Leaping up through the sky, Sun Wukong soon arrived at Purple Cloud Mountain. It did not take him long to locate the Thousand Flower Cave.
He continued walking, and after a few kilometers, he encountered a Taoist nun seated on a cushion.
Their reputation precedes them
Recognizing her, Wukong quickened his pace and approached her respectfully, saying:
“Greetings, Bodhisattva.”
Bodhisattva Pralamba immediately rose from the cushion, joined her palms before her chest, and after returning his bow, asked:
“Forgive me, Great Sage, for not coming out to greet you. Might I ask where you are from?”
The Monkey King exclaimed:
“How did you recognize me so quickly? Who told you that I am the Great Sage?”
Pralamba explained:
“When you once threw the Heavenly Palace into chaos, your likeness was shown to all the gods in the universe. How could I possibly fail to recognize you upon seeing you?”
The Monkey King admitted:
“You’re right. I’m sure you don’t know that I have repented for everything I did and now follow the Buddhist faith.”
Pralamba replied, pleasantly surprised:
“Really? When did this happen? Allow me to congratulate you.”
Wukong explained:
“You almost missed the chance, because I nearly perished myself. Now I am the disciple of Master Tang, who has been entrusted with a journey to the Western Paradise to obtain sacred scriptures. Unfortunately, the Taoist at the Yellow Flower Temple poisoned him with a cup of deadly tea. Although I have employed all my martial skills against him, he foiled all my plans by using his extremely powerful beams of light. Nevertheless, I was fortunate enough to learn that only you can put an end to those rays. That is why I have come here especially to seek your help.”
The Bodhisattva replied, surprised:
“Who told you this? I haven’t left my home since the Festival of Alms. No one knows me, for my name has remained hidden all this time. How on earth did you manage to find it out?”
The Monkey King replied:
“Have you forgotten my reputation as a schemer? Even if you had hidden yourself deep within the center of the Earth, I would still have found you.”
Admitting this, the Bodhisattva said:
“I must admit you are clever indeed. I had resolved never to leave this place again, but since you personally came to ask for my help and your mission to obtain the scriptures is at stake, I think the best course of action is to accompany you.”
Soon they saw the glow of the light beams, and extending his arm, Sun Wukong announced:
“There lies the Yellow Flower Temple.”
The Magic Needle
Then, Pralamba took from around her neck a sewing needle no more than two centimeters long, as fine as an eyebrow.
The Monkey King protested:
“If I had known all you needed was a sewing needle, I wouldn’t have troubled you to come. I myself could easily gather a whole cartful of them.”
Pralamba replied:
“The needles you speak of are made of metal and are useless. Mine, however, has nothing to do with iron, gold, or steel. It comes from something that grows in the eye of one of my sons.”
“Which son do you mean?” the Monkey King asked.
“Star of Orion,” replied Pralamba.
Wukong was greatly astonished.
With one hand, Bodhisattva Pralamba tossed the needle upward, and shortly afterward a loud sound was heard, instantly dispelling all the beams of light.
“Marvelous, Bodhisattva! Absolutely marvelous! Let’s go look for the needle,” exclaimed the Monkey King.
“For what purpose? Can’t you see I already have it here?” Pralamba replied, showing her open palm.
Rescue the Pilgrims
At the same time, Wukong and the Bodhisattva descended from the clouds toward the temple. The Taoist was crouched beside the door, eyes closed and too frightened to move.
Sun Wukong pulled his iron staff from behind his ear, ready to strike, but the Bodhisattva stopped him:
“Let him be, Great Sage. First, save your master.”
Sun Wukong went directly to the guest hall, where his three brothers were still lying on the ground, mouths filled with foam.
Seeing them, Wukong could not hold back his tears and cried desperately:
“What should I do?”
Pralamba urged:
“Please stop grieving! I have here three pills—true antidotes to the poison they have taken.”
She immediately handed them over to Wukong, instructing him to place one pill in each monk’s mouth.
It was difficult to pry their jaws open, but he managed to make them swallow the medicine. The remedy soon reached their stomachs, and gradually they began to stir. They did not fully regain consciousness until they had vomited out all the poison.
Bajie was the first to sit up, groaning pitifully:
“I feel like throwing up terribly!”
“What a headache! What happened?” Tripitaka and Sha Wujing exclaimed together, opening their eyes.
Sun Wukong explained:
“You were poisoned by a cup of deadly tea. You should thank Bodhisattva Pralamba for saving your lives.”
Tripitaka immediately stood up and adjusted his robes as best he could before offering his gratitude.
Revelation and Departure
“Where is that Taoist?” Bajie asked.
The Monkey King pointed with his hand:
“He’s just outside, crouching by the door, pretending to be blind.”
Bajie grabbed his rake and tried to rush forward to kill the Hundred-Eyed Demon, but Pralamba stopped him:
“Calm down, Marshal of the Heavenly Pavilion. The Great Sage knows well that I live alone. I would like to take him with me to guard my gate.”
She pointed her finger at him. Immediately, a kind of dust-like substance detached from his body, revealing his true form: a giant centipede nearly two meters long.
Pralamba picked him up with a single finger, mounted a cloud, and hurried back toward the Thousand Flower Cave.
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