第十八回

第十八回 观音院唐僧脱难 高老庄行者降魔

行者辞了菩萨，按落云头，将袈裟挂在香楠树上，掣出棒来，打入黑风洞里。那洞里那得一个小妖？原来是他见菩萨出现，降得那老怪就地打滚，急急都散走了。行者一发行凶，将他那几层门上，都积了干柴，前前后后，一齐发火，把个黑风洞烧做个“红风洞”，却拿了袈裟，驾祥光，转回直北。

话说那三藏望行者急忙不来，心甚疑惑，不知是请菩萨不至，不知是行者托故而逃。正在那胡猜乱想之中，只见半空中彩雾灿灿，行者忽坠阶前，叫道：“师父，袈裟来了。”三藏大喜。众僧亦无不欢悦道：“好了！好了！我等性命，今日方才得全了。”三藏接了袈裟道：“悟空，你早间去时，原约到饭罢晌午，如何此时日西方回？”行者将那请菩萨施变化降妖的事情，备陈了一遍。三藏闻言，遂设香案，朝南礼拜罢，道：“徒弟呵，既然有了佛衣，可快收拾包裹去也。”行者道：“莫忙，莫忙。今日将晚，不是走路的时候，且待明日早行。”众僧们一齐跪下道：“孙老爷说得是：一则天晚，二来我等有些愿心儿，今幸平安，有了宝贝，待我还了愿，请老爷散了福[1]，明早再送西行。”行者道：“正是，正是。”你看那些和尚，都倾囊倒底，把那火里抢出的馀资，各出所有，整顿了些斋供，烧了些平安无事的纸，念了几卷消灾解厄的经。当晚事毕。

次早方刷扮了马匹，包裹了行囊出门。众僧远送方回。行者引路而去。正是那春融时节，但见那：

草衬玉骢蹄迹软，柳摇金线露华新。

桃杏满林争艳丽，薜萝绕径放精神。

沙堤日暖鸳鸯睡，山涧花香蛱蝶驯。

这般秋去冬残春过半，不知何年行满得真文。

师徒们行了五七日荒路，忽一日天色将晚，远远的望见一村人家。三藏道：“悟空，你看那壁厢有座山庄相近，我们去告宿一宵，明日再行何如？”行者道：“且等老孙去看看吉凶，再作区处。”那师父挽住丝缰，这行者定睛观看，真个是：

竹篱密密，茅屋重重。参天野树迎门，曲水溪桥映户。道旁杨柳绿依依，园内花开香馥馥。此时那夕照沉西，处处山林喧鸟雀；晚烟出爨[2]，条条道径转牛羊。又见那食饱鸡豚眠屋角，醉酣邻叟唱歌来。

行者看罢道：“师父请行。定是一村好人家，正可借宿。”那长老催动白马，早到街衢之口。又见一个少年，头裹绵布，身穿蓝袄，持伞背包，敛裩扎裤[3]，脚踏着一双三耳草鞋，雄纠纠的，出街忙走。行者顺手一把扯住道：“那里去？我问你一个信儿：此间是甚么地方？”那个人只管苦挣，口里嚷道：“我庄上没人？只是我好问信？”行者陪着笑道：“施主莫恼。‘与人方便，自己方便’。你就与我说说地名何害？我也可解得你的烦恼。”那人挣不脱手，气得乱跳道：“蹭蹬[4]！蹭蹬！家长的屈气受不了，又撞着这个光头，受他的清气！”行者道：“你有本事劈开我的手，你便就去了也罢。”那人左扭右扭，那里扭得动，却似一把铁钤拑住一般，气得他丢了包袱，撇了伞，两只手雨点似来抓行者。行者把一只手扶着行李，一只手抵住那人，凭他怎么支吾[5]，只是不能抓着。行者愈加不放。那人急得爆燥如雷。三藏道：“悟空，那里不有人来了？你再问那人就是，只管扯住他怎的？放他去罢。”行者笑道：“师父不知。若是问了别人没趣，须是问他，才有买卖。”那人被行者扯住不过，只得说出道：“此处乃是乌斯藏国界之地，唤做高老庄。一庄人家有大半姓高，故此唤做高老庄。你放了我去罢。”行者又道：“你这样行装，不是个走近路的。你实与我说，你要往那里去，端的所干何事，我才放你。”

这人无奈，只得以实情告诉道：“我是高太公的家人，名叫高才。我那太公有个老[6]女儿，年方二十岁，更不曾配人，三年前被一个妖精占了。那妖整做了这三年女婿。我太公不悦，说道：‘女儿招了妖精，不是长法：一则败坏家门，二则没个亲家来往。’一向要退这妖精。那妖精那里肯退，转把女儿关在他后宅，将有半年，再不放出与家内人相见。我太公与了我几两银子，教我寻访法师，拿那妖怪。我这些时不曾住脚，前前后后，请了有三四个人，都是不济的和尚，脓包的道士，降不得那妖精。刚才骂了我一场，说我不会干事，又与了我五钱银子做盘缠，教我再去请好法师降他。不期撞着你这个纥剌星[7]扯住，误了我走路，故此里外受气，我无奈，才与你叫喊。不想你又有些拿法[8]，我挣不过你，所以说此实情。你放我去罢。”行者道：“你的造化，我有营生。这才是凑四合六[9]的勾当。你也不须远行，莫要花费了银子。我们不是那不济的和尚，脓包的道士，其实有些手段，惯会拿妖。这正是‘一来照顾郎中，二来又医得眼好’。烦你回去上复你那家主，说我们是东土驾下差来的御弟圣僧，往西天拜佛求经者，善能降妖缚怪。”高才道：“你莫误了我。我是一肚子气的人，你若哄了我，没甚手段，拿不住那妖精，却不又带累我来受气？”行者道：“管教不误了你。你引我到你家门首去来。”那人也无计奈何，真个提着包袱，拿了伞，转步回身，领他师徒到于门首道：“二位长老，你且在马台上略坐坐，等我进去报主人知道。”行者才放了手，落担牵马，师徒们坐立门旁等候。

