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Welcome to the Chinese Lore Podcast, where I retell classic Chinese stories in English. This is episode 44 of Journey to the West. Last time, stymied by Red Boy's firepower, Sun Wukong went to ask the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas for help, thinking that a good downpour would put out the demon's fire. But as it turned out, Red Boy's fire magic was impervious to the Dragon King's reign, and Sun Wukong was scorched in the process, leaving him a seemingly lifeless husk when his fellow disciples, Zhu Bajie and Sha Zeng, fished him out of the ravine. Oh, brother. Sha Zeng lamented with tears in his eyes. You were supposed to be immortal, and yet your life has been cut short. But Zhu Bajie laughed. Brother, don't cry. That monkey's just pretending to be dead to mess with us. Feel his chest. Is there any warmth left? But his whole body is cold. Even if there's a warm breath left, how can we revive him? Sha Zeng asked. Oh, he has the power of 72 transformations, so he's got 72 lives. Ba Jie said, hold his feet and watch me. So Sha Zeng held Sun Wukong's feet while Zhu Bajie propped up his head and sat him up. Ba Jie then rubbed his own hands to warm them up and massaged Wukong's pressure points. And to his credit, Sun Wukong soon came to and shouted, oh, Master. Brother, you were always loyal to Master. In life and even in death. You're calling his name. Sha Zeng said. You just woke up. We are here with you. What? What happened? Did I lose? Wukong asked. You were unconscious just now. Zhu Bajie laughed. If not for me, you would be done for. You should be thanking me. Wukong now got to his feet and asked where the Dragon Kings were. The four Dragon Kings showed themselves in the sky. Wukong thanked them for their ineffectual help and sent them on their way. Then, with Sha Zeng helping him, Wukong staggered into the woods and sat down. After a while, he had regained his faculties, but he kept weeping and calling out again. Oh, Master, I remember when you left the Tang Kingdom and saved me from dire calamity. Across mountains and rivers, we were beset by demons as 10,000 hardships cut my heart. With begging bowl in hand, we ate by mornings. What fate allowed. By dusk, we sought monasteries or slept in the woods. It was all for the hope of completing our mission. But how could I have known that today I would suffer such bitter Pain. But Sha Tsung consoled him. Brother, don't trouble yourself. Let's figure out where to go. Find reinforcements to save Master. Well, where should we go? Wukong asked. Back when the Bodhisattva Guanyin instructed us to protect the Tang monk, she promised us that she would always respond to our call for help. Sha Tsung said, so maybe go to her. Wukong agreed. When I caused a ruckus in Heaven, those Celestial Soldiers couldn't handle me. This demon has some serious powers. We need someone who's even more powerful than me to tame him. The Celestial Soldiers won't cut it. We must go get Guanyin. But I'm sore all over and can't fly. How can we get to her? Zhu Bajie volunteered to go instead. Hukong said, alright, you can do this. If you see the Bodhisattva, don't just look up at her. You must bow when she asks. Tell her the name of this place and the demon. And then tell her that we need her to save Master. If she is willing to come, we will capture that demon for sure. Ba Jie took the instructions to heart and then flew off toward the south. He had not gone far when he suddenly noticed Guan Yin standing on a cliff. Well, that's convenient. Dum Dum descended from the clouds and bowed, paying his respects. Guanyin asked him, what are you doing here? Instead of protecting the Tang monk? Zhu Bajie recounted their troubles with Red Boy, and Guan Yin said, the Master of Fire Cloud Cave is not one to harm people. You all must have insulted him. Oh, I didn't offend him. Ba Jie said, it's my brother Wukong. That demon turned into a little kid hanging from a tree to trick my master. Master is full of compassion, so he told me to cut the boy down and told my brother to carry him. But. But Brother sun threw him to the ground, so he turned into a wind and abducted Master. Guan Ying said, come with me. I will go to the cave to see him and patch things up between you. You can apologize and get your master back. Oh, Bodhisattva, if he will return my master, I will kowtow to him. Ba Jie said, so Dum Dum followed Guanyin and retraced his steps. They went back to Firecloud Cave. Guan Yin went straight in and told Ba Jie, don't be worried, he is an old acquaintance of mine. Come on in. So Ba Jie followed her, but no sooner did he set foot inside did a Swarm of demon lackeys. Jump him, Throw him into a sack, tie up the sack opening and hang him from the rafters. Guan