Monkey King Volume 11: Fight to the Death [1 ed.] 9788998341114

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Wei Dong Chen • Chao Peng

Fight to the Death

Vol.

11

Vol.

11

Vol. 11

Fight to the Death Created by

WEI DONG CHEN

Wei Dong Chen, a highly acclaimed and beloved artist, and an influential leader in the “New Chinese Cartoon” trend, is the founder of Creator World in Tianjin, the largest comics studio in China. Recently the Chinese government entrusted him with the role of general manager of the Beijing Book Fair, and his reputation as a pillar of Chinese comics has brought him many students. He has published more than three hundred cartoons, which have been recognized for their strong literary value not only in Korea, but in Europe and Japan as well. Free spirited and energetic, Wei Dong Chen’s positivist philosophy is reflected in the wisdom of his work. He is published serially in numerous publications while continuing to conceive projects that explore new dimensions of the form.

Illustrated by

CHAO PENG

Chao Peng is considered one of Wei Dong Chen’s greatest students, and is the director of cartoon at Creator World in Tianjin. One of the most highly regarded cartoonists in China today, Chao Peng’s fantastic technique and expression of Chinese culture have won him the acclaim of cartoon lovers throughout China. His other works include "My Pet" and "Searching for the World of Self".

Original story “The Journey to The West” by Wu, Cheng En Editing & Designing Sun Media, Design Hongs, David Teez, Jonathan Evans, YK Kim, HJ Lee, SH Lee, Qing Shao, Xiao Nan Li, Ke Hu © Chen, Wei Dong 2013 All rights reserved. Original Chinese edition published by Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House. Scanning, uploading, and electronic distribution of this book is prohibited.

Characters

Volume 11

THE ALLIGATOR DEMON The Alligator Demon is the nephew of the West Sea King who drove the God of the Black River from his kingdom and took over his palace. In Journey to the West, the Alligator Demon captures San Zang and Bajie and invites his uncle to feast with him on San Zang’s immortal flesh. But Sun Wu Kong is known to and feared by the sea kings, and the demon’s uncle is less than pleased to hear about his nephew’s actions.

THE WEST SEA KING The West Sea King’s real name is AoRun, and he is one of four sea kings, along with his three brothers, AoGuang (The East Sea King), AoQin (The South Sea King), and AoShun (The North Sea King). In Journey to the West, the West Sea King is approached by Sun Wu Kong, who demands that the king subdue his nephew and release San Zang.

THE CROWN PRINCE OF THE WEST SEA The Crown Prince of the West Sea, whose real name is MoAng, is the son of the West Sea King. When Sun Wu Kong demands that San Zang be released from the clutches of the crown prince’s cousin, the Alligator Demon, the West Sea King dispatches his son to subdue the demon and free Wu Kong’s master.

THE TIGER ORACLE The Tiger Oracle was originally a tiger who later became a monster. Disguised as an oracle, he came to the CheChi Kingdom and won the king’s confidence by summoning the wind and rain. He then enslaved thousands of Buddhist monks who had been serving the king. When Wu Kong frees the monks, he immediately sets out to find their oppressor.

THE ELK ORACLE The Elk Oracle, like the Tiger Oracle, was an animal who became a monster and tricked the King of CheChi Kingdom into entrusting him and his two cohorts with the welfare of the kingdom. When Wu Kong challenges the three oracles to a battle of wits, the Elk Oracle tries, and fails, to defeat San Zang in a meditation competition.

THE SHEEP ORACLE The Sheep Oracle is an animal-turned-monster who tricked the King of CheChi Kingdom into believing that he and his two friends are supreme oracles who can control the weather. In the battle of wits against Sun Wu Kong, the Sheep Oracle tries to see what’s hidden inside a box. He loses the contest due to Wu Kong’s cunning.

Characters

THE KING OF CHECHI KINGDOM The King of CheChi Kingdom once entrusted thousands of monks with the welfare of his kingdom, until one day three monsters, disguised as oracles, tricked the king into believing they could control the weather and thus make his kingdom prosper. The king then enslaved all the monks, and entrusted his kingdom to the three monsters. When Wu Kong dismisses the three oracles as frauds, the king insists on a series of contests to determine who is more powerful.

Monks from the Tang Dynasty?

They must be the prey I was hoping for!

They were seen near the Black River.

Four monks and one horse.

Ha ha ha! I can't believe they've made it this far! Let's go before someone else gets to them first!

8

9

Yech. This weather is terrible! It's so hot, I think I've lost five pounds just from sweating.

It’s so hot, I'm not even hungry. Bleah!

Huh?

10

Bajie! I’m parched. Bring the water bottle.

But Master, we haven't had water for miles.

Good news, Master! There is a river up ahead.

A river! Thank the Goddess!

Whoa! What the?

LOP CLOP C CLOP

What a strange looking river.

12

Who cares? If it's wet, I'll drink it.

Ah, sweet relief!

What kind of water is this? It looks like ink.

Some idiot must have washed out his inkstone in the river. I'll kill him!

There isn't enough ink in China to turn a whole river black.

There's a boatman over there. Let's see what he knows.

Hello, there! Will you help us cross the river?

You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not a boatman, and this isn't a boat!

It's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that this boat is so small – it couldn't possibly carry all of you.

How dare you! We ask for charity, and you lie to our faces?

Well... We would be most grateful for any generosity. If the boat is too small, we can split up into two groups and take two separate trips.

15

Well, that sounds fine.

The older I get, the more blind and boneheaded I become!

Hmph.

Master! I'll go with you first! In the boat you go, now.

oink

He he he! I get to go with Master, they get to carry our stuff! oink

16

Sir, what is the name of this river? And why is it so dark?

I have no idea why the river is so dark. .

But it is called Black River. You can see why.

The reason for its color is unknown. It has been this dark for many ages.

17

It’s so... gloomy.

It is as if there was something dreadful deep in the water.

Here we are! Time to get off! It's either that, or the dinner bell rings early for you.

What are you talking about?

