Chapter 93: At Anathapindika's Grove They Trace Old Causes; in the Tianzhu Kingdom Tripitaka Is Struck by the Embroidered Ball

When a thought first stirs, attachment is already born;
if feeling is kept, disaster is sure to come.
The bright spirit need not trouble itself over the Three Terraces;
when the work is complete, one returns of itself to the primal sea.
Whether one is to become immortal or Buddha,
all must be arranged within that hidden place.
Pure, clean, and stripped of dust,
the true fruit ripens, and one flies up to the upper realm.

Now then: when dawn came at the monastery, the monks found that Tripitaka and his three disciples were gone. They cried out in wonder, "We never asked them to stay, never bade them farewell, never even had time to seek their leave, and yet we have let a living Bodhisattva slip away cleanly." While they were speaking, a few local gentry from the southern gate came to invite them. The monks clapped their hands and said, "We failed to keep watch last night; tonight they have all ridden the clouds away." The whole crowd turned together toward the sky and bowed in thanks. Once the matter was told, all the officials and townsfolk in the city heard of it. The prominent households thereupon prepared five sacrificial animals, flowers, and fruit, and went to the monastery to make offerings and repay their debt of gratitude. We shall say no more of that.

Tripitaka and his party now traveled through wind and rain with peace in their hearts, and the road was smooth for more than half a month. One day they suddenly saw a high mountain ahead. Tripitaka again grew uneasy and said, "Disciples, the ridges ahead are steep and sheer. You must be careful."

Wukong laughed. "On this road we are close to Buddha's land. There is certainly no demon or evil spirit to fear. Master, set your heart at ease."

Tripitaka said, "Though Buddha's land is not far, the monks at the monastery told us that it is still two thousand li to the capital of Tianzhu. Who knows how many miles remain after that?"

Wukong said, "Master, how is it that you have again forgotten the Heart Sutra taught by the Chan master at Crow's Nest?"

Tripitaka said, "The Prajna Heart Sutra is my travel robe and alms bowl. Ever since that master taught it to me, on what day have I not recited it? At what hour have I forgotten it? I can even recite it in my sleep. How could I have forgotten?"

Wukong said, "You can recite it, Master, but you have not asked that master to explain it."

Tripitaka said, "Monkey, why do you say I have not understood it? Can you understand it?"

Wukong said, "I understand it. I understand it."

From that point on Tripitaka and Wukong spoke no more.

Zhu Bajie on the side nearly laughed himself over and Sha Wujing was delighted as well. Bajie said, "Blister lips, you and I were both born from the same sort of demon stock. We were not monks who had listened to scriptures in a chan hall or seen a Buddha preach anywhere. Yet you still put on airs and talk big, saying you 'understand' and 'know.' Why not just shut up? We are listening; please explain."

Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, do not be fooled by him. Senior Brother is only stretching the subject to make Master keep walking. He knows how to wield his staff; how would he know anything about scripture lectures?"

Tripitaka said, "Wukong, Wuneng, stop your wild talk. In truth, the Great Sage does understand what cannot be said in words or letters. That is true understanding."

As they were speaking, they had walked far and gone over several hills. By the roadside they soon saw a great monastery. Tripitaka said, "Wukong, there is a monastery ahead. Look at it; it is truly:

Not too large, not too small, yet its glazed tiles were blue and bright;
half new, half old, yet its eight-character wall was red.
In the distance green pines leaned like canopies, and who can say from what age they have stood there to this day?
We could hear water murmuring like a zither, and no one could tell from what dynasty the mountain had first been cut open and the place left behind.
Over the mountain gate was written in large characters, 'Gold-Spread Chan Monastery';
on the hanging plaque were the words, 'A Relic of Antiquity.'"

When Wukong saw the words "Gold-Spread Chan Monastery," Bajie also said, "Gold-Spread Chan Monastery." Tripitaka sat on his horse in deep thought and said, "Gold-Spread, gold-Spread - could this be the realm of Sravasti?"

Bajie said, "Master, how strange! I have followed you for years and never once seen the road clearly. Today you have found the road as well?"

