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 Great Way is profound and darkly deep—who can fathom it? If one tells it, ghosts and spirits would be startled in alarm. It clasps and shelters the universe, cuts and judges the mysterious light; in the realm of the world there is no happiness to compare with true bliss. Before Spirit-Emu Peak a sacred pearl was lifted, shining with five-hued radiance. It illuminated all beings above and below Heaven and Earth, and to the awakened it granted a life vast as mountains and seas.

The three monks and the four disciples parted from the woodcutter, came off Hidden-Mist Mountain, and rushed onto the great road. After walking for several days, they suddenly saw a city drawing near. Tripitaka said, “Sun Wukong, look at that city ahead. Is that the Tangut-like realm of Tianzhu?” Wukong swished his hand and said, “No, no. Though it is called the Land of Ultimate Bliss where the Buddha dwells, there is no city there; it is a great mountain with pavilions and halls inside, named Great Thunderclap Monastery of Sacred Mountain. Even if this were Tianzhu, it still is not where the Buddha resides. And we do not yet know how far Tianzhu lies from Sacred Mountain. This city is likely an outlying county beyond Tianzhu, and only when we near its border will we know clearly.”

In no time they reached the outskirts. Tripitaka dismounted and entered through the three gates, where they found civic life desolate and the streets and avenues deserted. They went on into the market quarter and saw many blue-robed men standing on either side in rows, with several officials wearing official caps and belts beneath the eaves. The four masters walked steadily along the main street, but those men made no way for them to pass. Zhu Bajie, the village fool, puffed up his long snout and shouted, “Make way! Make way!” Seeing this, they raised their heads in panic; their bodies went soft and their muscles slack, and they stumbled, saying, “A demon! A demon has come!” The officials under the eaves, trembling, bent and asked, “From where do you come?” Fearing trouble for them, Tripitaka stepped forward and said to all, “I am the humble monk, Tripitaka, dispatched from the Great Tang by imperial decree to seek scripture from Buddha at Great Thunderclap Monastery in Tianzhu. We passed Baofang, yet knew not the names of the places, and we have not yet entered any household; when we entered this city we showed little courtesy in yielding the way. Please pardon this fault.” The officials then prostrated and said, “This is an outlying county of Tianzhu, called Fengxian County. Consecutive years of drought have come, and the county magistrate has us issue a public notice, calling for a Dharma master to pray for rain and save the people.” Wukong said, “Where is your notice?” The officials said, “It is here; we only just swept the eaves and have not yet hung it out.” Wukong said, “Bring it, I want to see it.” They opened and hung the notice beneath the eave. Wukong and the three disciples moved forward together to read it. It said:

In Fengxian County, an outer district of Great Tianzhu ruled by Governor Shangguan of the Shangguan lineage, this proclamation is posted to invite a true master in Dharma for a great rain rite: because this county is wide and broad and the people and soldiers are numerous and prosperous, there has been many years of fierce drought and repeated failure of rains. Fields are withered and grain is ruined, rivers are shallow and canals empty. Wells are dry and springs have no water at all. The rich can barely keep themselves alive; the poor are near unable to live another day. A bushel of millet costs a hundred gold, a bundle of firewood costs five taels. A ten-year-old girl is exchanged for three sheng of rice, a five-year-old boy is taken away with whoever will. In the city people fear to disobey the law and barter even clothing to keep body and life; in the countryside they mock officials, robbing and abducting people, and still survive somehow. Therefore this decree was posted, calling for the sages of the four directions to pray for rain and rescue the people. Our merit will be deep in return, and I vow to repay with a thousand taels, never an empty promise. Let those who heed this notice come quickly. Wukong, after reading, said, “What is this Shangguan surname? Is it one of the magistrate’s names?” The officials replied, “Shangguan is the family name; it is the name of this county magistrate’s clan.” Wukong laughed, “That surname is rare indeed.” Zhu Bajie said, “Elder brother has never studied; in the Hundred Family Surnames it says, ‘Shangguan, Ouyang.’” Tripitaka said, “Disciples, stop all idle talk. If one can pray for rain, ask him for a rain of sweetness to relieve the people’s suffering; this is the meritorious act of all good works. If he cannot, then let us move on and do not delay our journey.” Wukong said, “What difficulty is there in invoking rain? I, old Wukong, can turn rivers and stir seas, swap constellations, kick heaven and stir wells, exhale mist and spray clouds, carry mountains and chase the moon, summon rain and call wind—aren’t these child’s games from my youth? Why should it be so rare?”

