The master and his disciples emerged from the Cave of the Fire Cloud, found the main road, and continued westward.
The Ominous Black River
After a month of travel, they heard the roaring sound of rushing water, and Tripitaka exclaimed in surprise:
“Where is that noise coming from?”
Soon they came upon a vast expanse of black water, which prevented the horse from moving forward.
“Why is the water black?” the Tang Monk asked his disciples as he dismounted.
Its waves were so dark they seemed made of black oil or some strange dark sap. Nothing was reflected on the surface of that water.
As they discussed how to cross it, they saw a man approaching in a small boat. The monk Tang jumped with joy and said:
“There’s the solution to all our problems. Ask that man to ferry us across to the other shore.”
Monk Sha shouted at the top of his voice:
“Hey, ferryman! Take us across to the other side!”
A Ferryman’s Deception
The man rowed toward the shore and, holding his oar in one hand, said:
“My boat is very small and you are many. How can I carry you all across?”
Tripitaka asked, somewhat discouraged:
“What can we do?”
“We’ll have to make two trips,” Monk Sha suggested.
At once Bajie proposed:
“Wujing and elder brother, stay here with the horse and baggage while I accompany the master to the other shore. Then Monk Sha can cross with the horse and all our things. Our elder brother can go by air.”
As the man spoke, the Monkey King observed him carefully. Something about the man didn’t seem quite right. Wukong wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“That sounds perfect,” the Monkey King remarked, shaking his head.
Storm and Abduction
Bajie helped the Tang Monk board the boat, and the ferryman began to cross the stream. When they had reached the exact center of the river, a hurricane-force wind suddenly rose up, sending water flying into the air, darkening the sky, and plunging the sun into deep darkness.
This formidable wind had been conjured by the ferryman himself—who was, in truth, a monster dwelling in that strange Black River. Helplessly, the Monkey King and Monk Sha watched as Bajie and the Tang Monk sank beneath the water along with the boat and its operator. Soon, not a trace of them remained.
“What can we do?” they cried in anguish, rooted helplessly to the shore.
Submerged Investigation
Monk Sha suggested:
“Perhaps the boat capsized. Maybe a bit further downstream we’ll find signs of the wreckage.”
Wukong replied:
“I don’t think so. Bajie is an excellent swimmer, and if the boat had simply sunk, he would have saved the master and brought him to shore. I believe I sensed something truly sinister in that ferryman. I’m sure he raised that wind intentionally to drag the master down to his lair.”
“If you were so certain, why didn’t you say so?” Monk Sha commented.
“You stay here and guard the luggage and the horse while I dive into the water to find out what really happened.”
Monk Sha bravely threw himself into the current. It wasn’t difficult for him to make his way through the water. After a while, he discovered a structure whose gate bore large characters: Heng Yang Gorge, Dwelling of the Black River God.
Battle Beneath the Waves
Unable to control himself, Monk Sha drew his staff and began pounding on the door, shouting all the while:
“Cursed monster! Release my master and my brother at once!”
The beast came out through the gate and roared:
“Who dares to beat on my door like this?”
Monk Sha retorted:
“Cursed monster! How dare you kidnap my master by disguising yourself as a simple ferryman with magic? If you wish to keep your life, I advise you to release him immediately.”
The monster laughed loudly and replied:
“It’s you who should worry about your own life! I don’t deny capturing your master—I’ll tell you openly that I plan to steam him and serve him to my guests. Here’s a deal: if you can withstand three attacks from me, I will grant your request and set your master free. If not, you too will end up on my table.”
Enraged, Monk Sha raised his staff and brought it down with all his strength on the monster’s head, but the monster managed to block the blow just in time with his steel whip. Thus began a terrible battle at the bottom of that strange river.
They crossed weapons more than thirty times, and finally, Monk Sha thought to himself:
“This monster’s strength is incredible. Never before has anyone resisted me so effectively underwater. I think the best thing is to drive him out of the water so the Monkey King can finish him off with one strike.”
A Strategic Retreat
He had barely finished thinking this when he turned around, pretending to be at the end of his strength. But the monster gave up pursuit and shouted, satisfied:
“Go ahead and leave if you want! I’m far too busy preparing invitations to waste time with you.”
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