Chapter 82: A False Maiden Seeks the Sun The Primordial Spirit Guards the Path

Pigsy leaped down the mountain, found a small path, and followed it for about five or six *li*. Suddenly, he saw two female monsters drawing water from a well. How did he know they were monsters? They wore strange, unfashionable bamboo fiber hair buns, about a foot and two or three inches high. The simpleton approached them and called out, "Monsters!"

Hearing this, the monsters were furious. They glared at each other and said, "This monk is insolent! We don't know him, and we've never bantered with him before, so why does he call us monsters?" Enraged, they swung their water-carrying poles and struck him on the head. The simpleton had no weapon and couldn't defend himself. After being hit several times, he ran back up the mountain, clutching his head. "Brother!" he cried, "Let's go back! The monsters are fierce!"

Monkey asked, "How fierce?"

Pigsy replied, "There are two female demons drawing water in the hollow of the mountain. I just called them 'monsters' once, and they hit me three or four times with their poles!"

"What did you call them?" Monkey asked.

"I called them monsters," Pigsy admitted.

Monkey chuckled. "They didn't hit you enough."

"Thanks for your concern!" Pigsy retorted. "My head's all swollen, and you say it's not enough!"

Monkey lectured him, "'Gentleness can conquer the world, but stubbornness cannot move an inch.' They are the monsters of this place, and we are monks from afar. You have hands all over your body, you should be a little more gentle. If you go calling them monsters, who would they hit, you or me? People prioritize courtesy and etiquette."

"I still don't understand!" Pigsy said.

"You've been eating people in the mountains since you were young," Monkey replied. "Do you know there are two kinds of wood?"

"No, what kind of wood?" Pigsy asked.

"One is poplar wood, the other is sandalwood," Monkey explained. "Poplar wood is very soft. Skilled craftsmen take it and carve holy images or Buddhas, adorn them with gold and paint, inlay them with jade and flowers. Tens of thousands burn incense and worship them, receiving immeasurable blessings. But sandalwood is hard and rigid. It's taken to the oil mill to be used as a pounding block, bound with iron hoops at the top, and beaten down with iron hammers. Because of its rigid nature, it suffers such hardship."

Pigsy sighed, "Brother, if you had told me these good words earlier, I wouldn't have been beaten."

"You should still go ask them what's going on," Monkey said.

"They'll recognize me if I go back now," Pigsy worried.

"Then transform yourself and go," Monkey suggested.

"Brother," Pigsy asked, "If I transform, how should I ask?"

"Transform yourself, then approach them, give them a polite bow, and see how old they are," Monkey instructed. "If they are roughly our age, call them 'Maiden.' If they are older, call them 'Grandma.'"

Pigsy laughed. "What a nuisance! It's such a remote place, what kind of relatives would we be?"

"It's not about recognizing relatives," Monkey clarified. "It's about getting information out of them. If they have captured Master, then we can act. If not, then we won't waste our time and can look elsewhere for him."

"That makes sense," Pigsy agreed. "I'll go again."

The simpleton, tucking his rake into his waist, descended into the mountain hollow. He shook his body and transformed into a chubby black monk. Swaying from side to side, he approached the monsters and bowed deeply, calling out, "Grandmas, this humble monk greets you with a bow!"

The two monsters were pleased. "This monk is quite good! He bows nicely and addresses us politely," they said. "Elder," they asked, "where do you come from?"

"Where I come from," Pigsy replied.

"Where are you going?" they asked.

"Where I'm going," he answered.

"What is your name?" they pressed.

"What my name is," he replied.

The monsters laughed. "This monk is good, but he's got no backstory, just repeating whatever he hears!"

Pigsy then asked, "Grandmas, why are you drawing water?"

"Monk, you don't know," the monsters replied. "Our old mistress captured a Tang Monk tonight and wants to entertain him. The water in our cave isn't clean, so she sent the two of us here to draw this perfectly balanced water for a vegetarian banquet. After the Tang Monk eats it, she plans to marry him tonight!"

