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.

It is said that Great Sage Equal to Heaven, defeated with empty hands, came to sit behind Jindou Mountain. He wept, his tears falling from both eyes in quick drops, and called out: “Master, I had hoped to stand by you:

By Buddha’s grace, by compassion’s harmony, our bond from childhood and all life has no end. Together we dwell, together we cultivate, together released from ties; together in mercy and remembrance, your responsive merit shines. Shared destiny and shared form, hearts are truly in covenant; with shared sight and shared knowing, all turns to understanding. How could this be now, with no master-caned staff in hand, that bare-fisted and barefoot I should flourish? The Great Sage was forlorn for a long time, then thought in his heart: “That demon spirit knew me. I remember him boasting in the battle array: ‘You are indeed of the sort that once rampaged in Heaven.’ Such a one is no ordinary monster from the mortal realms. It must surely be a fierce star from above come down to descend and think its way among men. I do not know from where this demon lord has fallen, so I must go up to the court and investigate it fully.”

Only then did the Monkey test his heart against his heart, set himself straight, flip over, rise into lucky clouds, and go straight to the outside of the South Heaven Gate. He looked up and saw the Broad-Eyed Heavenly King coming toward him. They faced one another; the king offered a full bow and said, “Great Sage, where are you going?” Sun Wukong said, “I have business before the Jade Emperor. What are you doing here?” Guangmu replied, “Today this round is my watch, to inspect the South Heaven Gate.” Before he could finish, they saw the four great marshals Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Guan come forward in courtesy: “Great Sage, we missed the proper welcome. Please wait for tea.” Sun Wukong said, “I have urgent business,” and took leave of Guangmu and the Four Marshals, then went straight through the South Heaven Gate to the outside of Lingxiao Hall. There he saw again Zhang Daoling, Master Ge, Xu Jingyang, and Qiu Hongji, the four heavenly masters, along with the six officers of the Southern Dipper and the seven lords of the Northern Dipper, all standing before the hall to welcome him. They all raised their hands and said, “Great Sage, how did you come here?” then asked, “Is the task of protecting Master Tripitaka complete?” Sun Wukong said, “It is done, it is done—long is the road and vast the demonic realm; only half the work has been accomplished. Now we are blocked at Mount Jindou, in Jindou Cave. A rhinoceros demon has taken Master Tripitaka into that cave. Old Sun came upon him and fought one bout. That fellow’s divine powers were vast and he stole Sun Wukong’s Golden-Hooped Staff, so binding that demon king was impossible. I suspect it is one of those ferocious stars from above, come down to roam the mortal world, and I do not know from where this demon lord has fallen. I came here to ask the Jade Emperor what severe binding has not been enforced enough.” Xu Jingyang laughed: “This monkey head is still so unruly.” Sun Wukong said, “It is not being unruly. I, old Sun, have always been a little too tight-fisted, so only then could I find his trail.” Zhang Daoling said, “No need to speak further; just have him report it and that is enough.” Sun Wukong said, “Much thanks, much thanks.”

Then the four heavenly masters submitted a report at Lingxiao and were ushered before the Jade Throne. Sun Wukong stepped forward, made a deep court bow, and said, “Forgive me, old official, forgive me. I, old Sun, have taken Tripitaka and gone west to fetch the sutras. Along the road it has been all danger and little good; no need to recount it. Now we are at Mount Jindou, in Jindou Cave. There is a rhinoceros demon who has taken Master Tripitaka and kept him in the cave. I do not know whether he means to steam him, boil him, or dry him. Old Sun came to his door and fought him. That demon seemed in part to recognize old Sun and, with prodigious powers, snatched away my Golden-Hooped Staff, so I could not securely bind the monster. I suspect he is a murderous star from Heaven that came down to enter mortal life. For this reason old Sun has come to make this urgent memorial. I beg the Celestial Lord to extend compassion and clear insight, issue an edict to investigate this evil star and send troops to suppress the demons. Old Sun trembles; this battle has shaken him beyond endurance.” He then knelt lower and said, “As I have heard.” Beside him Master Ge laughed, “How now with this monkey, so forward before and so respectful after?” Sun Wukong said, “Forgive me, forgive me. It is not forwardness nor such reversals—old Sun has simply no staff left to play with.”

