Now, it is said that Wukong rode his cloud straight to Mount Ling.
He lowered his cloud head until he reached the foot of Vulture Peak, where four Great Vajra Guardians blocked his path and shouted, “Monkey, where do you think you’re going?”
Wukong saluted and said, “I am Sun Wukong, disciple of Tang Sanzang. I have business to attend to and wish to see the Tathagata.”
At that moment, the Tathagata Buddha was seated upright upon his Nine-Petaled Precious Lotus Throne, expounding the scriptures to the Eighteen Arhats. He opened his mouth and said, “Sun Wukong has arrived. All of you, go out and receive him.”
The Eighteen Arhats obeyed the Buddha’s decree and went out, saying:
“Great Sage Sun, the Tathagata has decreed that you be received.”
Only then did the Four Great Vajra Guardians at the entrance make way, allowing Wukong to enter.
When Wukong saw the Tathagata, he prostrated himself.
The Buddha said, “Wukong, what matter brings you to me?”
Wukong said, “This disciple has repeatedly received the grace of your teachings. Having taken refuge under the Buddha’s protection, I guard Tang Sanzang on the westward journey to retrieve the scriptures.
Now we have reached Yellow Wind Ridge, where there are two demons—one wielding wind, the other fire. They are exceedingly ferocious and have captured my master.
This disciple could not defeat them. I first invited Bodhisattva Lingji, then the Dragon King, and then Heavenly King Li, the Third Prince, and the Star Lord of Water Virtue. Alas, none could subdue those demons.
Now, upon investigation, I have learned that the demons are the sons of the Jinghe Dragon King, and one was a small dragon who served as the bell-ringer under the Buddha’s seat. Thus I have come here to ask you to send someone to subdue him.”
The Buddha said, “Indeed. That demon was originally my bell-ringer. Because he missed the hour, I had Ananda punish him lightly to warn him severely. I do not know how, but he could not endure the hardship and fled down to the mortal realm.”
Wukong said, “A mere attendant—how could he possess such cultivation?”
The Buddha said, “He has long been at my seat, listening to the wondrous scriptures of the West. Thus he has gained some cultivation.”
Wukong said, “So it turns out to be your fault for failing to judge character properly!”
The Buddha said, “You rascal, how can you say it is my fault for failing to judge character?”
Wukong said, “You’re just like that old Jade Emperor. With such great abilities as I have, he had me groom horses? That demon possesses vast divine powers and has cultivated a True Dragon Golden Body, yet you had him ring bells—isn’t that your fault for failing to recognize talent?”
The Buddha said, “The fruition statuses of my Western Paradise are not determined by divine powers. Only those with great wisdom, great compassion, great perseverance, and great vow-power can attain true fruition. That small dragon committed an error. He would not even accept a minor punishment and privately fled to the lower realm—how could he attain true fruition? It is quite similar to your former conduct.”
Wukong laughed and said, “Why bring up old Sun again? Quickly dispatch some Buddhist soldiers to capture that demon dragon and rescue my master!”
The Buddha said, “Ananda is currently sorting scriptures in the Sutra Pavilion. Go find him and have him accompany you to subdue that small dragon.”
Wukong said, “Many thanks, many thanks!”
He turned and went straight to the Sutra Pavilion.
Outside the Sutra Pavilion, a young monk was dozing.
Wukong patted him and said, “Little monk, little monk, is Venerable Ananda inside?”
The young monk opened his eyes without looking closely and said, “Senior Brother, you’re back. Why were you gone so long?”
Wukong said, “Since when am I your senior brother? Look more carefully!”
Only then did the young boy see Wukong’s appearance. Somewhat frightened, he said:
“Who are you?”
Wukong said, “Don’t be afraid. I have come by the Tathagata’s dharma decree to find Venerable Ananda.”
The young boy said, “Oh, so you were looking for my master.”
Wukong said, “Precisely, precisely. I trouble you to announce me.”
The young boy stretched out his hand.
Wukong said, “What?”
The boy said, “You monkey have no sense of propriety. Who asks someone to announce them with empty hands?”
Wukong angrily said, “I’ll beat you, you greedy little monk! My master is suffering in a demon cave, yet you demand gifts from old Sun? If you don’t open the door soon, see if this iron staff doesn’t look like a gift!”
The boy grew frightened and finally opened the door.
Wukong leaped inside. Ananda was inside sorting sutra scrolls.
