Overjoyed, Wukong, Bajie, and Wujing made their way to the palace.
A Feast of Gratitude
A group of officials came out to greet them warmly and led them into the Eastern Hall, where the king, Master Tang, and the most distinguished figures of the kingdom had already taken their seats.
The king raised his cup in a toast to Tang Sanzang, but Tripitaka politely declined, saying:
“I’m afraid I’m not accustomed to drinking wine.”
The king replied respectfully:
“This wine I offer has been specially made for those who follow a vegetarian diet. Just one cup—what do you say?”
“Wine is the first thing forbidden to monks,” explained Tripitaka.
The king persisted, unsure how to resolve the matter:
“In that case, may I ask what I can drink to show you my respect?”
Tripitaka responded:
“That’s simple enough. My three disciples will drink on my behalf.”
Clearly pleased, the king took a golden cup and handed it to Sun Wukong, who bowed respectfully to all present and emptied it in one gulp.
Seeing how easily he finished the wine, the king refilled the cup, and Wukong drank it just as quickly as before. Unable to suppress a laugh, the king exclaimed:
“Will you honor us with the Three Crowns ritual?”
The Monkey King gladly accepted and drank without hesitation.
The banquet continued normally. After a while, the king picked up a very large cup and offered it to Sun Wukong, who said respectfully:
“There is no need for Your Majesty to rise, for I have decided to accept every toast you offer, not rejecting a single one.”
The King’s Confession
The king replied:
“Our gratitude toward you is greater than a mountain. I could never repay all that you have done for me. I beg you, then, to accept this cup before I tell you something I believe you should know.”
The Monkey King pleaded:
“Tell me first.”
The king confessed:
“Three years ago, during the Double Fifth Festival, my consorts and I gathered in the imperial garden to eat rice cakes, wear flower decorations, drink calamus and realgar wine, and watch the dragon boat races. At the height of our carefree celebration, a fierce wind arose, and from the sky appeared a monster who called himself the Divine Rival (Rival of the Lord of Heaven), dwelling in the Xie Zhi Cave on the Qilin (Unicorn) Mountain. He came demanding that I give the Palace of Golden Wisdom(Golden Wisdom Queen)—my most beloved wife—was a woman of extraordinary beauty, to him, threatening to devour my officials, the people of this city, and even myself. Overwhelmed by my duties to my people and my kingdom, I had no choice but to send the Golden Wisdom Queen out. The beast immediately snatched her up into the sky and vanished. I was terribly frightened. In fact, my mind was plagued with horrible omens that plunged me into the deepest sorrow for these past three years.”
After hearing these words, Wukong felt a surge of complete satisfaction and promptly drank the huge cup the king extended to him in two swallows.
Smiling, he turned to the king and said:
“Now I understand the source of your distress. Fortunately for you, you’ve met me and regained your health. But would you like the Palace of Golden Wisdom to return to your side?”
The king replied, tears once again flowing swiftly from his eyes:
“I have not passed a single day without mourning her disappearance. Yet how can I bring her back if there is no one capable of stopping that monster?”
A Foolish Vow – Trading a kingdom for one woman
“What if I were to take care of it?” asked the Monkey King.
The king answered, kneeling before him:
“If you succeed in rescuing the queen, I swear to leave this palace with all my concubines and family and live as simply as the humblest of my subjects. I will place my entire kingdom at your feet and honor you as my master and lord.”
Bajie couldn’t help but burst into laughter and loudly exclaim:
“This king has lost his mind! How can he be willing to trade his kingdom with a mere monk for the sake of a single woman? Honestly, it’s unbelievable!”
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