Trembling from head to toe, Tripitaka desperately clung to Wukong and pleaded:
“Help me escape this predicament!”
Wukong’s Clever Plan
The Monkey King replied:
“For that, you must first step down from your pedestal for a while.”
Sha Wujing asked:
“What do you mean?”
The Monkey King explained:
“If Master wants to save his life, he will have to become the disciple, and the disciple will become the master.”
Tripitaka quickly responded:
“Gladly would I become your disciple to escape death.”
The Monkey King concluded:
“In that case, we can’t waste any time. Bajie, get me some mud right away.”
The Disguise
Soon, Bajie obtained the mud the Monkey King needed. Wukong took a handful and smashed it against his face, fashioning a crude monkey mask, which he placed on Tang Monk’s face. Wukong recited a magic spell and shouted:
“Transform!”
Instantly, Tripitaka became an exact replica of the Monkey King.
They then exchanged clothes, and after chanting another different spell, Wukong took on the appearance of Tang Monk.
The Imperial Forces
Hardly had they finished putting on each other’s robes when they heard the loud sounds of drums and gongs. They peeked out the window and saw an entire forest of spears and sabers approaching. The imperial forces numbered more than three thousand soldiers—an utterly disproportionate force for the mission at hand.
The captain of the guard entered directly into the courtyard and asked:
“Where is the monk sent by the Great Emperor of the Tang in the Eastern Lands?”
The official in charge of managing the pavilion knelt down and, pointing with a trembling finger toward the interior, replied:
“He is in one of those rooms over there.”
The captain confidently strode toward the indicated room and said:
“Master Tang, our sovereign demands your immediate presence at court.”
Bajie and Sha Wujing stood aside, guarding the disguised Wukong while the real Wukong, posing as Tripitaka, bowed and asked:
“What could His Majesty possibly want from a humble monk like myself?”
The Captain of the Guard seized him:
“You’ll find out soon enough!”
The Confrontation in the Palace
As soon as he stepped onto the street, the soldiers surrounded him like a common criminal and hurried toward the court.
The king ordered that he be brought immediately before him.
All the soldiers prostrated themselves on the ground in submission. The false Tripitaka stood defiantly before the throne and asked:
“Why have you summoned such a humble monk, King Bhiksu?”
The king replied with a smile:
“For many years, I have suffered from a strange illness for which no one has found a cure. Fortunately, my beloved father-in-law has discovered a medicine capable of restoring my health. But to make it fully effective, it must be mixed with something only you possess. I promise that if you agree to lend it to me, I will build a monastery in your honor, where sacrifices and libations will be offered constantly, ensuring your name endures forever.”
The false Tripitaka replied:
“As you know, those of us who have renounced family own nothing absolutely ours. Would you mind asking your beloved father-in-law what it is that I can offer him so that he may complete his medicine?”
The king answered:
“All we need is your heart.”
The Heart of the Matter
The false Tang Monk boasted:
“To tell the truth, I have quite a few hearts. In what form and color does he want it?”
The imperial father-in-law replied with visible contempt:
“Monk, we only need your black heart.”
Without flinching, the false Tang Sanzang concluded:
“In that case, give me a knife so I can open my chest. If I have a black one, I’ll gladly give it to you.”
Overjoyed, the king thanked him for his selflessness and ordered one of his attendants to bring a curved dagger, well-suited for butchering animals.
The false Tripitaka took the blade in his hands, unfastened his robe, and puffed out his chest as much as possible.
Then, placing his left hand on his belly, he raised the dagger with his right and plunged it in with the fierceness of a warrior. A clear sound of steel piercing flesh was heard, and his chest split wide open, spilling out a large number of hearts.
The civil officials turned pale, while the military men felt their legs weaken. Even the imperial father-in-law exclaimed:
“This monk is full of hearts!”
Wukong’s Revelation
But not a single one was black! The king was so astonished he couldn’t utter a word. When he finally recovered slightly, all he could manage was a weak:
“Take him away!”
The false Sanzang Monk ended his magical display and, returning to his usual form, said:
“It’s obvious you’ve lost all power of observation. Monks possess honest hearts, while your father-in-law alone has a black one, perfectly suited for the medicine he prepared for you. If you don’t believe me, let me take it out so you can see for yourselves.”
The imperial father-in-law realized, stunned, that the monk’s face had completely changed. There was no doubt about it—this was the Great Sage, Sun Wukong! Without delay, he turned around and tried to rise into the clouds, but the Monkey King blocked his escape, soaring into the air and shouting:
“Where do you think you’re going? Stop and taste the flavor of my staff!”
The imperial father-in-law transformed into a beam of light and darted toward the inner chambers in search of the woman he had once given as a gift, in token of submission, to the king. The disguised daughter turned into another beam of light and fled in haste.
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