaned?” The lady heard him and said, “Has this child gone mad? The one who is emperor is your father-king—how can you ask that?” The prince knelt again: “I beg, mother, forgive my son’s fault, and let me ask; if you refuse to forgive, I dare not ask.” She said, “What fault is there between mother and child? I forgive you, I forgive you—speak quickly.” The prince said, “Mother, I ask you about what was in the Chamber of Husband and Wife three years ago—whether the affection lasted the same in the three years after.” When she heard this, her spirit seemed to drift and her soul to scatter; she hurried down from the pavilion, lifted him up and held him tight in her arms, tears streaming as she said, “My child, we have not seen each other for so long. Why come to the palace today with this question?” The prince, angered, said, “Mother, had this not been spoken before, the great matter would already be delayed.” The lady dismissed the attendants and in a low, tearful voice said, “This matter, child, even if you had not asked it, I would not have understood it even after going down to the Ninth Spring. Since you ask, listen while I tell you:

Three years ago he was warm and gentle; three years after, cold as ice. Beside the pillow he asked earnestly; he said he was old and withered, and his strength was waning. Hearing this, the prince pulled away and dismounted from her hold, climbing toward his saddle. The lady caught at the bridle, crying, “My child, you have some purpose; how can you go before finishing your words?” The prince knelt before her and said, “Mother, I do not dare to say it plainly. This morning, on imperial command, I was ordered with guards and men, horses, hawks and dogs to ride out hunting beyond the city. By chance we met the holy pilgrim monk from the Eastern Lands, with a great disciple named Sun Wukong, who is skilled in subduing demons. Truly your son-father-king died in the octagonal glass well within the imperial flower garden; this whole thing is an usurping counterfeit king who has taken the dragon throne. Tonight at the third watch, father-king came in a dream and asked him to come into the city to capture the monster. I did not dare fully believe it, so I came to ask Mother. And now mother has spoken those words—surely this must be a demon spirit.” The lady said, “Child, why do you take another person’s words as fact so quickly?” The prince said, “My child does not dare to accept it as certain. The King left a token and a written sign with him.” The lady asked what it was. The prince took from his sleeve that white-jade jade tally from a golden case and handed it to her. She recognized it as the king’s treasure of that time and could not stop the tears from bursting forth. She cried, “My lord, why did you die three years ago and never come to see me, but first meet this holy monk and then this prince?” The prince asked, “Mother, what do you mean by that?” She replied, “Child, at the fourth watch I too had a dream. I saw your father-king standing before me, wet as with dew, and in his own words he said he had died; the ghost itself begged the monk of Tang to take up the false emperor and save his former life. I remember it just so, but the dream itself was only half clear, half indistinct. In this uncertainty we wondered what to do. Then today you come with this speech and bring out this treasure as well. Let me take it. You should go and urgently ask that holy monk to do so. Surely he will sweep away the demon miasma and set true and false apart, and thereby repay in part your father-king’s nurturing kindness.”

The prince quickly remounted and left by the rear gate, slipping away from the city. He wept, knelt before the royal mother and bid her farewell, then again knelt and bent to Tripitaka in sorrow. Not long afterward he passed the city gate and went straight to the gate before Baolin Monastery Mountain, where he dismounted. Soldiers followed him, and he saw the red halo-wheel about to fall. The prince ordered that no soldiers were to stir in disorder. He then entered the mountain gate alone, adjusted his clothing and headgear, and made formal obeisance to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong came from the main hall with a gentle swaying gait. The prince knelt on both knees and said, “Master, I have come.” Sun Wukong stepped forward and lifted him up: “Rise. In the city, did you ask anyone?” The prince said, “I asked mother.” He repeated all that had passed. Sun Wukong gave a faint smile: “If it was that coldness, then it must be some icy transformation. Never mind, never mind. Let old Sun clear it with you. Yet today it has grown late and the matter is not convenient. Go back now; at first light I will come.” The prince knelt and prostrated: “Master, I shall remain here until tomorrow and then go with you all the way.” Sun Wukong said, “Not good. Not good. If I enter the city with you, that monster will grow suspicious. Even if it does not accuse me of crashing into you, it will say it was you who invited old Sun—would that not provoke it against you?” The prince said, “If I enter the city now, it already blames me.” Sun Wukong said, “Blames you for what?” The prince said, “This morning I was ordered at the first watch, leading men, horses, hawks and dogs out of the city. Not a single wild thing has been caught the whole day. If they ask me my incompetence, I can only blame this on failure and be cast in Yuli prison. Tomorrow when you enter the city, with what face will you stand there? And among that unit there is not one person who knows me.” Sun Wukong said, “Is that so serious? If you had told me sooner, why did you not ask me to find some help for you first?”

