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.

With the report, Sun Wukong accompanied an attendant eunuch into the inner palace and stood outside the gate of the inner sleeping chambers. He had three lengths of golden thread brought in and instructed: "Tell the palace ladies or attending eunuchs to tie them first under His Majesty’s left wrist at the cun, guan, and chi points, and then pass the thread ends through the window lattice to me." The eunuch, obeying, invited the king to sit on the dragon couch, tied one end at each of cun, guan, and chi with golden thread, and drew the other end out through the window. Sun Wukong took the ends; with his right thumb he first supported his index finger and read the cun pulse; then he placed his middle finger over his thumb and read the guan pulse; then he settled his thumb against his ring finger and read the chi pulse. He regulated his own breathing and distinguished the pattern into four qi, five congestion, seven outer signs, eight inner signs, nine stages, floating in, sinking out, sinking in, and floating out, and thus made clear the root of deficiency and excess. He then ordered the left hand untied and, as before, tied it below the right wrist. Sun Wukong then checked, with his left hand, each point one by one all the way through, shook his body once, and drew the gold thread back to himself. He shouted in a clear, loud voice: "Your Majesty, the left cun is strong and tight, the left guan is constricted and slow, and the left chi is hollow and sinking; the right cun is floating and slippery, the right guan is slow and knotted, and the right chi is quick and firm. A left cun that is strong and tight means pain in the heart with internal emptiness. A guan that is constricted and slow means perspiration and muscle numbness. A chi that is hollow and sinking means red urine and stools tainted with blood. A floating, slippery right cun means internal knots closing the channels. A delayed, knotted right guan means leftover food and drink retained. A quick and firm right chi means vexation and fullness contending with empty-cold. This serious royal disease is called ‘the two birds losing their flock.’" The king inside heard this. His whole heart rejoiced, he regained his spirit, and he called out loudly: "Your diagnosis through pulse-taking is clear. Your diagnosis is clear—it is exactly this disease. Ask them to bring the medicine and give it now."

Sun Wukong only slowly walked out of the palace. Already, the eunuchs listening nearby had reported the matter to the others. Soon he came out, and Tripitaka asked, "How does it stand?" Sun Wukong replied, "I have examined the pulse; now I will prepare medicine that matches the condition." The officials came forward and said, "The holy monk elder just spoke of the disease called ‘the two birds losing their flock.’ What is it?" Sun Wukong laughed: "There are male and female birds, originally flying together in one place. Suddenly a violent wind and hailstorm frighten them apart; the hen cannot see the rooster, and the rooster cannot see the hen. The hen longs for the rooster; the rooster longs for the hen. Is this not ‘the two birds losing their flock’?" Hearing this, the officials cried together, "Truly a divine monk! Truly a divine physician!" and praised him unceasingly. Then one court physician asked, "The state of the disease is understood, but we do not know what medicine should be used." Sun Wukong answered, "No fixed prescription is required; when I see the medicine, I administer it." The physician said, "The classic says, ‘There are eight hundred and eight kinds of medicine and four hundred and four kinds of illness.’ A disease does not belong to one person only; how can one medicine be fully applicable to all? How can one claim to prescribe from sight of the medicine alone?" Sun Wukong said, "The ancients said, ‘Medicine should not be tied to a fixed formula, but used to fit the case.’ Therefore I must summon all medicines and add or subtract as needed."

The physician said nothing more, then went out beyond the court gate and sent the on-duty officials of the office through the city to all herb shops, asking for fresh and prepared drugs. For each kind he requested three jin and brought them to Sun Wukong. Sun said, "This is no pharmacy. Take the total list and number of all medicines, and all apparatus for compounding, and send them all to the guest hall, and have my two junior brothers take charge." The physician obeyed, sending all eight hundred and eight medicines, three jin each, plus grinding stones, mills, sieves, medicinal milk, milk bowls, and milk pestles, all of it, to the hall and handing everything over in full.

Sun Wukong went to the hall and invited Tripitaka to come and make the medicine there. Tripitaka had just risen when an order came from the inner palace: "Hold the monk here; let him stay the night in Wenhua Hall. When he takes the medicine at dawn and the disease is cured, give thanks and send him off with the gate-pass documents." Tripitaka was greatly alarmed: "Disciple, this means they intend to keep me here as the king in charge. If he is cured, he will gladly send us away joyfully; if he is not cured, my life is ended. You must attend carefully, with utmost devotion and strictness." Sun laughed: "Master, stay at ease. Here in this place my old monkey has a hand fit to cure a state."

