Chapter 60: The Bull Demon King Ceases Battle and Goes to a Feast; Sun Wukong Seeks the Plantain Fan a Second Time

The local god said, "The Great Sage of Equal Heaven is Ox Demon King." Sun Wukong said, "So this mountain was set on fire by the Ox Demon King, and it was falsely named the Flaming Mountains?" The local god said, "No, no. If the Great Sage is willing to forgive my offense, only then dare I speak plainly." Sun Wukong said, "What offense do you have? Speak plainly, no harm." The local god said, "This fire was originally set by the Great Sage." Sun Wukong said angrily, "Where was I? You talk such nonsense. Am I the one who sets fires?" The local god said, "You don't recognize me either. This place originally had no such mountain. Because the Great Sage, five hundred years ago, when you caused great havoc in Heaven, was captured by the Illustrious Sage Erlang, and escorted to Lord Lao Zi of the Supreme Ultimate, who placed the Great Sage in the Eight Trigrams Furnace. After refining, when the furnace was opened, you kicked it over, and some bricks fell down, carrying residual fire. When they landed here, they turned into the Flaming Mountains. I was originally the furnace-watching Daoist from the Tushita Palace. At that time, Lord Lao blamed me for losing my post and banished me here, where I became the local god of the Flaming Mountains." Zhu Bajie, hearing this, said resentfully, "No wonder you're dressed like that—you're a Daoist turned local god."

Sun Wukong said, half in doubt, "For now, tell me, what was the reason for going to find the Great Sage of the Powerful Ox earlier?" The local god said, "The Great Sage of the Powerful Ox is the husband of Rakshasi. He recently abandoned Rakshasi and now lives in the Mo Cloud Cave on the Piled Thunder Mountain. There was a ten-thousand-year-old fox king; that fox king died, leaving a daughter called the Jade-Faced Princess. That princess has a million in family wealth, with no one to manage it. Two years ago, hearing that the Ox Demon King was vastly powerful, she willingly offered her property to take him as a live-in son-in-law. That Ox King abandoned Rakshasi and hasn't looked back for a long time. If the Great Sage finds the Ox King and earnestly asks him to come here, then you can borrow the real fan: first, to fan out the flames, protecting the master's journey forward; second, to forever eliminate the fire calamity, protecting the living beings here; third, to pardon me and let me return to Heaven, reporting back to Lord Lao." Sun Wukong said, "Where is the Piled Thunder Mountain? How far is it from here?" The local god said, "Due south. From here to there is over three thousand li."

Hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately instructed Sha Seng and Bajie to protect the master, and also told the local god to stay and not leave. Then, with a whoosh, he vanished. In less than half an hour, he soon saw a high mountain piercing the clouds. He pressed down his cloud and stood atop the peak to gaze. Truly it was a fine mountain:

High though not the highest, its peak touches the azure sky; large though not the largest, its roots reach the Yellow Springs. Before the mountain, the sun is warm; behind the ridge, the wind is cold. Before the mountain, the sun is warm, so in late winter the grass and trees know no frost; behind the ridge, the wind is cold, so in high summer the ice and snow do not melt. Dragon pools join the streams, water flowing endlessly; tiger caves lean on the cliffs, flowers blooming early. A thousand streams of water rush like flying jade; a single heart of flowers spreads like brocade. Curving ridges have curving trees; gnarled rocks have gnarled pines. Truly: high mountains, steep ridges; sheer cliffs, deep ravines; fragrant flowers, beautiful fruits; red vines, purple bamboos; green pines, emerald willows. Through all seasons and times, its colors never change; for a thousand, ten thousand years, its hues remain like a dragon.

The Great Sage watched for a long time, then descended the pointed peak, entered the deep mountains, and searched for a path. Just as he had no clue, he suddenly saw, beneath the shade of pine trees, a woman breaking off a fragrant orchid, walking gracefully toward him. The Great Sage slipped behind a strange rock, fixed his gaze, and saw what the woman looked like:

Delicate and lovely, a beauty that topples kingdoms, stepping slowly with lotus feet. Her face like Wang Zhaojun, her features like a Chu maiden. Like a flower that can speak, like jade that gives off fragrance. Her high chignon piled dark like a blue crow, her eyes dipped in green like autumn waters. Her Hunan skirt half-reveals small arched shoes, her emerald sleeves slightly reveal long, powdered wrists. Why speak of morning rain and evening clouds? Truly she has red lips and white teeth. Her brow is delicate like the smooth Jin River, surpassing Zhuo Wenjun and Xue Tao.