"Excellent Great Sage," he said, "watch him stand before the prince and show a device. Let your body spring up and leap into the cloud-banks. Twist the technique and recite the dhāraṇī, ‘Om Lan Jing Fajie,’ and compel the Mountain God and Earth God to bow in midair, saying, ‘Great Sage, you call the lesser gods. What is the command?’ Sun Wukong said, ‘Old Sun brought Tripitaka here to seize this demon, but the prince has hunted and found no quarry, and dares not return to court. Ask you all for a little favor: quickly bring, searching here and there, wildfowl, mountain birds, horned deer, plump elk, foxes, badgers, hares, tigers, leopards, wolves, and creeping creatures—whatever you can find—and send him away with trophies back to the city.’ The Mountain God and Earth God, hearing him, did not dare disobey, and asked how many were needed. Sun Wukong said, ‘Any number. Bring just some.’ The gods then summoned their shadow soldiers here, whipped up a swirl of ghostly beast-wind, and caught wild hens, mountain pheasants, antlered deer, heavy musk-deer, foxes, badgers, wild hare, tigers, leopards, wolves, and insects and vermin—more than ten-thousand altogether—and offered them to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong said, ‘Old Sun wants none of this. Turn all of it into great bundles, a jin or so each, and lay them only along both sides of the road forty li out. Tell those men not to loose hawks and dogs. Send them back to the city. That will be your merit.’ The gods did as ordered, withdrew the ghost-wind, and lined the creatures on either side.

Then Sun Wukong settled the cloud to rest, and said to the prince, “Your Highness, please return. There are already animals awaiting on the road; gather them yourself.” Seeing him above, creating such arts in midair, the prince could not but believe. He knelt and said farewell with prostration. At the mountain gate he issued orders for the soldiers to return to the city. They then saw indeed that by the roadside there was an endless number of wild beasts. The soldiers, not releasing hawks and dogs, each one seized them by hand and cheered; all of them said it was the boundless good fortune of the Prince. They did not know it was the divine skill of old Sun. Hear the victory songs: they returned in a heaving crowd to the city.

The Wukong protected Tripitaka. The monks in that temple saw how he and the prince were so close with each other; how could they not be respectful? Still, they arranged vegetarian offerings, served Tripitaka, and yet he remained resting in the meditation hall. Near one watch of the night, the Wukong had something on his mind and could not sleep. He abruptly got up, came to Tripitaka’s bed, and called, 'Master.' At that moment the elder was not yet asleep. He knew that if the Wukong woke he would startle about and rush out to fight demons, so he turned over and did not answer. The Wukong touched his shaven head and shook it violently: 'Master, how can you be asleep?' Tripitaka snapped, 'You wayward one, it is this late and you still do not sleep—what are you shouting about?' The Wukong said, 'Master, there is one matter I must discuss with you.' The elder said, 'What matter?' The Wukong said, 'That day I boasted to the prince, saying my arts were higher than mountains and deeper than seas, that I could take that demon as easily as taking an object from a pouch. I could stretch out my hand and bring him back. Yet even now I cannot sleep, thinking of it, and it feels difficult.' Tripitaka said, 'If it is difficult, then just do not seize him.' The Wukong said, 'I still have to seize him, but the matter is not proper in principle.' Tripitaka said, 'You monkey says nonsense. A demon that has taken the ruler’s seat—how can that be not improper in principle?' The Wukong said, 'You, sir, only recite scriptures, worship Buddha, meditate, and contemplate Chan. Have you ever seen those legal measures, the laws of Xiao He? It is said: "Catch the thief, seize the loot." This demon has been emperor for three years and has not once shown a trail or let a rumor escape. He lay with the three palaces’ consorts and revelled with both civil and military officials. I, old Sun, have the skill to seize him, yet cannot set a fitting charge.' Tripitaka said, 'How is that charge not fitting?' The Wukong said, 'He is but a muzzled gourd, no more than your favorite target rolled in competition with you. He would dare to say, "I am the king of Wuji, who are you to seize me? what crime against Heaven did I do?" What authority would he have to argue with us?'

