Now, it is told that Sun Wukong arrived at Black Wind Mountain and, sure enough, saw three demons: a black-faced fellow, a Daoist, and a refined scholar in white. The three had gathered together, saying they would hold some sort of Buddhist Robe Assembly the day after tomorrow.
Anger rose in Sun Wukong’s heart. He leapt down and killed the white-clad scholar with one blow of his staff, then chased after the black-faced fellow.
The black-faced fellow fled back to Black Wind Cave, took up his weapon and armor, and came out to meet Sun Wukong in battle.
The two fought for a bout, with neither gaining the upper hand.
Ao Tu watched from the air and felt all the more that Sun Wukong was formidable. If it were him fighting, he feared he would be defeated and forced to flee within just a few exchanges; only in the water, with the aid of his innate divine abilities, could he contend with him for a while.
After they had fought like this for half a day, the Black Bear Spirit withdrew into the cave. Sun Wukong could not break open the gate and had no choice but to return.
Early the next morning, Tang Seng again ordered Sun Wukong to go seek the cassock.
This time, Sun Wukong transformed into the likeness of Elder Jinchi, intending to trick the cassock away. Unfortunately, the Black Bear Spirit saw through him, and the two fought for another half day, still unable to decide a victor.
On the third day, Tang Seng again urged Sun Wukong to find the cassock. Sun Wukong had no other plan, and thought to himself that this place was called Guanyin Monastery, a place of incense offerings to Bodhisattva Guanyin, so he went to the South Sea to ask for help.
Meanwhile, when Ao Tu saw Sun Wukong heading to the South Sea, he knew the Black Bear Spirit was about to be subdued, and so prepared to begin his own plan.
He flew down from the clouds and used a transformation art, changing himself into the likeness of Anan.
By now, Guanyin Monastery had already been burned down by the great fire, but the monks, great and small, did not dare flee. Threatened by Sun Wukong, they remained there to attend upon Tang Seng. Guangzhi and Guangmou were currently tending the fire and cooking.
Ao Tu had once served beneath the seat of the Tathagata in the Western Heaven as keeper of the bell, and he also understood some Buddhist doctrine. Now, after transforming into Anan, Buddhist light shone around his body, making him look exactly like the real thing, and he descended before Guangzhi and Guangmou.
Guangzhi and Guangmou were mortals with eyes of flesh. How could they recognize Ao Tu’s true form?
They only thought a true divinity had descended and hurriedly bowed down.
Ao Tu said, “I am Venerable Anan beneath the seat of the Tathagata Buddha of the Western Heaven. On this journey, I have come from the Ullambana Assembly. Passing by this place, I saw the temple buildings burned and the Buddhist images shattered, and so I have appeared to ask you two: how was this monastery burned down? And you two, as disciples of Buddhism, why are you here being made to serve others?”
When Guangzhi and Guangmou heard this, how would they dare utter even half a lie? They kowtowed repeatedly and told Ao Tu the entire sequence of events.
After Ao Tu heard it, he said:
“You have been deceived. In my view, that master and disciple, Tang Seng and his follower, are two demons. They deliberately burned down the monastery in order to seize the treasures your monastery has accumulated over the past hundred years.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou were shocked beyond measure.
Guangzhi said, “That Tang Seng is actually a demon!”
Guangmou said, “Now that you say it, that Pilgrim really does seem like a demon.”
The two looked at Ao Tu together and said, “Venerable One, since those two are demons, what should we do?”
Ao Tu said, “You two must quickly go report this to the authorities and ask the government office to come arrest Tang Seng and his disciple.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou said doubtfully, “Venerable One, since they are demons, ordinary officials may not be able to arrest them. Why do you not subdue the demons yourself?”
Ao Tu said, “These two demons are falsely using the names of monks from the Tang Dynasty, so it is inconvenient for me to act. Once the authorities arrive, if these two demons use magic and reveal their true forms, I will then take action and subdue them.”
Hearing this, Guangzhi and Guangmou were reassured, and said:
“We respectfully obey the Venerable One’s teaching.”
The two immediately prepared to descend the mountain and report to the authorities.
Ao Tu said again, “Wait.”
The two hurriedly turned back and asked:
“What further instructions does the Venerable One have?”
Ao Tu said, “On this trip, you must not reveal my name, lest the secrets of Heaven be leaked and those two demons become alert and flee.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou asked:
“Venerable One, then what should we say when we reach the government office?”
Ao Tu said, “You need only say that two thieving monks have come to the monastery, seeking to seize the temple’s treasures, and set fire to burn the monastery down. That is why you have come to report the case.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou said, “Yes.”
Ao Tu added, “Leave one person behind to hold the demons back.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou again assented.
After the two discussed it, Guangmou stayed behind to delay Tang Seng, while Guangzhi went down the mountain to report to the authorities.
After Ao Tu’s scheme succeeded, he turned and flew back into the clouds.
Sometimes, if one wished to obstruct the scripture pilgrim, one did not necessarily need mighty strength. Mortals might be even more troublesome than demons.
On the other side, Sun Wukong went to the South Sea and requested Bodhisattva Guanyin’s aid.
When they returned to Black Wind Mountain, they happened upon the Black Bear Spirit as he was preparing the Buddhist Robe Assembly.
The old Daoist who had fled the day before was holding a tray, upon which lay two immortal pills, and just happened to run into Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong immediately swung his staff and struck, killing the old Daoist, who proved to be a gray wolf spirit.
Sun Wukong looked at the tray and had an idea. He then begged Bodhisattva Guanyin to transform into the Daoist, while he himself transformed into a pill, so they could go subdue the Black Bear Spirit.
Unable to withstand Sun Wukong’s repeated pleas, Bodhisattva Guanyin had no choice but to agree. She transformed into the Daoist’s likeness, entered Black Wind Cave, and presented the pills.
The Black Bear Spirit did not know it was a trick. He swallowed the pill Sun Wukong had transformed into, and Sun Wukong bored into his belly.
Sun Wukong caused a great uproar inside him, and the Black Bear Spirit rolled all over the ground in agony.
Bodhisattva Guanyin revealed her true form, asked the Black Bear Spirit for the cassock, and then took out a hoop and tossed it onto the Black Bear Spirit’s head.
As soon as the hoop landed on his head, it took root. Bodhisattva Guanyin began reciting a spell, and the Black Bear Spirit instantly felt as though his head were splitting apart, rolling wildly across the ground.
Bodhisattva Guanyin said, “Wicked beast, are you willing to take refuge in my Buddhist path?”
How would the Black Bear Spirit dare refuse? He hurriedly said, “I am willing to take refuge, only spare my life!”
Bodhisattva Guanyin subdued the Black Bear Spirit and instructed him to serve as a mountain-guarding deity on Mount Luojia. After that, she returned straight to the South Sea.
After Sun Wukong took his leave of Bodhisattva Guanyin, he formed a spell with his fingers and set a fire, burning Black Wind Cave into a red cavern.
By the time Sun Wukong returned, noon had already passed and the sun was sinking westward.
Having regained the cassock, Tang Seng repeatedly bowed in thanks for the Bodhisattva’s aid, then ordered Sun Wukong to quickly pack the luggage and prepare to set out.
Sun Wukong said, “Master, there is no need to hurry. The sky is already late; why not travel west tomorrow morning?”
Remembering Ao Tu’s instructions, Guangmou also hurriedly led the monks to kneel and plead:
“Master Sun speaks truly. First, it is late; second, we have yet to thank you properly, Master. We earnestly beg you to set out tomorrow morning.”
Tang Seng therefore agreed.