The officials heard this and sent two men running to the magistrate: “My lord, a thousand blessings have arrived.” The magistrate was then burning incense and offering silent prayers. Hearing that there was glad news, he asked, “What is this glad news?” The messenger said, “We have just hung the proclamation at the city gate; four monks have already arrived, saying they are from Great Tang under the imperial court, going to Great Thunderclap Monastery in Tianzhu to seek scripture from Buddha. On seeing the proclamation, they claimed they can pray for sweet rain. I am the one who came to report at once.”

The magistrate then changed his robes and went on foot, without sedan chair, horses, or a crowd, straight to the city gate and paid formal greeting. Suddenly someone called out, “Magistrate Shangguan has come!” and everyone moved aside. The magistrate saw Tripitaka and, untroubled by his ugly disciples, prostrated himself right in the street, saying, “I am Shangguan, magistrate of Fengxian County. I respectfully beg the venerable teacher to pray for rain and save the people. Grant your boundless compassion, move your divine powers, and bring deliverance, deliverance.” Tripitaka replied with courtesy, “This is not a place for such talk; let the humble monk first come to a temple and do the rite there.” The magistrate said, “Come with the teacher to my yamen; there is a clean place prepared.”

So the master and his disciples hauled their horses and load poles and went directly to the magistrate’s hall, where everyone was received in due order. The magistrate ordered tea and a simple meal. Soon a vegetarian meal was served. Zhu Bajie, at will, swallowed his food like a hungry tiger. The serving attendants, terrified, hurried back and forth, adding soup and rice as if chasing a carousel horse. By the time the meal was done he was full and only then did he stop. After the meal Tripitaka thanked him and asked, “Magistrate, how long has your district suffered drought?” The magistrate recited:

Our land belongs to Great Tianzhu; this is Fengxian, an outer county under my governance. For three years in succession we have known great barrenness; even grasses and seed refuse to grow, and the five grains are gone. Great and small households alike struggle in trade; in nine of ten homes, crying and weeping fills the place. In three periods, two people die of hunger; one remains, like a candle in the wind. This humble official has posted notices far and wide seeking the wise and virtuous, and now at last the true monk has arrived in our land. If you can send but one drop of rain to relieve the common people, I will offer a thousand gold in repayment for this vast merit. Hearing this, Wukong smiled broadly and said, “No need, no need. If they offer a thousand gold, there is not a drop of real rain to pay for it. But by one’s accumulated merit and virtue, Wukong will send your county a great rain.” The magistrate, who was truly upright and beloved by his people, invited Wukong to sit and bowed low, saying, “The teacher has indeed given boundless compassion; this humble official dare not fail in moral conduct.” Wukong said, “Don’t speak further. Please rise. But do take care to watch my master while the old Wukong performs the rite.” Sha Wujing asked, “Elder brother, how will you do it?” Wukong said, “You and Zhu Bajie come over here and stay under this hall like wings at my side while I summon the dragon to bring the rain.” Obediently they followed his instructions, and the three stood below in the hall. The magistrate burned incense and paid homage. Tripitaka sat and chanted scripture.

Wukong recited a true mantra and intoned spell formula. Immediately, in the far East, a black cloud appeared and slowly came down to the front of the hall. It was the Old Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Ao Guang. Ao Guang gathered the tail of the cloud and changed himself into human form, then walked forward and bowed to Wukong, saying, “Great Sage, you called for a dragon. What need brings you to summon me?” Wukong said, “Please rise. You have made the long journey; there is no great matter. This is Fengxian County. In recent years there has been severe drought and the people suffer. How is it that you did not come here to rain?” The dragon king said, “As Your Holiness knows, I can cause rain only as one sent by Heaven. If Heaven has not dispatched me, how dare I come and rain here on my own?” Wukong said, “I come by chance and see that these people suffer under years of drought. I have sent for you to descend here and bring rain to relieve them. How can you make excuses now?” The dragon said, “I dare not refuse. Yet after your call to the true mantra, how could I fail to come? One, I have no imperial order from Heaven. Two, I have not brought the rain ministers with me; how can I move the rain department? Since the Great Sage has the heart to save them, let this little dragon return to the sea to summon the troops. Please return to Heaven and request an edict authorizing rain; ask the water official to release a dragon, and I will then rain according to the decree’s measure.”