We're in the middle of the river. How can we get off?

The boatman decides when you get on and off the boat.

Stop your nonsense! Are you trying to drown us?

18

Dinner? I'm hungry! Where do we eat?

Sir! What aren't you telling us?

oink Help!!!

OO

H

W SLOSH

Master!

SH

Ha ha ha! You’ve come a long way to end up on my buffet table, San Zang!

Wu Jing! This is no boatman. It's a monster!

How did I not see through his disguise?

Never mind that. I will chase after him!

Are you sure you can handle him all by yourself?

This reptile may call the river home, but I'll make sure he sleeps with the fish forever!

Don't forget, big brother: I am Sha Wu Jing, sole ruler of LiuShaHe.

Be careful! He's far more clever than he appears.

Don’t worry! Worse comes to worse, I'll lure him out. Then he's all yours!

22

H S A

L

SP

Wow! Even LiuShaHe wasn't this vast beneath the surface!

Look at that! You can hide an entire palace down here.

THE BLACK RIVER PALACE

Hmph!

What a garish palace. This monster must be incredibly arrogant.

No matter. For kidnapping my master, your mansion will soon become your tomb!

25

Hey, dummy! Hostages are no good to you if they starve to death.

You fool! You want dinner? You're going to BE dinner!

Shut your mouth!

There is a strange-looking creature at the gate, demanding entry.

Chefs! Discuss the best way to prepare San Zang’s flesh and report back to me! I suggest a steamed dish.

26

Would you like roast pork to start?

Ha ha ha! He must be one of San Zang’s disciples! Let's roll out the welcome wagon!

Open this gate! Now!

All right, sea scum! I am Sha Wu Jing, disciple of San Zang. Release my master at once!

Ha ha ha! You seem like a loyal disciple. That is commendable. I will give you the honor of being boiled in the same pot as your master.

29

He's bigger than I expected. Maybe he isn't that arrogant Well, after all. I can't let him have the advantage in pride. You just signed your own death warrant!

Stop your ridiculous boasting! You're about to dwell at the bottom of a soup pot!

If you refuse to repent, you will feel the wrath of a commander from the Kingdom of Heaven!

Tsk, tsk.

G N A W K Unfortunately for you, I am the only king and truth in the Black River!

KW ON G SH SPLI

BAM O O Y

SH

NG A L

K

KLANG For a reptile, he is a very shrewd fighter.

32

What an amateur! He is no match for my power!

Now I will claim your head as a trophy!

S W I SH

Ha ha ha! Gotcha!

WHAM

gasp I've hardly hurt him.

Smash him, Sire!

Look! He's fleeing! Run home to Mommy!

34

Big brother! I’ve found the monster, but…

Don't tell me: You failed to rescue Master.

He was not an easy opponent!

What would a dragon be doing in a river like this?

It was like fighting a dragon!

Hmm... I wonder if he has something to do with the sea kings. I am the ruler of Black River. It’s an honor to meet you.

Hail, QiTianDaSheng!

He has harassed my people, and I've gone to the West Sea to seek justice.

Ruler of the Black River? You must be a cohort of the monster! No sir! In fact, the monster has taken over my place!

His uncle is the Dragon King of the West Sea?

36

I've been so busy with this journey, lately, that I haven't had time to keep up with the dragon kings. Things must have seriously degenerated.

But I learned that he's the nephew of the Dragon King of the West Sea. They told me to just give up the palace. It seems there is nothing I can do.

I will go to the West Sea and kick their teeth in, if I must! Thank you! I just want my palace back.

The four seas are all neighbors. How could anyone do such a vicious deed as taking someone else’s palace?

Hmm, where is this scaly freak going?

P M U H W

How wicked! He's invited the Dragon King of the West Sea to feed on Master's flesh.

Ha! I knew it! He's a messenger for the monster who controls the palace!

THE PALACE OF THE DRAGON KING OF THE WEST SEA

Guard! What on earth is going on out there?

Sire! A monkey named Sun Wu Kong came out of nowhere and attacked us!

What? Why is Sun Wu Kong here?

Son! Sun Wu Kong is threatening Don’t to tear this place apart! worry. I will go take care of him.

Wu Kong! Where are you?

Please show yourself, QiTianDaSheng!

Save yourself the trouble. I’m right here!

I’m right here!

40

If we'd known you were coming, we would have prepared a feast.

Liar!

Please, come down from there!

Father! Watch out!

KRASH

Stop this, please! Why are you threatening to destroy our home?

What are you talking about? San Zang is on his way to the West. How can we release him?

Don't play dumb!

Release my master, now!

Perhaps you can't. But the monster spy you have in the Black River can!

42

Here's a letter inviting you to feast on his flesh!

What!

No!

Please! This is not fair. Now tell me the truth before I start breaking body parts! Not fair?

Everyone knows that San Zang is your master. We would never attempt to feed on him.

43

What about the letter?

It must have been written by my nephew, who dwells in the Black River. He is a fool, and he clearly is not following the path of enlightenAnd why ment. is it so hard to deal with an errant nephew?

I have no execuse. I will deal with him immediately, and he will not escape punishment.

44

Good! Make sure he doesn't!

Go to him and demand my master's release. If your nephew so much as bruises him, I will boil his innards for lunch and make boots from his hide.

All right, all right!

Do you really need an army to deal with an overgrown lizard?

I will send the crown prince at once!

My cousin has many cronies. It's best to be prepared.

Sire! The Crown Prince of the West Sea has stormed into the river! THE BLACK RIVER

I invited my uncle. Why has the crown prince come, instead of his father?

The crown prince?

I DON'T KNOW. BUT HE BROUGHT AN ARMY WITH HIM.

Crown prince! MoAng!

Your cousin has come to present himself!

MO ANG’S CAMP

My father received an invitation from you.

Isn’t San Zang the priest who is on a mission for the Goddess of Mercy?

Yes, he is. But he is also the key to immortality! That's why I sent the invitation.

One taste of San Zang's flesh, and you will have eternal life!