Hearing this, the simpleton quickly spun around and ran back up the mountain, shouting, "Sandy! Quickly, bring the luggage! Let's split up!"

Sandy asked, "Second Brother, why split up again?"

"If we split up, you can go back to eating people at Flowing Sands River, I'll go visit my relatives at Gao Family Village, Eldest Brother can go back to Flower-Fruit Mountain to be a Great Sage, and the White Dragon Horse can return to the ocean to become a dragon," Pigsy declared. "Master is already marrying that demon in her cave! Let's all go back to our own lives!"

"That simpleton is talking nonsense again!" Monkey exclaimed.

"Your son is talking nonsense!" Pigsy shot back. "Those two water-carrying demons just said they're preparing a vegetarian banquet for the Tang Monk to eat before they get married!"

"That demon has trapped Master in her cave, and Master is desperately hoping we'll rescue him," Monkey said. "And you're here talking like this!"

"How do we rescue him?" Pigsy asked.

"You two lead the horse and carry the luggage," Monkey instructed. "We'll follow those two female monsters, using them as a guide, and when they reach the entrance, we'll attack together!"

The simpleton had no choice but to follow. Monkey kept a careful distance behind the two monsters. They gradually ventured deeper into the mountains, for about twenty *li*, when suddenly the monsters vanished.

"Master must have been taken by a daylight ghost!" Pigsy exclaimed, startled.

"What sharp eyes you have!" Monkey teased. "How did you see through their true form?"

"Those two monsters were carrying water, then suddenly disappeared," Pigsy explained. "Isn't that what a daylight ghost does?"

"They must have burrowed into their cave," Monkey surmised. "Let me go check."

The Great Sage quickly opened his fiery golden eyes and scanned the mountainside. Indeed, there was no sign of movement. He only saw a magnificent, intricately carved and painted archway, translucent and adorned with vibrant colors, with three eaves and four clusters, standing before a steep cliff. He, Pigsy, and Sandy approached to examine it. Six large characters were inscribed upon it: "Bottomless Cave of Hollow Mountain."

"Brothers," Monkey said, "this demon has set up a facade here, but I don't know where the actual entrance is."

Sandy said, "Not far, not far! Look carefully!"

They all turned to look. Beneath the archway, at the foot of the mountain, was a large rock, about ten *li* in circumference. In its very center was a hole the size of a jar's mouth, smooth and shiny from repeated passage.

"Brother," Pigsy said, "this must be the demon's entrance and exit to her cave."

Monkey looked at it and said, "How strange! Since I've been protecting the Tang Monk, and I'm not hiding anything from you two, I've encountered quite a few demons, but I've never seen a cave dwelling like this. Pigsy, you go down first and test how deep it is, so I can go in and rescue Master."

Pigsy shook his head. "That's too difficult, too difficult! My old Pig's body is heavy. If I slip and fall in, who knows if I'll reach the bottom in two or three years!"

"Is it really that deep?" Monkey asked.

"Look!" Pigsy urged.

The Great Sage leaned over the edge of the hole and peered down intently. "Ah!" he exclaimed. "It *is* deep! It's about three hundred *li* around!" He turned back and said, "Brothers, it really is very deep!"

"Then let's go back," Pigsy suggested. "Master can't be saved!"

"What are you saying?!" Monkey scolded. "Don't be lazy, don't grow despondent! Put down the luggage, tie the horse to the archway pillar. You use your rake, Sandy use your staff, block the cave entrance, and I'll go in to scout things out. If Master truly is inside, I'll use my iron cudgel to force the demon out, and when she runs to the entrance, you two block her from outside. This is a coordinated attack. Only by killing the demon can we rescue Master."

The two disciples obeyed.

