The real Wukong soared into the clouds and watched what the Taoists were doing below.
A Desperate Plea
“The Master is in a truly desperate situation. If they throw him into that wok, he will surely die. I have no choice but to save him as soon as possible.”
In haste, he descended from the cloud and headed straight toward the main hall. The Monkey King said:
“Release my Master, and I promise I will restore your tree. How about that?”
“If you truly possess the power to revive the tree,” replied the Great Immortal, “I shall make a brotherhood pact with you.”
Wukong suggested:
“Free my fellow disciples, and I guarantee your tree shall live again.”
The Great Immortal believed they had no way of escaping anyway, so he agreed to his request and immediately ordered the release of Monk Tang, Bajie, and Sand Monk(Monk Sha).
Journey to the Potalaka Mountain
With a somersault, Monkey King left the Temple of the Five Villas behind, and made his way toward the Eastern Great Ocean.
Thanks to his supernatural powers, it wasn’t long before he spotted Mount Potalaka. He descended from the cloud and went directly to the summit.
The Bodhisattva quickly sensed the arrival of the Monkey King and asked the Great Guardian of the Mountain to go out and welcome him. Soon enough, they arrived where the Bodhisattva was waiting.
Bodhisattva Guanyin asked:
“Where is Tripitaka now?”
Wukong replied:
“He is at the Mountain of Longevity, located in the continent of Aparagodaniya.”
Guanyin remarked:
“There stands the Temple of the Five Villas, where the Great Immortal Zhenyuan has established his dwelling. Have you crossed paths with him?”
The Pilgrim exclaimed, bowing low and striking his forehead against the ground:
“It’s all my fault. I knew nothing of this immortal and recklessly offended him by uprooting his tree. That’s why he refuses to let my Master leave and has taken him prisoner.”
The Bodhisattva scolded him:
“The Ginseng Fruit Tree possessed a spiritual nature. Why did you have to destroy it?”
“I didn’t know it was so valuable,” Wukong replied.
“When we arrived at the temple, the Great Immortal was away, and two young immortals came out to greet us. It was Zhu Wuneng who first discovered the ginseng fruits and insisted on tasting one. I stole three of them and generously shared them among my brothers. When the youths found out, they insulted us without respect, until I could no longer bear their arrogance — and so I knocked down the tree.”
The Resurrection of the Ginseng Tree
The Bodhisattva turned to her disciples and ordered:
“Stay here and guard the grove. I won’t be gone long.”
She rose into the air, holding her sacred vase. As the Great Sage followed closely behind, she flew directly toward the Temple of the Five Villas.
When the Bodhisattva arrived, the Great Immortal hurried out to greet her.
Bowing deeply, the Great Immortal said:
“Why have you gone to the trouble of coming here yourself? This matter is too trivial for your precious attention.”
The Bodhisattva explained:
“Monk Tang is my disciple. If Sun Wukong has offended you, it is only natural that I take responsibility and restore your incomparable tree.”
The Great Immortal led the Bodhisattva to the orchard. There, she saw the fallen tree — its roots exposed, its leaves already dried, and its branches broken.
Guanyin dipped the willow branch into the vase, using it like a brush to sprinkle the dew over the withered tree while reciting a sacred incantation.
It was not long before green life returned to every leaf and branch. High upon the tree, the ginseng fruits became clearly visible once more.
The Great Immortal marveled. “Your divine power surpasses all!”
The Ginseng Fruit Tree had come back to life.
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