Let the tale be told: When the Handsome Monkey King received his name, he leaped with joyous abandon. He bowed before Bodhi in gratitude. The Patriarch immediately commanded the assembly to lead Sun Wukong out beyond the second gate, teaching him the rites of sweeping and cleaning, the etiquette of response and retreat, the manners of advance and withdrawal. The immortal disciples obeyed and departed. Wukong, outside the gate, bowed to all his senior brothers, then arranged his sleeping quarters in the corridor. At dawn the next day, he joined the others in studying speech and ceremony, discoursing on scriptures and the Dao, practicing calligraphy and burning incense.
Each day followed this pattern. In idle hours he swept floors and hoed the garden, tended flowers and pruned trees, gathered firewood and lit flames, carried water and transported grain. Nothing that was needed went unprovided. Within the cave, six or seven years passed in a flash.
One day, the Patriarch ascended the high dais and summoned all the immortals to expound the Great Dao. Truly it was:
Heavenly flowers rained in chaos, golden lotuses erupted from the earth.
Marvelously he taught the Three Vehicles, subtly he perfected the Ten Thousand Methods.
Slowly waving his fly-whisk, he sprayed pearls and jade; his voice shook like thunder, moving the Nine Heavens.
Sometimes he spoke of the Dao, sometimes he taught Chan—three schools joined as one by nature.
Opening the Bright Character, he returned to the principle of sincerity; guiding into formlessness, he revealed the mystery of original nature.
Sun Wukong, listening from the side, was so delighted that he scratched his ears and cheeks, his eyes dancing with joy. He could not help but wave his hands and stomp his feet. Suddenly the Patriarch noticed and called out: "Wukong! Why are you leaping and dancing wildly in the ranks, not listening to my teaching?" Wukong replied: "This disciple listens with a sincere heart. When I heard the wonderful sounds from the Venerable Master, joy overcame me, and I could not help but leap. I beg the Master's forgiveness." The Patriarch said: "Since you recognize the wonderful sound, let me ask you—how long have you been in this cave?" Wukong said: "This disciple was originally ignorant and do not know the passage of time. I only remember that when there was no fire in the kitchen, I often went behind the mountain to gather firewood. There I saw a mountain of fine peach trees, and I have eaten my fill of those peaches seven times." The Patriarch said: "That mountain is called Rotten Peach Mountain. Since you have eaten seven times, it must have been seven years. What Dao do you wish to learn from me now?" Wukong said: "I submit to the Venerable Master's teaching. If there is any hint of the Dao in it, this disciple will learn it."
The Patriarch said: "Within the gate of 'Dao' there are three hundred and sixty side-gates, and each side-gate has its proper fruit. Which one will you study?" Wukong said: "I submit to the Master's will. This disciple listens with all his heart." The Patriarch said: "Shall I teach you the Dao of the 'Art' gate?" Wukong asked: "What is the Dao of the Art gate?" The Patriarch said: "Within the Art gate are summoning immortals, divining with the phoenix, asking the tortoise oracle, counting yarrow stalks—all abilities to know fortune and avoid misfortune." Wukong said: "Can one gain eternal life through such things?" The Patriarch said: "No, no." Wukong said: "Then I will not learn it, I will not learn it."
The Patriarch continued: "Shall I teach you the Dao of the 'Flow' gate?" Wukong asked again: "What is the meaning of the Flow gate?" The Patriarch said: "Within the Flow gate are the Confucians, Buddhists, Daoists, Yin-Yang masters, Mohists, physicians—reading scriptures, chanting Buddha's name, invoking true immortals and descending sages." Wukong said: "Can one gain eternal life through such things?" The Patriarch said: "To seek eternal life through this is like placing a pillar within a wall." Wukong said: "Master, I am an honest man and do not understand marketplace riddles. What does 'placing a pillar within a wall' mean?" The Patriarch said: "When people build a house and wish it to be strong, they erect a pillar between the walls. But when the great hall one day crumbles, that pillar will rot." Wukong said: "According to this, it will not last long. I will not learn it, I will not learn it."