When the Jade Emperor heard the memorial, he at once issued an order: “Let Ke Han, Lord of the Hall, learn this: since Wukong has reported as he did, immediately check all the heavens’ stars and stellar armies, and all constellation kings, for any spirit that has come down from Heaven to become mortal. As soon as you know, return and report at once.” Ke Han Zhenjun, obeying the decree, at once went with the Great Sage to investigate. He first examined the gate spirits and divine officials over the Four Great Gates. Next he examined the Great and small host of true spirits among the Three Enclosures. Then he examined the thunder generals Tao, Zhang, Xin, and Deng, as well as Gu, Bi, Pang, and Liu. At last he examined the Thirty-Three Heavens, each in ease. He then checked the Twenty-Eight Mansions: eastern seven—Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Shen, Wei, Ji; western seven—Dou, Niu, Nu, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi; the southern and northern seven mansions were all peaceful. He examined the Seven Luminaries, Sun, Moon, Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth, and Rahu, Jidu, Qibo, and four more beyond. In all the sky and all the stars, none had descended from Heaven. Sun Wukong said, “Since that is so, I, old Sun, need not go up to that Treasure Hall in Lingxiao. Disturbing the Jade Emperor is exceedingly improper. You return with your directive; I will wait here for your reply and nothing more.” Ke Han Zhenjun did as ordered. Sun Wukong waited long, then wrote this commemorative poem:

The wind is clear, the clouds are drained to blue; joy rises in peace. Spirits are still, stars shine clear, and auspicious omens appear. The celestial river and Milky Way rest in calm; Heaven and Earth are tranquil. At the five directions and eight extremes, lances are laid down and banners are furled.

After Ke Han Zhenjun had investigated thoroughly, he reported to the Jade Emperor: “There are no few stars in all heaven, all divine commanders remain, and none has come down from Heaven to become mortal.” Hearing this, the Jade Emperor said, “Let Sun Wukong select several heavenly generals and go below to seize the demon.”

The four heavenly masters received the decree and left the Hall of Lingxiao, then said to the Great Sage: “Great Sage, the Jade Emperor is mercifully lenient. He says Heaven has no wayward stars; he orders you to select a few heavenly generals and go below to capture the demon.” Sun Wukong lowered his head and thought to himself: “There are more heavenly generals than old Sun in Heaven, and fewer are his equal than there are old Sun himself. When I once caused turmoil in Heaven, the Jade Emperor sent out ten thousand heavenly soldiers, casting net upon net of Heaven and Earth, and not one general dared to match hands with me. Later they brought out the young Saint Erlang; he alone is my true opponent. Now this demon’s methods are even stronger than old Sun’s—how can I possibly prevail?” Xu Jingyang said, “This is one time and that another time; they are very different. As is said, ‘One thing is quelled by another.’ Why have you violated the command? Rely on your own discernment, choose the heavenly generals, and do not hesitate and lose the matter.” Sun Wukong said, “If it is so, I deeply feel Heaven’s grace and cannot disobey the decree. Besides, old Sun cannot simply pass through this round in vain. Please ask Xu Jingyang to convey this to the Jade Emperor: send Lord Li the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King with Prince Nezha. He still has several demon-subduing weapons. Let him go below and face one battle with that demon and see what comes of it. If he can capture it, it will be old Sun’s good fortune; if he cannot, then we can decide another course.”

Indeed those heavenly masters presented it to the Jade Emperor, and the Jade Emperor immediately ordered Lord Li and his son to lead their heavenly soldiers and aid the Great Sage. The King came at once and met him. Sun Wukong then said to the master, “Thank you beyond measure that the Jade Emperor has sent the Heavenly King by my side. I have one more request: if two Thunder Lords can be provided, then when the King fights, have the Thunder Lords bring down from the clouds a thunder snare to strike through the top of the demon’s crown and pin him dead. It would be excellent.” The master laughed, “Excellent, excellent, excellent.” The master again petitioned the Jade Emperor, requesting an order that the Nine Heavens Bureau dispatch the two Thunder Lords Denghua and Zhangfan, so that they and the King together might bind the demon and rescue from danger. Then they went with the King and Sun Wukong straight to the outside of the South Heaven Gate.

They arrived in an instant. Sun Wukong said, “This mountain is Jindou Mountain, and at its center is Jindou Cave. All of you, confer and tell me who should go first to demand battle.” The King reined in his cloud, tethered the heavenly troops at the foot of the southern slope, and said, “The Great Sage knows Prince Nezha well; he has once subdued ninety-six cave demons and is good at transformation. He carries demon-subduing weapons at all times. Have him go first.” Sun Wukong said, “If so, let old Sun bring the Prince.”