那高才入了大门，径往中堂上走，可可的撞见高太公。太公骂道：“你这个蛮皮[10]畜生，怎么不去寻人，又回来做甚？”高才放下包伞道：“上告主人公得知，小人才行出街口，忽撞见两个和尚，一个骑马，一个挑担。他扯住我不放，问我那里去。我再三不曾与他说及，他缠得没奈何，不得脱手，遂将主人公的事情，一一说与他知。他却十分欢喜，要与我们拿那妖怪哩。”高老道：“是那里来的？”高才道：“他说是东土驾下差来的御弟圣僧，前往西天拜佛求经的。”太公道：“既是远来的和尚，怕不真有些手段。他如今在那里？”高才道：“见在门外等候。”

那太公即忙换了衣服，与高才出去迎接，叫声“长老”。三藏听见，急转身，早已到了面前。那老者戴一顶乌绫巾，穿一领葱白蜀锦衣，踏一双糙米皮的犊子靴，系一条黑绿绦子，出来笑语相迎，便叫：“二位长老，作揖了。”三藏还了礼，行者站着不动。那老者见他相貌凶丑，便就不敢与他作揖。行者道：“怎么不唱老孙喏？”那老儿有几分害怕，叫高才道：“你这小厮却不弄杀我也？家里现有一个丑头怪脑的女婿打发不开，怎么又引这个雷公来害我？”行者道：“老高，你空长了许大年纪，还不省事！若专以相貌取人，干净[11]错了。我老孙丑自丑，却有些本事。替你家擒得妖精，捉得鬼魅，拿住你那女婿，还了你女儿，便是好事，何必谆谆以相貌为言！”太公见说，战兢兢的，只得强打精神，叫声“请进”。这行者见请，才牵了白马，教高才挑着行李，与三藏进去。他也不管好歹，就把马拴在敞厅柱上，扯过一张退光漆交椅，叫三藏坐下。他又扯过一张椅子，坐在旁边。那高老道：“这个小长老，倒也家怀[12]。”行者道：“你若肯留我住得半年，还家怀哩。”

坐定，高老问道：“适间小价[13]说，二位长老是东土来的？”三藏道：“便是。贫僧奉朝命往西天拜佛求经，因过宝庄，特借一宿，明日早行。”高老道：“二位原是借宿的，怎么说会拿怪？”行者道：“因是借宿，顺便拿几个妖怪儿耍耍的。动问府上有多少妖怪？”高老道：“天那！还吃得有多少哩！只这一个怪女婿，也被他磨慌了！”行者道：“你把那妖怪的始末，有多大手段，从头儿说说我听，我好替你拿他。”高老道：“我们这庄上，自古至今，也不晓得有甚么鬼祟、魍魉、邪魔作耗[14]。只是老拙不幸，不曾有子，止生三个女儿：大的唤名香兰，第二的名玉兰，第三的名翠兰。那两个从小儿配与本庄人家，止有小的个，要招个女婿，指望他与我同家过活，做个养老女婿，撑门抵户，做活当差。不期三年前，有一个汉子，模样儿倒也精致，他说是福陵山上人家，姓猪，上无父母，下无兄弟，愿与人家做个女婿。我老拙见是这般一个无根无绊的人，就招了他。一进门时，倒也勤谨：耕田耙地，不用牛具；收割田禾，不用刀杖。昏去明来，其实也好。只是一件，有些会变嘴脸。”行者道：“怎么变么？”高老道：“初来时，是一条黑胖汉，后来就变做一个长嘴大耳朵的呆子，脑后又有一溜鬃毛，身体粗糙怕人，头脸就像个猪的模样。食肠却又甚大：一顿要吃三五斗米饭；早间点心，也得百十个烧饼才够。喜得还吃斋素，若再吃荤酒，便是老拙这些家业田产之类，不上半年，就吃个罄净！”三藏道：“只因他做得，所以吃得。”高老道：“吃还是件小事，他如今又会弄风，云来雾去，走石飞砂，唬得我一家并左邻右舍，俱不得安生。又把那翠兰小女关在后宅子里，一发半年也不曾见面，更不知死活如何。因此知他是个妖怪，要请个法师与他去退去退。”行者道：“这个何难？老儿你管放心，今夜管情与你拿住，教他写个退亲文书，还你女儿如何？”高老大喜道：“我为招了他不打紧，坏了我多少清名，疏了我多少亲眷！但得拿住他，要甚么文书？就烦与我除了根罢。”行者道：“容易！容易！入夜之时，就见好歹。”

老儿十分欢喜，才教展抹桌椅，摆列斋供。斋罢，将晚，老儿问道：“要甚兵器？要多少人随？趁早好备。”行者道：“兵器我自有。”老儿道：“二位只是那根锡杖，锡杖怎么打得妖精？”行者随于耳内取出一个绣花针来，捻在手中，迎风幌了一幌，就是碗来粗细的一根金箍铁棒，对着高老道：“你看这条棍子，比你家兵器如何？可打得这怪否？”高老又道：“既有兵器，可要人跟？”行者道：“我不用人，只是要几个年高有德的老儿，陪我师父清坐闲叙，我好撇他而去。等我把那妖精拿来，对众取供，替你除了根罢。”那老儿即唤家僮，请了几个亲故朋友。一时都到。相见已毕，行者道：“师父，你放心稳坐，老孙去也。”

