Volume 3: A Long Journey – Chapter 316: The Land of Women

After traveling for several more days, new green shoots began to appear, covering the mountains in verdancy. Purple swallows and orioles sang melodiously, and as they walked, the group admired the scenery. Tang Seng’s mood seemed to improve as well. Pointing at the flowers and plants by the road, he recited, “Spring returns, and flowers bloom; the sun returns, and willow buds sprout anew. What a pleasant atmosphere.”

Wukong said, “Master, the road ahead leads straight upward, with clear skies and pure clouds—surely it’s a wonderful place!”

Tang Seng replied, “Let’s not end up like before, spending many days in a frozen wasteland, with demons blocking our path. It was truly unbearable.”

Wukong said, “We’ve already covered most of the journey. Just a little longer, and we’ll arrive.”

Tang Seng said, “It takes ninety percent effort to cover half the distance—don’t take it lightly.”

As they continued, they suddenly came across a small river. Its water was clear, with gentle ripples. Upon seeing the river, Wu Ping said, “Holy Monk, let me help you cross.”

Tang Seng replied, “Hurry not. Look, there are several thatched cottages by the river. They must be used for ferrying people.”

Wu Ping said, “Holy Monk, it’s best to be cautious.”

Tang Seng smiled and said, “We had no choice but to ask you to cross at those larger rivers earlier. But since the spring cold still lingers and the water is icy cold, it’s better to avoid it.”

Wukong said, “Let me call out to them.” He shouted twice, “Ferryman! Come over with your boat!”

After a while, a boat slowly appeared among the willow trees. It soon reached the shore, and the rower turned out to be an old woman.

Wukong, seeking safety, used his magic to examine her carefully. Hmm? This old woman actually possessed magical powers, and they seemed to be of Taoist origin. He couldn’t recall such a person before.

Tang Seng said, “Kind lady, we need to cross to the west bank. Could you take us across?”

The woman smiled and said, “Look at what the elder says. This is my livelihood—how could I refuse?”

So the group got on the boat. Seeing that the woman’s magic was weak, Wukong didn’t stop her but kept a close eye on her.

As the woman rowed the boat across the river, Tang Seng said, “I’m a bit thirsty. Wukong, the water here is so clear. Please fetch me some to drink.”

Hearing this, Wukong immediately realized they had just passed through the ordeal caused by the Green Ox Demon—this was indeed the Mother and Child River.

How could Wukong let Tang Seng drink water from the Mother and Child River? He said, “Master, no matter how clear the water is, it’s not pure. Let’s go to the other shore; I’ll find you clean water to drink.”

At that moment, the woman rower said, “Young master, this river water is very clean. Everyone in our country drinks from this river—how could it be impure?”

Tang Seng also said, “We’ve drunk so much river water along the way. Why can’t we drink it today?”

Wukong glanced at the woman, puzzled as to why she advised Tang Seng to drink water from the Mother and Child River. Surely she had no good intentions. The water in that river could cause pregnancy even in men, and since she worked as a ferrywoman there, she must have known this—she was clearly trying to harm him.
Wukong said, “Ferrywoman, since you say the water is good to drink, then have some and show us.”
The woman remained calm and smiled, saying, “You young master still can’t trust people? I drink it every day. What’s wrong with having a few sips?” With that, she scooped up some water and drank it. Wukong thought to himself, Could I be mistaken? Isn’t this the Mother and Child River? Then he asked, “Kind lady, where is this place? What kind of river is this?”
The woman replied, “Beyond the river lies the Land of Women. This river is called… the Clear Water River.”
At that moment, Wuhui suddenly said, “How can you lie? This river is clearly called the Mother and Child River. I’ve been here before.” Wukong looked at Wuhui and suddenly understood—he had an uncle named Ruyi Zhenxian who was in charge of the Abortion Spring near the Land of Women. It made sense that Honghualier had been here too.
The woman’s expression changed, but she quickly smiled and said, “It’s called both the Clear Water River and the Mother and Child River. What’s so strange about that?”
After all this commotion, Tang Seng forgot about the river water. The boat reached the other shore, and everyone disembarked. Tang Seng asked Wuhui to give some money to the ferrywoman, who took it reluctantly, and Wukong kept this in mind.
After reaching the other shore, they were still far from the Land of Women. When they came to a village, they saw a tavern by the road. Wukong said, “Master, let’s go there and get some water to drink.”
They went over, and inside, several old women were working. Wukong asked, “Aunty, is the water here drinkable?” One old woman replied, “Sure, it’s drinkable. Just don’t drink the water from the Mother and Child River. This is well water, so it’s definitely safe to drink.”
Tang Seng asked, “What happens if one drinks the river water?”
The old woman said, “Whether male or female, drinking this river water will cause pregnancy, and they’ll give birth to a baby, haha.”
Tang Seng was shocked. Where had he heard of such a thing that went against human nature? He asked, “Men… men can also give birth to babies?”
The old woman said, “If you don’t believe it, try it yourself.”
Tang Seng shook his head repeatedly. Suddenly, he remembered that the woman had drunk a few sips earlier. He said, “Wukong, that ferrywoman drank a few sips just now. Doesn’t that mean—”
Wukong smiled and said, “Master, sit here for a while. I’ll go check and let you know.”
Wukong knew there was something suspicious about that woman. Her magic was weak, and she must have been instructed by someone to lure Tang Seng into drinking water from the Mother and Child River. But who would have thought there was a foresighted Sun Wukong to stop her?

Wukong concealed his presence and headed east. Halfway there, he saw the woman using a wind-control talisman to head west. As he was searching for her, he happened to encounter her and followed behind.