The prince straightened himself and brought out his heroic air; he and the Great Sage leapt upon a high mountain and went straight to the cave mouth. There they found the gate tightly shut, and the cliff below had no spirits about it. Sun Wukong stepped forward and shouted, “Splashed demon! Open the gate quickly and return my Master, too!” The small demon guarding the gate saw this and hastened to report: “Great King, Sun Wukong has come to the gate leading a little boy, and he is calling for battle.” The Demon King said, “That monkey, whose iron club I took, now fights empty-handed; no contest is possible for him. He must have gone to summon aid.” He said, “Take up your weapons.” Taking a spear in hand, the demon king walked out to the gate. Looking out, he saw the young boy whose appearance was extraordinary, both handsome and stoutly built. Truly it was:

A moonlike face and charming features, red lips parted to reveal silver teeth. His eyes shot like lightning, pupils blazing; his broad brow held a glow of rosy clouds; his topknot bound his hair high. A brocaded sash flashed in the wind, dancing sparks of color; a brocade robe caught the sun and scattered flowers of gold. His shining cords burned bright like mirrors of the heart; his jeweled armor shone in answer to his battle boots. Though small in form, he spoke with deep voice and great splendor—the fierce Nezha, guardian of the Dharma of the Three Heavens. The Demon King laughed, “You are Prince Nezha, third son of Lord Li of the Pagoda, yet how dare you stand at my gate and shout?” The Prince said, “Because you, splashed demon, made mischief and harassed the holy monk of the Eastern Land, I come by the Jade Emperor’s command to arrest you.” The demon king grew furious: “You think you were called in by Sun Wukong. I am the demon lord of that holy monk. What skill in arms has this young brat that he dare to speak so? Do not move—take my spear and be done with it.”

The prince brought out the demon-cutting sword and met him with a quick cross-cut. The two came together, and only then began their rough fighting. The Great Sage suddenly wheeled down the slope and called out, "Where is Lord of Thunder? Go at once—cast the thunder-noose on that demon and help the prince bring him under control." Deng and Zhang instantly stepped out in cloudlight, ready to strike. Yet just then the prince used his arts and changed his form, becoming three-headed and six-armed, holding six kinds of weapons as he rushed the demon. The demon king likewise changed into three-headed six-armed form, and with three long spears blocked him. Again the prince loosed his demon-subduing magic, hurling the six weapons into the air. What were those six weapons? They were the demon-slaying sword, demon-severing saber, demon-binding rope, demon-subduing club, embroidered ball, and fire-wheel child. He shouted, "Transform!" and turned once to ten, ten to one hundred, one hundred to one thousand, one thousand to ten thousand. They were all the same forms of weaponry, like a sudden hailstorm, thick and dense, flying at the demon in numbers. The demon king was openly unafraid. With one hand he drew out the white, eerie ring, flung it upward, cried, "Take it!" and with one sharp clapping motion ensnared all six weapons. Frightened, the Nezha prince escaped with bare hands. The demon king returned in triumph.

Deng and Zhang, the two Lords of Thunder, laughed softly in the air: "I already read his opening posture, so I did not let the thunder-noose loose. If he had snared us with it, how could we face the Honorable Heavenly One?" The two landed on the cloud-light and came with the prince down to the south slope of the mountain, where they told Li Tianwang, "The demon king truly has extraordinary powers." Wukong laughed to the side, "That brute’s powers are just ordinary, yet the ring he uses is the dangerous part. I do not know what treasure it is, but once he throws it out, it can catch every kind of object." Nezha scolded angrily, "This Great Sage is no proper man. We have suffered broken lines and a lost battle, terribly distressed, all for your sake, and you laugh instead?" The Wukong replied, "You speak of distress; does my old self really have no distress? I have no way to handle this now; I cannot weep, so I must only laugh."