Wukong saw the logic in the dragon king’s words and sent him back to the sea by force of law. He then stepped out of the Protective Battle Ring and told Tripitaka what the dragon king had said. Tripitaka said, “In that case, you go and do it—do not utter deceitful words.” Wukong ordered Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, “Protect the master. I am going to Heaven.” He then, in one cry, was gone as if disappeared from silence. The magistrate, frightened to the core, asked, “Where has Master Wukong gone?” Zhu Bajie laughed, “He rides the clouds to Heaven.” The magistrate showed him deep respect, sent out proclamations throughout city streets and lanes, commanding all officials, civilians, soldiers, and common folk—high and low alike—to set out tablets for the Dragon Kings in every household. They should set up jars of clear water with willow branches stuck in them, keep incense flames burning, and offer worship to Heaven; no need to describe it further.

It is now told that Sun Wukong mounted a cloud and rode straight to the outer gate of the Western Heavens. There he soon saw the Protector of the Nation Heavenly King, who had heavenly soldiers and mighty men come forward to welcome him and ask, 'Great Sage, is the matter of obtaining the scriptures done?' Sun Wukong replied, 'It is not far off. Now that we have reached the border of Tianzhu, there is an outlying county called Fengxian County. For three years this place has had no rain, and the people are in great hardship. I, Old Sun, wished to pray for rain to save them. I called the Dragon King there, but he said he had no warrant and dared not act on his own; so I have come now to come before the Jade Emperor to seek instruction.' The Heavenly King said, 'There, by all means, it should not be time for rain. I have heard that that magistrate behaved carelessly, offended Heaven and Earth. The Highest Emperor saw the crime and set three things in place: a Rice Mountain, a Flour Mountain, and a Great Golden Chain. Only when these three are overturned and broken may it then be fitting for rain to fall.' Sun Wukong did not understand this meaning and wished to see the Jade Emperor. The Heavenly King did not dare to block him and let him in. He went directly to the outer hall of the Hall of Bright Illumination, and again saw the Four Great Heavenly Masters coming forth to welcome him, asking, 'Great Sage, what business brings you here?' Sun Wukong said, 'I am protecting Tripitaka on the road, and have come to the Tianzhu border. In Fengxian County there is no rain. The magistrate there requested prayers for rain. Old Sun summoned the Dragon King; he said there was no edict from the Jade Emperor and he dared not act on his own, so I came specifically to ask for an edict, to save the people's suffering.' The Four Great Heavenly Masters said, 'That place ought not to have rain.' Sun Wukong laughed: 'Whether it should or should not, please present it and press the matter; then you may see what face the Great Sage shows.' Ge Xianweng said, 'As the saying goes, "A fly caught in a net—what an enormous nerve for a face."' Xu Jingyang said, 'No idle talk. Just bring him in.'

Qiu Hongji, Zhang Daoling, Ge Xianweng, and Xu Jingyang, the four True Men, brought him to the hall under Lingxiao and presented this report: 'Your Majesty, Sun Wukong has come to the Tianzhu outer county of Fengxian and asks for rain; he has come to request your edict.' The Jade Emperor said, 'That brute, three years ago on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, when I traveled to inspect all the heavens and roamed the three realms, upon reaching another region I saw that the official Shangguan Zheng was without compassion. He overturned the simple vegetarian food prepared for the Fast of Heaven and fed it to a dog, then spoke filthy words, thereby committing a serious offense. I then set him with three punishments in the Hall of Perfumed Incense. You all take Sun Wukong there to inspect: if the three things are overturned and broken, then give him your decree; if they are not overturned, then refrain from meddling further.'

The four Heavenly Masters then led Sun Wukong to the Hall of Perfumed Incense. There were three things there: a mountain of rice about ten zhang high, and a mountain of flour about twenty zhang high. Beside the Rice Mountain was a chicken the size of a fist, pecking one beakful, then a little beakful, picking away at the rice to eat it. Beside the Flour Mountain was a gold-muzzled hound, with a golden coat, stretching its tongue now long, now short, lapping the flour to eat it. To the left hung an iron frame, and on the frame a great golden lock, about one chi three or four cun long, the lock bar thick as a finger; beneath it burned a bright lamp, and its flame was licking the lock bar. Sun Wukong did not know the meaning and asked a Tian Master, 'What does this mean?' The master answered, 'That fellow offended Heaven, so the Jade Emperor set these three things. Only when that chicken has eaten all the rice, the dog has licked all the flour, and the lamp flame has burned through the lock bar, then and only then should rain descend there.'