Tripitaka asked, 'By what judgment do you propose to decide this?' The Wukong laughed: 'Old Sun’s plan is already set. It only runs afoul of your partiality, master.' Tripitaka asked, 'In what way am I partial?' The Wukong said, 'You have a fondness for Zhu Bajie.' Tripitaka asked, 'How do I favor him?' The Wukong said, 'If you are not favoring him, then now grow your courage a little bigger and leave Sha Wujing here. Let old Sun and Zhu Bajie take this chance, enter the city of Wuji first, find the Imperial Garden, open the glazed-porcelain well, haul up the former emperor’s corpse, and wrap it in our baggage. Tomorrow we enter the city; do not trouble about exchanging documents. When we meet that monster, we pull out our staffs and strike at once. If he speaks a word, we show him the bones and tell him, "It was this man you killed." Then have the prince come up and weep for his father. Have the queen come out to identify her lord. Let civil and military officials see the master in the crowd. Old Sun and the brothers will then strike together. That is a proper official dispute, fit to be fought.' Hearing this, Tripitaka thought privately, 'I fear Zhu Bajie will not be willing to go.' The Wukong laughed, 'How can you say that? I told you he is being protected by your partiality. How do you know he will refuse? When I call you, you do not answer for half an hour. As for me, with my three-inch tongue that never rots, even Zhu Jiu Bajie would still be persuaded to come if I wished.' Tripitaka said, 'Very well. Call him and do as you will.'

The Wukong left his master and went straight to Zhu Bajie’s bedside, calling, 'Zhu Bajie, Zhu Bajie.' The fool was the kind of man exhausted by travel; he had thrown himself down and was only snoring away, no waking him at all. The Wukong grabbed his ears, caught the tufts of hair, pulled hard, and hauled him up, calling, 'Zhu Bajie.' The fool still kicked and struggled. The Wukong called again; the fool said, 'Enough sleeping, stop. Tomorrow we have to walk.' The Wukong said, 'Not nonsense. There is one business matter, and we will do it together.' Zhu Bajie asked, 'What business?' The Wukong said, 'Did you hear what the prince said?' Zhu Bajie said, 'I did not meet him, and did not hear him say anything.' The Wukong said, 'The prince told me this demon has a treasure of courage greater than ten thousand men. Tomorrow we must enter the city and cannot avoid contending with him. If that monster grips the treasure and knocks us down, would that not be ugly for us? So I thought fighting him head-to-head is no good; better strike first. Why not I and you steal it? Is it not good?' Zhu Bajie said, 'Brother, you are fooling me into becoming a thief. I can go for this business too. If it is truly the real thing, I will state it clearly: if we steal the treasure and subdue the demon, I do not care for petty household squabbles over dividing spoil—I will take it all.' The Wukong said, 'What do you want, exactly?' Zhu Bajie said, 'I am not as clever with words as you two, and can transform an ascetic appearance before people. This old pig is thick-bodied, speaks coarsely, and cannot chant scripture. If we go to a place of no one and no life, how can we then exchange for alms?' The Wukong said, 'Old Sun cares only for fame; what treasure is he concerned with? It is all yours.' The fool, hearing that it was all for him, grew so joyful. He rolled up with a start, put on his clothes, and left with the Wukong. His face reddened like clear wine, and his heart stirred like bright gold in motion.