With that, Sun Wukong left Tripitaka, bade farewell to the ministers, and went straight back to the hall. Zhu Bajie greeted him with a laugh: "Brother, I know what you’re up to." Sun asked, "What do you know?" Zhu Bajie said, "I know your mission to fetch the scriptures has not gone right. You want to make a living with no root. Seeing this rich place, you are going to set up a drug shop." Sun barked: "Do not speak nonsense. After curing the king, I will leave as soon as dismissed and continue on the road. What drug shop are you talking about?" Zhu Bajie argued, "Not so. These eight hundred and eight medicines, three jin each, total two thousand four hundred twenty-four jin. We are treating only one man—how much can that use? Who knows how many ages it will all be eaten?" Sun said, "Do we need that much? Those court physicians are all dull-witted, so this amount was ordered to make them have no way to guess, and they cannot tell which of my medicines are truly in use, nor can they identify my marvelous prescription."

While they were speaking, two attendants from the hall came forward and knelt, saying: "Please, Great Monk, come and take the evening meal." Sun asked, "Earlier he had this treatment for me; now you kneel and invite me—why?" One attendant knocked his head and said, "When Your Honour arrived, this servant had eyes but no discernment and failed to recognize your honored face. Now that we hear you have displayed threefold strength and cured our ruler, if His Majesty recovers, Your Honour gains reward in this land and we are all his subjects. It is only proper that we kneel and make welcome." Sun Wukong, hearing this, ascended in good spirits and sat down. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing sat on either side. The meal was laid, and Sha Wujing asked, "Brother, where is Tripitaka now?" Sun said, "Tripitaka was kept by the king as an honored head of the household. He must wait until he cures the king, and then be thanked and sent on his way." Sha asked again, "Does Master have enough to eat there?" Sun said, "How could the king not have attendants? When I came, he already had three attendants and chamber helpers beside him, and he was escorted into Wenhua Hall." Zhu Bajie said, "Then Master is truly fortunate: he has three attendants and you have only two hall men attending us. Forget that—let me the old pig eat a full meal." So the three brothers ate at ease.

It was already late. Sun Wukong called to the attendants: "Clear the household fire and bring plenty of oil lamps and wax; when night is quiet we can make the medicine." The attendants did exactly that, bringing a supply of oil and wax and sending everyone away.

By midnight, the city streets were quiet and all sounds had ceased. Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, what medicine is this? Hurry and work now—I’m nodding off." Sun said, "Take one liang of rhubarb and grind it to a fine powder." Sha Wujing said, "Rhubarb is bitter, cold, and non-poisonous. Its nature is heavy and not rising; its use is to go forward without lingering. It drives away many stases without blockage, settles disorder, and brings order. It is called ‘General.’ This would be a medicinal herb, but with this long illness and weakness it should not be used." Sun laughed: "Younger brother knows nothing. This medicine helps phlegm and smooths qi, disperses the cold-heat knots in the abdomen. Do not interfere. Go take one liang of croton bean, remove shell and membrane, pound out its oil-poison, and grind it fine." Zhu Bajie said, "Croton is pungent, hot, and toxic. It cuts hard accumulations, disperses the cold in lungs and bowels, opens blockages and unblocks paths for water and grain. It is a gate-breaking force and a door-cleaving weapon; not for light use." Sun said, "Younger brother does not understand. This medicine breaks knots and opens the bowels, and can settle distended heart and swelling from gas. Make it at once; I still have subordinate medicines to add and assist."

The two immediately ground the two medicines to fine powder and said, "Brother, which of those dozens are still needed?" Sun said, "No others." Zhu Bajie said, "Eight hundred and eight medicines, three jin each, and you are only using these two liang—surely this is grabbing at everything." Sun handed over a flowered porcelain cup and said, "Younger brother, take this cup and scrape half a cup of ash from the stove-stern and bring it back." Zhu Bajie asked, "For what use?" Sun said, "It is needed inside the medicine." Sha Wujing said, "I have never seen stove-ash used in formulations." Sun replied, "Stove-ash is called ‘Bai Cao Shuang,’ capable of harmonizing a hundred illnesses. You do not know that?" The fool scraped half a cup indeed and ground it fine.

