Chapter Summaries

Hun Xiu captured Eastern Sovereign Taiyi and forced him to submit, then sent him to recruit Zhu Bajie for his plans. As Sun Wukong’s group approached Gao Family Village, Zhu Bajie’s disguise failed and his family rejected him, while the Scripture Pilgrim remained unaware of the forces gathering around him.

• Guanyin confronted Daoist Cihang, who returned the Brocade Kasaya and vanished after threatening to punish Guanyin for betraying Chanjiao.
• Hun Xiu summoned Eastern Sovereign Taiyi, compelled him to submit, and sent him a beam of light before dispatching him to Zhu Bajie’s cave.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi appeared before Zhu Bajie, frightened him into submission, and revealed his intention to recruit him and announce his return to the Three Realms.
• At Gao Family Village, Zhu Bajie’s transformation failed and Old Master Gao, Gao Cuilan, and the rest of the Gao Family saw his pig-headed form.
• Gao Cuilan called Zhu Bajie a Pig Demon and ordered him to leave the Gao Family.

After Gao Cuilan learned Zhu Bajie was a demon, she rejected him and joined the Gao Family in humiliating him. Zhu Bajie finally stopped her from striking him and declared he would leave the Gao Family, but vowed to show them what it meant to defy him.

• Gao Cuilan told Zhu Bajie she had never truly loved him and ordered him out of the Gao Family.
• Gao Cuilan shoved Zhu Bajie to the floor, and Old Master Gao struck his head with a teacup before ordering the household to beat him.
• Zhu Bajie roared, frightening the Gao Family members into stopping their attack.
• Gao Cuilan slapped Zhu Bajie and tried to strike him again, but he caught her wrist.
• Zhu Bajie caught Gao Cuilan's other wrist and declared he would leave the Gao Family and show them what it meant for a live-in son-in-law to turn the heavens upside down.

Zhu Bajie abducted Gao Cuilan and drove off the mages Old Master Gao hired to rescue her. Months later, Sun Wukong arrived at Cloud Stack Cave to subdue Zhu Bajie, who recognized him and mocked him as a stable keeper.

• Zhu Bajie took Gao Cuilan to Cloud Stack Cave and made her his lover, while she gradually forgot Ah Fu.
• Old Master Gao posted notices seeking mages to rescue Gao Cuilan, but the mages who entered Zhu Bajie's cave never returned.
• Tang Xuanzang and his companions reached Gao Family Village, and Sun Wukong went to Cloud Stack Cave to confront its demon.
• Zhu Bajie ignored Sun Wukong's calls while he was with Gao Cuilan, then came out with his Nine-Toothed Rake when Sun Wukong threatened to smash the doors.
• Sun Wukong identified himself as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and Zhu Bajie laughed and mocked him as a stable keeper.

Zhu Bajie overpowered Sun Wukong and nearly killed him, refusing Guanyin’s order to hold back. After Guanyin intervened, Zhu Bajie declared he would stay on Fuling Mountain, leaving Guanyin to suspect someone was backing him.

• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie fought, and Zhu Bajie gradually gained the advantage.
• Guanyin told Zhu Bajie that Sun Wukong was a Scripture Pilgrim, but Zhu Bajie struck him down and prepared to kill him.
• Guanyin appeared and sent Zhu Bajie flying with her Willow Branch, saving Sun Wukong.
• Sun Wukong thanked Guanyin, while Zhu Bajie said his mission was to rule Fuling Mountain and raise a family.
• Guanyin recalled Little White Dragon’s past defiance and asked Zhu Bajie whether someone was backing him.

Guanyin seized Zhu Bajie to force him to reveal his patron, but the Eastern Sovereign Bell intervened and revealed his connection to Eastern Sovereign Taiyi. The bell drew powerful figures from across the Three Realms, who began contesting its claim.

• Guanyin guessed that Zhu Bajie had a powerful patron, attacked him, and bound him with her Willow Branch.
• Zhu Bajie threatened Guanyin and called for his patron, prompting her to attack him to draw out the mysterious "Your Majesty."
• The Eastern Sovereign Bell appeared, shielded Zhu Bajie, and sent Guanyin and Sun Wukong flying, leaving Sun Wukong unconscious and Guanyin injured.
• Great Sun Tathagata Buddha recognized the bell, rushed to it, and revealed that he had once been Lu Ya, the son of Di Jun and nephew of Eastern Sovereign Taiyi.
• Randeng claimed that the Eastern Sovereign Bell was fated for the Buddhist Sect, while the gathered Great Powers rejected his claim and eyed the treasure.

