Now, Wukong had returned home for a visit, enjoying himself freely with the troupe of monkeys. Twenty-four days passed in the blink of an eye. Touching the golden circlet on his head, Wukong said, "I'm off. Do not see me out!"
Before the monkeys could urge him to stay, Wukong mounted a cloud and returned to the Flowing Sand River in an instant.
"Demon Dragon, come out! The time is up—return my Master!"
Ao Tu emerged from the river upon hearing this. He checked the system progress—ninety-one days, one day more than a season—and said with a smile:
"I will naturally keep my word. Wait here; I shall release your master at once!"
Having said this, Ao Tu went down and sent out Tang Seng, Bajie, and the West Sea Dragon King together. Several old monks who had accompanied Tang Seng in chanting scriptures also received their remuneration in gold and silver and were sent back to their original places.
As for Tang Seng, his complexion was ruddy and his face radiant. He had not lost any weight; rather, he had gained two jin. He had merely been slightly frightened. Upon seeing Wukong, he hurriedly said:
"Wukong, where did you go? Why did it take you so long to rescue your master? These past days, your master was abducted by this demon. Although I suffered no abuse, it terrified me terribly!"
Bajie said from the side, "Master, these days you've been eating mountain delicacies and living in palaces. That demon even found old monks to keep you company. What do you have to complain about? If this old pig were given such days, I'd be delighted to stay a year or two."
Tang Seng berated him upon hearing this, "You foolish creature! Your master received the Tang Emperor's command to journey west for the scriptures. If I can travel west, even living on wind and dew in the open would be sweet as syrup. If I cannot travel west, even dwelling in jade towers and jade palaces with a hundred exquisite delicacies would be like lying on steel blades or drinking poison!"
Seeing that Tang Seng's words were severe, Bajie pursed his snout and said no more.
On his side, Ao Tu took Tiger Vanguard and prepared to leave.
Sha Wujing still did not know the full story and hurriedly asked, "Two venerable deities, if you leave, what am I to do?"
Ao Tu said, "Go with Sun Wukong to the Southern Sea to see Guanyin Bodhisattva, and you will understand."
Having spoken, Ao Tu used the Earth-Traveling Golden Light technique and left with Tiger Vanguard.
Sha Wujing and Wukong thus went to the Southern Sea to find Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Guanyin Bodhisattva was currently with the Pearl-Holding Dragon Maiden, leaning on the railing by the Precious Lotus Pond admiring the flowers.
Seeing Wukong and Wujing arrive, Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "Why are you not protecting Tang Seng? What matter brings you to see me again?"
Wukong and Sha Wujing each recounted the matter.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said in annoyance, "That blasted evil beast! You have been deceived by him again. He changed the river's name, deceived Wujing, and blocked your master's journey west!"
Sha Wujing bowed upon hearing this and said, "This disciple is foolish and ignorant, deceived by that demon. I have delayed a great matter!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "That evil beast is cunning and deceitful in his actions, accustomed to using schemes. You cannot be blamed. Rise."
Only then did Sha Wujing stand up.
Guanyin Bodhisattva looked at Wukong again and asked, "Since you met that evil beast, why did you not report to me, instead tangling and interacting with him, delaying these many days?"
Wukong said, "It is only because Master and Bajie were in his hands. I feared provoking him and endangering their lives, thus I compromised and endured!"
Guanyin was somewhat unconvinced and admonished, "You macaque, since you have entered my Buddhist school, you must remember the five hundred years of suffering beneath the mountain. Do not ruin your future prospects again."
Wukong offered a casual bow and said, "Rest assured, Bodhisattva. This old Sun understands."
Guanyin added, "If you encounter that demon dragon again, report to me swiftly. Do not let him ruin the Great Plan of Scripture-Seeking."
Sha Wujing knelt and assented.
Wukong merely responded casually.
Seeing Wukong's improper attitude, Guanyin said, "That demon dragon is full of cunning schemes. You must not fall for his tricks!"
Wukong said, "What trick would I fall for? His father died; coming to seek revenge is only right. This old Sun only guarantees Tang Seng's journey west to obtain scriptures. The rest is not my concern."
Guanyin said, "The Jinghe Dragon King violated heavenly laws. The fault lies with himself. How can he blame others?"