Monkey leaped into the cave. Auspicious clouds formed under his feet, and layers of propitious energy protected his body. Before long, he reached the deep interior, where it was bright and clear, with sunlight, the sound of wind, and various flowers, plants, and fruit trees. Monkey was delighted. "What a wonderful place!" he thought. "When I was born, Heaven bestowed upon me the Water Curtain Cave, and this is also a blessed grotto-heaven!"

As he looked around, he saw a two-tiered gatehouse, surrounded by pines and bamboo, with many rooms inside. "This must be the demon's dwelling," he mused. "I should go in and scout around. Wait! If I go in like this, she'll recognize me. I should transform first." He shook his body, chanted a spell, and transformed into a tiny fly, softly buzzing onto the gatehouse to listen.

He saw the monster sitting high in a thatched pavilion. Her appearance was different now, more beautiful than when he rescued her in the pine forest or captured her at the temple—Her coiled cloud-like bun resembled piled ravens,She wore a green velvet floral vest.Her tiny bound feet were barely half-unfolded,Her ten fingers like budding spring bamboo shoots.Her round, powdered face was like a silver basin,Her crimson lips like smooth cherries.A poised and perfect beauty,Even Chang'e from the moon would be pleased.Having captured the scripture-seeking monk this morning,She now desired joyful union on the nuptial couch.

Monkey remained silent, listening to what she would say. A moment later, her cherry lips parted, and she joyfully called out, "Little ones, quickly prepare the vegetarian banquet! My Tang Monk brother and I will eat it and get married."

Monkey secretly chuckled. "So it's true! I thought Pigsy was just making things up! Let me fly in and search, see where Master is. I wonder what his temperament is like. If he's been tempted, maybe I'll just leave him here." He immediately spread his wings and flew inside. In the dimly lit, red paper lattice of the east corridor, Master Tang was sitting. Monkey crashed through a lattice hole, flew onto Tang Monk's bald head, and whispered, "Master."

Tripitaka recognized the voice and cried, "Disciple, save my life!"

"Master, this is bad!" Monkey said. "That demon is preparing a banquet to marry you. Even if you have a son or daughter, it would still be your monk's descendant. Why are you so worried?"

Hearing this, the Elder gritted his teeth and said, "Disciple, ever since I left Chang'an, and you joined me at Two-Boundary Mountain, I have traveled west. In all that time, when did I ever eat meat? On what day did I have any improper thoughts? Now, captured by this demon, forced to marry, if I lose my true essence, I will fall into transmigration, cast behind Mount Yin, and never be able to turn over in eternity!"

Monkey laughed. "Don't swear such oaths. Since you sincerely wish to seek scriptures in the West, your Old Sun will take you."

"I've completely forgotten the way in," Tripitaka said.

"Don't worry about forgetting," Monkey replied. "This cave isn't like walking in and out; you burrow down from the top. Now that I'm saving you, we'll have to burrow up from the bottom. If you're lucky, we'll hit the entrance and get out. If you're unlucky, we won't hit it, and you'll be trapped here indefinitely."

Tripitaka's eyes filled with tears. "With such difficulty, what can I do?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Monkey assured him. "That demon is preparing wine for you to drink. You have no choice but to drink one cup. Just make sure she pours it quickly, so that an auspicious froth appears. I'll transform into a tiny gnat and fly under the wine's foam. When she swallows me, I'll tear apart her heart and liver, sever her lungs, kill that demon, and then you'll be free to leave."

Tripitaka said, "Disciple, what you propose is truly unbecoming."

"If you only act kindly, your life will be over!" Monkey retorted. "Demons are harmful creatures, why do you pity them?"

"Very well, very well!" Tripitaka conceded. "Just stay with me."

Indeed, the Great Sage Sun firmly protected Tang Tripitaka; the scripture-seeking monk relied entirely on the Handsome Monkey King.

As the master and disciple were still discussing, the demon had already finished preparations. She approached the east corridor, unlocked the door, and called out, "Elder!"