Yin meanwhile, turned into Red Boy. He sat down and laughed. Zhu Bajie, what skills do you have that you would dare to protect the Tang monk and that you would dare to go invite Guan Yin to come tame me? Pity that even with your eyes wide open, you couldn't recognize me. Now that I've got you, I'm going to hang you up there for a few days and then steam you and give you to my lackeys as a reward to go with their wine. So yeah, Back when the disciples were busy deciding to go invite Guanyin inside the cave, Red Boy was celebrating and telling his lackeys little ones that Sun Wukong ran off in defeat. Even if he didn't die, he was be knocked out for a good while, but he might go find more reinforcements. Open the cave doors. Let me go see who he will invite. So Red Boy flew into the sky just in time to see Zhu Bajie flying to the south. And Red Boy was smart enough to guess that if you were heading south for help, you were going to see Guan Yin. So he quickly went back to his cave and told his lackeys, get my leather sack ready, but put in a new tie string. Put it outside the second set of doors. Once I lure Zhu Bajie into a trap, put him in a sack and steam him until his flesh is falling apart, it'll be a treat for you all. Then Red Boy flew off again. The novel said that he knew which was the fastest route to the South Sea, so he took that way. But if movies with flying deloreans have taught us anything, it's that when you can fly, you don't need roads. Anyway, Red Boy got ahead of Zhu Bajie, transformed into a doppelganger of Guanyin, and waited for Ba Jie on a cliff. Fast forward back to the present, and Zhu Bajie, now hanging from the rafters, could only curse from inside the sack. Damn demon, how rude you are. You may scheme and deceive me and eat me, but you all get sick from it. While Dum Dum cursed non stop. On the other side of the ravine, Sun Wukong and Sha Zeng were sitting and waiting for him to come back, when suddenly a strange wind blew right in their faces. Wukong sneezed and said, oh crap, this wind bodes ill. Ba Jie must have gotten lost. But even if he got lost, he could just Ask for directions. Sha Zong said no, he must have run into some demons. If that's the case, won't he come running back? No, something's wrong. You stay here. Let me go across the ravine and check things out. But, brother, you're still sore. Let me go instead. Oh, you can't do anything. I'll go. So Wukong gritted his teeth, grabbed his golden rod, and went across the ravine to the cave. There he shouted, you damn demons. The lackeys at the gate quickly rushed in and reported to their master. Red Boy ordered his lackeys to go capture Sun Wukong, so a gaggle of them rushed outside. Wukong was too sore and tired, so he didn't dare to take them on. Instead, he shouted, change. And turned into a bundle on the side of the road. The lackeys saw the bundle and told Red Boy that Sun Wukong had fled in fear and dropped the bundle in the process. Red Boy laughed. That bundle is worthless. It's probably just holding some torn monk shirts or hats and. But bring it inside. We can wash it and use it for lining. So a lackey carried the bundle inside and put it by the door. As soon as the demon's backs were turned, Wukong plucked the hair off himself, turned it into a doppelganger of the bundle, while he himself turned into a fly and landed on the door. Inside, he heard Zhu Bajie grumbling incoherently like a diseased hog. Wukong flew inside and saw that he was hanging from the rafters in a sack. Wukong perched on the sack and heard him cursing. Damn demon turning into a fake Guan Yin to trick me. And now he's got me hanging here and says he's going to eat me. One of these days, my brother will use his great powers to tame all of you lousy demons. When he lets me out of this sack, I'm going to rake you a thousand times. Wukong couldn't help but laugh under his breath. That Dum Dum may be cooped up inside his sack, but he's still sounding tough. I must capture that demon to avenge this. Just then, Red Boy called out, where are my six warriors? Six demon lackeys came forward. They were Red Boy's friends, and they were named Mist in the Clouds. Clouds in the Mist, Fire, Fast Wind, Speedy Healer and Cooker. They kneeled, and Red Boy asked them, do you know the way to my father's home? Yes. Then hurry on over there and invite him here. Tell him that I have captured the Tang Monk and will Cook him so that my father may eat him and live forever. The six lackeys rushed off and a buzzing fly followed them. The lackeys left the cave and started heading southwest. Suddenly, they saw Red Boy's father, AKA the Bold Demon King, sitting on the side of the road, accompanied by a few demon lackeys. Red Boy's demons hurriedly kowtowed and said, my lord, we were sent by the