第五回

第五回 乱蟠桃大圣偷丹 反天宫诸神捉怪

话表齐天大圣到底是个妖猴，更不知官衔品从，也不较俸禄高低，但只注名便了。那齐天府下二司仙吏，早晚伏侍，只知日食三餐，夜眠一榻，无事牵萦，自由自在。闲时节会友游宫，交朋结义。见三清，称个“老”字；逢四帝，道个“陛下”。与那九曜星、五方将、二十八宿、四大天王、十二元辰、五方五老、普天星相、河汉群神，俱只以弟兄相待，彼此称呼。今日东游，明朝西荡，云去云来，行踪不定。

一日，玉帝早朝，班部中闪出许旌阳真人，囟[1]启奏道：“今有齐天大圣，无事闲游，结交天上众星宿，不论高低，俱称朋友，恐后闲中生事。不若与他一件事管，庶免别生事端。”玉帝闻言，即时宣诏。那猴王欣然而至，道：“陛下，诏老孙有何升赏？”玉帝道：“朕见你身闲无事，与你件执事。你且权管那蟠桃园，早晚好生在意。”大圣欢喜谢恩，朝上唱喏而退。

他等不得穷忙，即入蟠桃园内查勘。本园中有个土地拦住，问道：“大圣何往？”大圣道：“吾奉玉帝点差，待管蟠桃园，今来查勘也。”那土地连忙施礼，即呼那一班锄树力士、运水力士、修桃力士、打扫力士，都来见大圣磕头，引他进去。但见那：

夭夭灼灼，棵棵株株。夭夭灼灼桃盈树，棵棵株株果压枝。果压枝头垂锦弹，花盈枝上簇胭脂。时开时结千年熟，无夏无冬万载迟。先熟的，酡[2]颜醉脸；还生的，带蒂青皮。凝烟肌带绿，映日显丹姿。树下奇葩并异卉，四时不谢色齐齐。左右楼台并馆舍，盈空常见罩云霓。不是玄都[3]凡俗种，瑶池王母自栽培。

大圣看玩多时，问土地道：“此树有多少株数？”土地道：“有三千六百株：前面一千二百株，花微果小，三千年一熟，人吃了成仙了道，体健身轻。中间一千二百株，层花甘实，六千年一熟，人吃了霞举飞升，长生不老。后面一千二百株，紫纹缃核，九千年一熟，人吃了与天地齐寿，日月同庚。”大圣闻言，欢喜无任。当日查明了株树，点看了亭阁回府。自此后，三五日一次赏玩，也不交友，也不他游。

一日，见那老树枝头，桃熟大半，他心里要吃个尝新。奈何本园土地、力士并齐天府仙吏紧随不便。忽设一计道：“汝等且出门外伺候，让我在这亭上少憩片时。”那众神果退。只见那猴王脱了冠服，爬上大树，拣那熟透的大桃，摘了许多，就在树枝上自在受用。吃了一饱，却才跳下树来，簪冠着服，唤众等仪从回府。迟三二日，又去设法偷桃，尽他享用。

一朝，王母娘娘设宴，大开宝阁，瑶池中做“蟠桃胜会”，即着那红衣仙女、青衣仙女、素衣仙女、皂衣仙女、紫衣仙女、黄衣仙女、绿衣仙女，各顶花篮，去蟠桃园摘桃建会。七衣仙女直至园门首，只见桃园土地、力士同齐天府二司仙吏，都在那里把门。仙女近前道：“我等奉王母懿旨，到此摘桃设宴。”土地道：“仙娥且住。今岁不比往年了，玉帝点差齐天大圣在此督理，须是报大圣得知，方敢开园。”仙女道：“大圣何在？”土地道：“大圣在园内，因困倦，自家在亭子上睡哩。”仙女道：“既如此，寻他去来，不可迟误。”土地即与同进。寻至花亭不见，只有衣冠在亭，不知何往。四下里都没寻处。原来大圣耍了一会，吃了几个桃子，变做二寸长的个人儿，在那大树梢头浓叶之下睡着了。七衣仙女道：“我等奉旨前来，寻不见大圣，怎敢空回？”旁有仙吏道：“仙娥既奉旨来，不必迟疑。我大圣闲游惯了，想是出园会友去了。汝等且去摘桃，我们替你回话便是。”那仙女依言，入树林之下摘桃。先在前树摘了二篮，又在中树摘了三篮；到后树上摘取，只见那树上花果稀疏，止有几个毛蒂青皮的。原来熟的都是猴王吃了。七仙女张望东西，只见向南枝上止有一个半红半白的桃子。青衣女用手扯下枝来，红衣女摘了，却将枝子望上一放。

原来那大圣变化了，正睡在此枝，被他惊醒。大圣即现本相，耳朵里掣出金箍棒，幌一幌，碗来粗细，咄的一声道：“你是那方怪物，敢大胆偷摘我桃！”慌得那七仙女一齐跪下道：“大圣息怒。我等不是妖怪，乃王母娘娘差来的七衣仙女，摘取仙桃，大开宝阁，做‘蟠桃胜会’。适至此间，先见了本园土地等神，寻大圣不见。我等恐迟了王母懿旨，是以等不得大圣，故先在此摘桃，万望恕罪。”大圣闻言，回嗔作喜道：“仙娥请起。王母开阁设宴，请的是谁？”仙女道：“上会自有旧规。请的是西天佛老、菩萨、圣僧、罗汉，南方南极观音，东方崇恩圣帝、十洲三岛仙翁，北方北极玄灵，中央黄极黄角大仙，——这个是五方五老。还有五斗星君，上八洞三清、四帝、太乙天仙等众；中八洞玉皇、九垒、海岳神仙；下八洞幽冥教主、注世地仙。各宫各殿大小尊神，俱一齐赴蟠桃嘉会。”大圣笑道：“可请我么？”仙女道：“不曾听得说。”大圣道：“我乃齐天大圣，就请我老孙做个席尊，有何不可？”仙女道：“此是上会旧规，今会不知如何。”大圣道：“此言也是，难怪汝等。你且立下，待老孙先去打听个消息，看可请老孙不请。”

好大圣，捻着诀，念声咒语，对众仙女道：“住！住！住！”这原来是个定身法，把那七衣仙女，一个个睖睖睁睁[4]，白着眼，都站在桃树之下。大圣纵朵祥云，跳出园内，径奔瑶池路上而去。正行时，只见那壁厢：