The Heavenly King asked, "How is this to be resolved?" Wukong said, "As you all keep calculating, if the ring fails to catch him, he can still be seized." The King said, "What cannot be caught by that ring: only water and fire are truly powerful. As the old saying goes, ‘Water and fire know no pity.’" Hearing this, Wukong said, "That is sound. You sit here and remain steady. Let this old monkey go up to Heaven once more." Deng and Zhang asked, "What is it for you to go again?" Wukong replied, "Old Sun need not submit a memorial to the Jade Emperor. I will go straight to the South Gate of Heaven, to Honghua Hall, and ask the Fire Virtue Star Lord to come and bring forth fire: burn that monster through, and perhaps even burn that ring to ash, so the demon may be taken. In this way I can return your weapons, and in the other, my Master’s danger is relieved." The prince was very pleased: "Do not delay. Great Sage, go at once and return quickly. We will wait here."

Wukong rose in auspicious radiance and returned outside the South Heaven Gate. Guangmu and the four generals greeted him: "How does the Great Sage come again?" Wukong said, "Li Tianwang sent out the prince to fight. In a single round, that demon king took away the six weapons. I must now go to Honghua Hall and invite the Fire Virtue Star Lord to join battle." The four generals dared not stay and let him enter. At Honghua Hall, when he passed in among the Fire Department gods, they reported, "Sun Wukong asks to see the Lord." The Fire Virtue Star Lord of the Southern Three-Qi came out in full dress to receive him: "I checked the small hall with the registrar yesterday; not a single soul has even thought of descending to the mortal world." Wukong said, "I know. But Li Tianwang and the prince were routed and lost their weapons; I have come to beg your assistance in rescue." The Star Lord said, "That Nezha is the Great God of the Three-Altars-Sea Assembly. When he was born, he once subdued demons from ninety-six caves; his power is vast. If he cannot manage it, how can this lesser god dare to even hope to?" Wukong said, "Li Tianwang and I conferred: among heaven and earth, only water and fire are most effective. The demon possesses a ring that catches people with excellent precision, but we do not know what treasure it is. I therefore say fire can burn through things; I ask you to bring the fire hosts below and burn that demon through, saving my Master from yet another peril."

On hearing this, the Fire Virtue Star Lord immediately ordered his own divine troops and went down to the south slope of Mount Jindou with Wukong, and met Li Tianwang and the Lords of Thunder there. Li Tianwang said, "Great Sage, go again and call that brute out. Let me face him in combat. When he moves to throw that ring, I will dodge; then order the Fire Virtue to lead his men and burn him." Wukong laughed, "Exactly. I will go with you." The Fire Virtue stood with the prince, Deng, and Zhang on the high ridge, to watch the fight in front of the mountain.

The Great Sage came to the mouth of Jindou Cave and shouted, "Open the gate! Quickly, return my Master!" The little demon hurried to report, "Sun Wukong has come again." The demon captain and his troop came out of the cave; on seeing the Wukong he said, "You unruly monkey—what troops have you invited this time?" From the opposite bank, Li Tianwang shouted, "Rebel demon! Do you recognize me?" The demon king laughed, "Li Tianwang, is it that you want revenge for your son and seek weapons for it?" Li Tianwang said, "One, to take revenge, weapons are needed. Two, we are here to capture you and rescue Tang Seng. Do not run; take one of my sword strokes." The monster sidestepped, raised his long spear, and met hand with hand. The two fought a hard battle before the cave. See this:

The heavenly king’s blade cuts; the demon’s spear meets it. The sword-cut sends out blade-frost light and sprays fierce fire. The spear-meet thrusts forth sharp force, shattering into clouds of sorrowful wind. One is the evil fiend born on Mount Jindou, one is the heavenly god dispatched from Lingxiao Hall. One wields tyranny, mistaking force for his nature; this one, to save the Master, sets forth the great moral order. The king sends spells of flying sand and stones; the demon and his marshal rival him by casting clods of earth and dust. Dust-casting can darken heaven and earth; flying sand can stir up sea and river into one. Both sides strive strenuously, each to win merit; all for Tang Seng to bow before the World-Honored One.

When the Wukong saw the two in close combat, he turned and leapt to the high peak, saying to the Fire Virtue Star Lord, "Focus all the Three-Qi." See how that demon and the heavenly king had fought to a fine pitch, and then he pulled out the ring again. The king saw it and shifted his auspicious light, lost the fight and ran. Up on that peak, the Fire Virtue Star Lord rushed to sound the order and directed all divisions of fire gods to set the fires at once. This was truly a dire engagement. The fire was this:

The scriptures say, "The south is the essence of fire." Though every single flame can burn ten thousand mu of fields, it is the power of Three-Qi that can alter into a hundred kinds of fire. Now there are fire spears, fire sabers, fire bows, and fire arrows. Each divine division wields its own form. In the sky one saw fire-crows wheeling and shrieking; all the mountain tops were racing with fire-horses. Paired red rats and paired fire-drakes. Paired red rats spurted fierce flame, all the way for ten thousand li turned red; paired fire-drakes breathed dense smoke, darkening a thousand directions. Fire carts pushed out; fire gourds were cast wide. Fire banners swayed, stirring a crimson glow across the day sky; fire batons stirred through the earth with unending burning. How should one describe Ningqi with his cattle-whip? It surpasses Zhoulang’s fierce day at Red Cliff. This is no ordinary fire but a heavenly fire of uncanny excellence, crackling, glowing, and red-hot with windlit flames.

That demon saw the fire come and felt no fear. He took out that ring, threw it up toward the sky, cried out, and with a single snap snared the fire-dragon, fire-horse, fire-crow, fire-rat, fire-spear, fire-saber, fire-bow, and fire-arrow. He drew his way back to his own cave and returned in triumph, drawing the battle in his favor.

The Fire Virtue Star Lord, holding a shaft with an empty banner, called the soldiers back together and gathered them, then met with the Heavenly King and others and sat below the south slope of the mountain. He said to the Wukong, "Great Sage, this ferocious demon is truly uncommon. I have now broken my fire apparatus—what are we to do now?" The Wukong laughed. "No need to complain. Everyone, please sit and settle yourselves. Let this old Sun go again." Li Tianwang said, "Where are you going this time?" The Wukong replied, "The monster fears not fire, but he does fear water. As the saying goes, ‘Water overcomes fire.’ Let old Sun go to the North Gate of Heaven, ask the Water Virtue Star Lord to spread his waters, and pour them into the demon’s cave to drown him and retrieve the ring to return to you." Li Tianwang said, "This plan may be sound, but there is still the fear of my Master too being submerged." Wukong answered, "No matter. If water kills my Master, I have a way to bring him back to life. To linger and delay among you now is most improper." The Fire Virtue then said, "If so, then please go—please go."

Great Sage Sun Wukong again mounted the jindou cloud and rode straight to the outer North Heavenly Gate. Looking up, he saw Duo Wen Heavenly King advancing with a bow and said, "Where is Great Sage Sun going?" The Monkey King replied, "I have a matter to attend at the Wuhao Palace to see the Lord of Water Virtue. What are you doing here?" Duo Wen said, "Today it is my turn for inspection." Just then they saw the four great heavenly generals Pang, Liu, Gou, and Bi coming to pay homage and offer tea. Sun Wukong said, "No trouble, no trouble, mine is urgent." He bade farewell to the gate gods and went straight to Wuhao Palace, ordering the gods of the Water Division to report at once. The gods answered, "The Equal-to-Heaven Great Sage Sun Wukong has arrived." Hearing this, the Lord of Water Virtue dismissed the deities of the Four Seas, Five Lakes, Eight Rivers, Four Watercourses, Three Rivers, and Nine Tributaries, and every Dragon King of the other places. He arranged his cap and belt, came out to the gate, and brought him in, saying, "Yesterday we had the Han Office inspect this side hall; I suspected that some local deities of my own division had descended as mortals and made mischief, so I am still checking the gods of the rivers, seas, lakes, and channels and it is not finished yet." Sun Wukong said, "That demon king is not a river god. He is a great refined essence. Formerly the Jade Emperor sent Li Tian King, father and son, and two Leigongs to capture him below, and he made a loop and snared six divine weapons. I had no choice but to return to Tonghua Palace and ask the Lord of Fire Virtue to lead the Fire Division to set him alight, and also send out a circle with fire dragon and fire horse and all such things. Since this thing fears no fire, it must surely fear water. I have therefore come to ask the star lord to unleash water power and help me seize that demon, return the weapons, and return them to the heavenly generals, and in so doing my Master’s trouble may be saved." Water Virtue, upon hearing this, ordered the Yellow River Water God King, "Follow the Great Sage to lend your strength." The Water God drew from his sleeve a small white jade basin and said, "I have this vessel for holding water." Sun Wukong asked, "Tell me how much this basin can hold. Can this demon be drowned?" The Water God said, "I will not conceal anything, Great Sage: this basin is filled with Yellow River water. Half a basin is half a river; one basin is a full river." Sun Wukong rejoiced, "Then half a basin will suffice." He then took leave of Water Virtue and departed with the Yellow River god, away from the Heavenly Walls.

