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.

The Earth God said, “Great-Force King is the Bull Demon King indeed.” Sun Wukong said, “Was this hill where the Bull Demon King set the fire, and was it only given the name Flame Mountain?” The Earth God replied, “No, no. If the Great Sage will pardon this petty spirit’s offense, then I dare speak plainly.” Sun Wukong said, “What fault did you commit? There is no harm in telling me openly.” The Earth God said, “This fire was first set by the Great Sage.” Sun Wukong snapped, “Where was I? Why do you speak such nonsense? Am I a fire-setter?” The Earth God said, “It is you, and still you do not recognize me. This place was not this mountain before. Five hundred years ago, when the Great Sage rampaged in Heaven, the August Saint captured him and sent him to Old Lord Laozi, placing the Great Sage inside the Eight Diagram Furnace. After smelting, the cauldron was opened; you kicked over the alchemical furnace, and several bricks came crashing down. The remaining embers became this Flame Mountain. I was a Daoist from Doushui Palace in charge of the furnace then, and when Old Lord Laozi blamed me for failing to guard it, I was cast down here and made into the Earth God of Flame Mountain.” Zhu Bajie heard this and snapped in anger, “No wonder you dress like that; you were really an Earth spirit transformed from a Daoist.”

Sun Wukong, half believing, half not, said, “Say quickly: why is Great-Force King being sought?” The Earth God said, “Great-Force King is the husband of a rakshasi. He recently left that rakshasi; now he stays in Moyun Cave on Mount Jilei. There was once a ten-thousand-year fox king. When that fox king died, he left a daughter named the Jade-Faced Princess. She had a million pieces of household property with no one to manage it. Two years ago, she sought out the Bull Demon King for his vast powers, and in return for her estate, she took him as husband. That Bull King abandoned the rakshasi and has not returned for long. If the Great Sage can find him and beseech him to come here, then he can obtain the true fan: one, by fanning it he can calm the flames and protect Tripitaka’s progress; two, he can forever remove the fire hazard and protect the living beings here; three, he can forgive me, let me return to Heaven, and return the decree of Old Lord Laozi.” Sun Wukong asked, “Where is Mount Jilei located, and how far is it from here?” The Earth God said, “To the true south. From here to there, it is more than three thousand li.”

When Sun Wukong heard this, he told Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie to guard Tripitaka, and told the Earth God to stay with them and not return. At once, with a sudden cry, he vanished. Half a watch had not yet passed when a high mountain already stood before him, looming like it touched the sky. He landed on Cloud-head and stood on the ridge crest to survey. It was indeed a beautiful mountain:

Not very high, yet its summit reaches toward the blue sky; not broad, yet its roots pierce to the Yellow Spring. In front of it is warm by day, behind the ridge the wind is cold. Before the mountain, day is warm and for three winters the plants know no cold; behind it, where the wind sweeps, one sees in deep heat the frost that does not melt. Dragon pools link to streamlets that run on and on; tigers’ dens cling to cliffs, and blossoms open early. Streams split into a thousand threads like flying jade. Flowers bloom together, like brocade. Ridgelines wind around the trees, and the stones press against jutting pines. Truly: high are its hills, steep are its ridges; sheer its cliffs, deep its ravines. Fragrant its flowers, sweet are its fruits; red are its vines, purple its bamboos; green are its pines, bright green its willows. Through eight seasons and four periods its coloring never changes, and for ten thousand ages its hue is like a dragon. Sun Wukong watched long enough, then stepped down from the sharp peak and entered the deep mountain to find a path. Just as he had no luck at all, he suddenly saw a woman under the pine shade, plucking a sprig of fragrant orchids, approaching with soft, swaying grace. Sun Wukong slipped behind a crag and fixed his gaze to see what she looked like: Tender and charming, her beauty could topple a kingdom; she moved slowly, like a lotus drifting. Her look was like Wang Qiang’s, her face like a lady of Chu. She spoke in gestures like a flower that understands words, and fragrant like jade newly awakened. Her high hair bun rose darkly, like a blue-black crow, and her twin eyes held green as autumn water lying across. A Xiang skirt half reveals the little bow-like shoes; jade-green sleeves half-unfurl, and long pale-rose wrists show. She spoke of evening rain and morning clouds. Truly, she had red lips and white teeth. Her brows, smooth and bright as the brocaded river, surpassed Wen Jun and Xue Tao. The woman drew nearer to the rocks. Sun Wukong bent in formal greeting and spoke evenly, “Lady Bodhisattva, where are you going?” She had not yet seen him. When she heard the question and looked up, she saw the ugliness of Sun Wukong’s face. Frightened, she nearly fled but could not, tried to move but could not, trembled so hard she could scarcely answer: “From where are you? How dare you ask someone here?” Sun Wukong thought, “If I tell her this is a quest for the fan to rescue Tripitaka, she may have ties to the Bull King. I will only use a pretended intimacy to ask for word from the demon king, then speak and answer.” Seeing him silent, the woman changed color and shouted angrily, “Who are you to dare ask me?” Sun Wukong bowed and forced a smile, saying, “I come from Green-Cloud Mountain. I have only just arrived and do not know the routes. Tell me, Bodhisattva, is this truly Mount Jilei?” The woman said, “It is.” Sun Wukong said, “Where is Moyun Cave?” She said, “Why are you asking for that cave?” Sun Wukong said, “I am from Copper-Palm Cave in Green-Cloud Mountain, a messenger sent by Princess Iron Fan to ask for the Bull Demon King.”

