Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 307: Golden Scale Mountain

What did Guanyin mean by this? If the Sea-Submerging Dragon won, the Tongtian River would become part of Qi Tianling’s territory. But even if it became yours, you shouldn’t stop the pilgrims from crossing the river. If the Sea-Submerging Dragon lost, you must let them cross, but then who would govern the Tongtian River? Heh, let it be whoever wants it—Guanyin Bodhisattva doesn’t care about such things.
So, by proposing this wager, Guanyin meant that either way, it would turn out the same.
Wukong glanced at the Sea-Submerging Dragon, who also seemed somewhat confused for a moment before calmly responding, “Alright, I take the bet!”
Guanyin gently placed the pure bottle on the ground. The Sea-Submerging Dragon stepped forward to lift it, but after just one attempt, his expression changed as he said, “I can’t lift it! I’ve lost!”
Guanyin smiled as she retrieved the jade bottle, saying, “As expected—so straightforward. Since you’ve lost, you must not stop Tang Seng and the others from crossing the river.”
The Sea-Submerging Dragon replied, “Bodhisattva, rest assured. I’ll keep my word and never go back on it!” Of course, he didn’t want to stop Wukong from crossing. He had no idea the complexities involved in the pilgrimage and simply chose to lose to Guanyin out of sincerity. His attempt to lift the bottle earlier wasn’t feigned—he truly couldn’t lift it. Though Guanyin controlled an entire sea’s worth of water, no one knew exactly how much.
Guanyin told Wukong, “Just focus on crossing the river.”
Wukong said, “Thank you, Bodhisattva.”
Guanyin floated away, and Wukong didn’t respond to the Sea-Submerging Dragon either. He returned to Chen’s village to find Tang Seng. Hearing that they could cross the river right away, Tang Seng was overjoyed. He ordered Wu Ping and Wu Hui to pack their belongings and get the horses ready. Ignoring Old Chen’s repeated attempts to stop them, they set off toward the Tongtian River.
By the Tongtian River, the Sea-Submerging Dragon and the others were indeed nowhere to be seen, likely hiding underwater. When the group reached the shore, an old turtle emerged from the river and asked, “Are you all trying to cross the river?”
Seeing the turtle, Wukong inwardly felt ashamed. When Xiang Liu cast his poison, he had forgotten about this turtle. Seeing that the turtle was unharmed, it must have stayed upstream and avoided the disaster.
Wukong replied, “That’s right!”
The turtle said, “I’ve been waiting here for a long time, only ferrying monks—no one else.”
Tang Seng praised, “What a wise turtle!” Wukong smiled secretly—wisdom meant nothing if one was just following orders.
But Wu Ping said, “We have our own way to cross the river. You needn’t worry.”
The turtle, entrusted by the Bodhisattva, didn’t dare disobey. It said, “The waters here are deep and turbulent. I’ve lived in this river for many years—without me, you probably won’t be able to cross.”
Wu Ping revealed his true form and dived into the Tongtian River, calling, “Master, come on up.”

When the old turtle saw Wu Ping’s true form, it was dozens of times larger than itself—what a shocking sight! Tang Seng couldn’t help but sigh and say, “Forming good relationships with others is also something a monk should do.” Wu Ping, worried about any accidents, refused to ask the old turtle for help. Tang Seng climbed onto Wu Ping’s back, with all his luggage placed there as well. Wukong, Wu Hui, and the White Dragon Horse traveled beside him, keeping Tang Seng safe without touching the ground. Wu Ping moved through the water as if on solid ground, racing forward at great speed; it took less than half a day to cross the 800-li Tongtian River and reach the other shore.

