Sun Wukong managed to save his life thanks to a tremendous leap that carried him directly to the Ninth Heaven.
As soon as he saw the demons leaving the battlefield with their banners lowered, he realized that his companions had been captured once again.
He thought to himself:
“I wonder what kind of fabric that is, capable of containing so many beings within it. It even trapped all the celestial warriors. Perhaps Zhen Wu, the Honorable Demon Conqueror of Mount Wu Dang in Jambudvipa, can aid me.”
The Demon Conqueror’s Aid
The Monkey King had no choice but to mount a cloud and head toward Mount Wu Dang to seek the assistance of the Honorable Demon Subduer.
Without pausing for even a moment during his flight, he finally spotted the wondrous sacred mountain of the immortal. As he descended from the cloud, he looked around and saw that it was truly an extraordinary place.
Enjoying the marvelous sight the mountain offered, Sun Wukong soon arrived at the Palace of Great Harmony(Palace of Grand Harmony). After passing through three gates, he entered a hall where no fewer than five hundred ministers sat, exuding an aura of sanctity. They solemnly asked him:
“Who are you?”
Wukong replied immediately:
“Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. I would like an audience with the Perfected Warrior.”
Once the ministers had informed the Patriarch of this unexpected visit, the Patriarch himself came out to welcome the Monkey King and led him in.
“I am really sorry to bother you,” confessed Wukong, “but there was simply no one else I could turn to.”
“What is it about?” the Patriarch asked.
Sun Wukong replied:
“I have vowed to accompany the Tang Monk to the Western Paradise to obtain the sacred scriptures. While passing through the Little Thunder Monastery, the monster with Yellow Brows impersonated the Buddhist Patriarch and captured my master. I myself fell into his trap and was locked inside two golden cymbals, from which I was rescued later by the Constellations. After shattering that strange prison in battle, I fought against him, but he produced a strip of magical cloth and trapped within it the gods, guardians, my master, and my two brothers. That’s why I’ve come to you. “
The Patriarch responded:
“Without Heaven’s decree, I cannot intervene directly. But if I do nothing, it may seem as though I no longer care for mortal affairs. I believe, however, that my generals—Turtle and Snake—and the Five Heavenly Dragons(Five Dragon Gods) can help you capture that monster and free your master from this terrible ordeal.”
After thanking the Patriarch, Sun Wukong quickly returned westward, accompanied by Snake, Turtle, and the dragons—all fully armed.
A Heavenly Army Rises
They soon reached the Little Thunder Monastery.
At that very moment, the Yellow-Browed King, feasting with his captains, asked in surprise:
“It’s strange that the Monkey King hasn’t shown himself for the past two days. I wonder where he went to seek help.”
He had barely finished speaking when one of the demon gatekeepers rushed in, greatly excited:
“The Pilgrim has just arrived, accompanied by some strange figures who look like some dragons, a snake, and a turtle.”
The monster scoffed:
“What strange allies has that ape summoned now?”
Before the demon could answer, the monster put on his armor and stepped out of the temple, shouting:
“Who are you, daring to break the peace of an immortal?”
The five dragons and the two generals answered furiously in unison:
“Cursed beast! If you don’t already know, we serve under the Honorable Demon Subduer, who resides in the Palace of Grand Harmony on Mount Wu Dang. Release the Tang Monk and the Constellations. If you do, you may keep your life; otherwise, we will slaughter all your subjects, grind your mountain to dust.”
The monster roared in fury:
“Filthy beasts! What kind of magic do you possess to dare speak to me this way? Don’t run away—taste the flavor of my mace!”
The five dragons and the two generals charged at once, wielding swords, sabers, and spears, raising a thick cloud of dust and mud.
The Monkey King joined the fray immediately, swinging his iron rod.
More than half an hour passed with the Monkey King, the five dragons, and the two generals locked in battle, when suddenly the monster pulled out the white strip of cloth. At the sight of it, Wukong shouted in alarm:
“Beware!”
At that very moment, a piercing whistling sound was heard.
Realizing there was nothing more to be done, the Monkey King soared up to the Ninth Heaven, escaping unharmed. The dragons, the turtle, and the snake were caught in the folds of the cloth.
The monster returned to the monastery with them, where they were bound with ropes and thrown into an underground dungeon he had specially built.
Wukong sank down onto the mountainside, disheartened, muttering:
“There’s simply no way to defeat that monster!”
Gradually, his eyes began to close, and for a moment it seemed as if he had fallen asleep.
The Bodhisattva’s Dilemma
But suddenly, a voice was heard saying:
“Do not fall asleep, Great Sage! Wake up and go help your master! If you delay, he may die soon.”
Wukong opened his eyes and saw that it was the Day Sentinel.
Smiling, the Sentinel said:
“Why so worried? I know an army that can defeat this monster—if you can bring them here. They are stationed in the same southern continent of Jambudvipa, specifically on Xu Yi Mountain. There resides the Bodhisattva Royal Adviser, who possesses truly extraordinary magical powers. His disciple, Prince Zhang, commands four celestial warriors who long ago subdued the Water Mother.”
With a leap, the Monkey King mounted a cloud and headed straight for Xu Yi Mountain.
The Bodhisattva Royal Adviser had already been informed of his arrival and came out to greet him, accompanied by Prince Zhang.
After welcoming him with the solemnity the situation demanded, Wukong gave a detailed account of the hardships he had faced at the Little Thunder Monastery.
The Royal Adviser concluded:
“This thing is closely tied to the future of Buddhism. I should really go personally to resolve it. Unfortunately, it is early summer now—a time when the Huai River often overflows—and only recently have I subdued the Great Water Ape, a creature that seems to go mad whenever it comes into contact with water. If I leave, he may rebel again, and as you well know, I am the only one here who can confront him. Thus I will send my disciple and the four celestial warriors to help you.”
After expressing his gratitude, Sun Wukong mounted a cloud and headed toward the Little Thunder Monastery, accompanied by Prince Zhang and the four celestial soldiers.
The Final Gambit
Upon reaching the Monastery, they challenged the monster. The little demons guarding the gate ran to inform their lord. The beast soon appeared, surrounded by his entire host of demons.
“You stupid monkey!” the monster sneered mockingly. “Who did you bring this time?”
Prince Zhang shouted, ordering the four warriors forward:
“Cursed heartless monster! It’s clear your eyes lack pupils, hence why you fail to recognize us. I am the disciple of the Bodhisattva Royal Adviser, the Great Sage of Su Zhou, and these four who accompany me are the celestial warriors.”
The monster exclaimed with a bitter laugh:
“Would you please explain what kind of powers such a puny youth like you must possess, to dare insult me right at my own gate? Why did you have to listen to the Monkey King’s lies and come here to die before this monastery’s door?”
Enraged by these words, Prince Zhang launched a powerful spear strike toward his opponent. The four celestial warriors likewise charged into battle, while the Monkey King swung his fearsome iron staff. The monster did not retreat before so many adversaries. On the contrary, with unparalleled bravery, he faced them all, striking back with his terrifying wolf-toothed mace.
The fierce battle raged on for hours, yet neither side could gain a decisive advantage. The monster then resolved to deploy its white wrap. When the Monkey King saw it being drawn out, he shouted in alarm:
“Be careful! Get out of the way!”
Before anyone could react, a piercing whistling sound filled the air, and they were ensnared by the fabric like common insects. Only the Monkey King managed to escape capture.
Just as before, the monster bundled them up as if they were mere baggage and triumphantly returned to the monastery. There, he bound them with ropes and imprisoned them in one of its dungeons.
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