Tang Monk dared not answer. She called again, and still he dared not answer. Why did he hesitate? He thought, "Opening my mouth will scatter my vital energy, and speaking will invite trouble." Yet, another part of him worried that if he absolutely refused to speak, she might become ruthless and instantly take his life. It was a dilemma: his heart questioned his mouth, and after much thought, his mouth questioned his heart. As he wavered, the monster called "Elder!" again. Tang Monk had no choice but to respond, "My Lady, yes?"

When the Elder uttered that sentence, it was as if a thousand pounds had fallen from him. People say Tang Monk was a truly devout monk, traveling west to worship Buddha and seek scriptures, so why would he converse with this female demon? Little did they know that this was a critical moment of life and death, an act born of utter helplessness. Though he responded outwardly, he had no desire inwardly.

Seeing that the Elder had responded, the demon pushed open the door, helped Tang Monk to his feet, and walked hand-in-hand with him, shoulder to shoulder, whispering intimately. See how she displayed a thousand charming gestures and ten thousand alluring graces, yet Tripitaka's heart was filled with nothing but distress! Monkey secretly chuckled. "My Master is being so enticed by her, I'm afraid he might be swayed in a moment." Indeed—The true monk suffered to meet the charming maiden,The demoness, graceful, was truly praiseworthy.Her faint, emerald eyebrows resembled willow leaves,Her rosy, full face set off peach blossoms.Her embroidered shoes barely revealed tiny bound feet,Her cloud-like bun piled high on her raven-dark temples.Smiling, she took her Master's hand,And the fragrance of orchids and musk filled his cassock.

The demoness led Tripitaka to the thatched pavilion and said, "Elder, I've prepared a cup of wine to share with you."

Tang Monk replied, "My Lady, this humble monk does not partake in meat."

"I know you don't eat meat," the demoness said. "But since the water in our cave isn't clean, I specifically ordered pure, perfectly balanced water from the mountain to prepare this vegetarian banquet for you to enjoy."

Tang Monk followed her inside to look, and indeed, he saw—At the entrance, embroidered silks and colorful knots adorned it;In the courtyard, golden lion censers diffused their fragrance.Arranged were black, mother-of-pearl inlaid tables, and vermilion lacquered bamboo fiber trays.On the inlaid tables were exotic delicacies;In the bamboo fiber trays were rare vegetarian dishes.Quinces, olives, lotus seeds, grapes, Chinese torreya, apples, hazelnuts, pines (nuts), lychees, longans, wild chestnuts, water caltrops, dates, persimmons, walnuts, ginkgo nuts, kumquats, fragrant oranges—fruits from the mountains abounded.And the vegetables were even fresher:Tofu, gluten, wood ear mushrooms, fresh bamboo shoots, mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, yams, and Solomon's seal.Seaweed and daylilies, fried in green oil;Kidney beans and yard-long beans, seasoned with rich sauce.Cucumbers, gourds, ginkgo nuts, and turnips.Peeled eggplant made to resemble quails,Hollowed winter melon named "Square Dawn."Stewed yam mixed with sugar,Boiled radishes seasoned with vinegar.Pepper and ginger, every spice was delicious,Saltiness and blandness perfectly balanced, every color harmonious.

The demoness exposed her slender, jade-like fingers, holding a glittering golden cup, full of fine wine. She handed it to Tang Monk and said, "My charming Elder Brother, please accept this cup of joyful union wine."

Tripitaka shyly took the wine, poured a libation to the sky, and secretly prayed in his heart: "All the Devas, the Five Vajra Guardian Spirits, the Four Duty Gods! Your disciple Chen Xuanzang, since leaving the Eastern Land, has been secretly protected by all you gods, sent by Guanyin Bodhisattva, to worship Buddha in the West and seek scriptures. Now on my journey, I am captured by this demon, forced into marriage, and she hands me this cup of wine to drink. If this wine is truly vegetarian, your disciple will reluctantly drink it and still succeed in reaching Buddha. But if it is meat wine, breaking your disciple's vows, I will forever fall into the suffering of transmigration!"