Sage Infant King to invite you to go eat the Tang Monk's flesh so that you may attain immortality. Oh little ones, get up. The Bold Demon King said, accompany me back to my home. Once I have changed, then we will go together. My lord, please do us a favor. Your cave is a long way from here. It would be inconvenient and then our lord might blame us. Please just come with us. The Bold Demon King laughed. What good children. Alright, alright. Lead the way and I will go with you. So the six demon lackeys led the way, clearing a path for the Bold Demon King. Soon they had returned to the Fire Cloud Cave. Windfast and Fire Speedy rushed in to report, and Red Boy was delighted at how quickly they had completed their errands. He ordered all the lackeys to go out, line up, and welcome his father with drums and banners. They ushered the Bold Demon King into the cave with much fanfare. He sat down in the center, facing south. Red Boy kneeled and said, father, my respects, my son, please get up. Red Boy kowtowed four times before standing up. His father then asked the purpose of the invitation, and Red Boy said, your unworthy son captured a man yesterday. He is the Tang Monk from the East. I often heard people say that he has been cultivating his dao for 10 lifetimes. Whoever eats a piece of his flesh will become immortal. I did not dare to eat him alone, so I invited you here to enjoy the Tang Monk's flesh together and attain immortality. The Bold Demon King, however, said with alarm, my. My son. Which Tang monk are you talking about? The Scripture pilgrim who's heading west. Is he Sun Wukong's master? Exactly. The Bold Demon King waved his hand, shook his head and said, don't mess with him. Others maybe, but do you even know about Sun Wukong, son? You haven't met him yet, right? That monkey is very powerful and can turn into many things when you cause a ruckus in heaven. The the Jade Emperor sent a hundred thousand celestial troops and laid down nets everywhere. And yet they still couldn't catch him. How can you dare to eat his master? Hurry up and return the monk to him. Don't antagonize that monkey. If he finds out that you ate his master, he won't come fight you. He would just poke his golden rod into the side of the mountain and knock the whole mountain over. Then where would you live? And who would I have to take care of me in my old age? But Red Boy scoffed. Father, what kind of words are those? Don't talk up others and put down your own son. I tricked at Sun Wukong and his two brothers and abducted the Tang monk. When he and Zhu Bajie came here looking for their master, they claimed to be my relatives. That pissed me off, so I fought him for a few exchanges. He's just so. So nothing special. And then a Zhu Bajie came to help him. So I sprayed out my sacred fire and beat them. And then he went to ask the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas for rain, but that couldn't put out my fire. He got so scorched that he passed out. So he sent Zhu Bajie to the south to ask the Bodhisattva Guanyin for help. But I turned into a fake. Guanyin lured Zhu Bajie here and hung him up in my sack. I'm going to steam him for my little ones. Then this morning, Sun Wukong came to challenge me again. When I sent my lackeys out to capture him, he was so panicked that he dropped his bundle while running away. That's why I sent people to invite you here, so you can have a look at the Tang monk before I cook him for you. The bold Demon King laughed. My good son, you only know that your sacred fires can beat Sun Wukong, but you don't know about his powers of 72 transformations. Meh. Whatever he turns into, I can recognize him. He won't dare to come into my cave. Son, you may be able to recognize him, but he's not going to turn into something big like a wolf or an elephant. He won't be able to get inside the door that way. But what if he turns into something tiny? Then you won't be able to recognize him. Even so, each set of my doors is guarded by four or five lackeys. How can he get in? You don't understand. He can turn into an insect like a fly, a mosquito, a bee, or a butterfly. Or what if he turned into me? Would you recognize him then? Oh, no worries. He won't dare to approach my door. Well, it sounds like you really do have some skills to be able to beat Sun Wukong and invite me to eat the Tang Monk. But alas, I still can't eat him today. Why not? I'm getting up there in age, so your mother keeps telling me to do some good deeds to build some good karma. I figured that there's not a whole lot of good deeds I can do. So I have become a vegetarian. A vegetarian? Is that permanent or just for a few months? Oh, it's not permanent. It's not even a few months. It's called thunder vegetarianism. You just do it four days each month. Which four