第十五回

第十五回 蛇盘山诸神暗佑 鹰愁涧意马收缰

却说行者伏侍唐僧西进，行经数日，正是那腊月寒天，朔风凛凛，滑冻凌凌，去的是些悬崖峭壁崎岖路，叠岭层峦险峻山。三藏在马上，遥闻唿喇喇水声聒耳，回头叫：“悟空，是那里水响？”行者道：“我记得此处叫做蛇盘山鹰愁涧，想必是涧里水响。”说不了，马到涧边，三藏勒缰观看。但见：

涓涓寒脉穿云过，湛湛清波映日红。

声摇夜雨闻幽谷，彩发朝霞眩太空。

千仞浪飞喷碎玉，一泓水响吼清风。

流归万顷烟波去，鸥鹭相忘没钓逢。

师徒两个正然看处，只见那涧当中响一声，钻出一条龙来，推波掀浪，撺出崖山，就抢长老。慌得个行者丢了行李，把师父抱下马来，回头便走。那条龙就赶不上，把他的白马连鞍辔一口吞下肚去，依然伏水潜踪。行者把师父送在那高埠上坐了，却来牵马挑担，止存得一担行李，不见了马匹。他将行李担送到师父面前道：“师父，那业龙也不见踪影，只是惊走我的马了。”三藏道：“徒弟呵，却怎生寻得马着么？”行者道：“放心，放心，等我去看来。”

他打个唿哨，跳在空中。火眼金睛，用手搭凉篷，四下里观看，更不见马的踪迹。按落云头，报道：“师父，我们的马断乎是那龙吃了，四下里再看不见。”三藏道：“徒弟呀，那厮能有多大口，却将那匹大马连鞍辔都吃了？想是惊张溜缰，走在那山凹之中。你再仔细看看。”行者道：“你也不知我的本事。我这双眼，白日里常看一千里路的吉凶。像那千里之内，蜻蜓儿展翅，我也看见，何期那匹大马，我就不见！”三藏道：“既是他吃了，我如何前进！可怜呵！这万水千山，怎生走得！”说着话，泪如雨落。行者见他哭将起来，他那里忍得住暴燥，发声喊道：“师父莫要这等脓包形么！你坐着！坐着！等老孙去寻着那厮，教他还我马匹便了！”三藏却才扯住道：“徒弟呀，你那里去寻他？只怕他暗地里撺将出来，却不又连我都害了？那时节人马两亡，怎生是好！”行者闻得这话，越加嗔怒，就叫喊如雷道：“你忒不济！不济！又要马骑，又不放我去，似这般看着行李，坐到老罢！”

哏哏的吆喝，正难息怒，只听得空中有人言语，叫道：“孙大圣莫恼，唐御弟休哭。我等是观音菩萨差来的一路神祇，特来暗中保取经者。”那长老闻言，慌忙礼拜。行者道：“你等是那几个，可报名来，我好点卯。”众神道：“我等是六丁六甲、五方揭谛、四值功曹、一十八位护教伽蓝，各各轮流值日听候。”行者道：“今日先从谁起？”众揭谛道：“丁甲、功曹、伽蓝轮次。我五方揭谛，惟金头揭谛昼夜不离左右。”行者道：“既如此，不当值者且退，留下六丁神将与日值功曹和众揭谛保守着我师父。等老孙寻那涧中的业龙，教他还我马来。”众神遵令。三藏才放下心，坐在石崖之上，分付行者仔细。行者道：“只管宽心。”好猴王，束一束绵布直裰，撩起虎皮裙子，揝着金箍铁棒，抖擞精神，径临涧壑，半云半雾的，在那水面上高叫道：“泼泥鳅，还我马来！还我马来！”

却说那龙吃了三藏的白马，伏在那涧底中间，潜灵养性。只听得有人叫骂索马，他按不住心中火发，急纵身跃浪翻波，跳将上来道：“是那个敢在那里海口[1]伤吾？”行者见了他，大咤一声：“休走！还我马来！”抡着棍，劈头就打。那条龙张牙舞爪来抓。他两个在涧边前这一场赌斗，果是骁雄。但见那：

龙舒利爪，猴举金箍。那个须垂白玉线，这个眼幌赤金灯。那个须下明珠喷彩雾，这个手中铁棒舞狂风。那个是迷爷娘的业子，这个是欺天将的妖精。他两个都因有难遭磨折，今要成功各显能。

来来往往，战罢多时，盘旋良久，那条龙力软筋麻，不能抵敌，打一个转身，又撺于水内，深潜涧底，再不出头。被猴王骂詈[2]不绝，他也只推耳聋。

行者没及奈何，只得回见三藏道：“师父，这个怪被老孙骂将出来，他与我赌斗多时，怯战而走，只躲在水中间，再不出来了。”三藏道：“不知端的[3]可是他吃了我马？”行者道：“你看你说的话！不是他吃了，他怎肯出来招声，与老孙犯对[4]？”三藏道：“你前日打虎时，曾说有降龙伏虎的手段，今日如何便不能降他？”原来那猴子吃不得人急[5]他。见三藏抢白了他这一句，他就发起神威道：“不要说！不要说！等我与他再见个上下！”

这猴王拽开步，跳到涧边，使出那翻江搅海的神通，把一条鹰愁陡涧彻底澄清的水，搅得似那九曲黄河泛涨的波。那孽龙在于深涧中，坐卧不宁，心中思想道：“这才是福无双降，祸不单行。我才脱了天条死难不上一年，在此随缘度日，又撞着这般个泼魔，他来害我！”你看他越思越恼，受不得屈气，咬着牙，跳将出去，骂道：“你是那里来的泼魔，这等欺我！”行者道：“你莫管我那里不那里，你只还了马，我就饶你性命！”那龙道：“你的马是我吞下肚去，如何吐得出来！不还你，便待怎的！”行者道：“不还马时，看棍！只打杀你，偿了我马的性命便罢！”他两个又在那山崖下苦斗。斗不数合，小龙委实难搪[6]，将身一幌，变作一条水蛇儿，钻入草科[7]中去了。