Tripitaka said, "Not exactly. I have often read the scriptures and heard it said that the Buddha dwelt in Jeta Grove near Sravasti.

That grove, they say, was bought by Anathapindika for the crown prince so he might invite the Buddha to preach. The crown prince said, 'I will not sell this grove unless it is covered from end to end with gold.' When Anathapindika heard this, he laid gold bricks across the whole ground and only then bought Jeta Grove from the prince and invited the World-Honored One to teach the Dharma.

I am wondering whether this Gold-Spread Monastery may not be that very story."

Bajie laughed. "What fortune! If it really is that story, we ought to pry loose a brick or two and take them home as keepsakes."

The whole company laughed for a while before Tripitaka finally dismounted.

When they had passed through the mountain gate, they saw porters with packs, travelers with bundles, and cart-pushers all sitting under the eaves. Some were sleeping, some were talking. When they saw the four of them - the master handsome, the three disciples ugly - they all drew back in fear and made room for them. Tripitaka was afraid of causing trouble and kept saying over and over, "Be civil, be civil."

At once everyone became more restrained. As they turned behind the Hall of the Vajras, a chan monk came out. He did not look like an ordinary monk. Truly:

His face was like a full moon in its brightness, his body like the bodhi tree.
His staff sleeves stirred the wind, and his straw sandals trod the stone road.

Tripitaka bowed in greeting. The monk returned the courtesy quickly and said, "From where does the reverend master come?"

Tripitaka said, "This disciple, Chen Xuanzang, has been sent by the emperor of Great Tang in the Eastern Land to journey to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures. I passed by your precious place by chance and have come to pay my respects. I only ask to borrow a night's lodging, and tomorrow we will be on our way."

The monk said, "This wild mountain is a common monastery of the ten directions. You may all make yourselves at home. Besides, the reverend master is a sacred monk from the Eastern Land; it is our good fortune to be able to provide you with offerings."

Tripitaka thanked him, then called his three companions inside. After they had passed through the corridor by the incense kitchen and entered the abbot's room, greetings were exchanged and the hosts and guests took their seats. Wukong and the others also folded their hands and sat in attendance.

Word spread through the monastery that monks from Great Tang in the Eastern Land had arrived to seek the scriptures. Young and old alike, whether resident monks, guest monks, senior monks, or novice attendants, all came one by one to pay their respects. After the tea was finished, the vegetarian meal was brought out. The elder was still opening his meal and chanting the customary verse when Bajie was already in a hurry, and with one sweep he sent down steamed buns, vegetarian dishes, and clear noodle soup without pause.

The abbot's room was full of people. Some with discernment praised Tripitaka's dignified bearing; others, who liked a spectacle, stared at Bajie while he ate. Sha Wujing saw what was going on and secretly pinched Bajie, saying, "Be civil."

Bajie was startled and cried out, "Be civil, be civil. My belly is empty."

Sha Wujing laughed. "Second Brother, you do not understand. There are many kinds of civility in the world. If one speaks of the civility inside the belly, it is exactly the same for you and me."

Only then was Bajie willing to stop. Tripitaka finished the meal-opening verse, the monks cleared away the tables, and Tripitaka thanked them all.

When the monks asked about the cause of his journey from the East, Tripitaka told them of the ancient trace and then asked about the origin of the name Gold-Spread Monastery. The monk answered, "This monastery was once the temple of Anathapindika in the kingdom of Sravasti, also called Jeta Grove. Because Anathapindika invited the Buddha to preach here and laid gold bricks across the ground, it received its present name.

From where our monastery stands, the old kingdom of Sravasti once lay before it. At that time Anathapindika was living in Sravasti, and our wild mountain was the site of that old Jeta Grove. That is why the place is called Gold-Spread Chan Monastery. Behind the monastery there are still the remains of Jeta Grove.

In recent years, whenever a season of heavy rain comes down, gold and silver beads sometimes wash out of the earth. Those with good fortune often pick them up."

