Tang Sanzang and Sha Monk waited restlessly for Wukong’s return, pacing like caged animals by the roadside.
Divine Convergence
Baffled by the delay, they suddenly glimpsed a legion of radiant clouds tearing across the sky. Sanzang turned to Sha Wujing anxiously:
“Wujing—why do heavenly warriors approach us?”
Recognizing them, Sha Monk reassured:
“Fear not, Master. These are the Four Vajrapanis(Four Diamond Protectors), Golden-Headed Protector, Six Gods of Light and Darkness, Monastery Guardians, and others. Prince Nezha leads them, with Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li (Devaraja Li, the Pagoda-Bearer) beside him. Brother Monkey follows with the Plantain Fan. Bajie and the Mountain Spirit trail behind—the rest are celestial troops.”
Donning his kasaya and Vairocana hat, Sanzang bowed deeply:
“What honor brings such revered ones to this humble monk?”
The Four Vajrapanis chorused:
“Holy monk, rejoice! Your sacred quest nears completion. By Buddha’s decree, we aid your journey. Persevere unwaveringly on the path to perfection.”
In a gesture of respect and obedience, Tripitaka once again prostrated himself on the ground.
Extinguishing the Flames
Wukong seized the Plantain Fan and plunged into the Flaming Mountain. One mighty swing extinguished the flames, leaving smoldering embers. A second sweep summoned cooling breezes. The third brought rolling clouds that unleashed torrential rains.
The Mountain Spirit remarked:
“It’s fitting you quench these fires, Wukong.”
“Why do you say that?” Wukong frowned.
“Because you ignited them.”
“Ridiculous!” Wukong snapped. “I’ve never been here! Do I look like an arsonist?”
Origin of the Flame Mountain
The spirit explained:
“I can see you don’t recognize me. Before, there was no mountain here at all. It all began about five hundred years ago, when you plunged the Celestial Palace into total chaos and were handed over to Lao Tzu by the wise sage who captured you. As you may recall, the Taoist Patriarch placed you inside the Crucible of the Eight Trigrams to undergo a process of complete refinement. When you toppled Laozi’s Eight Trigrams Brazier after escaping elixir refinement, burning coals fell here—forming this mountain. As the brazier’s guardian then, Laozi banished me for negligence. I became the local spirit of this very mountain.”
Wukong chuckled ruefully—his ancient mischief now rectified.
Princess Iron Fan’s Plea
The Iron Fan Princess knelt, pleading:
“Great Sage—you promised to return the fan once fires were quenched. Though late, I beg your mercy. Though still imperfect, I vow renewed cultivation. Please—restore my fan.”
Bajie roared:
“Damned bitch! You’ve lost all sense! Shouldn’t you grovel in gratitude for your life? Think we’d surrender this prize after bloodshed? We might trade it for provisions someday! Begone—your part here’s done!”
The princess persisted:
“Great Sage, you yourself promised that you would return it to me once the fire was out. Although I admit it’s too late to regret what has happened after all the terrible battles fought here. Still, I hope you will understand that though I have not yet attained true righteousness, I have not abandoned my cultivation either. I beg you, return the fan to me. From now on, I will not act arrogantly but instead begin a new life and continue my spiritual practice.”
Final Quenching
The Mountain Spirit interjected:
“Great Sage, demand she reveal how to permanently extinguish these flames before returning the fan. This would serve all.”
Wukong asked:
“Can these fires truly die forever? Locals claimed flames reignite yearly after crops grow.”
The princess revealed: “Forty-nine fan strokes in succession will purge the flames forever.”
Without delay, Wukong took the fan and shook it with all his strength, forty-nine times in a row. Immediately, a torrential rain poured down, flooding the entire mountain. The phenomenon was even more extraordinary than it seemed at first glance, for the rain fell only where there had been fire. Where there were no embers left, the ground remained dry. The disciples and the master stayed in that place, spending the night until the fire was completely gone by morning.
Return of the fan
Wukong returned the fan magnanimously:
“If I didn’t return it to you, people might start saying the Monkey doesn’t keep his word. Go back to your dwelling and do no more evil. I spare your life because, as you yourself said, you have already begun walking the path of goodness.”
The Iron Fan Princess took the fan, bowed her head gratefully to the pilgrims, and withdrew to a secluded place to meditate and continue her religious practice.
As celestial forces withdrew, Sanzang’s party pressed westward—the path ahead cooled, the earth fertile. Villagers hailed them with offerings, but the pilgrims declined, steadfast in their sacred purpose.
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