猴王拿着棍，赶上前来，拨草寻蛇，那里得些影响。急得他三尸神[8]咋[9]，七窍烟生，念一声“唵”字咒语[10]，即唤出当坊土地、本处山神，一齐来跪下道：“山神、土地来见。”行者道：“伸过孤拐[11]来，各打五棍见面，与老孙散散心！”二神叩头哀告道：“望大圣方便，容小神诉告。”行者道：“你说甚么？”二神道：“大圣一向久困，小神不知几时出来，所以不曾接得，万望恕罪。”行者道：“既如此，我且不打你。我问你：鹰愁涧里，是那方来的怪龙？他怎么抢了我师父的白马吃了？”二神道：“大圣自来不曾有师父，原来是个不伏天不伏地混元上真，如何得有甚么师父的马来？”行者道：“你等是也不知：我只为那诳上的勾当，整受了这五百年的苦难。今蒙观音菩萨劝善，着唐朝驾下真僧救出我来，教我跟他做徒弟，往西天去拜佛求经。因路过此处，失了我师父的白马。”二神道：“原来是如此。这涧中自来无邪，只是深陡宽阔，水光彻底澄清，鸦鹊不敢飞过；因水清照见自己的形影，便认做同群之鸟，往往身掷于水内，故名‘鹰愁陡涧’。只是向年间，观音菩萨因为寻访取经人去，救了一条玉龙，送他在此，教他等候那取经人，不许为非作歹。他只是饥了时，上岸来扑些鸟鹊吃，或是捉些獐鹿食用。不知他怎么无知，今日冲撞了大圣？”行者道：“先一次，他还与老孙侮手[12]，盘旋了几合。后一次，是老孙叫骂，他再不出。因此使了一个翻江搅海的法儿，搅混了他涧水，他就撺将上来，还要争持。不知老孙的棍重，他遮架不住，就变做一条水蛇，钻在草里。我赶来寻他，却无踪迹。”土地道：“大圣不知。这条涧千万个孔窍相通，故此这波澜深远。想是此间也有一孔，他钻将下去。也不须大圣发怒在此找寻，要擒此物，只消请将观世音来，自然伏了。”

行者见说，唤山神、土地，同来见了三藏，具言前事。三藏道：“若要去请菩萨，几时才得回来？我贫僧饥寒怎忍！”说不了，只听得暗空中有金头揭谛叫道：“大圣，你不须动身，小神去请菩萨来也。”行者大喜，道声：“有累，有累！快行，快行！”那揭谛急纵云头，径上南海。行者分付山神、土地守护师父，日值功曹去寻斋供，他又去涧边巡绕不题。

却说金头揭谛一驾云，早到了南海。按祥光，直至落伽山紫竹林中，托那金甲诸天与木叉惠岸转达，得见菩萨。菩萨道：“汝来何干？”揭谛道：“唐僧在蛇盘山鹰愁陡涧失了马，急得孙大圣进退两难。及问本处土神，说是菩萨送在那里的业龙吞了。那大圣着小神来，告请菩萨降这业龙，还他马匹。”菩萨闻言道：“这厮本是西海敖闰之子。他为纵火烧了殿上明珠，他父告他忤逆，天庭上犯了死罪。是我亲见玉帝，讨他下来，教他与唐僧做个脚力。他怎么反吃了唐僧的马？这等说，等我去来。”那菩萨降莲台，径离仙洞，与揭谛驾着祥光，过了南海而来。有诗为证。诗曰：

佛说蜜多[13]三藏经，菩萨扬善满长城。

摩诃[14]妙语通天地，般若[15]真言救鬼灵。

致死金蝉重脱壳，故令玄奘再修行。

只因路阻鹰愁涧，龙子归真化马形。

那菩萨与揭谛，不多时到了蛇盘山，却在那半空里留住祥云，低头观看，只见孙行者正在涧边叫骂。菩萨着揭谛唤他来。那揭谛按落云头，不经由三藏，直至涧边对行者道：“菩萨来也。”行者闻得，急纵云跳到空中，对他大叫道：“你这个七佛之师，慈悲的教主！你怎么生方法儿害我！”菩萨道：“我把你这个大胆的马流[16]，村愚的赤尻[17]！我倒再三尽意，度得个取经人来，叮咛教他救你性命，你怎么不来谢我活命之恩，反来与我嚷闹？”行者道：“你弄得我好哩！你既放我出来，让我逍遥自在耍子便了；你前日在海上逢着我，饬[18]了我几句，教我来尽心竭力，伏侍唐僧便罢了；你怎么送他一顶花帽，哄我戴在头上受苦？把这个箍子长在老孙头上，又教他念一卷甚么‘紧箍儿咒’，着那老和尚念了又念，教我这头上疼了又疼——这不是你害我也？”菩萨笑道：“你这猴子！你不遵教令，不受正果，若不如此拘系你，你又诳上欺天，知甚好歹！再似从前撞出祸来，有谁收管？——须是得这个魔头，你才肯入我瑜伽之门路哩！”行者道：“这桩事，作做[19]是我的魔头罢；你怎么又把那有罪的业龙，送在此处成精，教他吃了我师父的马匹？此又是纵放歹人为恶，太不善也！”菩萨道：“那条龙，是我亲奏玉帝，讨他在此，专为求经人做个脚力。你想那东土来的凡马，怎历得这万水千山？怎到得那灵山佛地？须是得这个龙马，方才去得。”行者道：“像他这般惧怕老孙，潜躲不出，如之奈何？”菩萨叫揭谛道：“你去涧边叫一声：‘敖闰龙王玉龙三太子，你出来，有南海菩萨在此。’他就出来了。”那揭谛果去涧边叫了两遍。

那小龙翻波跳浪，跳出水来，变作一个人相，踏了云头，到空中对菩萨礼拜道：“向蒙菩萨解脱活命之恩，在此久等，更不闻取经人的音信。”菩萨指着行者道：“这不是取经人的大徒弟？”小龙见了道：“菩萨，这是我的对头。我昨日腹中饥馁，果然吃了他的马匹。他倚着有些力量，将我斗得力怯而回，又骂得我闭门不敢出来。他更不曾提着一个‘取经’的字样。”行者道：“你又不曾问我姓甚名谁，我怎么就说？”小龙道：“我不曾问你是那里来的泼魔？你嚷道：‘管甚么那里不那里，只还我马来！’何曾说出半个‘唐’字！”菩萨道：“那猴头，专倚自强，那肯称赞别人？今番前去，还有归顺的哩。若问时，先提起‘取经’的字来，却也不用劳心，自然拱伏。”

行者欢喜领教。菩萨上前，把那小龙的项下明珠摘了，将杨柳枝蘸出甘露，往他身上拂了一拂，吹口仙气，喝声叫：“变！”那龙即变做他原来的马匹毛片。又将言语分付道：“你须用心了还业瘴，功成后超越凡龙，还你个金身正果。”那小龙口衔着横骨，心心领诺。菩萨教悟空：“领他去见三藏，我回海上去也。”行者扯住菩萨不放道：“我不去了！我不去了！西方路这等崎岖，保这个凡僧，几时得到？似这等多磨多折，老孙的性命也难全，如何成得甚么功果！我不去了！我不去了！”菩萨道：“你当年未成人道，且肯尽心修悟；你今日脱了天灾，怎么倒生懒惰？我门中以寂灭成真，须是要信心果正；假若到了那伤身苦磨之处，我许你叫天天应，叫地地灵。十分再到那难脱之际，我也亲来救你。你过来，我再赠你一般本事。”菩萨将杨柳叶儿摘下三个，放在行者的脑后，喝声：“变！”即变做三根救命的毫毛，教他：“若到那无济无生的时节，可以随机应变，救得你急苦之灾。”