The woman gradually drew near the rock. The Great Sage bowed and said slowly, "Lady bodhisattva, where are you going?" The woman, not looking up, heard him call and question, and raised her head. Suddenly seeing the Great Sage's ugly appearance, she was greatly startled; wanting to retreat was hard, wanting to go on was hard, so she could only tremble and force herself to reply: "Where are you from, that you dare ask someone here?" The Great Sage thought to himself, "If I tell her about seeking the fan for the scriptures, I fear this creature is related to the Ox King. For now, I must use a false pretense and speak of inviting the demon king." When the woman saw him silent, her expression changed, and she shouted angrily, "Who are you, that you dare question me?" The Great Sage bowed and smiled apologetically, "I am from the Green Cloud Mountain. Arriving here for the first time, I don't know the way. May I ask the bodhisattva, is this the Piled Thunder Mountain?" The woman said, "It is." The Great Sage said, "There is a Mo Cloud Cave—where is it located?" The woman said, "What business do you have seeking that cave?" The Great Sage said, "I was sent by the Iron Fan Princess of the Banana Cave on Green Cloud Mountain to invite the Ox Demon King."

When the woman heard the words "Iron Fan Princess invites the Ox Demon King," she was greatly enraged; red flushed to the roots of her ears, and she burst out cursing: "That slut is truly ignorant. Since the Ox King came to my house, not two years have passed, and I don't know how many pearls, emeralds, gold, silver, silks, and satins I've given him—yearly firewood, monthly rice—enjoying himself at ease. Has she no shame, and still sends to invite him?" Hearing this, the Great Sage knew it was the Jade-Faced Princess. He deliberately drew out his Golden-Banded Cudgel, shouted loudly, and said, "You shameless slut! With your family property you bought the Ox King—truly you lost money to marry a man. You have no shame, yet you dare curse anyone?" Seeing this, the woman was terrified out of her wits. Losing her step, she twisted her golden lotus feet in panic, trembling, and turned to flee. The Great Sage, shouting and yelling, followed behind. It turned out that passing through the pine shade, there was the entrance to the Mo Cloud Cave. The woman ran in and, with a bang, closed the door. The Great Sage put away his Golden-Banded Cudgel, stopped to look, and saw a fine place:

The forest dense, the cliffs steep and sheer. Creepers and vines cast a dark shade; orchids and herbs give a sweet fragrance. Flowing springs wash jade amid tall bamboos; clever rocks seem knowing, bearing fallen petals. Mist and clouds envelop distant peaks; sun and moon shine on cloud screens. Dragons roar and tigers howl; cranes cry and orioles sing. A pure and secluded scene, truly lovely; rare flowers and jade grass ever bright. Not inferior to the Tiantai Immortal Cave, surpassing the Penglai in the sea.

Let us set aside for now the sightseeing of the Pilgrim at this place. But the woman, her powdered face dripping with sweat, her orchid heart panting, ran straight into the study. Inside, the Ox Demon King was quietly studying alchemical texts. This woman, in a huff, fell into his arms, scratching her ears and cheeks, and burst into loud sobs. The Ox King, all smiles, said, "Beauty, don't be upset. Say what you have to say." The woman jumped and stamped, cursing, "You brute, you've ruined me!" The Ox King laughed and said, "Why do you curse me?" The woman said, "Because my parents left me without support, I took you in for protection and sustenance. The world says you're a good man, but you're actually a coward afraid of his wife!" Hearing this, the Ox King hugged her and said, "Beauty, what wrong have I done? Tell me slowly, and I'll apologize to you." The woman said, "Just now I was strolling in the flower shade outside the cave, breaking orchids and picking herbs, when suddenly a monk with a hairy face and a thunder-god beak came up and bowed to me, scaring me stiff. When I had calmed down and asked who he was, he said he was sent by the Iron Fan Princess to invite the Ox Demon King. I cursed him a couple of times, and he cursed me back, then took a staff and chased after me, trying to beat me. If I hadn't run fast, he would have beaten me to death. Isn't this disaster from taking you in? You've ruined me!" Hearing this, the Ox King tidied her appearance and apologized, comforting her for a long time before the woman calmed down. The demon king then said fiercely, "Beauty, I dare not deceive you. Although the Banana Cave is secluded, it's quiet and pleasant. My wife has cultivated since youth and is also an accomplished female immortal, but her household is strict, with not even a boy servant within. How could there be a thunder-god-beaked monk sent by her? This must be some monster from somewhere, perhaps using a false name, come here to find me. Let me go out and take a look."