The Great Sage Sun, having transformed himself lightly, was right behind his ear, like a whispered informant. Only Tripitaka could hear him speak; others heard nothing. Knowing that his Master usually enjoyed vegetarian wine made from grapes, Monkey urged him to drink a cup. The Master, having no choice, drank it. He quickly filled another cup to the brim and offered it back to the demoness. Indeed, an auspicious froth rose in the cup. Monkey transformed into a tiny gnat and quietly flew beneath the froth.

The demoness took the cup but did not drink it immediately. She set it down and bowed twice to Tang Monk, then whispered a few words of tender affection. Only then did she raise the cup, but the froth had already dispersed, revealing the insect. The demoness didn't recognize it as Monkey in disguise, thinking it was just a bug. She used her little finger to flick it away. Monkey, realizing his plan wouldn't work and that he couldn't enter her belly this way, immediately transformed into a hungry eagle. Indeed:With jade talons and fiery eyes, iron wings,Its mighty form and fierce spirit soared through clouds.Fox demons and cunning rabbits saw it and fainted,Fleeing across a thousand miles of mountains and rivers.When hungry, it pursued sparrows against the wind;When full, it rested high near the heavenly gates.Its old, iron-hard fists were most injurious,So ambitious that the highest heavens felt too close.

Soaring up, it spread its jade-like talons. With a loud crash, it overturned the table, shattering all the vegetarian fruits, dishes, and household items. Leaving Tang Monk behind, it flew out. The demoness was terrified out of her wits, and Tang Monk felt weak all over.

Trembling, the demoness clutched Tang Monk and asked, "Elder Brother, where did that thing come from?"

"This humble monk does not know," Tripitaka replied.

"I went to so much trouble preparing this vegetarian banquet for you to enjoy," the demoness complained, "but who knew this feathered beast would fly in from somewhere and smash all my things!"

The lesser demons said, "Mistress, breaking the dishes is one thing, but all the vegetarian food is spilled on the ground! How can we use it if it's soiled?"

Tripitaka clearly knew that Monkey was behind it, but he dared not say. The demoness said, "Little ones, I understand now. It must be that Heaven and Earth do not approve of me trapping the Tang Monk, so they sent this creature. Pick up the broken pieces and prepare some more food and wine, meat or vegetarian, it doesn't matter. I will call upon Heaven as a matchmaker and Earth as a witness, and then marry the Tang Monk!" She then led the Elder back to sit in the east corridor.

Meanwhile, Monkey flew out, resumed his true form, and called out at the cave entrance, "Open the door!"

Pigsy chuckled. "Sandy, Brother is back!" The two disciples dropped their weapons. Monkey leaped out, and Pigsy rushed forward to grab him. "Are there demons? Is Master there?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Monkey replied.

"Is Master suffering in there? Is he bound or tied? Are they steaming him or boiling him?" Pigsy asked eagerly.

"None of that is happening," Monkey said. "They're just preparing a vegetarian banquet, intending to 'do that thing' with him."

"You're lucky, you're lucky!" Pigsy exclaimed. "You've had wedding wine!"

"Simpleton!" Monkey retorted. "Master's life is barely safe, what wedding wine would I drink?"

"Then how did you get out?" Pigsy asked.

Monkey recounted all the events, including his transformation and what he saw of Tang Monk. "Brothers," he concluded, "stop thinking nonsense. Master is here now. Old Sun will go back in and definitely rescue him."

He flipped back inside, again transforming into a fly, perching on the gatehouse to listen. He heard the demoness, fuming, giving orders in the pavilion: "Little ones, bring paper offerings, meat or vegetarian, it doesn't matter! I shall implore Heaven and Earth to be our matchmakers and witnesses; I must marry him!"