行者闻了这许多好言，才谢了大慈大悲的菩萨。那菩萨香风绕绕，彩雾飘飘，径转普陀而去。

这行者才按落云头，揪着那龙马的顶鬃，来见三藏道：“师父，马有了也。”三藏一见大喜道：“徒弟，这马怎么比前反肥盛了些？在何处寻着的？”行者道：“师父，你还做梦哩！却才是金头揭谛请了菩萨来，把那涧里龙化作我们的白马。其毛片相同，只是少了鞍辔，着老孙揪将来也。”三藏大惊道：“菩萨何在？待我去拜谢他。”行者道：“菩萨此时已到南海，不耐烦矣。”三藏就撮土焚香，望南礼拜。拜罢起身，即与行者收拾前进。行者喝退了山神、土地，分付了揭谛、功曹，却请师父上马。三藏道：“那无鞍辔的马，怎生骑得？且待寻船渡过涧去，再作区处。”行者道：“这个师父好不知时务！这个旷野山中，船从何来？这匹马，他在此久住，必知水势，就骑着他做个船儿过去罢。”三藏无奈，只得依言跨了刬马[20]，行者挑着行囊，到了涧边。

只见那上溜头有一个渔翁，撑着一个枯木的筏子，顺流而下。行者见了，用手招呼道：“那老渔，你来，你来！我是东土取经去的。我师父到此难过，你来渡他一渡。”渔翁闻言，即忙撑拢。行者请师父下了马，扶持左右。三藏上了筏子，揪上马匹，安了行李。那老渔撑开筏子，如风似箭，不觉的过了鹰愁陡涧，上了西岸。三藏教行者解开包袱，取出大唐的几文钱钞，送与老渔。老渔把筏子一篙撑开道：“不要钱，不要钱。”向中流渺渺茫茫而去。三藏甚不过意，只管合掌称谢。行者道：“师父休致意了。你不认得他，他是此涧里的水神。不曾来接得我老孙，老孙还要打他哩。只如今免打就够了他的，怎敢要钱！”那师父也似信不信，只得又跨着刬马，随着行者，径投大路奔西而去。这正是：广大真如登彼岸，诚心了性上灵山。同师前进，不觉的红日沉西，天光渐晚。但见：

淡云撩乱，山月昏蒙。满天霜色生寒，四面风声透体。孤鸟去时苍渚阔，落霞明处远山低。疏林千树吼，空岭独猿啼。长途不见行人迹，万里归舟入夜时。

三藏在马上遥观，忽见路旁一座庄院。三藏道：“悟空，前面人家，可以借宿，明早再行。”行者抬头看见道：“师父，不是人家庄院。”三藏道：“如何不是？”行者道：“人家庄院，却没飞鱼稳兽[21]之脊，这断是个庙宇庵院。”

师徒们说着话，早已到了门首。三藏下了马，只见那门上有三个大字，乃“里社祠”，遂入门里。那里边有一个老者，项挂着数珠儿，合掌来迎，叫声：“师父请坐。”三藏慌忙答礼，上殿去参拜了圣像。那老者即呼童子献茶。茶罢，三藏问老者道：“此庙何为‘里社’？”老者道：“敝处乃西番哈泌国界。这庙后有一庄人家，共发虔心，立此庙宇。里者，乃一乡里地；社者，乃一社土神。每遇春耕、夏耘、秋收、冬藏之日，各办三牲花果，来此祭社，以保四时清吉、五谷丰登、六畜茂盛故也。”三藏闻言，点头夸赞：“正是‘离家三里远，别是一乡风’。我那里人家，更无此善。”老者却问：“师父仙乡是何处？”三藏道：“贫僧是东土大唐国，奉旨意上西天拜佛求经的。路过宝坊，天色将晚，特投圣祠，告宿一宵，天光即行。”那老者十分欢喜，道了几声“失迎”，又叫童子办饭。三藏吃毕，谢了。

行者的眼乖，见他房檐下有一条搭衣的绳子，走将去一把扯断，将马脚系住。那老者笑道：“这马是那里偷来的？”行者怒道：“你那老头子，说话不知高低！我们是拜佛的圣僧，又会偷马！”老儿笑道：“不是偷的，如何没有鞍辔缰绳，却来扯断我晒衣的索子？”三藏陪礼道：“这个顽皮，只是性燥。你要拴马，好生问老人家讨条绳子，如何就扯断他的衣索？——老先[22]，休怪，休怪。我这马，实不瞒你说，不是偷的。昨日东来，至鹰愁陡涧，原有骑的一匹白马，鞍辔俱全。不期那涧里有条孽龙，在彼成精，他把我的马连鞍辔一口吞之。幸亏我徒弟有些本事，又感得观音菩萨来涧边擒住那龙，教他就变做我原骑的白马，毛片俱同，驮我上西天拜佛。今此过涧，未经一日，却到了老先的圣祠，还不曾置得鞍辔哩。”那老者道：“师父休怪，我老汉作笑耍子，谁知你高徒认真。我小时也有几个村钱，也好骑匹骏马；只因累岁迍邅[23]，遭丧失火，到此没了下梢[24]，故充为庙祝，侍奉香火。幸亏这后庄施主家募化度日。我那里倒还有一副鞍辔，是我平日心爱之物，就是这等贫穷，也不曾舍得卖了。才听老师父之言，菩萨尚且救护神龙，教他化马驮你，我老汉却不能少有周济。明日将那鞍辔取来，愿送老师父，叩背前去，乞为笑纳。”三藏闻言，称谢不尽。早又见童子拿出晚斋。斋罢，掌上灯，安了铺，各各寝歇。

至次早，行者起来道：“师父，那庙祝老儿，昨晚许我们鞍辔，问他要，不要饶他。”说未了，只见那老儿果擎着一副鞍辔，衬屉[25]缰笼之类，凡马上一切用的，无不全备，放在廊下道：“师父，鞍辔奉上。”三藏见了，欢然领受，教行者拿了背上马看，可相称否。行者走上前，一件件的取起看了，果然是些好物。有诗为证。诗曰：

雕鞍彩晃柬银星，宝凳光飞金线明。

衬屉几层绒苫叠，牵缰三股紫丝绳。

辔头皮札团花粲，云扇描金舞兽形。

环嚼叩成磨炼铁，两垂蘸水结毛缨。

行者心中暗喜，将鞍辔背在马上，就似量着做的一般。三藏拜谢那老，那老慌忙搀起道：“惶恐！惶恐！何劳致谢？”那老者也不再留，请三藏上马。那长老出得门来，攀鞍上马。行者担着行李。那老儿复袖中取出一条鞭儿来，却是皮丁儿寸扎的香藤柄子，虎筋丝穿结的梢儿，在路旁拱手奉上道：“圣僧，我还有一条挽手儿[26]，一发送了你罢。”那三藏在马上接了道：“多承布施！多承布施！”