The good demon king, striding forward, left the study, went to the main hall, took his armor and gear, and dressed himself fully. He took a mixed iron staff, went out the door, and shouted loudly, "Who is it that behaves so rudely at my place?" The Pilgrim, watching from the side, saw that his appearance was vastly different from five hundred years ago. Behold:

On his head he wore a polished silver-bright helmet of wrought iron; on his body, a suit of brocade armor threaded with gold and lined with fur; on his feet, a pair of upturned-pointed, white-soled deerskin boots; around his waist, a belt of twisted silk, three-ply, with a lion’s head clasp. His eyes shone like bright mirrors; his brows were vivid as a red rainbow. His mouth was like a blood bowl; his teeth were set like copper plates. His roar shook the mountains, terrifying the gods; his movements were so fierce, the demons fled in panic. Famous throughout the four seas, he was called the World-Confounding Demon; in the West, he was styled the Great Sage of the Powerful Ox, the Demon King.

Great Sage, straightening his clothes, stepped forward and made a deep bow, saying, "Elder Brother, do you still recognize your younger brother?" The Bull King returned the bow and asked, "Are you not Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" The Great Sage replied, "Indeed, indeed. It has been a long time since we last met and paid respects. I only just arrived here and asked a woman, thus finding my elder brother. Your demeanor is truly more impressive than before; congratulations and felicitations." The Bull King shouted, "Hold your tongue! I heard you caused havoc in Heaven and were suppressed under the Five Phases Mountain by the Buddha. Recently you were freed from heavenly calamity and are protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey west to see the Buddha and seek scriptures. Yet how did you harm my son, Niu Shengying, in the Fire-Cloud Cave at Withered Pine Stream on Mount Hao? I am still angry with you about this, and now you dare seek me out?" The Great Sage bowed and said, "Elder Brother, do not wrong your younger brother. At that time, your son captured my master and wanted to eat his flesh. I could not approach him, but fortunately, the Bodhisattva Guanyin came to save my master and persuaded him to convert to the right path. Now he has become the Sudhana Youth, higher in station than you, enjoying the blissful hall of ultimate joy and attaining eternal. What harm is there in that? Why blame me instead?" The Bull King cursed, "You smooth-tongued gibbon! You gloss over the matter of harming my son. Just now, you insulted my beloved concubine and attacked my gate—what is the meaning of this?" The Great Sage laughed, "Because I could not find you, elder brother, I bowed and asked that woman, not knowing she was my second sister-in-law. She cursed me a few times, and in a moment of rudeness, I startled her. I beg elder brother to forgive me." The Bull King said, "If that is the case, for the sake of old friendship, I will spare you and let you go."

The Great Sage replied, "Having received your generous forgiveness, I am endlessly grateful. But there is one more matter I wish to mention, and I earnestly hope you will assist me." The Bull King cursed, "You ungrateful gibbon! I spare you, yet you do not leave but instead pester me. What assistance do you speak of?" The Great Sage said, "To be honest with you, elder brother, I am escorting Tang Sanzang westward, but our path is blocked by the Flaming Mountain, and we cannot proceed. I asked the locals and learned that your esteemed wife, Rakshasi, possesses a palm-leaf fan. I wished to borrow it for one use. Yesterday I went to your old mansion to see my sister-in-law, but she firmly refused to lend it. Thus I have come specially to beg you, elder brother. I hope you will open your heart as vast as heaven and earth and accompany me to my elder sister-in-law's place for a trip. Please, by all means, lend the fan to fan out the flames, allowing Tang Sanzang to cross the mountain, and I will return it intact immediately." Upon hearing this, the Bull King's heart blazed like fire, and he ground his steel teeth as he cursed, "You say you were not rude—it turns out this is all for the sake of borrowing the fan! You must have insulted my lawful wife first, and she likely refused, so you came to find me and also drove away my beloved concubine. As the saying goes: 'A friend's wife must not be wronged; a friend's concubine must not be harmed.' You have wronged my wife and harmed my concubine—how utterly rude! Come, take a blow from my staff!" The Great Sage said, "Brother, if you wish to fight, I am not afraid. But seeking the treasure is my true intention; I earnestly hope you will lend it to me for a while." The Bull King said, "If you can withstand me for three rounds, I will let my lawful wife lend it to you. If you cannot, I will beat you to death to avenge my shame." The Great Sage replied, "Brother speaks rightly. I have been negligent these days and have not met with you. I do not know how your martial skills compare to the past. Let us, brothers, practice our staff techniques and see." The Bull King would not allow further discussion; he drew his mixed iron staff and struck directly at the head. The Great Sage, holding his Golden-Hooped Rod, met him in return. The two engaged in a fine battle:

The Golden-Hooped Rod and the mixed iron staff,

Changed faces, no longer as friends they sparred.

One said: "I resent you, gibbon, for harming my son."

The other said: "Your son has attained the Way; cease your anger."

One said: "How dare you, ignorant one, come to my door?"

The other said: "I have cause and come specially to inquire."

One sought the fan to protect Tang Sanzang,

The other refused to lend the palm-leaf fan, too stingy.

Words flew back and forth, losing old affections,

The whole family, devoid of righteousness, grew enraged.

The Bull King's staff rose like a dragon,

The Great Sage's rod met it, spirits and ghosts fled.

At first they fought before the mountain,

Then both mounted auspicious clouds and advanced.

In midair they displayed their divine powers,

Amid five-colored light they worked their wondrous arts.

The two staves clashed, shaking the heavenly gate,

Neither victor nor vanquished, both evenly matched.

The Great Sage and the Bull King fought for over a hundred rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. As they were locked in an inextricable struggle, a voice called out from the mountain peak: "Lord Bull, my king sends his respects and hopes you will come early so the seats may be arranged." Hearing this, the Bull King used his mixed iron staff to parry the Golden-Hooped Rod and shouted, "Gibbon, stop for now. Let me go to a friend's house to attend a gathering, then we'll continue." With that, he lowered his cloud and went straight back into his cave, saying to the Jade-Faced Princess, "My beauty, that thunder-mouthed man just now was the gibbon Sun Wukong. I drove him away with a few blows from my staff, and he won't dare come back. Enjoy yourself at ease. I am going to a friend's place to drink." He then removed his armor, put on a dark blue velvet jacket, walked out, mounted his Water-Stepping Golden-Eyed Beast, ordered his attendants to guard the gate, and departed half-cloud, half-mist, heading straight northwest.

From the high peak, the Great Sage watched and thought to himself, "This old bull must have made some new friends. Where is he going to attend a gathering? Let Old Monkey follow him." The excellent shook himself, transformed into a gust of wind, caught up, and followed along. Before long, they reached a mountain, and the Bull King suddenly disappeared. The Great Sage resumed his original form and entered the mountain to search. In the mountain was a clear, deep pool, and beside the pool stood a stone tablet with six large characters: "The Jasper-Wave Pool of Chaos-Stone Mountain." The Great Sage thought, "The old bull has certainly gone into the water. The water-dwelling spirits must be either a flood dragon, a dragon, a fish, or perhaps a turtle, softshell turtle, or alligator spirit. Let Old Monkey go down into the water and have a look."

Excellent Great Sage! He made a hand seal, recited a spell, shook himself, and transformed into a crab, neither too big nor too small, weighing thirty-six catties. He leaped into the water with a splash and sank straight to the bottom of the pool. Suddenly he saw an exquisitely carved and transparent archway, and beneath it was tied the Water-Stepping Golden-Eyed Beast. Once inside the archway, there was no water. The Great Sage crawled in and looked carefully. On the other side, he heard the sound of music. He saw:

A vermilion palace with shell-like gates, no different from the mortal world.

Gold formed the roof tiles, white jade the door pivots.

Screens were inlaid with hawksbill turtle shells,

Balustrades built with coral pearls.

Auspicious clouds and propitious vapors shone upon the lotus throne,

Reaching up to the sun, moon, and stars, down to the streets.

It was neither a heavenly palace nor an ocean treasury;

Indeed, this place surpassed the Penglai Isles.

A high hall was set with a feast of guests and host,

Officials great and small, with caps and jewels.

They hurriedly called jade maidens to bear ivory platters,

Urged celestial beauties to tune the instruments.

