After his lie was exposed by Wukong, Zhu Bajie was forced to patrol the mountain once more. This time, he dared not dawdle any longer. Straightening his robes and gripping his iron rake, he set out at once.
Bajie’s ill-fated patrol
Misfortune had it that he soon encountered the demon’s minions. At the very moment he let down his guard, a group of fiends surrounded him. As soon as they recognized him, one of the demons drew forth a magical sword and struck a terrible blow.
Realizing he was hopelessly outnumbered, Bajie turned on his heel and tried to flee with all haste. The demons swarmed over him like bees, grabbing at his legs, pulling at his tail, ears, and bristles. In this manner, they seized him and dragged him back toward the cave.
Upon reaching the cavern, the younger demon raised his voice in satisfaction:
“We’ve captured one, my lord!”
The elder demon remarked:
“I fear you have caught the wrong man. This monk is of no value whatsoever.”
Hearing this, Bajie sensed an opportunity and cried out anxiously:
“Is it not a crime to capture something utterly worthless? Great Lord, would it not be best to release me at once?”
The younger demon replied:
“Pay him no mind. Even if he is of little worth, he is still one of Tang Monk’s companions. I suggest we throw him into the pond, cover him with salt, and let him dry under the sun. He’ll make a fine appetizer with wine later—he must taste exquisite.”
The older monster then spoke to the younger:
“If you have captured Bajie, it means the Tang Monk cannot be far behind. Go forth again and scout the mountain—make sure to seize him.”
“As you command,” replied the second demon, and off he went into the mountains, followed by about fifty lesser imps.
As they walked, they saw a luminous cloud in the distance, and the demon exclaimed joyfully:
“There he is—the Tang Monk!”
“Where?” asked the imps, looking around in confusion. “We see no one!”
The demon explained:
“As you well know, auspicious light hovers above the head of a virtuous man, while dark vapors surround a wicked one.”
Then he ordered:
“You may return to camp. Rest assured, I alone am more than enough to handle this task.”
The Trap for Tang Monk
The imps bowed respectfully and began their journey back. The demon gave a leap, shook his body slightly, and transformed himself into an elderly Taoist priest.
He collapsed beside the road, feigning a broken leg, and continued to wail pitifully:
“Help me! Save me, please!”
Tripitaka was calmly proceeding along the path when he heard the anguished cries. He halted his horse and exclaimed:
“Heavens! There are no villages on this mountain—how can someone be crying out like this? Surely, someone has fallen prey to a tiger or leopard.”
Raising his voice, Tripitaka called out:
“Who suffers so grievously? Why do you not show yourself?”
The demon crawled from behind some bushes and began prostrating himself repeatedly on the ground. Seeing that it was an elderly Taoist, Tripitaka felt pity and asked:
“From where do you come, and how did you suffer such injury?”
The demon explained:
“To the west of this mountain stands a Taoist temple, from which I came. On the return journey, my disciple and I encountered a tiger. The beast seized my companion and dragged him up the mountain. In terror, I tried to flee among the rocks, but fell upon a cluster of boulders and broke my leg.”
Tang Monk’s Compassion vs Wukong’s Suspicion
Taking these words at face value, Tripitaka concluded:
“Mount my horse. You may return it to me when we reach your temple.”
The demon replied:
“I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. However, my thigh is terribly painful—I fear I am unable to ride.”
Tripitaka responded with compassion:
“I see.”
He then turned to the Monkey King and added:
“Carry this old man.”
Quickly, Wukong answered:
“With pleasure. I shall carry him on my back.”
As Wukong prepared to hoist the demon onto his shoulders, he began murmuring quietly:
“Cursed demon! How dare you provoke me in this guise? Before attempting such deceit, you should have learned how many years I have spent subduing monsters. Perhaps you may fool the Tang Monk, but not me. I know full well you are one of the demons dwelling in this mountain, and your sole purpose is to devour my Master. Why seek him out, when he is nothing more than an ordinary man? That is your affair. But you should have considered that I would never allow it so easily.”
Before long, they reached a stretch where the path grew rocky and treacherously winding. Wukong took care to slow the pace, letting the Tang Monk go ahead. A few kilometers further, the Monkey King thought to himself:
“I should throw him to the ground and finish him off right here. What need is there to carry him any farther?”
The Weight of Three Peaks
Just as Wukong was about to act on this plan, the demon sensed his intent and resolved to employ his mountain-moving magic.
He made a gesture with his fingers and recited the appropriate incantation. Instantly, Mount Sumeru rose into the air and crashed directly onto the Monkey King’s head.
The demon mused:
“So, even a mountain cannot crush you, eh? Then let us see.”
Once again, he chanted the spell. This time, Mount Emei soared skyward and fell upon Wukong’s head. Yet still, the Monkey King pressed forward undeterred.
Amazed, the demon muttered:
“This man is incredible! I never imagined he could bear mountains with such ease.”
Still unwilling to yield, he recited the spell yet again. Mount Tai descended upon Wukong’s head.
This time, Wukong began to feel his strength wane. His muscles lost their elasticity, and he could no longer move. Trapped under the triple peaks, Wukong strained—muscles locked, breath labored.
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