正打问讯，却早不见了那老儿。及回看那里社祠，是一片光地。只听得半空中有人言语道：“圣僧，多简慢你。我是落伽山山神、土地，蒙菩萨差送鞍辔与汝等的。汝等可努力西行，却莫一时怠慢。”慌得个三藏滚鞍下马，望空礼拜道：“弟子肉眼凡胎，不识尊神尊面，望乞恕罪。烦转达菩萨，深蒙恩佑。”你看他只管朝天磕头，也不计其数。路旁边活活的笑倒个孙大圣，孜孜的喜坏个美猴王，上前来扯住唐僧道：“师父，你起来罢。他已去得远了，听不见你祷祝，看不见你磕头。只管拜怎的？”长老道：“徒弟呀，我这等磕头，你也就不拜他一拜，且立在旁边，只管哂笑，是何道理？”行者道：“你那里知道！像他这个藏头露尾的，本该打他一顿；只为看菩萨面上，饶他打尽够了，他还敢受我老孙之拜？老孙自小儿做好汉，不晓得拜人，就是见了玉皇大帝、太上老君，我也只是唱个喏便罢了。”三藏道：“不当人子！莫说这空头话！快起来，莫误了走路。”那师父才起来收拾投西而去。

此去行有两个月太平之路，相遇的都是些虏虏、回回，狼虫虎豹。光阴迅速，又值早春时候。但见山林锦翠色，草木发青芽；梅英落尽，柳眼初开。师徒们行玩春光，又见太阳西坠。三藏勒马遥观，山凹里有楼台影影，殿阁沉沉。三藏道：“悟空，你看那里是甚么去处？”行者抬头看了道：“不是殿宇，定是寺院。我们赶起些，那里借宿去。”三藏欣然从之，放开龙马，径奔前来。毕竟不知此去是甚么去处，且听下回分解。

[1] 海口：夸嘴。说话没有顾忌、随便乱说。

[2] 詈（lì）：骂。

[3] 端的：真的、果然的意思。有时作究竟解释。

[4] 犯对：犹作对。

[5] 急：激的借音字。激将、刺激。

[6] 难搪：抵挡不住，犹难当。

[7] 草科：草窠。

[8] 三尸神：道教认为人身上有三尸神，住在人的脑、明堂（参看后文第二十二回注）、腹胃中间。

[9] 咋（zhà）：同“炸”。指爆发、激怒。

[10] “唵”字咒语：佛教术语。“唵”字包括有所谓摄伏的功用，据说行此法时，可以使一切诸天龙神听从指挥。本书中行者多次行此咒拘召山神、土地。

[11] 孤拐：这里指脚孤拐，就是踝骨。

[12] 侮手：交手、过手、翻手的意思。

[13] 蜜多：梵语译音。蜜多应作波罗蜜多或波罗蜜。达到彼岸的意思。原意为菩萨有广大的功行，可以从生、死之此岸达到所谓觉悟、不生不灭的彼岸。

[14] 摩诃：梵语译音。盛大、众多的意思。

[15] 般若：梵语译音。就是智慧。

[16] 马流：又作“马留”，猴的一种。此处泛指猴子。

[17] 赤尻：红屁股。因猴属臀红，故多以代指猴。尻，臀部。

[18] 饬：本作“伤”，当为“饬”之误。饬同“敕”，告诫，命令。

[19] 作做：当作、认为、即使、就算的意思。

[20] 刬（chǎn）马：没有鞍辔的马。刬，光着。

[21] 飞鱼稳兽：屋脊上鱼形和兽形的装饰物。明代除宫殿和寺院外，一般人家不允许有此类装饰。

[22] 老先：对年纪大的人的尊称，犹言老先生。

[23] 迍邅（zhān）：遭遇不利、处于困境。

[24] 下梢：结局。“没了下梢”，意思是没有好结局。

[25] 衬屉（tì）：即鞍韂，马鞍下面的垫子。

[26] 挽手儿：马鞭。

CHAPTER 15. At Serpent Coil Mountain, the gods give secret protection; At Eagle Grief Stream, the Horse of the Will is reined.

We were telling you about Pilgrim, who ministered to the Tang Monk faithfully as they advanced toward the West. They traveled for several days under the frigid sky of midwinter; a cold wind blew fiercely, and slippery icicles hung everywhere. They traversed

A tortuous path of hanging gorges and cliffs,

A parlous range tiered with summits and peaks.

As Tripitaka was riding along on his horse, his ears caught the distant sound of a torrent. He turned to ask: “Wukong, where is that sound coming from?” Pilgrim said, “The name of this place, I recall, is Serpent Coil Mountain, and there is an Eagle Grief Stream in it. I suppose that’s where it’s coming from.” Before they had finished their conversation, they arrived at the bank of the stream. Tripitaka reined in his horse and looked around. He saw

A bubbling cold stream piercing through the clouds,

Its limpid current reddened by the sun.

Its splatter in night rain stirs quiet vales;

Its colors glow at dawn to fill the air.

Wave after wave seems like flying chips of jade,

Their deep roar resonant as the clear wind.

It flows to join one vast stretch of smoke and tide,

Where gulls are lost with egrets but no fishers bide.

Master and disciple were looking at the stream, when there was a loud splash in midstream and a dragon emerged. Churning the waters, it darted toward the bank and headed straight for the priest. Pilgrim was so startled that he threw away the luggage, hauled the master off his horse, and turned to flee with him at once. The dragon could not catch up with them, but it swallowed the white horse, harness and all, with one gulp before losing itself again in the water. Pilgrim carried his master to high ground and left the priest seated there; then he returned to fetch the horse and the luggage. The load of bags was still there, but the horse was nowhere to be seen. Placing the luggage in front of his master, he said, “Master, there’s not a trace of that cursed dragon, which has frightened away our horse.” “Disciple,” said Tripitaka, “how can we find the horse again?” “Relax! Relax!” said Pilgrim. “Let me go and have a look!”

He whistled once and leaped up into the air. Shading his fiery eyes and diamond pupils with his hand, he peered in all four directions, but there was not the slightest trace of the horse. Dropping down from the clouds, he made his report, saying, “Master, our horse must have been eaten by that dragon. It’s nowhere to be seen!” “Disciple,” said Tripitaka, “how big a mouth does that creature have that he can swallow a horse, harness and all? It must have been frightened away instead, probably still running loose somewhere in the valley. Please take another look.” Pilgrim said, “You really have no conception of my ability. This pair of eyes of mine in daylight can discern good and evil within a thousand miles; at that distance, I can even see a dragonfly when it spreads its wings. How can I possibly miss something as big as a horse?” “If it has been eaten,” said Tripitaka, “how am I to proceed? Pity me! How can I walk through those thousand hills and ten thousand waters?” As he spoke, tears began to fall like rain. When Pilgrim saw him crying, he became infuriated and began to shout: “Master, stop behaving like a namby-pamby! Sit here! Just sit here! Let old Monkey find that creature and ask him to give us back our horse. That’ll be the end of the matter.” Clutching at him, Tripitaka said, “Disciple, where do you have to go to find him? Wouldn’t I be hurt if he should appear from somewhere after you are gone? How would it be then if both man and horse should perish?” At these words, Pilgrim became even more enraged. “You’re a weakling! Truly a weakling!” he thundered. “You want a horse to ride on, and yet you won’t let me go. You want to sit here and grow old, watching our bags?”