San Zang is Sun Wu Kong’s master! If you upset QiTianDaSheng, there is no measure to how fast he will destroy the four sea kingdoms. Don't you get it?

I’ve known of your viciousness for ages, but I never imagined you would do something this stupid!

Don't be such a coward.

47

Release San Zang now! I will not let you doom us, as well!

Silence! We have turned a blind eye to your treachery for the last time.

STUBBORN FOOL.

48

HE'S WASTING HIS ENERGY. I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP MY CHANCE AT ETERNAL LIFE.

Cousin, if you don't want to partake in San Zang's flesh, then you are free to return to the West Sea. But the priest will be my dinner, and when I'm done I'll feast on Sun Wu Kong for dessert!

Shut your mouth.

Cousin, I invited you with good intentions. It's unkind and unwise to respond with orders and threats.

But you didn't invite me. You invited my father, remember? Therefore, I'm left with no choice.

49

You have refused my counsel. So now I must refuse your mercy.

Don't make me laugh! I may be your cousin, but I'm still cold-blooded.

50

SH O O WAH

SHOOWAM OS H

H

O

Your actions are an insult to our family!

No! Our great king has lost!

Cousin You are not ... being fair.

If the Jade Emperor finds out what you tried to do...

THOOMP

I'll be the judge of what's fair.

...then my father and I won't be safe either! Is that fair?

LATER…

Crown Prince MoAng!

You have my sincerest thanks.

Mine, too. oink

Without your help, we'd be dead by now.

It's my fault. I should have kept We will a closer return to eye on my the West cousin. Sea now,

and deal with the problem.

THE BLACK RIVER WAS RESTORED TO ITS RIGHTFUL KING, WHO HELPED SAN ZANG AND HIS DISCIPLES CROSS THE RIVER SAFELY BY PARTING THE WATER AND LETTING THEM WALK ON DRY LAND.

ONCE THEY HAD CROSSED THE RIVER, THE FOUR FRIENDS CONTINUED TO THE WEST.

Whoa! Easy, dragon! I mean, horse.

HEAVE HEAVE-HO -HO HEAVE -HO HEAVE -HO

Huh?

Ha ha ha! Who's leading who, Bajie?

Wu Kong! What are They the sounds are in the labor distance? commands.

That's odd.

It sounds very painful.

I’ll go check it out. Be right back.

Are they really trying to drag that cart uphill?

How strange. All the slaves are priests.

HEAVE -HO HEAVE -HO!

Push, you lazy maggot!

W H AP

That wasn't very nice.

SO THE PRIESTS WORK THEIR HANDS DOWN TO BLOOD AND BONE, AND THE GURUS SUPERVISE THEM WITH BEATINGS.

SWISH

I'd better find out what’s going on.

Good day, sirs! Might I ask you a question?

Why, sure!

What brings you this way?

I seek the truth. So I have traveled long and far.

Regardless of how ragged I look, it is still rude to smirk at me like that.

The King of CheChi Kingdom highly respects Taoism.

So any Taoist hermit is welcomed here with open arms.

So long and so far that I am starving. Do you know where I can get some food?

We mean no disrespect. Let us explain.

Ah! And why does the king hold Taoism in such high regard?

Long ago, this kingdom suffered a horrible drought. Priests, nobles, even commoners prayed for rain, but not one drop fell.

But just when the kingdom was about to perish, three Taoist oracles descended from Heaven. Oracles?

They brought with them the rainfall the kingdom needed.

I see. And who are these three great oracles?

They are the tiger, elk, and sheep oracles.

Not only can they make rain and wind, but they can realign the stars too.

The king was so impressed and grateful for their magic that he entrusted his kingdom to them.

I see. So why, then, are the priests slaving away like this?

You see... My uncle is a priest who lives in this kingdom. I came here to find him.

Well, priests had been praying to Buddha the entire time the kingdom suffered, but their prayers fell on deaf ears. So we demolished every Buddha temple and enslaved the useless priets.

I can't believe what I'm hearing.

sob

Ha ha! No worries! We are If you find your uncle, all Taoists; it's the we'll release least him right away. we can do for you.

Thank you, fellow gurus! I won't be long.

Hey!

Ha ha! Take your time.

Ah! We've been working hard! We swear we're making progress! Please don't beat us!

What do you mean?

I'm not going to beat you. Stand up. Tell me what's going on.

I want to know why you ended up here. You don't have to worry. Just tell me everything.

Why are you slaving away like this? Why aren't you in your temple, seeking enlightenment? It's a sad story. sob

Our temples are destroyed. And practicing Buddhism is forbidden in the CheChi Kingdom. The king only tolerates Taoism.

But why? You're only seeking the truth, just like Taoists.

The king hates us because our prayers could not end the drought. When the Taoist oracles came and summoned the wind and rain, he put all his faith in them.

Making rain is such a petty trick. 63

Neverthless, the king trusts them and hates us.

Why didn't you just run away?

We tried, but our portraits are plastered up all over the kingdom, and there is a reward for anyone who catches us. We're trapped.

There were once more than 2,000 priests in CheChi Kingdom. Now there are fewer than 500. The rest either starved or were beaten to death.

Are you serious?

The way they've been treated is shameful. And unforgivable.

Only 500 are left?

I thought he was looking for his uncle.

Well? Did you find your uncle?

Why yes, I did. He he he!

Is he a spy?

Who is he? We will release him. 64

All of them. All five hundred priests are my relatives. So release them all immediately.

You are no guru. You're just a crazy old man!

Get lost, now! I've heard too many words. Enough is enough!

K A C HA

NG

That's for pointing a sword at me.

We're doomed! He killed our guards! What do we do?

Guru, why have you done this?

Look! He killed the gurus!

I am not a guru.

I am Sun Wu Kong, Emperor of Heaven and disciple of San Zang. In other words, I am a priest too!

That's impossible! Sun Wu Kong is a great hairy beast of a monkey!

What's so funny? Did I crack a joke? Quit laughing, or you will find out what the "dead" in "deadly serious" means!

