Chapter 89: The Yellow Lion Spirit Falsely Stages a Nail-Rake Feast; Metal, Wood, and Earth Plot to Stir Up Leopard Head Mountain

Now the several blacksmiths in the courtyard, having labored for days on end, had all gone to sleep during the night. When they rose at dawn to resume their work, they discovered that the three weapons were missing from beneath the shed. Stupefied and panic-stricken, they searched everywhere. Just then the three young princes came out from the palace to have a look, and the blacksmiths, kowtowing in unison, said, “Young masters, the three weapons of the divine masters have vanished—we know not where.”

When the youngest prince heard this, he was alarmed and trembling, and said, “Surely the masters took them back last night.” He hurried to the Gauze Pavilion and saw the white horse still in the corridor. Unable to contain himself, he called out, “Is the master still sleeping?” Sha Monk replied, “He’s up.” He then opened the door and let the prince in. When the prince saw no weapons, he asked frantically, “Have the masters retrieved their weapons?” Pilgrim leaped up and said, “No, I haven’t.” The prince said, “All three weapons were missing last night.” Eight Rules scrambled to his feet and said, “Is my rake still here?” The young prince said, “Just now when I came out, I saw everyone searching high and low without finding them. I thought the masters might have taken them back, so I came to ask. Your treasures, teachers, can be large or small; perhaps you’ve hidden them on your persons to tease me.” Pilgrim said, “We truly haven’t taken them. Let’s go look for them.”

They went to the shed in the courtyard and indeed found no trace. Eight Rules said, “It must be these blacksmiths who stole them. Hand them over at once; if you delay even a little, I’ll beat you all to death, to death!” The blacksmiths, terrified, kowtowed and wept, saying, “Elder, we toiled for days and nights, and when we slept, we rose at dawn only to find them gone. We are mere mortals—how could we lift them? We beg you, Elder, spare our lives, spare our lives.” Pilgrim said nothing, but secretly fumed, thinking, “This is our own fault. Since we already examined the designs, we should have kept them on us. Why did we leave them lying here? Those treasures emit a dazzling glow—they must have caught the eye of some villain who stole them in the night.” Eight Rules would not believe it and said, “Elder, what are you saying? In such a peaceful realm, not some desolate wilderness or deep mountains, how could there be villains? It must be the blacksmiths who conceived an evil scheme. Seeing the radiance of our weapons, they recognized them as treasures, and during the night they slipped out of the prince’s residence, gathered some men, and carried them away, lifting and pulling. Bring them here and beat them, beat them!” The blacksmiths merely kowtowed and swore oaths.

While the uproar continued, the old prince came out and inquired about the matter. His face turned ashen, and after pondering for a long while, he said, “The divine masters’ weapons are unlike ordinary objects; even a hundred men could not lift them. Moreover, I have ruled this city for five generations now. I do not mean to boast, but I have some reputation for virtue. The soldiers, civilians, and craftsmen of this city all fear my laws and would never dare to conceive evil schemes. I beg the divine masters to reconsider.” Pilgrim laughed and said, “No need to think further, nor to wrong the blacksmiths. Let me ask you, Your Highness: Are there any mountain forests or monsters around this prefectural city?” The prince said, “This question of yours, divine master, is very pertinent. To the north of this city stands Leopard Head Mountain, in which there is a Tiger’s Mouth Cave. I have often heard people say that there are immortals in the cave, and some say tigers and wolves, and others speak of monsters. I have never investigated thoroughly, so I know not what it really is.” Pilgrim laughed and said, “Say no more. It must be some villain from that place, who knew these were treasures and stole them last night.” He then called out, “Eight Rules, Sha Monk, you two stay here to protect the master and guard the city. Let old Monkey go and investigate.” He also told the blacksmiths not to let the furnace fire go out, but to continue their forging.

Truly a great Monkey King, he took leave of Tripitaka, gave a whistle, and vanished without a trace. In an instant he had reached Leopard Head Mountain. The city was only thirty li away, so he arrived in a flash. He went straight to the peak to look around, and indeed there was some demonic aura. Truly:

The dragon’s pulse stretched far and wide, the terrain was vast and grand. Sharp peaks thrust high into the sky; deep ravines roared with rushing water. Before the mountain, lush grass spread like a carpet; behind it, rare flowers embroidered brocade. Tall pines and ancient cypresses, old trees and slender bamboos. Mountain crows and magpies flew and cried in confusion; wild cranes and monkeys all shrieked and called. Beneath the cliffs, pairs of deer; before the precipices, badgers and foxes in couples. The dragon’s approach rose and fell from afar; the earth’s veins twisted and turned ninefold. Its ridges joined the Jade Flower Prefecture, a place of eternal prosperity and glory.

