The Monkey King reflected: “The difficult part is not defeating that demon, but dealing with the power of his magic band.”
A Plan to Steal
“If we are to achieve a decisive victory, we must first seize that band. Otherwise, we will never be able to stop him,” said both the Star of Fire Virtue and the River Lord at once.
“Yes, but how can we do that? Unless, of course, we steal such a precious treasure,” objected the Monkey King.
A thunder god smiled and said:
“Speaking of stealing—no one is more skilled in such arts than you, Great Sage. Just recall how you managed to steal imperial wine, peaches of immortality, dragon liver, phoenix marrow, and Lao Tse’s elixir when you threw Heaven into chaos. What an extraordinary talent! It’s time for you to practice this noble art again.”
The Monkey King replied:
“I appreciate your high opinion of me. If you think this is the best course of action now, then stay here while I go and scout around a bit.”
Infiltration and Theft
With a tremendous leap, Wukong left the mountain peak and stealthily approached the entrance of the cave. He gave his body a slight shake and instantly transformed into a tiny fly.
He flew silently toward the door and slipped inside through a small crack in the wood.
Thus, he discovered that the cave was packed full of demons of all ages. In a prominent place stood the monster’s throne.
The Monkey King descended among the swarm of demons and changed from a fly into a spirit with the head of a badger. In this form, he was able to approach the monster’s throne without being disturbed. He searched every corner for a long time, but found no trace of the valuable band.
Discouraged, he looked behind the throne and noticed a small chamber opening up, from whose ceiling hung the fire dragons and horses, neighing pitifully and complaining ceaselessly. He raised his head even higher and, with a joyful start, spotted his beloved golden-banded iron bar leaning against the eastern wall. So delighted was he that he forgot to maintain his disguise as he joyfully ran toward his treasured weapon.
Chaos in the Cavern
Only when he had it in his hands did he reveal his true identity to the demons, who fled in terror in all directions, while he made his way back out of the cave. All the inhabitants, including the demon himself, were thrown into panic.
Once Wukong had recovered his golden-hooped iron rod, he left the cave.
From deep within the mountain rose a deafening roar of shouts and voices mingled with the beating of drums and the metallic clang of gongs. The Buffalo King himself had come forth with his troops to pursue the Monkey King.
The demon and the Monkey King fought for over three hours, but neither gained any clear advantage. Night was beginning to fall, and the demon, after parrying another blow from the iron staff with his spear, said:
“If you agree, let’s end the battle for today. It’s getting dark, and soon we won’t even be able to see our own hands. The best thing would be for each of us to retire and rest separately. We’ll resume the fight tomorrow morning.”
The Monkey King rebuked him:
“Be quiet! What do I care if it’s getting dark? Now is the time to settle once and for all who is the stronger.”
The monster ended the fight and quickly retreated into the cave, followed by his horde of demons. In the blink of an eye, the stone doors were firmly shut.
Thieves work in darkness
The Monkey King returned to the mountaintop where the other gods were waiting.
He told them:
“After the long battle he has had with me, that monster must be exhausted. Therefore, I think it best that you all stay here and rest, while I go to find where he has hidden that cursed band. I am determined to find it, no matter what it takes. Once I have stolen it, capturing him will be easy. Then you will be able to return to Heaven with your weapons intact.”
The Prince asked:
“Don’t you think it’s getting a little late? I believe you should spend the night resting and return to that filthy cave as soon as dawn breaks.”
Wukong laughed and exclaimed:
“How little you know of the world! Thieves work in darkness. To enter a place undetected, one must rely on the cover of darkness.”
At the same time, the Star of Fire Virtue and one of the Thunder Lords advised:
“It’s better not to argue about it, Prince. Thinking it over, we don’t really understand these matters. On the contrary, the Great Sage is a true master. Hurry off, Great Sage, and do what needs to be done.”
Midnight Raid
Still smiling, Wukong slung his iron staff over his shoulder and with a single leap landed right at the cave’s entrance. He gave his body a light shake and immediately transformed into a small cricket.
With a hop, he reached the cave door. After a few more jumps, he managed to squeeze through a narrow gap in the wooden door. The demons were finishing their dinner.
He could do nothing but wait. Not until the hour of the first watch did the Monkey King dare to enter the secret room behind the throne.
With incredible ease, he sneaked unseen into the monster’s bedroom. The bed was made of stone, and on either side stood groups of tree spirits and other mountain creatures.
As soon as the monster removed all his clothes, the eerie whiteness of the band appeared. It was fastened over his left shoulder and remained tightly wrapped in place.
The Monkey King shook his body again and transformed into a flea. With a jump, he reached the stone bed, skillfully slipping between the blankets. When he realized he was exactly on the monster’s left shoulder, he delivered a fierce bite.
Instantly, the monster turned over. After scratching the area near the band a couple of times, he fell asleep again.
Unleashing Havoc
The Monkey King jumped off the bed, transformed once more into a cricket, left the bedroom, and headed to the secret room, where he again heard the cries of horses and the lamentations of dragons. There, Wukong resumed his original form and prepared to cast a spell to open the door.
After reciting the appropriate incantation, the lock exploded and the two heavy doors swung open by themselves. Wukong simply pushed them slightly and entered the room.
Numerous weapons were leaning against both the eastern and western walls. Among them were the Prince’s demon-slaying saber and the flaming bows and arrows of the Star of Fire Virtue. The Monkey King carefully looked around and saw a bamboo basket resting on a stone table behind the door. Inside it lay a handful of hairs. Overjoyed, he grabbed them in one hand, blew on them twice, and shouted:
“Transform!”
Instantly, they became forty or fifty small monkeys, which swiftly seized the saber, sword, club, wheel, bows, arrows, carts, calabashes, crows, rats, and fire horses—all the items previously absorbed by the magic band.
Without delay, they mounted the fire dragons and unleashed a terrifying fire that consumed the interior of the cave. The passageways leading outside erupted with explosions so terrible it seemed as though lightning and cannonballs had taken possession of them.
The demons were terrified. None knew which way to flee, causing such great confusion that more than half perished in the flames.
In this way, the Handsome Monkey King finally returned triumphantly to his camp around the hour of the third watch.
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