Tripitaka said, "The story is no false tale. It is true indeed."

He then asked, "As we came into this precious mountain, we saw many mule carts and merchant caravans resting under the two side corridors by the gate. Why are they staying here?"

The monks said, "Our mountain is called Hundred-Leg Mountain. In former years it was peaceful enough, but lately, with the turning of the seasons, somehow several centipede spirits have appeared. They often lurk beneath the road and injure people. They do not usually kill, but people are truly afraid to pass. At the foot of the mountain there is a pass called Rooster-Crow Pass. Only when the cock crows do people dare go through.

Those merchants came too late and feared the road would be inconvenient, so they borrowed a night on our wild mountain and plan to leave after the cock crows."

Tripitaka said, "Then we shall wait for the cock crows before setting out as well."

As they were speaking, the monks brought another meal, and the four of them ate it to the end.

By then the crescent moon hung bright in the sky. Tripitaka and Wukong strolled by moonlight. A lay brother came to report, saying, "Our elder wishes to meet the Zhonghua visitors."

Tripitaka turned and saw an old monk, staff in hand, bowing toward him. The elder monk said, "Is this the master who has come from Zhonghua?"

Tripitaka returned the greeting. "I dare not accept such praise."

The old monk praised him warmly and asked, "How old is the reverend master?"

Tripitaka said, "I have lived through forty-five years. May I ask the abbot's noble age?"

The old monk smiled. "I am sixty years older than the master."

Wukong said, "That makes you one hundred and five this year. And how old am I, then?"

The old monk said, "The master's face is antique and your spirit is clear. Besides, in the moonlight my eyes are not sharp, so I cannot make it out at once."

After a while he led them to the rear corridor and looked about. Tripitaka said, "You spoke of the site of Anathapindika's Grove just now. Where exactly is it?"

The old monk said, "Outside the rear gate. Open the gate quickly."

When the gate was opened, there was only an empty stretch of ground and a few broken stone foundations. Tripitaka joined his hands and sighed:

"I remember the old benefactor Sudatta,
who once spent his golden treasure to save the poor and the sick.
Jeta Grove has preserved its name through the ages,
but where now is the old benefactor to keep company with the awakened?"

He and the others admired the moon as they walked slowly along. When they reached the rear gate and climbed onto the platform, they sat there for a while. Then they suddenly heard a sound of crying. Tripitaka listened closely and heard a voice lamenting that it did not know its father and mother and did not know suffering or pain.

His heart turned with pity, and tears came before he knew it. He asked the monks, "Who is crying, and where?"

The old monk, seeing the question, first told the other monks to go make tea. When everyone else had left, he bowed to Tripitaka and Wukong.

Tripitaka helped him up and said, "Why does the elder make such a bow?"

The old monk said, "This disciple is already more than a hundred years old and has seen a little of the world. In stillness and meditation I have also seen a few things. If the master and his disciples are willing, I can tell you a little of them. They are not like what others know. But if we speak of that sorrowful matter, only this reverend master can clearly tell one from another."

Wukong said, "Then speak. What matter is it?"

The old monk said, "On this day last year, while this disciple was in the brightness of nature and moonlight, I suddenly heard a gust of wind and then a voice of grief and complaint. I got up from my mat and looked at the Jeta Grove foundation. There I found a young woman of lovely and proper bearing. I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you, and why have you come to this place?'

The woman said, 'I am the princess of the Tianzhu Kingdom. I was viewing flowers beneath the moon when the wind swept me here.'

I locked her in a shabby side room and built the room into something like a prison. On the door I left only a small opening, just large enough to pass in a bowl. That same day I told the monks, "She is an evil thing. I have trapped her." But our monastic way is one of mercy, and we would not take her life. Each day I gave her two plain meals of rough tea and coarse rice so that she could keep body and soul together.

The woman was clever and understood my meaning. Fearing the common monks might defile her, she pretended to be wild and strange: she slept in filth, lay in filth, and spoke nonsense in the daytime, acting slow and dull. But when the night was still, she would think of her father and mother and cry. Several times I came into the city to inquire about the princess's affairs, but no harm had ever come to her. For that reason I kept her locked away and would not let her out.