一天瑞霭光摇曳，五色祥云飞不绝。

白鹤声鸣振九皋，紫芝色秀分千叶。

中间现出一尊仙，相貌昂然丰采别。

神舞虹霓幌汉霄，腰悬宝箓无生灭。

名称赤脚大罗仙，特赴蟠桃添寿节。

那赤脚大仙觌面撞见大圣，大圣低头定计，赚哄真仙，他要暗去赴会，却问：“老道何往？”大仙道：“蒙王母见招，去赴蟠桃嘉会。”大圣道：“老道不知。玉帝因老孙筋斗云疾，着老孙五路邀请列位，先至通明殿下演礼，后方去赴宴。”大仙是个光明正大之人，就以他的诳语作真，道：“常年就在瑶池演礼谢恩，如何先去通明殿演礼，方去瑶池赴会？”无奈，只得拨转祥云，径往通明殿去了。

大圣驾着云，念声咒语，摇身一变，就变做赤脚大仙模样，前奔瑶池。不多时，直至宝阁，按住云头，轻轻移步，走入里面。只见那里：

琼香缭绕，瑞霭缤纷。瑶台铺彩结，宝阁散氤氲。凤翥鸾翔形缥缈，金花玉萼影浮沉。上排着九凤丹霞扆，八宝紫霓墩。五彩描金桌，千花碧玉盆。桌上有龙肝和凤髓，熊掌与猩唇。珍羞百味般般美，异果嘉肴色色新。

那里铺设得齐齐整整，却还未有仙来。这大圣点看不尽，忽闻得一阵酒香扑鼻。忽转头，见右壁厢长廊之下，有几个造酒的仙官，盘糟的力士，领几个运水的道人，烧火的童子，在那里洗缸刷瓮，已造成了玉液琼浆，香醪佳酿。大圣止不住口角流涎，就要去吃，奈何那些人都在这里。他就弄个神通，把毫毛拔下几根，丢入口中嚼碎，喷将出去，念声咒语，叫：“变！”即变做几个瞌睡虫，奔在众人脸上。你看那伙人手软头低，闭眉合眼，丢了执事，都去盹睡。大圣却拿了些百味八珍，佳肴异品，走入长廊里面，就着缸，挨着瓮，放开量，痛饮一番。吃够了多时，酕醄[5]醉了。自揣自摸道：“不好！不好！再过会，请的客来，却不怪我？一时拿住，怎生是好？不如早回府中睡去也。”

好大圣，摇摇摆摆，仗着酒，任情乱撞，一会把路差了，不是齐天府，却是兜率天宫。一见了，顿然醒悟道：“兜率宫是三十三天之上，乃离恨天太上老君之处，如何错到此间？——也罢！也罢！一向要来望此老，不曾得来，今趁此残步[6]，就望他一望也好。”即整衣撞进去。那里不见老君，四无人迹。原来那老君与燃灯古佛，在三层高阁朱陵丹台上讲道，众仙童、仙将、仙官、仙吏，都侍立左右听讲。这大圣直至丹房里面，寻访不遇，但见丹灶之旁，炉中有火。炉左右安放着五个葫芦，葫芦里都是炼就的金丹。大圣喜道：“此物乃仙家之至宝。老孙自了道以来，识破了内外相同之理，也要炼些金丹济人，不期到家无暇；今日有缘，却又撞着此物，趁老子[7]不在，等我吃他几丸尝新。”他就把那葫芦都倾出来，就都吃了，如吃炒豆相似。

一时间丹满酒醒，又自己揣度道：“不好！不好！这场祸，比天还大，若惊动玉帝，性命难存。走！走！走！不如下界为王去也！”他就跑出兜率宫，不行旧路，从西天门使个隐身法逃去。即按云头，回至花果山界。但见那旌旗闪灼，戈戟光辉，原来是四健将与七十二洞妖王，在那里演习武艺。大圣高叫道：“小的们！我来也！”众怪丢了器械，跪倒道：“大圣好宽心！丢下我等许久，不来相顾！”大圣道：“没多时！没多时！”且说且行，径入洞天深处。四健将打扫安歇，叩头礼拜毕，俱道：“大圣在天这百十年，实受何职？”大圣笑道：“我记得才半年光景，怎么就说百十年话？”健将道：“在天一日，即在下方一年也。”大圣道：“且喜这番玉帝相爱，果封做‘齐天大圣’，起一座齐天府，又设安静、宁神二司，司设仙吏侍卫。向后见我无事，着我待管蟠桃园。近因王母娘娘设‘蟠桃大会’，未曾请我，是我不待他请，先赴瑶池，把他那仙品、仙酒，都是我偷吃了。走出瑶池，踉踉误入老君宫阙，又把他五个葫芦金丹也偷吃了。但恐玉帝见罪，方才走出天门来也。”

众怪闻言大喜，即安排酒果接风，将椰酒满斟一石碗奉上。大圣喝了一口，即咨牙俫嘴[8]道：“不好吃！不好吃！”崩、芭二将道：“大圣在天宫，吃了仙酒、仙肴，是以椰酒不甚美口。常言道：‘美不美，乡中水。’”大圣道：“你们就是‘亲不亲，故乡人’。我今早在瑶池中受用时，见那长廊之下，有许多瓶罐，都是那玉液琼浆。你们都不曾尝着。待我再去偷他几瓶回来，你们各饮半杯，一个个也长生不老。”众猴欢喜不胜。大圣即出洞门，又翻一筋斗，使个隐身法，径至蟠桃会上。进瑶池宫阙，只见那几个造酒、盘糟、运水、烧火的，还鼾睡未醒。他将大的从左右胁下挟了两个，两手提了两个，即拨转云头回来，会众猴在于洞中，就做个“仙酒会”，各饮了几杯，快乐不题。

却说那七衣仙女自受了大圣的定身法术，一周天方能解脱。各提花篮，回奏王母说：“齐天大圣使术法困住我等，故此来迟。”王母问道：“汝等摘了多少蟠桃？”仙女道：“只有两篮小桃，三篮中桃。至后面，大桃半个也无，想都是大圣偷吃了。及正寻间，不期大圣走将出来，行凶拷打，又问设宴请谁。我等把上会事说了一遍，他就定住我等，不知去向。直到如今，才得醒解回来。”

王母闻言，即去见玉帝，备陈前事。说不了，又见那造酒的一班人，同仙官等来奏：“不知甚么人，搅乱了‘蟠桃大会’，偷吃了玉液琼浆，其八珍百味，亦俱偷吃了。”又有四个大天师来奏上：“太上道祖来了。”玉帝即同王母出迎。老君朝礼毕，道：“老道宫中，炼了些‘九转金丹’，伺候陛下做‘丹元大会’，不期被贼偷去，特启陛下知之。”玉帝见奏悚惧。少时，又有齐天府仙吏叩头道：“孙大圣不守执事，自昨日出游，至今未转，更不知去向。”玉帝又添疑思。只见那赤脚大仙又囟上奏道：“臣蒙王母诏昨日赴会，偶遇齐天大圣，对臣言万岁有旨，着他邀臣等先赴通明殿演礼，方去赴会。臣依他言语，即返至通明殿外，不见万岁龙车凤辇，又急来此俟候。”玉帝越发大惊道：“这厮假传旨意，赚哄贤卿，快着纠察灵官缉访这厮踪迹！”

