Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 203: Precious Gems Are Easy to Obtain

Tang Seng rambled on about this incident for two whole days. Though Wukong was furious, he had to suppress his anger and pretend not to hear.

One day, Wukong noticed many immortals in the sky, who followed silently without saying a word. He knew they were the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Five Directions’ Guardians, and other protectors sent by the Heavenly Court to escort Tang Seng. He didn’t reveal his thoughts, thinking to himself that Tang Seng valued appearances greatly, yet he didn’t realize he was merely a pawn in the Buddha’s hands—though he held the highest status among the pilgrims, he was still just a puppet.

Unaware of it, they arrived at Snake Coiling Mountain. Wukong found an opportunity to summon the local spirit and learned that they were about to reach Eagle Worry Gorge ahead.

The weather grew colder, with biting winds and water turning to ice. The path was filled with cliffs and steep mountains, making it extremely difficult to traverse. Fortunately, Wukong had great magical powers; whenever there was a dangerous spot, he would use his skills to make it safe before letting Tang Seng lead the horse forward.

Suddenly, they heard loud rushing water ahead. Tang Seng turned around and cried, “Wukong, there’s water noise ahead!” Wukong replied, “I’ve been here before. This place is called Snake Coiling Mountain Eagle Worry Gorge. It must be the sound of a waterfall.” Soon, they reached the gorge. Tang Seng sat on his horse and watched—the winter waterfall presented a unique sight: delicate streams cutting through the clouds, clear waves reflecting the red sunlight. Waves soared thousands of feet high, splashing like shattered jade, while the sound of the water echoed through the breeze. Below was a deep green pool, at least several miles in circumference.

As they admired the view, suddenly a jade dragon flew up from the bottom of the gorge, charging straight at Tang Seng. Wukong knew it was naturally the Third Prince of the Western Sea’s Jade Dragon, who would later transform into a white dragon horse to carry Tang Seng westward. Instead of confronting it, he lifted Tang Seng off the horse. The jade dragon opened its mouth and sucked in Tang Seng’s white horse, along with saddle and bridle.

Tang Seng was shocked and took some time to recover. He asked, “Wukong, where’s my horse?” Wukong replied, “Master, you didn’t see it. That white horse, along with its saddle and bridle, was swallowed whole by the evil dragon.”

Tang Seng said, “You’re talking nonsense again. That horse is so big. Even if it’s a dragon, how can its mouth be that large? Go look carefully!” Wukong laughed and said, “Master, you’re too unfamiliar with such things. Even if it were a carriage, that dragon could swallow it.”

Tang Seng exclaimed in panic, “What shall we do? Without a horse, I can walk on my own feet, but the pass permit and the robe given by the Bodhisattva are both in my luggage.”

Wukong said, “Master, don’t worry. Wait here. I’ll go capture that evil dragon right away. If it can swallow things, I’ll make it spit them out!”

Tang Seng urged, “No! If you go there, it might come out again and swallow me. By then, you won’t be able to rescue me in time. What will happen then?”

Wukong, knowing Tang Seng’s temperament, did not argue with him and said, “Very well, then I’ll wait here.” Tang Seng replied, “Waiting isn’t a solution either. After sitting here for a few days, we’ll be too weak from hunger. That evil dragon has just had its fill; I’m afraid you won’t be able to defeat it!”
Wukong laughed and said, “Neither this nor that works. I still need my master’s guidance on what to do.”
Tang Seng thought for a while before bursting into tears and wailing, “Since you’re a dragon, what can’t you eat? Why do you have to eat my mount? How can I make it to the Western Heaven?”
Wukong was speechless. Such a high-ranking monk could cry at will without the slightest hesitation.
At that moment, someone spoke from the sky, “Holy monk, don’t worry. We are divine beings sent by Guanyin Bodhisattva to secretly protect those on the pilgrimage. Just tell the Great Sage to subdue demons and evil spirits, and we’ll guard you here.”
Hearing that they were gods, Tang Seng immediately stopped crying and bowed again. Wukong was amused and exasperated—these minor deities were nowhere near as powerful as him, yet they treated him with utmost respect. He then shouted, “Who are you all? Report your names one by one!”
These deities, aware of Wukong’s strength, did not dare neglect him and reported their names in order. Wukong said, “You all take good care of my master here. I’ll go and capture the demon calmly!”
Wukong flew to the ravine and started shouting loudly at the deep pool, “You wretched dragon! Return my horse at once!” Meanwhile, the Jade Dragon had swallowed the horse and was meditating quietly at the bottom of the ravine. He was originally the third prince of the Dragon King of the Western Sea, living a carefree life. But due to the heavy responsibilities of his clan, he had to endure humiliation and live trapped in this small place, filled with anger. Hearing the shouting outside, he became even angrier and leaped out of the water, sending waves flying.
The Jade Dragon’s third prince cursed, “Who’s that rascal being so bold?” Wukong didn’t respond and struck with his staff. The Jade Dragon wasn’t afraid and met his attack with its claws. With just one strike, Wukong weakened the Jade Dragon’s muscles and bones, forcing it to dive back into the water, never to emerge again. Fearful and terrified, the Jade Dragon hid at the bottom of the water, realizing that this thin monkey was incredibly powerful, and that staff could truly be deadly.
If Wukong had gone into the pool to chase after it, he could have captured the Jade Dragon easily. But at that moment, he changed his mind. He knew that the Jade Dragon having swallowed Tang Seng’s mount wasn’t accidental—it might have been a premeditated plan to replace the horse with a dragon. Moreover, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s involvement in the pilgrimage had repeatedly appeared to help the group avoid disasters; it wasn’t something done on a whim. If he captured the Jade Dragon now, Guanyin would surely be displeased. And since he possessed the power to control water, he didn’t want to show it off recklessly.

