Chapter Summaries

Lingji Bodhisattva revealed how Fuban manipulated Great King Yellow Wind and explained the calamity in the Sihali Kingdom. Xuanzang challenged the Buddhist and heavenly authorities for standing by while the people suffered, then vowed to save them himself.

• Lingji Bodhisattva explained that Fuban emerged after Great King Yellow Wind broke the vow-power seal and revealed that Fuban had wounded him and deceived the king.
• Lingji Bodhisattva told Great King Yellow Wind that Fuban had meant to turn the people into demon soldiers, but the king's resentment had suppressed the demon's spirit and taken control of its body.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva said the causes and consequences were settled and asked Lingji Bodhisattva to take Great King Yellow Wind back to Lesser Mount Sumeru.
• Xuanzang challenged Lingji Bodhisattva and Taibai Jinxing over why the gods and Buddhas had left the Sihali Kingdom to suffer.
• Xuanzang told Great King Yellow Wind that he would save the people if the gods and Buddhas would not.

Xuanzang traveled to the Sihali Kingdom and used his own blood, carried by Great King Yellow Wind’s divine wind, to cleanse the rat-people of their demonic curse. After restoring the kingdom’s people to human form, Xuanzang collapsed in Sun Wukong’s arms, apparently near death.

• Xuanzang asked Great King Yellow Wind to take him to the Sihali Kingdom, while Guanyin Bodhisattva and Lingji Bodhisattva watched him depart.
• Great King Yellow Wind showed Xuanzang the ruined kingdom and confessed that its people had lost their minds after becoming rat demons.
• Xuanzang cut his hand, asked Great King Yellow Wind to spread his blood through the kingdom, and chanted as his Buddha Wheels infused the blood mist with purifying power.
• The rat-people shed their demonic forms and regained their humanity as Xuanzang vowed to rescue beings suffering karmic retribution.
• Xuanzang’s Buddha Wheels shattered, and he collapsed into Sun Wukong’s arms after saying, “Look... they... are human.”

Xuanzang died after saving the Sihali Kingdom, but Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Mani Jewel preserved his true spirit and Guanyin restored his body at the cost of damage to her golden body. Lingji Bodhisattva recognized his wrongdoing and departed with Great King Yellow Wind, while Xuanzang reunited with his disciples.

• Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sent his Mani Jewel to gather Xuanzang’s scattered true spirit and keep it from dissipating.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva descended to save Xuanzang, drawing the calamity-karma baleful qi onto herself as his body recovered.
• Xuanzang awoke, thanked Guanyin, and heard her praise his resolve to save the kingdom.
• Great King Yellow Wind offered to return with Lingji Bodhisattva and atone for his sins.
• Lingji Bodhisattva admitted his mistakes, took Great King Yellow Wind with him, and left to confess before the Buddha.
• Sunlight returned to the Sihali Kingdom, and Xuanzang reassured his tearful disciples that he was still alive.

After defeating the demons, Xuanzang used his merit to protect the Sihali Kingdom and restore its vitality instead of accepting personal rewards. As the survivors began rebuilding, Ao Lie willingly joined Xuanzang’s disciples and received the Dharma name Wuji.

• Xuanzang asked Taibai Jinxing to urge the Great Tang to govern the Sihali Kingdom, resettle people, and restore trade and learning, but Taibai Jinxing hesitated over the karmic burden.
• Guanyin urged Taibai Jinxing to help and explained that he could share in the merit, while Xuanzang declined the Heavenly Dao’s offered golden body and supernatural power.
• Xuanzang exchanged his merit for two years of protection and the restoration of the Sihali Kingdom’s vitality, bringing golden rain that revived wells, produced food, and relieved the people’s hunger and illness.
• The Heavenly Dao’s merit healed part of Guanyin’s injury, and Taibai Jinxing agreed to carry Xuanzang’s message to the east before Guanyin returned to the South Sea to recover.
• Ao Lie knelt before Xuanzang and asked to become his disciple of his own free will, and Xuanzang granted him the Dharma name Wuji.
• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie welcomed Wuji as their junior brother, then began bickering and roughhousing while Xuanzang chanted sutras.

Xuanzang and his disciples reached the deadly Flowing Sand River, where a strange man attacked them and fought Zhu Bajie. The man escaped into the river when Sun Wukong joined the battle, leaving the pilgrims without a way across.

• Xuanzang and his disciples found the Flowing Sand River and learned that its weak water could sink even a feather.
• A red-haired stranger emerged from the river and declared that the pilgrims could not cross.
• The stranger lunged at Xuanzang, and Zhu Bajie stepped in to fight him with his Nine-Toothed Rake.
• Zhu Bajie and the stranger battled evenly for twenty rounds until Sun Wukong joined in.
• The stranger dodged Sun Wukong's attack and fled into the river, while Zhu Bajie scolded Wukong for interrupting their fight.