灵官领旨，即出殿遍访，尽得其详细。回奏道：“搅乱天宫者，乃齐天大圣也。”又将前事尽诉一番。玉帝大恼，即差四大天王，协同李天王并哪吒太子，点二十八宿、九曜星官、十二元辰、五方揭谛、四值功曹、东西星斗、南北二神、五岳四渎、普天星相，共十万天兵，布一十八架天罗地网下界，去花果山围困，定捉获那厮处治。众神即时兴师，离了天宫。这一去，但见那：

黄风滚滚遮天暗，紫雾腾腾罩地昏。只为妖猴欺上帝，致令众圣降凡尘。四大天王，五方上帝：四大天王权总制，五方大圣调多兵。李托塔中军掌号，恶哪吒前部先锋。罗候星为头检点，计都星随后峥嵘。太阴星精神抖擞，太阳星照耀分明。五行星偏能豪杰，九曜星最喜相争。元辰星子午卯酉，一个个都是大力天丁。五瘟五岳东西摆，六丁六甲左右行。四渎龙神分上下，二十八宿密层层。角亢氐房为总领，奎娄胃昴惯翻腾。斗牛女虚危室壁，心尾箕星个个能。井鬼柳星张翼轸，抡枪舞剑显威灵。停云降雾临凡世，花果山前扎下营。

诗曰：

天产猴王变化多，偷丹偷酒乐山窝。

只因搅乱蟠桃会，十万天兵布网罗。

当时李天王传了令，着众天兵扎了营，把那花果山围得水泄不通。上下布了十八架天罗地网，先差九曜恶星出战。九曜即提兵径至洞外，只见那洞外大小群猴跳跃顽耍。星官厉声高叫道：“那小妖！你那大圣在那里？我等乃上界差调的天神，到此降你这造反的大圣。教他快快来归降。若道半个‘不’字，教汝等一概遭诛！”那小妖慌忙传入道：“大圣，祸事了！祸事了！外面有九个凶神，口称上界差来的天神，收降大圣。”

那大圣正与七十二洞妖王，并四健将分饮仙酒，一闻此报，公然不理道：“‘今朝有酒今朝醉，莫管门前是与非。’”说不了，一起小妖又跳来道：“那九个凶神，恶言泼语，在门前骂战哩！”大圣笑道：“莫采他。‘诗酒且图今日乐，功名休问几时成。’”说犹未了，又一起小妖来报：“爷爷！那九个凶神已把门打破，杀进来也！”大圣怒道：“这泼毛神，老大无礼！本待不与他计较，如何上门来欺我？”即命：“独角鬼王领帅七十二洞妖王出阵，老孙领四健将随后。”那鬼王疾帅妖兵，出门迎敌，却被九曜恶星一齐掩杀，抵住在铁板桥头，莫能得出。

正嚷间，大圣到了。叫一声：“开路！”掣开铁棒，幌一幌，碗来粗细，丈二长短，丢开架手，打将出来。九曜星那个敢抵，一时打退。那九曜星立住阵势道：“你这不知死活的弼马温！你犯了十恶之罪，先偷桃，后偷酒，搅乱了蟠桃大会，又窃了老君仙丹，又将御酒偷来此处享乐，你罪加罪，岂不知之？”大圣笑道：“这几桩事，实有！实有！但如今你怎么？”九曜星道：“吾奉玉帝金旨，帅众到此收降你，快早皈依！免教这些生灵纳命。不然，就平了此山，掀翻了此洞也！”大圣大怒道：“量你这些毛神，有何法力，敢出浪言。不要走，请吃老孙一棒！”这九曜星一齐踊跃。那美猴王不惧分毫，抡起金箍棒，左遮右挡，把那九曜星战得筋疲力软，一个个倒拖器械，败阵而走，急入中军帐下，对托塔天王道：“那猴王果十分骁勇！我等战他不过，败阵来了。”李天王即调四大天王与二十八宿，一路出师来斗。大圣也公然不惧，调出独角鬼王、七十二洞妖王与四个健将，就于洞门外列成阵势。你看这场混战好惊人也：

寒风飒飒，怪雾阴阴。那壁厢旌旗飞彩，这壁厢戈戟生辉。滚滚盔明，层层甲亮。滚滚盔明映太阳，如撞天的银磬；层层甲亮砌岩崖，似压地的冰山。大杆刀，飞云掣电，楮白枪，度雾穿云。方天戟，虎眼鞭，麻林摆列；青铜剑，四明铲，密树排阵。弯弓硬弩雕翎箭，短棍蛇矛挟了魂。大圣一条如意棒，翻来复去战天神。杀得那空中无鸟过，山内虎狼奔；扬砂走石乾坤黑，播土飞尘宇宙昏。只听兵兵朴朴惊天地，煞煞威威振鬼神。

这一场自辰时布阵，混杀到日落西山。那独角鬼王与七十二洞妖怪，尽被众天神捉拿去了，止走了四健将与那群猴，深藏在水帘洞底。这大圣一条棒，抵住了四大天神与李托塔、哪吒太子，俱在半空中。杀够多时，大圣见天色将晚，即拔毫毛一把，丢在口中，嚼碎了，喷将出去，叫声：“变！”就变了千百个大圣，都使的是金箍棒，打退了哪吒太子，战败了五个天王。

大圣得胜，收了毫毛，急转身回洞，早又见铁板桥头，四个健将领众叩迎，那大众哽哽咽咽大哭三声，又唏唏哈哈大笑三声。大圣道：“汝等见了我，又哭又笑，何也？”健将道：“今早帅众将与天王交战，把七十二洞妖王与独角鬼王，尽被众神捉了，我等逃生，故此该哭。这见大圣得胜回来，未曾伤损，故此该笑。”大圣道：“胜负乃兵家之常。古人云：‘杀人一万，自损三千。’况捉了去的头目乃是虎豹狼虫、獾獐狐狢之类，我同类者未伤一个，何须烦恼？他虽被我使个分身法杀退，他还要安营在我山脚下。我等且紧紧防守，饱餐一顿，安心睡觉，养养精神。天明看我使个大神通，拿这些天将，与众报仇。”四将与众猴将椰酒吃了几碗，安心睡觉不题。

那四大天王收兵罢战，众各报功：有拿住虎豹的，有拿住狮象的，有拿住狼虫狐狢的，更不曾捉着一个猴精。当时果又安辕营，下大寨，赏劳了得功之将，分付了天罗地网之兵，各各提铃喝号，围困了花果山，专待明早大战。各人得令，一处处谨守。此正是：