As soon as that woman heard of Princess Iron Fan asking for the Bull Demon King, anger surged through her; her roots of hearing burned red, and she spat out curses: “You worthless maid, truly ignorant. Since the Bull King came to my home, though not yet two years, I do not even know how much pearls, jade, gold, silver, silk, and satin I have given him; every year he took firewood, every month rice, and enjoyed himself at ease. Without a shred of shame, he still comes back to ask after him—how dare he?” Sun Wukong, realizing she was the Jade-Faced Princess, intentionally drew out the Golden-Hooped Staff and roared, “You spit such contempt! You sold your belongings to buy the Bull King for your own husband—indeed you married for payment—and you feel no shame, yet you dare to curse who?” The woman, seeing that, was so terrified that her spirit scattered and her soul fled; her steps collapsed in confusion. She clutched her bodice, trembling, then fled backward. Sun Wukong barked and shouted and followed. Through the pine shade he passed right to the mouth of Moyun Cave. The woman ran in and slammed the door shut. Sun Wukong put away the Golden-Hooped Staff, and then, when he paused and looked about, saw this lovely place:

Dense the woods, and the ridges steep and craggy. Vine and ivy shadows stir softly in the shade. Wisteria and fragrant orchids and sweet herbs perfume the air. Spring water rinses like jade through bamboo, and clever stones seem to guide the fallen petals. Mists and rosy clouds enclose distant peaks. The sun and moon shine over screens of cloud. Dragon song, tiger scream, crane cry, orioles call. One whole pure and tranquil beauty, truly lovable. Precious flowers and heavenly grasses keep the scene bright. It is not inferior to the Heaven Terrace Immortal Cave, and surpasses Penglai in the sea. Enough said of Sun Wukong pausing to admire the scenery. That woman had run off sweating with a face flushed pink, breathless from fear, her chest heaving, then gone straight into the study room. There, the Bull Demon King was quietly reading alchemical books. In great agitation she threw herself into his arms, scratching her ears and temples, crying aloud. The demon king, smiling kindly all over his face, said, “Beauty, do not distress yourself. Speak what you need to say.” The woman sprang up, pounding and cursing, saying, “You wicked demon, you nearly killed me!” The Bull King laughed, “For what matter do you curse me?” She said, “I have no parents to lean on, so I took you to protect and sustain my life. In the river and lake circles people called you a worthy hero, but you are just a cowardly husband!” The Bull King, hearing this, held her to his chest and said, “Beauty, what wrongs have I done? Tell me slowly; I will make amends with you.” She said, “Just now outside the cave I wandered the flower shade, plucking orchids and gathering sweet herbs. Suddenly a monk with shaggy face and a thunder-god mouth came at once, suddenly bowing. He frightened me into a freeze of shock and shock. When I steadied myself and asked who he was, he said he had been sent by Princess Iron Fan to request the Bull Demon King. I spoke two words to him, and he cursed me instead, chasing me with a staff to beat me. Had I not run quickly, he would almost have beaten me to death. Is this not a disaster invited by you? You nearly had me killed!” The Bull King listened, then offered her gifts and stayed close to her, comforting her for a while. Only after a long while did her breathing settle. The demon king then grew stern and said, “Now that such a beautiful lady is in front of me, I cannot hide anything from her. Though Bajiao Cave is secluded, it is still serene and free. My mountain wife has practiced cultivation since childhood and is a female immortal of attainment; her household is strict, and no child under eighteen has ever been indoors there. How could any shaggy monk with a thunder-god mouth come as if invited? This must be some wandering monster from elsewhere, or someone borrowing a false name to arrive here and seek me. Let me go out and see.”