Long whales sang, giant crabs danced,

Softshell turtles blew reed pipes, alligators beat drums,

Jewels from the black dragon's chin illuminated the goblets and platters.

Bird-script characters adorned the emerald screens,

Shrimp-whisker curtains hung over the corridors.

The eight tones played in succession, mingling with celestial music,

The notes of gong and shang rose, piercing the clouds.

Green-headed perch courtesans plucked the zither,

Red-eyed horse fish played the jade flute.

A mandarin fish offered fragrant venison,

A dragon maid wore a golden phoenix hairpin.

What they ate were the eight treasures of the celestial kitchen,

What they drank were the ripe wines of the Purple Mansion.

Seated at the head was the Bull King, flanked by three or four flood dragon spirits. Before him sat an old dragon spirit, and on both sides were dragon sons, dragon grandsons, dragon wives, and dragon daughters.

As they were in the midst of passing goblets and exchanging toasts, the Great Sage Sun walked straight up. The old dragon saw him and immediately ordered, "Seize that wild crab!" The dragon sons and grandsons rushed forward and grabbed the Great Sage. The Great Sage suddenly spoke in human language, crying, "Spare my life! Spare my life!" The old dragon said, "Where are you from, wild crab? How dare you come into the hall and walk about recklessly before honored guests? Confess quickly, and I will spare you the death penalty." The excellent Great Sage, feigning a false story, confessed to the assembly:

"Born in the lake to make a living,

I made a cave by the cliff as my dwelling.

Over time I grew comfortable,

And was appointed an official as the 'Horizontal-Walking Knight.'

Trampling grass and dragging mud,

I never learned proper conduct.

Ignorant of the rules, I offended the king's majesty,

I humbly beg your honored mercy to forgive my crime!"

Upon hearing this, the assembled spirits all bowed to the old dragon and said, "This crab knight has just entered the jade palace and does not know the royal etiquette. We beg you, honored sir, to spare him and let him go." The old dragon thanked them. The spirits then ordered, "Release that fellow. Remember the beating; let him wait outside." The Great Sage acknowledged the order and fled for his life, going straight to the archway. He thought to himself, "This Bull King is indulging in drink here. How can I wait for him to finish? Even if he does, he won't lend me the fan. It would be better to steal his Golden-Eyed Beast, transform into the Bull King, go deceive Rakshasi, trick her into giving me the fan, and get my master across the mountain."

The Great Sage, reverting to his true form, untied the reins of the golden-eyed beast, leaped onto its carved saddle, and rode straight out of the water. Reaching the pool’s edge, he transformed his body into that of the Bull Demon King. Mounting the beast and riding clouds, he soon arrived at the Banana-Leaf Cave on Mount Cuiyun. "Open the door!" he shouted. Two maid-servants within the cave heard his voice, opened the door, and, seeing the Bull Demon King’s face, went in to report, "Mistress, the master has come home." Upon hearing this, Rakshasi hastily adjusted her cloud-like hair, hurried her lotus steps, and went out to greet him. The Great Sage dismounted, led the golden-eyed beast inside, and, bold of heart, beguiled the fair woman. With her mortal eyes, Rakshasi failed to recognize him and took his hand to enter, ordering the maids to set a seat and serve tea. The entire household, seeing their master, showed utmost respect and caution.

After a moment of polite talk about the weather and family matters, the Bull Demon King said, "Lady, we have been long separated." Rakshasi replied, "May the Great King enjoy ten thousand blessings." She added, "The Great King dotes on his new favorite and abandons me without a care. What wind has blown you here today?" Sun Wukong, feigning a smile, said, "I dare not say I abandoned you. It’s only that after marrying the Jade-Faced Princess, household affairs became numerous, and I had many friends to entertain, which kept me away. I have, however, acquired another estate." He continued, "Lately, I heard that Sun Wukong is escorting the Tang Monk and nearing the Fiery Mountains. I fear he may come to borrow your fan. I still harbor deep hatred for that wretch who harmed my son, and if he arrives, send word to me. I will capture him, cut him to pieces, and avenge the grievances of our hearts." Rakshasi, shedding tears, said, "Great King, as the saying goes: ‘A man without a wife has no wealth to control; a woman without a husband has no self to rely on.’ My life was nearly ended by that monkey’s head." Sun Wukong, feigning anger, cursed, "When did that rogue come by?" Rakshasi said, "He hasn’t left. Yesterday he came to borrow the fan. Because of the harm he did to my son, I armed myself fully, brandished my sword, and went out to strike him. He endured the pain and called me ‘Sister-in-law,’ saying that the Great King had once sworn brotherhood with him." Sun Wukong said, "Yes, five hundred years ago, we became sworn brothers, seven in all." Rakshasi said, "I cursed him until he dared not reply, and when I struck, he dared not fight back. In the end, I fanned him away with a single wave. I don’t know where he learned to withstand the wind, but this morning he came calling again. When I fanned him again, he didn’t budge. In haste, I struck at him with my sword, but he no longer showed me any deference. Fearing the weight of his golden-banded staff, I fled into the cave and shut the doors tightly. Somehow, he entered my belly, and I nearly lost my life to him. I had to call him ‘Uncle’ several times before he gave back the fan."