妖猴作乱惊天地，布网张罗昼夜看。

毕竟天晓后如何处治，且听下回分解。

[1] （fǔ）囟（xìn）：就是磕头。同“俯”。囟，囟门。本指婴儿头顶骨未合缝的地方。这里指头顶。

[2] 酡（tuó）：喝酒时脸红叫酡。

[3] 玄都：即唐代长安城的玄都观，观中盛植桃树。刘禹锡《游玄都观》有“玄都观里桃千树，尽是刘郎去后栽”诗句。

[4] 睖（lènɡ）睖睁（zhenɡ）睁：眼睛发呆、发直。

[5] 酕（máo）醄（táo）：大醉的样子，意同“酩酊”。

[6] 残步：顺路、便道。

[7] 老子：即李耳（约前五七〇—前五〇〇），道家学派创始人。后被道教奉为教主，即太上老君。

[8] 俫嘴：犹咧嘴。

CHAPTER 5. Disrupting the Peach Festival, the Great Sage steals elixir; With revolt in Heaven, many gods would seize the fiend.

Now we must tell you that the Great Sage, after all, was a monkey monster; in truth, he had no knowledge of his title or rank, nor did he care for the size of his salary. He did nothing but place his name on the Register. At his official residence he was cared for night and day by the attending officials of the two departments. His sole concern was to eat three meals a day and to sleep soundly at night. Having neither duties nor worries, he was free and content to tour the mansions and meet friends, to make new acquaintances and form new alliances at his leisure. When he met the Three Pure Ones,1 he addressed them as “Your Reverence”; and when he ran into the Four Thearchs,2 he would say, “Your Majesty.” As for the Nine Luminaries,3 the Generals of the Five Quarters, the Twenty-Eight Constellations,4 the Four Devarājas,5 the Twelve Horary Branches,6 the Five Elders of the Five Regions,7 the Star Spirits of the entire Heaven, and the numerous gods of the Milky Way,8 he called them all brother and treated them in a fraternal manner. Today he toured the east, and tomorrow he wandered west. Going and coming on the clouds, he had no specific itinerary.

Early one morning, when the Jade Emperor was holding court, the Daoist immortal Xu Jingyang9 stepped from the ranks and went forward to memorialize, kowtowing, “The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, has no duties at present and merely dawdles away his time. He has become quite chummy with the various Stars and Constellations of Heaven, calling them his friends regardless of whether they are his superiors or subordinates, and I fear that his idleness may lead to roguery. It would be better to give him some assignment so that he will not grow mischievous.” When the Jade Emperor heard these words, he sent for the Monkey King at once, who came amiably. “Your Majesty,” he said, “what promotion or reward did you have in mind for old Monkey when you called him?” “We perceive,” said the Jade Emperor, “that your life is quite indolent, since you have nothing to do, and we have decided therefore to give you an assignment. You will temporarily take care of the Garden of Immortal Peaches. Be careful and diligent, morning and evening.” Delighted, the Great Sage bowed deeply and grunted his gratitude as he withdrew.

He could not restrain himself from rushing immediately into the Garden of Immortal Peaches to inspect the place. A local spirit from the garden stopped him and asked, “Where is the Great Sage going?” “I have been authorized by the Jade Emperor,” said the Great Sage, “to look after the Garden of Immortal Peaches. I have come to conduct an inspection.” The local spirit hurriedly saluted him and then called together all the stewards in charge of hoeing, watering, tending peaches, and cleaning and sweeping. They all came to kowtow to the Great Sage and led him inside. There he saw

Radiantly young and lovely,

On every trunk and limb—

Radiantly young and lovely blossoms filling the trees,

And fruits on every trunk and limb weighing down the stems.

The fruits, weighing down the stems, hang like balls of gilt:

The blossoms, filling the trees, form tufts of rouge.

Ever they bloom, and ever fruit-bearing, they ripen in a thousand years;

Not knowing winter or summer, they lengthen out to ten thousand years.

Those that first ripen glow like faces reddened with wine,

While those half-grown ones

Are stalk-held and green-skinned.

Encased in smoke their flesh retains their green,

But sunlight reveals their cinnabar grace.

Beneath the trees are rare flowers and exotic grass

Which colors, unfading in four seasons, remain the same.

The towers, the terraces, and the studios left and right

Rise so high into the air that often cloud covers are seen.

Not planted by the vulgar or the worldly of the Dark City,

They are grown and tended by the Queen Mother of the Jade Pool.10

The Great Sage enjoyed this sight for a long time and then asked the local spirit, “How many trees are there?” “There are three thousand six hundred,” said the local spirit. “In the front are one thousand two hundred trees with little flowers and small fruits. These ripen once every three thousand years, and after one taste of them a man will become an immortal enlightened in the Way, with healthy limbs and a lightweight body. In the middle are one thousand two hundred trees of layered flowers and sweet fruits. They ripen once every six thousand years. If a man eats them, he will ascend to Heaven with the mist and never grow old. At the back are one thousand two hundred trees with fruits of purple veins and pale yellow pits. These ripen once every nine thousand years and, if eaten, will make a man’s age equal to that of Heaven and Earth, the sun and the moon.” Highly pleased by these words, the Great Sage that very day made thorough inspection of the trees and a listing of the arbors and pavilions before returning to his residence. From then on, he would go there to enjoy the scenery once every three or four days. He no longer consorted with his friends, nor did he take any more trips.

One day he saw that more than half of the peaches on the branches of the older trees had ripened, and he wanted very much to eat one and sample its novel taste. Closely followed, however, by the local spirit of the garden, the stewards, and the divine attendants of the Equal to Heaven Residence, he found it inconvenient to do so. He therefore devised a plan on the spur of the moment and said to them, “Why don’t you all wait for me outside and let me rest a while in this arbor?” The various immortals withdrew accordingly. That Monkey King then took off his cap and robe and climbed up onto a big tree. He selected the large peaches that were thoroughly ripened and, plucking many of them, ate to his heart’s content right on the branches. Only after he had his fill did he jump down from the tree. Pinning back his cap and donning his robe, he called for his train of followers to return to the residence. After two or three days, he used the same device to steal peaches to gratify himself once again.