? H U H

Ha ha ha! I'm only teasing. I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to rescue you!

I bet you're sick of the sight of this cart, yes? Watch this! Be careful!

68

Care is not required. I have carried mountains on my back. This is like wiping away crumbs.

H S O O W A H

I don't believe it! The cart is flying like it weighs less than a feather!

SHWO

OM

There. You see what I am capable of. Now flee. I'll deal with the king.

But what if we're caught?

Be gone!

If you don’t stay with us, I fear for our lives.

Truly he is QiTianDaSheng.

...Or maybe I can! Here, take these!

Each of you take one hair.

70

Well, I can't be in two places at once ...

If there is danger, shout "QiTianDaSheng", and the hair will save you.

Huh? Just one hair?

How can one hair save us?

Pop! QiTianDaSheng!

You called?

Wow! It works!

I don't know.

Let’s test it!

QiTianDaSheng!

QiTianDaSheng!

We will survive! Thank you!

Now run for your lives and return the hairs later. If you don't, there'll be hell to pay!

HOORAY!

WEʻRE FREE NOW! I get the feeling Wu Kong is nearby.

Huh? Why are these priests running away?

Wu Kong!

What is going on here?

The local king has enslaved priests.

So I freed them and helped them escape.

Why did the king enslave you?

Master San Zang! There is much to tell you. Let us go to a discreet temple within the palace. I'll tell you everything.

Please lead the way.

CHECHI KINGDOM

Wow! It all looks so exotic.

SAN ZANG AND HIS DISCIPLES FOLLOWED THE PRIESTS TO THE SITE OF AN ABANDONED TEMPLE WITHIN THE PALACE, WHERE THEY WERE GIVEN FOOD AND SHELTER.

It was prophesied that QiTianDaSheng would save us!

The prophecy was true. He has come!

Yes, I have. Pleased to meet you!

Please forgive me. I'm as blind as a bat. But even blind, I can see that you are a wise and handsome man.

He he! I guess you can only see the truth!

THAT NIGHT, WU KONG SNUCK OUT OF THE TEMPLE ALONE.

That must be the temple of the Taoist oracles!

SAN QING TAOIST TEMPLE

We pray that Heaven continues to let the rain fall.

And let the wind blow.

For our prayers, please accept our humble offering.

Those three jokers must be the oracles!

But first, I need to recruit some help...

Wu Jing! Wake up!

Wu Kong? It's the middle of the night. What's wrong?

I think I'll have a little fun with them. There's fun to be had. Trust me, it's worth missing out on some sleep.

Z ZZZ Z Z Z Z OINK

The three oracles are holding a ceremony, and they've offered the gods a sumptuous feast!

Hey! I heard "snack". Don't leave me out!

What kind of fun? Where are we going?

To a nearby Taoist temple inside the palace walls!

Really? I could sure go for a late night snack!

Quiet! Say "snack" too loud and you'll wake up Pigsy.

Shh! All right, Don't fine. wake up Master! You can come too.

79

Wow! Warm bread, sweet fruits, fine cheese...

I'm going to eat it all! oink

Wait! We don't know when they plan Of course, to leave. we could always speed them on their way.

FWIP

Huh!

FOOSH This is a strange wind.

The fire is out!

The heavenly wind has blown out the fire. Surely this is a sign that we must retire for the evening. Let's call it a night.

Idiots! They think my snort is a heavenly wind! Ha ha!

Yes, they don't seem to be the wisest bunch.

He he he! The coast is clear. Shall we?

Oh boy! It's like I woke up on my birthday.

Hold it! Even a glutton like you can mind your manners.

Hang on, before you blow your cover! See the statues of the three deities over there. Do you recognize them?

Ow! Hey, I'm just trying to live a little high on the hogs!

Of course, I do!

The one sitting in the middle is YuanShi TianZun.

The one on the left And is LingBao the one TianZun. on the right

is Lord TaiShang.

That's right! And since the feast is for them, if we disguise ourselves as those three, we can eat freely!

You mean ...

That’s brilliant! What a clever idea!

THU M P

KRAS

H

SCR A A A P

E 83

First, push the table away from the statues.

And now it's time to eat! oink

Not yet! We need to remove the statues. Otherwise the disguises won't work.

He’s right.

If you take the statues outside and hide them in the rice fields, they'll be as difficult to find as the meaning of life!

Why do I always get stuck lifting things?

If you work a lot, you'll get to eat a lot. How does that sound? That works for me! He who lifts the most gets to eat the most! He would set himself on fire for an extra plate of food!

That little rodent! I had to drag those statues into a giant open sewer. If he wasn't my big brother, I'd punch him.

You two had better not have started without me!

Time for a little costume change...

Oops, I mean transformation!

Ha! How do you like my transportation? 86

Your stomach is too fat. Still.

SHUK

Happy now?

Yes, you? Yes.

Good. Let’s get started!

This is the most delicious food I've ever tasted! oink

The cooks in the kingdom are amazing.

Try this! It’s so good! I’m so stuffed!

88

It will still be in the temple. I'd better get it before Master notices.

Oops. I was in such a hurry I forgot my bell.

Whew! Here it is!

That's good.

NOM NOM NOM NOM

GLUG GLUG GLUG

NOM NOM

Hi!

hkup

Hi, there. Hello. burp

Gah! oof

What’s all this noise?

W HUMP

HE HE HE! Help! There are ghosts!

90

Master! I returned to the temple to fetch my bell...

And I heard some weird noises.

Someone must be fooling around. Let’s see who it is.

There were ghosts in the shrine. They were laughing!

Ah!

How strange. The food is all gone!

I don't know. Everything has been eaten. How is this possible?

The food was an offering to the gods. It is impossible to touch it!

Perhaps they came down to claim their offerings!

Perhaps we could ask them to bless us with holy water.

That means they were Sure, very moved that seems by our possible! devotion.

My lord! We've prayed with the utmost devotion.

Should you bless us with holy water, we will continue in our devout ways.