Monkey heard this and secretly chuckled. "This demon has no shame whatsoever! In broad daylight, she's holding a monk captive in her home and trying to manipulate him. No need to rush; let Old Sun go back in and take another look." With a soft buzz, he flew under the east corridor and saw his Master sitting inside, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Monkey burrowed in, perched on his Master's head, and whispered again, "Master!" The Elder recognized the voice, jumped up, and gnashed his teeth in hatred. "You ape!" he raged. "Others are bold, but their courage is contained within their bodies; your boldness, however, envelops your entire being! What's the value of your transformations and magical powers if they only break household items! You've only inflamed that demon's lust! Now she's preparing food indiscriminately, meat or vegetarian, determined to have intercourse with me! What can be done about this?"

Monkey secretly chuckled apologetically. "Master, don't be angry, I have a way to save you."

"How can you save me there?" Tang Monk asked.

"When I flew up just now, I saw a garden behind her dwelling," Monkey explained. "You trick her into going to the garden to play, and I'll save you there."

"How can you save me in the garden?" Tang Monk inquired.

"When you go to the garden with her, walk to the peach trees and stop there," Monkey instructed. "I'll fly onto a peach branch and transform into a red peach. When you want to eat fruit, pick the reddest one first. The red one will be me. She will surely want to pick one too, so you must offer her the red one. If she eats it in one bite, I'll be inside her belly. Then I'll tear apart her skin, sever her liver and intestines, kill the demon, and you'll be free."

Tripitaka said, "If you have such abilities, why not just fight her head-on? Why must you burrow into her belly?"

"Master, you're being naive," Monkey said. "If this cave were easy to enter and exit, I could fight her head-on. But since it's difficult to enter and exit, and the paths are winding and hard to navigate, if I were to strike now, her entire family, old and young, would grab hold of me too. What then? We must handle it this sneaky way for everyone to be safe."

Tripitaka nodded, believing him, and simply said, "Stay close to me."

"Understood, understood!" Monkey replied. "I'll be on your head."

Once the master and disciple had decided on their plan, Tripitaka slowly rose, placing both hands on the lattice and calling out, "My Lady, my Lady!"

Hearing him, the demoness ran over, smiling sweetly. "My charming Elder Brother, what is it?"

"My Lady," Tripitaka began, "since I left Chang'an, I've traveled west, encountering mountains and rivers every day. Last night, when I stayed at Zhenhai Temple, I caught a severe cold. Today, I've sweated a bit and feel slightly better. And thanks to your generous invitation to this immortal dwelling, I've been sitting here all day, and I feel a bit restless. Would you take me somewhere to clear my head and relax a little?"

The demoness was overjoyed. "My charming Elder Brother, you do have some spirit! I'll take you to the garden to play." She called out, "Little ones, bring the keys, open the garden gate, and sweep the paths!"

All the little demons rushed off to open the gate and tidy up. The demoness opened the lattice and helped Tang Monk out. See how all those little demons, with powdered faces and slicked hair, graceful and charming, clustered around and escorted Tang Monk directly to the garden. What a monk! Amidst silks and brocades, he remained unperturbed, feigning ignorance among riches. If he didn't have such an iron-hard resolve to seek Buddha, any other ordinary man, swayed by wine and beauty, could never have obtained the scriptures.