The Patriarch said: "Shall I teach you the Dao of the 'Stillness' gate?" Wukong said: "What is the proper fruit of the Stillness gate?" The Patriarch said: "This is abstaining from grain and guarding the valley, purity and non-action, meditation and sitting Chan, abstaining from speech and keeping fasts—sometimes lying practices, sometimes standing practices, entering trance and closing the gate." Wukong said: "Can one gain eternal life through such things?" The Patriarch said: "It is also like making a brick from the top of a kiln." Wukong laughed: "Master, you do have some riddles. Earlier you said I do not understand marketplace talk. What does 'making a brick from the top of a kiln' mean?" The Patriarch said: "Like making a brick or tile from the top of a kiln—it has taken form but has not yet been tempered by water and fire. When a great rain comes pouring down, it will surely dissolve." Wukong said: "This also will not last long. I will not learn it, I will not learn it."
The Patriarch said: "Shall I teach you the Dao of the 'Motion' gate?" Wukong said: "What then is the Dao of the Motion gate?" The Patriarch said: "This is action and doing: gathering Yin to supplement Yang, drawing the bow and treading the crossbow, rubbing the navel and passing breath, using prescriptions and preparing alchemy, burning thatch and striking the cauldron, advancing red lead, refining autumn stone, and consuming women's milk." Wukong said: "Can one gain eternal life through such things?" The Patriarch said: "To seek eternal life through this is like plucking the moon from water." Wukong said: "Master, you are at it again. What does 'plucking the moon from water' mean?" The Patriarch said: "The moon hangs in the vast sky, and in the water there is only its reflection. Though you can see it, there is nowhere to grasp it. In the end, it remains only emptiness." Wukong said: "I will not learn this either, I will not learn it."
Hearing this, the Patriarch gave a sharp cry, leaped down from the high platform, holding a disciplinary ruler in his hand. Pointing at Wukong, he said: "You macaque! You will not learn this, you will not learn that—what are you waiting for?" He stepped forward and struck Wukong three times on the head. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he walked inside, closed the central gate, and abandoned the assembly. This frightened all those listening; their faces filled with fear, and they all blamed Wukong: "You reckless monkey! So insolent! The Master was transmitting the Dao to you—why did you not learn, but instead talked back? Now you have offended him—who knows when he will emerge!" At this moment they all resented him, despising and loathing him. Wukong was not angered in the least, only smiling with his whole face. The Monkey King had already cracked the riddle hidden in the plate, keeping it secretly in his heart. Thus he did not compete with the others, only enduring in silence.
When the Patriarch struck him three times, he was teaching him to preserve his mind at the third watch. When he clasped his hands behind his back and walked inside, closing the central gate, he was teaching him to enter through the back door, where he would transmit the Dao in secret.
That day, Wukong and the others were joyous and happy. Before the cave of the Three Stars Immortal, they gazed at the sky, unable to wait for nightfall. At dusk, he rested with the others, pretending to close his eyes, regulating his breath and preserving his spirit. There were no night watches or time arrows in the mountain, so he did not know the hour. He only regulated the breath entering and leaving his nostrils. Around the hour of the rat, he quietly rose, put on his clothes, stealthily opened the front door, slipped away from the assembly, and walked out.
Raising his head to gaze, he saw:
The moon was clear, the dew was cold, the eight extremes were dust-free.
In deep trees, hidden birds roosted; at the source, waters flowed and merged.
Flying fireflies scattered their light; passing geese arranged characters in the clouds.
It was precisely the hour of the third watch, when one should visit the true Dao.
You see him following the old path to the back gate, where the door stood half-open. Wukong rejoiced: "The Venerable Master truly intends to transmit the Dao to me, so he has left the door open." He shuffled forward, slipped inside sideways, and walked only to beneath the Patriarch's sleeping couch. He saw the Patriarch curled up, facing inward, asleep. Wukong dared not disturb him, so he knelt before the couch.
After a short while, the Patriarch awoke, stretched out his two feet, and chanted to himself:
"Difficult! Difficult! Difficult! The Dao is most mysterious.
Do not treat the golden elixir as something trivial.
Without meeting the supreme person to transmit the marvelous secret,
Empty words will only tire the tongue and dry the mouth!"
Wukong responded immediately: "Master, your disciple has been kneeling here waiting for a long time." The Patriarch, hearing Wukong's voice, rose and put on his robe. Sitting cross-legged, he shouted: "You macaque! Why are you not sleeping in the front, but have come to my rear quarters?" Wukong said: "Yesterday, before the assembly, the Master promised to transmit the Dao to your disciple at the third watch through the back door. Thus I boldly came to bow before your couch." Hearing this, the Patriarch was greatly pleased. He thought to himself: "This fellow is truly heaven-born. Otherwise, how could he have cracked my hidden riddle?" Wukong said: "There are no other ears here, only your disciple alone. I beg the Master to show great compassion and transmit to me the Dao of eternal life. I will never forget your grace." The Patriarch said: "You have fate today, and I am pleased to speak. Since you have recognized the hidden riddle in the plate, come closer, listen carefully, and I will transmit to you the marvelous Dao of eternal life."