Sun then gave him the cup again: "Now go bring back half a cup of our horse’s urine." Zhu Bajie asked, "What for?" Sun said, "For making the pills." Sha Wujing said with a laugh, "Brother, this is no child’s game. Horse urine is rank and foul—how can it be added to medicine? I have only seen vinegar paste, old rice paste, melted honey, or plain water used as binders for pills. Has horse urine ever been used? The smell alone makes a person with weak spleen and stomach vomit. Add croton and rhubarb, and one could be made to vomit and purge both up and down. Are you jesting?" Sun said, "You do not know what is inside this: my horse is no ordinary horse. He was once a dragon form from the Western Sea. If he can be made willing to pass urine, he will relieve whatever illness you can name. I only need it quickly." When Zhu Bajie heard this, he truly went out to the forecourt. The horse was lying diagonally on the ground, asleep. The fool stamped and kicked it in the belly and waited; after some time, not a drop appeared. He returned and told Sun, "Brother, don’t go yet to treat the emperor. Go treat this horse first. The poor beast is tightly constricted and will not pass a drop." Sun said, "I will go with you." Sha Wujing said, "I’ll go see too."

All three came to the horse. The horse reared up, spoke in human speech, and shouted in a fierce voice: 「Brother, how can you not know? I was a flying dragon of the Western Sea. For having violated heavenly law, Guanyin saved me, sawed off my horns, peeled off my scales, and turned me into a horse, so that I might bear the Master to the Western Heaven in quest of the scriptures and work off my crimes. If I pass over water and urinate, the fish in it become dragons when they eat it; if I pass over mountains and urinate, the mountain grasses take the flavor and become lingzhi, which the celestial maidens pick for long life. How could I be so casually cast away in this dusty world?" Sun Wukong said, 「Brother, speak carefully. This is the realm of the Western King; it is not mere worldly vulgarity, nor is it a place to cast off lightly. As the saying goes, 'Many hairs make one full-lined robe.' We must treat this king of the land. If we cure him, all will be illumined; if not, we may all fail to leave this place." The horse only cried once, 「Wait." See it: he lunged forward once, squatted back once, and with the crackling clack of all its teeth, managed to bring out only a few drops before standing upright. Pigsy said, 「This horseman, this one called Jin-zhi, let him pass a little more." Sun Wukong saw there was only a little over half a cup and said, 「Enough. Enough. Take him away." Sha Wujing was only then overjoyed.

The three returned to the hall, mixed the earlier medicinal ingredients together, and rolled three large pills. Sun Wukong said, 「Brother, that is too big." Pigsy said, 「It is only as big as a walnut; even by my measure it is not enough for one bite." So they put them in a small box, and the brothers, still in their robes, lay down to sleep. Not a word all night; by dawn, it was already morning.

The king, sunk in illness, held court and, on seeing Tripitaka, then ordered the officials to go at once to the reception hall and pay respects to the holy monk Sun Wukong’s master, to go and fetch medicine.

The officials came along to the hall. Bowing on the ground, they said to Sun Wukong, 「His Majesty has specifically commanded us to receive the marvelous remedy." Sun Wukong told Pigsy to fetch the box, lifted the lid, and handed it to the officials. One said, 「What is this medicine called? We must report it to the king clearly." Sun Wukong said, 「Its name is Wujin Dan." Pigsy and the other one laughed quietly, 「Mixed with pot ash? How could that be Wujin?" The officials asked, 「What vehicle or anupana do you use with it?" Sun Wukong said, 「Both kinds work. There is a simple sort: six things, then decocted and taken with the medicine." They asked, 「What six things?" Sun Wukong said, 「The droppings of a raven that flies midair; carp urine borne by swift-flowing water; face powder used by the Queen Mother when she anoints her face; alchemical ash from Laojun's furnace; three pieces torn from the Jade Emperor’s headcloth; and five strands of constrained dragon-whiskers. Decoction of these six with the pill will, when the king takes it, remove his anxious illness." They said, 「Such things are unknown in the mortal world. May I ask what the easier anupana is?" Sun Wukong said, 「Use rootless water." The officials laughed, 「That one is easy." Sun Wukong said, 「How can you call that easy?" One official said, 「In common saying, for rootless water you take a bowl by the well or by the riverbank, scoop up water, turn briskly away without setting it down or turning back, and carry it home to the sick person." Sun Wukong said, 「Water from wells and rivers is all with roots. By rootless water I mean water fallen from heaven and not touching ground when taken." Another official said, 「Even that is easy. Wait until the sky darkens and rains, then give him the medicine."