你看他揝着铁棒，扯着高老道：“你引我去后宅子里妖精的住处看看。”高老遂引他到后宅门首。行者道：“你去取钥匙来。”高老道：“你且看看。若是用得钥匙，却不请你了。”行者笑道：“你那老儿，年纪虽大，却不识耍。我把这话儿哄你一哄，你就当真。”走上前，摸了一摸，原来是铜汁灌的锁子。狠得他将金箍棒一捣，捣开门扇，里面却黑洞洞的。行者道：“老高，你去叫你女儿一声，看他可在里面。”那老儿硬着胆叫道：“三姐姐。”那女儿认得是他父亲的声音，才少气无力的应了一声道：“爹爹，我在这里哩。”行者闪金睛，向黑影里仔细看时，你道他怎生模样？但见那：

云鬓乱堆无掠，玉容未洗尘淄。一片兰心依旧，十分娇态倾颓。樱唇全无气血，腰肢屈屈偎偎[15]。愁蹙蹙，蛾眉淡；瘦怯怯，语声低。

他走来看见高老，一把扯住，抱头大哭。行者道：“且莫哭！且莫哭！我问你，妖怪往那里去了？”女子道：“不知往那里去。这些时，天明就去，入夜方来，云云雾雾，往回不知何所。因是晓得父亲要祛退他，他也常常防备，故此昏来朝去。”行者道：“不消说了。老儿，你带令爱往前边宅里，慢慢的叙阔，让老孙在此等他。他若不来，你却莫怪；他若来了，定与你剪草除根。”那老高欢欢喜喜的，把女儿带将前去。

行者却弄神通，摇身一变，变得就如那女子一般，独自个坐在房里等那妖精。不多时，一阵风来，真个是走石飞砂。好风：

起初时微微荡荡，向后来渺渺茫茫。

微微荡荡乾坤大，渺渺茫茫无阻碍。

凋花折柳胜揌麻，倒树摧林如拔菜。

翻江搅海鬼神愁，裂石崩山天地怪。

衔花麋鹿失来踪，摘果猿猴迷在外。

七层铁塔侵佛头，八面幢幡伤宝盖。

金梁玉柱起根摇，房上瓦飞如燕块。

举棹稍公许愿心，开船忙把猪羊赛。

当坊土地弃祠堂，四海龙王朝上拜。

海边撞损夜叉船，长城刮倒半边塞。

那阵狂风过处，只见半空里来了一个妖精，果然生得丑陋：黑脸短毛，长喙大耳；穿一领青不青、蓝不蓝的梭布直裰，系一条花布手巾。行者暗笑道：“原来是这个买卖！”好行者，却不迎他，也不问他，且睡在床上推病，口里哼哼[16]的不绝。那怪不识真假，走进房，一把搂住，就要亲嘴。行者暗笑道：“真个要来弄老孙哩！”即使个拿法，托着那怪的长嘴，叫做个小跌。漫头一料[17]，扑的掼下床来。那怪爬起来，扶着床边道：“姐姐，你怎么今日有些怪我？想是我来得迟了？”行者道：“不怪！不怪！”那妖道：“既不怪我，怎么就丢我这一跌？”行者道：“你怎么就这等样小家子，就搂我亲嘴？我因今日有些不自在，若每常好时，便起来开门等你了。你可脱了衣服睡是。”那怪不解其意，真个就去脱衣。行者跳起来，坐在净桶上。那怪依旧复来床上摸一把，摸不着人，叫道：“姐姐，你往那里去了？请脱衣服睡罢。”行者道：“你先睡，等我出个恭来。”那怪果先解衣上床。行者忽然叹口气，道声：“造化低了！”那怪道：“你恼怎的？造化怎么得低的？我得到了你家，虽是吃了些茶饭，却也不曾白吃你的：我也曾替你家扫地通沟，搬砖运瓦，筑土打墙，耕田耙地，种麦插秧，创家立业。如今你身上穿的锦，戴的金，四时有花果享用，八节有蔬菜烹煎，你还有那些儿不趁心处，这般短叹长呼，说甚么造化低了！”行者道：“不是这等说。今日我的父母，隔着墙，丢砖料瓦的，甚是打我骂我哩。”那怪道：“他打骂你怎的？”行者道：“他说我和你做了夫妻，你是他门下一个女婿，全没些儿礼体。这样个丑嘴脸的人，又会不得姨夫，又见不得亲戚，又不知你云来雾去的，端的是那里人家，姓甚名谁，败坏他清德，玷辱他门风，故此这般打骂，所以烦恼。”那怪道：“我虽是有些儿丑陋，若要俊，却也不难。我一来时，曾与他讲过，他愿意方才招我。今日怎么又说起这话！我家住在福陵山云栈洞。我以相貌为姓，故姓猪，官名叫做猪刚鬣[18]。他若再来问你，你就以此话与他说便了。”