Wukong quickly greeted him, saluted, and said, “Venerable Ananda,” then recounted the whole matter from beginning to end, also mentioning how the gatekeeping boy had demanded gifts.
After listening, Ananda said, “Do not be annoyed. After this matter is concluded, I will certainly punish him severely and not allow him to collect excessive gifts.”
Wukong said, “Very good, very good. Venerable One, quickly come with me to rescue my master. One day in this realm is one year on earth—I dare not delay any longer.”
Ananda said, “Slow down. Since you have asked me to take action, what gift do you have for me? You have not yet brought it out for me to see.”
“Gift?” Upon hearing this, Wukong jumped up in anger and said, “Just wonderful! My master is about to be eaten by demons. You, a venerable one, do not go to rescue him but instead demand gifts from me? I wondered how that boy could be so greedy—tracing it to its root, the source turns out to be you!”
Ananda smiled and said, “Even when inviting monks to perform rites or conduct the Flaming Mouth ceremony, one must prepare vegetarian meals and offer silver. If I act for nothing, the future generations of monks will all starve to death!”
When Wukong heard this, he couldn’t resist hauling Ananda up and said:
“Go, go, go! Let’s go to the Tathagata to reason this out!”
Ananda said, “Even if we reason it out, I do not fear you. I only fear that Golden Cicada cannot endure for so long. You also know that one day in this realm is one year on earth. If we delay further, even if your master is not eaten by demons, he will starve to death!”
Wukong was furious but helpless. Finally he said:
“Fine, fine. You first come with me to subdue the demon. That demon cave contains many treasures. I’ll take them and give them to you. If you think it’s too little, old Sun will go all out and steal the Heavenly King’s pagoda and the Third Prince’s Universe Ring to give you as well!”
When Ananda heard these words, he finally beamed with joy and followed Wukong out of Mount Ling to Yellow Wind Ridge.
By now, Ao Tu’s system progress had already reached thirty-five days.
As before, Wukong went to the entrance to hurl insults, and the Yellow Wind Great Sage came out to fight.
Ao Tu observed from the shadows. Seeing that in the sky there were only Ananda and Heavenly King Li with his son, he set his mind at ease.
Before long, Ananda took out a glass alms bowl that emitted seven-colored light, immobilizing the Yellow Wind Monster.
The Yellow Wind Great Sage hurriedly said, “Brother, save me!”
Ao Tu revealed himself in the air, flew to Ananda’s side, and fanned him twenty times.
Although Ananda was one of the Tathagata’s ten great disciples, his cultivation was not high, and he was known only as “foremost in having heard much.” Before the Tathagata attained the Way, he had long followed by the Buddha’s side, recording the Buddha’s words and deeds. Therefore, after the Tathagata attained the Way, Ananda shared in some of the merit and thus obtained a fruition status.
Speaking of his own strength, without a magical treasure, he was inferior even to Bodhisattva Lingji.
Now Ao Tu took advantage of his unpreparedness and fanned him twenty times from close range. The glass bowl was burned until it cracked and fell downward. Ananda’s entire body was engulfed in divine fire. With a miserable scream, both his physical body and divine soul perished, transforming into a gust of red wind and dissipating.
Only a single point of true spirit remained, wrapped in a golden lotus, flying toward the West.
Ao Tu pursued it, fanning over a hundred times in succession. The flames accumulating in the sky burned like a second sun.
Upon seeing this, Li Jing and the Third Prince hastily retreated.
Wukong was bold. He descended and picked up the glass bowl that Ananda had dropped. A crack had been burned into its side. It could no longer hold water, but it could still serve for holding dry rice.
Wukong happily stowed it away and said, “Pitiful, pitiful, Venerable Ananda. Old Sun’s gifts you will not receive, but your gift old Sun shall keep. In the future, when begging for alms, I’ll use it to hold dry rice and cold dishes for my master—that too counts as your merit.”
On the other side, Ao Tu pursued it for six thousand li but could never shake that golden lotus. Knowing it was a Great Luo art, not something mortal force could break, he had no choice but to turn back.
Returning to Yellow Wind Cave, the Yellow Wind Great Sage saw Ao Tu returning and was about to celebrate his victory.
But Ao Tu said, “Virtuous Brother, we can no longer eat Tang Sanzang’s flesh.”
The Yellow Wind Great Sage said, “Why can’t we eat it anymore?”
Ao Tu said, “That monk I just fanned to death was a disciple of the Western Tathagata Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha. Now that he is dead, the Buddhas will certainly come to retaliate. Let us each flee for our lives.”