Wukong kowtowed in gratitude, cleansed his ears and focused his mind, kneeling beneath the couch. The Patriarch spoke:
Revealed and secret, complete and penetrating—true marvelous secret.
Cherish cultivating nature and life; there is no other word.
All comes down to essence, breath, and spirit—guard them firmly, do not let them leak.
Do not let them leak; hide them within the body. Receive my transmission, and the Dao will flourish.
Remember the oral formula—it brings much benefit.
Eliminate evil desires and attain coolness.
Attain coolness, and the light becomes bright and pure.
Turn toward the cinnabar platform to admire the bright moon.
The moon hides the jade rabbit, the sun hides the crow.
Naturally the turtle and snake coil and knot together.
Coil and knot together, and nature and life become firm.
Then you can plant golden lotuses within fire.
Gather and cluster the five elements, use them in reverse.
When the work is complete, you may become Buddha or Immortal as you will.
At this, the origin was spoken clear. Wukong's spirit was blessed, and he memorized the oral formula with utmost care. He bowed to the Patriarch in deep gratitude, then exited through the back door to observe. The eastern sky was just beginning to whiten; the western path gleamed with golden light. He returned by the old road, pushed open the front door quietly, sat in his original sleeping place, and deliberately shook his bed, making it creak: "Daylight has come! Daylight has come! Rise up!" The assembly was still sleeping, not knowing that Wukong had already received the good thing. That day he rose and mingled with the others, secretly maintaining what he had learned. Before the rat hour and after the horse hour, he regulated his breath on his own.
Three years passed quickly. The Patriarch again ascended the precious throne to expound the Dao to the assembly. He spoke of public cases and comparative phrases, discussing external forms and covering skins. Suddenly he asked: "Where is Wukong?" Wukong approached and knelt: "Your disciple is here." The Patriarch said: "What Dao have you been cultivating lately?" Wukong said: "Recently your disciple has penetrated the nature of the Dharma, and the origin has gradually become firm." The Patriarch said: "Since you have penetrated the Dharma-nature and comprehended the origin, your spiritual body has been inscribed. Yet you must guard against the harm of the Three Disasters." Wukong heard this and pondered for a long time: "The Master's words are erroneous. I have often heard that those with great Dao and lofty virtue live as long as heaven. When water and fire are in harmony, the hundred illnesses do not arise. How can there be 'harm of the Three Disasters'?" The Patriarch said: "This is the extraordinary Dao: it seizes the creation of heaven and earth, invades the mystery of the sun and moon. After the elixir is formed, ghosts and spirits cannot tolerate it. Though it preserves youth and extends life, after five hundred years, heaven will send down thunder-disaster to strike you. You must see your nature and brighten your mind to evade it in advance. If you evade it, your life will equal heaven's. If you cannot evade it, your life ends here. After another five hundred years, heaven will send down fire-disaster to burn you. This fire is not heavenly fire, nor is it mortal fire. It is called 'Yin Fire.' It rises from the Yongquan point beneath your own body, penetrates straight to the Nihuan Palace, turns the five organs to ash, rots all four limbs, and turns a thousand years of bitter cultivation into illusion. After another five hundred years, wind-disaster will blow upon you. This wind is not wind from east, south, west, or north, not wind of harmony, metal, or the north, not wind of flowers, willows, pines, or bamboo. It is called 'Bi-Feng.' It blows into the six fu-organs from the niwan gate, passes through the dantian, pierces the nine orifices. Flesh and bone dissolve and scatter, and the body unravels of itself. Therefore you must evade them all."
