Sun Wukong soared high into the sky with a heavy heart and a spirit overcome by sadness.
He considered going to the Water Curtain Cave on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, but feared the monkeys might mock him. True heroes never broke their word. He then thought of seeking refuge in Heaven, but realized they would not allow him to stay for long. He suddenly realized he had nowhere to go.
It was then that he muttered bitterly:
“How ungrateful that monk is! I’ll go to Potalaka Mountain and tell everything to Bodhisattva Guanyin.”
He changed direction mid-flight and, within half an hour, arrived at the Southern Great Ocean. He landed on Potalaka Mountain and hurried toward the Purple Bamboo Grove.
Wukong knelt before the Bodhisattva, tears quickly filling his eyes.
Guanyin’s Counsel
After asking Moksa to help him rise from the ground, Bodhisattva Guanyin asked:
“Tell me, Wukong, what has caused you so much sorrow?”
Unable to hold back his tears, the Monkey King bowed respectfully again and said:
“I have never allowed anyone to mock me before. Everything I have done has always been by my own will. That’s how it was when, after you freed me from the Heaven’s just punishment, I committed myself to accompany Tang Monk on his journey westward to the Western Paradise in search of sacred scriptures. To achieve this noble goal, I risked my life more than once. I was only guided by the desire to see my punishment forgiven for my past mistakes and to attain true enlightenment through cultivation. How could he repay me with ingratitude? His blindness has reached such a point that he cannot even distinguish between good and evil.”
The Bodhisattva requested:
“Explain to me what you mean by good and evil.”
Sun Wukong then recounted all that had happened.
Guanyin replied:
“When Tang Monk received the mission to travel westward, he committed himself to always follow the path of virtue. How could he possibly accept those deaths you’ve described? They were humans, not demons. Scaring them would’ve sufficed. They had absolutely nothing to do with those monsters, demons, and devils you have defeated throughout the journey. Those encounters brought you immeasurable merit, but killing the bandits was certainly a reproachable act. You should have simply frightened them away, thus saving your master’s life. Therefore, I believe your behavior was not as virtuous as one might hope.”
The Monkey King’s Plea
Throwing himself face down to the ground, his eyes completely filled with tears, the Monkey King said:
“I admit I did not act properly. But the offense should be mitigated considering my merits. It is unfair to dismiss me in the way the Master has done.”
“If you’ll wait a moment, I will read your future,” replied the Bodhisattva.
The Bodhisattva sat solemnly upon the lotus throne, closed her eyes, surveying the Three Realms, and the wisdom of her vision reached every corner of the universe, before she opened her eyes and said with her characteristic serenity:
“Your Master will soon have to endure a very difficult trial, Wukong. When he begs for aid, I’ll permit your return.”
The False Wukong’s Attack
After Wukong disappeared, Tang Monk continued his journey, accompanied by Bajie, who led the horse, and Sha Wujing, who carried the luggage. They had barely traveled fifty kilometers when Tripitaka stopped the horse and said:
“We left the village around the fourth watch and have not stopped since. It is almost noon now. I am hungry and thirsty. Which of you is willing to beg for some food?”
Bajie said:
“Dismount, Master, while I go to a nearby village to find something to eat.”
The Master sat by the roadside waiting for him, but time passed and Bajie gave no sign of returning.
Seeing how much hunger and thirst were making the Master suffer, and with Bajie still not returning with water, Sha Wujing tied up the horse and said:
“Please sit here for a moment. I will go see if I can bring you some water.”
Tears came to the Master’s eyes; he could only slightly nod his head in agreement.
Sha Wujing wasted no time. He mounted a cloud and hurried southward across the mountain.
Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him and turned his head. By the roadside, he saw the Monkey King kneeling. In his hands was a porcelain bowl.
“You see, Master, without me by your side, you cannot even bring water to your lips. Drink this and you’ll regain your strength right away, while I go begging for some food.”
Tang Monk exclaimed:
“I won’t drink this water even if I die of thirst! Go away and leave me in peace!”
“Without me, you will never reach the Western Paradise,” insisted the false Wukong.
“And what does that matter to you? You are a monkey without principles, with no right to come bother me!” Tripitaka exclaimed again.
Violent Betrayal
The impostor lost his patience and shouted, red with anger:
“Why do you take such pleasure in humiliating me? Your behavior is proving that you are nothing more than a heartless monk!”
Unable to control the fury rising inside him, he threw the porcelain bowl to the ground, grabbed his iron staff, and gave the Tang Monk a light blow on the back, causing him to lose consciousness. Then he took the baggage, and vanished on a cloud.
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