The Water God ladled half the basin from the Yellow River and went with the Great Sage to Mount Jindou. On the south slope he reported the previous matter to Li Tian King, the Crown Prince, Leigong, and the Lord of Fire Virtue. Sun Wukong said, "No need for all the details. First, tell the Water God to go with me. When I call for him to open the gate, do not wait for him to come out; just pour the water into the chamber at once. Then that whole nest of fiends can drown together. I will then go retrieve Master’s body and revive him afterwards."

The Water God obeyed and stayed close behind the Great Sage, turned around the mountain slope, and came directly to the cave entrance. He called out, "Demon, open the gate!" The small demon who guarded the gate heard Sun Wukong’s voice and hurriedly reported, "Sun Wukong has come again!" Hearing that, the demon grabbed his treasures and, spear in hand, ran. With a crash he opened the stone gate. The Water God tipped the white jade basin into the cave. Seeing the water arrive, the demon threw down his long spear and hurriedly drew out his loop, bracing the two doors. Yet the water surged outward in all directions, pressing hard to escape. Alarmed, Sun Wukong leapt onto the jindou cloud and, with the Water God, went up to the high peak. The Heavenly King and the host then rode clouds and halted before that peak, watching the water rise and roll; truly the wave was a raging torrent: > One ladle is all, and still immeasurable. Indeed it is divine craft in motion, nourishing ten thousand things while swelling all ten thousand rivers. Then you could hear the murmuring rush shaking whole valleys; and see towering waves spreading into the sky. Its power roared like thunder running, its fierce surges rolled like snow in a whirlwind. Waves rose a thousand zhang, swallowing the road; ten-thousand-layered breakers flung themselves against cliffs and rocks. Cold as rinsing jade, rolling loud like plucked strings. Striking stone, the dark waters sprayed and split jade; the backflow curled into wide, hazy vortices. Low and hollows rippled with the current, filling ravines and channels from top to bottom. Sun Wukong saw it and panicked: "No good! The waters flood all fields before all else. It has not yet been driven into his cave. What can we do now?" He called for the Water God to withdraw it quickly. The Water God said, "I can only release water; I cannot draw it in. As it is said: once water is scattered, it is hard to gather." Ah! The mountain there was high and steep, and this rush naturally ran downward. In but an instant the waters scattered and returned to ravines and channels.

Then a few little demons leapt out of the cave and shouted and yelled outside, stretching out their sleeves and brandishing staves and spears, still happily jousting as before. The Heavenly King said, "Because the water never entered the cave, we have wasted a whole effort." Sun Wukong could not contain his anger; he swung up both fists and rushed to the demon gate, shouting, "Where will you run? Come and stand and be beaten!" So frightened were those little demons that they dropped their spears and staffs and ran inside the cave, trembling as they reported, "Great King, it is bad—they are coming to fight!" The demon king, holding a long spear, emerged before the gate and said, "This old drenching monkey is lazy and weary! Time and again you could not best me, and even water and fire could not touch you. Why have you come back again to bring your life on purpose?" Sun Wukong said, "This brat speaks back already. Which one is bringing life to an end, you or I? Come here and take an old grandfather monkey’s fist." The demon laughed, "This monkey is stubbornly eager to lock in with me. I use a spear and he uses only his fist. That tiny knotted-fist you show is only as large as a walnut; how can it be called a hammer? All right, all right, all right—I'll set down my spear and we shall see one match of boxing." Sun Wukong smiled and said, "So be it, come up."

The demon entered, tugging his coat free, and tossed aside a brace; he raised both fists, looking like two iron hammers used for beating oil. The Great Sage shifted his footing, sidestepped and adjusted his counters, and at the cave gate traded fist forms with the demon king. That was a great bout. Aha!