Wukong heard this, his hair bristling with terror. He kowtowed and bowed: "I beg my Lord to show compassion and transmit to me the method of evading the Three Disasters. To the end of my days, I will not dare forget your grace." The Patriarch said: "This is not difficult. It is only that you are different from others, so I cannot transmit it." Wukong said: "My head is round and tops heaven, my feet are square and tread earth. I have nine orifices and four limbs, five organs and six fu-organs. How am I different from others?" The Patriarch said: "Though you resemble a human, you lack cheeks." Originally, this monkey had a gaunt face, a hollowed countenance and pointed mouth. Wukong reached up and touched it, laughing: "The Master has miscalculated. Though I lack cheeks, I have this pouch that others do not. Can it not compensate?" The Patriarch said: "Very well. Which one will you learn? There is the number of Heavenly Stems, which requires thirty-six transformations. There is the number of Earthly Branches, which requires seventy-two transformations." Wukong said: "Your disciple wishes to fish in the deep and learn the seventy-two earthly transformations." The Patriarch said: "Since it is so, come forward, and I will transmit the oral formula to you." He whispered in his ear, and no one knows what marvelous method he spoke. This Monkey King, when one orifice opens, all orifices open. He immediately practiced the formula, cultivated and refined himself, and mastered all seventy-two transformations.
One day, the Patriarch was playing with his disciples in the evening scenery before the Three Stars Cave. The Patriarch said: "Wukong, have you completed the matter?" Wukong said: "Thanks to the Master's oceanic grace, your disciple's merit is complete. I can already rise on rosy clouds and ascend." The Patriarch said: "Try to fly for me to see." Wukong performed his skill, lifted his body with a shrug, did a series of somersaults, and leaped five or six zhang off the ground. He trod the cloud-mist for about the time of a meal, then turned back less than three li, landing before the Master. Clasping his hands, he said: "Master, this is flying and ascending on clouds." The Patriarch laughed: "This cannot be called cloud-soaring. It is only cloud-crawling. As the saying goes: 'An immortal travels the Northern Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening.' Like you, half a day and you have not gone three li—even cloud-crawling is not yet achieved." Wukong said: "What does 'travel the Northern Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening' mean?" The Patriarch said: "Those who soar on clouds rise from the Northern Sea at dawn, travel over the Eastern Sea, Western Sea, and Southern Sea, then return to Cangwu. Cangwu is another name for the Northern Sea's Lingling. Only when you have traveled everywhere beyond the Four Seas in a single day can it be called cloud-soaring." Wukong said: "This is difficult, difficult indeed." The Patriarch said: "There is nothing difficult in the world—only the determined heart." Wukong heard this, kowtowed and bowed, and pleaded: "Master, when one does something for another, one must do it thoroughly. Simply show great compassion and transmit this cloud-soaring method to your disciple once and for all. I will never dare forget your grace." The Patriarch said: "All other immortals rise on clouds by dropping their feet. But you are not like that. When I watched you just now, you had to somersault to leap up. So now, based on this posture of yours, I will transmit to you the Somersault Cloud." Wukong bowed again in earnest plea. The Patriarch transmitted another oral formula: "For this cloud, pinch the seal with your fingers, speak the true words, clench your fist tightly, shake your body, and leap up. One somersault will carry you one hundred and eight thousand li." When the assembly heard this, they all laughed: "Wukong has fortune! If he masters this method, he could work as a courier for others, delivering letters and documents. Wherever he goes, he will find food." Master and disciples each returned to their caves as dusk fell.
That night, Wukong exercised his spirit and refined the method, mastering the Somersault Cloud. From then on, day by day, he was without restraint or bond, free and unfettered. This too is the beauty of eternal life.
One day, spring returned and summer arrived. The assembly had been gathering and discoursing for a long time beneath the pine trees. The assembly said: "Wukong, from which life did you cultivate this fate? The other day the Venerable Master whispered in your ear and transmitted to you the method of transformation to evade the Three Disasters. Have you mastered them all?" Wukong laughed: "I will not hide from you, my senior brothers. First, the Master transmitted it. Second, I was diligent day and night. I have mastered them all." The assembly said: "Take this good moment and demonstrate for us. Let us see." Wukong heard this, shook up his spirit, and showed off his skill: "Please, senior brothers, propose a topic. What shall I transform into?" The assembly said: "Just transform into a pine tree." Wukong pinched the seal, spoke the spell, shook his body once, and transformed into a pine tree. Truly it was:
Lush and smoky, it pierces the four seasons.
Rising straight into the clouds, it shows its noble form.
Not a trace of the demon monkey remains—only branches that have endured frost and snow.