The two quietly opened the gate, slipped away from Tripitaka, and under auspicious moonlight headed straight for the city. Not long after, they arrived. At the cloud-head drum, the second-watch was just sounding. The Wukong said, 'Brother, it is the second watch.' Zhu Bajie said, 'Good, good. It is exactly when everyone is deep in the first deep sleep.' The two did not run to the Front Yang gate; they went directly to the rear of the side gate. They heard the clapper and bell ringing. The Wukong said, 'Brother, the front and rear gates are both tightly barred. How can we get inside?' Zhu Bajie said, 'Do thieves ever walk in through a gate? Just leap over the wall and go through.' Wukong followed this and sprang up, jumping over the city wall. Zhu Bajie also jumped. The two slipped in inside, found the route, and headed straight toward the imperial flower garden.

As they walked on they saw a three-eaved white clustered gate tower. On it were three bright and radiant characters, shining with moon and starlight: "Imperial Flower Garden." The Wukong came close to examine it. There were several layers of sealing cover over the door, and the lock and bolt were plainly rusted shut. He ordered Zhu Bajie to act. The fool drew his iron pike and, with all his strength, struck once, smashing the door into fragments. The Wukong stepped in first, and could not restrain himself from leaping up, shouting and crying out loudly. Frightened, Zhu Bajie came forward and held him back: 'Brother, you will get me killed too! Why make this sort of thief-like shouting? We will wake everyone, be seized and taken to trial, and even if not put to death we will be sent back to our home province for exile.' The Wukong said, 'Brother, why do you say I am in a panic? Look at this:'

The painted carvings and carved rails look disheveled; jewel-bright kiosks and pavilions lean awry. Banks of reeds and knotweed are buried in dust; peonies and shrubs alike have withered. Jasmine and rose give faint fragrance; peony and lily bloom empty and hollow. Hibiscus and mallow thickets lie sprawled; strange herbs and rare blossoms are overgrown. Artful rock peaks are all fallen; ponds are dry, fish weakened. Green pines and purple bamboos look like dry timber; the whole pathside is thick with mugwort and wormwood. Red osmanthus and green peach branches are damaged; pomegranate and crape-myrtle roots are askew. Moss gathers on the bridgehead and winding paths; the whole garden realm is desolate and abandoned.

Zhu Bajie said, 'Why sigh over it then? Let us do our own business and be done with it.' Though the Wukong was touched with feeling, he kept in mind Tripitaka’s dream: that there was a well beneath a banana tree. As he walked on, he did indeed see a banana tree, luxuriant and flourishing, unlike any other flowering plants. It was truly:

A single vigorous spirit shoot, naturally empty in nature. Branches pull out thin ribbons, and each leaf winds a fragrant cluster. A thousand fine emerald threads, with one red-hearted point. Cold, sorrowful night rain; worn and timid before the autumn wind. It nourishes primal strength, and cultivation gives form to Heaven and Earth’s making. A sealed instruction becomes miraculous in use; a single sweep yields strange powers. Can even phoenix plumes equal it? its swept tail is clearly unlike them. Fine thin dew drips and clings, while light smoke drifts in pale veils. Bluish shade covers doors and windows; green shadows rise upon the curtains. It does not permit wild geese to nest; how could one tie up even a jade steed here? In icy sky-like cold it grows gaunt and withered; by moonlit nights the color is blurred. It serves only to dispel internal heat, and still should avoid the full sun. Unable to match the colors of peach and plum, it stands forlorn, west of the pale wall.