Xuanzang sent Zhu Bajie to offer the red-haired monster release if he would come meet him. After witnessing the monster’s torment and surviving his desperate attack, Zhu Bajie delivered the message, and the monster agreed to go.

• Xuanzang quietly told Zhu Bajie to deliver a single message to the red-haired monster.
• Zhu Bajie found the monster suffering from an invisible flying sword that pierced his chest every seven days.
• The monster attacked Zhu Bajie recklessly, begging him to kill him and end his misery.
• Zhu Bajie stopped fighting and relayed Xuanzang’s offer of release if the monster came to meet him.
• The monster dropped his Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff and begged Zhu Bajie to take him to Xuanzang.

Xuanzang confronted the monster from the Flowing Sand River and helped him see that his torment came from clinging to his fallen identity and imagined punishment. The monster began to question his guilt and the pain in his chest, while Xuanzang offered him a teaching on purity.

• Zhu Bajie stopped Sun Wukong from striking the monster, saying he was seriously ill.
• The monster knelt before Xuanzang and revealed that he had once been the Curtain-Rolling General, but had shattered the Jade Emperor's Glazed Lamp and been cast down.
• The monster cried that a flying sword pierced his chest every seven days, but Sun Wukong confirmed that there was no wound or sword.
• Xuanzang told the story of Yajñadatta and explained that the monster's imagined sword and claimed sins arose from delusion and attachment to his former identity.
• The monster felt his chest, found no sword, and discovered that the expected pain did not come as Xuanzang placed a hand on his head and spoke of purity.

Xuanzang freed the tormented stranger in the Flowing Sand River from his delusions and accepted him as a disciple, Sha Wujing. With Mucha’s help, the pilgrims prepared a Dharma Boat and set off across the Weak Water.

• Xuanzang explained that the stranger was neither an immortal nor a demon and invited him to travel west; the stranger accepted as Xuanzang’s disciple.
• Xuanzang shaved the stranger’s head, and Sun Wukong provided an ordination razor and basin.
• Mucha arrived and recognized the newly ordained man as Sha Wujing, explaining that the Bodhisattva had previously given him his name and instructed him to join the pilgrimage.
• Mucha explained how Sha Wujing’s Nine Skulls and the Bodhisattva’s Red Gourd could form a Dharma Boat to cross the Weak Water.
• Sha Wujing arranged the skulls around the gourd, and Xuanzang and the others boarded the Dharma Boat and departed for the opposite shore.

Xuanzang recited the Rebirth Mantra while crossing the Flowing Sand River, freeing the trapped spirits and revealing the spirits of his nine former lives. After reaching shore, he welcomed those former lives into himself and continued onward with their shared resolve.

• Restless spirits rose from the riverbed and dragged at the enchanted boat, but Sha Wujing explained they could not harm it.
• Xuanzang began reciting the Rebirth Mantra, and the nine skulls joined his chant as the Nectar Buddha Wheel appeared.
• Nectar and golden lotuses dispelled the river's resentment, and the spirits released the boat and carried it toward the shore.
• The delivered souls rose as lights, the river became clear, and the nine skulls transformed into figures of Xuanzang's former lives.
• Xuanzang invited his nine former lives to go with him, and they entered his body as the boat reached shore.

After the Flowing Sand River was cleared, Sha Wujing joined Xuanzang’s company and was welcomed by his new master and senior brothers. The group settled their duties and continued west, with Sha Wujing carrying the luggage and feeling accepted among them.

• Mucha thanked Xuanzang for freeing the wronged souls and clearing the Weak Water, then returned to the South Sea.
• Zhu Bajie introduced Sha Wujing to Sun Wukong, A-Hu, and Little White Dragon, while the group teased one another over their seniority.
• Sha Wujing offered to carry the luggage, but Little White Dragon initially refused because carrying it was part of his assigned cultivation.
• Xuanzang let Sha Wujing take the luggage and reminded the disciples that they were fellow travelers on the path.
• Xuanzang mounted A-Hu, and the company set off as Sha Wujing followed with the luggage and his senior brothers encouraged him.

As Xuanzang taught his disciples on the snowy road, Guanyin and three other holy figures planned a test of their resolve using wealth and beauty. The pilgrims reached a mysterious, lavish estate, and Xuanzang sent Wuji to ask for lodging.