Wukong turned around and pretended to be angry, saying, “That wretched dragon swallowed my staff and then dived back into the water. What shall I do now?” On the other side, Tang Seng said, “You boasted that you could capture tigers in the mountains and subdue dragons in the sea. Why can’t you do it today?” How could Wukong tolerate such mockery? He lengthened his staff and stirred the bottom of Eagle Sorrow Gorge, turning the clear water into a chaotic mess.

Unbeknownst to him, the Jade Dragon was terrified by his actions and still dared not emerge. Wukong chanted an incantation to summon the mountain gods and earth spirits, shouting, “What secrets lie here? Where has that evil dragon hidden itself that even I can’t find it?”

The mountain god recognized Wukong and said, “The Great Sage is unaware. There are countless holes and passages at the bottom of Eagle Sorrow Gorge. Who knows where the Jade Dragon has gone?” The earth spirit added, “That Jade Dragon was sent by the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva long ago. To subdue it, one only needs to find the Bodhisattva.”

Wukong thought to himself that he might have to travel to the South Sea. At that moment, Jintou Jieti said, “Great Sage, you need not set out. I will go to the South Sea to invite the Bodhisattva.”

So Jintou Jieti rose on the clouds and headed south. When the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva heard of this, she descended from her lotus platform, left her immortal cave, and crossed the South Sea under a radiant light.

Upon arriving at Eagle Sorrow Gorge, the Bodhisattva saw Wukong shouting and cursing by the gorge from the air. Jieti landed from the clouds and told Wukong, “The Bodhisattva has arrived!” Wukong went up to meet her and first thanked her for saving him from under the Five Elements Mountain.

The Bodhisattva looked at Wukong with a smile and asked, “Has anything gone wrong during your journey?” Wukong thought, Even if something has happened, I won’t tell you. Why should I unnecessarily make you use the Tightening Spell on me? So he replied, “Since I am wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism, how could anything go wrong? Staying by my master’s side, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to conduct oneself in the world.”

The Bodhisattva’s smile faded. She hadn’t expected that decades of suffering would make such a mischievous demon monkey change his ways. Seeing that Wukong’s words seemed sincere and not false, she encouraged him, “If you can follow my teachings and wholeheartedly assist Tang Seng, I guarantee you an ultimate golden body.” Wukong bowed respectfully and said, “I will strictly follow the Bodhisattva’s teachings.” Seeing Wukong’s utmost respect, she finally felt assured. Unbeknownst to her, Wukong was inwardly mocking that although Buddhism teaches the emptiness of all things, it places great emphasis on propriety. Since I’ve taken on this task, I’ll just put on a good show—there’s no need to worry about deceiving them.

After bowing, Wukong said, “Since the Bodhisattva has come, she must already know that that evil dragon has swallowed my master’s mount and luggage. I can’t get it to come out, and I can’t find it, which is delaying our journey.”

