Journey to the West. (chapters 19-22)

Journey to the West Chapter 19 An Evil Plan The head priest called for two other priests, who quickly ran into the room. Is everything okay, master? One priest asked. I can't give this robe back to the Tang monk, said the head priest. But you must give it back, said the other priest. This robe is a Buddhist treasure, said the head priest. It comes from the Western Paradise. As Buddhists, we must do everything we can to keep it in our monastery. The Tang monk won't let you keep it, said the first priest. The head priest smiled. There was an evil look in his eyes. I have a plan, he said. Wukong was awake, meditating on a rooftop, when he heard footsteps. He looked down and saw two priests walking across the courtyard. They were carrying bundles of firewood. It's the middle of the night, thought Wukong. Why are they starting a fire? The priests stacked the firewood next to the building the Tang monk was sleeping in. Aha, thought Wukong. I'll bet that head priest wants to keep our robe. He's planning to kill us. Wukong waited until the priest lit the wood on fire. Then he used his magic powers. The priest screamed and ran as the fire shot across the courtyard. One building went up in flames, and then another. Soon most of the monastery's buildings were on fire. Walls crumbled and roofs caved in. Run for your life, cried one priest. Our monastery is ruined, cried another. There was one building, however, that the fire didn't touch. The Tang monk slept peacefully as the rest of the monastery burned down. The next morning, the Tang monk woke up and opened the door. He gasped. Smoke drifted through the air. Burned pieces of wood lay in heaps. The building's walls were black and crumbled. Oh no, cried the Tang monk. What happened to the monastery? He turned around. That's when he realized that the building he'd slept in was fine. Wukong walked over. Wukong, cried the monk. What happened here? The head priest tried to kill you, said Wukong. He tried to set the building you were in on fire. The Tang monk was confused. But that building is fine. The fire didn't touch it. Wukong laughed. I used my magic to stop the fire. The Tang monk scratched his head. The rest of the buildings burned. I used my magic for that, too, said Wukong with a smile. I used a spell that protected only your building and the robe. The spell made the fire spread everywhere else, though. The Tang monk's eyes filled with tears. He looked angry. That's horrible, Wukong, he cried. If you had the power to stop the fire, you should have stopped all of it. Wukong shrugged. The priests here are evil. They deserved what they got. Just then they heard a shout. Two of the priests ran toward them. Villains, cried Wukong. How dare you try to burn my master? I should club you with my iron bar. The two priests fell to their knees and bowed. Please forgive us, one cried. We didn't want to harm you or the Tang monk. It was the head priest's idea. He's evil. Wukong glared at the two priests for a moment. Then he relaxed. Stand up, he said. I believe you. Just bring us the robe so we can continue our journey to the west. Wait, we can't, said one priest. He was shaking. The robe is gone. Journey to the West Chapter 20 The Black Bear Spirit Wukong glared at the two scared priests. The robe is gone, he cried. Where did it go? We don't know, said one priest. We tried to find it, added the other. The robe was in a room that didn't get burned at all. But it's not there anymore. His iron bar instantly appeared from inside his ear. Grow, commanded Wukong. The monkey swung it toward the two priests. But before the bar hit them, it dropped from the monkey's hands. Wukong fell to the ground, crying in pain. It hurts, it hurts, he cried. The Tang monk was quietly reciting the tight headband spell. Wukong rolled around, kicking and screaming. The two priests jumped up and backed away. Stop reciting the spell, Wukong yelled at the Tang monk. I'm begging you, I won't hurt the priests. The Tang monk stopped, and Wukong stood up. The monkey took a deep breath and put the iron bar back in his ear. The Tang monk looked at the two priests. You really don't know where the robe is? No, said one priest. The head priest ran away last night. He didn't have it with him. Wukong tapped his chin. A monster or demon might have stolen it. Are there any monsters or demons living near here? Some people believe there's a monster in the mountains nearby, said the other priest. They say it's a black bear spirit. I'll go see if the bear took the robe, said Wukong. I'll be back soon. Wukong leaped into the air and landed up in the mountains. He walked for a bit and then heard voices. Peeking over a boulder, he saw a group of spirits talking. One was a large black bear. The bear laughed. The monastery was on fire last night. I went down to check it out and found a wonderful Buddhist robe. I think it's a Buddhist treasure. Anyway, I stole it. So tonight, I'm throwing a feast to celebrate. When Wukong heard the other spirits laugh, he was furious. He jumped over the boulder and landed in the middle of the group. Give back the robe right now, he cried. He pulled out his iron bar. Or I'll destroy all of you. The spirits all fled in different directions. Wukong chased the bear until they reached a cave entrance. The bear ran inside and slammed the door shut. Wukong pounded on the cave's door. Come out here right now or I'll smash this door down. The door flew open. The bear stepped out. He was holding a lance. How dare you pound on my door and yell at me, he cried. You stole my master's robe, said Wukong. I can do whatever I want, said the bear. I am the Black Wind King. I'm the most powerful monster in these mountains. I am Sun Wukong, king of the Fruit and Flower Mountain, said the monkey. I caused lots of trouble in heaven 500 years ago. The Jade Emperor's entire army couldn't defeat me. The Black Wind King snorted. You don't impress me. He jabbed his lance at Wukong. Clang! The monkey blocked the lance with his iron bar. Rocks tumbled and rolled downhill as the two warriors fought. After an hour of fighting, the Black Wind King held up a hand. I need to take a break. It's time for my lunch. Wukong's jaw fell open. What? Before