The assembly saw this, clapped their hands, and laughed loudly: "Good monkey! Good monkey!" Unknowingly they made such commotion that it disturbed the Patriarch. The Patriarch hurriedly dragged his staff out the door and asked: "Who is making this uproar?" When the assembly heard his call, they hastily composed themselves, arranged their robes, and stepped forward. Wukong also revealed his true form, mingling with the crowd: "Reporting to the Venerable Master: We were discoursing here. There were no outsiders making noise." The Patriarch angrily shouted: "You all shout and call—nothing like the manner of cultivation! Those who cultivate, when the mouth opens, the spirit scatters; when the tongue moves, right and wrong are born. How can you laugh and clamor here?" The assembly said: "We dare not deceive the Master. Just now Sun Wukong was performing transformations for amusement. We asked him to transform into a pine tree, and indeed he became a pine tree. We disciples praised and cheered him, thus our loud voices offended the Venerable Master. We beg forgiveness."
The Patriarch said: "You all may go." Then he called: "Wukong, come here! I ask you—what spirit are you showing off, transforming into what pine tree? Can this skill be used to display yourself before others? Suppose you see someone else with such skill—will you not seek it from them? If others see you have it, they will certainly seek it from you. If you fear calamity and must transmit it to them, very well. But if you do not transmit it, they will certainly harm you. Then your life cannot be preserved." Wukong kowtowed: "I only beg the Master's forgiveness." The Patriarch said: "I will not punish you. But you must go." Wukong heard these words, and his eyes filled with falling tears: "Master, where shall I go?" The Patriarch said: "From where you came, there you shall return." Wukong suddenly awakened: "I came from the Water Curtain Cave of the Flower and Fruit Mountain in the Aolai Country of the Eastern Victinous Divine Continent." The Patriarch said: "Return quickly, and preserve your life. If you remain here, it is absolutely impossible." Wukong accepted his guilt and pleaded with the Venerable Master: "I have been away from home for twenty years. Though I wish to look upon my children and grandchildren of old, I dare not go, for the Master's great grace remains unrepaid." The Patriarch said: "What grace is there? Just do not cause trouble and do not implicate me—that is enough."
Wukong saw there was no alternative. He could only bow in farewell and take leave of the others. The Patriarch said: "When you go, you will certainly give birth to evil. However you cause trouble and commit violence, you are not permitted to say that you are my disciple. If you speak even half a character, I will know it. I will flay this macaque of yours, crush your bones, and banish your soul to the Nine Nether Regions, teaching you that through ten thousand kalpas you cannot turn over!" Wukong said: "I dare not mention the Master's name by a single character. I will only say that I learned it myself."
Wukong expressed his thanks, immediately withdrew, pinched the seal, tossed a series of somersaults, rose on the Somersault Cloud, and headed straight for the Eastern Victinous. In less than the time of one hour, he saw the Flower and Fruit Mountain and Water Curtain Cave. The Monkey King, knowing his own joy, secretly praised himself:
When I departed, my mortal bones and flesh were heavy.
Having attained the Dao, my body is light, my form is light.
In all the world, no one is willing to establish the will.
Establish the will to cultivate the mystery, and the mystery brightens of itself.
Then, crossing the sea, the waves were hard to pass.
Now, returning, the journey is easy.
The parting words of admonition are still in my ear—
How could I expect to see the Eastern Ocean in an instant?
Wukong lowered his cloud-head straight to the Flower and Fruit Mountain and followed the path. Suddenly he heard crane cries and ape wails: the crane cries pierced beyond the clouds of heaven; the ape wails were sorrowful and deeply moving. He immediately called out: "Children, I have returned!" From beneath the cliffs and stone ledges, from among the flowers and grass, from within the trees, monkeys great and small leaped out by the thousands upon thousands, surrounding the Handsome Monkey King in their midst. They kowtowed and called: "Great King! How broad-minded you are! Why have you been gone so long? You have abandoned us all here. We have longed for you as the hungry and thirsty long for food. Recently, a demon-king has been bullying and oppressing us here, forcibly seeking to occupy our Water Curtain Cave dwelling. We risked death and forgot life to struggle against him. During this time, that fellow has plundered our household goods and captured many of our children and nephews. He makes us guard our family property day and night without sleep. Fortunately, the Great King has arrived. If the Great King had not come for another year, even our mountain cave would belong to another." Wukong heard this, and great anger rose in his heart: "What demon-king dares such insolence? Tell me in detail, and I will seek him out for revenge." The monkeys kowtowed: "Reporting to the Great King: That fellow calls himself the Demon King of Chaos. He dwells to the direct north below here." Wukong said: "From here to his place, how many li of road?" The monkeys said: "When he comes, he rides the clouds. When he goes, he rides the mist. Sometimes wind, sometimes rain, sometimes lightning, sometimes thunder. We do not know how many li of road there are." Wukong said: "Since it is so, do not fear. Amuse yourselves. Wait for me to seek him out."