The entire group arrived outside the garden. The demoness, with a sweet, low voice, said, "My charming Elder Brother, playing here can truly clear your mind and relieve your worries." Tang Monk took her hand, and they entered the garden together. He looked up, and indeed, it was a beautiful place. One could see—Winding paths, all speckled with green moss;Graceful ornate windows, everywhere veiled by embroidered screens.When the breeze first stirred, Shu brocade and Wu silk gently unfurled;After the fine rain had ceased, flowers with ice-like skin and jade-like bodies appeared delicately.Sun-baked fresh apricots, red like immortals drying their rainbow robes;Moonlit banana trees, green like Concubine Yang waving her feathered fan.On all four sides of the white walls, ten thousand willow trees echoed with orioles' songs;Around the secluded pavilions, the courtyards were filled with crabapples and dancing butterflies.And behold the Fragrant Retreat Pavilion, the Azure Moth Pavilion, the Sobering Pavilion, the Acacia Pavilion, rising layer upon layer, their vermilion curtains hooked by shrimp whiskers;And then the Sour Cultivation Pavilion, the Plain Attire Pavilion, the Eyebrow Painting Pavilion, the Four Rain Pavilion, each grand and imposing, with bird-seal script inscribed on their ornate plaques.Observe the Crane Bathing Pond, the Wine Cup Washing Pond, the Moon Gazing Pond, the Hat Washing Pond, where green duckweed and algae shimmered with golden scales;And there were the Ink Flower Studio, the Exotic Chest Studio, the Leisure Studio, the Cloud Adoring Studio, where jade goblets and precious cups floated with green "ants" (wine froth).Around the ponds and pavilions, there were Taihu stones, purple jade stones, parrot rocks, and Brocade River stones, with tiger's beard rushes planted verdantly.East and west of the studios and pavilions, there were artificial wooden mountains, emerald screen mountains, wind-whistling mountains, and jade lingzhi mountains, everywhere growing phoenix-tail bamboo in clumps.Tender rose arbors and regular rose arbors stood near the swing sets, resembling brocade tents and silk screens.Pine and cypress pavilions, magnolia pavilions, facing the musk rose pavilions, were like emerald cities and embroidered curtains.Peony beds and peony bushes, crimson and purple vying in splendor;Night-blooming jasmine arbors and jasmine railings, yearly blooming with charm.Tiny drops of dew adorned purple magnolias, worthy of painting and drawing;Brilliantly burning red mulberries filled the sky, suitable for poems and odes.In terms of scenery, no need to praise the mythical paradises of Langyuan or Penglai;In terms of fragrance, no need to count the famous Yao Huang or Wei Zi peonies.If one were to play a leisurely game of "flower-picking" in spring, the garden only lacked jade-like flowers.

The Elder, holding the demoness's hand, strolled and admired the garden, seeing endless exotic blossoms and rare plants. They passed many pavilions, truly entering a delightful realm. Suddenly, he looked up and reached the peach grove. Monkey pinched his Master's head, and the Elder understood. Monkey flew onto a peach branch, shook his body, and transformed into a red peach, truly lovely and red.

The Elder said to the demoness, "My Lady, the flowers in your garden are fragrant, and the fruits on the branches are ripe. Bees compete to gather nectar from the fragrant flowers, and birds vie to peck at the ripe fruits on the branches. Why are the fruits on this peach tree of different colors, some green and some red? Why is that?"

The demoness laughed. "Without yin and yang, the sun and moon are not clear; without yin and yang on Earth, grass and trees do not grow; without yin and yang in humans, males and females are not distinguished. On this peach tree, the fruits facing the sun ripen first due to its warmth, hence they are red. Those on the shady side, without sun, are still green. This is the principle of yin and yang."

"Thank you, My Lady, for your instruction," Tripitaka said. "This humble monk truly did not know." He then reached forward and picked a red peach. The demoness also picked a green peach. Tripitaka bowed and respectfully offered the red peach to the demoness. "My Lady," he said, "you love bright colors, so please eat this red peach. Give me the green one to eat."

The demoness indeed exchanged them, secretly delighted. "What a good monk!" she thought. "He truly is a genuine person! Even before we become husband and wife, he already shows such affection!" The demoness, full of joy, affectionately kissed Tang Monk. Tang Monk took the green peach and ate it. The demoness, happily reciprocating, opened her mouth to bite the red peach. She parted her crimson lips, revealing her pearly teeth, but before she could bite down, the impatient Monkey King tumbled head over heels, straight down her throat, and into her belly.

