Sun Wukong Battles Zhenyuanzi Once More

In the main hall of Wuzhuang Temple, a tall, commanding young man stood before the incense altar. His face was pale and beardless, his hair was bound with a golden crown, and he gazed intently at the large characters on the wall—Heaven and Earth—hands clasped behind his back.

“I wonder what brings General Yuan to honor Wuzhuang Temple with your presence today?” Zhenyuanzi had barely entered when he bowed and asked.

General Yuan did not answer directly but returned the question, “Da Yuan, what happened out front just now?”

“Nothing worth mentioning, just minor incidents,” Zhenyuanzi replied, sinking into his chair, sipping tea. “General Yuan, why have you descended to the mortal realm this time? What are your orders?”

“I dare not speak of orders. I’m merely visiting an old friend—and to remind you: the struggle between Buddhism and Daoism is growing more intense. As one of the mighty, isn’t it time you did something?”

He turned to study Zhenyuanzi, his dark, fathomless eyes like the boundless starry sky.

“I reported this matter to the Primeval Lord yesterday. His stance remains unchanged: ‘Unless we are certain, don’t act rashly.’”

“Do nothing? Impossible! To remain motionless is to be a fool!” General Yuan gazed out the window into the night, muttering, “Daoism already lost once in the last calamity. If we lose again, we’ll be stripped of everything—even our last shred of dignity!”

Zhenyuanzi knew the ‘calamity’ referred to the great war of deification, so he only sighed deeply, saying nothing.

“Da Yuan, you may not believe me,” General Yuan said with a mournful sigh. “But if the Grand Master continues to pursue detachment and inaction, in a thousand years, even a place to rest for Daoists will be seized by the monks!”

“General Yuan, isn’t that a bit alarmist?” Zhenyuanzi frowned, looking up at him.

“Believe it or not, as you wish.” General Yuan shook his head and strode toward the door. He had not yet passed through when he turned back, asking, “How many ginseng fruits are left?”

“What are you planning?” Zhenyuanzi’s eyes instantly sharpened, fixing on General Yuan.

“My Longji has never tasted one—surely you can spare me one?” General Yuan grinned, showing precisely eight neat, white teeth.

“I knew your visit to Wuzhuang Temple could only mean trouble!” Zhenyuanzi grumbled, but nevertheless waved his hand. “Pick two fruits, and let that be my wedding gift to you both!”

“My thanks, Da Yuan.” General Yuan left the main hall in high spirits, making his way with practiced ease to the rear gardens to pluck the ginseng fruits.

...

Night fell, and all was silent.

Outside the hall, Sun Wukong, who had been bound to a pillar, suddenly performed a trick and slipped free of the ropes. He quickly untied Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and the rest, whispering, “Sha, you support Master. Bajie, get the horse. Wufan, carry the luggage! That feathered old Daoist is acting too strangely—it’s best we slip away under cover of darkness!”

“Amitabha... what a sin...” Tang Sanzang, meek and hesitant, could find nothing to say. Seeing that Sun Wukong had everything in hand, he offered no objection.

Thus, taking advantage of the night, the five companions fled Mount Longevity, pressing westward without pause, not daring to stop.

...

But at dawn, Tang Sanzang, weary and exhausted, could barely stay upright, nearly tumbling from the dragon horse’s back several times, which gave his companions quite a fright. They sought a secluded spot to rest and recover.

Meanwhile, Zhenyuanzi, having not slept a wink, was up before dawn. Without even a taste of breakfast, he summoned his disciple Zhu Keda and ordered, “Fetch the whip. Today, I will deal with Tang Sanzang.”

Zhu Keda fetched the whip, but on stepping outside, he was startled and rushed back, exclaiming, “Master, terrible news! The monk and his disciples fled last night!”

On hearing this, Zhenyuanzi gave a cold, mirthless laugh. “That shameless monkey! I thought he had some backbone, but to pull such a trick under my very nose! If I don’t teach him a lesson, the whole Three Realms will think Zhenyuanzi is an easy mark—unable even to handle a monkey!”

With that, he leapt upon a cloud and soared dozens of miles westward. Peering down, he saw the companions slumbering in a mountain hollow.

“Sun Wukong, where do you think you’re going? Return my ginseng fruits at once!” Zhenyuanzi alighted and shouted to them.

Zhu Bajie awoke with a start, and seeing it was Zhenyuanzi, cried, “We’re doomed—here comes that ancient fossil again!”