This good Monkey King lifted his body with a leap, rose up, and journeyed by somersault after somersault until he looked down to the north. There he saw a high mountain, truly exceedingly dangerous and steep. A fine mountain:
Brush Peak stands upright, Winding Ravine runs deep.
Brush Peak stands upright, piercing the empty heavens.
Winding Ravine runs deep, connecting to the earth's gate.
On both cliffs, flowers and trees contend in wonder; in several places, pines and bamboos battle in emerald.
On the left, dragons—tame and traine; on the right, tigers—peaceful and subdued.
Often one sees iron oxen plowing; frequently golden coins are sown.
Hidden birds sing with beautiful voice; red phoenixes stand facing the sun.
Stones gleam, waves are pure—strange, peculiar, truly fierce and cruel.
In the world, famous mountains are countless; flowers bloom and flowers fade, and numerous.
But how can such scenery last forever? Through the eight festivals and four seasons, it remains unmoved.
Truly it is the Kanyuan Mountain of the Three Realms, nourishing the Wuzang Cave of the Five Elements.
The Monkey King was silently observing the scenery when he heard human speech. He went straight down the mountain to search. Originally, before that steep cliff was the Water Filth Cave. Outside the cave door, several little demons were dancing. When they saw Wukong, they fled. Wukong said: "Do not flee! Borrow your mouth to speak the words in my heart. I am the master of the Water Curtain Cave in the Flower and Fruit Mountain to the direct south. What 'Mixed-World Bird-Demon' of yours has repeatedly bullied my children and grandchildren? I have specially come to seek him out and settle this matter."
That little demon heard this and quickly ran into the cave to report: "Great King, disaster has arrived!" The Demon King said: "What disaster?" The little demon said: "Outside the cave there is a monkey-head who calls himself the master of the Water Curtain Cave in the Flower and Fruit Mountain. He says you have repeatedly bullied his children and grandchildren and has specially come to seek you out to settle the matter." The Demon King laughed: "I have often heard those monkey-spirits say they have a Great King who left home to cultivate. It seems he has returned now. You saw him—how was he dressed? What weapon did he have?" The little demon said: "He has no weapon. His head is bare, he wears a red robe, binds a yellow silk sash, and treads a pair of black boots on his feet. Neither monk nor layman, not like a Daoist or immortal—empty-handed, he is calling outside the gate." The Demon King heard this: "Bring me my armor and weapon!" The little demon immediately brought them out.
That Demon King put on his armor and took his blade in hand. With the other demons, he exited the gate and called out loudly: "Who is the master of the Water Curtain Cave?" Wukong hurriedly opened his eyes wide to observe. You see, that Demon King:
He wore a helmet of black gold, shining bright in the sun.
His body hung in a black silk robe, fluttering in the wind.
Below he wore black iron armor, tightly bound with leather straps.
His feet trod flower-pleated boots, majestic as a supreme general.
His waist span ten arm-lengths, his body stood three zhang tall.
In his hand he held a single blade—its edge gleaming bright.
He was called the Demon of Chaos, with a bold and fierce appearance.
The Monkey King shouted : "You reckless demon! Are your eyes so large that you cannot see Old Sun?" The Demon King saw him and laughed: "Your body does not fill four chi, your years do not pass thirty. In your hand you have no weapon. How dare you be so bold and rampant, seeking to settle matters with me?" Wukong cursed: "You reckless demon! Originally you have no eyes. You measure me as small—to become large is not difficult for me. You measure me as weaponless—with my two hands I can hook down the moon at the edge of heaven. Do not fear. Just eat one fist from Old Sun." He leaped, jumped up, and struck straight at the face. The Demon King reached out and blocked: "You are so short, I am so tall. If you use fists, I must use blade. If I use the blade and kill you, others will laugh at me. Wait for me to put down my blade, and I will exchange a round of fists with you."