As Pilgrim was gazing, he suddenly heard voices from behind the mountain. He hastily turned his head and saw two wolf-headed monsters, speaking loudly and clearly as they walked northwest. Pilgrim guessed, “These must be the mountain-patrolling fiends. Let old Monkey follow and listen to what they say.” He clenched his fist, recited a spell, shook himself, and changed into a butterfly. Spreading its wings, it fluttered lightly and flew straight after them. Indeed, it was a fitting transformation:

A pair of powdery wings, two silver antennae. Riding the wind, it flew swiftly; dancing in the sunlight, it moved slowly. Crossing water and scaling walls with ease, stealing fragrance and toying with willow catkins in delight. Its light body loved the scent of fresh flowers; its elegant posture and amorous feelings unfolded as it pleased.

He hovered above the fiends’ heads, drifting and swaying, listening to their talk. Suddenly one of the fiends called out, “Second Brother, our king has been lucky these past days: last month he got a beauty, and he’s been enjoying himself in the cave, very happy; last night he also acquired three weapons, truly priceless treasures. Tomorrow he’s holding a feast to celebrate the Rake Banquet, and we’ll all get some benefit.” The other said, “We’re pretty lucky too: we’ve got these twenty silver taels to buy pigs and sheep. Now that we’re at Ganfang Market, let’s first have a few jugs of wine. We can cook the accounts a bit, pocket two or three taels, and buy a padded jacket for winter. Wouldn’t that be nice?” The two fiends chatted and laughed as they hurried along the main road like the wind.

When Pilgrim heard about the Rake Banquet, he was secretly delighted. He thought of killing them, but that would not serve his purpose, and besides, he had no weapon in hand. So he flew ahead, revealed his true form, and stood in the middle of the road. Just as the fiends approached him, he spat a mouthful of magic spittle at them, chanted “Om Hong Zhari,” and used the immobilizing spell to freeze the two wolf-headed monsters in place. Their eyes stared wide, but they could not open their mouths; their bodies stood stiff and straight, their feet rooted. He then pushed them over, lifted their clothes, and searched them. Indeed, they had twenty taels of silver tied in a cloth bundle at their waist girdles, and each wore a powder-lacquered plaque. On one was written “Cunning and Eccentric,” and on the other “Eccentric and Cunning.”

Great Sage, taking the silver and removing their plaques, turned back and returned to the prefectural city. He went to the prince’s residence, where he saw the prince, Tripitaka, and all the officials and craftsmen, and told them the whole story in detail. Eight Rules laughed and said, “It must be the glow of old Hog’s treasure that made them buy pigs and sheep and prepare a banquet. But how shall we handle this now?” Pilgrim said, “All three of us brothers will go. This silver is meant for buying pigs and sheep, so let’s give it to the craftsmen as a reward, and have His Highness procure some pigs and sheep. Eight Rules, you change into Cunning and Eccentric; I’ll change into Eccentric and Cunning; Sha Monk, you dress up as a pig and sheep merchant. We’ll go into Tiger’s Mouth Cave, and when the opportunity arises, each of us will grab his weapon, wipe out all those fiends, and then come back to pack up and leave.” Sha Monk laughed and said, “Excellent, excellent! No time to waste; let’s go quickly.” The old prince followed this plan and ordered the stewards to buy seven or eight pigs and four or five sheep.

The three of them took leave of the master and displayed their great magic outside the city. Eight Rules said, “Elder, I never saw that Cunning and Eccentric; how can I change into his likeness?” Pilgrim said, “I’ve immobilized that fiend with a spell, and he won’t wake until this time tomorrow. I remember his appearance. Stand still, and I’ll teach you to change. ... This and that, and you’ll look just like him.” That idiot actually recited a spell, and Pilgrim blew a mouthful of immortal breath, and in an instant he became the spitting image of Cunning and Eccentric, wearing a powder-lacquered plaque at his waist. Pilgrim changed into Eccentric and Cunning, also wearing a plaque at his waist. Sha Monk disguised himself as a small-time pig and sheep merchant. Together they drove the pigs and sheep along the main road straight toward the mountain.