After giving thanks to Sun Wukong, they took the medicine back and presented it. The king was greatly pleased and ordered attendants to bring it forward. He looked at it and asked, 「What kind of pills are these?" The official said, 「The holy monk called it Wujin Dan, to be taken with rootless water." The king then ordered court attendants to fetch such water. The officials said, 「The monk said rootless water is not from wells or rivers; it must be that which falls from heaven and has not touched earth." The king then called the weather official and ordered him to pray for rain. The officials carried out the decree; no further account is given.

Sun Wukong, in the hall pavilion, called out to Pigsy, 「He allowed rootless water fallen from above, so this is needed for the medicine. It is urgent now—how can we get rainwater at once? I think this king is in truth a ruler of great worth. Why not help him by bringing him some rainwater for the remedy?" Pigsy asked, 「How can we do that?" Sun Wukong said, 「You stand on my left and serve as the Fuxing constellation. And you stand on my right as the Bishou. I will have Elder Sun summon him some rootless water." Then, the Great Sage stepped into the heavenly formula and chanted a mantra; soon an ink-dark cloud rose in the east and inched toward the crown of the hall. He called out, 「Great Sage, Dragon King Ao Guang of the Eastern Sea, come." Sun Wukong said, 「Forgive the disturbance only as necessary. I ask you to help by supplying rootless water for the king’s medicine." The Dragon King replied, 「When I answered your summons, you did not ask for water. I came alone; I brought no rain vessel, and there is no wind, cloud, or thunder. How can rain be brought down?" Sun Wukong said, 「We need none of that now—no wind, no cloud, no thunder, and no driving rain. Only some water enough to guide the medicine will suffice." The Dragon King said, 「If so, let me have two fits of sniveling and spit out a little phlegm and saliva for him to take." Sun Wukong rejoiced, 「Excellent, excellent. No hesitation—act at once."

The old dragon gradually lowered the dark cloud lower in the sky until it was above the palace. He hid his form in concealment and spat a mouthful of saliva, which became sweet rain. The whole court rose in one voice and praised, 「Our sovereign is blessed beyond measure; Heaven itself has sent sweet rain." The king then issued an order: have vessels ready, and whether within or beyond the palace, whether high officials or low, all must store this heavenly sweet water to rescue the sovereign. Look then: all the civil and military officials, the inner court of three palaces and six apartments, the empresses and consorts, three thousand attendants in silk, and eight hundred beauties came with cup and ladle, bowl and goblet, each ready to catch the sweet rain. The old dragon, in midair, dispersed and transformed the saliva, never straying from before and behind the palace. After about an hour, the Dragon King took leave of the Great Sage and returned to the sea. The ministers gathered the cups and bowls and vessels they had collected—some with one or two ladles, some with three to five, and some with none at all—combined them all together to about three cups and presented them on the imperial tray. Truly, strange fragrance flooded the Golden Hall, and rich flavor drifted through the Son of Heaven’s court.

The king dismissed the monk and took the Wujin Dan and sweet rain back into the inner palace. He swallowed one pill and drank one cup. He swallowed another pill and drank another cup. Three times in all: three pills and three cups were taken. Soon the belly roared, sounding like a wheel and shuttle without end. He took a clean bucket and purged three to five times. After drinking some rice gruel, he leaned down and collapsed onto the dragon bed. Two concubines came to inspect the bucket and said there was no end to the foul phlegm and spittle, and within it a single lump of glutinous-rice porridge. One came before the dragon bed to report: 「The root of the illness has all gone down." Hearing this, the king rejoiced greatly and took another serving of rice.