One day the Lady Queen Mother decided to open wide her treasure chamber and to give a banquet for the Grand Festival of Immortal Peaches, which was to be held in the Palace of the Jasper Pool. She ordered the various Immortal Maidens—Red Gown, Blue Gown, White Gown, Black Gown, Purple Gown, Yellow Gown, and Green Gown—to go with their flower baskets to the Garden of Immortal Peaches and pick the fruits for the festival. The seven maidens went to the gate of the garden and found it guarded by the local spirit, the stewards, and the ministers from the two departments of the Equal to Heaven Residence. The girls approached them, saying, “We have been ordered by the Queen Mother to pick some peaches for our banquet.” “Divine maidens,” said the local spirit, “please wait a moment. This year is not quite the same as last year. The Jade Emperor has put in charge here the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, and we must report to him before we are allowed to open the gate.” “Where is the Great Sage?” asked the maidens. “He is in the garden,” said the local spirit. “Because he is tired, he is sleeping alone in the arbor.” “If that’s the case,” said the maidens, “let us go and find him, for we cannot be late.” The local spirit went into the garden with them; they found their way to the arbor but saw no one. Only the cap and the robe were left in the arbor, but there was no person to be seen. The Great Sage, you see, had played for a while and eaten a number of peaches. He had then changed himself into a figure only two inches high and, perching on the branch of a large tree, had fallen asleep under the cover of thick leaves. “Since we came by imperial decree,” said the Seven-Gown Immortal Maidens, “how can we return empty-handed, even though we cannot locate the Great Sage?” One of the divine officials said from the side, “Since the divine maidens have come by decree, they should wait no longer. Our Great Sage has a habit of wandering off somewhere, and he must have left the garden to meet his friends. Go and pick your peaches now, and we shall report the matter for you.” The Immortal Maidens followed his suggestion and went into the grove to pick their peaches.

They gathered two basketfuls from the trees in front and filled three more baskets from the trees in the middle. When they went to the trees at the back of the grove, they found that the flowers were sparse and the fruits scanty. Only a few peaches with hairy stems and green skins were left, for the fact is that the Monkey King had eaten all the ripe ones. Looking this way and that, the Seven Immortal Maidens found on a branch pointing southward one single peach that was half white and half red. The Blue Gown Maiden pulled the branch down with her hand, and the Red Gown Maiden, after plucking the fruit, let the branch snap back up into its position. This was the very branch on which the transformed Great Sage was sleeping. Startled by her, the Great Sage revealed his true form and whipped out from his ear the golden-hooped rod. One wave and it had the thickness of a rice bowl. “From what region have you come, monsters,” he cried, “that you have the gall to steal my peaches?” Terrified, the Seven Immortal Maidens knelt down together and pleaded, “Let the Great Sage calm himself! We are not monsters, but the Seven-Gown Immortal Maidens sent by the Lady Queen Mother to pluck the fruits needed for the Grand Festival of Immortal Peaches, when the treasure chamber is opened wide. We just came here and first saw the local spirit of the garden, who could not find the Great Sage. Fearing that we might be delayed in fulfilling the command of the Queen Mother, we did not wait for the Great Sage but proceeded to pluck the peaches. We beg you to forgive us.”

When the Great Sage heard these words, his anger changed to delight. “Please arise, divine maidens,” he said. “Who is invited to the banquet when the Queen Mother opens wide her treasure chamber?” “The last festival had its own set of rules,” said the Immortal Maidens, “and those invited were: the Buddha, the Bodhisattvas, the holy monks, and the arhats of the Western Heaven; Kuan-yin from the South Pole; the Holy Emperor of Great Mercy of the East; the Immortals of Ten Continents and Three Islands; the Dark Spirit of the North Pole; the Great Immortal of the Yellow Horn from the Imperial Center. These were the Elders from the Five Quarters. In addition, there were the Star Spirits of the Five Poles, the Three Pure Ones, the Four Deva Kings, the Heavenly Deva of the Great Monad, and the rest from the Upper Eight Caves. From the Middle Eight Caves there were the Jade Emperor, the Nine Heroes, the Immortals of the Seas and Mountains; and from the Lower Eight Caves, there were the Pope of Darkness and the Terrestrial Immortals. The gods and devas, both great and small, of every palace and mansion, will be attending this happy Festival of the Immortal Peaches.”

“Am I invited?” asked the Great Sage, laughing. “We haven’t heard your name mentioned,” said the Immortal Maidens. “I am the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven,” said the Great Sage. “Why shouldn’t I, old Monkey, be made an honored guest at the party?” “Well, we told you the rule for the last festival,” said the Immortal Maidens, “but we do not know what will happen this time.” “You are right,” said the Great Sage, “and I don’t blame you. You all just stand here and let old Monkey go and do a little detection to find out whether he’s invited or not.”

Dear Great Sage! He made a magic sign and recited a spell, saying to the various Immortal Maidens, “Stay! Stay! Stay!” This was the magic of immobilization, the effect of which was that the Seven-Gown Immortal Maidens all stood wide-eyed and transfixed beneath the peach trees. Leaping out of the garden, the Great Sage mounted his hallowed cloud and headed straight for the Jasper Pool. As he journeyed, he saw over there

A skyful of holy mist with sparkling light,

And five-colored clouds passing ceaselessly.11

The cries of white cranes pierced the ninefold Heav’n;

Purple fungi bloomed through a thousand leaves.

Right in this midst an immortal appeared

With a natural, fair face and manner distinct.

His spirit glowed like a dancing rainbow;

A list of no birth or death hung from his waist.

His name, the Great Immortal of Naked Feet:12

Attending the Peaches Feast he’d lengthen his age.

That Great Immortal of Naked Feet ran right into the Great Sage, who, his head bowed, was just devising a plan to deceive the real immortal. Since he wanted to go in secret to the festival, he asked, “Where is the Venerable Wisdom going?” The Great Immortal said, “On the kind invitation of the Queen Mother, I am going to the happy Festival of Immortal Peaches.” “The Venerable Wisdom has not yet learned of what I’m about to say,” said the Great Sage. “Because of the speed of my cloud somersault, the Jade Emperor has sent old Monkey out to all five thoroughfares to invite people to go first to the Hall of Perfect Light for a rehearsal of ceremonies before attending the banquet.” Being a sincere and honest man, the Great Immortal took the lie for the truth, though he protested, “In years past we rehearsed right at the Jasper Pool and expressed our gratitude there. Why do we have to go to the Hall of Perfect Light for rehearsal this time before attending the banquet?” Nonetheless, he had no choice but to change the direction of his hallowed cloud and go straight to the hall.

Treading the cloud, the Great Sage recited a spell and, with one shake of his body, changed into the form of the Great Immortal of Naked Feet. It did not take him very long before he reached the treasure chamber. He stopped his cloud and walked softly inside. There he found

Swirling waves of ambrosial fragrance,

Dense layers of holy mist,

A jade terrace decked with ornaments,

A chamber full of the life force,

Ethereal shapes of the phoenix soaring and the argus rising,

And undulant forms of gold blossoms with stems of jade.

Set upon there were the Screen of Nine Phoenixes in Twilight,

The Beacon Mound of Eight Treasures and Purple Mist,

A table inlaid with five-color gold,

And a green jade pot of a thousand flowers.