Now, happily, the reverend master has come to the kingdom. When you reach the capital, I beg you to put forth your power and make a clear judgment. First, rescue the good; second, let your sacred powers be made known."

Tripitaka and Wukong heard this and took it deeply to heart.

Just then two little monks came to invite them to tea and rest, then went away. Bajie and Sha Wujing were in the abbot's room grumbling, "Tomorrow we must leave at cockcrow, and still they have not come to sleep."

Wukong said, "You fool, what are you muttering about?"

Bajie said, "Go to sleep. It is so late at night; what scenery are you hoping to see?"

The old monk then dismissed the company, and Tripitaka lay down. Truly:

When people are still, the moon sinks, and flowers dream in silence; warm breezes thread softly through the gauze at the windows.
The copper clepsydra drops its measured beads, while the Silver River shines clear across the ninefold radiance.

That night he had not slept long before he heard the cock crow. The merchants in front all rose at once, lit lamps, and prepared breakfast. The elder called Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing to wake up, gather the horse, and pack the luggage, while Wukong ordered a lamp brought.

The monks had already risen and prepared tea, soup, and snacks, waiting in back to see them off. Bajie was delighted; after eating a whole tray of steamed buns, he led out the luggage and horses. Tripitaka and Wukong thanked the whole company.

The old monk then said to Wukong, "The matter of sorrow is in your heart. Keep it in your heart."

Wukong laughed. "I accept your instruction, I accept your instruction. Once I reach the capital, I can listen to sounds and judge the matter, observe the face and distinguish the color."

The noisy merchants all shouted and started together onto the road. It was about the time of yin, and they crossed Rooster-Crow Pass. By the time it was si, the city walls came into view. Truly it was a fortified bronze jar and golden city, a heavenly treasury of the divine realm:

The city crouched like a tiger and coiled like a dragon, lofty in its strength;
phoenix towers and qilin pavilions shimmered with colorful light.
The royal canal flowed like a girdle of jade;
the blessed land leaned against the hills and thrust up its embroidered markers.
Morning sun brightened the road of banners and sedan chairs;
spring wind and flute and drum filled every bridge and ravine.
The king was righteous, the robes and caps splendid;
the grain was plentiful, and the people showed their handsome strength.

That day they entered from the east market street, and the merchants each went to their inns. When Tripitaka and his party came into the city, they found an exchange hostel, and he went straight into the relay station. The officer in charge immediately reported to the station master, "Four strange monks have come in outside, and they have brought a white horse."

The station master, hearing of the horse, knew at once that they must be government guests, so he came out to greet them. Tripitaka bowed and said, "This poor monk is an imperial envoy of the Great Tang in the Middle Kingdom of the Southern Continent, traveling west to the Great Thunderclap Monastery to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures. I carry a travel pass and come to present it at court for verification. I ask only to borrow your high station for a while, and when the matter is done, we shall depart."

The station master returned the greeting and said, "This office was built precisely to receive visiting envoys. You are most welcome. Please come in, please come in."

Tripitaka was overjoyed and called his disciples to come and meet him.

The station master saw that their faces were hideous and was secretly frightened, not knowing whether they were men or ghosts. Trembling, he could only offer tea and set out a vegetarian meal. Seeing his fear, Tripitaka said, "Sir, do not be alarmed. Though my three disciples are ugly in appearance, their hearts are all good. As the saying goes, 'An ugly face may yet hide a good man.' Why should you be afraid?"

At these words the station master finally steadied himself and asked, "Holy master, where is the Tang kingdom?"

Tripitaka said, "In the land of the Middle Kingdom of the Southern Continent."

The station master asked, "When did you leave home?"

Tripitaka said, "In the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. Now fourteen years have passed. We have endured countless rivers and mountains before reaching this place."

The station master said, "Sacred monk, sacred monk!"

Tripitaka asked, "How old is your kingdom?"