行者暗喜道：“那怪却也老实，不用动刑，就供得这等明白。既有了地方、姓名，不管怎的也拿住他。”行者道：“他要请法师来拿你哩。”那怪笑道：“睡着！睡着！莫睬他！我有天罡数的变化，九齿的钉钯，怕甚么法师、和尚、道士？就是你老子有虔心，请下九天荡魔祖师下界，我也曾与他做过相识，他也不敢怎的我。”行者道：“他说请一个五百年前大闹天宫姓孙的齐天大圣，要来拿你哩。”那怪闻得这个名头，就有三分害怕道：“既是这等说，我去了罢。两口子做不成了。”行者道：“你怎的就去？”那怪道：“你不知道：那闹天宫的弼马温，有些本事，只恐我弄他不过，低了名头，不像模样。”他套上衣服，开了门，往外就走；被行者一把扯住，将自己脸上抹了一抹，现出原身，喝道：“好妖怪，那里走！你抬头看看我是那个？”那怪转过眼来，看见行者咨牙俫嘴，火眼金睛，磕头[19]毛脸，就是个活雷公相似，慌得他手麻脚软，划剌的一声，挣破了衣服，化狂风脱身而去。行者急上前掣铁棒望风打了一下。那怪化万道火光，径转本山而去。行者驾云，随后赶来，叫声：“那里走！你若上天，我就赶到斗牛宫！你若入地，我就追至枉死狱！”咦！毕竟不知这一去赶至何方，有何胜败，且听下回分解。

[1] 散福：祭祀后，把祭神的肉食散给大家叫散福。

[2] 爨（cuàn）：灶。

[3] 敛裩（kūn）扎裤：即打着绑腿，是出远门走长路的装束。敛，收紧。裩，有裆的裤子。

[4] 蹭蹬：生活不顺利，遭遇挫折。

[5] 支吾：抵挡、抗拒的意思。

[6] 老：年纪大的人对最末一个儿子、女儿，叫做老儿子、老女儿，或老姑娘。

[7] 纥剌星：犹魔星，指遭到意外的阻难。

[8] 拿法：我国古代拳术中的一种擒人手法。

[9] 凑四合六：巧合的意思。四和六凑在一起正巧为十。

[10] 蛮皮：顽劣，不听话。

[11] 干净：这里作完全、绝对解释。

[12] 家怀：不认生、不客套，像在自己家里一样。

[13] 小价：即小介，谦称自己的仆人。

[14] 作耗：作乱，作怪。

[15] 屈屈偎（wēi）偎：形容腰肢软弱无力的样子。

[16] 哼哼（lài）：病痛时的呻吟声。犹哼哼咧咧。

[17] 料：同“撂”，丢，摔。

[18] 刚鬣（liè）：我国古代对猪的一种称呼。

[19] 磕头：即磕额，指额头突出。

CHAPTER 18. At Guanyin Hall the Tang Monk leaves his ordeal; At Gao Village the Great Sage casts out the monster.

Pilgrim took leave of the Bodhisattva. Lowering the direction of his cloud, he hung the cassock on one of the fragrant cedars nearby. He took out his rod and fought his way into the Black Wind Cave. But where could he find even a single little demon inside? The fact of the matter was that when they saw the Bodhisattva’s epiphany, causing the old monster to roll all over the ground, they all scattered. Pilgrim, however, was not to be stopped; he piled dried wood around the several doorways in the cave and started a fire in the front and in the back. The whole Black Wind Cave was reduced to a “Red Wind Cave”! Picking up the cassock, Pilgrim then mounted the auspicious luminosity and went north.

We now tell you about Tripitaka, who was impatiently waiting for Pilgrim’s return and wondering whether Bodhisattva had consented to come and help, or whether Pilgrim on some pretext had left him. He was filled with such foolish thoughts and wild speculations when he saw bright, rose-colored clouds approaching in the sky. Dropping at the foot of the steps and kneeling, Pilgrim said, “Master, the cassock is here!”

Tripitaka was most delighted, and not one of the monks could hide his pleasure. “Good! Good!” they cried. “Now we’ve found our lives again!” Taking the cassock, Tripitaka said, “Wukong, when you left in the morning, you promised to come back either after breakfast or sometime around noon. Why do you return so late, when the sun is already setting?” Pilgrim then gave a thorough account of how he went to ask for the Bodhisattva’s help, and how she in her transformation had subdued the monster. When Tripitaka heard the account, he prepared an incense table at once and worshipped, facing south. Then he said, “Disciple, since we have the Buddha robe, let us pack up and leave.” “No need to rush like that,” said Pilgrim. “It’s getting late, hardly the time to travel. Let’s wait until tomorrow morning before we leave.” All the monks knelt down and said, “Elder Sun is right. It is getting late, and, moreover, we have a vow to fulfill. Now that we are all saved and the treasure has been recovered, we must redeem our vow and ask the venerable elders to distribute the blessing.1 Tomorrow we shall see you off to the West.”

“Yes, yes, that’s very good!” said Pilgrim. Look at those monks! They all emptied their pockets and presented all the valuables they had managed to salvage from the fire. Everyone made some contribution. They prepared some vegetarian offerings, burned paper money to request perpetual peace, and recited several scrolls of scriptures for the prevention of calamities and deliverance from evil. The service lasted until late in the evening. The next morning they saddled the horse and took up the luggage, while the monks accompanied their guests for a great distance before turning back. As Pilgrim led the way forward, it was the happiest time of spring.

You see

The horse making light tracks on grassy turfs;

Gold threads of willow swaying with fresh dew.

Peaches and apricots fill the forest gay.

Creepers grow with vigor along the way.

Pairs of sun-warmed ducks rest on sandy hanks;

The brook’s fragrant flowers tame the butterflies.

Thus autumn goes, winter fades, and spring’s half gone;

When will merit be made and the True Writ found?

