It is said that when the Great Sage Yellow Wind had his past exposed by a single sentence from Ao Tu, his momentum could not help but weaken by thirty percent.
On the day he stole the oil, he had not carefully observed his surroundings, and so he did not remember whether Ao Tu had been present or not.
However, he had never mentioned this matter to anyone. Since Ao Tu knew of it, there must be some truth to his words.
Looking carefully again at Ao Tu’s appearance, he saw that the man was dignified and imposing, his eyes filled with divine radiance; dragon horns grew from his head, and golden scales marked his brow. He wore an embroidered brocade immortal robe woven with golden thread, and on his head was a flying dragon crown adorned with a dragon prince holding a pearl. At a glance, he was certainly no ordinary figure.
Sensing him more carefully, he discovered that Ao Tu’s cultivation was equal to his own. Thus the Great Sage Yellow Wind believed him seventy to eighty percent, cupped his hands, and said:
“So that is how it was. That day, I cared only for stealing the oil and did not remember Elder Brother’s kindness. I hope Elder Brother will forgive me!”
Ao Tu laughed heartily and said, “No matter, no matter!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind then invited Ao Tu into his cave dwelling for a talk.
After Ao Tu entered Yellow Wind Cave, the Great Sage Yellow Wind asked him about the various sights of Spirit Mountain, and Ao Tu answered fluently.
The Great Sage Yellow Wind believed him even more, and was overjoyed. He ordered Tiger Vanguard to go into the mountains and catch a few mountain oxen, wild boars, fat deer, and Hu sheep to feast on.
After Tiger Vanguard received the order, it was not long before he brought back the game. The Great Sage Yellow Wind brought out wine and shared it with Ao Tu.
After they had enjoyed themselves for a while, the Great Sage Yellow Wind asked Ao Tu:
“Elder Brother, instead of tending the bell at Spirit Mountain, why do you have the leisure to come here to me?”
Ao Tu said, “I have come to bring Worthy Younger Brother a great deal of business!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind asked, “What business?”
Ao Tu said, “Before long, a monk traveling west to fetch the scriptures will pass through this place. Worthy Younger Brother may as well seize him.”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind laughed. “What sort of business is one monk? If Elder Brother wishes to eat monks, I will send Tiger Vanguard to catch ten or eight of them for Elder Brother to enjoy. Tiger Vanguard!”
Tiger Vanguard said, “Here!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Go at once and catch ten monks.”
Tiger Vanguard said, “Yes.”
Ao Tu hurriedly stopped him and said, “Wait. Worthy Younger Brother does not know—the monk is no ordinary monk!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Oh? What sort of monk is he?”
Ao Tu explained, “This monk is the reincarnation of Jinchanzi, a good man who has cultivated for ten lifetimes. If one eats even a mouthful of his flesh, one can live forever! Even if Worthy Younger Brother has already attained the Dao fruit of longevity, eating him will greatly increase your cultivation!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said in surprise, “Is that truly so?”
Ao Tu said, “That monk will arrive before long. Worthy Younger Brother will know once you see him.”
Hearing this, the Great Sage Yellow Wind began to ponder.
When the lesser demons in the cave heard that they could gain immortality, they could hardly restrain themselves and cried:
“Your Majesty, let’s capture that monk! Eat his flesh, and we’ll all live forever together and become carefree immortals!”
“That’s right, Your Majesty!”
“A rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years!”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind did not agree at once, but asked:
“Since Elder Brother has such good business, why do you not go capture that Tang Monk yourself?”
Ao Tu said, “Worthy Younger Brother does not know. That Tang Monk has two disciples at his side. One is Sun Wukong, who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago, and the other is the Tianpeng Water God descended to the mortal realm. I am alone and weak, and cannot defeat them, so I have specially come to ask Worthy Younger Brother for aid.”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “So that is how it is. I have also heard somewhat of that Sun Wukong who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. He is no easy figure to provoke!”
Ao Tu smiled and said, “Worthy Younger Brother, you possess the divine ability of the Samadhi Divine Wind. Are you still afraid of a mere Sun Wukong?”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said in astonishment, “You even know that?”
Ao Tu smiled. “I also know that the Tathagata sent Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue you, bestowing upon him a Wind-Fixing Pill and a Flying Dragon Staff, specifically to break your divine ability.”