After a short while, he slowly felt his chest and heart expand and ease, his qi and blood brought into harmony, and his spirit bright and vigorous, his legs strength restored. He got off the dragon bed, donned court robes, and went up to the treasure hall. Seeing Tripitaka, he immediately threw himself down and prostrated. The abbott hurriedly returned the courtesy. After the bowing, with an imperial hand he assisted him and said, 「Prepare an invitation slip quickly. Write on it: 'I bow once more in deep obeisance.' Send officials to invite the three senior disciples of the Dharma master. Open the eastern hall and have Guanglu Temple set a banquet in thanks." The officials took the command; the invitations were prepared, the banquet arranged. Truly it was as if the kingdom had strength to move mountains, and in a moment all was complete.

Pigsy, seeing the summons delivered by the officials, could not hide his joy and said, 「Elder brother, this is truly a marvelous remedy. The thanks now—this success is your merit." Sha Wujing said, 「What are you saying, second brother? As the saying goes, 'If one person has fortune, it carries the whole household.' We all made this medicine together and all are men of merit. Just partake and enjoy, and say no more." Ah, look at the three brothers—happy and joyful—they went straight into court.

The officials guided them in. In the east pavilion they saw that Tripitaka, the king, and the ministers had already arranged the feast. Sun Wukong, Pigsy, and Sha Wujing offered a formal bow to their master before the others arrived. Later the full court came in. Up there were four plain tables, each with a spread enough to satisfy at ten glances. In front there was one rich meat table, also ample enough to satisfy ten times over. On both sides stood four or five hundred single tables, arranged in perfect order:

Ancient words say: "The dishes are a hundredfold of every flavor, blessed feast worth a thousand measures of wine. Pearl-like cream and rich curds, silk-threaded fat and red sheen. Treasure-bright floral displays dazzle with color; fruits offer deep fragrance. Sugared dragons coil in battle lines, lion-immortal forms in pairs; oven-drawn cakes and disks are set out like mate phoenixes." The meat side had every kind of pork, lamb, chicken, goose, fish, and duck. The vegetarian side had vegetables, bamboo shoots, wood-ear mushrooms, and fungi. Several kinds of fragrant soup breads appeared, and sugar-crisp confections were repeatedly passed. Soft yellow millet rice and fresh reed-grain gruel were served. Every sort of powdered broth was fragrant and spicy and yet sweet when replaced again and again. The ruler and ministers raised cups before seating themselves, while rank and station were observed and vessels passed in order.

The king took a cup in his imperial hand and first sat Tripitaka properly. Tripitaka said, 「This poor monk does not drink wine." The king said, 「This is plain wine; what if the monk drinks one cup of it?" Tripitaka said, 「For monks, wine is the first precept of abstinence." The king was not pleased and asked, 「The monk abstains from drinking—what then shall I offer as honor?" Tripitaka said, 「Let the three of the unruly disciples drink in his stead." The king then happily set aside the golden ewer and passed it to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong took the wine, offered obeisance to all, and drank one cup. Seeing he drank with ease, he offered another cup. Sun Wukong, without objecting, drank again. The king laughed, 「Drink from the Three-Treasure cup." Again Sun Wukong drank. The king called for yet another fill, 「Now drink from the Four-Season cup."

Bajie sat at the side. Since no wine was offered to him, he endured the trickle of saliva he kept gulping in noisy bursts and said nothing. Again he saw the king pressing Sun Wukong earnestly, so he called him up and said, “Your Majesty, even I have been harmed by the medicine you took; that medicine contains horse…” Hearing this, Sun Wukong, fearing the fool might spread the word, handed his cup to Bajie. Bajie then drank it but still did not speak. The king asked, “The holy monk said the medicine had horse in it. What kind of horse is it?” Sun Wukong took the cup and said, “My brother’s mouth is naturally broad. He has a reliable prescription from experience, and he is about to tell others. Your Majesty’s morning dose contained ma-duo-ling.” The king asked the officials, “What flavor is ma-duo-ling, and what conditions does it cure?” A physician from the Imperial Medical Office replied: “Your Majesty:

Ma dou ling has a bitter, cold nature, and is not toxic; it is very good for fixing wheezing and dispelling phlegm. It regulates the qi and best removes blood phlegm. It replenishes weakness, quiets cough, and eases the chest.” The king laughed: “Very apt, very apt. Elder Pig, drink another cup.” The fool still did not speak, but he also drank a three-treasure goblet. The king handed wine to Sha Wujing as well; he drank three cups, and then all three returned to their seats.