The Bull Demon King rose with a hard jerk, left the study, went into the great hall, got himself into his outer gear, and was done preparing. He took a mixed-iron cudgel, stepped outside, and called in a loud voice, "Who is making a commotion here in my place?" The Great Sage, standing nearby, saw him and noticed he was very different from five hundred years before. He saw:

On his head he wore a silver-bright, water-polished iron helm. His body was clad in plush, brocade and gold-threaded armor, and at his feet were brown-tipped leather boots curled at the toe. At his waist was tied a three-plaited silk lion-mane sash. His two eyes were bright as polished mirrors, his twin brows vivid like red rainbows. His mouth was like a basin of blood, his teeth set like copper plates. His roar shook the mountain spirits with fear; his manner was so majestic that evil spirits were thrown into panic. In the Four Seas he was known by a name of uproarious disorder, and in the west he was called the Bull Demon King, Great Strength. The Great Sage dressed properly and stepped forward, then bowed deeply in a full courtly bow and said, "Elder brother, do you still recognize your younger brother?" The Bull King returned the salute and said, "Are you Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Great Sage answered, "Just so. Just so. It has been long since we last met. I just now came here to ask about a girl, and only then could I find my brother. The sight is far finer than I recall; congratulations!" The Bull King shouted, "Enough of clever tongue! I heard you made trouble in Heaven, where Buddha subdued you beneath the Five Element Mountain, and since then you have escaped that heavenly disaster and now guard Master Tang on the westward journey to seek the Buddha. How did you come to injure my young son Niu Shengying here at Mountain Ridge, Dried Pine Ravine, Hu Yun Cave? I have already been angry at you for this. Why do you come back asking for me again?" The Great Sage bowed and said, "Elder brother, do not wrongfully suspect me. At that time your young lord had seized our Master and wanted to eat his flesh. I could not get near him. Then Guanyin, in mercy, wished to save our Master and urged him to return to the true path. Now he has become Shanci Child of Good Fortune, higher than your eldest brother in rank, with easy passage into the Hall of Pure Bliss and the gift of free, endless life. Why should he be faulted?" The Bull King snapped, "You slippery-mouthed monkey! You talked about affection for an injured son when it suited you; now you deceive me and strike at my cherished concubine. Why did you come up to my gate?" The Great Sage laughed: "I sought the long-suffering elder brother but did not find him, so I paid my respects to that lady and asked after the matter. She scolded me several times, and my younger brother, rash and ignorant, startled her. I beg your leniency, my elder brother, be lenient." The Bull King said, "If that is all you say, I still see the old feelings between us and let you go."

The Great Sage said, "I am deeply grateful for your leniency; my thanks are beyond measure. Still, there is one matter for which I humbly beg your aid. May you please give help in abundance." The Bull King growled, "This monkey, so ignorant, not knowing how to show proper posture, you are spared for now yet still linger to trouble me? What is this 'aid in abundance' you ask?" The Great Sage said, "I will not conceal anything, elder brother. Because I am escorting Tripitaka westward, we are blocked by the Flaming Mountain and cannot move forward. From the locals I learned that your dear wife, Lady Luocha, possesses a banana fan; I wished to borrow it for use. Only yesterday I came to the old residence to pay respects to Sister-in-law. She firmly refused to lend it. So I now come to you, asking that from your broad heart, heaven and earth-like, you and I go together to my sister-in-law and, by urgent need, she will lend us it to wave away the flames so Tripitaka may cross the mountain safely, and all will be made complete." The Bull King heard this and his heart flared. He bared his iron teeth and shouted, "You claim you are not impolite, yet all this stems from a pretext to borrow the fan. You first cheated my mountain wife; she refused from jealousy to lend; therefore you came to seek me, and now you also drive away my concubine. It is said: 'A friend's wife must not be betrayed; a friend's concubine must not be harmed.' You harmed mine and robbed my wife of hers. What boldness is this? Go on up and take one staff to me." The Great Sage replied, "If elder brother wishes to strike, younger brother does not fear it. But for now, this is truly my sincere plea only for the Treasure-Barely-Used-Staff to be borrowed." The Bull King said, "If in three exchanges you can meet my strength, I will order my mountain wife to lend it. If you do not hold up, I will kill you and clear my grievance." The Great Sage said, "What brother says is right. I have become lazy and negligent over time, and have not met with my elder brother; I do not know how our martial arts compare with the old days. My elder-brother comrades, let us test our staves once. Then this is a splendid bout:

The Golden-Hooped Staff and the mixed-iron cudgel changed faces and fought without counting each other as friends. One said, "I truly grieve that this monkey harmed my child." The other said, "Your son has attained the Way; set anger aside." One said, "How dare you, in your ignorance, tread upon my gate?" The other said, "I came on purpose to ask after a matter." One demanded the fan to save Tripitaka, one refused the banana fan out of stingy meanness. As they spoke, old ties of friendship were lost; the whole household, bereft of righteousness, rose in wrath. The Bull King’s cudgel rose like a roaring river-dragon; the Great Sage’s staff answered and made demons and ghosts scatter. At first they fought on the mountain slope; later they rode together upon auspicious clouds. In midair they showed divine arts, wondrously deploying in five-colored radiance. Two staves sounded together and shook the gate of heaven; yet winner and loser were not yet in sight. The Great Sage and the Bull King fought for a hundred and ten exchanges with no decisively unequal result. Exactly when they were still hard to separate, someone called from above on the mountain peak: "Bull King, this servant bows to our lord many times. Grant him a swift departure and a place to sit in peace." Hearing this, the Bull King brought his mixed-iron cudgel down to brace against the Golden-Hooped Staff and said, "Monkey, stay still. I must go attend a friend who summoned me." He then placed the staff under control, sent down the cloud and went straight inside the cave, saying to the Jade-Faced Princess, "Beauty, that thunder-mouthed man is Sun Wukong the Monkey. I drove him off with one beating; he will not dare come again. You need not be troubled. I am off to a friend’s place to drink." He then removed his armor, put on a dark blue sheared-felt jacket, and stepped out. He mounted the Pishui Golden-Eyed Beast, told the attendants to watch the gate, and, through half-cloud and half-mist, went off directly toward the northwest.

The Great Sage watched from the high peak and thought inwardly, "This old bull has made some other friendship before and is now gone to visit there. I will follow after him." The Excellent Walker flicked his body once; it shimmered like a blast of clean wind, and he kept pace with him. Not long after, they came to a mountain where the Bull King had vanished entirely. Gathering back his true form, the Great Sage entered and searched the mountain. In that mountain there was a deep pool of clear water and on its bank a stone stele with six great characters: 乱石山碧波潭. The Great Sage thought to himself, "The old bull has definitely descended into the water. The spirit beneath the water, if it is not a jiaozhi, must be dragon spirit, fish spirit, or turtle, terrapin, or caiman spirit. I should go down into the water and look as well."

The Great Sage fingered the secret grip and spoke an incantation, then changed his shape. He became a crab, medium-sized, weighing about thirty-six catties, and in a bound leapt into the water, sinking straight to the bottom of the pool. He suddenly saw a clear, translucent, jewel-bright screenlike pavilion, under which the Pishui Golden-Eyed Beast was tethered. Once he entered the pavilion he found that there was no water within. He climbed in and looked closely; only sounds of music came from its inner halls. He saw:

The vermilion palace halls and shelllike towers seemed no different from this world. Golden roof-tiles, white-jade door pivots. Tortoise-shell armor screens stood open; corridors were edged with coral and pearl inlay. Auspicious clouds and good omens glowed upon the lotus dais, receiving the three radiances above and spreading into the avenues below. Not heaven’s court, not the Sea Treasury; truly this place rivaled Penghu itself. In the high hall a feast was laid, with lords and officials both great and small, crowned and jeweled. The jade maidens hurried to bear ivory dishes, and fairy maidens were called to tune the airs. Great whales called out, giant crabs danced, tortoises blew bamboo reeds, toads beat drums, and black-beaked jewel lights shone over cups and platters. Inscriptions in bird-seal script lined the green balustrades; shrimp-whisker curtains hung the halls. Music of the eight tones sounded in succession, blending heavenly melodies, and the scales and tones resounded clear through the skyward void. Blue-headed fish girls plucked the jade zithers; red-eyed horse youths handled jade flutes. An old gruel-spirited lady offered scented venison jerky, and a dragon maiden set a golden phoenix-taper at her hair. They ate delicacies of eight treasures from the heavenly kitchens, and drank fermented pearl wine from the Purple Court. There, seated above, was the Bull Demon King. On his left and right were three or four jiaozing spirits. In front sat an old dragon spirit, and at the sides sat dragon sons, dragon grandchildren, dragon mothers, and dragon daughters.