Hear our prayer, my lords.

Ahem Um... yes. Here we are.

We decided to pay you a visit because we are so touched by your devotion.

We are much too humble to raise our heads to you. But if you were to bless us with holy water, we would build an even larger shrine in your honor.

You don't have to be so humble before us. Raise your heads.

Well, we didn't bring any with us–

Hey! I have some holy water! Ahem.

Ah! Yes, me too.

So much that I can barely hold it. You?

I have so much that I'm about to burst.

95

Very good! We will grant your wish and provide you with holy water. Bring a bowl!

Thank you! We shall never forget this kindness.

My lords! This is our only large bowl.

This one is a bit smaller, so feel free to fill it to the top!

There you are, my lords. Good. Wait outside!

PS SSS SS

Ah, this feels so good! You I almost wet heard them. myself. Fill them to the top!

Your holy water's ready! Come and get it!

Ooh! What a beautiful yellow color!

My lords, we are forever grateful.

Remember, this water is precious. Don't waste a drop. 98

LG UG G LU

G

LUG G UG

GL

Master! Master! May we try some?

GLUG GLUG GLUG

Hmm… Yech!

Good medicine tastes bitter, but this stuff smells strangely like pig’s urine.

This tastes really strange.

I'm pretty sure this isn't holy water.

Wait. What's going on?

U H S K

Ha ha ha! What's the matter? Our urine should taste miles better than holy water to worms like you.

hrmph

It was real urine! Bleach!

Yuck! gag

Who are those three maggots? Where did they come from?

Wow, good thing we didn't drink any.

THE NEXT DAY, SAN ZANG WENT TO THE KING TO ASK FOR SAFE PASSAGE.

Your Majesty!

Four monks from the Tang Dynasty are outside. They seek safe passage.

103

Monks? How annoying. I’m fed up with monks! Tell them to go away!

Just let them pass through the kingdom as quickly as possible.

104

The Tang Dynasty is very powerful. It is best to not greet them with a sneer.

Very well.

Let them in!

Sire! The oracles have arrived!

What brings you I thought here? you'd be

Wait a minute!

busy managing the temple.

We were, Your Majesty. But we have something to discuss with you.

You three! What arrogance to come to the palace! You just signed your own death warrants!

What?

Your Majesty! This monkey killed two of my men and freed 500 slaves.

And last night the three of them desecrated the temple.

Off with their heads! Right now!

Wait. What’s going on?

What? What kind of monsters desecrate a temple?

Everyone just wait a moment.

To kill without evidence is unwise. To do so on the word of one person is sheer stupidity.

Criminals have no right to speak!

And you have no right to kill us without evidence. Where's the proof that we freed the monks or desecrated the temple?

Hmm… You sound pretty reasonable.

Oracle! Do you have any evidence or witnesses?

Well… That's… I mean…

107

You see? Now stop this nonsense and let us pass!

That liar!

Hmm.

I see. It hasn't rained We need in quite a long the oracles to time. exercise their tremendous power.

Your Majesty!

The people are gathering outside. They are asking the oracles to pray for rain! 108

They boost their egos with petty tricks!

Oracles! The people beg you to make it rain.

How do you like that? They are so full of themselves.

Don't be a fool! Your kind can't make it rain.

They've tried before.

Twenty years ago, thousands of monks prayed for rain, and not one drop fell!

How true. Your Majesty, making rainfall is easy!

Hey, oracles! How about a wager as to who can make rainfall? Who are these people?

Priests like yourselves are worthless. Only our oracles have the power to save this kingdom.

Wu Kong! Didn’t you make Sure it rain did! once? It's a piece of cake.

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If we both pray at once, it will be hard to determine who made the rain.

Your Majesty!

That's a good point.

Fine. You go first.

And you can have my head as a trophy.

If you make the rain fall, you win!

Be careful with what you promise! Yeah, yeah. Just make it rain!

What a fool! As soon as the oracles summon the rain, I will cut off their heads.

When I send the first signal, the wind will blow. When I send the second, the cloud will arrive.

The third signal will create lightning, and the fourth will create rainfall. Then the fifth will stop the rain and clear the sky.

What a waste of words and energy!

SHING I call the rain with yin and yang.

Take the path of the five elements!

I summon you with the power of the Eight Trigrams of Divination. Wind!

FW

AP

Hey, old man!

Oh! Hail, QiTianDaSheng.

What is going on? Why has the wind stopped?

In the name of the gods, let there be clouds!

Now!

Let the rain fall. Now!

Thunder and lightning!

Lightning and thunder!

Downpour! Now!

What's he doing? The only dampness I see is the sweat on his brow. Ha ha!

All right, tell me why you're taking orders from the oracles!

They have learned certain tricks about making rainfall. If they burn a certain charm, it alerts the Jade Emperor, and he gives us the order, so we can't help it. So you were the one who stopped us from making rain!

All right, listen up. I made a wager with the oracle. And I intend to win. I need you to make the rain fall for ME when I need it.

As you wish. We are honored to fulfill our responsibility to you, QiTianDaSheng!

But we will require a signal, or else thing will get confusing.

You’re right.

If the oracles rely on charms, I will rely on my miracle staff.

The first time I raise it, blow the wind. The second time, roll in the clouds. The third time, give me thunder and lightening. The fourth time, rain. And the fifth time, everything stops.

Remember those orders! I can't afford any mistakes.

Don't worry. We'll get it right!

All right, stop wasting our time!

He he he! Those oracles will be terrified by my power!

This can't be!

If you don't come down, you'll get a sunburn from trying to make it rain!

Oracle, what's happening?

I felt the wind for a moment, but then nothing happened. Come on down! I'm getting bored!

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Your Majesty! The heavenly gods could be busy right now. If I had some more time...

What? He is so full of it! What could be so urgent that the gods can't make it rain?

You are out of line, priest! You go up there and try to make the rain fall!

SAN ZANG CLIMBED THE ALTAR AND BEGAN TO CHANT THE BUDDHIST SUTRAS. BUT WU KONG WAS RUNNING THE SHOW.