After long drinking and feasting, the king lifted a great cup again and respectfully offered it to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong said, “Your Majesty, please sit. Old Sun, by habit, drinks hard and never dares to refuse.” The king said, “The holy monk’s grace is as heavy as a mountain. I cannot repay it. Drink this enormous cup at least once; I have something to say.” Sun Wukong replied, “If there is something to say, Old Sun can drink.” The king said, “For several years I have suffered a malady of worry and suspicion, but after the Holy Monk struck the magical elixir and opened my channels, I was cured.” Sun Wukong laughed, “Yesterday, Old Sun looked at Your Majesty and knew it was the illness of worry and suspicion, but I did not know what you worried about.” The king said, “The ancients said, ‘Family shame should not be spoken beyond the house.’ Yet the holy monk is my benefactor; only if you do not laugh, may I tell it.” Sun Wukong said, “How could I laugh at such a matter? Please speak freely.” The king said, “Holy monk, as you came from the East, do you remember how many states you passed through?” Sun Wukong said, “Five or six places.” “And their principal queens—what are they called there?” “In this kingdom, Your Majesty, we call the main one the Main Palace, and the others the East and West Palaces.” The king said, “My titles are not like that. I call the main one Gold Holy Palace, the east Jade Holy Palace, and the west Silver Holy Palace. Now there are only the Silver and Jade queens in the palace.” Sun Wukong asked, “Then why is the Gold Holy Palace not in the palace?” The king, with tears, said, “It has not been here for three years.” Sun Wukong asked, “Where has she gone?” The king said, “Three years ago, on the Dragon-Boat festival, Your Majesty and the empresses were under the pomegranate pavilion in the royal garden, untying zongzi, hanging mugwort, drinking calamus and realgar wine, and watching dragon-boat races. Suddenly a wind came, and in midair appeared a demon who called himself Sai Tai-sui. He said he lived in Jinxiong Mountain’s Xie-zhi Cave, and that in the cave he lacked a lady; having seen my Gold Holy Palace, who was exquisitely beautiful, he wished to take her as his wife. He told me to send her quickly; if I did not send her after three calls, he would first eat me, then the ministers and officials, and devour all the people of the city. At that time I was troubled for my state and my people and had no choice; I led the Gold Holy Palace out of the pavilion, and with one shout he swept her away. I was deeply frightened by this, then ate that rice dumpling, and something congealed within me; moreover, I worried day and night without pause. Thus this painful sickness had lasted three years. Since taking the holy elixir from the monk, I have purged it several times; each bout cleared away the stagnant matter built up from three years ago, so now my body is sound, my frame light, and my spirit like before. All of this life is granted by you, Holy Monk. Is it not more than a burden as heavy as Mount Tai?”

When Sun Wukong heard these words, he was secretly delighted. He drank down two gulps from the huge cup and smilingly asked the king, “Your Majesty, I see the depth of your distress. Now that you have met Old Sun, you are fortunate to be cured. But tell me, should we bring back the Gold Holy Palace to the capital?” The king, weeping, said, “I think of her day and night with no rest, and no one can capture this demon. How could I then ask for her return?” Sun Wukong said, “How about I go with you and subdue this monster?” The king knelt and said, “If you can rescue my queen, I will hand over my three palaces and nine concubines, leave the city as common folk, and give the whole state and its mountains and rivers to you, making you emperor.” Zhu Bajie, sitting nearby, could not bear this scene of deference and laughed aloud, “This emperor has lost all propriety! To kneel before a monk for a wife and offer to give away an empire—what is this?” Sun Wukong stepped forward and helped the king rise: “Your Majesty, since the demon took the Gold Holy Palace, has it ever come again?” The king answered, “He seized her last year in May. In October he came asking for two palace ladies, saying they were to serve the Lady, and I gave two. In last year’s third month he came for two more; in the seventh month another two; and in this February another two. I do not know when he will come again.” Sun Wukong said, “If he comes so often, does he not frighten you?” The king said, “When he comes, Your Majesty sees this often. For one thing, we fear him, and for another we fear he may bring harm. Last April I ordered workers to build an anti-demon pavilion. But whenever the wind sounded, we knew he was coming, and then I entered with the two queens and the nine beauties and hid there.” Sun Wukong said, “If it does not disturb Your Majesty, why not bring Old Sun there and inspect that pavilion?” The king immediately took Sun Wukong by the left hand and led him out in attendance. The officials all stood. Zhu Bajie said, “Brother, you don’t even observe courtly manners. You leave this imperial wine untouched and this place rattling, and now you want to go look at something?” The king knew Bajie spoke from his mouth, so he ordered two plain tables set with wine for Sun Wukong and said to have them wait outside the pavilion. The fool made no more fuss and, laughing with Tripitaka and Sha Wujing, said, “Let us flip the cushions and go.”

