Now, Wukong rode his cloud to the Eastern Ocean.
Casting a water-repelling spell, he plunged straight to the bottom of the Eastern Sea.
A sea-patrolling yaksha saw him and recognized him as Sun Wukong, then hurried back to the Crystal Palace to report.
Upon hearing this, Ao Guang, Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, led his dragon sons and grandsons, shrimp soldiers and crab generals, all out the gates to welcome him.
After escorting him into the palace and seating him, Wukong said, “No need for ceremonies. This Old Sun has come to ask a favor.”
Ao Guang said, “If the Great Sage has any matter, please command me. This little dragon will certainly do as you say.”
Wukong said, “I am protecting my master Tang Sanzang on his journey west to worship the Buddha and obtain the scriptures. Unexpectedly, he was seized by demons. Among them is a demonic dragon, exceedingly formidable. I reckon it must be some monster of your dragon race, so I have specially come to ask my old neighbor for aid.”
Ao Guang was somewhat surprised after hearing this. “The Great Sage travels so quickly—have you already reached the Blackwater River?”
Wukong said, “What Blackwater River? This Old Sun encountered that demonic dragon at Yellow Wind Ridge. It has dragon horns and golden scales, and is skilled at using fire. That is why I have come to ask you to release some rainwater to help me, and then send troops to subdue it!”
Ao Guang pondered. “A demonic dragon at Yellow Wind Ridge?”
Wukong said, “What, are you unwilling to lend me rain?”
Ao Guang hurriedly said, “I am willing, I am willing. However, though I preside over rain, I dare not act on my own authority. I must first have the Jade Emperor’s decree, and the Three Officials must raise their brushes, Taiyi must issue the document…”
Wukong said, “I am not asking you to summon clouds and spread rain to save the common people. Just pour some rainwater over that demon’s cave residence and aid this Old Sun in battle to subdue the fiend. That will do.”
Ao Guang said, “In that case, this little dragon will accompany the Great Sage at once.”
Ao Guang immediately mustered the troops and generals of the Dragon Palace: sharks as the vanguard division, carp as the forward scouts, mackerel standing sentry, and whitefish sounding the war horns; the old turtle served as prime minister, the great softshell turtle as general; crab warriors swung long swords, and shrimp soldiers brandished long spears.
Wukong led the dragon troops, and before long they arrived at Yellow Wind Ridge and met up with Bajie.
Ao Guang gave a salute and addressed him as “Marshal Tianpeng,” then observed the surroundings and said:
“This ridge is dry as tinder, which greatly aids the fire qi. Now that evening has already fallen, in this little dragon’s opinion, it would be better to first spread rain and let it fall for the night. Tomorrow, once the fire qi has been dispersed, we can fight!”
Wukong said, “Excellent, excellent!”
Ao Guang then led the water clansmen to gather clouds in the sky and spray down rain.
Inside Yellow Wind Cave, a little demon hurriedly reported:
“Great King, just now outside the wind was clear and the sun was bright, but suddenly a strange rain began to fall!”
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Strange in what way?”
The little demon said, “Across eight hundred li of mountains, only outside our Yellow Wind Cave is there a ten-li-thick bank of clouds. The rain only falls for a few li around the cave, while elsewhere there isn’t the slightest drop.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu laughed and said:
“No need to ask. It must be that monkey has gone to invite reinforcements! He wants to use water to extinguish my divine fire!”
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Elder Brother, what should we do?”
Ao Tu said, “Worthy brother, do not worry. My divine fire does not fear ordinary water! Tomorrow, you go out and fight. I will secretly guard the formation for you. If we encounter any of the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, I ask that you spare his life—the Dragon King is kin to me.”
Great Sage Yellow Wind said, “Of course, of course!”
The next day, Wukong and Bajie went together to the gate of Yellow Wind Cave. Wukong shouted, “Demonic dragon, come out! Quickly return my master and release the Bodhisattva!”
Before long, Great Sage Yellow Wind leapt out through the gate.
The monkey took one look and inwardly cried that things were bad.
Yesterday, he had only been focused on that demonic dragon and had forgotten there was also the Yellow Wind Demon, who was skilled at using wind!
Great Sage Yellow Wind held his steel trident and said:
“Sun monkey, last time I was kind enough not to blow you to death, yet you went and invited helpers to harm me. Take my wind!”
With one breath of wind, yellow sand rose three hundred zhang high, and smoke and clouds scattered for seven thousand li; heaven and earth were overturned, the land sank into gloom. The Dragon King was blown down from the clouds, Tianpeng was hurled into a mountain hollow, and those water soldiers and water generals were blown off to who knew where.
