They set off as soon as dawn broke. After only a few hours of travel, they came upon a very high mountain.
Tripitaka reined in his horse and said to his disciples:
“It seems to me that this range ahead is far too steep and treacherous for my horse. I suggest we proceed slowly and with great care.”
Wild beasts were everywhere, and the Tang Monk grew quite frightened. Wukong let out such a fierce yell that wolves and snakes scurried back into their dens, while tigers and leopards fled in panic.
“There’s nothing to fear, Master,” replied the Monkey King.
Hunger and Discord
Tripitaka said to Wukong:
“We’ve been traveling all day and I’m hungry. Go find something for us to eat.”
The Monkey King replied:
“We’re in the middle of total wilderness — there’s not a single village in sight. Where do you expect me to get food? Not even money could buy anything here.”
Tang Sanzang, visibly angry at his disciple, exclaimed:
“Accursed monkey! Have you already forgotten the life you once led beneath the Five Phases Mountain (the Five Elements Mountain)? Tathagata placed an entire mountain upon your body, and you couldn’t move an inch. I saved you and accepted you as my disciple. Why do you refuse again and again to practice humility? Can’t you show just a little more diligence?”
“I am responsible and hardworking,” asked Wukong. “When have I ever been lazy?”
“Isn’t your very reply proof enough?” Tripitaka retorted.
“Why do you insist on refusing to go beg for a bit of food for me? How can I continue this journey with an empty stomach?”
The Monkey King replied:
“All right, all right. No more talk. Dismount and rest a while, while I go see if I can find someone to offer us some food.”
Hardly had he finished speaking when he leapt into the air and soared above the clouds. Using his hands as a visor, he scanned the area but saw no villages. The western road was completely uninhabited. After a while, he noticed a tall mountain to the south, and on its eastern slope, a few red dots. He quickly descended from the clouds and reported to his Master:
“I think I’ve found something edible.”
His Master asked what it was, and he added:
“On a southern mountain, I spotted several red dots — they must be fully ripe wild peaches.”
Delighted, the Tang Monk exclaimed:
“Peaches are a true blessing for monks. Go ahead.”
The Monkey King took his begging bowl and mounted a sacred cloud. He flew directly toward the southern mountain in search of the peaches.
The White Bone Demon’s Deception
However, as the old saying goes: “No peak is without a monster; no summit lacks a demon.” The mountain where Tripitaka chose to rest was no exception. A female spirit, the White Bone Spirit (also known as Lady White Bone or the Cadaver Demon), resided there.
Riding atop a sinister dark wind, she peeked through the clouds and, spotting the Tang Monk seated on the ground, cried out in joy beyond restraint:
“What luck is mine! For years now, people have spoken of Monk Tang’s quest for the scriptures. That monk is, in fact, the reincarnation of the Golden Cicada. His body has been purified over ten lifetimes, so anyone who eats a piece of his flesh will live forever.”
She swiftly descended from the dark wind she rode and, with a slight shake of her body, transformed herself into a maiden whose face was as delicate as the moon and as beautiful as flowers. Her beauty defied description in words. She possessed passionate eyes, elegant eyebrows, dazzling white teeth, and lips as red as cherries. In her left hand, she carried a blue sandstone jar, and in her right, a green porcelain vase. Slowly walking eastward, she approached the Tang Monk.
When Pig Bajie saw how beautiful she was, he couldn’t help exclaiming, flustered:
“Where are you going alone, madam? What is it that you carry in your hands?”
The beast’s disguise was so perfect that Bajie did not suspect her demonic nature in the least.
The female spirit replied:
“In the blue jar, I carry rice cakes made with fragrant wine, and in the green one, some fried wheat gluten. These foods I specially prepared for the monks. Please accept them.”
Seeing her approach, Tripitaka jumped up and, folding his hands at chest level, nervously asked:
“Bodhisattva Lady, where do you come from? Why do you offer vegetarian food to Buddhist monks?”
Despite being a genuine demon, Tripitaka failed to recognize her.
The monster began speaking, trying to deceive the Tang Monk:
“This mountain is known as the White Tiger Mountain. My home lies to the west of here. My parents are deeply pious, spending their days reciting sutras and doing good deeds. From them I inherited the habit of feeding monks. My husband is to the north of this mountain, plowing fields with several servants. I was just on my way to bring him food when I met you. However, upon seeing you from afar, I felt compelled to follow my parents’ example and rushed over to invite you to share my humble offerings. I hope you won’t consider them unworthy of your palate and will accept them as a token of respect.”
