The master and disciple traveled for some six or seven days in the wilderness. One day, when it was getting late, they saw a village in the distance. “Wukong,” said Tripitaka, “look! There’s a village over there. How about asking for lodging for the night before we travel again tomorrow?”
“Let’s wait until I have determined whether it is a good or bad place before we decide,” said Wukong. The Tang Monk pulled in the reins as the Monkey King stared intently at the village.
The Tale of Gao Village
In the Kingdom of Tibet, there is a village known as the Gao’s Village. Most of the people who live in this place share the surname Gao, which is how the village got its name.
Patriarch Gao, an elderly man, has no sons—only three daughters. The eldest is named Fragrant Orchid, the second, Jade Orchid, and the youngest, Green Orchid. From early childhood, the two elder daughters were betrothed to men from the same village. However, elder Gao had hoped that his youngest daughter would marry someone willing to become part of their household and allow future children to inherit their mother’s surname.
For generations, this village had never been troubled by ghosts, monsters, or demons until a seemingly diligent youth arrived.
The Mysterious Bridegroom
About three years ago, a young man appeared—handsome in appearance and courteous in manner. At first, he was diligent and hardworking, even tilling the fields without the help of an ox. When harvest time came, he reaped the crops without even using a sickle.
He returned home late each night and rose very early in the morning. It was no wonder that Master Gao agreed to let him marry his youngest daughter.
However, things soon began to change. What had started as a strong and healthy man gradually turned into something hideous. His face grew grotesque—resembling that of a pig with large ears, a protruding snout, and thick bristles on the back of his head. Not surprisingly, he developed an insatiable appetite, consuming anywhere from three to five baskets of rice at every meal.
Despite all this, Patriarch Gao tried repeatedly to annul the marriage, but the monster firmly refused.
What’s more, the beast locked the girl in the back of the house and did not allow her to see her family for nearly half a year.
The Gao family sought help from three or four monks and Taoist priests, one after another, but none could subdue the creature.
Wukong’s Intervention
After wandering through dense forests for about a week, the Tang Sanzang and his disciple finally arrived at Gao’s village.
When the old man heard that these monks might be able to capture the monster, he rejoiced greatly. He immediately ordered a vegetarian banquet to be prepared and served to them. By the time they finished eating, it was already dark.
“Tell me,” asked the old man, “what weapons will you need? We should have everything ready.”
“I have my own weapon,” replied Wukong.
“What? All I see is your staff,” said the old man, surprised.
Sun Wukong took out a needle from behind his ear, held it carefully in his hands, and with just one wave against the wind, it transformed into a rod as thick as a rice bowl.
“Look at this staff!” he declared proudly.
Then elder Gao asked, “How many men will you need?”
“I don’t need any,” said the Monkey King confidently.
“The only thing I ask is that my master is not left alone. You can call someone virtuous to keep him company while I’m away.”
The old man led him to the very door, where the Monkey King added, “Bring the key.”
“If I had the key,” replied the old man, “I wouldn’t need your help. Believe me.”
Wukong exclaimed, “Even with your age, you still can’t tell when someone is joking! I was teasing you, and you took it literally.”
Without delay, he stepped forward, touched the lock, and the door opened.
When the girl saw her father, she rushed to embrace him and began to sob.
“Stop crying!” urged the Monkey King. Then turning to Master Gao, he added, “Take your daughter to the front and spend as much time with her as you wish. I’ll stay here and wait.”
Sun Wukong’s Deception
Wukong shook his body and, using his magical powers, transformed himself into an exact replica of the girl. Then he sat down to wait for the monster.
Before long, a fierce wind arose, uprooting stones and raising choking clouds of dust. When the storm finally calmed, the ugliest monster imaginable flew in through the air.
Sobbing, Wukong (in the guise of the girl) said, “Today, my parents scolded me. They complained that someone as ugly as you is completely unacceptable.”
Defending himself, the monster replied, “We already discussed this when I first came here. Your father accepted me without complaint. Why are they bringing this up now?”
The Monkey King continued, “My parents are trying to find someone who can defeat you.”
The monster laughed and said, “Don’t worry about that. How could I possibly fear some monks, Taoists, or priests? Now go to sleep.”
Wukong replied, “But they told me they plan to bring the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—the one who caused such chaos in the Celestial Palace about five hundred years ago. They’ve asked him to come and capture you.”
“If what you say is true,” said the monster, alarmed, “then I must leave right away. We cannot continue living together as husband and wife.”
At once, Wukong revealed his true form, shouting, “Where do you think you’re going so fast, monster? Take a good look at who I am!”
Frightened, the monster transformed into a whirlwind and tried to escape. But Sun Wukong leapt onto a cloud and attempted to cut off his retreat.
The Battle Unveils a Destiny
The battle began during the second watch of the night and lasted until dawn. By then, the monster could no longer endure and fled in haste. Again, he turned into a whirlwind and plunged into a cave, refusing to come out.
The monster complained, “Now that I think about it, during your rebellion against Heaven, you lived at the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, located in the country of Ao Lai on the continent of Purvavideha. People spoke of you often, and then you disappeared. How come you suddenly appear here, determined to arrest me? Can’t my husband go and invite you instead?”
The Monkey King responded, “Of course not! Your father-in-law didn’t even know I existed. Everything began when I abandoned Taoism and later converted to Buddhism. That led me to accept a monk from the Tang dynasty—called Tripitaka—as my master. It is precisely because of him that I am here today, as we journey toward the Western Paradise in search of the Buddhist scriptures. While passing through your father-in-law’s village, we decided to ask for shelter, and Master Gao shared the sad story of his daughter, begging us to rescue her and capture you immediately.”
Zhu Bajie’s Redemption
After hearing these words, the monster immediately opened the door and stepped out, saying, “Where is this Tang monk you speak of? Please take me to him at once.”
“Why do you want to see him?” asked the Monkey King.
The monster explained, “I too am a convert. Bodhisattva Guanyin instructed me to wait here for a man who would pass by on his way to seek the sacred scriptures. She advised me that if I wished to have my sins forgiven and attain the fruits of Truth, I must become his disciple and accompany him to the Western Paradise.”
Later, the Monkey King introduced the monster to the Tang Monk. The pig bowed before the master and received the religious name of “Ba Jie” (Eight Precepts). Saying farewell to the Gao’s village, the three companions continued walking westward.
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