Finally, the group managed to escape the Tongtian River and reached the other shore on the back of the giant turtle. As they traveled from autumn to winter, passing through vast forests and icy waters, they suddenly encountered another huge mountain blocking their path. The mountain had narrow paths, steep cliffs, many rocks, and rugged ridges, making it difficult for people and horses to pass through. Tang Seng called out, “Wukong!” Wukong quickly came over and asked, “Master, what’s wrong?” Tang Seng said, “Wukong, look at that mountain.” Wukong looked up and saw tall buildings in the mountain valley. He said, “Master, do you see people living on the mountain?” Tang Seng replied, “I’m afraid they’re not good people.” Wukong said, “Master is right. There’s an ominous atmosphere here. But since we’ve come this far, we should at least take a look.”

The group braved the snow to cross the steep mountains. As the buildings grew closer, Wukong said, “Master, wait a moment. I’ll go check things out first.” Wukong flew to the front of the buildings and examined them closely. They weren’t buildings at all but actually a cave dwelling, transformed into houses by some magic to deceive people. Wukong remembered that once, when they were planning to expand their territory at Qitian Ridge, he had asked Chi Songzi, Jun Mang, and Ru Shou to lead troops to Jinpao Mountain west of the Tongtian River, while he went west along the river and saw this very mountain. But where were Chi Songzi and the others?

Wukong summoned the mountain god and asked, “What’s the name of this mountain?” The mountain god didn’t recognize Wukong but still replied, “Your Excellency, this mountain is called Jinpao Mountain.” “Are there any demons in the mountain?” the mountain god asked, “Your Excellency, I’m not sure if you mean the southern mountain or the northern mountain.” Wukong asked, “What about the southern mountain? And the northern mountain?” The mountain god replied, “The place we’re in now is the northern mountain. There’s a Jinpao Cave in the northern mountain, and inside it lives a mighty One-Horned Rhinoceros King with extraordinary powers.” Wukong was shocked—the Green Ox Spirit was still here! It seemed that in the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism, even Laozi was getting involved. Under such circumstances, Jinpao Mountain would surely face trouble. “What about the southern mountain?” Wukong asked. “There are even more demons in the southern mountain,” the mountain god replied. “There are three great immortals who arrived here just a few months ago.”

The three great immortals must surely be Chi Songzi and his two companions. Wukong wondered how they could get along peacefully with the Green Ox Demon. So he asked, “It’s said that one mountain cannot hold two tigers. How do these two groups get along?”
The mountain god replied, “Well… I don’t know.”
Wukong asked, “Have they never fought?”
The mountain god shook his head and said, “I’ve never seen that happen.”
Wukong sent the mountain god away and, relying on his skill and courage, entered the room across from him. The Green Ox Demon had once tricked Zhu Bajie with three vests; now that the fool was not there, let’s see what tricks he has left.
Wukong had already made up his mind. In “Journey to the West,” although the Green Ox Demon blocked the way, it was likely only to save face for Laozi and would stop when things got too difficult, not truly determined to prevent the pilgrimage. With the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism now, this ox would probably try even harder than before. But ultimately, Laozi would surely not really stop the pilgrims from going any further—otherwise, Buddha would likely step in.
When Wukong entered the room, he found it completely empty, with no beds or vests. He didn’t expose the deception and simply came out. Changing his plans, he flew toward the Southern Mountain.
The Southern Mountain was occupied by Chi Songzi and the elite troops from Qi Tian Ling. Wukong concealed himself and found the main cave. Chi Songzi and his companions, having nothing to do, were meditating and gathering energy.
Wukong entered the cave and called out, “Elders, what a leisurely life you lead.”
Ru Shou, upon seeing Wukong, said cheerfully, “Wukong, what brings you here?”
Wukong replied, “I didn’t come on purpose. Since I’m on the pilgrimage, I naturally had to check it out.”
Chi Songzi laughed and said, “I created this mountain and planted these trees. If you want to pass by, pay the toll!”
Wukong asked, “This mountain isn’t just yours. How can you all get along peacefully?”
Chi Songzi was taken aback and said, “Are you referring to that One-Horned Rhinoceros?”
Wukong confirmed, “Exactly him!”
Chi Songzi explained, “It’s not that we don’t want to drive him away. It’s that Laozi came and made arrangements, asking us to let him stay for a while longer. He’ll leave when spring comes.”
Wukong inwardly sighed. Laozi’s actions were indeed too obvious. Clearly, the One-Horned Rhinoceros was under his command. But since Laozi and Chi Songzi had met before, it would be awkward to refuse him this small favor.
Yet how could the mounts of Qi Tian Ling and the Three Pure Ones of Taoism coexist peacefully? What would Buddha in the Western Heaven think if he found out? Wukong thought further… Oh? Laozi’s move was more complex than that.