Hearing this, Sun Wukong was greatly startled and pale, and he dared not submit a memorial again. He came out of the hall, his face full of shame. The Four Heavenly Masters laughed: 'Great Sage, do not worry. This matter is rightly resolved by doing good. If but one thought of compassion is stirred, moving Heaven above and above, the Rice Mountain and Flour Mountain will topple at once, and the lock bar will break at once. Go and persuade that one to return to the good path, and blessings will come of themselves.' Sun Wukong did as told. He did not return to Lingxiao to take leave of the Jade Emperor, but went straight back to the mortal world. Shortly afterwards, he came again to the Western Heaven gate and met the Protector of the Nation Heavenly King. The king asked, 'What is the result of the request?' Sun Wukong recounted the matter of the Rice Mountain, Flour Mountain, and Golden Lock in full: 'In keeping with your words, he would not transmit any order. Just now the Tian Master who sent me told me to urge him to return to virtue. Then blessing itself would come.' Thus they parted, and he descended on clouds back into the world below.

That magistrate, together with Tripitaka, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the various officials and people, came to welcome him and all crowded together in a dense crowd asking questions. Sun Wukong shouted at the magistrate, 'It is all because you, this wretch, three years ago on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month offended Heaven and Earth, bringing hardship on the common people, and now you refuse to call down rain.' Frightened, the magistrate knelt on the ground and said, 'How did Teacher come to know what happened three years ago?' Sun Wukong said, 'How did you overturn the vegetarian offering for the Fast of Heaven and feed it to a dog? Tell it plainly.' The magistrate did not dare conceal it and said, 'Three years ago, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, during a Fast of Heaven in my yamen, because my wife was unworthy and we argued with harsh words, in a moment of rage and ignorance I knocked over the offering table and spilled the vegetarian dishes; it is true I called the dog to eat them. These two years my heart has remembered this, my mind has wandered in confusion, and I have had nowhere to explain. I did not know that Heaven had marked this as guilt and thereby harmed the people. Now that Teacher has descended, I earnestly ask that it be made clear. How does the upper court reckon this matter?' Sun Wukong said, 'That very day was the day the Jade Emperor came to this world below. When he saw you overturn the Fast of Heaven offering and feed it to a dog, and heard your obscene words, he instantly set three punishments for you.' Zhu Bajie asked, 'What are those three?' Sun Wukong said, 'In the Hall of Perfumed Incense is a Mountain of Rice, about ten zhang high; and a Mountain of Flour, about twenty zhang high. Beside the Rice Mountain is a small chicken the size of a fist, pecking there one beakful, another beakful, eating that rice. Beside the Flour Mountain is a gold-muzzled hound that there lengthens its tongue and shortens it, lapping up the flour. On the left is another iron stand on which hangs a golden chain, whose shackle is finger-thick. Under it is a bright lamp, whose flame is lapping at the shackle bar. Only when that chicken has eaten all the rice, the dog all the flour, and the flame has burned through the lock bar, is this place then fit for rain.' Zhu Bajie laughed and said, 'No matter, no matter. Brother, if you take me there and I transform my true body, in one meal I can eat all their rice and flour and snap the lock bar; then rain will surely come.' Sun Wukong said, 'Bajie, do not speak foolishly. This is a stratagem set by Heaven; how could you perceive it?' Tripitaka said, 'If this is the way, what should be done?' Sun Wukong said, 'It is not hard. When I departed, the Four Heavenly Masters told me that only good deeds could release it.' The magistrate prostrated himself and pleaded, 'By Teacher's instruction alone, I will take refuge completely.' Sun Wukong said, 'If you can turn your heart toward the good and pray to Buddha and read the scriptures at once, I will still make arrangements for you. If you persist in your former ways, I will also not be able to intercede; not long from now Heaven will punish you, and your life cannot be saved.'