The station master said, "This humble land is the Great Tianzhu Kingdom. From the time of the founding ancestors until now, it has already been more than five hundred years. The grandfather of the present ruler loves mountains, waters, flowers, and blossoms. He was called Emperor Yizong, and he changed the reign title to Jingyan. It has now been twenty-eight years."

Tripitaka said, "Today I should go to the palace to exchange my pass. I wonder if I may have audience with the court?"

The station master said, "Good, good. Just now is the best time. Recently, because the king's princess has reached the age of twenty and remains unmarried, a tall decorated tower has been raised at the crossroads to throw an embroidered ball and summon a husband from the sky. Today happens to be the height of the festivities. I think the king has not yet risen from court; if you want to exchange your pass, this would be the time to go."

Tripitaka was delighted and was ready to leave. Just then the vegetarian meal was set out, so he ate with the station master and the others.

By then noon had passed. Tripitaka said, "I should go now."

Wukong said, "I will accompany Master."

Bajie said, "I will go."

Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, enough. Your face is so unmistakable; do not go swaggering around outside the palace gate. Better let Senior Brother go."

Tripitaka said, "Brother Sha speaks well. The fool is too rough; Wukong is still more tactful."

The fool puckered his mouth and said, "Except for Master, the faces of the three of us are not all that different."

Tripitaka donned his cassock, and Wukong took his carrying satchel and went with him.

On the streets they saw scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, writers, fools, and common folk all crowding together and saying, "To see the embroidered ball thrown!"

Tripitaka stood by the roadside and said to Wukong, "The people, the dress, the palaces and furnishings, even their speech and conversation - all of it is much like Great Tang. I think back to my mother in lay life. She too was once matched through an embroidered ball, and that became her old marriage bond and led to her becoming a wife. This place has such a custom as well."

Wukong said, "Shall we go and look?"

Tripitaka said, "No, no. The clothes we wear are not suitable. It may lead to suspicion."

Wukong said, "Master, have you forgotten what the old monk at Gold-Spread Chan Monastery said? First, we should go look at the colored tower; second, we should distinguish the true from the false. In such haste, the emperor must be listening for the princess's joyful news and will not be looking after affairs of state. Let us go on."

Tripitaka heard that and truly went with Wukong. They saw all kinds of people standing there watching the ball toss. Ah! Who knew that this journey would be like this:

The fisherman set down hook and line, and from that day fished up trouble instead.

Now it should be explained that the Tianzhu king, because he loved mountains, waters, flowers, and blossoms, had taken the queen and princesses into the imperial garden in the year before last to enjoy the moon. There he had stirred up a demon, which carried off the real princess, while that creature transformed itself into a false princess. Knowing that Tripitaka would arrive on this very year, month, day, and hour, it used the wealth of the kingdom to raise a colored tower and wished to choose Tripitaka as its mate, in order to steal the primal yang true energy and thereby become a Great Ultimate immortal.

At the third quarter of the hour of noon, Tripitaka and Wukong mixed into the crowd and moved close beneath the tower. Only then did the princess burn incense, pray to heaven and earth, and offer her vows. On either side stood fifty or sixty jeweled ladies in embroidered dress, each holding an embroidered ball. The tower had eight delicate windows. The princess turned her eyes and saw Tripitaka drawing near. She took up the embroidered ball herself and threw it straight at his head.

Tripitaka was startled. His Pilu cap was knocked askew, and he hurried with both hands to catch the ball. It rolled down and lodged in his sleeve. From the tower came a cry all at once: "The monk has been hit! The monk has been hit!"

At the crossroads the merchants and others surged forward in a crowd to seize the ball. Wukong gave a shout, shook his teeth, bent his waist, and grew until he was three zhang tall, a divine figure showing his ugly face. That frightened the crowd into stumbling and scrambling away, and in an instant the people scattered. Wukong then returned to his true form.

The embroidered ladies, palace maids, and young eunuchs on the tower all came to bow before Tripitaka and said, "Honored guest, honored guest, please enter court to celebrate the good news."