Wukong said, "Exactly, exactly. Without a cause, how can there be an effect? I reckon that old Jinghe Dragon ate too many offerings and, with nothing to do in his leisure, wanted to violate a heavenly law to test the waters."
Guanyin, hearing this, stretched out her jade palm in annoyance and struck the monkey's head three times, saying, "You impudent monkey, stop your nonsense! All things have their ordained destiny. If you speak nonsense again, beware my recitation of the Tight-Fillet Spell."
Wukong hastily said, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I ask the Bodhisattva to quickly use a method to help my master cross the river!"
Guanyin took out a red gourd and instructed, "Place this gourd upon the Flowing Sand River. Thread together those nine scripture-seekers' skulls of Wujing and arrange them according to the Nine Palaces. Place this gourd in the center, and it will become a Dharma boat capable of ferrying Tang Seng across the Flowing Sand River boundary."
Wukong said, "What scripture-seekers' skulls?"
Sha Wujing said, "Eldest Brother, when I was a demon in that river, I ate countless people. There were several times when scripture-seekers came, and I ate them all. All the heads I ate were thrown into the river and sank to the bottom. In this water, even a goose feather cannot float. Only those nine scripture-seekers' skulls floated on the surface. I thought they were treasures, so I threaded them together and would toy with them in my leisure time."
Wukong listened and asked, "Where are those skulls now?"
Sha Wujing said, "That demon dragon took them and has not returned them."
Guanyin was speechless and said, "Very well. I shall accompany you on a trip!"
Wukong and Sha Wujing expressed their thanks, which need not be mentioned.
The three rode on clouds and arrived at the Flowing Sand River in no time.
Tang Seng and Bajie hurriedly knelt to pay homage upon seeing the Bodhisattva.
Guanyin said to Tang Seng, "This place was originally called the Flowing Sand River, but that demon dragon changed it. The demon in the river is the reincarnation of the Curtain-Lifting General, also a good believer whom I converted, one who will protect you in your scripture-seeking."
Tang Seng was delighted and accepted Sha Wujing. He also gave Sha Wujing a common name: Sha Heshang.
Guanyin took a willow leaf and tossed it into the river, transforming it into a willow-leaf boat.
Tang Seng boarded the boat and sat upon it, as stable as a light skiff.
Bajie supported him on the left, Wujing held him up on the right; Sun Xingzhe led the dragon-horse from behind, following half upon cloud and half upon mist.
Tang Seng floated steadily across the eight-hundred-li boundary of the Flowing Sand River, crossing the Weak River with calm waves and still winds. Like flight or an arrow's flight, in no time he reached the other shore, escaping the great waves. Without dragging through mud or water, his feet dry and hands dry, pure and unburdened.
Tang Seng bowed in thanks to the Bodhisattva, and the four masters and disciples continued westward.
With the matter concluded, Guanyin returned straight to the Southern Sea, but she harbored some vexation in her heart.
Muzha asked, "Why is Master vexed?"
Guanyin said, "It is all because of that evil beast. He has repeatedly obstructed the path of scripture-seeking. That is tolerable; sooner or later he can certainly be subdued. I only fear he has bewitched Wukong and ruined the Great Plan of Scripture-Seeking."
Muzha said, "That evil beast merely relies on a few mysterious treasures obtained from who-knows-where to act fiercely. Master might as well use his own scheme against him and design a trap for him along the scripture-seeking road."
Guanyin said delightedly, "Excellent! Recently in my Precious Lotus Pond, the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Go invite the two Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra, as well as the Old Mother of Mount Li, to my Mount Luojia to view the lotus flowers."
Muzha was inwardly shocked. He had not expected the Bodhisattva to invite so many divinities in order to subdue a mere small demon dragon.
Meanwhile, on Ao Tu's side.
[Ding, calculating rewards. Total interception time: ninety-one days.]
[Ding, obtained reward: Three-Revolution Soul-Returning Pill.]
[Ding, obtained reward: Six-Thousand-Year Peach of Immortality.]
[Ding, obtained reward: Acquired Spiritual Treasure · Headache Chime.]
[Ding, obtained reward: Acquired Spiritual Treasure · Dragon-Binding Rope.]
[Ding, obtained reward: Divine Ability · Five-Colored Divine Light.]
[Ding, surplus of one day automatically transferred to the next side quest. Next side quest: The Four Sages Test the Zen Heart.]