Master and disciple traveled for some six or seven days in the wilderness. One day, when it was getting late, they saw a village in the distance. “Wukong,” said Tripitaka, “look! There’s a village over there. How about asking for lodging for the night before we travel again tomorrow?” “Let’s wait until I have determined whether it is a good or bad place before we decide,” said Pilgrim. The master pulled in the reins as Pilgrim stared intently at the village. Truly there were

Dense rows of bamboo fences;

Thick clusters of thatched huts.

Skyscraping wild trees faced the doorways;

The winding brooklet reflected the houses.

Willows by the path unfurled their lovely green;

Fragrant were the flowers blooming in the yard.

At this time of twilight fast fading,

The birds chattered every where in the woods.

As kitchen smoke arose,

Cattle returned on every lane and path,

You saw, too, well-fed pigs and chickens sleeping by the house’s edge,

And the old, sotted neighbor coming with a song.

After surveying the area, Pilgrim said, “Master, you may proceed. It appears to be a village of good families, where it will be appropriate for us to seek shelter.”

The priest urged the white horse on, and they arrived at the beginning of a lane heading into the village, where they saw a young man wearing a cotton head-wrap and a blue jacket. He had an umbrella in his hand and a bundle on his back; his trousers were rolled up, and he had on his feet a pair of straw sandals with three loops. He was striding along the street in a resolute manner when Pilgrim grabbed him, saying, “Where are you going? I have a question for you: what is this place?” Struggling to break free, the man protested, “Isn’t there anyone else here in the village? Why must you pick me for your question?” “Patron,” said Pilgrim genially, “don’t get upset. ‘Helping others is in truth helping yourself.’ What’s so bad about your telling me the name of this place? Perhaps I can help you with your problems.” Unable to break out of Pilgrim’s grip, the man was so infuriated that he jumped about wildly. “Jinxed! I’m jinxed!” he cried. “No end to the grievances I have suffered at the hands of my family elders and I still have to run into this baldheaded fellow and suffer such indignity from him!”

“If you have the ability to pry open my hand,” said Pilgrim, “I’ll let you go.” The man twisted left and right without any success: it was as if he had been clamped tight with a pair of iron tongs. He became so enraged that he threw away his bundle and his umbrella; with both hands, he rained blows and scratches on Pilgrim. With one hand steadying his luggage, Pilgrim held off the man with the other, and no matter how hard the man tried, he could not scratch or even touch Pilgrim at all. The more he fought, the firmer was Pilgrim’s grip, so that the man was utterly exasperated.

“Wukong,” said Tripitaka, “isn’t someone coming over there? You can ask someone else. Why hang onto him like that? Let the man go.” “Master, you don’t understand,” said Pilgrim, laughing. “If I ask someone else, all the fun will be gone. I have to ask him if, as the saying goes, ‘there’s going to be any business’!” Seeing that it was fruitless to struggle any more, the man said finally, “This place is called the Mr. Gao Village in the territory of the Kingdom of Qoco. Most of the families here in the village are surnamed Gao, and that’s why the village is so called. Now please let me go.” “You are hardly dressed for a stroll in the neighborhood,” said Pilgrim, “so tell me the truth. Where are you going, and what are you doing anyway? Then I’ll let you go.”

The man had little alternative but to speak the truth. “I’m a member of the family of old Mr. Gao, and my name is Gao Cai. Old Mr. Gao has a daughter, his youngest, in fact, who is twenty years old and not yet betrothed. Three years ago, however, a monster-spirit seized her and kept her as his wife. Having a monster as his son-in-law bothered old Mr. Gao terribly. He said, ‘My daughter having a monster as her spouse can hardly be a lasting arrangement. First, my family’s reputation is ruined, and second, I don’t even have any in-laws with whom we can be friends.’ All that time he wanted to have this marriage annulled, but the monster absolutely refused; he locked the daughter up instead in the rear building and would not permit her to see her family for nearly half a year. The old man, therefore, gave me several taels of silver and told me to find an exorcist to capture the monster. Since then, I have hardly rested my feet; I managed to turn up three or four persons, all worthless monks and impotent Daoists. None of them could subdue the monster. A short while ago I received a severe scolding for my incompetence, and with only half an ounce more of silver as a travel allowance, I was told to find a capable exorcist this time. I didn’t expect to run into you, my unlucky star, and now my journey is delayed. That’s what I meant by the grievances I had suffered in and out of the family, and that’s why I was protesting just now. I didn’t know you had this trick of holding people, which I couldn’t overcome. Now that I have told you the truth, please let me go.”

“It’s really your luck,” said Pilgrim, “coupled with my vocation: they fit like the numbers four and six when you throw the dice! You needn’t travel far, nor need you waste your money. We are not worthless monks or impotent Daoists, for we really do have some abilities; we are most experienced, in fact, in capturing monsters. As the saying goes, ‘You have now not only a caring physician, but now you have cured your eyes as well!’ Please take the trouble of returning to the head of your family and tell him that we are holy monks sent by the Throne in the Land of the East to go worship Buddha in the Western Heaven and acquire scriptures. We are most capable of seizing monsters and binding fiends.” “Don’t mislead me,” said Gao Cai, “for I’ve had it up to here! If you are deceiving me and really don’t have the ability to take the monster, you will only cause me more grievances.” Pilgrim said, “I guarantee that you won’t be harmed in any way. Lead me to the door of your house.” The man could not think of a better alternative; he picked up his bundle and umbrella and turned to lead master and disciple to the door of his house. “You two elders,” he said, “please rest yourselves for a moment against the hitching posts here. I’ll go in to report to my master.” Only then did Pilgrim release him. Putting down the luggage and dismounting from the horse, master and disciple stood and waited outside the door.