days? Well, today is one of those four, so I should be on vegetarian food. Besides, today's not a good day for visitors. So wait till tomorrow, and I'll personally go wash that monk and cook him to share with you. Red Boy started thinking to himself, my father has always eaten people, and he's lived for more than a thousand years. How come he's suddenly taken up vegetarianism? Considering how much evil he's done, how can he make up for it just with a few days of vegetarian food each month? This sounds fishy. He now stepped outside the second set of doors and asked his six warriors, where did you meet my father? On the way to his cave. That's why you came back so fast? You didn't go all the way to his home, right? Crap. This must be an imposter. The lackeys kneeled and said, my Lord, how can you not recognize your own father? He looks and acts like my father, but he doesn't talk like him. We might be getting played. Be on guard. Get your weapons ready. Let me go question him and see how he answers. If he really is my father, then it would be fine even if we waited for a month before eating the Tang Monk. But if his words don't sound right, listen for my signal and attack. Red Boy then went back inside and kowtowed again to his father. The Bold Demon King said, son, no need to kowtow so much. Whatever you want to say, just say it. Red Boy kneeled and said, in addition to inviting you to come eat the Tang monk's flesh, I also had a request. Some time back, I flew to heaven and ran to the Taoist master, Zhang Daolin. And what did he say to you? He saw that I had a very auspicious appearance, so he asked me for my birth year, date, and time. I'm young and don't remember. He was going to cast a divination for me, so I wanted to ask you so that the next time I see him, he can tell my fortune. The Bold Demon King started laughing and said, good son, please get up. I'm getting old and my mind has been occupied lately. I can't remember your birthdate and time just now. Tomorrow when I get home, I'll ask your mother. Red Boy scoffed, father, you have always spoken to me about my birth date and time and. And you said that my life will be as eternal as heaven and earth. How can you forget it today? You must be an imposter. He shouted, and all his lackeys charged forward and attacked. In that moment, the bold Demon King suddenly turned into Sun Wukong, pulled out his golden rod and fended off all the lackeys. Good son, you're so rude. Wukong laughed. How can a son attack his own father? Red Boy was flushed with embarrassment, and Sun Wukong turned into a golden light and and flew out of the cave. The lackeys panicked, but Red Boy said, alas, just let him go. He had me this time. Just shut the doors and don't respond to anything he says. Let's just wash the Tang monk and steam him on the other side of the ravine. Sun Wukong was laughing hard as he returned to Shazeng. Sha Zeng asked him, brother, you have been gone for half a day. Why are you laughing? Did you rescue Master? Oh, brother, even though I didn't rescue Master, I still came out on top. How so? Sun Wukong recounted the little fun he had with Red Boy. But Sha Zong said, brother, you may have gotten some small advantage this time, but Master's life is still in danger. No worries. I'll go invite the Bodhisattva. But you're still sore? No, I'm okay now. As the old saying goes, happy things perk you up. You just watch the luggage and horse and I'll go. You have humiliated that demon. He might harm Master. Hurry back. I'll be back in the time it takes for a meal. So Sun Wukong somersaulted into the clouds and flew toward the South Sea. Within an hour, he could see Mount Potulaka. He descended and was greeted by the 24 devas. He greeted them and asked to see Guan Yin. They asked him to wait outside her cave while one of them went in to announce him. As soon as Guanyin heard this, she summoned Wukong. Wukong tidied up his clothes, went inside and kowtowed to her. She asked what he was doing there, and he recounted all the troubles that he's had against Red Boy. Guanyin told him, since he's powerful and can wield sacred fire, why did you go to the Dragon Kings for help instead of coming to me? You know, that's a darn good question considering Guanyin is batting a thousand in terms of helping them solve whatever trouble they've been running into. I don't know why Sun Wukong company didn't just go straight to her. Oh, wait. I do know the author needed some filler. Wukong, though, told Guan Yin, I was going to come ask you, but I was scorched and couldn't fly, so I sent Zhu Bajie. But Bajie did not come here. Guan Yun said, exactly. Before Ba Jie could get here, that demon assumed your likeness and lured Bajie to his cave. Ba Jie is hanging up in a sack right now, waiting to be steamed and devoured. Guan