Now, the Four Saints came to capture Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing lacked strength; after fighting over a dozen rounds with the two Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra, they were subdued by the two bodhisattvas, each employing their own spells.
Only Sun Wukong fought fiercely with Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Sun Wukong's martial prowess was hard to match even in the Three Realms. If neither used magical treasures nor divine abilities, even someone like Guanyin Bodhisattva, with her immense power, would find it difficult to achieve victory.
At first, Guanyin Bodhisattva could slightly suppress Sun Wukong, but once Sun Wukong grew familiar with her style, she began to show signs of defeat.
Guanyin Bodhisattva dared not use her full strength, fearing damage to the divine weapons in her hands and ruin to her family assets, and thus retreated step by step.
Wait, what family assets of his am I ruining?
That wretched beast!
Guanyin Bodhisattva realized, her phoenix eyes narrowing, and her moves began to reveal their full prowess.
A single black-gold iron spear, when wielded:
A sweep leaning as if to shoot the moon at heaven's edge,
Its clanging echoes borne upon the sea wind.
Forming golden threads that pierce the flowery phoenix,
Like silver stars raining down across the sky.
Ao Tu watched from afar. Seeing her body twisting and leaping, contending on equal terms with Sun Wukong for a short time, he was inwardly surprised that this bodhisattva actually possessed some martial skill.
The matriarch had somehow walked to Ao Tu's side and said, "What do you think, good son-in-law? Is my daughter worthy of you?"
Ao Tu said, "Mother-in-law, I am an honest man. I don't speak of who is worthy of whom. If a couple wishes to live out their days in longevity, they can only support each other."
The matriarch laughed. "Good, good! A son-in-law who likes to live a long life indeed!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva fought with Sun Wukong for over twenty rounds, gradually growing timid in strength, her energy insufficient, falling into a disadvantage.
The two Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra saw this and rushed to assist; the three joined forces to fight Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong was indeed worthy of being the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—he grew stronger against the strong. Using his three heads and six arms, his iron staff danced so densely that not even wind could pass through. Even facing the combined assault of three bodhisattvas, he feared nothing.
The matriarch said, "Son-in-law, that Sun Wukong is fierce. Hurry and help my daughters!"
Ao Tu said, "Very well, I shall go assist them."
Sun Wukong heard this and, knowing Ao Tu was formidable, hurriedly withdrew and left with a single somersault.
Afterward, Ao Tu captured Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the white horse as well, bringing them back—needless to say of that.
After Sun Wukong fled, he transformed into a magpie, followed Ao Tu's tracks, flew to the mountain residence, and landed on the upturned eaves, quietly listening to the movements inside the house.
Inside, the matriarch said, "Good son-in-law, now that Tang Sanzang has been captured, quickly prepare to marry my daughter! Listen, the magpies outside are even calling!"
Ao Tu said, "Mother-in-law, we still cannot marry."
The matriarch said, "Why? Hasn't Tang Sanzang already been captured?"
Ao Tu said, "Although Tang Sanzang has been captured, Sun Wukong escaped. If we eat his master, how could he be willing to let it rest? I'm afraid he'll bring rescuers and come beating at our door. By then, a joyous occasion will turn into a funeral affair. That wouldn't be good."
The matriarch said, "Then in your opinion?"
Ao Tu said, "We must also capture Sun Wukong before we can eat this Tang Sanzang meat with peace of mind!"
Sun Wukong, listening outside, thought to himself: This demon dragon found these female demons from somewhere, again obstructing the master and his disciples on their journey west. Coincidentally, these female demons were all quite formidable, shrouded in auspicious light so their origins couldn't be seen. He didn't know from which divine mountain they had descended. He alone was no match for them. Fortunately, his master was temporarily out of danger. Sun Wukong mounted his cloud and went to the South Sea.
Before long, he saw Mount Potalaka. Lowering his cloud, he went straight to Potalaka Cliff. He saw the Twenty-Four Devas and the Mountain-Guardian God, who came forward to salute and said, "Great Sage, whence do you come?"
Wukong said, "I have business and wish to see the Bodhisattva."
The gods said, "The Bodhisattva has gone out; she is not at home."
Wukong said, "When will she return?"
The gods said, "We do not know."
Wukong had no choice but to leave the South Sea. Mounting his somersault, he leaped up to the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Heavenly King Virupaksha saw Wukong and said, "Great Sage, you've come again!"