At that moment, when cups and goblets were crossed in bustle, the Great Sage kept walking forward and was seen; the old dragon noticed at once and ordered, "Seize that wild crab." Dragon son and dragon grandson came up together and caught the Great Sage. The Great Sage suddenly spoke in human speech: "Spare my life, spare my life." The old dragon said, "What wild crab are you, and how dare you ride to the great hall, trampling where honored guests sit, and run wild in defiance? Quickly present yourself, or die for your offense." The Great Sage feigned foolishness and told the assembly:

I was born in a lake and live by it, making my lair beside the cliff. After long time had passed my body grew supple, so my official role was to wander as a rough, free-roving petty officer. My feet drag in grass and mud, I sink and drag up ditches; I have never learned proper manners. I did not understand the law and dare not challenge royal authority; please let your kindness grant mercy for my sin. The assembled spirits, hearing this, all knelt and told the old dragon, "This crab-officer is newly entered the jade hall and knows not the court’s etiquette. Please, Exalted One, let him go." The old dragon acknowledged the thanks. All the spirits then said, "Release that fellow, but keep watch outside." The Great Sage answered once and fled outward, going straight to the pavilion’s base. In his heart he thought, "The Bull King is here in revelry and will not soon have this finished. Even if it were finished, he still would not lend the fan. Better then: steal his Golden-Eyed Beast, turn it into the Bull Demon King, deceive that demoness Luocha with tricks, and win her fan to send Master Tripitaka over the mountain."

The Great Sage at once resumed his true form, untied the curb-rope of the Golden-Eyed Beast, pounced once, vaulted onto its carved saddle, and rode straight out from under the water. When he reached the far side of the lake, he shifted into the shape of Niu Mo Wang. Riding the beast and leaping among the clouds, he arrived in no time at the mouth of the Banana Cave on Cuilyun Mountain. He called out, “Open the door.” Two maidens inside heard the voice and opened it. Seeing the face of Niu Mo Wang, they rushed in to report: “Granny, Grandfather has come home.” When Ruo Sha heard them, she quickly set her cloud-like hair, hurried forward with a lotus step, and came out to receive him. Sun Wukong dismounted from the carved saddle, led in the Golden-Eyed Beast, and with bold guile deceived the two maidens. The demoness did not recognize him by appearance, so she took his hand and entered in, while her maidens laid out seats for tea. The whole household, seeing him as their lord, behaved with complete deference.

After a while they talked about warmth and comfort. “My Lady has missed you for long,” said the Bull King. Ruo Sha replied, “Great King, ten thousand blessings.” She added, “You have been so fortunate in your new marriage that you abandoned this slave-girl; what wind has blown you here today?” Sun Wukong laughed: “I did not abandon you. It is only that, after receiving the summons of the Jade-Faced Princess, my household burdens have been heavy and I have had many friends to attend to, so I have been delayed outside. I even managed another household.” He went on, “I lately heard that that fellow Wukong, while protecting Tripitaka, has nearly reached the boundary of Flaming Mountain. He may come asking you for the fan. I still resent the injury to my child that he caused and, if he comes, send word at once. I will catch him and cut him into ten thousand pieces to wash away the hatred between husband and wife.” Hearing him, Ruo Sha wept and said, “Great King, the saying goes: ‘A man without a wife lacks household authority; a woman without a husband has no master of her own body.’ My life was nearly lost to this monkey.” Sun Wukong, playing angry, barked, “When did that raving monkey leave?” “Not yet,” she said. “Yesterday he came here to borrow the fan. Because he had harmed my child, I girded myself, drew the precious sword, and went out to strike that monkey. He bore the pain and called me ‘sister-in-law,’ saying your Majesty had sworn brotherhood with him.” Sun Wukong said, “Five hundred years ago he and I became seven sworn brothers.” Ruo Sha replied, “Even when I scolded him he dared not answer back, and I dared not cut him down. Later I swept this fan at him. I do not know by what wind-settling art he got hold of it, but this morning he was calling outside again. I used it again and he did not move an inch. I rushed out with my sword to strike him, but then he would not let me. Fearing the weight of his cudgel, I ran into the cave and locked the door fast. I know not from where he came, but he somehow got inside my belly and nearly took my life. So I called him ‘uncle’ a few times and gave him the fan.”