• Xuanzang lectured the disciples on consciousness-only, praised Wukong, Wuji, and Wujing’s efforts, and ordered Bajie to copy the lesson one hundred times after he fell asleep.
• Guanyin discussed the difficulty of arranging tribulations with Old Mother Lishan, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra.
• Old Mother Lishan proposed disguising herself and the other holy figures as a wealthy widow and her daughters to tempt Xuanzang and his disciples with marriage, riches, and beauty.
• The pilgrims came upon a magnificent estate in the mountains, and Wukong noticed its auspicious aura but no demonic presence.
• Xuanzang asked Wuji to knock at the estate’s gate and request lodging.

Xuanzang and his disciples were invited to lodge at a wealthy widow’s estate, where she offered them her daughters and fortune in exchange for staying as sons-in-law. Xuanzang and the other disciples refused, but the widow made Zhu Bajie a tempting offer, leaving everyone waiting for his answer.

• Little White Dragon knocked at the estate, and the widow welcomed Xuanzang and his disciples inside.
• The widow described her wealth and three daughters, then invited the travelers to remain as sons-in-law.
• Zhenzhen, Aiai, and Lianlian appeared, and Zhu Bajie openly stared at them.
• Xuanzang rejected the offer, saying he and his disciples sought spiritual peace rather than worldly pleasures.
• Sun Wukong, Little White Dragon, and Sha Wujing each declined the widow’s offer.
• The widow singled out Zhu Bajie and offered him comfort, food, and the choice of her daughters, and he froze under everyone’s gaze.

Zhu Bajie resisted Old Mother Lishan’s offer of comfort and marriage, choosing to continue the pilgrimage with Xuanzang because the journey brought him peace of heart. After the four Bodhisattvas revealed the test had been passed, they warned Guanyin that the group’s next destination was Longevity Mountain Wuzhuang Temple.

• Sun Wukong and Little White Dragon Wuji urged Zhu Bajie to remember his vows and not be fooled by the tempting offer.
• Zhu Bajie refused the woman’s proposal, saying he would not break his promise and felt more at peace traveling with his master and brothers.
• Xuanzang and his disciples left the estate in the snow, while Zhu Bajie immediately complained about missing a warm meal.
• The estate vanished, revealing Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Old Mother Lishan, who declared that the disciples had passed their trial.
• Old Mother Lishan warned Guanyin that the pilgrims were headed to Longevity Mountain Wuzhuang Temple and that the Ancestor of Earth Immortals would require care.

Xuanzang and his disciples reached Longevity Mountain and learned that Wuzhuang Temple belonged to the renowned Zhen Yuanzi. After Qingfeng and Mingyue insulted Wukong while inviting them in, Xuanzang rejected their welcome and led the party away, leaving the two boys stunned.

• Xuanzang and his disciples admired Longevity Mountain and found Wuzhuang Temple, whose couplet made Wukong scoff at its boastfulness.
• Ao Lie recognized the temple as Wuzhuang Temple, home of Zhen Yuanzi, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals.
• Qingfeng and Mingyue greeted Xuanzang and said their master had expected his arrival, but Mingyue insulted Wukong and boasted of Zhen Yuanzi's status.
• Xuanzang stopped Wukong from retaliating, then politely declined to enter, saying the travelers were not old acquaintances and would soil the temple.
• Xuanzang led the party away, and Wukong, Bajie, Ao Lie, and Sha Wujing followed as Qingfeng and Mingyue stood dumbfounded.

After Qingfeng and Mingyue drove Xuanzang’s party away, they panicked and begged the travelers to return, fearing punishment from their master, Great Immortal Zhenyuan. Xuanzang agreed to stay the night at Wuzhuang Temple, though Wukong suspected the invitation concealed more than simple hospitality.

• Qingfeng and Mingyue realized Xuanzang’s party had left and rushed after them, afraid of what Zhenyuan would do when he returned.
• The attendants apologized to Xuanzang and Wukong, but Xuanzang explained that their prejudice made it inappropriate for his party to stay.
• When Xuanzang prepared to leave again, Qingfeng clung to A-Hu’s leg while Mingyue rolled in the mud and wailed for help.
• Xuanzang agreed to return and stay the night so the attendants would not be punished, and Qingfeng and Mingyue joyfully led the way back to Wuzhuang Temple.
• Wukong remarked that the invitation seemed to involve more than an old friend’s hospitality, while Xuanzang followed the attendants back.

At Wuzhuang Temple, Qingfeng and Mingyue brought Xuanzang two Ginseng Fruits while hoping to frighten him, but he remained calm and did not eat them. When Zhu Bajie and the others recognized the fruits as rare treasures, Bajie reached for one, and Xuanzang stopped him.

