Chapter 7 Seven: Return to the Western Sea, Greetings to the Old Dragon King

After breakfast, Tang Sanzang tidied his appearance and instructed Hu Rong to bring the white horse. The two of them set off westward once more, with the tiny-haired Wukong following behind, still carrying the loads.

By then, the sun had risen, its warm light dispelling the chill of early autumn, leaving everyone feeling comfortably warm. As they rode, Tang Sanzang asked Hu Rong, “Wukong, I saw you airing out a tiger skin earlier, but now it’s nowhere to be seen. What happened to it?”

Hu Rong smiled. “Master, you have no idea. The road to the Western Paradise is long and uncertain. I kept that tiger skin because, if you ever become hungry, it can be traded for a vegetarian meal along the way.”

Hearing this, Tang Sanzang was secretly delighted. He thought to himself how considerate his eldest disciple was, and grew even more satisfied with him. Even the disciple’s body covered in golden monkey fur seemed more pleasing to his eyes.

Nodding to himself, Tang Sanzang then asked, “By the way, Wukong, how did you manage to slay that tiger last night? I didn’t see you carry any formidable weapons.”

Hu Rong chuckled, then produced an embroidery needle from his ear, pinching it between two fingers as he spoke to Tang Sanzang: “Master, I do have a weapon, but to deal with that beastly creature, I didn’t even need to use it.”

“Oh? And what is this?” Tang Sanzang looked at the embroidery needle in Hu Rong’s hand, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Wukong, don’t try to fool me. Isn’t this just an old woman’s embroidery needle? How could it possibly be your weapon?”

Hu Rong didn’t try to hide anything. He immediately enlarged the embroidery needle until it became a staff as tall as his eyebrows, then grasped it and swung it a few times before replying, “Master, this is the weapon your disciple uses. I obtained it from the Dragon Palace in the Eastern Sea. It was once the Sea-Stabilizing Iron Staff used by Yu the Great to control the floods. Now, in my hands, it is known as the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod!

Five hundred years ago, when I caused chaos in Heaven, I carried it with me everywhere. It can grow large or shrink small, exactly as I wish! Just now, I disguised it as an embroidery needle and hid it in my ear. When needed, I take it out to help clear the path for you on your journey to obtain the scriptures!”

When Tang Sanzang saw the embroidery needle transform into a tall staff in Hu Rong’s hand, he was stunned, and deeply moved by Hu Rong’s words. He studied the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod carefully, then sighed in awe, “Amitabha, I never imagined my disciple would possess such a divine weapon. With this, I need no longer fear tigers, wolves, or other beasts on the road ahead. Truly, the Buddha watches over us!”

Ah, but that’s only because you haven’t yet encountered any true monsters—when you do, you’ll see whether the Buddha is protecting you or setting you up, for there are some demons even I can’t handle…

But Hu Rong could only keep these thoughts to himself. Out loud, he said to Tang Sanzang, “To tell you the truth, Master, not just tigers—even a dragon would not dare be disrespectful in my presence! The heavens can’t block my sight, and the earth cannot bury my heart! From this day forth, I wish only to stay by your side, slaying demons and clearing the way through all eighty-one tribulations that await us!”

Tang Sanzang was even more convinced that, under Hu Rong’s protection, his journey to the Western Paradise would go smoothly, and so, reassured, he pressed on with fewer worries.

Before long, however, Tang Sanzang sensed something amiss and turned to ask, “Wukong, what are these eighty-one tribulations you mentioned?”

“Uh… Master, I don’t know either!”

“Don’t know? What do you mean by that?”

“Um… It’s the name of a little island near Holy Mountain in the West. It’s called ‘Don’t Know’... Legend has it that a monk named ‘Don’t Know’ cultivates there, and with nine on his left hand and nine on his right, he claims ‘nine times nine is eighty-one’…”

“Oh? Is that so? Wukong, are you trying to deceive me?”