Tripitaka replied:
“I’m deeply grateful, but one of my disciples has gone to gather fruit and should return soon. Besides, it would not be right for us to eat the food meant for your husband.”
Tang Sanzang insisted on not eating the spirit’s food. Pig Bajie, however, grew visibly upset and kept muttering complaints.
Without asking permission, the pig approached the food jar and prepared to indulge heartily, wagging his greedy snout.
Betrayal and the Band-Tightening Spell
Fortunately, at that very moment, the Monkey King returned flying through the air, carrying the peaches he had picked from the southern peaks. When he hovered above his companions, he opened wide his fiery eyes and diamond pupils, and to his shock, discovered that the woman speaking with his Master was actually a monster. In haste, he drew his iron rod. But as he was about to strike the beast on the head, Tripitaka grabbed his sleeve and shouted furiously:
“Have you gone mad, Wukong? Why do you wish to unleash your fury on an innocent person?”
Wukong replied:
“The girl before you is no maiden, but a monster who has come here solely to deceive you.”
Tang Monk replied:
“I’m surprised you’d speak of her like this. Usually, you’re much more measured in your judgment. Why today do you spout such nonsense? This lady kindly came to invite me to dine. Where did you get the idea that she’s a merciless demon?”
Wukong tried every means possible to convince the Tang Monk that the lady was not human, but a malevolent spirit.
But all his efforts proved futile. The Tang Monk refused to believe him, repeatedly insisting that the woman was a virtuous and trustworthy person.
The Monkey King, angered, said:
“I understand perfectly well what’s happening. Naturally, you are blinded by this young woman’s beauty. If you wish to enjoy her company, just say the word. Bajie can gather wood, the Sand Monk can collect grass, and I’ll build you a hut right here where you can fulfill your desires. That will mark the end of our partnership, and each of us can go wherever we please. Isn’t that the wisest course? Why bother continuing this long journey in search of scriptures or whatever else?”
Sanzang was a very shy man, and upon hearing these words, he blushed so deeply that his head turned completely red.
Still, the Monkey King’s anger did not subside. Drawing his staff, he struck the monster with a mighty blow.
The beast knew a few tricks and, seeing Wukong’s weapon approaching, decided to use the technique known as “corpse release.” Abandoning the borrowed body, she rose into the sky without further concern. Instantly, the body collapsed dead to the ground, struck down by the Monkey King’s accurate blow.
Horrified, Tripitaka exclaimed, unable to believe what he had just seen:
“There is no one more savage in the world than this monkey! Despite my telling him countless times, he still shows no regard whatsoever for human life.”
The Monkey King pleaded:
“Please calm yourself and don’t be so harsh with me. Now come closer and look inside those jars.”
All that could be seen was a handful of long, repulsive worms.
This convinced the Tang Monk that perhaps thirty percent of what the Pilgrim had said might be true. Bajie, however, could not entirely suppress his resentment and added fuel to the fire, shouting:
“Don’t believe any of his lies, Master. How could someone so charitable and kind be a monster? You know our eldest brother loves using his iron staff. Fearing you might recite that painful spell again, he used magic to trick you into believing falsehoods.”
Bajie’s words had the desired effect on Tripitaka. Furious with his most loyal disciple, he made the magical gesture with one hand and began loudly reciting the incantation(the Band-tightening Spell).
A Plea for Mercy
Pain immediately seized the Monkey King, who screamed nonstop:
“My head! It’s going to explode! Please stop, I beg you!”
The Monkey King fell to his knees, continuously bowing his head to the ground as he replied:
“After plunging the Celestial Palace into great chaos, I deserved a severe punishment, which the Buddha carried out by imprisoning me, as you know, beneath the immense weight of the Five Elements Mountain(Five Phases Mountain). Thanks to you and Bodhisattva Guanyin for freeing me from its burden and granting me the monastic precepts — my gratitude toward you both is truly beyond words. If you do not allow me to accompany you all the way to the Western Paradise, I will never be able to repay the kindness you have shown me, and my name shall be cursed forever. How can one be considered honorable if he fails to return the goodwill others have bestowed upon him?”
Monk Tang possessed a very tender and compassionate heart. Seeing the Monkey King speak with such sincerity and deep remorse, he was profoundly moved and immediately changed his stance.
“Very well,” he said. “This time, I forgive you. But remember this: if you ever resort to violence again, I shall recite that very spell you know so well — at least twenty times in a row.”
Thus, the White Bone Demon’s scheme sowed discord—a trial of trust on the road to enlightenment.
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