Yin became irate when she heard this. How dare that demon assume my likeness. She fumed as she hurled the jade vase in her hand into the sea. Sun Wukong was taken aback. He stood up and said, this Baldasava hasn't lost her fiery temper. My words must have offended her so much that she threw away her vase. Oh, what a pity. She should've just given it to me as a favor. But just then, the waves of the sea churned and the vase re emerged, carried on the back of a monstrous creature. It was a big turtle. The turtle clambered onto shore and nodded 24 times toward Guanyin. Wukong laughed under his breath and muttered, this turtle must be the guardian of the vase. If the vase goes missing, he's the one to ask. Wukong, what are you saying? Guanyin asked. Oh, nothing, nothing. Then go bring my vase to me. Sun Wukong went over to the turtle and tried to pick up the vase, but he couldn't even nudge it. He turned around, kneeled to Guan Yin, and said, bodhisattva, I can't move it. You monkey. You just know how to brag. If you can't lift that vase, how can you tame the demon? To tell you the truth, I. I usually can lift it, but not today. I must be weak from being burned by the demon. No, usually that vase is empty, but today I threw it into the sea, and it's now filled with a sea full of water borrowed from all the rivers, lakes and oceans. That's why you can't lift it. Guan Yi now walked over and easily picked up the vase with her right hand and set it into the palm of her left hand. The turtle nodded again and returned to the sea. Guan Yi now told Wukong, the dew water in my vase is different from the Dragon King's rain. This water can extinguish that demon's fire, but you can't lift it. I was going to send the Naga maiden to go with you, but you're no good. You're deceitful. My Naga maiden is a beauty and this vase is very precious. If you steal either of them, I. I will be too busy to chase you down. You must leave me something as a security deposit. Oh, Bodhisattva, you're too suspicious. I don't do that kind of stuff anymore now that I'm in the Buddhist school. Besides, what would you have me leave as a security deposit? The clothes I'm wearing came from you. This tiger skin kilt isn't worth much and I need my rod for protection now. This hoop on my head is gold. But. But you cast the spell so that I can't take it off. If you want it as a security deposit, then I'm willing to give it to you. You would just need to read a band loosening spell and take it off. Otherwise, what else can I offer? I don't want your clothes, rod or headband. Guan Ying said, I just want one of the three life saving hairs on the back of your head. You're the one who gave those hairs to me. Wukong said, but if you pluck one off, you'll break up the set and then they won't be any good anymore. You monkey. Guan Yun scolded him. If you won't even part with a single hair, how can I help you? Bodhisattva, you're too suspicious. Wukong laughed. As the saying goes, if not for the monk, then do it for the Buddha. Please save my master no matter what. At that, Guan Yin stepped off her lotus dais and and flew to the top of a cliff. Wukong was delighted. He accompanied her out of her cave. She asked him to set off first, but he bowed and said, I dare not fly in front of you. If I do my somersault cloud, I might expose myself and then you might fault me for disrespect. So Guanyin had the Naga maiden go to her lotus pond and pluck the lotus flower. She cast it on the sea and told Wukong, get on that flower and I will fly you across the sea. This flower is light and thin. How can it carry me? If I fall into the sea, it will get my tiger skin killed wet. Once the saltpeter that keeps it soft gets washed out. How can I wear it when it's cold? Just get on. Guanyin commanded. So Wukong leaped onto the flower, and all of a sudden the flower seemed to expand to even larger than a sailing ship. Bodhisattva. It is big enough to carry me. Wukong said with delight. Then why don't you cross the sea? Well, there's no pole, oars, mast or sail. How can I get across? You don't need those. Guan Yin said as she blew on the flower. That one breath sent the flower careening across the South Sea all the way to the opposite shore. Once Wukong stepped back onto land, he he laughed. That Bodhisattva is showing off. It didn't take her any effort at all to send me around like this. Guan Yi now asked the Naga maiden to close the doors to her cave. She then took to the air and summoned her disciple Mu Zha, AKA the second brother of Lotus Boy Ne Zha. She told him, go to heaven and ask your father to lend me his polestar knives. How many do you need? Muja asked the entire set to see what Guan Yin wants with a big set of knives. Tune in to the next episode of the Chinese Lore Podcast. Thanks for listening.