Before long, they entered a hollow in the mountain and encountered another little fiend, whose face was just as ferocious! Look at him:

His round, rolling two eyes, like lanterns blazing bright; his red, bristling hair, like fire flickering. A snub nose, a gaping mouth, with sharp, pointed fangs; flaring ears, a chopped forehead, and a bloated, greenish face. He wore a light yellow garment and on his feet a pair of straw sandals. Fierce and bold like a demon of doom, he hurried along like a malevolent ghost.

The monster, with a lacquered invitation box tucked under his left arm, called out to the Pilgrim: “Odd and Perverted, you two are here? How many pigs and sheep have you bought?” The Pilgrim replied, “Aren’t these the ones we’re driving?” The monster then addressed Sha Monk, saying, “Who is this?” The Pilgrim answered, “He’s the merchant selling the pigs and sheep. We still owe him a few taels of silver, so I’m bringing him home to get the money. Where are you off to?” The monster said, “I’m going to Bamboo Ridge Mountain to invite the Great King to attend the feast tomorrow morning.” Following his lead, the Pilgrim asked, “How many people are you inviting in all?” The monster said, “We’re inviting the Great King to sit at the head of the table, and including our own mountain’s king and the chieftains, there will be about forty or more guests.” Just as they were talking, Eight Rules said, “Let’s go, let’s go—the pigs and sheep are scattering all over the place.” The Pilgrim said, “You go block them, and let me take a look at that invitation.” The monster, seeing that they were his own people, opened the box and took out the invitation, handing it to the Pilgrim. When the Pilgrim unfolded it and looked, it read:

“Tomorrow morning, we respectfully prepare wine and dishes to celebrate the grand feast of the Dingba. We humbly request that you deign to cross the mountain and join us. We hope you will not refuse, and we are deeply grateful. This is respectfully addressed to the venerable grandfather, the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage, the great elder. Your disciple, Sun Yellow Lion, bows a hundred times with utmost reverence.”

After reading it, the Pilgrim handed it back to the monster. The monster placed the invitation back in the box and headed straight southeast.

Sha Monk asked, “Elder Brother, what did the invitation say?” The Pilgrim replied, “It’s an invitation to celebrate the Dingba feast. The name signing it is ‘Your disciple, Sun Yellow Lion, bows a hundred times.’ The one invited is the venerable grandfather, the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage.” Sha Monk laughed and said, “Yellow Lion must be a golden-haired lion who has become a spirit. But I wonder what sort of thing the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage is?” Eight Rules, hearing this, chuckled and said, “He’s an old pig’s goods.” The Pilgrim asked, “How do you figure he’s your goods?” Eight Rules said, “The ancients said, ‘A mangy sow always chases the golden-haired lion.’ So I know he’s my goods.” The three of them chatted and laughed as they drove the pigs and sheep, and soon they saw the gate of Tiger’s Mouth Cave. Outside the cave gate:

Surrounding hills were wrapped in emerald green, and a single aura connected to the city walls.

Steep cliffs were draped with green vines, and high crags hung with purple briars.

Birds’ songs echoed through dense woods, and flower shadows welcomed before the cave gate.

It was no less than the Peach Blossom Spring, truly a place to escape worldly cares.

As they drew near the gate, they saw a crowd of various large and small monsters playing under the flower trees. Suddenly hearing Eight Rules’ “he he” as he drove the pigs and sheep along, they all came to greet them. Then they caught pigs and caught sheep, tying them all up. This soon startled the monster king inside, who led out a dozen or so minor monsters and asked, “You two are here? How many pigs and sheep have you bought?” The Pilgrim said, “We’ve bought eight pigs and seven sheep, fifteen animals in all. The pigs cost sixteen taels of silver, and the sheep cost nine taels. Earlier we were given twenty taels, so we still owe five. This gentleman is the merchant, who has come along to collect the money.” Hearing this, the monster king shouted, “Little ones, take five taels of silver and send him away.” The Pilgrim said, “This merchant came partly to get his money, and partly to see this grand feast.” The monster flew into a rage and cursed, “You wretched Odd fellow! You’ve bought the goods, and that’s enough—why do you go talking about feasts with someone?” Eight Rules stepped forward and said, “Master, you’ve obtained a treasure that’s truly a rare wonder of the world—what harm is there in letting him see it?” The monster spat, “You’re a despicable Perverted one, too! This treasure of mine was stolen from Jade Flower Prefecture city. If this merchant sees it and spreads the word in that prefecture, and the prince comes looking for it, what then?” The Pilgrim said, “Master, this merchant comes from behind Thousand Square Market, far from the prefectural city. He’s not from that city, so how would he go spreading rumors? Besides, he’s also hungry, and the two of us haven’t eaten yet either. There’s plenty of wine and food at home—give him a little to eat, and then send him off.” Before he finished speaking, a minor monster fetched five taels of silver and handed them to the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim gave the silver to Sha Monk and said, “Merchant, take your silver, and I’ll go with you to the back for some food.”