NG I H S Blow, wind!

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Bring forth the clouds!

Huh? I guess the gods aren't busy after all.

Crack the sky with thunder! Soak the earth with rain!

Wow!

I can't believe my eyes! It’s pouring!

What are these monks up to?

Priest! That's enough. You may end the rain.

What do you think, Your Majesty? Are the heavens still too busy? Only a fool passes the buck to fate.

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Clearly, I underestimated your power. Very impressive.

The priest must have taken advantage of my power. Clearly the gods were preoccupied, and only saw my signal later!

Your Majesty! This is a hoax!

It just so happened this priest was on the altar when it rained!

Is that your latest excuse? Fine! The dragon kings rule the water, so if it rained he must still be in the heavens. Call him down. Oh, good idea! I've always wanted to see a dragon king with my own eyes! 125

Well, I… That’s… All right...

…

I summon the dragon king! Show yourself!

Dragon king! You've got three seconds to get your scaly hide down here before I destroy your palace!

SH O O

WH

Wow! It's a dragon. A real dragon!

Well done, dragon king! Maybe I'll stop by later for a visit!

THE KING WAS SUFFICIENTLY IMPRESSED WITH SUN WU KONG'S POWERS, AND HE WAS ABOUT TO SIGN THE LETTERS OF TRANSIT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH THE KINGDOM... BUT…

Your Majesty! You should not allow them to leave!

Why not?

I’ve seen their power. It is undeniable.

But we saved your kingdom, and we have allowed it to prosper for two decades. Letting them go because they beat us once would be an insult to us, don't you think?

You want more of this? If we lose again, we will not begrudge Your Majesty for granting them passage to the West.

Plese allow us another chance to compete with them!

Very well! What kind of competition did you have in mind?

Hmm… You wish to compete again, do you?

Well... Not exactly.

Let us have a meditation contest atop the highest pedestal!

A meditation contest?

Ha! What a fool. Meditation is easy!

What's so hard about sitting still and chanting sutras?

When was the last time you saw me sit still for more than five minutes, you moron? Oh.

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Your Majesty! I will compete in the meditation contest. Those are way too tall! I feel

nauseous just looking at them.

Wow. Master himself is competing.

Wu Kong!

Very well! But if you lose this contest, you will lose your head!

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Will you help me to the top of the pedestal?

Be careful, Master.

MASTER, ARE YOU OKAY?

Heights are no obstacle if you remain well grounded. PERHAPS, BUT I THINK THE ORACLES ARE SCHEMING.

Hmph. The priest can meditate well when the conditions are good. Let's see how good he is under pressure.

Some bedbugs, perhaps.

Wu Jing! I think Master is in trouble!

It looks like he wants to collapse!

Hrr!

FLICK

See?

I told you those stupid oracles would try something.

What a bunch of bald-faced cheaters! Time to teach them some manners.

!

Gah! Centipede! Centipede!

I'm sorry, brother. A poisonous centipede came out of nowhere!

Your Majesty!

Yes, you have.

I will now grant you passage.

Your Majesty! This isn't fair. My brother suffered a stroke, and then a strong wind blew him off the pedestal. Please let us compete again!

134

I believe this means we've won again.

Very well. Another competition it is.

Divination! Let us compete at guessing the contents of a locked box!

What did you have in mind?

THE KING HAD HIS SUBJECTS FETCH A LARGE, LOCKED BOX. THE KING KNEW THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX, AND SECRETLY TOLD THE ORACLES WHAT WAS INSIDE.

MASTER! I'LL TAKE A PEEK INSIDE AND TELL YOU WHAT I SEE.

All right! Although I normally don't condone cheating.

I sense a coat and a shirt inside the box!

What? Two pieces of clothing? That doesn't ring any bells.

But this will! He he he!

Your Majesty!

I sense there is an old bell inside the box!

Are you suggesting that I have nothing better to put in the box than a crummy old bell? Mind your manners, priest!

My apologies, Your Majesty. Please just trust me and open the box!

All right. But remember: if you're wrong, it'll cost you your head!

What? I don't believe this!

Move the box to the courtyard! We're going to do this again!

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Your Majesty! I sense a delicious peach inside the box!

Heh heh. This time you’re wrong, priest.

Open the box!

No, Your Majesty. Inside the box, I sense only a peach pit.

?

There is only a peach pit!

Stop making us look like fools!

Very well. I will place something in the box, and you must guess what it is. If you get it wrong, you lose!

Fine! Why don't you try putting something in the box? Let them guess alone.

Wu Kong! Did you hear that? Don’t worry. I know what to do!

In we go!

BZZZZ

Your Majesty! The box is ready. The priest must now guess its contents.

Good. Well, priest?

What do you see?

Excuse me!

Huh. It's one of the oracles' young gurus.

Are you deaf, priest?

Master?

I asked you what you see inside the box?

He doesn't know!

Why do you want to shave my head?

To defeat the monks, I need you to look and act like one.

Oh, okay.

All right! Do as you please!

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Hang on! He's thinking! oink ...

Do as you please, Master! Answer His Majesty! What's in the box? Can't you open your mouth?

Wu Kong! What are you doing in there? Come out and tell me what's inside!

Ha! We don't need to waste any more time with this swindler. Off with his head!

Ha ha ha! He's so desperate that he is talking nonsense!

MASTER! IT'S A YOUNG MONK.

Indeed!

Unfortunately for you, priest, I saw a young guru in there. Open the box!

Save us, merciful Buddha. May Your Majesty live a long life, full of peace and free from the causes of suffering...

Your Majesty! I sense a young monk inside the box. He's chanting a Buddhist prayer!

Praise be to Buddha! Save us, I pray.

Wow! Master, you are one good guesser!

Ohm.

Save us, merciful Buddha!

Ohm.

Ohm.

Impossible! How did this happen?

You tell me! You're the ones who put him in the box!

It's time to give it up.

They clearly have strong powers.

Don’t be fooled, Your Majesty!