The magistrate knelt, offered obeisance, and swore his vow to take refuge. At once he invited all the local monks and Daoist adepts, and ordered that a Dharma hall be established. One and all wrote petitions and submitted memorials for three days. The magistrate led the crowd in taking incense and bowing, giving thanks to Heaven and apologizing to Earth, and confessing his guilt. Tripitaka also chanted sutras with him. On one side, a flying bulletin went out saying that all householders both within and beyond the city, women and men alike, should burn incense and chant the Buddha's name. From then on, a full sound of goodness filled the air. Sun Wukong at last rejoiced and told Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, 'You two, guard the Master well; let Old Sun go with him once again.' Zhu Bajie asked, 'Brother, where will he go now?' Sun Wukong said, 'This magistrate has believed Old Sun's words and indeed followed the teaching, respectfully and compassionately, and now he chants Buddha with sincerity. I am going once more to present before the Jade Emperor and ask for some rain.' Sha Wujing said, 'Since Brother intends to go, there need be no hesitation; do not delay us from our journey. We must seek rain once and thereby complete our true fruit.'

Well then, Great Sage mounted the cloud head once more and went straight to the outer side of the Heaven gate, meeting again the Protector of the Nation Heavenly King. The king asked, 'Why have you come again?' Sun Wukong said, 'The magistrate there has now turned to good conduct.' The king was overjoyed as well. Just then, a straight-talisman messenger appeared, carrying a Taoist document and a monk's pass, and came to the outer heaven gate to deliver them. Seeing Sun Wukong, the messenger paid respects and said, 'This is the merit from the Great Sage's urging toward good.' Sun Wukong asked, 'Where will you send this sealed document?' The messenger said, 'I will take it directly to the Hall of Bright Illumination, deliver it through the heavenly masters to the Jade Emperor, Great Heavenly Lord.' Sun Wukong said, 'In that case, you go ahead, and I will follow after.' The talisman messenger entered the Heaven Gate. The Protector of the Nation King said, 'Great Sage, there is no need for you to see the Jade Emperor now. Go to the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Office and borrow a few thunder gods, then strike thunder and flash forth with lightning yourself, and rain will come there.'

The Great Sage did as he had been told: he entered through Heaven’s Gate and did not go up to Lingxiao Hall to request a decree, but strode through the air of clouds straight to the Yinyuan Office of the Ninth Heaven. There he found the envoy of the Thunder Gate, the records-correcting clerk, and the inquiry clerk all coming out to greet him. They offered him formal salute and said, "Great Sage, from where do you come?" The Great Sage answered, "I have business to see the Celestials." The three envoys immediately reported it. The Honored One then descended from beneath the nine-phoenix scarlet-cloud screen, adjusted his garments, and came out to receive him. After formal greetings, the Great Sage said, "I have come with one particular request." The Honored One asked, "What is it?" The Great Sage said, "Because I escorted Tripitaka to Fengxian County, I saw the drought there was severe. I promised him I would ask for rain, and so I have come to borrow your thunder officers." The Honored One said, "I know the county lord there has offended Heaven and has three offences on record. I do not know whether rain should be granted." The Great Sage laughed and said, "Yesterday I already saw the Jade Emperor and asked an audience. The Jade Emperor had the Celestial Master lead me to the Hall of Fragrant Incense and show me the three matters: Mount Rice, Mount Flour, and the Golden Lock. Only if those three are overturned and broken can rain be allowed. I worried I might not be able to break them. The Celestial Master taught me to encourage the county lord and all the people to act virtuously, for when people form good intentions, Heaven must respond. If so, they may yet turn heaven’s heart and relieve this disaster. Now good-minded thoughts have suddenly arisen; sounds of devotion fill the air. Moments ago the envoy of the Direct Edict Office already conveyed a memorandum reporting this turn to virtue before the Jade Emperor. Therefore, by special approach to Your Excellency’s court, I beg to borrow officers from your thunder office to lend aid." The Honored One said, "Since this is the case, dispatch Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao, command the Lightning Maidens to lead them, and let them follow Sun Wukong down to Fengxian County and send thunder there."