Sha Monk, plucking up his courage, went with Eight Rules and the Pilgrim into the cave. When they reached the second hall, they saw on the central table a nine-toothed rake held high on display, truly dazzling and shining with light; against the eastern wall leaned a golden-banded cudgel, and against the western wall leaned a demon-subduing staff. The monster king followed and said, “Merchant, the one glowing in the middle is the rake. You may look at it, but once you leave, be sure not to tell anyone.” Sha Monk nodded and gave thanks.

Alas! This is precisely: When things see their master, they must be reclaimed. Now Eight Rules was by nature a rough man; seeing the rake, he didn’t care for any formalities. He ran up, took it down, swung it in his hand, revealed his true form, and assuming a stance, struck the monster straight in the face with it. The Pilgrim and Sha Monk also rushed to the two walls, each grabbing their own weapon, revealing their original forms, and the three brothers struck wildly together. Startled, the monster king swiftly dodged aside, retreated to the rear, and fetched a four-bright spade with a long handle and sharp blade. Rushing into the courtyard, he parried their three weapons and roared, “Who are you, to dare use deceit and trick me out of my treasure?” The Pilgrim cursed, “You thieving hairball! You don’t recognize me. We are disciples of Tripitaka Tang, the holy monk from the East. When we arrived at Jade Flower Prefecture to exchange our passport, we were honored by the virtuous king, who had his three sons become our disciples to learn martial arts. We used our treasures as models to have matching weapons forged. Because they were left in the courtyard, you thieving hairball snuck into the city at night and stole them. Yet you turn around and accuse me of using deceit to cheat you of your treasure. Don’t run—let us give you a taste of each of our three weapons!” The monster then raised his spade to defend. This battle, from the courtyard to the front gate, saw three monks surrounding one monster—a fierce fight indeed:

The cudgel whistled like wind, the rolling rake fell like rain. The demon-subduing staff rose with sky-filling glow, the four-bright spade stretched forth with clouds like brocade. Like three immortals refining the great elixir, flames flashed and dazzled ghosts and gods. The Pilgrim showed his might with great skill; the monster stole treasures, utterly lacking in propriety. Marshal Tianpeng displayed his divine power, and General Sha’s heroic bearing was even finer. Brothers united in their schemes, stirring up strife in Tiger’s Mouth Cave. The monster was strong and cunning, but the four heroes were well matched. They fought until the sun set in the west, and the demon’s strength waned, unable to resist.

They fought for a long time on Leopard Head Mountain. The monster, unable to withstand the assault, shouted at Sha Monk, “Look at my spade!” and swung it. Sha Monk dodged out of the way. Seizing the opening, the monster fled, riding the wind toward the southeast, toward the Xun direction. Eight Rules took a step to pursue, but the Pilgrim said, “Let him go. Since ancient times, they say: ‘Don’t pursue a desperate enemy.’ For now, let’s cut off his path of retreat.” Eight Rules heeded his words.

The three went straight to the cave entrance and killed all the hundred or so monsters, big and small. They turned out to be tigers, wolves, leopards, deer, goats, and sheep. The Great Sage used a spell to bring out all the cave’s valuables and fine items, along with the various carcasses of the slain beasts and the driven pigs and sheep. Sha Monk then fetched dry firewood and lit a fire, while Eight Rules fanned the flames with his two ears, burning the entire lair clean in no time. Then, carrying the things they had brought out, they immediately turned back toward the prefectural city.