• Qingfeng and Mingyue sent Xuanzang's disciples to the kitchen and settled him in a guest room.
• Qingfeng and Mingyue brought Xuanzang two Ginseng Fruits disguised as infants, expecting him to be frightened.
• Xuanzang thanked them and left the fruits untouched, unsettling the two young Taoists.
• Zhu Bajie, Sun Wukong, Sha Wujing, and Ao Lie recognized the fruits and explained their rarity and value.
• Zhu Bajie reached for a fruit, but Xuanzang told him to wait.

Xuanzang inspected the Ginseng Fruit Tree and resolved to topple it after the Red-Blood Buddha Wheel revealed a mysterious agreement between the tree and a Daoist. He sent his disciples to summon Great Immortal Zhenyuan and the Bodhisattva as witnesses, leaving Sha Wujing to guard him at Wuzhuang Temple.

• Xuanzang used the Red-Blood Buddha Wheel on the Ginseng Fruits, then summoned Qingfeng and Mingyue to explain them.
• Qingfeng and Mingyue described the Ginseng Fruit Tree and led Xuanzang and his disciples to the rear garden.
• The Red-Blood Buddha Wheel showed Xuanzang a Daoist making an agreement with the tree, and Xuanzang announced that he intended to topple it.
• Xuanzang sent Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to Miro Palace to summon Great Immortal Zhenyuan, and Ao Lie to the South Sea to summon the Bodhisattva.
• Sha Wujing stayed behind to protect Xuanzang while Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie departed for Shangqing Heaven.

Ao WujI told Guanyin that Xuanzang planned to knock down the Ginseng Fruit Tree and had summoned witnesses, while Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie went to Shangqing Heaven to fetch Zhen Yuanzi. Zhen Yuanzi left Miro Palace to face his tribulation, after Yuanshi Tianzun complained that Wukong and Bajie were blocking his door.

• Ao WujI told Guanyin that Xuanzang intended to knock down the Ginseng Fruit Tree and had asked her to witness it.
• Sun Wukong dragged Zhu Bajie through Chaos toward Miro Palace, then decided they would block its door until Zhen Yuanzi came out.
• Zhu Bajie reluctantly sat beside Sun Wukong outside the palace, fearing they had offended Yuanshi Tianzun.
• Yuanshi Tianzun told Zhen Yuanzi that he had entered the tribulation and should leave to meet it.
• Yuanshi Tianzun asked Zhen Yuanzi to warn Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie about blocking his door, then wished Zhen Yuanzi success in breaking free of his confines.

Xuanzang explained that the Ginseng Fruit Tree had absorbed the earth veins’ baleful qi for ages, and its fruits were the bitter result of that suffering. He intended to topple the tree to grant its wish and free Zhen Yuanzi from his impossible dilemma.

• Zhu Bajie met Zhen Yuanzi in the chaotic void and persuaded him to return to Wuzhuang Temple, where Zhen Yuanzi captured Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong in his sleeve.
• Xuanzang asked Guanyin to witness his intention to topple the Ginseng Fruit Tree, and Zhen Yuanzi arrived as Qingfeng and Mingyue accused Xuanzang of threatening it.
• Zhen Yuanzi scolded Qingfeng and Mingyue and sent them into seclusion, then greeted Guanyin and Xuanzang.
• Sun Wukong struck Zhen Yuanzi with his Golden Cudgel, but Guanyin stopped him before he could attack again.
• Xuanzang revealed that the Ginseng Fruit Tree had willingly absorbed resentment and baleful qi from the earth veins, and that its fruits were condensed from that corruption.
• Xuanzang said the tree could no longer endure its suffering and offered to topple it himself, sparing Zhen Yuanzi from breaking his oath or risking another person’s punishment.

Zhen Yuanzi revealed that he had planned for Sun Wukong to topple the Ginseng Fruit Tree so it could escape the earth veins’ baleful qi and be restored through the Journey to the West’s merit. Xuanzang rejected the plan as a temporary fix that prolonged the tree’s suffering, then approached it with a blazing Buddhist halo, preparing to bear the burden himself.

• Zhen Yuanzi explained that the Ginseng Fruit Tree was suffering from the earth veins’ baleful qi and that he had planned to have Sun Wukong topple it so it could be rebuilt through Buddhist merit.
• Zhen Yuanzi bowed to Sun Wukong and asked him to accept the karmic debt of felling the tree, and Wukong agreed despite Xuanzang’s concern.
• Xuanzang stopped Wukong and argued that Zhen Yuanzi’s plan would only restore the tree temporarily while leaving it exposed to endless baleful qi.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva warned Xuanzang not to overreach, but he said he would bear the burden rather than let the childlike fruit suffer.
• Xuanzang picked up the Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff and approached the Ginseng Fruit Tree as a brilliant, firelike Buddhist halo appeared behind him.