Those four commanders and the Great Sage did not take long to reach the realm of Fengxian County. At midair they began their incantation. At once there sounded a pounding, rattling thunder, and streaking flashes of lightning were seen. Truly it was thus:

Lightning darted like a purple-gold serpent, thunder roared and the hibernating masses stirred. Brilliant fire flew in a glow, and thunderclaps split mountain caverns. Rifts of cloud-lit sky shone full, and heaven’s shock shook earth in long quivers. A scarlet spark flashed and broke forth, and for ten thousand li the land and mountains trembled. Within Fengxian County, inside and outside the city, all the great and small officials and all soldiers and commoners had gone three years without hearing thunder and seeing lightning. Today, at the roar and flash of thunder and lightning, they all knelt down together. Some held incense burners on their heads; others held willow twigs in their hands, and all chanted, "Namo Amitabha Buddha! Namo Amitabha Buddha!" This single thought of virtue truly startled Heaven. As an old verse puts it: When a single thought rises in the human heart, heaven and earth alike know it. If good and evil carried no reckoning, Heaven and Earth would surely be partial.

The text sets aside, for the moment, Sun Wukong commanding the thunder generals, hurling lightning and sounding thunder over Fengxian County, where everyone turned to good. It then says that the direct-edict envoy of the upper world brought the memorials of monk and Daoist households to the Hall of Clear Illumination, and the Four Celestial Masters reported to Lingxiao Hall. When the Jade Emperor saw them he said, "Though those rascals now have good thoughts, what of the three matters?" Just then the officer stationed in charge of the Hall of Fragrant Incense reported: "The set-up Rice Mountain and Flour Mountain have both collapsed. In but a moment, rice and flour are gone, and the lock-bar is also broken." Before that report was finished, the chariot-carrying Celestial Officer arrived, bringing and presenting the land gods of Fengxian County—Earth Lord, City God, and local spirits—who all bowed and reported together: "In this county, the county lord and all families in the town, high and low, none among the people fail to have returned to good and to take refuge in righteousness, bowing to the Buddha and honoring Heaven. Now, by your mercy, let sweet rain descend abundantly to aid the people." Hearing this, the Jade Emperor rejoiced and issued an order: "Direct the Wind Department, Cloud Department, and Rain Department each according to command. Go to the lower realms and in the bounds of Fengxian County, at this very time, send out sonorous thunder through the clouds and make it rain three chi and forty-two fen." Then the Four Great Celestial Masters, upon receiving the order, transmitted it to each department to descend at once, each displaying divine power.

The Great Sage was in the sky with Deng, Xin, Zhang, and Tao, directing the Lightning Maidens to work their art, when all the gods arrived and convened in one heavenly assembly. In the midst of it, wind and cloud met, and sweet rain poured in torrents. The good rain:

Dim and broad clouds hung low, heavy black mist filling all; thunder wagons roared, lightning flashed and blazed; rushing winds rolled in surges, sudden rains poured in torrents; this is what they say: one thought remakes Heaven, all ten thousand people live in hope. All to the Great Sage’s meritorious power, ten thousand li of hills and rivers lay under a single shade. The good rain tipped rivers and overturned the seas, covering fields and confusing sky. Waterfalls hung before the eaves, and beyond the windows rang clear chiming crashes. In ten thousand households and a thousand gates, people chanted the Buddha’s name. In six streets and three markets, waters rushed in floods. East and west waterways brimmed full, north and south creek-bays all opened. Dried shoots found moisture, withered trees revived. The fields bore hemp and wheat, village granaries swelled with grain. Travelers rejoiced and traded freely; farmers loved this season for ploughing and tilling. From now on, millet and sorghum grow in easy abundance, and harvests will naturally be rich. When wind and rain come in harmony, the people rest in peace; sea and river run clear, and all enjoy great peace. In one day the rain came down to the full measure of three chi and forty-two fen. The gods gradually began to withdraw. Then Sun Wukong shouted in a loud voice, "You four department deities, halt the clouds for the moment. I must go and ask the county lord to thank you. Please clear away the mists and show your true forms, so these mortals can see you with their own eyes and thereby give you true faith and offerings." The gods heard him and therefore held still in the sky.