Gao Cai walked through the main gate and went straight to the main hall in the center, but it just so happened that he ran right into old Mr. Gao. “You thick-skinned beast!” railed Mr. Gao. “Why aren’t you out looking for an exorcist? What are you doing back here?” Putting down his bundle and umbrella, Gao Cai said, “Let me humbly inform my lord. Your servant just reached the end of the street and ran into two monks: one riding a horse and the other hauling a load. They caught hold of me and refused to let go, asking where I was going. At first I absolutely refused to tell them, but they were most insistent and I had no means of freeing myself. It was only then that I gave them a detailed account of my lord’s affairs. The one who was holding me was delighted, saying that he would arrest the monster for us.” “Where did they come from?” asked old Mr. Gao. “He claimed to be a holy monk, the brother of the emperor,” said Gao Cai, “who was sent from the Land of the East to go worship Buddha in the Western Heaven and acquire scriptures.” “If they are monks who have come from such a great distance,” said old Mr. Gao, “they may indeed have some abilities. Where are they now?” “Waiting outside the front door,” said Gao Cai.

Old Mr. Gao quickly changed his clothes and came out with Gao Cai to extend his welcome, crying, “Your Grace!” When Tripitaka heard this, he turned quickly, and his host was already standing in front of him. That old man had on his head a dark silk wrap; he wore a robe of Sichuan silk brocade in spring-onion white with a dark green sash, and a pair of boots made of rough steer hide. Smiling affably, he addressed them, saying, “Honored Priests, please accept my bow!” Tripitaka returned his greeting, but Pilgrim stood there unmoved. When the old man saw how hideous he looked, he did not bow to him. “Why don’t you say hello to me?” demanded Pilgrim. Somewhat alarmed, the old man said to Gao Cai: “Young man! You have really done me in, haven’t you? There is already an ugly monster in the house that we can’t drive away. Now you have to fetch this thunder-spirit to cause me more troubles!”

“Old Gao,” said Pilgrim, “it’s in vain that you have reached such old age, for you have hardly any discernment! If you want to judge people by appearances, you are utterly wrong! I, old Monkey, may be ugly, but I have some abilities. I’ll capture the monster for your family, exorcise the fiend, apprehend that son-in-law of yours, and get your daughter back. Will that be good enough? Why all these mutterings about appearances!” When the old man heard this, he trembled with fear, but he managed to pull himself together sufficiently to say, “Please come in!” At this invitation, Pilgrim led the white horse and asked Gao Cai to pick up their luggage so that Tripitaka could go in with them. With no regard for manners, he tethered the horse on one of the pillars and drew up a weather-beaten lacquered chair for his master to be seated. He pulled over another chair and sat down on one side. “This little priest,” said old Mr. Gao, “really knows how to make himself at home!” “If you are willing to keep me here for half a year,” said Pilgrim, “then I’ll truly feel at home!”

After they were seated, old Mr. Gao asked, “Just now my little one said that you two honored priests came from the Land of the East?” “Yes,” replied Tripitaka. “Your poor monk was commissioned by the court to go to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures for Buddha. Since we have reached your village, we would like to ask for lodging for the night. We plan to leave early tomorrow morning.” “So the two of you wanted lodging?” said old Mr. Gao. “Then why did you say you could catch monsters?” “Since we are asking for a place to stay,” said Pilgrim, “we thought we might as well catch a few monsters, just for fun! May we ask how many monsters there are in your house?” “My God!” exclaimed old Mr. Gao, “How many monsters could we feed? There’s only this one son-in-law, and we have suffered enough from him!” “Tell me everything about the monster,” said Pilgrim, “how he came to this place, what sort of power he has, and so forth. Start from the beginning and don’t leave out any details. Then I can catch him for you.”

“From ancient times,” said old Mr. Gao, “this village of ours has never had any troubles with ghosts, goblins, or fiends; in fact, my sole misfortune consists of not having a son. I had three daughters born to me: the eldest is named Fragrant Orchid; the second one, Jade Orchid; and the third, Green Orchid. The first two since their youth had been promised to people belonging to this same village, but I had hoped that the youngest would take a husband who would stay with our family and consent to have his children bear our name. Since I have no son, he would in fact become my heir and look after me in my old age. Little did I expect that about three years ago, a fellow would turn up who was passably good-looking. He said that he came from the Fuling Mountain and that his surname was Zhu (Hog). Since he had neither parents nor brothers, he was willing to be taken in as a son-in-law, and I accepted him, thinking that someone with no other family attachment was exactly the right sort of person. When he first came into our family, he was, I must confess, fairly industrious and well-behaved. He worked hard to loosen the earth and plow the fields without even using a buffalo; and when he harvested the grains, he did the reaping without sickle or staff. He came home late in the evening and started early again in the morning, and to tell you the truth, we were quite happy with him. The only trouble was that his appearance began to change.”