Sun Wukong said, "Bajie, shall we start? The treasure is buried under the plantain tree." Zhu Bajie raised a spade with both hands and knocked the plantain down. Then, with his snout he heaved out a hollow three to four chi deep and saw that it was covered by a stone slab. The pig rejoiced, "Brother, I knew it. The treasure is really here, covered by a stone slab. I do not know if it is in a jar or packed in a chest." Sun Wukong said, "Lift it up and look." Zhu Bajie did so with his snout once more, and at the same spot saw dazzling red light and clear white haze. He laughed, "What a fate, what a fate—the treasure is shining." When he moved closer and looked closely, "Ah!" it was really just moon-and-star light reflecting and making the well water bright. Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, if you are going to do this, then leave something for us to hold by." Sun Wukong said, "How can I leave anything?" Zhu Bajie said, "This is a well. You told in the monastery that there was treasure in the well, and I even brought two knotted rope bundles to carry the old pig down. Now, with empty hands, how are we to go down and up with what is inside?" Sun Wukong said, "Can you go down?" Zhu Bajie said, "That is exactly what we need to do. I only have no rope." Sun Wukong laughed, "Take off your clothes, and I’ll give you a method." Zhu Bajie said, "What good are these clothes? Just undo this padded robe."

The Great Sage drew out the Golden-Hooped Staff, pulled both ends, and called, "Grow!" It was seven to eight zhang long. He said, "Bajie, hold one end and let yourself be lowered into the well." Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, put me down if you must. If I reach the water’s edge, stop there." Sun Wukong said, "I know." The boor hugged the iron staff; Sun Wukong lifted him lightly and lowered him down. In not much time he had reached the water. Zhu Bajie called, "I am at the water." When Sun Wukong heard him speak, he pressed the staff downward. With a splash, Zhu Bajie did a head-down squat, dropped the iron staff, faced downward in the water, and muttered angrily, "Damn it. I told him not to drop me into the water, and he still pressed me down." Sun Wukong pulled the staff back up and laughed, "Brother, is there any treasure?" Zhu Bajie said, "What treasure did I see? There is only well water." Sun Wukong said, "The treasure is on the bottom. Dive and feel for it." The fool truly knew how to dive and leapt down at once. "Ah!" the well bottom was very deep. He dove once more, and suddenly opened his eyes to see a gateway bearing the three characters "Crystal Palace." Zhu Bajie was startled: "Enough! enough! I have strayed from the path and come to the sea. How can there be a Crystal Palace of the sea in a well?" It turned out that Zhu Bajie did not know this was the Well Dragon King’s Crystal Palace.

As soon as Zhu Bajie had begun his narration, a water-patrolling yaksha already opened the gate. Seeing his appearance, he hurried inside to report: "Your Majesty, a calamity has come. A monk with a long snout and large ears has fallen in from above the well. He is bare and red from top to bottom, still alive, even arguing like one used to giving orders." When the Well Dragon King heard this, he was greatly startled: "This is Marshal Zhu Bajie. Last night the Night-Traveling God came with an imperial edict: go to fetch the King of Wuji's soul, present it before Tripitaka, and invite the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to subdue the demon. If this is in fact the Great Sage and Marshal Zhu Bajie, then we must not neglect him. Bring him at once."

The Dragon King adjusted his dress and court robes, gathered the water clans, came out, and shouted loudly, "Marshal Zhu Bajie, please come inside and sit." Zhu Bajie was happy at once: "So this is an old acquaintance." The fool ignored everything and went straight into the Crystal Palace. In truth, bare and red in the body, he sat there. The Dragon King said, "Marshal, I have heard that you have saved your life, taken refuge in the Buddhist way, and are guarding Tripitaka on his western journey to fetch the sutras. How did you come to this place?" Zhu Bajie said, "That is exactly why I came. My senior brother Sun Wukong has been asking repeatedly and sent me to ask you what treasure you might provide." The Dragon King said, "Poor me, how can I have any treasure here? Unlike the dragon kings of the Yangtze, the rivers, Huai, and Ji, who by flying transformation possess treasures, I have been confined here so long that even day and night do not pass as they should; how could such treasure have come here?" Zhu Bajie said, "Do not evade. If there is a treasure, bring it out." The Dragon King said, "I do have one treasure, only I cannot bring it out. Why not let the Marshal come personally and look?" Zhu Bajie said, "Wonderful, wonderful indeed—so be it to look."