On the tables were dragon livers and phoenix marrow,

Bear paws and the lips of apes.13

Most tempting was every one of the hundred delicacies,

And most succulent the hue of every kind of fruit and food.

Everything was laid out in an orderly fashion, but no deity had yet arrived for the feast. Our Great Sage could not make an end of staring at the scene when he suddenly felt the overpowering aroma of wine. Turning his head, he saw, in the long corridor to the right, several wine-making divine officials and grain-mashing stewards. They were giving directions to the few Daoists charged with carrying water and the boys who took care of the fire in washing out the barrels and scrubbing the jugs. For they had already finished making the wine, rich and mellow as the juices of jade. The Great Sage could not prevent the saliva from dripping out of the corner of his mouth, and he wanted to have a taste at once, except that the people were all standing there. He therefore resorted to magic. Plucking a few hairs, he threw them into his mouth and chewed them to pieces before spitting them out. He recited a spell and cried “Change!” They changed into many sleep-inducing insects, which landed on the people’s faces. Look at them, how their hands grow weak, their heads droop, and their eyelids sink down. They dropped their activities, and all fell sound asleep. The Great Sage then took some of the rare delicacies and choicest dainties and ran into the corridor. Standing beside the jars and leaning on the barrels, he abandoned himself to drinking. After feasting for a long time, he became thoroughly drunk, but he turned this over in his mind, “Bad! Bad! In a little while, when the invited guests arrive, won’t they be indignant with me? What will happen to me once I’m caught? I’d better go back home now and sleep it off!”

Dear Great Sage! Reeling from side to side, he stumbled along solely on the strength of wine, and in a moment he lost his way. It was not the Equal to Heaven Residence that he went to, but the Tushita Palace. The moment he saw it, he realized his mistake. “The Tushita Palace is at the uppermost of the thirty-three Heavens,” he said, “the Griefless Heaven, which is the home of the Most High Laozi. How did I get here? No matter, I’ve always wanted to see this old man but have never found the opportunity. Now that it’s on my way, I might as well pay him a visit.” He straightened out his attire and pushed his way in, but Laozi was nowhere to be seen. In fact, there was not a trace of anyone. The fact of the matter was that Laozi, accompanied by the Aged Buddha Dīpaṁkara, was giving a lecture on the tall, three-storied Red Mound Elixir Platform. The various divine youths, commanders, and officials were all attending the lecture, standing on both sides of the platform. Searching around, our Great Sage went all the way to the alchemical room. He found no one but saw fire burning in an oven beside the hearth, and around the oven were five gourds in which finished elixir was stored. “This thing is the greatest treasure of immortals,” said the Great Sage happily. “Since old Monkey has understood the Way and comprehended the mystery of the Internal’s identity with the External, I have also wanted to produce some golden elixir on my own to benefit people. While I have been too busy at other times even to think about going home to enjoy myself, good fortune has met me at the door today and presented me with this! As long as Laozi is not around, I’ll take a few tablets and try the taste of something new.” He poured out the contents of all the gourds and ate them like fried beans.

In a moment, the effect of the elixir had dispelled that of the wine, and he again thought to himself, “Bad! Bad! I have brought on myself calamity greater than Heaven! If the Jade Emperor has knowledge of this, it’ll be difficult to preserve my life! Go! Go! Go! I’ll go back to the Region Below to be a king.” He ran out of the Tushita Palace and, avoiding the former way, left by the West Heaven Gate, making himself invisible by the magic of body concealment. Lowering the direction of his cloud, he returned to the Flower-Fruit Mountain. There he was greeted by flashing banners and shining spears, for the four mighty commanders and the monster kings of seventy-two caves were engaging in a military exercise. “Little ones,” the Great Sage called out loudly, “I have returned!” The monsters dropped their weapons and knelt down, saying, “Great Sage! What laxity of mind! You left us for so long, and did not even once visit us to see how we were doing.” “It’s not that long!” said the Great Sage. “It’s not that long!” They walked as they talked, and went deep inside the cave dwelling. After sweeping the place clean and preparing a place for him to rest, and after kowtowing and doing homage, the four mighty commanders said, “The Great Sage has been living for over a century in Heaven. May we ask what appointment he actually received?”

“I recall that it’s been but half a year,” said the Great Sage, laughing. “How can you talk of a century?” “One day in Heaven,” said the commanders, “is equal to one year on Earth.” The Great Sage said, “I am glad to say that the Jade Emperor this time was more favorably disposed toward me, and he did indeed appoint me Great Sage, Equal to Heaven. An official residence was built for me, and two departments—Peace and Quiet, and Serene Spirit—were established, with bodyguards and attendants in each department. Later, when it was found that I carried no responsibility, I was asked to take care of the Garden of Immortal Peaches. Recently the Lady Queen Mother gave the Grand Festival of Immortal Peaches, but she did not invite me. Without waiting for her invitation, I went first to the Jasper Pool and secretly consumed the food and wine. Leaving that place, I staggered into the palace of Laozi and finished up all the elixir stored in five gourds. I was afraid that the Jade Emperor would be offended, and so I decided to walk out of the Heaven Gate.”

The various monsters were delighted by these words, and they prepared a banquet of fruits and wine to welcome him. A stone bowl was filled with coconut wine and presented to the Great Sage, who took a mouthful and then exclaimed with a grimace, “It tastes awful! Just awful!” “The Great Sage,” said Beng and Ba, the two commanders, “has grown accustomed to tasting divine wine and food in Heaven. Small wonder that coconut wine now seems hardly delectable. But the proverb says, ‘Tasty or not, it’s water from home!’” “And all of you are, ‘related or not, people from home’!” said the Great Sage. “When I was enjoying myself this morning at the Jasper Pool, I saw many jars and jugs in the corridor full of the juices of jade, which you have never savored. Let me go back and steal a few bottles to bring down here. Just drink half a cup, and each one of you will live long without growing old.” The various monkeys could not contain their delight. The Great Sage immediately left the cave and, with one somersault, went directly back to the Festival of Immortal Peaches, again using the magic of body concealment. As he entered the doorway of the Palace of the Jasper Pool, he saw that the wine makers, the grain mashers, the water carriers, and the fire tenders were still asleep and snoring. He took two large bottles, one under each arm, and carried two more in his hands. Reversing the direction of his cloud, he returned to the monkeys in the cave. They held their own Festival of Immortal Wine, with each one drinking a few cups, which incident we shall relate no further.