Tripitaka hurried to return the bow and helped them all up. Then he turned and reproached Wukong. "You monkey, you are at it again, tricking me."

Wukong laughed. "The embroidered ball hit your head and rolled into your sleeve. What does that have to do with me? Why blame me?"

Tripitaka said, "What am I to do now?"

Wukong said, "Master, do not worry. Go first to court and see the ruler. I will return to the station to tell Bajie and Sha Wujing to wait. If the princess does not choose you, then all is well and once the pass is exchanged we can be on our way. If she insists on choosing you, then tell the king, 'Summon my disciples. I must give them one word of instruction.' Then when the three of us are summoned, I can tell true from false. This is a monster-subduing plan based on the marriage."

Tripitaka had no choice but to follow his advice, and Wukong turned back toward the station.

The elder was escorted by the crowd of palace maids to the tower front. The princess came down the stairs, took him by the jade hand, and went with him into the jeweled carriage, where the ceremonial entourage was already drawn up, and turned back toward the palace gate. The Yellow Gate officer had already gone ahead to report, "Your Majesty, the princess is helping a monk. The embroidered ball must have struck him, and he now waits for the imperial command outside the Noon Gate."

When the king heard this, he was not pleased and meant to drive him away. Yet he did not know what the princess intended, so he could only suppress his feelings and order the monk to be brought in.

The princess and Tripitaka went beneath the Golden Luan Hall. Truly:

A pair of would-be spouses cried out "Long live the king,"
while two houses, good and evil, bowed together for the spring and autumn of a lifetime.

After the ceremony was finished, they were summoned onto the hall. The king asked, "Monk, where do you come from, that my daughter happened to throw and strike you?"

Tripitaka knelt and reported, "This poor monk was sent by the emperor of Great Tang in the Southern Continent to the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures. Because I carry a long-distance travel pass, I came especially to your court to have it exchanged. By chance I passed beneath the colored tower at the crossroads, and unexpectedly the princess threw the embroidered ball and hit this poor monk on the head. I am a man who has left home and follows another faith; how could I dare become the mate of a precious branch and jade leaf? I beg Your Majesty to spare this poor monk from death, exchange the pass, and send me quickly on to Lingshan, where I may bow before the Buddha and seek the scriptures. In that way I shall forever remember Your Majesty's heavenly grace."

The king said, "You are a holy monk from the Eastern Land. This is truly a marriage set by a thread from a thousand li away. My princess has now reached twenty and is not yet married. Since this day, month, and hour are all favorable, we raised the colored tower and threw the ball to find a suitable match. It so happened that you were struck. Though I am not pleased, I do not know what the princess intends."

The princess kowtowed and said, "Father king, as the saying goes, when you marry the rooster, follow the rooster; when you marry the dog, follow the dog. I made a vow long ago. After the ball was thrown, I prayed before heaven and the spirits of the earth and cast it under heaven's command. Today the ball struck this holy monk, which means that in a former life there was already a bond, and now in this life we have met. How could I dare change it? I beg to take him as my prince consort."

The king was immediately delighted and ordered the chief astrologer to choose an auspicious date. He also gave instructions for the trousseau to be prepared and issued a proclamation to the realm.

Tripitaka, hearing this, offered no further thanks, only cried, "Pardon me! Pardon me!"

The king said, "This monk does not understand reason. I use the wealth of my kingdom to make you my prince consort, and yet why will you not stay here and enjoy it? You keep saying only that you want to seek the scriptures. If you refuse again, I shall have the armored guards drag you out and behead you."

The elder was so frightened that his soul seemed ready to fly away. Trembling, he knocked his head to the floor and reported, "I am deeply moved by Your Majesty's heavenly grace. But this poor monk has four companions in all, and three disciples are still outside. Now I must accept your command, but I have not yet had a chance to tell them a single word. I beg Your Majesty to summon them here so that the pass can be exchanged and they may depart early, lest the western journey be delayed."

The king agreed and said, "Where are your disciples?"

Tripitaka said, "They are all at the exchange hostel."