Sun Wukong feigned striking his chest in regret: “Alas, alas—Lady, you are wrong. How could you hand this precious thing to that monkey? It maddens me.” Ruo Sha laughed: “Great King, calm your temper. What he has is a fake fan; I have merely deceived him.” Sun Wukong asked, “Where is the real fan kept?” She said, “Do not worry; it is in my keeping.” She told the maidservants to prepare wine and celebrate. Then she lifted a cup and offered it, saying, “Great King, though your marriage is newly begun, do not forget your wedded vow; take a cup of water from this village.” Sun Wukong could not decline. He smiled and said, “Lady, drink first. Because I have gone afar to manage outer affairs and have long been separated from you, you watched over the household day and night; this is my token of gratitude.” Ruo Sha refilled the cup and passed it to him: “As the old saying goes, ‘A wife is harmony.’ You are the very father that nourishes the body—what is there to thank for?” The two exchanged modest words, and only then sat to circulate the wine. Sun Wukong, not daring to eat meat, ate only a few fruits and spoke lightly with her.

The wine had gone several rounds when Ruo Sha, half-intoxicated, felt a slight stirring of desire. She drew near Sun Wukong, touching and pressing, hand in hand and coy speech in soft tones, shoulders against his, whispering close. One cup from him and one from her, then fruit between them. Sun Wukong feigned fondness, smiling and playing along, and she and he at last leaned and nestled together. Truly it was:

Cast a bait-hook of verse and sweep the broom of sorrow; with this wine, no trouble remains undone. A man keeps his resolve and opens his heart; a woman forgets herself and breaks into smiling ease. Her face turns red like a peach in bloom. Her body sways like tender willow. Word upon word she babbles, all chatter and sweetness. Her fingers twist and pinch with practiced coquetry. At times I saw her hair flash like wind-cut clouds, and then her slim hands arcing like needles. Again and again her feet lifted and crossed, repeatedly she shook out her sleeves. Her powdered neck sank low by itself, her wild waist slowly began to twist. She never let go of words of amorous accord, and her tender chest was half exposed, the golden clasps loose. Drunk, she truly swayed like a collapsing jade peak, and with half-lidded eyes and swishing play, made him look a fool. When Sun Wukong saw her so thoroughly drunk, he inwardly stayed alert and taunted her lightly: “Lady, where have you kept the real fan? Early or late, it is wise to be careful, for Sun Wukong is full of transformations and may trick you again.” Ruo Sha grinned, and from her mouth she brought out nothing but something the size of an apricot leaf, handing it to him: “Is this not the treasure?” He took it in his hand, yet still did not trust it, thinking to himself, “How could something so small fan out fire across eight hundred li? It may well be fake.” Ruo Sha saw him staring at it and lost herself, stepping forward and touching his painted face with hers. “Darling, put away your doubts, keep drinking; what are you thinking about so deeply?” She asked. Sun Wukong took advantage and asked, “How can something so tiny extinguish a fire of eight thousand? eight? Wait—eight hundred li?” Ruo Sha, drunk and without reserve, spoke out the method: “Great King, it has been two full years since you left. You have been consumed day and night with joy, and after the Jade-Faced Princess damaged your spirit, you have forgotten the affairs of your own home. Merely pinch the seventh red strand on the handle with your left index finger, chant one breath: ‘𠲛噓啊吸嘻吹呼,’ and it will stretch to one zhang and two chi. This treasure changes without limit; even eighty-thousand li of flames can be dispersed by a single swing.”

