043 CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A. MONKEY VERSUS DRAGON
The story continues with the Monkey Pilgrim assisting Tang Sanzang in heading westward.
After traveling for several days, they found themselves amid the harsh winter of the twelfth month, with the cold air biting and the ground frozen. They traversed treacherous paths along cliffs and steep mountains, encountering layers of peaks and challenging slopes.
While riding his horse, Tang Sanzang heard the sound of rushing water in the distance and called out, "Wukong, what's that sound of water?"
Sun Wukong replied, "I remember this place is called Coiling Serpent Mountain and Eagle Sorrow Steep Gorge. It's probably the sound of water from the gorge."
Before they knew it, they reached the edge of the gorge. Tang Sanzang pulled the reins and observed the scene. Here's what he saw:
> Trickling veins pierce through the skies so high,
> Clear waves reflect the sun's reddish dye.
> Sounds shake in night rain, valleys whisper deep,
> Colors burst in dawn's hues, the universe they sweep.
>
> Thousand-foot waves burst, scattering gems like rain,
> A single pool's roar, a melody of clear wind's gain.
> Flowing to a myriad acres, the misty waters depart,
> Gulls and herons forget, no more angling's art.
As the master and disciple were watching, suddenly, a loud sound echoed from the gorge. A dragon emerged, pushing waves and causing the cliffs to tremble. It rushed out of the mountains, aiming for the elder monk.
In a hurry, Sun Wukong dropped their baggage and scooped the master off the horse, then turned to flee.
The dragon couldn't catch up, but it swallowed their white horse, saddle and reins included, and dived back into the water, disappearing from sight.
Sun Wukong settled the Tripitaka on a high mound and returned to gather their remaining baggage. However, their horse was nowhere to be found. He brought the bags to the monk and said, "Master, that wicked dragon is gone, but it scared off our horse."
Tripitaka replied, "My disciple, how can we find a horse now?"
Sun Wukong assured, "Don't worry, don't worry, I'll go check."
He let out a sharp whistle, leaping into the air. In flight, he used his hand to shade his eyes and looked around, but there was no sign of the horse. Landing back on the ground, he reported, "Master, our horse was definitely eaten by that dragon. I've looked all around and can't find any trace of it."
Tripitaka said, "My disciple, how can that creature have such a big mouth to swallow our horse, saddle, and reins? Perhaps the horse got startled and slipped the reins, wandering in a hollow of the mountain. Look more carefully."
Sun Wukong replied, "You don't know the extent of my abilities. With these eyes of mine, I can see a thousand miles' worth of happenings during daylight. Even within a thousand miles, I can spot a dragonfly fluttering its wings. How could I not see that big horse?"
"Since it's eaten, what should we do? How can I continue on this journey? It's so unfortunate. How can we navigate through these countless mountains and rivers?" Tears flowed down like rain from the Tripitaka’s eyes.
Seeing him cry, Monkey Pilgrim couldn't bear his impatience any longer and shouted, "Master, don't let yourself become a helpless mess like this. Just sit tight and let me go find that creature. I'll make sure he gives back our horse."
But the monkgrabbed his arm. "My disciple, where would you go to look for him? I'm afraid he might secretly ambush us and harm both of us. If that happens, both horse and rider will be lost, and what will we do then?"
Hearing this, Sun Wukong grew even more furious and thundered, "You're too indecisive, too indecisive! You want the horse retrieved, yet you won't let me go. You keep an eye on the luggage while you sit around. It's as if you want me to become old sitting here!"
As they were shouting and venting their frustration, they suddenly heard voices in the air saying, "Sun Wukong, don't be angry, Tang's junior brother, stop crying. We are divine beings sent by Guanyin Bodhisattva to secretly protect the journey to retrieve the scriptures."
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Hearing this, the monk quickly bowed in respect.
Sun Wukong asked, "Who are you guys? State your names so I can remember."
The divine beings replied, "We are the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Five Gates, the Four Valiant Attendants, and the Eighteen Guardians of the Dharma Temple. We take turns to watch over the journey."
Sun Wukong inquired, "Who's on duty today?"
The divine beings answered, "It's the Ding Jia, the Valiant Spirits, and the Guardians in rotation. I, one of the Five Jia, specifically stick by Tang's side day and night."
Sun Wukong said, "Very well, those who aren't on duty should step back. Leave the Six Ding Divine Generals, the Day-Duty Valiant Attendant, and the other Guardians to protect my master. I'll go find that mischievous dragon in the ravine and make him return my horse."