The Three Realms' Great Powers rejected Randeng and Tathagata's demand that the Buddhist Sect claim the Eastern Sovereign Bell, with Zhenyuanzi and Ancestor Minghe leading their opposition. In the Heavenly Court, Hun Xiu warned that the bell's return could mean Eastern Sovereign Taiyi had also returned, leaving the gods fearing the rise of a Demon Court.

• Zhenyuanzi and the other Great Powers refused to hand the Eastern Sovereign Bell to the Buddhist Sect, while Randeng insisted they give the sect face.
• Taibai Jinxing asked Hun Xiu why the Heavenly Court had not joined the struggle for the bell, and Hun Xiu suggested its former owner, Eastern Sovereign Taiyi, had returned.
• The Heavenly Court's gods considered that Taiyi's return could rally the demons and lead to the rise of a Demon Court.
• Tathagata again demanded that the Great Powers give the Buddhist Sect face, but Ancestor Minghe challenged him and refused to yield.
• The Great Powers rallied behind Ancestor Minghe, standing together against the Buddhist Sect's claim to the Eastern Sovereign Bell.

Tathagata and Ancestor Minghe prepared to fight over the Eastern Sovereign Bell when Demon Master Kunpeng arrived and demanded that the others yield it to him. Kunpeng called on the other powers to unite against the Buddhist Sect, and Tathagata assembled seven Quasi-Saints to meet them.

• Tathagata challenged Ancestor Minghe, and the two prepared to fight as their auras clashed.
• Demon Master Kunpeng arrived, recognized the Eastern Sovereign Bell, and resolved to claim it so he could command the demons and rebuild the Demon Court.
• Kunpeng demanded that the other powers yield the bell, but Tathagata refused and Kunpeng challenged him to fight.
• Kunpeng urged Ancestor Minghe, Zhenyuanzi, and the other Great Powers to join forces against the Buddhist Sect before deciding who would take the bell.
• Tathagata summoned the Buddhist Sect's experts, including six Quasi-Saints and Mahavairocana Tathagata, bringing its deployed total to seven Quasi-Saints.

Mahavairocana Tathagata sensed Eastern Sovereign Taiyi’s living aura within the Eastern Sovereign Bell and revealed himself as the Demon Court’s Tenth Crown Prince. The possibility that Taiyi survived sent the Three Realms’ powers into alarm, and Demon Master Kunpeng fled in fear of facing him.

• Ancestor Minghe, Zhenyuanzi, and the other Great Powers agreed to join Demon Master Kunpeng against the Buddhist Sect.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata sensed Eastern Sovereign Taiyi’s fresh aura inside the Eastern Sovereign Bell and called out to his uncle.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata revealed that he was Little Tenth, the Demon Court’s Tenth Crown Prince.
• The Great Powers realized Eastern Sovereign Taiyi might still be alive, while Demon Master Kunpeng feared Taiyi would punish him for fleeing during the Witch-Demon War.
• Demon Master Kunpeng transformed into a Kunpeng and fled toward Demon Master Palace.

Eastern Sovereign Taiyi stopped Demon Master Kunpeng from fleeing, confirming to Kunpeng and Mahavairocana Tathagata that he had returned. Mahavairocana Tathagata left the Eastern Sovereign Bell behind, while Tathagata and the others hesitated over whether to claim it.

• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi struck Demon Master Kunpeng down as he tried to leave, and Kunpeng recognized his voice and realized he was alive.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata called out to his uncle, but Ancestor Minghe accused the Buddhist Sect of inventing the rumor to monopolize the Eastern Sovereign Bell.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata told Tathagata and the others that the bell already had an owner and that none of them could claim it, then departed.
• Tathagata and the others watched Mahavairocana Tathagata leave and struggled to decide whether to fight for the Eastern Sovereign Bell or go after him.
• Tathagata uttered a Buddhist chant after making his decision.

Mahavairocana Tathagata revealed that the Eastern Sovereign Bell belonged to his uncle, Eastern Sovereign Taiyi, who was still alive, prompting the Buddhist Sect to withdraw. The Buddhas agreed that Mahavairocana could offer Tathagata Buddha’s position as Present Buddha to recruit Taiyi, while at Fuling Mountain someone approached the Bell and triggered its power.

• Tathagata led the Buddhist Sect away from the Eastern Sovereign Bell, leaving Ancestor Minghe and Zhenyuanzi unsure whether to claim it.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata told the Buddhas that Eastern Sovereign Taiyi was alive and that the Bell’s appearance had been arranged by him.
• Randeng proposed recruiting Taiyi, and Mahavairocana explained that his proud uncle would not join the Buddhist Sect under ordinary terms.
• Tathagata agreed to give Taiyi the position of Present Buddha if Mahavairocana could persuade him to join.
• At Fuling Mountain, a great power approached the Eastern Sovereign Bell, which suddenly blazed with light and released a terrifying force.

