Tang Monk wins the meditation contest with the help of the Monkey King.
The king wanted to hand him the travel permit, but once again Great Immortal Deer Strength intervened, saying:
The Final Challenge: Guessing the Chest’s Secret
“Please, do not let them leave just yet. Allow me to challenge him with a test—Guessing the Chest’s Secret.”
“What kind of test is that?” the king asked.
Deer Strength replied:
“It’s exactly as the name suggests, guessing what is hidden inside a chest. Bring a chest, and whoever correctly guesses what it contains wins the contest. If they win, let them go. Otherwise, punish them however you see fit, to avenge my brother.”
First Guess: Royal Robes vs. Broken Bell
The king ordered a red lacquered chest to be brought from the Inner Palace.
Before it was brought before the white jade steps, the queen was asked to place something valuable inside.
Then the king summoned both the Buddhists and Taoists and said:
“I want you to guess what is inside this chest.”
“How am I supposed to know what’s in there?” Tripitaka whispered quietly to Wukong.
Wukong transformed himself into a tiny cicada and perched on Tang Monk’s head, whispering into his ear:
“Have no worries—I’ll take a quick look right now.”
Without anyone noticing, he flew to the chest, found a small crack at its base, and slipped inside swiftly. There, he discovered a royal blouse and skirt—ornate and richly decorated.
The Monkey King shouted:
“Transform!”
And he instantly turned into a very broken bell.
He then came out through the same crack and landed on Tang Monk’s shoulder, whispering softly:
“There’s only a very broken bell inside that chest.”
Tripitaka replied:
“That can’t be right. The king said it was something valuable. Tell me, how much could an old bell possibly be worth?”
Sun Wukong answered:
“I don’t know and I don’t care. What matters is that you guess correctly.”
Tang Monk stepped forward to announce what was inside the chest, but he was stopped by Immortal Deer Strength Immortal, who declared:
“I will go first. Inside that chest lies a blouse and a skirt belonging to the queen.”
Tang Monk shouted:
“No, no! There is nothing in there but a broken bell.”
“How dare he insult our kingdom like this?” roared the king.
“Does he think we have nothing of value here? How could he even suggest a broken bell? Arrest him at once!”
The palace guards moved threateningly toward Tang Monk, but before they could lay hands on him, he clasped his hands at chest level, bowed respectfully to the king, and said:
“Pardon my impertinence, but would it not be wise to open the chest and see who made the mistake? Perhaps you are accusing an innocent man.”
Reluctantly, the king agreed. He ordered the chest to be opened, and indeed, all that was inside was a broken bell.
Furious, the king bellowed:
“Who put this here?”
The queen approached and confessed:
“I myself placed a blouse and a skirt of immeasurable value inside. I don’t understand how they turned into something so repulsive.”
The king muttered, puzzled:
“I believe you. I know well that everything in this palace is made of silk and the finest materials. Nor can I explain how such a disgusting thing ended up here. Please return to your chambers, my lady.”
Second Test: Peach or Pit
Then he added:
“Bring the chest back. This time, I shall personally hide something valuable inside—to see what happens.”
Quickly he went to the imperial garden, picked a peach, and placed it in the chest.
Seeing this, Wukong once again slipped into the chest through the crack and happily confirmed that it contained a splendid immortal peach.
After taking his usual form, he delightedly ate the immortal peach, leaving only the pit behind. Finally, transforming again into a cicada, he flew back to his master and whispered:
“This time, it’s the pit of a peach.”
Tripitaka took a breath to speak, but was interrupted by Goat Strength Immortal, who declared:
“I will go first. I claim there is a magnificent peach inside.”
Tripitaka corrected him:
“Not a peach, sir—but the pit of a peach.”
The king announced:
“You have lost. I personally placed a whole fruit in that chest. How can there now be only a pit?”
Tripitaka replied:
“If you don’t believe me, open it and see for yourself.”
The chief royal servant approached the chest, opened it, and saw that indeed, only a simple pit remained.
The king was so astonished that he exclaimed, turning to the Taoists:
“Give up, I beg you, any further contests with these people. It is my wish that they leave here as soon as possible. I myself plucked the peach with my own hands and placed it in that cursed chest. How come now only the pit remains? These monks must surely enjoy the favor of gods and spirits; otherwise, I cannot explain what has happened.”
Third Trick: Taoist to Monk
At that very moment, Great Immortal Tiger Strength entered. Approaching the throne, he said:
“What just occurred has a very simple explanation: this monk masters the magic of substitution. His magic can transform inanimate objects, but I doubt it can affect living beings. I propose you allow this young Taoist to enter the chest—thus, no one will be able to alter what is inside.”
The king accepted the suggestion and ordered the young Taoist to get into the chest. He then had it carried to the throne hall and, turning to Tang Monk, challenged him:
“Hey there, monk! Bet you can’t guess what’s inside this chest now!”
“Oh no, not again!” sighed Tripitaka, discouraged.
“Do not worry. I’ll take another quick look,” reassured the Monkey King once more.
Again, he flew toward the chest and slipped in through the crack, discovering it contained the young Taoist. Slightly shaking his body, Wukong transformed into an old Taoist. He approached the youth and whispered:
“How are you holding up?”
“How did you manage to get in here?” the boy replied, greatly surprised.
“Very simple,” Wukong answered. “I used invisibility magic.”
The young Taoist asked again:
“Do you have any new orders for me?”
The monkey, disguised as the old Taoist, replied:
“I do. One of those monks saw you enter the chest. That gives them an advantage, and unfortunately, we may lose again. Therefore, you must shave your head. Then we can say you’re a monk, and they will fail spectacularly.”
“For the sake of winning, I’m willing to do anything,” the young Taoist said.
In an instant, Sun Wukong transformed his golden-hooped staff into a razor and shaved the boy bald within seconds.
Then Wukong blew some of his immortal breath onto the Taoist’s robe and said:
“Transform!”
Instantly, the robe became that of a Buddhist monk.
The Monkey King advised:
“Now listen carefully. If you hear someone calling for a young Taoist, do not come out of the chest. Only respond if you hear the word ‘monk.’ Remember what I told you, and everything will go smoothly. Now I must go.”
Once again, he transformed into a small cicada, flew to Tang Monk’s shoulder, and whispered:
“You must say there’s a monk inside.”
“I know this time we will win,” said Tripitaka, excited.
“How can you be so sure?” Wukong asked, surprised.
Tripitaka replied:
“The sutras state: ‘The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are the three treasures,’ which means a monk is truly something of great value.”
As they were speaking, Great Immortal Tiger Strength approached the king and loudly announced:
“Inside, Your Majesty, is a young Taoist.”
Confused, he repeated the announcement several times, but absolutely nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Tripitaka clasped his hands at chest level and humbly proclaimed:
“It is a monk.”
At once, a young monk leapt out of the chest, repeatedly chanting the name of Buddha with deep reverence. The civil and military officials filling the hall began applauding and cheering joyfully. The three Taoists, on the other hand, were left so stunned they could barely speak.
Victory and Departure
Finally, the king concluded:
“These monks must certainly enjoy the favor of the gods. What I just witnessed is truly incredible. How could a Taoist enter the chest and emerge as a Buddhist? I believe it’s wise to let them depart as soon as possible.”
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