The Great Sage alighted from his cloud-head and went straight into the county. Tripitaka, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing were already there to welcome him, and the county lord came bowing one step at a time in thanks. The Great Sage said, "No need to thank me yet. I have detained the gods of the four departments; you may now summon many and have them together offer gratitude, and instruct them to come here whenever rain is needed." The county lord immediately spread the summons, and all came forth to give incense and homage. At once the four department gods parted the bright cloud mists and revealed their true forms. The four were the Rain Department, the Thunder Department, the Cloud Department, and the Wind Department. Then it appeared:

The Dragon King revealed his image, and the Thunder General stretched his powerful form; A cloud youth appeared, and the Wind Lord displayed his true self. The Dragon King’s form—silver-bearded and blue-faced—was unmatched in this world; The Thunder General stretched to his full form, his hooked mouth and severe countenance beyond compare; The cloud youth appeared, who could match that jade-faced one with a gold crown? The Wind Duke in true form seemed to have an eye-ringed brow and a dry, fierce gaze. Together they appeared in the azure heavens, each standing in proper rank in sacred array. In the realm of Fengxian County now all men of learning came to bow, incense in hand; evil nature turned. Today they faced Heaven’s generals, cleansed their hearts, and turned wholly to devotion. The gods remained for one full period while the people continued to offer worship without end. Sun Wukong rose again among the clouds, bowed to them, and said, "You have labored much, truly much. Please, each of you, return to your own department. As for Sun Wukong, he also teaches the families in this commandery to uphold high spirits and, at each season, make sacrificial thanks. From now on, every five days wind and every ten days rain—then return and save us again and again." The gods followed his words and returned to their respective departments, and nothing more is noted.

The Great Sage dropped from the cloud and said to Tripitaka, "The affair is complete, the people are secure, and we may make ready to travel on." When the county lord heard this, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Master Sun says he can leave at once? This time is an immeasurable, boundless kindness and grace. This servant will send men at once to prepare a small feast in return for this great favor. I will also buy land for the people and have a monastery built in honor of the Great Sage, with a memorial shrine raised in your honor and a stele engraved with your name, to be maintained with offerings through all four seasons. Though my bones and heart are carved and incised, they could never repay even a thousandth part; how can you now speak of setting out on the road?" Tripitaka replied, "The district lord speaks truly. But we are monks of the Western pilgrimage and dare not stay long; within a day or two we are certain to depart." Yet the county lord would not release him. Through that same night he sent many men to prepare the banquet and to build the shrines.

The next day, a great feast was opened in full. Tripitaka was set at the high seat; Sun Wukong sat with Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing in proper places. The county lord, together with his county officials and all subordinate ministers, presented cups and dishes in turn, while soft flutes and light drums accompanied a day of careful hosting. The occasion was indeed joyous. A poem bears witness:

Long-droughted fields now meet sweet rain, and the river routes that carry trade run free throughout the land. With deep gratitude we feel the divine monk’s coming to our commandery, and the Great Sage’s ascent to Heaven’s palace. The three former evils are undone, and one thought of devotion brings forth the ripe fruit of goodness. From now on, may we be like Yao and Shun’s age: five winds and ten rains, abundance for ten thousand years. One banquet for one day, another banquet for two days; gratitude today, thanks tomorrow. The monks would stay for half a month, waiting only until the monastery and memorial shrines were complete. One day the county lord invited the four to inspect it. Tripitaka exclaimed in surprise, "The task was vast—how could it be completed so swiftly?" The county lord said, "This servant pressed the workers hard, day and night without pause, and hastened the work to completion. Please, honored lords, take a look." The Great Sage laughed, "He is indeed a worthy and capable good governor." At once they all came to the new monastery and saw the tall halls and pavilions, and the lofty mountain gate. All praised it without restraint. Sun Wukong asked the Master to assign a name to the monastery. Tripitaka said, "Yes. Let its name be 'Ganlin Puzhi Temple.'" The county lord praised him: "Excellent, excellent." He then used gilded tablets to summon many monks widely for offerings and incense service. On the left side of the main hall he ordered four memorial shrines for the Four to be erected, for seasonal rites each year; he also ordered temples for the Thunder God, Dragon God, and others to repay divine merit. When all had been seen, he ordered the departure preparations.

The people of the county, knowing they could not stay long, each prepared parting gifts and would not receive any payments. So all county officials and the people together raised great drums and raised banners high, escorting the parting party for nearly thirty li from both near and distant. Even so they could not bear to part, so they covered their tears and sent them off until they could no longer see them. It is exactly as in the verse:

The accomplished divine monk leaves after broad mercy and rescue. The Great Sage who aligns Heaven extends wide benevolence.

It is not yet known how many more days it will be before they see the Buddha from this point. Listen for the explanation in the next chapter.