Seeing this, Wukong did not dare advance. He turned and retreated on a somersault cloud.
Great Sage Yellow Wind laughed loudly and ordered Tiger Vanguard to bind the old dragon and tie up the pig spirit, then led the troops back to the cave in triumph.
Ao Tu and the little demons held a celebratory feast for him, and for a time the demons danced wildly, exceedingly merry.
After the feast, Ao Tu went below and ordered someone to untie the ropes on Ao Guang. “Eldest Uncle, you have suffered.”
Ao Guang said, “You—you are?”
Ao Tu said, “Uncle, do you not recognize me?”
Ao Guang said, “You look somewhat familiar, yet I do not dare claim kinship.”
Ao Tu said, “My father was the Dragon King of the Jing River.”
Ao Guang said in shock, “You truly are the son of the Dragon King of the Jing River! My dear nephew, you—you have brought down such a monstrous disaster! That Sun Wukong is not someone to be trifled with. Quickly release his master and come with me to apologize to him!”
Ao Tu stood with his hands behind his back. “Uncle, say no more of this matter. I have my own judgment. For now, Uncle, please stay here in peace for a few days. When the time is right, I will let you go.”
Ao Guang still wanted to persuade him further.
Ao Tu lifted his eyes and said coldly, “Do not make things difficult for your nephew.”
Ao Guang opened his mouth, but did not dare say more.
Ao Tu’s smile returned. He personally invited Ao Guang to stay in the cave, then said, “Uncle, did you happen to bring any pills from the Dragon Palace? Lend me a few.”
Ao Guang sighed and took out several bottles of pills.
“Two bottles of Water Essence Pills and one bottle of Water Spirit Pills. I left in a hurry, so this is all I brought.”
Water Essence Pills were precious pills used for cultivation, while Water Spirit Pills were for healing injuries.
Ao Tu accepted them with a smile. “Since Uncle has graciously bestowed them, I would not dare complain that they are few. If Uncle has any instructions while here, simply tell the little demons outside. Your nephew shall take his leave.”
Ao Tu left Ao Guang and turned to seek out Bajie.
At this moment, Bajie was tied to the Wind-Fixing Stake in the rear garden, bound in the same place as Tang Seng and Lingji.
When Ao Tu came over, Bajie was cursing loudly with his snout thrust forward. Because his mouth was so large, the little demons could not even block it with rags.
Seeing this, Ao Tu said, “Come, cut off his long snout and make me a dish of pig’s muzzle!”
Tiger Vanguard received the order, drew his blade, and was about to cut.
Bajie was so frightened that he hurriedly begged for mercy. “Great King, don’t cut, don’t cut! This monk’s mouth is foul and won’t taste good!”
Ao Tu said, “Monks eat vegetarian food. Their meat tastes the best.”
Bajie said, “To tell you the truth, Great King, I’m a wanton monk. I still have a father-in-law and wife at home!”
Ao Tu burst into laughter and said:
“Good disciple, how is it that you no longer recognize your master?”
Bajie froze for a moment. Looking at Ao Tu’s demeanor, he realized and said:
“You wretched demonic dragon! Earlier you transformed into Tang Seng to deceive me and made me suffer terribly, and now you’ve come to cut off my mouth and eat it!”
Ao Tu stepped forward and said:
“Though I deceived you, did I not also give you benefits? Stay put honestly. Otherwise, I really will cut off your mouth and eat it!”
Hearing this, Bajie did not dare shout anymore.
Ao Tu smiled. Seeing how pitiful he looked, he took out two pills and fed them to him.
Tiger Vanguard watched from the side, constantly swallowing his saliva.
To Ao Tu, such pills were easily obtained, but to ordinary demons, they were extremely rare precious pills.
Seeing Tiger Vanguard’s expression, Ao Tu gave him most of the remaining bottle of Water Essence Pills and said, “Seeing as you are capable of handling tasks, I’ll reward you with the rest.”
Tiger Vanguard was overjoyed and hurriedly knelt. “Thank you for the reward, Second Great King!”
On the other side, although Sun Wukong had escaped, Bajie and the Dragon King had both been captured. He alone had fled, and sorrow welled up within him.
He thought of how he had accepted the Bodhisattva’s exhortation to goodness and protected Tang Seng on the journey west to obtain the scriptures, never expecting that this westward path would be so difficult.
Just one little Yellow Wind Ridge had two such vicious demons. Who knew how many tribulations still lay ahead?
After sighing, Sun Wukong had no plan left despite turning it over a hundred ways. He could only ride his cloud up to the Southern Heavenly Gate, preparing to request that the Jade Emperor dispatch troops.