“In what way?” asked Pilgrim. “Well,” said old Mr. Gao, “when he first came, he was a stout, swarthy fellow, but afterwards he turned into an idiot with huge ears and a long snout, with a great tuft of bristles behind his head. His body became horribly coarse and hulking. In short, his whole appearance was that of a hog! And what an enormous appetite! For a single meal, he has to have three to five bushels of rice: a little snack in the morning means over a hundred biscuits or rolls. It’s a good thing he keeps a vegetarian diet; if he liked meat and wine, the property and estate of this old man would be consumed in half a year!” “Perhaps it’s because he’s a good worker,” said Tripitaka, “that he has such a good appetite.” “Even that appetite is a small problem!” said old Mr. Gao. “What is most disturbing is that he likes to come riding the wind and disappears again astride the fog; he kicks up stones and dirt so frequently that my household and my neighbors have not had a moment’s peace. Then he locked up my little girl, Green Orchid, in the back building, and we haven’t seen her for half a year and don’t know whether she’s dead or alive. We are certain now that he is a monster, and that’s why we want to get an exorcist to drive him away.” “There’s nothing difficult about that,” said Pilgrim. “Relax, old man! Tonight I’ll catch him for you, and I’ll demand that he sign a document of annulment and return your daughter. How’s that?” Immensely pleased, old Mr. Gao said, “My taking him in was a small thing, when you consider how he has ruined my good reputation and how many relatives of ours he had alienated! Just catch him for me. Why bother about a document? Please, just get rid of him for me.” Pilgrim said, “It’s simple! When night falls, you’ll see the result!”

The old man was delighted; he asked at once for tables to be set and a vegetarian feast to be prepared. When they had finished the meal, evening was setting in. The old man asked, “What sort of weapons and how many people do you need? We’d better prepare soon.” “I have my own weapon,” replied Pilgrim. The old man said, “The only thing the two of you have is that priestly staff, hardly something you can use to battle the monster,” whereupon Pilgrim took an embroidery needle out of his ear, held it in his hands, and waving it once in the wind, changed it into a golden-hooped rod with the thickness of a rice bowl. “Look at this rod,” he said to old Mr. Gao. “How does it compare with your weapons? Think it’ll do for the monster?” “Since you have a weapon,” said old Mr. Gao again, “do you need some attendants?” “No need for any attendants,” said Pilgrim. “All I ask for is some decent elderly persons to keep my master company and talk with him, so that I may feel free to leave him for a while. I’ll catch the monster for you and make him promise publicly to leave, so that you will be rid of him for good.” The old man at once asked his houseboy to send for several intimate friends and relatives, who soon arrived. After they were introduced, Pilgrim said, “Master, you may feel quite safe sitting here. Old Monkey is off!”

Look at him! Lifting high his iron rod, he dragged old Mr. Gao along, saying, “Lead me to the back building where the monster is staying so that I may have a look.” The old man indeed took him to the door of the building in the rear. “Get a key quickly!” said Pilgrim. “Take a look yourself,” said old Mr. Gao. “If I could use a key on this lock, I wouldn’t need you.” Pilgrim laughed and said, “Dear old man! Though you are quite old, you can’t even recognize a joke! I was just teasing you a little, and you took my words literally.” He went forward and touched the lock: it was solidly welded with liquid copper. Annoyed, Pilgrim smashed open the door with one terrific blow of his rod and found it was pitch black inside. “Old Gao,” said Pilgrim, “go give your daughter a call and see if she is there inside.” Summoning up his courage, the old man cried, “Miss Three!” Recognizing her father’s voice, the girl replied faintly, “Papa! I’m over here!” His golden pupils ablaze, Pilgrim peered into the dark shadows. “How does she look?” you ask. You see that

Her cloudlike hair is unkempt and unbrushed;

Her jadelike face is grimy and unwashed.

Though her nature refined is unchanged,

Her lovely image is weary and wan.

Her cherry lips seem completely bloodless,

And her body is both crooked and bent.

Knitted in sorrow

The moth-brows2 are pallid;

Weakened by weight loss,

The speaking voice is faint.

She came forward, and when she saw that it was old Mr. Gao, she clutched at him and began to wail.

“Stop crying! Stop crying!” said Pilgrim. “Let me ask you: where is the monster?” “I don’t know where he has gone,” said the girl. “Nowadays he leaves in the morning and comes back only after nightfall. Surrounded by cloud and fog, he comes and goes without ever letting me know where he is. Since he has learned that father is trying to drive him away, he takes frequent precautions; that’s why he comes only at night and leaves in the morning.” “No need to talk anymore,” Pilgrim said. “Old Man! Take your beloved daughter to the building in front, and then you can spend all the time you want with her. Old Monkey will be here waiting for him; if the monster doesn’t show up, don’t blame me. But if he comes at all, I’ll pull out the weeds of your troubles by the roots!” With great joy, old Mr. Gao led his daughter to the front building. Exercising his magic might, Pilgrim shook his body and changed at once into the form of that girl, sitting all by herself to wait for the monster. In a little while, a gust of wind swept by, kicking up dust and stones. What a wind!

At first it was a breeze gentle and light.

Thereafter it became gusty and strong.

A light, gentle breeze that could fill the world!

A strong, gusty wind that nothing else could stop!

Flowers and willow snapped like shaken hemp;

Trees and plants were felled like uprooted crops.

It stirred up streams and seas, cowing ghosts and gods.

It fractured rocks and mountains, awing Heaven and Earth.

Flower-nibbling deer lost their homeward trail.

Fruit-picking monkeys all were gone astray.

The seven-tiered pagoda crashed on Buddha’s head.

Flags on eight sides damaged the temple’s top.

Gold beams and jade pillars were rooted up.

Like flocks of swallow flew the roofing tiles.

The boatman lifted his oars to make a vow,

Eager to have his livestock sacrificed.

The local spirit abandoned his shrine.

Dragon kings from four seas made humble bows.

At sea the ship of yakṣa ran aground,

While half of Great Wall’s rampart was blown down.