Sun Wukong then feigned beating his chest and said, "What a pity, what a pity. My lady, you were wrong. How could you give that treasure to that monkey’s head? It’s infuriating!" Rakshasi laughed and said, "Great King, calm your anger. What I gave him was a false fan, just to send him away." Sun Wukong asked, "Where is the real fan?" Rakshasi said, "Rest assured, rest assured. I have it safely stored." She ordered the maids to set out wine to welcome him and celebrate. She then raised a cup and offered it, saying, "Great King, in the joy of your new marriage, do not forget your first wife. Drink this cup of our native wine." Sun Wukong dared not refuse; he took the cup with a smile and said, "My lady, you drink first. I have been long absent from you while managing external affairs, and you have guarded the household day and night. Let this serve as my thanks." Rakshasi took the cup, refilled it, and handed it to the Great King, saying, "From ancient times it is said: ‘A wife is an equal.’ The husband is the provider of one’s life. Why thank me?" After this exchange of courtesies, they sat down to drink. Sun Wukong dared not break his vegetarian vow and only ate a few fruits, chatting with her.

After several rounds of wine, Rakshasi was half drunk, and amorous feelings stirred within her. She pressed close to Sun Wukong, rubbing and teasing him: holding his hand with soft words, sitting shoulder to shoulder with lowered whispers. They shared a cup of wine, each taking a sip, and fed each other fruits. Sun Wukong, feigning affection, went along with her laughter and talk, and, having no choice, leaned against her. Truly it was:

> The hook to fish for poetry, the broom to sweep away sorrow,

> Nothing surpasses wine in dispelling all troubles.

> A man, holding to his principles, opens his breast;

> A woman, forgetting herself, smiles freely.

> Her face reddens like a peach in bloom,

> Her body sways like a tender willow.

> Endless chatter and prattle,

> Intimate touches and lingering glances.

> Now she adjusts her cloud-like tresses,

> Now she reaches out with pointed fingers.

> Often she lifts her dainty foot,

> Many times she flicks her sleeves.

> Her powder-white neck naturally bows,

> Her slender waist gradually twists.

> Words of love never cease,

> Her half-bared bosom loosens the golden buttons.

> Drunk, she truly topples like a jade mountain,

> With bleary eyes, she fumbles and makes a sorry sight.

Seeing her so deeply intoxicated, Sun Wukong secretly watched his chance and teased her, saying, "My lady, where have you stored the real fan? We must be careful day and night, for fear that Sun Wukong, with his many transformations, might come again to deceive us." Rakshasi, giggling, spat it out from her mouth. It was no larger than an apricot leaf. Handing it to Sun Wukong, she said, "Isn’t this the treasure?" Sun Wukong took it in his hand but was skeptical, thinking to himself, "Such a tiny thing—how can it fan out flames? I fear it’s another fake." Seeing him lost in thought over the treasure, Rakshasi could not help stepping forward, pressing her powdered face against his, and calling out, "Sweetheart, put away the treasure and drink your wine. Why stare blankly and think?" Sun Wukong, seizing the moment, asked, "How can such a small thing fan out eight hundred miles of flames?" Rakshasi, drunk and speaking from the heart without restraint, revealed the method: "Great King, we have been apart for two years. You must have been indulging day and night, sapping your spirit with the Jade-Faced Princess, to forget even the nature of your own treasure. Simply press the seventh red thread on the handle with your left thumb, chant ‘Xi xu he xi xi chui hu,’ and it will grow to twelve feet in length. This treasure can change endlessly! Even if the flames stretch eighty thousand miles, one fan can extinguish them."