As he was yelling angrily like this, he heard someone calling out in midair: “Great Sage Sun, don’t be annoyed. And stop crying, Royal Brother of Tang. We are a band of deities sent by the Bodhisattva Guanyin to give secret protection to the scripture pilgrim.” Hearing this, the priest hastily bowed to the ground. “Which divinities are you?” asked Pilgrim. “Tell me your names, so that I can check you off the roll.” “We are the Six Gods of Darkness and the Six Gods of Light,” they said, “the Guardians of Five Points, the Four Sentinels, and the Eighteen Protectors of Monasteries. Every one of us waits upon you in rotation.” “Which one of you will begin today?” asked Pilgrim. “The Gods of Darkness and Light,” they said, “to be followed by the Sentinels and the Protectors. We Guardians of Five Points, with the exception of the Golden-Headed Guardian, will be here somewhere night and day.” “That being the case,” said Pilgrim, “those not on duty may retire, but the first Six Gods of Darkness, the Day Sentinel, and the Guardians should remain to protect my master. Let old Monkey go find that cursed dragon in the stream and ask him for our horse.” The various deities obeyed. Only then did Tripitaka feel somewhat relieved as he sat on the cliff and told Pilgrim to be careful. “Just don’t worry,” said Pilgrim. Dear Monkey King! He tightened the belt around his silk shirt, hitched up his tiger-skin kilt, and went straight toward the gorge of the stream holding the golden-hooped iron rod. Standing halfway between cloud and fog, he cried loudly on top of the water, “Lawless lizard! Return my horse! Return my horse!”

We now tell you about the dragon, who, having eaten the white horse of Tripitaka, was lying on the bottom of the stream, subduing his spirit and nourishing his nature. When he heard someone demanding the horse with abusive language, however, he could not restrain the fire leaping up in his heart and he jumped up quickly. Churning the waves, he darted out of the water, saying, “Who dares to insult me here with his big mouth?” Pilgrim saw him and cried ferociously, “Don’t run away! Return my horse!” Wielding his rod, he aimed at the beast’s head and struck, while the dragon attacked with open jaws and dancing claws. The battle between the two of them before the stream was indeed fierce. You see

The dragon extending sharp daws:

The monkey lifting his rod.

The whiskers of this one hung like white jade threads;

The eyes of that one shone like red-gold lamps.

The mouth beneath the whiskers of that one belched colored mists:

The iron rod in the hands of this one moved like a fierce wind.

That one was a cursed son who brought his parents grief;

This one was a monster who defied the gods on high.

Both had to suffer because of their plight.

They now want to win, so each displays his might.

Back and forth, round and round, they fought for a long time, until the dragon grew weak and could fight no longer. He turned and darted back into the water; plunging to the bottom of the stream, he refused to come out again. The Monkey King heaped insult upon insult, but the dragon only pretended to be deaf.

Pilgrim had little choice but to return to Tripitaka, saying, “Master, that monster made his appearance as a result of my tongue-lashing. He fought with me for a long time before taking fright and running. He’s hiding in the water now and refuses to come out again.” “Do you know for certain that it was he who ate my horse?” asked Tripitaka. “Listen to the way you talk!” said Pilgrim. “If he hadn’t eaten it, would he be willing to face me and answer me like that?” “The time you killed the tiger,” said Tripitaka, “you claimed that you had the ability to tame dragons and subdue tigers. Why can’t you subdue this one today?” As the monkey had a rather low tolerance for any kind of provocation, this single taunt of Tripitaka so aroused him that he said, “Not one word more! Let me go and show him who is master!”

With great leaps, our Monkey King bounded right to the edge of the stream. Using his magic of overturning seas and rivers, he transformed the clear, limpid water of the Eagle Grief Stream into the muddy currents of the Yellow River during high tide. The cursed dragon in the depth of the stream could neither sit nor lie still for a single moment. He thought to himself: “Just as ‘Blessing never repeats itself, so misfortune never comes singly!’ It has been barely a year since I escaped execution by Heaven and came to bide my time here, but now I have to run into this wretched monster who is trying to do me harm.” Look at him! The more he thought about the matter, the more irritated he became. Unable to bear it any longer, he gritted his teeth and leaped out of the water, crying, “What kind of monster are you, and where do you come from, that you want to oppress me like this?” “Never mind where I come from,” said Pilgrim. “Just return the horse, and I’ll spare your life.” “I’ve swallowed your horse into my stomach,” said the dragon, “so how am I to throw it up? What are you going to do if I can’t return it to you?” Pilgrim said, “If you don’t give back the horse, just watch for this rod. Only when your life becomes a payment for my horse will there be an end to this matter!” The two of them again waged a bitter struggle below the mountain ridge. After a few rounds, however, the little dragon just could not hold out any longer; shaking his body, he changed himself into a tiny water snake and wriggled into the marshes.

The Monkey King came rushing up with his rod and parted the grass to look for the snake, but there was not a trace of it. He was so exasperated that the spirits of the Three Worms in his body exploded1 and smoke began to appear from his seven apertures. He recited a spell beginning with the letter oṃ and summoned the local spirit and the mountain god of that region. The two of them knelt before him, saying, “The local spirit and the mountain god have come to see you.”

“Stick out your shanks,” said Pilgrim, “and I’ll greet each of you with five strokes of my rod just to relieve my feelings.”

“Great Sage,” they pleaded, “please be more lenient and allow your humble subjects to tell you something.” “What have you got to say?” said Pilgrim. “The Great Sage has been in captivity for a long time,” said the two deities, “and we had no knowledge of when you were released. That’s why we have not been here to receive you, and we beg you to pardon us.” “All right,” said Pilgrim, “I won’t hit you. But let me ask you something. Where did that monstrous dragon in the Eagle Grief Stream come from, and why did he devour my master’s white horse?” “We have never known the Great Sage to have a master,” the two deities said, “for you have always been a first-rank primordial immortal who submits neither to Heaven nor to Earth. What do you mean by your master’s horse?” Pilgrim said, “Of course you didn’t know about this. Because of my contemptuous behavior toward Heaven, I had to suffer for this five hundred years. I was converted by the kindly persuasion of Bodhisattva Guanyin, who had the true monk from the Tang court rescue me. As his disciple, I was to follow him to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures from Buddha. We passed through this place, and my master’s white horse was lost.”

“So, that’s how it is!” said the two deities. “There has never been anything evil about this stream, except that it is both broad and deep, and its water is so clear that you can see right to the bottom. Large fowls such as crows or eagles are hesitant to fly over it; for when they see their own reflections in the clear water, they are prone to mistake them for other birds of their own flock and throw themselves into the stream. Hence the name, the Steep Eagle Grief Stream. Some years ago, on her way to look for a scripture pilgrim, Bodhisattva Guanyin rescued a dragon and sent him here. He was told to wait for the scripture pilgrim and was forbidden to do any evil or violence. Only when he is hungry is he permitted to come up to the banks to feed on birds or antelopes. How could he be so ignorant as to offend the Great Sage!”