At this time the city gates were not yet closed, and the people had not yet gone to sleep. Old King Wang and his sons, along with Tang Sanzang, were all waiting in the Gauze Pavilion, when they saw them noisily dropping a courtyard full of dead beasts, pigs, sheep, and fine goods. They all shouted together: "Master, we have returned victorious." The prince repeatedly expressed his thanks. The elder Tang was filled with joy. The three young princes knelt down on the ground, and Sha Monk helped them up, saying: "Do not thank us yet; all of you come forward and look at these things." The prince said: "Where did all these things come from?" Pilgrim laughed and said: "Those tigers, wolves, leopards, horses, deer, and goats are all monsters who have become spirits. We took our weapons and drove them out of their cave. That old monster is a golden-haired lion; he wielded a four-pronged spade and fought with us until dusk. Defeated, he fled for his life, heading southeast. We did not pursue him, but we cut off his retreat, killed all these monsters, searched out these goods, and brought them back." When Old King heard this, he was both pleased and worried: pleased that they had returned victorious, worried that the monster would seek revenge in the future. Pilgrim said: "Your Highness, rest assured. I have already thought this through and handled everything properly. I will certainly sweep this place clean for you before I set out on my journey, and I will never leave behind any future trouble. When I went out at noon, I encountered a little monster with a green face and red hair delivering an invitation. I saw on his card it said: 'Tomorrow morning, I respectfully prepare wine and dishes to celebrate the Nail-Rake Feast. I humbly beg you to cross the mountain for a chat. I hope you will not refuse; I am deeply grateful. Addressed respectfully to the right, to the venerable ancestor, the Great Holy Lord Nine-Directions Primal. Respectfully bowing.' The signature was 'Your disciple, Yellow Lion, kowtowing a hundred times.' Just now, when that monster was defeated, he must have gone to his ancestor to meet and talk. Tomorrow morning, he will certainly come to seek revenge on us, and at that time I will sweep them clean for you." Old King thanked him and set out the evening meal. The master and disciples ate their meal, then each returned to their quarters to rest, of which we will say no more.

Now, that monster indeed fled southeast to Bamboo-Section Mountain. In that mountain there was a cave heaven called the Nine-Turn Coiling Cave. The Nine-Directions Primal within the cave was his ancestor. That night, traveling without resting from the wind, he reached the cave mouth at the fifth watch, knocked on the door, and entered. When the little monsters saw him, they said: "Great King, last night Blue-Face went with the invitation, and the master kept him here to stay until this morning, wanting to go with him to your Nail-Rake Feast. Why have you come again so early to invite him personally?" The monster said: "It's hard to say, it's hard to say. The feast cannot happen." As he was speaking, Blue-Face came out from inside, saying: "Great King, why have you come? Old King Grandfather has risen and will go with me to the feast." The monster, flustered and panicked, only waved his hand and said nothing.

After a short while, the old monster arose and called them in. This monster dropped his weapon, prostrated himself on the ground, and could not stop the tears streaming down his cheeks. The old monster said: "Worthy grandson, you sent an invitation yesterday, and I was about to come to the feast this morning, yet you come personally. Why are you so sorrowful and troubled?" The monster kowtowed and said: "Your grandson was walking idly under the moon the night before last when I saw a dazzling light shooting into the sky from Yuhua Prefecture. I hurried to look, and it was three weapons shining in the prince's courtyard: one was a nine-tooth inlaid-gold nail-rake, one was a precious staff, and one was a golden-banded cudgel. Your grandson used magic to steal them away, and I named it the 'Nail-Rake Grand Feast.' I sent my underlings to buy pigs, sheep, and fruit to set up a banquet to celebrate, inviting my ancestor to enjoy them as a pleasure. Yesterday, after sending Blue-Face with the invitation, I saw the original ones sent to buy pigs and sheep, like Crafty and Queer, driving several pigs and sheep, and also bringing a merchant who came to collect money. He insisted on seeing the feast, and your grandson, fearing he would spread word outside, would not let him watch. He then said he was hungry and begged for food. I told him to go to the back to eat. When he went inside, he saw the weapons and claimed they were his. The three of them then each grabbed one, revealing their true forms: one was a monk with a hairy face and thunder-god mouth, one was a monk with a long snout and big ears, and one was a monk with a sallow, gloomy face. They all, without distinguishing good from bad, shouted and started a melee. Your grandson quickly took his four-pronged spade and rushed out to fight them. I asked what kind of people dared to act so deceitfully. They said they were disciples of Tripitaka Tang, who was sent by the Great Tang in the East to go to the West. Passing through the prefecture to exchange their travel documents, they were detained by the prince to learn martial arts. He was having replicas of their three weapons made as models, and they were placed in the courtyard. When I stole them, they fought me in anger. I do not know the names of those three monks, but they all have skills. Your grandson alone could not defeat the three of them, so I fled to my ancestor. I hope you will lend your strength to capture those monks and avenge me, that I might see my ancestor's love for his grandson."