Sun Wukong sneered, “This old thing is too sure of himself—does he really think I’m afraid? Bajie, Sha, come, let’s fight! Wude, protect our master!”

Tang Sanzang, trembling, could only shrink back, but saw Bear Wufan standing guard with his black-tasseled spear, shielding him in a mountain corner.

Sha Monk wielded his demon-subduing staff, Zhu Bajie raised his nine-tooth rake, and Sun Wukong brandished his golden cudgel. The three shot into the air and surrounded Zhenyuanzi, launching into a chaotic melee.

Thanks to the ginseng fruit’s effects, Zhu Bajie and Sha Monk had regained their former powers as Marshal Tianpeng and Curtain-Lifting General. Together with Sun Wukong, they held Zhenyuanzi at bay for a full hour, neither side yielding.

“Universe in My Sleeve!” Zhenyuanzi resorted to his old trick, sweeping his robe wide and once again capturing the five monks, the horse, and all their luggage in a single motion, then returned to Wuzhuang Temple.

Back there, he bound Tang Sanzang to a low locust tree at the steps, tied Zhu Bajie, Sha Monk, and Bear Wufan to neighboring trees, and had Sun Wukong trussed tighter still, tossing him to the ground.

“Fetch sackcloth and wrap up Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Monk, and Bear Wufan—I’m going to deep-fry them!”

The disciples of Wuzhuang Temple bustled about, gathering firewood, setting up cauldrons, hauling oil. Soon the pot was set to boil, golden oil bubbling furiously.

“Master, the oil’s hot!” Zhu Keda announced as the oil began to spit.

“Bring Sun Wukong!” Zhenyuanzi knew only the monkey king had an indestructible body, so he singled him out to be fried first.

“Come, come, my good grandson! Coat your old grandpa in egg wash, dredge him in rice bran, and fry him till golden and crisp! Strain the oil after—a treat for young and old alike! Even the Wind God next door will be weeping with envy!” Sun Wukong shouted, deliberately causing a scene.

“Oh, Monkey Brother! Even now you’re cracking jokes with death upon you!” Zhu Bajie’s eyes grew red as Zhenyuanzi meant business.

“No matter, no matter! I haven’t bathed in five hundred years—now my dear grandsons can help scrub me clean!” Sun Wukong kept up his banter as twenty Daoists hoisted him and flung him into the cauldron. With a roaring splash, boiling oil flew, sending the young Daoists shrieking as they dodged the spatter.

Zhenyuanzi was secretly amazed at Wukong’s resilience, but maintained a stern face. “You may be invulnerable, monkey, but what of your master and brothers?”

At this, Sun Wukong leapt from the oil and rushed to confront Zhenyuanzi. “Old man, if you have any guts, come at me! Bullying the weak isn’t the act of a true immortal!”

“Sun Wukong!” Zhenyuanzi grabbed him by the collar and said solemnly, “I know your reputation and your skills. But today, you stole my ginseng fruit, then compounded your mischief—if I don’t punish you, the Three Realms will think I’m afraid of a mere monkey!”

Sun Wukong chuckled nervously. “Let’s be honest, Zhenyuanzi—this is all about losing face, isn’t it?”

“Hmph, say what you will!” Zhenyuanzi neither admitted nor denied it, but loosened his grip on Wukong’s collar.

Sun Wukong grinned. “The ginseng fruit is already eaten—you won’t get it back. But I can offer another treasure in exchange.”

“What treasure?”

“The Supreme Lord Laozi’s golden elixir!” Sun Wukong said with a laugh. “We ate five fruits; I’ll trade five golden elixirs in return!”

Zhenyuanzi was caught off guard by this offer. He considered, then replied, “Those golden elixirs are rare treasures, every bit the equal of my ginseng fruit or the Queen Mother’s peaches. How can you possibly have them?”

“That’s for me to know. If I bring you the elixirs, will you let us continue westward?”

“Agreed! If you truly have such fortune and deliver the elixirs, I’ll gladly swear brotherhood with you!” Zhenyuanzi declared without hesitation.

“Done! But until I return, treat my master and brothers well—good food, good care, every day!”

“Of course! But you must set a deadline. If you escape, where will I find you?” Zhenyuanzi released Tang Sanzang and the others, but pressed for a limit.

“Three days! I only need three days!” Sun Wukong held up three furry fingers, swearing earnestly.

“Very well—three days. I will trust you this once!” Zhenyuanzi’s gaze bore into him. “But if you fail to deliver in three days... then I shall punish you all, imprisoning you for years—let’s see if you ever reach the Western Heaven!”