At once he sent officers to summon the holy monk's disciples so that they could receive the travel pass and go west, leaving the holy monk here as prince consort. The elder had no choice but to rise and stand by. There is a poem to prove it:

The great elixir must not leak if the three are to be complete;
hard practice is hard indeed, and evil ties are bitter.
The Way lies in the holy teaching, but cultivation depends on oneself;
goodness is gathered by men, while blessing is bestowed by Heaven.
Do not flaunt the greedy senses and their desires;
suddenly open the one nature that is your original source.
Without craving, without thought, all is pure and calm;
thus shall one be freed and rise beyond the ordinary.

Just then the officers were sent to the exchange hostel to summon Tripitaka's disciples, but we shall not linger on that.

Wukong, meanwhile, had taken leave of Tripitaka at the foot of the colored tower and walked a few paces away, laughing now and then, delighted all the way back to the station. Bajie and Sha Wujing met him and asked, "Brother, why are you smiling like that? Where is Master?"

Wukong said, "Master is pleased."

Bajie said, "We have not yet reached our destination, nor have we seen the Buddha or brought the scriptures back. What is there to be pleased about?"

Wukong laughed. "Master and I had only gone as far as the colored tower at the crossroads, when the princess of this court happened to throw an embroidered ball and strike Master. The monk was then pushed and surrounded by palace maids, embroidered ladies, and eunuchs to the front of the tower. He rode back to court with the princess and was chosen as prince consort. Why would that not be a joy?"

When Bajie heard this, he stamped his feet and beat his chest. "If only I had gone! It was all because Sha Wujing was too lazy. If you had not stopped me, I would have gone straight under that tower, and if the embroidered ball had struck me instead, the princess would have chosen me. Would that not have been beautiful? Handsome, striking, and properly made up - everyone would have been delighted. What fun that would have been!"

Sha Wujing came up and wiped his face. "No shame, no shame. What a mouth you have. You are like a cheap mule bought for three taels of silver - always boasting that you can be ridden. If an embroidered ball had really struck you, they would have had to burn paper charms all night just to send the bad luck away. Who would dare let that sort of misery into the house?"

Bajie said, "You black-faced fool know nothing. Ugly is ugly, but there is still a flavor to it. As the old saying goes, 'Rough flesh and a sturdy frame each have something to recommend them.'"

Wukong said, "Enough nonsense, fool. Pack the luggage for now. Master may grow anxious and send for us, and then we can go into court to protect him."

Bajie said, "Brother, you are wrong again. If Master has become prince consort and is inside the palace enjoying himself with the emperor's daughter, it is not like climbing mountains or walking roads, or encountering demons and monsters, where he needs our protection. He is of such an age - does he not know what belongs under the covers? Why would he need you to hold him up?"

Wukong seized his ear, whirled his fist, and cursed, "You lustful lout! What filthy nonsense are you spouting?"

Just then the station master came running in to report, "His Majesty has issued an order. Officers have been sent to invite the three holy monks."

Bajie said, "Why exactly are they inviting us?"

The station master said, "The old sacred monk has happily met the princess's embroidered ball and has been chosen as prince consort. That is why the officers have come to invite you."

Wukong said, "Where are the officers? Send them in."

When the officer saw Wukong, he bowed. But after the salute he did not dare lift his head, only muttering to himself, "Is he a ghost? A monster? A thunder god? A yaksha?"

Wukong said, "Sir officer, if you have words to speak, why do you stand there hesitating?"

The officer was so flustered that he held the imperial edict with both hands and babbled, "My princess has invited the in-laws. My lord has invited the in-laws."

Bajie said, "We have no punishment tools here. We will not beat you. Speak slowly and do not be afraid."

Wukong said, "Who said we are afraid of your beating? We are afraid of your face. Hurry up and gather the luggage, lead the horse, and go into court to meet Master and discuss matters."

This is just what is meant by:

When the road narrows, there is no avoiding the meeting;
fate will turn favor and love into an enemy at once.

As for what was said when they saw the king, that must wait for the next chapter to tell.