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There is only one way to be certain. Your Majesty, let us have a contest to the death!

Fooled by what? I see no tricks.

Let's wager on who can survive being beheaded, disemboweled, and burned alive!

Are you insane? That's not a contest! That's suicide!!!

We are done competing. You are giving up?

So you admit defeat! Off with their heads!

?

You cannot go back on your word now. Bring an ax, and begin the final competition!

Let's see them beat this!

Hey, why don't I go first?

146

This one is insane.

You want to cut off my head?

Very well!

Allow me to present my neck!

147

Now, make sure you swing quickly and cut straight. Don't leave me hanging! Ha ha!

I can't bear to watch.

Carry out the execution!

148

Don’t worry! It's not the first time he's lost his head.

Excellent! This monk was a total pest. I'm glad to be rid of him first!

Gladly!

SHU SHU

SHU oof

WHACK

THUD!

Wu Kong, no!

TH

Wu Kong! ! D U

HUH?

You idiot! I said cut straight.

149

Here I am!

Hello!

Ha ha! Just as I anticipated.

EARTH GOD, DON'T LET GO!

Now, where’s my head? I need it back before I drop dead.

Head? Oh, head! Where did you go?

KEEP HIS HEAD PINNED DOWN, AND I WILL HAVE A LARGE SHRINE BUILT IN YOUR HONOR.

Hey! Someone is holding me down!

A shrine? Sounds good!

Ouch! Let me go! Head! Come back here! Now!

U H S K

Well, if head can't come back...

I will just grow a new one!

151

!

Wu Kong! Are you all right?

Yup!

This can't be! His head is still rolling around on the ground!

How can he grow a new head? It's a miracle!

Don’t mount your high horse just yet. If your trickery worked, this will be easy.

Slight headache, but I'm fine. Don't worry, Master.

Well, what's the delay? It’s your turn!

Ready? I should warn you: he cuts at an angle.

…

CH A NG

THUMP

THUMP

Now!

All right, head! Return to me!

He he! Not so fast! How about a little game of fetch?

woof, woof

154

SHUK

Gah! Let go of my head, you stupid mutt!

Ugh! Put it down, now! No!

woof, woof

Brother!

H S O O PL No! My head! My...head.

UGH !

SHUK

What? He was a tiger?

What? I've been deceived? How dare they!

Your Majesty! The oracle was nothing more than a tiger!

It’s all over! Time to show your true colors! And beg for forgiveness or else.

Uh-oh ...

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT RUNNING AWAY!

H WHOOS

157

Wait! Stop them!

Yes, sire!

158

This is too easy, because I'm chasing two dead men!

Brother, no! hurrkk

SHAW

OOK

WHACK

159

SHUK

I don't believe it!

M ZHOO

The other two were a deer and a sheep!

You see, Your Highness? You can have the truth staring you in the face and still not see it. You almost threw your kingdom away for three monsters! Next time, don't just look for miracles.

160

SEE the truth.

Look at them! A tiger, a deer, and a lamb.

One cannot be a noble ruler if he can't distinguish fact from fiction.

I’m such a fool! I can't believe I fell for their lies.

And you would likely be dead by now.

Just the same, I can see that you have miraculous powers! I can also see that you saved my life, and I thank you.

THE NEXT DAY…

THE KING MET WITH THE PRIESTS HE HAD ENSLAVED AND ORDERED THAT A SHRINE BE BUILT IN THEIR HONOR.

Please come inside!

THE KING ALSO THREW A FEAST IN HONOR OF SAN ZANG AND HIS DISCIPLES.

THE MONKS RETURNED ONE AFTER ANOTHER, AND THEY WERE WELCOMED BY THEIR KING.

Hail, QiTianDaSheng, our savior! You know, Wu Kong can perform 72 transfigurations.

We humbly thank you, and we can never repay our debt of gratitude.

Is that so? Very impressive!

Give me my hairs back, and we'll call it even!

Well, Your Highness. I guess this means you're going to enslave all the Taoists now.

Well said. It looks like my efforts won't have been in vain.

Not at all. Seeing the truth means respect for all faiths.

We’d better be going. Thank you for the hospitality, and may the sun shine always on your kingdom.

164

Appendix

SYNOPSIS

FIGHT TO THE DEATH

Across the forbidding and hostile terrain of western China, four companions hasten their way toward India. They have been given a divine mission to recover sacred Buddhist sutras and return them to China. The perils of their journey are innumerable: the goddess who chose them sees fit to frequently test their commitment to the mission; the four companions each have flaws that strain their fidelity to one another; and with each passing mile, word spreads throughout the land the the Buddhist monk who leads the group, San Zang, has flesh that, if eaten, can grant eternal life. The latest creature to hear about the group is the Alligator Demon of the Heuksu River. He is the nephew of the King of the West Sea who recently ransacked the palace of the river’s king and claimed

166

it for his own. He disguises himself as a boatman who will help San Zang and his disciples cross the river. When he gets halfway down the river with San Zang and Zhu Bajie in his boat, the demon makes his identity known and kidnaps the monk and the pig, taking them to his palace deep in the water. Sun Wu Kong, the most powerful of San Zang’s disciples, cannot understand how he was unable to detect the monster’s disguise, as he has been able to do throughout their journey. Meanwhile, Sha Wu Jing plunges into the water to find his master and his elder brother. He finds the palace and calls out the Alligator Demon, but the foe proves to be too strong. He reports back to Sun Wu Kong that the Alligator Demon looks like a dragon, and just then the former king of the river appears to tell Wu Kong that the demon is the nephew of the King of the West Sea. Wu Kong pays a visit to the king and confronts him over his nephew’s actions. The king knows nothing of the situation with his nephew and dispatches his son, the crown prince, to subdue the demon. The crown prince travels to the river and defeats his cousin in short order. Later, San Zang and his disciples come upon a slave labor camp in which hundreds of priests are being whipped by two Taoist