Now we tell you about the Seven-Gown Immortal Maidens, who did not find a release from the Great Sage’s magic of immobilization until a whole day had gone by. Each one of them then took her flower basket and reported to the Queen Mother, saying, “We are delayed because the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, imprisoned us with his magic.” “How many baskets of immortal peaches have you gathered?” asked the Queen Mother. “Only two baskets of small peaches, and three of medium-sized peaches,” said the Immortal Maidens, “for when we went to the back of the grove, there was not even half a large one left! We think the Great Sage must have eaten them all. As we went looking for him, he unexpectedly made his appearance and threatened us with violence and beating. He also questioned us about who had been invited to the banquet, and we gave him a thorough account of the last festival. It was then that he bound us with a spell, and we didn’t know where he went. It was only a moment ago that we found release and so could come back here.”

When the Queen Mother heard these words, she went immediately to the Jade Emperor and presented him with a full account of what had taken place. Before she finished speaking, the group of wine makers together with the various divine officials also came to report: “Someone unknown to us has vandalized the Festival of Immortal Peaches. The juice of jade, the eight dainties, and the hundred delicacies have all been stolen or eaten up.” Four royal preceptors then came up to announce, “The Supreme Patriarch of Dao has arrived.” The Jade Emperor went out with the Queen Mother to greet him. Having paid his respects to them, Laozi said, “There are, in the house of this old Daoist, some finished Golden Elixir of Nine Turns,14 which are reserved for the use of Your Majesty during the next Grand Festival of Cinnabar. Strange to say, they have been stolen by some thief, and I have come specifically to make this known to Your Majesty.” This report stunned the Jade Emperor. Presently the officials from the Equal to Heaven Residence came to announce, kowtowing, “The Great Sage Sun has not been discharging his duties of late. He went out yesterday and still has not yet returned. Moreover, we do not know where he went.” These words gave the Jade Emperor added anxiety.

Next came the Great Immortal of Naked Feet, who prostrated himself and said, “Yesterday, in response to the Queen Mother’s invitation, your subject was on his way to attend the festival when he met by chance the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven. The Sage said to your subject that Your Majesty had ordered him to send your subject first to the Hall of Perfect Light for a rehearsal of ceremonies before attending the banquet. Your subject followed his direction and duly went to the hall. But I did not see the dragon chariot and the phoenix carriage of Your Majesty, and therefore hastened to come here to wait upon you.”

More astounded than ever, the Jade Emperor said, “This fellow now falsifies imperial decrees and deceives my worthy ministers! Let the Divine Minister of Detection quickly locate his whereabouts!” The minister received his order and left the palace to make a thorough investigation. After obtaining all the details, he returned presently to report, “The person who has so profoundly disturbed Heaven is none other than the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” He then gave a repeated account of all the previous incidents, and the Jade Emperor was furious. He at once commanded the Four Great Devarājas to assist Devarāja Li and Prince Naṭa. Together, they called up the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Nine Luminaries, the Twelve Horary Branches, the Fearless Guards of Five Quarters,15 the Four Temporal Guardians,16 the Stars of East and West, the Gods of North and South, the Deities of the Five Mountains and the Four Rivers,17 the Star Spirits of the entire Heaven, and a hundred thousand celestial soldiers. They were ordered to set up eighteen sets of cosmic net, to journey to the Region Below, to encircle completely the Flower-Fruit Mountain, and to capture the rogue and bring him to justice. All the deities immediately alerted their troops and departed from the Heavenly Palace. As they left, this was the spectacle of the expedition:

Yellow with dust; the churning wind concealed the darkening sky:

Reddish with clay, the rising fog o’erlaid the dusky world.

Because an impish monkey insulted the Highest Lord,

The saints of all Heaven descended to this mortal Earth.

Those Four Great Devarājas,

Those Fearless Guards of Five Quarters—

Those Four Great Deva Kings made up the main command;

Those Fearless Guards of Five Quarters moved countless troops.

Li, the Pagoda Bearer, gave orders from the army’s center,

With the fierce Naṭa as the captain of his vanward forces.

The Star of Rāhu, at the forefront, made the roll call;

The Star of Ketu, noble and tall, brought up the rear:

Sōma, the moon, displayed a spirit most eager;

Āditya, the sun, was all shining and radiant.

Heroes of special talents were the Stars of Five Phases.

The Nine Luminaries most relished a good battle.

The Horary Branches of Zi, Wu, Mao, and Yao—

They were all celestial guardians of titanic strength.

To the east and west, the Five Plagues18 and the Five Mountains!

To the left and right, the Six Gods of Darkness and the Six Gods of Light!

Above and below, the Dragon Gods of the Four Rivers!

And in tightest formation, the Twenty-Eight Constellations!19

Citrā, Svātī, Viśākhā, and Anurādhā were the captains.

Revatī, Aśvinī, Apabharaṇī, and Kṛttikā knew combat well.

Uttara-Aṣādhā, Abhijit, Śravaṇā, Śraviṣṭha, Pūrva-Proṣṭhapada, Uttara-Proṣṭhapada,

Rohiṇī, Mūlabarhaṇī, Pūrva-Aṣādhā—every one an able star!

Punarvasu, Tiṣya, Aśleṣā, Meghā, Pūrva-Phalgunī, Uttara-Phalgunī, and Hastā—

All brandished swords and spears to show their power.

Stopping the cloud and lowering the mist they came to this mortal world

And pitched their tents before the Mountain of Flower and Fruit.

The poem says:

The Heav’n-born Monkey King who can change a lot

Steals wine and elixir to joy in his mountain lair.

Since he spoiled the Feast of the Immortal Peach,

A hundred thousand Heaven troops spread the net of God.

Devarāja Li now gave the order for the celestial soldiers to pitch their tents, and a cordon was drawn so tightly around the Flower-Fruit Mountain that not even water could escape! Moreover, eighteen sets of cosmic net were spread out above and below the region, and the Nine Luminaries were then ordered to go into battle. They led their troops and advanced to the cave, in front of which they found a troop of monkeys, both great and small, prancing about playfully. “Little monsters over there,” cried one of the Star Spirits in a severe voice, “where is your Great Sage? We are Heavenly deities sent here from the Region Above to subdue your rebellious Great Sage. Tell him to come here quickly and surrender. If he but utters half a ‘No,’ all of you will be executed.” Hastily the little monsters reported inside, “Great Sage, disaster! Disaster! Outside there are nine savage deities who claim that they are sent from the Region Above to subdue the Great Sage.” Our Great Sage was just sharing the Heavenly wine with the four mighty commanders and the monster kings of seventy-two caves. Hearing this announcement, he said in a most nonchalant manner,

“If you have wine today, get drunk today;

Mind not the troubles in front of your door!”

Scarcely had he uttered this proverb when another group of imps came leaping and said, “Those nine savage gods are trying to provoke battle with foul words and nasty language.” “Don’t listen to them,” said the Great Sage, laughing.