When Sun Wukong heard her, he committed each word firmly to memory. He then took the fan into his mouth, dabbed his face, and showed his true appearance. In a loud voice he cried, “Ruo Sha woman, look—am I not your true husband? You wrapped me in so many indecent farces. Is there no shame at all?” When the woman saw it was Sun Wukong, she panicked, overturned table and chairs, and sank into the dust, utterly ashamed, crying only, “It has almost killed me in rage! It has almost killed me in rage!”

Without caring whether she lived or died, Sun Wukong tore free and strode out straight from the Banana Cave. It was true of him: though he had no intent to covet beauty, he turned back with a triumphant smile. He leapt upward, stepped on auspicious clouds, and jumped onto a high mountain, brought the fan out, and demonstrated the method. He pinched the seventh red thread near the top of the handle with his left index finger, spoke one breath—“𠲛噓啊吸嘻吹呼”—and indeed it lengthened to one zhang and two chi. He took it in his hand, looked carefully once more and again, and found it different from the earlier fake one. Golden radiance shimmered and auspicious vapors swirled; above it were thirty-six red strands, woven in and out, linked through and through. In truth, he had obtained only a long-form technique, not the little-word incantation; he could only control its length. With no alternative, he lifted it to his shoulder and returned along the old path.

The tale says that Niu Mo Wang, in Blue-Wave Pond with the assembled spirits, had just broken up the banquet and come out, only to find the Golden-Eyed Beast that could split water gone. The Old Dragon King gathered the spirits and asked, “Who has stolen the Bull King’s Golden-Eyed Beast?” The spirits knelt: “No one dared steal it. We were all present before the banquet, presenting wine, lifting dishes, singing, and making music; no one was there in front.” The Old Dragon said, “Jia Le’er surely would not dare. Could any mortal have entered?” Dragon Son and Dragon Grandson said, “Just as we were taking our seats, a crab spirit came here—that was the one.” Hearing this, the Bull King suddenly realized: “Enough said. In the morning my worthy friend sent for me and said a monk named Sun Wukong was escorting Tripitaka and had trouble at Flaming Mountain, and had asked me to borrow a Banana Fan. I did not lend it. He and I gambled and grappled, and no winner was decided. But I fled him and came directly to the feast. That monkey is clever in a thousand devices, full of a hundred stratagems. It must be he who transformed into the crab spirit and came here to probe for news, stole my beast, and then went to the mountain wife and tricked her out of this one Banana Fan.” The spirits, hearing this, were one by one terrified and asked, “Could this be Sun Wukong, the one who caused havoc in Heaven?” Niu Mo Wang said, “It is exactly him. If among you there is any place on the road to the West where things go wrong, make sure to avoid him.” The Old Dragon said, “Given all this, what of the Great King’s fine mount?” Niu Mo Wang laughed, “No worry, no worry. Each of you disperse; let me catch him.”

Then they parted the waterway, leapt up from the bottom of the pool, rode on yellow clouds, and went straight to the Banana-Leaf Cave on Green-Cloud Mountain. At once they heard the Rakshasa lady trampling in, beating her chest, calling out in loud cries. Pushing open the door, there again stood the Golden-Eyed Beast that tames water, tied up below. The Ox King shouted, "Lady, where has Sun Wukong gone?" The maidens, seeing the Bull Demon, knelt together and said, "Has father come?" The Rakshasa woman seized the Ox King, knelt and banged her head, and shouted in abuse, "Damn old heaven! How could you be so careless, to let that macaque steal the Golden-Eyed Beast, take your form, and come here to deceive me?" The Ox King, gritted teeth, said, "Where has that monkey gone?" The Rakshasa kept beating her breast as she cursed, "That wretched monkey made off with my treasure, then showed his true form and left. I am furious to the death!" The Ox King said, "Lady, take care and do not be anxious. Let me catch up with the monkey, recover the treasure, skin him, pulverize his bones, and set out his heart and liver so you may vent your rage." He said, "Bring out a weapon." One maid said, "Your father's weapons are not here." The Ox King said, "Then bring your grandmother's weapons." The attendant maid brought out two jade swords with green blades. The king took off the raven-blue velvet banquet robe, tied up the close-fitting inner garments, drew a sword in each hand, and walked out of the Banana-Leaf Cave, heading straight through to Flaming Mountain in pursuit. It was exactly then:

The ungrateful rogue deceived the lovesick woman; the fiery-tempered demon comes near the wooden-fork man.

In the end, it is not yet known whether this departure will bring luck or ruin. So let us listen as it is untangled in the next chapter.