He dragged wide the great Four-Flat stance and kicked off twin flying feet. Concealed in his gut, he split the chest-thrust, gouging heart and lifting out the gall. The Immortal showed the road, Laozi rode the crane. A hungry tiger’s rush to feed is most dangerous; a flood-drake at play in water can be ferocious. The demon king made a python-body roll, while the Great Sage used the deer-horn counter. He struck skyward and bruised the earth-dragon, twisted his wrist and seized the heavenly pouch. A green lion opened its maw, and the carp-koi snapped their backs and leapt. Blossoms were flung in the air, and rope-lines circled at the waist. Facing the wind, they slapped out fan-like hands, as sudden rain drove blossoms to fall. The demon used Guanyin Palm, while the Pilgrim met him with Arhat feet. A long-handed opening naturally unbinds; what can a short fist do that is so sharp? For some thirty exchanges, each held his own—neither showing clear superiority. At that gate entrance the two fought fiercely, and from the peak the Li Tian King raised a loud cry of praise, while the Lord of Fire Virtue clapped hands in approval. The two Leigongs and the Crown Prince of Nezha led their troops to jump forward, all seeking to help; on this side the other demons waved banners, beat drums, and danced swords and knives in one rank to defend. The Great Sage saw that the contest did not match, so he pulled up a lock of his hair and tossed it into the sky, crying, "Transform!" At once it became three to five dozen small monkeys that swarmed forward, entangling the demon—some clutching his legs, others pulling his waist, still others catching his eyes and pulling at his hair. The monster, panicked, quickly brought out his loop. The Great Sage and the Heavenly King saw him deploying the loop-snare and, cloud heads wheeling, all ran up the high peak to escape the formation. The demon tossed the loop into the sky; with a hoot it drew the dozens of tiny monkeys back from hair-form to their true form and swallowed them into the cave. He took this as victory, gave orders for the gate to be shut, and left in celebration.

The Crown Prince said, "Great Sage Sun Wukong is indeed a hero. This bout of boxing made things fairer still; and with the body-multiplying technique he shows distinction before people." Sun Wukong laughed, "Since you all stand here watching from afar, tell me: how does that demon’s skill compare with that of old Sun?" Li Tian King said, "His fists are loose and his feet are slow; they are not as tight and fast as the Great Sage’s. He was in a hurry when we went there, and when he saw you use the split-body technique, he grew anxious; therefore he made that large loop-snare and won by it." Sun Wukong said, "The demon king is easy to suppress only by a snare, and that snare is not easy to bring down." Fire Virtue and the Water God added, "To beat him still, one must get hold of his treasure first and then seize him." Sun Wukong said, "How can that treasure be obtained? Only by stealing it." Deng and Zhang nodded and laughed, "If this is a matter for borrowing theft, there is no one besides Great Sage. Remember how he once made the Heavenly Court thunderous: he stole royal wine, peaches, dragon liver and phoenix marrow, and even Laozi’s elixir. What skill he used then! It is exactly what should be applied now." Sun Wukong said, "Well said, well said. In that case, all of you sit and wait. Let the Great Sage go and find out."

Great Sage, he leapt from the peak top, slipped in private to the cave mouth, and in a moment transformed himself into a little black gnat—slick and nimble indeed. See him:

His plumelike wings are as thin as bamboo membrane, his body small as the heart of a flower. His hands and feet are finer than downy hair; his bright, star-like eyes shine clear. He follows fragrance and trails the wind with skill, and when he flies he cuts the wind with speed. He has just come and could press down even the Pole Star—so endearing, so useful. He flew lightly to the gate, climbed to the edge of the door crack, and slipped through. Inside he saw ranks of small and great demons dancing in dance and singing in song, arranged on both sides. The old demon king sat high upon the dais, and before him were laid out snake meat, deer jerky, bear’s paw, camel hump, and wild mountain fruits and produce. There was a blue-glazed wine jar, fragrant sheep curd and coconut wine, and wide bowls from which they drank with open hearts. The Great Sage slipped into the cluster of lesser demons, then transformed again into a badger-headed spirit and slowly worked his way toward the stage. He watched for a long while but saw no trace of where the treasured object had been placed. Hastily withdrawing, he moved behind the platform, and in the rear hall, hanging high above, he saw the fire-dragon cry-song and the fire-horse shriek. Suddenly he looked up and saw his Golden-Hooped Staff leaning against the east wall. Gladly his hand ached to strike; he forgot to keep any other form, strode forward, seized the staff, cast off his illusion and revealed his true form, then began to batter outward with the cudgel as he came. The demons, in their panic, grew cold with fright; the old demon king had no time to move, and yet Sun Wukong knocked over three of them, sent two more sprawling, tore open a blood-stained way, and went straight out through the cave door. This is exactly: The demon king, proud and careless, had no guard to himself. The master’s own staff is returned to its owner.

In the end, no one yet knows whether it will prove auspicious or ominous; listen and we shall explain in the next chapter.