Tang Monk grew increasingly impatient at the Monkey King’s delay.
Tang Monk asked,
“Where could that monkey have gone to beg for rice?”
Bajie exclaimed,
“Who knows? He’s probably having a great time at wherever he went to beg for food, while we’re stuck here locked up like common prisoners.”
“What do you mean by that?” Tripitaka rebuked him.
Bajie replied,
“As you can see, this circle can’t even protect us from the wind or cold. How then can it protect us when tigers and other beasts of the mountain come prowling around? We’ll just end up as their dinner.”
“What do you suggest we do, Wuneng?” Tripitaka asked.
Bajie answered,
“If we keep sitting here, our feet will freeze. If you agree, we could resume our journey and continue westward. If Wukong manages to find something to eat, he’ll surely return in a flash on his cloud and catch up with us in no time. Then we can stop and eat whatever he brought.”
Abandoning the Circle
They left the circle and followed the path toward the tower.
Bajie said to the master,
“This must certainly be the mansion of some general or nobleman. Wait here while I go take a look.”
“Be careful and act politely,” advised Tang Monk.
“Don’t worry. Ever since my conversion and embracing of Zen, I’ve become quite well-mannered,” Bajie replied.
Bajie entered the tower with exaggerated elegance. Before him stretched three vast halls with curtains drawn back. Everything was utterly silent, and there was no trace of human presence.
He proceeded down a long corridor leading to a two-story building. The upper windows were half open, revealing yellow silk curtains inside. He thought he saw a faint flicker of light behind them.
Three embroidered silk vests
He hurried toward the curtains and discovered that the rays of light actually came from behind screens in an adjacent room. Behind the screens stood a lacquered table upon which lay several richly embroidered silk vests.
Bajie picked them up one by one and found there were three in total. Without hesitation, he took them and carried them downstairs. He quickly walked through the halls and returned outside, reporting to his master:
“There’s not a soul inside. In one of the rooms I found these three magnificent silk vests and took them so you could see them. At least they’ll help us keep warm. Take off that worn-out coat, Master, and put on one of these vests; you won’t feel the cold nearly as much.”
Tripitaka exclaimed,
“No, no! If someone discovers what you’ve just done, we might very well be reported to the authorities as thieves. Take those vests back and put them where you found them.”
Bajie insisted,
“I promise you there isn’t a single person nearby. Not even the dogs or chickens know we’re here. Who would dare accuse us of anything if only we know what we’ve done?”
Tripitaka declared,
“How foolish your reasoning is! Even if people don’t know about your actions, do you think heaven will overlook them? Return those vests immediately!”
Bajie chuckled to himself and muttered,
“I’ve worn many clothes before, but none as valuable as these. If you won’t try one on, at least let me. I’ll put one on to see if it warms my back a little. When Wukong arrives, I’ll take it off and return it before we leave again.”
Sha Monk concluded,
“Given the circumstances, I think I’ll try one on too.”
The Trap Springs
The two removed their robes and put on the precious vests. Suddenly, the vests transformed into an irresistible force that twisted their arms backward, binding them tightly to their backs.
Tripitaka scolded them harshly, but realizing they were in danger, he moved to help. All his efforts proved futile.
The tower had, in fact, been conjured by a monster to lure and trap travelers. A demon emerged to check what had happened and, pleased to find two new victims caught, summoned his minions to assist.
Tang Monk, the horse, and their belongings were also captured and dragged inside the cave along with Bajie and Sha Wujing.
The monster questioned them:
“Where are you from? How dare you steal my clothes in broad daylight?”
Tang Monk confessed tearfully:
“This humble monk is sent by the Great Emperor of the Tangs from the Eastern Lands to obtain the scriptures of the Western Paradise. These two disciples of mine gave in to greed and tried to keep your garments. My advice for them to return the clothes went unheeded. I beg you to show mercy and allow us to continue our journey, so we may obtain the scriptures. If you grant my plea, we shall be forever grateful and speak to our lord of your kindness upon returning to the Eastern Lands.”
A Deadly Ambition
Smiling cunningly, the monster remarked:
“I’ve heard that if one eats even a small piece of the flesh of Tang Monk, gray hair turns black again and lost teeth regrow. Today, I have the extraordinary fortune of receiving you in my home without prior invitation. How could I possibly spare your lives?”
Bajie replied arrogantly:
“Our eldest brother is out looking for food and will return soon. He is none other than Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who caused chaos in the heavens roughly five hundred years ago.”
Though the monster did not reply a word, fear gripped him deeply.
He raised his voice and ordered his subordinates:
“Take them to the back. Once we capture that other disciple they mentioned, we’ll cook and eat you all together.”
The demons obeyed instantly, dragging them to the rear of the cave. Then all the cave dwellers sharpened their weapons and prepared to await the arrival of Sun Wukong.
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