Journey to the West. (Chapters 23-25)

Journey to the West Chapter 23 Great Protectors The creature had a pig's snout and ears. But he ran on two legs like a person. He swung the rake again. Wukong blocked the rake with his iron bar. Clang! Then he swung the bar at the pig's feet. Cried the pig. He fell face down in the dirt. He jumped back up. You'll wish you hadn't done that. Wukong leaped out of the way as the pig's rake slammed down, smashing a boulder. The two fought, kicking up dust and rocks. The Tang monk hid behind his horse. Surrender now! Wukong swung his iron bar again. I am Sun Wukong. Five hundred years ago I caused lots of trouble in heaven. The Jade Emperor's entire army couldn't stop me. I've heard of you, said the pig. But you don't seem so powerful to me. He lunged at the monkey again. Wukong jumped out of the way. I thought you were being punished, said the pig. He swung his rake again. Weren't you trapped under a mountain? I'm free now, said Wukong. I'm going to the west with the Tang monk to... The Tang monk! cried the pig. He dropped his rake. I'm supposed to go with him too. You are? asked Wukong. I was sent to earth as a punishment, said the pig. My name is Zhu Bajie. I caused trouble in heaven too. Guan Yin said I would be forgiven if I helped protect the Tang monk. Wukong rubbed his chin. Okay, he said. You can carry the bags. Zhu Bajie joined the group and the three of them continued west. As they traveled, the pig kept complaining. These bags are so heavy. Do we really need to bring them? Stop complaining, snapped Wukong. Going to the western paradise is supposed to be difficult. The pig moaned. I'm hungry too. When are we going to eat lunch? The Tang monk frowned. We just ate breakfast. How can you be hungry again? They went around a bend and saw a large tiger. Bajie and Wukong quickly pulled out their weapons. Who are you? yelled Bajie. What are you doing here? My master, the great king Yellow Wind, is hosting a feast, said the tiger. He looked at the Tang monk. I'm gathering people to eat. The Tang monk's face turned pale and he fell off his horse. Don't you dare harm our master, Bajie warned. He is the Tang monk. He's going to the west to get the true scriptures. The tiger's eyes opened wide. I heard that eating the Tang monk will make someone live forever. The tiger showed his claws. Then he lunged at Bajie. The pig hit him with the rake. The tiger tumbled over. Wukong ran toward the tiger with his iron bar. The tiger dodged the bar and then almost got hit by the rake again. He turned and fled. Wukong and Bajie ran after the tiger. For a moment they lost him. Then they spotted a flash of orange behind some bushes. There he is, whispered Bajie. The monkey and pig sneaked up to the bushes. But the tiger wasn't there. Instead, a tiger's skin lay over a rock. Wukong laughed. He was so scared he ran right out of his skin. He slapped Bajie on the back. We are great protectors. The two friends walked back to the road laughing. But suddenly their laughter stopped. Oh, no! cried Wukong. Where is the Tang monk? Journey to the West Chapter 24 The Great King Yellow Wind Wukong and Bajie looked all around. But the Tang monk was gone. That tiger ate our master, said Bajie. He shrugged. I guess we don't have to protect him anymore. Goodbye, Wukong. The pig started to walk away. But Wukong grabbed him. You're not leaving, said the monkey. We have to save our master. That tiger said he works for a demon, the Great King Yellow Wind. The king's cave must be nearby. The tiger entered his master's cave. The Tang monk was slumped over the tiger's shoulder. The Great King Yellow Wind was sitting on his throne. Great King, cried the tiger. I found the Tang monk. The demon king looked surprised and happy. I have heard that anyone who eats the Tang monk will live forever. Was the monk alone? He had two companions, said the tiger. One is a pig. The other is a monkey. Yellow Wind trembled. A monkey, he said. He must be Sheng Wukong, the monkey who caused all that trouble in heaven. Maybe, said the tiger. But don't worry. I distracted them with a fake tiger skin. They'll never find us. The tiger patted his stomach and looked at the Tang monk. I'll tell the other demons to start a fire and prepare some spices. Yellow Wind held up his hand. Sheng Wukong is powerful. He and that pig might come looking for the monk. They'll be angry if they find out we ate him. Let's wait until they leave the area. Then we'll be able to enjoy our meal. A small demon ran into the throne room. Great king, cried the demon. There are two strangers outside, a monkey and a pig. They said to hand over the