When the violent gust of wind had gone by, there appeared in midair a monster who was ugly indeed. With his black face covered with short, stubby hair, his long snout and huge ears, he wore a cotton shirt that was neither quite green nor quite blue. A sort of spotted cotton handkerchief was tied round his head. Said Pilgrim, smiling to himself, “So, I have to do business with a thing like this!” Dear Pilgrim! He neither greeted the monster, nor did he speak to him; he lay on the bed instead and pretended to be sick, moaning all the time. Unable to tell the true from the false, the monster walked into the room and, grabbing his “spouse,” he at once demanded a kiss. “He really wants to sport with old Monkey!” said Pilgrim, smiling to himself. Using a holding trick, he caught the long snout of that monster and gave it a sudden, violent twist, sending him crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Picking himself up, the monster supported himself on the side of the bed and said, “Sister, how is it that you seem somewhat annoyed with me today? Because I’m late, perhaps?” “I’m not annoyed!” said Pilgrim. “If not,” said that monster, “why did you give me such a fall?” “How can you be so boorish,” said Pilgrim, “grabbing me like that and wanting to kiss me? I don’t feel very well today; under normal conditions I would have been up waiting for you and would have opened the door myself. You may take off your clothes and go to sleep.”

The fiend did not suspect anything and took off his clothes. Pilgrim jumped up and sat on the chamber pot, while the fiend climbed into bed. Groping around, he could not feel anyone and called out, “Sister, where have you gone? Please take off your clothes and go to sleep.” “You go to sleep first,” said Pilgrim, “for I have to wait until I’ve dropped my load.” The fiend indeed loosened his clothes and stayed in bed. Suddenly Pilgrim gave out a sigh, saying, “My luck’s pretty low!” “What’s bothering you?” said the monster. “What do you mean, your luck’s pretty low? It’s true that I have consumed quite a bit of food and drink since I entered your family, but I certainly did not take them as free meals. Look at the things I did for your family: sweeping the grounds and draining the ditches, hauling bricks and carrying tiles, building walls and pounding mortar, plowing the fields and raking the earth, planting seedlings of rice and wheat—in short, I took care of your entire estate. Now what you have on your body happens to be brocade, and what you wear as ornaments happens to be gold. You enjoy the flowers and fruits of four seasons, and you have fresh vegetables for the table in all eight periods. Whatever makes you so dissatisfied that you have to sigh and lament, saying your luck’s pretty low?”

“It isn’t quite as you say,” said Pilgrim. “Today my parents gave me a severe scolding over the partition wall, throwing bricks and tiles into this place.” “What were they scolding you for?” asked the monster. Pilgrim said, “They said that since we have become husband and wife, you are in fact a son-in-law in their family but one who is completely without manners. A person as ugly as you is unpresentable: you can’t meet your brothers-in-law, nor can you greet the other relatives. Since you come with the clouds and leave with the fog, we really don’t know what family you belong to and what your true name is. In fact, you have ruined our family’s reputation and defiled our legacy. That was what they rebuked me for, and that’s why I’m upset.” “Though I am somewhat homely,” said the monster, “it’s no great problem if they insist on my being more handsome. We discussed these matters before when I came here, and I entered your family fully with your father’s consent. Why did they bring it up again today? My family is located in the Cloudy Paths Cave of Fuling Mountain; my surname is based on my appearance. Hence I am called Zhu (Hog), and my official name is Ganglie (Stiff Bristles). If they ever ask you again, tell them what I have told you.”

“This monster is quite honest,” said Pilgrim to himself, secretly pleased. “Without torture, he has already made a plain confession; with his name and location clearly known, he will certainly be caught, regardless of what may happen.” Pilgrim then said to him, “My parents are trying to get an exorcist here to arrest you.” “Go to sleep! Go to sleep!” said the monster, laughing. “Don’t mind them at all! I know as many transformations as the number of stars in the Heavenly Ladle,3 and I own a nine-pronged muckrake. Why should I fear any exorcist, monk, or Daoist priest? Even if your old man were pious enough to be able to get the Monster-Routing Patriarch to come down from the Ninefold Heaven, I could still claim to have been an old acquaintance of his. And he wouldn’t dare do anything to me.”

“But they were saying that they hoped to invite someone by the name of Sun,” said Pilgrim, “the so-called Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, who caused havoc in the Celestial Palace five hundred years ago. They were going to ask him to come catch you.” When the monster heard this name, he became rather alarmed. “If that’s true,” he said, “I’m leaving. We can’t live as a couple anymore!” “Why do you have to leave so suddenly?” asked Pilgrim. “You may not know,” said the monster, “that that BanHorsePlague who caused such turmoil in Heaven has some real abilities. I fear that I am no match for him, and losing my reputation is not my form!”

When he had finished speaking, he slipped on his clothes, opened the door, and walked right out. Pilgrim grabbed him, and with one wipe of his own face he assumed his original form, shouting: “Monster, where do you think you’re going? Take a good look and see who I am!” The monster turned around and saw the protruding teeth, the gaping mouth, the fiery eyes, the golden pupils, the pointed head, and the hairy face of Pilgrim—virtually a living thunder god! He was so horrified that his hands became numb and his feet grew weak. With a loud ripping sound, he tore open his shirt and broke free of Pilgrim’s clutch by changing into a violent wind. Pilgrim rushed forward and struck mightily at the wind with his iron rod; the monster at once transformed himself into myriad shafts of flaming light and fled toward his own mountain. Mounting the clouds, Pilgrim pursued him, crying, “Where are you running to? If you ascend to Heaven, I’ll chase you to the Palace of the Polestar, and if you go down into the Earth, I’ll follow you into the heart of Hell!” Good Heavens! We do not know where the chase took them to or what was the outcome of the fight. Let’s listen to the explanation in the next chapter.