Frightened, the demoness said to Tripitaka, "Elder, this fruit is potent! How did it roll down without even being bitten through?"

"My Lady," Tripitaka replied, "fruits from a newly opened garden are so delicious that they go down quickly."

"But I didn't even spit out the pit, and it already went down," the demoness protested.

"My Lady's intention is so beautiful, and her desire to eat it so great, that she couldn't wait to spit out the pit before it went down," Tripitaka explained.

Inside her belly, Monkey resumed his true form and called out, "Master, don't talk back to her, Old Sun has already succeeded!"

"Disciple, be gentle," Tripitaka urged.

The demoness heard him and asked, "Who are you talking to?"

"I'm talking to my disciple, Sun Wukong," Tripitaka replied.

"Where is Sun Wukong?" the demoness cried.

"He's in your belly!" Tripitaka said. "Wasn't that red peach you just ate him?"

The demoness panicked. "Oh no, oh no! That monkey has burrowed into my belly! I'm going to die! Sun Wukong! Why did you try so hard to get into my belly?"

From inside, Monkey said hatefully, "It's nothing much! I'm just going to eat your six-lobed liver and lungs, and your three-haired, seven-holed heart! I'll clean out all your five organs and turn you into a wooden clapper spirit!"

Hearing this, the demoness was scared out of her wits. Trembling, she embraced Tang Monk and cried, "Elder! I thought—Past lives and former connections tied by red string,Like fish and water, our two hearts so strong.Unexpectedly, mandarin ducks now torn apart,How could phoenixes go east and west!Lan Bridge's waters rise, preventing union's start,The Buddha temple's smoke disperses, our joyous meeting gone.A heartfelt farewell now,When will I ever meet you again?"

When Monkey heard her speaking from inside her belly, fearing that the Elder, with his compassionate heart, might be swayed by her again, he began to thrash about, kicking and stretching, almost tearing her skin open. The demoness couldn't bear the pain and collapsed to the ground, remaining silent for a long time. Monkey, seeing her silence, thought she had died, so he relaxed his hold slightly. She then regained her breath and called out, "Little ones! Where are you?"

It turned out that ever since they entered the garden, the little demons, knowing their place, had scattered, each going off to pick flowers, play games, and enjoy themselves, leaving the demoness and Tang Monk to their private conversation. Suddenly, they heard her call, and they all rushed over, seeing the demoness on the ground, her face discolored, groaning and unable to move. They quickly helped her up and gathered around, asking, "Mistress, what's wrong? Is it a sudden stomach ache?"

"No, no!" the demoness gasped. "Don't ask! I already have someone inside me! Quickly, send this monk away and spare my life!"

All the little demons came to carry him. Monkey, from inside her belly, shouted, "Who dares to carry him! You must present my Master outside yourself, and then I will spare your life!" The demoness had no choice. Cherishing her life, she quickly struggled to her feet, hoisted Tang Monk onto her back, and strode out.

The little demons followed, asking, "Old Mistress, where are you going?"

The demoness replied, "As long as the bright moon of the five lakes remains, why worry about finding a place to cast my golden hook! I'll send this fellow out and then find myself another one!"

The demoness, with a single leap on a cloud, reached the cave entrance. She heard the clanging of weapons outside. Tripitaka said, "Disciple, I hear weapons clanging outside."

"That's Pigsy wielding his rake," Monkey said. "Call out to him." Tripitaka then called, "Pigsy!"

Pigsy heard him and shouted, "Sandy! Master is out!" The two of them brandished their rakes and staffs, and the demoness carried Tang Monk out.

Indeed:The Mind Monkey, with an inside attack, subdued the evil demon;Earth and Wood (Pigsy and Sandy) waited at the door to receive the holy monk.

Ultimately, what became of the demoness's life? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.