22. Yellow Wind Ridge, Master has been taken away

In this manner, Master Tang Sanzang and his disciples journeyed westward from the east for about half a day, when they caught sight of a towering mountain ahead, its rugged peak piercing the clouds. The sound of gurgling springs reached their ears; birds flitted from the grass with fluttering wings, and beasts prowled through the woods, rumbling low as they moved unseen.

Tang Sanzang reined in the White Dragon Horse at the edge of a cliff, surveying the mountains before him. Suddenly, a wild, urgent wind swept past, leaving his heart pounding with fear, and the horse stamped its hooves, whinnying softly.

Remembering the old man’s warning before their departure—“Ahead lies a Yellow Wind demon”—Tang Sanzang became anxious. Without waiting for the wind to die down, he hurriedly called out, “Wukong, this wind is so strange; could it be the work of ghosts or evil spirits?”

Sun Wukong chuckled. “Do not worry, Master. Whatever demon or monster lies ahead, your disciple will beat it until it cries for mercy.”

Pigsy stepped forward, grinning. “The Monkey King is right! With his peerless skills, no demon or ghost would dare provoke him.”

Bear Gohan, carrying the load, curled his lip in silence, secretly admiring Pigsy’s skill at flattery.

Sun Wukong laughed again. “Pigsy, enough with the bootlicking! I’ve already sniffed the wind with my ‘Wind Grasping’ technique. It is indeed strange, as if a great demon is hiding in these mountains.”

“What? There really is one?” Pigsy quickly grabbed his rake, glanced around, and asked, “Monkey King, where is the monster?”

No sooner had he spoken than, from the slope below, a striped tiger burst out, its tail flicking and paws thudding. It stared at Tang Sanzang and his group in surprise, then roared and charged straight at them.

“Monkey King, let me handle this!” Pigsy spat into his palms, gripped his nine-toothed rake, and stepped forward to meet the beast head-on.

The tiger dodged aside, then suddenly stood upright, swinging its left forepaw to clutch its chest. With a ripping sound, it tore off its own hide. In one hand it held a small flag, in the other a red copper blade, and stood by the roadside, shouting, “I am the vanguard under the Yellow Wind King! And you, ugly monk, dare to harm me?”

Pigsy, angered at being called ugly, shouted back, “You foul-mouthed little monster! How dare you insult Grandpa Pig? Seeking death, are you?”

With that, Pigsy raised his rake and charged at the vanguard. The two clashed before the stony slope, trading blows and pushing each other back and forth.

“Pigsy, you’re far too weak for someone who boasts about being the Marshal of Heaven,” Sun Wukong commented from a high stone, watching the battle.

“Heh, Monkey King, give the ignorant little monster a chance! I’m letting him play a bit,” Pigsy replied, though his hands grew serious, and in a few moves he sent the vanguard rolling on the ground, reverting to a tiger that fled among the rocks.

“Trying to pull the old ‘shedding skin’ trick on me? Not a chance!” Sun Wukong drew his golden staff and hurled it like a spear, pinning the tiger’s head to the ground.

“Monkey King, beautifully done!” Pigsy rejoiced, rushing over and lifting the tiger with his rake, only to find nothing but the hide remaining. He instantly thought, “This is bad.”

Just then, a fierce wind swept above Pigsy’s head, bypassed Sun Wukong, and snatched Tang Sanzang from the White Dragon Horse. The wind transformed into a long gust, vanishing into the mountain forest.

“Uh… Master was just taken away like that?” Pigsy and Gohan were stunned. After a long moment, Pigsy regained his senses and asked Gohan, “Youde, you were closest—why didn’t you save Master?”

Bear Gohan hadn’t even set down his load. Hearing Pigsy’s question, he murmured, “Elder Brother was in front of me; I thought he’d act…”

“Yes, Monkey King!” Pigsy realized and hurriedly asked Sun Wukong, “When the demon passed you, why didn’t you do anything?”

“Pigsy, what do you know? If I hadn’t let it happen, how would Master be captured?” Sun Wukong scratched the fur on his hand as he spoke.

“Hah? Monkey King, you’re trying to—” Pigsy sidled up, making a chopping gesture with his hand and snickered, “Brilliant, brilliant!”

“Get lost!” Sun Wukong, sharp as ever, knew Pigsy’s meaning well: he suspected Sun Wukong wanted to use the demon’s hand to get rid of the monk and then split up for good.

Sun Wukong shouted loudly, “I warn you, Pigsy, my only intention is to escort Master to the West for scriptures. If you slander me again, I’