Sun Wukong listened and committed it firmly to memory. He then placed the fan in his mouth, wiped his face, and revealed his true form. In a loud voice, he cried, "Rakshasi, look—am I your dear husband? To have entangled me in so many shameful matters—shameless, shameless!" The woman, seeing it was Sun Wukong, panicked, knocking over the table and crashing to the ground in utter disgrace. "It’s killing me!" she cried. "It’s killing me!"

Sun Wukong, paying no heed to her life or death, shook off her grasp, strode out of the Banana-Leaf Cave. Truly it was: With no mind for beauty’s charms, he laughed in triumph and turned away. With a single leap, he mounted auspicious clouds, soared to a high mountain, spat out the fan, and practiced the method. Pressing the seventh red thread on the handle with his left thumb, he chanted "Xi xu he xi xi chui hu," and indeed it grew to twelve feet in length. Taking it in hand, he examined it closely. It was truly different from the previous fake. Radiant light and auspicious aura shimmered, and on it were thirty-six red threads, weaving through warp and weft, connecting inside and out. But the Great Sage had only learned the spell to enlarge it, not the formula to shrink it, so it remained at that length. Having no choice, he shouldered it and set off along the old path back, leaving this aside for now.

Let us now speak of the Bull Demon King. At the bottom of the Azure Wave Pool, after the banquet with the various spirits had ended, he stepped out and found the water-avoiding golden-eyed beast missing. The old Dragon King gathered the spirits and asked, "Who stole the Bull Lord’s golden-eyed beast?" All the spirits knelt and said, "No one dared steal it. We all served wine and dishes at the feast, sang and played music, and no one was at the front." The old Dragon King said, "My household musicians would never dare. Did any stranger come in?" The dragon sons and grandsons said, "When the seats were first arranged, a crab spirit arrived. That was a stranger." Hearing this, the Bull King suddenly realized and said, "Say no more. This morning, when the worthy friend sent an invitation, there was a Sun Wukong escorting the Tang Monk to fetch scriptures. He encountered the Fiery Mountains and could not cross, so he came to borrow my Banana Leaf Fan. I refused, and we fought a battle, neither winning nor losing. I left him and went straight to the grand feast. That monkey is as clever as a thousand, as wily as ten thousand. It must be that he transformed into a crab spirit to spy on me, stole my beast, and went to my wife to trick her out of that Banana Leaf Fan." Hearing this, all the spirits trembled with fear and asked, "Is that the Sun Wukong who caused havoc in Heaven?" The Bull King said, "Exactly. If any of you encounter difficulties on the Western Road, be sure to avoid him." The old Dragon King said, "If that is so, what of the Great King’s steed?" The Bull King laughed, "No matter, no matter. Let all of you disperse. I will go after him."

So they parted the waters, leaped out from the bottom of the pool, mounted the yellow cloud, and went straight to the Banana Cave on Jade Cloud Mountain. They heard the Rakshasa woman beating her breast and stamping her feet, crying out and shouting. Pushing open the door, they saw the Water-Avoiding Golden Eyes Beast tethered below. The Bull King shouted loudly, "Wife, where has Sun Wukong gone?" All the maidservants, seeing the Bull Demon, knelt down together and said, "Has the master come?" The Rakshasa woman grabbed the Bull King, knocking her head against him, and cursed, "You damned old murderer! How could you be so careless, letting that monkey head steal the Golden Eyes Beast and, taking your form, come here to deceive me?" The Bull King gnashed his teeth and said, "Where has that monkey head gone?" The Rakshasa woman beat her chest and cursed, "That damned monkey tricked me out of my treasure, then revealed his true form and left. It's driving me mad!" The Bull King said, "Wife, take care, don't worry. Let me catch up with that monkey head, snatch back the treasure, flay his skin, break his bones, rip out his heart and liver, and vent your anger." He called, "Bring my weapons." The maidservant said, "Master, your weapons are not here." The Bull King said, "Then bring your mistress's weapons." The waiting maid brought out two blue-edged fine swords. The Bull King took off the crow-blue velvet coat he had worn to the feast, tightened his undergarment, grasped the two swords with both hands, and left the Banana Cave, heading straight for the Fiery Mountains. Truly:

The ungrateful rogue deceived the infatuated woman; the fiery-tempered demon king drew near the one wielding the wooden staff.

We do not yet know whether this journey will be auspicious or ill; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.