Pilgrim said, “At first, he wanted to have a contest of strength with me and managed only a few bouts. Afterwards he would not come out even when I abused him. Only when I used the magic of overturning seas and rivers and stirred up the water did he appear again, and then he still wanted to fight. He really had no idea how heavy my rod was! When finally he couldn’t hold out any longer, he changed himself into a water snake and wriggled into the grass. I rushed up there to look for him, but there was no trace of him.” “You may not know, Great Sage,” said the local spirit, “that there are countless holes and crevices along these banks, through which the stream is connected with its many tributaries. The dragon could have crawled into any one of these. But there’s no need for the Great Sage to get angry trying to look for him. If you want to capture this creature, all you need do is to ask Guanshiyin to come here; then he’ll certainly surrender.”

When Pilgrim heard this, he called the mountain god and the local spirit to go with him to see Tripitaka to give an account of what had happened. “If you need to send for the Bodhisattva,” said Tripitaka, “when will you be able to return? How can this poor monk endure the cold and hunger?” He had hardly finished speaking when the Golden-Headed Guardian called out from midair, “Great Sage, you needn’t leave. Your humble subject will go fetch the Bodhisattva.” Pilgrim was very pleased, shouting, “Thanks for taking all that trouble! Go quickly!” The Guardian mounted the clouds swiftly and headed straight for South Sea; Pilgrim asked the mountain god and the local spirit to protect his master and the Day Sentinel to find some vegetarian food, while he himself went back to patrol the stream, and we shall say no more of that.

We now tell you about the Golden-Headed Guardian, who mounted the clouds and soon arrived at South Sea. Descending from the auspicious light, he went straight to the purple bamboo grove of the Potalaka Mountain, where he asked the various deities in golden armor and Mokṣa to announce his arrival. The Bodhisattva said, “What have you come for?” “The Tang Monk lost his horse at the Eagle Grief Stream of the Serpent Coil Mountain,” said the Guardian, “and the Great Sage Sun was placed in a terrible dilemma. He questioned the local deities, who claimed that a dragon sent by the Bodhisattva to that stream had eaten it. The Great Sage, therefore, sent me to request the Bodhisattva to go and subdue that cursed dragon, so that he might get back his horse.” Hearing this, the Bodhisattva said, “That creature was originally the son of Aorun of the Western Ocean. Because in his carelessness he set fire to the palace and destroyed the luminous pearls hanging there, his father accused him of subversion, and he was condemned to die by the Heavenly Tribunal. It was I who personally sought pardon from the Jade Emperor for him, so that he might serve as a means of transportation for the Tang Monk. I can’t understand how he could swallow the monk’s horse instead. But if that’s what happened, I’ll have to get over there myself.” The Bodhisattva left her lotus platform and went out of the divine cave. Mounting the auspicious luminosity with the Guardian, she crossed the South Sea. We have a testimonial poem that says:

Buddha proclaimed the Tripitaka Supreme

Which the Goddess declared throughout Chang’an:

Those great, wondrous truths could reach Heaven and Earth;

Those wise, true words could save the spirits damned.

They caused Gold Cicada to cast again his shell.

They moved Xuanzang to mend his ways anew.

By blocking his path at Eagle Grief Stream,

A dragon-prince in horse-form returns to the Real.

The Bodhisattva and the Guardian soon arrived at the Serpent Coil Mountain. They stopped the hallowed clouds in midair and saw Pilgrim Sun down below, shouting abuses at the bank of the stream. The Bodhisattva asked the Guardian to fetch him. Lowering his clouds, the Guardian went past Tripitaka and headed straight for the edge of the stream, saying to Pilgrim, “The Bodhisattva has arrived.” When Pilgrim heard this, he jumped quickly into the air and yelled at her: “You, so-called Teacher of the Seven Buddhas and the Founder of the Faith of Mercy! Why did you have to use your tricks to harm me?”

“You impudent stableman, ignorant red-buttocks!” said the Bodhisattva. “I went to considerable effort to find a scripture pilgrim, whom I carefully instructed to save your life. Instead of thanking me, you are finding fault with me!” “You saved me all right!” said Pilgrim. “If you truly wanted to deliver me, you should have allowed me to have a little fun with no strings attached. When you met me the other day above the ocean, you could have chastened me with a few words, telling me to serve the Tang Monk with diligence, and that would have been enough. Why did you have to give him a flower cap, and have him deceive me into wearing it so that I would suffer? Now the fillet has taken root on old Monkey’s head. And you even taught him this so-called ‘Tight-Fillet Spell,’ which he recites again and again, causing endless pain in my head! You haven’t harmed me, indeed!” The Bodhisattva laughed and said, “O, Monkey! You are neither attentive to admonition nor willing to seek the fruit of truth. If you are not restrained like this, you’ll probably mock the authority of Heaven again without regard for good or ill. If you create troubles as you did before, who will be able to control you? It’s only through this bit of adversity that you will be willing to enter our gate of Yoga.”

“All right,” said Pilgrim, “I’ll consider the matter my hard luck. But why did you take that condemned dragon and send him here so that he could become a spirit and swallow my master’s horse? It’s your fault, you know, if you allow an evildoer to perpetrate his villainies some more!” “I went personally to plead with the Jade Emperor,” said the Bodhisattva, “to have the dragon stationed here so that he could serve as a means of transportation for the scripture pilgrim. Those mortal horses from the Land of the East, do you think that they could walk through ten thousand waters and a thousand hills? How could they possibly hope to reach the Spirit Mountain, the land of Buddha? Only a dragon-horse could make that journey!” “But right now he’s so terribly afraid of me,” said Pilgrim, “that he refuses to come out of his hiding place. What can we do?” The Bodhisattva said to the Guardian, “Go to the edge of the stream and say, ‘Come out, Third Prince Jade Dragon of the Dragon King Aorun. The Bodhisattva from South Sea is here.’ He’ll come out then.”

The Guardian went at once to the edge of the stream and called out twice. Churning the waters and leaping across the waves, the little dragon appeared and changed at once into the form of a man. He stepped on the clouds and rose up into the air; saluting the Bodhisattva, he said, “I thank the Bodhisattva again for saving my life. I’ve waited here a long time, but I’ve heard no news of the scripture pilgrim.” Pointing to Pilgrim, the Bodhisattva said, “Isn’t he the eldest disciple of the scripture pilgrim?” When he saw him, the little dragon said, “Bodhisattva, he’s my adversary. I was hungry yesterday and ate his horse. We fought over that, but he took advantage of his superior strength and defeated me; in fact, he so abused me that I dared not show myself again. But he has never mentioned a word about scripture seeking.”

“You didn’t bother to ask my name,” said Pilgrim. “How did you expect me to tell you anything?” The little dragon said, “Didn’t I ask you, ‘What kind of a monster are you and where do you come from?’ But all you did was shout, ‘Never mind where I come from; just return my horse!’ Since when did you utter even half the word ‘Tang’?” “That monkey,” said the Bodhisattva, “is always relying on his own abilities! When has he ever given any credit to other people? When you set off this time, remember that there are others who will join you. So when they ask you, by all means mention first the matter of scripture seeking; they will submit to you without causing you further trouble.”