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gurus. Wu Kong disguises himself as a person and tells the gurus he is looking for his uncle. When he is granted access to the priests, Wu Kong learns that they were enslaved by the King of CheChi Kingdom when three oracles (the Tiger, Elk, and Sheep oracles) appeared in the kingdom and convinced the king that they could control the weather and save the kingdom. Wu Kong approaches the two gurus and tells them that every single one of the priests is his uncle, and demands that they all be released. When the two gurus refuse, Wu Kong kills them and frees the priests. San Zang and his disciples enter the CheChi Kingdom and spend the night as the guests of a temple inside the kingdom’s walls. That night, a sleepless Wu Kong sneaks out and discovers another temple. Inside the temple, three oracles are leading a prayer and making a food offering to the statues of three gods. Wu Kong suspects that these are the three oracles who tricked the king into enslaving the priests, so he returns from the temple and summons his two younger brothers to help him play a prank. The three disciples go to the Taoist temple, disguise themselves as the three deities to whom the food is being offered, and eat the offerings. While they are eating, the three brothers are interrupted by the three oracles, who believe

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they are the actual deities. When the oracles request some holy water, Wu Kong and his brothers urinate into three pots and give them to the oracles. The three brothers then reveal their true identities and flee the temple. The next day San Zang and his disciples go the King of CheChi to ask for safe passage through the kingdom. In the middle of the meeting, the three oracles arrive and recognize Wu Kong, Bajie, and Wu Jing. The oracles tell the king about the events of the night before, and the king immediately orders the four companions to be beheaded. Wu Kong protests the decision, and challenges the oracles to a contest to see who can summon the wind and rain. Wu Kong enlists the help of some heavenly gods to win the contest, but rather than let San Zang pass through the kingdom, the king suggests a series of contests that pit the priest and his disciples against the three oracles. Each time, Wu Kong is able to sabotage the contest so that the oracles lose; he transforms into a centipede to distract an oracle who is trying to meditate, and is able to alter the contents of a locked box so that every time an oracle guesses what’s inside the box, he turns out to be wrong. But every time Wu Kong wins a contest, the king, at the urging of the oracles, demands more contests. When

169

Wu Kong refuses to participate in any more, the king rules that they have broken their vow to compete and must be beheaded. Wu Kong volunteers to go first, but once he is beheaded, he grows another one. The Tiger Oracle, who is the eldest of the three, accuses Wu Kong of playing a petty trick and offers himself for beheading. Unfortunately for him, Wu Kong sabotages the contest one final time by transforming himself into a dog and then stealing the oracle's head once it’s been severed. When the head is not reunited with the body, the Tiger Oracle dies. When he does, it is revealed that he wasn’t an oracle at all; rather, he was a monster in disguise. The other two oracles, who are also monsters in disguise, attempt to flee, but Wu Kong chases them down and kills them. A grateful King of CheChi throws a feast in honor of the four guests who revealed the fraud, and allows them safe passage through his kingdom.

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THEMES OF THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST

THREE KINDS OF FAITH

Of the many things it has to say about systems of faith, one thing The Journey to the West does not say is that any one faith is superior to another. This may seem surprising, since this volume deals with a king who has punished Buddhist priests for their futile attempts to end a drought, as well as Wu Kong’s extensive efforts to reveal the fraudulent claims of three Taoist oracles. But Journey to the West is not arguing that Wu Kong is superior to the Taoists simply because he is a Buddhist. Indeed, the three oracles aren’t even truly Taoist oracles; rather, they are monsters in disguise who have discovered a way to make the heavens produce wind and rain at their command. Instead, even though Journey to the West is about the effort to retrieve Buddha’s teachings and bring them to China in an effort to end humanity’s suffering, the story embraces Buddhism, Confucianism,

171

and Taoism equally. Indeed, they overlap in numerous ways. Western readers with an understanding of the commonalities among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam will appreciate the overlap, even though it manifests differently. First, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism share an emphasis on the process of living; martyrdom is not a theme of Journey to the West, because the worlds of the living and the dead, of heaven and earth, are shared—this is why the dead are so often brought back to life. Instead the focus is on how one can attain the greatest satisfaction in life through an understanding of the divine potential of all living things. Taoists believe that all living things, even inanimate objects, have spirits (which is why there are numerous Earth Gods and Mountain Guardians); Buddhists believe in the sameness of all things in heaven and on earth, and seek harmonious balance; Confucians spend their lives cultivating the discipline required to truly understand and appreciate the harmonious and the divine. The three faiths also share a common understanding of gods and monsters. Looking all the way back to volume two, remember that the Jade Emperor, a Taoist deity, was able to summon Buddha, the supreme being of Buddhism, to put an end to Wu Kong’s threatening behavior. Thus, in the world of Journey to

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the West, the Jade Emperor is recognized by Taoists, Buddhists, and Confucians. (This is similar to the way Jesus Christ factors into the three dominant Western faiths: messiah in the Christian faith, prophet in the Jewish and Muslim faiths.) In fact, the importance of acknowledging and practicing the disciplines required of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism together is best exemplified by the four principal characters of Journey to the West. As the story progresses, it is increasingly clear that none of them will be able to complete the journey, and thus save humanity and achieve total enlightenment, without the help of the others. This builds on the theme of interdependance between the three faiths, because San Zang embodies the Buddhist tradition of compassion and generosity, Wu Kong and Bajie embody the Taoist tradition of following natural impulses and desires, and Wu Jing embodies the Confucian tradition of being even-tempered and introspection. Together, by sticking up for one another and defending one another’s lives, they stand a chance of completing their mission. But crossing that final threshold and becoming truly enlightened will require that each of them not only depend on the qualities of others, but absorb and practice those qualities, as well.

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the tiger oracle

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Over the course of their journey to the West, San Zang’s three disciples have time and again shown personal qualities that make them worthy of their master. But Sun Wu Kong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wu Jing have also been known to cause an awful lot of trouble. Now, the four companions must atone for a vulgar bit of mischief by taking part in a seemingly endless competition of wits, and anything less than victory would mean losing more than just the contest.

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