“Let us seek today’s pleasure in poetry and wine,

And cease asking when we may achieve glory or fame.”

Hardly had he finished speaking when still another flock of imps arrived to report, “Father, those nine savage gods have broken down the door, and are about to fight their way in!”

“These reckless, witless gods!” said the Great Sage angrily. “They really have no manners! I was not about to quarrel with them. Why are they abusing me to my face?” He gave the order for the One-Horn Demon King to lead the monster kings of seventy-two caves to battle, adding that old Monkey and the four mighty commanders would follow in the rear. The Demon King swiftly led his troops of ogres to go out to fight, but they were ambushed by the Nine Luminaries and pinned down right at the head of the sheet iron bridge.

At the height of the melee, the Great Sage arrived. “Make way!” he yelled, whipping out his iron rod. One wave of it and it was as thick as a rice bowl and about twelve feet long. The Great Sage plunged into battle, and none of the Nine Luminaries dared oppose him. In a moment, they were all beaten back. When they regrouped themselves again in battle formation, the Nine Luminaries stood still and said, “You senseless BanHorsePlague! You are guilty of the ten evils.20 You first stole peaches and then wine, utterly disrupting the Grand Festival of Immortal Peaches. You also robbed Laozi of his immortal elixir, and then you had the gall to plunder the imperial winery for your personal enjoyment. Don’t you realize that you have piled up sin upon sin?” “Indeed,” said the Great Sage, “these several incidents did occur! But what do you intend to do now?” The Nine Luminaries said, “We received the golden decree of the Jade Emperor to lead our troops here to subdue you. Submit at once, and spare these creatures from being slaughtered. If not, we shall level this mountain and overturn this cave!” “How great is your magical power, silly gods,” retorted the Great Sage angrily, “that you dare to mouth such foolhardy words? Don’t go away! Have a taste of old Monkey’s rod!” The Nine Luminaries mounted a joint attack, but the Handsome Monkey King was not in the least intimidated. He wielded his golden-hooped rod, parrying left and right, and fought the Nine Luminaries until they were thoroughly exhausted. Every one of them turned around and fled, his weapons trailing behind him. Running into the tent at the center of their army, they said to the Pagoda Bearer Devarāja, “That Monkey King is indeed an intrepid warrior! We cannot withstand him, and have returned defeated.”

Devarāja Li then ordered the Four Great Devarājas and the Twenty-Eight Constellations to go out together to do battle. Without displaying the slightest panic, the Great Sage also ordered the One-Horn Demon King, the monster kings of seventy-two caves, and the four mighty commanders to range themselves in battle formation in front of the cave. Look at this all-out battle! It was truly terrifying with

The cold, soughing wind,

The dark, dreadful fog.

On one side, the colorful banners fluttered;

On the other, lances and halberds glimmered.

There were row upon row of shining helmets,

And coat upon coat of gleaming armor.

Row upon row of helmets shining in the sunlight

Resembled silver bells whose chimes echoed in the sky;

Coat upon coat of gleaming armor rising clifflike in layers

Seemed like glaciers crushing the earth.

The giant scimitars

Flew and flashed like lightning;

The mulberry-white spears,

Could pierce even mist and cloud!

The crosslike halberds

And tiger-eye lashes

Were arranged like thick rows of hemp;

The green swords of bronze

And four-sided shovels

Crowded together like trees in a dense forest.

Curved bows, crossbows, and stout arrows with eagle plumes,

Short staffs and snakelike lances—all could kill or maim.

That compliant rod, which the Great Sage owned,

Kept tossing and turning in this battle with gods.

They fought till the air was rid of birds flying by;

Wolves and tigers were driven from within the mount;

The planet was darkened by hurtling rocks and stones,

And the cosmos bedimmed by flying dust and dirt.

The clamor and clangor disturbed Heaven and Earth;

The scrap and scuffle alarmed both demons and gods.

Beginning with the battle formation at dawn, they fought until the sun sank down behind the western hills. The One-Horn Demon King and the monster kings of seventy-two caves were all taken captive by the forces of Heaven. Those who escaped were the four mighty commanders and the troop of monkeys, who hid themselves deep inside the Water-Curtain Cave. With his single rod, the Great Sage withstood in midair the Four Great Devarājas, Li the Pagoda Bearer, and Prince Naṭa, and battled with them for a long time. When he saw that evening was approaching, the Great Sage plucked a handful of hairs, threw them into his mouth, and chewed them to pieces. He spat them out, crying, “Change!” They changed at once into many thousands of Great Sages, each employing a golden-hooped rod! They beat back Prince Naṭa and defeated the Five Devarājas.

In triumph the Great Sage collected back his hairs and hurried back to his cave. Soon, at the head of the sheet iron bridge, he was met by the four mighty commanders leading the rest of the monkeys. As they kowtowed to receive him they cried three times, sobbing aloud, and then they laughed three times, hee-heeing and ho-hoing. The Great Sage said, “Why do you all laugh and cry when you see me?” “When we fought with the Deva Kings this morning,” said the four mighty commanders, “the monster kings of seventy-two caves and the One-Horn Demon King were all taken captive by the gods. We were the only ones who managed to escape alive, and that is why we cried. Now we see that the Great Sage has returned unharmed and triumphant, and so we laugh as well.”

“Victory and defeat,” said the Great Sage, “are the common experiences of a soldier. The ancient proverb says,

You may kill ten thousand of your enemies,

But you will lose three thousand of your allies!

Moreover, those chieftains who have been captured are tigers and leopards, wolves and insects, badgers and foxes, and the like. Not a single member of our own kind has been hurt. Why then should we be disconsolate? Although our adversaries have been beaten back by my magic of body division, they are still encamped at the foot of our mountain. Let us be most vigilant, therefore, in our defense. Have a good meal, rest well, and conserve your energy. When morning comes, watch me perform a great magic and capture some of these generals from Heaven, so that our comrades may be avenged.” The four mighty commanders drank a few bowls of coconut wine with the host of monkeys and went to sleep peacefully. We shall speak no more of them.

When those Four Devarājas retired their troops and stopped their fighting, each one of the Heavenly commanders came to report his accomplishment. There were those who had captured lions and elephants and those who had apprehended wolves, crawling creatures, and foxes. Not a single monkey monster, however, had been seized. The camp was then secured, a great tent was pitched, and those commanders with meritorious services were rewarded. The soldiers in charge of the cosmic nets were ordered to carry bells and were given passwords. They encircled the Flower-Fruit Mountain to await the great battle of the next day, and each soldier everywhere diligently kept his watch. So this is the situation:

The fiendish monkey riots through Heaven and Earth,

But the net spreads open, ready night and day.

We do not know what took place after the next morning; let’s listen to the explanation in the next chapter.