Tang monk. If we don't, they'll destroy our entire mountain. Oh no, moaned Yellow Wind. This is bad. Don't worry, king, said the tiger. I will get rid of them. The tiger walked out of the throne room. The small demon followed him. Outside the cave, there was some yelling and then a crashing sound. A moment later, the small demon ran back in. Great king, disaster, he cried. The tiger is dead. The pig killed him with his rake. What? cried Yellow Wind. He stood up and grabbed a trident. He puffed out his chest and stomped out of the cave. He saw Wukong. So you're the monkey who caused all the trouble in heaven, said Yellow Wind. Hand over the Tang monk, demanded Wukong. I didn't know you were so small, said Yellow Wind. Hit me on the head, said the monkey. I'll grow bigger. The demon king hesitated. Go ahead, said Wukong. Yellow Wind knocked the monkey on the head. Instantly, Wukong grew tall. Now I'll hit you, cried Wukong. He swung his iron bar. Crash! The demon king blocked the bar with his trident. Clang! The two fought up and down the side of the mountain. I'll use some magic, thought the monkey. He grabbed a handful of hair and blew on it. Dozens of little Wukongs ran toward the demon king. Yellow Wind laughed. I know a magic trick too. He looked down and blew three times. The sky grew dark. A powerful yellow wind whipped across the mountain. Trees snapped and rocks tumbled. Wukong, Bajie, and all the little Wukongs tumbled down the mountain. They landed at the bottom in a cloud of dust. The demon king went back into his cave and slammed the door shut. The wind stopped. Wukong jumped to his feet and called back the little Wukongs. Moaned Bajie. I need a nap. Get up, yelled the monkey. We have to save the Tang monk before the demon king eats him. Bajie rubbed his head. How can we save him? That wind was too powerful. Wukong tapped his chin and thought. I'll sneak into the cave to see what I can find out. The monkey changed into a mosquito and squeezed through a crack in the cave's door. Deep in the cave, he heard someone crying. That's the Tang monk, thought Wukong. The monkey found his master tied up in a dark room. Master, cried Wukong. He landed on the monk's shoulder. Wukong, asked the Tang monk, looking around. Where are you? I'm on your shoulder, said Wukong. I turned myself into a mosquito. You must save me, said the Tang monk. He started to cry again. Stop crying, said Wukong. You'll be free soon. First, I must defeat the demon king. I'll be back. Wukong flew down a tunnel and arrived in the throne room. Yellow Wind was talking to some other demons. Your wind magic blew Sun Wukong away, said one demon. Yellow Wind laughed. Only the Bodhisattva Lingji can stop my wind magic. Start a fire. We're having a feast tonight. Aha, thought Wukong. The Bodhisattva Lingji lives on Mount Sumeru. I will ask him for help, quickly. The monkey leaped onto a cloud and raced through the sky. When he arrived on Mount Sumeru, Lingji came out of his pagoda. It's nice to see you, Wukong, said Lingji. Would you like some tea? No, thank you, said Wukong. I have an emergency. He quickly told the Bodhisattva everything that had happened. I tried to fight the demon, said the monkey. But then he used powerful wind magic. I know who the great king Yellow Wind is, said Lingji. He's a weasel spirit. Buddha asked me to keep an eye on him. I told the spirit he could live on that mountain if he behaved. Lingji shook his head. I guess he's not behaving anymore. Can you help me, asked Wukong. They're going to eat the Tang monk tonight. Of course, said Lingji. He picked up a staff and put a small object into his robe. Let's go. Soon they were in the sky, looking down at the cave door. Knock on the door, said Lingji. Tell the demon to come out. I'll do the rest. Wukong went down to the cave door and took out his iron bar. Smash! The door turned into a pile of rubble. Yellow Wind rushed outside and yelled, You smashed my door! He took three deep breaths. But nothing happened, said Yellow Wind. He looked up and saw Lingji in the sky. The bodhisattva was holding a pearl in one hand. The wind-stopping pearl, cried Yellow Wind. The demon king ran. Lingji threw his staff, which turned into a golden dragon. The dragon threw Yellow Wind against some rocks. There was a puff of smoke, and the demon turned into a yellow weasel. Lingji picked up the weasel. I'll bring him to Buddha to be punished, Wukong. You may go find your companions. Good luck. Wukong ran into the cave and chased away the other demons. Then he untied the Tang monk. The two of them went back out and found Bajie sleeping. Wake up, lazy! shouted Wukong.