When the old monster heard this, he thought silently for a moment, then laughed, saying: "So it is them. My worthy grandson, you have wrongfully provoked them." The monster said: "Does my ancestor know who they are?" The old monster said: "The one with the long snout and big ears is Zhu Bajie; the one with the sallow face is Sha Wujing: these two are manageable. But the one with the hairy face and thunder-god mouth is called Sun Xingzhe. This man is truly vast in his divine powers: five hundred years ago he once caused great havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers could not capture him. He specializes in seeking people out; he is a chief troublemaker who searches mountains, stirs up seas, breaks into caves, and attacks cities. How could you provoke him? Never mind, let me go with you, and we will capture that fellow and the Prince of Yuhua together, to vent your anger for you." When that monster heard this, he kowtowed and gave thanks.

At that time, the old monster mustered his grandsons, the Gibbon Lion, Snow Lion, Suanni, Bai Ze, Fuli, and Tuoxiang, each holding sharp weapons, with Yellow Lion leading them. They all mounted a wild wind and went straight to Leopard-Head Mountain. They smelled the scent of smoke and fire, and also heard the sound of weeping. Looking carefully, they saw Crafty and Queer there, crying for their master. The monster approached and shouted: "Are you the real Crafty, or a fake Crafty?" The two monsters knelt, holding back tears and kowtowing, saying: "How could we be fakes? Yesterday, at this time, we took the silver to buy pigs and sheep. When we reached the main road west of the mountain, we saw a monk with a hairy face and thunder-god mouth. He spat at us, and our feet became weak, our mouths stiff; we could not speak or move. He pushed us down, took our silver, and removed our tokens. We two were dazed and unconscious until just now when we woke. When we got home, we saw the smoke and fire not yet extinguished, and the buildings all burned down. We also did not see the master or any of the leaders, big or small. That is why we are here, heartbroken and weeping. We do not know how this fire started."

When that monster heard this, he could not stop his tears from flowing like a spring, stomping both feet and shouting to the heavens in hatred: "Bald-headed villains! How vicious! How could they do such a cruel thing? They burned my cave dwelling to ashes, burned my beauties to death, and left my household and old and young utterly empty. It enrages me to death! It enrages me to death!" The old monster called the Gibbon Lion to pull him over, saying: "Worthy grandson, things have come to this. Merely being angry is useless. Preserve your full fighting spirit and go to the prefecture city to capture those monks." The monster still could not stop crying, saying: "Master, that mountain home of mine was not built in a single day. Now that these bald villains have destroyed it all, what use is this life to me?" He struggled up, trying to dash his head against a stone cliff, but was stopped only after much persuasion by Snow Lion and Gibbon Lion.

At that time, they left that place and all rushed toward the prefecture city. They heard the wind rolling and the mist rising, and they drew very near. The people of the outer suburbs, terrified, dragged their children and hurried, heedless of their belongings, all fleeing into the city. They entered the city gates, which were then closed. Someone reported to the prince's palace, saying: "Disaster! Disaster!" The prince, Tang Sanzang, and the others were just having their morning meal in the Gauze Pavilion when they heard the report of disaster. They came out to ask. The crowd said: "A horde of monsters, raising flying sand and rolling stones, spraying fog and stirring up wind, is approaching the city." Old King was greatly alarmed, saying: "What shall we do?" Pilgrim laughed and said: "Everyone, rest assured, rest assured. This is that monster from Tiger-Mouth Cave who fled in defeat yesterday, going southeast to get that Nine-Directions Primal and his ilk. Let me go out with my brothers. Order the four gates closed, and you must station men to guard the city walls." The prince did indeed give the order, closing all four gates and mustering men onto the walls. The prince, his sons, and Tang Sanzang took command on the tower, with banners blotting out the sun and cannon fire reaching the heavens. Pilgrim and the other two, half-cloud, half-mist, went out of the city to meet the enemy. Truly this was:

Having lost the magic weapons through carelessness,

They caused demons to rise and evil to flourish.

But whether this battle would end in victory or defeat, let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.