The divine beings followed his command. With his mind eased, the monk sat on a rocky cliff and instructed Sun Wukong carefully.
Sun Wukong said, "Just relax, Master." Then, Monkey Pilgrim tidied up his cotton kasaya, arranged his tiger skin skirt, gripped his golden-banded rod, mustered his strength, and walked towards the ravine.
Half in the clouds, half in the mist, he stood on the water's surface and loudly called out, "You sneaky mud-sucking eel, give back my horse!"
Now, let's talk about what happened in the meantime. After devouring the white horse of Tripitaka, that dragon was lurking at the bottom of the stream, recovering its energy in secret.
Suddenly, it heard someone shouting and demanding their horse. Unable to suppress the anger within, it swiftly leaped through the waves and surfaced, questioning, "Who dares to provoke me at the mouth of this sea?"
Upon seeing the dragon, Sun Wukong shouted back, "Don't you dare run! Return my horse to me!" He brandished his staff and launched a fierce attack.
The dragon extended its claws to strike back.
This showdown at the edge of the stream was truly a clash of titans.
You could see it clearly: the dragon flexed its sharp claws, and the monkey wielded the gold-banded staff. One had whiskers that resembled strands of white jade thread, while the other's eyes glinted like red-gold lanterns. The dragon's whiskers emitted colorful mist, and the monkey's iron rod danced like a wild wind.
One was a descendant of the sea's protectors, and the other was a mischievous spirit defying the heavens. Both of them were facing difficulties that demanded they showcase their strengths, and now they were determined to succeed against all odds.
They battled back and forth, fighting for quite a while. They circled each other for a long time until the dragon's strength weakened and its muscles tired. It couldn't hold up against the attack. With a quick turn, it slipped back into the water, diving deep to the bottom of the stream, and didn't resurface.
Monkey Pilgrim continued to hurl insults at it, but the dragon ignored the verbal onslaught.
Sun Wukong had no other choice but to return and report to Tripitaka, saying, "Master, I tried everything I could, but that creature I insulted earlier won't come out to face me. We've been battling for a while, and it's just backing off and hiding in the water. It's acting like it doesn't want another round."
Tripitaka asked, "Do you think it could have eaten my horse?"
Sun Wukong retorted, "Come on, Master, your words aren't making sense. If it had eaten your horse, why would it bother to challenge me and reveal itself?"
Tripitaka continued, "During our previous encounter with the tiger, you mentioned your ability to subdue dragons and tigers. Why can't you subdue this one now?"
Unbeknownst to Tripitaka, Sun Wukong couldn't tolerate being doubted by anyone. Hearing Tripitaka's remark, he decided to show his power. "Never mind, never mind. Let me give it another go and confront it properly."
Monkey Pilgrim took a stride and leaped to the edge of the creek. He employed his incredible magic, which stirs rivers and oceans and turned the tranquil waters of the deep and clear Eagle Sorrow Steep Gorge into surging waves akin to the overflowing Yellow River.
Meanwhile, the wicked dragon down in the gorge's depths couldn't find peace, his thoughts running wild: "Just when I thought I'd escaped the jaws of fate, another trouble arises. I barely dodged execution due to divine intervention, and in under a year, here I am, living life one day at a time. And now, out of nowhere, this daring villain appears, looking to cause me harm."
The more the dragon thought, the more irritated he became. Unable to bear the humiliation, he clenched his teeth, leaped out, and shouted, "Where do you come from, you audacious fiend? How dare you treat me like this?"
Monkey said, "Don't worry about where I'm from. Just return my horse, and I'll spare your life."
The dragon retorted, "Your horse is inside me. How can I give it back? If I don't return it, what will you do?"
Monkey replied, "If you don't return the horse, get ready for a beating with my staff. I'll use it to knock some sense into you and make up for my losses."
The two of them continued their fierce battle beneath the cliff. After several rounds, the young dragon found it increasingly difficult to resist. With a swift movement, he transformed into a water snake and slipped into the grass, disappearing from sight.
Monkey Pilgrim gripped his staff and rushed forward, trying to clear the grass and find the snake. But he couldn't spot anything amidst the foliage. Frustration got the better of him, and he felt his heart racing and his senses on edge. In desperation, he uttered the mantra "Om" and summoned the local land spirits and mountain deities.