The Bodhisattva said, “That Jade Dragon has committed a crime. I asked the Jade Emperor to hand it over to serve as a mount for the pilgrims. You struck it without saying a word—how could it be willing to come out?” Then the Bodhisattva ordered Jintou Jieti to go to the streambank and shout, “Jade Dragon of the Western Sea, come out! The Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is here!” Sure enough, the Jade Dragon jumped out of the water, transformed into a handsome young man with a jade-like face, stepped onto the clouds, and knelt before the Bodhisattva, saying, “I am grateful for the Bodhisattva’s mercy in saving my life. But I’ve waited for so long yet see no pilgrims coming here.”

Wukong inwardly scoffed. The Jade Dragon’s performance was quite convincing. The Bodhisattva had already said it was destined to be the pilgrims’ mount—so how could it just happen that it swallowed Tang Seng’s white horse by chance? Could such coincidence really exist in the world?

Then the Bodhisattva laughed and said, “It has seen you, but you haven’t seen it.” Pointing at Wukong, she asked, “Isn’t this the eldest disciple of the pilgrims?” The Jade Dragon glanced at Wukong and said, “Bodhisattva, he only used that iron rod to scare me into not coming out. Where did he ever say he was the pilgrim?” Wukong replied, “You fled at the first sight—how could I have had the time to speak?”

The Bodhisattva said, “Wukong, you’re too hasty. At least ask. There are still others who need to be convinced along the way. Just say you’re going to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures, and you won’t need to worry. They will naturally submit.” Wukong agreed.

The Bodhisattva continued, “To go to the Western Heaven, an ordinary horse from the Eastern Land can’t traverse countless mountains and rivers. To reach the peaks without fear, descend into depths without dread, and face battles without panic, a dragon horse is necessary.” She waved and called the Jade Dragon over, saying, “Come, I’ll transform you into a dragon horse.”

The Jade Dragon was overjoyed to see that the Bodhisattva always kept her word, so it stepped closer.

Wukong watched closely as the Bodhisattva used a technique to retrieve treasures, taking out a pearl from the Jade Dragon’s neck. The pearl shone brightly, but in an instant, the Bodhisattva tucked it into her sleeve.

Wukong sensed something was wrong and quickly turned to look aside. Not knowing whether Wukong had seen it or not, the Bodhisattva said casually, “To transform into a dragon horse, the Dragon Pearl must first be removed. Go ahead without worry. I’ll surely protect it and ensure it stays pure.”

The Jade Dragon replied, “Everything is up to the Bodhisattva!”

The Bodhisattva nodded, took a willow branch from her Pure Water Vase, lightly flicked it, and shouted, “Transform!” The Jade Dragon then turned into a magnificent white horse, striking its hooves and swishing its tail with pride.

Looking at this horse: it had a dragon’s head and protruding eyes, a flat back and a large belly, a mouth that emitted red light, fangs like sword blades, delicate bones and strong tendons, hooves three inches thick, exuding dragonly might. Even a fierce tiger would likely retreat in fear at its sight. Compared to the ordinary white horse given by the Tang King earlier, this white dragon horse was worlds apart—one was earthly, the other heavenly.

The Bodhisattva then gave further instructions: “You must fulfill your duties and earnestly atone for your karmic debts. Once your task is completed, I will grant you a golden body and true enlightenment, surpassing even ordinary dragons.” The White Dragon Horse said nothing, only raising its head and neighing once.
Wukong watched coldly from the side; the scene increasingly resembled a transaction. Having spent time with the Sea-Destroying Dragon, he knew that dragons could control clouds and bring rain, and could transform through the power of the Dragon Pearl within them. Yet this Pearl only aided in transformation and could not hinder the Bodhisattva’s spells. Therefore, the Bodhisattva’s words were merely an excuse, and the Pearl she produced, with its mere glint of light, was by no means an ordinary Dragon Pearl. Could this Pearl be the bribe the dragons offered to the Bodhisattva, so that she would agree to help them?
No, when the Little White Dragon burned the Western Sea Dragon Palace, the quest to retrieve the scriptures had not yet begun. Could there be powerful figures among the dragons, or allies placed high in the Spirit Mountain? If not, it was hard to explain. The Little White Dragon had burned the Nightlight Wall of the Western Sea decades ago. If that was considered a grave crime, why had no judgment been rendered yet? It seemed the Heavenly Court was extremely inefficient, and there must be many secrets involved.
As he pondered, the Bodhisattva said, “Wukong, take the White Dragon Horse to see Tang Seng. Just say it’s a fine horse I chose for him. I’ll return to the sea now.”
Wukong was about to agree when he suddenly remembered something and pulled the Bodhisattva back.