Despite having captured Monk Sha, the anxiety of the Yellow-Robed Monster did not subside.
It was difficult to predict when the enemy might strike again. Rather than waiting passively, he decided it would be better to take the initiative.
Yellow Robe Demon’s Cunning Scheme
Thus, the Yellow-Robed Monster devised a brilliant plan.
To win back the Princess’s favor and ease all her fears, the monster ordered wine and food to be served. As they became half-drunk, the beast said to the Princess:
“You stay here at home and drink a bit more. Take care of our two children and make sure that the Sand Monk does not escape. I will go visit your father.”
“What?” exclaimed Princess Hundred Flowers in astonishment.
The monster replied:
“After all, I am his son-in-law, and he is my respected father-in-law. I shall go tell him what a fine man I am. Then we can all become a happy family.”
The Princess explained:
“My father has never dealt with men as terrifying and fierce-looking as you. If you meet him face to face, you will only frighten him—and gain nothing from it.”
The monster concluded:
“If that’s what worries you, I shall transform myself into a handsome man. Problem solved.”
With a shake of his body, the monster immediately changed into a refined and gentle-looking person.
He laughed heartily and asked:
“How do I look now?”
The Princess replied:
“Of course! It’s truly wonderful. But always keep this in mind: since my father is a man who never turns away relatives, all the civil and military officials will surely invite you to countless banquets. You must try to behave modestly and avoid drinking too much. Otherwise, you may accidentally revert to your usual form, and everyone will flee in terror.”
The monster responded:
“I know exactly what I must do.”
Deception in the Royal Court
Mounting a cloud, he quickly arrived at the Kingdom of the Sacred Elephant. He announced to the gatekeeper:
“The Third Son-in-law of the Emperor respectfully requests an audience with his august father-in-law. Kindly announce me.”
The Guardian ran inside and reported to his lord:
“The Third Son-in-law of Your Majesty seeks an audience with you. He awaits outside for your decision.”
Upon hearing the mention of a third son-in-law, the King turned to his ministers in surprise and said:
“I have only two sons-in-law. Where could this third one possibly come from?”
Several ministers explained:
“There is no doubt—it must be the monster who abducted your daughter.”
“Do you think it wise to let him in?” the King asked again.
Monk Tang explained:
“This is no ordinary man, Your Majesty! He can ride on clouds and foresee the future. Whether you agree or not, he will appear before you regardless. Therefore, I believe the best course is to grant your permission.”
So the King agreed.
The monster paid his respects to the monarch with such elegance that all were greatly impressed. Moreover, seeing how handsome he appeared, the courtiers dared not suspect him of being a monster. They took him for a man of virtue.
The King asked:
“To which region do you belong? When did you marry the Princess, and why have you not come earlier to meet your family?”
The monster, bowing low with his forehead to the ground, replied:
“Your humble servant hails from a place east of this city—specifically, the Moon Flow Cave atop the Pot Mountain.”
“How far is that from our palace?” the King asked again.
The monster replied:
“Not very far, Your Majesty. About three hundred kilometers.”
“Three hundred kilometers?” exclaimed the King in astonishment.
“How did the Princess travel all the way there to marry you?”
The monster, being extremely clever, tried to confuse the questioner:
“Thirteen years ago, when I went hunting with dozens of attendants, I saw a great tiger carrying off a young lady. So I shot the beast with a single arrow and rescued the girl. When I asked about her origins, she never once mentioned being a princess. She made me believe she was the daughter of peasants, which moved me to plead with her to stay with me forever. We seemed perfectly suited for each other, and both wished to spend our lives together. I was about to kill the tiger, but the Princess begged me not to. So I released it. Little did I know then that years later, that tiger would become a mountain spirit through meditation. Instead of calming its fierce nature, the practice only intensified it, luring unsuspecting people into its den and devouring them. Among them were monks from the Great Tang Empire. I believe it is my duty to inform you, Your Majesty, that the monk sitting beside you is none other than the tiger that snatched the Princess from your side thirteen years ago. He wears the robe of a monk, but that is all. Nothing more.”
The King could not recognize the monster—not because he doubted the story, but because he accepted it as truth. He asked:
“What reason do you have to claim this monk is the tiger?”
The monster replied:
“Your servant lives among tigers. How could I fail to recognize one at first sight?”
The King concluded:
“In that case, make him assume his true form.”
The Tiger Spirit Accusation
To “prove” his claim, the demon took some water in his hands, recited a spell, spat the water onto Monk Tang, and shouted:
“Transform!”
The monk’s body vanished entirely, and in his place appeared the fierce figure of a tiger.
The court erupted in panic. The King felt his soul leave his body, and many of his attendants fled in fear. Only a few brave officials managed to grab weapons and corner the beast.
Finally, the tiger was chained and locked in an iron cage, which was placed in the most secure chamber of the palace.
Thus, the king—gullible and terrified—sealed Tripitaka’s fate, while the Yellow Robe Demon’s ruse prevailed.
Leave a Reply