Sun Wukong soared into the sky, refusing to descend until the demon and his minions sealed the gates of their fortress.
Then, he landed on the western slope of the mountain and sank into despair.
As he was giving vent to his most desperate laments, he saw a multicolored cloud appear from the southwest. It descended upon the earth like a torrential rain that flooded the entire mountain. Almost immediately, a voice thundered:
“Do you not recognize me, Wukong?”
Wukong immediately threw himself face down to the ground and began bowing repeatedly with great respect, saying:
“Great Maitreya Buddha! Forgive this mortal’s blindness in obstructing your path!”
The Buddha’s Revelation
“I have come for that monster from the Little Thunder Monastery,” replied Maitreya.
Wukong responded:
“I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. Might I ask where that beast comes from and what kind of weapon is that piece of cloth he wields so skillfully? I beg you not to dismiss my humble curiosity.”
The Patriarch explained:
“It just so happens that this monster is none other than my temple acolyte, the Yellow-Browed Youth who used to strike the clappers in my presence. On the third day of the third month, I had to attend the Festival of the Primordial Origins and left him in charge of my palace. That unscrupulous fellow took advantage of the opportunity to steal some of my treasures and impersonated the Buddha.”
The Monkey King retorted:
“How could you let that youth escape and allow him to usurp the name of the Buddhist Patriarch, confusing so many believers—including myself? Shouldn’t you yourself be blamed for failing to manage your own affairs properly?”
Maitreya admitted:
“Indeed, I should. But it was necessary for both your master and brothers, as well as yourself, to undergo this new trial in order to achieve greater perfection. That explains why monsters constantly besiege you, transforming the sufferings they inflict into merits. To help you gain yet another merit, I have come here myself.”
Wukong objected:
“But this Yellow-Browed Monster possesses truly extraordinary powers. How do you intend to subdue him?”
The Melon Ruse
Smiling, Maitreya replied:
“I shall conjure a small hut here, along with a melon patch. You go to just lure him. All the melons will be green except one: large, ripe, and delicious—that one will actually be you. Once you’re inside his stomach, you can do whatever you please. In the meantime, I’ll seize his strip of cloth and trap him in the same way he trapped your master and the others.”
Wukong acknowledged:
“The plan is truly splendid. But what if he captures me with his cloth first?”
“Stretch out your hand,” ordered Maitreya, smiling.
Wukong immediately extended his left hand. Maitreya wrote the word “Restraint” on his palm.
Still smiling, he concluded:
“If the monster resists following you, open your hand and show him what’s written there.”
Wukong clenched his fist and, gripping his golden-hooped iron rod, headed toward the temple gate, where he shouted with a powerful voice:
“Despicable monster! The Great Sage Sun is back! Come out at once and let us finally decide who is the stronger!”
The demons guarding the gate ran to inform their lord of his arrival.
“How many warriors has he brought with him this time?” asked the Yellow-Browed Monster.
“None. He came alone,” replied one of the demons.
The monster laughed and said:
“That monkey has run out of ideas and strength. He has nowhere else to turn for help. That’s why he’s decided to risk his life once and for all.”
After putting on his armor, he grabbed his magical cloth and headed toward the gate, arrogantly brandishing his wolf-toothed mace.
He shouted with a booming voice:
“Have you no allies left, ape?”
“Don’t you agree that you’re no match for me without that cursed wrap? Believe or not, one hand suffices to crush you!” replied the Monkey King.
Seeing him wield it with just one hand, the monster couldn’t help but laugh aloud:
“You’re out of your mind, hairy monkey! Stop boasting and prepare yourself to taste my mace”
The Monkey King laughed too:
“I assure you, without your cursed cloth, I’d defeat you in the blink of an eye—and not just you, but five or six like you.”
The Yellow-Browed Monster concluded:
“Fine. I promise I won’t use my treasure this time. Let’s see who is stronger.”
He launched into battle, swinging his terrible wolf-toothed mace.
The “Restraint” Sigil
Wukong didn’t waste time. He turned the fist hiding the magical word toward the monster and opened it right before his nose.
The false Buddha immediately fell under the spell. He seemed obsessed only with striking his opponent with the mace, completely forgetting about the magical cloth or returning to the temple.
The monster pursued him mercilessly all the way to the western slope of the mountain.
The Stomach of Vengeance
Wukong soon spotted the melon patch. Without hesitation, he rushed toward it and transformed himself into a magnificent, sweet, fully ripened melon.
The Yellow-Browed Monster stood puzzled, looking in every direction, unable to figure out what had become of his opponent. In two strides, he reached the little branch hut and asked, in an authoritative tone:
“Who planted these melons here?”
“I did, great sir,” replied Maitreya, pretending to be a gardener and stepping out to greet him.
“Are they already ripe?” the monster asked again.
“Some are,” answered Maitreya.
“In that case, pick one for me to quench my thirst,” the monster concluded in the same tone.
Maitreya immediately handed him the melon into which the Monkey King had transformed.
Without even looking at it, the monster began devouring it with the voracity of an animal.
The Monkey King slipped through his throat and started bending his ribs. Not satisfied with that, he twisted his stomach, tugged at his intestines, and played all sorts of tricks inside him. The pain was so intense that the monster kept clenching his teeth, making strange faces with his mouth, while tears flowed copiously from his eyes. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in such desperation that the melon patch was soon reduced to pulp.
“This is the end! Isn’t there anyone to free me from this torment?” cried the beast, despairingly.
“Cursed monster! Do you remember me?” shouted Maitreya, regaining his true form.
The beast lifted his head, recognized him, and rushed forward to kneel before him, pressing his hands firmly against his aching stomach.
He begged, while knocking his forehead repeatedly against the ground:
“Mercy, Lord! I promise I will never do evil again!”
Maitreya stretched out his arm and took away the bag and the little hammer. As soon as he held them, he raised his voice and said:
“Stop tormenting him, Sun Wukong.”
The Monkey King was so furious that he ignored Maitreya’s words and continued throwing punches in all directions, clawing the monster’s insides like a wild beast. The pain was unbearable, and the monster collapsed on the ground, motionless.
“Enough already, Wukong!” Maitreya shouted again.
Only then did the Monkey King reluctantly comply, saying grudgingly:
“Open your mouth and let me get out!”
The Yellow-Browed Monster obeyed the command. The Monkey King exited the beast’s belly without difficulty and resumed his normal form.
Immediately after, the Monkey King tried to kill the monster, but Maitreya had already rolled him up into the sack and hung it from his waist.
Once his mission was complete, Maitreya bid farewell to Sun Wukong and returned on a cloud to the Land of Supreme Happiness.
Ashes of Deception
Wukong then hurried to untie the Tang Monk, Bajie, and Sha Wujing.
Taking his rake, Bajie followed Wukong to the rear of the temple. After shattering the dungeon door, they freed all the prisoners, who joyfully returned to the main hall.
Tripitaka had put on his splendid embroidered robe and bowed respectfully to each of them in gratitude and submission.
Before setting off on their journey again, they set fire to the false temple. It wasn’t long before its priceless thrones, jewel-covered towers, magnificent halls, and tall spires were all reduced to ashes.
Leave a Reply