A full complement of officials and attendants guided them: the king and Sun Wukong together made their way hand in hand through the palace, through the royal garden, to a spot where no tower, pavilion, or hall remained. Sun Wukong asked, “Where is the anti-demon pavilion?” He had no time to finish speaking when he saw two eunuchs carrying two red-lacquered carrying poles, lifting a square stone slab from the empty ground. The king said, “This is the place. Beneath it is a pit over three zhang deep, cut out as nine audience chambers. Inside are four great jars, each filled with clear oil and lit with lamps, burning day and night. Whenever I heard the wind sounding, I would come in and hide; outside, men would cover it with the stone slab.” Sun Wukong laughed: “That demon has not harmed you before. If he wanted to harm you, how could he fail to reach you here?” As he was saying this, from the true south came a wild gust—wind roaring, throwing up dust and soil. The courtiers all cried out in panic at once, “This monk, with his salty-fish mouth, keeps saying there is a demon, and now the demon has arrived!” Frightened, the king dropped Sun Wukong and dashed into the underground chamber; Tripitaka followed; the officials too found a clean place to hide.

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing also moved to hide, but Sun Wukong held both their wrists with his right and left hands and said, “Brothers, do not be afraid. Let me and you look at him and see what kind of monster this is.” Bajie said, “You’re talking nonsense. If we do not know him, why go? The ministers hid, the master hid, the king hid. Why should we stay? Is this a show of family pedigree?” The fool struggled and strained to pull away, but could not escape Sun Wukong’s grip. After a while, they saw a demon flash out in midair. Look at him:

Nine feet high and utterly fierce, his pair of ringed eyes flashed like golden lanterns. Two round ears like paddles spread; four steel fangs stuck out like inserted nails. Red-red hair curled at his temples, brows raised like flames; nose and snout hung down, broad nostrils and bright openings. A few scarlet whisker lines, cheekbones ridged and harsh, face all bruised blue. His arms were red and indigo, and ten sharp claws gripped a spear. A leopard-skin skirt was knotted at his waist; bare feet and wild hair gave him a ghostly form. Sun Wukong asked Sha Wujing, “Can you recognize him?” Sha Wujing said, “I have never met him. How could I know?” Again: “Bajie, can you recognize him?” Bajie said, “I have never met him drinking tea or wine, nor is he friend or neighbor. How could I know him?” Sun Wukong said, “He looks like the painted-faced Golden-Eye Ghost who serves as a gatekeeper under Elder East Peak.” Bajie said, “No, no.” Sun Wukong asked, “How do you know he is not?” Bajie said, “A ghost is a yin spirit. It appears only from the hours of申 to亥, from dusk until nightfall. Now it is the 巳 hour, how could a ghost dare appear? Even if it can raise wind, it can only make one spinning gust. Can such violence be from that? Perhaps he is indeed Sai Tai-sui.” Sun Wukong laughed, “You are a good fool—you have some sense after all. Then you two stay here to hold position; I will go ask him his name, so I can bring him to court and return the Gold Holy Palace.” Bajie said, “Go then, but do not give away where we are.” Sun Wukong made no further reply, leapt upward at once in auspicious light, and sprang after him. Right then, there was a coda: First make peace in the kingdom and cure the ruler’s sickness. To keep to the Way, one must remove both love and hatred from the heart.

It is still unknown what happens once he reaches the sky—whether they win or lose, how he captures the demon and rescues the Gold Holy Palace. Let the next chapter explain all of that.