It happened at a time when the Heavenly Court was expanding westward, and so was Qitianling. Every move in the world became extremely delicate. If Tathagata saw Qitianling coexisting peacefully with the Heavenly Court again, he might doubt things. Moreover, with the pilgrims having reached this place, it was possible that Qitianling and the King of the Unicorn Rhinoceroses would join forces to fight against Wukong.

If that were the case, they would surely be much more cautious in defending the territory of Xiniuhexiu in the West, which would only benefit Qitianling’s westward expansion. As Qitianling’s front line stretched longer, more troops would gather in the west, leaving the area east of Qitianling as a peaceful zone. Wukong thought to himself that if Laojun truly thought this way, the old man’s scheming was truly unfathomable.

Jumang suddenly asked, “Wukong, if you’re going to pass by here, should I stop you or not?”

Wukong smiled and said, “If I don’t stop you, it might be hard to explain later.”

Rushou asked, “If I stop you, can you get through?”

Wukong shook his head and said, “I definitely won’t be able to.”

Chisongzi asked, “So, do you really want to go through?”

Wukong replied, “I must go through!”

Rushou said, “That’s troublesome. If we let you pass, wouldn’t it be embarrassing for us?”

Wukong said, “There’s no trouble. Let’s settle it in a real battle. On that day, don’t hold back, so as not to let others see our weaknesses.”

Rushou said happily, “That would be perfect.”

Wukong left the cave and returned to find Tang Seng, saying, “Master, this mountain is troublesome.”

Tang Seng asked, “Why troublesome?”

Wukong replied, “I’ve asked the mountain god. This mountain is called Jinpao Mountain. There’s only one path between the southern and northern mountains, and two groups of giant demons are rampaging around. How can it not be troublesome?”

Tang Seng exclaimed, “There are two groups of demons!”

Wukong said seriously, “Exactly! These two groups of demons are extremely fierce, which is why it’s troublesome.”

Tang Seng dismounted and said, “Wukong, let’s first get some food. I’m hungry.”

Wukong felt dizzy. What was Tang Seng talking about? These days, he had seemed distracted. It seemed as if the journey to the West for scriptures had become his own achievement. After all, he was the reincarnation of Jinchanzi and had taken an oath to King Tang. He spent his days on horseback, neither chanting scriptures nor meditating, just living in a daze—eating when hungry, sleeping when tired. He didn’t know how many times he had fallen asleep on horseback.

“Sigh!” Wukong sighed, thinking that the lazy truly had their blessings, while someone like him, unlucky, could only be busy all day long.

Wukong went out to get some food and brought it back to serve Tang Seng, then continued westward.

When they reached the pavilion, Tang Seng said, “How about resting here tonight? At least it’s a place to shelter from the wind.”

Wukong thought to himself that this was no ordinary cave—it was a demon’s lair. Sheltering from the wind might be possible, but getting out would be difficult.

As he was pondering, a loud shout came from the top of the mountain to his right: “Who is down there, daring to wander around in my mountain at will?”
Wukong looked up and saw that there were no buildings or pavilions at all—it was indeed a cave, with the three characters “Jinpao Cave” written on it. A giant demon with horns on its forehead stood on the mountain top, its body covered in a greenish hue, with a shiny, white band wrapped around its left arm.