Pilgrim received this word of counsel amiably. The Bodhisattva went up to the little dragon and plucked off the shining pearls hanging around his neck. She then dipped her willow branch into the sweet dew in her vase and sprinkled it all over his body; blowing a mouthful of magic breath on him, she cried, “Change!” The dragon at once changed into a horse with hair of exactly the same color and quality as that of the horse he had swallowed. The Bodhisattva then told him, “You must overcome with utmost diligence all the cursed barriers. When your merit is achieved, you will no longer be an ordinary dragon; you will acquire the true fruit of a golden body.” Holding the bit in his mouth, the little dragon humbly accepted the instruction. The Bodhisattva told Wukong to lead him to Tripitaka, saying, “I’m returning across the ocean.”

Pilgrim took hold of her and refused to let go, saying, “I’m not going on! I’m not going on! The road to the West is so treacherous! If I have to accompany this mortal monk, when will I ever get there? If I have to endure all these miseries, I may well lose my life. What sort of merit do you think I’ll achieve? I’m not going! I’m not going!”

“In years past, before you reached the way of humanity,” said the Bodhisattva, “you were most eager to seek enlightenment. Now that you have been delivered from the chastisement of Heaven, how could you become slothful again? The truth of Nirvāṇa in our teaching can never be realized without faith and perseverance. If on your journey you should come across any danger that threatens your life, I give you permission to call on Heaven, and Heaven will respond; to call on Earth, and Earth will prove efficacious. In the event of extreme difficulty, I myself will come to rescue you. Come closer, and I shall endow you with one more means of power.” Plucking three leaves from her willow branch, the Bodhisattva placed them at the back of Pilgrim’s head, crying, “Change!” They changed at once into three hairs with lifesaving power. She said to him: “When you find yourself in a helpless and hopeless situation, you may use these according to your needs, and they will deliver you from your particular affliction.” After Pilgrim had heard all these kind words, he thanked the Bodhisattva of Great Mercy and Compassion. With scented wind and colored mists swirling around her, the Bodhisattva returned to Potalaka.

Lowering the direction of his cloud, Pilgrim tugged at the mane of the horse and led him to Tripitaka, saying, “Master, we have a horse!” Highly pleased by what he saw, Tripitaka said, “Disciple, how is it that the horse has grown a little fatter and stronger than before? Where did you find him?” “Master, you are still dreaming!” said Pilgrim. “Just now the Golden-Headed Guardian managed to bring the Bodhisattva here, and she transformed the dragon of the stream into our white horse. Except for the missing harness, the color and hair are all the same, and old Monkey has pulled him here.” “Where is the Bodhisattva?” asked Tripitaka, greatly surprised. “Let me go and thank her.” “By this time,” said Pilgrim, “the Bodhisattva has probably arrived at South Sea; there’s no need to bother about that.” Picking up a few pinches of earth with his fingers and scattering them like incense, Tripitaka bowed reverently toward the South. He then got up and prepared to leave again with Pilgrim.

Having dismissed the mountain god and the local spirit and given instructions to the Guardians and the Sentinels, Pilgrim asked his master to mount. Tripitaka said, “How can I ride a horse without harness? Let’s find a boat to cross this stream, and then we can decide what to do.” “This master of mine is truly impractical!” said Pilgrim. “In the wilds of this mountain, where will you find a boat? Since the horse has lived here for a long time, he must know the water’s condition. Just ride him like a boat and we’ll cross over.” Tripitaka had no choice but to follow his suggestion and climbed onto the barebacked horse; Pilgrim took up the luggage and they arrived at the edge of the stream. Then they saw an old fisherman punting downstream toward them in an old wooden raft. When Pilgrim caught sight of him, he waved his hands and called out: “Old fisherman, come here! Come here! We come from the Land of the East to seek scriptures. It’s difficult for my master to cross, so please take us over.” Hearing these words, the fisherman quickly punted the raft up to the bank. Asking his master to dismount, Pilgrim helped Tripitaka onto the raft before he embarked the horse and the luggage. That old fisher punted the raft away, and like an arrow in the wind, they crossed the steep Eagle Grief Stream swiftly and landed on the western shore. Tripitaka told Pilgrim to untie a bag and take out a few Tang pennies to give to the old fisherman. With a shove of his pole, the old fisherman pulled away, saying, “I don’t want any money.” He drifted downstream and soon disappeared from sight. Feeling very much obliged, Tripitaka kept folding his hands to express his gratitude. “Master,” said Pilgrim, “you needn’t be so solicitous. Don’t you recognize him? He is the Water God of this stream. Since he didn’t come to pay his respects to old Monkey, he was about to get a beating. It’s enough that he is now spared from that. Would he dare take any money!” The Master only half-believed him when he climbed onto the barebacked horse once again; following Pilgrim, he went up to the main road and set off again toward the West. It would be like this that they

Through the vast Thusness2 reach the other shore,

And climb with hearts unfeigned the Spirit Mount.

Master and disciple journeyed on, and soon the fiery sun sank westward as the sky gradually darkened. You see

Clouds hazy and aimless,

A mountain moon dim and gloomy.

The sky, all frosty, builds the cold;

Howling wind around cuts through you.

One bird is lost midst the pale, wide sandbars,

As twilight glows where the distant hills are low.

A thousand trees roar in sparse woods;

One ape cries on a barren peak.

No traveler is seen on this long road

When boats from afar return for the night.

As Tripitaka, riding his horse, peered into the distance, he suddenly saw something like a hamlet beside the road. “Wukong,” he said, “there’s a house ahead of us. Let’s ask for lodging there and travel again tomorrow.” Raising his head to take a look, Pilgrim said, “Master, it’s no ordinary house.” “Why not?” said Tripitaka. “If it were an ordinary house,” said Pilgrim, “there would be no flying fishes or reclining beasts decorating the ridge of its roof. That must be a temple or an abbey.” While they were speaking, master and disciple arrived at the gate of the building. Dismounting, Tripitaka saw on top of the gate three large characters: Lishe Shrine. They walked inside, where they were met by an old man with some beads hanging around his neck. He came forward with hands folded, saying, “Master, please take a seat.” Tripitaka hastily returned his salutation and then went to the main hall to bow to the holy images. The old man called a youth to serve tea, after which Tripitaka asked him, “Why is this shrine named Lishe?”