The Dragon King walked on ahead while Zhu Bajie followed behind. After passing through the Crystal Palace halls, they came to a corridor under which a six-chi-long body lay stretched out. The Dragon King pointed and said, "Marshal, that is the treasure there." Zhu Bajie moved forward and looked. "Ah!" it was a dead emperor, wearing a sky-piercing crown, an ochre-yellow robe, No-Worry boots, and a blue-gold girdle, lying stiffly upright there. Zhu Bajie laughed, "No, no, no. This cannot be called treasure. When the old pig was a monster in the mountain, he used to take this kind of thing as food; do not say how many he saw and ate—he ate until his fill beyond counting. How could this be called treasure?" The Dragon King said, "Marshal, no wonder you do not know. It is the corpse of the King of Wuji. Once he came into the well, I stabilized it with the fixing-beauty pearl and it has not decayed. If you carry him out, and when the Great Sage sees him and wants to restore the dead to life, then, besides a treasure, you may take whatever you like." Zhu Bajie said, "If it is so, I will carry him out. Tell me instead how much money for burial you will give me." The Dragon King said, "In truth, there is no money." Zhu Bajie said, "You treat people so plainly? If truly no money, I will not carry him." The Dragon King said, "If you do not carry him, leave." Zhu Bajie turned to go. The Dragon King sent two yakshas with strength to lift the corpse out and send it to the gate outside the Crystal Palace, dropped it there, and after taking off a pearl that parted water, there was a rush of water.

Zhu Bajie, in a hurry, looked back and saw no gate of the Crystal Palace. He felt along and found the emperor’s corpse with his hands; frightened, his legs went soft and his muscles numbed. He scrambled out to the surface and clung to the well wall, shouting, "Brother, send down the staff and rescue me." Sun Wukong asked, "Did you find treasure?" Zhu Bajie said, "Where is there any? It is just that there is a Well Dragon King below, who told me to carry a dead man. I refused to carry him, and he sent me out through the gate; then the Crystal Palace disappeared, and I can only feel that corpse. He frightened me so badly my hands went numb and I could not struggle loose. Brother, please save me somehow." Sun Wukong said, "That is the treasure. Why didn’t you carry him up?" Zhu Bajie said, "How can I carry him when he has been dead for who knows how long?" Sun Wukong said, "If you do not carry him, I am going back." Zhu Bajie said, "Where are you going back?" Sun Wukong said, "Back to the monastery, to sleep beside Master." Zhu Bajie said, "If I don’t go there, then what?" Sun Wukong said, "If you can climb up, I will take you with me; if you cannot, then there is nothing to do." Zhu Bajie panicked: "How could I climb? Think: even the city wall is hard to scale. This well is broad below, but the mouth is narrow, and the round wall is steep. It is a well no one has drawn water from for years, and the whole inner wall is covered with moss, making it very slippery. How can I climb? Brother, do not break the harmony among brothers. Let me carry him out first." Sun Wukong said, "Right. Carry him up quickly; then I will return with you to sleep." Zhu Bajie took another hard dive, rushed down, touched the corpse, pulled it over, carried it on his back, and climbed out, bracing against the wall. "Brother, I have carried him up." When Sun Wukong opened his eyes, he truly saw him carrying the corpse on his back, and only then he lowered the Golden-Hooped Staff to the bottom of the well. The fool, angry, opened his mouth and bit the iron staff; Sun Wukong gently lifted him out.

Zhu Bajie set the corpse down and fished out his clothes to put on. As Sun Wukong looked, the emperor’s face still remained as before, not altered at all from when he had lived. Sun Wukong said, "Brother, this man has been dead three years—how is his face still unspoiled?" Zhu Bajie said, "You do not know. The Well Dragon King told me he fixed it with the Díngyán Pearl, and the corpse has not decayed." Sun Wukong said, "How strange, how strange. First, his grudge is still unavenged; second, this is exactly where we need success. Brother, hurry and carry him." Zhu Bajie said, "Carry him where?" Sun Wukong said, "Carry him to meet Tripitaka." Zhu Bajie muttered, "How am I to bear this? How am I to bear this? A well-sleeping person, with a monkey’s flowery words, was tricked into this kind of bargaining. Now I am made to do this: to carry a dead body. Carrying him, foul water soaked me through and dirtied my clothes; no one here can wash them for me. There are several patched places, and with damp weather the whole top is damp. How can I wear them?" Sun Wukong said, "You just carry him to the monastery and I will have you change clothes." Zhu Bajie said, "I am not ashamed, I still have no clothes while you do, and you would change me too?" Sun Wukong said, "If you keep this sort of talking, then just do not carry him." Zhu Bajie said, "I will not carry him." Sun Wukong said, "Then put out your staff and I will strike you twenty times." Zhu Bajie panicked, "Brother, that staff is heavy. If he hits me twenty times, I will end up like this emperor." Sun Wukong said, "If you fear being hit, then carry him and walk at once." Zhu Bajie, truly afraid, without good temper dragged the corpse over, put it on his back, and staggered out of the garden and went away.