Eastern Sovereign Taiyi returned with the Eastern Sovereign Bell and fought Ancestor Minghe to prove his identity. He pursued Demon Master Kunpeng, who fled toward the Heavenly Court, leaving Ancestor Minghe wounded and convinced that Taiyi was real.

• The Eastern Sovereign Bell destroyed a great power who approached it, then flew to Eastern Sovereign Taiyi as he appeared before Zhenyuanzi, Ancestor Minghe, and the others.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi reclaimed the bell and challenged Ancestor Minghe, who refused to believe that Taiyi had survived the Witch-Demon War.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi attacked Ancestor Minghe with True Sun Fire, and the two fought as the heavens and earth shook.
• Demon Master Kunpeng crawled from the ruins and tried to escape to the Heavenly Court, fearing Taiyi would kill him for betraying the Demon Court.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi drove Ancestor Minghe back and sent the Eastern Sovereign Bell after Demon Master Kunpeng, who broke free and fled as a great roc.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi transformed into a Three-legged Golden Crow and pursued Demon Master Kunpeng, while Ancestor Minghe spat blood and recognized Taiyi.

Eastern Sovereign Taiyi and Mahavairocana Tathagata cornered Demon Master Kunpeng, and Taiyi confronted him over his betrayal during the Witch-Demon War. Kunpeng submitted the Demon Master Palace to Haotian in hopes of protection, but Taiyi declared that no one could stop him from killing Kunpeng.

• Ancestor Minghe stayed to watch as Eastern Sovereign Taiyi pursued Demon Master Kunpeng.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata struck Kunpeng down, then reunited with his uncle, Eastern Sovereign Taiyi.
• Taiyi confronted Kunpeng about fleeing with the River Chart and Luo Book during the Witch-Demon War, and Kunpeng admitted he would make the same choice again.
• Kunpeng warned Taiyi that the times had changed and invoked Haotian's authority, then knelt and submitted the Demon Master Palace to the Heavenly Court.
• Taiyi dismissed Kunpeng's appeal to Haotian and declared that he would kill him.

Hun Xiu rescued Demon Master Kunpeng from Eastern Sovereign Taiyi and defeated Taiyi in battle, leaving the former ruler battered and weakened. Kunpeng then considered whether to take advantage of Taiyi’s helpless state and strike a finishing blow.

• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi attacked the kneeling Demon Master Kunpeng, who begged Hun Xiu and the Heavenly Court to save him.
• Hun Xiu appeared before Kunpeng and dispelled Taiyi’s flaming palm, declaring Kunpeng under his protection.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi transformed into his Three-legged Golden Crow form and attacked Hun Xiu.
• Hun Xiu struck Taiyi repeatedly with a mana whip until Taiyi’s True Sun Fire faded and he fell, badly wounded, to the ground.
• Demon Master Kunpeng sneered at the defeated Taiyi and wondered whether to deliver a finishing blow.

Hun Xiu stopped Kunpeng from killing the badly injured Eastern Sovereign Taiyi and forced Kunpeng to accept his place in the Heavenly Court. After the others left, Guanyin put a Golden Fillet on Zhu Bajie and used its spell to wake him with pain.

• Kunpeng tried to kill Eastern Sovereign Taiyi as he fell, but Hun Xiu struck Kunpeng and warned him not to interfere with his prey.
• Hun Xiu spared Kunpeng and reminded him that he was a member of the Heavenly Court; Kunpeng obeyed and flew north.
• Great Sun Tathagata carried the injured Eastern Sovereign Taiyi away, while the other Great Powers departed.
• Guanyin placed a Golden Fillet on the unconscious Zhu Bajie and chanted its spell, waking him and making him writhe in pain.
• Sun Wukong awoke, recognized Zhu Bajie's suffering from his own experience with a Tightening Hoop, and watched as Guanyin finally stopped chanting.

Guanyin forced Zhu Bajie to accept his role protecting Tang Sanzang, then secretly punished him and Sun Wukong when they prepared to fight. She ignored their pleas as they begged her to stop.

• Guanyin used the Golden Fillet Spell to make Zhu Bajie admit his mistake and agree to protect Tang Sanzang.
• Guanyin told Zhu Bajie to join Sun Wukong, then remained hidden to follow the Journey to the West.
• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie argued and drew their weapons, preparing to fight.
• Guanyin summoned two Daoists, who used the Golden Fillet Spell and Immobilization Spell to make Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie writhe in pain.
• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie admitted their mistakes and begged Guanyin to spare them, but she ignored them.

