Tang Monk escaped from the ice trap of the Heaven-Reaching River and managed to cross it riding on the back of a huge white turtle.
Despite all the hardships they had faced, the four monks pressed forward bravely toward the peak, trembling from head to toe. Once they had passed over it, they saw in the distance what appeared to be a tower and several oddly shaped houses. Tang Monk halted his horse and said to his disciples:
“I feel so hungry and cold that you cannot imagine the joy I feel at seeing those buildings ahead. They must surely belong to a village, a temple, or a monastery. Let us approach to beg for something to eat. We can continue our journey once we’ve had something in our stomachs.”
A Sinister Warning
The Monkey King opened his eyes wide and realized that this peculiar place was shrouded in an aura of demonic energy and a mist that only foreboded misfortune.
“This is no good place, Master,” Wukong said, turning to the monk.
Tripitaka asked, “Why not? Surely there are people living there?”
Wukong replied with a smile:
“How can I explain it to you? Along the road leading westward, there are countless demons and monsters powerful enough to conjure up houses and villages out of thin air—mere traps to lure in unsuspecting travelers.”
Tripitaka concluded, “Alright then. We won’t go in. Still, I insist I am terribly hungry.”
Sun Wukong responded:
“In that case, dismount your horse and sit on the ground while I go in search of something for you to eat.”
The Protective Circle
The Monkey King bade farewell to his three companions, but before taking flight, he turned back one last time and said to his master:
“I know sitting still is very hard for you. With your permission, I would like to provide you with some protection.”
He pulled his golden-hooped iron rod from behind his ear and drew a large circle on the ground. Then he asked Tang Monk to sit in the center, with Bajie and Sha Wujing standing beside him. The horse and their belongings were also placed inside the circle, a few steps away.
The Monkey King then warned:
“This circle I have drawn is as strong as a steel wall. No matter whether the inhabitants of that village are tigers, wolves, spirits, or demons, they will not dare come near you. But for its power to remain effective, you must stay inside at all times. If you remain seated here, no harm will come to you. However, if you ignore my words and leave the safety of the circle, you will most certainly face grave and irreversible danger. Please, for the love of heaven, listen to me!”
Tripitaka and the other two disciples promised to follow his advice to the letter and solemnly sat down within the circle.
The Quest for Food
Wukong then mounted a cloud and headed south in search of a place where he could beg for food. It wasn’t long before he discovered a village near some towering, ancient trees.
The beauty of the landscape caught the Monkey King’s attention. One of the wooden gates opened, and an old man appeared. He walked leaning on a cane and, looking up at the sky, exclaimed:
“Well now, the northwest wind is rising! That means tomorrow will be fine weather.”
Hardly had he finished speaking when a Pekingese dog ran out behind him, barking furiously at the Monkey King.
The old man turned around and found the Monkey King standing just behind him, holding out his alms bowl. Wukong bowed respectfully and said:
“Humble monk that I am, sir, has been sent by the Great Emperor of the Tangs, from the Eastern Lands, to the Western Paradise in search of the Buddhist scriptures. While passing through this region, my master felt hunger, which has moved me to approach your honorable dwelling to beg for a little vegetarian food.”
The old man shook his head and, tapping the ground several times with his cane, replied:
“It seems you have taken the wrong path. The road to the Western Paradise lies more than a thousand miles north of here. Even if your master is waiting for you to eat, he may well starve, because it takes six or seven days of continuous walking to cover a thousand miles—even for an experienced traveler. And the return trip will take at least the same.”
Wukong explained with a laugh:
“Actually, I only parted from my master less than half an hour ago. In fact, it took me no longer than it takes to drink a cup of tea to get here.”
Upon hearing this, the old man was greatly startled and whispered to himself, trembling:
“This monster must surely be a ghost!”
Turning around, he dropped his cane and rushed into the house screaming wildly:
“A ghost! A ghost!”
Those living in the house trembled with fear and hurriedly shut all the doors and windows.
The Invisible Thief
Wukong made a magical gesture with his fingers, recited the invisible spell, instantly rendering himself invisible. In this way, it was easy for him to reach the kitchen.
There, indeed, was a pot boiling over the fire, filled halfway with rice. He dipped his alms bowl into it and pulled it out full of food. Having fulfilled the purpose of his visit, he mounted a cloud once again and returned to the Tang Monk.
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