Wukong said, "Trouble, trouble. I've run into fierce demons again. Please announce me and ask the Jade Emperor to dispatch troops to subdue the demons."
Thus, he reported to the Jade Emperor and led Wukong to the Lingxiao Hall.
Wukong gave a great salute and said, "Old official, sorry to trouble you! Sorry to trouble you! This old Sun protects Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heavens to fetch scriptures. Today we encountered four female demons; I know not their origins. My master and two junior brothers have fallen into enemy hands. Those female demons have married Ao Tu, the demon dragon who escaped last time, and want to eat my master. I truly find it hard to bind these demons. Thus I have come specially to report, humbly begging the Heavenly Venerable to show compassion and dispatch troops to the lower realm to subdue the demons."
The Jade Emperor heard the report and immediately dispatched Heavenly King Li and Third Prince Nezha to lead heavenly troops to the lower realm, following Wukong to subdue the demons.
Before long, they arrived at that mountain. Seeing the palaces and courtyards amid the cliffs, it didn't look like a demon cave at all, but rather like an immortal's dwelling. Heavenly King Li felt somewhat strange and asked Wukong if they had come to the wrong place.
Wukong said, "We haven't come to the wrong place. Heavenly King, don't you know—the more refined the dwelling, the more vicious the demons within!"
Heavenly King Li asked, puzzled, "Why is that?"
Wukong said, "If it were ordinary mountain creatures who became spirits, this old Sun would beat them to death with a few blows of my staff. Only demons like these are difficult to deal with—they have many methods and require you all to take action."
Heavenly King Li nodded and ordered Nezha to serve as vanguard and go issue a challenge.
Nezha flew to the mountain and shouted, "Wretched demons, come out quickly and meet your death!"
Inside, Ao Tu heard the voice and said to the matriarch, "Mother-in-law, that monkey truly has brought people to attack. Allow me to go out and meet them in battle!"
The matriarch said, "Son-in-law, you must be careful! My daughter is still waiting to marry you!"
Ao Tu flew out and saw a youth of clear, delicate bones, with a man's body but a woman's countenance, holding the Demon-Slaying Sword and the Universe Ring, draped in the Red Armillary Sash, feet upon the Wind Fire Wheels. As the saying goes, small in body but mighty in voice, truly magnificent—it was the fierce Nezha who protects the teachings of the Three Heavens.
Ao Tu said, "Little child, this king is recently engaged in a great wedding and needs a boy to sit on the bridal bed for good luck. Come with me, and I'll give you red envelopes and wedding cakes to eat!"
Nezha shouted, "Demon dragon! Stop pretending. Do you not recognize me? I am Third Prince Nezha, son of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King! Last time at Yellow Wind Ridge I let you escape; today I will surely capture you!"
Ao Tu said, "Little Nezha, you boast shamelessly. Take this claw!"
Ao Tu flicked out his dragon claws, tracing five golden beams through the air.
Nezha held his sword in one hand and the Universe Ring in the other, engaging Ao Tu in fierce battle.
Ao Tu also did not use magical treasures. After fighting over twenty rounds, he feigned inability to withstand the assault, was kicked on the shoulder by Nezha's bare foot, and went flying backward.
Ao Tu clutched his shoulder and said, "Little Nezha, cease your arrogance! Wait while I call someone to subdue you!"
Nezha said, "Demon dragon, don't flee!"
Ao Tu turned around, transformed into a golden beam of light, and fled back to the manor.
He shouted, "Mother-in-law, this is terrible! The wedding cannot be held!"
The matriarch was together with her three daughters. Seeing Ao Tu flee back injured, she asked, "Beloved son-in-law, why can't the wedding be held?"
Ao Tu said, "Mother-in-law, you don't know. That monkey invited Nezha, the Great God of the Sea Assembly Altar. That Nezha is incredibly fierce, with seven or eight magical treasures and weapons protecting him. I am no match for him; I didn't even have time to use my magical treasures before being injured. I think we should each flee for our lives!"
The matriarch heard this and said, "Don't panic. My three daughters all possess magical powers; they can help you capture that Third Prince Nezha."
Zhenzhen, Aiai, and Lianlian heard this, looked at each other, and said, "This..."
The matriarch said, "Daughters, if you are unwilling to exert yourselves, this wedding truly cannot be held."
Ao Tu said, "That Nezha is terribly fierce. I think we shouldn't force it; let's each flee!"