After traveling about thirty to forty miles, the woman reached a mountain top. Her brows were tightly furrowed; clearly suffering from severe abdominal pain, she hurried up the mountain. Under the shade on the mountain top sat a Taoist priest, with a well beside him. Next to the well stood a stele inscribed with the words “Pregnancy-Ending Spring.”

Wukong thought to himself, “Sure enough, someone is behind this. That person must be the brother of the Bull Demon King, the Immortal Ruyi.” No wonder the woman dared to drink the water from the river—she could find a remedy.

He saw the woman kneel before the Immortal Ruyi and say, “Elder master, I have sinned.”

The Immortal Ruyi asked, “Did Tang Seng not drink the water from the river?”

The woman replied, “Tang Seng originally wanted to drink it, but that sharp-beaked monkey stopped him. There was also a little child who knew about the Mother and Child River. Seeing their powerful magic, I didn’t dare persuade them further, for fear of arousing their suspicion. But I drank a few sips of the river water…”

The Immortal Ruyi grunted and said, “Go fetch water by yourself.”

The woman thanked the Immortal Ruyi, went to the Pregnancy-Ending Spring, fetched some water, and drank it in gulps before feeling at ease.

Wukong did not reveal himself either. Instead, he returned to the village, feeling puzzled. He remembered that in “Journey to the West,” the Monkey King had also come to the Pregnancy-Ending Spring to seek water, but the Immortal Ruyi refused to give it to him, claiming that the Monkey King had harmed his nephew, Honghai.

This time, Honghai had joined the pilgrimage group on his own and hadn’t been taken away by Guanyin. Why then did the Immortal Ruyi still want to cause trouble for everyone? Since he had known the Bull Demon King, he had never heard him mention having a brother here. If it were the Bull Demon King’s brother, he should have a bull’s body, but he hadn’t noticed that earlier. Perhaps they were only godfather and godson.

Although Tang Seng had been tricked by the Immortal Ruyi, he hadn’t succeeded. Out of respect for the Bull Demon King, he decided not to pursue it for now. If the Immortal Ruyi continued to cause trouble, he might have to make him suffer.

When Wukong saw Tang Seng, he said he hadn’t found the woman. The group bid farewell to the villagers and continued westward. After about thirty to forty miles, they reached the border of the Western Liang Kingdom.

Tang Seng sat on his horse and pointed at the city ahead, saying, “I heard from that old man just now that what lies ahead is the Women’s Kingdom of Western Liang, with no men at all. You must all follow the rules and not disrupt the teachings of the Dharma.”

Wukong replied, “Master, the three of us are very disciplined. There’s no need to remind us of that. But if…” He originally wanted to say, “If that fool is here,” but thought better of it and stayed silent. Why mention that fool now? It would only add to Tang Seng’s sorrow.

Upon entering the city gate, they saw a crowded crowd inside, all dressed in long skirts and short jackets, with powder on their faces and oil on their heads—indeed, they were all women. When these women saw the four pilgrims enter the city, they rushed forward laughing, “People have arrived! People have arrived!”
Wukong couldn’t engage with them on equal terms. He used a little magic to separate the women and rushed toward the inn.
After passing by many neatly arranged houses, taverns, and tea houses, they saw a female official standing in the street, blocking the way of their horse.
The female official said, “Strangers from afar, you may not enter the inner city without permission. Please first go to the inn to register your names. Only after I report your names to the emperor can you be allowed to pass.”
Hearing this, Tang Seng dismounted. Indeed, there was an inn by the road with the words “Yingyang Inn” written on it. Tang Seng whispered to Wukong, “The old woman in the village also said that only Yingyang Inn in the city allows men to stay.”
The female official led the four of them into the inn and seated them in the main hall to drink tea. She asked, “Where are you from, and what bring you to the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom?”
Wukong replied, “We are envoys sent by the Emperor of the Great Tang in the East, on a mission to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures in the West. My master, Tang Sanzang, is the emperor’s younger brother. He is passing through here and needs the official pass to be stamped before he can proceed.”
Upon hearing this, the female official knelt down and bowed deeply, saying, “I truly did not know that such a noble guest would come this way. Please allow me to welcome you properly.” After rising, she went to the palace. Upon arriving in front of the Five Phoenix Tower, she told the eunuch, “The manager of Yingyang Inn has matters to report to the queen.”
After the eunuch reported this, the manager entered the palace and said, “I, as the manager of the inn, have received Tang Sanzang, the emperor’s younger brother from the Great Tang in the East, who wishes to go to the West to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures. I come to ask if Your Majesty will permit him to proceed with his mission.”
The queen was overjoyed upon hearing this. “Since the beginning of our kingdom, no man has ever come here. It’s fortunate that the emperor’s younger brother has come. He must be a gift from heaven. With all the wealth of my kingdom, I am willing to invite him to be king, and I will be his queen. What do you think?”
All the female officials bowed and praised her, filled with joy. Only one person said, “Your Majesty, we don’t know whether this emperor’s younger brother is handsome or not. He must be worthy of Your Majesty’s beauty and grace.” The one who spoke was the current grand tutor, who was also a woman.
The manager replied, “The emperor’s younger brother is very handsome and distinguished. But his three disciples—one looks like Thunder God, another has a large head and short neck, and the third is still a child.”
The queen said happily, “In that case, let the grand tutor go and propose marriage on my behalf. If he agrees, then let his three disciples go and obtain the scriptures.” The grand tutor accepted the order and went to Yingyang Inn.
The manager went ahead to announce her arrival. As soon as the grand tutor arrived, Tang Seng and the others waited in the hall.

The Grand Tutor entered the hall, holding the imperial edict, and said with a smile, “Come, congratulate the royal younger brother of King Tang!” Upon seeing this Grand Tutor, Wukong was truly astonished—she was none other than the Fire God, Zhu Rong!