The old man said, “This region belongs to the Hamil Kingdom of the western barbarians. There is a village behind the shrine, which was built from the piety of all its families. The ‘Li’ refers to the land owned by the whole village, and the ‘She’ is the God of the Soil. During the days of spring sowing, summer plowing, autumn harvesting, and winter storing, each of the families would bring the three beasts,3 flowers, and fruits to sacrifice at the shrine, so that they might be blessed with good luck in all four seasons, a rich harvest of the five grains, and prosperity in raising the six domestic creatures.”4 When Tripitaka heard these words, he nodded his head to show his approval, saying, “This is truly like the proverb: ‘Even three miles from home there are customs entirely distinct.’ The families in our region do not practice such good works.” Then the old man asked, “Where is the honorable home of the master?” “Your poor monk,” said Tripitaka, “happens to have been sent by the royal decree from the Great Tang Nation in the East to go to seek scriptures from Buddha in the Western Heaven. It was getting rather late when I passed your esteemed edifice. I therefore came to your holy shrine to ask for a night’s lodging. I’ll leave as soon as it gets light.” The old man was delighted and kept saying, “Welcome! Welcome!” He called the youth again to prepare a meal, which Tripitaka ate with gratitude.

As usual, Pilgrim was extremely observant. Noticing a rope for hanging laundry tied under the eaves, he walked over to it and pulled at it until it snapped in two. He then used the piece of rope to tie up the horse. “Where did you steal this horse?” asked the old man, laughing. “Old man,” said Pilgrim angrily, “watch what you are saying! We are holy monks going to worship Buddha. How could we steal horses?” “If you didn’t steal it,” laughed the old man, “why is there no saddle or rein, so that you have to rip up my clothesline?”

“This rascal is always so impulsive,” said Tripitaka apologetically. “If you wanted to tie up the horse, why didn’t you ask the old gentleman properly for a rope? Why did you have to rip up his clothesline? Sir, please don’t be angry! Our horse, to tell you the truth, is not a stolen one. When we approached the Eagle Grief Stream yesterday from the east, I had a white horse complete with harness. Little did we anticipate that there was a condemned dragon in the stream who had become a spirit, and who swallowed my horse in one gulp, harness and all. Fortunately, my disciple has some talents, and he was able to bring the Bodhisattva Guanyin to the stream to subdue the dragon. She told him to assume the form of my original white horse, so that he could carry me to worship Buddha in the Western Heaven. It has barely been one day since we crossed the stream and arrived at your holy shrine. We haven’t had time to look for a harness.”

“Master, you needn’t worry,” said the old man. “An old man like me loves to tease, but I had no idea your esteemed disciple was so serious about everything! When I was young, I had a little money, and I, too, loved to ride. But over the years I had my share of misfortunes: deaths in the family and fires in the household have not left me much. Thus I am reduced to being a caretaker here in the shrine, looking after the fires and incense, and dependent on the goodwill of the patrons in the village back there for a living. I still have in my possession a harness that I have always cherished, and that even in this poverty I couldn’t bear to sell. But since hearing your story, how even the Bodhisattva delivered the divine dragon and made him change into a horse to carry you, I feel that I must not withhold from giving either. I shall bring the harness tomorrow and present it to the master, who, I hope, will be pleased to accept it.” When Tripitaka heard this, he thanked him repeatedly. Before long, the youth brought in the evening meal, after which lamps were lit and the beds prepared. Everyone then retired.

Next morning, Pilgrim arose and said, “Master, that old caretaker promised last night to give us the harness. Ask him for it. Don’t spare him.” He had hardly finished speaking when the old man came in with a saddle, together with pads, reins, and the like. Not a single item needed for riding a horse was lacking. He set them down in the corridor, saying, “Master, I am presenting you with this harness.” When Tripitaka saw it, he accepted it with delight and asked Pilgrim to try the saddle on the horse. Going forward, Pilgrim took up the accoutrements and examined them piece by piece. They were indeed some magnificent articles, for which we have a testimonial poem. The poem says:

The carved saddle shines with studs of silver stars.

The precious seat glows with bright threads of gold.

The pads are stacks of fine-spun woolen quilts.

The reins are three bands of purple cords of silk.

The bridle’s leather straps are shaped like flowers.

The flaps have gold-etched forms of dancing beasts.

The rings and bit are made of finest steel.

Waterproof tassels dangle on both sides.

Secretly pleased, Pilgrim put the saddle on the back of the horse, and it seemed to have been made to measure. Tripitaka bowed to thank the old man, who hastily raised him up, saying, “It’s nothing! What do you need to thank me for?” The old man did not ask them to stay any longer; instead, he urged Tripitaka to mount. The priest came out of the gate and climbed into the saddle, while Pilgrim followed, hauling the luggage. The old man then took a whip out from his sleeve, with a handle of rattan wrapped in strips of leather, and the strap knitted with cords made of tiger ligaments. He stood by the side of the road and presented it with hands uplifted, saying, “Holy Monk, I have a whip here that I may as well give you.” Tripitaka accepted it on his horse, saying, “Thanks for your donation! Thanks for your donation!”

Even as he was saying this, the old man vanished. The priest turned around to look at the Lishe Shrine, but it had become just a piece of level ground. From the sky came a voice saying, “Holy Monk, I’m sorry not to have given you a better reception! I am the local spirit of Potalaka Mountain, who was sent by the Bodhisattva to present you with the harness. You two must journey to the West with all diligence. Do not be slothful in any moment.” Tripitaka was so startled that he fell off his horse and bowed toward the sky, saying, “Your disciple is of fleshly eyes and mortal stock, and he does not recognize the holy visage of the deity. Please forgive me. I beseech you to convey my gratitude to the Bodhisattva.” Look at him! All he could do was to kowtow toward the sky without bothering to count how many times! By the side of the road the Great Sage Sun reeled with laughter, the Handsome Monkey King broke up with hilarity. He came up and tugged at his master, saying, “Master, get up! He is long gone! He can’t hear you, nor can he see your kowtowing. Why keep up this adoration?” “Disciple,” said the priest, “when I kowtowed like that, all you could do was to stand snickering by the side of the road, with not even a bow. Why?” “You wouldn’t know, would you?” said Pilgrim. “For playing a game of hide-and-seek like that with us, he really deserves a beating! But for the sake of the Bodhisattva, I’ll spare him, and that’s something already! You think he dares accept a bow from old Monkey? Old Monkey has been a hero since his youth, and he doesn’t know how to bow to people! Even when I saw the Jade Emperor and Laozi, I just gave them my greeting, that’s all!” “Blasphemy!” said Tripitaka. “Stop this idle talk! Let’s get going without further delay.” So the priest got up and prepared to set off again toward the West.

After leaving that place, they had a peaceful journey for two months, for all they met were barbarians, Muslims, tigers, wolves, and leopards. Time went by swiftly, and it was again early spring. You could see jade green gilding the mountain forest, and green sprouts of grass appearing. The plum blossoms were all fallen and the willow-leaves gently budding. As master and disciple were admiring this scenery of spring, they saw the sun sinking westward again. Reining the horse, Tripitaka peered into the distance and saw at the fold of the hill the shadow of buildings and the dark silhouette of towers. “Wukong,” said Tripitaka, “look at the buildings over there. What sort of a place is that?” Stretching his neck to look, Pilgrim said, “It has to be either a temple or a monastery. Let’s move along and ask for lodging over there.” Tripitaka was glad to follow this suggestion and urged his dragon-horse forward. We do not know what took place thereafter; let’s listen to the explanation in the next chapter.