The three demons confronted the Monkey King and his two companions at the eastern gates of the city. The battle raged on until the very hour of twilight, when the sky gradually darkened and night cast its veil of darkness everywhere.
Trials in the Demon City
By then, Bajie was so exhausted that his arms and legs refused to obey him. Soon he realized he could no longer keep blocking attacks. As he prepared to flee, dragging his rake shamefully while opening his mouth wide, the eldest demon (Lion King) indeed managed to grab him by the nape of the neck. Thus, he led him prisoner into the city and handed him over to the little demons gathered in the Golden Chime Hall for them to take charge of him. The eldest monster soared into the air and rejoined the battle.
Sha Wujing realized things were turning dire, and after delivering one final blow, he turned around and fled as fast as he could. The second demon’s (Elephant King) trunk shot out and seized the unfortunate Sha Wujing, who had no chance to escape capture. The city’s little demons took hold of him, binding his hands and feet and throwing him beneath the stairs of the imperial hall.
Then the second demon (Elephant King) flew into the air and joined his two brothers, who desperately tried to capture the Monkey King. Sun Wukong immediately understood that the situation was becoming unbearable moment by moment and that he would not be able to withstand the attack from all three monsters.
Wukong broke through the encirclement and swiftly ascended into the sky. But the third demon (Roc King) slightly shook his body and revealed his true form. Then he flapped his wings and soon caught up with the Monkey King. Without suspense, Wukong finally fell into his claws. The grip was so tight that he couldn’t move even a single finger.
In this way, the Monkey King was taken into the city, where, once bound, he was locked up in the same place as Bajie and Sha Wujing.
Night of Despair
Around the second watch of the night, the little demons forced Tang Monk into the same room with his three disciples. Seeing them in the torchlight, tied up and thrown on the floor, he knelt beside Wukong and cried between sobs:
“What has become of your strength! In the past, whenever we encountered difficulties, you usually used magic to seek help or managed alone to defeat the monsters who had captured us. What has happened to you this time? How can a weak monk like me possibly survive without you?”
Upon hearing these words, Bajie and Sha Wujing also gave in to despair and began sobbing.
As they were most distracted with their conversation, they heard the eldest demon (Lion King) say:
“We must admit that our third brother (Roc King) is the smartest and most capable in the entire family. His plan to capture Tang Monk has worked perfectly.”
He added, addressing the imps:
“I think five of you should bring some water, while seven others prepare the pots, ten more start the fire, and twenty go fetch the large iron cauldron. At the very least, we can steam these four monks and give each of you a piece of their flesh, so you too may attain an immortal life.”
Bajie trembled from head to toe as he asked Wukong:
“Did you hear what he said? That demon is ready to steam us alive!”
Sun Wukong reassured him:
“Don’t be afraid. Let me find out what kind of chefs these monsters really are.”
He had barely finished speaking when they overheard the second demon (Elephant King) say:
“I’m afraid it won’t be so easy to steam Zhu Bajie.”
The third demon (Roc King) concluded:
“In that case, the best thing we can do is flay him first before steaming him.”
Added the eldest demon (Lion King):
“In my opinion, the toughest one should go at the bottom.”
Wukong repeated, laughing softly:
“Don’t be frightened, Bajie. They’re amateurs.”
“How do you know?” asked Sha Wujing.
Wukong replied:
“True chefs steam tough meat first—they’re doing it backward! People always put the tougher parts on top of the steamer. These demons, however, said to put him at the bottom. This proves their lack of experience.”
The Steaming Cauldron
He hadn’t even finished speaking when one of the imps appeared and announced:
“The water is boiling.”
The eldest monster (Lion King) ordered them to lift Bajie onto the bottom rack and Sha Wujing onto the second rack.
The Monkey King figured he would be next and decided it was time to act.
He pulled out one of his hairs, blew sacred breath upon it, and shouted:
“Transform!”
Instantly, it became another Wukong, bound with ropes of hempen string. The real one had no trouble rising into the air, where he hovered briefly, looking down.
Then the clone of Wukong occupied the third layer. Tripitaka topped the stack.
Since the wood was dry, it caught fire quickly, producing truly terrifying flames.
Bajie said:
“What bad luck we have! I wonder if we are being steamed with the lid on or off.”
Sha Wujing asked:
“What do you mean by that?”
Bajie explained:
“It’s actually two different ways of steaming. One keeps the pot covered, while the other does not.”
Tripitaka said:
“As far as I can see from here, it’s not covered.”
Bajie exclaimed joyfully:
“Fantastic! That means there’s plenty of airflow, we’ll survive at least tonight.”
Wukong made a magical gesture with his hands and recited an incantation:
“May Om and Ram purify the realm of Dharma: Origin, Penetration, Harmony, and Firmness.”
This complex formula produced the desired effect. No sooner had he finished chanting than the Dragon King of the Northern Ocean appeared, wrapped in a dark cloud, shouting:
“Ao Shun, humble dragon of the Northern Ocean, pays his respects.”
Sun Wukong responded:
“Please rise. Be assured I wouldn’t bother you unless absolutely necessary. My master, the Tang Monk, has been captured by ruthless demons and placed in this huge cauldron on the fire. I would therefore appreciate it if you could do everything to protect him.”
Instantly, the dragon king transformed into a cold wind, blowing forcefully toward the cauldron. Swirling fiercely around it, he managed to keep the flames away, saving the lives of those inside.
Hearing their voices from within the cauldron, Wukong immediately knew they had suffered no harm. Casually, he slid the lid aside slightly, and Tripitaka shouted in terror:
“Now the pot is covered!”
Bajie exclaimed in the same tone:
“Oh, my God! We’ll surely die before dawn!”
Both Tripitaka and Sha Wujing burst into tears.
Bajie then added calmly:
“Don’t lose heart so soon. I think a new group of demons has come to stoke the fire.”
Sha Wujing asked:
“How do you know?”
Bajie replied:
“When I entered the cauldron, I felt like I was in heaven. I suffer a bit from arthritis, and hot water feels good to me. Now, though, it feels as if something cold is entering the pot.”
Bajie joked:
“Stoke the fire! This arthritis loves the heat!”
The Monkey King couldn’t help but chuckle secretly upon hearing this.
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