Great Sage, pinching the spell method, he whispered the incantation, drew in a breath from the ground toward the Xun quarter, and blew it out; at once a fierce blast rose, a raging wind came up, and it swept Zhu Bajie out of the inner court of the imperial palace, away from the city and out of the dangerous stir. The two landed, and slowly made their way back. The fool, resentful in secret, plotted revenge on the Pilgrim: "That monkey tormented me; I will torment him at the temple too. Tell Master, say he can cure him and bring him back to life. If he cannot, then let Master chant the Tightening Headband Spell and squeeze the monkey's brain until it is squeezed out—only then will my heart be avenged." As he kept walking he reflected again: "No, no. If he sets about curing the dead, that's easy enough. He can go to Yama’s household and ask for a soul-essence child, and then he can cure him. Just say the patient must not go to the underworld; then he can restore him in the world of yang. That is the true trick."

He had no time to speak before they had reached the mountain gate and, straightway, gone in, flinging the corpse before the gate of the meditation hall. "Master, get up and see." Tripitaka, unable to sleep, had just been talking with Sha Wujing about how Sun Wukong had sent Zhu Bajie away and he had not returned. When he heard the cry, he leapt up at once: "Disciple, what is it?" Zhu Bajie said, "The Great Sage's grandfather. Old Zhu had been ordered to carry him here." Sun Wukong replied, "You fool! where do I have some grandfather to bring?" Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, it is not your grandfather—so how did you have Old Pig carry him here? I don't even know how much effort I spent."

Tripitaka and Sha Wuking opened the gate and saw. The emperor's features had not changed; he seemed almost alive. The monk suddenly spoke with grief: "Your Majesty, you never knew the enemy of your former life. In this life, on meeting him, you lost your life by stealth, and wife and children were cast apart; thus the civil and military officials know nothing, and all your ministers are at a loss. How pitiful your wife lies in stupor, and who has ever seen offerings of incense and tea made for her?" He suddenly broke into tears. Zhu Bajie laughed: "Master, he is dead—what concern is that to you? He was not your own ancestor; why cry for him?" Tripitaka said, "Disciple, compassion is the foundation of those who have left home; expedient means are the gate. Why is your heart so hard?" Zhu Bajie said, "Not hard-hearted. Master and I heard what Brother Pilgrim said: he can cure him back to life. If he cannot, then he would not have carried me here." Tripitaka was, by nature, all feeling, and the way that fool pricked his heart, he said, "Sun Wukong, if he truly has a way to revive this emperor, that is to save one life is to surpass the merit of building a seven-level stupa. Then our worth would be greater than bowing in devotion on Sacred Peak." Sun Wukong said, "Tripitaka, how can you believe this fool's wild talk? If a person dies—whether in a three-seven, five-seven period, and after all seven hundred days when the sins of the world of yang are exhausted, he has already gone to take another birth. He has been dead these three years. How could he be saved now?" Tripitaka answered after hearing him, "Enough." Zhu Bajie could not let his resentment subside: "Master, do not let him deceive you. He has this little madness of a wedge in his mind. You only chant those words and he can give you back one living person." At once Tripitaka began the Tightening Headband Spell, and it tightened, making the monkey's eyes swell and his head ache.

In the end it is not clear how he might be cured and restored to life. Hear the unfolding in the next chapter.