第 14 回

The sound was echoing in the valley, Tang Sanzang thought it was a monster, he was very scared in his heart and wanted to hide.

However, Liu Boqin, who was following him, remembered that under the Five Elements Mountain there was a divine monkey being suppressed, so he supported Tang Sanzang and followed the sound to search.

They walked to the foot of the mountain and saw a monkey head protruding from among the scattered stones, its face covered in dirt.

The monkey saw Tang Sanzang and happily shouted: Master.

Why did you only come now.

Quickly save me and get me out, I will protect you to go to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures.

Tang Sanzang looked at the monkey's appearance and was somewhat surprised and suspicious.

Sun Wukong then explained in detail how he caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, was suppressed here by the Tathagata Buddha, and how Guanyin Bodhisattva instructed him to protect the scripture seeker.

After hearing this, Tang Sanzang finally understood the reason and was very happy in his heart, so he asked how to save him and get him out.

Sun Wukong told Tang Sanzang to go to the mountaintop and remove the golden-lettered talisman left by the Tathagata Buddha.

Tang Seng listened to his words and went up the mountain to remove the notice.

He had just hidden far away when he heard a loud noise, as if the mountain had split open, and the Five Elements Mountain exploded instantly.

Sun Wukong somersaulted in front of Tang Seng and knelt down to kowtow.

Tang Seng helped him remove the grass and dirt from his head and asked him what his name was.

Sun Wukong said he already had a dharma name, called Sun Wukong.

Tang Seng gave him another name, called Sun Xingzhe.

Tang Seng and Sun Wukong bid farewell to Liu Boqin and continued walking westward.

Just after passing the Five Elements Mountain, a tiger suddenly jumped out from the grass by the roadside, roaring loudly and pouncing over.

Tang Seng was so scared he almost fell off his horse.

Sun Wukong, however, smiled and said: "It comes just in time."

My things haven't been used for a long time, today I'll try you out, and also make a piece of clothing for my master.

After saying that, he took out an embroidery needle from his ear, shook it towards the wind, and the needle turned into an iron rod as thick as a bowl's mouth, this is his weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

Sun Wukong raised the rod, and with just one hit, he killed the tiger.

Then, he pulled out a hair, turned it into a sharp knife, peeled off the entire tiger skin, and carried it with him.

That night, the master and disciple stayed in a mountain household.

Sun Wukong washed his body clean, and Tang Seng made the tiger skin into a piece of clothing under the lamp.

Sun Wukong put on the new clothes and was very happy.

The next day, not long after they set out on the road, six bandits suddenly jumped out by the roadside, holding knives and guns, blocking the way to demand money.

Sun Wukong didn't say a word, took out the Jingu Bang, and with a few hits, killed all six bandits.

Tang Seng saw that he killed people so easily, felt very uneasy in his heart, kept chanting Amitabha Buddha, and also sternly rebuked Sun Wukong for not should kill living beings.

Sun Wukong heard this and was very unconvinced, thinking his master was too rigid, so he said angrily: "What I did is good, but you blame me instead."

Since I can't be a good disciple, I'll go back to my Flower-Fruit Mountain.

After saying that, he jumped onto his somersault cloud and disappeared in an instant.

Tang Monk had no choice but to lead the horse forward by himself.

Not long after walking, he encountered an old woman, holding clothes and a hat in her hands.

The old woman handed a hat with golden flowers and a well-made cloth garment to Tang Monk, saying it was a gift for his disciple.

The old woman also secretly taught Tang Monk a section of the Tight-Fillet Spell, telling him that if his disciple disobeys, he can recite this spell in his heart.

After saying that, the old woman turned into a golden light and flew away.

Tang Monk knew this was the Bodhisattva transformed, so he quickly bowed to the sky.

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, in a fit of anger, left Tang Monk and directly went to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

The old Dragon King prepared wine and dishes to entertain him, and during the meal, they talked about the journey to fetch the scriptures.

Sun Wukong then talked about killing robbers on the road and being scolded by his master.

After hearing this, the Dragon King slowly advised him: "Great Sage, if you cannot calmly protect Tang Monk to fetch the scriptures, without enduring some hardships and discipline, in the end, you still cannot remove the name of demon or immortal, and cannot achieve true enlightenment."

Sun Wukong was originally very clever; after hearing these words, he had some thoughts in his heart, so he bid farewell to the Dragon King and turned back to find Tang Monk.

Tang Monk saw Sun Wukong return and deliberately ignored him, just focusing on walking by himself.

Sun Wukong felt he was in the wrong and followed behind somewhat embarrassed.

His eyes were sharp; he saw a hat with golden flowers peeking out from the luggage, very beautiful and cute, so he curiously asked: "Master, are these clothes and hat for me?"

Tang Monk followed his words and replied: "They are what I wore when I was young."

"If you like them, I will give them to you."

Sun Wukong was very happy and immediately took them over, putting them on and wearing them properly.

Tang Seng saw that he had put on the hat, and then silently recited the Tight-Fillet Spell in his heart.

That flower hat instantly transformed into a golden fillet, tightly squeezing into Sun Wukong's skull.

Sun Wukong only felt his head ache as if it were about to split, hurting so much that he rolled on the ground, trying to grab it with his hands, but the golden fillet seemed to have grown into his flesh.

He kept begging for mercy, and only then did Tang Seng stop reciting, asking him: "In the future, will you dare to kill people casually and disobey orders?"

Sun Wukong was scared by the pain and repeatedly said he wouldn't dare.

Only then did Tang Seng tell him that this was the Bodhisattva's method to control him.

Sun Wukong felt both angry and scared in his heart, but there was no way out; from then on, he had to restrain his temper and wholeheartedly follow Tang Seng, continuing to walk westward.