Hearing this, the Great Sage Yellow Wind cupped his hands and said, “Elder Brother truly possesses vast divine powers! Indeed, that is precisely so. That is why I have not dared to act lightly, for fear that Sun Wukong will invite Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue me.”
Ao Tu said, “Worthy Younger Brother need not worry. As the saying goes, every creature has its counter. I naturally have a magic treasure that will help you break Lingji Bodhisattva.”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind was overjoyed when he heard this. He immediately set up an incense table in the cave, exchanged eight bows with Ao Tu, became sworn brothers, and together plotted to obtain Tang Monk’s flesh.
Summer passed and autumn came. As the saying goes: the blue sky shines bright and clear, the autumn moon is round as ever; when flowers are gone, butterflies have no tales to tell, and high in the trees, cicadas no longer clamor.
After Tang Monk and his disciples had passed through the borders of Wusizang and traveled for over a month, they arrived at the region of Yellow Wind Ridge.
Before entering the ridge, Tang Monk and his disciples lodged for the night at a household.
When that household heard that Tang Monk and his disciples were heading west, they warned Tang Monk, “Yellow Wind Ridge stretches for eight hundred li. There are many demons in the mountains, and the road is extremely difficult to travel.”
Thus, after Tang Monk entered Yellow Wind Ridge, Wukong and Bajie followed close beside him, never leaving him by even half a step as they protected their master.
Ao Tu and the Great Sage Yellow Wind led a host of lesser demons to watch from Soul-Clutching Cliff. Seeing Tang Monk and his disciples approach, the Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Not good, not good.”
Ao Tu asked, “Why does Worthy Younger Brother sigh?”
The Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Look at that Tang Monk. He is a frail mortal who cannot withstand the wind. If I blow up my Samadhi Divine Wind, I fear I will blow him to ashes along with the others. What should be done?”
“That is easy to handle.” Ao Tu looked toward the chiefs and minor leaders of Yellow Wind Cave and said, “Which of you has the ability to go over and lure away Tang Monk’s two disciples? Once the deed is done, he shall be rewarded with a leg to eat, and gain immortality along with the rest.”
As soon as the words fell, Tiger Vanguard stepped forward and volunteered:
“This humble general is unworthy, but I know a spell of casting off the cicada shell. There will be no need for the two Great Kings to act. I will surely be able to capture this Tang Monk!”
Ao Tu said, “Good. Go, then. Once the deed is done, a heavy reward will certainly be granted!”
Tiger Vanguard received the order, leapt down the mountain, transformed into a ferocious striped tiger, and hid in a hollow among the rocks.
As Tang Monk and his disciples approached, Tiger Vanguard suddenly leapt out with a tiger’s roar, frightening Tang Monk so badly that his soul nearly fled his body. He tumbled from the horse’s back and fell beside the road.
Bajie had previously committed a fault, and now, seeing a demon appear, he was eager to atone for his mistake. He cast aside the luggage, pulled out his nine-toothed rake, blocked Wukong, and said, “Senior Brother, hold a moment. Let Old Pig capture this vile beast!” With a shout of “Take my rake!” he struck straight at its head.
Tiger Vanguard stood upright, drew two red copper blades, and fought several rounds with Bajie. Finding himself somewhat outmatched, he retreated to a jumble of rocks below the hillside and continued fighting there.
When Wukong saw Bajie locked in battle with the monster, he could not hold himself back. He helped Tang Monk up and said, “Master, do not be afraid. Sit here calmly for now. Your disciple will go help Bajie capture that wretch, so we can continue on our way.”
Only then did Tang Monk sit up trembling, reciting the Heart Sutra to barely steady his mind.
Wukong pulled out his golden-hooped staff and leapt down to attack.
Seeing this, Tiger Vanguard rode an evil wind and fled.
Wukong and Bajie pursued him together.
Tiger Vanguard fled over a mountain peak, took off the tiger skin on his body, stuck it onto a crouching tiger rock, and transformed his true body into a gust of wild wind, rushing back by another path.
At that moment, Tang Monk was sitting at the roadside reciting the Heart Sutra when Tiger Vanguard seized him in one grab.
What a fine vanguard! He truly had not boasted. Without Ao Tu or the Great Sage Yellow Wind making a move, he had captured Tang Monk by his strength alone.