Guanyin stopped Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie from fighting by punishing them, then sent them back to traveling together. Zhu Bajie searched the ruins for Gao Cuilan but found no trace of her, while his return to Gao Family Village terrified Old Master Gao, who had just asked to eat Pig Demon meat.

• Guanyin ended her punishment only after Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie were nearly at death's door, and warned them not to fight again.
• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie agreed to get along peacefully, and Sun Wukong returned to Gao Family Village while Zhu Bajie searched the ruins for Gao Cuilan.
• Zhu Bajie found no trace of Gao Cuilan and left Fuling Mountain, believing she had died in the battle.
• Sun Wukong told Tang Xuanzang and Old Master Gao about what had happened, and Old Master Gao asked whether the village could eat Pig Demon meat.
• Zhu Bajie entered the hall, frightening Old Master Gao, who pleaded with Sun Wukong and Tang Xuanzang to subdue him.

Tang Xuanzang accepted Zhu Bajie as his disciple after Sun Wukong explained that Guanyin Bodhisattva had appointed him to join the Journey to the West. Old Master Gao kept asking to eat Zhu Bajie's meat, leaving Tang Xuanzang speechless as Zhu Bajie joined the group.

• Sun Wukong told Tang Xuanzang that Guanyin Bodhisattva had designated Zhu Bajie as his disciple, so he would not fight him even for extra payment.
• Old Master Gao begged Tang Xuanzang to protect him from Zhu Bajie, then asked whether he could still eat the Pig Demon’s meat.
• Zhu Bajie knelt before Tang Xuanzang, introduced himself as the disciple Guanyin had sent to protect him, and asked to be accepted.
• Tang Xuanzang accepted Zhu Bajie as his disciple and renamed him Zhu Wuneng, which Sun Wukong privately mocked.
• Old Master Gao tugged at Tang Xuanzang’s sleeve and asked when they could slaughter Zhu Bajie for his meat.

After Tang Xuanzang and his disciples left Gao Family Village, Old Master Gao realized they had taken Gao Cuilan with them. At Spirit Mountain, Eastern Sovereign Taiyi recovered with Mahavairocana Tathagata’s help, announced that he would rebuild the Demon Court, and urged his nephew to leave the Buddhist Sect before departing.

• Zhu Bajie frightened Old Master Gao into promising not to eat pork again, then Tang Xuanzang, Sun Wukong, and Zhu Bajie continued their Journey to the West.
• After the group left, Gao Fu reminded Old Master Gao that Gao Cuilan had gone with them, and Old Master Gao tried to chase after them but could not catch up.
• Mahavairocana Tathagata used supreme merit to heal the injured Eastern Sovereign Taiyi.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi rejected Mahavairocana Tathagata’s offer to join the Buddhist Sect and said he planned to rebuild the Demon Court with him.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi warned Mahavairocana Tathagata to leave the Buddhist Sect, then departed Spirit Mountain.

Eastern Sovereign Taiyi left Spirit Mountain after refusing to join the Buddhist Sect and headed for Beiju Luzhou. There, Demon Master Kunpeng clashed with Nine Infants over his alliance with the Heavenly Court, and their fight threatened to destroy the Demon Master Palace.

• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi rejected the Buddhist Sect’s offer, relieving Tathagata and frustrating Randeng and Maitreya, then departed for Beiju Luzhou.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi traveled to Beiju Luzhou, where Kunpeng and former Demon Court generals Nine Infants and Ghost Chariot had gathered the demons in the Demon Master Palace.
• Ghost Chariot challenged Kunpeng over submitting to the Heavenly Court, and Nine Infants called him Haotian’s dog and said he was unfit to lead the Demon Master Palace.
• Kunpeng and Nine Infants exchanged threats, unleashed their auras, and destroyed the hall as the other demons fled.
• Nine Infants refused to apologize to Kunpeng and demanded that he repent and cut ties with the Heavenly Court.

Demon Master Kunpeng confronted Nine Infants and Ghost Chariot, then fled rather than fight the two peak quasi-saints. As he congratulated himself on escaping, Eastern Sovereign Taiyi caught up with him and attacked while Haotian was absent.

• Demon Master Kunpeng declared that Nine Infants had to die for opposing Haotian, and Nine Infants condemned him for becoming Haotian’s lapdog.
• Ghost Chariot joined Nine Infants against Demon Master Kunpeng, who arrogantly claimed he could defeat them both.
• Demon Master Kunpeng transformed into a Great Peng and fled, while Nine Infants and Ghost Chariot watched in disbelief.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi appeared above the fleeing Demon Master Kunpeng and reminded him that Haotian was not there to protect him.
• Demon Master Kunpeng begged Eastern Sovereign Taiyi to wait, but Eastern Sovereign Taiyi struck him with a palm and sent him flying.