Wukong said: "Well said. Good fellow—come!" The Demon King dropped his stance and struck. Wukong drilled inside to collide and meet him. The two exchanged fists and kicks, one charge, one collision. Originally, the long fist is empty and large; the short cluster is firm and solid. The Demon King was struck by Wukong in the short ribs, collided in the groin. After several jointed strikes, he was heavily wounded. He flashed aside, picked up that broad steel blade, and chopped straight at Wukong's head. Wukong hurriedly withdrew his body, and the Demon King chopped empty air. Wukong saw his ferocity and immediately used the body-beyond-body method. He plucked a handful of magical hairs, threw them into his mouth, chewed them to pieces, and sprayed them into the air. He cried: "Transform!" Immediately they transformed into three or two hundred little monkeys, clustering all around.
Originally, when a person attains the immortal body, spirit emerges and transformations are without limit. No one knows that since this Monkey King attained the Dao, his body had eighty-four thousand hairs and feathers. Each root could transform, responding to things as the heart wished. Those little monkeys had sharp eyes and could leap. Blades came but could not strike them; spears went but could not wound them. You see them leap forward and jump back, drilling up to surround the Demon King. They hugged and pulled, drilled at the groin, grabbed at the feet, kicked and beat and plucked hairs, gouged eyes, pinched noses, raised drums and made sport—directly beating him into a tangled platter.
Only then did Wukong snatch away his blade. He parted the little monkeys, and with one strike to the crown of the head, he chopped the Demon King into two sections. He led the assembly and slaughtered into the cave, exterminating all the great and small demons. Then he shook his magical hairs and drew them back onto his body. Those that could not be drawn back were the little monkeys that the Demon King had captured from the Water Curtain Cave. Wukong said: "Why have you come here?" About thirty or fifty, all with tears in their eyes, said: "After the Great King went to cultivate immortality, for these two years that fellow caused trouble and strife. He captured us all and brought us here. Are those not our cave's household goods? Even the stone basins and stone bowls have been taken by that fellow." Wukong said: "Since they are our goods, you all carry them outside." Immediately he set fire within the cave, burning that Water Filth Cave dry, and all returned to unity. To the assembly he said: "Follow me back." The monkeys said: "Great King, when we came, we only heard the wind sounding in our ears. Floating and empty, we arrived at this place. We did not recognize the path. How can we return home now?" Wukong said: "This was merely a spell he performed. What difficulty is there? Now that one orifice of mine is open, all orifices are open. I can also perform it. You all close your eyes. Do not fear."
This good Monkey King spoke a spell and rode an array of wild wind. The cloud-head descended. He called: "Children, open your eyes!" The monkeys' feet found solid ground. They recognized their homeland. Each one rejoiced, and they all ran toward the old road of the cave door. The monkeys within the cave all clustered together and entered. They arranged themselves by rank and age, bowing to the Monkey King. They arranged wine and fruits to welcome him and celebrate his return. They asked about the matter of subduing the demon and rescuing the children. Wukong spoke in full detail. The monkeys praised without end: "The Great King went to that place and unexpectedly learned such methods!" Wukong also said: "When I parted from you all those years ago, I followed the waves and drifted, floating across the Eastern Ocean. I reached the territory of Western Bull-Heaven and proceeded straight to the Southern Jambudvipa. There I learned the human form, put on these clothes, wore these shoes, swayed and swaggered, and wandered the clouds for eight or nine years. Yet I never attained the Dao. Again I crossed the Western Ocean and reached the territory of Western Bull-Heaven. After seeking for a long time, fortunately I met an ancient Patriarch who transmitted to me the true fruit of living as long as heaven, the great method of immortal life that does not die." The monkeys offered congratulations, all saying: "Once in ten thousand kalpas, one meets this!" Wukong laughed again: "Little ones, there is another joy—all of this household now has a surname." The monkeys said: "What is the Great King's surname?" Wukong said: "I now bear the surname Sun. My Dharma name is Wukong." The monkeys heard this, clapped their hands in joy: "The Great King is Old Sun! We are all Second Sun, Third Sun, Fine Sun, Little Sun... One family of Suns, one kingdom of Suns, one nest of Suns!" They all came to flatter Old Sun. With large basins and small bowls of coconut wine, grape wine, immortal flowers, and immortal fruits, truly it was: one family joyful.
Alas!
Penetrating one surname, the body returns to its origin.
Only awaiting the honorable promotion of the immortal register and name.
In the end, one does not know how matters will result, or how it will end in this realm. If you wish to hear, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.