Wukong could say anything else, the bear ran back into his cave. The door slammed shut. Journey to the West Chapter 21 The Monster's Friend Wukong stood before Guan Yin. He was telling the Bodhisattva everything that had happened at the monastery. Then a bear spirit called the Black Wind King stole the robe. The monkey went on. I demanded he give it back. We fought until the bear spirit said it was lunchtime and hid in his cave. I kicked the door and yelled insults at him for more than an hour. But he wouldn't come out. You must help me. Guan Yin sighed. The Tang monk should not have shown that robe to the priest, she said. The robe is a Buddhist treasure. When other people see it, they will want it. And as that head priest tried to do, they might harm the Tang monk. I agree, said Wukong. I've told the Tang monk many times not to do dumb things. But still he... And you should have put out that fire, Guan Yin said, interrupting Wukong. What you did was terrible. Wukong looked at the ground. He kicked a pebble. I know, he mumbled. I'll help you get back the robe, said Guan Yin. Let's go. Wukong and Guan Yin soared over the ocean. Soon they landed on the mountain. Where is the Black Wind King's cave, asked Guan Yin. It's close, said Wukong. We should sneak up to it. They heard footsteps coming closer. Wukong and Guan Yin hid as a Taoist priest walked along the path. The priest was holding a tray. A bright purple pill sat on the tray. The priest was talking to himself. This is an exciting day, he said. The Black Wind King has a new robe that is a Buddhist treasure. And I hope he likes the pill I made for him. It will make him live forever. Wukong stared at the priest, using his magic sight. That's not a priest, Wukong realized. It's a wolf spirit dressed as a priest. The monkey's eyes lit up. I have an idea, Bodhisattva. A little while later, the priest stood before the Black Wind King's cave door. He knocked and the door flew open. Are you still here, you little monkey, shouted the Black Wind King. Then he saw the priest and smiled. Oh, it's you, my old friend. Sorry for yelling. A pesky monkey spirit was here a little while ago. He looked around. I guess he's gone. A monkey spirit was here, asked the priest. Yes, said the bear. He kept banging on my door and yelling at me. He was very rude. The Black Wind King patted the priest on the shoulder. But let's not talk about him. It's good to see you. How have you been? I'm well, said the priest. I brought you a gift to celebrate your new Buddhist treasure. He held up the tray with the pill. The Black Wind King looked interested. What kind of pill is that? It is a very special pill, said the priest with a smile. I made it just for you. It will make you live forever. The Black Wind King stroked his chin. You know, I was just thinking this morning that I would like to live forever. The bear picked up the pill and opened his mouth wide. As he brought the pill up to his mouth, the pill wiggled. Oh, did the pill just... But before the Black Wind King could finish speaking, the pill hopped off his hand. It shot into his mouth and slid down his throat. Go. Journey to the West, Chapter 22. A Very Strange Pill The Black Wind King took a step back. He looked confused. That pill jumped down my throat. The entire cave filled with light. The bear squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them, Guan Yin was standing before him. Guan Yin! The bear cried. You tricked me with a disguise! Return the robe at once, said Guan Yin. No, said the Black Wind King. I don't want to. He held his stomach and groaned. Are you feeling okay? asked Wukong's voice. The bear looked around, surprised. I just heard the monkey. He fell to his knees and groaned again. Where are you? I'm inside you, said Wukong. I changed myself into a pill to trick you. Now I'm going to practice some of my fighting skills. The monkey punched and kicked the bear's insides. Boom! Pow! Boom! Pow! cried the Black Wind King, rolling on the floor. Wukong jumped up and down, did flips, and ran around in circles. Please stop, shouted the Black Wind King. You're hurting my belly. Give back the robe, said Guan Yin. I will. I promise, said the bear. I will do anything you say. Just please tell the monkey to stop. Guan Yin held up a metal headband. It looked just like the one on Wukong's head. She placed it on the bear's head. Wukong, come out now, said Guan Yin. A tiny Wukong popped out of the Black Wind King's nose. He quickly grew to his normal size. Where's the robe? asked the monkey. The bear pointed to a dark room in the back of the cave. After Wukong left to get the robe, the Black Wind King charged at Guan Yin. But the bear was too slow. Guan Yin threw four more metal bands at him. Two clamped onto his wrists. The other two clamped onto his ankles. When the bodhisattva began reciting a spell, the bear screamed. Please stop. Do you promise to be good? asked Guan Yin. Yes, answered the Black Wind King. I promise. Wukong came back with the robe. When he saw the bear, he laughed. You have five of those bands. The Black Wind King looked at the ground and sighed. I got the robe, bodhisattva, said the monkey. What should we do with the bear? I will show him mercy, said Guan Yin. He can be my guardian on Mount Potalaka if he behaves. The bodhisattva led the bear out of the cave and vanished. Wukong flew back to the monastery. You got the robe, cried the Tang monk when he saw the monkey. I did, said Wukong. The two travelers headed west again. Wukong told the monk about his adventure with the Black Wind King. I destroyed the Taoist priest, the monkey explained. He was really an evil wolf spirit. Then Guan Yin made herself look like him. And you turned yourself into a pill, said the Tang monk. And I went right into that bear's belly. Wukong laughed. He was very surprised. The Tang monk smiled. I think we both learned a valuable lesson, Wukong. I will never show anyone the robe again. That's a good idea, said Wukong. The robe is a gift from Buddha. We must be careful. He stopped talking and pulled out his iron bar. There's a spirit nearby. He looked toward a nearby cave. There was a snort. The Tang monk shook with fear. A pago-like creature leaped from the cave, swinging a heavy rake.