“Your disciple is upright and law-abiding, and would never utter a single falsehood…” Having said this, Hu Rong thought to himself: Because not a word out of my mouth is true…

…

The master and disciple walked and talked as the sun rose to its zenith. Feeling parched, Tang Sanzang looked up at the sky and remarked, “Wukong, I’m feeling a little weary. Let’s find a shady spot to rest and escape the heat.”

So demanding!

Hu Rong curled his lip but replied, “Of course.” He hurried to the white horse, helped Tang Sanzang down, and led him to rest beneath a large tree. “Master, you must be thirsty. I’ll fetch you some cool water.”

Tang Sanzang nodded. “Wukong, be quick. Don’t become distracted by the scenery and forget your master is waiting here.”

“Yes, Master.” Hu Rong took the Golden-Hooped Rod from his ear and drew a circle on the ground around Tang Sanzang. “Master, this is a demon-warding circle. No evil spirit or monster can cross it. Just wait here inside until I return.”

With that, Hu Rong took the purple-gold alms bowl, leapt up with a somersault, and disappeared into the sky in the blink of an eye.

When he reappeared, he was already above the vast Western Sea. He surveyed the waves and thought to himself:

“In a few days, I’ll probably run into the White Dragon. The little White Dragon is the Crown Prince of the Western Sea, condemned to death for burning a precious pearl, but spared through Guanyin’s intervention and transformed into the White Dragon Horse, joining the scripture-seeking party. In truth, all of this was a Buddhist calculation from the beginning—a scheme to provide Tang Monk with a mount. But the Western Sea Dragon King doesn’t know that yet! So why not take the opportunity to ask the old Dragon King for some benefits?”

With that thought, Hu Rong formed a water-avoiding seal and plunged headfirst into the sea, parting the waters as he swam toward the ocean floor. As he went, a patrolling Yaksha suddenly appeared and blocked his path, demanding, “Who goes there, parting the waters? State your name so I can report your arrival!”

Hu Rong replied, “Fool, has it been so long you can’t even recognize your Grandpa Sun from Flower-Fruit Mountain?”

At the mention of Grandpa Sun from Flower-Fruit Mountain, the Yaksha hurriedly dove into the Crystal Palace to report, “Your Majesty, disaster! The Monkey King who created havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago has returned!”

The Western Sea Dragon King Ao Run was so startled he dropped his wine cup. Leaping to his feet, he cried, “The Monkey King has escaped from Five Elements Mountain! He must be here for revenge—what should we do?”

Prime Minister Turtle spoke up, “Your Majesty, I don’t believe the Monkey King is here for revenge. Instead, he seems more like an old friend paying a visit.”

Ao Run was puzzled. “Why do you say that?”

Prime Minister Turtle explained, “With the Monkey King’s temperament, if he was truly here for revenge, would he calmly wait for a Yaksha to report his arrival? I think, Your Majesty, you should receive him with proper courtesy, and do your best to satisfy any requests he makes.”

Ao Run found this reasoning sound, so he led his sons, grandsons, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals out of the palace to welcome the guest. “We did not know the Great Sage was coming and failed to greet you sooner. Please forgive us and come inside!”

After all, no one strikes a smiling visitor. Hu Rong exchanged a few pleasantries, then followed the Dragon King into the palace and took the seat of honor. After sipping some tea, he heard Ao Run ask, “May I ask, Great Sage, what brings you to the Crystal Palace today?”

Hu Rong set down his cup and, noticing the uneasy faces all around, realized that his previous self, Sun Wukong, had truly terrified them. Smiling, he replied, “Old Dragon King, there’s no need to be afraid. I’m not here to rob you today—I’ve come to discuss something important.”

Ao Run was somewhat surprised. Since being suppressed by the Buddha, this monkey seemed to have grown more polite. He relaxed a little and said, “Great Sage, please speak plainly about your purpose here.”

Hu Rong smiled, glanced at the Dragon King, who was doing his best to appear calm, and then leaned in to whisper, “Old Dragon King, do you remember you still have a third son?”